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 September 30, 2017or

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 or

 

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

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)

 

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.)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)Class A common stock (no par value)

GTN.A

New York Stock Exchange

common stock (no par value)

GTN

New York Stock Exchange

 

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 definitionsdefinition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one).

 

Large accelerated filer ☒   

Accelerated filer ☐

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

Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth 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'sissuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicablepractical date.

Common Stock (No Par Value)

 

Class A Common Stock (No Par Value)

66,003,58890,294,783 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2017May 3, 2024

 

6,598,3778,842,764 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2017May 3, 2024

 

1

 

INDEX

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

 

PAGE

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

   

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 
   
 

Condensed consolidatedconsolidated balance sheets (Unaudited)

- September 30, 2017 – March 31, 2024 and December 31, 20162023

3

   
 

Condensed consolidated statements of operations (Unaudited)

- three-months ended March 31, 2024 and nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and  20162023

5

Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) (Unaudited) –  three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

6

   
 

Condensed consolidated statement of stockholders'stockholders' equity (Unaudited)

- nine-months –  three-months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and 2023

 67

   
 

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (Unaudited)

- nine-months – three-months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and 20162023

 78

   
 

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (Unaudited)

- September 30, 2017

 89

   

Item 2.

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

2123

   

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative DisclosuresDisclosures About Market Risk

2829

   

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2829

   

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 
Item 1.Legal Proceedings30
   

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2930

   

Item 2.

5.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Other Information

29

30
   

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

   

SIGNATURES

31

31

 


 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

Item 1.     Financial Statements

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

September 30,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2024

  

2023

 

Assets:

            

Current assets:

         

Cash

 $172,854  $325,189  $134  $21 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,040 and $3,163, respectively

  166,073   146,811 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $16 and $17, respectively

 362  342 

Current portion of program broadcast rights, net

  19,605   13,735  12  18 

Prepaid taxes

  15,953   14,641 

Income tax refunds receivable

 21  21 

Prepaid income taxes

 14  18 

Prepaid and other current assets

  5,116   5,109   58   48 

Total current assets

  379,601   505,485  601  468 
         

Property and equipment, net

  351,961   326,093  1,590  1,601 

Operating lease right of use asset

 71  75 

Broadcast licenses

  1,530,123   1,340,305  5,320  5,320 

Goodwill

  611,100   485,318  2,643  2,643 

Other intangible assets, net

  80,172   56,250  384  415 

Deferred tax asset

  31,963   30,826 

Investments in broadcasting and technology companies

  16,599   16,599 

Investment in broadcasting, production and technology companies

 86  85 

Deferred pension assets

 18  17 

Other

  12,091   22,455   22   16 

Total assets

 $3,013,610  $2,783,331  $10,735  $10,640 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


3

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in millions except for share data)

 

 

September 30,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2024

  

2023

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

            

Current liabilities:

         

Accounts payable

 $3,950  $5,257  $36  $23 

Employee compensation and benefits

  25,532   31,367  77  110 

Accrued interest

  23,076   32,453  93  63 

Accrued network programming fees

  19,157   14,982  39  37 

Other accrued expenses

  9,285   13,802  50  57 

Federal and state income taxes

  4,680   2,916  56  22 

Current portion of program broadcast obligations

  20,236   13,924  12  20 

Deferred revenue

  3,530   4,706  22  23 

Dividends payable

 14  14 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 10  11 

Current portion of long-term debt

  6,417   -   15   15 

Total current liabilities

  115,863   119,407  424  395 
         

Long-term debt

  1,831,610   1,756,747 

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

 6,139  6,145 

Program broadcast obligations, less current portion

  4,771   4,995  1  1 

Deferred income taxes

  437,989   373,837  1,353  1,359 

Accrued pension costs

  33,052   34,047 

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion

 65  69 

Other

  1,422   1,437   53   50 

Total liabilities

  2,424,707   2,290,470   8,035   8,019 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

        

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

       
         

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, no par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 71,538,664 shares and 71,229,497 shares, respectively

  660,377   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

  23,841   21,764 

Accumulated deficit

  (3,876)  (101,365)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax benefit

  (17,645)  (17,645)

Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value; cumulative; redeemable; designated 1,500,000 shares, issued and outstanding 650,000 shares at each date and $650 aggregate liquidation value, at each date

  650   650 
  662,697   560,889  

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)

Total stockholders’ equity

  588,903   492,861 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $3,013,610  $2,783,331 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

Common stock, no par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 110,636,360 shares and 107,179,827 shares, respectively, and outstanding 90,349,144 shares and 87,227,481 shares, respectively

 1,187  1,174 

Class A common stock, no par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 11,237,386 shares and 10,413,993 shares, respectively, and outstanding 8,842,764 shares and 8,162,266 shares, respectively

 52  50 

Retained earnings

 1,151  1,084 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (23)  (23)
 2,367  2,285 

Treasury stock at cost, common stock, 20,287,216 shares and 19,952,346 shares, respectively

 (284) (282)

Treasury stock at cost, Class A common stock, 2,394,622 shares and 2,251,727 shares, respectively

  (33)  (32)

Total stockholders’ equity

  2,050   1,971 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $10,735  $10,640 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


4

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in thousands

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in millions, except for per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2024

  

2023

 
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $218,977  $204,490  $649,119  $574,846  

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

                

Broadcast

  139,430   120,717   406,446   346,620 

Broadcasting

 $799  $779 

Production companies

  24   22 

Total revenue (less agency commissions)

 823  801 

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

 

Broadcasting

 583  555 

Production companies

 21  59 

Corporate and administrative

  8,318   7,223   24,436   31,425  28  26 

Depreciation

  13,085   11,494   38,555   34,237  36  35 

Amortization of intangible assets

  6,460   4,235   18,684   12,365  31  49 

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net

  1,660   354   (75,139)  (66)

Loss on disposal of assets, net

  -   10 

Operating expenses

  168,953   144,023   412,982   424,581   699   734 

Operating income

  50,024   60,467   236,137   150,265  124  67 

Other income (expense):

                 

Miscellaneous income, net

  28   30   36   740 

Miscellaneous income (expense), net

 110  (2)

Interest expense

  (24,207)  (27,926)  (71,189)  (73,470) (115) (104)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  -   (31,987)  (2,851)  (31,987)

Income before income taxes

  25,845   584   162,133   45,548 

Income tax expense

  10,529   797   65,751   19,109 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

  -   (3)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 119  (42)

Income tax expense (benefit)

  31   (11)

Net income (loss)

 $15,316  $(213) $96,382  $26,439  88  (31)

Preferred stock dividends

  13   13 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 $75  $(44)
                 

Basic per share information:

                 

Net income (loss)

 $0.21  $-  $1.34  $0.37 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  71,636   71,879   71,777   71,850 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 $0.80  $(0.48)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

  94   92 
                 

Diluted per share information:

                 

Net income (loss)

 $0.21  $-  $1.33  $0.36 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  72,454   71,879   72,491   72,723 

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 $0.79  $(0.48)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

  95   92 
                 

Dividends declared per common share

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $0.08  $0.08 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


5

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for number of shares)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

                                      

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

  -   -   -   -   96,382   -   -   -   -   -   96,382 
                                             

Issuance of stock:

                                            

401(k) plan

  -   -   1,224   16   -   -   -   -   -   -   16 

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

  -   2,077   -   2,226   -   -   -   -   -   -   4,303 
                                             

Balance at September 30, 2017

  8,349,069  $23,841   71,538,664  $660,377  $(3,876)  (1,750,692) $(24,232)  (5,535,076) $(49,562) $(17,645) $588,903 
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 
         

Net income (loss)

 $88  $(31)
         

Other comprehensive loss:

        

Adjustment - fair value of interest rate caps

  -   (15)

Income tax benefit

  -   (4)

Other comprehensive loss, net

  -   (11)
         

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $88  $(42)

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


6

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 

(in thousands) 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in millions, except for number of shares)

 

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Operating activities

        

Net income

 $96,382  $26,439 

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

        

Depreciation

  38,555   34,237 

Amortization of intangible assets

  18,684   12,365 

Amortization of deferred loan costs

  3,466   3,664 

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

  (458)  (626)

Amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards

  4,303   3,827 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

  15,444   14,026 

Payments on program broadcast obligations

  (15,569)  (13,859)

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan

  16   21 

Deferred income taxes

  64,121   18,335 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

  (75,139)  (66)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  2,851   31,987 

Other

  (1,188)  659 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable trade

  (18,587)  (8,677)

Prepaid taxes

  (1,311)  - 

Prepaid and other current assets

  371   (12,234)

Accounts payable

  (1,774)  728 

Employee compensation, benefits and pension cost

  (6,512)  (5,275)

Other current liabilities

  (1,696)  (3,692)

Income taxes payable

  1,763   719 

Accrued interest

  (9,376)  841 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  114,346   103,419 
         

Investing activities

        

Acquisitions of television businesses and licenses

  (415,438)  (432,220)

Proceeds from sale of television station

  -   11,200 

Proceeds from FCC spectrum auction

  90,824   - 

Purchases of property and equipment

  (21,426)  (33,238)

Proceeds from asset sales

  148   1,925 

Net decrease (increase) in acquisition prepayments and other

  9,558   (17,171)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (336,334)  (469,504)
         

Financing activities

        

Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt

  641,438   1,656,000 

Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt

  (561,037)  (1,100,000)

Payments for the repurchase of common stock

  (4,000)  - 

Tender and redemption premiums for 2020 Notes

  -   (27,502)

Deferred and other loan costs

  (4,981)  (27,881)

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

  (1,767)  (1,452)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  69,653   499,165 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

  (152,335)  133,080 

Cash at beginning of period

  325,189   97,318 

Cash at end of period

 $172,854  $230,398 
                                      

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, 2022

  9,675,139  $45   105,104,057  $1,150  $1,242   (2,130,724) $(31)  (19,636,786) $(278) $(12) $2,116 
                                             

Net loss

  -   -   -   -   (31)  -   -   -   -   -   (31)
                                             

Preferred stock dividends

  -   -   -   -   (13)  -   -   -   -   -   (13)
                                             

Common stock dividends

  -   -   -   -   (7)  -   -   -   -   -   (7)
                                             

Adjustment to fair value of interest rate cap

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (11)  (11)
                                             

Issuance of common stock:

                                            

401(k) Plan

  -   -   819,898   9   -   -   -   -   -   -   9 

2022 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan:

                                            

Restricted stock awards

  25,022   -   12,227   -   -   (92,196)  (1)  (129,636)  (2)  -   (3)

Restricted stock unit awards

  -   -   247,953   -   -   -   -   (80,622)  (1)  -   (1)
                                             

Stock-based compensation

  -   -   -   2   -   -   -   -   -   -   2 
                                             

Balance at March 31, 2023

  9,700,161  $45   106,184,135  $1,161  $1,191   (2,222,920) $(32)  (19,847,044) $(281) $(23) $2,061 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2023

  10,413,993  $50   107,179,827  $1,174  $1,084   (2,251,727) $(32)  (19,952,346) $(282) $(23) $1,971 
                                             

Net income

  -   -   -   -   88   -   -   -   -   -   88 
                                             

Preferred stock dividends

  -   -   -   -   (13)  -   -   -   -   -   (13)
                                             

Common stock dividends

  -   -   -   -   (8)  -   -   -   -   -   (8)
                                             

Adjustment to fair value of interest rate cap

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
                                             

Issuance of common stock:

                                            

401(k) Plan

  -   -   1,765,444   9   -   -   -   -   -   -   9 

2022 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan:

                                            

Restricted stock awards

  823,393   -   1,126,296   -   -   (142,895)  (1)  (146,470)  (1)  -   (2)

Restricted stock unit awards

  -   -   564,793   -   -   -   -   (188,400)  (1)  -   (1)
                                             

Stock-based compensation

  -   2   -   4   -   -   -   -   -   -   6 
                                             

Balance at March 31, 2024

  11,237,386  $52   110,636,360  $1,187  $1,151   (2,394,622) $(33)  (20,287,216) $(284) $(23) $2,050 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


7

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 (in millions)

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Operating activities

        

Net income (loss)

 $88  $(31)

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

        

Depreciation

  36   35 

Amortization of intangible assets

  31   49 

Amortization of deferred loan costs

  3   4 

Amortization of restricted stock awards

  6   2 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

  7   10 

Payments on program broadcast obligations

  (8)  (11)

Deferred income taxes

  (6)  8 

Loss on disposal of assets, net

  -   10 
Gain on sale of investment  (110)  - 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

  -   3 

Other

  (2)  5 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable, net

  (20)  317 

Income tax receivable or prepaid

  4   (21)

Other current assets

  (10)  9 

Accounts payable

  13   (15)

Employee compensation, benefits and pension cost

  (33)  (34)

Accrued network fees and other expenses

  5   41 

Accrued interest

  30   27 

Income taxes payable

  34   3 

Deferred revenue

  -   1 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  68   412 
         

Investing activities

        

Purchases of property and equipment

  (34)  (110)

Proceeds from asset sales

  7   8 
Proceeds from sale of investment  110   - 

Reimbursement of development costs

  -   11 

Investments in broadcast, production and technology companies

  (3)  (4)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  80   (95)
         

Financing activities

        

Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt

  50   50 

Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt

  (54)  (349)

Payment of common stock dividends

  (8)  (7)

Payment of preferred stock dividends

  (13)  (13)

Deferred and other loan costs

  (7)  - 

Payment for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

  (3)  (3)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (35)  (322)

Net increase (decrease) in cash

  113   (5)

Cash at beginning of period

  21   61 

Cash at end of period

 $134  $56 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(UNAUDITED)

 

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, 2023, which was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2016, 2023, and our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017 March 31, 2024 and for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 March 31, 2024 and 20162023, 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 statementpresentation have been included. Our operations consistWe manage our business on the basis of one reportable segment.two operating segments: broadcasting and production companies. Unless otherwise indicated, all station rank, in-market share and television household data herein are derived from reports prepared by The Nielsen Company, LLC (“Nielsen”) and/or Comscore, Inc. (“Comscore”). While we believe this data to be accurate and reliable, we have not independently verified such data nor have we ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon therein, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such data. 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 “20162023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”10-K”). Our financial condition as of, and operating results for the nine-month periodthree-months ended September 30, 2017 March 31, 2024, 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, 2017.2024.

 

OverviewOverview.

We are a television broadcastmultimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and/or operates over 100Georgia.  We are the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2017, we owned and/or operatedOur television stations in 57serve 114 television markets broadcasting over 200 programming streams, including over 100 channels affiliatedthat collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households.  This portfolio includes 79 markets with the CBS Network (“CBS”)top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station.  We also own video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. 

Investments in Broadcasting, Production and Technology Companies. We have investments in several television, production and technology companies. We account for all material investments in which we have significant influence over the investee under the equity method of accounting. Upon initial investment, we record equity method investments at cost. The amounts initially recognized are subsequently adjusted for our appropriate share of the net earnings or losses of the investee. We record any investee losses up to the carrying amount of the investment plus advances and loans made to the investee, and any financial guarantees made on behalf of the investee. We recognize our share in earnings and losses of the investee as miscellaneous income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. Investments are also increased by contributions made to and decreased by the NBC Network (“NBC”)distributions from the investee. The Company evaluates equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired.

Investments in non-public businesses that do not have readily determinable pricing, and for which the Company does not have control or does not exert significant influence, are carried at cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes in observable prices for those investments. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the carrying value of these investments are included as miscellaneous income (expense), the ABC Network (“ABC”) and the FOX Network (“FOX”). Asnet in our consolidated statements of September 30, 2017,operations. These investments are reported together as a non-current asset on our station group reached approximately 10.4% of total United States television households.consolidated balance sheets.

 

Cyclicality and SeasonalityBMI Investment Proceeds. On February 8, 2024, we received $110 million from the sale of our investment in Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”). These proceeds are included in miscellaneous income (expense), net, in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

9

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 advance of elections. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.

Use of EstimatesEstimates.

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.accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Theestimated amounts. Our most significant estimates we make relate toare our allowance for doubtful accountscredit losses in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of program broadcast rightsrights 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 (DMA 69), and KWQC-TV (NBC), in the Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois, and Moline, Illinois or “Quad Cities” television market (DMA 102), 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 a VIE known as Gray Midwest EAT, LLC (“GME”), pursuant to which GME acquired the broadcast licenses of the stations. On May 30, 2017, we exercised an option to acquire the licenses held by GME pending receipt of proceeds receivable from the FCC’s recently completed reverse auction for broadcast spectrum (the “FCC Spectrum Auction”). Upon receipt of the auction proceeds from the FCC, we completed the acquisition of the broadcast licenses from GME.

During the period that GME held those broadcast licenses we believe we were the primary beneficiary of GME, 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 provided, and our obligation to absorb losses and right to 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.

Earnings Per ShareShare.

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributableavailable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of 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 anti-dilutive. In the three-months ended September 30, 2016, we reported a net loss and therefore all common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for that period, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.antidilutive.

 

The following table reconciles basic weighted-average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the three-month three-months ended March 31, 2024 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 20162023, respectively (in thousands)millions):

 

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 
                 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic

  71,636   71,879   71,777   71,850 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted stock

  818   -   714   873 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted

  72,454   71,879   72,491   72,723 
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 
         

Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic

  94   92 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted stock

  1   - 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted

  95   92 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossLoss.

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of September 30, 2017 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2016 2023, consist of adjustments to our pension liability and changes in the related income tax benefit.fair value of our interest rate cap, each net of tax. Our comprehensive income (loss) for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 20162023 consisted entirely of our net income (loss). Therefore and recognition of the consolidated statementinitial fair value adjustment related to our interest rate cap, and the related income tax benefit. As of comprehensive income (loss) is not presented for March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.balances were as follows (in millions):

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Items included in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

        

Adjustment to pension liability

 $(7) $(7)

Adjustment to fair value of interest rate caps

  (23)  (23)

Income tax benefit

  (7)  (7)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(23) $(23)

 


10

Property and EquipmentEquipment.

Property and equipment are carried at cost.cost, or in the case of acquired businesses, at fair value. Depreciation is computed principallyprincipally by the straight-line method. The following table lists the components of property and equipment by major category (dollars in millions):

          

Estimated

 
  

March 31,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2024

  

2023

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

             

Land

 $366  $368      

Buildings and improvements

  873   868  7to40 

Equipment

  1,087   1,082  3to20 

Construction in progress

  94   81      
   2,420   2,399      

Accumulated depreciation

  (830)  (798)     

Total property and equipment, net

 $1,590  $1,601      

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 profitgain or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period. In

We incurred costs to build public infrastructure within the nine-months ended September 30, 2017,Assembly Atlanta project. Pursuant to our Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Doraville Community Improvement District (the “CID”), we receive cash reimbursements for the transfer of specific infrastructure projects to the CID and for other construction costs previously incurred. During the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, we received a total propertyof $5 million and equipment balance, before accumulated depreciation, increased primarily as a result of property and equipment acquired$26 million, respectively, in connection with recent acquisitions of television businesses. The remaining changes incash proceeds from the balances in the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were primarily due to routine property and equipment purchases and retirements.CID. The following table lists the componentstype of proceeds received (dollars in millions):

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 
         

Proceeds from asset sold

 $5  $6 

Proceeds received in advance of asset sale

  -   9 

Total proceeds received for asset transfer to CID

  5   15 

Proceeds for reimbursement of development costs

  -   11 

Total proceeds received from CID

 $5  $26 

The following tables provide additional information related to loss on disposal of assets, net included in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and purchases of property and equipment by major category (dollarsincluded in thousands)our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):

 

          

Estimated

 
  

September 30,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

             

Land

 $49,651  $44,611      

Buildings and improvements

  154,391   139,078   7to40 

Equipment

  507,456   471,798   3to20 
   711,498   655,487      

Accumulated depreciation

  (359,537)  (329,394)     

Total property and equipment, net

 $351,961  $326,093      
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Loss on disposal of assets, net:

        

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 $(7) $(8)

Net book value of assets disposed

  7   9 

Discount - Securitization Facility

  -   9 

Total

 $-  $10 
         

Purchase of property and equipment:

        

Recurring purchases - operations

 $19  $19 

Assembly Atlanta development

  15   91 

Total

 $34  $110 

 

11

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful AccountsCredit Losses. We record accounts receivable from sales and service transactions in our condensed consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost adjusted for any write-offs and net of allowance for credit losses. We are exposed to credit risk primarily through sales of broadcast and digital advertising with a variety of direct and agency-based advertising customers, retransmission consent agreements with multichannel video program distributors and program production sales and services.

Our allowance for doubtful accountscredit losses is equal to a portionan estimate of expected losses over the remaining contractual life of our receivable balances that are 120 days old or older.receivables based on an ongoing analysis of collectability, historical collection experience, current economic and industry conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The allowance is calculated using a historical loss rate applied to the current aging analysis. We may provide allowances for certain receivable balances that are less than 120 days oldalso apply additional allowance when warranted by specific facts and circumstances. We generally write-off accountswrite off account receivable balances when the customer files for bankruptcy or when all commonly used methods of collection have been exhausted.

On February 23, 2023, we, certain of our subsidiaries and a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary (the “SPV”), entered into a three-year $300 million revolving accounts receivable securitization facility (the “Securitization Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain third-party financial institutions (the “Purchasers”). The Securitization Facility permits the SPV to draw up to a total of $300 million, subject to the outstanding amount of the receivables pool and other factors. The Securitization Facility matures on February 23, 2026, and is subject to customary termination events related to transactions of this type. The sale of receivables from the SPV is accounted for in the Company’s financial statements as a "true-sale" under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 860.

Under the Securitization Facility, the SPV sells to the Purchasers certain receivables, including all rights, title, and interest in the related receivables (“Sold Receivables”). The parties intend that the conveyance of accounts receivables to the Purchasers, for the ratable benefit of the Purchasers will constitute a purchase and sale of receivables and not a pledge for security. The SPV has guaranteed to each Purchaser the prompt payment of Sold Receivables, and to secure the prompt payment and performance of such guaranteed obligations, the SPV has granted a security interest to the Purchasers in all assets of the SPV. In our capacity as servicer under the Securitization Facility, we are responsible for administering and collecting receivables and have made customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities. We do not record a servicing asset or liability since the estimated fair value of the servicing of the receivables approximates the servicing income. We also provided a performance guarantee for the benefit of the Purchasers.

The Securitization Facility is subject to interest charges, at the adjusted one-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus a margin (100 basis points) on the amount of the outstanding facility. The SPV was required to pay an upfront fee and a commitment fee in connection with the Securitization Facility. Servicing fee income recognized during the three-months ended March 31, 2023, was not material. The SPV is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled to access the SPV’s assets before the assets become available to us. As a result, the SPV’s assets are not available to pay our creditors or any of our subsidiaries, although collections from the receivables in excess of amounts required to repay the Purchasers under the Securitization Facility and other creditors of the SPV may be remitted to us.

The proceeds of the Securitization Facility are classified as operating activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash received from collections of Sold Receivables is used by the SPV to fund additional purchases of receivables on a revolving basis or to return all or any portion of outstanding capital of the Purchasers. Subsequent collections on the pledged receivables, which have not been sold, will be classified as operating cash flows at the time of collection.

The amount sold to the Purchasers was $300 million at each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, which was derecognized from the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As collateral against sold receivables, the SPV maintains a certain level of unsold receivables, which was $307 million and $296 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Total receivables sold under the Securitization Facility were $607 million and $597 million in the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Pursuant to the Securitization Facility, we recognized a charge of $9 million in the three-months ended March 31, 2023, and the charge recognized in the three-months ended March 31, 2024 was not material. These charges represented the discount on the accounts receivable balance transferred to the SPV. This discount is included in our loss on disposal of assets in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

12

The following table provides a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses. The allowance is deducted from the amortized cost basis of accounts receivable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets (in millions):

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Beginning balance

 $17  $16 

Provision for credit losses

  -   15 

Amounts written off

  (1)  - 

Ending balance

 $16  $31 

Recent Accounting PronouncementsPronouncements.

In May 2014, November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-092023-07, Revenue fromSegment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides new guidance on revenue recognition for revenue from contracts with customers and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amountThe purpose of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard is intendedthis amendment was to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and provide more useful information through improved financial statement disclosures. In August 2015, the FASB issueddisclosures related to reportable segments. The amendments in this ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU 2015-14 deferred theare effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to interim and annual reporting periodsfor fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, 2023, and permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either a retrospective 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 determined2024. Currently we do not expect that the adoptionimplementation of this standardthese changes will not have a material effect on our balance sheets and statements of operations. We have determined that we will utilize the modified retrospective method to implement the standard. We are evaluating our footnote disclosures and expect that this standard’s most significant impact will be expanded disclosures related to deferred revenue from customer pre-payments. We will continue to develop these disclosures and the related tasks of gathering data to be disclosed, assessing our internal controls and availing ourselves of broadcasting industry related guidance.financial statements.


 

In January 2016, December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-012023-09, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10)Income Taxes (Topic 740), RecognitionImprovements to Income Tax Disclosures. The purpose of this amendment was to enhance the transparency and Measurementdecision usefulness of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.income tax disclosures. The amendments in this ASU 2016-01 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 standard isare effective for fiscal yearsannual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We2024. Currently we do not expect that the adoptionimplementation of this standardthese changes will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 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 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, and develop our disclosures, assessing our internal controls and availing ourselves of broadcasting industry related guidance.financial statements.

 

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 applicableaddition 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) - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 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. 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.


Adoption 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 on our balance sheets for all periods presented.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, CompensationStock 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 the 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, 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.

Certainstandards described above, certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statementbalance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows have also been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.presentation.

 

2.

 AcquisitionsRevenue

 

On January 13, 2017,Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when we acquired KTVF-TV (NBC), KXDF-TV (CBS),have completed a specified service and KFXF-TV (FOX) in 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 cash on hand.

As described in Note 1. above, on January 17, 2017, we completed the Media General Acquisition, for an adjusted purchase price of $269.9 million using cash on hand.

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 a total purchase price of $26.5 million. On June 1, 2016, we began operating the stations, subject toeffectively 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 seller, underamount of consideration specified in a local marketing agreement (“LMA”)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.

Deferred Revenue. We record a deferred revenue for cash deposits received from our customers that terminated upon completionare to be applied as payment once the performance obligation arises and is satisfied. These deposits are recorded as deferred revenue on our balance sheet as advertising deposit liabilities. When we invoice our customers for completed performance obligations, we are unconditionally entitled to receive payment of the acquisition.

On May 1, 2017,invoiced amounts. Therefore, we acquired WABI-TV (CBS/CW)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 an advertising 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 $13 million of revenue in the Bangor, Maine television market (DMA 156) and WCJB-TV (ABC/CW)three-months ended March 31, 2024 that was included in the Gainesville, Florida television market (DMA 159) from Community Broadcasting Service and Diversified Broadcasting, Inc. (collectively, the “Diversified Acquisition”)advertising deposit liability balance as of December 31, 2023. We also record other deposit liabilities 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.

On August 1, 2017, we acquired WCAX-TV (CBS)cash received in the Burlington, Vermont – Plattsburgh, New York television markets (DMA 97) from Mt. Mansfield Television, Inc.,advance for $29.0 millionother arrangements, for which revenue is as earned 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.

We refer to the eight stations acquired (excluding the stations acquired in the Clarksburg Acquisition) during the first nine months of 2017 and the stations we commenced operating under LMAs 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.”future periods.

 


13

The following table presents our deferred revenue by type (in millions):

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Advertising deposit liabilities

 $12  $13 

Other deposit liabilities

  10   10 
Total deferred revenue $22  $23 

 

Disaggregation of Revenue. Revenue from our production companies segment is generated through our direct sales channel. Revenue from our broadcast and other segment is generated through both our direct and advertising agency intermediary sales channels. The following table summarizes preliminary fair value estimatespresents our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of the assets acquired, liabilities assumedservice and resulting goodwill of the 2017 Acquisitions and the Clarksburg Acquisitionsales channel (in thousands)millions):

 

  

Acquisition

     
  

Fairbanks

  

Media General

  

Clarksburg

  

Diversified

  

Vermont

  

Total

 
                         

Current assets

 $122  $666  $462  $361  $312  $1,923 

Property and equipment

  2,650   20,181   4,133   12,329   9,513   48,806 

Goodwill

  471   86,287   3,222   35,486   316   125,782 

Broadcast licenses

  2,228   149,846   17,003   26,219   7,592   202,888 

Other intangible assets

  2,702   13,398   2,234   11,051   8,268   37,653 

Other non-current assets

  71   282   51   27   3,310   3,741 

Current liabilities

  (140)  (695)  (554)  (423)  (311)  (2,123)

Other long-term liabilities

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

Total

 $8,020  $269,965  $26,500  $85,000  $29,000  $418,485 
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Market and service type:

        

Broadcast advertising:

        

Core advertising

 $372  $357 

Political

  27   8 

Total advertising

  399   365 

Retransmission consent

  381   395 

Production companies

  24   22 

Other

  19   19 

Total revenue

 $823  $801 
         

Sales Channel:

        

Direct

 $556  $558 

Advertising agency intermediary

  267   243 

Total revenue

 $823  $801 

 

Amounts in the table above 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 $29.1 million; advertising client relationships of $5.3 million; and favorable income leases of $3.0 million. These intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of approximately 4.9 years for retransmission agreements; approximately 10.7 years for advertising client relationships; and approximately 11.9 years for favorable income leases.

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, as well as future synergies that we expect to generate from each acquisition. We have preliminarily recorded $125.8 million of goodwill related to 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.

Our consolidated results of operations for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2017 include the results of the 2017 Acquisitions from the date of the respective transaction. Revenue and operating income attributable to the stations acquired in the 2017 Acquisitions and included in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 were $54.2 million and $25.2 million, respectively. In connection with the 2017 Acquisitions, we incurred a total of $1.0 million of transaction related costs during the nine-months ended September 30, 2017, primarily related to legal, consulting and other professional services. Revenue and operating income attributable to the stations acquired in the 2016 Acquisitions and included in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine-months ended September 30, 2016 were $87.9 million and $35.3 million, respectively.


14


33..

Long-term Debt

 

As of September 30, 2017 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2016, 2023, long-term debt primarily consisted of obligations under our 20172019 Senior Credit FacilityAgreement (as defined below), our 2014 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below)5.875% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), our 5.125% Senior Notes7.0% senior notes due 20242027 (the “2024“2027 Notes”), our 4.75% senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) and our 5.875% Senior Notes5.375% notes due 20262031 (the “2026“2031 Notes”), as follows (in thousands)millions):

 

  

September 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Long-term debt including current portion:

        

2014 Senior Credit Facility

 $-  $556,438 

2017 Senior Credit Facility

  636,838   - 

2024 Notes

  525,000   525,000 

2026 Notes

  700,000   700,000 

Total outstanding principal

  1,861,838   1,781,438 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2014 Senior Credit Facility

  -   (12,158)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2017 Senior Credit Facility

  (12,406)  - 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2024 Notes

  (6,993)  (7,742)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2026 Notes

  (9,751)  (10,588)

Unamortized premium - 2026 Notes

  5,339   5,797 

Less current portion

  (6,417)  - 

Net carrying value

 $1,831,610  $1,756,747 
         

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $60,000 
  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Long-term debt:

        

2019 Senior Credit Agreement:

        

2019 Term Loan (matures January 2, 2026)

  1,190   1,190 

2021 Term Loan (matures December 1, 2028)

  1,466   1,470 

2026 Notes (matures July 15, 2026)

  700   700 

2027 Notes (matures May 15, 2027)

  750   750 

2030 Notes (matures October 15, 2030)

  800   800 

2031 Notes (matures November 15, 2031)

  1,300   1,300 

Total outstanding principal, including current portion

  6,206   6,210 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2019 Term Loan

  (13)  (12)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2021 Term Loan

  (4)  (4)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2024 Revolving Credit Facility

  (6)  (2)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2026 Notes

  (2)  (3)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2027 Notes

  (5)  (6)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2030 Notes

  (9)  (10)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2031 Notes

  (14)  (14)

Unamortized premium - 2026 Notes

  1   1 

Less current portion

  (15)  (15)

Long-term debt, less deferred financing costs

 $6,139  $6,145 
         

Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility

 $619  $494 

 

Revolving Credit Facility. On February 7, 2017, 16, 2024, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreementsecond amendment (the “2017“Second Amendment”) of our Senior Credit Facility”), consistingAgreement. The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased the aggregate commitments under the existing $500 million Revolving Credit Facility by $125 million, resulting in aggregate commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility of $625 million and (ii) extended the maturity date of a $556.4$552.5 million term loan facility (the “2017 Initial Term Loan”) and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2017tranche of the 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 fundDecember 31, 2027 (subject to a springing maturity in certain circumstances set forth in the Diversified Acquisition. AsSecond Amendment), with a remaining non-extending tranche of September 30, 2017, the 2017 SeniorRevolving Credit Facility provided total commitments of $736.8$72.5 million consistingmaturing on December 1, 2026 (subject to a springing maturity in certain circumstances set forth in the Second Amendment). Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at either the SOFR rate or the Base Rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. Because of their relationship to the $636.8 million 2017interest rate caps, described below, borrowings under the 2021 Term Loan and the $100.0 million 2017 Revolving Credit Facility. Our quarterly principal payments under the 20172019 Term Loan are $1.6 million.

Prior tobear interest at 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.1-month SOFR rate, plus applicable margin. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2016, 2024, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2014 Senior Credit Facility was 3.9%.2021 Term Loan and the 2019 Term Loan were 8.4% and 7.9%, respectively.

 

Borrowings under Interest Rate Caps. On February 23, 2023, we entered into two interest rate caps pursuant to an International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement with two counterparties, Wells Fargo Bank, NA and Truist Bank, respectively. At March 31, 2024, the 2017 Term Loan currently bearcaps have a combined notional value of approximately $2.6 billion and mature on December 31, 2025. The interest atrate caps protect the us against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows on a portion of our option, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Base Rate (as defined below), in each case, plus an applicable margin. Currently, the applicable margin is 2.25% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for Base Rate borrowings. 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 2.25% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for all Base Rate borrowings and if the Leverage Ratio is greater than 5.25 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 2.5% for all LIBOR borrowings. As of September 30, 2017,variable-rate debt. We designated the interest rate caps as cash flow hedges of our risk of changes in cash flows attributable to changes in 1-month SOFR on our outstanding variable-rate debt in accordance with ASC 815.

15

The interest rate caps, as amended, effectively limit the balance outstanding under the 2017annual interest charged on our 2019 Term Loan was 3.7%.

Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility currently bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus 1.50% or Base Rate plus 0.50%, in each case based onand 2021 Term Loan to 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 greatestmaximum of (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate, (ii) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50%1-month Term SOFR of 4.97% and (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%5.015%. We are required to pay aggregate fees in connection with the interest rate caps of approximately $34 million that is due and payable at maturity on December 31, 2025. On the initial designation date, we recognized an asset and corresponding liability for the deferred premium payable equal to $34 million. The asset is amortized into interest expense straight-line over the term of the hedging relationship. At March 31, 2024, the recorded value of the asset was $21 million, net of accumulated amortization. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the derivative liability was $23 million. We present the deferred premium, the asset, and the fair value of the derivative, net within other non-current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The ISDA Master Agreement, together with its related schedules, contain customary representations, warranties and covenants. The interest rate caps were not entered into for speculative trading purposes. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps are reported as a commitment feecomponent of other comprehensive income. Actual gains and losses are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and are presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction. Gains and losses on the derivative instrument representing hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized currently in earnings and are presented in the same line of the income statement for the hedged item. We recognized $3 million and $1 million of amortization expense for the asset during the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included as a component of cash flows from operating activities in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash flows received from the counterparties pursuant to the interest rate caps are included as components of cash flows from financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. During the three-months ended March 31, 2024, we received $2 million of cash payments from the counterparties that we reclassified as reductions of interest expense from the interest rate caps in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the three-months ended March 31, 2023, SOFR was less than 4.97% and 5.015%, therefore, we did not receive any cash payments from the counterparties and, thus, we did not reclassify any amounts into interest expense from the interest rate caps in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

For all of our interest bearing obligations, we made interest payments of approximately $75 million and $78 million during the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, we capitalized less than $1 million and $6 million and of interest payments related to the Assembly Atlanta project.

As of March 31, 2024, the aggregate minimum principal maturities of our long-term debt for the remainder of 2024 and the succeeding five years were as follows (in millions):

  

Minimum Principal Maturities

 

Year

 

2019 Senior

Credit

Agreement

  

2026

Notes

  

2027

Notes

  

2030

Notes

  

2031

Notes

  

Total

 

Remainder of 2024

 $11  $-  $-  $-  $-  $11 

2025

  15   -   -   -   -   15 

2026

  1,205   700   -   -   -   1,905 

2027

  15   -   750   -   -   765 

2028

  1,410   -   -   -   -   1,410 

2029

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Thereafter

  -   -   -   800   1,300   2,100 

Total

 $2,656  $700  $750  $800  $1,300  $6,206 

As of March 31, 2024, there were no significant restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute cash to us or to the guarantor subsidiaries. The 2019 Senior Credit Agreement contains affirmative and restrictive covenants with which we must comply. The 2026 Notes, the 2027 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes also include covenants with which we must comply. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all required covenants under all our debt obligations.

16

4.

Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which are classified by the FASB Codification within the fair value hierarchy as level 1,2, or 3, on the basis of whether the measurement employs observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions and consider information about readily available market participant assumptions.

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets

Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The use of different market assumptions or methodologies could have a material effect on the fair value measurement.

The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable, employee compensation and benefits, accrued interest, other accrued expenses, and deferred revenue approximate fair value at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

At each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 the carrying amount of our long-term debt was $6.2 billion. The fair value of our long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $5.3 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively. The fair value of our long-term debt is based on observable estimates provided by third party financial professionals as of each date, and as such is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of our interest rate caps are based on observable estimates provided by the counterparties and, as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. At each of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest caps was a liability of $23 million and is recorded as an other non-current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

5.

Stockholders Equity

We are authorized to issue 245 million shares in total of all classes of stock consisting of 25 million shares of Class A common stock, 200 million shares of common stock, and 20 million shares of “blank check” preferred stock for which our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the rights, powers, limitations and restrictions. 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.

Our common stock and Class A common stock are entitled to receive cash dividends if declared, on an equal per-share basis. The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share on our common stock and Class A common stock to shareholders of record on each of March 15, 2024 and 2023, payable on March 28, 2024 and March 31, 2023. The total dividend paid was $8 million and $7 million during the three-month periods ending March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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 common stock. As of March 31, 2024, we had reserved 4 million shares and 1 million shares of our common stock and Class A common stock, respectively, for future issuance under various employee benefit plans. As of December 31, 2023, we had reserved 5 million shares and 2 million shares of our common stock and Class A common stock, respectively, for future issuance under various employee benefit plans.

17

6.

Retirement Plans

The components of our net periodic pension benefit are included in miscellaneous income (expense) in our statement of operations. During the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount recorded as a benefit was not material, and we did not make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plan. During the remainder of 2024, we expect to contribute $4 million to this plan.

During the three-months ended March 31, 2024, we contributed $8 million in matching cash contributions, and shares of our common stock valued at approximately $9 million for our 2023 discretionary profit-sharing contributions, to the 401(k) plan. The discretionary profit-sharing contribution was recorded as an expense in 2023 and accrued as of December 31, 2023. During the remainder of 2024, we expect to contribute approximately $28 million of matching cash contributions to this plan.

7.

Stock-based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for stock-based payment awards made to our employees, consultants and directors. Our current stock-based compensation plan is the 2022 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2022 EICP”). Our stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (in millions).

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Stock-based compensation expense, gross

 $6  $2 

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

  (2)  (1)

Stock-based compensation expense, net

 $4  $1 

All shares of common stock and Class A common stock underlying Restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards are counted as issued at target levels under the 2022 EICP for purposes of determining the number of shares available for future issuance.

18

A summary of restricted common stock and Class A common stock activities for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, is as follows:

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 
      

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

 
      

Average

      

Average

 
  

Number

  

Grant Date

  

Number

  

Grant Date

 
  

of

  

Fair Value

  

of

  

Fair Value

 
  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

 

Restricted common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  1,467,936  $12.17   997,745  $20.62 

Granted (1)

  1,126,296   8.10   12,227   12.04 

Vested

  (307,276)  13.78   (257,355)  20.21 

Outstanding - end of period

  2,286,956  $9.95   752,617  $20.62 
                 

Restricted Class A common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  1,148,233  $12.37   677,238  $19.36 

Granted (1)

  823,393   8.25   25,022   13.30 

Vested

  (318,733)  13.17   (203,986)  18.76 

Outstanding - end of period

  1,652,893  $10.16   498,274  $19.30 
                 

Restricted stock units - common stock:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  587,168  $11.50   274,145  $23.60 

Granted

  1,229,390   5.72   587,168   11.50 

Vested

  (564,793)  11.50   (247,953)  23.64 

Forfeited

  (22,375)  11.50   (26,192)  23.15 

Outstanding - end of period

  1,229,390  $5.72   587,168  $11.50 

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

8.

Leases

As a Lessee. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at its inception. We lease land, facilities and equipment from third parties primarily through operating leases. Operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future payments, because the implicit rate of the lease is generally not known. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets related to our operating lease liabilities are measured at lease inception based on the initial measurement of the lease liability, plus any prepaid lease payments and less any lease incentives. Our lease terms that are used in determining our operating lease liabilities at lease inception may include options to extend or terminate the leases when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise such options. We amortize our ROU assets as operating lease expense generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term and classify both the lease amortization and imputed interest as operating expenses. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and in such cases, we generally account for the components separately with only the lease component included in the calculation of the right of use asset and lease liability.

As of March 31, 2024, our operating leases for assets leased from third parties substantially have remaining terms of one year to 99 years, some of which include options to extend and/or terminate the leases. We do not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for any lease with an original lease term of less than one year.

Cash flow movements related to our lease activities for assets leased from third parties are included in other assets and accounts payable and other liabilities as presented in net cash provided by operating activities in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

19

As of March 31, 2024, the weighted average daily unusedremaining term of our operating leases was 9 years. The weighted average discount rate used to calculate the values associated with our operating leases was 6.56%. The table below describes the nature of lease expense and classification of operating lease expense recognized in our operating expenses in the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Lease expense

        

Operating lease expense

 $4  $4 

Short-term lease expense

  1   1 

Total lease expense

 $5  $5 

The maturities of operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024, for the remainder of 2024 and the succeeding five years were as follows (in millions):

Year ending

December 31,

  

Operating Leases

 

Remainder of 2024

 $11 

2025

  14 

2026

  12 

2027

  11 

2028

  8 

Thereafter

  45 

Total lease payments

  101 

Less: Imputed interest

  (26)

Present value of lease liabilities

 $75 

As a Lessor. We lease or sublease our owned or leased production facilities, land, towers and office space through operating leases with third parties. Payments received associated with these leases consist of fixed and variable payments. Fixed payments are received for the rental of space including fixed rate rent escalations over the applicable term of the lease agreements. Variable payments are received for short-term rental of space, variable rent escalations and reimbursement of operating costs related to the asset leased or subleased.

We recognize revenue from fixed payments on a straight-line basis over the applicable term of the lease agreements, whose lives range between one and 15 years.The excess of straight-line revenue recognized over the fixed payments received is recorded as deferred rent receivable in other assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The deferred rent receivable balance was $7 million and $6 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.  We recognize revenue from variable payments each period as earned.

Cash flow activities related to our lease activities for assets we lease to third parties are included in other assets and accounts receivable as presented in net cash provided by operating activities in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. 

The following table describes the nature of our lease revenue and classification of operating lease revenue recognized in the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Operating lease revenue:

        

Fixed lease revenue

 $5  $- 

Variable lease revenue

  4   4 

Total operating lease revenue

 $9  $4 

The following table presents our future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of March 31, 2024 (in millions):

Year ending

December 31,

Remainder of 2024

 $14 

2025

  19 

2026

  20 

2027

  20 

2028

  20 

Thereafter

  229 

Total lease receipts

 $322 

9.

Commitments and Contingencies

We are and expect to continue to be subject to legal actions, proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of our business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions, proceedings and claims will not materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, although legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or events could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

20

10.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our intangible assets and related accumulated amortization consisted of the following (in millions):

  

As of March 31, 2024

  

As of December 31, 2023

 
      

Accumulated

          

Accumulated

     
  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

 

Intangible assets not currently subject to amortization:

                        

Broadcast licenses

 $5,374  $(54) $5,320  $5,374  $(54) $5,320 

Goodwill

  2,643   -   2,643   2,643   -   2,643 
  $8,017  $(54) $7,963  $8,017  $(54) $7,963 
                         

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                        

Network affiliation agreements

 $216  $(134) $82  $216  $(126) $90 

Other finite-lived intangible assets

  992   (690)  302   992   (667)  325 
  $1,208  $(824) $384  $1,208  $(793) $415 
                         

Total intangible assets

 $9,225  $(878) $8,347  $9,225  $(847) $8,378 

Amortization expense for the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $31 million and $49 million, respectively. Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, we expect that amortization expense for the remainder of 2024 will be approximately $93 million, and, for the succeeding five years, amortization expense will be approximately as follows: 2025, $113 million; 2026, $83 million; 2027, $47 million; 2028, $13 million; and 2029, $3 million. If and when acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, actual amounts may vary from these estimates.

11.

Income Taxes

For the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our income tax expense and effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in millions):

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 $31  $(11)

Effective income tax rate

  26%  26%

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 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% to our effective income tax rate. For the three-months ended March 31, 2024, these estimates increased our statutory Federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate of 26% as follows: state income taxes that added 4%; permanent differences added 1%; restricted stock differences resulted in an increase of 2% and changes in our reserves for uncertain tax positions resulted in a decrease of 2%. For the three-months ended March 31, 2023, these estimates increased or increased our statutory Federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate of 26% as a result of state income taxes that added 5%.

21

During the first quarter of 2024, we made no material federal or state income tax payments. During the remainder of 2024, we anticipate making income tax payments within a range of $195 million to $215 million. As of March 31, 2024, we have an aggregate of approximately $282 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately $201 million will not be utilized due to section 382 limitations and those that will expire prior to utilization. After applying our state effective tax rate, this amount is included in our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, contains modifications on the limitation of business interest for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, and permits net operating loss (“NOL”) carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018,2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. During 2020, we carried back certain net operating losses resulting in a refund of $23 million, including interest, that was collected in the second quarter of 2024.

12.

Segment information

The Company operates in two business segments: broadcasting and production companies. The broadcasting segment operates television stations in local markets in the U.S. The production companies segment includes production facilities and the production of television and event content. Costs identified as other are primarily corporate and administrative expenses. The following tables present certain financial information concerning the Company’s operating segments (in millions):

      

Production

         

As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

 

Broadcast

  

Companies

  

Other

  

Consolidated

 
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $799  $24  $-  $823 

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets, net

  583   21   28   632 

Depreciation and amortization

  62   4   1   67 

Operating expenses

  645   25   29   699 

Operating income (loss)

 $154  $(1) $(29) $124 
                 

Interest expense

 $-  $-  $115  $115 

Capital expenditures (excluding business combinations)

 $19  $15  $-  $34 

Goodwill

 $2,615  $28  $-  $2,643 

Total Assets

 $9,850  $683  $202  $10,735 
                 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023:

                
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $779  $22  $-  $801 

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets, net

  555   59   26   640 

Depreciation and amortization

  80   3   1   84 

Loss on disposal of assets, net

  9   1   -   10 

Operating expenses

  644   63   27   734 

Operating income (loss)

 $135  $(41) $(27) $67 
                 

Interest expense

 $-  $-  $104  $104 

Capital expenditures (excluding business combinations)

 $19  $91  $-  $110 
                 

As of December 31, 2023:

                
                 

Goodwill

 $2,615  $28  $-  $2,643 

Total Assets

 $9,897  $658  $85  $10,640 

13.

Subsequent event

On May 6, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized us to use up to $250 million of available liquidity to repurchase our outstanding indebtedness through December 31, 2025. The extent of such repurchases, including the amount and timing of any repurchases, will depend on general market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other considerations. This repurchase program does not require us to repurchase a minimum amount of debt, and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. 

22

Item 2. Managements 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”) should 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, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC.

Business Overview. We are a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  We are the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets.  Our television stations serve 114 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households.  This portfolio includes 79 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station.  We also own video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. 

Our operating revenues are derived primarily from broadcast and internet advertising, retransmission consent fees and, to a lesser extent, other sources such as production of television and event programming, television commercials, tower rentals and management fees. For the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we generated revenue of $823 million and $801 million, respectively.

Revenues, Operations, Cyclicality and Seasonality. Broadcast advertising is sold for placement generally 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. Most advertising contracts are short-term, and generally run only for a few weeks.

We also sell internet advertising on our stations’ websites and mobile apps. These advertisements may be sold as banner advertisements, video advertisements 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;

Core advertising revenue on our NBC-affiliated stations increases in certain years as a result of broadcasts of the Olympic Games; and

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

We derived a material portion of our non-political broadcast advertising revenue from advertisers in a limited number of industries, particularly the services sector, comprising financial, legal and medical advertisers, and the automotive industry. The services sector has become an increasingly important source of advertising revenue over the past few years. During the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 approximately 28% and 27%, respectively, of our broadcast advertising revenue (excluding political advertising revenue) was obtained from advertising sales to the services sector. During each of the three-months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 approximately 19% of our broadcast advertising revenue (excluding political advertising revenue) was obtained from advertising sales to automotive customers. Revenue from these industries may represent a higher percentage of total revenue in odd-numbered years due to, among other things, the increased availability of advertising time, as a result of such years being the “off year” of the two-year election cycle.

23

Our primary broadcasting operating 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 2017 Revolving Credit Facility, which rate may range from 0.375%operating expenses of our broadcasting operations is fixed. We continue to 0.50%monitor our operating expenses and 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 millions):

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 
      

Percent

      

Percent

 
  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

 

Revenue:

                

Core advertising

 $372   45% $357   45%

Political

  27   3%  8   1%

Retransmission consent

  381   46%  395   49%

Production companies

  24   3%  22   3%

Other

  19   3%  19   2%

Total

 $823   100% $801   100%

Results of Operations

Three-Months Ended March 31, 2024 (the 2024 three-month period) Compared to Three-Months Ended March 31, 2023 (the 2023 three-month period)

Revenue. Total revenue increased $22 million, or 3%, to $823 million in the 2024 three-month period. During the 2024 three-month period:

Core advertising revenue increased by $15 million. In the 2024 three-month period, we earned approximately $18 million of net revenue from the broadcast of the Super Bowl on our 54 CBS channels compared to an aggregate of $6 million of net revenue relating to the broadcast of the Super Bowl on our 27 FOX channels during the 2023 three-month period.

Political advertising revenue increased by $19 million, resulting primarily from 2024 being the “on-year” of the two-year election cycle.

Retransmission consent revenue decreased by $14 million due to the net effect of a decrease in subscriptions offset, in part, by an increase in rates.

Production company revenue increased by $2 million in the 2024 three-month period due to the start-up of our operations at Assembly Atlanta offset, in part, by decreases in revenue at our event production businesses.

Broadcasting Expenses. Broadcasting expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $28 million, or 5%, to $583 million in the 2024 three-month period:

Payroll broadcasting expenses increased by $20 million in the 2024 three-month period as a result of filling a large portion of our open staff positions and routine increases in compensation. Non-cash stock-based compensation was $1 million in the 2024 three-month period.

Non-payroll broadcasting expenses increased by $7 million primarily because of increases in sports programming expenses partially offset by decreases in syndicated film expenses.

24

Production Company Expenses. Production company operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) were $21 million in the 2024 three-month period, a decrease of $38 million compared to $59 million in the 2023 three-month period. In the 2023 three-month period, production company operating expenses included a $17 million allowance for credit losses related to the bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group, LLC (“Diamond”), a counterparty in contracts with us and an annual basis, based$18 million charge to settle litigation related to the Assembly Atlanta project.

Corporate and Administrative Expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $2 million to $28 million in the 2024 three-month period. These increases were primarily the result of increases in non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $5 million in the 2024 three-month period, compared to $2 million in the 2023 three-month period, partially offset by decreases in legal and professional expenses.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $36 million for the 2024 three-month period and $35 million for the 2023 three-month period.

Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets totaled $31 million in the 2024 three-month period and $49 million in the 2023 three-month period.The decrease in amortization expense of $18 million was the result of finite-lived intangible assets becoming fully amortized and the impairment of certain finite-lived intangible assets related to the bankruptcy of Diamond in 2023.

Loss on Disposal of Assets, Net. In the 2024 three-month period the loss on disposal of assets, net was not material. In the 2023 three-month period, the loss on disposal of assets was $10 million, and included a charge related to our accounts receivable securitization totaling $9 million, representing the initial discount recognized on the First Lien Leverage Ratio. The 2017 Revolvingaccounts receivable balance transferred to the SPV upon the implementation of the accounts receivable securitization facility. We expect that the amount initially recognized will eventually be reversed at the conclusion of the facility.

Miscellaneous Income (Expense), Net. On February 8, 2024, we recorded a gain of $110 million from the sale of our investment in BMI.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $11 million to $115 million for the 2024 three-month period compared to $104 million in the 2023 three-month period. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in interest rates on our floating rate 2019 Senior Credit Agreement to 8.2% in the 2024 three-month period compared to 7.3% in the 2023 three-month period. Our average outstanding total long-term debt balance was $6.2 billion and $6.4 billion during the 2024 and 2023 three-month periods, respectively. Interest expense in the 2024 and 2023 three-month periods also included $3 million and $1 million, respectively, related to the non-cash amortization of fees for our interest rate cap agreement. Interest expense in the 2024 and 2023 three-month periods included $5 million and $2 million, respectively, related to the amount outstanding under the Securitization Facility maturesrepresenting the amount outstanding under the facility at the one-month SOFR rate plus 1%.

Loss on February 7, 2022, andEarly Extinguishment of debt. During the 2024 three-month period, loss on early extinguishment of debt was not material. During the 2023 three-month period, we repaid in full the $295 million balance of the 2017 Term Loan matures on February 7, 2024.


under our 2019 Senior Credit Agreement. As a result, of entering into the 2017 Senior Credit Facility, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.9$3 million, representing the unamortized balance of the related deferred financing costs of that loan.

Income tax Expense (Benefit). During the 2024 three-month period, we recognized income tax expense of $31 million. During the 2023 three-month period, we recognized income tax benefit of $11 million. For the 2024 three-month period and the 2023 three-month period, our effective income tax rate was 26% in each period. 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 GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. For the 2024 three-month period, these estimates increased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% to our effective income tax rate of 26% as follows: state income taxes that added 4%; permanent differences added 1%; restricted stock differences resulted in an increase of 2% and changes in our reserves for uncertain tax positions resulted in a decrease of 2%.

25

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $68  $412 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  80   (95)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (35)  (322)

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 $113  $(5)

  

As of

 
  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2024

  

2023

 

Cash

 $134  $21 

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

 $6,154  $6,160 

Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock

 $650  $650 

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $619  $494 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $68 million in the nine-months ended September 30, 2017, and we incurred approximately $5.02024 three-month period compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $412 million in deferredthe 2023 three-month period. The decrease of $344 million was primarily the result of $305 million of cash provided from the sale of accounts receivable under our Securitization Facility in the 2023 three-month period, offset by an increase in net income of $119 million, excluding changes in non-cash charges of $48 million and the gain of $110 million from the sale of our investment in BMI.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $80 million in the 2024 three-month period compared to net cash used in investing activities of $95 million in the 2023 three-month period. The net increase was largely due to decreased purchases of property and equipment and the proceeds received from the sale of our investment in BMI in the 2024 three-month period compared to the 2023 three-month period.

Net cash used in financing costsactivities was approximately $35 million in the 2024 three-month period compared to $322 million in the 2023 three-month period. The decrease was primarily due to the use, in the 2023 three-month period, of the net amount of $299 million of cash to repay $4 million of the amount outstanding under our 2021 Term Loan and to repay the $295 million balance of our 2017 Term Loan under our 2019 Senior Credit Agreement. In the 2024 three-month period we used the net amount of $4 million to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our 2021 Term Loan.

Liquidity. We estimate that we will make approximately $438 million in debt interest payments over the twelve months immediately following March 31, 2024.

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 2019 Senior Credit Agreement (or any such other credit agreement as may be in place at the appropriate time) and, potentially, external equity or debt financing, will be amortized oversufficient 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 lifecosts and availability of such financing at the appropriate time. We also believe that our future cash expected to be generated from operations and borrowing availability under the 2019 Senior Credit Agreement (or any such other credit agreement) will be sufficient to fund our future capital expenditures and long-term debt service obligations until at least January 2, 2026, which is the maturity date of the 20172019 Term Loan under the 2019 Senior Credit Facility.Agreement.

 

As of September 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 September 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 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 of our credit agreements

.Our obligations under the 20172019 Senior Credit FacilityAgreement are secured by substantially all of our consolidated 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 20172019 Senior Credit Facility.Agreement. Gray Television, Inc. is a holding company, withand has no material independent assets or operations. For all applicable periods, the  20242026 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2030 Notes and 20262031 Notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several, senior unsecured basis, by substantially all of Gray Television, Inc.'s’s subsidiaries. Any subsidiaries of Gray Television, Inc. that do not guranteeguarantee the 20242026 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2030 Notes and 20262031 Notes are minor.not material or are designated as unrestricted under the Senior Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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 20172019 Senior Credit FacilityAgreement contains affirmative and restrictive covenants with which we must comply, including: (a) limitationslimitations 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 the 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, 2027 Notes, 2030 Notes and 20242031 Notes include covenants with which we must comply which are typical for borrowingfinancing transactions of their nature. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2016,2023, we were in compliance with all required covenants under all of our debt obligations.

 

MaturitiesIn addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, “Leverage Ratio Denominator” is a metric that management uses to calculate our compliance with our financial covenants in our indebtedness agreements. This metric is calculated as specified in  our Senior Credit Agreement and is a significant measure that represents the denominator of a formula used to calculate compliance with material financial covenants within the Senior Credit Agreement that govern our ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, make investments and make restricted payments, among other limitations usual and customary for credit agreements of this type.  Accordingly, management believes this metric is a very material metric to our debt and equity investors.

26

Leverage Ratio Denominator gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on April 1, 2022. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings, and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the acquisitions, if applicable, has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Leverage Ratio Denominator as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies, if applicable, resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933. Leverage Ratio Denominator, as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement, represents an average amount for the preceding eight quarters then ended.

 

Aggregate minimumOur “Adjusted Total Indebtedness”, “First Lien Adjusted Total Indebtedness” and “Secured Adjusted Total Indebtedness”, in each case “Net of All Cash”, represents the amount of outstanding principal maturities on long-term debt as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

  

Minimum Principal Maturities

 

Year

 

2017 Senior

Credit Facility

  

2024 Notes

  

2026 Notes

  

Total

 

2017

 $1,604  $-  $-  $1,604 

2018

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2019

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2020

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

2021

  6,417   -   -   6,417 

Thereafter

  609,566   525,000   700,000   1,834,566 

Total

 $636,838  $525,000  $700,000  $1,861,838 


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”).

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 carrying amount of our long-term debt, was $1.9 billionplus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, less all cash (excluding restricted cash) for the applicable amount of indebtedness.

Below is a calculation of our “Leverage Ratio”, “First Lien Leverage Ratio” and $1.8 billion, respectively, and the fair value was $1.9 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively,“Total Secured Leverage Ratio” as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2017 and DecemberMarch 31, 2016. Fair value of our long-term debt is based on observable estimates provided by third-party financial professionals as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and as such is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.2024:

 

  

Eight Quarters Ended

 
  

March 31, 2024

 
  

(in millions)

 
     

Net income

 $405 

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Leverage Ratio Denominator as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement:

    

Depreciation

  279 

Amortization of intangible assets

  381 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

  42 

Non-cash 401(k) expense

  19 

Loss on disposal of assets, net

  22 

Gain on disposal of investment, not in the ordinary course

  (110)

Interest expense

  830 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

  3 

Income tax expense

  163 

Impairment of investments, goodwill and other intangible assets

  90 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

  79 

Payments for program broadcast rights

  (81)

Pension gain

  (5)

Contributions to pension plans

  (7)

Adjustments for unrestricted subsidiaries

  42 

Adjustments for stations acquired or divested, financings and expected synergies during the eight quarter period

  (2)

Transaction Related Expenses

  6 

Other

  1 

Total eight quarters ended March 31, 2024

 $2,157 

Leverage Ratio Denominator (total eight quarters ended March 31, 2024, divided by 2)

 $1,079 
     
  

March 31, 2024

 
  (dollars in millions) 

Total outstanding principal, including current portion

 $6,206 

Letters of credit outstanding

  6 

Cash

  (134)

Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash

 $6,078 

Leverage Ratio (maximum permitted incurrence of indebtedness is 7.00 to 1.00)

  5.63 
     

Total first lien outstanding principal

 $2,656 

Cash

  (134)

First Lien Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash

 $2,522 

First Lien Leverage Ratio (maximum permitted incurrence of indebtedness is 4.00 to 1.00) (a)

  2.34 
     

Secured Adjusted Total Indebtedness

 $2,656 

Cash

  (134)

Secured Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash

 $2,522 

Secured Leverage Ratio (maximum permitted incurrence of indebtedness is 5.50 to 1.00)

  2.34 

5.(a) At any time any amounts are outstanding under our revolving credit facility, our maximum First Lien Leverage Ratio cannot exceed 4.25 to 1.00.

 Stockholders’ Equity

We are authorized to issue 135 million shares of all classes of stock, of which 15 million shares are designated Class A common stock, 100 million shares are designated common stock, and 20 million shares are designated “blank check” preferred stock for which our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the rights, powers, limitations and restrictions. 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. 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 and nine-month periods ended September 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 Repurchase Authorization”). As of December 31, 2016, 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 2016 Repurchase Authorization prohibits the Company from purchasing shares directly from the Company’s officers, directors, or the Gray Television, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan (the “401k Plan”). During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we purchased 322,038 shares of our common stock at an average purchase price of $12.39 per share under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization, for a total cost of $4.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, $69.0 million remains available to purchase shares of our common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization.

 


27

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, including our 401k Plan, we may, at our discretion, issue authorized and unissued shares, or previously issued shares held in treasury, of our Class A common stock or common stock. As of September 30, 2017, we had reserved 1,923,144 shares and 7,632,465 shares of our Class A common stock and 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 plans for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Service cost

 $-  $-  $-  $- 

Interest cost

  1,167   1,185   3,502   3,554 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1,412)  (1,298)  (4,236)  (3,892)

Loss amortization

  121   153   363   458 

Net periodic (benefit) cost

 $(124) $40  $(371) $120 

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we contributed $0.6 million to our defined benefit pension plans. During the remainder of 2017, we expect to make additional contributions to these plans of between $1.7 million and $2.4 million.

During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, we contributed $1.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, in matching contributions to the 401k Plan. During the remainder of 2017, we estimate that our contributions to this plan will be approximately $1.5 million, excluding discretionary profit-sharing contributions.

7.

 Share-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 under our 2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2017 EICP”); our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “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-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Stock-based compensation expense, gross

 $1,532  $1,271  $4,305  $3,827 

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

  (597)  (496)  (1,679)  (1,493)

Stock-based compensation expense, net

 $935  $775  $2,626  $2,334 

The 2017 EICP provides for, and, while awards were available for grant thereunder 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 acquire shares of our Class A common stock or common stock, or other awards based on our performance, to our employees, consultants and non-employee directors.



During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we granted:

307,943 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees, of which 102,648 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2018 and 2019; and 102,647 shares will vest on January 31, 2020;

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

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 nine-month period ended September 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; and

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 activity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30, 2017

  

September 30, 2016

 
      

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

 
      

average

      

average

 
      

Grant Date

      

Grant Date

 
  

Number of

  

Fair Value

  

Number of

  

Fair Value

 
  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

 

Restricted stock - common:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  396,033   $12.06   337,506   $9.57   

Granted

  307,943   $10.40   237,500   $12.88 

Vested

  (200,291)  $11.82   (178,973)  $8.46   

Outstanding - end of period

  503,685   $11.14   396,033   $12.06 
                 

Restricted stock - class A common:

                

Outstanding - beginning of period

  415,082   $10.15   374,693   $9.46   

Granted

  275,076   $10.84   218,612   $11.25 

Vested

  (227,526)  $10.00   (178,223)  $10.04 

Outstanding - end of period

  462,632   $10.63   415,082   $10.15 

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had outstanding options to acquire 274,746 shares of our common stock, all of which were vested and exercisable. The exercise price of all our outstanding stock options is $1.99 per share. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have any outstanding stock options for our Class A common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding stock options was $3.8 million based on the closing market price of our common stock on September 30, 2017.

In October 2017, we granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) representing 215,500 shares of our common stock to certain non-executive employees, under the provisions of our 2017 EICP. These RSUs will vest on January 31, 2018 and may be settled only by the issuance of shares of our common stock. These RSUs were valued at $3.4 million as of their date of grant. This value will be recorded in our operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the four-month vesting period.


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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we acquired and disposed of various television broadcast stations and broadcast licenses. See 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 in our goodwill and other intangible assets, on a net basis, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):

  

Net Balance at

  

Acquisitions

              

Net Balance at

 
  

December 31,

  

And

              

September 30,

 
  

2016

  

Adjustments

  

Dispositions

  

Impairments

  

Amortization

  

2017

 
                         

Goodwill

 $485,318  $125,782  $-  $-  $-  $611,100 

Broadcast licenses

  1,340,305   202,923   (13,105)  -   -   1,530,123 

Definite lived intangible assets

  56,250   42,606   -   -   (18,684)  80,172 

Total intangible assets net of accumulated amortization

 $1,881,873  $371,311  $(13,105) $-  $(18,684) $2,221,395 

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

  

As of September 30, 2017

  

As of December 31, 2016

 
      

Accumulated

          

Accumulated

     
  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

 

Intangible assets not currently subject to amortization:

                        

Broadcast licenses

 $1,583,822  $(53,699) $1,530,123  $1,394,004  $(53,699) $1,340,305 

Goodwill

  611,100   -   611,100   485,318   -   485,318 
  $2,194,922  $(53,699) $2,141,223  $1,879,322  $(53,699) $1,825,623 
                         

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                        

Network affiliation agreements

 $6,134  $(2,905) $3,229  $1,264  $(1,264) $- 

Other definite lived intangible assets

  143,446   (66,503)  76,943   105,792   (49,542)  56,250 
  $149,580  $(69,408) $80,172  $107,056  $(50,806) $56,250 
                         

Total intangibles

 $2,344,502  $(123,107) $2,221,395  $1,986,378  $(104,505) $1,881,873 

Amortization expense for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $18.7 million and $12.4 million, respectively. Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, we expect that amortization expense for the succeeding five years will be as follows: 2018, $20.4 million; 2019, $15.2 million; 2020, $12.2 million; 2021, $8.1 million; and 2022, $4.8 million. If and when acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, actual amounts may vary from these estimates.


 

Impairment of goodwill and broadcast licensesDebt.

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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.

10.     Income Taxes

For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, our income tax expense and effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Income tax expense

 $10,529  $797  $65,751  $19,109 

Effective income tax rate

  40.7%  136.5%  40.6%  42.0%

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 35.0% to our effective income tax rate. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, these estimates increased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 40.6% as follows: state income taxes added 4.3% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.3%. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 42.0% as follows: state income taxes added 4.6%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 2.1%, and discrete items added 1.0%, while adjustments to our reserve for uncertain tax positions resulted in a reduction of 0.7%.


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

Executive Overview

Gray Television, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (except as the context otherwise provides, “Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,”) is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and/or operates over 100 television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2017, we ownedMarch 31, 2024, long-term debt consisted of obligations under our 2019 Senior Credit Agreement, our $700 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2026, our $750 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2027, our $800 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2030 and operated television stationsour $1.3 billion in 57 television markets broadcasting over 200 programming streams, including over 100 channels affiliated with the CBS Network (“CBS”), the NBC Network (“NBC”), the ABC Network (“ABC”) and the FOX Network (“FOX”).aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2031. As of September 30, 2017, our station group reached approximately 10.4% of total United States television households.

The following analysis ofMarch 31, 2024, the financial condition and results of operations of Gray Television, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this report and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Form 10-K”).

Recent Acquisitions

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 69), and KWQC-TV (NBC), in the Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Illinois, and Moline, Illinois or “Quad Cities” television market (DMA 102) (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 159) 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 August 1, 2017, we acquired 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 these stations, subject to the control of the seller, under an LMA that terminated upon completion of the acquisition.

We refer to the eight stations acquired (excluding the stations acquired in the Clarksburg Acquisition) during the first nine months of 2017 and the stations we commenced operating under LMAs 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” of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

Recent Financing Transactions

On February 7, 2017, we entered into the 20172019 Senior Credit FacilityAgreement provided total commitments of $3.3 billion, consisting of a $556.4 million$1.2 billion term loan facility, (the “2017 Initial Term Loan”)a $1.5 billion term loan facility and a $100.0$619 million available under our revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, excluding political advertising revenue, our largest advertising customer category was automotive. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we earned approximately 25% and 23%, respectively, of our total broadcast advertising revenue, excluding political advertising revenue, from automotive customers. Our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected if advertising revenue from automotive customers were to decrease significantly. Our business and operating results could also be materially adversely affected if revenue decreased from one or more other significant advertising categories, such as the medical, restaurant, communications, furniture and appliances, entertainment, or financial service industries.

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 September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 
      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

 
  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

 

Revenue:

                                

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

 $110,033     50.2%  $102,172    50.0%  $330,547    50.9%  $296,253      51.5% 

National

  31,027     14.2%   25,426    12.4%   86,822    13.4%   73,575      12.8% 

Political

  4,005       1.8%   22,272    10.9%   9,034      1.4%   41,576       7.2% 

Retransmission consent

  70,150     32.0%   51,096    25.0%   207,094     31.9%   148,914      25.9% 

Other

  3,762       1.8%   3,524      1.7%   15,622       2.4%   14,528       2.6% 

Total

 $218,977   100.0%  $204,490   100.0%  $649,119   100.0%  $574,846   100.0% 


Results of Operations

Three-Months Ended September 30, 2017 (“2017 three-month period”) Compared to Three-Months Ended September 30, 2016 (“2016 three-month period”)

Revenue. Total revenue increased $14.5 million, or 7%, to $219.0 million in the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. The 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions collectively accounted for approximately $59.3 million of total revenue in the 2017 three-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $37.1 million of total revenue in the 2016 three-month period. Excluding the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total revenue at our legacy stations decreased primarily due to a $14.2 million decrease in political advertising revenue, resulting primarily from 2017 being the “off-year” of the two-year election cycle. In addition, local and national advertising revenue was impacted by our broadcast of the 2016 Olympic Games in the 2016 nine-month period that produced approximately $8.2 million of local and national advertising revenue. These decreases were partially offset by increases of $10.0 million of retransmission consent revenue in the 2017 three-month period.

Broadcast expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) increased $18.7 million, or 16%, to $139.4 million in the 2017 three-month period due primarily to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, which accounted for approximately $34.9 million of 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 to the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, non-compensation expense at our legacy stations increased $5.9 million primarily as a result of a $5.3 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increase in retransmission consent revenue. Non-cash stock based compensation expenses were $0.4 million and $0.3 million in the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, respectively.

Corporate and administrative expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) increased $1.1 million, or 15%, to $8.3 million in the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period, primarily as a result of increased professional services and promotional expenses. Non-cash share based compensation expenses were $1.2 million and $1.0 million in the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, respectively.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment increased $1.6 million, or 14%, to $13.1 million in the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. Depreciation increased primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets increased approximately $2.2 million, or 53%, to $6.5 million during the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. Amortization expense increased primarily due to the additional definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $3.7 million or 13% to $24.2 million in the 2017 three-month period compared to the 2016 three-month period. This decrease 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 three-month period and the 2016 three-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion during the 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.

Loss from early extinguishment of debt. In the 2016 three-month period we completed a tender offer and redemption of our then outstanding 7½% senior notes due 2020 (the “Tender Offer” and the “Redemption”).facility. We recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $32.0 million ($19.5 million net of tax) in the 2016 three-month period, consisting of Tender Offer premiums of $18.2 million, premiums related to the Redemption of $9.1 million, the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $8.0 million and the payment of approximately $0.2 million in legal and other professional fees; but reduced by the recognition of un-accreted net premium of $3.5 million.


Income tax expense.We recognized income tax expense of $10.5 million and $0.8 million for the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, respectively. For the 2017 and 2016 three-month periods, our effective income tax rate was 40.7% and 136.5%, respectively. 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 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 three-month period, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate as follows: state income taxes added 4.5%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.3%, and discrete items decreased the effective rate by 0.1%.

Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2017 (“2017nine-month period”) Compared to Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2016 (“2016nine-month period”)

Revenue. Total revenue increased $74.3 million, or 13%, to $649.1 million in the 2017 nine-month period as compared to the 2016 nine-month period. The 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions collectively accounted for approximately $167.9 million of total revenue in the 2017 nine-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $87.9 million of total revenue in the 2016 nine-month period. Excluding the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total revenue at our legacy stations decreased primarily due to a decrease of $28.9 million in political advertising revenue, resulting primarily from 2017 being the “off-year” of the two-year election cycle. This decrease at our legacy stations was offset by increases of $28.9 million in retransmission consent revenue in the 2017 nine-month period.

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. Local and national advertising revenue also declined because the 2016 nine-month period included approximately $8.2 million of revenue from the broadcast of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Broadcast expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) increased $59.8 million, or 17%, to $406.4 million in the 2017 nine-month period due primarily to the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, which accounted for approximately $95.1 million of broadcast expenses in the 2017 nine-month period. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $52.6 million of our broadcast expenses in the 2016 nine-month period. In addition to the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, non-compensation expense at our legacy stations increased $18.5 million primarily as a result of a $15.7 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increased retransmission consent revenue, and $5.2 million of professional fees. Non-cash stock based compensation expenses were $1.1 million and $0.9 million in the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods, respectively.

Corporate and administrative expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) decreased $7.0 million, or 22%, to $24.4 million for the 2017 nine-month period period compared to the 2016 nine-month period primarily as a result of decreases of $7.7 million in professional fees related to acquisitions. We recorded corporate non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $3.2 million and $2.9 million in the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods, respectively.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment increased $4.3 million, or 13%, to $38.6 million for the 2017 nine-month period as compared to the 2016 nine-month period. Depreciation increased due to additional property and equipment being placed in service due to routine asset purchases and the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions.

Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets increased $6.3 million, or 51%, to $18.7 million during the 2017 nine-month period compared to the 2016 nine-month period due to amortization of the additional definite-lived intangible assets of the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions.


Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $2.3 million, or 3%, to $71.2 million for the 2017 nine-month period compared to the 2016 nine-month period. This was attributable to a decrease in our average interest rates, partially offset by an increase in our average borrowings outstanding. The average interest rate on our total outstanding debt balance was 4.9% and 5.6% during the 2017 nine-month period and the 2016 nine-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion during the 2017 nine-month period and the 2016 nine-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 nine-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. In the 2016 nine-month period we completed the Tender Offer and Redemption, and we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $32.0 million ($19.5 million net of tax) in the 2016 nine-month period, consisting of Tender Offer premiums of $18.2 million, premiums related to the redemption of $9.1 million, the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs of $8.0 million and the payment of approximately $0.2 million in legal and other professional fees; but reduced by the recognition of un-accreted net premium of $3.5 million.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $65.8 million and $19.1 million in the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods, respectively. For the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods, our effective income tax rate was 40.6% and 42.0%, respectively. The primary reason for the increase in our income tax expense was the increase in our pre-tax income in the 2017 nine-month period compared to the 2016 nine-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 quarter 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 nine-month period, these estimates increased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate as follows: state income taxes added 4.3% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.3%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

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

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $114,346  $103,419 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (336,334)  (469,504)

Net cash provided by financing activities

  69,653   499,165 

(Decrease) increase in cash

 $(152,335) $133,080 

  

As of

 
  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 

Cash

 $172,854  $325,189 

Long-term debt

 $1,831,610  $1,756,747 

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $60,000 

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 September 30, 2017 and the 2014 Senior Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016 consisted solely of a term loan totaling $636.8 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 September 30, 2017, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility was 3.7%. As of December 31, 2016, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2014 Senior Credit Facility was 3.9%.

Borrowings under the 2017 Term Loan currently 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. Currently, the applicable margin is 2.25% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for Base Rate borrowings. 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 2.25% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.25% for all Base Rate borrowings and if the Leverage Ratio is greater than 5.25 to 1.00, the applicable margin will be 2.5% for all LIBOR borrowings.

Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility currently bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus 1.50% or the Base Rate plus 0.50%, 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 2017 nine-month period, and we incurred approximately $5.0 million in deferred financing costs that will be amortized over the term of the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Our quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan are $1.6 million.

As of September 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 September 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 consolidated 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 September 30, 2017, there were no significant restrictions on the ability of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries to distribute cash to Gray or to the guarantor subsidaries.

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 the 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all requiredthe covenants under all ourin these debt obligations.


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

Net cash provided by operating activities was $114.3 million in the 2017 nine-month period compared to $103.4 million in the 2016 nine-month period. The increase of $10.9 million in the 2017 nine-month period was the result of a $69.9 million increase in net income, partially offset by a $49.5 million decrease in net non-cash expenses, primarily depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, deferred income taxes and gain on disposal of assets. Changes in our working capital accounts used $9.5 million of cash. These changes were primarily due to the impact on our statement of operations from changes in the components of our debt financing, changes in our tax position, the 2017 Acquisitions, the 2016 Acquisitions and the gain on disposal of assets resulting from the FCC Sprectrum Auction.

Net cash used in investing activities was $336.3 million in the 2017 nine-month period compared to net cash used in investing activities of $469.5 million for the 2016 nine-month period. The decrease was largely due to decreased use of cash for acquisition activity in the 2017 nine-month period.

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $69.7 million in the 2017 nine-month period compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $499.2 million in the 2016 nine-month period. Net cash provided by financing activities in the 2017 nine-month period was primarily from borrowings of $85.0 million under 2017 Term Loan; reduced by $4.6 million of quarterly principal payments under the 2017 Term Loan; reduced by $5.0 million of deferred financing costs primarily related to the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Also, in the 2017 nine-month period we used $4.0 million to repurchase shares of our common stock and made $1.8 million of payments for taxes related to net share settlements of equity awards.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2017, we had $6.4 million in debt principal payments due over the next twelve months. We estimate that we will make approximately $90.8 million in debt interest payments over the twelve months immediately following September 30, 2017.

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 placeagreements 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.March 31, 2024.

 

Capital Expenditures

Capital. Excluding capital expenditures in the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods were $21.4 million and $33.2 million, respectively. We anticipaterelated to Assembly Atlanta, we currently expect that our routine capital expenditures will be in a range of approximately $96 million to $101 million for the remainder of 20172024. In addition, we currently expect that a portion of our Assembly Atlanta capital expenditures will range betweenbe offset by proceeds from Assembly Atlanta CID incentive payments during the remainder of 2024. More specifically, we currently expect that our Assembly Atlanta construction expenditures will be approximately $14.0$33 million, and $15.0 million.

Resultsoffset by proceeds from Assembly Atlanta CID incentive payments that we expect will be approximately $28 million for the remainder 2024. We can give no assurances of FCC Spectrum Auction

On August 7, 2017, wethe actual proceeds to be received $90.8 million resulting from our relinquishment of two licenses in the FCC’s Spectrum Auction. Due to prior planning in connection with this transaction and our recently completed acquisitions, we anticipate that we will be able to deferfuture from incentive payments, nor the timing of any related income tax payments on a long-term basis.such proceeds.


 

OtherOther.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return and such state and local tax returns as are required. During the 2017 nine-month periodfirst quarter of 2024, we made no material federal or state income tax payments (net of refunds) of $1.2 million.payments. During the remainder of 2017,2024, we anticipate making income tax payments (netwithin a range of refunds)$195 million to $215 million. As of March 31, 2024, we have an aggregate of approximately $0.6 million. Income$282 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately $201 million will not be utilized due to section 382 limitations and those that will expire prior to utilization. After applying our state effective tax payments are likelyrate, this amount is included in our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to be higherthe COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, contains modifications on the limitation of business interest for tax years beginning in 2018, assuming no significant changes to the corporate tax code as currently in effect, as a result of our utilization of certain of our2019 and 2020, and permits net operating loss carryforwards.(“NOL”) carryovers and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. During 2020, we carried back certain net operating losses resulting in a refund of $23 million, including interest, that was collected in the second quarter of 2024.

 

During the 2017 nine-month2024 three-month period, we contributed $0.6 milliondid not make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plan. During the remainder of 2017,2024, we expect to make additional contributionscontribute $4 million to these plans of between $1.7 million and $2.4 million.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 couldcould 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 20162023 Form 10-K.

28

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Reportquarterly report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains and incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the SecuritiesSecurities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Act. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact. When used in this Quarterly Report,annual report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “should” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. AmongThese forward-looking statements reflect our then-current expectations and are based upon data available to us at the time the statements are made. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, statements that describethe economy in general, our expectations regarding ourstrategies, expected results of operations, general and industry-specific economic conditions, future pension plan contributions, future capital expenditures, are forward-looking statements.future income tax payments, future payments of interest and principal on our long-term debt, future interest expenses under our Securitization Facility, future interest expense under our interest rate caps, assumptions underlying various estimates and estimates of future obligations and commitments, and should be considered in context with the various other disclosures made by us about our business. 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 significant 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 Item 1A. of our 2016 Form 10-KAnnual Report 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-lookingSEC filings. The forward-looking statements speakincluded in this quarterly report are made only as of the date they are made.hereof. 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 September 30, 2017March 31, 2024 has not materially changed since December 31, 2016. The2023. Our market risk profile as ofon December 31, 20162023 is disclosed in our 20162023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure 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 effectivenessdesign and operation of our disclosurethe Company’s “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 usprocedures” (as defined in reports that we file or furnishRule 13a-15(e) 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, includingas amended. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our controls and procedures were effective 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.March 31, 2024.

 


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There werehave been no changes in ourthe Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the three-month periodquarter ended September 30, 2017 identified in connection with this evaluationMarch 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ourthe Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

29

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

PART II.OTHER INFORMATIONItem 1.  Legal Proceedings

As of the date of this filing, there have been no additional material legal proceedings or material developments in the legal proceedings disclosed in Part 1, Item 3, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. For more information, see Note 9 "Commitments and Contingencies" within the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

Please referIn addition to the other information set out underforth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the heading “Risk Factors”risk factors that affect our business and financial results that are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, inof our 2016Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of riskthe fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. These 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 alsocould materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, andliquidity, results of operations and capital position, and could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in the future.this report. There have been no material changes to such risk factors.

Item 5.  Other Information

 

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

In each of March and November 2004, the Board of DirectorsNone of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stockCompany’s directors 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 September 30, 2017, 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 officers adopted, modified suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

The Company did not repurchase any sharesa Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as defined in Item 408 of common stock or Class A common stock under these authorizationsRegulation S-K, during the three-monthsCompany’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.

March 31, 2024.


 

Item 6.  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:

 

Exhibit 10.1Number

Executive and Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan*Description of Document

 

Exhibit 10.210.1

FormSecond Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of Employee Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to theFebruary 16, 2024, among Gray Television, Inc. 2017 Equity, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and Incentive Compensation Plan*Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024)

Exhibit 10.331.1

Form of Employee Restricted Stock Units 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

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

The cover page from Gray Television, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2024 has been formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 


30

 

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: November 6, 2017 May 7, 2024

By:

/s/ James C. Ryan

 

James C. Ryan

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

31