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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2012

 

 

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

INDIANA   0-23264   35-1542018

(State of incorporation

or organization)

 

(Commission

file number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

ONE EMMIS PLAZA

40 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 700

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204

(Address of principal executive offices)

(317) 266-0100

(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 period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

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

The number of shares outstanding of each of Emmis Communications Corporation’s classes of common stock, as of July 6, 2012, was:

 

  34,077,279       Shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
  4,722,684       Shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
  0       Shares of Class C Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

     Page  

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month periods ended May  31, 2011 and 2012

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012

     5   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012

     6   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Deficit for the three-month period ended May 31, 2012

     8   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended May  31, 2011 and 2012

     9   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     11   

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

     27   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     41   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     41   

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     41   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     41   

Item 6. Exhibits

     42   

Signatures

     45   

 

-2-


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     May 31,  
     2011     2012  

NET REVENUES

   $ 61,146      $ 56,787   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $1,847 and $1,217, respectively

     49,334        46,844   

Corporate expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $264 and $461, respectively

     7,335        4,972   

Impairment loss

     —          10,971   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,111        1,678   

Gain on sale of assets

     (3     (10,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     58,777        54,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

     2,369        2,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE:

    

Interest expense

     (7,214     (8,123

Loss on debt extinguishment

     (1,478     (484

Other (income) expense, net

     (6     304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (8,698     (8,303
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

     (6,329     (5,981

BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES

     (2,742     (3,108
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     (3,587     (2,873

GAIN FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX

     2,894        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS

     (693     (2,873

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

     1,352        1,262   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY

     (2,045     (4,135

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     2,523        896   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (4,568   $ (5,031
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

-3-


Table of Contents

 

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     May 31,  
     2011     2012  

Amounts attributable to common shareholders for basic earnings per share:

    

Continuing operations

   $ (7,483   $ (5,031

Discontinued operations

     2,915        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   $ (4,568   $ (5,031
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

    

Continuing operations

   $ (0.20   $ (0.13

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     0.08        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.12   $ (0.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     38,201        38,779   

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

    

Continuing operations

   $ (0.20   $ (0.13

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     0.08        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.12   $ (0.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     38,201        38,779   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

-4-


Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands)

 

    

Three Months Ended

May 31,

 
     2011     2012  

CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS

   $ (693   $ (2,873

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES:

    

Change in value of derivative instrument and related income tax effects

     (489     —     

Cumulative translation adjustment

     434        229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

     (748     (2,644

LESS: COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

     1,383        1,285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (2,131   $ (3,929
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

-5-


Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

            May 31,  
     February 29,      2012  
     2012      (Unaudited)  

ASSETS

  

CURRENT ASSETS:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,619       $ 10,486   

Accounts receivable, net

     32,880         34,236   

Prepaid expenses

     12,940         13,839   

Other current assets

     2,252         12,133   

Current assets — discontinued operations

     991         1,152   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     54,682         71,846   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     40,502         39,763   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Note 3):

     

Indefinite-lived intangibles

     213,009         202,038   

Goodwill

     24,175         24,175   

Other intangibles, net

     1,998         1,939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

     239,182         228,152   

OTHER ASSETS, NET

     6,395         11,178   

NONCURRENT ASSETS — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

     8         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 340,769       $ 350,939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

-6-


Table of Contents

 

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In thousands, except share data)

 

           May 31,  
     February 29,     2012  
     2012     (Unaudited)  

LIABILITIES AND DEFICIT

  

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 11,344      $ 13,799   

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)

     7,978        5,501   

Accrued salaries and commissions

     8,136        5,786   

Accrued interest

     3,038        2,074   

Deferred revenue

     16,669        17,220   

Other current liabilities

     6,206        5,174   

Current liabilities - discontinued operations

     551        455   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     53,922        50,009   

LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES

     229,725        251,324   

OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

     10,988        9,140   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     52,648        50,037   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     347,283        360,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

SERIES A CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE; $50.00 LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE; AUTHORIZED 2,875,000 SHARES; ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING 2,422,320 SHARES AT FEBRUARY 29, 2012 AND 2,822,320 AT MAY 31, 2012. EMMIS HAS OBTAINED RIGHTS IN 1,884,679 OF THE SHARES OUTSTANDING AS OF MAY 31, 2012 (REDEMPTION AMOUNT, INCLUDING UNDECLARED DIVIDENDS IN ARREARS, OF $57,351 AND $58,247, RESPECTIVELY). (Note 2)

     46,882        46,882   

SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:

    

Class A common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 170,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 34,007,279 shares at February 29, 2012 and 34,077,279 shares at May 31, 2012

     340        341   

Class B common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 4,722,684 shares at February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively

     47        47   

Additional paid-in capital

     529,793        530,203   

Accumulated deficit

     (632,608     (636,743

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,190        1,396   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ deficit

     (101,238     (104,756

NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

     47,842        48,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deficit

     (53,396     (56,453
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and deficit

   $ 340,769      $ 350,939   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

 

                                        Accumulated              
    Class A     Class B     Additional           Other              
    Common Stock     Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated     Comprehensive     Noncontrolling     Total  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Income     Interests     Deficit  

BALANCE, FEBRUARY 29, 2012

    34,007,279      $ 340        4,722,684      $ 47      $ 529,793      $ (632,608   $ 1,190      $ 47,842      $ (53,396

Net loss

              (4,135       1,262        (2,873

Issuance of Common Stock to employees and officers

            389              389   

Exercise of stock options

    70,000        1            21              22   

Payments of dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

                  (824     (824

Cumulative translation adjustment

                206        23        229   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BALANCE, MAY 31, 2012

    34,077,279      $ 341        4,722,684      $ 47      $ 530,203      $ (636,743   $ 1,396      $ 48,303      $ (56,453
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended May 31,  
     2011     2012  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Consolidated net loss

   $ (693   $ (2,873

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net loss to net cash used in operating activities -

    

Discontinued operations

     (2,894     —     

Impairment loss

     —          10,971   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,322        1,973   

Noncash accretion of debt instruments to interest expense

     —          3,231   

Loss on debt extinguishment

     1,478        484   

Provision for bad debts

     120        124   

Benefit for deferred income taxes

     (2,789     (2,613

Noncash compensation

     282        391   

Gain on sale of assets

     (3     (10,000

Changes in assets and liabilities -

    

Accounts receivable

     (557     (1,443

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     673        (873

Other assets

     (48     (152

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     2,468        (970

Deferred revenue

     (800     551   

Income taxes

     (223     (666

Other liabilities

     (603     (3,572

Net cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations

     (8     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (1,275     (5,437
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,273     (775

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

     —          (2,000

Other

     9        21   

Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations

     5,797        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     4,533        (2,754
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

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Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended May 31,  
     2011     2012  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Payments on long-term debt

     (6,489     (75,019

Proceeds from long-term debt

     6,000        92,198   

Debt-related costs

     (516     (3,423

Payments of dividends and distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (1,400     (824

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     —          21   

Settlement of tax withholding obligations on stock issued to employees

     (74     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (2,479     12,953   

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     323        105   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     1,102        4,867   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

    

Beginning of period

     6,068        5,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 7,170      $ 10,486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:

    

Cash paid for -

    

Interest

   $ 4,742      $ 9,830   

Income taxes, net of refunds

     559        194   

Noncash financing transactions-

    

Value of stock issued to employees under stock compensation program and to satisfy accrued incentives

     242        389   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 

-10-


Table of Contents

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS UNLESS INDICATED OTHERWISE, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

May 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Preparation of Interim Financial Statements

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the condensed consolidated interim financial statements included herein have been prepared, without audit, by Emmis Communications Corporation (“ECC”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, “our,” “us,” “we,” “Emmis” or the “Company”). As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, Emmis believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report for Emmis filed on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2012. The Company’s results are subject to seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, results shown on an interim basis are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

In the opinion of Emmis, the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements contain all material adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of Emmis at May 31, 2012, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012.

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted. Potentially dilutive securities at May 31, 2011 and 2012 consisted of stock options, restricted stock awards and the 6.25% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”). Each share of our outstanding Preferred Stock in which the Company has not obtained rights may, at the election of the preferred holder, convert into 2.44 shares of common stock. Conversion of these shares of Preferred Stock into common stock would be antidilutive for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012. Shares excluded from the calculation as the effect of their conversion into shares of our common stock would be antidilutive were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended May 31,  
     2011      2012  
     (shares in 000’s)  

6.25% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock

     6,854         2,288   

Stock options and restricted stock awards

     7,477         9,166   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Antidilutive common share equivalents

     14,331         11,454   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

-11-


Table of Contents

Discontinued Operation – Slager

On October 28, 2009, the Hungarian National Radio and Television Board (ORTT) announced that it was awarding to another bidder the national radio license then held by our majority-owned subsidiary, Slager. Slager ceased broadcasting effective November 19, 2009. The Company believes that the awarding of the license to another bidder was unlawful. In October 2011, Emmis filed for arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes seeking resolution of its claim.

Slager had historically been included in the radio segment. The following table summarizes certain operating results for Slager for all periods presented:

 

     Three months ended May 31,  
     2011     2012  

Net revenues

   $ 7      $ —     

Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense

     90        —     

Other income

     95        —     

Loss before income taxes

     12        —     

Loss attributable to minority interests

     (21     —     

Discontinued Operation – Flint Peak Tower Site

On April 6, 2011, Emmis sold land, towers and other equipment at its Glendale, CA tower site (the “Flint Peak Tower Site”) to Richland Towers Management Flint, Inc. for $6.0 million in cash. In connection with the sale, Emmis recorded a gain on sale of assets of approximately $4.9 million. Net proceeds from the sale were used to repay amounts outstanding under the credit facility.

The operations of the Flint Peak Tower Site had historically been included in the radio segment. The following table summarizes certain operating results for the Flint Peak Tower Site for all periods presented:

 

     Three months ended May 31,  
     2011      2012  

Net revenues

   $ 59       $ —     

Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense

     49         —     

Depreciation and amortization

     7         —     

Gain on sale of assets

     4,882         —     

Income before income taxes

     4,885         —     

Provision for income taxes

     2,003         —     

 

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Table of Contents

Summary of Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations:

 

     As of February 29, 2012      As of May 31, 2012  
            Flint Peak Tower         
     Slager      Site and Other      Slager  

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 914       $ —         $ 1,090   

Prepaid expenses

     —           —           —     

Other

     77         —           62   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     991         —           1,152   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

        

Other noncurrent assets

     8         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

     8         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 999       $ —         $ 1,152   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 457       $ 94       $ 455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   $ 457       $ 94       $ 455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Local Programming and Marketing Agreement Fees

The Company from time to time enters into local programming and marketing agreements (“LMAs”) in connection with acquisitions or dispositions of radio stations, pending regulatory approval of transfer of the FCC licenses. In such cases where the Company enters into an LMA in connection with a disposition, the Company generally receives specified periodic payments in exchange for the counterparty receiving the right to program and sell advertising for a specified portion of the station’s inventory of broadcast time. Nevertheless, as the holder of the FCC license, the Company retains control and responsibility for the operation of the station, including responsibility over all programming broadcast on the station.

On April 26, 2012, Emmis entered into an LMA with a subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc. for 98.7FM in New York (formerly WRKS-FM and now WEPN-FM, hereinafter referred to as “98.7FM”). The LMA for this station started on April 30, 2012 and will continue until August 31, 2024 (see Note 8 for more discussion of this LMA and related transactions). Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V (“GRC”), a Mexican broadcasting company, continues to provide programming and sell advertising for KXOS-FM in Los Angeles pursuant to an LMA.

LMA fees, recorded as net revenues in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Three months ended May 31,  
     2011      2012  

KXOS-FM, Los Angeles

   $ 1,750       $ 1,750   

98.7FM, New York

     —           861   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,750       $ 2,611   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 2. Share Based Payments

The amounts recorded as share based compensation expense consist of stock option and restricted stock grants, common stock issued to employees and directors in lieu of cash payments, and Preferred Stock contributed to the 2012 Retention Plan.

Stock Option Awards

The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These options are granted for a term not exceeding 10 years and are forfeited, except in certain circumstances, in the event the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company. Generally, these options either vest annually over three years (one-third each year for three years), or cliff vest at the end of three years. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of stock options.

The fair value of each option awarded is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. The Company includes estimated forfeitures in its compensation cost and updates the estimated forfeiture rate through the final vesting date of awards. Prior to March 1, 2012, the Company used the simplified method to estimate the expected term for all options granted. Although the Company had granted options for many years, the historical exercise activity of our options was impacted by the way the Company processed the equitable adjustment of our November 2006 special dividend. Consequently, the Company believes that reliable data regarding exercise behavior only exists for the period subsequent to November 2006, which it determined was insufficient experience upon which to estimate the expected term through fiscal 2012. However, beginning in fiscal 2013, the Company determined that sufficient reliable data regarding its employees’ exercise behavior was available and it ceased using the simplified method. This change did not materially impact our results of operations. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of the Company’s options on the date of grant during the three months ended May 31, 2011 and 2012:

 

    

Three Months Ended May 31,

    

2011

  

2012

Risk-Free Interest Rate:

   2.3% - 2.5%    0.7%

Expected Dividend Yield:

   0%    0%

Expected Life (Years):

   6.0    4.2

Expected Volatility:

   110.2% - 110.9%    129.5% - 131.4%

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding at May 31, 2012, and stock option activity during the three months ended May 31, 2012 (“Price” reflects the weighted average exercise price per share):

 

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Table of Contents
                   Weighted Average      Aggregate  
                   Remaining      Intrinsic  
     Options      Price      Contractual Term      Value  

Outstanding, beginning of period

     8,426,564       $ 7.26         

Granted

     2,348,000         0.86         

Exercised (1)

     70,000         0.30         

Forfeited

     —           —           

Expired

     488,053         19.78         
  

 

 

          

Outstanding, end of period

     10,216,511         5.24         6.2       $ 4,181   

Exercisable, end of period

     6,930,845         7.30         4.7       $ 2,185   

 

(1) The Company did not record an income tax benefit related to option exercises in the three months ended May 31, 2012. No options were exercised during the three months ended May 31, 2011.

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended May 31, 2011 and 2012, was $0.94 and $0.71, respectively.

A summary of the Company’s nonvested options at May 31, 2012, and changes during the three months ended May 31, 2012, is presented below:

 

            Weighted Average  
            Grant Date  
     Options      Fair Value  

Nonvested, beginning of period

     3,193,171       $ 0.58   

Granted

     2,348,000         0.71   

Vested

     2,255,505         0.51   

Forfeited

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

Nonvested, end of period

     3,285,666         0.73   

There were 1.4 million shares available for future grants under the Company’s various equity plans at May 31, 2012. The vesting dates of outstanding options at May 31, 2012 range from July 2012 to March 2017, and expiration dates range from June 2012 to May 2022.

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company grants restricted stock awards to directors annually, though it has granted restricted stock to employees in prior years. These awards to directors are granted on the date of our annual meeting of shareholders and vest on the earlier of (i) the completion of the director’s three-year term or (ii) the third anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock award grants prior to fiscal 2011 were granted out of the Company’s 2004 Equity Compensation Plan and restricted stock award grants since March 1, 2010 have been granted out of the Company’s 2010 Equity Compensation Plan. The Company may also award, out of the Company’s 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, stock to settle certain bonuses and other compensation that otherwise would be paid in cash. Any restrictions on these shares are immediately lapsed on the grant date.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s restricted stock grants outstanding at May 31, 2012, and restricted stock activity during the three months ended May 31, 2012 (“Price” reflects the weighted average share price at the date of grant):

 

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Table of Contents
     Awards      Price  

Grants outstanding, beginning of period

     24,145       $ 0.90   

Granted

     —           —     

Vested (restriction lapsed)

     —           —     

Forfeited

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

Grants outstanding, end of period

     24,145         0.90   
  

 

 

    

The total grant date fair value of shares vested during the three months ended May 31, 2011 was $0.6 million. No shares vested during the three months ended May 31, 2012.

Preferred Stock and the 2012 Retention Plan

During the year ended February 29, 2012, the Company purchased rights in 1,484,679 shares of its Preferred Stock. The purchase price for the rights in the Preferred Stock was paid in cash, but these shares are subject to total return swap arrangements. We have entered into confirmations for total return swaps and voting agreements with several preferred holders. Pursuant to these agreements and arrangements, we have the ability to direct the vote of 1,484,679 shares of Preferred Stock, or approximately 61% of the Preferred Stock outstanding as of February 29, 2012.

On April 2, 2012, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2012 Retention Plan and Trust Agreement (the “Trust” or the “2012 Retention Plan”) at a special meeting of shareholders. The Company contributed 400,000 shares of its Preferred Stock to the Trust in connection with the approval of the 2012 Retention Plan. Awards granted under the 2012 Retention Plan entitle the participants to receive a distribution two years from the date of shareholder approval of the plan, provided the participant is still an employee and was an employee upon inception of the plan. Distributions may be in the form of Class A common stock if the Company elects to convert the Preferred Stock to common stock at the then-current conversion ratio prior to distribution. The initial Trustee of the plan is Jeffrey H. Smulyan, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.

As of the Trust’s inception and May 31, 2012, no preferred shares have been allocated to individual employees, nor is any individual entitled to any minimum number of shares. As a result, the service inception date for these awards precedes the grant date, and the Company is accounting for the 2012 Retention Plan as a liability plan, using variable accounting. Prior to establishment of a grant date, the Company will estimate the fair value of the shares at each reporting period, and will recognize the compensation expense over a two-year period that began on April 2, 2012. Upon the second anniversary of the Trust’s inception, the Trust’s governance may allocate the shares to individual employees, at which point fully vested shares will be distributed to employees. The Trust is consolidated by the Company and both the assets and deferred compensation obligation of the Trust are accounted for within preferred stock in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized approximately $0.1 million of compensation expense related to the 2012 Retention Plan in the quarter ended May 31, 2012.

In connection with the approval of the 2012 Retention Plan, the Trustee and the Trust entered into a Voting and Transfer Restriction Agreement with Emmis, pursuant to which Emmis has the right to direct the vote of the 400,000 shares of Preferred Stock contributed to the Trust under the 2012 Retention Plan. As such, the Company effectively controls approximately 66.8% of the outstanding Preferred Stock. The Company also has the right to exchange the 400,000 shares of Preferred Stock into shares of Class A common stock at the same ratio as the conversion formula in the Preferred Stock (currently 2.44 shares of Class A common stock for each share of Preferred Stock).

 

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Recognized Non-Cash Compensation Expense

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense and related tax benefits recognized by the Company in the three months ended May 31, 2011 and 2012:

 

    Three months ended May 31,  
    2011     2012  

Station operating expenses

  $ 80      $ 153   

Corporate expenses

    202        238   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

    282        391   

Tax benefit

    —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recognized stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

  $ 282      $ 391   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of May 31, 2012, there was $3.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years.

Note 3. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Valuation of Indefinite-lived Broadcasting Licenses

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, the Company’s Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses are considered indefinite-lived intangibles. These assets, which the Company determined were its only indefinite-lived intangibles, are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment at least annually as discussed below.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s FCC licenses were $213.0 million as of February 29, 2012 and $202.0 million as of May 31, 2012. The decline in FCC licenses is attributable to the impairment charge recorded for 98.7FM. Pursuant to Emmis’ accounting policy, stations in a geographic market cluster are considered a single unit of accounting, provided that they are not being operated under an LMA by another broadcaster. As of February 29, 2012, our two stations in New York were considered a single unit of accounting. In connection with the execution of the LMA discussed above and in Note 8, the Company separated the two New York stations into separate units of accounting. The Company performed an interim impairment test of the 98.7FM license as of May 1, 2012 which resulted in an impairment charge of $11.0 million.

The Company generally performs its annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangibles as of December 1 of each year. When indicators of impairment are present, as was the case with 98.7FM as noted above, the Company will perform an interim impairment test. These impairment tests may result in impairment charges in future periods.

 

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Fair value of our FCC licenses is estimated to be the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To determine the fair value of our FCC licenses, the Company uses an income valuation method when it performs its impairment tests. Under this method, the Company projects cash flows that would be generated by each of its units of accounting assuming the unit of accounting was commencing operations in its respective market at the beginning of the valuation period. This cash flow stream is discounted to arrive at a value for the FCC license. The Company assumes the competitive situation that exists in each market remains unchanged, with the exception that its unit of accounting commenced operations at the beginning of the valuation period. In doing so, the Company extracts the value of going concern and any other assets acquired, and strictly values the FCC license. Major assumptions involved in this analysis include market revenue, market revenue growth rates, unit of accounting audience share, unit of accounting revenue share and discount rate. Each of these assumptions may change in the future based upon changes in general economic conditions, audience behavior, consummated transactions, and numerous other variables that may be beyond our control. When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is performed at the unit of accounting level as determined by ASC Topic 350-30-35. In our case, radio stations in a geographic market cluster are considered a single unit of accounting, provided that they are not being operated under an LMA.

Valuation of Goodwill

ASC Topic 350-20-35 requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two-step process. The first step is a screen for potential impairment, while the second step measures the amount of impairment. The Company conducts the two-step impairment test on December 1 of each fiscal year, unless indications of impairment exist during an interim period. During the quarter ended May 31, 2012, no new or additional impairment indicators emerged; hence, no interim impairment testing was warranted. When assessing its goodwill for impairment, the Company uses an enterprise valuation approach to determine the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units (radio stations grouped by market and magazines on an individual basis). Management determines enterprise value for each of its reporting units by multiplying the two-year average station operating income generated by each reporting unit (current year based on actual results and the next year based on budgeted results) by an estimated market multiple. The Company uses a blended station operating income trading multiple of publicly traded radio operators as a benchmark for the multiple it applies to its radio reporting units. There are no publicly traded publishing companies that are focused predominantly on city and regional magazines as is our publishing segment. Therefore, the market multiple used as a benchmark for our publishing reporting units has been based on recently completed transactions within the city and regional magazine industry or analyst reports that include valuations of magazine divisions within publicly traded media conglomerates. Management believes this methodology for valuing radio and publishing properties is a common approach and believes that the multiples used in the valuation are reasonable given our peer comparisons and recent market transactions. To corroborate the step-one reporting unit fair values determined using the market approach described above, management also uses an income approach, which is a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of the reporting unit.

This enterprise valuation is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit for the first step of the goodwill impairment test. If the reporting unit exhibits impairment, the Company proceeds to the second step of the goodwill impairment test. For its step-two testing, the enterprise value is allocated among the tangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets (FCC licenses valued using a direct-method valuation approach) and unrecognized intangible assets, such as customer lists, with the residual amount representing the implied fair value of the goodwill. To the extent the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, the difference is recorded as an impairment charge in the statement of operations.

As of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill was $24.2 million. As of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012 approximately $6.3 million and $17.9 million of our goodwill was attributable to our radio and publishing divisions, respectively.

Definite-lived intangibles

The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of foreign broadcasting licenses, and trademarks, all of which are amortized over the period of time the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Company’s future cash flows. The following table presents the weighted-average useful life, gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of definite-lived intangible assets at February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012:

 

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          February 29, 2012      May 31, 2012  
     Weighted Average    Gross             Net      Gross             Net  
     Remaining Useful Life    Carrying      Accumulated      Carrying      Carrying      Accumulated      Carrying  
     (in years)    Amount      Amortization      Amount      Amount      Amortization      Amount  

Foreign Broadcasting Licenses

   8.9    $ 8,716       $ 6,976       $ 1,740       $ 8,716       $ 7,024       $ 1,692   

Trademarks

   12.9      749         502         247         749         507         242   

Favorable Office Leases

   0.3      688         677         11         688         683         5   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL

      $ 10,153       $ 8,155       $ 1,998       $ 10,153       $ 8,214       $ 1,939   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total amortization expense from definite-lived intangibles for the three–month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012 was $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for definite-lived intangibles:

 

YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 (29),

  

2013

   $ 223   

2014

     209   

2015

     207   

2016

     207   

2017

     207   

Note 4. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt was comprised of the following at February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012:

 

     As of February 29,     As of May 31,  
     2012     2012  

Credit Agreement debt

    

Revolver

   $ 6,000      $ —     

Term Loan B

     87,877        61,662   

Extended Term Loan B

     109,966        77,162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Credit Agreement debt

     203,843        138,824   

Senior unsecured notes

     33,860        35,803   

98.7FM nonrecourse debt

     —          82,198   

Less current maturities:

    

Credit Agreement debt

     (7,978     (1,388

98.7FM nonrecourse debt

     —          (4,113
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ 229,725      $ 251,324   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit Agreement Debt

At May 31, 2012, we had $138.8 million of outstanding term loans. Revolver availability at May 31, 2012 was $9.5 million, which is net of $0.5 million of outstanding letters of credit. During the three months ended May 31, 2012, the Company repaid $58.7 million of outstanding term loans and all amounts borrowed under the revolver from the proceeds received from the issuance of the 98.7FM debt as discussed in Note 8. Our revolver matures on November 2, 2012.

 

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The Credit Agreement was amended twice during the three months ended May 31, 2012. See Note 9 for more discussion of the amendments.

Senior Unsecured Notes

Interest on the senior unsecured notes is paid in kind and compounds quarterly at a rate of 22.95% per annum, except that during the continuance of any event of default the rate will be 24.95% per annum payable on demand in cash. During the three months ended May 31, 2012, the Company recorded $1.9 million of interest expense related to the senior unsecured notes. The Notes mature on February 1, 2015, at which time the principal balance and all accreted interest is due entirely in cash.

The senior unsecured notes were amended twice during the three months ended May 31, 2012. See Note 9 for more discussion of the amendments.

98.7FM Nonrecourse Debt

On May 30, 2012, the Company, through wholly-owned, newly-created subsidiaries, issued $82.2 million of nonrecourse notes. Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”), through a participation agreement with Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), is entitled to receive payments made on the notes. The notes are obligations only of the newly-created subsidiaries, are non-recourse to the rest of the Company’s subsidiaries and are secured by the assets of the newly-created subsidiaries, including the payments made to the newly-created subsidiary related to the 98.7FM LMA, which are guaranteed by Disney Enterprises, Inc. The notes bear interest at 4.1%. See Note 8 for more discussion of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt and LMA.

Mandatory principal payments related to the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt for the next five years and thereafter are summarized below:

 

Year Ended    98.7FM Nonrecourse  

February 28 (29),

   Debt Principal Repayments  

2013

   $ 3,130   

2014

     4,126   

2015

     4,541   

2016

     4,990   

2017

     5,453   

Thereafter

     59,958   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 82,198   
  

 

 

 

Note 5. Liquidity

The Company continually projects its anticipated cash needs, which include its operating needs, capital needs, principal and interest payments on its indebtedness and preferred stock dividends. As of the filing of this Form 10-Q, management believes the Company can meet its liquidity needs through the end of fiscal year 2013 with cash and cash equivalents on hand and projected cash flows from operations. Based on these projections, management also believes the Company will be in compliance with its debt covenants through the end of fiscal year 2013.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement depend upon our continued compliance with certain operating covenants and financial ratios. The Company must maintain a minimum amount of trailing twelve-month Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and at least $5 million in Liquidity (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement also contains certain other non-financial covenants. We were in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants as of May 31, 2012. Our Liquidity (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of May 31, 2012 was $13.5 million. Our minimum Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) requirement and actual amount as of May 31, 2012 was as follows:

 

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     As of May 31, 2012  
            Actual Trailing  
     Covenant      Twelve-Month  
     Requirement      Consolidated  EBITDA1  

Trailing Twelve-month Consolidated EBITDA1

   $ 24,000       $ 26,264   

Note 6. Fair Value Measurements

As defined in ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the 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. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012. The financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

     As of May 31, 2012  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3         
     Quoted Prices                       
     in Active      Significant                
     Markets for      Other      Significant         
     Identical Assets      Observable      Unobservable         
     or Liabilities      Inputs      Inputs      Total  

Available for sale securities

   $ —         $ —         $ 160       $ 160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

   $ —         $ —         $ 160       $ 160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

1 

As defined in the Credit Agreement

 

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Table of Contents
     As of February 29, 2012  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3         
     Quoted Prices                       
     in Active      Significant                
     Markets for      Other      Significant         
     Identical Assets      Observable      Unobservable         
     or Liabilities      Inputs      Inputs      Total  

Available for sale securities

   $ —         $ —         $ 160       $ 160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

   $ —         $ —         $ 160       $ 160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Available for sale securities — Emmis’ available for sale security is an investment in preferred stock of a company that is not traded in active markets. The investment is recorded at fair value, which is generally estimated using significant unobservable market parameters, resulting in Level 3 categorization.

The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs:

 

     For the Three Months Ended  
     May 31, 2011     May 31, 2012  
     Available            Available  
     For Sale      Derivative     For Sale  
     Securities      Instruments     Securities  

Beginning Balance

   $ 189       $ 297      $ 160   

Realized losses included in earnings

     —           (297     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending Balance

   $ 189       $ —        $ 160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis under circumstances and events that include those described in Note 3, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, and are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values are more than the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered a Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value (see Note 3 for more discussion).

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

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

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, including accrued liabilities: The carrying amount of these assets and liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Credit Agreement debt: As of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s Credit Agreement debt was $198.0 million and $136.5 million, respectively, while the carrying value was $203.8 million and $138.8 million, respectively. The Company’s assessment of the fair value of the Credit Agreement debt is based on bid prices for the portion of debt that is actively traded and is considered a level 1 measurement. The Extended Term Loans are not actively traded and are considered a level 3 measurement. The Company believes that the current carrying value of the Extended Term Loans approximates its fair value.

 

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6.25% Series A cumulative convertible preferred stock: As of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s Preferred Stock for which the Company does not have voting rights, based on quoted market prices, was $20.2 million and $15.0 million, respectively, while the carrying value was $46.9 million for both periods. The carrying value of Preferred Stock excludes undeclared dividends in arrears. Exclusive of shares outstanding which the Company has acquired voting rights, undeclared dividends in arrears were of $10.5 million and $11.4 million as of February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively. As quoted market prices are available, this is considered a level 1 measurement.

Senior unsecured notes: The senior unsecured notes are not actively traded and are considered a level 3 measurement (see Note 4 for more discussion of the senior unsecured notes). The Company believes that the current carrying value of the senior unsecured notes approximates its fair value.

98.7FM nonrecourse debt: The 98.7FM nonrecourse debt is not actively traded and is considered a level 3 measurement (see Note 4 and Note 8 for more discussion of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt). The Company believes that the current carrying value of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt approximates its fair value.

Note 7. Segment Information

The Company’s operations are aligned into two business segments: (i) Radio and (ii) Publishing. These business segments are consistent with the Company’s management of these businesses and its financial reporting structure. Corporate expenses are not allocated to reportable segments. The results of operations of our Hungary radio operations and the operations related to our Flint Peak Tower Site, both of which had previously been included in the radio segment, have been classified as discontinued operations and have been excluded from the segment disclosures below. See Note 1 for more discussion of our discontinued operations.

The Company’s segments operate primarily in the United States, but we also operate radio stations located in Slovakia and Bulgaria. The following table summarizes the net revenues and long-lived assets of our international properties included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

     Net Revenues      Long-lived Assets  
     Three Months Ended May 31,      As of February 29,      As of May 31,  
     2011      2012      2012      2012  

Continuing Operations:

           

Slovakia

   $ 2,672       $ 2,277       $ 6,313       $ 6,181   

Bulgaria

     255         234         578         490   

Discontinued Operations (see Note 1):

           

Hungary

   $ 7       $ —         $ 8       $ —     

The accounting policies as described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K, for the year ended February 29, 2012, and in Note 1 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, are applied consistently across segments.

 

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Three Months Ended                          

May 31, 2012

   Radio     Publishing      Corporate     Consolidated  

Net revenues

   $ 40,376      $ 16,411       $ —        $ 56,787   

Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

     30,600        16,244         —          46,844   

Corporate expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

     —          —           4,972        4,972   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,109        108         461        1,678   

Impairment loss

     10,971        —           —          10,971   

Gain on sale of assets

     (10,000     —           —          (10,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 7,696      $ 59       $ (5,433   $ 2,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended                         

May 31, 2011

   Radio     Publishing     Corporate     Consolidated  

Net revenues

   $ 45,370      $ 15,776      $ —        $ 61,146   

Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

     32,988        16,346        —          49,334   

Corporate expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

     —          —          7,335        7,335   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,735        112        264        2,111   

Gain on sale of fixed assets

     (3     —          —          (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 10,650      $ (682   $ (7,599   $ 2,369   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     As of February 29, 2012  
     Radio      Publishing      Corporate      Consolidated  

Assets — continuing operations

   $ 277,676       $ 37,332       $ 24,762       $ 339,770   

Assets — discontinued operations

     999         —           —           999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 278,675       $ 37,332       $ 24,762       $ 340,769   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of May 31, 2012  
     Radio      Publishing      Corporate      Consolidated  

Assets — continuing operations

   $ 285,636       $ 35,393       $ 28,758       $ 349,787   

Assets — discontinued operations

     1,152         —           —           1,152   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 286,788       $ 35,393       $ 28,758       $ 350,939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 8. 98.7FM New York Intellectual Property Sale, LMA and Related Financing Transaction

Sale of WRKS-FM Intellectual Property

On April 5, 2012, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with YMF Media LLC (“YMF”). Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives Fund II, L.P., Yucaipa Corporate Initiatives (Parallel) Fund II, L.P., Fortress Credit Funding I, LP., Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd. and CF ICBC LLC agreed to guarantee certain obligations of the Purchaser under the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

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Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell certain intellectual property rights, described below, to YMF, and YMF agreed to also assume certain liabilities of the Company. The purchase price was $10.0 million, plus quarterly earn-out payments, if any, equal to 15% of the incremental gross revenue over a three-year period in excess of calendar 2011 gross revenues attributable to radio station WBLS-FM, 107.5FM, New York, NY, which is owned by YMF. The assets sold to YMF included intellectual property rights used or held for use by the Company exclusively in the business or operation of 98.7FM, and all assignable registrations, applications, renewals, issuances, extensions, restorations and reversions for, in respect of or relating to the intellectual property. The Asset Purchase Agreement contained customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities.

The sale of WRKS-FM’s intellectual property became effective on May 7, 2012. The $10.0 million gain is reflected in gain on sale of assets and the receivable is reflected in other current assets in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively. Emmis collected the $10.0 million intellectual property sale proceeds on July 6, 2012 and used the entire amount to repay term loans under the Company’s Credit Agreement.

98.7FM Local Programming and Marketing Agreement

On April 26, 2012, the Company entered into an LMA with New York AM Radio, LLC (“Programmer”) pursuant to which, commencing April 30, 2012, Programmer purchased from Emmis the right to provide programming on 98.7FM (the “Station”) until August 31, 2024, subject to certain conditions. Disney Enterprises, Inc., the parent company of Programmer, has guaranteed the obligations of Programmer under the LMA. The Company retains ownership and control of the Station, including the related FCC license, during the term of the LMA and will receive an annual fee from Programmer of $8.4 million for the first year of the term under the LMA, which fee will increase by 3.5% each year thereafter until the LMA’s termination. LMA fee revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the LMA. The Company assigned the LMA to a wholly-owned, newly-formed subsidiary (the “Financing Subsidiary”) in connection with the funding of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt under the Participation Agreement, each as described below.

Issuance of 98.7FM Nonrecourse Debt

On April 26, 2012, the Financing Subsidiary and a subsidiary of the Financing Subsidiary, which was formed to hold the FCC License for the Station (the “License Subsidiary”), entered into a Participation Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with Wells Fargo and TIAA. On May 30, 2012, subsequent to the contribution of certain assets including the FCC License of 98.7FM to the License Subsidiary, the Company closed on the financing under the Participation Agreement with Wells Fargo and TIAA. Pursuant to the Participation Agreement, Wells Fargo sold to TIAA a 100% participation interest in a 4.10% promissory note issued, jointly and severally, by the Financing Subsidiary and the License Subsidiary in the principal amount of approximately $82.2 million (the “98.7FM Note”). The 98.7FM Note will mature on August 1, 2024 and bears interest at a rate equal to 4.10% per annum. Principal payments to be made under the note are described in Note 4. The 98.7FMNote is principally secured by, among other things, an assignment of the proceeds of the 98.7FM LMA and a guarantee by Disney Enterprises, Inc. As evidence of TIAA’s purchase of the participation interest in the 98.7FM Note, TIAA received a Pass-Through Certificate which entitles TIAA to receive payments made under the 98.7FM Note. In its capacity as the trustee, Wells Fargo receives fees and expenses for undertaking certain obligations related to the 98.7FM Note.

Approximately $74.7 million of the net proceeds from the 98.7FM Note were used to repay indebtedness under the senior credit agreement of Emmis Operating Company, including all amounts then outstanding under its revolver, $4.3 million was retained by Emmis Operating Company for general corporate purposes, including the settlement of contract termination and severance obligations related to 98.7FM as well as Extended Term Loan B exit fee obligations, and the remainder was used to pay transaction costs. Approximately $3.2 million of transaction fees related to the issuance of the 98.7FM Note were capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the 98.7FM Note, which fully matures in August 2024, which coincides with the expiration of the 98.7FM LMA. These deferred debt costs are included in other assets, net in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

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The Company expects that proceeds from the 98.7FM LMA will be sufficient to pay all debt service related to the 98.7FM Note, as well as all operating costs of the Station.

Note 9. Long-term Debt Amendments

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, First Amendment to Senior Unsecured Notes

On March 20, 2012, Emmis entered into amendments of its senior secured credit facility and senior unsecured notes to allow us to issue Preferred Stock into the 2012 Retention Plan and Trust. These amendments did not change any financial covenants, but amended certain provisions of the Credit Agreement and senior unsecured notes to allow Emmis to contribute shares to the 2012 Retention Plan and Trust Agreement as discussed in Note 2.

Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, Second Amendment to Senior Unsecured Notes

On April 26, 2012, Emmis entered into amendments of its senior secured credit facility and senior unsecured notes to allow for the entry into the agreements and consummation of the 98.7FM transactions described in Note 8 above. In addition, the sixth amendment to the Credit Agreement reduced the amount of required minimum trailing twelve-month Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) from $25 million to $24 million and allowed for $20 million of the net proceeds received from the 98.7FM Note to be used for revolver repayment and general corporate purposes, while simultaneously reducing the revolver commitment by $10 million, from $20 million to $10 million.

Note 10. Investment in Courseload, Inc.

On May 1, 2012, the Company purchased $2.0 million of the preferred stock of Courseload, Inc., a provider of online textbooks and other course material. Emmis can, at its discretion, purchase up to an additional $4.0 million of preferred stock in Courseload, Inc. through November 2012. This investment is accounted for under the cost method as the preferred stock in Courseload, Inc, does not have a readily determinable fair value.

Note 11. Amendment to KXOS-FM LMA

On April 13, 2012, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Put and Call Agreement (the “Amendment”) with a subsidiary of GRC and certain of its “Qualified Designees” (as defined in the Put and Call Agreement dated April 3, 2009 (the “Put and Call Agreement”)). On April 3, 2009, Emmis and GRC had entered into a seven year LMA under which GRC has provided programming for radio station KXOS-FM (f/k/a KMVN-FM), Los Angeles, CA. At the same time, Emmis and GRC entered into the Put and Call Agreement under which GRC has the right to purchase KXOS-FM for $110 million at any time during the term of the LMA and Emmis has the right to require GRC to purchase KXOS-FM for the same amount at the end of the term of the LMA. The First Amendment effectively gives the Qualified Designees the right to purchase KXOS-FM for $85.5 million dollars provided that the purchase closes on or before March 27, 2013. The LMA will remain in effect until the closing of the purchase. If the closing does not occur on or before March 27, 2013, the LMA will continue to remain in effect, the call option exercised by the Qualified Designees will terminate and the amendments to the Put and Call set forth in the Amendment will be null and void (i.e., the purchase price for KXOS-FM will revert to $110 million). In April 2012, Emmis applied for FCC approval of the transfer of the KXOS-FM FCC license. The FCC approved the KXOS-FM FCC license transfer on June 22, 2012. Any closing under the Amendment is subject to customary representations, warranties, covenants and conditions, including GRC’s ability to obtain financing for the transaction, but we are hopeful closing will occur in our fiscal quarter ending August 31, 2012.

 

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Note 12. Regulatory, Legal and Other Matters

Emmis is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management of the Company, however, there are no legal proceedings pending against the Company that we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Emmis and certain of its officers and directors are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by certain holders of Preferred Stock (the “Lock-Up Group”) April 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana entitled Corre Opportunities Fund, LP, et al. v. Emmis Communications Corporation, et al. The plaintiffs allege that Emmis and the other defendants violated various provisions of the federal securities laws and breached fiduciary duties in connection with Emmis’ entry into total return swap agreements and voting agreements with certain holders of Emmis Preferred Stock, and in issuing shares of Preferred Stock to Emmis’ 2012 Retention Plan and Trust (the “Trust”) and entering into a voting agreement with the trustee of the Trust. The plaintiffs also allege that Emmis would violate certain provisions of Indiana corporate law by directing the voting of the shares of Preferred Stock subject to the total return swap agreements (the “Swap Shares”) and the shares of Preferred Stock held by the Trust (the “Trust Shares’) in favor of certain proposed amendments to Emmis’ Articles of Incorporation. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief.

Emmis has filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint, and has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that Emmis may legally direct the voting of the Swap Shares and the Trust Shares in favor of the proposed amendments. Emmis is defending this lawsuit vigorously.

Emmis has asked the U.S. District Court to issue a declaratory judgment with respect to Emmis’ counterclaim confirming that the Proposed Amendments comply with Indiana law and the Articles of Incorporation. Although the date of any ruling by the U.S. District Court in the federal litigation (including the Lock-Up Group’s claims and Emmis’s counterclaim for declaratory judgment) cannot be predicted with certainty, it is expected that a hearing on the Lock-Up Group’s claim for injunctive relief will be held before the date of any shareholder vote on the Proposed Amendments. On May 31, 2012, the U.S. District Court entered an order (a) requiring that the court be notified upon Emmis’ filing of the definitive version of this Proxy Statement; and (b) stating that the court will set the Lock-Up Group’s preliminary injunction motion for hearing on a date that is within thirty days of the court being so notified. At the same time, Emmis and the Lock-Up Group agreed that the shareholder vote on the Proposed Amendments will be scheduled for a date that is at least thirty days after the filing of the definitive version of this Proxy Statement.

Certain individuals and groups have challenged applications for renewal of the FCC licenses of certain of the Company’s stations. The challenges to the license renewal applications are currently pending before the FCC. Emmis does not expect the challenges to result in the denial of any license renewals.

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

Note: Certain statements included in this report or in the financial statements contained herein which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words “expect,” “should,” “will” or “look” are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such factors include, among others:

 

   

general economic and business conditions;

 

   

fluctuations in the demand for advertising and demand for different types of advertising media;

 

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our ability to service our outstanding debt;

 

   

loss of key personnel;

 

   

increased competition in our markets and the broadcasting industry;

 

   

our ability to attract and secure programming, on-air talent, writers and photographers;

 

   

inability to obtain (or to obtain timely) necessary approvals for purchase or sale transactions or to complete the transactions for other reasons generally beyond our control;

 

   

increases in the costs of programming, including on-air talent;

 

   

new or changing regulations of the Federal Communications Commission or other governmental agencies;

 

   

changes in radio audience measurement methodologies;

 

   

competition from new or different technologies;

 

   

war, terrorist acts or political instability; and

 

   

other factors mentioned in other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For a more detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, see the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended February 29, 2012. Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

GENERAL

We are a diversified media company. We own and operate radio and publishing properties located primarily in the United States. Our revenues are mostly affected by the advertising rates our entities charge, as advertising sales represent approximately 70% of our consolidated revenues. These rates are in large part based on our entities’ ability to attract audiences/subscribers in demographic groups targeted by their advertisers. Arbitron Inc. generally measures radio station ratings in our domestic markets on a weekly basis using a passive digital system of measuring listening (the Portable People MeterTM). Because audience ratings in a station’s local market are critical to the station’s financial success, our strategy is to use market research and advertising and promotion to attract and retain audiences in each station’s chosen demographic target group.

Our revenues vary throughout the year. As is typical in the broadcasting industry, our revenues and operating income are usually lowest in our fourth fiscal quarter.

In addition to the sale of advertising time for cash, stations typically exchange advertising time for goods or services, which can be used by the station in its business operations. These barter transactions are recorded at the estimated fair value of the product or service received. We generally confine the use of such trade transactions to promotional items or services for which we would otherwise have paid cash. In addition, it is our general policy not to pre-empt advertising spots paid for in cash with advertising spots paid for in trade.

The following table summarizes the sources of our revenues for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012. All revenues generated by our international radio properties are included in the “Local” category. The category “Non Traditional” principally consists of ticket sales and sponsorships of events our stations and magazines conduct in their local markets. The category “Other” includes, among other items, revenues generated by the websites of our entities and barter.

 

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     Three Months Ended May 31,  
     2011      % of Total     2012      % of Total  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net revenues:

          

Local

   $ 35,166         57.5   $ 30,741         54.1

National

     9,048         14.8     8,180         14.4

Political

     266         0.4     863         1.5

Publication Sales

     3,444         5.6     3,455         6.1

Non Traditional

     2,956         4.8     3,118         5.5

LMA Fees

     1,750         2.9     2,611         4.6

Other

     8,516         14.0     7,819         13.8
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

Total net revenues

   $ 61,146         $ 56,787      
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

As previously mentioned, we derive approximately 70% of our net revenues from advertising sales. Our radio stations derive a higher percentage of their advertising revenues from local sales than our publishing entities. In the three-month period ended May 31, 2012, local sales, excluding political revenues, represented approximately 83% and 66% of our advertising revenues for our radio and publishing divisions, respectively.

No customer represents more than 10% of our consolidated net revenues. Our top ten categories for radio represent approximately 61% of our radio division’s total advertising net revenues for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012. The automotive industry, representing approximately 11% of our radio net revenues, is the largest category for our radio division for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The majority of our expenses are fixed in nature, principally consisting of salaries and related employee benefit costs, office and tower rent, utilities, property and casualty insurance and programming-related expenses. However, approximately 20% of our expenses vary in connection with changes in revenues. These variable expenses primarily relate to sales commissions and bad debt reserves. In addition, costs related to our marketing and promotions department are highly discretionary and incurred primarily to maintain and/or increase our audience and market share.

KNOWN TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Although advertising revenues have stabilized following the recent global recession, domestic radio revenue growth has been challenged for several years. Management believes this is principally the result of three factors: (1) the proliferation of advertising inventory caused by the emergence of new media, such as various media distributed via the Internet, telecommunication companies and cable interconnects, as well as social networks and social coupon sites, all of which are gaining advertising share against radio and other traditional media, (2) the perception of investors and advertisers that satellite radio and portable media players diminish the effectiveness of radio advertising, and (3) the adoption of a new method of gathering ratings data, which has shown an increase in cumulative audience size, but a decrease in time spent listening as compared to the previous method of gathering ratings data.

 

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The Company and the radio industry have begun several initiatives to address these issues. The radio industry is working aggressively to increase the number of portable digital media devices that contain an FM tuner, including smartphones and music players. In many countries, FM tuners are common features in portable digital media devices. The radio industry is working with leading United States network providers, device manufacturers, regulators and legislators to ensure that FM tuners are included in future portable digital media devices. Including FM as a feature on these devices has the potential to increase radio listening and improve perception of the radio industry while offering network providers the benefits of a proven emergency notification system, reduced network congestion from audio streaming services, and a host of new revenue generating applications.

The Company has also aggressively worked to harness the power of broadband and mobile media distribution in the development of emerging business opportunities by becoming one of the fifteen largest streaming audio providers in the United States, developing highly interactive websites with content that engages our listeners, using SMS texting and delivering real-time traffic to navigation devices. We have created the Loud Digital Network, which combines our original content with other music and entertainment content to form one of the ten largest music and entertainment networks on the Internet.

Along with the rest of the radio industry, the majority of our stations have deployed HD Radio®. HD Radio® offers listeners advantages over standard analog broadcasts, including improved sound quality and additional digital channels. To make the rollout of HD Radio® more efficient, a consortium of broadcasters representing a majority of the radio stations in nearly all of our markets have agreed to work together in each radio market to ensure the most diverse consumer offering possible and to accelerate the rollout of HD Radio® receivers, particularly in automobiles. In addition to offering secondary channels, the HD Radio® spectrum allows broadcasters to transmit other forms of data. We are participating in a joint venture with other broadcasters to provide the bandwidth that a third party will use to transmit location-based data to hand-held and in-car navigation devices. It is unclear what impact HD Radio® will have on the markets in which we operate.

The results of our domestic radio operations are heavily dependent on the results of our stations in the New York and Los Angeles markets. These markets account for nearly 50% of our domestic radio net revenues. During fiscal 2012, KPWR-FM in Los Angeles experienced revenue growth that was better than the overall Los Angeles radio market, whereas our New York cluster trailed the revenue performance of the New York market due to weak performance at our adult urban station, WRKS-FM. During the three months ended May 31, 2012, we entered into an LMA for WRKS-FM. See Note 8 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for more discussion. Our results in New York and Los Angeles are often more volatile than our larger competitors due to our lack of scale in these markets. We are overly dependent on the performance of one station in each of these markets, and as the competitive environment shifts, our ability to adapt is limited. Furthermore, some of our competitors that operate larger station clusters in New York and Los Angeles are able to leverage their market share to extract a greater percentage of available advertising revenue through discounting unit rates.

As part of our business strategy, we continually evaluate potential acquisitions of radio stations, publishing properties and other businesses that we believe hold promise for long-term appreciation in value and leverage our strengths. However, Emmis Operating Company’s (the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, hereinafter “EOC”) Credit Agreement substantially limits our ability to make acquisitions. We also regularly review our portfolio of assets and may opportunistically dispose of assets when we believe it is appropriate to do so.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that encompass significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially lead to materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that our critical accounting policies are those described below.

 

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Revenue Recognition

Broadcasting revenue is recognized as advertisements are aired. Publication revenue is recognized in the month of delivery of the publication. Both broadcasting revenue and publication revenue recognition is subject to meeting certain conditions such as persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists and collection is reasonably assured. LMA fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the LMA. These criteria are generally met at the time the advertisement is aired for broadcasting revenue and upon delivery of the publication for publication revenue. Advertising revenues presented in the financial statements are reflected on a net basis, after the deduction of advertising agency fees, usually at a rate of 15% of gross revenues.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded based on management’s judgment of the collectability of receivables. When assessing the collectability of receivables, management considers, among other things, historical loss experience and existing economic conditions.

FCC Licenses and Goodwill

We have made acquisitions in the past for which a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to FCC licenses and goodwill assets. As of May 31, 2012, we have recorded approximately $226.2 in goodwill and FCC licenses, which represents approximately 64% of our total assets.

In the case of our U.S. radio stations, we would not be able to operate the properties without the related FCC license for each property. FCC licenses are renewed every eight years; consequently, we continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements. Historically, all of our FCC licenses have been renewed at the end of their respective periods, and we expect that all FCC licenses will continue to be renewed in the future. We consider our FCC licenses to be indefinite-lived intangibles. Our foreign broadcasting licenses expire during periods ranging from February 2021 to February 2026. While all of our international broadcasting licenses were recently extended, we will need to submit extension applications upon their expiration to continue our broadcast operations in these countries. While there is a general expectancy of renewal of radio broadcast licenses in most countries and we expect to actively seek renewal of our foreign licenses, both of the countries in which we operate do not have the regulatory framework or history that we have with respect to license renewals in the United States. This makes the risk of non-renewal (or of renewal on less favorable terms) of foreign licenses greater than for United States licenses. We treat our foreign broadcasting licenses as definite-lived intangibles and amortize them over their respective license periods.

We do not amortize goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets, but rather test for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is performed at the unit of accounting level as determined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350-30-35. In our case, radio stations in a geographic market cluster are considered a single unit of accounting, provided that they are not being operated under an LMA by another broadcaster.

We complete our annual impairment tests on December 1 of each year and perform additional interim impairment testing whenever triggering events suggest such testing is warranted.

Valuation of Indefinite-lived Broadcasting Licenses

Fair value of our FCC licenses is estimated to be the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To determine the fair value of our FCC licenses, the Company uses an income valuation method when it performs its impairment tests. Under this method, the Company projects cash flows that would be generated by each of its units of accounting assuming the unit of accounting was commencing operations in its respective market at the beginning of the valuation period. This cash flow stream is discounted to arrive at a value for the FCC license. The Company assumes the competitive situation that exists in each market remains unchanged, with the exception that its unit of accounting commenced operations at the beginning of the valuation period. In doing so, the Company extracts the value of going concern and any other assets acquired, and strictly values the FCC license. Major assumptions involved in this analysis include market revenue, market revenue growth rates, unit of accounting audience share, unit of accounting revenue share and discount rate. Each of these assumptions may change in the future based upon changes in general economic conditions, audience behavior, consummated transactions, and numerous other variables that may be beyond our control.

 

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Valuation of Goodwill

ASC Topic 350 requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two-step process. The first step is a screen for potential impairment, while the second step measures the amount of impairment. The Company conducts the two-step impairment test on December 1 of each fiscal year, unless indications of impairment exist during an interim period. When assessing its goodwill for impairment, the Company uses an enterprise valuation approach to determine the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units (radio stations grouped by market and magazines on an individual basis). Management determines enterprise value for each of its reporting units by multiplying the two-year average station operating income generated by each reporting unit (current year based on actual results and the next year based on budgeted results) by an estimated market multiple. The Company uses a blended station operating income trading multiple of publicly traded radio operators as a benchmark for the multiple it applies to its radio reporting units. There are no publicly traded publishing companies that are focused predominantly on city and regional magazines as is our publishing segment. Therefore, the market multiple used as a benchmark for our publishing reporting units is based on recently completed transactions within the city and regional magazine industry or analyst reports that include valuations of magazine divisions within publicly traded media conglomerates. Management believes this methodology for valuing radio and publishing properties is a common approach and believes that the multiples used in the valuation are reasonable given our peer comparisons and recent market transactions. To corroborate the step-one reporting unit fair values determined using the market approach described above, management also uses an income approach, which is a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of the reporting unit.

This enterprise valuation is compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit for the first step of the goodwill impairment test. If the reporting unit exhibits impairment, the Company proceeds to the second step of the goodwill impairment test. For its step-two testing, the enterprise value is allocated among the tangible assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets (FCC licenses valued using a direct-method valuation approach) and unrecognized intangible assets, such as customer lists, with the residual amount representing the implied fair value of the goodwill. To the extent the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, the difference is recorded as an impairment charge in the statement of operations.

Deferred Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequence of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. Income taxes are recognized during the year in which the underlying transactions are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities as recorded for financial reporting purposes and amounts recorded for income tax purposes. After determining the total amount of deferred tax assets, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset is not likely to be realized, a valuation allowance will be established against that asset to record it at its expected realizable value.

 

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Estimate of Effective Tax Rates

We estimate the effective tax rates and associated liabilities or assets for each legal entity within Emmis. These estimates are based upon our interpretation of United States and local tax laws as they apply to our legal entities and our overall tax structure. Audits by local tax jurisdictions, including the United States Government, could yield different interpretations from our own and cause the Company to owe more taxes than originally recorded. We utilize advisors in the various tax jurisdictions to evaluate our position and to assist in our calculation of our tax expense and related assets and liabilities.

Results of Operations for the Three-month Periods Ended May 31, 2012, Compared to May 31, 2011

Net revenues:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,               
     2011      2012      $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Net revenues:

          

Radio

   $ 45,370       $ 40,376       $ (4,994     (11.0 )% 

Publishing

     15,776         16,411         635        4.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total net revenues

   $ 61,146       $ 56,787       $ (4,359     (7.1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Radio net revenues decreased in the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 as compared to the same period of the prior year principally due to the July 15, 2011 commencement of a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) related to the Merlin Stations and the ultimate sale of a controlling interest in these stations on September 1, 2011. As Emmis retained a noncontrolling equity ownership in the Merlin Stations, they have not been classified as discontinued operations. Excluding the Merlin Stations, radio net revenues would have increased $0.7 million or 1.8%. We typically monitor the performance of our domestic stations against the aggregate performance of the markets in which we operate based on reports for the periods prepared by Miller Kaplan. Miller Kaplan reports are generally prepared on a gross revenues basis and exclude revenues from barter arrangements. Miller Kaplan information through May 2012 is not yet available. The following discussion of year-to-date results is for the two months ended April 2012. Miller Kaplan reported gross revenues for our domestic radio markets decreased 5.0% for the two-month period ended April 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of the prior year. Excluding the Merlin Stations, our gross revenues as reported to Miller Kaplan decreased 2.2% for the two-month period ended April 30, 2012 as compared to the same period of the prior year. For the two-month period ending April 30, 2012, our gross revenues exceeded the market average in New York, Los Angeles and Indianapolis, but trailed market performance in St. Louis and Austin. Miller Kaplan does not report gross revenue market data for our Terre Haute market. For the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 as compared to the same period of the prior year, our average rate per minute for our domestic radio stations was down 2.9%, and our minutes sold were up 4.9%.

Publishing net revenues increased in the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 as compared to the same period of the prior year mostly due to performance of our Texas Monthly and Los Angeles Magazine publications. While these publications saw improvement in advertising demand, the advertising market for our smaller market publications remains challenged.

 

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Station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,               
     2011      2012      $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense:

          

Radio

   $ 32,988       $ 30,600       $ (2,388     (7.2 )% 

Publishing

     16,346         16,244         (102     (0.6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 49,334       $ 46,844       $ (2,490     (5.0 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2012 were significantly affected by the LMA of the Merlin Stations in the prior year and the LMA of 98.7FM in the current year. In connection with the LMA of 98.7FM, the Company incurred approximately $3.2 million of costs, predominately related to contract termination payments and severance costs. Also, as Emmis retained a noncontrolling equity interest in the Merlin Stations, the results of those stations are included in continuing operations in the prior year. Station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense for the Merlin Stations in the prior year were $5.2 million. Excluding these items, radio station operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense for the three-month period ending May 31, 2012 would have decreased $0.4 million or 1.6% as compared to the same period of the prior year.

Station operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense for publishing for the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 remained flat as publications continue to control costs in light of weak advertising demand.

Corporate expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,               
     2011      2012      $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Corporate expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 7,335       $ 4,972       $ (2,363     (32.2 )% 

During the three-month period ending May 31, 2011, the Company incurred approximately $3.0 million of fees in connection with the Third Amendment to our Credit Agreement. Additionally, in the prior year the Company paid a nonrecurring $0.8 million bonus to certain employees. In the three months ended May 31, 2012, the Company incurred approximately $1.5 million of legal costs associated with our preferred stock, the majority of which related to litigation with certain holders of our preferred stock.

Impairment loss:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,         
     2011      2012      $ Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)  

Impairment loss:

        

Radio

   $ —         $ 10,971       $ 10,971   

Publishing

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total impairment loss

   $ —         $ 10,971       $ 10,971   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Pursuant to the Company’s accounting policy, a station operating under an LMA is considered a single unit of accounting. In connection with the execution of the 98.7FM LMA, the Company determined that the 98.7FM FCC License, now considered a single unit of accounting, was impaired, and recorded a $11.0 million impairment charge.

Depreciation and amortization:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,               
     2011      2012      $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Depreciation and amortization:

          

Radio

   $ 1,735       $ 1,109       $ (626     (36.1 )% 

Publishing

     112         108         (4     (3.6 )% 

Corporate

     264         461         197        74.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 2,111       $ 1,678       $ (433     (20.5 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The decrease in radio depreciation expense for the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 is mostly attributable to certain assets becoming fully depreciated; thus the Company has ceased to record depreciation expense on those assets. Also, property and equipment of the Merlin stations has been sold and is no longer being depreciated and our license in Slovakia was extended by an additional eight years and is now being amortized through February 2021.

Gain on sale of assets:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,         
     2011      2012      $ Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)  

Gain on sale of assets:

        

Radio

   $ 3       $ 10,000       $ 9,997   

Publishing

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gain on sale of assets

   $ 3       $ 10,000       $ 9,997   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In April 2012, Emmis sold the intellectual property of WRKS-FM in New York for $10.0 million.

Operating income (loss):

 

     For the three months ended May 31,              
     2011     2012     $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Operating income (loss):

        

Radio

   $ 10,650      $ 7,696      $ (2,954     (27.7 )% 

Publishing

     (682     59        741        (108.7 )% 

Corporate

     (7,599     (5,433     2,166        28.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating income:

   $ 2,369      $ 2,322      $ (47     (2.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Radio operating income decreased in the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 predominately due to $3.2 million of contract termination and severance costs associated with the LMA of 98.7FM. The impact of the sale of the Merlin Stations, the impairment loss and the gain on sale of WRKS-FM intellectual property substantially negated one another.

 

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Publishing operating income increased in the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 due to strong revenue performance at our Texas Monthly and Los Angeles Magazine publications.

Corporate operating losses varied during the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012 predominately due to significant transaction-related costs.

Interest expense:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,                
     2011      2012      $ Change      % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)         

Interest expense

   $ 7,214       $ 8,123       $ 909         12.6

Although amounts outstanding under the Company’s Credit Agreement decreased significantly since May 31, 2011, interest expense increased during the three months ended May 31, 2012. The increase in interest expense is attributable to the issuance of senior unsecured notes in November 2011 and February 2012, which bear interest at 22.95%. Also contributing to the increase in interest expense is the 6% exit fee that is due upon repayment of a portion of our term loans. The Company is accruing this exit fee ratably over the term of the Extended Term Loans as a component of interest expense. In periods in which the exit fee payment exceeds accrued exit fees, the Company charges the difference immediately to interest expense. The exit fees paid in connection with the 98.7FM financing transaction exceeded exit fees then accrued by approximately $0.6 million, which the Company recorded as interest expense in the three months ended May 31, 2012.

Loss on debt extinguishment:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,               
     2011      2012      $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Loss on debt extinguishment

   $ 1,478       $ 484       $ (994     (67.3 )% 

The loss on debt extinguishment for the three-month period ended May 31, 2011 includes a $1.5 million charge on debt extinguishment related to the write-off of debt fees as a portion of our term loans were deemed to be substantially modified in connection with the Third Amendment. During the three-month period ended May 31, 2012, the Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.5 million related to the write-off of debt fees associated with term loans repaid during the quarter.

 

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Provision for income taxes:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,              
     2011     2012     $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Benefit for income taxes

   $ (2,742   $ (3,108   $ (366     (13.3 )% 

The Company is recording a valuation allowance for its net deferred tax assets, including its net operating loss carryforwards, but excluding deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite-lived intangibles. Additionally, during the three-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of approximately $0.8 million related to interest rate swap agreements that matured during the period. A full valuation allowance was previously established for the deferred tax asset related to the interest rate swap agreement and was realized during the period. This benefit had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) pending the maturity of the swap agreement. The Company also recorded a benefit from continuing operations to offset the income tax provision recorded in discontinued operations related to the sale of the Flint Peak Tower Site.

In the three months ended May 31, 2012, we recorded a tax benefit associated with our $11.0 million impairment loss, which was partially offset by tax expense associated with deferred tax liabilities of our indefinite-lived intangibles.

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,                
     2011     2012      $ Change      % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)         

Gain from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ (2,894   $ —         $ 2,894         (100.0 )% 

Our Hungarian radio operations and the operations of our Flint Peak Tower Site have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements. The decrease in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended May 31, 2012 mostly relates to the gain on sale of the Flint Peak Tower Site in the prior year.

Consolidated net loss:

 

     For the three months ended May 31,              
     2011     2012     $ Change     % Change  
     (As reported, amounts in thousands)        

Consolidated net loss

   $ (693   $ (2,873   $ (2,180     314.6

Consolidated net loss increased due to the factors described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations and cash available through revolver borrowings under our credit facility. Our primary uses of capital during the past few years have been, and are expected to continue to be, capital expenditures, working capital, debt service requirements and the repayment of debt.

 

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At May 31, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $10.5 million and net working capital of $21.8 million. At February 29, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $5.6 million and net working capital of $0.8 million. The increase in working capital from February 29, 2012 is mostly due to $10.0 million that was due from YMF in connection with the sale of WRKS-FM intellectual property, additional cash on hand due to the 98.7FM LMA and related financing transaction, and an increase in accounts receivable due to the seasonal fluctuation of the business. Cash and cash equivalents held at various European banking institutions at February 29, 2012 and May 31, 2012 was $4.3 million and $4.9 million (which includes approximately $1.0 million of cash related to our Slager discontinued operation which is classified as current assets – discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated balance sheets), respectively. Our ability to access our share of these international cash balances (net of noncontrolling interests) is limited by country-specific statutory requirements.

On May 30, 2012, the Company, through wholly-owned, newly-created subsidiaries, issued $82.2 million of nonrecourse notes. TIAA, through a participation agreement with Wells Fargo, is entitled to receive payments made on the notes. The notes are obligations only of the newly-created subsidiaries, are non-recourse to the rest of the Company’s subsidiaries and are secured by the assets of the newly-created subsidiaries, including the payments made to the newly-created subsidiary related to the 98.7FM LMA, which are guaranteed by Disney Enterprises, Inc. The notes bear interest at 4.1%. See Note 8 for more discussion of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt and LMA.

Emmis collected the $10.0 million intellectual property sale proceeds on July 6, 2012 and used the entire amount to repay term loans under the Company’s Credit Agreement.

In recent years, the Company has recorded significant impairment charges, mostly attributable to our FCC licenses. These impairment charges have had no impact on our liquidity or compliance with debt covenants.

Operating Activities

Cash used in operating activities was $1.3 million and $5.4 million for the three-month periods ended May 31, 2011 and 2012. The increase in cash used in operating activities is mostly due to transactional costs associated with the LMA of 98.7FM.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $2.8 million for the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 versus cash provided by investing activities of $4.5 million in the same period of the prior year. During the three-month period ended May 31, 2011, the Company sold its Flint Peak Tower Site for $5.8 million of net cash proceeds. The proceeds related to the Flint Peak Tower sale are classified as cash provided by discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. In the current year, we invested $2.0 million in Courseload, Inc., a company that provides online access to textbooks and other course material.

We expect capital expenditures related to continuing operations to be approximately $5.1 million in the current fiscal year, compared to $5.7 million in fiscal 2012. We expect that future requirements for capital expenditures will include capital expenditures incurred during the ordinary course of business. Emmis can, at its discretion, purchase up to an additional $4.0 million of preferred stock in Courseload, Inc. through November 2012. We expect to fund future investing activities with cash generated from operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility.

 

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Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $13.0 million for the three-month period ended May 31, 2012, versus cash used in financing activities of $2.5 million in the same period of the prior year. Cash used in financing activities in the three-month period ended May 31, 2011 primarily relates to the net debt repayments of $0.5 million under our Credit Agreement, $0.5 million of debt related costs incurred in connection with the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement, and $1.4 million used to pay distributions to noncontrolling interests.

Cash provided by financing activities in the three-month period ended May 31, 2012 primarily relates to the net borrowings of $17.2 million under our Credit Agreement and the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt, which is partially offset by $3.4 million of debt related costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt, and $0.8 million used to pay distributions to noncontrolling interests.

As of May 31, 2012, Emmis had $138.8 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement ($1.4 million current and $137.4 million long-term), $35.8 million of senior unsecured notes (entirely long-term), $82.2 million of 98.7FM nonrecourse debt ($4.1 million current and $78.1 million long-term) and $46.9 million of Preferred Stock outstanding (excluding Preferred Stock of which the Company has the right to direct the vote). Approximately $77.2 million of borrowings under the Credit Agreement bears interest pursuant to a grid under which 7.5% to 12.25% per annum is to be paid in cash and 7.0% to 0.0% per annum is to be paid in kind, subject to a minimum yield of 12.25% per annum. The remainder of the Credit Agreement debt bears interest, at our option, at a rate equal to the Eurodollar rate or an alternative Base Rate plus a margin. The senior unsecured notes compound quarterly at a rate of 22.95% per annum and is paid in kind, except that during the continuance of any event of default the rate will be 24.95% per annum payable on demand in cash. The 98.7FM nonrecourse debt bears interest at 4.1% per annum. As of May 31, 2012, our weighted average borrowing rate under our Credit Agreement was approximately 8.8%. Including the senior unsecured notes and 98.7FM nonrecourse debt, our weighted average borrowing rate at May 31, 2012 was 9.3%.

The debt service requirements of Emmis over the next twelve-month period are expected to be $1.4 million for mandatory repayment of term notes under our Credit Agreement, $7.1 million of mandatory principal and interest payments of the 98.7FM nonrecourse debt and a minimum of $5.8 million related to interest on the Extended Term Loans. The Company may, at its election, choose to pay a portion of the interest due on the Extended Term Loans in-kind. The remainder of the Credit Agreement debt bears interest at variable rates and is not included in the debt service requirements previously discussed.

The terms of Emmis’ Preferred Stock provide for a quarterly dividend payment of $.78125 per share on each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15. Emmis has not declared a preferred stock dividend since October 15, 2008. As of the filing date of this report, cumulative preferred dividends in arrears on shares of Preferred stock over which the Company does not have the right to direct the vote total $11.4 million. Failure to pay the dividend is not a default under the terms of the Preferred Stock. Amendments to our Credit Agreement prohibit the Company from paying dividends on the Preferred Stock during the Suspension Period (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Subject to the restrictions of the Credit Agreement, payment of future preferred stock dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

As of July 6, 2012, we had $9.5 million available for additional borrowing under our credit facility, which is net of $0.5 million in outstanding letters of credit. Our credit facility revolver matures on November 2, 2012. Availability under the credit facility depends upon our continued compliance with certain operating covenants and financial ratios. Emmis was in compliance with these covenants as of May 31, 2012. As part of our business strategy, we continually evaluate potential acquisitions of radio stations, publishing properties and other businesses that we believe hold promise for long-term appreciation in value and leverage our strengths. However, Emmis Operating Company’s Credit Agreement, as amended, substantially limits our ability to make acquisitions. We also regularly review our portfolio of assets and may opportunistically dispose of assets when we believe it is appropriate to do so.

 

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Intangibles

Approximately 65% of our total assets consisted of intangible assets, such as FCC broadcast licenses, foreign broadcasting licenses, and goodwill, the value of which depends significantly upon the operational results of our businesses. In the case of our U.S. radio stations, we would not be able to operate the properties without the related FCC license for each property. FCC licenses are renewed every eight years; consequently, we continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements. Historically, all of our FCC licenses have been renewed at the end of their respective periods, and we expect that all FCC licenses will continue to be renewed in the future. Our foreign broadcasting licenses expire during periods ranging from February 2021 to February 2026. While all of our international broadcasting licenses were recently extended, we will need to submit extension applications upon their expiration to continue our broadcast operations in these countries. While we expect to actively seek renewal of our foreign licenses, both of the countries in which we operate do not have the regulatory framework or history that we have with respect to license renewals in the United States. This makes the risk of non-renewal (or of renewal on less favorable terms) of foreign licenses greater than for United States licenses.

Regulatory, Legal and Other Matters

Emmis is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management of the company, however, there are no legal proceedings pending against the company that we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

Emmis and certain of its officers and directors are named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by certain holders of Preferred Stock (the “Lock-Up Group”) April 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana entitled Corre Opportunities Fund, LP, et al. v. Emmis Communications Corporation, et al. The plaintiffs allege that Emmis and the other defendants violated various provisions of the federal securities laws and breached fiduciary duties in connection with Emmis’ entry into total return swap agreements and voting agreements with certain holders of Emmis Preferred Stock, and in issuing shares of Preferred Stock to Emmis’ 2012 Retention Plan and Trust (the “Trust”) and entering into a voting agreement with the trustee of the Trust. The plaintiffs also allege that Emmis would violate certain provisions of Indiana corporate law by directing the voting of the shares of Preferred Stock subject to the total return swap agreements (the “Swap Shares”) and the shares of Preferred Stock held by the Trust (the “Trust Shares’) in favor of certain proposed amendments to Emmis’ Articles of Incorporation. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief.

Emmis has filed an answer denying the material allegations of the complaint, and has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that Emmis may legally direct the voting the Swap Shares and the Trust Shares in favor of the proposed amendments. Emmis is defending this lawsuit vigorously.

Emmis has asked the U.S. District Court to issue a declaratory judgment with respect to Emmis’ counterclaim confirming that the Proposed Amendments comply with Indiana law and the Articles of Incorporation. Although the date of any ruling by the U.S. District Court in the federal litigation (including the Lock-Up Group’s claims and Emmis’s counterclaim for declaratory judgment) cannot be predicted with certainty, it is expected that a hearing on the Lock-Up Group’s claim for injunctive relief will be held before the date of any shareholder vote on the Proposed Amendments. On May 31, 2012, the U.S. District Court entered an order (a) requiring that the court be notified upon Emmis’ filing of the definitive version of this Proxy Statement; and (b) stating that the court will set the Lock-Up Group’s preliminary injunction motion for hearing on a date that is within thirty days of the court being so notified. At the same time, Emmis and the Lock-Up Group agreed that the shareholder vote on the Proposed Amendments will be scheduled for a date that is at least thirty days after the filing of the definitive version of this Proxy Statement.

 

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Certain individuals and groups have challenged applications for renewal of the FCC licenses of certain of the Company’s stations. The challenges to the license renewal applications are currently pending before the FCC. Emmis does not expect the challenges to result in the denial of any license renewals.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). This evaluation (the “Controls Evaluation”) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).

Based upon the Controls Evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that as of May 31, 2012 our Disclosure Controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information relating to Emmis Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this quarterly report, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

It should be noted that any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Refer to Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of various legal proceedings pending against the Company.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

The terms of Emmis’ Preferred Stock provide for a quarterly dividend payment of $.78125 per share on each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15. Emmis has not declared a preferred stock dividend since October 15, 2008. As of the filing date of this report, cumulative undeclared preferred dividends in arrears on shares of Preferred Stock over which the Company does not have the right to direct the vote total $11.4 million. Failure to pay the dividend is not a default under the terms of the Preferred Stock.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report:

 

3.1    Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Emmis Communications Corporation, as amended effective June 13, 2005 incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2006.
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Emmis Communications Corporation incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed June 3, 2011 and Exhibit 3.2 from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2012.
10.1    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2012, by and between Emmis Communications Corporation and Jeffrey H. Smulyan incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.++
10.2    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and J. Scott Enright incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.++
10.3    Employment Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and J. Scott Enright incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.++
10.4    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2012, by and between Emmis Communications Corporation and Gregory T. Loewen incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.++
10.5    Employment Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and Richard F. Cummings incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 12, 2012.++
10.6    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and Richard F. Cummings, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012.++
10.7    Local Programming and Marketing Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2012, between Emmis Radio License Corporation of New York and New York AM Radio, LLC incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 26, 2012.

 

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10.8    Participation Agreement dated as of April 26, 2012, among Emmis New York Radio LLC, Emmis New York Radio License LLC, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, National Association and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 26, 2012.
10.9    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2012, among Emmis Radio, LLC, Emmis Radio License Corporation of New York, YMF Media LLC and certain other parties thereto incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 26, 2012.
10.10    Fifth Amendment and Consent to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.
10.11    Sixth Amendment and Consent to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.
10.12    First Amendment and Consent to Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 20, 2012, by and between Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P. and Emmis Communications Corporation incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.
10.13    Second Amendment and Consent to Note Purchase Agreement, dated April 26, 2012, by and between Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P. and Emmis Communications Corporation incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed May 10, 2012.
10.14    First Amendment to the Put and Call Agreement, dated April 12, 2009, between KMVN, LLC, KMVN License, LLC, Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC., 93.9 Holdings, Inc. and 93.9 License, LLC incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 16, 2012.
10.15    Emmis Communications Corporation 2012 Retention Plan and Trust Agreement.*++
10.16    Voting and Transfer Restriction Agreement between Emmis Communications Corporation and Jeffrey H. Smulyan as Trustee for the 2012 Retention Plan and Trust.*++
10.17    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and Gregory T. Loewen.*++
10.18    Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2012, by and between Emmis Operating Company and Jeffrey H. Smulyan.*++
31.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Emmis Communications Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.*
31.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Emmis Communications Corporation pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act.*
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Emmis Communications Corporation.*
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Emmis Communications Corporation.*

 

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101.INS    XBRL Instance Document**
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document**
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document**
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document**
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document**
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**

 

++ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
* Filed with this report
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

 

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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.

 

    EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Date: July 12, 2012     By:   /s/ PATRICK M. WALSH
   

Patrick M. Walsh

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

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