Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year End 2014


MIAMI, March 31, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (the "Company" or "SBS") (Nasdaq:SBSA) today reported financial results for the quarter- and year-ended December 31, 2014.

Financial Highlights

  Quarter Ended   Year Ended  
(in thousands) December 31, % December 31, %
  2014 2013 Change 2014 2013 Change
             
Net revenue:            
Radio   $ 32,328  32,902  (2%)  $ 130,505  133,536  (2%)
Television   4,008  4,620  (13%)  15,775  20,238  (22%)
Consolidated   $ 36,336  37,522  (3%)  $ 146,280  153,774  (5%)
             
OIBDA, a non-GAAP measure*:            
Radio   $ 13,298  12,141 10%  $ 49,392  53,170  (7%)
Television   975  464 110%  (560)  532  (205%)
Corporate   (2,174)  (1,903) 14%  (9,720)  (9,316) 4%
Consolidated   $ 12,099  10,702 13%  $ 39,112  44,386  (12%)

* Please refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section for a definition of OIBDA and a reconciliation from OIBDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Discussion and Results

"During the fourth quarter, we made continued progress in strengthening our content and executing our plan to strengthen our multi-media offerings," commented Raúl Alarcón, Jr., Chairman and CEO. "Our AIRE Radio Networks platform continued to expand its reach, content offerings and advertising client base according to our roll-out strategy and we further strengthened our digital platform and capabilities. Our radio stations have also continued to deliver consistently strong ratings across the nation's largest Hispanic media markets.  Going forward, we remain focused on expanding our audience shares and delivering compelling multi-platform advertising opportunities that connect brands with the rapidly growing Hispanic population."

Quarter End Results

For the quarter-ended December 31, 2014, consolidated net revenues totaled $36.3 million compared to $37.5 million for the same prior year period, resulting in a decrease of $1.2 million or 3%. Our radio segment net revenues decreased $0.6 million or 2%, due to decreases in national, local and barter sales, which were partially offset by increases in network sales and special events. Our national sales decrease occurred throughout most of our markets, with the exception of our Miami market. Our local sales decreased in our Puerto Rico, Los Angeles and San Francisco markets and the decrease in barter sales occurred throughout most of our markets. Our network sales increase was directly related to our new "AIRE Radio Networks" advertising platform, which we launched on January 1, 2014. Our television segment net revenues decreased $0.6 million or 13%, due to the decreases in paid-programming, national spot sales and barter sales.

Consolidated OIBDA, a non-GAAP measure, totaled $12.1 million compared to $10.7 million for the same prior year period, representing an increase of $1.4 million or 13%. Our radio segment OIBDA increased $1.2 million or 10%, primarily due to the decrease in operating expenses of $1.7 million, partially offset by the decrease in net revenues of $0.5 million.  Radio station operating expenses decreased mainly due to decreases in local and national commissions, legal settlements, barter expenses, and compensation & benefits. Offsetting these decreases were special event expenses and expenses related to our new AIRE Radio Networks such as network-affiliate station compensation and employee compensation & benefits.  Our television segment OIBDA increased $0.5 million, due to the decrease in operating expenses of $1.1 million, partially offset by the decrease in net revenues of $0.6 million.  Television station operating expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in production costs, professional fees, taxes & licenses, compensation & benefits and ratings services.  Our corporate expenses increased $0.3 million or 14%, mostly due to an increase in compensation & benefits.

Operating income totaled $10.8 million compared to $9.4 million for the same prior year period, representing an increase of $1.4 million or 15%.  This increase in operating income was primarily due to the decrease in operating expenses, which was partially offset by a decrease in net revenues.

Year End Results

For the year ended December 31, 2014, consolidated net revenues totaled $146.3 million compared to $153.8 million for the same prior year period, resulting in a decrease of $7.5 million or 5%. Our television segment net revenues decreased $4.5 million or 22%, due to the decreases in special events revenue, paid-programming and national spot sales. Our radio segment net revenues decreased $3.0 million or 2%, due to the decreases in national and barter sales, which was offset by an increase in network sales. Our national sales decrease occurred throughout all of our markets and our barter sales decrease occurred in most of our markets. Our network sales increase was directly related to our new "AIRE Radio Networks" advertising platform, which we launched on January 1, 2014.  

Consolidated OIBDA, a non-GAAP measure, totaled $39.1 million compared to $44.4 million for the same prior year period, representing a decrease of $5.3 million or 12%. Our radio segment OIBDA decreased $3.8 million or 7%, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues of $3.0 million and the increase in operating expenses of $0.8 million. Radio station operating expenses increased mainly due to expenses related to our new AIRE Radio Networks such as, network-affiliate station compensation and employee compensation & benefits. Additionally, special event expenses, professional fees, and music licenses fees increased. Our television segment OIBDA decreased $1.1 million, due to the decrease in net revenues of $4.5 million, which were partially offset by the decrease in station operating expenses of $3.4 million. Television station operating expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in special event expenses, rating services, taxes & licenses, barter and commissions. Our corporate expenses increased by $0.4 million or 4%, mostly due to an increase in compensation & benefits, which was offset by a decrease in professional fees and travel & entertainment expenses.

Operating income totaled $35.3 million compared to $38.3 million for the same prior year period, representing a decrease of $3.0 million or 8%. This decrease in operating income was primarily due to the decrease in net revenues, which was partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Conference Call

We will host a conference call to discuss our fourth quarter 2014 financial results on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  To access the teleconference, please dial 412-317-6789 ten minutes prior to the start time.

If you cannot listen to the teleconference at its scheduled time, there will be a replay available through Thursday, April 16, 2015, which can be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (Int'l), passcode: 10061028.

There will also be a live webcast of the teleconference, located on the investor portion of our corporate Web site, at www.spanishbroadcasting.com/webcasts.shtml. A seven day archived replay of the webcast will also be available at that link. 

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. is the largest publicly traded Hispanic-controlled media and entertainment company in the United States.  SBS owns 20 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Spanish Tropical, Regional Mexican, Spanish Adult Contemporary, Top 40 and Latin Rhythmic format genres. SBS also operates AIRE Radio Networks, a national radio platform which creates, distributes and markets leading Spanish-language radio programming to over 100 affiliated stations reaching 88% of the U.S. Hispanic audience. SBS also owns MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events and owns 21 bilingual websites, including www.LaMusica.com, an online destination and mobile app providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. For more information, visit us online at www.spanishbroadcasting.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this press release. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these expectations. Forward-looking statements, which are based upon certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," "might," or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ are included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

 (Financial Table Follows)

Below are the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarter- and year-ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

  Quarter Ended Year Ended
  December 31, December 31,
Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts 2014 2013 2014 2013
         
  (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Net revenue  $ 36,336  37,522  $ 146,280  153,774
Station operating expenses  22,063  24,917  97,448  100,072
Corporate expenses  2,174  1,903  9,720  9,316
Depreciation and amortization  1,319  1,255  5,125  5,166
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net  --   --   (1,204)  (25)
Impairment charges and restructuring costs  (50)  --   (153)  889
Operating income  10,830  9,447  35,344  38,356
Interest expense, net  (9,922)  (9,921)  (39,719)  (39,715)
Series B preferred stock adjustment to contract settlement value at reporting date classified as interest expense  --   (87,563)  --   (87,563)
Dividends on Series B preferred stock classified as interest expense  (2,434)  (2,028)  (9,734)  (2,028)
         
Loss before income taxes  (1,526)  (90,065)  (14,109)  (90,950)
Income tax expense (benefit)  4,440  (2,896)  5,842  (2,384)
Net loss  (5,966)  (87,169)  (19,951)  (88,566)
         
Series B preferred stock adjustment to fair value at redemption date  --   87,563  --   87,563
Dividends on Series B preferred stock  --   (413)  --   (7,859)
Net loss applicable to common stockholders  $ (5,966)  (19)  $ (19,951)  (8,862)
         
Net loss per common share:        
Basic & Diluted  $ (0.82)  (0.00)  $ (2.75)  (1.22)
         
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic & Diluted  7,267  7,267  7,267  7,267

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Operating Income (Loss) before Depreciation and Amortization, (Gain) Loss on the Disposal of Assets, net, and Impairment Charges and Restructuring Costs ("OIBDA") is not a measure of performance or liquidity determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") in the United States. However, we believe that this measure is useful in evaluating our performance because it reflects a measure of performance for our stations before considering costs and expenses related to our capital structure and dispositions. This measure is widely used in the broadcast industry to evaluate a company's operating performance and is used by us for internal budgeting purposes and to evaluate the performance of our stations, segments, management and consolidated operations. However, this measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for Operating Income, Net Income, Cash Flows from Operating Activities or any other measure used in determining our operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because OIBDA is not calculated in accordance with GAAP, it is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. 

Included below are tables that reconcile OIBDA to operating income (loss) for each segment and consolidated operating income (loss), which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

  Quarter Ended December 31, 2014
(Unaudited and in thousands) Consolidated Radio Television Corporate
         
OIBDA  $ 12,099  13,298  975  (2,174)
Less expenses excluded from OIBDA but included in operating income (loss):        
Depreciation and amortization  1,319  541  682  96
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net  --   --   --   -- 
Impairment charges and restructuring costs  (50)  --   --   (50)
Operating Income (Loss)  $ 10,830  12,757  293  (2,220)
         
         
  Quarter Ended December 31, 2013
(Unaudited and in thousands) Consolidated Radio Television Corporate
         
OIBDA  $ 10,702  12,141  464  (1,903)
Less expenses excluded from OIBDA but included in operating income (loss):        
Depreciation and amortization  1,255  481  689  85
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net  --   --   --   -- 
Impairment charges and restructuring costs  --   --   --   -- 
Operating Income (Loss)  $ 9,447  11,660  (225)  (1,988)
   
   
  Year Ended December 31, 2014
(Unaudited and in thousands) Consolidated Radio Television Corporate
         
OIBDA  $ 39,112  49,392  (560)  (9,720)
Less expenses excluded from OIBDA but included in operating income (loss):        
Depreciation and amortization  5,125  2,009  2,748  368
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net  (1,204)  (1,204)  --   -- 
Impairment charges and restructuring costs  (153)  --   --   (153)
Operating Income (Loss)  $ 35,344  48,587  (3,308)  (9,935)
         
         
  Year Ended December 31, 2013
(Unaudited and in thousands) Consolidated Radio Television Corporate
         
OIBDA  $ 44,386  53,170  532  (9,316)
Less expenses excluded from OIBDA but included in operating income (loss):        
Depreciation and amortization  5,166  1,943  2,916  307
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net  (25)  (12)  --   (13)
Impairment charges and restructuring costs  889  86  1,000  (197)
Operating Income (Loss)  $ 38,356  51,153  (3,384)  (9,413)

Non-GAAP Reporting Requirement under our Senior Secured Notes Indenture

Under our Senior Secured Notes Indenture, we are to provide our Senior Secured Noteholders a statement of our "Station Operating Income for the Television Segment," as defined by the Indenture, for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and a reconciliation of "Station Operating Income for the Television Segment" to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, we are to provide our "Secured Leverage Ratio," as defined by the Indenture, as of December 31, 2014. 

Included below is the table that reconciles "Station Operating Income for the Television Segment" to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Also included is our "Secured Leverage Ratio" as of December 31, 2014. 

  Twelve-Months Ended
Quarters Ended
  December
31,
Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31,
(Unaudited and in thousands) 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
           
Station Operating Income for the Television Segment, as defined by the Indenture  $ 324  983  (677)  410  (392)
Less expenses excluded from Station Operating Income for the Television Segment, as defined by the Indenture, but included in operating income (loss):          
Depreciation and amortization  2,748  682  684  691  691
Non-cash barter (income) expense  42  (5)  (5)  (3)  55
Other   842  13  42  462  325
GAAP Operating Loss for the Television Segment  $ (3,308)  293  (1,398)  (740)  (1,463)
           
           
  Twelve-Months Ended
Quarters Ended
  December
31,
Dec. 31, Sept. 30, June 30, March 31,
  2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
           
Station Operating Income for the Television Segment, as defined by the Indenture  $ 997  683  203  251  (140)
Less expenses excluded from Station Operating Income for the Television Segment, as defined by the Indenture, but included in operating income (loss):          
Depreciation and amortization  2,916  689  692  761  774
Non-cash barter (income) expense  (3)  (18)  8  5  2
Other   1,468  237  78  116  1,037
GAAP Operating Loss for the Television Segment  $ (3,384)  (225)  (575)  (631)  (1,953)
           
           
As of December 31, 2014          
Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined by the Indenture 6.5        

Unaudited Segment Data

We have two reportable segments: radio and television. The following summary table presents separate financial data for each of our operating segments:

  Quarter Ended  Year Ended
  December 31, December 31,
  2014 2013 2014 2013
  (In thousands) (In thousands)
Net revenue:        
Radio   $ 32,328  32,902  130,505  133,536
Television   4,008  4,620  15,775  20,238
Consolidated   $ 36,336  37,522  146,280  153,774
Engineering and programming expenses:        
Radio   $ 5,194  6,249  21,132  22,044
Television   1,723  2,435  8,777  8,828
Consolidated   $ 6,917  8,684  29,909  30,872
Selling, general and administrative expenses:        
Radio   $ 13,836  14,512  59,981  58,322
Television   1,310  1,721  7,558  10,878
Consolidated   $ 15,146  16,233  67,539  69,200
         
Corporate expenses:  $ 2,174  1,903  9,720  9,316
         
Depreciation and amortization:        
Radio   $ 541  481  2,009  1,943
Television   682  689  2,748  2,916
Corporate   96  85  368  307
Consolidated   $ 1,319  1,255  5,125  5,166
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets, net:        
Radio   $ --   --   (1,204)  (12)
Television   --   --   --   -- 
Corporate   --   --   --   (13)
Consolidated   $ --   --   (1,204)  (25)
Impairment charges and restructuring costs:        
Radio   $ --   --   --   86
Television   --   --   --   1,000
Corporate   (50)  --   (153)  (197)
Consolidated   $ (50)  --   (153)  889
Operating income (loss):        
Radio   $ 12,757  11,660  48,587  51,153
Television   293  (225)  (3,308)  (3,384)
Corporate   (2,220)  (1,988)  (9,935)  (9,413)
Consolidated   $ 10,830  9,447  35,344  38,356

Selected Unaudited Balance Sheet Information and Other Data:

  As of   
(Amounts in thousands) December 31, 2014  
     
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 23,991  
     
Total assets  $ 451,813  
     
12.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, net  $ 270,657  
Other debt  5,258  
Total debt  $ 275,915  
     
Series B preferred stock  $ 90,549  
Accrued Series B preferred stock dividends payable  45,831  
Total   $ 136,380  
     
Total stockholders' deficit  $ (74,205)  
     
Total capitalization  $ 338,090  
     
     
     
   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013 
     
Capital expenditures  $ 2,216  2,307
Cash paid for income taxes  $ 410  -- 


            

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