Gray Reports Record Operating Results

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020. Despite the impact of the novel coronavirus and its disease (collectively, “COVID-19”) on economic activity, our strong political revenues, prudent cost management, strategic sales initiatives and training, and focused management at every level during the last three quarters of 2020, and especially the fourth quarter of 2020, resulted in record operating results for the fourth quarter and the full-year. Key financial results are as follows:
Our revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $792 million, an increase of $213 million, or 37%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. The primary components of revenue were combined local and national broadcast advertising revenue of $284 million, political advertising revenue of $245 million and retransmission revenue of $217 million.Net income attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $211 million, or $2.22 per fully diluted share, increasing $130 million, or 160% from the fourth quarter of 2019.Broadcast Cash Flow for the fourth quarter of 2020, was $424 million increasing $195 million, or 85%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. Our Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $404 million, increasing $189 million, or 88%, from the fourth quarter of 2019.In the fourth quarter of 2020, our combined local and national broadcast revenue, excluding political revenue (“Total Core Revenue”), decreased by approximately 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, much of which can be attributed to historically strong political displacement in a large number of markets. In light of returning advertiser demand, the year-over-year declines in Total Core Revenue continued their improvement through the fourth quarter of 2020 as follows: October declined 22%, largely impacted by political displacement, November declined less than 1% and December declined by 2%.As of December 31, 2020, our total leverage ratio, as defined in our senior credit facility, was 3.95 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis, netting our total cash balance of $773 million and giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses (as defined below). We have not drawn any amounts from our revolving credit facility, and, as a result, we are not subject to any maintenance covenants in our credit facilities at this time.During the fourth quarter of 2020, we repurchased 972,706 shares of our common stock at an average price of $16.44 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of approximately $16 million. During 2020, we repurchased 5.5 million shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $13.80 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of $75 million. We have not repurchased any shares since the close of the fourth quarter. Currently, we have 88,223,962 common shares and 7,214,838 Class A common shares outstanding. Our total capacity under our share repurchase programs is currently $204 million.On February 1, 2021, we announced an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Quincy Media, Inc. for $925 million in cash. Upon completion, and net of divestitures required to meet regulatory requirements, we will own television stations serving 102 television markets that collectively reach over 25 % of US television households, including number-one ranked television stations in 77 markets and the first and/or second ranked television station in 93 markets according to Comscore’s average all-day ratings for calendar year 2020. This transaction is expected to close following receipt of regulatory and other approvals in the second or third quarter of 2021. We expect that the transaction will be immediately accretive to our free cash flow, including expected year-one annualized synergies of approximately $23 million.
(1) Excludes depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets, net.
(2) See definition of non-GAAP terms and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included herein.Results of Operations for the Fourth Quarter of 2020
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Transaction Related Expenses
From time to time, we have incurred incremental expenses (“Transaction Related Expenses”) that were specific to acquisitions, divestitures and financing activities, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees. In addition, we have recorded certain non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. These expenses are summarized as follows (in millions):TaxesDuring 2020 and 2019, we made aggregate federal and state income tax payments (net of refunds) of $70 million and $23 million, respectively. During 2021, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) within a range of $21 million to $23 million. As of December 31, 2020, we have $204 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, which expire during the years 2023 through 2037. We expect to have federal taxable income in the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of $567 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately half will be utilized.On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, contains modifications on the limitation of business interest for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, and permits net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact the CARES Act may have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.Detailed Table of Operating Results
Other Financial Data
Amendment to 2019 Senior Credit Facility
On February 19, 2021, we amended our senior credit facility. The amendment, among other things: (i) increases availability under the revolving credit facility from $200 million to $300 million; (ii) extends the maturity date of borrowings under the revolving credit facility to January 2, 2026; and (iii) modifies certain terms relating to the implementation of a LIBOR replacement rate.Guidance for the Three-Months Ending March 31, 2021Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 (the “first quarter of 2021”), we anticipate changes from the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (the “first quarter of 2020”), as outlined below:• Revenue:Local revenue will be unchanged at approximately $198 million.National revenue will increase by 7% to 9% to approximately $55 million.
Total Core Revenue will increase by 0% to 2% to approximately $253 million.Retransmission revenue will increase by 15% to 16% to approximately $245 million.Total broadcasting revenue will increase by 0% to 2% to approximately $520 million.Production company revenue will be approximately $13 million.• Operating Expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets, net):Broadcasting expenses will increase by 8% to 9%, to approximately $364 million. This increase of approximately $29 million primarily reflects an increase in retransmission expense of approximately $24 million.Production company expenses will decrease to approximately $16 million.Corporate expenses will increase to approximately $20 million, primarily due to additional transaction related expenses.The CompanyWe are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States (“U.S.”). Gray currently owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 94 television markets that collectively reach approximately 24% of U.S. television households. During 2020, our stations were ranked first in 70 markets, and ranked first and/or second in 86 markets, as calculated by Comscore, Inc.’s audience measurement service. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content, which we refer to collectively as our “production companies.”Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform ActThis press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the federal securities laws. These “forward-looking statements” are not statements of historical facts, and may include, among other things, statements regarding our estimates, expectations, intentions, projections, and beliefs of operating results for future periods, the impact of COVID-19 on our future operating results, future income tax payments, pending transactions and other future events. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. As such, caution should be taken to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.Conference Call InformationWe will host a conference call to discuss our fourth quarter operating results on February 25, 2021. The call will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-855-493-3489 and the confirmation code is 9756347. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1-855-859-2056, Confirmation Code is 9756347 until March 24, 2021.Gray ContactsWeb site: www.gray.tvHilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-5512Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 334-206-1400Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-504-9828Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333Effects of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations and Non-GAAP TermsFrom time to time, Gray supplements its financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP by disclosing the non-GAAP financial measures Broadcast Cash Flow, Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses, Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate amounts used to calculate key financial performance covenants contained in our debt agreements and are used with our GAAP data to evaluate our results and liquidity.We define Broadcast Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash corporate and administrative expenses, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses and broadcast other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.We define Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.We define Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses, other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income and contributions to pension plans.Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on December 31, 2018. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the acquisitions has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933.We define Free Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transactions Related Expenses, broadcast other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies, other adjustments and amortization of deferred financing costs less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income, contributions to pension plans, preferred dividends, purchase of property and equipment (net of reimbursements) and income taxes paid (net of any refunds received).We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income and any income tax benefits.Our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash is determined by dividing our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, by our Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two. Our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, represents the total outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, less all cash (excluding restricted cash). Our Operating Cash Flow, as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two, represents our average annual Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the preceding eight quarters.We define Transaction Related Expenses as incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation, and contract termination fees. We present certain line-items from our selected operating data, net of Transaction Related Expenses, in order to present a more meaningful comparison between periods of our operating expenses and our results of operations.These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such terms are used by management in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms, in millions: Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms, in millions:
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and the Effect of Transaction Related Expenses and Certain Non-cash Expenses, in millions except for per share information:
Reconciliation of Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash, in millions except for ratio: