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 June 30, 20182019 or

 

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

                                                                    
       For the transition period from _________ to _________ .

 

Commission file number 1-13796

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Gray Television, Inc.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☒

Accelerated filer ☐

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

Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

                        

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).                        Yes No     ✔ 

Yes No 

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

Title of each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A common stock (no par value)

GTN.A

New York Stock Exchange

common stock (no par value)

GTN

New York Stock Exchange

 

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

 

Common Stock (No Par Value)

 

Class A Common Stock (No Par Value)

82,022,50094,285,366 shares outstanding as of July 31, 20189

 

6,729,0356,881,192 shares outstanding as of July 31, 20189

 

 


 

 

INDEX

 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

 

 

   

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

   

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 
   
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheets (Unaudited) -  June 30, 20182019 and December 31, 20172018

3

   
 

Condensed consolidated statements of operations (Unaudited) - three monthsthree-months and six-months ended June 30, 20182019 and 20172018

5

   
 

Condensed consolidated statementstatements of stockholders' equity (Unaudited) - six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018

6

   
 

Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (Unaudited) - six-months ended June 30, 20182019 and 20172018

7

   
 

Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (Unaudited)

8

   

Item 2.

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

2229

   

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

3036

   

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

3036

   

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 
   

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

3036

   

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

3036

   

Item 6.

Exhibits

3137

   

SIGNATURES

 

3238

 


 

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in millions)

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 

Assets:

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

 $251  $667 

Accounts receivable trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9 and $5, respectively

  390   184 

Current portion of program broadcast rights, net

  9   15 

Prepaid and other current assets

  33   7 

Total current assets

  683   873 
         

Property and equipment, net

  686   363 

Operating leases right of use asset

  66   - 

Broadcast licenses

  3,558   1,530 

Goodwill

  1,452   612 

Other intangible assets, net

  497   53 

Investments in broadcasting and technology companies

  17   17 

Restricted cash

  -   752 

Other

  42   13 

Total assets

 $7,001  $4,213 

 

Item 1.       Financial StatementsSee notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)millions, except for share data)

 

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Assets:

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

 $510,577  $462,399 

Accounts receivable trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,024 and $4,606, respectively

  176,712   171,230 

Current portion of program broadcast rights, net

  4,892   14,656 

Prepaid income taxes

  25,848   13,791 

Prepaid and other current assets

  4,376   4,681 

Total current assets

  722,405   666,757 
         

Property and equipment, net

  342,996   350,658 

Broadcast licenses

  1,530,703   1,530,703 

Goodwill

  611,100   611,100 

Other intangible assets, net

  63,196   73,784 

Investments in broadcasting and technology companies

  16,599   16,599 

Other

  14,446   11,256 

Total assets

 $3,301,445  $3,260,857 
  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $12  $8 

Employee compensation and benefits

  50   35 

Accrued interest

  39   34 

Accrued network programming fees

  27   22 

Other accrued expenses

  27   18 

Federal and state income taxes

  27   14 

Current portion of program broadcast obligations

  9   15 

Deferred revenue

  9   4 

Dividends payable

  13   - 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

  6   - 

Current portion of long-term debt

  14   - 

Total current liabilities

  233   150 
         

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

  3,881   2,549 

Program broadcast obligations, less current portion

  7   5 

Deferred income taxes

  760   285 

Accrued pension costs

  33   33 

Operating lease liabilities

  61   - 

Other

  13   4 

Total liabilities

  4,988   3,026��
         

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

        
         

Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value; cumulative; redeemable; designated 1,500,000 shares, issued and outstanding 650,000 shares and 0 shares, ($650 and $0 aggregate liquidation value, respectively)

  650   - 
         

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, no par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 101,714,180 shares and 89,298,943 shares, respectively, and outstanding 94,285,366 shares and 82,022,500 shares, respectively

  1,086   907 

Class A common stock, no par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares, issued 8,768,959 shares and 8,569,149 shares, respectively, and outstanding 6,881,192 shares and 6,729,035 shares, respectively

  27   27 

Retained earnings

  377   372 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax benefit

  (26)  (21)
   1,464   1,285 

Treasury stock at cost, common stock, 7,428,814 shares and 7,276,443 shares, respectively

  (75)  (72)

Treasury stock at cost, Class A common stock, 1,887,767 shares and 1,840,114 shares, respectively

  (26)  (26)

Total stockholders’ equity

  1,363   1,187 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $7,001  $4,213 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for share data)

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $6,119  $7,840 

Employee compensation and benefits

  25,830   30,144 

Accrued interest

  26,662   26,624 

Accrued network programming fees

  18,259   20,317 

Other accrued expenses

  10,841   11,970 

Federal and state income taxes

  19,168   8,753 

Current portion of program broadcast obligations

  5,274   15,236 

Deferred revenue

  5,038   4,004 

Current portion of long-term debt

  37,000   6,417 

Total current liabilities

  154,191   131,305 
         

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

  1,799,229   1,831,011 

Program broadcast obligations, less current portion

  3,377   4,277 

Deferred income taxes

  272,541   261,690 

Accrued pension costs

  37,317   37,838 

Other

  1,832   1,839 

Total liabilities

  2,268,487   2,267,960 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

        
         

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, no par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares and 100,000,000 shares, issued 89,298,943 shares and 88,788,664 shares, outstanding 82,022,500 shares and 83,253,588 shares, respectively

  904,871   902,518 

Class A common stock, no par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares and 15,000,000 shares, issued 8,569,149 shares and 8,349,069 shares, outstanding 6,729,035 shares and 6,598,377 shares, respectively

  25,662   24,644 

Retained earnings

  222,344   161,694 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax benefit

  (22,165)  (22,165)
   1,130,712   1,066,691 

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

  (72,270)  (49,562)

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

  (25,484)  (24,232)

Total stockholders’ equity

  1,032,958   992,897 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $3,301,445  $3,260,857 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in thousandsmillions, except for per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $250,344  $226,681  $476,602  $430,142          

Broadcasting

 $499  $250  $980  $477 

Production companies

  9   -   46   - 

Total revenue (less agency commissions)

 508  250  1,026  477 

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

                         

Broadcast

  141,919   133,683   291,573   267,239  314  142  670  292 

Production companies

 9  -  44  - 

Corporate and administrative

  10,833   8,432   19,093   16,142  21  11  69  19 

Depreciation

  13,543   12,841   27,237   25,470  20  13  40  27 

Amortization of intangible assets

  5,153   6,657   10,589   12,224  28  5  57  11 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

  (794)  (77,326)  (1,615)  (76,799)  (3)  (1)  (13)  (2)

Operating expenses

  170,654   84,287   346,877   244,276   389   170   867   347 

Operating income

  79,690   142,394   129,725   185,866  119  80  159  130 

Other income (expense):

                         

Miscellaneous income, net

  702   162   1,262   255  1  1  4  1 

Interest expense

  (24,831)  (23,791)  (49,081)  (46,982)  (58)  (25)  (116)  (49)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  -   (311)  -   (2,851)

Income before income taxes

  55,561   118,454   81,906   136,288  62  56  47  82 

Income tax expense

  14,856   47,893   21,256   55,222   18   15   21   21 

Net income

 $40,705  $70,561  $60,650  $81,066  44  41  26  61 

Preferred stock dividends

  13   -   26   - 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 $31  $41  $-  $61 
                 

Basic per share information:

                         

Net income

 $0.46  $0.98  $0.69  $1.13 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 $0.31  $0.46  $-  $0.69 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  87,765   71,821   88,408   71,849   100   88   100   88 
                 

Diluted per share information:

                         

Net income

 $0.46  $0.97  $0.68  $1.12 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 $0.31  $0.46  $-  $0.68 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

  88,305   72,501   88,937   72,510   101   88   100   89 
                 

Dividends declared per common share

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in thousands,millions, except for number of shares)

 

                                     

Accumulated

     
 

Class A

              

Class A

  

Common

  

Other

                                           

Accumulated

    
 

Common Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Retained

  

Treasury Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Comprehensive

       

Class A

             

Class A

 

Common

 

Other

    
 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Earnings

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Loss

  

Total

   

Common Stock

  

Common Stock

  

Retained

  

Treasury Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Comprehensive

     
                                              

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Earnings

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Loss

  

Total

 
                                                                   

Balance at December 31, 2017

  8,349,069  $24,644   88,788,664  $902,518  $161,694   (1,750,692) $(24,232)  (5,535,076) $(49,562) $(22,165) $992,897    8,349,069  $25   88,788,664  $902  $162   (1,750,692) $(24)  (5,535,076) $(50) $(22) $993 
                                                                   

Net income

  -   -   -   -   60,650   -   -   -   -   -   60,650  - - - -  20  - - - - -  20 
                                                                   

Issuance of common stock:

                                                                   

2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan :

                       

Restricted stock awards

  220,080   -   391,836   -   -   (89,422)  (1,252)  (107,456)  (1,757)  -   (3,009)  220,080  -  318,196  - -  (89,422) (1) (107,456) (2) -  (3)

Restricted stock unit awards

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

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

  -   -   (91,057)  (528)  -   -   -   -   -   -   (528)
                                                                   

Repurchase of common stock

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (1,551,710)  (19,607)  -   (19,607) - - - - - - -  (1,551,710) (20) -  (20)
                                                                   

Stock-based compensation

  -   1,018   -   2,881   -   -   -   -   -   -   3,899  - - -  2  - - - - - -  2 
                                                                               

Balance at March 31, 2018

   8,569,149  $25   89,316,360  $904  $182   (1,840,114) $(25)  (7,276,443) $(73) $(22) $991 
                       

Net income

  -  -  -  -  41  -  -  -  -  -  41 
                       

Issuance of common stock:

                       

2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan:

                       

Restricted stock awards

  -  -  73,640  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 
                       

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

  -  -  (91,057) (1) -  -  -  -  -  -  (1)
                       

Stock-based compensation

  -  1  -  1  -  -  -  -  -  -  2 
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2018

  8,569,149  $25,662   89,298,943  $904,871  $222,344   (1,840,114) $(25,484)  (7,276,443) $(72,270) $(22,165) $1,032,958    8,569,149  $26   89,298,943  $904  $223   (1,840,114) $(25)  (7,276,443) $(73) $(22) $1,033 
                        
                        

Balance at December 31, 2018

  8,569,149  $27  89,298,943  $907  $372  (1,840,114) $(26) (7,276,443) $(72) $(21) $1,187 
                       

Net loss

  -  -  -  -  (18) -  -  -  -  -  (18)
                       

Preferred stock dividends

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

Issuance of common stock:

                       

Acquisitions of television businesses and licenses

  -  -  11,499,945  170  -  -  -  -  -  -  170 

401(k) Plan

  -  -  196,509  4  -  -  -  -  -  -  4 

2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan -

                       

Restricted stock awards

  199,810  -  677,602  -  -  (47,653) -  (123,167) (3) -  (3)
                       

Stock-based compensation

  -  -  -  2  -  -  -  -  -  -  2 
                       

Adoption of ASU 2018-02

  -  -  -  -  2  -  -  -  -  (2) - 
                                   

Balance at March 31, 2019

   8,768,959  $27   101,672,999  $1,083  $343   (1,887,767) $(26)  (7,399,610) $(75) $(23) $1,329 
                       

Net income

  -  -  -  -  44  -  -  -  -  -  44 
                       

Preferred stock dividends

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

Issuance of common stock:

                       

2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan -

                       

Restricted stock awards

  -  -  41,181  -  -  -  -  (29,204) -  -  - 
                       

Stock-based compensation

  -  -  -  3  -  -  -  -  -  -  3 
                       

Adoption of ASU 2018-02

  -  -  -  -  3  -  -  -  -  (3) - 
                                   

Balance at June 30, 2019

   8,768,959  $27   101,714,180  $1,086  $377   (1,887,767) $(26)  (7,428,814) $(75) $(26) $1,363 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 (in thousands)(in millions)

 

 

Six Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

 

Operating activities

                

Net income

 $60,650  $81,066  $26  $61 

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

             

Depreciation

  27,237   25,470  40  27 

Amortization of intangible assets

  10,589   12,224  57  11 

Amortization of deferred loan costs

  2,315   2,309  6  2 

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

  (305)  (305)

Amortization of restricted stock and stock option awards

  3,371   2,772  5  3 

Amortization of program broadcast rights

  10,604   10,235  20  11 

Payments on program broadcast obligations

  (10,866)  (10,393) (24) (11)

Common stock contributed to 401(k)

 4  - 

Deferred income taxes

  10,852   53,732  12  11 

Gain on disposals of assets, net

  (1,615)  (76,799) (13) (2)

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

  -   2,851 

Other

  (555)  (949) (7) (1)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

             

Accounts receivable

  (5,482)  (22,360) 41  (5)

Prepaid income taxes

  (12,057)  (990) -  (12)

Other current assets

  443   (507) (15) 1 

Accounts payable

  (1,720)  (2,920) -  (2)

Employee compensation, benefits and pension cost

  (4,314)  (8,517) (14) (4)

Accrued network fees and other expenses

  (3,183)  (3,462) (42) (3)

Accrued interest

  39   (5,917) 4  - 

Income taxes payable

  10,415   1,580  1  10 

Deferred revenue

  1,034   24   4   1 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  97,452   59,144   105   98 
         

Investing activities

                

Acquisitions of television businesses and licenses

  -   (386,438)

Acquisitions of television businesses and licenses, net of cash acquired

 (2,789) - 

Proceeds from sale of television station

 231  - 

Purchases of property and equipment

  (19,915)  (10,415) (44) (20)

Proceeds from asset sales

  104   126  3  - 

Proceeds from FCC Repack (Note 1)

  1,846   -  17  2 

Acquisition prepayments

  (4,145)  (11,731) (14) (4)

Other

  4   (4,759)  (3)  - 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (22,106)  (413,217)  (2,599)  (22)
         

Financing activities

                

Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt

  -   641,438  1,400  - 

Repayments of borrowings on long-term debt

  (3,208)  (559,433) (7) (3)

Payments for the repurchase of common stock

  (19,607)  (4,000) -  (20)

Payment of preferred stock dividends

 (13) - 

Deferred and other loan costs

  -   (4,994) (50) - 

Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards

  (4,353)  (1,767)  (4)  (4)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (27,168)  71,244 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

  48,178   (282,829)

Cash at beginning of period

  462,399   325,189 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  1,326   (27)

Net (decrease) increase in cash

 (1,168) 49 

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

  1,419   462 

Cash at end of period

 $510,577  $42,360  $251  $511 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


 

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

 

1.

1.     Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Gray Television, Inc. (and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as the context otherwise provides,“Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) as of December 31, 2017, 2018, which was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2017, 2018, and our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2018 2019 and for the periods ended June 30, 2018 2019 and 2017,2018, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our operations consistSubsequent to the Raycom Merger (as defined herein) we manage our business on the basis of one reportable segment.two operating segments, broadcasting and production companies. 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, 2017 (the “20172018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”10-K”). Our financial condition as of, and operating results for the six-month periodsix-months ended June 30, 2018, 2019, 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, 2018.2019. In addition, we have changed our reporting increment for dollars from thousands to millions.

 

Overview

 

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operatesGeorgia. On January 2, 2019, we completed the Raycom Merger (as defined herein), which completed our transformation from a small, regional broadcaster to a leading media company with nationwide scale based on high-quality stations with exceptional talent in attractive markets. Upon the completion of the Raycom Merger on January 2, 2019, we became the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of June 30, 2018,Currently, we owned and operatedown television stations in 5793 television markets broadcasting over 200 programming400 separate program streams including over 100 channels affiliated withapproximately 150 affiliates of the CBSABC Network (“CBS”ABC”), the NBC Network (“NBC”), the ABCCBS Network (“ABC”CBS”) and the FOX Network (“FOX”). AsWe refer to these major broadcast networkscollectively as the “Big Four” networks. Our television stations ranked first or second among all local television stations in 87 of June 30, 2018, our 93 markets between December 2017 and November 2018. Our station group reachedportfolio reaches approximately 10.4%24% of total United States television households. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content which we refer to collectively as our “production companies”.

Use of Estimates

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

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income available 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 diluted weighted-average shares outstanding calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive.

8

The following table reconciles basic weighted-average shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in millions):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 
                 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic

  100   88   100   88 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted shares

  1   -   -   1 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted

  101   88   100   89 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, consist of adjustments to our pension liability and the related income tax effect. Our comprehensive (loss) income for the six -months ended June 30, 2019 consisted of net (loss) income and an adjustment to the tax effect of our pension liability as a result of our adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02,Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. As of June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018 the balances were as follows (in millions):

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 
         

Accumulated balances of items included in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

        

Increase in pension liability

 $(35) $(35)

Income tax benefit

  (9)  (14)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(26) $(21)

Property and Equipment

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

          

Estimated

 
  

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

              

Land

 $115  $52       

Buildings and improvements

  272   166   7to40 

Equipment

  734   548   3to20 
   1,121   766       

Accumulated depreciation

  (435)  (403)      

Total property and equipment, net

 $686  $363       

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

9

In April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) began a process of reallocating the broadcast spectrum (the “Repack”). Specifically, the FCC is requiring certain television stations to change channels and/or modify their transmission facilities. The U.S. Congress passed legislation which provides the FCC with a $1.7 billion fund to reimburse all reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license and a portion of the costs incurred by stations operating under a low power license that are reassigned to new channels. Subsequent legislation in March 2018 appropriated an additional $1.0 billion for the Repack fund, of which up to $750.0 million may be made available to reimburse the Repack costs of full power, Class A television stations and multichannel video programming distributors. Other funds are earmarked to assist low power television stations and for other transition costs. The sufficiency of the FCC’s fund to reimburse for Repack costs is dependent upon a number of factors including the amounts to be reimbursed to other industry participants for Repack costs. Therefore, we cannot predict whether the fund will be sufficient to reimburse our Repack costs to the extent authorized under the legislation. Forty-seven of our current full power stations and thirty-seven of our current low power stations are affected by the Repack. The Repack process began in the summer of 2017 and will take approximately three years to complete. The majority of our costs associated with the Repack qualify for capitalization, rather than expense. Upon receipt of funds reimbursing us for our Repack costs, we record those proceeds as a component of our (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net.

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

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets, net:

                

Proceeds from sale of assets

 $1  $-  $3  $- 

Proceeds from FCC - Repack

  5   1   17   2 

Net book value of assets disposed

  (2)  -   (4)  - 

Other

  (1)  -   (3)  - 

Total

 $3  $1  $13  $2 
                 

Purchase of property and equipment:

                

Recurring purchases - operations

         $14  $10 

Repack

          30   10 

Total

         $44  $20 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

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

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. After adoption of the standard, the annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made a determination as to whether to early-adopt this standard. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

10

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14,Compensation Retirement Benefits Defined Benefit Plans General (Subtopic 715-20) - Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans ASU 2018-14 adds, removes, and modifies disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The update amends only annual disclosure requirements. Retrospective adoption of the update is required in fiscal 2022. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made a determination as to whether to early-adopt this standard. The adoption of this guidance requires a change in disclosures only and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Adoption of Accounting Standards and Reclassifications

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 superseded Topic 840, Leases, and thus superseded 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. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements, which provided the option of applying the requirements of the new lease standard in the period of adoption using the modified retrospective approach with no restatement of comparative periods. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach provided in ASU 2018-11. The transition guidance allowed for the election of a number of practical expedients. We elected the package of practical expedients and the short term lease practical expedient. The package of practical expedients allowed us to carryforward our classification of existing leases. With the election of the short-term practical expedient, we are not required to recognize on our consolidated balance sheet, the present value of leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. We also implemented internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption. The standard had a material impact in our consolidated balance sheets, but did not have an impact in our consolidated income statements. Upon the adoption of this standard, we recorded a right of use (“ROU”) asset and a lease obligation liability of approximately$21 million. In addition, upon the completion of the Raycom Merger on January 2, 2019, we implemented these standards to the leases acquired in the Raycom Merger and recorded a ROU asset and a lease obligation liability of approximately$52 million for each. Please refer to Note 3 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” and Note 10 “Leases” for further information.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02,Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”). Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the TCJA, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. We have adopted this standard effective on January 1, 2019 and have recorded an adjustment of $5 million to increase our retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01,Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 adds guidance to assist entities in the determination of whether an acquisition (or disposal) represents assets or a business. The update provides a test to determine whether or not an acquisition is a business. If substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the acquired assets do not represent a business. If this test is not met, the update provides further guidance to evaluate if the acquisition represents a business. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2019. The adoption did not have an impact on our financial statements.

Certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have also been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

11

2.

Revenue

 

Revenue Recognition

 

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

Seasonality and Cyclicality

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 during the “on-year” of the two year election cycle. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter. In addition, the broadcast of Olympic Games by our NBC affiliated stations during even-numbered years generally leads to increased viewership and revenue during those years.

Use of Estimates

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


Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of our common shares and Class A common shares outstanding during the relevant period. The weighted-average number of 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 shares, including restricted shares and shares underlying stock options, in the denominator of the diluted weighted-average shares outstanding calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive.

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

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

 
                 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic

  87,765   71,821   88,408   71,849 

Common stock equivalents for stock options and restricted shares

  540   680   529   661 

Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted

  88,305   72,501   88,937   72,510 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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

Property and Equipment

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

          

Estimated

 
  

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

Useful Lives

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

(in years)

 

Property and equipment:

              

Land

 $51,946  $50,458       

Buildings and improvements

  157,667   156,924   7to40 

Equipment

  528,442   511,878   3to20 
   738,055   719,260       

Accumulated depreciation

  (395,059)  (368,602)      

Total property and equipment, net

 $342,996  $350,658       

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


In April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) began a process of reallocating the broadcast spectrum (the “Repack”). Specifically, the FCC is requiring certain television stations to change channels and/or modify their transmission facilities. The U.S. Congress passed legislation which provides the FCC with a $1.7 billion fund to reimburse all reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license and a portion of the costs incurred by stations operating under a low power license that are reassigned to new channels. Subsequent legislation in March 2018 appropriated an additional $1.0 billion for the repacking fund, of which up to $750.0 million may be made available to reimburse the Repack costs of full power and Class A television stations and multichannel video programming distributors. Other funds are earmarked to assist low power television stations and for other transition costs. The sufficiency of the FCC’s fund to reimburse for Repack costs is dependent upon a number of factors including the amounts to be reimbursed to other industry participants for repacking costs. Therefore, we cannot predict whether the fund will be sufficient to reimburse our Repack costs to the extent authorized under the legislation. Twenty-six of our current full power stations and thirty six of our current low power stations are affected by the Repack. The Repack process began in the summer of 2017 and will take approximately three years to complete. We anticipate that the majority of our costs associated with the Repack will qualify for capitalization, rather than expense. Upon receipt of funds reimbursing us for our repacking costs, we record those proceeds as a component of our (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net.

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

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

 

Gain on disposal of assets, net:

                

Proceeds from sale of assets

 $63  $90,900  $104  $90,950 

Proceeds from FCC - Repack

  909   -   1,846   - 

Net book value of assets disposed

  (178)  (13,574)  (335)  (14,151)

Total

 $794  $77,326  $1,615  $76,799 
                 

Purchase of property and equipment:

                

Recurring purchases - operations

         $9,704  $10,287 

Repack

          10,211   128 

Total

         $19,915  $10,415 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

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

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. 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, 2017, the values of those assets and related liabilities were each approximately $17.6 million. We are also evaluating our footnote disclosure requirements. We are continuing 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. We are making preparations for implementing lease accounting software with our current lease inventory.


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. After adoption of the standard, the annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard allows for early adoption, but we have not yet made a determination as to whether to early-adopt this standard. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

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

Adoption of Accounting Standards and Reclassifications

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 – Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP regarding the classification and measurement of financial instruments. This ASU 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. ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments previously measured at cost to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, equity investments without a readily determinable fair value may be measured using a proscribed measurement alternative that reflects current fair value with changes in the current fair value recognized in net income and includes a qualitative evaluation of impairment. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03 – Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2018-03 clarifies certain aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-01. ASU 2018-03 is effective for interim periods beginning after June 15, 2018 but can be adopted early. We adopted the amendments in both updates concurrently beginning in the first quarter of 2018. We currently have equity investments in the television broadcasting industry that do not have readily determinable fair values. We have applied the measurement alternative as defined in the amendments. These investments are reported together as a non-current asset on our balance sheet. We evaluate these investments on an interim basis for impairment. Accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not 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. We adopted this standard beginning in the first quarter of 2018. Because our defined benefit pension plans were frozen in prior years, we have not incurred any service cost in our condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three or six-months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017. Upon the adoption of this standard we reclassified our net pension expense (benefit) from our operating expenses to our miscellaneous income, net. The amount was not material.


In addition to the reclassification of our net pension expense (benefit) in our condensed consolidated statement of operations as described above, certain amounts in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows have also been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

2.

Revenue

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

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended. We adopted this ASC using the modified retrospective method and as a result, comparative information has not been restated and continues to be presented as prescribed by the accounting standards in effect during the periods presented. This transition method was applied to all open contracts with customers at the time of adoption. The adoption of this ASC did not result in an impact on our current or historical results.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of service and sales channel (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

 

Market and service type:

                

Advertising:

                

Local

 $112,921  $117,917  $218,390  $220,514 

National

  29,873   30,981   54,385   55,795 

Political

  18,070   3,708   23,845   5,029 

Total advertising

  160,864   152,606   296,620   281,338 

Retransmission consent

  85,307   69,371   170,858   136,944 

Other

  4,173   4,704   9,124   11,860 

Total revenue

 $250,344  $226,681  $476,602  $430,142 
                 

Sales channel:

                

Direct

 $135,302  $120,292  $268,724  $234,814 

Advertising agency intermediary

  115,042   106,389   207,878   195,328 

Total revenue

 $250,344  $226,681  $476,602  $430,142 

Advertising Revenue

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

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


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

We record revenue and expense for non-monetary trade transactions involving the exchange of tangible goods or services with our customers. The revenue is recorded at the time the advertisement is broadcast and the expense is recorded at the time the goods or services are used. The revenue and expense associated with these transactions are based on the fair value of the assets or services received.

Retransmission Consent Revenue

We enter into license agreements with cable, satellite, multichannel video programming distributors and digital delivery system (or “OTT”) customers (collectively “MVPD”) that provide them the right to use our broadcast signal for retransmission across the MVPD system for an agreed period of time. These agreements represent a sales and usage based functional intellectual property license based on the number of subscribers to the licensee’s delivery systems. Our performance obligation is to provide the licensee with access to our intellectual property when it is broadcast. The duration of the typical retransmission consent contract is three years. Retransmission consent revenue is recognized continuously during the period of the contract as we transmit our broadcast signal to the MVPD. The amount of revenue recognized is determined based upon a fixed rate per subscriber multiplied by the number of active subscribers to our MVPD customer systems for the given month. We bill our MVPD customers monthly over the life of the retransmission consent contract. We have an unconditional right to receive payment of the amount billed generally within 30 days from the invoice date. Payment terms are expressly stated in our retransmission consent contracts and standard terms and conditions. The invoiced amount to be received is recorded in accounts receivable on our balance sheet.

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

Other Revenues

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

Accounts Receivable and Deposit Liability

When we invoice our customers for completed performance obligations, we are unconditionally entitled to receive payment of the invoiced amounts. Therefore, we record invoiced amounts in accounts receivable on our balance sheet. We generally require amounts due to us under advertising contracts with our political advertising customers to be paid for in advance. We record the receipt of this cash as deposit liabilities. Once the advertisements have been broadcast, the revenues are earned, and we record these revenues and reduce the balance in this deposit liabilities. Our deposit libilities of $3.8 million as of January 1, 2018 have been or will be recognized in revenue in 2018. We believe that our deposit libilities of $4.8 million as of June 30, 2018 will be recognized as revenue later in 2018.


Expedients

We expense direct and agency commissions when incurred because our advertising contracts are one year or less in duration and the amortization period for capitalized expenses would be less than one year. Direct commissions are included in broadcast operating expense and agency commissions are netted against gross revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The nature of our contracts with advertising customers is such that our performance obligations arise and are satisfied concurrent with the broadcast or web placement of the advertisement. We did not have incomplete or unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of any period presented. We record a deposit liability for cash deposits received from our customers that are to be applied as payment once the performance obligation arises and is satisfied in the manner stated above. These deposits are recorded as deposit liabilities on our balance sheet. When we invoice our customers for completed performance obligations, we are unconditionally entitled to receive payment of the invoiced amounts. Therefore, we record invoiced amounts in accounts receivable on our balance sheet. We generally require amounts payable under advertising contracts with our political advertising customers to be paid for in advance. We record the receipt of this cash as a deposit liability. Once the advertisement has been broadcast, the revenue is earned, and we record the revenue and reduce the balance in this deposit liability account. We recorded $3 million of revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2019 that was included in the deposit liability balance as of December 31, 2018. The deposit liability balance is included in deferred revenue on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The deposit liability balance was $8 million and $3 million as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

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 presents our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of service and sales channel (in millions):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 

Market and service type:

                

Advertising:

                

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

 $226  $113  $437  $219 

National

  56   30   106   54 

Political

  5   18   8   24 

Total advertising

  287   161   551   297 

Retransmission consent

  201   85   405   171 

Production companies

  9   -   46   - 

Other

  11   4   24   9 

Total revenue

 $508  $250  $1,026  $477 
                 

Sales channel:

                

Direct

 $307  $135  $640  $269 

Advertising agency intermediary

  201   115   386   208 

Total revenue

 $508  $250  $1,026  $477 

 

 

3.Long-term Debt

3.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

During the six-months ended June 30, 2019, we completed acquisition and divestiture transactions which we believe will, among other things, increase our revenues and cash flows from operating activities, and allow us to operate more efficiently and effectively by increasing our scale and could provide us with, among other things, the ability to negotiate more favorable terms in our agreements with third parties.


Raycom Merger

On January 2, 2019, we completed an acquisition of all the equity interests of Raycom Media, Inc. (“Raycom”). In connection with the acquisition of Raycom and on the same date, Gray assumed and completed Raycom’s pending acquisitions of WUPV-DT in the Richmond, VA market and KYOU-TV in the Ottumwa, IA market. To facilitate regulatory approval of the acquisition of Raycom and to satisfy the conditions placed on the acquisition by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the FCC, we completed the divestiture of nine television stations in overlapping markets. We refer to the acquisition of Raycom, WUPV-DT and KYOU-TV and the divestiture of the stations in the nine overlapping markets collectively as the “Raycom Merger.”

We believe the completion of the Raycom Merger is a significant step in our pursuit of strategic growth through accretive acquisition opportunities. The Raycom Merger completed our transformation from a small, regional broadcaster to a leading media company with nationwide scale based on high-quality stations with exceptional talent in attractive markets. The following table lists the stations acquired and retained, net of divestitures:

Station

DMA

Designated Market Area

Call

Network

Rank

("DMA")

Letters

Affiliation

11

Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota), FL

WWSB

ABC

19

Cleveland-Akron (Canton)

WOIO

CBS

19

Cleveland-Akron (Canton)

WUAB

CW

23

Charlotte, NC

WBTV

CBS

35

Cincinnati, OH

WXIX

FOX

37

West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, FL

WFLX

FOX

43

Birmingham (Ann and Tusc)

WBRC

FOX

48

Louisville, KY

WAVE

NBC

50

New Orleans, LA

WVUE

FOX

51

Memphis, TN

WMC

NBC

56

Richmond- Petersburg, VA

WWBT

NBC

56

Richmond- Petersburg, VA

WUPV

CW

66

Honolulu, HI

KHNL

NBC

66

Honolulu, HI

KGMB

CBS

66

Honolulu, HI

KHBC

NBC/CBS

66

Honolulu, HI

KOGG

NBC/CBS

73

Tucson (Nogales), AZ

KOLD

CBS

74

Columbia, SC

WIS

NBC

79

Huntsville- Decatur (Florence), AL

WAFF

NBC

88

Paducah, KY/Cape Girardeau, MO/

Harrisburg, IL

KFVS

CBS

90

Shreveport, LA

KSLA

CBS

92

Jackson, MS

WLBT

NBC

93

Savannah, GA

WTOC

CBS

94

Charleston, SC

WCSC

CBS

95

Myrtle Beach-Florence

WMBF

NBC

97

Baton Rouge, LA

WAFB

CBS

97

Baton Rouge, LA

WBXH

MY

100

Boise, ID

KNIN

FOX

103

Evansville, IN

WFIE

NBC

114

Tyler-Longview, TX

KLTV

ABC

114

Tyler-Longview, TX

KTRE

ABC

116

Montgomery, AL

WSFA

NBC

127

Columbus, GA (Opelika, AL)

WTVM

ABC

129

Wilmington, NC

WECT

NBC

131

Amarillo, TX

KFDA

CBS

131

Amarillo, TX

KEYU

TEL

142

Odessa/Midland, TX

KCWO

CW

142

Odessa/Midland, TX

KTLE

TEL

143

Lubbock, TX

KCBD

NBC

148

Wichita Falls, TX & Lawton, OK

KSWO

ABC

148

Wichita Falls, TX & Lawton, OK

KKTM

TEL

152

Albany, GA

WALB

NBC/ABC

156

Biloxi-Gulfport, MS

WLOX

ABC/CBS

168

Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS

WDAM

NBC/ABC

180

Jonesboro, AR

KAIT

ABC/NBC

200

Ottumwa, IA/Kirksville, MO

KYOU

FOX/NBC


The divestiture transactions included one station owned by us. On December 31, 2018, we sold the assets of WSWG-TV (DMA-152) in the Albany, Georgia television market for $8.5 million, excluding transaction related expenses to Marquee Broadcasting, Inc. and Marquee Broadcasting Georgia, Inc. In connection with the divestiture of the assets of WSWG-TV, we recorded a gain of approximately $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

On January 2, 2019, the following stations were acquired from Raycom and their assets were immediately divested in eight markets as follows (dollars in millions):

  

Total

        
  

Cash

        
  

Consideration

 

Television

      

Purchaser

 

Received

 

Station

 

Location

 

DMA

 
            

Lockwood Broadcasting, Inc.

 $67 

WTNZ

 

Knoxville, TN

  60 
     

WFXG

 

Augusta, GA

  105 
     

WPGX

 

Panama City, FL

  150 
     

WDFX

 

Dothan, AL

  173 
            

Scripps Media, Inc.

  55 

KXXV

 

Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX

  89 
     

KRHD

 

Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX

  89 
     

WTXL

 

Tallahassee, FL

  112 
            

TEGNA, Inc.

  109 

WTOL

 

Toledo, OH

  71 
     

KWES

 

Odessa - Midland, TX

  142 

Total

 $231        

The allocated portion of net consideration paid for the assets and liabilities divested for the stations in these eight overlap markets was approximately $234 million.

The net consideration paid to acquire Raycom consisted of $2.84 billion of cash, 11.5 million shares of our common stock, valued at $170 million (a non-cash financing transaction), and $650 million of a new series of preferred stock (a non-cash financing transaction), for a total of $3.66 billion. Please refer to Note 6 “Stockholders Equity” and Note 7 “Preferred Stock” for further information. The cash consideration paid to acquire the two stations that Raycom had previously agreed to acquire (KYOU-TV and WUPV-TV listed above) was $17 million. The following table summarizes the consideration paid related to the Raycom Merger and the amount representing the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in millions):

      

KYOU

     
      

and

  

Net

 
  

Raycom

  

WUPV

  

Consideration

 
             

Purchase Price

 $3,660  $17  $3,677 

Less - consideration allocated to all assets acquired and net of liabilites assumed for the Raycom overlap market stations which were also divested on January 2, 2019

  (234)  -   (234)

Purchase consideration for assets acquired and liabilities assumed net of divestitures

 $3,426  $17  $3,443 

United Acquisition

On May 1, 2019, we acquired the assets of WWNY-TV (CBS) and WNYF-CD (FOX) in Watertown, New York (DMA 178) and KEYC-TV (CBS/FOX) in Mankato, Minnesota (DMA 199) from United Communications Corporation (the “United Acquisition”) for an adjusted purchase price of $48 million of cash, excluding transaction related expenses. We began operating those stations on March 1, 2019 under a local programming and marketing agreement, which increased the total number of our markets from 91 to 93.


The following table summarizes the preliminary values of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill of the Raycom Merger and the United Acquisition, together, the “2019 Acquisitions,” (in millions):

  

Raycom

  

United

  

Total

 

Cash

 $116  $-  $116 

Accounts receivable, net

  245   3   248 

Program broadcast rights

  12   -   12 

Other current assets

  8   -   8 

Property and equipment

  311   10   321 

Operating lease right of use asset

  52   -   52 

Goodwill

  836   3   839 

Broadcast licenses

  2,004   24   2,028 

Other intangible assets

  493   8   501 

Other non-current assets

  22   -   22 

Accrued compensation and benefits

  (29)  -   (29)

Program broadcast obligations

  (16)  -   (16)

Other current liabilities

  (60)  -   (60)

Income taxes payable

  (12)  -   (12)

Deferred income taxes

  (462)  -   (462)

Operating lease liabilities

  (52)  -   (52)

Other long-term liabilities

  (25)  -   (25)

Total

 $3,443  $48  $3,491 

These amounts are based upon management’s preliminary estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches. In determining the preliminary fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the fair values were determined based on, among other factors, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates. Because of the magnitude and complexity of the calculations involved and the inherent issues related to the integration of our operations, the valuation of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill of the 2019 Acquisitions are not yet final. However, we expect that any adjustments to these amounts reported in subsequent periods will not be material to our financial statements as a whole.

Accounts receivable are recorded at their fair value representing the amount we expect to collect. Gross contractual amounts receivable are approximately $2 million more than their recorded fair value.

Property and equipment are recorded at their fair value and are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 years to 40 years.

Amounts related to other intangible assets represent primarily the estimated fair values of retransmission agreements of $313 million; favorable income leases of $76 million; and network affiliation agreements of $48 million. These intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of approximately 4.6 years for retransmission agreements; approximately 9.2 years for favorable income leases; and approximately 4.2 years for network affiliation agreements.

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 recorded $836 million of goodwill related to stations acquired and retained in the Raycom Merger, and $3 million of goodwill related to the stations acquired in the United Acquisition. A portion of the goodwill acquired, in the amount of approximately $150 million that was deductible by Raycom will be deductible by us for income tax purposes.


The Company’s consolidated results of operations for three and six-months ended June 30, 2019 include the results of the Raycom Merger beginning on January 2, 2019 and the United Acquisition beginning on March 1, 2019. Revenues attributable thereto and included in our consolidated statement of operations for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2019 were $264 million and $545 million, respectively. Operating income attributable thereto and included in our consolidated statement of operations was $53 million and $49 million for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

The following table summarizes the approximate “Transaction Related Expenses” incurred in connection with the 2019 Acquisitions, during the three and six-months ended June 30, 2019, by type and by financial statement line item (in millions):

  

June 30, 2019

 
  

Three Months

  

Six Months

 
  

Ended

  

Ended

 

Transaction Related Expenses by type:

        

Legal, consulting and other professional fees

 $1  $23 

Incentive compensation and other severance costs

  -   18 

Termination of sales representation agreements

  1   29 

Total transaction related expenses

 $2  $70 
         

Transaction Related Expenses by financial statement line item:

        

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

        

Broadcast

 $1  $37 

Corporate and administrative

  1   33 

Total transaction related expenses

 $2  $70 

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information.

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma information for the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 assuming that the 2019 Acquistions occurred on January 1,2018 (in millions, except per share data):

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 
         

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $1,029  $995 
         

Net income

 $44  $61 
         

Net income attributable to common stockholders

 $18  $35 
         

Basic net income per common share

 $0.18  $0.40 
         

Diluted net income per common share

 $0.18  $0.40 

This pro forma financial information is based on Gray’s historical results of operations and the historical results of operations of the television stations acquired, net of divestitures, included in the 2019 Acquisitions, adjusted for the effect of fair value estimates and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we completed the 2019 Acquisitions on January 1,2018 or on any other historical date, nor is it reflective of our expected results of operations for any future period. The pro forma adjustments for the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 reflect depreciation expense and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets related to the fair value of the assets acquired, transaction related expenses and the related tax effects of the adjustments. This pro forma financial information has been prepared based on estimates and assumptions that we believe are reasonable as of the date hereof, and are subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the fair value estimates or underlying assumptions.


4.

Long-term Debt

 

As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 2019, long-term debt primarily consisted of obligations under our 20172019 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below), our 5.125% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024“2024 Notes”), our 5.875% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and our 5.875%7.0% senior notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). As of December 31, 2018, long-term debt primarily consisted of obligations under our 2017 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below), our 2024Notes, due our 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), Notes and our 2027 Notes as follows (in thousands)millions):

 

 

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

June 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

 

Long-term debt :

             

2017 Senior Credit Facility

 $632,026  $635,234 

2017 Term Loan

 $595  $595 

2019 Term Loan

 1,393  - 

2024 Notes

  525,000   525,000  525  525 

2026 Notes

  700,000   700,000  700  700 

Total outstanding principal

  1,857,026   1,860,234 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2017 Senior Credit Facility

  (10,519)  (11,777)

2027 Notes

  750   750 

Total outstanding principal, including current portion

 3,963  2,570 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2017 Term Loan

 -  (9)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2019 Term Loan

 (47) - 

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2024 Notes

  (6,244)  (6,743) (5) (6)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2026 Notes

  (8,915)  (9,473) (8) (8)

Unamortized deferred loan costs - 2027 Notes

 (12) (2)

Unamortized premium - 2026 Notes

  4,881   5,187   4   4 

Carrying value of long-term debt

  1,836,229   1,837,428 

Long-term debt, less deferred financing costs

 3,895  2,549 

Less current portion

  (37,000)  (6,417)  (14)  - 

Carrying value of long-term debt, less current portion

 $1,799,229  $1,831,011 

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

 $3,881  $2,549 
         

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $100,000 

Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility

 $200  $100 

 

On February 7, 2017, In connection with the Raycom Merger, on January 2, 2019, we entered into a Third Amendedamended our senior credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility” and, Restated Credit Agreement (the “2017as amended, the “2019 Senior Credit Facility”). As as follows: (1) we replaced our existing $100 million revolving credit facility under our prior senior credit facility with a new 5 year revolving credit facility (the “2019 Revolving Credit Facility”), the terms of June 30, 2018,which provide for up to $200 million in available borrowings and a maturity date of January 2, 2024, and (2) we incurred a $1.4 billion term loan (the “2019 Term Loan”), which matures on January 2, 2026 and (3) assumed the 2017 Senior Credit Facility provided total commitments of $732.0 million, consisting of a $632.0outstanding $556 million term loan facility (the “2017“2017 Initial Term Loan”) and $85 million incremental term loan (the “2017 Incremental Term Loan” and, together with the 2017 Initial Term Loan, the “2017 Term Loan”). Since the Raycom Merger was not completed by December 15, 2018, we incurred a $100.0ticking fee of $0.8 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”).

For allat a rate of 1.25% of the 2019 Term Loan amount, from December 16, 2018 to January 2, 2019. In addition, we assumed $750 million of the 2027 Notes, which were issued by our interest bearing obligations, we made interest paymentsspecial purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary on November 16, 2018. The proceeds of approximately $47.0 millionthe 2019 Term Loan and $50.9 million during the six-months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We did not capitalize any interest payments during2027 Notes were used to fund a portion of the six-months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017.cash consideration payable in the Raycom Merger.

 

Borrowings under the 20172019 Term Loan bear interest, at our option, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the Base Rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin is 2.5% for LIBOR borrowings and 1.5% for Base Rate borrowings. As of June 30, 2019, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2019 Term Loan was 4.9%. The 2019 Term Loan matures on January 2, 2026.


Borrowings under the 2017 Term Loan bear interest, at our option, at either the 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 20172019 Senior Credit Facility (the “Leverage Ratio”). If our Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 5.25 to 1.00, the applicable margin is 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 is 2.5% for all LIBOR borrowings and 1.5% for all Base Rate borrowings. As of June 30, 2018, 2019, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2017 Term Loan was 4.3%4.7%. The 2017 Term Loan matures on February 7, 2024.


 

Borrowings under the 20172019 Revolving Credit Facility currently bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus 1.50%the applicable margin or Base Rate plus 0.50%,the applicable margin, in each case based on a first lien leverage ratio test as set forth in the 20172019 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% andor (iii) LIBOR plus 1.00%1.50%. We are required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the 20172019 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 20172019 Revolving Credit Facility matures on February 7, 2022,January 2, 2024.

We incurred $42.5 million of transaction fees and expenses related to the 2019 Senior Credit Facility. At June 30, 2019 these were recorded as a reduction of the balance of the outstanding debt and are amortized over the life of the 2019 Senior Credit Facility. The amortization of these fees is included in our interest expense.

As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate minimum principal maturities of our long term debt for the remainder of 2019 and the 2017 Term Loan matures on February 7, 2024.succeeding 5 years were as follows (in millions):

  

Minimum Principal Maturities

 

Year

 

2019 Senior

Credit Facility

  

2024 Notes

  

2026 Notes

  

2027 Notes

  

Total

 

Remainder of 2019

 $7  $-  $-  $-  $7 

2020

  14   -   -   -   14 

2021

  14   -   -   -   14 

2022

  14   -   -   -   14 

2023

  14   -   -   -   14 

2024

  609   525   -   -   1,134 

Thereafter

  1,316   -   700   750   2,766 

Total

 $1,988  $525  $700  $750  $3,963 

 

Our obligations under the 20172019 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 20172019 Senior Credit Facility. Gray Television, Inc. is a holding company, and has no material independent assets or operations. For all applicable periods, the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 20262027 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 guarantee the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 20262027 Notes are minor. As of June 30, 2018, 2019, there were no significantnosignificant restrictions on the ability of Gray Television, Inc.'s subsidiaries to distribute cash to Gray or to the guarantor subsidiaries.

 

The 20172019 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 2017 Revolving Credit Facility,revolving credit facility, as well as other customary covenants for credit facilities of this type. The 2024 Notes, the 2026 Notes and 2024the 2027 Notes include covenants with which we must comply which are typical for borrowing transactions of their nature. As of June 30, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017, 2018, we were in compliance with all required covenants under all our debt obligations.

 

On July 27, 2018, we prepaid $37.0 millionFor all of our 2017 Term Loan in order to comply withinterest bearing obligations, we made interest payments of approximately $105 million and $47 million during the 2017 Senior Credit Facility's requirements related to our sale of broadcast spectrum insix-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We did not capitalize any interest payments during the FCC's 2017 spectrum auction. This prepayment satisfied all future quarterly payment obligations under the 2017 Term loan.six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.


 

 

4

5.Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

 

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

Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values

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


The carrying amount of our equity investments without readily determinable fair values was $16.6 million as of each of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There were no impairment charges or changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer for the period ended June 30, 2018.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

 

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

 

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

 

The carrying amount of our long-term debt was $1.8$3.9 billion and $1.8$2.5 billion, respectively, and the fair value was $1.8$4.1 billion and $1.9$2.4 billion, respectively, as of June 30, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017. 2018. Fair value of our long-term debt is based on observable estimates provided by third-partythird-party financial professionals as of June 30, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017 2018 and as such is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

6.

5.     Stockholders’ Equity

 

As of June 30, 2018, we wereWe are authorized to issue 245.0245 million shares in total of all classes of stock consisting of, 200.0 million shares of common stock, 25.025 million shares of Class A common stock, and 20.0200 million shares of common stock, and 20 million shares of “blank check” preferred stock for which our boardBoard of directorsDirectors has the authority to determine the rights, powers, limitations and restrictions. As of June 30, 2018, we had outstanding 82.0 million shares of common stock and 6.7 million shares of Class A common stock. No shares of preferred stock were outstanding. The rights of our common stock and Class A common stock are identical, except that our Class A common stock has 10 votes per share and our common stock has one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders.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 six-months ended six-months ending June 30, 2018 2019 and 2017,2018, we did not notdeclare or pay any common stock or Class A common stock dividends.

 

On January 2, 2019, we issued 11.5 million shares of our common stock at a price of $14.74 per share, the closing price for our common stock on the last trading day preceding the transaction, to certain former shareholders of Raycom as part of the total consideration paid for the Raycom Merger. We incurred transaction fees and expenses of approximately $0.1 million related to the issuance of these shares that were recorded as a reduction of the balance outstanding of our common stock in our balance sheets.

In each of March and November 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock and Class A common stock. In March 2006, this authorization was increased to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares (the “2004-2006“2004-2006 Repurchase Authorization”). As of June 30, 2018, 2019, 279,200 shares remain available for repurchase under this authorization, which has no expiration date. On November 6, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to purchase up to an additional $75.0$75 million of our outstanding common stock prior to December 31, 2019 (the “2016(the “2016 Repurchase Authorization”). The 2016 Repurchase Authorization prohibits the Company from purchasing shares directly from the Company’s officers, directors, or the Gray Television, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan (the “401(k) plan”“401k Plan”). During the six-months ended As of June 30, 2018, under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization, we purchased 1,551,710 shares of our common stock at an average purchase price, including related brokerage commissions, of $12.64 per share, for a total cost of $19.6 million. As of June 30, 2018, $49.52019, $50 million remains available to purchase shares of our common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Authorization.


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

 


Under our various employee benefit plans, we may, at our discretion, issue authorized and unissued shares, or previously issued shares held in treasury, of our common stock or Class A common stock. During the six-months ended June 30, 2019, we issued 196,509 shares of our common stock, valued at $4 million, to the qualifying participants in our 401(k) plan for our discretionary profit sharing contribution for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, 2019, we had reserved 7,078,9166,163,624 shares and 1,703,0641,503,254 shares of our common stock and Class A common stock, respectively, for future issuance under various employee benefit plans.

 

 

7.

Preferred Stock

6

In connection with the Raycom Merger, on January 2, 2019, we issued 650,000 shares of our Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, with a stated face value and liquidation value of $1,000 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). Retirement PlansHolders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive mandatory and cumulative dividends paid quarterly in cash or, at the Company’s option, paid quarterly in kind by issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock (“PIK Election Dividends”). The per-share amount of such quarterly mandatory and cumulative dividends will be calculated by multiplying the face value by 8% per annum if the dividends are to be paid in cash or 8.5% per annum if such dividends are to be paid in additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock. If the Company elects to pay any portion of accrued dividends with PIK Election Dividends, it will be prohibited from repurchasing, redeeming or paying dividends on any stock that is junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, through the end of that quarter and the subsequent two quarters, subject to certain exceptions.

With respect to the payment of dividends, the Series A Preferred Stock will rank senior to all classes and series of our common stock and all other equity securities designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, and no new issuances of common or preferred stock will rank on a parity with, nor senior to, the Series A Preferred Stock.

All or any portion of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the Company’s option at any time, upon written notice to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date of such optional redemption. The per-share redemption price for Series A Preferred Stock will be equal to the sum of the liquidation value and the per-share amount of any unpaid dividends for the current quarterly dividend period, up to and including the date of redemption. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock redeemed will be paid in cash.

 

The following table providesSeries A Preferred Stock is also subject to mandatory redemption upon the occurrence of certain change of control transactions or upon the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock do not have any right to exchange or convert the shares into any other securities.

In general, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights except as set forth in the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock or as otherwise required by law, in which case, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote.

The approval of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, is required in order to authorize, create, issue new shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred stock (other than to pay dividends) or alter the rights of any other shares that are or would be equal to or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, or to amend, alter or repeal the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended from time to time if such amendment, alteration or repeal adversely affects the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock.

The Series A Preferred Stock does not have preemptive rights as to any of our other securities, or any warrants, rights, or options to acquire any of our securities.


In the event that the Company voluntarily or involuntarily liquidates, dissolves or winds up its affairs, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, out of the Company’s assets or proceeds thereof available for distribution to shareholders, subject to the rights of any creditors, payment in full in an amount equal to the liquidation value and the per-share amount of any unpaid dividends for the current quarterly dividend period. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive this amount before any distribution of assets or proceeds to holders of our common stock and any other stock whose rights are junior to the Series A Preferred Stock. If in any distribution described above, our assets are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock or any stock whose rights are equal to the Series A Preferred Stock, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock would share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled. Shareholders are not subject to further assessments on their shares of the New Preferred Stock.

8.

Retirement Plans

The components of our net periodic pension benefit cost orare included in miscellaneous income forin our defined benefit pension plans forincome statement. During the three-month and six-month periodssix-months ended June 30, 20182019, the amount recorded as a benefit was not material, and 2017 (in thousands):

  

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

 

Interest cost

 $1,106  $1,528  $2,212  $2,335 

Expected return on plan assets

  (1,536)  (1,848)  (3,072)  (2,824)

Loss amortization

  169   158   339   242 

Net periodic income, net

 $(261) $(162) $(521) $(247)

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2018, we did not make anya contribution to our defined benefit pension plans.plan. During the remainder of 2018,2019, we expect to contribute $2.0$3 million to these plans.this plan.

 

During the three and six-monthsix-month periods ended June 30, 2018, 2019, we contributed $1.6$3 million and $3.5$7 million, respectively, in matching contributions to our 401(k)401(k) Plan. During the remainder of 2018,2019, we estimate that our contributions will be approximately $3.2$6 million to this plan, excluding discretionary profit-sharing contributions.

 

 

9.

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 plans include our 2017 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2017“2017 EICP”); our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007“2007 Incentive Plan”); and our Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan. The following table provides our stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit for the three and six-monthsix-month periods ended June 30, 2018 2019 and 20172018 (in thousands)millions):

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 

Stock-based compensation expense, gross

 $1,742  $1,434  $3,899  $2,772  $2  $1  $5  $3 
Forfeitures  (528)  -   (528)  - 

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

  (308)  (559)  (856)  (1,081)  (1)  -   (1)  (1)

Stock-based compensation expense, net

 $906  $875  $2,515  $1,691  $1  $1  $4  $2 

 

All shares of common stock and Class A common stock underlying outstanding options, restricted stock units and performance awards are counted as issued at target levels under the 2017 EICP, the 2007 Incentive Plan and the Directors’ Restricted Stock Plan for purposes of determining the number of shares available for future issuance.

 

During the six-monthssix-months ended June 30, 2018, 2019, we granted under the 2017 EICP:

 

99,905 shares of restricted Class A common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $15.36 to an employee, of which 33,302 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2020 and 2021 and 33,301 shares will vest on January 31, 2022;

99,905 shares of restricted Class A common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $15.36 to an employee, subject to the achievement of certain performance measures, which will vest on January 31, 2022;


340,993 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $14.85 to certain employees that will vest on January 2, 2021;

277,048 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value of $16.55 to certain employees, of which 92,349 shares will vest on each of January 31, 2020 and 2021, and 92,350 shares will vest on January 31, 2022;

48,338 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $16.55 to an employee, subject to the achievement of certain performance measures, which will vest on January 31, 2022; and

11,223 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $17.83 to an employee that will vest on February 15, 2020.

41,181 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value of $22.10 to our non-employee directors that will vest on April 30, 2020.

Restricted stock units representing 398,000 shares of our common stock with a grant date fair value of $18.21 that will vest on June 1, 2020.

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

 

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

 


 

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

 

 

318,196 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date fair value per share of $15.25 to certain employees; net of forfeitures, 131,106 shares will vestvested on February 28, 2019; 69,651 shares will vest on February 28, 2020; and 69,652 shares will vest on February 28, 2021; and

 

 

73,640 shares of restricted common stock to our non-employee directors, all of which will vest on May 31, 2019.

 

During the six-months ended June 30, 2017, we granted:


 

Under the 2007 Incentive Plan, 307,943 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees, of which 102,648 shares vested on January 31, 2018; net of forefeitures, 86,783 shares will vest on January 31, 2019; and 86,781 shares will vest on January 31, 2020;

Under the 2007 Incentive Plan, 198,220 shares of restricted Class A common stock to an employee, of which 66,073 shares vested on January 31, 2018; 66,073 shares will vest on January 31, 2019; and 66,074 shares will vest on January 31, 2020; and

Under the 2017 EICP, 76,856 shares of restricted Class A common stock to our non-employee directors, all of which vested on January 31, 2018.

A summary of restricted common stock and Class A common stock activity for the six-monthsix-month periods ended June 30, 2018 2019 and 2017,2018, respectively, is as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30, 2018

  

June 30, 2017

  

June 30, 2019

  

June 30, 2018

 
     

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

      

Weighted-

     

Weighted-

 
     

average

      

average

      

average

     

average

 
     

Grant Date

      

Grant Date

      

Grant Date

     

Grant Date

 
 

Number of

  

Fair Value

  

Number of

  

Fair Value

  

Number of

 

Fair Value

 

Number of

 

Fair Value

 
 

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

  

Shares

  

Per Share

 

Restricted stock - common:

                         

Outstanding - beginning of period

  503,685  $11.14   396,033  $12.06  578,894  $13.14  503,685  $11.14 

Granted

  391,836  $14.63   307,943  $10.40  718,783  $16.08  391,836  $14.63 

Vested

  (225,570) $11.21   (200,291) $11.82  (352,810) $12.98  (225,570) $11.21 

Forfeited

  (91,057) $13.27   -  $-   -  $0.00   (91,057) $13.27 

Outstanding - end of period

  578,894  $13.14   503,685  $11.14   944,867  $15.44   578,894  $13.14 
                 

Restricted stock - Class A common:

                         

Outstanding - beginning of period

  462,632  $10.63   415,082  $10.15  407,786  $11.82  462,632  $10.63 

Granted (1)

  220,080  $12.65   275,076  $10.84 

Granted

 199,810  $15.36  220,080  $12.65 

Vested

  (274,926) $10.48   (227,526) $10.00   (158,312) $11.38   (274,926) $10.48 

Restricted stock - end of period

  407,786  $11.82   462,632  $10.63 

Outstanding - end of period

  449,284  $13.55   407,786  $11.82 
                 

Restricted stock units - common stock:

                         

Outstanding - beginning of period

  209,500  $15.70          -  $0.00  209,500  $15.70 

Granted

 398,000  $18.21  -  $0.00 

Vested

  (209,500) $15.70           -  $0.00   (209,500) $15.70 

Outstanding - end of period

  -  $-           398,000  $18.21   -  $0.00 

 

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


(1)

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

 

At June 30, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017, 2018, 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 outstanding stock options is $1.99 per share. As of June 30, 2018 2019 and December 31, 2017, 2018, we did not nothave any options outstanding for our Class A common stock. The aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding stock options was $3.8approximately $4 million based on the closing market price of our common stock on June 30, 2018.2019.

 

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies10. Leases

 

FromOperating Leases

We lease various assets with non-cancellable lease terms that range between 1 and 99 years. Many of these leases have optional renewal periods ranging between 1 and 20 years. We define the lease term as the original lease base period plus optional renewal periods that we reasonably expect to be exercised. We do not include renewal periods exercisable more than ten years from the commencement date in the lease term as we cannot reasonably expect to exercise an option that far into the future. Some of our leases have free rent periods, tenant allowances and/or fixed or variable rent escalators. We record operating lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease expense is included in operating expenses in our statements of operations.

We lease land, buildings, transmission towers, right of way easements, and equipment through operating leases. We generally lease land for the purpose of erecting transmission towers for our broadcast operations. Our building leases consist of office space and broadcast studios. For transmission towers we do not own, we lease space for our transmission equipment on third-party towers. We lease right of ways for various purposes including ingress and egress for tower locations and guyed wire space. Our equipment leases consist of office, transmission and production equipment.


We allocate consideration paid in the contract to lease and non-lease components based upon the contract or associated invoice received if applicable. Lease components include base rent, fixed rate escalators and in-substance fixed payments associated with the leased asset. Non-lease components include common area maintenance and operating expenses associated with the leased asset. We have not elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components. As such, we only include the lease component in the calculation of right-of-use asset and lease liability. The incremental borrowing rate we use for the calculation is the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term based upon our borrower risk profile.

Variable lease payments are not significant and are included in operating lease expense as a component of operating expense in our statement of operations. Variable lease payments are generally associated with usage based leases and variable payment escalators such as consumer price index increases (CPI) incurred after the date of the adoption of ASC 842. Some of our land leases require us to pay a percentage of the revenue earned from leasing space on the towers we erect on the leased land. We included the payment level of CPI and percentage rent amounts at the time of the adoption of ASC 842 in the base rent for calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability. CPI adjustments and percentage rent amounts that differ from the amount included in ASC 842 calculation are included in variable lease payments.

We recognize leases with an initial term of 12 months or less as short-term leases. Lease payments associated with short-term leases are expensed as incurred in our operating lease expense and are not included in our calculation of right-of-use assets or lease liabilities. Short-term leases generally consist of rentals of production or broadcast equipment for short periods of time.

Our operating lease costs, including variable lease costs, for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 were $3 million and $6 million, respectively. Our short-term lease costs for the three-month period ended June 30, 2019 were notsignificant and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 were $1 million. Cash flows from operations included cash paid for operating leases of $7 million in the six-months ended June 30, 2019. Additional right of use assets recognized in the six-months ended June 30, 2019 were not material. As of June 30, 2019, the weighted average remaining term of our operating leases was 10.5 years. The weighted average discount rate used to time, we calculate the values associated with our operating leases was 6.75%.

The maturities of operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2019, for the remainder of 2019 and the succeeding years were as follows (in millions):

        Year ending

       December 31,       

 

Operating Leases

 

2019

 $5 

2020

  10 

2021

  9 

2022

  9 

2023

  9 

Thereafter

  53 

Total lease payments

  95 

Less: Imputed interest

  (28)

Present value of lease liabilties

 $67 


We had no material capital leases as of December 31, 2018. Our aggregate minimum lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in millions):

        Year ending

        December 31,       

 

Operating Leases

 

2019

 $3 

2020

  3 

2021

  3 

2022

  3 

2023

  2 

Thereafter

  12 

Total

 $26 

Our aggregate lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are or may becomebased on ASC 840that was superseded upon the adoption of ASC 842on January 1, 2019. Our maturities of operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2019 was significantly higher than our aggregate lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018 due primarily to our completion of the Raycom Merger on January 2, 2019.

Financing Leases

We lease certain vehicles through a financing master lease. The weighted average remaining lease term of the vehicles under this lease is 2.3 years. The interest rate for each vehicle leased is 4.25%. We recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $2 million, respectively, upon the adoption of ASC 842 related to these financing leases. The right-of-use asset is recorded in other noncurrent assets in our balance sheets. The current portion of the lease liability is recorded in the balance of other accrued expenses in current liabilities and the long term portion is recorded in the balance of other liabilities in non-current liabilities in our balance sheets.

Amortization expense associated with this lease is included in amortization expense as a component of operating expense, and interest expense is included in interest expense in our statement of operations. Amortization and interest expenses were not material in the three and six-months ended June 30, 2019. Cash paid for financing leases is included in our cash flows from financing activities and cash paid for interest on financing leases is included in our cash flow from operating activities.

For the three and six-months ended June 30, 2019, cash paid for amounts included in measurement of liabilities for operating cash flows from finance leases and financing cash flows from finance leases as well as ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities were not material.

11.

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings and Claims

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 ourthe opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to knownthese actions, proceedings and claims will not materially affect our financial position. However, the outcomeposition, results of any oneoperations or more matters cannot be predicted with certainty,cash flows, although legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and the unfavorable resolution of any matterrulings or events could have a material adverse effectimpact on us.our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Pending Acquisition – Sioux FallsAcquisitions and Divestitures

 

On May 1, 2018, we entered into an agreement to acquire KDLT-TV (NBC), a television station servingin the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 110)115), for $32.5 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. WePending such approvals and acquisitions, we expect that this transaction will close later in the third quarter of 2018,2019, using cash on hand.

 

Pending Merger with Raycom Media


 

On June 23, 2018, February 28, 2019, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with, among others, Raycom Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Raycom Merger”). Upon completion of the Raycom Merger, Raycom is expected to become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Gray and, prior to any station divestitures due to market overlaps, we will own and/or operate 142 full-power television stations serving 92 markets. At that time, our station portfolio would reach approximately 24 percent of U.S. television households through nearly 400 separate program streams including approximately 165 affiliates of the ABC/ NBC/CBS/FOX networks, and over 100 affiliates of CW, MyNetwork, and MeTV. These stations were ranked number-one in all day Nielsen ratings in 62 of the combined markets, and in 92% of the combined markets were the number-one or number-two ranked television station. In addition to high quality television stations, we expectagreement to acquire additional Raycom businesses that provide sports marketing, production and digital signage services, resulting in our becoming a more diversified media company.

The aggregate consideration consiststhe assets of 11,500,000 shares of our common stock, $2.85 billion in cash (subject to certain adjustments as set forthWVIR-TV (NBC) in the Merger Agreement) and 650,000 shares of a new series of perpetual preferred stock of the Company, with a stated face value of $1,000 per share (the “New Preferred Stock”Charlottesville, Virginia market (DMA 183).

We have agreed to file a registration statement, following the effective time of the Raycom Merger, covering the resale of the shares of the common stock issuable in the Raycom Merger. 

Shares of the New Preferred Stock will be issuable to holders of warrants to purchase shares of Raycom capital stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger. The New Preferred Stock will accrue dividends at 8% per annum payable in cash or 8.5% per annum payable in the form of additional New Preferred Stock, at the election of Gray. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Company from Waterman Broadcasting Corporation for a vote, except as required by Georgia law. Upon a liquidation of the Company, holders of the New Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation preference equal to $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

Also on June 23, 2018, and in connection with our entry into the Merger Agreement, $12.0 million. On May 31, 2019, we entered into a financing commitment letter with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and a syndicate of other lenders, pursuant to which it has committed to provide the debt financing in the form of an incremental term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.525 billion for a portion of thepre-paid this purchase price to be paidthe seller. Also on February 28, 2019, in order to completemeet regulatory requirements, we agreed to divest our stations in that market, WCAV-TV (CBS/FOX) and WVAW-TV (ABC). We expect these transactions will close later in 2019.

12.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

During the Raycom Mergersix-months ended June 30, 2019, we completed the 2019 Acquisitions that included the acquisition of goodwill, broadcast licenses and finite-lived intangible assets. See Note 3 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for more information regarding these transactions. A summary of changes in our goodwill and other intangible assets, on a net basis, for the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of Raycom. The commitment letter contains conditions to fundingsix-months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows (in millions):

  

Net Balance at

                  

Net Balance at

 
  

December 31,

                  

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

Additions

  

Dispositions

  

Impairments

  

Amortization

  

2019

 
                         

Goodwill

 $612  $1,069  $(229) $-  $-  $1,452 

Broadcast licenses

  1,530   2,028   -   -   -   3,558 

Finite-lived intangible assets

  53   501   -   -   (57)  497 

Total intangible assets net of accumulated amortization

 $2,195  $3,598  $(229) $-  $(57) $5,507 

A summary of the debt financing customary for commitments of this type. The incremental term loan will be securedchanges in our goodwill, on a pari passugross basis, withfor the other obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Various economic terms of the debt financing are subject to change in the process of syndication.six-months ended June 30, 2019, is as follows (in millions):

 

  

As of

              

As of

 
  

December 31,

              

June 30,

 
  

2018

  

Additions

  

Dispositions

  

Impairments

  

2019

 
                     

Goodwill, gross

 $711  $1,069  $(229) $-  $1,551 

Accumulated goodwill impairmant

  (99)  -   -   -   (99)

Goodwill, net

 $612  $1,069  $(229) $-  $1,452 



 

The consummation

As of the Raycom Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions, including: (i) the receipt of approval from the Federal Communications Commission, (ii) the expiration or early termination of the waiting period applicable to the Raycom Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (iii) the absence of certain legal impediments to the consummation of the Raycom Merger, and (iv) the receipt of certain customary third-party consents. We believe that the Raycom Merger will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2018. Either party may terminate the Raycom Merger if it is not consummated on or before June 30, 2019 with an automatic extension to September 30, 2019 if necessary to obtain regulatory approval under the circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement.

9.Goodwill and Intangible Assets

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

 

 As of June 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017  

As of June 30, 2019

  

As of December 31, 2018

 
     

Accumulated

          

Accumulated

          

Accumulated

         

Accumulated

    
 

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Amortization

  

Net

 

Intangible assets not currently subject to amortization:

                                     

Broadcast licenses

 $1,584,402  $(53,699) $1,530,703  $1,584,402  $(53,699) $1,530,703  $3,612  $(54) $3,558  $1,583  $(53) $1,530 

Goodwill

  611,100   -   611,100   611,100   -   611,100   1,452   -   1,452   612   -   612 
 $2,195,502  $(53,699) $2,141,803  $2,195,502  $(53,699) $2,141,803  $5,064  $(54) $5,010  $2,195  $(53) $2,142 
                         

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                                     

Network affiliation agreements

 $6,134  $(4,842) $1,292   6,134  $(3,551) $2,583  $54  $(11) $43  $6  $(6) $- 

Other definite lived intangible assets

  143,446   (81,542)  61,904   143,446   (72,245)  71,201   596   (142)  454   143   (90)  53 
 $149,580  $(86,384) $63,196  $149,580  $(75,796) $73,784  $650  $(153) $497  $149  $(96) $53 
                         

Total intangibles

 $2,345,082  $(140,083) $2,204,999  $2,345,082  $(129,495) $2,215,587  $5,714  $(207) $5,507  $2,344  $(149) $2,195 

 

Amortization expense for the six-monthssix-months ended June 30, 2018 2019 and 20172018 was $10.6$57 million and $12.2$11 million, respectively. Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, we expect that amortization expense for the remainder of 20182019 will be approximately $10.0$56 million, and, for the succeeding five years, amortization expense will be approximately as follows: 2019, $15.42020, $99 million; 2020, $12.42021, $95 million; 2021, $8.32022, $91 million; 2022, $4.82023, $85 million; and 2023, $2.92024, $22 million. If and when acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, actual amounts may vary materially from these estimates.

 

Impairment of goodwill and broadcast licenses

 

Our intangible assets are primarily comprised of broadcast licenses. There were no triggering events that required a test of our goodwill or intangible assets for impairment during the six-monthsix-month period ended June 30, 2018.2019.


 

 

10

13.Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

For the three-monththree-month and six-monthsix-month periods ended June 30, 2018 2019 and 2017,2018, our income tax expense and effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in thousands)millions):

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Six Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
 

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

  

June 30,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 

Income tax expense

 $14,856  $47,893  $21,256  $55,222  $18  $15  $21  $21 

Effective income tax rate

  26.7%  40.4%  26.0%  40.5% 29% 27% 45% 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 U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits to adjust our statutory Federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2018 and 35.0% in 201721% to our effective income tax rate. For the six-month periodsix-months ended June 30, 2018, 2019, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 21.0% to our effective income tax rate of 26.0%45% as follows: state income taxes added 4.7%5%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income resulted in an increase of 3%. Restricted stock vesting resulted in an decrease of 1%. Divestiture of component 2 goodwill resulted in a increase of 17%. For the six-months ended June 30, 2018, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate of 26% as follows: state income taxes added 5%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.0%1%, and a discrete share-based compensation adjustment resulted in a reduction of 0.7%1%. For


We have approximately $770 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, that expire during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0%years 2021 through 2037. We expect to our effective income tax rate of 40.5% as follows: state income taxes added 4.3% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income andhave federal taxable income added 1.3%, and discrete share-based compensation adjustments resulted in a reduction of 0.1%.

We made income tax payments (net of refunds)the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of approximately $12.0$858 million and $0.9 million duringof various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that the six-months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.majority will be utilized.

 

14.

Segment information

The Company operates in two business segments: broadcasting and production companies. The broadcasting segment operates television stations located across 93 local markets in the United States. The production companies segment includes 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 six months ended June 30, 2019:

 

Broadcast

  

Companies

  

Other

  

Consolidated

 
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $980  $46  $-  $1,026 

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

  670   44   69   783 

Depreciation and amortization

  90   6   1   97 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

  (13)  -   -   (13)

Operating expenses

  747   50   70   867 

Operating income

 $233  $(4) $(70) $159 
                 

Interest expense

 $-  $-  $116  $116 

Capital expenditures (excluding business combinations)

 $39  $-  $5  $44 

Goodwill

 $1,412  $40  $-  $1,452 

Total Assets

 $6,505  $131  $365  $7,001 
                 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018:

                
                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

 $477  $-  $-  $477 

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

  292   -   19   311 

Depreciation and amortization

  37   -   1   38 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

  (2)  -   -   (2)

Operating expenses

  327   -   20   347 

Operating income

 $150  $-  $(20) $130 
                 

Interest expense

 $-  $-  $49  $49 

Capital expenditures (excluding business combinations)

 $20  $-  $-  $20 
                 

As of December 31, 2018:

                
                 

Goodwill

 $612  $-  $-  $612 

Total Assets

 $3,242  $-  $971  $4,213 


 

 

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

 

Executive Overview

 

Introduction

 

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Gray Television, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (except as the context otherwise provides, “Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) 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, 20172018 (the “2017“2018 Form 10-K”) filed with the SEC.

 

Business Overview

 

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operatesis the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of June 30, 2018,Currently, we owned and operatedown television stations and locally focused digital platforms in 5793 television markets broadcasting over 200400 separate programming streams, including over 100approximately 150 affiliates of the CBS/NBC/ABC/FOXBig Four TV networks.

In addition to a primary broadcast channel, each of our stations can also broadcast additional secondary digital channels within a market by utilizing the same bandwidth, but with different programming from the primary channel. In addition to affiliations with ABC, CBS and FOX, our secondary channels are affiliated with numerous smaller networks and program services including, among others, the CW, MY, MeTV, This TV, Ant.,Telemundo, Cozi, Heroes and Icons and MOVIES! networks. Certain of our secondary digital channels are affiliated with more than one network simultaneously. We also broadcast local news/weather channels in some markets. Our combined TV station groupportfolio reaches approximately 10.4%24% of total United States television households. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content which we refer to collectively as the “production companies”.

 

Based on the consolidated results of the four Nielsen “sweeps” periods inBetween December 2017 and November 2018, our television stations achieved the #1 ranking in overall audience in 4269 of our 57 markets and the #1 ranking in local news audience in 38 of our93 markets. In addition, our stations achieved the #1 or #2 ranking in both overall audience and news audience in all 5787 of our 57 markets.93 markets among all local television stations.

 

Recent Acquisitions

 

Over the last several years, the television broadcasting industry has been characterized by a high number of transactions resulting in continued industry consolidation. We believe that there continues to be a number of television stations, and various station groups, that have attractive operating profiles and characteristics, and that share our commitment to local news coverage in the communities in which they operate and to creating high-quality and locally-driven content. In addition, at June 30, 2018,On January 2, 2019, we have a pending acquisition of KDLT-TV (NBC), a television station serving the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 110) which we expect to close in the third quarter of 2018, and the Raycom Merger, described below. We expect to continue to evaluate other opportunities for the acquisition of additional television stations or station groups that fit our strategic and operational objectives, and where we believe that we can improve revenue, efficiencies and cash flow through active management and cost controls. As we consider potential acquisitions, we evaluate, among other things, potential station audience and revenue shares and the extent to which the acquisition target would positively impact our existing station operations. Consistent with this strategy, from October 31, 2013 through December 31, 2017, we completed 23 acquisition transactions and three divestiture transactions. These transactions added a net total of 51 television stations in 31 television markets, including 26 new television markets, to our operations including eight stations acquired in 2017 (excluding certain television stations we began operating in 2016, and subsequently acquired in 2017, in the Clarksburg, West Virginia market, the “2017 Acquisitions”).


Pending Merger with Raycom Media

On June 23, 2018, we entered into the Raycom Merger. Upon completionNet of the Raycom Merger, Raycom is expected to become a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Gray and, prior to any station divestitures due to market overlaps, we will own and/or operate 142 full-powerthis transaction added television stations serving 92in 34 new markets. At that time, our station portfolio would reach approximately 24 percent of U.S. television households through nearly 400 separate program streams including approximately 165 affiliates of the ABC/ NBC/CBS/FOX networks, and over 100 affiliates of CW, MyNetwork, and MeTV. These stations were ranked number-one in all day Nielsen ratings in 62 of the combined markets, and in 92% of the combined markets were the number-one or number-two ranked television station. In addition to the high quality television stations acquired as part of the Raycom Merger, we expect to acquire additional Raycomalso acquired businesses that provide sports marketing and production and digital signage services resultingthat we believe has resulted in ourus becoming a more diversified media company. The Raycom Merger completed our transformation from a small, regional broadcaster to a leading media company with nationwide scale based on high-quality stations with exceptional talent in attractive markets. By combining these two companies, we now own and operate television stations and leading digital properties in television markets from Alaska and Hawaii to Maine and Florida.

Upon consummation of the Raycom Merger, is subjectall outstanding shares of Raycom capital stock, and options and warrants to purchase Raycom capital stock, were cancelled, and all outstanding indebtedness was repaid, in exchange for aggregate consideration consisting of: (i) 11.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock then valued at $170 million, for which we filed a registration statement in January 2019, covering the resale of the shares issued; (ii) $2.84 billion in cash; and (iii) 650,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company, with a stated face value of $1,000 per share or $650 million, issued to holders of warrants to purchase shares of Raycom. The Series A Preferred Stock accrues dividends at 8% per annum payable in cash or 8.5% per annum payable in the form of additional Series A Preferred Stock, at the election of Gray. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions, including: (i) the receipt of approval from the Federal Communications Commission, (ii) the expiration or early terminationstockholders of the waiting period applicableCompany for a vote, except as required by Georgia law. Upon a liquidation of the Company, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation preference equal to $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

On May 1, 2019, we acquired the assets of WWNY-TV (CBS) and WNYF-CD (FOX) in Watertown, New York (DMA 178) and KEYC-TV (CBS/FOX) in Mankato, Minnesota (DMA 199) from United Communications Corporation (the “United Acquisition” and, together with the Raycom Merger, the “2019 Acquisitions”) for an adjusted purchase price of $48 million, excluding transaction related expenses. We began operating those stations on March 1, 2019 under a local programming and marketing agreement, and increased the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Acttotal number of 1976, as amended, (iii) the absence of certain legal impedimentsour markets to 93.


The 2019 Acquisitions have materially affected our operations, liquidity and capital expenditures. In addition to the consummationeffects on our balance sheet from the financing transactions described below, our results of operations and cash flows have increased substantially. We also expect that the 2019 Acquisitions will create opportunities to reduce or eliminate redundancies in our combined operations, and that these synergies will be implemented in phases over several years. Please see Note 3 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” and Note 4 “Long-term Debt” of our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein for additional information on the Raycom Merger and (iv) the receipt of certain customary third-party consents. We believe that the Raycom Merger will beincluding on any financing transaction completed during the fourth quarter of 2018. Either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if it is not consummated on or before June 30, 2019, with an automatic extension to September 30, 2019 if necessary to obtain regulatory approval under the circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement.connection therewith.

Revenues, Operations, Cyclicality and Seasonality

 

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

 

Broadcast advertising is sold for placement either preceding or following a television station’s network programming and within local and syndicated programming. Broadcast advertising is sold in time increments and is priced primarily on the basis of a program’s popularity among the specific audience an advertiser desires to reach, as measured by Nielsen.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. These advertisements may be sold as banner advertisements, pre-roll advertisements or video and other types of advertisements or sponsorships.

 

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

 

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

 

Spending by political candidates, political partiesBroadcast advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and special interest groupsfourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases duringin advertising in the even-numbered “on-year” ofspring and in the two-year election cycle. This political spending typically is heaviest duringperiod leading up to and including the fourth quarter of such years;holiday season;

 

 

BroadcastLocal and national advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly fromon our NBC-affiliated stations increases in advertising ineven numbered years as a result of broadcasts of the springOlympic Games; and in the period leading up to and including the holiday season;

 

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


 

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

 

Automotive advertisers have traditionally accounted for a significant portion of our revenue. For the six- monthssix-months ended June 30, 20182019 and 2017,2018, we derived approximately 24% and 25%, respectively,in each period, of our total broadcast advertising revenue from customers in the automotive industry. Strong demand for our advertising inventory from political advertisers can require significant use of available inventory, which in turn can lower our advertising revenue from our non-political advertising revenue categories in the even numbered “on-year” of the two yeartwo-year election cycle. These temporary declines are expected to reverse themselves in the following “off-year” of the two yeartwo-year election cycle.

 

While our total revenues have increased in recent years as a result of our acquisitions, they have also experienced a gradual improvement as a result of improvements in general economic conditions. However, revenue remains under pressure from competitorsthe internet as a competitor for advertising spending, including the internet and other non-traditional forms of advertising.spending. We continue to enhance and market our internet websites in an effort to generate additional revenue. Our aggregate internet revenue is derived from both advertising and sponsorship opportunities directly on our websites.

 


Our primary broadcasting operating expenses are employee compensation, related benefits and programming costs. In addition, ourthe broadcasting operations incur overhead expenses, such as maintenance, supplies, insurance, rent and utilities. A large portion of the operating expenses of our broadcasting operations is fixed. We continue to 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 thousands)millions):

 

  Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2018 2017 2018 2017 
      Percent     Percent     Percent     Percent 
  

Amount

  of Total 

Amount

  of Total 

Amount

  of Total 

Amount

  of Total 

Revenue:

                                 

Local (including internet/ digital/mobile)

 $112,921   45.1% $117,917   52.0% $218,390   45.8% $220,514   51.3% 

National

  29,873   11.9%  30,981   13.7%  54,385   11.4%  55,795   13.0% 

Political

  18,070   7.2%  3,708   1.6%  23,845   5.0%  5,029   1.2% 

Retransmission consent

  85,307   34.1%  69,371   30.6%  170,858   35.8%  136,944   31.8% 

Other

  4,173   1.7%  4,704   2.1%  9,124   2.0%  11,860   2.7% 

Total

 $250,344   100.0% $226,681   100.0% $476,602   100.0% $430,142   100.0% 

 


  

Three Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

 
      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

 
  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

  

Amount

  

of Total

 

Revenue:

                                

Local (including internet/ digital/mobile)

 $226   44.5% $113   45.1% $437   42.6% $219   45.8%

National

  56   11.0%  30   11.9%  106   10.3%  54   11.4%

Political

  5   1.0%  18   7.2%  8   0.8%  24   5.0%

Retransmission consent

  201   39.6%  85   34.1%  405   39.5%  171   35.8%

Production companies

  9   1.8%  -   0.0%  46   4.5%  -   0.0%

Other

  11   2.1%  4   1.7%  24   2.3%  9   2.0%

Total

 $508   100.0% $250   100.0% $1,026   100.0% $477   100.0%

 

Results of Operations

 

Three-Months Ended June 30, 20182019 (“the 2019 three-month period”) Compared to Three-Months Ended June 30, 20172018(“the 2018 three-month period”)

 

Revenue. Total revenue increased $23.7$258 million, or 10%103%, to $250.3$508 million in the 20182019 three-month period from the 20172018 three-month period. TotalThe 2019 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $264 million of the increase in our total revenue in the 2019 three-month period compared to the 2018 three-month period. Excluding the 2019 Acquisitions, total revenue increased primarily due to increases in local and retransmission consent revenue that increased $15.9 million.revenue. Political advertising revenue increased $14.4 milliondecreased in the second quarter of2019 three-month period compared to the 2018 resulting primarily from 2018 beingthree-month period, because 2019 is the “on-year”“off-year” of the two-year election cycle. Local advertising revenue decreased by $5.0 million in part as a result of weakness in demand and inventory displacement from increased political advertising revenue.cycle.

 

Broadcast Expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $8.2$172 million, or 6%121%, to $141.9$314 million in the 2019 three-month period compared to the 2018 three-month period. The 2019 Acquisitions accounted for nearly all of the increase in these expenses in the 2019 three-month period compared to the 2018 three-month period. The 2019 three-month period included approximately $1 million of transaction related expenses incurred as a result of the 2019 Acquisitions. Non-cash stock based compensation included in broadcast expenses was $1 million in the 2019 three-month period, but was not significant in the 2018 three-month period fromperiod.

Production company expenses. Production company operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets), related to the 2017production companies acquired in the Raycom Merger, were $9 million in the 2019 three-month period. Non-compensation expense increased $6.5 million primarily as a resultApproximately half of a $5.4 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increased retransmission consent revenue. Compensation expense increased $1.7 million primarily as a result of increased severancethese operating expenses were for personnel costs and routine increases in compensation. Including the effect of a $0.5 million adjustment related to forfeitures of equity incentive awards, we did not incur any non-cash stock-based compensation expenses in the second quarter of 2018. In the second quarter of 2017, our non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $0.4 million.half for operating costs at sporting events.


 

Corporate and Administrative Expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets), increased by $2.4$10 million, or 28%91%, to $10.8$21 million. Non-compensation expense increased $2.1by $3 million, including increases of $1 million of professional fees and other Transaction Related Expenses related to the 2019 Acquisitions and $1 million of expenses for other corporate events. Compensation expense increases of $7 million, primarily asdue to $3 million of severance pay, $1 million of incentive compensation and $2 million of increases in regular salaries and wages of which a portion was a result of a $1.9the 2019 Acquisitions. Non-cash stock based compensation included in corporate and administrative expenses was $2 million increase in professional fees related to acquisitions. Professional fees related to our acquisition activities were $3.7and $1 million in the second quarter of 2018. Compensation expense increased $0.3 million primarily as a result of increased incentive compensation costs. We recorded corporate non-cash stock-based amortization expense of $1.2 million2019 and $1.1 million in the 2018 and 2017 three-month periods, respectively.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $13.5$20 million and $12.8$13 million for the 20182019 three-month period and the 20172018 three-month period, respectively. Depreciation increased primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets acquired as a part of the 20172019 Acquisitions.

 

Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $1.5increased $23 million, or 23%460%, to $5.2$28 million in the 20182019 three-month period compared to the 20172018 three-month period. Amortization decreasedincreased primarily due to the definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions becoming fully amortized.2019 Acquisitions.

 

(Gain) Loss on Disposals of Assets, Net. We reported gains on disposal of assets of $0.8 million in the 2018 three-month period and $77.3 million in the 2017 three-month period. On June 1, 2017, we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrum related to our participation in the FCC’s broadcast spectrum auction. Our proceeds from this auction were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed of was $13.1 million.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.0$33 million, or 4%132%, to $24.8$58 million for the 20182019 three-month period compared to the 20172018 three-month period. This increase was attributable to borrowings to finance the net effectRaycom Merger, including, $1.4 billion under our 2019 Senior Credit Facility and $750 million of a decrease in the average borrowings outstanding, offset by a increase in our average interest rates.2027 Notes. The average interest rate on our total outstanding debt balance was 5.1%5.5% and 4.9%5.1% during the 20182019 three-month period and the 20172018 three-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $4.0 billion during the 2019 three-month period and $1.9 billion during each of the 2018 three-month period and the 2017 three-month periods.period.

 

Income Tax Expense. We recognized income tax expense of $14.9$18 million and $47.9$15 million in the 20182019 three-month period and the 20172018 three-month period, respectively. For the 20182019 three-month period and the 20172018 three-month period, our effective income tax rates were 26.7%29% and 40.4%27%, respectively. We estimate our differences between taxable income or loss and recorded income or loss on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim period is based upon these full year projections that are revised each reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. For the 20182019 three-month period, these estimates increased our statutory Federalfederal income tax rate of 21.0%21% to our effective income tax rate of 26.7%29% as follows: state income taxes added 4.7%5% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.0%3%.

 

Six-months Ended June 30, 20182019 (“the 2019 six-month period”) Compared to Six-months Ended June 30, 20172018(“the 2018 six-month period”)

 

Revenue. Total revenue increased $46.5$549 million, or 11%115%, to $476.6 million$1.026 billion in the 20182019 six-month period compared to the 20172018 six-month period. TotalThe 2019 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $545 million of the increase in our total revenue in the 2019 six-month period compared to the 2018 six-month period. Excluding the 2019 Acquisitions, total revenue increased primarily due to increases in retransmission consent revenue that increased $33.9 million and politicalrevenue. Political advertising revenue that increased $18.8 milliondecreased in the 2019 six-month period compared to the 2018 six-month period.period, as 2019 is the “off-year” of the two-year political advertising cycle.


 

Local and national advertising revenue declined slightly,also increased, in part, as a resultdue to the $5 million of inventory displacementrevenue we earned from increased political advertising revenue. However, this decline was partially offset by revenuethe broadcast of the 2019 Super Bowl on our CBS-affiliated stations, compared to $2 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2018 Super Bowl on our NBC-affiliated stations of approximately $2.3 million,stations. This increase was offset due to no revenue from Olympic broadcasts in 2019, compared to $0.6$6 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2017 Super Bowl on our FOX-affiliated stations. In addition, 2018 total revenue from the broadcast of the Winter Olympic Games on our NBC-affiliated stations was approximately $5.5 million.stations.

 

Broadcast Expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) increased $24.3$378 million, or 9%129%, to $291.6$670 million in the 2019 six-month period. The 2019 Acquisitions accounted for nearly all of the increase in our total broadcast expenses in the 2019 six-month period compared to the 2018 six-month period. Non-compensation expense increased $19.6Broadcast expenses also included transaction related expenses including $29 million primarily as a result of a $14.9charges for termination of certain sales representation agreements and $8 million increase in retransmission expense, consistent with the increased retransmission consent revenue, and net increases in several other expense categories including programming and other professional fees. Our programming costs related to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games were $1.5 million. Compensation expense increased $5.0 million as a result of increases in incentive compensation and severance costs. Including the effect of a $0.5 million adjustmentcosts each related to forfeitures of equity incentive awards,the 2019 Acquisitions in the 2019 six-month period. Non-cash stock based compensation included in broadcast expenses was $1 million in each of the 2019 and 2018 six-month period, we recorded broadcast non-cash stock-based compensation expenseperiods.


Production Company Expenses. Production company expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of $1.2 million and $0.7assets) related to the production companies acquired in the Raycom Merger, were $44 million in the 20182019 six-month period. Non-compensation expenses were $33 million, of which the primary components included the costs for the rights to broadcast sporting events of $23 million and 2017 six month periods, respectively.professional services of $5 million. Total compensation expenses were $11 million.

 

Corporate and Administrative Expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets) increased $3.0$50 million, or 18%263%, to $19.1$69 million in the 20182019 six-month period compared to the 20172018 six-month period primarily as a result of increases of $2.0transaction related expenses including $23 million in professional fees related to acquisitions. Professional feesthe 2019 Acquisitions and $10 million of incentive compensation and severance compensation related to our acquisition activities were $3.8 millionthe elimination of redundant positions. Non-cash stock based compensation included in 2018.We recorded corporate non-cash stock-based amortization expense of $2.2and administrative expenses was $4 million and $2.1$2 million in the 20182019 and 20172018 six-month periods, respectively.

 

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment totaled $27.2$40 million and $25.5$27 million for the 20182019 six-month period and the 20172018 six-month period, respectively. Depreciation increased primarily due to the addition of depreciable assets acquired as a part of the 20172019 Acquisitions.

 

Amortization. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $1.6increased $46 million, or 13%418%, to $10.6$57 million in the 20182019 six-month period compared to the 20172018 six-month period. Amortization decreasedincreased primarily due to the definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a part of the 2017 Acquisitions becoming fully amortized.2019 Acquisitions.

 

(Gain) Loss on Disposals of Assets, Net. We reported gains on disposals of assets of $1.6$13 million in the 2019 six-month period and $2 million in the 2018 six-month period and $76.8 million in the 2017 six-month period. On June 1, 2017, we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrumThese gains were primarily related to our participation inassets disposals from the FCC’s broadcast spectrum auction. Our proceeds from this auction were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed of was $13.1 million.FCC Repack process.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.1$67 million, or 4%137%, to $49.1$116 million for the 20182019 six-month period compared to the 20172018 six-month period. This increase was attributable to borrowings to finance the combined effectRaycom Merger, including, $1.4 billion under our senior credit facility and $750 million of an increase in the average borrowings outstanding and an increase in our average interest rates.2027 Notes. The average interest rate on our total outstanding debt balance was 5.0%5.5% and 4.9%5.0% during the 20182019 six-month period and the 20172018 six-month period, respectively. Our average outstanding debt balance was $1.9 billion and $1.8$4.0 billion during the 20182019 six-month period and $1.9 billion in the 20172018 six-month period, respectively, with the increase primarily attributable to the borrowings to finance the 2017 Acquisitions.

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

 

Income Tax Expense. We recognized income tax expense of $21.3 million and $55.2$21 million in each of the 2019 and 2018 six-month periods. For the 2019 six-month period and the 2017 six-month period, respectively. For the 2018 six-month period and the 2017 six-month period, our effective income tax rate was 26.0%45% and 40.5%26%, respectively. The primary reasons for the decrease in our income tax expense was the decrease in our pre-tax income and the decrease in the statutory Federal income tax rate in the 2018 six-month period compared to the 2017 six-month period. We estimate our differences between taxable income or loss and recorded income or loss on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim period is based upon these full year projections that are revised each reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income or loss and taxable income or loss, state income taxes and adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. For the 20182019 six-month period, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 21.0%21% to our effective income tax rate of 26.0%45% as follows: state income taxes added 4.7%5%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.0% and a discrete stock-based compensation expense adjustmentresulted in an increase of 3%, restricted stock vesting resulted in a reductiondecrease of 0.7%1% and divestiture of component 2 goodwill resulted in an increase of 17%.

 

We madehave approximately $770 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, that expire during the years 2021 through 2037. We expect to have federal taxable income tax payments (net of refunds)in the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of approximately $12.0$858 million and $0.9 million inof various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that the 2018 six-month period and the 2017 six-month period, respectively. We anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $23.9 million during the remainder of 2018.majority will be utilized.

 


 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

 

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

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

  

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
 

2018

  

2017

  

2019

  

2018

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $97,452  $59,144  $105  $98 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (22,106)  (413,217) (2,599) (22)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (27,168)  71,244 

Increase (decrease) in cash

 $48,178  $(282,829)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  1,326   (27)

(Decrease) increase in cash

 $(1,168) $49 

 

 

As of

  

As of

 
 

June 30, 2018

  

December 31, 2017

  

June 30, 2019

  

December 31, 2018

 

Cash

 $510,577  $462,399  $251  $667 

Restricted cash

 $-  $752 

Long-term debt, including current portion

 $1,836,229  $1,837,428  $3,895  $2,549 

Borrowing availability under the Revolving Credit Facility

 $100,000  $100,000 

Borrowing availability under Revolving Credit Facility

 $200  $100 

 

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

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $97.5$105 million in the 2019 six-month period compared $98 million in the 2018 six-month period, compared $59.1 million in the 2017 six-month period, a net increase of $38.3$7 million. During the 2019 six-month period we experienced a decrease in net income of $35 million in the 2018 six-month period. Thethat was offset by a $49 million net increase in non-cash gains and expenses, primarily depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of definite-lived intangible assets related to the Raycom Merger. Approximately $7 million of cash provided by operating activities was due largely to increased revenue, net of increases in broadcast and corporate and administrative operating expenses in the 2018 six-month period. Also, cash used by operating assets and liabilities was lesschanges in net working capital, also related to the 2018 six-month period than in the 2017 six-month period.Raycom Merger.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $22.1 million$2.6 billion in the 20182019 six-month period compared to net cash used in investing activities of $413.2$22 million for the 20172018 six-month period. The decreaseincrease was largely due to a decreasean increase in cash used for acquisition activity, net of proceeds received from divestitures in the 20182019 Acquisitions in the 2019 six-month period.

 

Net cash used inprovided by financing activities was $27.2 million$1.3 billion in the 20182019 six-month period compared to net cash provided byused in financing activities of $71.2$27 million in the 20172018 six-month period. The change to cash provided in the 2019 six-month period, compared to cash used in the 2018 six-month period, was due largely to financing activity infor the 20172019 Acquisitions. In the 2018 six-month period related to acquisitions and paymentsour primary use of cash for financing activities was the repurchase of $20 million of our common stock in the 2018 period.stock.

 

Liquidity

 

The following discussion of our liquidity does not include any impact that may result from our announced but pending acquisitions.

On July 27, 2018, we prepaid $37.0We have $14 million of our 2017 Term Loan. This prepayment satisfied all ofin debt principal payments due over the quarterly payment obligations under the 2017 Term Loan.next twelve months. We estimate that we will make approximately $94.4$218 million in debt interest payments over the twelve months immediately following June 30, 2018. 2019.

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 20172019 Senior Credit Facility (or any such other credit facility as may be in place at the appropriate time) and, potentially, external equity or debt financing, will be sufficient to fund any debt service obligations, and estimated capital expenditures, preferred stock dividends 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 believe that our future cash expected to be generated from operations and borrowing availability under the 2019 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 20172019 Senior Credit Facility.


Impact From Pending Merger with Raycom

On June 23, 2018, and in connection with our entry into the Merger Agreement, we entered into a financing commitment letter with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and a syndicate of other lenders, pursuant to which they have committed to provide debt financing in the form of an incremental term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.525 billion for a portion of the purchase price to be paid to complete the Raycom Merger and the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of Raycom. The commitment letter contains conditions to funding of the debt financing customary for commitments of this type. The incremental term loan will be secured on a pari passu basis with the other obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries under the 2017 Senior Credit Facility. Various economic terms of the debt financing are subject to change in the process of syndication.

A portion of the consideration to complete the Raycom merger will consist of 650,000 shares of a new series of our perpetual preferred stock, with a face value of $1,000 per share (the “New Preferred Stock”). Shares of the New Preferred Stock will be issuable to holders of warrants to purchase shares of Raycom capital stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Raycom Merger. The New Preferred Stock will accrue dividends at 8% per annum payable in cash or 8.5% per annum payable in the form of additional New Preferred Stock, at the election of Gray. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Company for a vote, except as required by Georgia law. Upon a liquidation of the Company, holders of the New Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a liquidation preference equal to $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends.

The completeion of this transaction will materially affect our operations, liquidity and capital expenditures. In addition to the effects on our balance sheet from the financing transactions described above, we expect that our results of operations and cash flows will increase substantially. We also expect that the Raycom Merger will create opportunities to reduce or eliminate redundancies in our combined operations, and that these sysnergies will be implemented in phases over several years, beginning upon the completion of the Raycom Merger.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

In April 2017, the FCC began the process of requiring certain television stations to change channels and/or modify their transmission facilities (“Repack”). Congress passed legislation which provides the FCC with a $1.7 billion fund to reimburse all reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license and a portion of the costs incurred by stations operating under a low power license that are reassigned to new channels. Subsequent legislation in March 2018 appropriated an additional $1.0 billionCapital expenditures, including Repack, for the repacking fund, of which up to $750.0 million may be made available to reimburse the Repack costs of full power2019 and Class A television stations and multichannel video programming distributors. Other funds are earmarked to assist low power television stations and for other transition costs. The sufficiency of the FCC’s fund to reimburse for Repack costs is dependent upon a number of factors including the amounts to be reimbursed to other industry participants for repacking costs. Therefore, we cannot predict whether the fund will be sufficient to reimburse our Repack costs to the extent authorized under the legislation. Twenty-six of our current full power stations and thirty six of our current low power stations are affected by the Repack. The Repack process will take approximately three years to complete. We anticipate that the majority of our costs associated with Repack will qualify for capitalization, rather than expense. Upon receipt of funds reimbursing us for our repacking costs, we record those proceeds as a component of our (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net.

Capital expenditures in the 2018 and 2017 six-month periods were $19.9$44 million and $10.4$20 million, respectively. Excluding any pending or future acquisition transactionsRepack, our capital expenditures were $14 million and $10 million, respectively. Our capitalized Repack costs and associated reimbursements for the 2019 and 2018 six-month periods were $30 million and $10 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, the amount requested from the FCC for Repack, but not yet received, was approximately $13 million. Excluding Repack, we anticipateexpect that our capital expenditures for the remainder of 2018 will range betweenbe approximately $30.0$80 million and $33.0 million.during 2019. In addition, capital expenditures for Repack during the remainder of 2018, excluding any pending or future transactions,2019 are expected to range between approximately $44.0$26 million and $46.0$30 million and we anticipate being reimbursed for the majority of these Repack costs. However, reimbursement may be received in periods subsequent to those in which they were expended.


Pending Acquisitions and Divestitures

On May 1, 2018, we entered into an agreement to acquire KDLT-TV (NBC), in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 110), for $32.5 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Pending such approvals and acquisitions, we expect that this transaction will close later in 2019, using cash on hand.

 

DuringOn February 28, 2019, we entered into an agreement to acquire the 2018 six-month period,assets of WVIR-TV (NBC) in the Charlottesville, Virginia market (DMA 183) from Waterman Broadcasting Corporation for $12.0 million. On May 31, 2019 we pre-paid this purchase price to the seller. Also on February 28, 2019, in order to meet regulatory requirements, we agreed to divest our capitalized Repack costsstations in that market, WCAV-TV (CBS/FOX) and associated reimbursements were $10.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, our capitalized Repack costs and associated reimbursements were $2.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2018, the amount requested from the FCC for Repack, but not yet received, was approximately $12.4 million.WVAW-TV (ABC). We expect these transactions will close later in 2019.

 

Other

 

We file a consolidated federal income tax return and such state and local tax returns as are required. As a result of our utilization of certain of our net operating loss carryforwards, we have begun, and expect to continue, to pay more significant amounts of income taxes. During the 2018 six-month period, weWe made income tax payments (net of refunds) of $12.0 million. Duringapproximately $8 million and $12 million in the remainder of2019 six-month period and the 2018 wesix-month period, respectively. We anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $23.9 million.$3 million during the remainder of 2019.

We have approximately $770 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, that expire during the years 2021 through 2037. We expect to have federal taxable income in the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of approximately $858 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that the majority will be utilized.

 

During the 20182019 six-month period, we did not make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plan. During the remainder of 2018,2019, we expect to contribute $2.0$3 million to this pension plan.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments and estimations that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider our accounting policies relating to intangible assets and income taxes to be critical policies that require judgments or estimations in their application where variances in those judgments or estimations could make a significant difference to future reported results. These critical accounting policies and estimates are more fully discussed in our 20172018 Form 10-K.


 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “should” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among other things, statements that describe our expectations regarding our results of operations, general and industry-specific economic conditions, future pension plan contributions, income tax payments, pendingthe expected impact of acquisitions and divestitures, the expected closing dated for future transactions and capital expenditures are forward-looking statements. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including those regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management, are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results and events may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our 20172018 Form 10-K and as may be described in subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as the other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 


ItemItem 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

We believe that the market risk of our financial instruments as of June 30, 20182019 has not materially changed since December 31, 2017.2018. Our market risk profile on December 31, 20172018 is disclosed in our 20172018 Form 10-K.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2018,2019, we implemented changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the adoption of ASC 606 -ASU 2016-02 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amendedLeases (Topic 842). These changes included controls related to the collection of data for the amounts that we disclose in the footnotes to our financial statements. We also implemented changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 – Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. These changes relate to the implementation of procedures to document our identification and evaluation of factors that may identify potential impairment of the value of certain non-current investments. Our evaluation included controls that may have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, we began implementing changes in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the Raycom Merger. These changes will continue to be identified and implemented during the remainder of 2019.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

Please refer to the information set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our 20172018 Form 10-K for a description of risk factors that we determined to be most material to our financial condition and results of operations. We do not believe there have been any material changes in these risk factors. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we do not currently consider material may also materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations in the future.

 

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

 

Issuer Purchases of Common Stock and Class A Common StockNone.

In each of March and November 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock or Class A common stock. In March 2006, this authorization was increased to an aggregate of 5.0 million shares (the “2004-2006 Repurchase Authorization”). As of June 30, 2018, 279,200 shares remain available for repurchase under this authorization, which has no expiration date.

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


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

The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock or Class A common stock under these authorizations or otherwise during the three-months ended June 30, 2018.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

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

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Document

   

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger made and entered into as of June  23, 2018, by and among Gray Television, Inc., East Future Group Inc., Raycom Media, Inc. and Tara Advisors, LLC, solely in its capacity as the Stockholders’ Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 25, 2018)

3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation of Gray Television, Inc., as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 8, 2018)

31.1

 

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

31.2

 

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

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer

101.INS101.SCH

 

XBRL InstanceTaxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.SCH101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension SchemaCalculation Linkbase Document

101.CAL101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension CalculationDefinition Linkbase Document

101.DEF101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension DefinitionLabel Linkbase Document

101.LAB101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 


 

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: August 7, 20182019 

By:/s/ James C. Ryan                                                      

/s/ James C. Ryan

James C. Ryan

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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