UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

[X]

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018or

[  ]

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _________ to _________ .

 

[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 or

[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       For the transition period from _________ to _________ .

Commission file numbernumber: 1-13796

 

Gray Television, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Georgia

 

58-0285030

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

   

4370 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia

 

30319

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(404) 504-9828

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    No____No_____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No____No_____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☒    

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐ (do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

                           

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes          No    _

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

 

Common Stock (No Par Value)

 

Class A Common Stock (No Par Value)

66,003,58882,039,917 shares outstanding as of July 31May 1, 20172018

 

6,598,3776,729,035 shares outstanding as of July 31May 1, 20201178

 

 

 

 

INDEX

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

    

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

Financial StatementsCondensed consolidated balance sheets (Unaudited) – March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017

3

 
    
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheetsstatements of operations (Unaudited) -  June 30,– three-months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2016

35

    
 

Condensed consolidated statementsstatement of operationsstockholders' equity (Unaudited) - three months and six months–  three-months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016March 31, 2018

56

    
 

Condensed consolidated statementstatements of stockholders' equitycash flows (Unaudited) - six months ended June 30,– three months-ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

67

    

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (Unaudited) - six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

7

 

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (Unaudited)

8

    

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

22

21
    

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

30

27
    

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

30

27
    

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 
    

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

31

27
    

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

31

27 

Item 5.

Other Information

32

    

Item 6.

Exhibits

33

29
    

SIGNATURES

 30

34

 


 

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.       Financial Statements

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Assets:

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

 $443,425  $462,399 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,656 and $4,606, respectively

  168,186   171,230 

Current portion of program broadcast rights, net

  9,750   14,656 

Prepaid income taxes

  22,251   13,791 

Prepaid and other current assets

  6,001   4,681 

Total current assets

  649,613   666,757 
         

Property and equipment, net

  343,178   350,658 

Broadcast licenses

  1,530,703   1,530,703 

Goodwill

  611,100   611,100 

Other intangible assets, net

  68,348   73,784 

Investment in broadcasting and technology companies

  16,599   16,599 

Other

  13,171   11,256 

Total assets

 $3,232,712  $3,260,857 

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Assets:

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

 $42,360  $325,189 

Accounts receivable trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,615 and $3,163, respectively

  169,846   146,811 

FCC spectrum auction proceeds receivable

  90,824   - 

Current portion of program broadcast rights, net

  4,999   13,735 

Prepaid taxes

  15,631   14,641 

Prepaid and other current assets

  5,712   5,109 

Total current assets

  329,372   505,485 
         

Property and equipment, net

  346,495   326,093 

Broadcast licenses

  1,522,532   1,340,305 

Goodwill

  610,494   485,318 

Other intangible assets, net

  78,364   56,250 

Deferred tax asset

  31,975   30,826 

Investments in broadcasting and technology companies

  16,599   16,599 

Other

  33,991   22,455 

Total assets

 $2,969,822  $2,783,331 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for share data)

 

 

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

 $2,736  $5,257  $3,068  $7,840 

Employee compensation and benefits

  23,246   31,367   21,295   30,144 

Accrued interest

  26,536   32,453   23,164   26,624 

Accrued network programming fees

  15,912   14,982   14,851   20,317 

Other accrued expenses

  9,599   13,802   7,651   11,970 

Federal and state income taxes

  4,496   2,916   9,457   8,753 

Current portion of program broadcast obligations

  5,562   13,924   10,221   15,236 

Deferred revenue

  4,731   4,706   4,506   4,004 

Current portion of long-term debt

  6,417   -   6,417   6,417 

Total current liabilities

  99,235   119,407   100,630   131,305 
                

Long-term debt

  1,832,197   1,756,747 

Long-term debt, less current portion and deferred financing costs

  1,830,411   1,831,011 

Program broadcast obligations, less current portion

  4,123   4,995   3,822   4,277 

Deferred income taxes

  427,612   373,837   267,396   261,690 

Accrued pension costs

  33,176   34,047   37,578   37,838 

Other

  1,424   1,437   1,836   1,839 

Total liabilities

  2,397,767   2,290,470   2,241,673   2,267,960 
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

                
                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, no par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 71,538,575 shares and 71,229,497 shares, respectively

  659,647   658,135 

Class A common stock, no par value; authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued 8,349,069 shares and 8,073,993 shares, respectively

  23,039   21,764 

Accumulated deficit

  (19,192)  (101,365)

Common stock, no par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 89,316,360 shares and 88,788,664 shares, respectively, and outstanding 82,039,917 shares and 83,253,588 shares, respectively

  904,170   902,518 

Class A common stock, no par value; authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued 8,569,149 shares and 8,349,069 shares, respectively, and outstanding 6,729,035 shares and 6,598,377 shares, respectively

  25,149   24,644 

Retained earnings

  181,639   161,694 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax benefit

  (17,645)  (17,645)  (22,165)  (22,165)
  645,849   560,889   1,088,793   1,066,691 

Treasury stock at cost, common stock, 5,535,076 shares and 5,135,406 shares, respectively

  (49,562)  (44,688)

Treasury stock at cost, Class A common stock, 1,750,692 shares and 1,669,131 shares, respectively

  (24,232)  (23,340)

Treasury stock at cost, common stock, 7,276,443 shares and 5,535,076 shares, respectively

  (72,270)  (49,562)

Treasury stock at cost, Class A common stock, 1,840,114 shares and 1,750,692 shares, respectively

  (25,484)  (24,232)

Total stockholders’ equity

  572,055   492,861   991,039   992,897 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $2,969,822  $2,783,331  $3,232,712  $3,260,857 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except for net income per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 
                        

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $226,681  $196,633  $430,142  $370,356  $226,258  $203,461 

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net:

                

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net:

        

Broadcast

  133,545   117,335   267,016   225,903   149,654   133,556 

Corporate and administrative

  8,409   8,524   16,118   24,202   8,260   7,710 

Depreciation

  12,841   11,617   25,470   22,743   13,694   12,629 

Amortization of intangible assets

  6,657   4,242   12,224   8,130   5,436   5,567 

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

  (77,326)  1,228   (76,799)  (420)

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

  (821)  527 

Operating expenses

  84,126   142,946   244,029   280,558   176,223   159,989 

Operating income

  142,555   53,687   186,113   89,798   50,035   43,472 

Other income (expense):

                        

Miscellaneous income, net

  1   141   8   710   560   93 

Interest expense

  (23,791)  (24,269)  (46,982)  (45,544)  (24,250)  (23,191)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  (311)  -   (2,851)  -   -   (2,540)

Income before income taxes

  118,454   29,559   136,288   44,964   26,345   17,834 

Income tax expense

  47,893   11,897   55,222   18,312   6,400   7,329 

Net income

 $70,561  $17,662  $81,066  $26,652  $19,945  $10,505 
                        

Basic per share information:

                        

Net income

 $0.98  $0.25  $1.13  $0.37  $0.22  $0.15 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  71,821   71,878   71,849   71,835 

Weighted average shares outstanding

  89,058   71,877 
                        

Diluted per share information:

                        

Net income

 $0.97  $0.24  $1.12  $0.37  $0.22  $0.14 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  72,501   72,748   72,510   72,665 

Weighted average shares outstanding

  89,576   72,519 
                        

Dividends declared per common share

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except for number of shares)

 

                                      

Accumulated

     
  

Class A

              

Class A

  

Common

  

Other

     
  

Common Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Accumulated

  

Treasury Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Comprehensive

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Deficit

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Loss

  

Total

 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2016

  8,073,993  $21,764   71,229,497  $658,135  $(101,365)  (1,669,131) $(23,340)  (5,135,406) $(44,688) $(17,645) $492,861 
                                             

Adoption of ASU 2016-09 excess tax benefit for stock-based compensation

  -   -   -   -   1,107   -   -   -   -   -   1,107 
                                             

Net income

  -   -   -   -   81,066   -   -   -   -   -   81,066 
                                             

Issuance of common stock:

                                            

401(k) plan

  -   -   1,135   15   -   -   -   -   -   -   15 

2007 Long Term Incentive Plan - restricted stock

  198,220   -   307,943   -   -   (81,561)  (892)  (77,632)  (874)  -   (1,766)

2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan - restricted stock

  76,856   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
                                             

Repurchase of common stock

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (322,038)  (4,000)      (4,000)
                                             

Share-based compensation

  -   1,275   -   1,497   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,772 
                                             

Balance at June 30, 2017

  8,349,069  $23,039   71,538,575  $659,647  $(19,192)  (1,750,692) $(24,232)  (5,535,076) $(49,562) $(17,645) $572,055 
                                      

Accumulated

     
  

Class A

              

Class A

  

Common

  

Other

     
  

Common Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Retained

  

Treasury Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Comprehensive

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Earnings

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Loss

  

Total

 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2017

  8,349,069  $24,644   88,788,664  $902,518  $161,694   (1,750,692) $(24,232)  (5,535,076) $(49,562) $(22,165) $992,897 
                                             

Net income

  -   -   -   -   19,945   -   -   -   -   -   19,945 
                                             

Issuance of common stock:

                                            

2017 Equity and Incentive

                                            

Compensation Plan:

                                            

Restricted stock awards

  220,080   -   318,196   -   -   (89,422)  (1,252)  (107,456)  (1,757)  -   (3,009)

Restricted stock unit awards

  -   -   209,500   -   -   -   -   (82,201)  (1,344)  -   (1,344)
                                             

Repurchase of common stock

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (1,551,710)  (19,607)  -   (19,607)
                                             

Share-based compensation

  -   505   -   1,652   -   -   -   -   -   -   2,157 
                                             
                                             

Balance at March 31, 2018

  8,569,149  $25,149   89,316,360  $904,170  $181,639   (1,840,114) $(25,484)  (7,276,443) $(72,270) $(22,165) $991,039 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 (in thousands)

GRAY TELEVISION, INC. 

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 

 (in thousands) 

 

 

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 

Operating activities

                

Net income

 $81,066  $26,652  $19,945  $10,505 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Depreciation

  25,470   22,743   13,694   12,629 

Amortization of intangible assets

  12,224   8,130   5,436   5,567 

Amortization of deferred loan costs

  2,309   2,267   1,157   1,151 

Net amortization of original issue discount and premium related to long-term debt

  (305)  (432)

Accretion of original issue discount and premium related to long-term debt, net

  (153)  (153)

Amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards

  2,772   2,556   2,157   1,338 

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  2,851   - 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

  10,235   9,209   5,346   5,222 

Payments on program broadcast obligations

  (10,393)  (9,130)  (5,474)  (5,119)

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan

  15   14 

Deferred income taxes

  53,732   17,315   5,706   7,329 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

  (76,799)  (420)

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

  (821)  527 

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  -   2,540 

Other

  (964)  731   (194)  (761)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable trade

  (22,360)  (6,152)

Prepaid taxes

  (990)  - 

Prepaid and other current assets

  (507)  (12,474)

Accounts receivable

  3,044   (9,873)

Prepaid income taxes

  (8,460)  (339)

Other current assets

  (1,328)  (1,911)

Accounts payable

  (2,920)  (1,381)  (4,772)  (1,847)

Employee compensation, benefits and pension cost

  (8,517)  (5,718)  (8,850)  (10,840)

Other current liabilities

  (3,438)  (9,724)

Accrued network fees and other expenses

  (9,773)  (7,555)

Accrued interest

  (5,917)  1,309   (3,460)  (7,758)

Income taxes payable

  1,580   (20)  704   48 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  59,144   45,475 

Deferred revenue

  503   (1,183)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  14,407   (483)
                

Investing activities

                

Acquisitions of television businesses and licenses

  (386,438)  (427,448)  -   (277,907)

Proceeds from sale of television station

  -   11,200 

Purchases of property and equipment

  (10,415)  (13,475)  (6,280)  (3,977)

Proceeds from asset sales

  126   1,910   41   50 

Acquisition prepayments and other

  (16,490)  (20,624)

Proceeds from FCC Repack (Note 1)

  937   - 

Acquisition prepayments

  (2,500)  (8,525)

Other

  (15)  (3,034)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (413,217)  (448,437)  (7,817)  (293,393)
                

Financing activities

                

Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt

  641,438   925,000   -   556,438 

Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt

  (559,433)  (425,000)  (1,604)  (557,829)

Payments for the repurchase of common stock

  (4,000)  -   (19,607)  - 

Deferred and other loan costs

  (4,994)  (16,559)  -   (4,614)

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

  (1,767)  (1,452)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  71,244   481,989 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

  (282,829)  79,027 

Payment for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

  (4,353)  (1,767)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (25,564)  (7,772)

Net decrease in cash

  (18,974)  (301,648)

Cash at beginning of period

  325,189   97,318   462,399   325,189 

Cash at end of period

 $42,360  $176,345  $443,425  $23,541 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

1.

1.      Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Gray Television, Inc. (and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as the context otherwise provides,“Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) as of December 31, 2016, 2017, which was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016, 2017, and our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and for the periods ended June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and 2016,2017, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our operations consist of one reportable segment. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “20162017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”10-K”). Our financial condition as of, and operating results for the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the financial condition or results that may be expected for any future interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2017.2018.

 

Overview

 

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and/orand operates over 100 television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, we owned and/orand operated television stations in 57 television markets broadcasting over 200 separate programming streams, including 104over 100 channels affiliated with the CBS Network (“CBS”), the NBC Network (“NBC”), the ABC Network (“ABC”) and the FOX Network (“FOX”). As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, our station group reached approximately 10.6%10.4% of total United States television households.

 

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when we have completed a specified service and effectively transferred the control of that service to a customer in return for an amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to receive. The amount of revenue recognized is determined by the amount of consideration specified in a contract with our customers. We have elected to exclude taxes assessed by a governmental authority on transactions with our customers from our revenue. Any unremitted balance is included in current liabilities on our balance sheet.

Cyclicality and Seasonality

 

Broadcast advertising revenues are generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. Broadcast advertising revenues are also typically higher in even-numbered years due to increased spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups in advanceduring the “on-year” of elections.the two year election cycle. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter. In addition, the broadcast of Olympic Games by our NBC affiliated stations during even-numbered years generally leads to increased viewership and revenue during those years.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.related notes. Our actual experience and accordingly, our results could differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates we make relate to our allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of program broadcast rights and intangible assets, pension costs, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment and contingencies.

 

Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”)

We consolidate a VIE when we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, in determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.


On January 17, 2017, we acquired two television stations that were divested by Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. upon its merger with Media General, Inc. (“Media General”): WBAY-TV (ABC), in the Green Bay, Wisconsin television market, and KWQC-TV (NBC), in the Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois, and Moline, Illinois or “Quad Cities” television market, for an adjusted purchase price of $269.9 million (the “Media General Acquisition”) using cash on hand. The Media General Acquisition was completed, in part, through a transaction with Gray Midwest EAT, LLC (“GME”), pursuant to which we loaned GME $106.0 million that GME in turn used to acquire the broadcast licenses of the stations. This loan agreement was subsequently amended whereby the principal was increased from $106.0 million to $149.8 million. On May 30, 2017, we exercised an option to acquire the licenses held by GME, assuming $59.0 million of GME’s debt and pledging the $90.8 million of proceeds receivable from the FCC’s recently completed reverse auction for broadcast spectrum (the “FCC Spectrum Auction”). That pledge was satisfied on August 7, 2017, upon receipt of the auction proceeds from the FCC.

We believe we were the primary beneficiary of GME at June 30, 2017, because, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we had the power to direct the activities that significantly impact the economic performance of GME through the services we provide, and our obligation to absorb losses and earn returns that would be considered significant to GME. As a result, we included the assets, liabilities and results of operations of GME in our consolidated financial statements beginning January 17, 2017 and continuing through August 7, 2017, the date that we were no longer deemed to be the primary beneficiary of GME.

The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of GME included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):

 

  

June 30,

 
  

2017

 

Assets:

    

Current assets:

    

Auction proceeds receivable

 $90,824 

Total assets

 $90,824 
     

Liabilities:

    

Current liabilities:

    

Note payable

 $90,824 

Total liabilities

 $90,824 

A receivable of $90.8 million, representing the amount owed us by GME and a note payable of $90.8 million representing our loan to GME, as of June 30, 2017, were eliminated in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

 

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of our common shares and Class A common shares outstanding during the relevant period. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding does not include restricted shares. These shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered contingently returnable until the restrictions lapse and, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not included in the basic earnings per share calculation until the shares vest. Diluted earnings per share is computed by including all potentially dilutive common shares, including restricted shares and shares underlying stock options, in the denominator of the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 


The following table reconciles basic weighted-average shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 respectively (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 
                        

Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic

  71,821   71,878   71,849   71,835   89,058   71,877 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted shares

  680   870   661   830 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted stock

  518   642 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted

  72,501   72,748   72,510   72,665   89,576   72,519 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016 2017, consist of adjustments to our pension liability and the related income tax benefit.effect. Our comprehensive income for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 consisted entirely of net income. Therefore, a consolidated statement of comprehensive income is not presented. presented for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

 

PropertyProperty and EquipmentEquipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method. The following table lists the components of property and equipment by major category (dollars in thousands):

          

Estimated

 
  

March 31,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

             

Land

 $51,946  $50,458      

Buildings and improvements

  156,973   156,924   7to40 

Equipment

  516,251   511,878   3to20 
   725,170   719,260      

Accumulated depreciation

  (381,992)  (368,602)     

Total property and equipment, net

 $343,178  $350,658      

Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to operations as incurred; major replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost of any assets divested, sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts at the time of disposition, and any resulting profit or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period.

In April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) began a process of reallocating the broadcast spectrum (the “Repack”). Specifically, the FCC is requiring certain television stations to change channels and/or modify their transmission facilities. The legislation authorizing the Repack provides the FCC with a $1.7 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license that are reassigned to new channels. Twenty-six months ended June 30, 2017, of our total propertycurrent full power stations and equipment balance, before accumulated depreciation, increased approximately $36.5 million primarily as a resultfive of our low power stations are affected by the Repack. We expect to receive reimbursements for the majority of our expenses related to the Repack of our full power stations. However, we cannot predict whether the fund will be sufficient to reimburse all of our expenses.


The following tables provide additional information related to (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and purchases of property and equipment acquiredincluded in connection with recent acquisitionsour condensed consolidated statements of television businesses. The remaining changes in the balances in the six months ended June 30, 2017 were primarily due to routine property and equipment purchases and retirements.

The following table lists the components of property and equipment by major category (dollars incash flows (in thousands):

 

          

Estimated

 
  

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

             

Land

 $50,024  $44,611      

Buildings and improvements

  149,430   139,078  7to40 

Equipment

  500,361   471,798  3to20 
   699,815   655,487      

Accumulated depreciation

  (353,320)  (329,394)     

Total property and equipment, net

 $346,495  $326,093      
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net:

        

Proceeds from sale of assets

 $(41) $(50)

Proceeds from FCC - Repack

  (937)  - 

Net book value of assets disposed

  157   577 

Total

 $(821) $527 
         

Purchase of property and equipment:

        

Recurring purchases - operations

 $4,292  $3,977 

Repack

  1,988   - 

Total

 $6,280  $3,977 

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Our allowance for doubtful accounts is equal to a portion of our receivable balances that are 120 days old or older. We may provide allowances for certain receivable balances that are less than 120 days old when warranted by specific facts and circumstances. We generally write-off accounts receivable balances when the customer files for bankruptcy or when all commonly used methods of collection have been exhausted.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers2016-02Leases (Topic 606)842). ASU 2014-09 provides new2016-02 will supersede Topic 840,Leases, and thus will supersede nearly all existing lease guidance by requiring the reclassification of lease assets and lease liabilities on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customersthe balance sheet and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amountrequiring disclosure of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers.key information about leasing arrangements. The standard is intended to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and provide more useful information through improved financial statement disclosures. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU 2015-14 deferred thewill be effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to interim and annual reporting periodsfor fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and permitted early adoption of the2018. This standard but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either a retrospectiveis expected to each reporting period presented method, or a retrospective with the cumulative effect method to adopt the standard. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This ASU amends the guidance of ASU 2014-09 to clarify the identification of performance obligations and to provide additional licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. This ASU was issued to provide guidance in assessing collectibility, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition, in order to reduce the potential for diversity in practice at initial application, and to reduce the cost and complexity of applying the standard. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Technical Corrections and Improvements. This ASU was issued to clarify the standard and to correct unintended application of guidance. We have completed our internal evaluation of the standard and determined that the adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our balance sheets and statements of operations. We have determinedsheets. Specifically, we expect that, once adopted, we will utilize record a right of use asset and lease obligation liability. As of December 31, 2017, the modified retrospective method to implement the standard.values of those assets and related liabilities were each approximately $17.6 million. We are also evaluating our footnote disclosures and expect that this standard’s most significant impact will be expanded disclosuresdisclosure requirements. We are continuing to review our contractual obligations related to deferred revenue from customer pre-payments. We will continue tothis standard, and develop theseour disclosures, and the related tasks of gathering data to be disclosed, assessing our internal controls and availing ourselves of broadcasting industry related guidance.

 

In January 2016, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04,IntangiblesGoodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of simplifying how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. After adoption of the standard, the annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made a determination as to whether to early-adopt this standard. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.


In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02,Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”). Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the TCJA, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made a determination as to whether to early-adopt this standard. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

Adoption of Accounting Standards and Reclassifications

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, 2016-01Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-012016-01 amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP regarding the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The new standard significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The standardASU 2016-01 requires equity investments previously measured at cost to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, equity investments without a readily determinable fair value may be measured using a prescribed measurement alternative that reflects current fair value with changes in the current fair value recognized in net income and includes a qualitative evaluation of impairment. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No.2018-03Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2018-03 clarifies certain aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-01. ASU 2018-03 is effective for fiscal yearsinterim periods beginning after DecemberJune 15, 2017, including2018 but can be adopted early. We adopted the amendments in both updates concurrently beginning in the first quarter of 2018. We currently have equity investments in the television broadcasting industry that do not have readily determinable fair values. We have applied the measurement alternative as defined in the amendments. These investments are reported together as a non-current asset on our balance sheet. We evaluate these investments on an interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect thatbasis for impairment. Accordingly, the adoption of this standard willdid not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In February 2016, March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 will supersede Topic 840,2017-07, Leases, and thus will supersede nearly all existing lease guidance by requiring the reclassification of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We have preliminarily determined that the adoption of this standard will not have a material effect on our statements of operations. However, this standard is expected to have a material effect on our balance sheets. Specifically, we expect that, once adopted, we will record a right of use asset and lease obligation liability. As of December 31, 2016, the values of those assets and related liabilities were each approximately $13.2 million. We are also evaluating our footnote disclosure requirements. We will continue to review our contractual obligations related to this standard, to develop our disclosures, assessing our internal controls and availing ourselves of broadcasting industry related guidance.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of addressing eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. One or more of these eight issues are applicable to our financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of clarifying the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of simplifying how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made that determination. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)715) - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-072017-07 amends the guidance of U.S. GAAP with the intent of improving the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by prescribing where the amount of net benefit cost should be presented in an employer’s income statement and requiring the disclosure by line item of the amount of net benefit cost that is included in the income statement or capitalized in assets. TheWe adopted this standard is effective for fiscalbeginning in the first quarter of 2018. Because our defined benefit pension plans were frozen in prior years, beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We do we have not expect that incurred any service cost in our condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017. Upon the adoption of this standard will have a material impact onwe reclassified our financial statements.net pension expense (benefit), from our operating expenses to our miscellaneous income, net. The amount was not material.

 

AdoptionIn addition to the reclassification of Accounting Standards and Reclassifications

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. ASU 2015-17 requires a “noncurrent” presentation of all deferred income taxes. As required by our adoption of this standard, the affected amounts have been reclassified onpension expense (benefit) in our balance sheets for all periods presented.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 amended the guidance in U.S. GAAP with the intent of simplifying several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards, and classification on thecondensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Our adoption of this standard included an adjustment to record the impact on our deferred asset related to the net federal and state income tax deductions for grants, and subsequent vesting, of restricted stock in excess of our book basis expense. Accordingly, we have recorded adjustments to increase our deferred tax asset and our accumulated deficit,operations as of January 1, 2017, by approximately $1.1 million. Beginning in 2017, we began recording similar net excess or deficit tax deductions as current tax benefit or expense and as reductions in the related income tax prepaid or payable, or deferred tax assets.

Certaindescribed above, certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have also been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

2.

 AcquisitionsRevenue

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standard: ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

On January 13, 2017, 1, 2018, we acquired KTVF-TV (NBC)adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, KXDF-TV (CBS), as amended. We adopted this ASC using the modified retrospective method and KFXF-TV (FOX)as a result, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be presented as prescribed by the accounting standards in effect during the Fairbanks, Alaska television market (DMA 202), from Tanana Valley Television Company and Tanana Valley Holdings, LLC for $8.0 million (the “Fairbanks Acquisition”), using cashperiods presented. This transition method was applied to all open contracts with customers at the time of adoption. The adoption of this ASC did not result in an impact on hand.

As described above, on January 17, 2017, we completed the Media General Acquisition, for an adjusted purchase price of $269.9 million using cash on hand.our current or historical results.

 


 

On May 1, 2017, we acquired WDTV-TV (CBS) and WVFX-TV (FOX/CW) in the Clarksburg-Weston, West Virginia television market (DMA 169) from Withers Broadcasting CompanyDisaggregation of West Virginia (the “Clarksburg Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $26.5 million. On June 1, 2016, we began operating the stations, subject to the control of the seller, under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”) that terminated upon completion of the acquisition.Revenue

 

On May 1, 2017, we acquired WABI-TV (CBS/CW) in the Bangor, Maine television market (DMA 156)The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of service and WCJB-TV (ABC/CW) in the Gainesville, Florida television market (DMA 161) from Community Broadcasting Service and Diversified Broadcasting, Inc. (collectively, the “Diversified Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $85.0 million. On April 1, 2017, we began operating these stations, subject to the control of the seller, under an LMA that terminated upon completion of the acquisition.

We refer to the seven stations acquired (excluding the stations acquired in the Clarksburg Acquisition) during the first six-months of 2017 and the stations we commenced operating under an LMA during that period as the “2017 Acquisitions.” We refer to the 13 stations acquired in 2016, and that we retained in those acquisitions, including the stations in the Clarksburg Acquisition that we commenced operating under an LMA on June 1, 2016, as the “2016 Acquisitions.” The preliminary fair value estimates of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill of the 2017 Acquisitions and the Clarksburg Acquisition are summarized as followssales channel (in thousands):

 

  

Acquisition

     
  

Fairbanks

  

Media General

  

Clarksburg

  

Diversified

  

Total

 
                     

Current assets

 $122  $666  $462  $361  $1,611 

Property and equipment

  2,650   20,471   4,133   12,329   39,583 

Goodwill

  471   85,997   3,222   35,486   125,176 

Broadcast licenses

  2,228   149,846   17,003   26,219   195,296 

Other intangible assets

  2,702   13,398   2,234   11,051   29,385 

Other non-current assets

  71   282   51   27   431 

Current liabilities

  (140)  (695)  (554)  (423)  (1,812)

Other long-term liabilities

  (84)  -   (51)  (50)  (185)
                     

Total

 $8,020  $269,965  $26,500  $85,000  $389,485 
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Market and service type:

        

Advertising:

        

Local

 $105,469  $102,597 

National

  24,512   24,814 

Political

  5,775   1,321 

Total advertising

  135,756   128,732 

Retransmission consent

  85,551   67,573 

Other

  4,951   7,156 

Total revenue

 $226,258  $203,461 
         

Sales Channel:

        

Direct

 $133,422  $114,522 

Advertising agency intermediary

  92,836   88,939 

Total revenue

 $226,258  $203,461 

 

AmountsAdvertising Revenue

Broadcast advertising revenue is generated primarily from the broadcast of television advertising time to local, national and political advertisers. Most advertising contracts are short-term, and generally run only for a few weeks. Our performance obligation is satisfied when the advertisement is broadcast or appears on our stations’ websites or mobile applications. Advertising revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied and then billed to the customer in the table aboveperiod the revenue is recognized. We have an unconditional right to receive payment of the amount billed generally within 30 days of the invoice date. Payment terms are expressly stated in our standard terms and conditions. The invoiced amount to be received is recorded in accounts receivable on our balance sheet.

We broadcast the customer’s advertisement either preceding or following a television station’s network programming and within local and syndicated programming. Broadcast advertising is sold in time increments and is priced primarily on the basis of a program’s popularity among the specific audience an advertiser desires to reach. In addition, broadcast advertising rates are affected by the number of advertisers competing for the available time, the size and demographic makeup of the market served by the station and the availability of alternative advertising media in the market area. Broadcast advertising rates are generally the highest during the most desirable viewing hours, with corresponding reductions during other hours. The ratings of a local station affiliated with a major network can be affected by ratings of network programming. Internet advertising is placed on our stations’ websites and mobile applications. These advertisements may be in the form of banner advertisements, pre-roll advertisements or video and other types of advertisements or sponsorships.

We generate advertising revenue either by the efforts of our direct sales employees or through third party advertising agency intermediaries. Third party advertising intermediaries represent the customer and contract with us to deliver broadcast or internet advertising for the customer.


We record revenue and expense for non-monetary trade transactions involving the exchange of tangible goods or services with our customers. The revenue is recorded at the time the advertisement is broadcast and the expense is recorded at the time the goods or services are used. The revenue and expense associated with these transactions are based upon management’s preliminary estimates of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches. The fair value estimates are based on but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates. 

Property and equipment are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from three years to 40 years.

Other intangible assets represent primarily the estimated fair values of retransmission agreements of $21.5 million, advertising client relationships of $4.1 million and favorable income leases of $2.5 million. These intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of 5.2 years for retransmission agreements, 4.2 years for advertising client relationships and 12.6 years for favorable income leases.

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquiredor services received.

Retransmission Consent Revenue

We enter into license agreements with cable, satellite, multichannel video programming distributors and liabilities assumed,digital delivery system (or “OTT”) customers (collectively “MVPD”) that provide them the right to use our broadcast signal for retransmission across the MVPD system for an agreed period of time. These agreements represent a sales and representsusage based functional intellectual property license based on the future economic benefits expectednumber of subscribers to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualifythe licensee’s delivery systems. Our performance obligation is to provide the licensee with access to our intellectual property when it is broadcast. The duration of the typical retransmission consent contract is three years. Retransmission consent revenue is recognized continuously during the period of the contract as we transmit our broadcast signal to the MVPD. The amount of revenue recognized is determined based upon a fixed rate per subscriber multiplied by the number of active subscribers to our MVPD customer systems for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, as well as future synergies that we expect to generate from each acquisition.the given month. We bill our MVPD customers monthly over the life of the retransmission consent contract. We have preliminarilyan unconditional right to receive payment of the amount billed generally within 30 days from the invoice date. Payment terms are expressly stated in our retransmission consent contracts and standard terms and conditions. The invoiced amount to be received is recorded $125.2in accounts receivable on our balance sheet.

Subscriber data necessary to calculate the amount of retransmission consent revenue to be recognized for the current month is not received until subsequent to that month. We estimate the current month retransmission consent revenue based upon the subscriber data from the most recent subscriber report by the MVDP. We record the estimate in the current month as retransmission consent revenue and then adjust the amount recorded in that month when we receive the actual subscriber data. We typically have monthly adjustments to our revenue to account for changes in MVPD subscribers on a monthly basis, however, the number of MVPD subscribers does not change materially on a monthly basis and this adjustment does not materially impact our recorded retransmission consent revenue on a quarterly or annual basis.

Other Revenues

Other revenues consist of production, tower rental and other miscellaneous items. Production revenue is derived from the production of programming. Production revenue is recognized as the programming is produced. Tower rental income is recognized monthly over the life of the lease. All of our leases under which we are lessor are considered operating leases. Other revenue is comprised of one-time or infrequently occurring special projects, dubbing, fees and other miscellaneous items. Other revenue is recognized as the services are performed. Tower rental income is recognized monthly over the life of the lease. Other revenue is generated by our direct sales employees.

Accounts Receivable and Deposit Liability

When we invoice our customers for completed performance obligations, we are unconditionally entitled to receive payment of the invoiced amounts. Therefore, we record invoiced amounts in accounts receivable on our balance sheet. We generally require amounts payable under advertising contracts with our political advertising customers to be paid for in advance. We record the receipt of this cash as a deposit liability. Once the advertisement has been broadcast, the revenue is earned, and we record the revenue and reduce the balance in this deposit liability account. We recorded $2.9 million of goodwill related torevenue in the three months ended March 31, 2018 that was included in the deposit liability balance as of December 31, 2017. The deposit liability balance is included in deferred revenue on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The deposit liability balance was $4.4 million and $3.8 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Acquisitions. The use of different estimates or assumptions could result in materially different allocations. The goodwill recognized related to these acquisitions is deductible for income tax purposes.respectively.


 

Our consolidated results of operations includePractical Expedients

We expense direct and agency commissions when incurred because our advertising contracts are one year or less in duration and the results of each acquisition from the date of the respective transaction. Revenue and operating income attributable to the 2017 Acquisitions andamortization period for capitalized expenses would be less than one year. Direct commissions are included in broadcast operating expense and agency commissions are netted against gross revenue on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 were $31.8 millionoperations.

The nature of our contracts with advertising customers is such that our performance obligations arise and $15.7 million, respectively. In connectionare satisfied concurrent with the 2017 Acquisitions we incurredbroadcast or web placement of the advertisement. We did not have incomplete or unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of any period presented. We record a total of $1.0 million of transaction related costs duringdeposit liability for cash deposits received from our customers that are to be applied as payment once the six-months ended June 30, 2017, primarily related to legal, consultingperformance obligation arises and other professional fees. Revenue and operating income attributable tois satisfied in the 2016 Acquisitions and included inmanner stated above. These deposits are recorded as deposit liabilities on our consolidated statements of operations for the six-months ended June 30, 2016 were $50.7 million and $19.0 million, respectively.balance sheet.


 

3.

3.Long-term Debt

 

As of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, 2017, long-term debt primarily consisted of obligations under our 2017 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below), our 2014 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below), our 5.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024“2024 Notes”) and our 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026“2026 Notes”), as follows (in thousands):

 

 

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 

Long-term debt including current portion:

        

2014 Senior Credit Facility

 $-  $556,438 

Long-term debt:

        

2017 Senior Credit Facility

  638,443   -  $633,630  $635,234 

2024 Notes

  525,000   525,000   525,000   525,000 

2026 Notes

  700,000   700,000   700,000   700,000 

Total outstanding principal

  1,863,443   1,781,438 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2014 Senior Credit Facility

  -   (12,158)

Total outstanding principal, including current portion

  1,858,630   1,860,234 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2017 Senior Credit Facility

  (13,047)  -   (11,148)  (11,777)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2024 Notes

  (7,243)  (7,742)  (6,494)  (6,743)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2026 Notes

  (10,031)  (10,588)  (9,194)  (9,473)

Unamortized premium - 2026 Notes

  5,492   5,797   5,034   5,187 

Long-term debt, less deferred financing costs

  1,836,828   1,837,428 

Less current portion

  (6,417)  -   (6,417)  (6,417)

Net carrying value

 $1,832,197  $1,756,747 

Long-term debt, less current portion and deferred financing costs

 $1,830,411  $1,831,011 
                

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $60,000 

Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $100,000 

 

On February 7, 2017, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2017 Senior Credit Facility”), consisting of a $556.4 million term loan facility (the “2017 Initial Term Loan”) and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). Amounts outstanding under the 2017 Initial Term Loan were used to repay amounts outstanding under our prior credit agreement (the “2014 Senior Credit Facility”). On April 3, 2017, we borrowed $85.0 million under an incremental term loan (the “2017 Incremental Term Loan” and, together with the 2017 Initial Term Loan, the “2017 Term Loan”) under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility to fund the Diversified Acquisition. As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, the 2017 Senior Credit Facility provided total commitments of $738.4$733.6 million, consisting of the $638.4a $633.6 million term loan facility (the 2017 Term LoanLoan”) and the $100.0a $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility. Our quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan are $1.6 million.

Prior to the entry into the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, the 2014 Senior Credit Facility consisted of a revolving loan and a term loan. Excluding accrued interest, the amount outstanding under our 2014 Senior Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 consisted solely of a term loan balance of $556.4 million. As of December 31, 2016, the interest rate on the balances outstanding under the 2014 Senior Credit Facility were 3.9%Facility”).

 

The For all of our interest bearing obligations, we made interest payments of approximately $26.7 million and $29.9 million during the three-months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We did not capitalize any interest payments during the three-months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

Borrowings under the 2017 Term Loan borrowings bear interest, at our option, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Base Rate (as defined below), in each case, plus an applicable margin. Until our results of operations for the quarter ending September 30, 2017 have been certified,Currently, the applicable margin is 2.50%2.25% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.50%1.25% for all Base Rate borrowings (the “Initial Applicable Margin”). Thereafter, (i) if theborrowings. The applicable margin is determined quarterly based on our leverage ratio as set forth in the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (the “Leverage Ratio”). If our Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 5.25 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be is 2.25% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for all Base Rate borrowings, and (ii) if the Leverage Ratio is greater than 5.25 to 1.00, the Initial Applicable Margin will apply.applicable margin is 2.5% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.5% for all Base Rate borrowings. As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan was 3.6%3.9%.

 


 

Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility currently bear interest, at our option, based onat either LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00% or the Base Rate plus 0.50% to 1.00%, in each case based on a first lien leverage ratio test as set forth in the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (the “First Lien Leverage Ratio”). Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate, (ii) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%. We are required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility, which rate may range from 0.375% to 0.50% on an annual basis, based on the First Lien Leverage Ratio.

The 2017 Revolving Credit Facility matures on February 7, 2022, and the 2017 Term Loan matures on February 7, 2024.

 As a result of entering into the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.9 million in the six-months ended June 30, 2017, and we incurred approximately $5.0 million in deferred financing costs that will be amortized over the life of the 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $525.0 million of 2024 Notes outstanding. The interest rate and yield on the 2024 Notes were 5.125%. The 2024 Notes mature on October 15, 2024. Interest is payable semiannually, on April 15 and October 15 of each year.

On June 14, 2016, we completed the private placement of $500.0 million of our 2026 Notes (the “Original 2026 Notes”), at par. On September 14, 2016, we completed the private placement of an additional $200.0 million of our 2026 Notes (the “Additional 2026 Notes”). The Additional 2026 Notes were issued at a price of 103.0%, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $206.0 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including June 14, 2016. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $700.0 million of 2026 Notes outstanding. The interest rate and yield on the Original 2026 Notes were each 5.875%. The interest rate and yield on the Additional 2026 Notes were 5.875% and 5.398%, respectively. The Additional 2026 Notes are an additional issuance of, rank equally with and form a single series with the Original 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes mature on July 15, 2026. Interest is payable semiannually, on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

Collateral, Covenants and Restrictions

 

Our obligations under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our and our consolidated subsidiaries' assets, excluding real estate. In addition, substantially all of our subsidiaries are joint and several guarantors of, and our ownership interests in those subsidiaries are pledged to collateralize, our obligations under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Gray Television, Inc. is a holding company, with and has no material independent assets or operations. For all applicable periods, the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several, senior unsecured basis, by substantially all of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries. Any subsidiaries of Gray Television, Inc. that do not gurantee guarantee the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are minor. As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, there were no significant restrictions on the ability of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries to distribute cash to Gray or to the guarantor subsidaries.subsidiaries.

 

The 2017 Senior Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants with which we must comply, including: (a) limitations on additional indebtedness;indebtedness, (b) limitations on liens;liens, (c) limitations on the sale of assets;assets, (d) limitations on guarantees;guarantees, (e) limitations on investments and acquisitions;acquisitions, (f) limitations on the payment of dividends and share repurchases;repurchases, (g) limitations on mergers;mergers and (h) maintenance of a first lien leverage ratio not to exceed certain maximum limitsthe First Lien Leverage Ratio while any amount is outstanding under the revolving credit facility, as well as other customary covenants for credit facilities of this type. The 2026 Notes and 2024 Notes include covenants with which we must comply which are typical for borrowing transactions of their nature. As of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, 2017, we were in compliance with all required covenants under all our debt obligations.

 

 

Maturities

Aggregate minimum principal maturities on long-term debt as of June 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

  

Minimum Principal Maturities

 

Year

 

2017 Senior

Credit Facility

  

2024 Notes

  

2026 Notes

  

Total

 

2017

 $3,208  $-  $-  $3,208 

2018

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2019

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2020

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2021

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

Thereafter

  609,567   525,000   700,000   1,834,567 

Total

 $638,443  $525,000  $700,000  $1,863,443 

4.

4.      Fair Value Measurement

 

For purposes of determining a fair value measurement, we utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized into a hierarchy that gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“Level 1”) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that require assumptions to measure fair value (“Level 3”). Level 2 inputs are those that are other than quoted prices on national exchanges included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly (“Level 2”).

 

Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values

We have equity investments in privately held broadcasting and technology companies for which there is no readily determinable fair value. As such, we have elected the measurement alternative to measure our equity investments as provided by ASC Topic 321. The measurement alternative is intended to reflect current fair value by taking the cost basis of each investment and subtracting impairment, if any, while adding or subtracting changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

The carrying amount of our equity investments without readily determinable fair values was $16.6 million as of each of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There were no impairment charges or changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer for the period ended March 31, 2018.


Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

 

The estimated fair value of other financial instruments is determined using market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Interpreting market data to develop fair value estimates involves considerable judgment. The use of different market assumptions or methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange, or the value that ultimately will be realized upon maturity or disposition.

 

The carrying amounts of the following instruments approximate fair value due to their short term to maturity: (i) accounts receivable, (ii) prepaid and other current assets, (iii) accounts payable, (iv) accrued employee compensation and benefits, (v) accrued interest, (vi) other accrued expenses, (vii) acquisition-related liabilities and (viii) deferred revenue.

 

The net carrying amount of our long-term debt was $1.8$1.8 billion and $1.8$1.8 billion, respectively, and the fair value was $1.9$1.8 billion and $1.8$1.9 billion, respectively, as of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016. 2017. Fair value of our long-term debt is based on observable estimates provided by third-partythird party financial professionals as of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016 2017, and as such is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

5.      Stockholders’ Equity

 

5.

 Stockholders’ Equity

We areAs of March 31, 2018, we were authorized to issue 135135.0 million shares in total of all classes of stock consisting of which 15100.0 million shares are designatedof common stock, 15.0 million shares of Class A common stock 100and 20.0 million shares are designated common stock, and 20 million shares are designated “blank check”of preferred stock, for which our Board of Directorsboard has the authority to determine the rights, powers, limitations and restrictions. On May 7, 2018, we filed an amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of shares of common stock and Class A common stock authorized for issuance thereunder to 200.0 million shares and 25.0 million shares, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding 82.0 million shares of common stock and 6.7 million shares of Class A common stock. No shares of preferred stock were outstanding. The rights of our common stock and Class A common stock are identical, except that our Class A common stock has 10 votes per share and our common stock has one vote per share.share on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. Our common stock and Class A common stock are entitled to receive cash dividends if declared, on an equal per-share basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017, and 2016, we did not declare or pay any common stock or Class A common stock dividends.

 


In each of March and November 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock and Class A common stock. In March 2006, this authorization was increased to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares (the “2004-2006“2004-2006 Repurchase Authorization”). As of DecemberMarch 31, 2016, 2018, 279,200 shares remain available for repurchase under this authorization, which has no expiration date. On November 6, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to purchase up to an additional $75.0$75.0 million of our outstanding common stock prior to December 31, 2019 (the “2016(the “2016 Repurchase Authorization”).

 

The 2016 Repurchase Authorization prohibits the Company from purchasing shares directly from the Company’s officers, directors, or the Gray Television, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan (401K plan)(the “401(k) plan”). During the three-monthsthree-months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization, we purchased 322,0381,551,710 shares of our common stock at an average purchase price, including related brokerage commissions, of $12.39$12.64 per share, orfor a total cost of $4.0$19.6 million. As of June 30, 2017, $69.0March 31, 2018, $49.5 million remains available to purchase shares of our common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization.

 

The extent to which the Company repurchases any of its shares, the number of shares and the timing of any repurchases will depend on general market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other considerations. The Company is not required to repurchase a minimum number of shares, and the repurchase authorizations may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

 


Under our various employee benefit plans, we may, at our discretion, issue authorized and unissued shares, or previously issued shares held in treasury, of our Class A common stock or Class A common stock. As of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, we had reserved 6,044,7467,104,769 shares and 1,923,144 shares of our common stock and Class A common stock, respectively, for future issuance under various employee benefit plans. As of December 31, 2016, we had reserved 5,449,148 shares and 257,5811,703,064 shares of our common stock and Class A common stock, respectively, for future issuance under various employee benefit plans.

 

6.

      Retirement Plans

 

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension plansplan for the three-month three-months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 respectively (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

2018

  

2017

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

         

Service cost

 $-  $-  $-  $- 

Interest cost

  1,528   1,185   2,335   2,369  $1,106  $807 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1,848)  (1,298)  (2,824)  (2,595)  (1,536)  (976)

Loss amortization

  158   153   242   306   169   84 

Net periodic cost

 $(162) $40  $(247) $80 

Net periodic benefit cost

 $(261) $(85)

 

The components of net periodic pension cost as stated above are included in miscellaneous income in our income statement. During the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, we contributed $0.6 milliondid not make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plans.plan. During the remainder of 2017,2018, we expect to contribute an additional $1.7$2.0 million to these plans.this plan.

 

During the three and six-month periods-months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, we contributed $1.8$1.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively, in matching contributions and $4.1 million of discretionary profit-sharing contributions to our defined contribution plan, the Gray Television, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan.401(k) plan. During the remainder of 2017,2018, we estimate that ourexpect to contribute $5.4 million of matching contributions will be approximately $3.2 million to this plan, excluding discretionary profit-sharing contributions.plan.

 

 

7.

 Share-based7.      Stock-based Compensation

 

We recognize compensation expense for share-based payment awards made to our employees, consultants and directors, including stock options and restricted shares awarded underdirectors. Our current stock-based compensation plans include our 2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2017“2017 EICP”); our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007“2007 Incentive Plan”); and our Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan. Currently, there are no outstanding share awards under our Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan. The following table provides information on our share-basedstock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit for the three-months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 respectively (in thousands):.

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Share-based compensation expense, gross

 $1,434  $1,270  $2,772  $2,556 

Income tax benefit at our statutory rate associated with share-based compensation

  (559)  (495)  (1,081)  (997)

Share-based compensation expense, net

 $875  $775  $1,691  $1,559 
  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Stock-based compensation expense, gross

 $2,157  $1,337 

Income tax benefit at our statutory rate associated with stock-based compensation

  (548)  (521)

Stock-based compensation expense, net

 $1,609  $816 

 

The 2017 EICP provides and, until May 2, 2017, the 2007 Incentive Plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and performance awards to acquireAll shares of ourcommon stock and Class A common stock or commonunderlying outstanding options, restricted stock or otherunits and performance awards based on our performance, to our employees, consultantsare counted as issued at target levels under the 2017 EICP, the 2007 Incentive Plan and non-employee directors.the Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan for purposes of determining the number of shares available for future issuance.


 

During the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, we granted:granted under the 2017 EICP:

 

 

110,040 shares of restricted Class A common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $12.65 to an employee, of which 36,680 shares will vest on each of February 28, 2019, 2020 and 2021;

110,040 shares of restricted Class A common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $12.65 to an employee, subject to the achievement of certain performance measures, which will vest on February 28, 2021; and

318,196 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $15.25 to certain employees, of which 153,406 shares will vest on February 28, 2019, 82,394 shares will vest on February 28, 2020, and 82,396 shares will vest on February 28, 2021.

During the three-months ended March 31, 2017, we granted under the 2007 Incentive Plan:

307,943 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees, of which 102,648 shares vested on January 31, 2018; 102,648 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2018 2019; and 2019; and 102,647 shares will vest on January 31, 2020.2020; and

 

198,220 shares of restricted Class A common stock to an employee, of which 66,073 shares vested on January 31, 2018 and 66,073 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2018 2019; and 2019, and 66,074 shares will vest on January 31, 2020.

76,856 shares of restricted Class A common stock to our non-employee directors, all of which will vest on January 31, 2018.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, we granted:

218,452 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees, of which 72,816 shares vested on January 31, 2017; 72,816 shares will vest on January 31, 2018; and 72,820 shares will vest on January 31, 2019.

166,677 shares of restricted Class A common stock to an employee, of which 55,559 shares vested on January 31, 2017 and 55,559 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2018 and 2019.

19,048 shares of restricted common stock and 51,935 shares of restricted Class A common stock to certain non-employee directors, all of which vested on January 31, 2017.


 

A summary of restricted common stock and Class A common stock activityactivities for the six-month periodsthree-months ended June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and 20162017, respectively, is as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

June 30, 2017

  

June 30, 2016

  

March 31, 2018

  

March 31, 2017

 
     

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

 
     

average

      

average

      

Average

      

Average

 
     

Grant Date

      

Grant Date

  

Number

  

Grant Date

  

Number

  

Grant Date

 
 

Number of

  

Fair Value

  

Number of

  

Fair Value

  

of

  

Fair Value

  

of

  

Fair Value

 
 

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

 

Restricted stock - common:

                

Restricted common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  396,033  $12.06   337,506  $9.57   503,685  $11.14   396,033  $12.06 

Granted

  307,943  $10.40   237,500  $12.88   318,196  $15.25   307,943  $10.40 

Vested

  (200,291) $11.82   (178,973) $8.46   (225,570) $11.21   (200,291) $11.82 

Outstanding - end of period

  503,685  $11.14   396,033  $12.06   596,311  $13.31   503,685  $11.14 
                                

Restricted stock - Class A common:

                

Restricted stock - beginning of period

  415,082  $10.15   374,693  $9.46 

Restricted Class A common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  462,632  $10.63   415,082  $10.15 

Granted(1)

  275,076  $10.84   218,612  $11.25   220,080  $12.65   198,220  $10.60 

Vested

  (227,526) $10.00   (178,223) $10.04   (274,926) $10.48   (227,526) $10.00 

Restricted stock - end of period

  462,632  $10.63   415,082  $10.15 

Outstanding - end of period

  407,786  $11.82   385,776  $10.47 
                

Restricted stock units - common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  209,500  $15.70         

Granted

  -  $-         

Vested

  (209,500) $15.70         

Forfeited

  -  $-         

Outstanding - end of period

  -  $-         

(1)     For awards subject to future performance conditions, amounts assume target performance.

 

At June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, 2017, we had 274,746 options to acquire our common stock outstanding, all of which were vested and exercisable. The exercise price of all outstanding stock options is $1.99$1.99 per share. As of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, 2017, we did not have any options outstanding for our Class A common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding stock options was $3.2$2.9 million based on the closing market price of our common stock on June 30, 2017.

March 31, 2018.

 

8.


8.       Commitments and Contingencies

 

From time to time, we are or may become subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of our business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to known actions, will not materially affect our financial position. However, the outcome of any one or more matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and the unfavorable resolution of any matter could have a material adverse effect on us.

9.

 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, we acquired and disposedPlease refer to Note 11 “Subsequent Event” for further discussion of various television broadcast stations and broadcast licenses. See Note 1 “Basis of Presentation” and Note 2 “Acquisitions and Dispositions” for more information regarding these transactions. As a result of these transactions, our goodwill and other intangible asset balances changed. A summary of changes inobligation related to our goodwill and other intangible assets, on a net basis, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):pending acquisition.

  

Net Balance at

December 31,

                  

Net Balance at

June 30,

 
  

2016

  

Additions

  

Dispositions

  

Impairments

  

Amortization

  

2017

 
                         

Goodwill

 $485,318  $125,176  $-  $-  $-  $610,494 

Broadcast licenses

  1,340,305   195,332   (13,105)  -   -   1,522,532 

Finite-lived intangible assets

  56,250   34,338   -   -   (12,224)  78,364 

Total intangible assets net of accumulated amortization

 $1,881,873  $354,846  $(13,105) $-  $(12,224) $2,211,390 

 

 

9.      Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

As of June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, 2017, our intangible assets and related accumulated amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

As of March 31, 2018

  

As of December 31, 2017

 
 

As of June 30, 2017

  

As of December 31, 2016

      

Accumulated

          

Accumulated

     
 

Gross

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

 

Intangible assets not currently subject to amortization:

                                                

Broadcast licenses

 $1,576,231  $(53,699) $1,522,532  $1,394,004  $(53,699) $1,340,305  $1,584,402  $(53,699) $1,530,703  $1,584,402  $(53,699) $1,530,703 

Goodwill

  610,494   -   610,494   485,318   -   485,318   611,100   -   611,100   611,100   -   611,100 
 $2,186,725  $(53,699) $2,133,026  $1,879,322  $(53,699) $1,825,623  $2,195,502  $(53,699) $2,141,803  $2,195,502  $(53,699) $2,141,803 
                                                

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                                                

Network affiliation agreements

 $6,216  $(2,341) $3,875  $1,264  $(1,264) $-  $6,134  $(4,196) $1,938   6,134  $(3,551) $2,583 

Other definite lived intangible assets

  135,096   (60,607)  74,489   105,792   (49,542)  56,250 

Other finite-lived intangible assets

  143,446   (77,036)  66,410   143,446   (72,245)  71,201 
 $141,312  $(62,948) $78,364  $107,056  $(50,806) $56,250  $149,580  $(81,232) $68,348  $149,580  $(75,796) $73,784 
                                                

Total intangibles

 $2,328,037  $(116,647) $2,211,390  $1,986,378  $(104,505) $1,881,873  $2,345,082  $(134,931) $2,210,151  $2,345,082  $(129,495) $2,215,587 

 

Amortization expense for the six-monthsthree-months ended June 30, 2017 March 31, 2018 and 20162017 was $12.2$5.4 million and $8.1$5.6 million, respectively. Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, we expect that amortization expense for the succeeding five yearsremainder of 2018 will be approximately $9.7 million, and, for the succeeding five years, amortization expense will be approximately as follows: 2018, $16.42019,$15.4 million; 2019, $13.82020,$12.4 million; 2020, $10.82021,$8.3 million; 2021, $7.12022,$4.8 million; and 2022, $4.92023,$2.9 million. If and when acquisitions orand dispositions occur in the future, actual amounts may vary from these estimates.

 

Impairment of goodwill and broadcast licenseslicenses

 

Our intangible assets are primarily comprised of broadcast licenses. There were no triggering events that required a test of our goodwill or intangible assets for impairment during the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, March 31, 2018 or 2017.

 


10.

     Income Taxes

 

For the three-month three-months ended March 31, 2018 and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017, and 2016, our income tax expense and effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2018

  

2017

 

Income tax expense

 $47,893  $11,897  $55,222  $18,312  $6,400  $7,329 

Effective income tax rate

  40.4%  40.2%  40.5%  40.7%  24.3%  41.1%

 

We estimate our differences between taxable income or loss and recorded income or loss on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each quarter is based upon these full year projections, which are revised each reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits to adjust our statutory Federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2018 and 35.0% in 2017 to our effective income tax rate. For the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, 2017, March 31, 2018, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0%21.0% to our effective income tax rate of 40.5%24.3% as follows: state income taxes added 4.3%4.7%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.3%0.8%, and a discrete share-based compensation adjustmentadjustments resulted in a reduction 0.1%of 2.2%. For the six-month periodthree-months ended June 30, 2016, March 31, 2017, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 40.7%41.1% as follows: state income taxes added 4.4% and, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.2%,1.9% and discrete share-based compensation adjustments added 0.5%, while adjustments to our reserve for uncertain tax positions resulted in a reduction of 0.4%0.2%.

11.     Subsequent Event

Pending Acquisition

On May 1, 2018, we entered into an agreement to acquire KDLT-TV (NBC), a television station serving the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 110), for $32.5 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. We expect that this transaction will close in the second or third quarter of 2018, using cash on hand.

 



11.

 Subsequent Events

On August 1, 2017, we acquired WCAX-TV (CBS) in the Burlington, Vermont – Plattsburgh, New York television markets (DMA 97) from Mt. Mansfield Television, Inc., for $29.0 million in cash (the “Vermont Acquisition”). On June 1, 2017, we advanced $23.2 million of the purchase price to the seller and began to operate the station under an LMA, subject to the control of the seller. At closing, we paid the remaining $5.8 million of the purchase price through the use of cash on hand and the LMA was terminated.

The preliminary fair value estimates of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill of the Vermont Acquisition are summarized as follows (in thousands):

  

Total

 
     

Property and equipment

 $10,500 

Goodwill

   750 

Broadcast licenses

   14,250 

Other intangible assets

   3,500 
     

Total

 $29,000 

 


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Executive Overview

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Gray Television, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (except as the context otherwise provides, “Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,”“our”) isshould be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein, as well as with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the “2017 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC.

Business Overview

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and/orand operates over 100 television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we owned and/orand operated television stations in 57 television markets broadcasting over 200 separate programming streams, including 104over 100 affiliates of the CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX networks.

In addition to a primary broadcast channel, each of our stations can also broadcast additional secondary digital channels within a market by utilizing the same bandwidth, but with different programming from the primary channel. In addition to affiliations with ABC, CBS and FOX, our secondary channels are affiliated with numerous smaller networks and program services including, among others, the CBS Network (“CBS”)CW, MY, MeTV, This TV, Ant., the NBC Network (“NBC”), the ABC Network (“ABC”)Telemundo, Cozi, Heroes and the FOX Network (“FOX”). AsIcons and MOVIES! Networks. Certain of June 30, 2017, our secondary digital channels are affiliated with more than one network simultaneously. We also broadcast local news/weather channels in some markets. Our combined TV station group reachedreaches approximately 10.6%10.4% of total United States television households.

 

The following analysisBased on the consolidated results of the financial conditionfour Nielsen “sweeps” periods in 2017, our television stations achieved the #1 ranking in overall audience in 42 of our 57 markets and resultsthe #1 ranking in local news audience in 38 of operations our markets. In addition, our stations achieved the #1 or #2 ranking in both overall audience and news audience in all 57of Gray Television, Inc.our 57 markets.

Acquisitions

Over the last several years, the television broadcasting industry has been characterized by a high level of acquisition activity. We continue to believe that there are a number of television stations, and its consolidated subsidiaries should be reada few station groups, that have attractive operating profiles and characteristics, and that share our commitment to local news coverage in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statementsthe communities in which they operate and related notes contained in this reportto creating high-quality and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-Klocally-driven content. On a highly selective basis, we may pursue opportunities for the fiscal year endedacquisition of additional television stations or station groups that fit our strategic and operational objectives, and where we believe that we can improve revenue, efficiencies and cash flow through active management and cost controls. As we consider potential acquisitions, we primarily evaluate potential station audience and revenue shares and the extent to which the acquisition target would positively impact our existing station operations. Consistent with this strategy, from October 31, 2013 through December 31, 2017, we completed 23 acquisition transactions and three divestiture transactions. These transactions added a net total of 51 television stations in 31 television markets, including 26 new television markets, to our operations including eight stations acquired in 2017 (excluding certain television stations we began operating in 2016, (the “2016 Form 10-K”and subsequently acquired in 2017, in the Clarksburg, West Virginia market, the “2017 Acquisitions”).

 

Recent AcquisitionsRevenues, Operations, Cyclicality and Seasonality

Our operating revenues are derived primarily from broadcast and internet advertising and retransmission consent fees and, to a lesser extent, from other sources such as production of commercials, tower rentals and management fees.

 

On January 13, 2017, we acquired KTVF-TV (NBC), KXDF-TV (CBS), and KFXF-TV (FOX) in the Fairbanks, Alaska television market (DMA 202) for $8.0 million (the “Fairbanks Acquisition”).

On January 17, 2017, we acquired WBAY-TV (ABC), in the Green Bay, Wisconsin television market (DMA 68), and KWQC-TV (NBC), in the Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois, and Moline, Illinois or “Quad Cities” television market (DMA 101) (collectively, the “Media General Acquisition”), for $269.9 million.

On May 1, 2017, we acquired WDTV-TV (CBS) and WVFX-TV (FOX/CW) in the Clarksburg-Weston, West Virginia television market (DMA 169) from Withers Broadcasting Company of West Virginia (the “Clarksburg Acquisition”) for $26.5 million. On June 1, 2016, we began operating these stations, subject to the control of the seller, under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”) that terminated upon completion of the acquisition.

On May 1, 2017, we acquired WABI-TV (CBS/CW) in the Bangor, Maine television market (DMA 156) and WCJB-TV (ABC/CW) in the Gainesville, Florida television market (DMA 161) from Community Broadcasting Service and Diversified Broadcasting, Inc. (collectively, the “Diversified Acquisition”) for $85.0 million. On April 1, 2017, we began operating these stations, subject to the control of the seller, under an LMA that terminated upon completion of the acquisition.

On May 4, 2017, we announced that we have entered into an agreement to acquire WCAX-TV (CBS) in the Burlington, Vermont – Plattsburgh, New York television market (DMA 97) from Mt. Mansfield Television, Inc., (the “Vermont Acquisition”) for $29.0 million. On June 1, 2017, we began operating this station under an LMA, subject to the control of the seller. On August 1, 2017, we completed this acquisition through the use of cash on hand and the LMA was terminated.

We refer to the seven stations acquired (excluding the stations acquired in the Clarksburg Acquisition) during the first six months of 2017 and the stations we commenced operating under an LMA during that period as the “2017 Acquisitions.” We refer to the 13 stations acquired in 2016, and that we retained in those acquisitions, including the stations in the Clarksburg Acquisition that we commenced operating under an LMA on June 1, 2016, as the “2016 Acquisitions.”

For additional information regarding our recent acquisitions, see Note 1 “Basis of Presentation” and Note 2 “Acquisitions.”


 

Recent Financing TransactionsBroadcast advertising is sold for placement either preceding or following a television station’s network programming and within local and syndicated programming. Broadcast advertising is sold in time increments and is priced primarily on the basis of a program’s popularity among the specific audience an advertiser desires to reach, as measured by Nielsen. In addition, broadcast advertising rates are affected by the number of advertisers competing for the available time, the size and demographic makeup of the market served by the station and the availability of alternative advertising media in the market area. Broadcast advertising rates are generally the highest during the most desirable viewing hours, with corresponding reductions during other hours. The ratings of a local station affiliated with a major network can be affected by ratings of network programming. Most advertising contracts are short-term, and generally run only for a few weeks.

 

On February 7,We also sell internet advertising on our stations’ websites. These advertisements may be sold as banner advertisements, pre-roll advertisements or video and other types of advertisements or sponsorships.

Our broadcast and internet advertising revenues are affected by several factors that we consider to be seasonal in nature. These factors include:

Spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups increases during the even-numbered “on-year” of the two-year election cycle. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter of such years;

Broadcast advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases in advertising in the spring and in the period leading up to and including the holiday season;

Local and national advertising revenue on our NBC-affiliated stations increases in even numbered years as a result of broadcasts of the Olympic Games; and

Because our stations and markets are not evenly divided among the Big 4 broadcast networks, our local and national advertising revenue can fluctuate between years related to which network broadcasts the Super Bowl.

Automotive advertisers have traditionally accounted for a significant portion of our revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we entered into the 2017 Senior Credit Facility consisting of a $556.4 million term loan facility (the “2017 Initial Term Loan”)derived approximately 24% and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). Amounts outstanding under the 2017 Initial Term Loan were used to repay amounts outstanding under our prior term loan.

On April 3, 2017, we borrowed $85.0 million under an incremental term loan (the “2017 Incremental Term Loan” and, together with the 2017 Initial Term Loan, the “2017 Term Loan”) under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility to fund the Diversified Acquisition. Our quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan are $1.6 million.

Cyclicality, Seasonality and Advertising Concentrations

Broadcast stations like ours rely on advertising revenue, and, as a result, they are sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy. Our political advertising revenue is generally not as significantly affected by economic slowdowns or recessions as our non-political advertising revenue.

Broadcast advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the Christmas holiday season. Broadcast advertising revenue is also typically higher in even-numbered years due to spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups during the “on year” of the two-year political advertising cycle. This political advertising spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter. In addition, the broadcast of Olympic Games by our NBC-affiliated stations during even-numbered years generally leads to increased viewership and revenue during those years.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, excluding political advertising revenue, our largest advertising customer category was automotive. For each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, we earned approximately 25% and 23%, respectively, of our total broadcast advertising revenue excludingfrom customers in the automotive industry. Strong demand for our advertising inventory from political advertisers can require significant use of available inventory, which in turn can lower our advertising revenue from automotive customers. Our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected ifour non-political advertising revenue categories in the even numbered “on-year” of the two year election cycle. These temporary declines are expected to reverse themselves in the following “off-year” of the two year election cycle.

While our total revenues have increased in recent years as a result of our acquisitions, they have also experienced a gradual improvement as a result of improvements in general economic conditions. However, revenue remains under pressure from automotive customers werethe internet as a competitor for advertising spending. We continue to decrease significantly.enhance and market our internet websites in an effort to generate additional revenue. Our businessaggregate internet revenue is derived from both advertising and sponsorship opportunities directly on our websites.

Our primary broadcasting operating results could also be materially adversely affected if revenue decreased from one or more other significant advertising categories,expenses are employee compensation, related benefits and programming costs. In addition, the broadcasting operations incur overhead expenses, such as maintenance, supplies, insurance, rent and utilities. A large portion of the medical, restaurant, communications, furnitureoperating expenses of our broadcasting operations is fixed. We continue to monitor our operating expenses and appliances, entertainment, or financial service industries.seek opportunities to reduce them where possible.

Please see our “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections below for further discussion of our operating results.

 


 

Revenue

Set forth below are the principal types of revenue, less agency commissions, earned by us for the periods indicated and the percentage contribution of each type of revenue to our total revenue (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

  
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2018

   

2017

  
     

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

 
 

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

 

Revenue:

                                                  

Local (including internet/ digital/mobile)

 $117,917   52.0%  $104,727   53.3%  $220,514   51.3%  $194,081   52.4% 

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

 $105,469   46.6%  $102,597   50.4% 

National

  30,981   13.7%   26,070   13.3%   55,795   13.0%   48,149   13.0%   24,512   10.8%   24,814   12.2% 

Political

  3,708   1.6%   9,649   4.9%   5,029   1.2%   19,304   5.2%   5,775   2.6%   1,321   0.6% 

Retransmission consent

  69,371   30.6%   50,549   25.7

%

   136,944   31.8%   97,818   26.4%   85,551   37.8%   67,573   33.2% 

Other

  4,704   2.1%   5,638   2.8%   11,860   2.7%   11,004   3.0%   4,951   2.2%   7,156   3.6% 

Total

 $226,681   100.0%  $196,633   100.0%  $430,142   100.0%  $370,356   100.0%  $226,258   100.0%  $203,461   100.0% 

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Three-Months Ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (“the 2018 three-month period”)Compared to Three Three-Months Ended June 30, 2016March 31, 2017(“the 2017 three-month period”)

 

Revenue. Total revenue increased $30.0$22.8 million, or 15%11%, to $226.7$226.3 million in the 2017 three-month period from the 20162018 three-month period. TheWe acquired three television stations between April 1, 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions collectivelyMarch 31, 2018. Collectively, these three television stations accounted for approximately $61.0$9.6 million of the increase in our total revenue in the 20172018 three-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $34.1 million ofIncluding the impact attributable to these three stations, total revenue in the 2016 three-month period. In addition to the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total revenue at our legacy stations increased primarily due to retransmission consent revenue that increased by $9.8$18.0 million. Political advertising revenue at our legacy stations decreased by $6.4increased $4.5 million in the secondfirst quarter of 2017,2018, resulting primarily from 20172018 being the “off-year”“on-year” of the two-year election cycle. Local revenue increased $2.9 million, in part, as a result of revenue from the broadcast of the 2018 Super Bowl on our NBC-affiliated stations of approximately $2.3 million, compared to $0.6 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2017 Super Bowl on our FOX-affiliated stations. In addition, 2018 total revenue from the broadcast of the Winter Olympic Games on our NBC-affiliated stations was approximately $5.5 million.

 

Broadcast Expenses Expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $16.2$16.1 million, or 14%12%, to $133.5$149.7 million in the 2018 three-month period. The three television stations that we acquired between April 1, 2017 three-month period due primarily to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, whichMarch 31, 2018 collectively accounted for approximately $32.4$6.6 million of the increase in broadcast expenses in the 2017 three-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $20.9 million of our broadcast expenses in the 2016 three-month period. In addition tooperating expenses. Including the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions,attributable to these three stations, non-compensation expense at our legacy stations increased $5.6$13.1 million primarily as a result of a $5.3$9.4 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increased retransmission consent revenue. Compensation expense increased $2.9 million. Non-cash stock based compensation expenses were $0.4$1.2 million in the 2018 three-month period and $0.3 million in the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, respectively.period.

 

Corporate and Administrative Expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) decreased slightly by $0.1increased $0.6 million, or 1%7%, to $8.4$8.3 million, due primarily as a resultto increases of decreases$0.3 million in incentiveprofessional fees and compensation expense.expense increases of $0.3 million during the 2018 three-month period. We recorded corporate non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.1$0.9 million andin the 2018 three-month period compared to $1.0 million in the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, respectively.period.

 

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $12.8$13.7 million and $11.6$12.6 million for the 20172018 three-month period and the 20162017 three-month period, respectively. Depreciation increased primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets acquired as a part ofin connection with the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions.

 


 

AmortizationAmortiza.tion. Amortization of intangible assets increased $2.4totaled $5.4 million or 57%, to $6.7and $5.6 million infor the 2018 three-month period and the 2017 three-month period, respectively. Amortization expense decreased primarily due to the finite-lived intangible assets acquired in connection with the 2017 Acquisitions now being fully amortized.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.1 million to $24.3 million for the 2018 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. Amortization increased primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions.

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net. We reported a gain on disposal of assets of $77.3 million in the 2017 three-month period and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.2 million in the 2016 three-month period. On June 1, 2017 we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrum related to our participation in the FCC’s broadcast spectrum auction. Our proceeds from this auction were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed was $13.1 million.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $0.5 million, or 2%, to $23.8 million for the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. This decreaseincrease was attributable to the net effect of an increase in the average borrowings outstanding, offset by a decrease in our average interest rates. The average interest raterates on our total outstanding debt balance waswere 5.0% and 4.9% and 5.7% during the 20172018 three-month period and the 20162017 three-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $1.9 billion and $1.5$1.8 billion during the 2018 and 2017 three-month period and the 2016 three-month period, respectively, with the increase primarily attributable to the borrowings to finance the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions.periods.

 

Loss from Early Extinguishment of Debt. In the first quarter of 2017, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.5 million, related to the amendment and restatement of our senior credit facility.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $47.9$6.4 million and $11.9$7.3 million in the 20172018 three-month period and the 20162017 three-month period, respectively. For the 20172018 three-month period and the 20162017 three-month period, our effective income tax rates were 40.4%rate was 24.3% and 40.2%41.1%, respectively. We estimate our differences between taxable income or loss and recorded income or loss on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim periodquarter is based upon these full year projections thatwhich are revised each reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. For the 20172018 three-month period, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0%21.0% to our effective income tax rate of 40.4%24.3% as follows: state income taxes added 4.2% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.2%.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

Revenue. Total revenue increased $59.8 million, or 16%, to $430.1 million in the 2017 six-month period compared to the 2016 six-month period. The 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions collectively accounted for approximately $108.5 million of total revenue in the 2017 six-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $50.7 million of total revenue in the 2016 six-month period. In addition to the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total revenue at our legacy stations increased primarily due to retransmission consent revenue that increased by $18.9 million. Political advertising revenue at our legacy stations decreased by $14.7 million in the first six months of 2017, resulting primarily from 2017 being the “off-year” of the two-year election cycle.

Excluding the revenue contributed by the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, local and national advertising revenue declined, in part, as a result of the impact of the broadcast of the 2017 Super Bowl on our FOX-affiliated stations generating approximately $0.6 million of local and national advertising revenue, compared to $1.6 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2016 Super Bowl on our CBS-affiliated stations. 

Broadcast Expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) increased $41.1 million, or 18%, to $267.0 million in the 2017 six-month period due primarily to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, which accounted for approximately $60.2 million of broadcast expenses in the 2017 six-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $31.7 million of our broadcast expenses in the 2016 six-month period. In addition to the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, non-compensation expense at our legacy stations increased $12.5 million primarily as a result of a $10.4 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increased retransmission consent revenue, and $2.9 million of professional fees. Non-cash stock based compensation expenses were $0.7 million and $0.6 million in the 2017 and 2016 six-month periods, respectively.


Corporate and Administrative Expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) decreased $8.1 million, or 33%, to $16.1 million in the 2017 six-month period compared to the 2016 six-month period primarily as a result of decreases of $7.7 million in professional fees related to acquisitions and to decreases of $1.0 million in incentive compensation expenses. We recorded corporate non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million and $1.9 million in the 2017 and 2016 six-month periods, respectively.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $25.5 million and $22.7 million for the 2017 six-month period and the 2016 six-month period, respectively. Depreciation increased primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions.

Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets increased $4.1 million, or 50%, to $12.2 million in the 2017 six-month period compared to the 2016 six-month period. Amortization expense increased primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions.

Gain on disposals of assets, net. We reported gains on disposals of assets of $76.8 million in the 2017 six-month period and $0.4 million in the 2016 six-month period. On June 1, 2017, we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrum related to our participation in the FCC’s broadcast spectrum auction. Our proceeds from this auction were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed was $13.1 million.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 3%, to $47.0 million for the 2017 six-month period compared to the 2016 six-month period. This was attributable to the net effect of an increase in the average borrowings outstanding offset by a decrease in our average interest rates. The average interest rate on our total outstanding debt balance was 4.9% and 5.6% during the 2017 six-month period and the 2016 six-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion during the 2017 six-month period and the 2016 six-month period, respectively, with the increase primarily attributable to the borrowings to finance the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions.

Loss from Early Extinguishment of Debt. In the 2017 six-month period, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.9 million, as a result of entering into our 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $55.2 million and $18.3 million in the 2017 six-month period and the 2016 six-month period, respectively. For the 2017 six-month period and the 2016 six-month period, our effective income tax rate was 40.5% and 40.7%, respectively. The primary reason for the increase in our income tax expense was the increase in our pre-tax income in the 2017 six-month period compared to the 2016 six-month period. We estimate our differences between taxable income or loss and recorded income or loss on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim period is based upon these full year projections that are revised each reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. For the 2017 six-month period, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 40.5% as follows: state income taxes added 4.3%4.7%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.3%0.8%, and a discrete share-based compensation adjustment resulted in a reduction of 0.1%2.2%.

 


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

 

The following table presents data that we believe is helpful in evaluating our liquidity and capital resources (in thousands).

 

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $59,144  $45,475 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (413,217)  (448,437)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  71,244   481,989 

Increase (decrease) in cash

 $(282,829) $79,027 
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 $14,407  $(483)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (7,817)  (293,393)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (25,564)  (7,772)

Net decrease in cash

 $(18,974) $(301,648)

 

 

As of

 
 

As of

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

June 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

  

2018

  

2017

 

Cash

 $42,360  $325,189  $443,425  $462,399 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 $1,838,614  $1,756,747 

Long-term debt, less deferred financing costs

 $1,836,828  $1,837,428 

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $60,000  $100,000  $100,000 

 

Our 2017 Senior Credit Facility consists of the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility and the 2017 Term Loan. Excluding accrued interest, the amount outstanding under our 2017 Senior Credit Facility as of June 30, 2017 and the 2014 Senior Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 consisted solely of a term loan totaling $638.4 million and $556.4 million, respectively. On April 3, 2017, we borrowed $85.0 million under the 2017 Incremental Term Loan. Our maximum borrowing availability under our 2017 Revolving Credit Facility is limited by our required compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio covenant.

As of June 30, 2017, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility was 3.6%. As of December 31, 2016, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2014 Senior Credit Facility was 3.9%.

2017 Term Loan borrowings bear interest, at our option, of either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or the Base Rate (as defined below) plus an applicable margin. Until our results of operations for the quarter ending September 30, 2017 have been certified, the applicable margin will be 2.50% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.50% for all Base Rate borrowings (the “Initial Applicable Margin”). Thereafter, (i) if the leverage ratio as set forth in the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (the “Leverage Ratio”) is less than or equal to 5.25 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 2.25% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for all Base Rate borrowings and (ii) if the Leverage Ratio is greater than 5.25 to 1.00, the Initial Applicable Margin will apply.

Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, based on LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00% or the Base Rate plus 0.50% to 1.00%, in each case based on a first lien leverage ratio test as set forth in the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (the “First Lien Leverage Ratio”). Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate, (ii) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%. We are required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility, which rate may range from 0.375% to 0.50% on an annual basis, based on the First Lien Leverage Ratio.

The 2017 Revolving Credit Facility matures on February 7, 2022, and the 2017 Term Loan matures on February 7, 2024.

 As a result of the amendment and restatement of our prior senior credit facility in the form of the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.9 million in the first six months of 2017, and we incurred approximately $5.0 million in deferred financing costs that will be amortized over the life of the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Our quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan are $1.6 million.


As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $525.0 million of 2024 Notes outstanding. The interest rate and yield on the 2024 Notes were 5.125%. The 2024 Notes mature on October 15, 2024. Interest is payable semiannually, on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2017.

On June 14, 2016, we completed the private placement of $500.0 million of our 2026 Notes (the “Original 2026 Notes”), at par. On September 14, 2016, we completed the private placement of an additional $200.0 million of our 2026 Notes (the “Additional 2026 Notes”). The Additional 2026 Notes were issued at a price of 103.0%, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $206.0 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including June 14, 2016. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $700.0 million of 2026 Notes outstanding. The interest rate and yield on the Original 2026 Notes were each 5.875%. The interest rate and yield on the Additional 2026 Notes were 5.875% and 5.398%, respectively. The Additional 2026 Notes are an additional issuance of, rank equally with and form a single series with the Original 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes mature on July 15, 2026. Interest is payable semiannually, on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

Our obligations under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our and our consolidated subsidiaries' assets, excluding real estate. In addition, substantially all of our subsidiaries are joint and several guarantors of, and our ownership interests in those subsidiaries are pledged to collateralize, our obligations under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Gray Television, Inc. is a holding company with no material independent assets or operations. For all applicable periods, the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several, senior unsecured basis, by substantially all of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries. Any subsidiaries of Gray Television, Inc. that do not gurantee the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are minor. As of June 30, 2017, there were no significant restrictions on the ability of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries to distribute cash to Gray or to any of the subsidiary guarantors.

The 2017 Senior Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants with which we must comply, including: (a) limitations on additional indebtedness; (b) limitations on liens; (c) limitations on the sale of assets; (d) limitations on guarantees; (e) limitations on investments and acquisitions; (f) limitations on the payment of dividends and share repurchases; (g) limitations on mergers; and (h) maintenance of a first lien leverage ratio not to exceed certain maximum limits while any amount is outstanding under the revolving credit facility, as well as other customary covenants for credit facilities of this type. The 2026 Notes and 2024 Notes include covenants with which we must comply which are typical for borrowing transactions of their nature. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all required covenants under all our debt obligations.

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By (Used In) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $59.1$14.4 million in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period compared to net cash provided byused in operating activities of $45.5$0.5 million in the 2016 six-month2017 three-month period. The increase of $13.7$14.9 million in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period was primarily the result of an increase in net income of $54.4 million; and an increase$9.4 million that was partially offset by a $3.4 million net decrease in non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and deferred taxes and loss on extinguishment of $44.5 million; offsetdebt. Approximately $8.9 million of cash was provided by an increase of $76.4 millionchanges in gain on disposal of assets; and an increase innet working capital accounts of $8.8 million.capital. These changes are primarily due to the impactsimpact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions and the gain on disposal of assets resulting from the FCC Spectrum Auction.Acquisitions.


 

Net cash used in investing activities was $413.2$7.8 million in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period compared to net cash used in investing activities of $448.4$293.4 million for the 2016 six-month2017 three-month period. The decrease was largely due to decreased use ofa decrease in cash used for acquisition activity in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period.

 

Net cash provided byused in financing activities was approximately $71.2$25.6 million in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period compared to net cash provided byused in financing activities of $482.0$7.8 million in the 2016 six-month2017 three-month period. Net cash provided byCash used in financing activities in the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period was primarily due to borrowings of $85.0 million under 2017 Term Loan; reduced by $3.0the $1.6 million of quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan; reduced by $5.0 million of deferred financing costs related to theon our 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Also in the 2017 six-month period weFacility, $19.6 million used $4.0 million to repurchase approximately 1.6 million shares of our common stock and made $1.8$4.4 million of payments for taxes related to net share settlements of equity awards.

 


Liquidity

 

We have $6.4 million in debt principal payments due over the next twelve months. We estimate that we will make approximately $91.1$93.3 million in debt interest payments over the twelve months immediately following June 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.

 

Although our cash flows from operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, we anticipate that our cash on hand, future cash expected to be generated from operations, borrowings from time to time under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (or any such other credit facility as may be in place at the appropriate time) and, potentially, external equity or debt financing, will be sufficient to fund any debt service obligations, estimated capital expenditures and acquisition-related obligations. Any potential equity or debt financing would depend upon, among other things, the costs and availability of such financing at the appropriate time. We also presently believe that our future cash expected to be generated from operations and borrowing availability under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility (or any such other credit facility) will be sufficient to fund our future capital expenditures and long-term debt service obligations until at least February 7, 2024, which is the maturity date of the term loans under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Capital expenditures in the 2018 and 2017 and 2016 six-monththree-month periods were $10.4$6.3 million and $13.5$4.0 million, respectively. We anticipate that our capital expenditures for the remainder of 20172018 will range between approximately $20.0$50.0 million and $24.5$53.0 million.

Results In addition, capital expenditures for Repack during the remainder of FCC Spectrum Auction

As of June 30, 2017, we recorded a $90.82018 are expected to range between approximately $49.0 million receivable resulting from our relinquishment of two licenses in the FCC’s Spectrum Auction. These proceeds were received on August 7, 2017. Due to prior planning in connection with this transaction, and our recently completed acquisitions, we anticipate that we will be able to defer any related income tax payments on a long-term basis.$50.0 million.

 

OtherThe legislation authorizing the Repack provides the FCC with a $1.7 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license that are reassigned to new channels. Twenty-six of our current full power stations and five of our low power stations are affected by the Repack. We expect to receive reimbursements for the majority of our expenses related to the Repack of our full power stations. However, we cannot predict whether the fund will be sufficient to reimburse all of our expenses.

The sufficiency of the FCC’s fund to reimburse for Repack costs is dependent upon a number of factors including the amounts to be reimbursed to other industry participants for repacking costs. Currently, we estimate that our total reimbursable cost for the Repack of our full power stations will be approximately $81.4 million. In addition to the reimbursable costs, we intend to make other changes and improvements to our broadcast equipment and facilities that would not have been economically feasible if we were not also purchasing equipment for the Repack. We refer to these related but non-reimbursable capital expenditures as “Repack Related.” Currently, we estimate that Repack Related capital expenditures will be approximately $26.7 million. We are currently developing our estimate of non-reimbursable Repack Related capital expenditures for our low power stations. The Repack process began in the summer of 2017 and will take approximately three years to complete. We anticipate that the majority of our costs associated with Repack will qualify for capitalization, rather than expense. During the year ended December 31, 2017, our capitalized Repack costs and associated reimbursements were $2.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, the amount receivable from the FCC for Repack was approximately $4.2 million.


 

Pending Acquisition

On May 1, 2018, we entered into an agreement to acquire KDLT-TV (NBC), a television station serving the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 110) for $32.5 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. We expect that this transaction will close in the second or third quarter of 2018, using cash on hand.

Other

We file a consolidated federal income tax return and such state and local tax returns as are required. As a result of our utilization of certain of our net operating loss carryforwards, we have begun, and expect to continue, to pay more significant amounts of income taxes. During the 2017 six-month2018 three-month period, we made income tax payments (net of refunds) of $0.9$8.5 million. During the remainder of 2017,2018, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $1.0$36.0 million. Income tax payments are likely to be higher beginning in 2018, assuming no significant changes to the corporate tax code as currently in effect.

 

During the six-months ended June 30, 2017,2018 three-month period, we contributed $0.6 milliondid not make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plan. During the remainder of 2017,2018, we expect to contribute $1.7$2.0 million to this pension plan.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments and estimations that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider our accounting policies relating to intangible assets and income taxes to be critical policies that require judgments or estimations in their application where variances in those judgments or estimations could make a significant difference to future reported results. These critical accounting policies and estimates are more fully discussed in our 20162017 Form 10-K.

 


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “should” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among other things, statements that describe our expectations regarding our results of operations, general and industry-specific economic conditions, future pension plan contributions, futureincome tax payments and capital expenditures and the timing of receipt of proceeds from the FCC Spectrum Auction are forward-looking statements. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including those regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management, are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results and events may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our 20162017 Form 10-K and as may be described in subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as the other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.


 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

We believe that the market risk of our financial instruments as of June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 has not materially changed since December 31, 2016.2017. Our market risk profile on December 31, 20162017 is disclosed in our 20162017 Form 10-K.

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or furnish under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. No system of controls, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

There were noDuring the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, we implemented changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three-month period ended June 30, 2017 identified in connection with thisthe adoption of ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended. These changes included controls related to the collection of data for the amounts that we disclose in the footnotes to our financial statements. We also implemented changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 – Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. These changes relate to the implementation of procedures to document our identification and evaluation of factors that may identify potential impairment of the value of certain non-current investments. Our evaluation included controls that may have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

Please refer to the information set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our 20162017 Form 10-K for a description of risk factors that we determined to be most material to our financial condition and results of operations. We do not believe there have been any material changes in these risk factors. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we do not currently consider material may also materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations in the future.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock

 

In each of March and November 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock or Class A common stock. In March 2006, this authorization was increased to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares (the “2004-2006 Repurchase Authorization”). As of DecemberMarch 31, 2016,2018, 279,200 shares remain available for repurchase under this authorization, which has no expiration date.

 

On November 6, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to purchase up to an additional $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock prior to December 31, 2019 (the “2016 Repurchase Authorization”).


 

The extent to which the Company repurchases any of its shares, the number of shares and the timing of any repurchases will depend on general market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other considerations. The Company is not required to repurchase a minimum number of shares, and the repurchase authorizations may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

 

The following table summarizes repurchases of our common stock in the three-months ended June 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, all of which were pursuant to the 2016 Repurchase Authorization:

 

Period

 

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased (1)

  

Average

Price Paid

per Share

(2)

  

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

  

Maximum Number of

Shares (or

Approximate Dollar

Value) that May Yet

Be Purchased Under

the Plans or

Programs (3)

 
                 

January 1, 2018 through January 31, 2018:

  -  $-   -  $73,080,585 
                 

February 1, 2018 through February 28, 2018

  -  $-   -  $72,589,193 
                 

March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018

  1,551,710  $12.61   1,551,710  $53,017,169 
                 

Total

  1,551,710  $12.61   1,551,710     

 

Period

 

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased (1)

  

Average

Price Paid

per Share

(2)

  

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

  

Maximum

Number of Shares

(or appoximate

dollar value)

that May Yet Be

Purchased Under

the Plans or

Programs (3)

 
                 

April 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017:

  -  $-   -  $75,962,495 
                 

May 1, 2017 through May 31, 2017:

  299,507  $12.40   299,507  $72,903,165 
                 

June 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017:

  22,531  $12.32   22,531  $72,709,249 
                 

Total

  322,038  $12.39   322,038     

 

 

(1)

All shares purchased were shares of common stock.

 

 

(2)

Amount excludes standard brokerage commissions.

 

 

(3)

The amounts presented at each respective month-end include the aggregate of the remaining dollar value available to purchase our common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization and the weighted average dollar value available for repurchase of our Class A common stock or our common stock, under the 2004-2006 Repurchase Authorization.

 


 

Item 56.    ExhibitsOther Information

 

On August 7, 2017, the BoardThe following exhibits are filed as part of Directors approved the Gray Television, Inc. Executive and Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Plan”). Participants in the Plan are generally selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) and currently include the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”), the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer and Secretary (the latter two together, the “Other Named Executive Officers”), and certain other key employees.this Quarterly Report:

Under the Plan, a participant who, in connection with a change in control of the Company or within 24 months following a change in control, is involuntarily terminated without cause or voluntarily terminates his or her employment for good reason (a “qualifying termination”), would receive: (i) any unpaid base salary and payment for unused vacation under the Company’s vacation policy through the date of termination; (ii) a payment equal to the participant’s target annual cash incentive opportunity for the year in which the termination occurred, pro rated through the date of termination of such year; and (iii) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to a multiple (the “severance multiplier”) of the sum of the participant’s annual base salary on the termination date (or any higher annual base salary that was in effect during the 9-month period immediately prior to the change in control) and the participant’s target annual cash incentive opportunity in effect immediately prior to the change in control. The severance multiplier is 3.0 for the CEO, 2.0 for the Other Named Executive Officers and 1.0 for all other Plan participants. In addition to the foregoing, equity awards of a participant will immediately vest and become exercisable upon a qualifying termination, with performance-based equity award generally vesting at the target level. If the participant elects to continue group health care coverage under COBRA, the participant will also be reimbursed for the portion of the premiums that the Company would have paid if the participant had continued to be an employee of the Company for a period of years equal to the participant’s severance multiplier, or earlier in certain circumstances.

Any payment under the Plan will be in lieu of any other severance or termination payment that may be due or become payable to a participant. In addition, the Plan provides that in the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in the Plan would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the benefits under the Plan will be either delivered in full, or delivered to a lesser extent which would result in no portion of the benefits being subject to such excise tax, whichever is more beneficial to the participant. The Plan does not provide excise tax gross-ups on payments to participants. Payments under the Plan are contingent upon a participant’s execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company and compliance by the terminated participant with the non-solicitation, non-competition and confidentiality covenants in the Plan.


Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 10.1

Number

Description of Document

3.1

First Amendment and Incremental Facility Agreement, dated asRestated Articles of April 3, 2017, by and amongIncorporation of Gray Television, Inc., as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank, Bank of America, N.A. and Royal Bank of Canada, as Syndication Agent, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Documentation Agent and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, RBC Capital Markets and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

Exhibit 10.2

Gray Television, Inc. 2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Planamended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.13.1 to the Company's Registration Statementour Current Report on Form S-88-K filed with the SEC on May 3, 2017)*8, 2018)

Exhibit 10.331.1

Form of Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the Gray Television, Inc. 2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan*

Exhibit 31.1

Rule 13(a) – 14(a) Certificate of Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

Rule 13(a) – 14(a) Certificate of Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 32.2

Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* Management contract or compensatory plan arrangement.


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

 
 (Registrant)
Date: May 8, 2018          By:/s/ James C. Ryan
James C. Ryan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
    

 

30

Date: August 8, 2017     

By:

/s/ James C. Ryan

James C. Ryan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

34