Item 1. Business
We are a broadcast company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. As of February 29, 2012, we owned and/or operated five television stations and four low-power television stations serving three markets, five radio information networks, and sixty-one FM and thirty AM radio stations serving twenty-three markets, including Bellingham, Washington; Columbus, Ohio; Norfolk, Virginia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Manchester, New Hampshire; Des Moines, Iowa; and Joplin, Missouri.
The following table sets forth information about our radio stations and the markets they serve as of February 29, 2012:
(footnotes follow tables)
(footnotes follow tables)
(a) Actual city of license may differ from metropolitan market actually served.
(b) Derived from Investing in Radio 2011 Market Report.
The following table sets forth information about our television stations and the markets they serve as of February 29, 2012:
(a) Actual city of license may differ from metropolitan market actually served.
(b) Derived from Fall 2011 A.C. Nielsen ratings and data.
(c) Station operated under the terms of a TBA.
(d) Station operated under the terms of a Shared Services Agreement.
N/S Station is a non-subscriber to the A.C Nielsen ratings and data.
For purposes of business segment reporting, we have aligned operations with similar characteristics into two business segments: Radio and Television. The Radio segment includes twenty-three markets, which includes all ninety-one of our radio stations and five radio information networks. The Television segment includes three markets and consists of five television stations and four low power television (“LPTV”) stations. For more information regarding our reportable segments, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Strategy
Our strategy is to operate top billing radio and television stations in mid-sized markets, which we define as markets ranked from 20 to 200 out of the markets summarized by Investing in Radio Market Report and Investing in Television Market Report.
Programming and marketing are key components in our strategy to achieve top ratings in both our radio and television operations. In many of our markets, the three or four most highly rated stations (radio and/or television) receive a disproportionately high share of the market’s advertising revenues. As a result, a station’s revenue is dependent upon its ability to maximize its number of listeners/viewers within an advertiser’s given demographic parameters. In certain cases we use attributes other than specific market listener data for sales activities. In those markets where sufficient alternative data is available, we do not subscribe to an independent listener rating service.
The radio stations that we own and/or operate employ a variety of programming formats, including Classic Hits, Adult Contemporary, Classic Rock, News/Talk and Country. We regularly perform extensive market research, including music evaluations, focus groups and strategic vulnerability studies. Our stations also employ audience promotions to further develop and secure a loyal following.
The television stations that we own and/or operate are comprised of three CBS affiliates, one ABC affiliate, two Fox affiliates, one Univision affiliate, one NBC affiliate, and one Telemundo affiliate. In addition to securing network programming, we carefully select available syndicated programming to maximize viewership. We also develop local programming, including a strong local news franchise in each of our television markets.
We concentrate on the development of strong decentralized local management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the stations we own and/or operate. We compensate local management based on the station’s financial performance, as well as other performance factors that are deemed to affect the long-term ability of the stations to achieve financial performance objectives. Corporate management is responsible for long-range planning, establishing policies and procedures, resource allocation and monitoring the activities of the stations.
Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Telecommunications Act”), we are permitted to own as many as 8 radio stations in a single market. See “Federal Regulation of Radio and Television Broadcasting”. We seek to acquire reasonably priced broadcast properties with significant growth potential that are located in markets with well-established and relatively stable economies. We often focus on local economies supported by a strong presence of state or federal government or one or more major universities. Future acquisitions will be subject to the availability of financing, the terms of our credit facility, and compliance with the Communications Act of 1934 (the “Communications Act”) and FCC rules.
Advertising Sales
Our primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. Depending on the format of a particular radio station, there are a predetermined number of advertisements broadcast each hour. The number of advertisements broadcast on our television stations may be limited by certain network affiliation and syndication agreements and, with respect to children’s programs, federal regulation. We determine the number of advertisements broadcast hourly that can maximize a station’s available revenue dollars without jeopardizing listening/viewing levels. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.
Advertising rates charged by radio and television stations are based primarily on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers, the number of stations in the market competing for the same demographic group, the supply of and demand for radio and television advertising time, and other qualitative factors including rates charged by competing radio and television stations within a given market. Radio rates are generally highest during morning and afternoon drive-time hours, while television advertising rates are generally higher during prime time evening viewing periods. Most advertising contracts are short-term, generally running for only a few weeks. This allows broadcasters the ability to modify advertising rates as dictated by changes in station ownership within a market, changes in listener/viewer ratings and changes in the business climate within a particular market.
Approximately $118,040,000 or 84% of our gross revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 (approximately $120,142,000 or 86% in fiscal 2010 and approximately $113,753,000 or 86% in fiscal 2009) was generated from the sale of local advertising. Additional revenue is generated from the sale of national advertising, network compensation payments, barter and other miscellaneous transactions. In all of our markets, we attempt to maintain a local sales force that is generally larger than our competitors. The principal goal in our sales efforts is to develop long-standing customer relationships through frequent direct contacts, which we believe represents a competitive advantage. We also typically provide incentives to our sales staff to seek out new opportunities resulting in the establishment of new client relationships, as well as new sources of revenue, not directly associated with the sale of broadcast time.
Each of our stations also engages independent national sales representatives to assist us in obtaining national advertising revenues. These representatives obtain advertising through national advertising agencies and receive a commission from us based on our net revenue from the advertising obtained. Total gross revenue resulting from national advertising in fiscal 2011 was approximately $21,794,000 or 16% of our gross revenue (approximately $20,220,000 or 14% in fiscal 2010 and approximately $18,896,000 or 14% in fiscal 2009).
Competition
Both radio and television broadcasting are highly competitive businesses. Our stations compete for listeners/viewers and advertising revenues directly with other radio and/or television stations, as well as other media, within their markets. Our radio and television stations compete for listeners/viewers primarily on the basis of program content and by employing on-air talent which appeals to a particular demographic group. By building a strong listener/viewer base comprised of a specific demographic group in each of our markets, we are able to attract advertisers seeking to reach these listeners/viewers.
Other media, including broadcast television and/or radio (as applicable), cable television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, the Internet, coupons and billboard advertising, also compete with us for advertising revenues.
The radio and television broadcasting industries are also subject to competition from new media technologies, such as the delivery of audio programming by cable and satellite television systems, satellite radio systems, direct reception from satellites, and streaming of audio on the Internet.
Seasonality
Our revenue varies throughout the year. Advertising expenditures, our primary source of revenue, is generally lowest in the first quarter.
Environmental Compliance
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.
Employees
As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 828 full-time employees and 340 part-time employees, none of whom are represented by unions. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
We employ several high-profile personalities with large loyal audiences in their respective markets. We have entered into employment and non-competition agreements with our President and with most of our on-air personalities, as well as non-competition agreements with our commissioned sales representatives.
Available Information
You can find more information about us at our Internet website located at www.sagacommunications.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Federal Regulation of Radio and Television Broadcasting
Introduction. The ownership, operation and sale of radio and television stations, including those licensed to us, are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC, which acts under authority granted by the Communications Act. Among other things, the FCC assigns frequency bands for broadcasting; determines the particular frequencies, locations and operating power of stations; issues, renews, revokes and modifies station licenses; determines whether to approve changes in ownership or control of station licenses; regulates equipment used by stations; adopts and implements regulations and policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation and
employment practices of stations; and has the power to impose penalties for violations of its rules or the Communications Act. For additional information on the impact of FCC regulations and the introduction of new technologies on our operations, see “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” contained elsewhere herein.
The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and of specific FCC regulations and policies. Reference should be made to the Communications Act, FCC rules and the public notices and rulings of the FCC for further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of broadcast stations.
License Renewal. Radio and television broadcasting licenses are granted for maximum terms of eight years, and are subject to renewal upon application to the FCC. Under its “two-step” renewal process, the FCC must grant a renewal application if it finds that during the preceding term the licensee has served the public interest, convenience and necessity, and there have been no serious violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules which, taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse. If a renewal applicant fails to meet these standards, the FCC may either deny its application or grant the application on such terms and conditions as are appropriate, including renewal for less than the full 8-year term. In making the determination of whether to renew the license, the FCC may not consider whether the public interest would be served by the grant of a license to a person other than the renewal applicant. If the FCC, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, finds that the licensee has failed to meet the requirements for renewal and no mitigating factors justify the imposition of lesser sanctions, the FCC may issue an order denying the renewal application, and only thereafter may the FCC accept applications for a construction permit specifying the broadcasting facilities of the former licensee. Petitions may be filed to deny the renewal applications of our stations, but any such petitions must raise issues that would cause the FCC to deny a renewal application under the standards adopted in the “two-step” renewal process. We have filed applications to renew the Company’s radio and television station licenses, as necessary, and we intend to timely file renewal applications, as required for the Company’s stations. Under the Communications Act, if a broadcast station fails to transmit signals for any consecutive 12-month period, the FCC license expires at the end of that period, unless the FCC exercises its discretion to extend or reinstate the license “to promote equity and fairness.” The FCC, to date, has refused to exercise such discretion.
The following table sets forth the market and broadcast power of each of our broadcast stations and the date on which each such station’s FCC license expires:
(footnotes follow tables)
(footnotes follow tables)
(1) Some stations are licensed to a different community located within the market that they serve.
(2) Some stations are licensed to operate with a combination of effective radiated power (“ERP”) and antenna height, which may be different from, but provide equivalent coverage to, the power shown. The ERP of
television stations is expressed in terms of visual (“vis”) components. WYSE, WISE, KPSZ, KPUG, KGMI, KBAI, WZBK, WBCO, WEGI, WKFN, WNYY and WHCU operate with lower power at night than the power shown.
(3) We program this station pursuant to a TBA with the licensee of KVCT, Surtsey Media, LLC (“Surtsey”). See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Form 10-K for additional information on our relationship with Surtsey.
(4) KUNU-LP, KXTS-LD, KVTX-LP, and KMOL-LD are “low power” television stations that operate as “secondary” stations (i.e., if they conflict with the operations of a “full power” television station, the low power stations must change their facilities or terminate operations).
(5) Operates daytime only or with greatly reduced power at night.
(6) An application for renewal of license is pending before the FCC.
Ownership Matters. The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a broadcast license or the transfer of control of a broadcast licensee without the prior approval of the FCC. In determining whether to grant or renew a broadcast license, the FCC considers a number of factors pertaining to the licensee, including compliance with the Communications Act’s limitations on alien ownership; compliance with various rules limiting common ownership of broadcast, cable and newspaper properties; and the “character” and other qualifications of the licensee and those persons holding “attributable or cognizable” interests therein.
Under the Communications Act, broadcast licenses may not be granted to any corporation having more than one-fifth of its issued and outstanding capital stock owned or voted by aliens (including non-U.S. corporations), foreign governments or their representatives (collectively, “Aliens”). The Communications Act also prohibits a corporation, without FCC waiver, from holding a broadcast license if that corporation is controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation in which more than 25% of the issued and outstanding capital stock is owned or voted by Aliens. The FCC has issued interpretations of existing law under which these restrictions in modified form apply to other forms of business organizations, including partnerships. Although we serve as a holding company for most of our various radio station subsidiaries (where we could not have more than 25% of our stock owned or voted by Aliens), we directly own two radio stations and an FM translator so that we cannot have more than 20% of our stock owned by Aliens.
The Communications Act and FCC rules also generally prohibit or restrict the common ownership, operation or control of a radio broadcast station and a television broadcast station serving the same geographic market. In its 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, released February 4, 2008, the FCC adopted a presumption, in the top 20 Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”), that it is not inconsistent with the public interest for one entity to own a daily newspaper and a radio station or, under the following limited circumstances, a daily newspaper and a television station, if (1) the television station is not ranked among the top four stations in the DMA and (2) at least eight independent “major media voices” remain in the DMA. In all other instances, the FCC adopted a presumption that a newspaper/broadcast station combination would not be in the public interest, with two limited exceptions, and emphasized that the Commission is unlikely to approve such transactions. Taking into account these respective presumptions, in determining whether the grant of a transaction that would result in newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership is in the public interest, the Commission will consider the following factors: (1) whether the cross-ownership will increase the amount of local news disseminated through the affected media outlets in the combination; (2) whether each affected media outlet in the combination will exercise its own independent news judgment; (3) the level of concentration in the Nielsen DMA; and (4) the financial condition of the newspaper or broadcast outlet, and if the newspaper or broadcast station is in financial distress, the proposed owner’s commitment to invest significantly in newsroom operations.
The FCC established criteria for obtaining a waiver of the rules to permit the ownership of two television stations in the same DMA that would not otherwise comply with the FCC’s rules. Under certain circumstances, a television station may merge with a “failed” or “failing” station or an “unbuilt” station if strict criteria are
satisfied. Additionally, the FCC now permits a party to own up to two television stations (if permitted under the modified TV duopoly rule) and up to six radio stations (if permitted under the local radio ownership rules), or one television station and up to seven radio stations, in any market where at least 20 independently owned media voices remain in the market after the combination is effected (“Qualifying Market”). The FCC will permit the common ownership of up to two television stations and four radio stations in any market where at least 10 independently owned media voices remain after the combination is affected. The FCC will permit the common ownership of up to two television stations (if permitted under the FCC’s local television multiple ownership rule) and one radio station notwithstanding the number of voices in the market. The FCC also adopted rules that make television time brokerage agreements or TBA’s count as if the brokered station were owned by the brokering station in making a determination of compliance with the FCC’s multiple ownership rules. TBA’s entered into before November 5, 1996, are grandfathered until the FCC announces a required termination date. As a result of the FCC’s rules, we would not be permitted to acquire a television broadcast station (other than low power television) in a non-Qualifying Market in which we now own any television properties. The FCC revised its rules to permit a television station to affiliate with two or more major networks of television broadcast stations under certain conditions. (Major existing networks are still subject to the FCC’s dual network ban).
We are permitted to own an unlimited number of radio stations on a nationwide basis (subject to the local ownership restrictions described below). We are permitted to own an unlimited number of television stations on a nationwide basis so long as the ownership of the stations would not result in an aggregate national audience reach (i.e., the total number of television households in the Arbitron Area of Dominant Influence (“ADI”) markets in which the relevant stations are located divided by the total national television households as measured by ADI data at the time of a grant, transfer or assignment of a license) of 35%. As the result of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit on July 2, 2003, the FCC released a “Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in MB Docket No. 02-277 that significantly modified the FCC’s multiple ownership rules. The multiple ownership rules now permit opportunities for newspaper-broadcast combinations, as follows:
•
In markets with three or fewer TV stations, no cross-ownership is permitted among TV, radio and newspapers. A company may obtain a waiver of that ban if it can show that the television station does not serve the area served by the cross-owned property (i.e., the radio station or the newspaper).
•
In markets with between 4 and 8 TV stations, combinations are limited to one of the following:
(A) A daily newspaper; one TV station; and up to half of the radio station limit for that market (i.e., if the radio limit in the market is 6, the company can only own 3) or
(B) A daily newspaper; and up to the radio station limit for that market; (i.e., no TV stations) or
(C) Two TV stations (if permissible under local TV ownership rule); and up to the radio station limit for that market (i.e., no daily newspapers).
•
In markets with nine or more TV stations, the FCC eliminated the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban and the television-radio cross-ownership ban.
Under the rules, the number of radio stations one party may own in a local Arbitron-rated radio market is determined by the number of commercial and noncommercial radio stations in the market as determined by Arbitron and BIA Financial, Inc. Radio markets that are not Arbitron rated are determined by analysis of the broadcast coverage contours of the radio stations involved. Numerous parties, including the Company, have sought reconsideration of the new rules. In Prometheus Radio v. FCC, Case No. 03-3388 (U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit), on June 24, 2004, the court remanded the case to the FCC for the FCC to justify or modify its approach to setting numerical limits and for the FCC to reconsider or better explain its decision to repeal the failed station solicitation rule, and lifted a previously-imposed stay on the effect of the revised radio multiple ownership rules. By Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review), released July 24, 2006, the Commission solicited comments. The rules adopted in the 2006 Quadrennial Regulatory Review were vacated in part by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC (652 F. 3d 432 (2011)) because the FCC’s procedures in the rule making proceeding did not satisfy the Administrative
Procedure Act. The newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule was vacated, but the media ownership rules were affirmed. The FCC had created special benefits for so-called “eligible entities.” Because there was no data attempting to show a connection between the FCC’s eligible entity definition and the goal of increasing ownership of minorities and women under §309(j) of the Telecommunication Act of 1996, the “eligible entity” definition adopted was vacated as arbitrary and capricious. In its 2010 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, released December 22, 2011, the Commission proposed to eliminate the radio/television cross-ownership rule in favor of reliance on the local radio rule and local television rule. Other rules were left largely unchanged:
•
Local Television Ownership Rule. The FCC tentatively concluded that it should retain the current local television ownership rule with minor modifications (eliminate the Grade B contour overlap provision of the current rule). The FCC tentatively concluded that it should retain the prohibition against mergers among the top-four-rated stations, the eight-voices test, and the existing numerical limits. In addition, the FCC sought comment on whether to adopt a waiver standard applicable to small markets, as well as appropriate criteria for any such standard. The FCC sought comment on whether multicasting should be a factor in determining the television ownership limits.
•
Local Radio Ownership Rule. The FCC proposed to retain the current local radio ownership rule; however, the FCC is seeking comment on modifications to the rule and whether and how the rule should account for other audio platforms. The FCC proposed to also retain the AM/FM subcaps (limitations on how many AM and FM stations may be owned in a market), and sought comment on the impact of the introduction of digital radio. The FCC also sought comment on whether to adopt a waiver standard and on specific criteria to adopt.
•
Newspaper/Broadcast Cross-Ownership Rule. The FCC tentatively concluded that some newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership restrictions continue to be necessary to protect and promote viewpoint diversity, and proposed to use DMA definitions to determine that relevant market area for television stations. The FCC proposed to adopt a rule that includes elements of the 2006 rule, including the top 20 DMA demarcation point, the top-four television station restrictions, and the eight remaining voices test.
•
Dual Network Rule. The FCC tentatively concluded that the dual network rule remains necessary in the public interest to promote competition and localism and should be retained without modification.
The FCC is also seeking comment on whether television local news service (“LNS”) agreements and shared service agreements (“SSA”) are substantively equivalent to agreements that are already subject to the FCC’s attribution rules, and are therefore attributable now or should be in the future.
New rules could restrict the Company’s ability to acquire additional radio and television stations in some markets and could require the Company to terminate its arrangements with Surtsey. The Court and FCC proceedings are ongoing and we cannot predict what action, if any, the Court or the FCC may take to further modify its rules. The statements herein are based solely on the FCC’s multiple ownership rules in effect as of the date hereof and do not include any forward-looking statements concerning compliance with any future multiple ownership rules.
Under the Communications Act, we are permitted to own radio stations (without regard to the audience shares of the stations) based upon the number of radio stations in the relevant radio market as follows:
New rules to be promulgated under the Communications Act may permit us to own, operate, control or have a cognizable interest in additional radio broadcast stations if the FCC determines that such ownership, operation, control or cognizable interest will result in an increase in the number of radio stations in operation. No firm date has been established for initiation of this rule-making proceeding.
The FCC generally applies its ownership limits to “attributable” interests held by an individual, corporation, partnership or other association. In the case of corporations holding broadcast licenses, the interests of officers, directors and those who, directly or indirectly, have the right to vote 5% or more of the corporation’s stock (or 20% or more of such stock in the case of certain passive investors that are holding stock for investment purposes only) are generally attributable, as are positions of an officer or director of a corporate parent of a broadcast licensee. Currently, one of our directors has an attributable interest or interests in companies applying for or licensed to operate broadcast stations other than us.
The FCC’s ownership attribution rules (a) apply to limited liability companies and registered limited liability partnerships the same attribution rules that the FCC applies to limited partnerships; and (b) include an equity/debt plus (“EDP”) rule that attributes the other media interests of an otherwise passive investor if the investor is (1) a “major-market program supplier” that supplies over 15% of a station’s total weekly broadcast programming hours, or (2) a same-market media entity subject to the FCC’s multiple ownership rules (including broadcasters, cable operators and newspapers) so that its interest in a licensee or other media entity in that market will be attributed if that interest, aggregating both debt and equity holdings, exceeds 33% of the total asset value (equity plus debt) of the licensee or media entity. We could be prohibited from acquiring a financial interest in stations in markets where application of the EDP rule would result in us having an attributable interest in the stations. In reconsidering its rules, the FCC also eliminated the “single majority shareholder exemption” which provides that minority voting shares in a corporation where one shareholder controls a majority of the voting stock are not attributable; however, in December 2001 the FCC “suspended” the elimination of this exemption until the FCC resolved issues concerning cable television ownership.
On January 21, 2010, the FCC launched an initiative on the future of media and the information needs of communities in the digital age, which will examine the changes underway in the media marketplace, analyze the full range of future technologies and services that will provide communities with news and information in the digital age, and, as appropriate, make policy recommendations to the FCC, other government entities, and other parties. Initial topics under consideration include: the state of TV, radio, newspaper, and Internet news and information services; the effectiveness and nature of public interest obligations in a digital era; the role of public media and private sector foundations; and many others. The Company cannot predict what changes, if any, will be made as a result of the FCC’s initiative.
In addition to the FCC’s multiple ownership rules, the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and some state governments have the authority to examine proposed transactions for compliance with antitrust statutes and guidelines. The Antitrust Division has issued “civil investigative demands” and obtained consent decrees requiring the divestiture of stations in a particular market based on antitrust concerns.
Programming and Operation. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest.” Licensees are required to present programming that is responsive to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain certain records demonstrating such responsiveness. Complaints from listeners concerning a station’s programming often will be considered by the FCC when it evaluates renewal applications of a licensee, although such complaints may be filed at any time and generally may be considered by the FCC at any time. Stations also must follow various rules promulgated under the Communications Act that regulate, among other things, political advertising, sponsorship identification, the advertisement of contests and lotteries, obscene and indecent broadcasts, and technical operations, including limits on radio frequency radiation. The FCC now requires the owners of antenna supporting structures (towers) to register them with the FCC. As an owner of such towers, we are subject to the registration requirements. The Children’s Television Act of 1990 and
the FCC’s rules promulgated thereunder require television broadcasters to limit the amount of commercial matter which may be aired in children’s programming to 10.5 minutes per hour on weekends and 12 minutes per hour on weekdays. The Children’s Television Act and the FCC’s rules also require each television licensee to serve, over the term of its license, the educational and informational needs of children through the licensee’s programming (and to present at least three hours per week of “core” educational programming specifically designed to serve such needs). Licensees are required to publicize the availability of this programming and to file quarterly a report with the FCC on these programs and related matters. On October 27, 2011, the FCC released an Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making, Standardized and Enhanced Disclosure Requirements for Television Broadcast Licensee Public Interest Obligations, which vacated a 2008 order that, among other things, would have required television stations to file on a quarterly basis, a new “Standardized Television Disclosure” form setting forth in detail. In the 2011 notice, the FCC stated that, in a separate proceeding, it would determine whether to adopt such a standardized form and what to include in it, as a replacement for the issues/programs list that television stations currently place in their files. The FCC also proposed to largely replace the requirement that television stations maintain a paper public file at their main studios with a requirement to submit documents for inclusion in an online public file to be hosted by the FCC. The FCC also proposed to require that sponsorship identification, now disclosed only on-air, also be disclosed in the online public file, and proposed to require disclosure online of shared services agreements. The FCC proposed to limit these changes to television licensees and stated it would consider at a later date whether to apply similar reforms to radio licensees. Television stations are required to provide closed captioning for certain video programming.
Equal Employment Opportunity Rules. Equal employment opportunity (EEO) rules and policies for broadcasters prohibit discrimination by broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors. They also require broadcasters to provide notice of job vacancies and to undertake additional outreach measures, such as job fairs and scholarship programs. The rules mandate a “three prong” outreach program; i.e., Prong 1: widely disseminate information concerning each full-time (30 hours or more) job vacancy, except for vacancies filled in exigent circumstances; Prong 2: provide notice of each full-time job vacancy to recruitment organizations that have requested such notice; and Prong 3: complete two (for broadcast employment units with five to ten full-time employees or that are located in smaller markets) or four (for employment units with more than ten full-time employees located in larger markets) longer-term recruitment initiatives within a two-year period. These include, for example, job fairs, scholarship and internship programs, and other community events designed to inform the public as to employment opportunities in broadcasting. The rules mandate extensive record keeping and reporting requirements. The EEO rules are enforced through review at renewal time, at mid-term for larger broadcasters, and through random audits and targeted investigations resulting from information received as to possible violations. The FCC has not yet decided on whether and how to apply the EEO rule to part-time positions. Failure to observe these or other rules and policies can result in the imposition of various sanctions, including monetary forfeitures, the grant of “short” (less than the full eight-year) renewal terms or, for particularly egregious violations, the denial of a license renewal application or the revocation of a license.
Time Brokerage Agreements. As is common in the industry, we have entered into what have commonly been referred to as Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBA’s.”) While these agreements may take varying forms, under a typical TBA, separately owned and licensed radio or television stations agree to enter into cooperative arrangements of varying sorts, subject to compliance with the requirements of antitrust laws and with the FCC’s rules and policies. Under these types of arrangements, separately-owned stations agree to function cooperatively in terms of programming, advertising sales, and other matters, subject to the licensee of each station maintaining independent control over the programming and station operations of its own station. One typical type of TBA is a programming agreement between two separately-owned radio or television stations serving a common service area, whereby the licensee of one station purchases substantial portions of the broadcast day on the other licensee’s station, subject to ultimate editorial and other controls being exercised by the latter licensee, and sells advertising time during such program segments. Such arrangements are an extension of the concept of time brokerage agreements, under which a licensee of a station sells blocks of time on its station to an entity or entities which purchase the blocks of time and which sell their own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods in question.
The FCC’s rules provide that a station purchasing (brokering) time on another station serving the same market will be considered to have an attributable ownership interest in the brokered station for purposes of the FCC’s multiple ownership rules. As a result, under the rules, a broadcast station will not be permitted to enter into a time brokerage agreement giving it the right to purchase more than 15% of the broadcast time, on a weekly basis, of another local station that it could not own under the local ownership rules of the FCC’s multiple ownership rules. The FCC’s rules also prohibit a broadcast licensee from simulcasting more than 25% of its programming on another station in the same broadcast service (i.e., AM-AM or FM-FM) whether it owns the stations or through a TBA arrangement, where the brokered and brokering stations serve substantially the same geographic area.
The FCC’s multiple ownership rules count stations brokered under a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) toward the brokering station’s permissible ownership totals, as long as (1) the brokering entity owns or has an attributable interest in one or more stations in the local market, and (2) the joint advertising sales amount to more than 15% of the brokered station’s advertising time per week. In a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” in MB Docket No. 04-256, released August 2, 2004, the FCC sought comment from the public on whether television JSAs should also be attributable to the brokering station. The issue of whether to make attributable Share Services Agreements and Local News Service Agreements is among the subjects being considered in the 2010 Quadrennial Regulatory Review. We cannot predict whether the FCC will make such agreements attributable. The FCC rules permit, under certain circumstances, the ownership of two or more television stations in a Qualifying Market and require the termination of certain non-complying existing television TBA’s. We currently have a television TBA in the Victoria, Texas market with Surtsey. Even though the Victoria market is not a Qualifying Market such that the duopoly would otherwise be permissible, as discussed above, we believe that the TBA is “grandfathered” under the FCC’s rules and need not be terminated earlier than the date to be established in the ownership review proceeding. See “Ownership Matters” above.
On March 7, 2003 we entered into an agreement of understanding with Surtsey, whereby we have guaranteed up to $1,250,000 of the debt incurred by Surtsey in closing on the acquisition of a construction permit for KFJX-TV, a television station in Pittsburg, Kansas, serving Joplin, Missouri. In consideration for our guarantee, Surtsey has entered into various agreements with us relating to the station, including a Shared Services Agreement, Technical Services Agreement, Agreement for Use of Ancillary Digital Spectrum and Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time. On January 31, 2012, the Company and Surtsey amended these agreements and entered into an agreement which included an assignable option with Surtsey for KFJX-TV. Under the FCC’s ownership rules, we are prohibited from owning or having an attributable or cognizable interest in KFJX-TV. On January 31, 2012, we entered into an agreement which included an extension of the grandfathered TBA for KVCT-TV and an assignable option with Surtsey for KVCT-TV. As noted above, if the FCC decides to attribute television SSA’s and JSA’s, we would be required to terminate the Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time.
Other FCC Requirements
The “V-Chip.” The FCC adopted methodology that will be used to send program ratings information to consumer TV receivers (implementation of “V-Chip” legislation contained in the Communications Act). The FCC also adopted the TV Parental Guidelines, developed by the Industry Ratings Implementation Group, which apply to all broadcast television programming except for news and sports. As a part of the legislation, television station licensees are required to attach as an exhibit to their applications for license renewal a summary of written comments and suggestions received from the public and maintained by the licensee that comment on the licensee’s programming characterized as violent.
Digital Television. The FCC’s rules provide for the conversion by all U.S. television broadcasters to digital television (“DTV”), including the return of NTSC channels to the government. The FCC has attempted to provide DTV coverage areas that are comparable to the former NTSC (analog) service areas. DTV licensees may use their DTV channels for a multiplicity of services such as high-definition television broadcasts, multiple standard definition television broadcasts, data, audio, and other services so long as the licensee provides at least
one free video channel equal in quality to the previous NTSC technical standard. Our full-service television stations currently provide DTV service and have terminated NTSC operations. The Company has constructed full, authorized DTV facilities serving at least 80% of their analog population coverage. We hold licenses that authorize KOAM-TV to operate on Channel 7 for DTV and WXVT to operate on Channel 15 for DTV and KAVU-TV to operate on Channel 15 for DTV. The FCC’s rules require broadcasters to include Program and System Information Protocol (“PSIP”) information in their digital broadcast signals.
Brokered Station KVCT is providing DTV service on Channel 11. KFJX-TV, with which KOAM-TV shares certain services, is providing DTV services on Channel 13. KOAM-TV elected to use Channel 7 for DTV operations at the end of the digital transition and to make available to Surtsey the use of Channel 13 for KFJX-TV.
In October 2003, the FCC adopted rules requiring “plug and play” cable compatibility that will allow consumers to plug their cable directly into their digital TV set without the need for a set-top box. The FCC has adopted rules whereby television licensees are charged a fee of 5% of gross revenue derived from the offering of ancillary or supplementary services on DTV spectrum for which a subscription fee is charged. Licensees and “permittees” of DTV stations must file with the FCC a report by December 1 of each year describing such services. None of the Company’s stations to date are offering ancillary or supplementary services on their DTV channels.
White Spaces. On September 23, 2010, the FCC adopted a Second Memorandum Opinion and Order in ET Docket No. 04-186 that updated the rules for unlicensed wireless devices that can operate in broadcast television spectrum at locations where that spectrum is unused by licensed services. This unused TV spectrum is commonly referred to as television “white spaces.” The rules allow for the use of unlicensed TV bands devices in the unused spectrum to provide broadband data and other services for consumers and businesses. It is possible that such operations have the potential for causing interference to broadcast operation, but we cannot yet judge whether such operations will have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations.
“Must-Carry” Rules. The Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, among other matters, requires cable television system operators to carry the signals of local commercial and non-commercial television stations and certain low power television stations. Cable television operators and other multi-channel video programming distributors may not carry broadcast signals without, in certain circumstances, obtaining the transmitting station’s consent. A local television broadcaster must make a choice every three years whether to proceed under the “must-carry” rules or waive the right to mandatory-uncompensated coverage and negotiate a grant of retransmission consent in exchange for consideration from the cable system operator. Such must-carry rights will extend to the new DTV signals broadcast by our stations.
Low Power and Class A Television Stations. Currently, the service areas of low power television (“LPTV”) stations are not protected. LPTV stations can be required to terminate their operations if they cause interference to full power stations. LPTV stations meeting certain criteria were permitted to certify to the FCC their eligibility to be reclassified as “Class A Television Stations” whose signal contours would be protected against interference from other stations. Stations deemed “Class A Stations” by the FCC would thus be protected from interference. We own four operating LPTV stations, KUNU-LP, KVTX-LP, KXTS-LD, and KMOL-LD, Victoria, Texas. None of the stations qualifies under the FCC’s established criteria for Class A Status. In January 2006, the FCC announced a filing window from May 1 through May 12, 2006, during which analog LPTV stations may apply for a digital companion channel or implement DTV operation on their existing analog channels. The Company’s LPTV stations did not apply for a companion channel, and instead filed applications to “flash-cut” to implement DTV operation on their existing analog channels, or filed “displacement” applications to use different digital channels.
Low Power FM Radio. The FCC created a “low power radio service” (“LPFM”) in which the FCC authorizes the construction and operation of two classes of noncommercial educational FM stations, LP100 (up to 100 watts effective radiated power (“ERP”) with antenna height above average terrain (“HAAT”) at up to
30 meters (100 feet) which is calculated to produce a service area radius of approximately 3.5 miles, and LP10 (up to 10 watts ERP and up to 30 meters HAAT) with a service area radius of approximately 1 to 2 miles. The FCC will not permit any broadcaster or other media entity subject to the FCC’s ownership rules to control or hold an attributable interest in an LPFM station or enter into related operating agreements with an LPFM licensee. Thus, absent a waiver, we could not own or program an LPFM station. LPFM stations are allocated throughout the FM broadcast band, i.e., 88 to 108 MHz, although they must operate with a noncommercial format. The FCC has established allocation rules that require FM stations to be separated by specified distances to other stations on the same frequency, and stations on frequencies on the first, second and third channels adjacent to the center frequency. The FCC has granted construction permits and licenses for LPFM stations. On January 4, 2011, the President signed into law the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 which requires the Commission to modify the rules authorizing the operation of LPFM, as proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25. The law requires the Commission to: (1) Prescribe protection for co-channels and first- and second-adjacent channels; (2) Prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if the applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of any station in violation of the Communications Act; (3) Eliminate provisions prohibiting the FCC from extending the eligibility for application for low-power FM stations beyond the organizations and entities as proposed in the docket; and (4) Eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between: (i) LPFM stations and (ii) full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations. The new law prohibits the FCC from reducing the minimum co-channel and first- and second-adjacent channel distance separation requirements in effect on the date of enactment of the law between LPFM stations and full-service FM stations. The new law authorizes a waiver of the second-adjacent channel distance separation requirement to any LPFM station that establishes that its proposed operations will not interfere with any authorized radio service, provided that, upon notification by the FCC that it is causing certain interference, such LPFM station must: (i) suspend operation; and (ii) resume operation only after interference has been eliminated or it demonstrates that such interference was not due to the low-power FM station’s emissions. The new law requires the FCC to comply with its existing minimum distance separation requirements for full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations that broadcast radio reading services via an analog subcarrier frequency to avoid potential interference by LPFM stations; and when licensing new FM translator stations, FM booster stations, and low-power FM stations, to ensure that: (i) licenses are available to FM translator stations, FM booster stations, and low-power FM stations; (ii) such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community; and (iii) FM translator stations, FM booster stations, and LPFM stations remain equal in status and secondary to existing and modified full-service FM stations. The law requires the FCC to modify its rules to address the potential for predicted interference to FM translator input signals on third-adjacent channels set forth in a specified technical report; and modifies the interference complaint process in specified ways. On January 5, 2012, the FCC released a Report to Congress on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-service commercial FM stations. The FCC “found no statistically reliable evidence that LPFM stations have a substantial or consistent economic impact on full-service commercial FM stations,” and that “LPFM stations generally do not have, and in the future are unlikely to have, a demonstrable economic impact on full-service commercial FM radio stations.” Before the new law can be implemented, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking proceeding, which has not yet been commenced. We cannot predict what, if any, impact the new LPFM stations will have on the Company’s full-service stations and FM translators.
Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service and Internet Radio. In adopting its rules for the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service (“DARS”) in the 2310-2360 MHz frequency band, the FCC stated, “although healthy satellite DARS systems are likely to have some adverse impact on terrestrial radio audience size, revenues and profits, the record does not demonstrate that licensing satellite DARS would have such a strong adverse impact that it threatens the provision of local service.” The FCC granted two nationwide licenses, one to XM Satellite Radio, which began broadcasting in May 2001, and a second to Sirius Satellite Radio, which began broadcasting in February 2002. The satellite radio systems provide multiple channels of audio programming in exchange for the payment of a subscription fee. The Commission approved the application of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to transfer control of the licenses and authorizations held by the two companies to one company, which is now known as Sirius XM Radio, Inc. We cannot predict the extent to which DARS will have an adverse impact on our business. Various companies have introduced devices that permit the
reception of audio programming streamed over the Internet on home computers, on portable receivers, such as cell phones, and in automobiles. A number of digital music providers have developed and are offering their product through the Internet. Terrestrial radio operators are also making their product available through the Internet. We cannot predict whether, or the extent to which, such reception devices will have an adverse impact on our business.
Satellite Carriage of Local TV Stations. The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (“SHVIA”), a copyright law, prevents direct-to-home satellite television carriers from retransmitting broadcast network television signals to consumers unless those consumers (1) are “unserved” by the over-the-air signals of their local network affiliate stations, and (2) have not received cable service in the preceding 90 days. According to the SHVIA, “unserved” means that a consumer cannot receive, using a conventional outdoor rooftop antenna, a television signal that is strong enough to provide an adequate television picture. In December 2001 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the FCC’s rules for satellite carriage of local television stations which require satellite carriers to carry upon request all local TV broadcast stations in local markets in which the satellite carriers carry at least one TV broadcast station, also known as the “carry one, carry all” rule. In December 2004, Congress passed and the President signed the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (“SHVERA”), which again amends the copyright laws and the Communications Act. The SHVIA governs the manner in which satellite carriers offer local broadcast programming to subscribers, but the SHVIA copyright license for satellite carriers was more limited than the statutory copyright license for cable operators. Specifically, for satellite purposes, “local,” though out-of-market (i.e., “significantly viewed”) signals were treated the same as truly “distant” (e.g., hundreds of miles away) signals for purposes of the SHVIA’s statutory copyright licenses. The SHVERA is intended to address this inconsistency by giving satellite carriers the option to offer Commission-determined “significantly viewed” signals to subscribers. In November, 2005, the FCC adopted a Report and Order to implement SHVERA to enable satellite carriers to offer FCC-determined “significantly viewed” signals of out-of-market broadcast stations to subscribers subject to certain constraints set forth in SHVERA. The Order includes an updated list of stations currently deemed significantly viewed. On November 23, 2010, the FCC released three orders that implemented the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (“STELA”). The FCC modified its Significantly Viewed (“SV”) rules to implement Section 203 of the STELA which amends Section 340 of the Communications Act to give satellite carriers the authority to offer out-of-market but SV broadcast television stations as part of their local service to subscribers. Section 203 of the STELA changes the restrictions on subscriber eligibility to receive SV network stations from satellite carriers. To implement the STELA, the FCC revised its satellite subscriber eligibility rules. The new rules could result in satellite carriers providing additional signals in DMAs where the Company operates television stations, but we cannot predict at this time, what, if any, impact the rules might have on the Company.
In-Band On-Channel “Hybrid Digital” Radio. On May 31, 2007, the FCC released its Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems) that adopted rules permitting radio stations to broadcast using in-band, on-channel (IBOC) as the technology that allows AM and FM stations to operate using the IBOC systems developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation. This technology has become commonly known as “hybrid digital” or HD radio. Stations broadcast the same main channel program material in both analog and digital modes. IBOC technology permits “hybrid” operations, the simultaneous transmission of analog and digital signals with a single AM and FM channel. IBOC technology can provide near CD-quality sound on FM channels and FM quality on AM channels. Hybrid IBOC also permits the transmission of up to three additional program streams over the radio stations. Hybrid IBOC operations will have minimal impact on the present broadcast service. At the present time, we are broadcasting in HD radio on 45 stations and we continue to convert stations to HD radio on an ongoing basis. On January 29, 2010, the FCC adopted an Order that permits FM radio stations to voluntarily increase digital power levels up to ten percent of analog power levels and establishes interference mitigation and remediation procedures to promptly resolve complaints of interference to analog stations. The Commission hopes the changes will boost digital signal coverage while safeguarding analog reception against interference from higher power digital transmissions.
Use of FM Translators by AM Stations and Digital Program Streams. FM translator stations are relatively low power stations that rebroadcast the programs of full-power FM stations on a secondary basis, meaning they must terminate or modify their operation if they cause interference to a full-power station. The FCC permits AM stations to be rebroadcast on FM translator stations in order to improve reception of programs broadcast by AM stations. The Company intends to continue to use some of its existing FM translators in connection with some of its AM stations. The Company is using some of its existing FM translators to rebroadcast HD radio program streams generated by some of its FM stations.
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, the federal agencies responsible for enforcing the federal antitrust laws, may investigate certain acquisitions. Under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, an acquisition meeting certain size thresholds requires the parties to file Notification and Report Forms with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice and to observe specified waiting period requirements before consummating the acquisition. Any decision by the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice to challenge a proposed acquisition could affect our ability to consummate the acquisition or to consummate it on the proposed terms. The FCC has eliminated its previous scrutiny of some proposed acquisitions and mergers on antitrust grounds that were manifest in a policy of placing a “flag” soliciting public comment on concentration of control issues based on advertising revenue shares or other criteria, on the public notice announcing the acceptance of assignment and transfer applications. Notwithstanding this action, we cannot predict whether the FCC will adopt rules that would restrict our ability to acquire additional stations.
Recent Supreme Court Case on Political Broadcasting. On January 21, 2010, in Citizens United v. FEC, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down portions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act that prohibits corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make independent expenditures for speech that is an “electioneering communication” or for speech that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate. The Company is unable to reliably predict what effect this may have on its operations.
Recent Changes to Application and Assignment Procedures. In January 2010, the FCC adopted a First Report and Order that gives tribes a priority to obtain broadcast radio licenses in tribal communities. The Order provides an opportunity for tribes to establish new service specifically designed to offer programming that meets the needs of tribal citizens. In addition, the First Report and Order modified the Commission’s radio application and assignment procedures, assisting qualified applicants to more rapidly introduce new radio service to the public. These modifications (1) Prohibit an AM applicant that obtains a construction permit through a dispositive Section 307(b) preference from downgrading the service level that led to the dispositive preference; (2) Requires technical proposals for new or major change AM facilities filed with Form 175 applications to meet certain minimum technical standards to be eligible for further auction processing; and (3) Gives FCC operating bureaus authority to cap filing window applications. On December 29, 2011, the FCC released its Third Report and Order which limits eligibility for authorizations associated with allotments added to the FM Table of Allotments using the recently established Tribal Priority to the Tribes whom the Tribal Priority was intended to benefit. In a Public Notice released December 2, 2010 (GN Docket No. 10-244) the FCC sought comment on how it could design, adopt, and implement an additional new preference program in its competitive bidding process for persons or entities who have overcome substantial disadvantage and would be eligible for a bidding credit. In the Quadrennial Regulatory Review NPRM, the Commission also sought comment on a proposal for applicants to be accorded licensing preferences if they could demonstrate that they have overcome “significant social and economic disadvantages.” The Company cannot predict whether such preferences will be adopted, or whether they would have any impact on the Company.
Proposed Changes. The FCC has under consideration, and may in the future consider and adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect us and the operation and ownership of our broadcast properties. Application processing rules adopted by the FCC might require us to apply for facilities modifications to our standard broadcast stations in future “window” periods for filing applications or result in the stations being “locked in” with their present facilities. The Balanced Budget
Act of 1997 authorizes the FCC to use auctions for the allocation of radio broadcast spectrum frequencies for commercial use. The implementation of this law could require us to bid for the use of certain frequencies.
The Company pays for the use of music on its stations by obtaining licenses from organizations called performing rights societies, e.g. Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”), which, in turn pay composers, authors and publishers for their works. In 2009, a bill, H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act, was introduced in Congress, but did not pass in the 111th Congress. If passed, this bill would have required the Company to pay additional fees to an organization called MusicFirst which would distribute the money to other entities. Efforts continue by MusicFirst to persuade Congress to enact a law that would require such payments. We cannot predict whether such a law might be enacted. Should such a law be enacted, it would impose an additional financial burden on the Company, but the extent of the burden would depend on how the fee payment requirement was structured.
On March 25, 2010, the FCC issued a Public Notice implementing the Common Alerting Protocol (“CAP”), which is an open, interoperable, data interchange format for collecting and distributing all-hazard safety notifications and emergency warnings to multiple information networks, public safety alerting systems, and personal communications devices. CAP will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), the National Weather Service (“NWS”), a State Governor, or any other authorized initiator of a public alert and warning to automatically format and geo-target a particular alert simultaneously to the public over multiple media platforms, such as television, radio, cable, cell phones and electronic highway signs. CAP will also allow an alert initiator to send alerts specifically formatted for people with disabilities and for non-English speakers. The deadline for compliance with CAP has been extended to June 12, 2012. Compliance with CAP will require the Company to make a significant investment in new technical equipment.
On November 30, 2010, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in ET Docket No. 10-235 that proposes that wireless broadband providers have equal access to television broadcast frequencies that could become available in spectrum auctions. The Notice seeks comment on establishing new allocations for both fixed and mobile wireless services in the TV broadcast bands. The Notice also explores enabling TV stations to voluntarily combine their operations and distinct programming lineups on a single TV channel. The Notice requests comment on the proposed rules that would enable TV broadcasters to opt to share channels. The Notice also seeks comment on steps that would improve TV reception on the VHF channels (2-13), such as by increasing transmitting power and establishing minimum performance standards for indoor antennas. The Company cannot predict whether the rules will be adopted, or, if adopted, in what form. At this time, the Company has made no decision as to whether it will voluntarily participate in combining operations or spectrum auctions.
The 1996 Telecommunications Act lifted previous restrictions on a local telephone company providing video programming directly to customers within the telephone company’s service areas. The law now permits a telephone company to distribute video services either under the rules applicable to cable television systems or as operators of so-called “wireless cable” systems as common carriers or under FCC rules regulating “open video systems” subject to common carrier regulations. We cannot predict what effect these services may have on us. Likewise, we cannot predict what other changes might be considered in the future, nor can we judge in advance what impact, if any, such changes might have on our business.
Executive Officers
Our current executive officers are:
Officers are elected annually by our Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board. Set forth below is information with respect to our executive officers.
Mr. Christian has been President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman since our inception in 1986.
Mr. Goldstein has been Executive Vice President and Group Program Director since 1988. Mr. Goldstein has been employed by us since our inception in 1986.
Mr. Lada has been Executive Vice President, Operations since March 2012. He was Senior Vice President, Operations from 2000 to 2012 and Vice President, Operations from 1997 to 2000. From 1992 to 1997 he was Regional Vice President of our subsidiary, Saga Communications of New England, Inc.
Mr. Bush has been Senior Vice President since 2002 and Chief Financial Officer since September 1997. He was Treasurer from 1997 to 2012 and Vice President from 1997 to 2002. From 1988 to 1997 he held various positions with the Media Finance Group at AT&T Capital Corporation, including senior vice president.
Ms. Lobaito has been Senior Vice President since 2005, Director of Business Affairs and Corporate Secretary since our inception in 1986 and Vice President from 1996 to 2005.
Ms. Bobinski has been Senior Vice President/Finance and Treasurer since March 2012 and Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller since September 1991. She was Vice President from March 1999 to March 2012. Ms. Bobinski is a certified public accountant.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The more prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in our business are described in more detail below. However, these are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Our business may face additional risks and uncertainties that are unknown to us at this time.
Global Economic Conditions and Uncertainties May Continue to Affect our Business
The demand for advertising services is sensitive to changes in the level of economic activity. The global economic downturn that began in 2008 caused a decline in advertising and marketing by our customers. This reduction in advertising spending had an adverse effect on our revenue, profit margins and cash flows. Although we believe that economic conditions are improving, uncertainty continues to exist over the stability of the U.S. and global economies. There can be no assurance that any of the recent economic improvements will be broad based and sustainable, or that they will enhance conditions in markets relevant to us. Further, there can be no assurance that we will not experience further adverse effects that may be material to our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition, results of operations, or our ability to access capital.
The volatility in global financial markets may also limit our ability to access the capital markets 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. Accordingly, if the economy does not fully recover or worsens, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We Have Substantial Indebtedness and Debt Service Requirements
At December 31, 2011 our long-term debt (including the current portion thereof and our guarantee of debt of Surtsey Media, LLC) was approximately $69,078,000. We have borrowed and expect to continue to borrow to finance acquisitions and for other corporate purposes. Because of our substantial indebtedness, a significant portion of our cash flow from operations is required for debt service. Our leverage could make us vulnerable to an increase in interest rates, a downturn in our operating performance, or a decline in general economic conditions. The term loan principal amortizes in equal installments of 5% of the term loan during each year, however, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, as defined in the credit facility, no amortization payment is required. The credit facility is also subject to mandatory prepayment requirements, including but not limited to, certain sales of assets, certain insurance proceeds, certain debt issuances and certain sales of equity. Any outstanding balance under the credit facility will be due on the maturity date of June 13, 2016. We believe that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our debt service requirements for interest and scheduled payments of principal under the credit facility. However, if such cash flow is not sufficient, we may be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations or dispose of one or more of our properties in order to make such scheduled payments. We cannot be sure that we would be able to effect any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all.
Our Debt Covenants Restrict our Financial and Operational Flexibility
Our credit facility contains a number of financial covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances. Our ability to meet these financial ratios can be affected by operating performance or other events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios. Certain events of default under our credit facility could allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the credit facility and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the credit facility and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the credit facility.
We Depend on Key Personnel
Our business is partially dependent upon the performance of certain key individuals, particularly Edward K. Christian, our President and CEO. Although we have entered into employment and non-competition agreements with Mr. Christian, which terminate on March 31, 2018, and certain other key personnel, including on-air personalities, we cannot be sure that such key personnel will remain with us. We do not maintain key man life insurance on Mr. Christian’s life. We can give no assurance that all or any of these employees will remain with us or will retain their audiences. Many of our key employees are at-will employees who are under no legal obligation to remain with us. Our competitors may choose to extend offers to any of these individuals on terms which we may be unwilling to meet. In addition, any or all of our key employees may decide to leave for a variety of personal or other reasons beyond our control. Furthermore, the popularity and audience loyalty of our key on-air personalities is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes. A loss of such popularity or audience loyalty is beyond our control and could limit our ability to generate revenues.
We Depend on Key Stations
Historically our top six markets when combined represented 44%, 44% and 45% of our net operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Accordingly, we may have greater exposure to adverse events or conditions that affect the economy in any of these markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations and financial condition.
Disputes with Performance Rights Organizations May Adversely Affect our Business
Effective December 31, 2009, our radio music license agreements with American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) expired. In January 2010, The Radio Music Licensing Committee (“RMLC”), of which we are a participant, filed motions in the U.S. District Court in New York against BMI and ASCAP on behalf of the radio industry, seeking interim fees and a determination of fair and reasonable industry-wide license fees. The courts approved reduced interim fees for ASCAP and BMI.
In January 2012, the ASCAP and RMLC entered into a settlement that was approved by the court and covers the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2016. This settlement also includes a credit for the interim fees paid in 2010 and 2011 and such fees are expected to be credited over a five year period beginning in January 2012.
The fees for BMI, still to be determined by the court, may be retroactive to January 1, 2010 and may be different from the interim fees.
Local and National Economic Conditions May Affect our Advertising Revenue
Our financial results are dependent primarily on our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The advertising rates a station is able to charge are affected by many factors, including the general strength of the local and national economies. Generally, advertising declines during periods of economic recession or downturns in the economy. Our revenue has been and is likely to be adversely affected during such periods, whether they occur on a national level or in the geographic markets in which we operate. During such periods we may also be required to reduce our advertising rates in order to attract available advertisers. Such a decline in advertising rates could also have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations and financial condition.
Our Stations Must Compete for Advertising Revenues in Their Respective Markets
Both radio and television broadcasting are highly competitive businesses. Our stations compete for listeners/viewers and advertising revenues within their respective markets directly with other radio and/or television stations, as well as with other media, such as broadcast television and/or radio (as applicable), cable television and/or radio, satellite television and/or satellite radio systems, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, the Internet, coupons and billboard advertising. Audience ratings and market shares are subject to change, and any change in a particular market could have a material adverse effect on the revenue of our stations located in that market. While we already compete in some of our markets with other stations with similar programming formats, if another radio station in a market were to convert its programming format to a format similar to one of our stations, if a new station were to adopt a comparable format or if an existing competitor were to strengthen its operations, our stations could experience a reduction in ratings and/or advertising revenue and could incur increased promotional and other expenses. Other radio or television broadcasting companies may enter into the markets in which we operate or may operate in the future. These companies may be larger and have more financial resources than we have. We cannot assure you that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings and advertising revenues.
Our Success Depends on our Ability to Identify, Consummate and Integrate Acquired Stations
As part of our strategy, we have pursued and may continue to pursue acquisitions of additional radio and television stations, subject to the terms of our credit facility. Broadcasting is a rapidly consolidating industry, with many companies seeking to consummate acquisitions and increase their market share. In this environment, we compete and will continue to compete with many other buyers for the acquisition of radio and television stations. Some of those competitors may be able to outbid us for acquisitions because they have greater financial resources. As a result of these and other factors, our ability to identify and consummate future acquisitions is uncertain.
Our consummation of all future acquisitions is subject to various conditions, including FCC and other regulatory approvals. The FCC must approve any transfer of control or assignment of broadcast licenses. In addition, acquisitions may encounter intense scrutiny under federal and state antitrust laws. Our future acquisitions may be subject to notification under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and to a waiting period and possible review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Any delays, injunctions, conditions or modifications by any of these federal agencies could have a negative effect on us and result in the abandonment of all or part of attractive acquisition opportunities. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in identifying future acquisition opportunities or what the consequences will be of any acquisitions.
Certain of our acquisitions may prove unprofitable and fail to generate anticipated cash flows. In addition, the success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to effectively integrate the acquired stations. The process of integrating acquired stations may involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of operations, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, risk of entering new markets, and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired stations.
Our Business is Subject to Extensive Federal Regulation
The broadcasting industry is subject to extensive federal regulation which, among other things, requires approval by the FCC of transfers, assignments and renewals of broadcasting licenses, limits the number of broadcasting properties that may be acquired within a specific market, and regulates programming and operations. For a detailed description of the material regulations applicable to our business, see “Federal Regulation of Radio and Television Broadcasting” and “Other FCC Requirements” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K. Failure to comply with these regulations could, under certain circumstances and among other things, result in the denial or revocation of FCC licenses, shortened license renewal terms, monetary fines or other penalties which would adversely affect our profitability. Changes in ownership requirements could limit our ability to own or acquire stations in certain markets.
The FCC’s Vigorous Enforcement of Indecency Rules Could Affect our Broadcasting Operations
Federal law regulates the broadcast of obscene, indecent or profane material. The FCC has increased its enforcement efforts relating to the regulation of indecency violations, and Congress has increased the penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent or profane programming, and these penalties may potentially subject broadcasters to license revocation, renewal or qualification proceedings in the event that they broadcast such material. In addition, the FCC’s heightened focus on the indecency regulations against the broadcast industry may encourage third parties to oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations. Because the FCC may investigate indecency complaints prior to notifying a licensee of the existence of a complaint, a licensee may not have knowledge of a complaint unless and until the complaint results in the issuance of a formal FCC letter of inquiry or notice of apparent liability for forfeiture. We have stations that are currently subject to indecency-related inquiries and/or proposed fines at the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, and we may in the future become subject to additional inquiries or proceedings related to our stations’ broadcast of obscene, indecent or profane material. To the extent that any inquiries or other proceedings result in the imposition of fines, a settlement with the FCC, revocation of any of our station licenses or denials of license renewal applications, our result of operations and business could be materially adversely affected.
New Technologies May Affect our Broadcasting Operations
The FCC has and is considering ways to introduce new technologies to the broadcasting industry, including satellite and terrestrial delivery of digital audio broadcasting and the standardization of available technologies which significantly enhance the sound quality of AM broadcasters. We are unable to predict the effect such technologies may have on our broadcasting operations. The capital expenditures necessary to implement such technologies could be substantial. Moreover, the FCC may impose additional public service obligations on television broadcasters in return for their use of the digital television spectrum. This could add to our operational costs. One issue yet to be resolved is the extent to which cable systems will be required to carry broadcasters’ new digital channels. Our television stations are highly dependent on their carriage by cable systems in the areas they serve. FCC rules that impose no or limited obligations on cable systems to carry the digital television signals of television broadcast stations in their local markets could adversely affect our television operations.
The Company is Controlled by our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
As of March 9, 2012, Edward K. Christian, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, holds approximately 62% of the combined voting power of our Common Stock (not including options to acquire Class B Common Stock and based on Class B shares generally entitled to ten votes per share). As a result, Mr. Christian generally is able to control the vote on most matters submitted to the vote of stockholders and, therefore, is able to direct our management and policies, except with respect to (i) the election of the two Class A directors, (ii) those matters where the shares of our Class B Common Stock are only entitled to one vote per share, and (iii) other matters requiring a class vote under the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. For a description of the voting rights of our Common Stock, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Form 10-K. Without the approval of Mr. Christian, we will be unable to consummate transactions involving an actual or potential change of control, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
Our corporate headquarters is located in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. The types of properties required to support each of our stations include offices, studios, and transmitter and antenna sites. A station’s studios are generally housed with its offices in business districts. The transmitter sites and antenna sites are generally located so as to provide maximum market coverage for our stations broadcast signals.
As of December 31, 2011 the studios and offices of 27 of our 32 operating locations, including our corporate headquarters in Michigan, are located in facilities we own. The remaining studios and offices are located in leased facilities with lease terms that expire in 8 months to 5 years. We own or lease our transmitter and antenna sites, with lease terms that expire in 1 month to 78 years. We do not anticipate any difficulties in renewing those leases that expire within the next five years or in leasing other space, if required.
No one property is material to our overall operations. We believe that our properties are in good condition and suitable for our operations.
We own substantially all of the equipment used in our broadcasting business.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We currently and from time to time are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. We are not a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company’s Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol SGA. There is no public trading market for the Company’s Class B Common Stock. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Class A Common Stock as reported by the NYSE Amex for the calendar quarters indicated:
The closing price for the Company’s Class A Common Stock on March 9, 2012 as reported by the NYSE Amex was $38.00. As of March 9, 2012, there were approximately 264 holders of record of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, and one holder of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock during the three most recent fiscal years. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources and Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included with this Form 10-K.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2011, the number of securities outstanding under our equity compensation plans, the weighted average exercise price of such securities and the number of securities available for grant under these plans:
(1) Includes 9,914 shares of restricted stock.
(2) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Not applicable.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
There were no repurchases of our equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
Performance Graph
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 of our Class A Common Stock against the cumulative total return of the NYSE Amex Stock Market (US Companies) and a Peer Group selected by us consisting of the following radio and/or television broadcast companies: Arbitron Inc., Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., CBS Corp., CC Media Holdings, Inc., Cumulus Media Inc., Emmis Communications Corp., Entercom Communications Corp., Entravision Communications Corp., Fisher Communications Inc., Journal Communications, Inc., Radio One Inc., Saga Communications, Inc., Salem Communications Corp., Sirius XM Radio Inc., Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. and Dial Global, Inc. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 31, 2006, in each of our Class A Common Stock, the NYSE Amex Stock Market (US Companies) and the Peer Group and that all dividends were reinvested. The information contained in this graph shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The comparisons in the above table are required by the SEC. This table is not intended to forecast or to be indicative of any future return of our Class A Common Stock.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
(1) In January 2009, the Company consummated a one-for-four reverse stock split of its Class A and Class B Common Stock. All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the retroactive equivalent change in the weighted average shares.
(2) Reflects the results of WIII acquired in September 2007, and WCLZ acquired in November 2007.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1. Business, Item 6. Selected Financial Data and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Saga Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries contained elsewhere herein. The following discussion is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis. Corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense, other (income) expense, and income tax expense (benefit) are managed on a consolidated basis and are reflected only in our discussion of consolidated results.
Our discussion of the results of operations of our operating segments focuses on their operating income because we manage our operating segments primarily based on their operating income. We evaluate the operating performance of our markets individually. For purposes of business segment reporting, we have aligned operations with similar characteristics into two business segments: Radio and Television. The Radio segment includes twenty-three markets, which includes all ninety-one of our radio stations and five radio information networks. The Television segment includes three markets and consists of five television stations and four low power television (“LPTV”) stations.
General
We are a broadcast company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties.
Radio Segment
Our radio segment’s primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. Depending on the format of a particular radio station, there are a predetermined number of advertisements available to be broadcast each hour.
Most advertising contracts are short-term and generally run for a few weeks only. The majority of our revenue is generated from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each radio markets’ sales staff. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, approximately 85%, 86% and 86%, respectively, of our radio segment’s gross revenue was from local advertising. To generate national advertising sales, we engage independent advertising sales representative firms that specialize in national sales for each of our broadcast markets.
Our revenue varies throughout the year. Advertising expenditures, our primary source of revenue, generally have been lowest during the winter months, which include the first quarter of each year. We experienced a significant increase in political advertising in 2010 due to the number of congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and local elections in most of our markets. Because 2011 was a non-election year, political revenue significantly declined. We expect a considerable increase in political advertising for 2012, which is a presidential election year.
Our net operating revenue, station operating expense and operating income varies from market to market based upon the market’s rank or size which is based upon population and the available radio advertising revenue in that particular market.
The broadcasting industry and advertising in general, is influenced by the state of the overall economy, including unemployment rates, inflation, energy prices and consumer interest rates. Our stations primarily broadcast in small to midsize markets. Historically, these markets have been more stable than major metropolitan markets during downturns in advertising spending, but may not experience increases in such spending as significant as those in major metropolitan markets in periods of economic improvement.
Our financial results are dependent on a number of factors, the most significant of which is our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The rates a station is able to charge are, in large part, based on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by its advertisers. In a number of our markets this is measured by periodic reports generated by independent national rating services. In the remainder of our markets it is measured by the results advertisers obtain through the actual running of an advertising schedule. Advertisers measure these results based on increased demand for their goods
or services and/or actual revenues generated from such demand. Various factors affect the rate a station can charge, including the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, ability to provide popular programming, local market competition, target marketing capability of radio compared to other advertising media and signal strength.
When we acquire and/or begin to operate a station or group of stations we generally increase programming and advertising and promotion expenses to increase our share of our target demographic audience. Our strategy sometimes requires levels of spending commensurate with the revenue levels we plan on achieving in two to five years. During periods of economic downturns, or when the level of advertising spending is flat or down across the industry, this strategy may result in the appearance that our cost of operations are increasing at a faster rate than our growth in revenues, until such time as we achieve our targeted levels of revenue for the acquired station or group of stations.
The number of advertisements that can be broadcast without jeopardizing listening levels (and the resulting ratings) is limited in part by the format of a particular radio station. Our stations strive to maximize revenue by constantly managing the number of commercials available for sale and by adjusting prices based upon local market conditions and ratings. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of inventory sell out ratios and pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.
Our radio stations employ a variety of programming formats. We periodically perform market research, including music evaluations, focus groups and strategic vulnerability studies. Because reaching a large and demographically attractive audience is crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong listener loyalty. Our stations also employ audience promotions to further develop and secure a loyal following. We believe that the diversification of formats on our radio stations helps to insulate us from the effects of changes in musical tastes of the public on any particular format.
The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating radio stations are employee salaries, sales commissions, programming expenses, depreciation, and advertising and promotion expenses.
The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of new media technologies and services (such as the Internet, satellite radio and mp3 players). These recent technologies and media are gaining advertising share against radio and other traditional media.
We are continuing to expand our interactive initiative to provide a seamless audio experience across numerous platforms to connect with our listeners where and when they want, and have added online components including streaming our stations over the Internet and on-demand options. Third and fourth generation mobile networks have enabled a steady increase in the audio quality and reliability of mobile Internet radio streaming, and this is expected to continue to increase as fourth generation networks become the standard. We expect that improvements from higher bandwidths, wider programming selection and advancements in functionality will continue making Internet radio and smartphone applications an important revenue source.
In addition, we continue the rollout of HD RadioTM. HD RadioTM utilizes digital technology that provides improved sound quality over standard analog broadcasts and also allows for the delivery of additional channels of diversified programming or data streams in each radio market.
During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, our Bellingham, Washington; Des Moines, Iowa; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin markets, when combined, represented approximately 28%, 30% and 30%, respectively, of our consolidated net operating revenue. An adverse change in any of these radio markets or relative market position in those markets could have a significant impact on our operating results as a whole.
We have experienced a decline in our net operating revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the corresponding period of 2010 in our Milwaukee, Wisconsin market. This decline in net operating revenue has directly affected the operating income of our radio stations in these markets. These reductions are attributable to a combination of aggressive competitive pricing due to a soft economy and new ratings methodology that has changed the competitive pricing landscape in the market; an increase in the demand for 30 second spots which has caused a reduction in both our rates and inventory available as we control the number of units per hour to provide more entertainment for our listeners; and a decline in certain key category spending in the market.
The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated net operating revenue represented by each of these markets:
We use certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) to assess our financial performance. For example, we evaluate the performance of our markets based on “station operating income” (operating income plus corporate general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment of intangible assets, less gain on asset exchange). Station operating income is generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as a measure of performance, is used by analysts who report on the performance of the broadcasting industry and it serves as an indicator of the market value of a group of stations. In addition, we use it to evaluate individual stations, market-level performance, overall operations and as a primary measure for incentive based compensation of executives and other members of management. Station operating income is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available to us for debt service requirements, other commitments, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. Station operating income is not a measure of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for our results of operations presented on a GAAP basis.
During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the radio stations in our four largest markets when combined, represented approximately 34%, 36% and 41%, respectively, of our consolidated station operating income. The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated station operating income represented by each of these markets:
(*) Operating income (excluding non-cash impairment charge in 2009) plus corporate general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, less gain on asset exchange.
Television Segment
Our television segment’s primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. The number of advertisements available for broadcast on our television stations is limited by network affiliation and syndicated programming agreements and, with respect to children’s programs, federal regulation. Our television stations’ local market managers determine the number of advertisements to be broadcast in locally produced programs only, which are primarily news programming and occasionally local sports or information shows.
Our net operating revenue, station operating expense and operating income vary from market to market based upon the market’s rank or size, which is based upon population, available television advertising revenue in that particular market, and the popularity of programming being broadcast.
Our financial results are dependent on a number of factors, the most significant of which is our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The rates a station is able to charge are, in large part, based on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by its advertisers, as measured principally by periodic reports by independent national rating services. Various factors affect the rate a station can charge, including the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, ability to provide popular programming through locally produced news, sports and weather and as a result of syndication and network affiliation agreements, local market competition, the ability of television broadcasting to reach a mass appeal market compared to other advertising media, and signal strength including cable/satellite coverage, and government regulation and policies.
Our stations strive to maximize revenue by constantly adjusting prices for our commercial spots based upon local market conditions, advertising demands and ratings. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.
Because audience ratings in the local market are crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong viewer loyalty by providing locally produced news, weather and sports programming. We believe that this emphasis on the local market provides us with the viewer loyalty we are trying to achieve.
Most of our revenue is generated from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each television markets’ sales staff. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, approximately 80%, 80% and 82%, respectively, of our television segment’s gross revenue was from local advertising. To generate national advertising sales, we engage independent advertising sales representatives that specialize in national sales for each of our television markets.
We had a significant increase in political advertising in 2010 due to the number of congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and local elections in most of our markets. Since 2011 was a non-election year, political revenue significantly declined. We expect a considerable increase in political advertising for 2012, which is a presidential election year.
In 2009 we entered into retransmission consent agreements with certain cable and satellite providers as to the terms of their carriage of our television stations, and the compensation we would receive for granting such carriage rights. We recognized revenue of approximately $608,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 as a result of these agreements. In 2011 we engaged in negotiating new agreements with these and other providers which will result in a significant increase in our retransmission consent revenue. We expect to recognize revenue of approximately $2.1 million in 2012 and, per the terms of our network affiliation agreements, we expect to remit approximately $580,000 of this revenue to our network partners as their share of our retransmission consent revenue.
The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating television stations are employee salaries, sales commissions, programming expenses, including news production and the cost of acquiring certain syndicated programming, advertising and promotion expenses, and depreciation.
Our television market in Joplin, Missouri represented approximately 8% of our net operating revenues, and approximately 10%, 10% and 9%, respectively, of our consolidated station operating income (operating income excluding non-cash impairment charge in 2009, plus corporate general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, less gain on asset exchange) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Results of Operations
The following tables summarize our results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Radio Broadcasting Segment
Television Broadcasting Segment
N/M=Not meaningful
Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated operating income:
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
Consolidated
For the year ended December 31, 2011, consolidated net operating revenue was $127,295,000 compared with $127,817,000 for year ended December 31, 2010, a decline of $522,000 or less than 1%. Gross national revenue and gross local revenue increased $1,573,000 and $633,000, respectively. Gross political revenue decreased $2,734,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to 2010. The improvement in gross national revenue was primarily the result of increased advertising from the financial services, cellular and automotive industries. Gross local revenue increased primarily as a result of increased local advertising in our
Joplin, MO market following a tornado that caused significant damage in the market in May 2011, and an increase in advertising spending in general. The decrease in gross political revenue was attributable to political advertising in 2010 which was an election year.
Station operating expense was $93,362,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with $92,754,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $608,000 or less than 1%. Salaries increased $400,000 as a result of the 3.75% reinstatement in 2011 of the 5% salary reductions implemented in March 2009. Our health care costs increased $683,000 in the current year, primarily resulting from both increased claims and Health Care Reform. These increases were partially offset by reductions in music license fees and depreciation expense of $241,000 and $240,000, respectively.
Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $26,343,000 compared to $27,789,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $1,446,000, or 5%. The decrease was a result of the decline in net operating revenue and increase in station operating expense, described above. Additionally, our corporate general and administrative charges increased $316,000 in the current year. The increase in corporate general and administrative charges was primarily from an increase in IT expenses of $200,000 and an increase in officers’ life insurance expense of $61,000 that is attributable to a decline in the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies.
We generated net income of $12,631,000 ($2.98 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with $15,136,000 ($3.58 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $2,505,000 or 17%. In 2011, we had a decrease in operating income of $1,446,000, as described above, and decreases in interest expense and income tax expense of $2,202,000 and $1,970,000, respectively. The reduction in interest expense was attributable to an average decline in market interest rates of approximately 0.98%, a decrease in the amortization of debt financing costs, and a decrease in the average obligation of debt outstanding. The reduction in income tax expense was attributable to current year operating performance. Additionally, in 2011, we recognized a $1,326,000 charge for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in conjunction with our previous credit agreement. See Note 4 - Long-Term Debt, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. In 2010, we had non-recurring income of $3,561,000 resulting from an agreement to downgrade an FCC license at one of our stations.
Radio Segment
For the year ended December 31, 2011, net operating revenue of the radio segment was $108,938,000 compared with $109,891,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, a decrease of $953,000 or 1%. Gross national revenue improved $1,464,000 in the current year. Gross political revenue and gross local revenue declined $1,935,000 and $495,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year. The increase in gross national revenue was primarily the result of increased advertising from the financial services, cellular and automotive industries. The reduction in gross political revenue was attributable to political advertising in 2010 which was an election year. The decline in gross local revenue was primarily the result of a softening in local advertising.
Station operating expense for the radio segment was $79,130,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with $79,012,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of approximately $118,000 or less than 1%. Salaries increased $350,000 as a result of the 3.75% reinstatement in 2011 of the 5% salary reductions implemented in March 2009. Our health care costs increased approximately $537,000 in 2011, primarily resulting from both increased claims and Health Care Reform. These increases were partially offset by reductions in music license fees and ratings service expense of $247,000 and $156,000, respectively. Additionally, we had a decline in depreciation and amortization expense of $254,000 in 2011.
Operating income in the radio segment for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $29,808,000 compared with $30,879,000 for the year ended December 31 2010, a decrease of $1,071,000 or 3%. The decrease was a direct result of the decline in net operating revenue and the increase in station operating expense, described above.
Television Segment
For the year ended December 31, 2011, net operating revenue of our television segment was $18,357,000 compared with $17,926,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $431,000 or 2%. Gross national revenue increased $104,000 in the current year. Gross local revenue increased $1,128,000, but was partially offset by a decline in gross political revenue of $799,000. The improvement in local revenue was primarily a result of an increase in local advertising in our Joplin, MO market following a tornado in May 2011 that caused significant damage in the market. Our television stations that we own and operate in Joplin did not sustain damage in the tornado. The decline in gross political revenue was attributable to political advertising in 2010 which was an election year.
Station operating expense in the television segment for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $14,232,000, compared with $13,742,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, an increase of $490,000 or 4%. Our health care costs increased $146,000, primarily resulting from both increased claims and Health Care Reform. Sales commission and selling expenses increased $119,000 as a result of increased revenue. In addition, salaries increased $56,000 from the 3.75% reinstatement in 2011 of the 5% salary reductions implemented in March 2009.
Operating income in the television segment was relatively unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared with the year ended December 31, 2010.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
Consolidated
For the year ended December 31, 2010, consolidated net operating revenue was $127,817,000 compared with $120,798,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $7,019,000 or 6%. Gross national revenue and gross local revenue increased approximately $1,326,000 and $3,039,000, respectively. Gross political revenue increased approximately $3,345,000. The increase in both gross national and gross local revenue was primarily the result of the improvement in the U.S. economy and advertising spending in general. The increase in gross political revenue was directly attributable to advertising related to the November 2010 congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and local elections.
Station operating expense was $92,754,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared with $94,647,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of approximately $1,893,000 or 2%. Severance costs (primarily programming), license fees and ratings service expense decreased approximately $250,000, $450,000 and $575,000, respectively, in 2010. Additionally, depreciation expense was approximately $894,000 higher in 2009, primarily as a result of a change in the estimated useful life of television analog equipment, which was fully depreciated in 2009. These cost reductions were partially offset by a $470,000 increase in advertising and promotions expense in 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009.
Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $27,789,000 compared to $1,416,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $26,373,000. The increase was primarily due to the absence of an impairment charge in 2010 as compared to an impairment charge of $17,286,000 that was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2009. The improvement in net operating revenue and reduction in station operating expense, described in detail above, also contributed to the increase in operating income in 2010. In addition, corporate general and administrative expense decreased $670,000 or 8% in 2010 as compared to 2009.
The decrease in corporate general and administrative charges was primarily attributable to reductions of approximately $400,000 in compensation related costs. Operating income in 2009 included a $495,000 gain from the exchange of equipment under an arrangement we had with Sprint Nextel Corporation. The equipment exchange was completed in 2009.
We reported net income of approximately $15,136,000 ($3.58 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared with a net loss of $2,581,000 (-$0.61 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the year ended December 31, 2009, an improvement of approximately $17,717,000. The increase was the result of changes in operating income as discussed above, and an increase in other income of $3,579,000, offset by increases in interest expense and income tax expense of $674,000 and $11,561,000, respectively. In the first quarter of 2010, we had non-recurring income of approximately $3,561,000 resulting from an agreement to downgrade an FCC license at one of our stations. The increase in interest expense was attributable to an average increase in market interest rates of approximately 0.7%, and an increase in the amortization of debt financing costs, partially offset by a decrease in the average obligation of debt outstanding. The increase in income tax expense was directly attributable to 2010 operating performance and the fourth quarter non-cash impairment charge in 2009.
Radio Segment
For the year ended December 31, 2010, net operating revenue of the radio segment was $109,891,000 compared with $104,601,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $5,290,000 or 5%. Gross national revenue and gross local revenue increased approximately $596,000 and $2,690,000, respectively. Gross political revenue increased approximately $2,429,000. The increase in both gross national and gross local revenue was primarily the result of the improvement in the U.S. economy and advertising spending in general. The increase in gross political revenue was directly attributable to advertising related to the November 2010 congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and local elections.
Station operating expense for the radio segment was $79,012,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, compared with $80,382,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of approximately $1,370,000 or 2%. Severance costs (primarily programming), license fees and ratings service expense decreased approximately $225,000, $470,000 and $575,000, respectively, in 2010. In addition, depreciation expense decreased $375,000 in 2010 primarily due to the decrease in capital expenditures over the past two years. These cost reductions were partially offset by a $400,000 increase in advertising and promotions expense in 2010 as compared to 2009. Salaries and related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased approximately $180,000 from the same period of 2009, primarily as a result of improved operating performance due to the strengthening of the U.S. economy.
Operating income in the radio segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $30,879,000 compared to $8,013,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $22,866,000 or 285%. The increase was primarily due to the absence of an impairment charge in 2010 as compared to an impairment charge of $16,206,000 that was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2009. The improvement in net operating revenue and reduction in station operating expense, described in detail above, also contributed to the increase in operating income in 2010.
Television Segment
For the year ended December 31, 2010, net operating revenue of our television segment was $17,926,000 compared with $16,197,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $1,729,000 or 11%. Gross national revenue and gross local revenue increased approximately $730,000 and $349,000, respectively. Gross political revenue increased approximately $916,000 in 2010 as compared to 2009. The increase in both gross national and gross local revenue was primarily the result of the improvement in the U.S. economy and advertising spending in general. The increase in gross political revenue was directly attributable to advertising related to the November 2010 congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and local elections.
Station operating expense in the television segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $13,742,000 compared with $14,265,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of approximately $523,000 or 4%. Depreciation expense decreased $520,000 in 2010, primarily because of television analog equipment, which was fully depreciated in 2009.
Operating income in the television segment for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $4,184,000 compared to $1,347,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of approximately $2,837,000 or 211%. The increase was primarily due to the improvement in net operating revenue and reduction in station operating expense, described in detail above. Additionally, the absence of an impairment charge in 2010 as compared to an impairment charge of $1,080,000 that was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2009 contributed to the increase in operating income in 2010. Operating income in 2009 included a $495,000 gain from the exchange of equipment under an arrangement we had with Sprint Nextel Corporation. The equipment exchange was completed in 2009.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Debt Arrangements and Debt Service Requirements
On June 13, 2011, we entered into a new $120 million credit facility ($118.5 million at December 31, 2011) (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of banks, to refinance our outstanding debt under our credit agreement that was maturing on July 29, 2012 (the “Old Credit Agreement”). The Credit Facility consisted of a $60 million term loan ($58.5 million at December 31, 2011) (the “Term Loan”) and a $60 million revolving loan (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and matures on June 13, 2016. An additional $40 million financing may, in the future, be made available to the Company subject to compliance with terms and conditions of the Credit Facility.
The proceeds from the Credit Facility were used to refinance our Old Credit Agreement and pay transactional fees.
We had approximately $50.5 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2011. The unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, permitted acquisitions and related transaction expenses and permitted stock buybacks.
The Credit Facility permits up to $25 million, annually, in aggregate amount of additional business acquisitions, subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in the Credit Facility in further detail, and also permits the Company to make up to $20 million, annually, in aggregate amount of dividends, distributions and stock redemptions.
We wrote-off unamortized debt issuance costs relating to the Old Credit Agreement of approximately $1.3 million, pre-tax, due to this refinancing during the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
The Term Loan principal amortizes in equal installments of 5% of the Term Loan during each year, however, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, as defined in the Credit Facility, no amortization payment is required. The Credit Facility is also subject to mandatory prepayment requirements, including but not limited to, certain sales of assets, certain insurance proceeds, certain debt issuances and certain sales of equity. Optional prepayments of the Credit Facility are permitted without any premium or penalty, other than certain costs and expenses.
Interest rates under the Credit Facility are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.75% or the base rate plus 0.50% to 1.75%. The spread over LIBOR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. We also pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the Credit Facility and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains a number of financial covenants (all of which we were in compliance with at December 31, 2011) which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances.
In 2003, we entered into an agreement of understanding with Surtsey Media whereby we have guaranteed up to $1,250,000 of the debt incurred, in closing the acquisition of a construction permit for KFJX-TV station in Pittsburg, Kansas, a full power Fox affiliate serving Joplin, Missouri. At December 31, 2011, there was $1,078,000 of debt outstanding under this agreement. We do not have any recourse provision in connection with our guarantee that would enable us to recover any amounts paid under the guarantee. As a result, at December 31, 2011, we have recorded $1,078,000 in debt and $1,000,000 in intangible assets, primarily broadcast licenses. In consideration for the guarantee, Surtsey Media entered into various agreements with us relating to the station, including a Shared Services Agreement, Technical Services Agreement, Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time and Broker Agreement. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference.
Sources and Uses of Cash
During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we had net cash flows from operating activities of $27,178,000, $27,539,000 and $25,281,000, respectively. We believe that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet quarterly debt service requirements for interest and scheduled payments of principal under the Credit Facility. However, if such cash flow is not sufficient, we may be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations or dispose of one or more of our properties in order to make such scheduled payments. There can be no assurance that we would be able to effect any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all.
We have a Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) which allows us to purchase up to $60 million of our Class A Common Stock. From its inception in 1998 through December 31, 2011, we have repurchased 1,391,586 shares of our Class A Common Stock for approximately $45.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately 4,000 shares were retained for payment of withholding taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock for $117,000.
Our capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions, for the year ended December 31, 2011 were approximately $5,577,000 ($4,348,000 in 2010). We anticipate capital expenditures in 2012 to be approximately $5.0 million, which we expect to finance through funds generated from operations.
Summary Disclosures About Contractual Obligations
We have future cash obligations under various types of contracts, including the terms of our Credit Facility, operating leases, programming contracts, employment agreements, and other operating contracts. The following table reflects a summary of our contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2011:
(1) The above amounts do not include interest, which is primarily variable in amount.
(2) Under our Credit Facility, the maturity on outstanding debt of $68 million could be accelerated if we do not maintain certain covenants. Long- Term Obligations include the guarantee of debt of a related party of $1,078,000. (See Notes 4 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
(3) Includes $17,786,000 in obligations under employment agreements and contracts with on-air personalities, other employees, and our president, CEO, and chairman, Edward K. Christian and $9,276,000 in purchase obligations under general operating agreements and contracts including but not limited to syndicated programming contracts; sports programming rights; software rights; ratings services; television advertising; and other operating expenses.
We anticipate that the above contractual cash obligations will be financed through funds generated from operations or additional borrowings under our Credit Facility, or a combination thereof.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures and contingencies. We evaluate estimates used in preparation of our financial statements on a continual basis, including estimates related to the following:
Revenue Recognition: Revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast time to advertisers is recognized when commercials are broadcast. Revenue is reported net of advertising agency commissions. Agency commissions, when applicable, are based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. All revenue is recognized in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Topic 13, Revenue Recognition Revised and Updated and the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.
Carrying Value of Accounts Receivable and Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us (e.g., bankruptcy filings, credit history, etc.), we record a specific reserve for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we recognize reserves for bad debts based on past loss history and the length of time the receivables are past due, ranging from 50% for
amounts 90 days outstanding to 100% for amounts over 120 days outstanding. If our evaluations of the collectability of our accounts receivable differ from actual results, additional bad debt expense and allowances may be required. Our historical estimates have been a reliable method to estimate future allowances and our reserves have averaged approximately 4% of our outstanding receivables. The effect of an increase in our allowance of 1% of our outstanding receivables as of December 31, 2011, from 4.0% to 5.0% or from $794,000 to $994,000 would result in a decrease in net income of $118,000, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Purchase Accounting: We account for our acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair values of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items.
Broadcast Licenses and Goodwill: We have made acquisitions in the past for which a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to broadcast licenses and goodwill assets. As of December 31, 2011, we have recorded approximately $90,584,000 in broadcast licenses, which represents 47.6% of our total assets. In assessing the recoverability of these assets, we must conduct impairment testing and charge to operations an impairment expense only in the periods in which the carrying value of these assets is more than their fair value. In 2009, we recorded an impairment loss of $17,286,000 for broadcast licenses. Our goodwill was fully impaired in 2008; therefore we have no goodwill at December 31, 2011.
We completed the impairment test for broadcast licenses during the fourth quarter of 2011 and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.
We believe our estimate of the value of our broadcast licenses is a critical accounting estimate as the value is significant in relation to our total assets, and our estimate of the value uses assumptions that incorporate variables based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance of our stations. These variables include but are not limited to: (1) the forecast growth rate of each radio and television market, including population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures; (2) market share and profit margin of an average station within a market; (3) estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (4) risk-adjusted discount rate; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; and (6) terminal values. Changes in our estimates of the fair value of these assets could result in material future period write-downs in the carrying value of our broadcast licenses. For illustrative purposes only, had the fair values of each of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 10% as of December 31, 2011, the Company would have recorded a broadcast license impairment of approximately $0.9 million; had the fair values of each of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 20% as of December 31, 2011, the Company would have recorded a broadcast license impairment of approximately $4.3 million; and had the fair value of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 30% as of December 31, 2011, the Company would have recorded a broadcast license impairment of approximately $9.8 million. Please refer to Note 2 - Broadcast Licenses and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of several key assumptions used in the fair value estimate of our broadcast licenses during our fourth quarter annual impairment test.
Market Capitalization: As of December 31, 2011, our total market capitalization was $66.0 million more than our book value. We believe this difference can be attributed to the increase in our stock price in 2011 and a reduction in equity book value due to impairments to broadcasting licenses and goodwill in 2008 and 2009. In the accompanying notes to the financial statements, please refer to Note 2 - Broadcast Licenses and Other Intangible Assets, for a discussion of impairment charges in 2009.
Stock Based Compensation: We use a Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock based awards. Under the fair value method, stock based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at grant date requires assumptions and judgments about expected volatility and forfeiture rates, among other factors. If actual results differ significantly from these assumptions, then stock based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that previously recorded.
Litigation and Contingencies: On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our exposure related to litigation and contingencies 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 not estimable.
Market Risk and Risk Management Policies
Our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our long-term debt arrangements. If market interest rates averaged 1% more in 2011 than they did during 2011, our interest expense would increase, and income before taxes would decrease by $886,000. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on our borrowing cost. This analysis does not consider the effects of the reduced level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in our financial structure.
Inflation
The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. There can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse effect on our operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in this ASU to result in a change in the application of the requirements in Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This update will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information appearing under the caption “Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in Item 7 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements attached hereto are filed as part of this annual report.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting were effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
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 risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on our evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which appears below.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have audited Saga Communications, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Saga Communications, 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, Saga Communications, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, 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 Saga Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 of Saga Communications, Inc. and our report dated March 15, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Detroit, Michigan
March 15, 2012
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year. See also Item 1. Business - Executive Officers.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year. In addition, the information contained in the “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan Information” subheading under Item 5 of this report is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) 1. Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements attached hereto are filed as part of this annual report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements:
- Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010
- Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
- Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II Valuation and qualifying accounts is disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto and filed as part of this annual report. All other schedules for which provision are made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
3. Exhibits
The Exhibits filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Saga Communications, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Saga Communications, Inc.(the “company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the 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 also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and 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 Saga Communications, Inc. at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the each of three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) Saga Communications, Inc. internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, 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 15, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Detroit, Michigan
March 15, 2012
Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value)
See accompanying notes.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
See accompanying notes.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
See accompanying notes.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See accompanying notes.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. As of December 31, 2011 we owned or operated ninety-one radio stations, five television stations, four low-power television stations and five radio information networks serving twenty-six markets throughout the United States.
Basis of Presentation
On January 27, 2009 the Company declared a one-for-four reverse stock split of its Class A and Class B Common Stock, effective January 28, 2009. The reverse stock split reduced the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock from approximately 14,425,104 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,402,338 shares of Class B Common Stock to approximately 3,606,932 and 600,585 shares, respectively. All share and per share information in the accompanying financial statements have been restated retroactively to reflect the reverse stock split.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Saga Communications, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Change in Accounting Estimate
In the second quarter of 2008, the Company reviewed the estimated useful lives of its television analog equipment. This review was performed because of the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) mandatory requirement that all television stations convert from analog to digital spectrum by June 2009. As a result of this review, the Company’s depreciation rate of its analog equipment was increased to reflect the estimated period during which these assets would remain in service. This change of estimated useful lives was deemed as a change in accounting estimate and was accounted for prospectively, effective April 1, 2008. The effect of this change in estimate was to decrease net income approximately $292,000 and decrease earnings per share (basic and diluted) by $.07 for the year ended December 31, 2009. The analog equipment was fully depreciated in June of 2009.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we do not believe that the ultimate settlement of any amounts reported will materially affect our financial position or results of future operations, actual results may differ from estimates provided.
Concentration of Risk
Our top six markets when combined represented 44%, 44% and 45% of our net operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
We sell advertising to local and national companies throughout the United States. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level which we believe is sufficient to cover potential credit losses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and time deposits with original maturities of three months or less. At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $1 million of time deposits included in cash and cash equivalents. We did not have any time deposits at December 31, 2011.
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value as it carries interest rates that either fluctuate with the euro-dollar rate, prime rate or have been reset at the prevailing market rate at December 31, 2011.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
A provision for doubtful accounts is recorded based on our judgment of the collectability of receivables. Amounts are written off when determined to be fully uncollectible. Delinquent accounts are based on contractual terms. The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:
Barter Transactions
Our radio and television stations trade air time for goods and services used principally for promotional, sales and other business activities. An asset and a liability are recorded at the fair market value of goods or services received. Barter revenue is recorded when commercials are broadcast, and barter expense is recorded when goods or services are received or used.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the assets. We review our property and equipment, deferred costs and investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amounts to future undiscounted cash flows the assets are
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
expected to generate. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair market value. We did not record any impairment of property and equipment during 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $7,438,000, $7,668,000 and $8,562,000, respectively.
In 2006, the FCC granted to Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Nextel”) the right to reclaim from television broadcasters in each market across the country the 1.9 GHz spectrum to use for an emergency communications system. In order to reclaim this signal, Nextel replaced all analog equipment using this spectrum with digital equipment. All television broadcasters agreed to use the digital substitute that Nextel provided. The exchange of equipment was completed on a market by market basis. As the equipment was exchanged and put into service in each of our television markets we recorded gains to the extent that the fair market value of the equipment we received exceeded the book value of the analog equipment we exchanged. See Note 3 - Gain on Asset Exchange.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, which include broadcast licenses, are not amortized and are subject to impairment tests which are conducted as of October 1 of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
In determining that the Company’s broadcast licenses qualified as indefinite-lived intangible assets, management considered a variety of factors including our broadcast licenses may be renewed indefinitely at little cost; our broadcast licenses are essential to our business and we intend to renew our licenses indefinitely; we have never been denied the renewal of a FCC broadcast license nor do we believe that there will be any compelling challenge to the renewal of our broadcast licenses; and we do not believe that the technology used in broadcasting will be replaced by another technology in the foreseeable future.
Separable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Favorable lease agreements are amortized over the leases ranging from 4 to 26 years. Other intangibles are amortized over one to eleven years.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Deferred Costs
The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and accounted for as interest expense over the life of the debt. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recognized interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs of $642,000, $1,079,000 and $502,000, respectively. During 2011 we wrote-off unamortized debt issuance costs of $1,326,000, pre-tax, in connection with the refinancing of our bank debt. See Note 4 - Long-Term Debt.
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the net book value of deferred costs was $1,024,000 and $1,840,000, respectively, and was presented in Other intangibles, deferred costs and investments in our consolidated balance sheet.
Broadcast Program Rights
We record the capitalized costs of broadcast program rights when the license period begins and the programs are available for use. Amortization of the program rights is recorded using the straight-line method over the license period or based on the number of showings. Amortization of broadcast program rights is included in station operating expense. Unamortized broadcast program rights are classified as current or non-current based on estimated usage in future years.
Treasury Stock
We have a Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) which allows us to purchase up to $60 million of our Class A Common Stock. From its inception in 1998 through December 31, 2011, we have repurchased 1,391,586 shares of our Class A Common Stock for approximately $45.7 million. Repurchases of shares of our Common Stock are recorded as Treasury Stock and result in a reduction of Stockholders’ Equity. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, we acquired 4,035 shares at an average price of $28.95 per share, 5,466 shares at an average price of $14.25 per share and 5,682 shares at an average price of $3.50 per share, respectively. During 2009 we issued 62,243 shares of Treasury Stock in connection with our 401(k) employer match. None were issued in 2010 or 2011.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast time to advertisers is recognized when commercials are broadcast. Revenue is reported net of advertising agency commissions. Agency commissions, when applicable are based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. All revenue is recognized in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Topic 13, Revenue Recognition Revised and Updated and The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.
Time Brokerage Agreements/Local Marketing Agreements
We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBA’s”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMA’s”) in certain markets. In a typical TBA/LMA, the FCC licensee of a station makes available, for a fee, blocks of air time on its station to another party that supplies programming to be broadcast during that air time and sells its own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. Revenue and expenses related to TBA’s/LMA’s are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Advertising and Promotion Costs
Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred. Such costs amounted to approximately $3,694,000, $3,583,000 and $3,117,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation cost for stock option awards is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed on a straight-line method over the vesting period of the options. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the grant date and is adjusted at each reporting date based on the amount of shares ultimately expected to vest. See Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation for further details regarding the expense calculated under the fair value based method.
Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Approximately 600 incremental shares were not included in the diluted loss per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2009, because the effect of their inclusion would be antidilutive, or would decrease the reported loss per share.
Potentially dilutive common shares primarily consist of employee stock options. Employee stock options to purchase approximately 228,000, 294,000 and 388,000 shares of our stock were outstanding at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive as the options’ exercise prices exceeded the average market price. The actual effect of these shares, if any, on the diluted earnings per share calculation will vary significantly depending on fluctuations in the stock price.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in this ASU to result in a change in the application of the requirements in Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This update will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
2. Broadcast Licenses and Other Intangibles Assets
Broadcast Licenses
We evaluate our FCC licenses for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. FCC licenses are evaluated for impairment at the market level using a direct method. If the carrying amount of FCC licenses is greater than their estimated fair value in a given market, the carrying amount of FCC licenses in that market is reduced to its estimated fair value.
We operate our broadcast licenses in each market as a single asset and determine the fair value by relying on a discounted cash flow approach assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcast licenses. The fair value calculation contains assumptions incorporating variables that are based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a market. These variables include, but are not limited to: (1) the forecasted growth rate of each radio or television market, including population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures; (2) the estimated available advertising revenue within the market and the related market share and profit margin of an average station within a market; (3) estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (4) risk-adjusted discount rate; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; and (6) terminal values.
We have recorded the changes to broadcast licenses for the years ended December 31, 2010 as follows:
There were no changes to broadcast licenses for the year ended December 31, 2011.
2011 Impairment Test
We completed our annual impairment test of broadcast licenses during the fourth quarter of 2011 and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table reflects certain key estimates and assumptions used in the impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2011. The ranges for operating profit margin and market long-term revenue growth rates vary based on our specific markets. In general, when comparing between 2011 and 2010: (1) the market specific operating profit margin range remained consistent; (2) the market long-term revenue growth rates were relatively consistent; (3) the discount rate remained consistent; and (4) current year revenues were 1% less than previously projected for 2011.
If actual market conditions are less favorable than those estimated by us or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of our broadcast licenses below the carrying value, we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges in future periods. Such a charge could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
2010 Impairment Test
During the fourth quarter of 2010, we completed our annual impairment test of broadcast licenses and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.
2009 Impairment Test
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we completed our annual impairment test of broadcast licenses and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was less than the carrying value for sixteen of our twenty-three markets, and recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $17,286,000 to reduce the carrying value of these assets. The economic recession negatively affected the radio and television broadcasting industry, resulting in lower advertising revenues in 2009. The primary reasons for the impairment to the broadcasting licenses recognized in the fourth quarter of 2009 were: the actual revenue decline for the industry and the Company were greater than those originally forecasted for 2009, a decline in market share in certain of our markets, a decline in available revenue in certain of our markets, and an increase in the weighted average cost of capital and the related risk adjusted discount rate in all of our markets.
Other Intangible Assets
We evaluate amortizable intangible assets for recoverability when circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. If the future undiscounted cash flows for the intangible asset are less than net book value, then the net book value is reduced to the estimated fair value.
We have recorded amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2011 as follows:
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
We have recorded amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2010 as follows:
Aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, was $50,000, $49,000 and $68,000, respectively. Our estimated annual amortization expense for the years ending December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is approximately $50,000, $50,000, $50,000, $37,000 and $36,000, respectively.
3. Gain on Asset Exchange
In 2006, the FCC granted to Nextel the right to reclaim from television broadcasters in each market across the country the 1.9 GHz spectrum to use for an emergency communications system. In order to reclaim this signal, Nextel replaced all analog equipment using this spectrum with digital equipment. We agreed to accept the substitute equipment that Nextel provided and in turn we relinquished our existing equipment to Nextel. This arrangement was accounted for as an exchange of assets.
The equipment we received under this arrangement was recorded at its estimated fair market value and depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 15 years. Fair market value was derived from quoted prices obtained from manufacturers and vendors for the specific equipment acquired. As the equipment was exchanged and put into service in each of our television markets we recorded gains to the extent that the fair market value of the equipment we received exceeded the book value of the analog equipment we exchanged. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized gains of approximately $495,000 from the exchange of this equipment. There was no exchange in 2011 or 2010.
4. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
On June 13, 2011, we entered into a new $120 million credit facility ($118.5 million at December 31, 2011) (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of banks, to refinance our outstanding debt under our credit agreement that was maturing on July 29, 2012 (the “Old Credit Agreement”). The Credit Facility consisted of a $60 million term loan ($58.5 million at December 31, 2011) (the “Term Loan”) and a $60 million revolving loan (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and matures on June 13, 2016.
The proceeds from the Credit Facility were used to refinance our Old Credit Agreement and pay transactional fees.
We wrote-off unamortized debt issuance costs relating to the Old Credit Agreement of approximately $1.3 million, pre-tax, due to this refinancing during the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
We had approximately $50.5 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2011. The unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, permitted acquisitions and related transaction expenses and permitted stock buybacks.
The Term Loan principal amortizes in equal installments of 5% of the Term Loan during each year, however, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, as defined in the Credit Facility, no amortization payment is required. The Credit Facility is also subject to mandatory prepayment requirements, including but not limited to, certain sales of assets, certain insurance proceeds, certain debt issuances and certain sales of equity. Optional prepayments of the Credit Facility are permitted without any premium or penalty, other than certain costs and expenses.
Interest rates under the Credit Facility are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to LIBOR (0.296% at December 31, 2011) plus 1.50% to 2.75% or the base rate plus 0.50% to 1.75%. The spread over LIBOR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. We also pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the Credit Facility and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains a number of financial covenants (all of which we were in compliance with at December 31, 2011) which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Our Old Credit Agreement was a revolving line of credit maturing on July 29, 2012. Our indebtedness under the Old Credit Agreement was secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our assets and of our subsidiaries, by a pledge of our subsidiaries’ stock and by a guarantee of our subsidiaries. The Old Credit Agreement was used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures.
Interest rates under the Old Credit Agreement were payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to LIBOR at the reset date (0.3125% at December 31, 2010) plus 3.00% to 4.25% or the Agent bank’s base rate plus 2.00% to 3.25%. The spread over LIBOR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. We were also required to pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.375% to 0.625% per annum on the unused portion of the Old Credit Agreement.
In June 2011, approximately $1.1 million of secured debt of an affiliate was amended to extend the maturity date to May 2014.
5. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
6. Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:
At December 31, 2011, we have state and local tax loss carry forwards of approximately $2,108,000, which will expire from 2012 to 2024. During 2011, we utilized approximately $342,000 in state and local tax loss carry forwards and accordingly, the valuation allowances decreased by $15,000. At December 31, 2011, the valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets relates to state loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets are required to be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, net deferred tax liabilities include a deferred tax asset of $1,236,000 and $1,225,000, respectively, relating to stock-based compensation expense. Full realization of this deferred tax asset requires stock options to be exercised at a price equaling or exceeding the sum of the grant price plus the fair value of the option at the grant date and restricted stock to vest at a price equaling or exceeding the fair market value at the grant date. Accounting guidance, however, does not allow a valuation allowance to be recorded unless the company’s future taxable income is expected to be insufficient to recover the asset. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the price of the Company’s common stock will increase to levels sufficient to realize the entire tax benefit currently reflected in the balance sheet at December 31, 2011 and 2010. See Note7 - Stock-Based Compensation for further discussion of stock-based compensation expense.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The significant components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
In addition, we realized tax expense as a result of stock option exercises for the difference between compensation expense for financial statement and income tax purposes. These tax expenses were recorded to additional paid-in capital in the amounts of approximately $0, $0 and $24,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
The reconciliation of income tax at the U.S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:
The Company files income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and in various state and local jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for years prior to 2006. The Company is subject to examination for income and non-income tax filings in various states, and during the first quarter of 2012, the IRS commenced an examination of the Company’s 2010 U.S. federal income tax return.
Included in the balance sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are tax accruals of approximately $56,000 and $77,000, respectively for uncertain tax positions. Recognition of any of the related unrecognized tax benefits would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.
We classify income tax-related interest and penalties as interest expense and corporate general and administrative expense, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had no tax-related interest or penalties and had $13,000 and $5,000 accrued at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
In March 2012, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, a $350,000 discretionary bonus to the CEO for the year ended December 31, 2011. As a result of the CEO’s total gross compensation, approximately $177,000 will be nondeductible pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
7. Stock-Based Compensation
2005 Incentive Compensation Plan
On May 10, 2010, our stockholders approved the Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2005 Plan”) which replaced our 2003 Stock Option Plan (the “2003 Plan”) as to future grants. The 2005 Plan extends through March 2015 and allows for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and performance awards to officers and a selected number of employees. The number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2005 Plan may not exceed 500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, 1,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of which up to 500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options and 500,000 Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Class B Common Stock. Awards denominated in Class A Common Stock may be granted to any employee under the 2005 Plan. However, awards denominated in Class B Common Stock may only be granted to Edward K. Christian, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the holder of 100% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock of the Company. Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan may be for terms not exceeding ten years from the date of grant and may not be exercised at a price which is less than 100% of the fair market value of shares at the date of grant.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation expense is measured and recognized for all stock-based awards to employees using the estimated fair value of the award. Compensation expense is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For these awards, we have recognized compensation expense using a straight-line amortization method. Accounting guidance requires that stock-based compensation expense be based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, therefore stock-based compensation has been adjusted for estimated forfeitures. When estimating forfeitures, we consider voluntary termination behaviors as well as trends of actual option forfeitures. The compensation expense recognized in corporate general and administrative expense of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $196,000, $567,000 and $858,000, respectively. The associated future income tax benefit recognized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $80,000, $231,000 and $377,000, respectively.
We calculated the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The estimated expected volatility, expected term of options and estimated annual forfeiture rate were determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following summarizes the stock option transactions for the 2005 and 2003 Plans and the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the “1992 Plan”) for the year ended December 31:
The following summarizes the non-vested stock option transactions for the 2005, 2003 and 1992 Plans for the year ended December 31:
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following summarizes the stock option transactions for the Directors Plan for the year ended December 31:
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2009 was $6,274. Cash received from stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2009 was not significant.
The following summarizes the restricted stock transactions for the year ended December 31:
The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock that vested during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $333,000, $506,000 and $514,000, respectively. The net value of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards aggregated $127,000, $329,000 and $750,000 at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 we had approximately $383,000, $926,700 and $1,365,600, respectively, of total compensation expense related to stock-based arrangements. The associated tax benefit recognized for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $157,000, $378,000 and $600,800, respectively.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
8. Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Plan
We have a defined contribution pension plan (“401(k) Plan”) that covers substantially all employees. Employees can elect to have a portion of their wages withheld and contributed to the plan. The 401(k) Plan also allows us to make a discretionary contribution. Total administrative expense under the 401(k) Plan was approximately $16,000, $23,000 and $9,000 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company did not make a discretionary contribution to the 401(k) Plan in 2011, 2010 or 2009.
Deferred Compensation Plan
In 1999 we established a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan which allows officers and certain management employees to annually elect to defer a portion of their compensation, on a pre-tax basis, until their retirement. The retirement benefit to be provided is based on the amount of compensation deferred and any earnings thereon. Deferred compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $141,000, $218,000 and $204,000, respectively. We invest in company-owned life insurance policies to assist in funding these programs. The cash surrender values of these policies are in a rabbi trust and are recorded as our assets.
Split Dollar Officer Life Insurance
The Company provides split dollar insurance benefits to certain executive officers and records an asset equal to the cumulative premiums paid on the related policies, as the Company will fully recover these premiums under the terms of the plan. The Company retains a collateral assignment of the cash surrender values and policy death benefits payable to insure recovery of these premiums.
9. Related Party Transactions
Principal Stockholder Employment Agreement
In June 2011, we entered into a new employment agreement with Edward K. Christian, Chairman, President and CEO, which became effective as of June 1, 2011, and replaces and supersedes his prior employment agreement. The new employment agreement terminates on March 31, 2018. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $860,000 (subject to annual increases on each anniversary date not less than the greater of 3% or a defined cost of living increase). Mr. Christian may defer any or all of his annual salary.
Under the agreement, Mr. Christian is eligible for discretionary and performance bonuses, stock options and/or stock grants in amounts determined by the Compensation Committee and will continue to participate in the Company’s benefit plans. The Company will maintain insurance policies, will furnish an automobile, will pay for an executive medical plan and will maintain an office for Mr. Christian at its principal executive offices and in Sarasota County, Florida. The agreement provides certain payments to Mr. Christian in the event of his disability, death or a change in control. Upon a change in control, Mr. Christian may terminate his employment. The agreement also provides generally that, upon a change in control, the Company will pay Mr. Christian an amount equal to 2.99 times the average of his total annual salary and bonuses for each of the three immediately preceding periods of twelve consecutive months, plus an additional amount for tax liabilities, related to the payment. For the three years ended December 31, 2011 his average annual compensation, as defined by the employment agreement was approximately $1,005,000.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
In addition, if Mr. Christian’s employment is terminated for any reason, other than for cause, the Company will continue to provide health insurance and medical reimbursement and maintain existing life insurance policies for a period of ten years, and the current split dollar life insurance policy shall be transferred to Mr. Christian and his wife, and the Company shall reimburse Mr. Christian for any tax consequences of such transfer. The agreement contains a covenant not to compete restricting Mr. Christian from competing with the Company in any of its markets if he voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company or is terminated for cause, for a three year period thereafter.
On December 15, 2009, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $134,000 of his 2010 salary to be paid 100% on January 14, 2011. On December 15, 2010, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $134,000 of his 2011 salary to be paid 100% on January 20, 2012. On December 19, 2011, Mr. Christian agreed to defer approximately $100,000 of his 2012 salary to be paid 100% on January 25, 2013.
Change in Control Agreements
In December 2007, Samuel D. Bush, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Steven J. Goldstein, Executive Vice President and Group Program Director, Warren S. Lada, Senior Vice President of Operations and Marcia K. Lobaito, Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Business Affairs, entered into Change in Control Agreements. A change in control is defined to mean the occurrence of (a) any person or group becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities and Mr. Christian ceasing to be Chairman and CEO of the Company; (b) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which results in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than 50% of the combined voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity; or (c) the approval of the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of its assets.
If there is a change in control, the Company shall pay a lump sum payment within 45 days thereof of 1.5 times the average of the executive’s last three full calendar years of such executive’s base salary and any annual cash bonus paid. In the event that such payment constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G subject to an excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company shall pay the executive an additional amount so that the executive will receive the entire amount of the lump sum payment before deduction for federal, state and local income tax and payroll tax. In the event of a change in control (other than the approval of plan of liquidation), the Company or the surviving entity may require as a condition to receipt of payment that the executive continue in employment for a period of up to six months after consummation of the change in control. During such six months, executive will continue to earn his pre-existing salary and benefits. In such case, the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment upon completion of the continued employment. If, however, the executive fails to remain employed during this period of continued employment for any reason other than (a) termination without cause by the Company or the surviving entity, (b) death, (c) disability or (d) breach of the agreement by the Company or the surviving entity, then executive shall not be paid the lump sum payment. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within six months prior to the consummation of a change in control, then the executive shall be paid the lump sum payment within 45 days of such change in control.
Transactions with Affiliate and Other Related Party Transactions
Surtsey Media, LLC (“Surtsey Media”) owns the assets of television station KVCT in Victoria, Texas. Surtsey Media is a multi-media company 100%-owned by the daughter of Mr. Christian, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. We operate KVCT under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”) with Surtsey
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Media which we entered into in May 1999. Under the FCC’s ownership rules, we are prohibited from owning or having an attributable or cognizable interest in this station. Under the TBA, during 2011, 2010 and 2009, we paid Surtsey Media fees of approximately $3,100 per month plus accounting fees and reimbursement of expenses actually incurred in operating the station. In January 2012, the TBA was amended. Pursuant to the amendment, (i) the term is extended nine years commencing from June 1, 2013, with rights to extend for two additional eight year terms, (ii) we paid Surtsey Media an extension fee of $27,950 upon execution of the amendment, (iii) the monthly fees, payable to Surtsey Media are increased for each extension period, and (iv) we have an exclusive option, while the TBA is in effect, to purchase all of the assets of station KVCT, subject to certain conditions, based on a formula.
In March 2003, we entered into an agreement of understanding with Surtsey Media whereby we have guaranteed up to $1,250,000 of the debt incurred, in closing the acquisition of a construction permit for KFJX-TV station in Pittsburg, Kansas, a full power Fox affiliate serving Joplin, Missouri. At December 31, 2011, there was $1,078,000 of debt outstanding under this agreement. We do not have any recourse provision in connection with our guarantee that would enable us to recover any amounts paid under the guarantee. As a result, at December 31, 2011, we have recorded $1,078,000 in debt and $1,000,000 in intangible assets, primarily broadcast licenses. In consideration for the guarantee, Surtsey Media entered into various agreements with us relating to the station, including a Shared Services Agreement, Technical Services Agreement, and Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time and Broker Agreement (the “Station Agreements”). We paid fees under the agreements during 2011, 2010 and 2009 of approximately $4,100 per month plus accounting fees and reimbursement of expenses actually incurred in operating the station. We generally prepay Surtsey quarterly for its estimated expenses. The station went on the air for the first time on October 18, 2003. Under the FCC’s ownership rules we are prohibited from owning or having an attributable or cognizable interest in this station. In January 2012, the Station Agreements were amended. Pursuant to the amendment, (i) the Broker Agreement and the Technical Services Agreement are terminated, (ii) the terms of the continuing Station Agreements are extended nine years commencing from June 1, 2013, with rights to extend for two additional eight year terms, (iii) we paid Surtsey Media $37,050 upon execution of the amendment, (iv) the monthly fees payable to Surtsey Media were increased for each extension period, and (v) we have an exclusive option, while the Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time and Shared Services Agreement are in effect, to purchase all of the assets of Station KFJX subject to certain conditions, based on a formula, together with a payment of $1.2 million.
Surtsey Productions, Inc., the parent company of Surtsey Media, leases office space in a building owned by us, and paid us rent of approximately $10,000, $18,000 and $15,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In January 2012, the lease was amended primarily to extend the term nine years commencing from June 1, 2013, with rights to extend for two additional eight year terms.
10. Common Stock
Dividends. Stockholders are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. However, no dividend may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of any class of Common Stock unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other class of common stock. In the case of any stock dividend, holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive the same percentage dividend (payable in shares of Class A Common Stock) as the holders of Class B Common Stock receive (payable in shares of Class B Common Stock).
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Common Stock vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, with each share of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock entitled to ten votes, except (i) in the election for directors, (ii) with respect to any “going private” transaction between the Company and the principal stockholder, and (iii) as otherwise provided by law.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
In the election of directors, the holders of Class A Common Stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect twenty-five percent, or two, of our directors. The holders of the Common Stock, voting as a single class with each share of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock entitled to ten votes, are entitled to elect the remaining directors. The Board of Directors consisted of five members at December 31, 2011. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The holders of the Common Stock vote as a single class with respect to any proposed “going private” transaction with the principal stockholder or an affiliate of the principal stockholder, with each share of each class of Common Stock entitled to one vote per share.
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any class of common stock is required to approve, among other things, a change in the designations, preferences and limitations of the shares of such class of common stock.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to share ratably with the holders of Class B Common Stock in accordance with the number of shares held in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors.
In any merger, consolidation, or business combination, the consideration to be received per share by the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock must be identical for each class of stock, except that in any such transaction in which shares of common stock are to be distributed, such shares may differ as to voting rights to the extent that voting rights now differ among the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock.
Other Provisions. Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible, at the option of its holder, into one share of Class A Common Stock at any time. One share of Class B Common Stock converts automatically into one share of Class A Common Stock upon its sale or other transfer to a party unaffiliated with the principal stockholder or, in the event of a transfer to an affiliated party, upon the death of the transferor.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
We lease certain land, buildings and equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1,531,000 ($1,627,000 and $1,837,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively).
Minimum annual rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases consisted of the following at December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Broadcast Program Rights
We have entered into contracts for broadcast program rights that expire at various dates during the next five years. The aggregate minimum payments relating to these commitments consisted of the following at December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
Music Licensing
Effective December 31, 2009, our radio music license agreements with American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) expired. In January 2010, The Radio Music Licensing Committee (“RMLC”), of which we are a participant, filed motions in the U.S. District Court in New York against BMI and ASCAP on behalf of the radio industry, seeking interim fees and a determination of fair and reasonable industry-wide license fees. The courts approved reduced interim fees for ASCAP and BMI.
In January 2012, the ASCAP and RMLC entered into a settlement that was approved by the court and covers the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2016. This settlement also includes a credit for the interim fees paid in 2010 and 2011 and such fees are expected to be credited over a five year period beginning in January 2012.
The fees for BMI, still to be determined by the court, may be retroactive to January 1, 2010 and may be different from the interim fees.
Contingencies
In 2003, in connection with our acquisition of one FM radio station, WJZK-FM serving the Columbus, Ohio market, we entered into an agreement whereby we would pay the seller up to an additional $1,000,000 if we obtain approval from the FCC for a city of license change.
12. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which requires management to develop its own assumptions in pricing the asset or liability.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
We measure the fair value of time deposits based on quoted market prices of similar assets and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Interest on the Credit Facility is at a variable rate, and as such the debt obligation outstanding approximates fair value.
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis under the circumstances and events described in Note 2 - Broadcast Licenses and Other Intangibles, and are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values are more than the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered a level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value. (See Note 2 for the disclosure of certain key assumptions used to develop the unobservable inputs.)
In 2011 and 2010 the Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses, net property and equipment and other intangibles, and concluded that these assets were not impaired as the fair value of these assets equaled or exceeded their carrying values.
The following table represents the fair value of the Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company wrote down broadcast licenses with a carrying value of $78,911,000 to their fair value of $61,625,000, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $17,286,000, which is included in the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
13. Segment Information
We evaluate the operating performance of our markets individually. For purposes of business segment reporting, we have aligned operations with similar characteristics into two business segments: Radio and Television.
The Radio segment includes twenty-three markets, which includes all ninety-one of our radio stations and five radio information networks. The Television segment includes three markets and consists of five television stations and four low power television (“LPTV”) stations. The Radio and Television segments derive their revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast inventory. The category “Corporate general and administrative” represents the income and expense not allocated to reportable segments.
Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
14. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 15, 2012.
SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:
/s/ Edward K. Christian
Edward K. Christian
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 15, 2012.
Signatures
/s/ Edward K. Christian
Edward K. Christian
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
/s/ Samuel D. Bush
Samuel D. Bush
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Catherine A. Bobinski
Catherine A. Bobinski
Senior Vice President/Finance,
Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate
Controller and Treasurer
/s/ Clarke R. Brown, Jr.
Clarke R. Brown, Jr.
Director
/s/ David B. Stephens
David B. Stephens
Director
/s/ Gary G. Stevens
Gary G. Stevens
Director
/s/ W. Russell Withers, Jr.
W. Russell Withers, Jr.
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
* Filed herewith.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-47238) and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-11588) and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 and incorporated by reference herein.