CUMULUS MEDIA Reports Operating Results for the Third Quarter 2019


ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS) (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) today announced operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

  • As compared to the third quarter of 2018 on an As Reported GAAP basis:
       --   Net revenue decreased 0.5%
       --   Net income was $16.3 million
       --   Adjusted EBITDA(1) decreased 5.5%
  • As compared to the third quarter of 2018 on a Same Station(2) basis, excluding the impact of political revenue:
       --   Net revenue increased 3.9%
       --   Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased 2.2%
  • As compared to the third quarter of 2018 on a Same Station(2) basis, including the impact of political revenue:
       --   Net revenue increased 3.2%
       --   Adjusted EBITDA(1) decreased 0.8%

Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of CUMULUS MEDIA, said, “In the third quarter, the Company turned in another strong performance with same station revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 3.9% and 2.2%, respectively, on an ex-political basis.  Our operating plan has continued to deliver industry-leading digital revenue growth and continuing growth in our national and network channels.  We also made great progress in the quarter on our balance sheet as our free cash flow generation allowed us to fund a voluntary debt prepayment of approximately $29 million, which reduced net leverage to 4.5x.  Additionally, we completed a $525 million term loan refinancing that extended our debt maturity and reduced future interest expense.”

Within the quarter, the Company reassessed its reportable segments and concluded it has one reportable segment. Prior to this change, the Company had two reportable segments: Cumulus Radio Station Group and Westwood One.

References to "Successor Company" relate to the Company on and subsequent to June 4, 2018. References to "Predecessor Company" refer to the Company prior to June 4, 2018.  For the purposes of analyzing the results presented herein, the Company is presenting the combined results of operations for the period June 4, 2018 to September 30, 2018 of the Successor Company with the period January 1, 2018 to June 3, 2018 of the Predecessor Company. Although this presentation is not in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the Company believes presenting such combined results allows for a more meaningful comparison of results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 to the nine month period ended September 30, 2018. For more information regarding the Predecessor and Successor Company results, please see the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 Operating Summary (in thousands, except percentages and per share data):

As ReportedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Net revenue$280,808  $282,254  (0.5)%
Net income$16,323  $12,713  28.4%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)$58,707  $62,104  (5.5)%
Basic income per share$0.81  $0.64  N/A 
Diluted income per share$0.81  $0.63  N/A 


Same Station (2)   
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Net revenue$280,808  $272,189  3.2%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)$58,707  $59,207  (0.8)%


 Successor Company Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  
As ReportedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Net revenue$827,977  $831,182  (0.4)%
Net income$59,635  $713,849  (91.6)%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)$162,325  $168,731  (3.8)%
Basic income per share$2.96   N/A  N/A 
Diluted income per share$2.95   N/A  N/A 


Same Station (2)Successor Company Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Net revenue$824,246  $809,836  1.8%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)$161,962  $161,569  0.2%
           

 Revenue Detail Summary (in thousands):

As ReportedThree Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Broadcast Radio Revenue:     
Spot$161,211  $168,554  (4.4)%
Network78,404  75,716  3.6%
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue239,615  244,270  (1.9)%
Digital19,935  13,459  48.1%
Other21,258  24,525  (13.3)%
Net Revenue$280,808  $282,254  (0.5)%


 Successor Company Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  
As ReportedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Broadcast Radio Revenue:     
Spot$463,900  $488,276  (5.0)%
Network236,446  230,949  2.4%
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue700,346  719,225  (2.6)%
Digital56,984  34,626  64.6%
Other70,647  77,331  (8.6)%
Net Revenue$827,977  $831,182  (0.4)%


Same Station (2)Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Broadcast Radio Revenue:     
Spot$161,211  $161,306  (0.1)%
Network78,404  74,715  4.9%
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue239,615  236,021  1.5%
Digital19,935  13,171  51.4%
Other21,258  22,997  (7.6)%
Net Revenue$280,808  $272,189  3.2%


 Successor Company Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  
Same Station (2)Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Broadcast Radio Revenue:     
Spot$461,300  $474,057  (2.7)%
Network235,990  227,884  3.6%
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue697,290  701,941  (0.7)%
Digital56,896  34,130  66.7%
Other70,060  73,765  (5.0)%
Net Revenue$824,246  $809,836  1.8%
           

Balance Sheet Summary (in thousands):

 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 % Change
Cash and cash equivalents$7,751  $27,584  (71.9)%
Term loan (3)$525,000  $1,243,299  (57.8)%
6.75% Senior notes (3)$500,000  $  N/A 


 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Capital expenditures$6,684  $5,897  13.3%

 

 Successor Company Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 % Change
Capital expenditures$17,399  $21,885  (20.5)%

________________________________

  1. Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measure."
  2. Adjusted for certain station dispositions and swaps as if these dispositions and swaps had occurred as of April 1, 2019 and April 1, 2018 (or in the case of KLOS-FM, as of the commencement of the LMA on April 16, 2019 and as of April 16, 2018).
  3. Excludes unamortized debt issuance costs.

Earnings Conference Call Details
The Company will host a conference call today at 4:30 PM EST to discuss its third quarter 2019 operating results. A link to the webcast of the conference call will be available on the investor section of the Company’s website (www.cumulusmedia.com/investors). The conference call dial-in number for domestic callers is 877-830-7699 for call access. If prompted, the conference ID number is 2870957. Please call five to ten minutes in advance to ensure that you are connected prior to the call.

Following completion of the call, a recording of the call can be accessed via a link at www.cumulusmedia.com/investors.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release may constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Such statements are statements other than historical fact and relate to our intent, belief or current expectations primarily with respect to our future operating, financial, and strategic performance. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to our recently completed financial restructuring and other risk factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond our control, and the unexpected occurrence or failure to occur of any such events or matters could significantly alter our actual results of operations or financial condition. CUMULUS MEDIA assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About CUMULUS MEDIA
CUMULUS MEDIA (NASDAQ: CMLS) is a leading audio-first media and entertainment company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month - wherever and whenever they want it. CUMULUS MEDIA engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 428 owned-and-operated stations across 87 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, the Olympics, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across nearly 8,000 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. CUMULUS MEDIA provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through on-air and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. CUMULUS MEDIA is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

From time to time we utilize certain financial measures that are not prepared or calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial performance and profitability. Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is the financial metric by which management and the chief operating decision maker allocate resources of the Company and analyze the performance of the Company as a whole. Management also uses this measure to determine the contribution of our core operations to the funding of our corporate resources utilized to manage our operations and the funding of our non-operating expenses including debt service and acquisitions.

In determining Adjusted EBITDA, the Company excludes from net income items not related to core operations and those that are non-cash including: interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain or loss on the exchange, sale, or disposal of any assets or stations, early extinguishment of debt, local marketing agreement fees, expenses relating to acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring costs, reorganization items and non-cash impairments of assets, if any.

Due to the significant effect that the Company’s material station acquisitions and dispositions have had on our results of operations, the Company also presents certain financial information herein on a “Same Station” basis, with and excluding the effect of political advertising in order to address the cyclical nature of the two-year election cycle. Same Station metrics are adjusted for material station acquisitions and dispositions as if these acquisitions and dispositions had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior period. Same station financial measures excluding the impact of political advertising are further adjusted to exclude the impact of political advertising in the comparable periods.

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Same Station financial measures, with and excluding the impact of political advertising, although not measures that are calculated in accordance with GAAP, are commonly employed by the investment community as measures for determining the market value of a media company and comparing the operational and financial performance among media companies. Management has also observed that Adjusted EBITDA and Same Station financial measures, with and excluding the impact of political advertising, are routinely utilized to evaluate and negotiate the potential purchase price for media companies. Given the relevance to our overall value, management believes that investors consider the metrics to be extremely useful.

Adjusted EBITDA and Same Station financial measures, with and excluding the impact of political advertising, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), net revenue, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure for determining the Company’s operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA and Same Station financial measures, with and excluding the impact of political advertising, may be defined or calculated differently by other companies and comparability may be limited.

For further information, please contact:
Cumulus Media Inc.
Investor Relations
IR@cumulus.com
404-260-6600

Supplemental Financial Data and Reconciliations

                
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
                
 Successor Company  Successor Company    Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
 
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Net revenue$280,808  $282,254  $827,977  $831,182 
Operating expenses:               
Content costs 98,335   98,494   295,931   291,349 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 115,289   114,345   344,609   347,057 
Depreciation and amortization 11,885   14,142   40,020   40,567 
Local marketing agreement fees 902   1,006   2,383   3,173 
Corporate expenses 8,649   7,009   25,726   24,024 
Stock-based compensation expense 1,492   1,131   3,806   2,014 
Restructuring costs 1,764   2,738   17,565   12,134 
Impairment of assets held on sale 5,000      5,000    
(Gain) loss on sale of assets or stations (8,188)  34   (55,912)  192 
Total operating expenses 235,128   238,899   679,128   720,510 
Operating income 45,680   43,355   148,849   110,672 
Non-operating (expense) income:               
Reorganization items, net          466,201 
Interest expense (22,754)  (22,403)  (66,101)  (28,839)
Interest income 9   16   21   70 
Gain on early extinguishment of debt       381    
Other expense, net 18   (3,177)  (44)  (3,430)
Total non-operating (expense) income, net (22,727)  (25,564)  (65,743)  434,002 
Income before income tax (expense) benefit 22,953   17,791   83,106   544,674 
Income tax (expense) benefit (6,630)  (5,078)  (23,471)  169,175 
Net income$16,323  $12,713  $59,635  $713,849 


  Successor Company    Predecessor Company 
  Period from June 4, 2018
through September 30, 2018
    Period from January 1, 2018
through June 3, 2018
 
Net revenue$377,258   $453,924 
Operating expenses:        
Content costs 127,464    163,885 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 151,779    195,278 
Depreciation and amortization 18,521    22,046 
Local marketing agreement fees 1,364    1,809 
Corporate expenses 9,541    14,483 
Stock-based compensation expense 1,783    231 
Acquisition-related restructuring costs 9,679    2,455 
Loss on sale of assets or stations 34    158 
Total operating expenses 320,165    400,345 
Operating income 57,093    53,579 
Non-operating (expense) income:        
Reorganization items, net     466,201 
Interest expense (28,579)   (260)
Interest income 20    50 
Other expense, net (3,157)   (273)
Total non-operating (expense) income, net (31,716)   465,718 
Income before income tax (expense) benefit 25,377    519,297 
Income tax (expense) benefit (7,684)   176,859 
Net income$17,693   $696,156 
         

The following tables reconcile net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented herein (dollars in thousands):      

As Reported Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
GAAP net income$16,323  $12,713 
Income tax expense 6,630   5,078 
Non-operating expense, including net interest expense 22,727   25,564 
Local marketing agreement fees 902   1,006 
Depreciation and amortization 11,885   14,142 
Stock-based compensation expense 1,492   1,131 
Impairment of assets held for sale 5,000    
(Gain) loss on sale of assets or stations (8,188)  34 
Restructuring costs 1,764   2,738 
Franchise taxes 172   (302)
Adjusted EBITDA$58,707  $62,104 


Same Station Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Net income$16,323  $9,816 
Income tax expense 6,630   5,078 
Non-operating expense, including net interest expense 22,727   25,564 
Local marketing agreement fees 902   1,006 
Depreciation and amortization 11,885   14,142 
Stock-based compensation expense 1,492   1,131 
Impairment of assets held for sale 5,000    
(Gain) loss on sale of assets or stations (8,188)  34 
Restructuring costs 1,764   2,738 
Franchise taxes 172   (302)
Adjusted EBITDA$58,707  $59,207 


    
As Reported Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 
GAAP net income$59,635 
Income tax expense 23,471 
Non-operating expense, including net interest expense 66,124 
Local marketing agreement fees 2,383 
Depreciation and amortization 40,020 
Stock-based compensation expense 3,806 
Impairment of assets held for sale 5,000 
Gain on sale of assets or stations (55,912)
Restructuring costs 17,565 
Franchise taxes 614 
Gain on early extinguishment of debt (381)
Adjusted EBITDA$162,325 


  Successor Company   Predecessor Company   Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
 
As Reported Period from June 4, 2018
through September 30, 2018
   Period from January 1, 2018
through June 3, 2018
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 
GAAP net income$17,693  $696,156  $713,849 
Income tax expense (benefit) 7,684   (176,859)  (169,175)
Non-operating expense, including net interest expense 31,716   483   32,199 
Local marketing agreement fees 1,364   1,809   3,173 
Depreciation and amortization 18,521   22,046   40,567 
Stock-based compensation expense 1,783   231   2,014 
Loss on sale of assets or stations 34   158   192 
Reorganization items, net    (466,201)  (466,201)
Restructuring costs 9,679   2,455   12,134 
Franchise taxes (255)  234   (21)
Adjusted EBITDA$88,219  $80,512  $168,731 


  Successor Company   Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
 
Same Station Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Net income$59,272  $706,590 
Income tax expense (benefit) 23,471   (169,175)
Non-operating expense, including net interest expense 66,124   32,199 
Local marketing agreement fees 2,383   3,173 
Depreciation and amortization 40,020   40,567 
Stock-based compensation expense 3,806   2,014 
Impairment of assets held for sale 5,000    
(Gain) loss on sale of assets or stations (55,912)  192 
Reorganization items, net    (466,201)
Restructuring costs 17,565   12,134 
Franchise taxes 614   (21)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt (381)   
Adjusted EBITDA$161,962  $161,569 
        

The following tables reconcile as reported net revenue and as reported Adjusted EBITDA to same station net revenue and same station Adjusted EBITDA, both including and excluding the impact of political, for the periods presented herein (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
As reported net revenue$280,808  $282,254 
Station dispositions and swaps    (10,065)
Same station net revenue280,808  $272,189 
Political revenue (1,713)  (3,633)
Same station net revenue, excluding impact of political revenue$279,095  $268,556 


  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(Successor Company)
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
(Non-GAAP Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company)
 
As reported net revenue$827,977  $831,182 
Station dispositions and swaps (3,731)  (21,346)
Same station net revenue$824,246  $809,836 
Political revenue (3,447)  (8,698)
Same station net revenue, excluding impact of political revenue$820,799  $801,138 


  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
   Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
As reported Adjusted EBITDA$58,707  $62,104 
Station dispositions and swaps    (2,897)
Same station Adjusted EBITDA$58,707  $59,207 
Political EBITDA (1,541)  (3,270)
Same station Adjusted EBITDA, excluding impact of political EBITDA$57,166  $55,937 


  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(Successor Company)
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
(Non-GAAP Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company)
 
As reported Adjusted EBITDA$162,325  $168,731 
Station dispositions and swaps (363)  (7,162)
Same station Adjusted EBITDA$161,962  $161,569 
Political EBITDA (3,102)  (7,828)
Same station Adjusted EBITDA, excluding impact of political EBITDA$158,860  $153,741 
        

The following tables provide disaggregated revenue detail by quarter for 2019 and 2018 as reported and same station (dollars in thousands):

As Reported Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2019
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Broadcast Radio Revenue:        
Spot$161,211 $163,111 $139,579
Network 78,404  72,877  85,164
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue 239,615  235,988  224,743
Digital 19,935  20,208  16,841
Other 21,258  23,477  25,912
Net Revenue$280,808 $279,673 $267,496


Same Station Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2019
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Broadcast Radio Revenue:        
Spot$161,211 $160,510 $139,579
Network 78,404  72,421  85,164
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue 239,615  232,931  224,743
Digital 19,935  20,120  16,841
Other 21,258  22,890  25,912
Net Revenue$280,808 $275,941 $267,496


 Successor Company
  Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  Predecessor Company
As Reported Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Broadcast Radio Revenue:           
Spot$180,169 $168,554 $174,502 $145,221
Network 85,101  75,716  72,389  82,844
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue 265,270  244,270  246,891  228,065
Digital 15,638  13,459  11,929  9,239
Other 28,270  24,525  26,429  26,375
Net Revenue$309,178 $282,254 $285,249 $263,679


  Successor Company
  Non-GAAP
Combined
Predecessor and
Successor Company
  Predecessor Company
Same Station Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Broadcast Radio Revenue:           
Spot$173,854 $161,306 $167,617 $145,135
Network 82,493  74,715  70,326  82,844
Total Broadcast Radio Revenue 256,347  236,021  237,943  227,979
Digital 15,407  13,171  11,669  9,290
Other 26,818  22,997  24,493  26,274
Net Revenue$298,572 $272,189 $274,105 $263,543
            

The following table discloses net revenue for each of the Predecessor and Successor Company periods presented herein.  When combined, these periods present the Company's non-GAAP combined Predecessor and Successor net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

  Successor Company  Predecessor Company
  Period from June 4, 2018
through September 30, 2018
  Period from January 1, 2018
through June 3, 2018
Net revenue$377,258 $453,924
      

The following table discloses capital expenditures for each of the Predecessor and Successor Company periods presented below.  When combined, these periods present the Company's non-GAAP combined Predecessor and Successor capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (dollars in thousands):

  Successor Company   Predecessor Company 
  Period from June 4, 2018
through September 30, 2018
   Period from January 1, 2018
through June 3, 2018
 
Capital expenditures$7,866  $14,019