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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-14461

 

 

Entercom Communications Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania   23-1701044

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

401 E. City Avenue, Suite 809

Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(610) 660-5610

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(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  ☒    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 (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

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

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

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value – 33,532,404 Shares Outstanding as of October 27, 2017

(Class A Shares Outstanding include 1,773,121 unvested and vested but deferred restricted stock units)

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value – 7,197,532 Shares Outstanding as of October 27, 2017.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

INDEX

 

Part I Financial Information

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

     1  

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

     33  

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     44  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     44  

Part II Other Information

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     45  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     45  

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

     45  

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     45  

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     45  

Item 5. Other Information

     45  

Item 6. Exhibits

     46  

Signatures

     48  

Exhibit Index

     49  

 

 

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement

In addition to historical information, this report contains statements by us with regard to our expectations as to financial results and other aspects of our business that involve risks and uncertainties and may constitute forward- looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Forward-looking statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, without limitation, any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

You can identify forward-looking statements by our use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “intends,” “likely,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plans,” “potential,” “project,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts” and similar expressions which identify forward-looking statements, whether in the negative or the affirmative. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve these plans, intentions or expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or anticipated in such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our view only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update these statements or publicly release the result of any revision(s) to these statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Key risks to our company are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2017, and as may be supplemented by the risks described under Part II, Item 1A, of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, in our Current Reports on Form 8-K, on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on April 12, 2017, and on Forms S-4/A filed with the SEC on May 30, 2017, July 10, 2017, August 24, 2017, October 10, 2017, October 16, 2017, and October 19, 2017.


Table of Contents

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     SEPTEMBER 30,     DECEMBER 31,  
     2017     2016  

ASSETS:

    

Cash

   $ 5,386     $ 46,843  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

     92,343       92,172  

Prepaid expenses, deposits and other

     9,504       7,670  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     107,233       146,685  

Net property and equipment

     67,432       63,375  

Radio broadcasting licenses

     756,613       823,195  

Goodwill

     32,054       32,718  

Assets held for sale

     57,999       —    

Deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization

     20,145       10,260  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,041,476     $ 1,076,233  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 491     $ 481  

Accrued expenses

     23,161       18,857  

Other current liabilities

     21,223       19,603  

Non-controlling interest - variable interest entity

     —         23,959  

Long-term debt, current portion

     3,618       4,817  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     48,493       67,717  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     470,923       467,651  

Deferred tax liabilities

     82,652       92,898  

Other long-term liabilities

     28,506       26,861  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     582,081       587,410  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     630,574       655,127  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

    

PERPETUAL CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

     27,845       27,732  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Class A, B and C common stock

     407       407  

Additional paid-in capital

     589,524       605,603  

Accumulated deficit

     (206,874     (212,636
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     383,057       393,374  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,041,476     $ 1,076,233  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     THREE MONTHS ENDED     NINE MONTHS ENDED  
     SEPTEMBER 30,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

NET REVENUES

   $ 122,299     $ 121,641     $ 346,270     $ 340,221  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSE:

        

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense

     87,853       84,089       256,022       240,442  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     2,904       2,488       8,068       7,452  

Corporate general and administrative expenses, including non-cash compensation expense

     9,335       8,797       28,776       24,888  

Impairment loss

     —         —         441       62  

Merger and acquisition costs

     8,825       670       24,925       670  

Net time brokerage agreement (income) fees

     —         —         34       —    

Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     (103     (91     13,155       (1,310
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expense

     108,814       95,953       331,421       272,204  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

     13,485       25,688       14,849       68,017  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INTEREST EXPENSE

     6,476       9,014       18,586       27,553  

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

     —         (2,299     —         (2,299
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

     7,009       18,973       (3,737     42,763  

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

     2,909       7,553       (4,921     16,097  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY

     4,100       11,420       1,184       26,666  

Preferred stock dividend

     (663     (526     (1,763     (1,351
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ 3,437     $ 10,894     $ (579   $ 25,315  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS PER SHARE - BASIC

   $ 0.09     $ 0.28     $ (0.01   $ 0.66  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS PER SHARE - DILUTED

   $ 0.09     $ 0.28     $ (0.01   $ 0.64  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS DECLARED AND PAID PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.275     $ 0.075     $ 0.425     $ 0.150  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:

        

Basic

     38,954,788       38,484,578       38,947,533       38,457,061  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     39,727,976       41,433,200       38,947,533       39,373,988  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AND YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Total  
     Class A     Class B         
     Shares     Amount     Shares      Amount         

Balance, December 31, 2015

     32,480,551     $ 325       7,197,532      $ 72      $ 611,754     $ (250,701   $ 361,450  

Net income (loss) available to the Company

     —         —         —          —          —         38,065       38,065  

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

     1,095,759       11       —          —          6,528       —         6,539  

Issuance of common stock related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)

     31,933       —         —          —          379       —         379  

Exercise of stock options

     134,238       1       —          —          264       —         265  

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (232,297     (2     —          —          (2,266     —         (2,268

Payment of dividends on common stock

     —         —         —          —          (8,666     —         (8,666

Payment of dividends on preferred stock

     —         —         —          —          (1,788     —         (1,788

Dividend equivalents, net of forfeitures

     —         —         —          —          (602     —         (602
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

     33,510,184       335       7,197,532        72        605,603       (212,636     393,374  

Net income (loss) available to the Company

     —         —         —          —          —         1,184       1,184  

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

     183,980       2       —          —          4,627       —         4,629  

Issuance of common stock related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)

     14,833       —         —          —          182       —         182  

Exercise of stock options

     6,500       —         —          —          22       —         22  

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (167,620     (2     —          —          (2,544     —         (2,546

Payment of dividends on common stock

     —         —         —          —          (16,659     —         (16,659

Dividend equivalents, net of forfeitures

     —         —         —          —          (591     —         (591

Payment of dividends on preferred stock

     —         —         —          —          (1,650     —         (1,650

Modified retrospective application of stock-based compensation guidance

     —         —         —          —          534       4,578       5,112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2017

     33,547,877     $ 335       7,197,532      $ 72      $ 589,524     $ (206,874   $ 383,057  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
     2017     2016  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income (loss) available to the Company

   $ 1,184     $ 26,666  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,068       7,452  

Amortization of deferred financing costs (including original issue discount)

     1,752       2,209  

Net deferred taxes (benefit) and other

     (4,921     16,097  

Provision for bad debts

     1,742       1,129  

Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     13,155       (1,310

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense

     4,629       4,660  

Deferred rent

     (109     208  

Deferred compensation

     2,242       1,471  

Impairment loss

     441       62  

Accretion expense (income), net of asset retirement obligation adjustments

     (341     23  

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions, dispositions, consolidation, and deconsolidation of Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)):

    

Accounts receivable

     (4,057     (5,390

Prepaid expenses and deposits

     (2,079     (2,044

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     6,983       (192

Accrued interest expense

     (1,759     4,749  

Accrued liabilities - long-term

     (1,438     (1,639

Prepaid expenses - long-term

     (83     (3,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     25,409       50,985  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (12,056     (4,316

Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, intangibles and other assets

     18       7,118  

Purchases of radio stations

     (24,000     (92

Additions to amortizable intangible assets

     (663     (188

Purchases of investments

     (9,700     —    

(Deconsolidation) consolidation of a VIE

     (302     —    

Additions to non-amortizable intangible assets

     —         (35
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (46,703     2,487  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

4


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
     2017     2016  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Borrowing under the revolving senior debt

     57,500       21,500  

Proceeds from the capital lease obligations and other

     —         102  

Payments of long-term debt

     (57,012     (65,262

Proceeds from issuance of employee stock plan

     182       194  

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     22       39  

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (2,546     (2,205

Payment of dividends on common stock

     (16,550     (5,772

Payment of dividend equivalents on vested restricted stock units

     (109     (91

Payment of dividends on preferred stock

     (1,650     (1,238
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (20,163     (52,733
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (41,457     739  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     46,843       9,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 5,386     $ 9,908  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 19,474     $ 21,046  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes

   $ 352     $ 339  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends on common stock

   $ 16,550     $ 5,772  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends on preferred stock

   $ 1,650     $ 1,238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 AND 2016

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT POLICIES

The condensed consolidated interim unaudited financial statements included herein have been prepared by Entercom Communications Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) in accordance with: (i) generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information; and (ii) the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations and financial position for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The Company’s results are subject to seasonal fluctuations and, therefore, the results shown on an interim basis are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016, and filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017, as part of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

On February 2, 2017, the Company and its newly formed wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “CBS Radio Merger Agreement”) with CBS Corporation (“CBS”) and its wholly owned subsidiary CBS Radio Inc. (“CBS Radio”). Pursuant to the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into CBS Radio with CBS Radio surviving as the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary (the “Merger”). The Merger is expected to be tax free to CBS and its shareholders, and will be effected through a stock for stock Reverse Morris Trust transaction. The Merger will make the Company a leading local media and entertainment company with a nationwide footprint of stations including positions in all of the top 10 markets and 22 of the top 25 markets. The transactions contemplated by the CBS Radio Merger Agreement are subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. Such approvals will require the divestiture of stations in certain markets due to regulatory requirements.

There have been no material changes from Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, as described in the notes to the Company’s financial statements contained in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, that was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017.

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements for Digital Revenue Contracts

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company identified immaterial errors in prior periods relating to the netting of certain digital expenses against certain digital revenues. Since the Company acts as a principal in certain digital revenue contracts, the expenses should not have been netted against gross revenues. The impact of these errors was not material to any prior period. Consequently, the Company corrected the errors in the second quarter of 2017 by increasing net revenues and station operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations by the amounts below. As the two line items are adjusted by offsetting amounts, the corrections had no impact on income before taxes, income taxes (benefit), net income, earnings per share or diluted earnings per share, shareholders’ equity, cash flows from operations, or working capital. The corrections had no impact on the consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows.

 

6


Table of Contents

The following tables include the revisions to the consolidated statements of operations for the interim and annual periods during 2017, 2016, and 2015:

 

Description

  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
    (amounts in
thousands)
 

Net Revenues:

 

Prior to revision

  $ 97,452  

Revision

    1,549  
 

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 99,001  
 

 

 

 

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense:

 

Prior to revision

  $ 75,617  

Revision

    1,549  
 

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 77,166  
 

 

 

 

 

    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,     December 31,     December 31,  

Description

  2016  
    (amounts in thousands)  

Net Revenues:

         

Prior to revision

  $ 96,103     $ 120,478     $ 120,457     $ 123,207     $ 460,245  

Revision

    906       1,093       1,184       1,343       4,526  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 97,009     $ 121,571     $ 121,641     $ 124,550     $ 464,771  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense:

         

Prior to revision

  $ 71,715     $ 82,639     $ 82,905     $ 81,485     $ 318,744  

Revision

    906       1,093       1,184       1,343       4,526  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 72,621     $ 83,732     $ 84,089     $ 82,828     $ 323,270  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,     December 31,     December 31,  

Description

  2015  
    (amounts in thousands)  

Net Revenues:

         

Prior to revision

  $ 78,420     $ 100,592     $ 114,662     $ 117,704     $ 411,378  

Revision

    589       730       874       910       3,103  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 79,009     $ 101,322     $ 115,536     $ 118,614     $ 414,481  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense:

         

Prior to revision

  $ 59,367     $ 70,000     $ 81,241     $ 77,103     $ 287,711  

Revision

    589       730       874       910       3,103  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As revised

  $ 59,956     $ 70,730     $ 82,115     $ 78,013     $ 290,814  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

All new accounting pronouncements that are in effect that may impact the Company’s financial statements have been implemented. The Company does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued, other than as noted below or those included in the notes to the Company’s financial statements contained in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, that was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017, that might have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the accounting guidance was amended to modify the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018, under a prospective application method. As described in Note 10, Assets Held for Sale, and Note 13, Subsequent Events, the Company entered into several binding and non-binding transactions with third parties in order to dispose of or exchange multiple radio stations in several markets. These divestitures and exchanges were entered into in order to comply with certain regulatory requirements, in order to facilitate the Merger. Based upon the Company’s preliminary assessment, which is subject to change, the impact of this guidance should not be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The guidance could have an impact in a future period if the Company acquires or disposes of assets that meet the definition of a business under the amended guidance.

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the accounting guidance was amended to modify the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020, on a prospective basis, although early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company elected to early adopt this amended accounting guidance for its annual impairment test during the second quarter of 2017. The results of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill in one particular market exceeded its appraised enterprise value. As a result, the Company wrote off approximately $0.4 million of goodwill during the second quarter of 2017. Refer to Note 2, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, for additional information.

Cash Flow Classification

In August 2016, the accounting guidance for classifying elements of cash flow was modified. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018, under a retrospective application method. Management does not believe the impact of this guidance will be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Stock-Based Compensation

In May 2017, the accounting guidance was amended to clarify modification accounting for stock-based compensation. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis, although early adoption is permitted for interim periods. Under the amended guidance, the Company will only apply modification accounting for stock-based compensation if there are: (1) changes in the fair value or intrinsic value of share-based compensation; (2) changes in the vesting conditions of awards; and (3) changes in the classification of awards as equity instruments or liability instruments. The Company is currently in the process of reviewing the new guidance, but based upon its preliminary assessment, which is subject to change, the impact of this guidance should not be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016, the accounting guidance for stock-based compensation was modified primarily to: (1) record excess tax benefits or deficiencies on stock-based compensation in the statement of operations, regardless of whether the tax benefits reduce taxes payable in the period; (2) allow an employee’s use of shares to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions; and (3) allow entities to make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of award forfeitures or to account for forfeitures when they occur. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.

 

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As of January 1, 2017, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to its accumulated deficit of $4.6 million on a modified retrospective transition basis. This adjustment was comprised of previously unrecognized excess tax benefits of $4.9 million as adjusted for the Company’s effective income tax rate, offset by a change to recognize stock-based compensation forfeitures when they occur of $0.3 million, net of tax.

Leasing Transactions

In February 2016, the accounting guidance was modified to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The most notable change in the standard is the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases with a term of more than one year. This change will apply to the Company’s leased assets such as real estate, broadcasting towers and equipment. Additionally, the Company will be required to provide additional disclosures to meet the objective of enabling users of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company anticipates its accounting for existing capital leases to remain substantially unchanged.

While the Company is currently reviewing the effects of this guidance, the Company believes that this modification to operating leases would result in: (1) an increase in the ROU assets and lease liabilities reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets to reflect the rights and obligations created by operating leases with a term of greater than one year; and (2) no material change to the expense associated with the ROU assets.

This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019, and must be implemented using a modified retrospective approach, with certain practical expedients available.

Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the accounting guidance was modified with respect to recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The most notable impact of the amended accounting guidance for the Company is that this modification effectively supersedes and eliminates current accounting guidance for cost-method investments. Refer to Note 8, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for additional information on the Company’s cost-method investments.

The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt the new guidance using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings, if applicable, as of the effective date.

The Company’s investments continue to be carried at their original cost and there have been no impairments in the cost-method investments or returns of capital. While the Company is currently reviewing the effects of this guidance, the Company believes that adoption of this modified accounting guidance would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the accounting guidance for revenue recognition was modified and subsequently updated with several amendments. Along with these modifications, most industry-specific revenue guidance was eliminated, including a current broadcasting exemption for reporting revenue from network barter programming. The new guidance provides companies with a revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for such goods or services. The new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The new guidance may be implemented using a modified retrospective approach or by using a full retrospective approach. The new guidance was originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, the effective date was deferred by one year. As a result, the new guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018.

The Company has completed the first two phases of the implementation process. In connection with the first phase, the Company performed the following activities during the second quarter of 2017: (1) completed an internal assessment of the Company’s operations and identified its significant revenue streams; (2) held revenue recognition conversations with certain of its sales managers and business managers across its markets for each of the identified

 

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revenue streams; and (3) reviewed a representative sample of contracts and documented the key economics of the contracts to identify applicable qualitative revenue recognition changes related to the amended accounting guidance. In connection with the second phase, the Company performed the following activities during the third quarter of 2017: (1) established and documented key accounting policies; (2) assessed the disclosure requirements of the new standard; and (3) determined the impact on business processes and internal controls. The Company’s final phase will be to effectively implement the amended accounting guidance and embed the new accounting treatment into the Company’s business processes and internal controls to support the financial reporting requirements. The Company expects to complete this final phase of the implementation process in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Company plans to adopt the amended accounting guidance as of January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method.

The Company is still evaluating the impact that the amended accounting guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and will be unable to quantify its impact until it completes the final phase of its implementation process. Based upon its preliminary assessment, which is subject to change, the impact of this guidance should not be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Company will enhance its current disclosures to allow users of the financial statements to comprehend information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the Company’s contracts with its customers.

2. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Goodwill and certain intangible assets are not amortized for book purposes. They may be, however, amortized for tax purposes. The Company accounts for its acquired broadcasting licenses as indefinite-lived intangible assets and, similar to goodwill, these assets are reviewed at least annually for impairment. At the time of each review, if the fair value is less than the carrying value of goodwill and certain intangibles (such as broadcasting licenses), then a charge is recorded to the results of operations.

There was no material change in the carrying value of broadcasting licenses or goodwill since the year ended December 31, 2016, other than as described below.

The Company recorded a $13.5 million loss in the first quarter of 2017 in net gain/loss on sale or disposal of assets as a result of the Company permanently discontinuing the operation of one of its stations and returning the station’s broadcasting license to the FCC for cancellation, in order to facilitate the Merger.

Additionally, the carrying value of the broadcasting licenses at December 31, 2016, included the broadcasting licenses of a consolidated Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) of approximately $15.7 million. These consolidated assets and liabilities of the VIE related to a pending acquisition of four radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina. On October 17, 2016, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement and a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) to operate three of the four radio stations that were held in a trust (“Charlotte Trust”). As such, the amounts of the consolidated VIE at December 31, 2016, represented only the assets and liabilities of the three stations held in the Charlotte Trust.

Upon the completion of this transaction on January 6, 2017, the Company deconsolidated broadcasting licenses attributable to the VIE and recorded broadcasting licenses of all four radio stations based upon the preliminary purchase price allocation. Refer to Note 9, Business Combinations, for additional information.

On September 26, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to divest three stations to Educational Media Foundation (“EMF”). This transaction is the first divestiture in a series of required divestitures related to the Company’s pending Merger with CBS Radio. The Company conducted an analysis and determined the assets of these three stations met the criteria to be classified as held for sale at September 30, 2017. Accordingly, the Company reclassified the amount of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill allocable to these three stations to the assets held for sale financial statement line item at September 30, 2017. Refer to Note 10, Assets Held for Sale, for additional information.

During the second quarter of 2017, the Company performed its annual impairment test of its goodwill and determined that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeded its fair value for the Boston, Massachusetts market and recorded an impairment loss of $0.4 million. A contributing factor to the impairment was a decline in the advertising dollars in the Boston, Massachusetts market and its effect on the Company’s operations, coupled with an increase in the carrying value of its assets.

 

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The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses as described above:

 

    Broadcasting Licenses
Carrying Amount
 
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
    (amounts in thousands)  

Beginning of period balance as of January 1,

  $ 823,195     $ 807,381  

Disposition of FCC broadcasting license

    (13,500     —    

Consolidation (deconsolidation) of a VIE

    (15,738     15,738  

Acquisition of radio stations

    17,174       —    

Acquisitions—other

    —         112  

Assets held for sale

    (54,518     —    

Disposition of radio stations previously reflected as held for sale

    —         (36
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending period balance

  $ 756,613     $ 823,195  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents the changes in goodwill primarily as a result of acquisitions of radio stations, the pending divestiture of three stations, and the Company’s annual impairment test.

 

    Goodwill Carrying Amount  
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
    (amounts in thousands)  

Goodwill balance before cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,

  $ 158,333     $ 158,244  

Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1,

    (125,615     (125,615
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill beginning balance after cumulative loss on impairment as of January 1,

    32,718       32,629  

Loss on impairment during year

    (441     —    

Acquisition of radio stations

    43       —    

Assets held for sale

    (266     —    

Adjustment to acquired goodwill associated with an assumed fair value liability

    —         92  

Disposition of radio stations previously reflected as assets held for sale

    —         (3
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending period balance

  $ 32,054     $ 32,718  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Broadcasting Licenses Impairment Test

The Company performs its annual broadcasting license impairment test during the second quarter of each year by evaluating its broadcasting licenses for impairment at the market level using the direct method.

During the second quarter of the current year and each of the past several years, the Company completed its annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses and determined that the fair value of its broadcasting licenses was greater than the amount reflected in the balance sheet for each of the Company’s markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded. The annual impairment test in 2017 did not include the new market acquired during the first quarter of 2017. For the new market acquired during the first quarter of 2017, similar valuation techniques that are used in the testing process were applied to the valuation of the broadcasting licenses under purchase price accounting.

Each market’s broadcasting licenses are combined into a single unit of accounting for purposes of testing impairment, as the broadcasting licenses in each market are operated as a single asset. The Company determines the fair value of the broadcasting licenses in each of its markets by relying on a discounted cash flow approach (a 10-year income model) assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcasting licenses. The Company’s fair value analysis contains assumptions based upon past experience, reflects expectations

 

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of industry observers and includes judgments about future performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a certain market. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: (1) the discount rate; (2) the market share and profit margin of an average station within a market, based upon market size and station type; (3) the forecast growth rate of each radio market; (4) the estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; (6) the tax rate; and (7) future terminal values.

The methodology used by the Company in determining its key estimates and assumptions was applied consistently to each market. Of the seven variables identified above, the Company believes that the assumptions in items (1) through (3) above are the most important and sensitive in the determination of fair value.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or the Company, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of the Company’s broadcasting licenses below the amount reflected in the balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which may be material, in future periods.

There were no events or circumstances since the Company’s second quarter annual license impairment test that indicated an interim review of broadcasting licenses was required, other than as described below.

Goodwill Impairment Test

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of each year by evaluating its goodwill for each reporting unit.

As described above, the Company elected to early adopt the amended accounting guidance which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. The amended guidance eliminates the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which reduces the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. Under the former accounting guidance, the second step of the impairment test required the Company to compute the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Under the amended guidance, if the carrying amount of goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will consider the goodwill to be impaired.

The Company has determined that a radio market is a reporting unit and the Company assesses goodwill in each of the Company’s markets. Under the amended guidance, if the fair value of any reporting unit is less than the amount reflected on the balance sheet, the Company will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Under the amended guidance, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative assessment for each reporting unit. These qualitative factors include, but are not limited to: (1) macroeconomic conditions; (2) radio broadcasting industry considerations; (3) financial performance of reporting units; (4) Company-specific events; and (5) a sustained decrease in the Company’s share price. If the quantitative assessment is necessary, the Company determines the fair value of the goodwill allocated to each reporting unit.

To determine the fair value, the Company uses a market approach and, when appropriate, an income approach in computing the fair value of each reporting unit. The market approach calculates the fair value of each market’s radio stations by analyzing recent sales and offering prices of similar properties expressed as a multiple of cash flow. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow method by projecting the subject property’s income over a specified time and capitalizing at an appropriate market rate to arrive at an indication of the most probable selling price. Management believes that these approaches are commonly used and appropriate methodologies for valuing broadcast radio stations. Factors contributing to the determination of the reporting unit’s operating performance were historical performance and/or management’s estimates of future performance.

 

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During the second quarter of the current year, the Company’s quantitative assessment indicated that the goodwill allocated to its Boston, Massachusetts market was impaired. The annual impairment test in 2017 did not include the new market acquired during the first quarter of 2017. For the new market acquired during the first quarter of 2017, similar valuation techniques that are used in the testing process were applied to the valuation of the goodwill under purchase price accounting.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or the Company, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of the Company’s goodwill below the amount reflected in the balance sheet, the Company may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods.

There were no events or circumstances since the Company’s second quarter annual goodwill test that indicated an interim review of goodwill was required, other than as described below.

Annual Broadcasting Licenses and Goodwill Impairment Test for Newly Acquired Market

As discussed above, the annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses and goodwill, which was performed in the second quarter of 2017, did not include the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the new market acquired by the Company during the first quarter of 2017. As the new market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill are required to be tested at least annually for impairment, the Company elected to conduct an annual impairment test during the third quarter of 2017 of the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the newly acquired market only.

Conducting this interim impairment test on the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the newly acquired market will allow the Company to align the testing periods of all markets in the annual impairment test performed in the second quarter of 2018 and each annual impairment test thereafter.

The annual impairment test of the newly acquired market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill applied similar valuation techniques, valuation approaches and assumptions to those used in the annual impairment test conducted in the second quarter of 2017. The Company made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of the newly acquired market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill. These estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results. As a result of the annual impairment test of the newly acquired market, the Company determined that the fair value of its broadcasting licenses and goodwill was greater than the amount reflected in the balance sheet for the newly acquired market and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

3. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities consist of the following as of the periods indicated:

 

     Other Current Liabilities  
     September 30,
2017
     December 31,
2016
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

Accrued compensation

   $ 9,628      $ 8,059  

Accounts receivable credits

     2,590        3,571  

Advertiser obligations

     2,540        1,102  

Accrued interest payable

     1,828        3,587  

Other

     4,637        3,284  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other current liabilities

   $ 21,223      $ 19,603  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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4. LONG-TERM DEBT

(A) Senior Debt

The Credit Facility

On November 1, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Entercom Radio, LLC, (“Radio”) entered into a $540 million credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders that was initially comprised of: (a) a $60 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) that matures on November 1, 2021; and (b) a $480 million term B loan (the “Term B Loan”) that matures on November 1, 2023.

As of September 30, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan was $458.0 million and the amount outstanding under the Revolver was $22.5 million. The amount undrawn under the Revolver, which includes the impact of the outstanding letters of credit, was $36.8 million as of September 30, 2017. The Company’s ability to draw additional amounts under the Revolver may be limited due to its Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

Long-term debt was comprised of the following as of September 30, 2017:

 

     Long-Term Debt  
     September 30,      December 31,  
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Credit Facility

     

Revolver, due November 1, 2021

   $ 22,500      $ —    

Term B Loan, due November 1, 2023

     458,000        480,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     480,500        480,000  

Other Debt

     

Capital lease and other

     74        87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt before deferred financing costs

     480,574        480,087  

Current amount of long-term debt

     (3,618      (4,817

Deferred financing costs (excludes the revolving credit)

     (6,033      (7,619
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt, net of current debt

   $ 470,923      $ 467,651  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding standby letters of credit

   $ 700      $ 670  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Term B Loan requires mandatory prepayments equal to a percentage of Excess Cash Flow, which is defined within the agreement, subject to incremental step-downs, depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Beginning in 2018, the Excess Cash Flow payment will be due in the first quarter of each year, and is based on the Excess Cash Flow and Leverage Ratio for the prior year.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 4.9 times versus a covenant limit of 5.0 times and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 3.8 times versus a covenant minimum of 2.0 times.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and all other terms of the Credit Facility in all material respects. The Company’s ability to maintain compliance with its covenants under the Credit Facility is highly dependent on its results of operations. Management believes that over the next 12 months the Company can continue to maintain compliance.

Management believes that cash on hand, cash from the Revolver and cash from operating activities, together with the proceeds of the committed financing described below, will be sufficient to permit the Company to meet its liquidity requirements over the next 12 months, including its debt repayments. The cash available from the Revolver is dependent on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio at the time of such borrowing.

Failure to comply with the Company’s financial covenants or other terms of its Credit Facility and any subsequent failure to negotiate and obtain any required relief from its lenders could result in a default under the Credit Facility. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition. The acceleration of the Company’s debt could have a material adverse effect on its business. The Company may seek from time to time to amend its Credit Facility or obtain other funding or additional funding, which may result in higher interest rates on its debt.

In connection with the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, CBS Radio entered into a commitment letter with a syndicate of lenders (the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide up to $500 million of senior secured term loans (the “CBS Radio Financing”) as an additional tranche under a credit

 

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agreement (the “CBS Radio Credit Agreement”) among CBS Radio, the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The proceeds of this additional tranche will be used to: (1) refinance the Company’s Credit Facility; (2) redeem the Company’s Perpetual Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred”); and (3) pay fees and expenses in connection with the refinancing. On March 3, 2017, CBS Radio entered into an amendment to the CBS Radio Credit Agreement, to, among other things, create a tranche of Term B-1 Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500 million. The Term B-1 Loans, which replace the commitment, are expected to be funded by the Commitment Parties on the closing date of the Merger, subject to customary conditions. The Term B-1 Loans will be governed by the CBS Radio Credit Agreement and will mature on the date that is seven years after the closing date of the Merger. The Term B-1 Loans will require quarterly principal payments at an annual rate of 1% of the initial principal amount of the Term B-1 Loans, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the Merger. The Term B-1 Loans are expected to bear interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%. Interest on the Term B-1 Loans will be payable at the end of each interest period, but in no event less frequently than quarterly.

(B) Senior Unsecured Debt

The Senior Notes

In 2016, the Company issued a call notice to redeem its $220.0 million 10.5% unsecured Senior Notes due December 1, 2019 (the “Senior Notes”) in full with an effective date of December 1, 2016, that was funded by the proceeds of the Credit Facility. As a result of the full redemption of the Senior Notes with replacement debt at a lower interest rate, the net interest expense for the first three quarters of 2017 was reduced and does not include amortization of original issue discount of Senior Notes.

(C) Net Interest Expense

The components of net interest expense are as follows:

 

     Net Interest Expense  
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Interest expense

   $ 16,913      $ 25,382  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     1,752        1,929  

Amortization of original issue discount of senior notes

     —          280  

Interest income and other investment income

     (79      (38
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net interest expense

   $ 18,586      $ 27,553  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Net Interest Expense  
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Interest expense

   $ 5,920      $ 8,324  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     586        611  

Amortization of original issue discount of senior notes

     —          96  

Interest income and other investment income

     (30      (17
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net interest expense

   $ 6,476      $ 9,014  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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5. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

The following tables present the computations of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2017     2016     2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands except per
share data)
 

Basic Income (Loss) Per Share

       

Numerator

       

Net income (loss) available to the Company

  $ 4,100     $ 11,420     $ 1,184     $ 26,666  

Preferred stock dividends

    663       526       1,763       1,351  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

  $ 3,437     $ 10,894     $ (579   $ 25,315  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator

       

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

    38,955       38,485       38,948       38,457  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders

  $ 0.09     $ 0.28     $ (0.01   $ 0.66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share

       

Numerator

       

Net income (loss) available to the Company

  $ 4,100     $ 11,420     $ 1,184     $ 26,666  

Preferred stock dividends

    663       —         1,763       1,351  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

  $ 3,437     $ 11,420     $ (579   $ 25,315  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator

       

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

    38,955       38,485       38,948       38,457  

Effect of RSUs and options under the treasury stock method

    773       1,014       —         917  

Preferred stock under the as if converted method

    —         1,934       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

    39,728       41,433       38,948       39,374  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders

  $ 0.09     $ 0.28     $ (0.01   $ 0.64  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Disclosure Of Anti-Dilutive Shares

The following table presents those shares excluded as they were anti-dilutive:

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  

Impact Of Equity Issuances

  2017     2016     2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Shares excluded as anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method:

       

Options

    14       —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Price range of options: from

  $ 11.69     $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Price range of options: to

  $ 11.78     $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs with service conditions

    157       —         101       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs excluded with service and market conditions as market conditions not met

    267       478       267       478  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs excluded with service and performance conditions as performance conditions not met

    —         21       —         21  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Perpetual cumulative convertible preferred stock treated as anti-dilutive under the as if method

    2,017       —         2,017       1,934  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Excluded shares as anti-dilutive when reporting a net loss

    —         —         974       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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6. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Under the Entercom Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), the Company is authorized to issue share-based compensation awards to key employees, directors and consultants.

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) Activity

The following is a summary of the changes in RSUs under the Plan during the current period:

 

    Period Ended     Number Of
Restricted
Stock Units
    Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
    Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value As Of
September 30,
2017
 

RSUs outstanding as of:

    December 31, 2016       2,074,794        

RSUs awarded

      206,603        

RSUs released

      (468,153      

RSUs forfeited

      (22,623      
   

 

 

       

RSUs outstanding as of:

    September 30, 2017       1,790,621     $ —         1.2     $ 20,413,079  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs vested and expected to vest as of:

    September 30, 2017       1,790,621     $ —         1.2     $ 20,413,079  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs exercisable (vested and deferred) as of:

    September 30, 2017       48,880     $ —         —       $ 557,232  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining recognition period in years

      1.9        
   

 

 

       

Unamortized compensation expense

    $ 8,259,906        
   

 

 

       

RSUs With Service And Market Conditions

The Company issued RSUs with service and market conditions that are included in the table above. These shares vest if: (1) the Company’s stock achieves certain shareholder performance targets over a defined measurement period; and (2) the employee fulfills a minimum service period. The compensation expense is recognized even if the market conditions are not satisfied and are only reversed in the event the service period is not met, as all of the conditions need to be satisfied. These RSUs are amortized over the longest of the explicit, implicit or derived service periods, which range from approximately one to three years.

 

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The following table presents the changes in outstanding RSUs with market conditions:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2017      2016  
    

(amounts in thousands, except per

share data)

 

Reconciliation Of RSUs With Market Conditions

     

Beginning of period balance

     630        390  

Number of RSUs granted

     —          470  

Number of RSUs forfeited

     —          —    

Number of RSUs vested

     (50      (230
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period balance

     580        630  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average fair value of RSUs granted with market conditions

   $ —        $ 7.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of RSUs with service conditions is estimated using the Company’s closing stock price on the date of the grant. To determine the fair value of RSUs with service and market conditions, the Company used the Monte Carlo simulation lattice model. The Company’s determination of the fair value was based on the number of shares granted, the Company’s stock price on the date of grant and certain assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. If other reasonable assumptions were used, the results could differ.

The specific assumptions used for these valuations are as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
     Year Ended
December 31,
2016

Expected Volatility Term Structure (1)

     —        35% to 45%

Risk-Free Interest Rate (2)

     —        0.4% to 1.1%

Annual Dividend Payment Per Share (Constant) (3)

   $ —        $0.30

 

 

 

(1) Expected Volatility Term Structure—The Company estimated the volatility term structure using: (1) the historical volatility of its stock; and (2) the implied volatility provided by its traded options from a trailing month’s average of the closing bid-ask price quotes.
(2) Risk-Free Interest Rate—The Company estimated the risk-free interest rate based upon the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury issues using the Treasury bond rate as of the date of grant.
(3) Annual Dividend Payment Per Share (Constant) – The Company assumed a constant annual dividend of $0.30 per share.

 

 

RSUs With Service And Performance Conditions

In addition to the RSUs included in the table above summarizing the activity in RSUs under the Plan, the Company issued RSUs with both service and performance conditions. Vesting of performance-based awards, if any, is dependent upon the achievement of certain performance targets. If the performance standards are not achieved, all unvested shares will expire and any accrued expense will be reversed. The Company determines the requisite service period on a case-by-case basis to determine the expense recognition period for non-vested performance based RSUs. The fair value is determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company applies a quarterly probability assessment in computing its non-cash compensation expense and any change in the estimate is reflected as a cumulative adjustment to expense in the quarter of the change.

 

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The following table reflects the activity of RSUs with service and performance conditions:

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
    2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands, except
per share data)
 

Reconciliation Of RSUs With Service And Performance

 

Conditions

   

Beginning of period balance

    —         29  

Number of RSUs granted

    —         —    

Number of RSUs that did not meet criteria

    —         (29

Number of RSUs vested

    —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average fair value of RSUs granted with performance conditions

  $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, no non-cash compensation expense was recognized for RSUs with performance conditions.

Option Activity

The following table provides summary information related to the exercise of stock options:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

Option Exercise Data

   2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Intrinsic value of options exercised

   $ 58      $ 325  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Tax benefit from options exercised (1)

   $ 23      $ 125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash received from exercise price of options exercised

   $ 22      $ 39  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Amount for prior year excludes impact from suspended income tax benefits and/or valuation allowances.

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The following table presents the option activity during the current period under the Plan:

 

    Period Ended     Number Of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
    Intrinsic
Value
As Of
September 30,
2017
 

Options outstanding as of:

    December 31, 2016       329,562     $ 1.91      

Options granted

      —         —        

Options exercised

      (6,500     3.37      

Options forfeited

      —         —        

Options expired

      (500     9.10      
   

 

 

       

Options outstanding as of:

    September 30, 2017       322,562     $ 1.87       1.3     $ 3,077,559  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest as of:

    September 30, 2017       322,562     $ 1.87       1.3     $ 3,077,559  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options vested and exercisable as of:

    September 30, 2017       322,562     $ 1.87       1.3     $ 3,077,559  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining recognition period in years

      —          
   

 

 

       

Unamortized compensation expense

    $ —          
   

 

 

       

The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of the current period:

 

              Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  
              Number Of      Weighted             Number Of         
              Options      Average      Weighted      Options      Weighted  
Range Of      Outstanding      Remaining      Average      Exercisable      Average  
Exercise Prices      September 30,      Contractual      Exercise      September 30,      Exercise  
From      To      2017      Life      Price      2017      Price  
$ 1.34      $ 1.34        300,437        1.4      $ 1.34        300,437      $ 1.34  
$ 2.02      $ 11.78        22,125        1.0      $ 9.08        22,125      $ 9.08  
     

 

 

          

 

 

    
$     1.34      $     11.78        322,562        1.3      $ 1.87        322,562      $ 1.87  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recognized Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is related primarily to RSUs, is included in each of the respective line items in our statement of operations:

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Station operating expenses

   $ 937      $ 962  

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     3,692        3,698  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     4,629        4,660  

Income tax benefit (1)

     1,528        1,637  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

After-tax stock-based compensation expense

   $ 3,101      $ 3,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Station operating expenses

   $ 360      $ 372  

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     1,197        1,270  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

     1,557        1,642  

Income tax benefit (1)

     525        888  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

After-tax stock-based compensation expense

   $ 1,032      $ 754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Amount for prior year excludes impact from suspended income tax benefits and/or valuation allowances.

 

 

7. INCOME TAXES

Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The effective income tax rates were 131.7% and 41.5% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. These rates were impacted by: (1) merger and acquisition costs that result in an increase in the annual estimated effective tax rate; and (2) a discrete windfall income tax benefit, described below. The annual estimated effective tax rate is estimated to be higher than in previous years primarily due to the amount of merger and acquisition costs forecasted for 2017 as a result of the Merger, as a significant portion of these costs are not deductible for federal and state income tax purposes.

As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation on January 1, 2017, the Company recorded, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a discrete windfall income tax benefit of $0.8 million from the vesting of stock-based awards with tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recorded. Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, for additional information.

Tax Rates For The Nine Months And Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

The effective income tax rates were 37.6% and 39.8% for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. These rates were impacted by discrete income tax benefits from recent legislation in certain single member states that allowed for: (1) the reversal of partial valuation allowances; and (2) a retroactive decrease in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill. The income tax rate was also impacted by income tax expense from: (i) an increase in deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (ii) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (iii) a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards.

Net Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, net deferred tax liabilities were $82.7 million and $92.9 million, respectively. The income tax accounting process to determine the deferred tax liabilities involves estimating all temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The Company estimated the current exposure by assessing the temporary differences and computing the provision for income taxes by applying the estimated effective tax rate to income.

 

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Table of Contents

8. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Subject To Fair Value Measurements

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and/or liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and 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 and its placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

     Fair Value Measurements At
Reporting Date
 
     September 30,      December 31,  

Description

   2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Liabilities

     

Deferred compensation—Level 1 (1)

   $ 12,097      $ 10,875  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)  The Company’s deferred compensation liability, which is included in other long-term liabilities, is recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The unfunded plan allows participants to hypothetically invest in various specified investment options. The deferred compensation plan liability is valued at Level 1 as it is based on quoted market prices of the underlying investments.

 

 

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis 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 Level 3, due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses and goodwill, and concluded that its broadcasting licenses were not impaired as the fair value of these assets equaled or exceeded their carrying value. The Company concluded that the carrying value of goodwill allocated to its Boston, Massachusetts market exceeded its fair value. Accordingly, the Company wrote off approximately $0.4 million of goodwill during the second quarter of 2017. Refer to Note 2, Intangible Assets and Goodwill, for additional information. There were no events or changes in circumstances which indicated the Company’s cost-method investments, property and equipment, or other intangible assets may not be recoverable. Accordingly, the Company did not estimate the fair value of these assets.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Subject To Disclosures

The carrying amount of the following assets and liabilities approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments: (1) cash and cash equivalents; (2) accounts receivable; and (3) accounts payable, including accrued liabilities.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table presents the carrying value of financial instruments and, where practicable, the fair value as of the periods indicated:

 

     September 30,
2017
     December 31,
2016
 
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

Term B Loan (1)

   $ 458,000      $ 459,718      $ 480,000      $ 487,200  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revolver (2)

   $ 22,500      $ 22,500      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other debt (3)

   $ 74         $ 87     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

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

 

(1)  The Company’s determination of the fair value of the Term B Loan was based on quoted prices for this instrument and is considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.
(2)  The fair value of the Revolver was considered to approximate the carrying value as the interest payments are based on LIBOR rates that reset periodically. The Revolver is considered a Level 2 measurement as the pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets.
(3) The Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate the fair value of the other debt.

 

 

Cost-Method Investments

The Company holds investments in equity securities that are accounted for as cost-method investments. These investments represent its holdings in privately held companies that are not exchange-traded and therefore not supported with observable market prices. The cost-method investments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at their cost basis, which represents the amount the Company paid to acquire the investments. The cost-method of accounting is utilized as the Company does not have significant influence over the investees and the fair value of the investees is not readily determinable.

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of its cost-method investments, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers investee financial performance and other information received from the investee companies, as well as any other available estimates of the fair value of the investee companies in its evaluation.

If certain impairment indicators exist, the Company determines the fair value of its cost-method investments. If the Company determines the carrying value of a cost-method investment exceeds its fair value, and that difference is other than temporary, the Company writes down the value of the cost-method investment to its fair value. The fair value of the cost-method investments are not adjusted if there are no identified adverse events or changes in circumstances that may have a material effect on the fair value of the cost-method investment.

Since its initial date of investment, the Company has not identified any events or changes in circumstances which would require the Company to estimate the fair value of its cost-method investments. Additionally, there have been no returns of capital. As a result, the cost-method investments continue to be presented at their original cost basis within the deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization line item.

There was no material change in the carrying value of the Company’s cost-method investments since the year ended December 31, 2016, other than as described below.

On July 26, 2017, the Company purchased a minority ownership interest in DGital Media Inc. (“DGital”), a leading creator of premium, personality-based podcasts and other on-demand audio content for $9.7 million. Subsequent to the Company’s initial investment, DGital rebranded as Cadence13. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, the Company also obtained an option to acquire the remaining ownership interest in Cadence13 in 2021. The Company and Cadence13 entered into a multi-year services agreement under which Cadence13 will dedicate

 

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Table of Contents

significant resources to create world-class, original on-demand audio content leveraging the Company’s deep roster of local talent and relationships in the world of sports, news, politics, music, comedy, and technology. Cadence13 will also serve as the Company’s exclusive third party advertisement sales representative for all of its podcasts and other on-demand audio.

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s cost-method investments as described above:

 

    Cost-Method Investments
Carrying Amount
 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands)  

Investment balance before cumulative other than temporary impairment as of January 1,

  $ 255     $ 255  

Accumulated other than temporary impairment as of January 1,

    —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment beginning balance after cumulative other than temporary impairment as of January 1,

    255       255  

Acquisition of interest in a privately held company

    9,700       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending period balance

  $ 9,955     $ 255  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

9. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The Company consummated acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting, and the purchase price was allocated to the assets and liabilities based upon their respective fair values as determined as of the acquisition date. Merger and acquisition costs are excluded from the purchase price as these costs are expensed for book purposes and amortized for tax purposes.

2017 Charlotte Acquisition

On January 6, 2017, the Company completed a transaction to acquire four radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina from Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Beasley”) for a purchase price of $24 million in cash. The Company used cash on hand to fund the acquisition. On October 17, 2016, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement and a TBA with Beasley to operate three of the four radio stations that were held in the Charlotte Trust. On November 1, 2016, the Company commenced operations of the radio stations held in the Charlotte Trust and began operating the fourth station upon closing on the acquisition with Beasley in January 2017.

During the period of the TBA, the Company included net revenues, station operating expenses and monthly TBA fees associated with operating these stations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The allocations presented in the table below are based upon management’s estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches. In estimating the fair value of the acquired FCC broadcasting licenses, the fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows that assume an expected future growth rate of 1.0% and an estimated discount rate of 9.0%. The gross profit margins utilized were considered appropriate based on management’s expectations and experience in equivalent sized markets. The Company determines the fair value of the broadcasting licenses by relying on a discounted cash flow approach assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcasting licenses. The Company’s fair value analysis contains assumptions based upon past experience, reflects expectations of industry observers and includes judgments about future performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a certain market. Any excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired was reported as goodwill.

The following preliminary purchase price allocations are based upon the valuation of assets and liabilities and these estimates and assumptions are subject to change as the Company obtains additional information during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. These assets and liabilities pending finalization include intangible assets and liabilities. Differences between the preliminary and final valuation could be substantially different from the initial estimates.

 

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Table of Contents
     January 6,      Useful Lives In Years  

Description

   2017      From      To  
     (amounts in
thousands)
               

Assets

        

Land

   $ 2,539        non-depreciating  

Buildings

     217        15        25  

Equipment

     4,569        3        40  
  

 

 

       

Total property plant and equipment

     7,325        

Deferred tax asset

     287        life of underlying asset  

Radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill

     17,384        non-amortizing  
  

 

 

       

Total assets

     24,996        
  

 

 

       

Liabilities

        

Unfavorable lease liabilities

     735        over remaining lease life  

Deferred tax liability

     261        life of underlying liability  
  

 

 

       

Total liabilities

     996        
  

 

 

       

Net assets

   $ 24,000        
  

 

 

       

2016 Disposition

In March 2016, the Company sold certain assets of KRWZ AM in Denver, Colorado, for $3.8 million in cash. The Company believes that the sale of this station, with a marginal market share, did not alter the Company’s competitive position in the market. The Company reported a gain, net of expenses, of $0.3 million on the disposition of these assets.

Pending Acquisition of CBS Radio

On February 2, 2017, the Company and Merger Sub entered into a material definitive agreement with CBS and CBS Radio, and CBS and CBS Radio also entered into an agreement that provides for the separation of CBS Radio from CBS (the “Separation Agreement”), which together provide for the combination of the Company’s business and CBS’s radio business. Prior to February 2, 2017, CBS transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities of CBS’s radio business to CBS Radio.

At the time of the signing of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement on February 2, 2017, CBS Radio had two classes of common stock, the Radio Series 1 Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Radio Series 1 Common Stock”) and the Radio Series 2 Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Radio Series 2 Common Stock”), collectively, (the “Radio Existing Common Stock”).

Prior to the Merger, CBS and CBS Radio will first complete a series of internal distributions and transactions (collectively, the “Radio Reorganization”). Following the consummation of the Radio Reorganization, CBS will consummate an offer to exchange all of the outstanding shares of Radio Existing Common Stock for outstanding shares of CBS Class B Common Stock (the “Final Distribution”). CBS Broadcasting, Inc. will first distribute (the “First Distribution”) all of the outstanding equity of CBS Radio to Westinghouse CBS Holding Company, Inc. (“Westinghouse”). Westinghouse will then distribute all of the outstanding equity of CBS Radio to CBS (the “Second Distribution”). Following the Second Distribution, CBS Radio will then: (a) combine Radio Series 1 Common Stock and Radio Series 2 Common stock into a single class of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Radio New Common Stock”), (b) authorize the issuance of at least 101,407,494 shares of Radio New Common Stock and (c) effect a stock split of the outstanding shares of Radio New Common Stock, as a result of which, as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Final Distribution, 101,407,494 shares of Radio New Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, all of which will be owned directly by CBS (collectively, (a) through (c), the “Stock Split”).

 

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Subject to the terms and conditions of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement and the Separation Agreement, in the event that holders of CBS Class B Common Stock subscribe for less than all of the outstanding shares of Radio Common Stock held by CBS in the exchange offer, CBS will distribute the remaining outstanding shares of Radio Common Stock held by CBS on a pro rata basis to holders of CBS Common Stock whose shares of CBS Common Stock remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer (the “Spin-Off”). The Spin-Off will only occur if the exchange offer is consummated but not fully subscribed, meaning that not all of the outstanding shares of Radio Common Stock held by CBS would be distributed in the exchange offer, in that scenario.

Immediately after the consummation of the Final Distribution, Merger Sub will merge with and into CBS Radio, with CBS Radio surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In the Merger, all outstanding shares of Radio Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive an equal number of shares of the Company’s Class A common Stock.

It is estimated that the existing Company shareholders will own approximately 28% and CBS Radio shareholders will own approximately 72% of the combined company’s outstanding shares immediately after consummation of the Merger.

The Company will issue 101,407,494 shares of its Class A common Stock in the Merger. At the time of the Merger, each outstanding RSU and stock option with respect to CBS Class B Common Stock held by employees of CBS Radio will be canceled and converted into equity awards for the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The conversion will be based on the ratio of the volume-weighted average per share closing prices of CBS stock on the five trading days prior to the effective date of the Merger and the Company’s stock on the five trading days following the effective date of the Merger.

In connection with the Merger, CBS Radio received committed financing of up to $500 million of senior secured term loan from the Commitment Parties as an additional tranche under the CBS Radio Credit Agreement. The proceeds of this loan will be used to: (1) refinance the Company’s Credit Facility; (2) redeem the Company’s Preferred; and (3) pay fees and expenses in connection with the refinancing. The committed financing will be an additional tranche under the CBS Radio Credit Agreement. See Note 4, Long-Term Debt, for additional information with respect to this financing.

The total consideration for the Merger is approximately $1.16 billion, based on the Company’s Class A common stock market price per share of $11.45 on September 30, 2017 and the shares to be issued in connection with the Merger. Transaction costs relating to the Merger, including legal and professional fees, of $8.8 million and $24.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, were expensed as incurred.

If the CBS Radio Merger Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, the Company will be required to pay CBS a termination fee of $30 million. Either party may terminate the CBS Radio Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated on or before January 31, 2018, subject to extension to May 2, 2018, if the approval of the FCC has not been obtained or if the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 has not occurred by November 2, 2017.

Upon completion of the Merger, certain required divestitures and the debt refinancing described above, which are all expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2017, the combined company will be named Entercom Communications Corp. and will be listed on the NYSE under the current trading symbol for the Company’s Class A Common Stock, “ETM”.

Merger And Acquisition Costs

The Company records merger and acquisition costs whether or not an acquisition occurs. These costs consist primarily of legal, professional and advisory services and could include restructuring costs.

There were merger and acquisition costs incurred during the first three quarters of 2017 primarily in connection with the announced CBS Merger.

 

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     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Merger and acquisition costs

   $ 24,925      $ 670  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Merger and acquisition costs

   $ 8,825      $ 670  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restructuring Costs

The restructuring plan related to the Company’s acquisitions in 2015 included: (1) costs associated with exiting contractual vendor obligations as these obligations were duplicative; (2) a workforce reduction and realignment charges that included one-time termination benefits and related costs; and (3) lease abandonment costs. The lease abandonment costs are longer-term as the lease expires in June 2026. The estimated amount of unpaid restructuring charges as of September 30, 2017, after excluding the lease abandonment liability as of September 30, 2017, was included in accrued expenses as most expenses are expected to be paid within one year.

 

    Nine Months Ended     Year Ended  
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands)  

Restructuring charges and lease abandonment costs, beginning balance

  $ 650     $ 1,686  

Additions through accruals

    —         —    

Deductions through payments

    (56     (1,036
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lease abandonment costs unpaid and outstanding

    594       650  

Less lease abandonment costs over a long-term period

    (521     (576
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Lease abandonment costs over a short-term period

  $ 73     $ 74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Summary Of Financial Information

The following pro forma information presents the consolidated results of operations as if the 2017 acquisition in Charlotte, North Carolina, had occurred as of January 1, 2016, after giving effect to certain adjustments, including: (1) depreciation and amortization of assets; (2) change in the effective tax rate; and (3) merger and acquisition costs. The pro forma information does not exclude the pro forma impact of any dispositions. These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisitions been made as of that date or results which may occur in the future.

 

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    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2017     2016     2017     2016  
    (amounts in thousands except share and per share data)  
    Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma     Pro Forma  

Net revenues

  $ 122,299     $ 125,441     $ 346,270     $ 351,697  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to the Company

  $ 4,100     $ 11,364     $ 1,516     $ 23,946  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

  $ 3,437     $ 10,838     $ (247   $ 22,595  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders per common share - basic

  $ 0.09     $ 0.28     $ (0.01   $ 0.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders per common share - diluted

  $ 0.09     $ 0.27     $ (0.01   $ 0.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted shares outstanding basic

    38,954,788       38,484,578       38,947,533       38,457,061  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted shares outstanding diluted

    39,727,976       41,433,200       38,947,533       39,373,988  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Conversion of preferred stock for dilutive purposes under the as if method

    anti-dilutive       dilutive       anti-dilutive       anti-dilutive  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

10. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Long-lived assets to be sold are classified as held for sale in the period in which they meet all the criteria for the disposal of long-lived assets. The Company measures assets held for sale at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Additionally, the Company determined that these assets comprise operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the Company.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sell a parcel of land along with the land improvements, broadcasting tower and building located on the property, in one of its markets for $3.3 million and classified these assets as assets held for sale. This transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017, is expected to result in a gain of $0.3 million, net of commissions of $0.2 million.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to divest three radio stations to EMF in order to facilitate the Merger. The Company is disposing of equipment, radio broadcasting licenses, goodwill, and other assets across three of its markets for $57.8 million and classified these assets as assets held for sale. This transaction, which is expected to close on the date following the closing of the Company’s Merger with CBS Radio, is expected to result in a gain of $2.6 million.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company determined that the carrying value of these assets was less than the fair value by utilizing offers from third parties for a bundle of assets. This is considered a Level 3 measurement.

 

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The major categories of these assets are as follows:

 

     Assets Held For Sale  
     September 30,  
     2017  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Land and land improvements

   $ 2,820  

Building

     8  

Equipment

     1,206  
  

 

 

 

Gross property and equipment

     4,034  

Accumulated Depreciation

     (822
  

 

 

 

Net property and equipment

     3,212  
  

 

 

 

Radio broadcasting licenses

     54,551  

Accumulated Amortization

     (33
  

 

 

 

Net radio broadcasting licenses

     54,518  
  

 

 

 

Other intangibles

     3  

Goodwill

     266  
  

 

 

 

Total intangibles

     54,787  
  

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

     57,999  
  

 

 

 

Net assets held for sale

   $ 57,999  
  

 

 

 

11. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors commenced an annual $0.30 per share common stock dividend program, with payments that approximate $2.9 million per quarter. Any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors based upon the relevant factors at the time of such consideration, including, without limitation, compliance with the restrictions set forth in the Company’s Credit Facility and the CBS Radio Merger Agreement.

In addition to the quarterly dividend, the Company paid a special one-time cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock on September 15, 2017. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed not to declare or pay any dividends or make other distributions in respect of any shares of the Company’s capital stock, except for the Company’s regular quarterly cash dividend. This special one-time cash dividend, which approximated $7.8 million, is an exception under the Merger Agreement to the restriction on payment of dividends.

Dividend Equivalents

The Company’s grants of RSUs include the right, upon vesting, to receive a cash payment equal to the aggregate amount of dividends, if any, that holders would have received on the shares of common stock underlying their RSUs if such RSUs had been vested during the period.

The following table presents the amounts accrued and unpaid on unvested RSUs:

 

          Dividend Equivalent Liabilities  
    

Balance Sheet Location

   September 30,
2017
     December 31,
2016
 
          (amounts in thousands)  

Short-term

   Other current liabilities    $ 446      $ 260  

Long-term

   Other long-term liabilities      637        348  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 1,083      $ 608  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company adopted the Entercom 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) during the second quarter of 2016 that commenced with the third quarter of 2016. The ESPP allows participants to purchase the Company’s stock at a price equal to 85% of the market value of such shares on the purchase date. The maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the ESPP is 1.0 million. Pursuant to this plan, the Company does not record compensation expense to the employee as income subject to tax on the difference between the market value and the purchase price, as this plan was designed to meet the requirements of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company recognizes the 15% discount in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as non-cash compensation expense.

Pursuant to the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, until the earlier of the termination of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, the Company has agreed not to issue or authorize any shares of its capital stock. As a result, the Company effectively suspended the ESPP during the second quarter of 2017. There were no shares purchased and the Company did not recognize any non-cash compensation expense in connection with the ESPP during the three months ended September 30, 2017. The Company plans to resume the ESPP after the consummation of the Merger.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Number of shares purchased

     15        18  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense recognized

   $ 32      $ 34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

12. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

Contingencies

If the CBS Radio Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, the Company will be required to pay CBS a termination fee of $30 million and the costs for the committed financing.

The Company is subject to various outstanding claims which arise in the ordinary course of business and to other legal proceedings. Management anticipates that any potential liability of the Company, which may arise out of or with respect to these matters, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There were no material changes from the contingencies listed in the Company’s Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017.

Other Matters

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company settled a legal claim with British Petroleum as a result of their Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico that occurred in 2010 and recovered $2.3 million on a net basis after deducting certain related expenses. The claim was a result of lost business due to the oil spill.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Events occurring after September 30, 2017, and through the date that these consolidated financial statements were issued, were evaluated to ensure that any subsequent events that met the criteria for recognition have been included and are as follows:

On October 10, 2017, the Company filed an amendment to a Registration Statement with the SEC on Form S-4/A relating to the Merger. The amendment provides that, among other things, the Company will dispose of an appropriate amount of stations in order to maintain compliance with the FCC’s local radio ownership rule. Refer to a description of the proposed divestitures below.

On October 13, 2017, the Company closed on the sale of a parcel of land along with the land improvements, broadcasting tower and building located on the property. The sale of these assets, which were classified as assets held for sale at September 30, 2017, resulted in a gain of $0.3 million, net of commissions of $0.2 million.

 

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On October 16, 2017, the Company filed an amendment to a Registration Statement with the SEC on Form S-4/A relating to the Merger. The amendment is an exhibits only filing to file various exhibits without making any changes to the prospectus. The Company filed a definitive proxy statement that relates to the special meeting of shareholders of the Company to approve the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the Merger.

On October 19, 2017, the Company filed a final amendment to a Registration Statement with the SEC on Form S-4/A relating to the Merger. This amendment, among other things, calls a meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of the Company’s shareholders. The Special Meeting will be held on November 15, 2017 for shareholders of record on October 12, 2017, to approve the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock in the Merger and to approve the classification of the Company’s board of directors. In addition, CBS Radio filed a registration statement on Form S-4 and Form S-1 to register the shares of Radio Common Stock that will be distributed to holders of CBS Class B Common Stock. Holders of CBS Class B common stock will have the opportunity to exchange some or all of their shares for CBS Radio Common Stock. This exchange offer is scheduled to expire on November 16, 2017. Holders of CBS Radio Common Stock will then receive shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock in the Merger. Based on this timing, the Company anticipates that the Merger will close as early as November 17, 2017.

As a result of the Merger, the Company will own radio stations in seven markets in excess of the limits set forth in the FCC’s local radio ownership rule. In order to comply with this FCC rule, and to obtain clearance for the Merger from the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Company has proposed to divest a total of nineteen stations in such markets, consisting of eight stations owned by the Company and eleven stations owned by CBS Radio. The total number of divested stations is inclusive of the three stations under a transaction with EMF as discussed in Note 10, Assets Held for Sale.

On November 1, 2017, the Company along with CBS Radio entered into an agreement (the “Beasley Transaction”) with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Beasley”) to exchange a CBS Radio station (the “Boston Station”) in Boston, Massachusetts for another station in the same market (the “Beasley Station”) and cash proceeds of $12.0 million. Concurrently with entering into the asset exchange agreement, the Company and Beasley agreed to enter into a TBA agreement for the Company to operate the Beasley Station. Operation under each TBA is expected to commence after the Merger. During the period of the TBA, the Company: (i) includes net revenues and station operating expenses associated with operating the Beasley Station in the Company’s consolidated financial statements; and (ii) excludes net revenues and station operating expenses associated with operating the Boston Station in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Beasley Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.

On November 1, 2017, the Company along with CBS Radio entered into an agreement (the “iHeartMedia Transaction”) with iHeartMedia Inc. (“iHeart”) to exchange three CBS Radio stations in Seattle, Washington, and two CBS Radio and two Company radio stations in Boston, Massachusetts, for four iHeart radio stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and six iHeart radio stations in Richmond, Virginia, respectively. Concurrently with entering into the asset exchange agreement, the Company and iHeart each agreed to enter into a TBA agreement to operate certain of the other party’s radio stations. Operation under each TBA is expected to commence after the Merger. During the period of the TBA, the Company: (i) includes net revenues and station operating expenses associated with operating the Richmond and Chattanooga stations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements; and (ii) excludes net revenues and station operating expenses associated with operating the Seattle stations and Boston stations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result of this iHeartMedia Transaction, the Company will enter two new markets in Richmond, Virginia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The iHeartMedia Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.

On November 1, 2017, the Company along with CBS Radio entered into local marketing agreements (the “Bonneville Transaction”) with Bonneville International Corporation (“Bonneville”), pursuant to which Bonneville will program four CBS Radio stations in Sacramento along with three Company stations and one CBS Radio station in San Francisco. These local marketing agreements will become effective upon the closing of the Merger.

On November 1, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement with the Antitrust Division of the DOJ. The settlement with the DOJ, along with the iHeartMedia Transaction, the Beasley Transaction, and the Bonneville Transaction will allow the Company and CBS Radio to move forward with the Merger. In connection with these agreements described above, the Company now expects its proposed Merger with CBS Radio to close as early as November 17, 2017, pending approval from the FCC.

 

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On November 2, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company’s quarterly common stock dividend program to $0.09 per share, beginning with the dividend to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2017. Quarterly dividend payments will approximate $3.0 million per quarter ($12.1 million per quarter on a pro forma basis after the Merger). Any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors based upon the relevant factors at the time of such consideration, including, without limitation, compliance with the restrictions set forth in the Company’s Credit Facility and the CBS Radio Merger Agreement.

On November 2, 2017, the Company announced a share repurchase program (the “2017 Share Repurchase Program”) to permit the Company to purchase up to $100.0 million of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchased by the Company under the 2017 Share Repurchase Program will be at the discretion of the Company based upon the relevant factors at the time of such consideration, including, without limitation, compliance with the restrictions set for in the Credit Facility and the CBS Radio Merger Agreement. The Company currently anticipates repurchasing approximately $30.0 million in Class A Common Stock by the end of 2018.

 

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations

In preparing the discussion and analysis contained in this Item 2, we presume that readers have read or have access to the discussion and analysis contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2017. In addition, you should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The following results of operations include a discussion of the nine and three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the comparable periods in the prior year. Our results of operations during the relevant periods represent the operations of the radio stations owned or operated by us.

Results Of Operations For The Year-To-Date

The following significant factors affected our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

Merger And Acquisition Costs Incurred Under The CBS Radio Merger Agreement

On February 2, 2017, we and our newly formed wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “CBS Radio Merger Agreement”) with CBS Corporation (“CBS”) and its wholly owned subsidiary CBS Radio Inc. (“CBS Radio”). Pursuant to the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into CBS Radio with CBS Radio surviving as our wholly owned subsidiary (the “Merger”). The Merger is expected to be tax free to CBS and its shareholders, and will be effected through a stock for stock Reverse Morris Trust transaction. The Merger will make us a leading local media and entertainment company with a nationwide footprint of stations including positions in all of the top 10 markets and 22 of the top 25 markets. The transactions contemplated by the CBS Radio Merger Agreement are subject to approval by our shareholders and customary regulatory approvals. Such approvals will require the divestiture of stations in certain markets due to regulatory requirements.

Transaction costs relating to the Merger, including legal, advisory services and professional fees, of $24.9 million, were expensed as incurred during the first three quarters of 2017 and are included in merger and acquisition costs.

Disposal Of FCC Broadcasting License Related To The Merger

We recorded a $13.5 million loss in the first quarter of 2017 in net gain/loss on sale or disposal of assets as a result of permanently discontinuing the operation of one of our stations and returning the station’s license to the FCC for cancellation, in order to facilitate the Merger.

Debt Refinancing Lowered Our Interest Expense

On November 1, 2016, we entered into a $540 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and used the proceeds to: (1) refinance our outstanding senior credit facility (the “Former Credit Facility”) that was comprised of: (a) a term loan component (“Former Term B Loan”) with $223.0 million outstanding at the date of the refinancing; and (b) a revolving credit facility (the “Former Revolver”) with $3.0 million outstanding at the date of the refinancing; (2) fund the redemption of the $220.0 million 10.5% Senior Notes due December 1, 2019 (the “Senior Notes”) and discharge the Indenture governing the Senior Notes; (3) fund $11.6 million of accrued interest and a call premium of $5.8 million on the Senior Notes; and (4) pay transaction costs associated with the refinancing. This refinancing lowered our interest expense in the first three quarters of 2017.

Charlotte Acquisition

On January 6, 2017, we completed a transaction with Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Beasley”) to acquire four radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a purchase price of $24 million in cash (the “Beasley Acquisition”). We used cash on hand to fund the acquisition. We commenced operations under a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) for three of the stations on November 1, 2016 and the fourth station upon acquisition on January 6, 2017, that increased in 2017 our net revenues, station operating expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses.

 

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Goodwill Impairment

Our annual goodwill impairment test indicated that the goodwill allocated to our Boston, Massachusetts market was impaired. As a result, we wrote off approximately $0.4 million of goodwill during the second quarter of 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Compared To The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

    NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
    2017     2016     % Change  
    (dollars in millions)  

NET REVENUES

  $ 346.3     $ 340.2       2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSE:

     

Station operating expenses

    256.0       240.4       6

Depreciation and amortization expense

    8.1       7.5       8

Corporate general and administrative expenses

    28.8       24.9       16

Impairment loss

    0.4       0.1       300

Merger and acquisition costs

    24.9       0.7       nmf  

Other operating (income) expenses

    13.2       (1.4     nmf  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expense

    331.4       272.2       22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

    14.9       68.0       (78 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INTEREST EXPENSE

    18.6       27.6       (33 %) 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

    —         (2.3     100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

    (3.7     42.7       (109 %) 

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

    (4.9     16.1       (130 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY

    1.2       26.6       (95 %) 

Preferred stock dividend

    (1.8     (1.3     38
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

  $ (0.6   $ 25.3       (102 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Revenues

Contributing to the increase in net revenues was the operation of four stations in the Charlotte market during the current period which were not operated by us during the prior period. Offsetting this increase, net revenues were negatively impacted by several factors including the reduction in political advertising and the return of a broadcasting license to the FCC in the first quarter of 2017 to facilitate the Merger.

Net revenues increased the most for our stations located in the Atlanta and Miami markets. Net revenues decreased the most for our stations located in the Denver market and several of our other larger markets.

Station Operating Expenses

Station operating expenses increased in the mid-single digits for the current period primarily due to an increase in costs associated with operating additional stations acquired in Charlotte, North Carolina, and fees associated with new broadcast rights for a major league baseball team in one of our markets.

Station operating expenses include non-cash compensation expense of $0.9 and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.

 

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Depreciation And Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily as a result of the depreciation and amortization associated with the stations acquired in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an increase in capital expenditures primarily associated with the relocation, consolidation and improvement of studio facilities in several of our larger markets.

Corporate General And Administrative Expenses

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the increase in costs associated with: (1) certain contractual obligations of $1.3 million to a senior executive as a result of the non-renewal of his employment agreement; (2) an increase in payroll expense of $1.2 million as a result of hiring additional employees and expanding the work-force in advance of the Merger; (3) an increase in deferred compensation expense of $0.7 million as our deferred compensation liability generally tracks the movements in the stock market; and (4) an increase in corporate marketing capabilities and staff.

Corporate general and administrative expenses include non-cash compensation expense of $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

Merger and acquisition costs

Merger and acquisition costs increased due to transaction costs relating to the Merger. These costs primarily consist of legal, professional, and other advisory services.

Other operating (income) expenses

Other operating expenses increased primarily as a result of incurring a $13.5 million loss from permanently discontinuing the operation of one of our stations and returning the station’s license to the FCC for cancellation, in order to facilitate the Merger.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income in the current period decreased primarily due to: (1) an increase in merger and acquisition costs of $24.9 million in connection with the Merger; (2) the recognition of a $13.5 million loss from permanently discontinuing the operation of one of our stations and returning the station’s license to the FCC for cancellation, in order to facilitate the Merger; (3) an increase in station operating expenses for the reasons described above; and (4) an increase in corporate, general and administrative expenses for the reasons described above.

Interest Expense

Interest expense declined primarily as a result of the refinancing on November 1, 2016, that included the retirement of our Senior Notes using lower cost bank debt.

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit)

The generation of a loss before income taxes was largely attributable to the transaction costs incurred in connection with the Merger and the loss generated as a result of incurring a $13.5 million loss from permanently discontinuing the operation of one of our stations and returning the station’s license to the FCC for cancellation, in order to facilitate the Merger.

Income Taxes (Benefit)

Tax Rate For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

The estimated annual effective income tax rate was 131.7% which was determined using a forecasted rate based upon taxable income for the year. The estimated annual effective income tax rate as compared to the expected tax rate of 40% was primarily impacted by significant, non-deductible merger and acquisition costs related to the Merger. The estimated annual effective tax rate is estimated to be higher than in previous years primarily due to the

 

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amount of merger and acquisition costs forecasted for 2017 as a result of the Merger, as a significant amount of these costs are not deductible for federal and state income tax purposes. We estimate that our 2017 estimated annual effective tax rate before discrete items, which may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, will be 96.5%.

As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation on January 1, 2017, we recorded a discrete windfall income tax benefit of a $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, from the vesting of stock-based awards with tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recorded.

Tax Rate For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

The effective income tax rate was 37.6%, which was impacted by discrete income tax benefits from recent legislation in certain single member states that allowed for: (1) the reversal of partial valuation allowances; and (2) a retroactive decrease in deferred tax liabilities associated with our non-amortizable broadcast licenses and goodwill assets. The impact of discrete items to the income tax rate is typically substantially greater in the first quarter of the year as income before income taxes is the lowest as compared to subsequent quarters.

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities

As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, our net deferred tax liabilities were $82.7 million and $92.9 million, respectively. The deferred tax liabilities primarily relate to differences between the book and tax bases of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill. As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation further described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, we recorded a $4.6 million adjustment to equity on January 1, 2017. The corresponding debit was to deferred tax assets, effectively reducing the net deferred tax liabilities by the same amount.

Net Income (Loss) Available To The Company

The decrease in net income available to the Company was primarily attributable to the reasons described above under Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit), net of income tax expense.

Results Of Operations For The Quarter

The following significant factors affected our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in the prior year:

Merger And Acquisition Costs Incurred Under The CBS Radio Merger Agreement

Transaction costs relating to the Merger, including legal, advisory services and professional fees of $8.8 million, were expensed as incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and are included in merger and acquisition costs. During the third quarter of 2016, we recorded merger and acquisition costs of $0.7 million.

Debt Refinancing Lowered Our Interest Expense

As a result of our debt refinancing completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, we lowered our interest expense for the third quarter of 2017.

Charlotte Acquisition

On January 6, 2017, we completed the Beasley Acquisition to acquire four radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina. We commenced operation of three stations under a TBA on November 1, 2016 and a fourth station upon acquisition on January 6, 2017, which in 2017 increased our net revenues, station operating expenses, and depreciation and amortization expense.

 

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 As Compared To The Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

    THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
    2017     2016     %
Change
 
    (dollars in millions)  

NET REVENUES

  $ 122.3     $ 121.7       0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING EXPENSE:

     

Station operating expenses

    87.9       84.1       5

Depreciation and amortization expense

    2.9       2.5       16

Corporate general and administrative expenses

    9.3       8.8       6

Merger and acquisition costs and restructuring charges

    8.8       0.7       nmf  

Other operating (income) expenses

    (0.1     (0.1     0
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expense

    108.8       96.0       13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

    13.5       25.7       (47 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INTEREST EXPENSE

    6.5       9.0       (28 %) 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

    —         (2.3     100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

    7.0       19.0       (63 %) 

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

    2.9       7.6       (62 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY

    4.1       11.4       (64 %) 

Preferred stock dividend

    (0.7     (0.5     40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

  $ 3.4     $ 10.9       (69 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Revenues

Contributing to the increase in net revenues was the operation of four stations in the Charlotte market during the quarter which were not operated by us during the same period in the prior year. Offsetting this increase, net revenues was negatively impacted by several factors including the reduction in political advertising and the return of a broadcasting license to the FCC in the first quarter of 2017 to facilitate the Merger.

Net revenues increased the most for our stations located in the Atlanta and Greensboro markets.

Net revenues decreased the most for our stations located in the Denver market and several of our other larger markets.

Station Operating Expenses

Station operating expenses increased in the mid-single digits primarily due to an increase in costs associated with operating additional stations acquired in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Station operating expenses include non-cash compensation expense of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.

Depreciation And Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily as a result of the depreciation and amortization associated with the stations acquired in Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

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Corporate General And Administrative Expenses

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the increase in costs associated with: (1) an increase in corporate marketing capabilities and staff; and (2) an increase in payroll expense of $0.5 million as a result of hiring additional employees and expanding the work-force in advance of the Merger.

Corporate general and administrative expenses include non-cash compensation expense of $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income decreased primarily due to: (1) an increase in merger and acquisition costs of $8.8 million in connection with the Merger; (2) an increase in station operating expenses for the reasons described above; and (3) an increase in corporate, general, and administrative expenses for the reasons described above.

Interest Expense

Interest expense declined primarily as a result of the refinancing on November 1, 2016, that included the retirement of our Senior Notes using lower cost bank debt.

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit)

The decrease in the income before income taxes was primarily attributable to the transaction costs incurred in connection with the Merger and the increase in station operating expenses described above.

Income Taxes (Benefit)

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the effective income tax rate was 41.5%, which was determined using a forecasted rate based upon taxable income for the year along with the impact of discrete items for the quarter.

The effective tax rate for the quarter, as compared to the estimated annual effective tax rate of 96.5% was primarily impacted by significant, non-deductible merger and acquisition costs related to the Merger.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the effective income tax rate was 39.8%, which primarily reflects adjustments for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes and an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill.

Net Income (Loss) Available To The Company

The decrease was primarily attributable to the reasons described above under Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit), net of income tax expense.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2017, we had $480.5 million outstanding under our Credit Facility, which includes a term B loan of $458.0 million (the “Term B Loan”) and $22.5 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). In addition, we had $0.7 million in outstanding letters of credit and $36.8 million undrawn under the Revolver. Our ability to draw additional amounts under the Revolver may be limited due to our Consolidated Leverage Ratio. As of September 30, 2017, we had $5.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we increased our outstanding debt by $0.5 million.

The Refinancing

The Credit Facility

On November 1, 2016, we and our wholly owned subsidiary Entercom Radio, LLC, entered into a $540 million Credit Facility with a syndicate of lenders and used the proceeds to: (1) refinance our Former Credit Facility that was comprised of: (a) a Former Term B Loan with $223.0 million outstanding at the date of the refinancing; and

 

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(b) a Former Revolver with $3.0 million outstanding at the date of the refinancing; (2) fund the redemption, effective December 1, 2016, of $220.0 million Senior Notes and discharge the indenture (the “Indenture”) governing the Senior Notes; (3) fund $11.6 million of accrued interest and a call premium of $5.8 million on the Senior Notes; and (4) pay transaction costs associated with the refinancing.

The Credit Facility is comprised of the Revolver and the Term B Loan.

The $60 million Revolver has a maturity date of November 1, 2021. The undrawn amount of the Revolver was $36.8 million as of September 30, 2017. The amount of the Revolver available to us is a function of covenant compliance at the time of borrowing.

The $480 million Term B Loan has a maturity date of November 1, 2023.

The Term B Loan requires mandatory prepayments equal to a percentage of Excess Cash Flow, as defined within the agreement, subject to incremental step-downs, depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Beginning in 2018, the Excess Cash Flow payment will be due in the first quarter of each year, and is based on the Excess Cash Flow and Leverage Ratio for the prior year.

As of September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all financial covenants then applicable and all other terms of the Credit Facility in all material respects. Our ability to maintain compliance with our covenants under the Credit Facility is highly dependent on our results of operations.

As of September 30, 2017, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 4.9 times versus a covenant of 5.0 times and our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 3.8 times versus a covenant of 2.0 times.

The increase in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio from 3.7 times as of December 31, 2016 to 4.9 times as of September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to the following: (1) merger and acquisition costs of $24.9 million, of which approximately $10.0 million was not permitted to be added back under the Credit Facility; and (2) a marginal increase in outstanding debt primarily due to cash required for: (a) the merger and acquisition costs of $24.9 million; (b) the purchase of radio stations in Charlotte, North Carolina for $24 million in cash, which limited our ability to pay down debt; (c) an investment of $9.7 million in a synergistic podcast partnership; (d) a significant increase of $7.7 million in property and equipment primarily associated with the consolidation and relocation of several large-market studio facilities; and (e) a $3.9 million increase in corporate general and administrative expenses connected to an expansion of our work-force and marketing capabilities in anticipation of the Merger and $1.3 million in contractual obligations related to the non-renewal of a senior executive’s employment agreement.

Management believes that over the next 12 months we can continue to maintain compliance. Our operating cash flow remains positive, and we believe that cash on hand, cash from the Revolver, cash from the expected sale of three radio stations that is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017 and cash from operating activities, together with the proceeds of the committed financing related to the Merger, will be sufficient to permit us to meet our liquidity requirements over the next 12 months, including our debt repayments.

Failure to comply with our financial covenants or other terms of our Credit Facility and any subsequent failure to negotiate and obtain any required relief from our lenders could result in a default under the Credit Facility. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. The acceleration of our debt could have a material adverse effect on our business. We may seek from time to time to amend our Credit Facility or obtain other funding or additional funding, which may result in higher interest rates on our debt.

In connection with the CBS Radio Merger Agreement as described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, CBS Radio entered into a commitment letter with a syndicate of lenders (the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide up to $500 million of senior secured term loans (the “CBS Radio Financing”) as an additional tranche under a credit agreement (the “CBS Radio Credit Agreement”) among CBS Radio, the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The proceeds of this additional tranche will be used to: (1) refinance our Credit Facility as described in Note 4, Long-Term Debt; (2) redeem our Perpetual Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock; and (3) pay fees and expenses in connection with the refinancing. On March 3, 2017, CBS Radio entered into an amendment to the CBS Radio Credit Agreement, to, among other things, create a tranche of Term B-1 Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500 million. The Term B-1 Loans, which replace the commitment, are expected to be funded by the Commitment Parties on the closing date of the Merger, subject to customary

 

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conditions. The Term B-1 Loans will be governed by the CBS Radio Credit Agreement and will mature on the date that is seven years after the closing date of the Merger. The Term B-1 Loans will require quarterly principal payments at an annual rate of 1% of the initial principal amount of the Term B-1 Loans, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the closing of the Merger. The Term B-1 Loans are expected to bear interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%. Interest on the Term B-1 Loans will be payable at the end of each interest period, but in no event less frequently than quarterly.

The Former Credit Facility

On November 23, 2011, we entered into our prior credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders for a $425 million Former Credit Facility, which was initially comprised of: (a) a $50 million Revolver (reduced to $40 million in December 2015) that was set to mature on November 23, 2016; and (b) a $375 million Term B Loan that was set to mature on November 23, 2018.

In connection with the refinancing described above, on December 1, 2016, amounts outstanding under the Former Credit Facility were repaid in full.

The Senior Notes

In connection with the refinancing described above, on November 1, 2016, we issued a call notice to redeem our Senior Notes with an effective date of December 1, 2016. On November 1, 2016, we deposited the following funds in escrow to satisfy our obligation under the Senior Notes and discharge the Indenture governing the Senior Notes: (1) $220.0 million to redeem the Senior Notes in full; (2) $11.6 million for accrued and unpaid interest through December 1, 2016; and (3) $5.8 million for a call premium for the early retirement of the Senior notes.

Perpetual Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

On July 16, 2015, the Company acquired under a Stock Purchase Agreement with The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company the stock of one of its subsidiaries, Lincoln Financial Media Company (“Lincoln”) which held through subsidiaries the assets and liabilities of radio stations serving the Atlanta, Denver, Miami, and San Diego markets (the “Lincoln Acquisition”).

Upon closing on the Lincoln Acquisition in 2015, we issued $27.5 million in perpetual cumulative convertible preferred stock (“Preferred”) that, in the event of a liquidation, ranks senior to common stock in our capital structure. The Preferred is convertible by Lincoln into a fixed number of shares after a three-year waiting period, subject to customary anti-dilution provisions. At certain times (including the first three years after issuance), we can redeem the Preferred in cash at a price of 100%. The dividend rate on the Preferred increases over time from 6% to 12%. We declared and paid dividends in each quarter since the Preferred was issued.

As described above, the Preferred is expected to be redeemed in full in connection with the CBS Radio Merger Agreement.

Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $25.4 million and $51.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cash flows from operating activities decreased primarily due to: (1) the increase in merger and acquisition costs of $24.9 million associated with the Merger; and (2) a $9.5 million increase in station operating expenses, net of an increase in net revenues. Offsetting this decrease to cash flows from operating activities was the use of $5.2 million from a reduction to working capital, primarily due to the timing of our interest expense payments and other accrued expenses.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $46.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which primarily reflected the cash paid to complete the Beasley Acquisition of $24.0 million, additions to property and equipment of $12.1 million and the cash paid to acquire an interest in a privately held company of $9.7 million.

 

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Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $2.5 million for the nine months ended 2016, which primarily reflected the proceeds of $7.1 million from the sale of several properties that were reflected under assets held for sale as of December 31, 2015, offset by additions to property and equipment of $4.3 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $20.2 million and $52.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the cash flows used in financing activities primarily reflect the payment of common stock dividends of $16.6 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the cash flows used in financing activities primarily reflect the reduction of our net borrowings by $43.8 million and the payment of common stock dividends of $5.8 million.

Dividends

During the second quarter of 2016, we commenced an annual $0.30 per share common stock dividend program, with payments that approximate $2.9 million per quarter. Any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors based upon the relevant factors at the time of such consideration, including, without limitation, compliance with the restrictions set forth in our Credit Facility and the CBS Radio Merger Agreement.

In addition to the quarterly dividend, the Company paid a special one-time cash dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock on September 15, 2017. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we agreed not to declare or pay any dividends or make other distributions in respect of any shares of our capital stock, except for our regular quarterly cash dividend. This special one-time cash dividend, which approximated $7.8 million, is an exception under the Merger Agreement to the restriction on payment of dividends.

Dividends on our Preferred were paid in each quarter commencing in October 2015.

Income Taxes

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we paid $0.4 million in federal and state income taxes. We expect that our quarterly federal and state corporate net income tax obligations will be minimal for the balance of the year as we have significant net operating loss carryovers available to offset future income. We do expect to make federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) payments during subsequent quarters. The AMT payments are available as a credit to offset income tax liabilities in future years.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $12.1 million. We anticipate that total capital expenditures in 2017 will be between $15.0 million and $16.0 million. Capital expenditures this year are estimated to be higher primarily due to the relocation of studio facilities in several markets.

Contractual Obligations

If the CBS Radio Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, we will be required to pay CBS a termination fee of $30 million and the costs for the committed financing.

Excluding any contractual obligations associated with the Merger that was entered into on February 2, 2017, as of September 30, 2017, there have been no net material changes in the total amount from the contractual obligations listed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations, including contingent obligations.

 

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As of December 31, 2016, we had a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) that required consolidation. As of December 31, 2016, we consolidated the assets and liabilities of the VIE within our consolidated financial statements, using fair values for the assets and liabilities as if we had closed on the Beasley Acquisition as of December 31, 2016. The consolidated assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIE at December 31, 2016, represented only the assets and liabilities of the three stations held in a trust (“Charlotte Trust”). Upon the completion of the acquisition from Beasley on January 6, 2017, we reversed the VIE amounts and recorded the assets and liabilities of all four radio stations based upon the preliminary purchase price allocation. Refer to Note 9, Business Combinations, for additional information.

We do not have any other relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet financial arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes as of September 30, 2017. Accordingly, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Critical Accounting Policies

The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies from the information provided in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. We have, however, provided additional disclosures related to one of our critical accounting policies for impairment testing of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, as we conducted our annual impairment test of broadcasting licenses and goodwill during the second quarter of 2017 and conducted an annual impairment test of broadcasting licenses and goodwill during the third quarter of 2017 for a newly acquired market.

Radio Broadcasting Licenses And Goodwill

We have made acquisitions in the past for which a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to broadcasting licenses and goodwill assets. As of September 30, 2017, we have recorded approximately $789 million in radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, which represents 76% of our total assets at that date. We must conduct impairment testing at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, and charge to operations an impairment expense in the periods in which the recorded value of these assets is more than their fair value. Any such impairment could be material. After an impairment expense is recognized, the recorded value of these assets will be reduced by the amount of the impairment expense and that result will be the assets’ new accounting basis. Our most recent impairment loss to our broadcasting licenses was in 2012. As a result of our annual impairment testing during the second quarter of 2017, we recognized an impairment loss on our goodwill of $0.4 million.

We believe our estimate of the value of our radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill assets is a critical accounting estimate as the value is significant in relation to our total assets, and our estimate of the value uses assumptions that incorporate variables based on past experiences and judgments about future performance of our stations.

Broadcasting Licenses Impairment Test

There were no events or circumstances since the Company’s second quarter annual license impairment test that indicated an interim review of broadcasting licenses was required, other than as described below.

We completed our annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses during the second quarter of 2017 and determined that the fair value of the broadcasting licenses was more than the carrying value in each of our markets and, as a result, we did not record an impairment loss.

 

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We perform our broadcasting license impairment test by using the direct method at the market level. Each market’s broadcasting licenses are combined into a single unit of accounting for the purpose of testing impairment, as the broadcasting licenses in each market are operated as a single asset. We determine the fair value of broadcasting licenses in each of our markets by relying on a discounted cash flow approach (a 10-year income model) assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcasting licenses. Our fair value analysis contains assumptions based upon past experience, reflects expectations of industry observers and includes judgments about future performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a certain market. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: (1) the discount rate; (2) the market share and profit margin of an average station within a market, based upon market size and station type; (3) the forecast growth rate of each radio market; (4) the estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; (6) a tax rate; and (7) future terminal values. Changes in our estimates of the fair value of these assets could result in material future period write-downs in the carrying value of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill assets.

The methodology used by us in determining our key estimates and assumptions was applied consistently to each market. Of the seven variables identified above, we believe that the first three (in items (1) through (3) above) are the most important and sensitive in the determination of fair value.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or by us, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of our broadcasting licenses below the carrying value, we may be required to recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods.

Goodwill Impairment Test

There were no events or circumstances since our second quarter of 2017 annual goodwill test that required us to test the carrying value of our goodwill, other than as described below.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of 2017 and the results indicated that the fair value was greater than the carrying value for all but one of our markets. The results indicated that the carrying value of goodwill for our Boston, Massachusetts market exceeded its fair value by a material amount. The amount by which the carrying value exceeded the fair value was larger than the amount of goodwill allocated to this specific reporting unit. As a result, we determined that the entire carrying amount of goodwill for this specific reporting unit was impaired and recorded an impairment loss during the second quarter of 2017 in the amount of $0.4 million.

If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or us, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of our goodwill below the amount reflected in the balance sheet, we may be required to conduct an interim test and possibly recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods.

Annual Broadcasting Licenses and Goodwill Impairment Test for Newly Acquired Market

The annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses and goodwill, which was performed in the second quarter of 2017, did not include the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the new market acquired by us during the first quarter of 2017. As the new market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill are required to be tested at least annually for impairment, we elected to conduct an annual impairment test during the third quarter of 2017 of the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the newly acquired market only.

Conducting this annual impairment test on the broadcasting licenses and goodwill of the newly acquired market will allow us to align the testing periods of all markets in the annual impairment test performed in the second quarter of 2018 and each annual impairment test thereafter.

The annual impairment test of the newly acquired market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill applied similar valuation techniques, valuation approaches and assumptions as those used in the annual impairment test conducted in the second quarter of 2017. We made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of the newly acquired market’s broadcasting licenses and goodwill. These estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results. As a result of the annual impairment test, we determined that the fair value of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill approximates the carrying value reflected in the balance sheet for the recently acquired market and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

 

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ITEM 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our variable rate senior debt (the Term B Loan and Revolver).

As of September 30, 2017, if the borrowing rates under LIBOR were to increase 1% above the current rates, our interest expense on: (1) our Term B Loan would increase $4.6 million on an annual basis as our Term B Loan provides for a minimum LIBOR floor; and (2) our Revolver would increase by $0.6 million, assuming our entire Revolver was outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

From time to time, we may seek to limit our exposure to interest rate volatility through the use of interest rate hedging instruments.

Assuming LIBOR remains flat, interest expense is expected to be lower due to the decrease in our outstanding debt upon which interest is computed.

As of September 30, 2017, there were no interest rate hedging transactions outstanding.

From time to time, we invest in cash equivalents that are money market instruments consisting of short-term government securities and repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by government securities. When such investments are made, we do not believe that we have any material credit exposure with respect to these assets. As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any investments in money market instruments.

Our credit exposure related to our accounts receivable does not represent a significant concentration of credit risk due to the quantity of advertisers, the minimal reliance on any one advertiser, the multiple markets in which we operate and the wide variety of industries in which our advertisers compete.

See also additional disclosures regarding liquidity and capital resources made under Liquidity and Capital Resources in Part 1, Item 2, above.

ITEM 4. Controls And Procedures

Evaluation Of Controls And Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to ensure that: (i) information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms; and (ii) such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, our President/Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

There were no material developments relating to the legal proceedings described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February  28, 2017.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2017.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities And Use Of Proceeds

The following table provides information on our repurchases during the quarter ended September 30, 2017:

 

    

(a)

Total
Number
Of Shares

    

(b)

Average
Price
Paid

    

(c)

Total
Number
Of Shares
Purchased
As Part Of
Publicly
Announced
Plans Or

    

(d)

Maximum
Approximate
Dollar Value
Of Shares
That May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under The
Plans

 

Period (1)

   Purchased      Per Share      Programs      Or Programs  

July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017

     3,905      $ 9.98        —        $ —    

August 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017

     410      $ 9.85        —        $ —    

September 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017

     —        $ —          —        $ —    
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     4,315           —       
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(1)  As a result of our withholding shares to satisfy employee tax obligations related to the vesting of restricted stock units during the three months ended September 30, 2017, we are deemed to have repurchased the following shares withheld to satisfy employees’ tax obligations: (1) 3,905 shares at an average price of $9.98 per share in July 2017; and (2) 410 shares at an average price of $9.85 per share in August 2017. These shares are included in the table above.

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

N/A

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

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ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 2, 2017, by and among CBS Corporation, CBS Radio Inc., Entercom Communications Corp. and Constitution Merger Sub Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2017)
2.2   Master Separation Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2017, by and between CBS Corporation and CBS Radio Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 2.1 to Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2017)
2.3   Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 10, 2017, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 2, 2017, by and among CBS Corporation, CBS Radio Inc., Entercom Communications Corp. and Constitution Merger Sub Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2017)
2.4   Amendment No. 2, dated as of September 13, 2017, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 2, 2017, by and among CBS Corporation, CBS Radio Inc., Entercom Communications corp. and Constitution Merger Sub Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2017)
3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Entercom Communications Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to Entercom’s Amendment to Registration Statement on Form S-1,  as filed on January 27, 1999 (File No. 333-61381), Exhibit 3.1 of Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K  as filed on December 21, 2007 and Exhibit 3.02 to Entercom’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q  for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as filed on August 5, 2009).
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Entercom Communications Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit  3.1 to Entercom’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2008)
3.3   Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Entercom Communications Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2017)
3.4   Statement with Respect to Shares, filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State on July 16, 2015. (Incorporated by reference to an Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 17, 2015)
4.1   Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2016, among Entercom Radio, LLC, as the Borrower, Entercom Communications Corp., as the Parent, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent and the lenders party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2016)
4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 16, 2015, by and between Entercom Communications Corp. and The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. ((Incorporated by reference to an Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 17, 2015)
10.1   Employment Agreement, dated July 18, 2017, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Louise C. “Weezie” Kramer (*)
31.1   Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as created by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (5)
31.2   Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as created by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (5)
32.1   Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (#)
32.2   Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (#)

 

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Exhibit Number

 

Description

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 (*)

 

(#) These exhibits are submitted herewith as “accompanying” this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and shall not be deemed to be “filed” as part of such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(*) Filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

      ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
      (Registrant)
Date: November 6, 2017      

/S/ David J. Field

      Name: David J. Field
      Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
      (principal executive officer)
Date: November 6, 2017      

/S/ Richard J. Schmaeling

      Name: Richard J. Schmaeling
      Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

 

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