ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Radio One is one of the nation’s largest radio broadcasting companies and the largest broadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. We currently own 53 broadcast stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States. While our primary source of revenue is the sale of local and national advertising for broadcast on our radio stations, we have diversified our revenue streams by making acquisitions and investments in other complementary media properties. Most recently, in April 2008, we completed our acquisition of Community Connect Inc. (“CCI”), an online social networking company that hosts the website BlackPlanet, the largest social networking site primarily targeted at African-Americans. This acquisition is consistent with our operating strategy of becoming a multi-media entertainment and information content provider to African-American consumers. Our other media acquisitions and investments include our approximate 36% ownership interest in TV One, LLC (“TV One”), an African-American targeted cable television network that we invested in with an affiliate of Comcast Corporation and other investors; our 51% ownership interest in Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”), which operates the Tom Joyner Morning Show; and our acquisition of certain net assets (“Giant Magazine”) of Giant Magazine, LLC, an urban-themed lifestyle and entertainment magazine. Through our national multi-media presence, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American audience.
While diversifying our operations, since December 2006, we have sold approximately $287.9 million of our non-core radio assets. While we maintained our core radio franchise, these dispositions have allowed the Company to more strategically allocate its resources consistent with its long-term multi-media operating strategy.
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 two reportable segments: (i) Radio Broadcasting and (ii) Internet/Publishing. (See Note 17 of the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 - Segment Information.)
Significant 2008 Events
On February 20, 2008, Peter Thompson assumed the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company. Mr. Thompson comes to the Company with over 20 years of financial experience and served as the Company’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Development from October 1, 2007 until his appointment as the Company’s CFO. Mr. Thompson assumed the role of CFO following the departure of Scott R. Royster, who left the Company on December 31, 2007.
Acquisitions
In June 2008, the Company purchased the assets of WPRS-FM, a radio station located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, for $38.0 million. From April 2007 and until closing, the station had been operated under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”), and the results of its operations were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The station was consolidated with the Company’s existing Washington, DC operations in April 2007.
In April 2008, the Company acquired CCI for $38.0 million in cash. CCI is an online social networking company operating branded websites including BlackPlanet, MiGente, and AsianAvenue.
Dispositions
Between December 2006 and May 2008, the Company sold the assets of 20 radio stations in seven markets for approximately $287.9 million in cash. These dispositions were consistent with the Company’s strategic plan to divest itself of non-core radio assets.
Los Angeles Station: In May 2008, the Company sold the assets of its radio station KRBV-FM, located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, to Bonneville International Corporation (“Bonneville”) for approximately $137.5 million in cash. Bonneville began operating the station under an LMA on April 8, 2008.
Miami Station: In April 2008, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WMCU-AM (formerly WTPS-AM), located in the Miami metropolitan area, to Salem Communications Holding Corporation (“Salem”) for approximately $12.3 million in cash. Salem began operating the station under an LMA effective October 18, 2007.
Augusta Stations: In December 2007, the Company sold the assets of its five radio stations in the Augusta metropolitan area to Perry Broadcasting Company for approximately $3.1 million in cash.
Louisville Station: In November 2007, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WLRX-FM in the Louisville metropolitan area to WAY FM Media Group, Inc. for approximately $1.0 million in cash.
Dayton and Louisville Stations: In September 2007, the Company sold the assets of its five radio stations in the Dayton metropolitan area and five of its six radio stations in the Louisville metropolitan area to Main Line Broadcasting, LLC for approximately $76.0 million in cash.
Minneapolis Station: In August 2007, the Company sold the assets of its radio station KTTB-FM in the Minneapolis metropolitan area to Northern Lights Broadcasting, LLC for approximately $28.0 million in cash.
Boston Station: In December 2006, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WILD-FM in the Boston metropolitan area to Entercom Boston, LLC (“Entercom”) for approximately $30.0 million in cash. Entercom began operating the station under an LMA effective August 18, 2006.
Our Stations and Markets
The table below provides information about our radio stations and the markets in which we operated as of December 31, 2008.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Due to a methodology measurement change, the four book average is measured using the diary method in the first three quarters of the year and the portable people meter (“PPM”) methodology for the fourth quarter.
Due to a methodology measurement change, the four book average is measured using a 12 book PPM average.
We do not subscribe to Arbitron for our Boston market.
WDNI-LP, the low power television station that we acquired in Indianapolis in June 2000, is not included in this table.
(a)
Audience share data are for the 12+ demographic and derived from the Arbitron Survey four book averages ending with the Fall 2008 Arbitron Survey.
(b)
estimated annual radio revenues are from BIA Financials Investing in Radio Market Report, 2008 Yearbook. The BIA Financials Investing in Radio Market Report, 2009 Yearbook which would include the 2008 estimated annual radio revenues was not available at the date the this Form 10-K was filed.
(c)
Population estimates are from the Arbitron Radio Market Report, Fall 2008.
The African-American Market Opportunity
We believe that urban-oriented media primarily targeting African-Americans continues as an attractive opportunity for the following reasons:
Relative Outperformance versus General Market. Within our core radio business, based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), 2008 total market revenue in the markets within which we operate declined 8.8% while our revenues within these markets declined by 6.1%. We attribute this outperformance to the unique multi-media platform we operate specifically targeting the African-American population and urban listeners. Based upon population growth trends, geographic concentration among the African-American population, income growth and the significant influence of African-American culture, we believe that targeting African-Americans through advertising continues to be an attractive opportunity. In addition, the growth in internet usage among African-Americans contrasted with the limited online content targeting the African-American and urban consumer represents a market opportunity that has yet to mature.
Rapid African-American Population Growth. From 2000 to 2005, the African-American population grew 4.8%, compared to a 4.3% overall population growth rate, and accounted for 12.1% of total population growth. The African-American population is expected to increase by approximately 2.4 million between 2005 and 2010 to approximately 40.0 million, a 9.9% increase from 2000, compared to an expected increase during the same period of 6.0% for the non-African-American population. African-Americans are expected to make up 17.9% of total population growth during the period from 2005 through 2010. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2004, “U.S. Interim Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.”) According to the U.S. Census, the average African-American population is nearly five years younger than the total U.S. population average. As a result, urban formats, in general, tend to skew younger than formats targeted to the general market population. Within the next 30 years the African-American population is expected to exceed 50 million people and will represent more than 14% of the total U.S. population. The African-American consumer market represents an attractive customer segment in many states. (Source: The Multicultural Economy, the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth, 2006 Edition).
High African-American Geographic Concentration. An analysis of the African-American population shows a high degree of geographic concentration. A recent study shows that while the most populous five U.S. markets are home to 21.0% of the overall U.S. population, 27.0% of the African-American population resides in those same markets. Expanding the analysis to the most populous 20 U.S. markets, 45.0% of the overall U.S. population resides within these markets, with 57% of the African-American population residing within them. (Source: “Markets Within Markets,” CAB Race, Relevance and Revenue, June 2007). The practical implication of this concentration is that constructing a geographic media strategy across radio and the internet can have a much more meaningful reach towards the African-American population than non-African-American populations.
Higher African-American Income Growth. The economic status of African-Americans improved at an above-average rate over the past two decades. The per capita income of African-Americans is expected to increase 21.1% between 2005 and 2010 (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Income Data). African-American buying power was estimated at $799 billion in 2006, up from $590 billion in 2000. African-American buying power is expected to increase to $1.1 trillion by 2011, up by 237.0% in 22 years. (Source: “Black Buying Power,” CAB Race, Relevance and Revenue, June 2007). In addition, African-American consumers tend to have a different consumption profile than do non-African-Americans. A report published by the Cable Advertising Bureau notes those products and services for which African-American households spent more or a higher proportion of their money than non-African-Americans. The products and services included apparel and accessories, appliances, consumer electronics, food, personal care products, telephone service and transportation. Such findings imply that utilities, telecom firms, clothing and grocers would greatly benefit from marketing directly to African-American consumers. This is particularly true in those states (including the District of Columbia) where African American buying power represents the largest share of total buying power within such states with the largest share of total African-American buying power, such as the District of Columbia (31.1%), Maryland (22.0%), Georgia (20.5%), North Carolina (14.5%) and Virginia (13.1%). (Source: “Black Buying Power,” CAB Race, Relevance and Revenue, June 2007).
Growing Influence of African-American Culture. We believe that there continues to be an ongoing “urbanization” of many facets of American society as evidenced by the influence of African-American culture in the areas of politics, music, film, fashion, sports and urban-oriented television shows and networks. We believe that many companies from a broad range of industries and prominent fashion designers have embraced this urbanization trend in their products as well as their advertising messages.
Growth in Advertising Targeting the African-American Market. We continue to believe that large corporate advertisers are becoming more focused on reaching minority consumers in the United States. The African-American community is considered an emerging growth market within a mature domestic market. Over the 12-month period October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007, advertisers spent $2.3 billion across all media targeting African-Americans. Of that amount, advertisers spent $805 million, or 35% of total media spending, on radio formats targeting African-Americans. Advertisers use radio to target African-Americans more than any other medium. (Source: “Big Ad-Spend on Radio Targeting Blacks” Mediaweek, January 29, 2008). We believe many large corporations are expanding their commitment to ethnic advertising. The companies that successfully market to the African-American audience have focused on building brand relationships. Advertisers are making an effort to fully understand the African-American consumer, and to relate to them with messages that are relevant to their community. They are accomplishing this by visibly and consistently engaging the African-American consumer, involving themselves with the interests of the African-American consumer and increasing African-American brand loyalty.
Significant and Growing Internet Usage among African-Americans with Limited Targeted Online Content Offerings. African-Americans are becoming significant users of the internet. The same factors driving increases in African-American buying power, such as improvements in education, income and employment, are also increasing African-American internet usage. One study estimates that African-Americans will make up 11.8% of all U.S. internet users in 2011, up from 10.8% in 2006. (Source: "African Americans Online", eMarketer, 2007). In one of the more recent studies available that tracks internet usage patterns, African-Americans were found to use the internet more hours per day than the general online population. Additionally, the growth of internet penetration and high-speed internet penetration in African-American households is expected to remain above that of the general population. Furthermore, even with such high penetration, the overwhelming number of African-Americans says there is not enough online content that is targeted towards them as a distinct culture with its own needs and values. (Source: 2005 AOL African-American Cyberstudy, conducted for America Online by Images Market Research). In fact, we believe that there is no company that dominates the African-American market online and the lack of any strong competitive presence presents a significant opportunity for us to build an online business that is highly scalable.
The Results of our Black America Study (www.blackamericastudy.com). In addition to relying on third-party research and our own experience, from time to time we conduct or commission our own proprietary research. In early 2008, we released the groundbreaking “Black America Study”. This national study, conducted by Yankelovich, a leader in consumer research for over 50 years, is one of the largest segmentation research studies ever done of Blacks and African-Americans. This study helps us to better understand the motivations of our core demographic by segmenting the large and growing African-American audience so that we can highlight the diversity that exists in Black America. This enhanced understanding helps us identify new opportunities to serve the African-American community and assists us in helping advertisers and marketers reach Black America more effectively.
The study includes insight into African-Americans’ feelings about their future, past and present, as well as, details on their relationship with media, advertising and technology. The incredible wealth of quantifiable information about our listeners, viewers, readers and visitors provides invaluable marketing and programming applications for Radio One. This allows us to ensure that our content best reflects our audience and allows for companies, organizations and individuals to effectively reach this vital community.
Business Strategy
Radio Station Portfolio Optimization. Our strategy is to make select acquisitions of radio stations, primarily in markets where we already have a presence, and to divest stations which are no longer strategic in nature. We may divest stations that do not have an urban format or stations located in smaller markets or markets where the African-American population is smaller, on a relative basis, than other markets in which we operate. Since December 2006, we have completed the sale of approximately $287.9 million of our non-core radio assets in accordance with our portfolio optimization plan. Notwithstanding these dispositions, we are continually looking for opportunities to upgrade existing radio stations by strengthening their signals to reach a larger number of potential listeners.
Investment in Complementary Businesses. We continue to invest in complementary businesses in the media and entertainment industry. The primary focus of these investments will be on businesses that provide entertainment and information content to African-American consumers. Such investments include the internet and publishing. Most recently, in April 2008, we acquired CCI, an online social networking company that hosts the website BlackPlanet, the largest social networking site primarily targeted at African-Americans. This acquisition is consistent with our operating strategy of becoming a multi-media entertainment and information content provider to African-American consumers. We believe that our unique position as a diversified media company focused on the African-American consumer provides us with a competitive advantage in these new businesses.
Top 50 African-American Radio Markets in the United States
The table below notes the top 50 African-American radio markets in the United States. Boxes and bold text indicate markets where we own radio stations. Population estimates are for 2008 and are based upon data provided by Arbitron.
Multi-Media Operating Strategy
To maximize net revenue and station operating income at our radio stations, we strive to achieve the largest audience share of African-American listeners in each market, convert these audience share ratings to advertising revenue, and control operating expenses. Complementing our core radio franchise are our cable, print and online media interests. Through our national presence across our various media, we provide our customers with a multi-media advertising platform that is a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to African-Americans. We believe that as we continue to diversify into other media, the strength and effectiveness of this unique platform will become even more compelling. The success of our strategy relies on the following:
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market research, targeted programming and marketing;
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ownership and syndication of programming content;
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radio station clustering, programming segmentation and sales bundling;
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strategic and coordinated sales, marketing and special event efforts;
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strong management and performance-based incentives; and
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significant community involvement.
Market Research, Targeted Programming and Marketing
We use market research to tailor the programming, marketing and promotion of our radio stations and content of our complementary media to maximize audience share. We also use our research to reinforce our current programming and content and to identify unserved or underserved markets or segments of the African-American population and to determine whether to acquire new media properties or reprogram one of our existing media properties to target those markets or segments.
We also seek to reinforce our targeted programming and content by creating a distinct and marketable identity for each of our media properties. To achieve this objective, in addition to our significant community involvement discussed below, we employ and promote distinct, high-profile personalities across our media properties, many of whom have strong ties to the African-American community.
Ownership and Syndication of Programming Content
To diversify our revenue base, we seek to develop or acquire proprietary African-American targeted content. We distribute this content in a variety of ways, utilizing our own network of multi-media distribution assets or through distribution assets owned by others. If we distribute content through others, we will be paid for providing this content or receive advertising inventory in exchange. To date, our programming content efforts have included our investment in TV One and its related programming, our acquisition of 51% of the common stock of Reach Media, the acquisition of Giant Magazine, the acquisition and development of our interactive brands including BlackPlanet, NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily and HelloBeautiful and the development of several syndicated radio shows.
Radio Station Clustering, Programming Segmentation and Sales Bundling
We strive to build clusters of radio stations in our markets, 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 into the distinct segments of our overall target market. In a similar fashion, we have multiple online brands including BlackPlanet, NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily and HelloBeautiful. Each of these brands focuses upon a different segment of African-American online users. With our radio station clusters and multiple online brands we are able to direct advertisers to specific audiences or to bundle the radio stations and brands for advertising sales purposes when advantageous.
We believe there are several potential benefits that result from operating multiple radio stations in the same market and multiple online brands. First, each additional radio station in a market and online brand provides us with a larger percentage of the prime advertising time available for sale within that market and among online users. Second, the more stations we program and brands we operate, the greater the market share we can achieve in our target demographic groups through the use of segmented programming and content delivery. Third, we are often able to consolidate sales, promotional, technical support and business functions across stations and brands to produce substantial cost savings. Finally, the purchase of additional radio stations in an existing market and the development of additional online brands allow us to take advantage of our market expertise and existing relationships with advertisers.
Sales, Marketing and Special Events
We have assembled an effective, highly trained sales staff responsible for converting audience share into revenue. We operate with a focused, sales-oriented culture, which rewards aggressive selling efforts through a commission and bonus compensation structure. We hire and deploy large teams of sales professionals for each of our media properties or media clusters, and we provide these teams with the resources necessary to compete effectively in the markets in which we operate. We utilize various sales strategies to sell and market our properties on a stand-alone basis, in combination with other properties within a given market, and across our various media properties, where appropriate.
We have created a national platform of radio stations in some of the largest African-American markets. This platform reaches approximately 12 million listeners weekly, more than that of any other radio broadcaster primarily targeting African-Americans. Given the high degree of geographic concentration among the African-American population, national advertisers find advertising on our radio stations an efficient and cost-effective way to reach this target audience. Through our corporate sales department, we bundle and sell our platform of radio stations to national advertisers, thereby enhancing our revenue generating opportunities, expanding our base of advertisers, creating greater demand for our advertising time inventory and increasing the capacity utilization of our inventory and making our sales efforts more efficient. We have also created a dedicated online and print sales force as part of our interactive unit. The unit’s national team focuses on helping marketers reach our online and print audience of approximately 8 million unique visitors. Our leading advertising products, custom solutions, and integrated inventory opportunities, allow marketers a unique vehicle to reach online African-American consumers at scale. To allow marketers to reach our audience across all of our platforms (radio, television, online and print) in an efficient way, we recently launched One Solution. One Solution is our a cross-platform/brand sales and marketing effort which allows top tier advertisers to take full advantage of our complete suite of offerings through a one-stop shop approach.
In order to create advertising loyalty, we strive to be the recognized expert in marketing to the African-American consumer in the markets in which we operate. We believe that we have achieved this recognition by focusing on serving the African-American consumer and by creating innovative advertising campaigns and promotional tie-ins with our advertising clients and sponsoring numerous entertainment events each year. In these events, advertisers buy signage, booth space and broadcast promotions to sell a variety of goods and services to African-American consumers. As we expand our presence in our existing markets and into new markets, we may increase the number of events and the number of markets in which we host events based upon our evaluation of the financial viability and economic benefits of the events.
Strong Management and Performance-Based Incentives
We focus on hiring and retaining highly motivated and talented individuals in each functional area of our organization who can effectively help us implement our growth and operating strategies. Our management team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who bring significant expertise to their functional areas. To enhance the quality of our management in the areas of sales and programming, general managers, sales managers and program directors have significant portions of their compensation tied to the achievement of certain performance goals. General Managers’ compensation is based partially on increasing market share and achieving station operating income benchmarks, which creates an incentive for management to focus on both sales growth and expense control. Additionally, sales managers and sales personnel have incentive packages based on sales goals, and program directors and on-air talent have incentive packages focused on maximizing ratings in specific target segments. Our One Solution sales approach seeks to drive incremental revenue and value across all of our media properties and includes performance based incentives for our sales team.
Significant Community Involvement
We believe our active involvement and significant relationships in the African-American community across our brands and in each of our markets provide a competitive advantage in targeting African-American audiences and significantly improve the marketability of our advertising to businesses that are targeting such communities. We believe that a media property’s image should reflect the lifestyle and viewpoints of the target demographic group it serves. Due to our fundamental understanding of the African-American community, we are well positioned to identify music and musical styles, as well as political and social trends and issues, early in their evolution. This understanding is then integrated into significant aspects of our operations across all of our media properties and enables us to create enhanced awareness and name recognition in the marketplace. In addition, we believe our approach to community involvement leads to increased effectiveness in developing and updating our programming formats and online brands and content which in turn leads to greater listenership and users of our online properties, driving higher ratings and online traffic over the long-term.
Our Radio Station Portfolio
The following table sets forth selected information about our portfolio of radio stations as of December 31, 2008. Market population data and revenue rank data are from BIA Financials Investing in Radio Market Report, 2008 Fourth Edition. Audience share and audience rank data are based on Arbitron Survey four book averages ending with the Fall 2008 Arbitron Survey unless otherwise noted. As used in this table, “n/a” means not applicable or not available and (“t”) means tied with one or more radio stations.
*
Simulcast with WKJS-FM
**
Simulcast with WFXC-FM
(1)
Due to a methodology measurement change, the four book average is measured using the diary method in the first three quarters of the year and the PPM methodology for the fourth quarter.
(2)
Due to a methodology measurement change, the rank is based upon three book diary average ranking.
(3)
Due to a methodology measurement change, the four book average is measured using 12 book PPM average.
(4)
WDNI-LP, the low power television station that we acquired in Indianapolis in June 2000, is not included in this table.
Radio Advertising Revenue
For the year ended December 31, 2008 approximately 96.2% of our net revenue was generated from the sale of advertising in our core radio business. Substantially all the net revenue generated from our radio franchise is generated from the sale of local and national advertising. Local sales are made by the sales staff located in our markets. National sales are made primarily by a firm specializing in radio advertising sales on the national level. This firm is paid a commission on the advertising sold. Approximately 58.0% of our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 was generated from the sale of local advertising and 24.2% from sales to national advertisers, including network advertising. The balance of net revenue generated from our radio franchise is primarily derived from tower rental income, ticket sales and revenue related to Radio One sponsored events, management fees and other revenue.
Advertising rates charged by radio stations are based primarily on:
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a radio station’s audience share within the demographic groups targeted by the advertisers;
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the number of radio stations in the market competing for the same demographic groups; and
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the supply and demand for radio advertising time.
A radio station’s listenership is measured by diary ratings surveys or the PPM metering system, 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 growth, set advertising rates and adjust programming. Advertising rates are generally highest during the morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Strategic Diversification and Other Sources of Revenue
We have expanded our operations to include other media forms that are complementary to our core radio business. Most recently, in April 2008, we acquired CCI, an online social networking company that hosts the website BlackPlanet, the largest social networking site primarily targeted at African-Americans. CCI currently generates the majority of the Company’s internet revenue, and derives such revenue principally from advertising services, including advertising aimed at diversity recruiting. 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 or leads are reported, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. CCI has a diversity recruiting agreement with Monster, Inc. (“Monster”). Under the agreement, Monster posts job listings and advertising on CCI’s websites and CCI earns revenue for displaying the images on its websites.
CCI is a part of our broader interactive unit which also includes the online brands NewsOne, TheUrbanDaily and HelloBeautiful. Similar to CCI, these web properties primarily derive their revenue from advertising services and revenue is recognized either as impressions are delivered, when “click through” purchases or leads are reported, or ratably over the contract, where applicable.
In February 2005, we acquired 51% of the common stock of Reach Media, which operates The Tom Joyner Morning Show and related businesses. Reach Media primarily derives its revenue from the sale of advertising inventory in connection with its syndication agreements. Mr. Joyner is a leading nationally syndicated radio personality. As of December 31, 2008, The Tom Joyner Morning Show was broadcast on 108 affiliate stations across the United States and is a top-rated morning show in many of the markets in which it is broadcast. Reach Media provides programming content for TV One and operates www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, an African-American targeted web-site. Reach Media also operates the Tom Joyner Family Reunion and various other special event-related activities.
In July 2003, we entered into a joint venture agreement with an affiliate of Comcast Corporation and other investors to create TV One, LLC, an entity formed to operate a cable television network featuring lifestyle, entertainment and news-related programming targeted primarily towards African-American viewers. At that time, we committed to make a cumulative cash investment of $74.0 million in TV One, of which $60.3 million had been funded as of December 31, 2008. The initial commitment period for funding the capital committed was extended to April 1, 2009, due in part to TV One's lower than anticipated capital needs during the initial commitment period.
In December 2004, TV One entered into a distribution agreement with DIRECTV, Inc. ("DIRECTV") and certain affiliates of DIRECTV became investors in TV One. As of December 31, 2008, we owned approximately 36% of TV One on a fully-converted basis.
We entered into separate network services and advertising services agreements with TV One in 2003. Under the network services agreement, we are providing TV One with administrative and operational support services and access to Radio One personalities. This agreement was originally scheduled to expire in January 2009, and has now been extended to January 2010. Under the advertising services agreement, we are providing a specified amount of advertising to TV One. This agreement was also originally scheduled to expire in January 2009, and has now been extended to January 2011. In consideration of providing these services, we have received equity in TV One, and receive an annual cash fee of $500,000 for providing services under the network services agreement.
We have launched websites that simultaneously stream radio station content for 39 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 our radio airwaves 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’ presence. In addition, our station websites link to our other online properties acting as traffic sources for these online brands.
In December 2006, we acquired certain assets of Giant Magazine, an urban-themed music and lifestyle magazine. While we generally view the magazine business as a difficult business in which to operate, we believe that this magazine complements our existing asset base and can share resources across our platform of assets, including our radio stations, TV One, our interactive unit and our corporate back-office functions. Furthermore, Giant Magazine supports the content needs of our interactive unit.
Future opportunities could include investments in, or acquisitions of, companies in diverse media businesses, music production and distribution, movie distribution, internet-based services, and distribution of our content through emerging distribution systems such as the internet, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, digital entertainment devices, and the home entertainment market.
Competition
The media industry is highly competitive and we face intense competition in both our core radio franchise and in our complimentary media properties, including our interactive unit. 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 station converts to a format similar to that of one of our stations, or if one of our competitors strengthens its 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.
The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of new media technologies, which may impact our business. We cannot assure you that we will have the resources to acquire new technologies or to introduce new services that could compete with these new technologies. Several new media technologies are being, or have been, developed including the following:
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satellite delivered digital audio radio service, which has resulted in the introduction of several new satellite radio services with sound quality equivalent to that of compact discs;
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audio programming by cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite systems; and
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digital audio and video content available for listening and/or viewing on the internet and/or available for downloading to portable devices.
Along with most other public radio companies, we have invested in iBiquity, a developer of digital audio broadcast technology. We have committed by the end of 2009 to convert most of our analog broadcast radio stations to in-band, on-channel digital radio broadcasts, which could provide multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services. However, we cannot assure you that these arrangements will be successful or enable us to adapt effectively to these new media technologies. As of December 31, 2008, we had converted 45 stations to digital broadcast.
Our interactive unit competes for the time and attention of internet users and, thus, advertisers and advertising revenues with a wide range of internet companies such as Yahoo! Inc., Google and Microsoft, social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook and traditional media companies, which are increasingly offering their own internet products and services. The internet is dynamic and rapidly evolving, and new and popular competitors, such as social networking sites, frequently emerge and/or are fragmented by new and evolving technologies.
Antitrust Regulation
The agencies responsible for enforcing the federal antitrust laws, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), may investigate acquisitions. The DOJ has challenged a number of media property transactions. Some of those challenges ultimately resulted in consent decrees requiring, among other things, divestitures of certain media properties. We cannot predict the outcome of any specific DOJ or FTC review of a particular acquisition.
For acquisitions meeting certain size thresholds, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act requires the parties to file Notification and Report Forms concerning antitrust issues with the DOJ and the FTC and to observe specified waiting period requirements before completing the acquisition. If the investigating agency raises substantive issues in connection with a proposed transaction, the parties involved frequently engage in lengthy discussions and/or negotiations with the investigating agency to address those issues, including restructuring the proposed acquisition or divesting assets. In addition, the investigating agency could file suit in federal court to enjoin the acquisition or to require the divestiture of assets, among other remedies. All acquisitions, regardless of whether they are required to be reported under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, may be investigated by the DOJ or the FTC under the antitrust laws before or after completion. In addition, private parties may under certain circumstances bring legal action to challenge an acquisition under the antitrust laws. The DOJ has stated publicly that it believes that local marketing agreements, joint sales agreements, time brokerage agreements and other similar agreements customarily entered into in connection with radio station transfers could violate the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act if such agreements take effect prior to the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. The DOJ has established certain revenue and audience share concentration benchmarks with respect to radio station acquisitions, above which a transaction may receive additional antitrust scrutiny. The DOJ has also investigated transactions that do not meet or exceed these benchmarks and has cleared transactions that do exceed these benchmarks.
Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting
The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) of ownership limitations, programming, technical operations, employment and other business practices. The FCC regulates radio broadcast stations pursuant to the Communications Act (the “Communications Act”) of 1934, as amended. 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:
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assigns frequency bands for radio broadcasting;
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determines the particular frequencies, locations, operating power, interference standards and other technical parameters of radio broadcast stations;
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issues, renews, revokes and modifies radio broadcast station licenses;
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imposes annual regulatory fees and application processing fees to recover its administrative costs;
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establishes technical requirements for certain transmitting equipment to restrict harmful emissions;
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adopts and implements regulations and policies that affect the ownership, operation, program content and employment and business practices of radio broadcast stations; and
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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 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 of 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, local jurisdictions, are considering and may in the future 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:
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changes to the license authorization and renewal process;
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proposals to improve record keeping, including enhanced disclosure of stations’ efforts to serve the public interest;
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proposals to impose spectrum use or other fees on FCC licensees;
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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, funding, political advertising rates, and sponsorship disclosures;
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proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages;
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proposals regarding the regulation of the broadcast of indecent or violent content;
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proposals to increase the actions stations must take to demonstrate service to their local communities;
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technical and frequency allocation matters, including increased protection of low power FM stations from interference by full-service stations;
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changes in broadcast multiple ownership, foreign ownership, cross-ownership and ownership attribution policies;
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changes to allow satellite radio operators to insert local content into their programming service;
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additional public interest requirements for terrestrial digital audio broadcasters;
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changes to allow telephone companies to deliver audio and video programming to homes in their service areas; and
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proposals to alter provisions of the 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:
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the radio station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity;
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there have been no serious violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or FCC rules and regulations; and
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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 without any conditions or sanctions imposed; 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. Class A, B and C radio stations each operate unlimited time. Class A radio stations render primary and secondary service over an extended area. Class B radio stations render service only over a primary service area. Class C radio stations render service only over a primary service area that may be reduced as a consequence of interference. Class D radio stations operate either 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 requiring 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.
Radio One’s Licenses. The following table sets forth information with respect to each of our radio stations. 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.
(1)
WUMJ-FM effective February 20, 2009 (formerly WPZE-FM).
(2)
WAMJ-FM effective February 27, 2009 (formerly WJZZ-FM).
(3)
WPZE-FM effective February 20, 2009 (formerly WAMJ-FM).
(4)
WPPZ-FM operates with facilities equivalent to 3kW at 100 meters.
(A)
WDNI-LP, the low power television station that we acquired in Indianapolis in June 2000, is not included in this table.
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 or acquisition 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 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 in certain instances.
Under the Communications Act, a broadcast license may not be granted to or held by any persons who are not U.S. citizens or by any corporation that has more than 20% of its capital stock owned or voted by non-U.S. citizens or entities or their representatives, by foreign governments or their representatives, or by non-U.S. corporations. The Communications Act prohibits indirect foreign ownership through a parent company of the licensee of more than 25% if the FCC determines the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license. The FCC has interpreted this provision of the Communications Act to require an affirmative public interest finding before a broadcast license may be granted to or held by any such entity, and the FCC has made such an affirmative finding only in limited circumstances. 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.
The FCC generally 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 are generally deemed attributable interests, as are any limited partnership or limited liability company interests that are not properly “insulated” from management activities. Passive investors that hold stock for investment purposes only may hold attributable interests with the ownership of 20% or more of the voting stock of the licensee 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 rights 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 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 a same-market media entity 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 not materially involved. A major programming supplier is any supplier that provides more than 15% of the station’s weekly programming hours. The FCC has adopted revisions to the EDP rule to promote diversification of broadcast ownership, allowing the 33% EDP benchmark to be exceeded in certain circumstances that would enable an “eligible entity” (as defined by the FCC) to acquire a broadcast station.
The Communications Act and FCC rules generally restrict ownership, operation or control of, or the common holding of attributable interests in:
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radio broadcast stations above certain numerical limits serving the same local market;
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radio broadcast stations combined with television broadcast stations above certain numerical limits serving the same local market (radio/television cross ownership); and
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a radio broadcast station and an English-language daily newspaper serving the same local market (newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership), although in late 2007 the FCC adopted a revised rule that would allow a degree of same-market newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership based on certain presumptions, criteria and limitations.
The media ownership rules are subject to periodic review by the FCC. In 2003, the FCC adopted new rules to modify ownership limits, to change the way a local radio market is defined and to make JSAs involving more than 15% of a same-market radio station’s advertising sales “attributable” under the ownership limits. The FCC grandfathered existing combinations of radio stations that would not comply with the modified rules. However, the FCC ruled that such noncompliant combinations could not be sold intact except to certain “eligible entities,” which the agency defined as entities qualifying as a small business consistent with Small Business Administration standards. The 2003 rules were challenged in court and the Third Circuit stayed their implementation, among other things, on the basis that the FCC did not adequately justify its radio ownership limits. Subsequently, the Third Circuit partially lifted its stay to allow the new local market definition, JSA attribution rule and grandfather rules to go into effect. The FCC currently is applying such revisions to pending and new applications.
The numerical limits on radio stations that one entity may own in a local market are as follows:
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in a radio market with 45 or more commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to eight commercial radio stations, not more than five of which are in the same service (AM or FM);
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in a radio market with 30 to 44 commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to seven commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM);
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in a radio market with 15 to 29 commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to six commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM); and
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in a radio market with 14 or fewer commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control 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 own, operate, or control more than 50% of the radio stations in such market.
To apply these tiers, the FCC currently relies on Arbitron Metro Survey Areas, where they exist. In other areas, the FCC relies on a contour-overlap methodology. Under this approach, the FCC uses one overlapping contour methodology for defining a local radio market and counting the number of stations that the applicant controls or proposes to control in that market, and it employs a separate overlapping contour methodology for determining the number of operating commercial radio stations in the market for determining compliance with the local radio ownership caps. For radio stations located outside Arbitron Metro Survey Areas, the FCC is undertaking a rulemaking to determine how to define local radio markets in areas located outside Arbitron 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 its 2003 media ownership decision, the FCC adopted new cross-media limits to replace the former newspaper-broadcast and radio-television cross-ownership rules. These provisions were remanded by the Third Circuit for further FCC consideration and are currently subject to a judicial stay. In 2006, the FCC commenced a new rule making proceeding which it addressed the next periodic review and issues on remand from the Third Circuit. At an open meeting on December 18, 2007, the FCC adopted a decision in that proceeding. It revised the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule to allow a degree of same-market newspaper/broadcast ownership based on certain presumptions, criteria and limitations. It made no changes to the currently effective local radio ownership rules (as modified in 2003) or the radio/television cross-ownership rule (as modified in 1999). The FCC’s 2007 decision is the subject of a request for reconsideration and various court appeals.
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:
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enforcement of a more narrow market definition based upon Arbitron markets 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;
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restricting the assignment and transfer of control of radio combinations that exceed the new ownership limits as a result of the revised local market definitions 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 in response to community problems, needs and interests and maintaining records demonstrating its responsiveness. The FCC considers complaints from listeners about a broadcast station’s programming, and the station is required to maintain complaints on public file for two years. In November 2007, the FCC adopted rules establishing a standardized form for reporting information on a television station’s public interest programming and requiring television broadcasters to post the new form, as well as other documents in their public inspection files, on station websites. The FCC is considering whether to adopt similar rules for radio stations. Moreover, in December 2007, the FCC adopted a report and 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 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 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 requires that licensees not discriminate in hiring practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or gender. They also require stations with at least five full-time employees to 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. Radio stations with more than 10 full-time employees must file certain annual EEO reports with the FCC midway through their license term.
From time to time, complaints may be filed against Radio One’s 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 February 15, 2009, we employed 1,000 full-time employees and 395 part-time employees. Our employees are not unionized; however, some of our employees were at one point covered by collective bargaining agreements that we assumed in connection with certain of our station acquisitions. We have not experienced any work stoppages and believe relations with our employees are satisfactory.
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.radio-one.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.radio-one.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.radio-one.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, 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
Our future operating results could be adversely affected by a number of risks and uncertainties, the most significant of which are described below.
The global financial crisis and deteriorating U.S. economy may have an unpredictable impact on our business and financial condition.
The capital and credit markets have recently been experiencing unprecedented levels of volatility and disruption. In some cases, 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, the weakening economy has produced a drop in consumer confidence and spending, which has impacted corporate profits and resulted in cutbacks in advertising budgets. If the economic downturn and current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience a further adverse effect, which may be material, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to access capital. For example, the continued worsening of the economy and continuation of the market and capital crisis could further adversely impact the overall demand for advertising, which could have a negative effect on our revenues and results of operations. In addition, our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to do so, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions.
A continued worsening of the economy could negatively impact our ability to meet our cash needs and our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants.
Based on our most recent projections, we believe the Company can meet its liquidity needs and maintain compliance with its debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009. However, a worsening of the economy may negatively impact our operations beyond those assumed in our projections, and could lead us to implement certain remedial measures in order to meet our liquidity needs and to remain in compliance with our debt covenants. Such measures may include further operating cost and capital expenditure reductions and additional de-leveraging actions. If these measures are unsuccessful, we would attempt to negotiate for covenant relief through an amendment or waivers of covenant noncompliance with our lenders, which could result in higher interest costs, additional fees and reduced borrowing capacity. If the Company cannot maintain compliance with its debt covenants, there is no assurance we would be able to negotiate amendment relief or waivers of covenant noncompliance with our lenders. Failure to comply with our debt covenants and failure to negotiate a favorable amendment or waivers of covenant noncompliance could result in the acceleration of the maturity of all our outstanding debt, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
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. Cutbacks or changes in advertisers' spending priorities and allocations across different types of media may affect our results. 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 benefit from advertising placed by candidates for political offices. The effects of such seasonality 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 the Company derives a substantial portion of its revenues from the sale of advertising, a decline or delay in advertising expenditures could reduce the Company’s revenues or hinder its 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 the Company’s advertising revenues. Structural changes, consolidation or business failures in any of these industries resulting from the current economic environment could have a significant 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 the Company’s advertising revenues or its ability to increase such revenues. In addition, because many of the products and services offered by the Company’s advertisers are largely discretionary items, weakening economic conditions or outlook 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, acts of terrorism, political uncertainty or hostilities also could lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of uninterrupted news coverage and economic uncertainty.
Pricing for advertising may continue to face downward pressure.
During 2008, in response to the deteriorating economy, advertisers increasingly purchased lower-priced inventory rather than higher-priced inventory, and increasingly demanded lower pricing, in addition to increasingly purchasing later and through advertising inventory from third party advertising networks. If advertisers continue to demand lower-priced inventory and continue to put downward pressure on pricing, our operating margins and ability to generate revenue could be further adversely affected.
The Company’s success is dependant upon audience acceptance of its content, particularly its radio programs, which is difficult to predict.
Media and radio 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 by the public, which is 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. Finally, the costs of content and programming may change significantly if new performance royalties are imposed upon radio broadcasters or internet operators and such changes could have a material impact upon our business.
Ratings for broadcast stations and traffic or visitors on a particular website are also factors that are weighed when advertisers determine 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 the Company’s 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, such as the rollout of the PPM, could adversely impact upon our ratings.
A disproportionate share of our net revenue comes from radio stations in a small number of geographic markets and from Reach Media.
Within our core radio business, four of the 16 markets in which we operate radio stations accounted for approximately 50.5% of our radio station net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008. Revenue from the operations of Reach Media, along with revenue from both the Houston and Washington, DC markets accounted for approximately 39.5% of our total consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008. Adverse events or conditions (economic or otherwise) could lead to declines in the contribution of Reach Media or to declines in one or more of the significant contributing markets (Houston, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Baltimore), which could have a material adverse effect on our overall financial performance and results of operations.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from a single customer.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, we derived approximately 10.5% of our total revenues from a single customer. If that customer were to cease or substantially reduce its use of our media outlets for advertising, it could have a material adverse affect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Our agreement with this customer expires December 31, 2009 and our ability to replace or renew this agreement with substantially similar terms is not guaranteed. There is no assurance that we would be able to replace these lost revenues with revenues from new or other existing customers. In addition, any impact from the current global financial crisis and the deteriorating U.S. economy on the business of this customer, or its ability to meet its financial obligations, could potentially have a material adverse affect on our business during the term of the agreement.
We may lose audience share and advertising revenue to our competitors.
Our radio stations and other 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, 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 enter the markets in which we operate. Other media and broadcast companies may change their programming format or engage in aggressive promotional campaigns to compete directly with our media properties for audiences and advertisers. This competition 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 you that we will be able to maintain or increase our current audience ratings and advertising revenue.
If we are unable to successfully identify, acquire and integrate businesses pursuant to our diversification strategy, our business and prospects may be adversely impacted.
We are pursuing a strategy of acquiring and investing in other forms of media that complement our core radio business in an effort to grow and diversify our business and revenue streams. This strategy depends on our ability to find suitable opportunities and obtain acceptable financing. Negotiating transactions and integrating an acquired business could result in significant costs and use of management’s time and resources.
Our diversification strategy partially depends on our ability to identify attractive media properties at reasonable prices and to divest properties that are no longer strategic to our business. Some of the material risks that could hinder our ability to implement this strategy include:
•
reduction in the number of suitable acquisition targets due to increased competition for acquisitions;
•
we may lose key employees of acquired companies or stations;
• new businesses may subject us to additional risk factors;
•
difficulty in integrating operations and systems and managing a diverse media business;
•
inability to find buyers for radio stations we target for sale at attractive prices due to decreasing market prices for radio stations or the inability to obtain credit in the current economic environment;
•
failure or delays in completing acquisitions or divestitures due to difficulties in obtaining required regulatory approval, including possible difficulties by the seller or buyer in obtaining antitrust approval for acquisitions in markets where we already own multiple stations or establishing compliance with broadcast ownership rules;
•
failure of some acquisitions to prove profitable or generate sufficient cash flow; and
•
inability to finance acquisitions on acceptable terms, through incurring debt or issuing stock.
We can provide no assurance that our diversification strategy will be successful.
We must respond to the rapid changes in technology, services and standards, in order to remain competitive.
Technological standards across our media properties are evolving and new media technologies are emerging. We cannot assure you that we will have the resources to acquire new technologies or to introduce new services to compete with these new technologies. Several new media technologies are being, or have been, developed, including the following:
•
satellite delivered digital audio radio service, which has resulted in the introduction of several new satellite radio services with sound quality equivalent to that of compact discs;
•
audio programming by cable television systems, direct broadcast satellite systems, internet content providers and other digital audio broadcast formats; and
•
digital audio and video content available for listening and/or viewing on the internet and/or available for downloading to portable devices.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to adapt successfully to these new media technologies.
The loss of key personnel, including 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 on-air personalities. We believe that the combination of skills and experience possessed by our executive officers 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 ranking of a station. The loss of such on-air personalities 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.
As a part of our diversification strategy, we have placed emphasis on building our internet businesses. Failure to fulfill this undertaking may adversely affect our brands and business prospects.
Our diversification strategy depends to a significant degree upon the development of our internet businesses. In order for our internet businesses to grow and succeed over the long-term, we must, among other things:
·
significantly increase our online traffic and revenue;
·
attract and retain a base of frequent visitors to our web sites;
·
expand the content, products and tools we offer on our web sites;
·
respond to competitive developments while maintaining a distinct identity across each of our on-line brands;
·
attract and retain talent for critical positions;
·
maintain and form relationships with strategic partners to attract more consumers;
·
continue to develop and upgrade our technologies; and
·
bring new product features to market in a timely manner.
We cannot assure that we will be successful in achieving these and other necessary objectives. If we are not successful in achieving these objectives, our business, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
If our interactive unit 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 internet consumers and generate increased activity on our internet 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 internet 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 the Company’s 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 interactive unit, we may not be able to attract and increase the engagement of internet consumers on our internet properties.
Continued growth in our internet advertising 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 its advertising products and services or if prices for its advertising products and services decrease, our internet 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.
Internet users are increasingly accessing and using the internet through devices other than a personal or laptop computer, such as personal digital assistants or mobile telephones, which differ from computers with respect to memory, functionality, resolution and screen size. In order for consumers to access and use our products and services via these alternative devices, we must ensure that our products and services are technologically compatible with such devices. We also must secure arrangements with device manufacturers and wireless carriers in order to have placement and functionality on the alternative devices and to more effectively reach consumers. If we cannot effectively make our products and services available on alternative devices, fewer internet consumers may access and use our products and services and our advertising revenue may be negatively affected.
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.
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. Our radio broadcasting licenses expire at various times through August 1, 2014. 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, or is convicted of a felony, the FCC may commence a proceeding to impose fines or 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.
There is significant uncertainty regarding the FCC’s media ownership rules, and such 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 in flux and subject to further agency and court proceedings. (See “Business - Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting.”)
In addition to 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 Radio One or any FCC licensee from which we are acquiring a station could result in the FCC delaying the grant of, or 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.
Increased enforcement by the FCC of its indecency rules against the broadcast industry.
In 2004, the FCC indicated that it was enhancing its enforcement efforts relating to the regulation of indecency. Congress has increased the penalties for broadcasting indecent programming and potentially subject broadcasters to license revocation, renewal or qualification proceedings in the event that they broadcast indecent material. In addition, the FCC’s heightened focus on the indecency regulatory scheme, against the broadcast industry generally, may encourage third parties to oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations. The change in administration at the federal level could foster a change in the FCC’s enforcement posture.
Future asset impairment to the carrying values of our FCC licenses and goodwill could adversely impact our results of operations and net worth.
FCC licenses and goodwill totaled approximately $900.8 million or 80.0% of total assets at December 31, 2008, and is primarily attributable to accounting for acquisitions in past years. We are required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” to test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, which we have traditionally done in the fourth quarter. 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. 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. There are inherent uncertainties related to these assumptions and our judgment in applying them to the impairment analysis. 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.
We have incurred net losses over the past three years.
We have reported net losses in our consolidated statements of operations over the past three years, due mostly in part to recording non-cash impairment charges for write-downs to radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, net losses incurred for discontinued operations and revenue declines caused by weakened advertising demand resulting from the current economic crisis. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we experienced net losses of approximately $302.9 million, $391.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively. These results have had a negative impact on our financial condition and could be exacerbated given the current economic climate. If these trends continue in the future, it could have a material adverse affect on our 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 internet 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 internet business. 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 operation of various real properties and facilities could lead to environmental liability.
As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, we are subject to various 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 of funds.
Two common stockholders have a majority voting interest in Radio One and have the power to control matters on which our common stockholders may vote, and their interests may conflict with yours.
As of February 15, 2009, our Chairperson and her son, our President and CEO, collectively held approximately 92% of the outstanding voting power of our common stock. As a result, our Chairperson and the CEO will control our management and policies and most decisions involving Radio One, including transactions involving a change of control, such as a sale or merger. In addition, certain covenants in our debt instruments require that our Chairperson and the CEO maintain a specified ownership and voting interest in Radio One, and prohibit other parties’ voting interests from exceeding specified amounts. In addition, the TV One operating agreement provides for adverse consequences to Radio One in the event our Chairperson and CEO fail to maintain a specified ownership and voting interest in us. Our Chairperson and the CEO have agreed to vote their shares together in elections of members to the board of directors.
Our substantial level of debt could limit our ability to grow and compete.
As of February 20, 2009, we had indebtedness of approximately $682.7 million. In June 2005, we borrowed $437.5 million under our credit facility to retire all outstanding obligations under our previous credit facilities. Draw downs of revolving loans under the credit facility are subject to compliance with provisions of our credit agreement, including, but not limited to, certain financial covenants. As of December 31, 2008, we are permitted to borrow up to an additional $25.9 million under our current credit facility. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Liquidity and Capital Resources.” A portion of our indebtedness bears interest at variable rates. Increases in interest rates could increase the cost of our credit facilities. We have entered into various interest rate hedges to reduce our overall exposure to variable interest rates, consistent with the Credit Agreement that requires at least 50% of our debt obligations be fixed rate in nature. Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect us for various reasons, including limiting our ability to:
•
obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt payments or other corporate purposes;
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have sufficient funds available for operations, future business opportunities or other purposes, after paying debt service;
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compete with competitors that have less debt; and
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react to changing market conditions, changes in our industry and economic downturns.
Our corporate debt rating was recently downgraded and we could suffer further downgrades.
On a continuing basis, credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) evaluate our debt. On March 3, 2009, S&P lowered our corporate credit rating to B- from B and the issue-level rating on our $800.0 million secured credit facility to B- from BB-. While noting that our rating outlook was negative, the ratings downgrade reflects concern over the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants due to weak radio advertising demand amid the deepening recession, which S&P expects to persist for all of 2009. On November 3, 2008, Moody’s placed on review the Company and its debt for a possible downgrade. The review was prompted by heightened concerns that the radio broadcast sector will likely face significant revenue and cash flow deterioration due to the high probability of further deterioration in the U.S. economy and its impact on advertising revenue. On September 10, 2008, Moody’s downgraded our corporate family rating to B2 from B1 and our $800.0 million secured credit facility ($500.0 million revolver, $300.0 million term loan) to Ba3 from Ba2. In addition, Moody’s downgraded our 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 and 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 to Caa1 from B3. While noting that our rating outlook was stable, the ratings downgrade reflected the Company’s operating performance, weaker than previously expected credit metrics and limited borrowing capacity under financial covenants. Although reductions in our bond ratings may not have an immediate impact on our cost of debt or liquidity, they may impact our cost of debt and liquidity. Increased debt levels and/or decreased earnings could result in further downgrades in our credit ratings, which, in turn, could impede our access to the debt markets, reduce the total amount of commercial paper we could issue, raise our commercial paper borrowing costs and/or raise our long-term debt borrowing rates. Our ability to use debt to fund major new acquisitions or new business initiatives could also be limited.
We could incur adverse effects from our voluntary review of stock option grants and resulting financial restatements.
As described in the Explanatory Note and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements filed with our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, we recorded additional stock-based compensation expense and related tax effects with regard to certain past stock option grants, and restated certain previously filed financial statements included in that Form 10-K. In February 2007, we received a letter of informal inquiry from the SEC regarding the review of our stock option accounting. While we have not heard further from the SEC on this matter to date, should the SEC further inquire we would fully cooperate with the SEC’s inquiry. We are unable to predict whether a formal inquiry will be initiated or what consequences any further inquiry may have on us. We are unable to predict the likelihood of or potential outcomes from litigation, regulatory proceedings or government enforcement actions relating to our past stock option practices. The resolution of these matters could be time-consuming and expensive, further distract management from other business concerns and harm our business. Furthermore, if we were subject to adverse findings in litigation, regulatory proceedings or government enforcement actions, we could be required to pay damages or penalties or have other remedies imposed, which could harm our business and financial condition.
While we believe that we have made appropriate judgments in determining the correct measurement dates for our historical stock option grants, the SEC may disagree with the manner in which we have accounted for and reported the financial impact. Accordingly, there is a risk we may have to further restate prior financial statements, amend prior filings with the SEC, or take other actions not currently contemplated.
We are currently not in compliance with NASDAQ rules for continued listing of our Class A and Class D common shares.
Our shares of Class A and Class D common stock are currently not in compliance with NASDAQ rules for continued listing and may be at risk of being delisted. On May 21, 2008, the Company received a letter (the “Notification”) from The NASDAQ Stock Market notifying the Company that for the prior 30 consecutive trading days, the Company’s Class A common shares (the “Class A Shares”) had not maintained a minimum market value of publicly held shares (“MVPHS”) of $5.0 million as required for continued inclusion by Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(2) (the “Rule”). In accordance with Marketplace Rule 4450(e)(1), the Company was provided 90 calendar days, or until August 19, 2008, to regain compliance. On August 26, 2008, Radio One, Inc. announced that it had received approval from The NASDAQ Stock Market to transfer the listing of its Class A Shares from The NASDAQ Global Market to The NASDAQ Capital Market. The transfer became effective at the opening of business on August 27, 2008. Since that time, macroeconomic and extraordinary market conditions have depressed the trading price of our shares and our shares of Class D common stock traded under the NASDAQ minimum bid price of $1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days and, thus, are at risk for delisting. Shares of our Class A common stock have traded under $1.00 since October 8, 2008 and similarly could face delisting proceedings.
On October 16, 2008, given the macroeconomic and extraordinary market conditions, NASDAQ suspended the minimum bid price and MVPHS requirements through January 16, 2009. In that regard, on October 16, 2008, NASDAQ filed an immediately effective rule change with the SEC, such that companies will not be cited for any new concerns related to minimum bid price or MVPHS deficiencies. On December 19, 2008, given the continued difficulties in the markets, NASDAQ extended the suspension through April 20, 2009. Currently, it is anticipated that the minimum bid price and MVPHS rules will be reinstated on April 20, 2009. While NASDAQ’s suspension of the minimum bid price and MVPHS rules does provide us with time in which market conditions may help cure the deficiencies, there can be no assurance that on April 20, 2009 we will meet the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement for shares of either our Class A or Class D common stock. Our failure to meet such requirements may subject us to delisting and could result in decreased liquidity for our Class A and Class D common stock.
The foregoing list is not exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial also may adversely impact our business. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, our debt agreements contain covenants that may limit our ability to borrow additional money, purchase or sell assets, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, consolidations or mergers, and other restrictive covenants that may limit our operational flexibility.
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 Giant Magazine and CCI, 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 Radio One’s stations are generally in good condition, although opportunities to upgrade facilities are periodically reviewed. The tangible personal property owned by Radio One and the real property owned or leased by Radio One are subject to security interests under our credit facility.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In November 2001, Radio One and certain of its officers and directors were named as defendants in a class action shareholder complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned, In re Radio One, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, Case No. 01-CV-10160. Similar complaints were filed in the same court against hundreds of other public companies (Issuers) that conducted initial public offerings of their common stock in the late 1990s (“the IPO Cases”). In the complaint filed against Radio One (as amended), the plaintiffs claimed that Radio One, certain of its officers and directors, and the underwriters of certain of its public offerings violated Section 11 of the Securities Act. The plaintiffs’ claim was based on allegations that Radio One’s registration statement and prospectus failed to disclose material facts regarding the compensation to be received by the underwriters, and the stock allocation practices of the underwriters. The complaint also contains a claim for violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based on allegations that these omissions constituted a deceit on investors. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and other relief.
In July 2002, Radio One joined in a global motion, filed by the Issuers, to dismiss the IPO Lawsuits. In October 2002, the court entered an order dismissing the Company’s named officers and directors from the IPO Lawsuits without prejudice, pursuant to an agreement tolling the statute of limitations with respect to Radio One’s officers and directors until September 30, 2003. In February 2003, the court issued a decision denying the motion to dismiss the Section 11 and Section 10(b) claims against Radio One and most of the Issuers.
In July 2003, a Special Litigation Committee of Radio One’s board of directors approved in principle a tentative settlement with the plaintiffs. The proposed settlement would have provided for the dismissal with prejudice of all claims against the participating Issuers and their officers and directors in the IPO Cases and the assignment to plaintiffs of certain potential claims that the Issuers may have against their underwriters. In September 2003, in connection with the proposed settlement, Radio One’s named officers and directors extended the tolling agreement so that it would not expire prior to any settlement being finalized. In June 2004, Radio One executed a final settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. In 2005, the court issued a decision certifying a class action for settlement purposes and granting preliminary approval of the settlement. On February 24, 2006, the Court dismissed litigation filed against certain underwriters in connection with the claims to be assigned to the plaintiffs under the settlement. On April 24, 2006, the Court held a Final Fairness Hearing to determine whether to grant final approval of the settlement. On December 5, 2006, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the district court’s earlier decision certifying as class actions the six IPO Cases designated as “focus cases.” Thereafter, the District Court ordered a stay of all proceedings in all of the IPO Cases pending the outcome of plaintiffs’ petition to the Second Circuit for rehearing en banc and resolution of the class certification issue. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ rehearing petition, but clarified that the plaintiffs may seek to certify a more limited class in the district court. Accordingly, the settlement will not be finally approved.
Plaintiffs filed amended complaints in the six “focus cases” on or about August 14, 2007. Radio One is not a defendant in the focus cases. In September 2007, Radio One’s named officers and directors again extended the tolling agreement with plaintiffs. On or about September 27, 2007, plaintiffs moved to certify the classes alleged in the “focus cases” and to appoint class representatives and class counsel in those cases. The focus cases issuers filed motions to dismiss the claims against them in November 2007 and an opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for the class certification in December 2007. On March 16, 2008, the court denied the motions to dismiss in the focus cases. On October 2, 2008, the plaintiffs withdrew their class certification motion. A deadline for the focus case defendants to answer the amended complaints has not been set.
Radio 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. Radio 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. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
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 “ROIA.” The following table presents, for the quarters indicated, the high and low sales 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 “ROIAK.” The following table presents, for the quarters indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our Class D common stock as reported on the NASDAQ.
STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
Dividends
Since first selling our common stock publicly in May 1999, we have not declared any cash dividends on 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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 9 of our consolidated financial statements - Long-Term Debt.)
Number of Stockholders
Based upon a survey of record holders and a review of our stock transfer records, as of February 27, 2009, there were approximately 2,355 holders of Radio One’s Class A common stock, two holders of Radio One’s Class B common stock, three holders of Radio One’s Class C common stock, and approximately 2,564 holders of Radio One’s Class D common stock.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table contains selected historical consolidated financial data with respect to Radio One. The selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements of Radio One included elsewhere in this report.
(1)
Year-to-year comparisons are significantly affected by Radio One’s acquisitions and dispositions during the periods covered. Certain reclassifications associated with accounting for discontinued operations have been made to prior year and prior quarter balances to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications related to acquisitions and dispositions had no effect on any other previously reported net income or loss or any other statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow amounts. Additionally, the 2007 financial data reflects the correction of an error to increase the equity in loss of affiliated company by approximately $4.4 million.
(2)
Interest expense includes non-cash interest, such as the accretion of principal, local marketing agreement (“LMA”) fees, the amortization of discounts on debt and the amortization of deferred financing costs.
(3)
(Loss) income before (loss) income from discontinued operations is the reported amount, less dividends paid on Radio One’s preferred securities.
The following table contains selected historical consolidated financial data derived from the audited financial statements of Radio One for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2008.
(1)
Cash interest expense is calculated as interest expense less non-cash interest, including the accretion of principal, LMA fees, the amortization of discounts on debt and the amortization of deferred financing costs for the indicated period.
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
In 2008, our net revenue declined compared to the previous year principally due to a decline in our radio segment. Consistent with the radio broadcast industry in general, our markets also experienced a net revenue decline; however, we did modestly outperform the markets in which we operated. Given the current severe economic downturn, we anticipate there will be continued advertising and marketing cutbacks, which will result in continuing revenue declines throughout the radio industry. In light of the economic turmoil and state of the radio industry, our focus will be on increasing our radio market share and closely managing expenses given the anticipated lower revenue levels. In addition, we will also remain focused on executing our internet strategy, including leveraging our recent acquisition of Community Connect Inc. (“CCI”), an online social networking company, as a means to grow and further diversify our revenue.
The weakened economy, competition from digital audio players, the internet, cable television and satellite radio, among other new media outlets, are some of the reasons the radio industry has seen such slow or negative growth over the past few years. In addition to overall cutbacks, advertisers have shifted 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 in the late-1990s to being significant competitors for radio advertising dollars. While these dynamics present significant challenges for companies such as ours that are highly staked in the radio industry, through our print and online properties, which includes Giant Magazine, CCI, and other online verticals, we are well poised to provide advertisers and creators of content with a multifaceted way to reach African-American consumers.
Results of Operations
Revenue
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.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 56.0% of our net revenue was generated from local advertising and approximately 37.6% was generated from national advertising, including network advertising. In comparison, during the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately 57.9% of our net revenue was generated from local advertising and approximately 37.0% was generated from national advertising, including network advertising. During the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 56.7% of our net revenue was generated from local advertising and approximately 38.4% was generated from national advertising, including network advertising. National advertising also includes advertising revenue generated from our internet and publishing segments. The balance of revenue was generated from tower rental income, ticket sales and revenue related to our sponsored events, management fees, magazine subscriptions, newsstand revenue and other revenue.
In the broadcasting industry, radio 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 monitor the use of trade and barter agreements.
CCI, which the Company acquired in April 2008, currently generates the majority of the Company’s internet revenue, and derives such revenue principally from advertising services, including diversity recruiting. 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 or leads are reported, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. CCI has a diversity recruiting agreement with Monster, Inc. (“Monster”). Under the agreement, Monster posts job listings and advertising on CCI websites and CCI earns revenue for displaying the images on its websites. This agreement expires in December 2009.
In December 2006, the Company acquired certain net assets (“Giant Magazine”) of Giant Magazine, LLC. Giant Magazine derives revenue from the sale of advertising, as well as newsstand and subscription revenue generated from sales of the magazine.
In February 2005, we acquired 51% of the common stock of Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”). A substantial portion of Reach Media’s revenue is generated from a sales representation agreement with a third party radio company. Pursuant to a multi-year agreement, revenue is received monthly in exchange for the sale of advertising time on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, which is currently aired on 108 affiliated stations. The annual amount of revenue is based on a contractual amount determined based on number of affiliates, demographic audience and ratings. The agreement provides for a potential to earn additional amounts if certain revenue goals are met. The agreement also provides for sales representation rights related to Reach Media’s events. Additional revenue is generated by Reach Media from this and other customers through special events, sponsorships, its internet business and other related activities. The agreement expires December 31, 2009.
Expenses
Our significant broadcast 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 and (vi) music license royalty fees. We strive to control these expenses by centralizing certain functions such as finance, accounting, legal, human resources and management information systems and the overall 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.
We generally incur marketing and promotional expenses to increase our radio audiences. However, because Arbitron 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.
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 publishing business include salaries, commissions, and costs associated with printing, production and circulation of magazine issues.
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 or, in the case of Giant Magazine, the month in which a particular issue is available for sale. 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 CCI as impressions are delivered, as “click throughs” are reported or ratably over contract periods, where applicable.
(b) Station operating income: Net (loss) income before depreciation and amortization, income taxes, interest income, interest expense, equity in loss of affiliated company, minority interest in income of subsidiaries, gain on retirement of debt, other expense, corporate expenses, stock-based compensation expenses, impairment of long-lived assets and gain or loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, is commonly referred to in our industry as station operating income. Station operating income is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. Nevertheless, we believe station operating income is often a useful measure of a broadcasting company’s operating performance and is a significant basis used by our management to measure the operating performance of our stations within the various markets. Station operating income provides helpful information about our results of operations, apart from expenses associated with our physical plant, income taxes, investments, impairment charges, debt financings and retirements, overhead and stock-based compensation. Station operating income is frequently used as a basis for comparing businesses in our industry, although our measure of station operating income may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Station operating income does not represent operating loss or cash flow from operating activities, as those terms are defined under generally accepted accounting principles, and should not be considered as an alternative to those measurements as an indicator of our performance.
(c) Station operating income margin: Station operating income margin represents station operating income as a percentage of net revenue. Station operating income margin is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles. Nevertheless, we believe that station 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.
Summary of Performance
The table below provides a summary of our performance based on the metrics described above:
The reconciliation of net loss to station operating income is as follows:
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our historical consolidated results of operations:
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007 (In thousands)
Note 1 - Certain reclassifications associated with accounting for discontinued operations have been made to prior year and prior quarter balances to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on any other previously reported net income or loss or any other statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow amounts. Additionally, the 2007 financial data reflects the correction of an error to increase the equity in loss of affiliated company by approximately $4.4 million.
Net revenue
For the year ended 2008 we recognized approximately $316.4 million in net revenue compared to approximately $319.6 million during 2007. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions, which were approximately $34.6 million in 2008, compared to approximately $37.0 million in 2007. Declines in net revenue in our radio markets more than offset an increase in net revenue of approximately $11.7 million generated by CCI, an online social networking company, which was acquired by the Company in April 2008. For our radio business, based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), the markets in which we operate declined 8.8% in total revenues, 10.9% in national revenues and 9.6% in local revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008. Consistent with the markets we operate in, we also experienced a decrease in net revenue, with national revenue driving more of a decline. On a per market basis, we experienced considerable revenue declines in our Atlanta, Houston and Washington, DC markets, and more modest declines in our Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland and Raleigh-Durham markets. We experienced growth in net revenue in our Indianapolis and Philadelphia markets, as well as increases in net revenue from a special event, revenue from new syndicated programs and increased internet revenue from our station websites. Reach Media had a decline in net revenue due to TV licensing revenue which ended in 2007, and less events revenue resulting from fewer events and less sponsorships compared to 2007. Excluding the approximately $11.7 million generated by CCI, net revenue declined 4.6% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.
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 radio also include expenses associated with our programming research activities and music royalties. Expenses associated with the printing and publication of Giant Magazine issues are also included in programming and technical. For our internet business, 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. Increased programming and technical expenses were primarily due to approximately $5.5 million in spending by CCI, which was acquired in April 2008 and approximately $1.4 million more spent for our broader internet initiative. Related to our radio business, additional programming and technical spending was also driven by additional staffing, in part for our web sites, higher on-air talent expenses, mostly for our new syndicated radio shows, additional tower related expenses and increased music royalties. The increased radio programming and technical expenses were offset in part from savings in research, savings from ceasing our 401(k) match program, the absence of Reach TV syndication costs and lower circulation and issues costs for Giant Magazine. Excluding approximately $6.9 million in increased spending for our internet initiative and CCI’s expenses, programming and technical expenses increased 2.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.
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 radio and internet also 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. Increased selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to approximately $5.7 million in spending by CCI, which was acquired in April 2008. Another approximately $3.4 million increase was due to additional spending on our broader internet initiative, which includes $550,000 for costs associated with a certain membership traffic agreement. Increases in selling, general and administrative expenses for our radio business were driven by expenses for a large special event held in first quarter, increased bad debt expenses, driven in part by client bankruptcies and higher ratings research associated with a new contract with Arbitron and their new portable people meter (“PPM”) methodology. With our efforts on reducing expenses, these increases were offset partially from savings associated with less promotional spending, reduced travel and entertainment, less legal and professional spending, savings from the suspension of our 401(k) match program and less sponsored events expenses. Our declining revenue performance also resulted in less commissions and national representative fees. Excluding the approximately $9.1 million in increased spending on our internet initiative and CCI’s spending, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 6.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Excluding the approximately $10.9 million in increased spending for the internet initiative, CCI’s spending and expenses for the large first quarter special event, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 7.9% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.
Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation
Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses consist of expenses associated with maintaining our corporate headquarters and facilities, including personnel. Increased corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to compensation costs associated with new employment agreements for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and its Founder and Chairperson. Specifically, the increased compensation included approximately $10.1 million in bonuses for the CEO, of which approximately $5.8 million was for a signing and a “make whole” bonus paid, and another approximately $4.3 million was recorded, but not paid, for a bonus associated with potential distribution proceeds from the Company’s investment in TV One. Increased corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were also due to an approximate $2.4 million retention bonus reduction recorded in 2007 for the former Chief Financial Officer (“Former CFO”), given his early departure in December 2007, a $620,000 reduction in severance also recorded in 2007 for an obligation that never materialized and additional bad debt expense. In addition, during 2008, the Company incurred $485,000 in costs, mainly severance, associated with a reduction in its radio division workforce. These increased expenses were offset in part by approximately $2.4 million less bonus expense, the absence of approximately $2.7 million in spending for legal and professional fees incurred in 2007 for the voluntary review of our historical stock option grant practices, savings from the suspension of our 401(k) match program, reduced travel and entertainment, reduced contract labor and consultant spending, less research expenses and reduced recruiting expense. Normalizing for spending of approximately $2.7 million for the stock options review, approximately $2.4 million for the reduction in the Former CFO’s retention bonus, the $620,000 severance reduction in 2007, the approximate $10.1 million bonus for the CEO’s new employment agreement, and the $485,000 in severance for the 2008 radio division workforce reduction, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 10.7% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation consists of expenses associated with our January 1, 2006 adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) eliminated accounting for share-based payments based on Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The decrease in stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2008 was primarily due to a decline in the fair value awards issued in 2008 due to a significant decline in the value of the Company’s stock price, cancellations and forfeitures for former employees and the completion of the vesting period for certain stock options. The decrease was offset in part due to expense for additional stock options and restricted stock awards associated with new employment agreements for the CEO, the Founder and Chairperson and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).
Depreciation and amortization
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due primarily to the April 2008 acquisition of CCI, which accounted for approximately $3.5 million of the increase. Approximately $2.5 million of the increase attributable to CCI is driven by amortization of assets acquired as part of the CCI acquisition, mainly brand assets, advertiser relationships and a favorable office space sublease, and another approximately $1.0 million is due to additional depreciation. Additional depreciation and amortization expense for capital expenditures made subsequent to December 31, 2007 and assets purchased as part of the June 2008 acquisition of WPRS-FM were offset partially by a decline in amortization expense associated with certain affiliate agreements acquired as part of our February 2005 purchase of 51% of Reach Media.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The increase in impairment of long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 was related to non-cash impairment charges recorded to reduce the carrying value of radio broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets to their estimated fair values for most of our markets. The impairments occurred in 11 of our 16 markets, namely in Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond and St. Louis markets. The impairments are driven in part by the deteriorating economic conditions, slower radio industry and market revenue growth and resulting deteriorating cash flows, declining radio station transaction multiples and a higher cost of capital. The recent and gradual decline in values for long-lived assets such as licenses and other intangibles is not unique and specific to our individual markets, as this trend has impacted the valuations of the radio industry as a whole, and has impacted other broadcast and traditional media companies as well.
Interest income
The decrease in interest income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due primarily to lower cash balances, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and a decline in interest rates.
Interest expense
The decrease in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due primarily to a decline in interest expense associated with debt pay downs and bond redemptions, resulting in overall lower borrowings and lower interest rates which impacted the variable portion of our debt. Interest expense savings was also driven by less fees incurred with the operation of WPRS-FM pursuant to a local marketing agreement (“LMA”), which began in April 2007. LMA fees are classified as interest expense. We closed on the purchase of the assets of WPRS-FM in June 2008 for approximately $38.0 million in cash.
Gain on retirement of debt
The gain on retirement of debt for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due to the redemption of $196.1 million of the Company’s previously outstanding $248.9 million 87/8%Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 at an average discount of 38.4%. An amount of $104.0 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2008.
Equity in loss of affiliated company
Equity in loss of affiliated company primarily reflects our estimated equity in the net loss of TV One, LLC (“TV One”). The decreased loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 was due primarily to smaller net losses generated by TV One, thus contributing to a decrease in our share of those losses. The Company’s share of those losses is driven by TV One’s current capital structure and the Company’s ownership levels in the equity securities of TV One that are currently absorbing its net losses. An adjustment was made to equity in loss of affiliated company for the year ended December 31, 2007 to correct for a change in TV One’s capital structure. Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 99, “Materiality” and SAB 108 “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” we increased the previously reported equity in loss of affiliated company for the year ended December 31, 2007 by approximately $4.4 million.
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the benefit from income taxes increased to approximately $45.2 million, compared to a provision for taxes of approximately $54.1 million for the same period in 2007. The increase in the benefit from income taxes was primarily due to the increase in pre-tax losses for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2007, and the impact of deferred tax liabilities reversing due to indefinite-lived asset impairment charges recorded in 2008. In addition, the provision for income taxes in 2007 was primarily driven by the recording of a full valuation allowance for most of the Company’s deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), including its net operating loss (“NOLs) carryforwards. In 2007, except for DTAs in historically profitable filing jurisdictions, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance for its DTAs, including NOLs, as it was determined that more likely than not, the DTAs would not be realized. As such, the benefit from income taxes for 2008 was also offset partially by recording a full valuation allowance against the additional NOLs generated from the tax deductible amortization of indefinite-lived assets, as well as recording a full valuation against DTAs created by the indefinite-lived asset impairment charges recorded in the current year. The current year tax benefit and offsetting valuation allowances resulted in an effective tax rate for the years December 31, 2008 and 2007 of 13.3% and (27.1%), respectively.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Included in the loss from discontinued operations, net of tax are the results of operations for our sold stations, which included our Los Angeles, Miami, Augusta, Louisville, Dayton, Minneapolis and Boston WILD-FM stations. During the year ended December 2008, we sold our Los Angeles station for approximately $137.5 million in cash, and recorded a loss, net of tax of approximately $6.1 million, and we sold our Miami station for approximately $12.3 million in cash, and recorded a gain, net of tax of approximately $3.2 million. In August 2007, we closed on the sale of our Minneapolis station for approximately $28.0 million in cash and recorded a loss on the sale of $713,000, net of tax. In September of 2007, we closed on the sale of our Dayton stations and five of the six stations in our Louisville market for approximately $76.0 million in cash, and recorded a gain on the sale, net of tax of approximately $1.9 million. The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, includes a tax provision of $101,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to a benefit from taxes of approximately $75.0 million for the same period in 2007.
Other Data
Station operating income
Station operating income decreased to approximately $130.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to approximately $144.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of approximately $14.5 million or a decline of 10.0%. This decrease was primarily due to declines in revenue similar to those in the radio industry and increases in station operating expenses related to the consolidation of the operating results of CCI, which was acquired in April 2008, spending on our internet initiative which was launched in mid-year 2007, higher on-air talent expenses, mainly for new syndication shows, additional staffing for internet websites, increased music royalties, higher tower related expenses, a restructuring charge for the radio division workforce reduction and additional ratings research costs. These increased expenses more than offset savings for employee bonuses, marketing and promotional spending, events expenses, travel and entertainment, legal and professional fees and expense savings from ceasing our 401(k) match program.
Station operating income margin
Station operating income margin decreased to 41.1% for the year ended December 31, 2008 from 45.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in net revenue and a decrease in station operating income as described above.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our historical consolidated results of operations:
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006 (In thousands)
Note 1 - Certain reclassifications associated with accounting for discontinued operations have been made to prior year and prior quarter balances to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on any other previously reported net income or loss or any other statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow amounts. Additionally, the 2007 financial data reflects the correction of an error to increase the equity in loss of affiliated company by approximately $4.4 million.
Net revenue
For the year ended 2007, we recognized approximately $319.6 million in net revenue compared to approximately $321.6 million in 2006. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions, which were approximately $37.0 million during 2007, compared to approximately $38.8 million during 2006. Based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller Kaplan, the markets in which we operate declined 2.9% in total revenues, 8.3% in national revenues and 2.1% in local revenues for the year ending December 31, 2007. We experienced modest net revenue declines in our Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC markets, and a decline in net revenue from our news/talk network. The decline in net revenue was also due to the absence of a sponsorship revenue event similar to our 2006 25th Anniversary, and the absence of revenue associated with a 2006 film venture. These declines were offset partially by increases in net revenue experienced in our Atlanta, Cincinnati and Dallas markets, among others, and an increase in net revenue from consolidating the operating results of Giant Magazine, which we acquired in December 2006. Excluding the operating results of Giant Magazine, our net revenue declined 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
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 and on the Tom Joyner syndicated television variety show. Programming and technical expenses also include expenses associated with our research activities and music royalties. Expenses associated with the printing and publication of Giant Magazine issues are also included in programming and technical. Increased programming and technical expenses were primarily due to approximately $3.6 million in spending by Giant Magazine, which was acquired in December 2006. Increased programming and technical expenses were also due to higher on-air talent and bartered programming expenses, additional research expenses, expenses associated with our internet initiative, which was launched mid-year 2007 and additional music royalties. Increased programming and technical expenses were also driven by spending associated with two new stations acquired or operated since August 2006. These increased programming and technical expenses were partially offset by a reduction in television production costs associated with the Tom Joyner television show, which ended September 2006. Excluding the approximately $3.6 million of Giant Magazine expenses, programming and technical expenses increased 2.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
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 and back office expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include expenses related to the advertising traffic (scheduling and insertion) functions. Increased selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to approximately $3.1 million in spending by Giant Magazine, which was acquired in December 2006. Additional selling, general and administrative expenses were also due to spending associated with approximately $1.4 million in spending for our internet initiative launched mid-year 2007, additional on-air talent expenses, higher sales research expenses, additional marketing, promotional and events spending and increased legal and professional and litigation expenses. Additional selling, general and administrative expenses were also driven by spending associated with two new stations acquired or operated since August 2006. These expenses were partially offset by reduced bad debt expenses and the absence of expenses associated with a 2006 film venture. Excluding the approximately $4.4 million for Giant Magazine’s operating results and our internet initiative, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 1.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation
Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses consist of expenses associated with maintaining our corporate headquarters and facilities, including personnel. Increased corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to additional hires and related compensation, benefits and recruiting fees, and approximately $2.7 million in legal and professional fees associated with the voluntary review of our historical stock option grant practices. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of approximately $2.4 million for retention bonus expense for the Former CFO, who departed December 31, 2007, which was earlier than the October 2010 full retention bonus eligibility date called for in his employment agreement. Other expense reductions offsetting the increases include the absence of approximately $1.0 million in expenses associated with the August 2006 25th Anniversary event and reduced severance expenses of $620,000. Excluding the retention bonus and severance expense reductions, expenses associated with the stock options review and expenses associated with the 2006 25th Anniversary event, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11.9% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation consists of expenses associated with our January 1, 2006 adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” SFAS No. 123(R) eliminated accounting for share-based payments based on APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The decrease in stock-based compensation was primarily due to cancellations, forfeitures and the completion of the vesting period for certain stock option grants.
Depreciation and amortization
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was due primarily to an increase in amortization for the WMOJ-FM intellectual property acquisition made in September 2006, an increase in depreciation for two new stations acquired or operated since August 2006, and an increase in depreciation for capital expenditures made subsequent to December 31, 2006. These increases were offset partially by the completion of trade names amortization in a certain market.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The increase in the impairment of long-lived assets reflects a non-cash charge recorded for the impairment of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill associated with primarily our Houston market, as well as our Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Philadelphia and Boston markets. The impairments are driven in part by slower radio industry and market revenue growth and resulting deteriorating cash flows, declining radio station transaction multiples and a higher cost of capital.
Interest income
The decrease in interest income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was due primarily to lower cash balances, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and a decline in interest rates.
Interest expense
The decrease in interest expense resulted from interest savings from debt paydowns resulting in lower overall net borrowings as of December 31, 2007, which was offset from fees associated with the operation of WPRS-FM pursuant to an LMA, which began in April 2007. LMA fees are classified as interest expense.
Equity in loss of affiliated company
Equity in loss of affiliated company reflects our estimated equity in the net loss of TV One. The increased loss is due to the higher losses of TV One for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 as well as an increase in our share of TV One’s losses related to TV One’s current capital structure and the Company’s ownership levels in the equity securities of TV One that are currently absorbing its net losses. An adjustment was made to equity in loss of affiliated company for the year ended December 31, 2007 to correct for a change in TV One’s capital structure. Pursuant to SAB 99, “Materiality” and SAB 108 “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” we increased the previously reported equity in loss of affiliated company for the year ended December 31, 2007 by approximately $4.4 million.
Provision for income taxes
The provision for income taxes increased for the year ended 2007 primarily due to recording a significant increase in the valuation allowance for DTAs, mainly federal and state NOL carryforwards. Except for DTAs in our historically profitable filing jurisdictions, a full valuation allowance was recorded in 2007, as it was determined that more likely than not, the DTAs would not be realized. As such, what would have otherwise been a benefit for income taxes for the year ended 2007 was more than offset by the valuation allowance recorded. The income tax provision recorded, including the valuation allowance resulted in an effective tax rate of (27.1)% for year ended 2007, compared to 47.4% for 2006.
Minority interest in income of subsidiaries
The increase in minority interest in income of subsidiaries is due primarily to an increase in Reach Media’s net income for the period ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Included in the loss from discontinued operations, net of tax are the results of operations for our sold stations, which included our Los Angeles, Miami, Augusta, Louisville, Dayton, Minneapolis and Boston WILD-FM stations. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we sold our Los Angeles station for approximately $137.5 million in cash, and recorded a loss, net of tax of approximately $6.1 million, and we sold our Miami station for approximately $12.3 million in cash, and recorded a gain, net of tax of approximately $3.2 million. In August 2007, we closed on the sale of our Minneapolis station for approximately $28.0 million in cash and recorded a loss on the sale of $713,000, net of tax. In September of 2007, we closed on the sale of our Dayton stations and five of the six stations in our Louisville market for approximately $76.0 million in cash, and recorded a gain on the sale, net of tax of approximately $1.9 million. In December of 2007, we closed on the sale of the assets of our Augusta stations for approximately $3.1 million in cash and recorded a loss of $47,000, net of tax. The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax includes a tax benefit of approximately $75.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to a tax benefit of approximately $11.0 million for 2006.
Other Data
Station operating income
Station operating income decreased to approximately $144.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to approximately $157.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, a decrease of approximately $13.0 million, or 8.3%. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in net revenue and an increase in station operating expenses related to the consolidation of the operating results of Giant Magazine, which we acquired in December 2006, the mid-year launch of our internet business, expenses associated with newly acquired stations, higher on-air talent and bartered programming costs, increased music royalties, additional research and increased marketing, promotional and events spending.
Station operating income margin
Station operating income margin decreased to 45.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 from 49.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in net revenue combined with decreased station 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 credit facilities and other debt or equity financing.
In June 2005, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks (the “Credit Agreement”). Simultaneous with entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $437.5 million to retire all outstanding obligations under its previous credit agreement. The Credit Agreement was amended in April 2006 and September 2007 to modify certain financial covenants and other provisions. The Credit Agreement expires the earlier of (a) six months prior to the scheduled maturity date of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2011 (unless the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes have been repurchased or refinanced prior to such date) or (b) June 30, 2012. The total amount available under the Credit Agreement is $800.0 million, consisting of a $500.0 million revolving facility and a $300.0 million term loan facility. Borrowings under the credit facilities are subject to compliance with certain provisions including but not limited to financial covenants. The Company may use proceeds from the credit facilities for working capital, capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, its common stock repurchase program, permitted direct and indirect investments and other lawful corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants that the Company must comply with, including (a) maintaining an interest coverage ratio of no less than 1.90 to 1.00 from January 1, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and no less than 1.60 to 1.00 from September 14, 2007 to June 30, 2008, and no less than 1.75 to 1.00 from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009, and no less than 2.00 to 1.00 from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and no less than 2.25 to 1.00 from January 1, 2011 and thereafter, (b) maintaining a total leverage ratio of no greater than 7.00 to 1.00 beginning April 1, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and no greater than 7.75 to 1.00 beginning September 14, 2007 to March 31, 2008, and no greater than 7.50 to 1.00 beginning April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008, and no greater than 7.25 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, and no greater than 6.50 to 1.00 beginning July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, and no greater than 6.00 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2011 and thereafter, (c) maintaining a senior leverage ratio of no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 beginning June 13, 2005 to September 30, 2006, and no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007, and no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2007 and thereafter, (d) limitations on liens, (e) limitations on the sale of assets, (f) limitations on the payment of dividends, and (g) limitations on mergers, as well as other customary covenants. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2008. At the date of the filing of this Form 10-K and based on its most recent projections, the Company's management believes it will be in compliance with all debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009. Based on its fiscal year end 2007 excess cash flow calculation, the Company made a debt principal prepayment of approximately $6.0 million in May 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008 no excess cash calculation was required and therefore, no payment was required.
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, upon any breach or default under either the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011or the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013, the lenders could among other actions immediately terminate the Credit Agreement and declare the loans then outstanding under the Credit Agreement to be due and payable in whole immediately. Similarly, under the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes and the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, a default under the terms of the Credit Agreement would constitute an event of default, and the trustees or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (under either class) may declare the principal of such class of note and interest to be due and payable immediately.
Interest payments under the terms of the Credit Agreement are due based on the type of loan selected. Interest on alternate base rate loans as defined under the terms of the Credit Agreement is payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December. Interest due on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) loans is payable on the last day of the interest period applicable for borrowings up to three months in duration, and on the last day of each March, June, September and December for borrowings greater than three months in duration. In addition, quarterly installments of principal on the term loan facility are payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December commencing on September 30, 2007 in a percentage amount of the principal balance of the term loan facility outstanding on September 30, 2007, net of loan repayments, of 1.25% between September 30, 2007 and June 30, 2008, 5.0% between September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009, and 6.25% between September 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012. Based on the $194.0 million net principal balance of the term loan facility outstanding on September 30, 2007 quarterly payments of $9.7 million are payable between September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009, and $12.1 million between September 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012.
Interest payments under the terms of the 63/8% and the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes are due in February and August, and January and July of each year. For the $200.0 million principal balance of the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding on December 31, 2008, interest payments of approximately $6.4 million are payable each February and August through February 2013. For the $104.0 million principal balance of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding on December 31, 2008, interest payments of approximately $4.6 million are payable each January and July through July 2011.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, we borrowed approximately $227.0 million from our credit facility to fund the repurchase of our 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011, the repurchase of Company stock and the acquisitions of CCI and WPRS-FM, and repaid approximately $170.3 million primarily from the proceeds of the sale of our Los Angeles station in May 2008 and cash generated from operations.
As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $293.5 million of borrowing capacity. Taking into consideration the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement, approximately $25.9 million of that amount was available for borrowing. The amount available for borrowing could increase to the extent the funds are used to repurchase 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due in July 2011. Both the term loan and the revolving facilities bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either (i) LIBOR plus a spread that ranges from 0.63% to 2.25%, or (ii) the prime rate plus a spread of up to 1.25%. The amount of the spread varies depending on our leverage ratio. We also pay a commitment fee that varies depending on certain financial covenants and the amount of unused commitment, up to a maximum of 0.375% per annum on the unused commitment of the revolving facility.
The Credit Agreement requires the Company to protect itself from interest rate fluctuations using interest rate hedge agreements. As a result, we have entered into various fixed rate swap agreements designed to mitigate our exposure to higher floating interest rates. These swap agreements require that we pay a fixed rate of interest on the notional amount to a bank and that the bank pays to us a variable rate equal to three month LIBOR. As of December 31, 2008, we had two swap agreements in place for a total notional amount of $50.0 million, and the periods remaining on these two swap agreements range in duration from 17.5 to 41.5 months.
Our credit exposure under the swap agreements is limited to the cost of replacing an agreement in the event of non-performance by our counter-party; however, we do not anticipate non-performance. All of the swap agreements are tied to the three month LIBOR, which may fluctuate significantly on a daily basis. The valuation of each swap agreement is affected by the change in the three month LIBOR and the remaining term of the agreement. Any increase in the three month LIBOR results in a more favorable valuation, while a decrease results in a less favorable valuation.
The Company conducts a portion of its business through its subsidiaries. All of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries (“Subsidiary Guarantors”) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011, the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013, and the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.
The following table summarizes the interest rates in effect with respect to our debt as of December 31, 2008:
(1)
A total of $50.0 million is subject to fixed rate swap agreements that became effective in June 2005. Under our fixed rate swap agreements, we pay a fixed rate plus a spread based on our leverage ratio, as defined in our Credit Agreement. That spread is currently set at 2.25% and is incorporated into the applicable interest rates set forth above.
(2)
Subject to rolling three month LIBOR plus a spread currently at 2.25%; incorporated into the applicable interest rate set forth above.
(3)
Subject to the prime rate plus a spread currently at 1.25% and rolling three month and six month LIBOR plus a spread currently at 2.25%; incorporated into the applicable interest rate set forth above.
In February 2005, we completed the private placement of $200.0 million 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013, realizing net proceeds of approximately $195.3 million. We recorded approximately $4.7 million in deferred offering costs, which are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the related notes using the effective interest rate method. The net proceeds of the offering, in addition to borrowings of $110.0 million under our previous revolving credit facility, and available cash, were primarily used to redeem our previously outstanding convertible preferred stock in an amount of $309.8 million. In October 2005, the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes were exchanged for an equal amount of notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
In 2001, we issued $300.0 million 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011. At that time the Company recorded approximately $8.2 million in deferred offering costs which are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the notes using the effective interest rate method.
The indentures governing our senior subordinated notes require that we comply with certain financial covenants limiting our ability to incur additional debt. Such terms also place restrictions on us with respect to the sale of assets, liens, investments, dividends, debt repayments, capital expenditures, transactions with affiliates, consolidation and mergers, and the issuance of equity interests, among other things. Our Credit Agreement also requires compliance with financial tests based on financial position and results of operations, including leverage ratios and an interest coverage ratio, all of which could effectively limit our ability to borrow under the Credit Agreement or to otherwise raise funds in the debt market. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2008. At the date of the filing of this Form 10-K and based on current projections, the Company's management believes it will be in compliance with all covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009.
The following table provides a comparison of our statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Net cash flows provided from operating activities were approximately $13.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to net cash flows provided from operating activities of approximately $44.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net cash flows from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased from the prior year due primarily to a decrease in the Company’s operating income (excluding the impact of impairment charges recognized on the Company’s long-lived assets), a decrease in cash flows from discontinued operations and a decrease in working capital balances, all of which were partially offset by the gain recognized on the retirement of debt.
Net cash flows provided from investing activities were approximately $66.0 million and $78.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Capital expenditures, including digital tower and transmitter upgrades, and deposits for station equipment and purchases were approximately $12.6 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we sold the stations in our Los Angeles and Miami markets and received proceeds of approximately $150.2 million. During the same period we acquired CCI and closed on our acquisition of WPRS-FM using approximately $70.4 million in net borrowings. The Company received approximately $104.0 million in proceeds from completing the sales of certain radio stations in the Louisville, Dayton and Minneapolis markets during the year ended December 31, 2007. We also funded approximately $14.6 million of our investment commitment in TV One for the year ended December 31, 2007, for which there was no corresponding investment in 2008.
Net cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $81.8 million and $130.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, we borrowed approximately $227.0 million and $0.0 million from our credit facility and repaid approximately $292.1 million and $124.7 million in outstanding debt. During the year ended December 31, 2008 we repurchased approximately $196.0 million of our 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 for approximately $120.8 million and approximately $12.1 million of our Class A and Class D common stock. Reach Media also paid approximately $6.4 million and $2.9 million in dividends to minority interest shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
From time to time we consider opportunities to acquire additional radio stations, primarily in the top 50 African-American markets, and to make strategic acquisitions, investments and divestitures. In June 2008, the Company purchased the assets of WPRS-FM, a radio station located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for approximately $38.0 million. Since April 2007 and up until closing, the station had been operated under an LMA, and, hence, the results of its operations had been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The station was consolidated with the Company’s existing Washington, DC operations in April 2007. This purchase was funded from borrowings under our credit facilities of $35.0 million. In April 2008, we acquired CCI, an online social networking company, for $38.0 million in cash, and we borrowed $34.0 million from our credit facility to close this transaction. In July 2007, we acquired the assets of WDBZ-AM, a radio station located in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, for approximately $2.6 million in seller financing. Up until closing in July 2007, we had been operating WDBZ-AM pursuant to an LMA since August 2001. Other than our agreement with an affiliate of Comcast Corporation, DIRECTV and other investors to fund TV One (the balance of our commitment was approximately $13.7 million at December 31, 2008) we have no other definitive agreements to acquire radio stations or to make strategic investments. In October 2007, the Company had committed (subject to the completion and execution of requisite legal documentation) to invest in QCP Capital Partners, L.P. (“QCP”). At that time the Company also had agreed to provide an unsecured working capital line of credit to QCP Capital Partners, LLC, the management company for QCP, in the amount of $775,000. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had provided $457,000 under the line of credit. In December 2008, the Company made a determination that there was a substantial likelihood that QCP would not be able to proceed successfully with its fundraising and, therefore, the Company was unlikely to recover any of the amounts provided to QCP Capital Partners, LLC pursuant to the October 2007 line of credit agreement. As a result, in December 2008, the Company wrote off the full amount outstanding under the line of credit agreement. No further investments in, or loans to, QCP are anticipated to be made in the foreseeable future.
We anticipate that any future acquisitions or strategic investments will be financed through funds generated from operations, cash on hand, draws from our existing credit facilities, equity financings, permitted debt financings, debt financings through unrestricted subsidiaries or a combination of these sources. However, there can be no assurance that financing from any of these sources, if available, will be available on favorable terms.
As of December 31, 2008, we had two standby letters of credit totaling $550,000 in connection with our annual insurance policy renewals. In addition, we had a letter of credit of $295,000 in connection with a contract that we inherited as part of the acquisition of CCI. In January 2009, we issued a letter of credit in the amount of $200,000 for a sponsorship event. To date, there has been no activity on any of these letters of credit.
Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and reduce our total debt, our ability to refinance the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 or prior to their scheduled maturity date, and our ability to refinance the 63/8 % Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 or prior to their scheduled maturity date, will depend upon our future performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, including factors beyond our control. In the next 12 months, our principal liquidity requirements will be for working capital, continued business development, strategic investment opportunities and for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures.
The Company continually projects its anticipated cash needs, which include its operating needs, capital requirements, the TV One funding commitment and principal and interest payments on its indebtedness. Management’s most recent operating income and cash flow projections considered the current economic crisis, which has reduced advertising demand in general, as well as the limited credit environment. As of the filing of this Form 10-K, management believes the Company can meet its liquidity needs through the end of fiscal year 2009 with cash and cash equivalents on hand, projected cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, through its borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement, which was approximately $25.9 million at December 31, 2008. Based on these projections, management also believes the Company will be in compliance with its debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009. However, a continued worsening economy, or other unforeseen circumstances, may negatively impact the Company’s operations beyond those assumed in its projections. Management considered the risks that the current economic conditions may have on its liquidity projections, as well as the Company’s ability to meet its debt covenant requirements. If economic conditions deteriorate unexpectedly to an extent that we could not meet our liquidity needs or it appears that noncompliance with debt covenants is likely to result, the Company would implement several remedial measures, which could include further operating cost and capital expenditure reductions, and further de-leveraging actions, which may include repurchases of discounted senior subordinated notes and other debt repayments. If these measures are not successful in maintaining compliance with our debt covenants, the Company would attempt to negotiate for relief through an amendment with its lenders or waivers of covenant noncompliance, which could result in higher interest costs, additional fees and reduced borrowing limits. There is no assurance that the Company would be successful in obtaining relief from its debt covenant requirements in these circumstances. Failure to comply with our debt covenants and a corresponding failure to negotiate a favorable amendment or waivers with the Company’s lenders could result in the acceleration of the maturity of all the Company’s outstanding debt, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial position.
Credit Rating Agencies
On a continuing basis, credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) evaluate our debt. On March 3, 2009, S&P lowered our corporate credit rating to B- from B and the issue-level rating on our $800.0 million secured credit facility to B- from BB-. While noting that our rating outlook was negative, the ratings downgrade reflects concern over the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants due to weak radio advertising demand amid the deepening recession, which S&P expects to persist for all of 2009. On November 3, 2008, Moody’s placed on review the Company and its debt for a possible downgrade. The review was prompted by heightened concerns that the radio broadcast sector will likely face significant revenue and cash flow deterioration due to the high probability of further deterioration in the U.S. economy and its impact on advertising revenue. On September 10, 2008, Moody’s downgraded our corporate family rating to B2 from B1 and our $800.0 million secured credit facility ($500.0 million revolver, $300.0 million term loan) to Ba3 from Ba2. In addition, Moody’s downgraded our 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 and 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 to Caa1 from B3. While noting that our rating outlook was stable, the ratings downgrade reflected the Company’s operating performance, weaker than previously expected credit metrics and limited borrowing capacity under financial covenants.
Although reductions in our bond ratings may not have an immediate impact on our cost of debt or liquidity, they may impact our future cost of debt and liquidity. Increased debt levels and/or decreased earnings could result in further downgrades in our credit ratings, which, in turn, could impede our access to the debt markets and/or raise our long-term debt borrowing rates. Our ability to use debt to fund major new acquisitions or new business initiatives could also be limited.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires disclosure of the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. It also provides for more information about an entity’s liquidity by requiring disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk related. Finally, it requires cross referencing within footnotes to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. This statement is effective for interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, although early application is encouraged. The effective date for the Company was January 1, 2009. The Company has not completed its assessment of the impact this new pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R replaces SFAS No. 141, and requires the acquirer of a business to recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value. SFAS No. 141R also requires transactions costs related to the business combination to be expensed as incurred. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The effective date for the Company was January 1, 2009. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141R, as related to future acquisitions, if any, to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The effective date for this Company was January 1, 2009. We have not determined the impact this new pronouncement would have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the SEC issued SAB No. 110 that modified SAB No. 107 regarding the use of a “simplified” method in developing an estimate of expected term of “plain vanilla” share options in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” Under SAB No. 107, the use of the “simplified” method was not allowed beyond December 31, 2007. SAB No. 110 allows, however, the use of the “simplified” method beyond December 31, 2007 under certain circumstances. We currently use the “simplified” method under SAB No. 107, and we expect to continue to use the “simplified” method in future periods if the facts and circumstances permit.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which permits companies to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, which provides entities the option to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Entities that choose the fair value option will recognize unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option was elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The Company has currently chosen not to elect the fair value option for any items that are not already required to be measured at fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for more information about: (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value; (2) the information to measure fair value; and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS No. 157 will apply whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108 was issued to provide interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The provisions of SAB 108 were effective for the Company for its December 2006 year end. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Board interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - Interpretation of SFAS No. 109.” FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 requires that the Company recognize the impact of a tax position in the financial statements, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions of FIN No. 48 were effective beginning January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of this adoption, the Company recognized a charge of $895,000 to the January 1, 2007 opening accumulated deficit balance in order to reflect unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $4.9 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. Each quarter, the Company reviews its FIN No. 48 estimates, and any change in the associated liabilities results in an adjustment to income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations in each period measured.
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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, 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 in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes (“BSM”) valuation option-pricing model 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. 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.
Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses
We have made several radio station acquisitions in the past for which a significant portion of the purchase price was allocated to goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses. 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, 2008, we had approximately $900.8 million in goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses, which represents approximately 80.0% of our total assets. Therefore, we believe estimating the value of goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses is a critical accounting estimate because of this significance of their values in relation to total assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for such assets owned as of October 1, we test annually for impairment during each fourth quarter or when events or circumstances suggest that impairment exists. Asset impairment exists when the carrying value of these assets exceeds their respective fair value. When the carrying value exceeds fair value, an impairment amount is charged to operations for the excess.
Given the recent and current economic downturn and continual revenue declines in the radio broadcast industry, the Company performed both an interim and annual test for impairment in 2008, and recorded impairment charges of approximately $421.7 million and $211.1 million to continuing operations for goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The impairments are driven in part by slower radio industry and market revenue growth, resulting deteriorating cash flows, declining radio station transaction multiples and a higher cost of capital, and are indicative of a trend experienced by media companies in general, and are not unique to the Company.
When estimating the fair values of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, we use the income approach, which involves a 10 year discounted cash flow model that requires judgmental assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating margins, discount rates and terminal values. There are inherent uncertainties related to these 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 certain events or circumstances (including events and circumstances resulting from continued deterioration in the economy) could result in changes to our estimated fair values, and may result in further write-downs to the carrying values of these assets. Specifically, the estimated carrying and fair values for four of our reporting units approximated each other, and a 10% reduction in cash flows in the 2009 fiscal year for these markets could result in further impairment charges of approximately $25.5 million.
Impairment of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses
Intangible assets, excluding goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses, 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 assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the 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. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded approximately $1.5 million in impairment charges for intellectual property in our Cincinnati market, and any changes in certain events or circumstances could result in changes to our estimated fair values of these intangible assets and may result in further write-downs to the carrying values.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We must make estimates of the uncollectability of our accounts receivable. We specifically review historical write-off activity by market, large customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness and changes in our customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We perform credit checks prior to accepting new credit orders and throughout the credit cycle, we perform regular assessments which consider a customer’s ability to pay, a customer’s current financial condition, the customer’s given industry outlook, the aging of the accounts receivable and the economy in general. In the past four years, including the year ended December 31, 2008, our historical bad debt results have averaged approximately 5.1% of our outstanding trade receivables and have been a reliable method to estimate future allowances. If general economic weakness persists and/or the financial condition of our customers or markets were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, additional allowances could be required.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue for broadcast advertising when the commercial is broadcast and we report revenue net of agency and outside sales representative commissions in accordance with SAB No. 104, Topic 13, “Revenue Recognition, Revised and Updated.” When applicable, agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. Generally, advertisers 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 us. We recognize revenue for Giant Magazine, mainly advertising, subscriptions and newsstand sales in the month in which a particular issue is available for sale.
CCI, the online social networking company acquired by the Company in April 2008, recognizes its advertising revenue as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases or leads are reported, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable.
Equity Accounting
We account for our investment in TV One under the equity method of accounting in accordance with APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock,” and other related interpretations. We have recorded our investment at cost and have adjusted the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the change in Radio One’s claim on the net assets of TV One resulting from losses of TV One as well as other capital transactions of TV One using a hypothetical liquidation at book value approach. We will review the realizability of the investment if conditions are present or events occur to suggest that an impairment of the investment may exist. We have determined that although TV One is a variable interest entity (as defined by FIN No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”) the Company is not the primary beneficiary of TV One.
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.
Estimate of Effective Tax Rates
In past years, we estimated the provision for income taxes, income tax liabilities, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowances in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and FIN No. 18, “Accounting for Income Taxes in Interim Periods.” We estimate effective tax rates based on local tax laws and statutory rates, apportionment factors, taxable income for our filing jurisdictions and disallowable items, among other factors. Audits by the Internal Revenue Service or state and local tax authorities could yield different interpretations from our own, and differences between taxes recorded and taxes owed per our filed returns could cause us to record additional taxes.
To address the exposures of unrecognized tax positions, in January 2007, we adopted FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - Interpretation of SFAS No. 109,” which recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained on audit based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $5.0 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 either inadequate or no longer necessary as potential issues get resolved, or as statutes of limitations in various tax jurisdictions close.
Our estimated effective tax rate at December 31, 2008 was 13.3%. This includes a current year 19.5% unfavorable impact for the valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets. Excluding the impact of the valuation allowance, the effect of a one percentage point increase in our estimated tax rate as of December 31, 2008 would result in an increase in additional income tax benefit of approximately $3.4 million. The one percentage point increase in income tax benefit would result in a decrease in net loss of approximately $3.4 million, and the net loss per share, both basic and diluted would decrease to a loss of $3.19 for continuing operations versus total net loss available to common shareholders, while the net loss per share for discontinued operations remains unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets
At December 31, 2007, except for deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) in its historically profitable jurisdictions, and DTAs that may be benefited by future reversing deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”), the Company recorded a full valuation allowance for all other DTAs, mainly net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), as it was determined that more likely than not, the DTAs would not be realized. The Company reached this determination based on its then three year cumulative loss position and the uncertainty of future taxable income. Consistent with that prior realizability assessment, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance for the DTAs created by the additional NOLs generated primarily from the tax deductible amortization of indefinite-lived assets, as well as DTAs created by impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2008. For remaining DTAs that were not fully reserved, we believe that these assets will be realized within the carryforward period; however, if we do not generate the projected levels of future taxable income, an additional valuation allowance may need to be recorded.
Fair Value Measurements
Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the Company has accounted for an award called for in the CEO’s employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) as a derivative instrument. According to the Employment Agreement, which was executed in April 2008, the CEO is eligible to receive an award amount equal to 8% 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 award will be triggered only after the Company’s recovery of 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 membership interest in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the agreement, and the award lapses upon expiration of the Employment Agreement in April 2011, or earlier if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company or is terminated for cause.
With the assistance of a third party valuation firm, the Company reassessed the estimated the fair value of the award as of December 31, 2008 at approximately $4.3 million and, accordingly, recorded compensation expense and a liability for that amount. The fair valuation incorporated a number of assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to TV One’s future financial projections, probability factors and the likelihood of various scenarios that would trigger payment of the award. 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.
Impact of Inflation
We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. However, there can be no assurance that future inflation would not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
Seasonality
Several factors may adversely affect a radio broadcasting company’s performance in any given period. In the radio broadcasting industry, seasonal revenue fluctuations are common and are due primarily to variations in advertising expenditures by local and national advertisers. Typically, revenues are lowest in the first calendar quarter of the year. In addition, advertising revenues in even-numbered years may benefit from advertising placed by candidates for political offices. The effects of such seasonality make it difficult to estimate future operating results based on the previous results of any specific quarter and may adversely affect operating results.
Capital and Commercial Commitments
Long-term debt
The total amount available under our existing Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks is $800.0 million, consisting of a $500.0 million revolving facility and a $300.0 million term loan facility. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $371.2 million in debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement. We also have outstanding $200.0 million 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 and $104.0 million 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Lease obligations
We have non-cancelable operating leases for office space, studio space, broadcast towers and transmitter facilities and a non-cancelable capital lease for equipment that expire over the next 21 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.
Contractual Obligations Schedule
The following table represents our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008:
(1)
Includes interest obligations based on current effective interest rate on senior subordinated notes outstanding as of December 31, 2008.
(2)
Includes interest obligations based on current effective interest rate and projected interest expense on credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2008, and with a projected maturity of January 2011. (See Note 9 of the audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 - Long-Term Debt.)
(3)
Includes employment contracts, severance obligations, on-air talent contracts, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, and other general operating agreements.
Reflected in the obligations above, as of December 31, 2008, we had two swap agreements in place for a total notional amount of $50.0 million. The periods remaining on the swap agreements range in duration from 17.5 to 41.5 months. If we terminate our interest swap agreements before they expire, we will be required to pay early termination fees. Our credit exposure under these agreements is limited to the cost of replacing an agreement in the event of non-performance by our counter-party; however, we do not anticipate non-performance.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2008, we had two standby letters of credit totaling $550,000 in connection with our annual insurance policy renewals. In addition we had a letter of credit of $295,000 in connection with a contract we inherited as part of the acquisition of CCI. In January 2009, we issued a letter of credit in the amount of $200,000 for a sponsorship event. To date, there has been no activity on any of these letters of credit.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Both the term loan facility and the revolving facility under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either LIBOR plus a spread that ranges from 0.625% to 2.25%, or the prime rate plus a spread of up to 1.25%, depending on our leverage ratio. We also pay a commitment fee that varies depending on certain financial covenants and the amount of unused commitment, up to a maximum of 0.375% per annum on the unused commitment of the revolving facility. We are exposed to interest rate volatility with respect to this variable rate debt. If the borrowing rates under LIBOR were to increase one percentage point above the current rates at December 31, 2008, our interest expense on the revolving credit facility would increase approximately $3.2 million on an annual basis, including any interest expense associated with the use of derivative rate hedging instruments as described above.
Under the terms of our Credit Agreement, we have entered into fixed rate swap agreements to mitigate our exposure to higher floating interest rates. These swap agreements require that we pay a fixed rate of interest on the notional amount to a bank and that the bank pays to us a variable rate equal to three month LIBOR. As of December 31, 2008, we had two swap agreements in place for a total notional amount of $50.0 million, and the periods remaining on these swap agreements range in duration from 17.5 to 41.5 months. All of the swap agreements are tied to the three month LIBOR, which may fluctuate significantly on a daily basis. The valuation of each of these swap agreements is affected by the change in the three-month LIBOR and the remaining term of the agreement. Any increase in the three-month LIBOR results in a more favorable valuation, while a decrease in the three-month LIBOR results in a less favorable valuation.
We estimated the net fair value of these instruments as of December 31, 2008 to be a payable of approximately $3.0 million. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is an estimate of the net amount that we would have paid on December 31, 2008 if the agreements were transferred to other parties or cancelled by us. The fair value is estimated by obtaining quotations from the financial institutions which are parties to our swap agreement contracts.
The determination of the estimated fair value of our fixed-rate debt is subject to the effects of interest rate risk. The estimated fair value of our 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 and 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 at December 31, 2008 were approximately $60.0 million and $52.0 million, respectively, and the carrying amounts were $200.0 million and $104.0 million, respectively. The estimated fair value of our 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes and 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes at December 31, 2007 were approximately $166.5 and $282.0 million, respectively, and the carrying amounts were $200.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively.
The effect of a hypothetical one percentage point decrease in expected current interest rate yield would be to increase the estimated fair value of our 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 from approximately $60.0 million to $70.0 million at December 31, 2008. The effect of a hypothetical one percentage point decrease in expected current interest rate yield would be to increase the estimated fair value of our 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 from approximately $52.0 million to $55.3 million at December 31, 2008.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of Radio 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 effective 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 objectives. Our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in reaching that level of reasonable assurance.
(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. The framework used in carrying our evaluation was the Internal Control - Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. In evaluating our information technology controls, we also used the framework contained in the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT®), which was developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association’s (ISACA) IT Governance Institute, as a complement to the COSO internal control framework. Based on our evaluation under these frameworks, our management concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its audit report which is included herein.
(c) Attestation report of the independent registered public accounting firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Radio One, Inc.:
We have audited Radio One, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Radio One, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Radio One, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Radio One, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and our report dated March 10, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 10,
(d) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2008, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting 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 2009 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.
ITM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12
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 Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
Notes to 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 Radio One, Inc. (dated as of May 4, 2000), as filed with the State of Delaware on May 9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000).
3.1.1
Certificate of Amendment (dated as of September 21, 2000) of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Radio One, Inc. (dated as of May 4, 2000), as filed with the State of Delaware on September 21, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 6, 2000).
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of Radio One, Inc. amended as of June 5, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2001).
4.1
Certificate Of Designations, Rights and Preferences of the 61/2% Convertible Preferred Securities Remarketable Term Income Deferrable Equity Securities (HIGH TIDES) of Radio One, Inc., as filed with the State of Delaware on July 13, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000).
4.2
Indenture dated May 18, 2001 among Radio One, Inc., the Guarantors listed therein, and United States Trust Company of New York (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed July 17, 2001 (File No. 333-65278)).
4.3
First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 10, 2001, among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed October 4, 2001 (File No. 333-65278)).
4.4
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 31, 2001, among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s registration statement on Form S-3, filed January 29, 2002 (File No. 333-81622)).
4.5
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 17, 2003, among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003).
4.6
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 19, 2004, among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004).
4.7
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 8, 2005, among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries and other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004).
4.8
Indenture dated February 10, 2005 between Radio One, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 10, 2005).
4.9
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of September 28, 2004 among Catherine L. Hughes and Alfred C. Liggins, III (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005).
4.10
Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 15, 2006 among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Existing Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as successor trustee under the Indenture dated May 18, 2001, as amended (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006).
4.11
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 15, 2006 among Radio One, Inc., Syndication One, Inc., the other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as trustee under the Indenture dated February 10, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006).
4.12
Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 22, 2006 among Radio One, Inc., the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Existing Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as successor trustee under the Indenture dated May 18, 2001, as amended.
4.13
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 22, 2006 among Radio One, Inc., Magazine One, Inc., the other Guarantors listed therein, and The Bank of New York, as trustee under the Indenture dated February 10, 2005.
10.1
Credit Agreement, dated June 13, 2005, by and among Radio One Inc., Wachovia Bank and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.2
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated June 13, 2005, made by Radio One, Inc. and its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of Wachovia Bank (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 17, 2005 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.3
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Linda J. Eckard Vilardo dated October 31, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2000).
10.4
Promissory Note and Stock Pledge Agreement dated October 31, 2000 between Radio One, Inc. and Linda J. Eckard Vilardo (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002).
10.5
Promissory Note and Stock Pledge Agreement dated April 9, 2001 between Radio One, Inc. and Alfred C. Liggins, III (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002).
10.6
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of April 26, 2006, to Credit Agreement dated June 13, 2005, by and among Radio One, Inc., Wachovia Bank and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 28, 2006 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.7
Waiver to Credit Agreement dated July 12, 2007, by and among Radio One, Inc., the several Lenders thereto, and Wachovia Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007).
10.8
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Barry A. Mayo dated August 6, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007).
10.9
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver dated as of September 14, 2007, by and among Radio One, Inc., the several Lenders thereto, and Wachovia Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 18, 2007 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.10
Waiver and Consent to Credit Agreement dated May 14, 2007, by and among Radio One, Inc., the several Lenders thereto, and Wachovia Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 18, 2007 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.11
Consent to Credit Agreement dated March 30, 2007, by and among Radio One, Inc., the several Lenders thereto, and Wachovia Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 5, 2007 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.12
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Peter D. Thompson dated March 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 2, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.13
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Alfred C. Liggins, III dated April 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 18, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.14
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Catherine L. Hughes dated April 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 18, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.15
First Amendment dated April 16, 2008 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Linda J. Vilardo dated as of October 31, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 18, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.16
Employment Agreement Amendment and Modification dated as of October 7, 2008 between Radio One, Inc. and Peter D. Thompson (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
10.17
Employment Agreement Amendment and Modification dated as of October 7, 2008 between Radio One, Inc. and Barry A. Mayo (incorporated by reference to Radio One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 (File No. 000-25969)).
21.1
Subsidiaries of Radio One, Inc.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young 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.
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 March 16, 2009.
Radio 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 March 16, 2009.
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/ B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr.
Name: B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr.
Title: Director
By: /s/ D. Geoffrey Armstrong
Name: D. Geoffrey Armstrong
Title: Director
By: /s/ Ronald E. Blaylock
Name: Ronald E. Blaylock
Title: Director
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Radio One, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Radio One, Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index on Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Radio One, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2007 the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes- an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Radio One, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 10, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 10,
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For The Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
(a) Organization
Radio One, Inc. (a Delaware corporation referred to as “Radio One”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is one of the nation’s largest radio broadcasting companies and the largest broadcasting company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. While our primary source of revenue is the sale of local and national advertising for broadcast on our radio stations, we have recently diversified our revenue streams and have made acquisitions and investments in other complementary media properties. In April 2008, we completed our acquisition of Community Connect Inc. (“CCI”), an online social networking company that hosts the website BlackPlanet, the largest social networking site primarily targeted at African-Americans. This acquisition is consistent with our operating strategy of becoming a multi-media entertainment and information content provider to African-American consumers. Our other media acquisitions and investments include our approximate 36% ownership interest in TV One, LLC (“TV One”), an African-American targeted cable television network that we invested in with an affiliate of Comcast Corporation and other investors; our 51% ownership interest in Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”), which operates the Tom Joyner Morning Show; and our acquisition of certain net assets (“Giant Magazine”) of Giant Magazine, LLC, an urban-themed lifestyle and entertainment magazine. Through our national multi-media presence, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American audience.
While diversifying our operations, since December 2006, we completed the sale of approximately $287.9 million of our non-core radio assets. While we maintained our core radio franchise, these dispositions have allowed the Company to more strategically allocate its resources consistent with its long-term multi-media operating strategy. We currently own 53 broadcast stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States.
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 two reportable segments: (i) Radio Broadcasting and (ii) Internet/Publishing. (See Note 17 - Segment Information.)
(b) Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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, uncertainties associated with the continuing economic downturn and disruption in financial markets increases the possibility that actual results may differ from these estimates.
Certain reclassifications associated with accounting for discontinued operations have been made to prior year and prior quarter balances to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on any other previously reported net income or loss or any other statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow amounts. Where applicable, these financial statements have been identified as “As Adjusted.” (See Note 3 - Disposition of Assets and Discontinued Operations.)
(c) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Radio One and subsidiaries in which Radio One has a controlling interest. In February 2005, the Company acquired a controlling interest in Reach Media and began consolidating Reach Media for financial reporting purposes. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Minority interests have been recognized where a controlling interest exists, but the Company owns less than 100%. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates over which Radio One has significant influence (ownership between 20% and 50%), but does not have effective control. Investments in affiliates in which Radio One cannot exercise significant influence (ownership interest less than 20%) are accounted for using the cost method.
The Company accounts for its investment in TV One under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock” and other related interpretations. The Company has recorded its investment at cost and has adjusted the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the change in Radio One’s claim on the net assets of TV One resulting from losses of TV One as well as other capital transactions of TV One using a hypothetical liquidation at book value approach. The Company will review the realizability of the investment if conditions are present or events occur to suggest that an impairment of the investment may exist. The Company has determined that, although TV One is a variable interest entity (as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” the Company is not the primary beneficiary of TV One. (See Note 6 - Investment in Affiliated Company for further discussion.)
During the second quarter of 2008, Radio One was advised that prior period financial statements of TV One, an affiliate accounted for under the equity method, had been restated to correct certain errors that affected the reported amount of members’ equity and liabilities. These restatement adjustments had a corresponding effect on the Company’s share of the earnings of TV One reported in prior periods. Under the guidance of Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, “Materiality” and SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company has determined the errors are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements for all prior periods. However, because the effects of correcting the cumulative prior period errors would have been material to our December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements, we have adjusted certain previously reported amounts in the accompanying 2007 consolidated financial statements.
The impact on the financial statements is as follows (in thousands):
* As adjusted to reflect the impact of discontinued operations for the Company’s disposal of the Los Angeles station.
(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, repurchase agreements and money market funds at various commercial banks. All cash equivalents have original maturities of 90 days or less. For cash and cash equivalents, cost approximates market value.
(e) Trade Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable is 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. 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. In bankruptcy instances, we file a proof of claim with the courts in order to receive any later distribution of funds that may be forthcoming.
(f) Goodwill and 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 SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses 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 1st of each year, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred. 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 license impairment at the unit of accounting level using the income approach, which involves, but is not limited to judgmental assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating margins discount rates and terminal values. In testing for goodwill impairment, we follow a two-step approach, also using the income approach that first estimates the fair value of the reporting unit, and then determines the implied goodwill after allocating the reporting unit’s fair value of assets and liabilities. Any excess of carrying value over its respective implied goodwill is written off in order to reduce the reporting unit’s carrying value to fair value. We then perform a reasonableness test 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. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $421.7 million against its radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill in 11 of our 16 markets. (See Note 5 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.)
(g) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Excluding Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses
The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Long-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses, 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 assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the 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 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. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 million for intellectual property in its Cincinnati market. The Company determined that its long-lived assets, excluding goodwill and radio broadcast licenses were not impaired during 2007 and 2006 and, accordingly, no impairment charge was recognized related to these assets.
(h) Financial Instruments
Financial instruments as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 consisted of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, long-term debt and subscriptions receivable. The carrying amounts approximated fair value for each of these financial instruments as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, except for the Company’s outstanding senior subordinated notes. The 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 had a fair value of approximately $52.0 million and $282.0 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 had a fair value of approximately $60.0 million and $166.5 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The fair value was determined based on the fair market value of similar instruments.
(i) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in derivative fair value depends on the classification of the derivative as a hedging instrument. Derivative value changes are recorded in income for any contracts not classified as qualifying cash flow hedges. For derivatives classified as qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative value change must be recorded through other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax. (See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for further discussion.)
(j) Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue for broadcast advertising when a commercial is broadcast and is reported, net of agency and outside sales representative commissions, in accordance with issued SAB No. 104, Topic 13, “Revenue Recognition, Revised and Updated.” 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. Agency and outside sales representative commissions were approximately $34.6 million, $37.0 million and $38.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
CCI, which the Company acquired in April 2008, currently generates the majority of the Company’s internet revenue, and derives such revenue principally from advertising services, including advertising aimed at diversity recruiting. 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 or leads are reported, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. CCI has a diversity recruiting agreement with Monster, Inc. (“Monster”). Under the agreement, Monster posts job listings and advertising on CCI’s websites and CCI earns revenue for displaying the images on its websites. This agreement expires in December 2009.
Publishing revenue generated by Giant Magazine, mainly advertising, subscription and newsstand sales, is recognized when the issue is available for sale.
(k) Barter Transactions
The Company provides broadcast advertising time in exchange for programming content and certain services. In accordance with guidance provided by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 99-17, “Accounting for Advertising Barter Transactions,” the terms of these exchanges generally permit the Company to preempt such broadcast time in favor of advertisers who purchase time in exchange for cash. 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, 2008, 2007 and 2006, barter transaction revenues were reflected in net revenue of approximately $2.6 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Additionally, barter transaction costs were reflected in programming and technical expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $2.5 million, $2.1 million and $1.4 million, and $166,000, $166,000 and $138,000, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(l) Network Affiliation Agreements
The Company has network affiliation agreements classified as Other Intangible Assets. These agreements are amortized over their useful lives. Losses on contract terminations are determined based on the specifics of each contract in accordance with SFAS No. 63, “Financial Reporting by Broadcasters.” (See also Note 5 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.)
(m)
Advertising
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising expenses, including discontinued operations were approximately $6.4 million, $14.1 million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Excluding discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, total advertising expenses were approximately $6.3 million, $9.6 million and $11.1 million, respectively.
(n) Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based upon the difference between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. The Company provides a valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not such assets will not be realized. Deferred income tax expense or benefits are based upon the changes in the asset or liability from period to period.
(o) Stock-Based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” using the modified prospective transition method and therefore has not restated prior periods’ results as a result of the adoption of this pronouncement. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006 included compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, and was based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123. Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted after January 1, 2006 was based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The Company recognized these compensation costs net of a forfeiture rate of 7.5% and recognized the compensation costs for only those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. In general, the Company’s stock options vest ratably over a four-year period. The Company estimated the forfeiture rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 based on its historical experience during the preceding three years.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), tax deduction benefits relating to stock-based compensation were presented in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows as operating cash flows, along with other tax cash flows, in accordance with the provisions of EITF No. 00-15, “Classification in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Income Tax Benefit Received by a Company upon Exercise of a Nonqualified Employee Stock Option.” SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes EITF No. 00-15, amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” and requires tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions to be prospectively presented in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows as financing cash flows instead of operating cash flows. The Company is currently in a cumulative loss tax position; hence tax benefits resulting from stock-based compensation deductions in excess of amounts reported for financial reporting purposes were not recognized in financing cash flows during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 was to increase the net loss approximately $3.3 million after taxes, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The impact on both basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $0.03 per share.
(p) Comprehensive Loss
The Company’s comprehensive loss consists of net loss and other items recorded directly to the equity accounts. The objective is to report a measure of all changes in equity of an enterprise that result from transactions and other economic events during the period, other than transactions with owners. The Company’s comprehensive loss consists of gains and losses on derivative instruments that qualify for cash flow hedge treatment.
The following table sets forth the components of comprehensive loss:
(q) Segment Reporting and Major Customers
In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” and given its recent diversification strategy, the Company has determined it has two reportable segments: (i) Radio Broadcasting and (ii) Internet/Publishing. These two 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 and Reach Media results of operations. The Internet/Publishing segment includes the results of our online business, including the operations of CCI since its date of acquisition, and Giant Magazine. Corporate/Eliminations/Other represents financial activity associated with our corporate staff and offices, inter-company activity between the two segments and activity associated with a small film venture. Inter-company revenue earned and expenses charged between segments are recorded at fair value and eliminated in consolidation.
Also in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 94-6, “Disclosure of Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties,” regarding revenue from major customers, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from a single customer within the radio broadcasting segment. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we derived 10.5%, 10.9% and 10.8%, respectively, of our total consolidated net revenues from that customer. The contract with this customer expires December 31, 2009. The Company has no other single customer from which it derives 10.0% or more of its total consolidated net revenue.
(r) Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares and diluted common equivalent shares for stock options outstanding during the period the calculation is made, divided into the net loss applicable to common stockholders. Diluted common equivalent shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.
(s) Discontinued Operations
For those businesses where management has committed to a plan to divest, each business is valued at the lower of its carrying amount or estimated fair value less cost to sell. If the carrying amount of the business exceeds its estimated fair value, a loss is recognized. The fair values are estimated using accepted valuation techniques such as a discounted cash flow model, valuations performed by third parties, earnings multiples, or indicative bids, when available. A number of significant estimates and assumptions are involved in the application of these techniques, including the forecasting of markets and market share, revenues, costs and expenses, and multiple other factors. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates are made. However, the fair values that are ultimately realized upon the sale of the businesses to be divested may differ from the estimated fair values reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
Businesses to be divested are classified in the consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. For businesses classified as discontinued operations, the balance sheet amounts and statement of operations results are reclassified from their historical presentation to assets and liabilities of discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheet and to discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented. The gains or losses associated with these divested businesses are recorded in income or loss from discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations. The consolidated statement of cash flows is also reclassified for discontinued operations for all periods presented. Other than the collection of outstanding accounts receivable, management does not expect any continuing involvement with these businesses following the sale, and these businesses are expected to be disposed of within one year.
(t) Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The standard responds to investors’ requests for more information about: (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value; (2) the information used to measure fair value; and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS No. 157 is applied whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. We adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008. The FASB deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 as it relates to fair value measurement requirements for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis until the beginning of our 2009 fiscal year.
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 measurement date.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1. For example, 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.
As of December 31, 2008, the fair values of our financial liabilities are categorized as follows:
(u) Software Development Costs
The Company has adopted SOP 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” Accordingly, direct internal and external costs associated with the development of the features and functionality of the Company’s software, incurred during the application development stage, are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method of the estimated life of three years.
(v) Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires disclosure of the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. It also provides for more information about an entity’s liquidity by requiring disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk related. Finally, it requires cross referencing within footnotes to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. This statement is effective for interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, although early application is encouraged. The effective date for the Company was January 1, 2009. The Company has not completed its assessment of the impact this new pronouncement will have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R replaces SFAS No. 141, and requires the acquirer of a business to recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at fair value. SFAS No. 141R also requires transactions costs related to the business combination to be expensed as incurred. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The effective date for the Company was January 1, 2009. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141R to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement amends ARB No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The effective date for this Company was January 1, 2009. We have not determined the impact this new pronouncement would have on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the SEC issued SAB No. 110 that modified SAB No. 107 regarding the use of a “simplified” method in developing an estimate of expected term of “plain vanilla” share options in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” Under SAB No. 107, the use of the “simplified” method was not allowed beyond December 31, 2007. SAB No. 110 allows, however, the use of the “simplified” method beyond December 31, 2007 under certain circumstances. We currently use the “simplified” method under SAB No. 107, and we expect to continue to use the “simplified” method in future periods if the facts and circumstances permit.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which permits companies to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, which provides entities the option to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Entities that choose the fair value option will recognize unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option was elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The Company has currently chosen not to elect the fair value option for any items that are not already required to be measured at fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for more information about: (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value; (2) the information used to measure fair value; and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS No. 157 will apply whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2008.
In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108 was issued to provide interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The provisions of SAB 108 were effective for the Company for its December 2006 year-end. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Board interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - Interpretation of SFAS No. 109.” FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 requires that the Company recognize the impact of a tax position in the financial statements, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions of FIN No. 48 were effective beginning January 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of this adoption, the Company recognized a charge of $895,000 to the January 1, 2007 opening accumulated deficit balance in order to reflect unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $4.9 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. Each quarter, the Company reviews its FIN No. 48 estimates, and any change in the associated liabilities results in an adjustment to income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations in each period measured.
(w) Liquidity
The Company continually projects its anticipated cash needs, which include its operating needs, capital requirements, the TV One funding commitment and principal and interest payments on its indebtedness. Management’s most recent operating income and cash flow projections considered the current economic crisis, which has reduced advertising demand in general, as well as the limited credit environment. As of the filing of this Form 10-K, management believes the Company can meet its liquidity needs through the end of fiscal year 2009 with cash and cash equivalents on hand, projected cash flows from operations and, to the extent necessary, through its borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement, which was approximately $25.9 million at December 31, 2008. Based on these projections, management also believes the Company will be in compliance with its debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009. However, a continued worsening economy, or other unforeseen circumstances, may negatively impact the Company’s operations beyond those assumed in its projections. Management considered the risks that the current economic conditions may have on its liquidity projections, as well as the Company’s ability to meet its debt covenant requirements. If economic conditions deteriorate unexpectedly to an extent that we could not meet our liquidity needs or it appears that noncompliance with debt covenants is likely to result, the Company would implement several remedial measures, which could include further operating cost and capital expenditure reductions, and further de-leveraging actions, which may include repurchases of discounted senior subordinated notes and other debt repayments. If these measures are not successful in maintaining compliance with our debt covenants, the Company would attempt to negotiate for relief through an amendment with its lenders or waivers of covenant noncompliance, which could result in higher interest costs, additional fees and reduced borrowing limits. There is no assurance that the Company would be successful in obtaining relief from its debt covenant requirements in these circumstances. Failure to comply with our debt covenants and a corresponding failure to negotiate a favorable amendment or waivers with the Company’s lenders could result in the acceleration of the maturity of all the Company’s outstanding debt, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial position.
2. ACQUISITIONS:
In June 2008, the Company purchased the assets of WPRS-FM, a radio station located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for $38.0 million. Since April 2007 and until closing, the station had been operated under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”), and the results of its operations had been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the inception of the LMA. The station was consolidated with the Company’s existing Washington, DC operations in April 2007. The Company’s final purchase price allocation consisted of approximately $33.9 million to radio broadcasting license, approximately $1.3 million to definitive-lived intangibles (acquired favorable income leases), $965,000 to goodwill and approximately $1.8 million to fixed assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.
In April 2008, the Company acquired CCI for $38.0 million. CCI is an online social networking company operating branded websites including BlackPlanet, MiGente, and AsianAvenue. The Company’s purchase price allocation consists of approximately $10.2 million to current assets, $4.6 million to fixed assets, $20.4 million to goodwill, $9.9 million to definitive-lived intangibles (brand names, advertiser relationships and lists, favorable subleases, trademarks, trade names, etc.), and $5.0 million to current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.
In July 2007, the Company purchased the assets of WDBZ-AM, a radio station located in the Cincinnati metropolitan area for approximately $2.6 million financed by the seller. Since August 2001 and up until closing, the station had been operated under a LMA, and the results of its operations had been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the LMA. The station was consolidated with the Company’s existing Cincinnati operations in 2001. In accordance with SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for the years ended 2008 and 2007, we impaired radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, and intellectual property in the Cincinnati market by approximately $27.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively. (See Note 5 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets and Note 12 - Related Party Transactions).
In December 2006, the Company acquired Giant Magazine, a publishing company located in the New York City metropolitan area, for $367,000 in cash, inclusive of closing costs. The purchase price allocation consisted of approximately $1.8 million to current assets, $189,000 to property and equipment, $211,000 to definitive-lived intangibles (trade names), approximately $1.8 million to current liabilities and $14,000 to long-term debt (capital lease).
In September 2006, the Company acquired the assets of WIFE-FM, a radio station located in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, for approximately $18.0 million in cash. In connection with the transaction, the Company also acquired the intellectual property of radio station WMOJ-FM, also in the Cincinnati market, for approximately $5.0 million in cash and changed WIFE-FM’s call sign to WMOJ-FM. The station has been consolidated with the Company’s existing Cincinnati operations. The purchase price allocation consisted of $198,000 to transmitters and towers, approximately $5.0 million to definite-lived intangibles (intellectual property) and $18.1 million to radio broadcasting licenses. In accordance with SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for the years ended 2008 and 2007, we impaired radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, and intellectual property in the Cincinnati market by approximately $27.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively. (See Note 5 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.)
In May 2006, the Company acquired the assets of WHHL-FM a radio station located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, for approximately $20.0 million in cash. The Company began operating the station under a LMA in October 2005, and the operating results since inception of the LMA have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The station has been consolidated with the existing St. Louis operations. The purchase price allocation consisted of $364,000 to definite-lived intangibles (a favorable transmitter lease), $180,000 to goodwill, $228,000 to transmitters and towers and approximately $19.3 million to radio broadcasting licenses. In accordance with SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for the year ended 2008, we impaired radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill in the St. Louis market by approximately $7.3 million. (See Note 5 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.)
In February 2005, the Company acquired 51% of the common stock of Reach Media for approximately $55.8 million in a combination of approximately $30.4 million of cash and 1,809,648 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock valued at approximately $25.4 million. Reach Media commenced operations in 2003 and was formed by Tom Joyner, Chairman, and David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer, to operate the Tom Joyner Morning Show and related businesses. Reach Media primarily derives its revenue from the sale of advertising inventory in connection with its syndication agreements. Mr. Joyner is a leading nationally syndicated radio personality. The Tom Joyner Morning Show is currently broadcast on 108 affiliate stations across the United States and is a top-rated morning show in many of the markets in which it is broadcast. Reach Media also operates the Tom Joyner Family Reunion and various other special event-related activities. Additionally, Reach Media operates www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, an African-American targeted internet destination, and provides programming content which is aired on TV One. The purchase price allocation consisted of approximately $36.5 million to definite-lived intangibles ($19.5 million to a talent agreement, $9.2 million to intellectual property and $7.8 million to affiliate agreements), $13.7 million to deferred tax liability, $32.5 million to goodwill, and $1.3 million to other net assets.
3. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
Between December 2006 and May 2008, the Company sold the assets of 20 radio stations in seven markets for approximately $287.9 million in cash. The assets and liabilities of these stations have been classified as discontinued operations as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and the stations’ results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. For the period beginning December 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2008, the Company used approximately $262.0 million of the proceeds from these asset sales to pay down debt.
Los Angeles Station: In May 2008, the Company sold the assets of its radio station KRBV-FM, located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, to Bonneville International Corporation (“Bonneville”) for approximately $137.5 million in cash. Bonneville began operating the station under an LMA on April 8, 2008.
Miami Station: In April 2008, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WMCU-AM, located in the Miami metropolitan area, to Salem Communications Holding Corporation (“Salem”) for approximately $12.3 million in cash. Salem began operating the station under an LMA effective October 18, 2007.
Augusta Stations: In December 2007, the Company sold the assets of its five radio stations in the Augusta metropolitan area to Perry Broadcasting Company for approximately $3.1 million in cash.
Louisville Station: In November 2007, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WLRX-FM in the Louisville metropolitan area to WAY FM Media Group, Inc. for approximately $1.0 million in cash.
Dayton and Louisville Stations: In September 2007, the Company sold the assets of its five radio stations in the Dayton metropolitan area and five of its six radio stations in the Louisville metropolitan area to Main Line Broadcasting, LLC for approximately $76.0 million in cash.
Minneapolis Station: In August 2007, the Company sold the assets of its radio station KTTB-FM in the Minneapolis metropolitan area to Northern Lights Broadcasting, LLC for approximately $28.0 million in cash.
Boston Station: In December 2006, the Company sold the assets of its radio station WILD-FM in the Boston metropolitan area to Entercom Boston, LLC (“Entercom”) for approximately $30.0 million in cash. Entercom began operating the station under an LMA effective August 18, 2006.
The following table summarizes the operating results for all of the stations sold or to be sold and classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented:
The assets and liabilities of the stations sold or to be sold and classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following:
4. 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:
For continuing operations, depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $11.8 million, $9.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively. For both continuing and discontinued operations, total depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $11.9 million, $11.3 million and $11.2 million, respectively.
Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
5. GOODWILL, RADIO BROADCASTING LICENSES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
In the past, we have made acquisitions whereby a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to radio broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets. Effective January 1, 2002, in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we do not amortize our radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Instead, we perform a test for impairment annually, or when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest an impairment may have occurred. 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 1st of each year. Given the economic downturn and limited credit environment, which has weakened advertising demand, and has led to declining radio revenues, deteriorating cash flows, debt downgrades and fewer sales transactions with lower multiples, we performed an interim impairment test as of August 31, 2008, in addition to the annual impairment test performed as of October 1st. As a result of our assessment of the realizability of all our intangible assets throughout 2008, we recorded an impairment charge for 11 of our 16 markets of approximately $423.2 million, with $337.9 million and $85.3 million recorded during the third and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively. Impairment charges of approximately $211.1 million were recorded in seven of our markets for the year ended December 31, 2007.
When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is done at the unit of accounting level as determined by EITF 02-7, “Unit of Accounting for Testing Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” using the income approach method. The income approach method involves a 10-year model that incorporates several variables, including, but not limited, to discounted cash flows of a typical market participant, market revenue and long-term growth projections, estimated market share for the typical participant and estimated profit margins based on market size and station type. The model also assumes outlays for capital expenditures, future terminal values, an effective tax rate assumption and a discount rate based on the weighted-average cost of capital of the radio broadcast industry.
The impairment testing of goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. We had 21 reporting units as of our interim and annual goodwill impairment assessment dates. In testing for the impairment of goodwill, we also use the income approach method. The approach involves a 10-year model with similar variables as described above, except that the discounted cash flows are generally based on the Company’s actual and projected market share and performance for its markets. We follow a two-step process to evaluate if a potential impairment exists for goodwill. The first step of the process involves estimating the fair value of each reporting unit. If the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value, a second step is performed to allocate the fair value of the reporting unit to the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill as of the impairment assessment date. Any excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill is written off to reduce the reporting unit’s carrying value to its estimated fair value.
Below are key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating asset fair values for the impairment testing performed August 31, 2008 and October 1, 2008.
In arriving at the estimated fair values for radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, we also performed a reasonableness test on the fair value results by calculating our implied multiple based on our cash flow projections and our estimated fair values. As a result of conducting our impairment analysis, we arrived at an average multiple of 10.4 times the reporting unit’s cash flow, which is comparable to the actual average multiple for 2008 radio station sale transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company increased the carrying value of goodwill by approximately $20.4 million in connection with the CCI acquisition and increased goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses by approximately $33.9 million in connection with the acquisition of WPRS-FM.
The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
Other intangible assets, excluding goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses, 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, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $7.3 million, $4.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively. 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 the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $2.6 million, $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years for intangible assets, excluding deferred financing costs:
Actual amortization expense may vary as a result of future acquisitions and dispositions.
6. INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATED COMPANY:
In January 2004, the Company, together with an affiliate of Comcast Corporation and other investors, launched TV One, an entity formed to operate a cable television network featuring lifestyle, entertainment and news-related programming targeted primarily towards African-American viewers. At that time, we committed to make a cumulative cash investment of $74.0 million in TV One, of which $60.3 million had been funded as of December 31, 2008. The initial four year commitment period for funding the capital was extended to April 1, 2009, due in part to TV One’s lower than anticipated capital needs during the initial commitment period. In December 2004, TV One entered into a distribution agreement with DIRECTV and certain affiliates of DIRECTV became investors in TV One. As of December 31, 2008, the Company owned approximately 36% of TV One on a fully-converted basis.
The Company has recorded its investment at cost and has adjusted the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the change in the Company’s claim on the net assets of TV One resulting from operating losses of TV One as well as other capital transactions of TV One using a hypothetical liquidation at book value approach. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s allocable share of TV One’s operating losses was approximately $3.7 million, $15.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
During the second quarter of 2008, Radio One was advised that prior period financial statements of TV One, an affiliate accounted for under the equity method, had been restated to correct certain errors that affected the reported amount of members’ equity and liabilities. These restatement adjustments had a corresponding effect on the Company’s share of the losses of TV One reported in prior periods. Under the guidance of SAB No. 99, “Materiality” and SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company has determined the errors are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements for all prior periods. However, because the effects of correcting the cumulative prior period errors would have been material to our second quarter 2008 consolidated financial statements, we have adjusted certain previously reported amounts in the accompanying 2007 fiscal year consolidated financial statements for an approximately $4.4 million increase in the equity in loss of affiliated company.
We entered into separate network services and advertising services agreements with TV One in 2003. Under the network services agreement, we are providing TV One with administrative and operational support services and access to Radio One personalities. This agreement was originally scheduled to expire in January 2009, and has now been extended to January 2010. Under the advertising services agreement, we are providing a specified amount of advertising to TV One. This agreement was also originally scheduled to expire in January 2009 and has now been extended to January 2011. In consideration of providing these services, we have received equity in TV One, and receive an annual cash fee of $500,000 for providing services under the network services agreement.
The Company is accounting for the services provided to TV One under the advertising and network services agreements in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-8, “Accounting by a Grantee for an Equity Instrument to Be Received in Conjunction with Providing Goods or Services.” As services are provided to TV One, the Company is recording revenue based on the fair value of the most reliable unit of measurement in these transactions. For the advertising services agreement, the most reliable unit of measurement has been determined to be the value of underlying advertising time that is being provided to TV One. For the network services agreement, the most reliable unit of measurement has been determined to be the value of the equity received in TV One. As a result, the Company is re-measuring the fair value of the equity received in consideration of its obligations under the network services agreement in each subsequent reporting period as the services are provided. The Company recognized $3.6 million, $4.3 million and $2.9 million in revenue relating to these two agreements for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
7. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Other current liabilities consist of the following:
8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES:
In June 2005, pursuant to the Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt), the Company entered into four fixed rate swap agreements to reduce interest rate fluctuations on certain floating rate debt commitments. Two of the four $25.0 million swap agreements expired in June 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Company accounts for the remaining swap agreements using a fair value method of accounting.
The swap agreements had the following terms:
Each swap agreement has been accounted for as a qualifying cash flow hedge of the Company’s senior bank term debt in accordance with SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” whereby changes in the fair market value are reflected as adjustments to the fair value of the derivative instruments as reflected on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Under the swap agreements, the Company pays the fixed rate listed in the table above. The counterparties to the agreements pay the Company a floating interest rate based on the three month LIBOR, for which measurement and settlement is performed quarterly. The counterparties to these agreements are international financial institutions. The Company estimates the net fair value of these instruments as of December 31, 2008 to be a liability of $3.0 million. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is estimated by obtaining quotations from the financial institutions, which are parties to the Company’s swap agreements. The fair value is an estimate of the net amount that the Company would pay on December 31, 2008, if the agreements were transferred to other parties or cancelled by the Company.
Costs incurred to execute the swap agreements are deferred and amortized over the term of the swap agreements. The amounts incurred by the Company, representing the effective difference between the fixed rate under the swap agreements and the variable rate on the underlying term of the debt, are included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In the event of early termination of these swap agreements, any gains or losses would be amortized over the respective lives of the underlying debt or recognized currently if the debt is terminated earlier than initially anticipated.
Derivative Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivatives at fair value, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, in the 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. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item are recognized in the statement of operations. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects net income. If a derivative does not qualify as a hedge, it is marked to fair value through the statement of operations. Any fees associated with these derivatives are amortized over their term.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company was party to an Employment Agreement executed in April 2008 with the CEO which calls for an award that has been accounted for as a derivative instrument without a hedging relationship in accordance with the guidance provided in SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the CEO is eligible to receive an award amount equal to 8% of any proceeds from distributions or other liquidity events in excess of the return of the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. With the assistance of a third party valuation firm, the Company reviewed the factors underlying this award and estimated the fair value of the award at December 31, 2008 to be approximately $4.3 million, and accordingly, recorded compensation expense and a liability for this amount. The Company employed an income approach to value the TV One business, which is the most significant consideration in determining the fair value of this award. Key inputs used in the income approach to estimate the fair value of TV One were its projected operating cash flows, an estimated terminal value and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company’s obligation to pay the award will be triggered only after the Company’s recovery of 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 membership interest in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the Employment Agreement, and the award lapses upon expiration of the Employment Agreement in April 2011, or earlier if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company or is terminated for cause.
9. LONG-TERM DEBT:
Long-term debt consists of the following:
Credit Facilities
In June 2005, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks (the “Credit Agreement”). Simultaneous with entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $437.5 million to retire all outstanding obligations under its previous credit agreement. The Credit Agreement was amended in April 2006 and September 2007 to modify certain financial covenants and other provisions. The Credit Agreement expires the earlier of (a) six months prior to the scheduled maturity date of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2011 (unless the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes have been repurchased or refinanced prior to such date) or (b) June 30, 2012. The total amount available under the Credit Agreement is $800.0 million, consisting of a $500.0 million revolving facility and a $300.0 million term loan facility. Borrowings under the credit facilities are subject to compliance with certain provisions including but not limited to financial covenants. The Company may use proceeds from the credit facilities for working capital, capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business, its common stock repurchase program, permitted direct and indirect investments and other lawful corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants that the Company must comply with, including (a) maintaining an interest coverage ratio of no less than 1.90 to 1.00 from January 1, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and no less than 1.60 to 1.00 from September 14, 2007 to June 30, 2008, and no less than 1.75 to 1.00 from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009, and no less than 2.00 to 1.00 from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and no less than 2.25 to 1.00 from January 1, 2011 and thereafter, (b) maintaining a total leverage ratio of no greater than 7.00 to 1.00 beginning April 1, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and no greater than 7.75 to 1.00 beginning September 14, 2007 to March 31, 2008, and no greater than 7.50 to 1.00 beginning April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008, and no greater than 7.25 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, and no greater than 6.50 to 1.00 beginning July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, and no greater than 6.00 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2011 and thereafter, (c) maintaining a senior leverage ratio of no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 beginning June 13, 2005 to September 30, 2006, and no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007, and no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 beginning October 1, 2007 and thereafter, (d) limitations on liens, (e) limitations on the sale of assets, (f) limitations on the payment of dividends, and (g) limitations on mergers, as well as other customary covenants. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2008. At the date of the filing of this Form 10-K and based on its most recent projections, the Company's management believes it will be in compliance with all debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009. Based on its fiscal year end 2007 excess cash flow calculation, the Company made a debt principal prepayment of approximately $6.0 million in May 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008 no excess cash calculation was required and therefore, no payment was required.
As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $293.5 million of borrowing capacity. Taking into consideration the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement, approximately $25.9 million of that amount is available for borrowing.
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, upon any breach or default under either the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes or the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, the lenders could among other actions immediately terminate the Credit Agreement and declare the loans then outstanding under the Credit Agreement to be due and payable in whole immediately. Similarly, under the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes and the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, a default under the terms of the Credit Agreement would constitute an event of default, and the trustees or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes (under either class) may declare the principal of such class of note and interest to be due and payable immediately.
Interest payments under the terms of the Credit Agreement are due based on the type of loan selected. Interest on alternate base rate loans as defined under the terms of the Credit Agreement is payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December. Interest due on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) loans is payable on the last day of the interest period applicable for borrowings up to three months in duration, and on the last day of each March, June, September and December for borrowings greater than three months in duration. In addition, quarterly installments of principal on the term loan facility are payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December commencing on September 30, 2007 in a percentage amount of the principal balance of the term loan facility outstanding on September 30, 2007, net of loan repayments, of 1.25% between September 30, 2007 and June 30, 2008, 5.0% between September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009, and 6.25% between September 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012. Based on the $194.0 million net principal balance of the term loan facility outstanding on September 30, 2007 quarterly payments of $9.7 million are payable between September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009, and $12.1 million between September 30, 2009 and June 30, 2012.
Interest payments under the terms of the 63/8% and the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes are due in February and August, and January and July of each year. Based on the $200.0 million principal balance of the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding on December 31, 2008, interest payments of $6.4 million are payable each February and August through February 2013. Based on the $104.0 million principal balance of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes outstanding on December 31, 2008, interest payments of $4.6 million are payable each January and July through July 2011.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding approximately $371.2 million on its credit facility. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we borrowed approximately $227.0 million from our credit facility to fund the repurchase of bonds and the acquisitions of CCI and WPRS-FM, and repaid approximately $170.3 million.
Senior Subordinated Notes
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million of its 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013 and $104.0 million of its 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased $196.0 million of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes at an average discount of 38.4%, and recorded a gain on the retirement of debt, net of the write-off of deferred financing costs of approximately $1.2 million, of approximately $74.0 million. During January 2009, the Company continued to repurchase its 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes. (See Note 19 - Subsequent Events.)
The indentures governing the Company’s senior subordinated notes also contain covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company to incur additional debt, purchase capital stock, make capital expenditures, make investments or other restricted payments, swap or sell assets, engage in transactions with related parties, secure non-senior debt with assets, or merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of its assets. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2008. At the date of the filing of this Form 10-K and based on its most recent projections, the Company's management believes it will be in compliance with all covenants through the end of fiscal year 2009.
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 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes and the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.
Future minimum principal payments of long-term debt as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:
The Credit Agreement expires the earlier of (i) six months prior to the scheduled maturity of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2011, unless the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes have been refinanced or repurchased prior to such date, or (ii) June 30, 2012. In prior reporting, management had assumed that the Company would refinance the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes prior to January 1, 2011 and, therefore, the maturity date for the loans governed by Credit Agreement would be June 30, 2012. However, while management continues to believe it is probable that the Company will refinance the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2011 prior to January 1, 2011, given the deterioration in the U.S. economy and the volatility and tightening of the credit markets, management believes it is appropriate to reflect that the loans governed by the Credit Agreement will mature on January 1, 2011, six months prior to the scheduled maturity of the 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 1, 2011.
10. INCOME TAXES:
The Company’s continuing operations benefit from income taxes was approximately $45.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to a provision for income taxes of $54.1 million and $18.3 million for 2007 and 2006, respectively. A reconciliation of the statutory federal income taxes to the recorded benefit from and provision for income taxes for continuing operations is as follows:
The components of the benefit from and provision for income taxes from continuing operations are as follows:
The increase in the benefit from income taxes for continuing operation for the year ended December 31, 2008 was primarily due to the increase in pre-tax losses for the current year compared to 2007, and the impact of deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) reversing due to indefinite-lived asset impairment charges recorded in 2008. In 2007, the provision for income taxes was primarily driven by the recording of a significant and full valuation allowance for most of the Company’s deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), mainly net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforwards.
The components of the provision for and benefit from income taxes from discontinued operations are as follows:
The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
The Company’s April 2008 purchase of 100% of both the common and convertible preferred stock of CCI via a merger is being treated as a stock acquisition. For income tax purposes, in stock acquisitions where the purchase price exceeds the tax basis of the underlying assets (including separately identified intangibles), with the residual allocated to goodwill, a DTL or DTA is recorded to reflect the differences between the book and tax bases for the assets acquired, exclusive of goodwill. At the time of acquisition, CCI had DTAs resulting from net operating losses, depreciation and provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $5.8 million. Additionally, the amount of the DTL that resulted from the purchase price accounting was approximately $4.7 million. It was determined that the DTA could be benefited to the extent of reversing DTLs, resulting in a net DTA, prior to any valuation allowance, of approximately $1.1 million. Based on the lack of realizability of this DTA, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $1.1 million as part of its purchase price accounting for this acquisition. The amount of gross federal and state NOLs acquired with the CCI acquisition were approximately $15.4 million, of which none were used during 2008.
The Company’s purchase of 51% of the common stock of Reach Media in 2005 was a stock acquisition. Associated with this stock purchase, the Company allocated the purchase price to the related assets acquired, with the excess purchase price allocated to goodwill. For income tax purposes, in a stock purchase, the underlying assets of the acquired companies usually retain their historical tax basis. Accordingly, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of approximately $28.3 million in 2005 related to the difference between the book and tax basis for all of the assets acquired (excluding nondeductible goodwill).
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.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had gross federal and state NOL carryforward amounts of approximately $383.1 million and $329.5 million, respectively. In addition, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $57.2 million related to state NOLs as of December 31, 2008. The NOLs begin to expire as early as 2009 for state income tax purposes, and in 2018 to 2028 for federal income tax purposes. Some of these NOLs may be subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 382 for loss limitations if there are significant changes in the stock ownership of the Company.
In 2007, the Company concluded it was more likely than not that the benefit from certain of its DTAs would not be realized. The Company considered its historically profitable jurisdictions, its sources of future taxable income and tax planning strategies in determining the amount of valuation allowance recorded. As part of that assessment, the Company also determined that it was not appropriate under generally accepted accounting principles to benefit its DTAs based on DTLs related to indefinite-lived intangibles that cannot be scheduled to reverse in the same period. Because the DTL in this case would not reverse until some future indefinite period when the intangibles are either sold or impaired, any resulting temporary differences cannot be considered a source of future taxable income to support realization of the DTAs. As a result of the assessment, and given its then current total three year cumulative loss position, the uncertainty of future taxable income and the feasibility of tax planning strategies, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $134.0 million as of December 31, 2007. In 2008, the Company again concluded it was more likely than not that the benefit from certain of its DTAs would again not be realized, and recorded an additional valuation allowance of approximately $71.8 million as of December 31, 2008 for additional generated DTAs. The total valuation allowance for DTAs at December 31, 2008 is approximately $205.8 million.
As disclosed in Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, we adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - Interpretation of SFAS No. 109,” on January 1, 2007. The nature of the uncertainties pertaining to our income taxes is primarily due to various state tax positions. As of December 31, 2008, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.0 million, of which a net amount $687,000, 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. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of $31,000, and at December 31, 2008, we had recorded a liability for accrued interest of $118,000. The Company estimates the possible change to its unrecognized tax benefits prior to December 31, 2009 would be up to $220,000, due to closed statutes. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
As of December 31, 2008, the Company was not under audit in any jurisdiction for federal or state income tax purposes. However, the Company’s open tax years for federal income tax examinations include the tax years ended December 31, 2005 through 2007. For state and local purposes, the open years for tax examinations include the tax years ended December 31, 2003 through 2007.
11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common Stock
Shareholders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. Shareholders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Shareholders of Class C and Class D Common Stock are not entitled to vote.
Stock Repurchase Program
In March 2008, the Company’s board of directors authorized a repurchase of shares of the Company’s Class A and Class D common stock through December 31, 2009, in an amount of up to $150.0 million, the maximum amount allowable under the Credit Agreement. The amount and timing of such repurchases will be based on pricing, general economic and market conditions, and the restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Company’s credit facilities and subordinated debt and certain other factors. While $150.0 million is the maximum amount allowable under the Credit Agreement, in 2005, under a prior board authorization, the Company utilized approximately $78.0 million to repurchase common stock leaving capacity of $72.0 million under the Credit Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 421,661 shares of Class A common stock at an average price of $1.32 and 20.0 million shares of Class D common stock at an average price of $0.58. The total shares repurchased in 2008 were approximately 20.5 million, for a total amount of $12.1 million, at an average price of $0.59. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $59.9 million in capacity available under the 2008 stock repurchase program, taking into account the limitations of the Credit Agreement and prior repurchase activity.
The Company continues to have an open stock repurchase authorization with respect to its Class A and D stock and continued to make purchases subsequent to December 31, 2008. (See Note 19 - Subsequent Events.)
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share - Based Payment,” using the modified prospective method, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black- Scholes (“BSM”) valuation model, which is consistent with our valuation methodologies previously used for options in footnote disclosures required under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation”,as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure.” Such fair value is recognized as an expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line method under SFAS No. 123(R). 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 also uses the BSM valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards. The BSM incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. For options granted during the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company used the BSM option-pricing model and determined: (1) the term by using the simplified “plain-vanilla” method as allowed under SAB No. 110; (2) a historical volatility over a period commensurate with the expected term, with the observation of the volatility on a daily basis; and (3) 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.
The Company granted 1,913,000, 230,800 and 62,000 stock options during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The per share weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $0.74, $2.77 and $4.36, respectively.
These fair values were derived using the BSM with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan
Radio One may issue up to 10,816,198 shares of Class D Common Stock under the Company’s Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan (“Plan”). At inception of the Plan, the Company’s board of directors authorized 1,408,099 shares of Class A common stock to be issuable under this plan. As of December 31, 2008, 5,948,980 Class D shares were available for grant. The options are exercisable in installments determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors at the time of grant. The options expire as determined by the compensation committee, but no later than ten years from the date of the grant. The Company uses an average life for all option awards. The Company settles stock options upon exercise by issuing stock.
Transactions and other information relating to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are summarized.
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the Company’s stock closing price on the last day of trading for the year ended December 31, 2008 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 options on December 31, 2008. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $0 during the year ended December 31, 2008. The number of options vested during the year ended December 31, 2008 was 237,156.
As of December 31, 2008, approximately $2.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 11.2 months. The stock option weighted-average fair value per share was $5.49 at December 31, 2008.
Transactions and other information relating to restricted stock grants for the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized below:
The restricted stock grants were included in the Company’s outstanding share numbers on the effective date of grant. As of December 31, 2008, $985,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants is expected to be recognized over the next 1.3 years.
12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
In 2000, an officer of the Company, the former Chief Financial Officer (“Former CFO”), purchased shares of the Company’s common stock. The Former CFO purchased 333,334 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and 666,666 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The stock was purchased with the proceeds of full recourse loans from the Company in the amount of approximately $7.0 million. In September 2005, the Former CFO repaid a portion of his loan. The partial repayment of approximately $7.5 million, which included accrued interest, was effected using 300,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and 230,000 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock owned by the Former CFO. All shares transferred to the Company in satisfaction of this loan have been retired. As of December 31, 2008, there was no remaining principal and interest balance on the Former CFO’s loan. The Former CFO was employed with the Company through December 31, 2007, and pursuant to an agreement with the Company, the loan became due in full in July 2008. Pursuant to his employment agreement, the Former CFO was eligible to receive a retention bonus in the amount of approximately $3.1 million in cash on July 1, 2008, for having remained employed with the Company through December 31, 2007. The $3.1 million retention bonus was a pro rata portion of a $7.0 million retention bonus called for in his employment agreement, had he remained employed with the Company for ten years, and is based on the number of days of employment between October 18, 2005 and December 31, 2007. In July 2008, the Former CFO settled the remaining balance of the loan in full by offsetting the loan with his after-tax proceeds from the $3.1 million retention bonus, in addition to paying a cash amount of $34,000 to the Company.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had an additional loan outstanding to the Former CFO in the amount of $88,000. The loan was due on demand and accrued interest at 5.6%, totaling an amount of $53,000 as of December 31, 2007. In January 2008, the former CFO repaid the full remaining balance of the loan in cash in the amount of $140,000.
In July 2006, the former Chief Operating Officer paid $407,000 to satisfy in full a 5.6% unsecured loan issued and outstanding since 1999.
In July 2007, the Company acquired the assets of WDBZ-AM, a radio station located in the Cincinnati metropolitan area from Blue Chip Communications, Inc. (“Blue Chip”) for approximately $2.6 million in seller financing. The financing was a 5.1% interest bearing loan payable monthly, which was fully paid in July 2008. In addition to the full principal repayment, interest in the amount of $15,000 and $79,000 was paid for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Blue Chip is owned by L. Ross Love, a former member of the Company’s board of directors. The transaction was approved by a special committee of independent directors appointed by the board of directors. Additionally, the Company retained an independent valuation firm to provide a fair value appraisal of the station. Prior to the closing, and since August of 2001, the Company consolidated WDBZ-AM within its existing Cincinnati operations, and operated WDBZ-AM under a LMA for no annual fee, the results of which were incorporated in the Company’s financial statements.
In September 2006, the Company purchased a radio broadcasting tower and related facilities in the Detroit metropolitan area from American Signaling Corporation for $925,000 in cash. The tower serves as the transmitter site for station WDMK-FM. American Signaling Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Syndicated Communications Venture Partners II, LP. Terry L. Jones, a general partner of Syndicated Communications Venture Partners II, LP, is also a member of the Company’s board of directors. The terms of the transaction were approved by an independent committee of the Company’s board of directors. Prior to the purchase, the Company leased space on the tower for the broadcast of WDMK-FM and paid American Signaling Corporation $50,000 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The Company’s CEO and Chairperson own a music company called Music One, Inc. (“Music One”). The Company sometimes engages in promoting the recorded music product of Music One. Based on the cross-promotional value received by the Company, we believe that the provision of such promotion is fair. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, Radio One paid $151,000 and $69,000, respectively, to or on behalf of Music One, primarily for market talent event appearances, travel reimbursement and sponsorships. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company provided advertising to Music One in the amount of $61,000. There were no cash, trade or no-charge orders placed by Music One in 2007 or 2006. As of December 31, 2008, Music One owed Radio One $70,000 for office space and administrative services provided in 2008 and 2007. In 2007, Music One paid to Radio One a total of $169,000 for similar services provided during 2006 and 2005.
13. 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. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began matching employee contributions to the employee savings plan. As of January 1, 2008, the Company suspended the matching employer contribution indefinitely. Employer contributions paid for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $0, approximately $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
14. 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 through August 1, 2014. 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.
TV One Cable Network
Pursuant to a limited liability company agreement dated July 18, 2003, the Company and certain other investors formed TV One for the purpose of developing and distributing a new television programming service. At that time, we committed to make a cumulative cash investment in TV One of $74.0 million, of which $60.3 million had been funded as of December 31, 2008. The initial commitment period for funding the capital was extended to April 1, 2009, due in part to TV One’s lower than anticipated capital needs during the initial commitment period.
Royalty Agreements
The Company has entered into fixed fee and variable share agreements with music performance rights organizations that expire as late as 2011. During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred expenses, including discontinued operations, of approximately $12.2 million, $13.8 million and $12.6 million, respectively, in connection with these agreements. Excluding discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $11.8 million, $11.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively, in connection with these agreements.
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 21 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. Scheduled rent increases and rent concessions are being amortized over the terms of the agreements using the straight-line method, and are included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The future rentals under non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2008 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.
Rent expense, including discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $9.0 million, $8.3 million and $8.6 million, respectively. Rent expense, excluding discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $8.9 million, $7.5 million and $7.6 million, respectively. The total cost of assets under capital lease as of December 31, 2008 was $933,000.
Investment in Private Equity Fund
In October 2007, the Company had committed (subject to the completion and execution of requisite legal documentation) to invest in QCP Capital Partners, L.P. (“QCP”). At that time the Company also had agreed to provide an unsecured working capital line of credit to QCP Capital Partners, LLC, the management company for QCP, in the amount of $775,000. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had provided $457,000 under the line of credit. In December 2008, the Company made a determination that there was a substantial likelihood that QCP would not be able to proceed successfully with its fundraising, and therefore the Company was unlikely to recover any of the amounts provided to QCP Capital Partners, LLC pursuant to the October 2007 line of credit agreement. As a result, in December 2008, the Company wrote off the full amount outstanding under the line of credit agreement. No further investments in, or loans to, QCP are anticipated to be made in the foreseeable future.
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.
15. CONTRACT TERMINATION:
In connection with the September 2005 termination of the Company’s sales representation agreements with Interep National Radio Sales, Inc. (“Interep”), and its subsequent agreements with Katz Communications, Inc. (“Katz”) making Katz the Company’s sole national sales representative, Katz paid the Company $3.4 million as an inducement to enter into new agreements and paid Interep approximately $5.3 million to satisfy the Company’s termination obligations. The Company is amortizing both over the four-year life of the subsequent Katz agreements as a reduction to selling, general, and administrative expense. For each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, selling, general, and administrative expense was reduced by approximately $1.9 million. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, an unamortized amount of approximately $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, is reflected in other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2007, an unamortized amount of approximately $1.4 million is reflected in other long term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
(a)
The net (loss) income from continuing operations for the quarters ended June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2007 includes approximately $5.5 million and $205.5 million of pre-tax impairment of long-lived assets, respectively. Net loss from discontinued operations for the quarters ended June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2007 includes approximately $10.4 million and $198.6 million of pre-tax impairment of long-lived assets, respectively. The quarter ended December 31, 2007 includes an approximate $134.0 million charge for recording a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
During the second quarter of 2008, Radio One was advised that prior period financial statements of TV One, an affiliate accounted for under the equity method, had been restated to correct certain errors that affected the reported amount of members’ equity and liabilities. These restatement adjustments had a corresponding effect on the Company’s share of the earnings of TV One reported in prior periods. Under the guidance of SAB No. 99, “Materiality” and SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company has determined the errors are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements for all prior periods. However, because the effects of correcting the cumulative prior period errors would have been material to our second quarter 2008 consolidated financial statements, we have adjusted certain previously reported amounts in the accompanying 2007 interim consolidated financial statements. Presented below is the impact on the statement of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2007 which have not been adjusted in prior filings.
The impact on the statement of operations is as follows (in thousands, except share data):
* As adjusted to reflect the impact of discontinued operations for the Company’s disposal of the Los Angeles station.
** Per share amounts do not add due to rounding.
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
Given its recent diversification strategy, the Company now has two reportable segments: (i) Radio Broadcasting and (ii) Internet/Publishing. These two 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 and Reach Media results of operations. The Internet/Publishing segment includes the results of our online business, including the operations of CCI since its date of acquisition, and Giant Magazine. Corporate/Eliminations/Other represents financial activity associated with our corporate staff and offices, inter-company activity between the two segments and activity associated with a small film venture.
Operating loss or income represents total revenues less operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and impairment of long-lived assets. Inter-company revenue earned and expenses charged between segments are recorded at fair value and eliminated in consolidation.
The accounting policies described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of these consolidated financial statements - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies are applied consistently across the two segments.
Detailed segment data for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is presented in the following table:
18. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The Company conducts a portion of its business through its subsidiaries. All of the Company’s Subsidiary Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011, the 63/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 2013, and the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.
Set forth below are consolidated balance sheets for the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and related consolidated statements of operations and cash flow for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. The equity method of accounting has been used by the Company to report its investments in subsidiaries. Separate financial statements for the Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented based on management’s determination that they do not provide additional information that is material to investors.
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
During January 2009, the Company repurchased in the open market, approximately $2.4 million of its 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due July 2011 at an average discount of 50.0%. The Company recorded a gain on the retirement of debt of approximately $1.2 million, net of the write-off of deferred financing costs of $16,000. The Company funded the debt retirement with cash on hand. The balance of notes outstanding as of January 31, 2009 was $101.5 million.
During January and February 2009, the Company repurchased 1,900 shares of Class A common stock in the amount of $884 at an average price of $0.46 per share and 8,341,165 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $4.2 million at an average price of $0.51 per share. As of February 27, 2009, the Company had $55.7 million in capacity available under its share repurchase program.
On March 3, 2009, S&P lowered our corporate credit rating to B- from B and the issue-level rating on our $800.0 million secured credit facility to B- from BB-. While noting that our rating outlook was negative, the ratings downgrade reflects concern over the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants due to weak radio advertising demand amid the deepening recession, which S&P expects to persist for all of 2009.
RADIO ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
S-1