Bay Street News

Townsquare Drives Sequential Improvement in Second Quarter

Digital Represents 52% of 1H’24 Total Net Revenue
Repurchased $14 Million of Debt and $22 Million of Equity in 1H’24

PURCHASE, N.Y., Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Townsquare Media, Inc. (NYSE: TSQ) (“Townsquare”, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“I am pleased to share that Townsquare’s momentum is building as demonstrated by another quarter of sequential net revenue improvement, primarily due to our local focus and our unique and differentiated digital platform. Second quarter net revenue decreased -2.5% year-over-year and Adjusted EBITDA decreased -8.3% year-over-year, both meeting guidance and reflecting a sequential improvement from first quarter declines. In the second quarter, the Company reported a net loss of $48.9 million, in large part due to non-cash impairment charges. Our Q2 performance was driven by stabilizing and/or improving trends across segments: Townsquare Interactive returned to sequential revenue growth in each month of the quarter, as a result of positive subscriber trends that have improved dramatically compared to previous quarters; Digital Advertising net revenue growth continued at +1% year-over-year; and Broadcast Advertising net revenue was approximately flat as compared to the prior year, an improvement from first quarter declines. In total, Digital represented 52% of Townsquare’s net revenue in the first six months of the year,” commented Bill Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Townsquare Media, Inc. “Additionally, we continue to generate strong cash flow, granting us the ability to invest in our digital growth engine while preserving financial flexibility, as evidenced by our ongoing debt and share buybacks in the open market. In fact, S&P Global upgraded their rating of our Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes”) from B to B+ in June, citing our performance and credit metrics. In the first six months of the year, we have repurchased and retired $14 million of our Notes at a discount to par, and repurchased $22 million of equity, or 2.2 million shares, including the accretive share repurchase of 1.5 million shares from Madison Square Garden. At the same time, we have maintained our high yielding dividend and a strong cash balance, which was $29 million at the end of the second quarter.”

Mr. Wilson concluded, “Most importantly, due to our current cash position and our strong cash generation, we retain financial flexibility moving forward and we are confident in our ability to build shareholder value for our investors through long-term net revenue and cash flow growth, net leverage reduction, future dividend payments, and potential future share repurchases.

The Company announced today that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.1975 per share. The dividend will be payable on November 1, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 15, 2024. As of yesterday’s closing price that reflects a dividend yield of approximately 7%.

Segment Reporting
We have three reportable operating segments, Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions, Digital Advertising and Broadcast Advertising. The Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions segment includes our subscription digital marketing solutions business, Townsquare Interactive. The Digital Advertising segment, marketed externally as Townsquare Ignite, includes digital advertising on our owned and operated digital properties, our first party data digital management platform and our digital programmatic advertising platform. The Broadcast Advertising segment includes our local, regional, and national advertising products and solutions delivered via terrestrial radio broadcast, and other miscellaneous revenue that is associated with our broadcast advertising platform. The remainder of our business is reported in the Other category, which includes our live events business.

Second Quarter Results*

Year-to-Date Highlights*

*See below for discussion of non-GAAP measures.

Guidance
For the third quarter of 2024, net revenue is expected to be between $114 million and $116 million, and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $25 million and $27 million.

For the full year 2024, net revenue is expected to be between $440 million and $455 million, and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $100 million and $105 million.

Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to the Quarter Ended June 30, 2023

Net Revenue
Net revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased $3.0 million, or 2.5%, to $118.2 million as compared to $121.2 million in the same period in 2023. Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue decreased $2.8 million, or 12.9%, Other net revenue decreased $0.6 million, or 11.0%, and Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, as compared to the same period in 2023. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in Digital Advertising net revenue of $0.4 million, or 1.0%, as compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding political revenue of $1.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, net revenue decreased $4.1 million, or 3.4%, to $116.8 million, Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $1.0 million, or 1.9%, to $52.3 million, and Digital Advertising net revenue increased $0.3 million, or 0.7%, to $41.4 million.

Net Loss
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, we reported a net loss of $48.9 million, as compared to a net loss of $2.7 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to a $25.3 million increase in the income tax provision due to an increase in the valuation allowance for interest expense carryforwards, as well as increases in non-cash impairment charges, stock-based compensation, and transaction and business realignment costs, and decreases in other income and net revenue. Adjusted Net Income decreased $6.1 million as compared to the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024 decreased $2.4 million, or 8.3%, to $26.2 million, as compared to $28.6 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) decreased $3.3 million, or 11.6%, to $25.0 million, as compared to $28.3 million in the same period last year.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Net Revenue
Net revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024, decreased $6.5 million, or 2.9%, to $217.9 million as compared to $224.3 million in the same period in 2023. Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue decreased $6.1 million, or 14.2%, Other net revenue decreased $0.7 million, or 10.1%, and Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $0.6 million, or 0.6%. These declines were partially offset by an $0.8 million, or 1.1%, increase in Digital Advertising net revenue as compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding political revenue of $2.5 million and $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, net revenue decreased $8.4 million, or 3.7% to $215.3 million, Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $2.3 million, or 2.3%, to $96.8 million, and Digital Advertising net revenue increased $0.7 million, or 0.9%, to $75.5 million.

Net Loss
For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we reported a net loss of $47.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $4.6 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to a $27.1 million increase in the income tax provision due to an increase in the valuation allowance for interest expense carryforwards, as well as increases in stock-based compensation and transaction and business realignment costs, and decreases in net revenue and other income (expense), partially offset by a decrease in direct operating expenses. Adjusted Net Income decreased $7.6 million as compared to the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2024 decreased $4.3 million, or 9.0% to $43.8 million, as compared to $48.1 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) decreased $5.9 million, or 12.5%, to $41.6 million, as compared to $47.5 million in the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2024, we had a total of $28.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $489.9 million of outstanding indebtedness, representing 5.12x and 4.82x gross and net leverage, respectively, based on Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024, of $95.7 million.

The table below presents a summary, as of August 2, 2024, of our outstanding common stock.

Security   Number Outstanding   Description
Class A common stock           14,578,502           One vote per share.
Class B common stock           815,296           10 votes per share.1
Total           15,393,798            
1 Each share converts into one share of Class A common stock upon transfer or at the option of the holder, subject to certain conditions, including compliance with FCC rules.

Conference Call
Townsquare Media, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss certain second quarter 2024 financial results and 2024 guidance on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call dial-in number is 1-800-343-5172 (U.S. & Canada) or 1-203-518-9856 (International) and the conference ID is “Townsquare”. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at www.townsquaremedia.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through August 14, 2024. To access the replay, please dial 1-844-512-2921 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and enter confirmation code 11156520. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

About Townsquare Media, Inc.
Townsquare is a community-focused digital media and digital marketing solutions company with market leading local radio stations, principally focused outside the top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include a subscription digital marketing services business, Townsquare Interactive, providing website design, creation and hosting, search engine optimization, social media and online reputation management as well as other digital monthly services for approximately 23,575 SMBs; a robust digital advertising division, Townsquare Ignite, a powerful combination of a) an owned and operated portfolio of more than 400 local news and entertainment websites and mobile apps along with a network of leading national music and entertainment brands, collecting valuable first party data and b) a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology stack with an in-house demand and data management platform; and a portfolio of 349 local terrestrial radio stations in 74 U.S. markets strategically situated outside the Top 50 markets in the United States. Our portfolio includes local media brands such as WYRK.com, WJON.com and NJ101.5.com, and premier national music brands such as XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com, and Loudwire.com. For more information, please visit www.townsquaremedia.com, www.townsquareinteractive.com and www.townsquareignite.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained in this press release, the matters addressed are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project,” “projection,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “can have,” “likely,” the negatives thereof and other words and terms. Actual events or results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us include the impact of general economic conditions in the United States, or in the specific markets in which we currently do business including supply chain disruptions, inflation, labor shortages and the effect on advertising activity, industry conditions, including existing competition and future competitive technologies, the popularity of radio as a broadcasting and advertising medium, cancellations, disruptions or postponements of advertising schedules in response to national or world events, our ability to develop and maintain digital technologies and hire and retain technical and sales talent, our dependence on key personnel, our capital expenditure requirements, our continued ability to identify suitable acquisition targets, and consummate and integrate any future acquisitions, legislative or regulatory requirements, risks and uncertainties relating to our leverage and changes in interest rates, our ability to obtain financing at times, in amounts and at rates considered appropriate by us, our ability to access the capital markets as and when needed and on terms that we consider favorable to us and other factors discussed in this section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report and under “Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied on as an indication of future performance. The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Definitions
In this press release, we refer to Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political), Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share which are financial measures that have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

We define Adjusted Operating Income by Segment as operating income by segment before the deduction of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, corporate expenses, transaction costs, business realignment costs, impairments and net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before the deduction of income taxes, interest expense, net, gain on repurchases of debt, transaction and business realignment costs, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, impairments, net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets and other expense (income) net. We define Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) as Adjusted EBITDA less political net revenue, net of a fifteen percent deduction to account for estimated national representative firm fees, music licensing fees and sales commissions expense. Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income before the deduction of transaction and business realignment costs, impairments, gain on sale of investment, change in fair value of investment, net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets, gain on repurchases of debt, gain on sale of digital assets, gain on insurance recoveries and net income attributable to non-controlling interest, net of income taxes stated at the Company’s applicable statutory effective tax rate. Adjusted Net Income Per Share is defined as Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted average shares outstanding. We define Net Leverage as our total outstanding indebtedness, net of our total cash balance as of June 30, 2024, divided by our Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024. These measures do not represent, and should not be considered as alternatives to or superior to, financial results and measures determined or calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. You should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses or charges that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in the presentation, and we do not infer that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-named measures reported by other companies.

We use Adjusted Operating Income by Segment to evaluate the operating performance of our business segments. We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) to facilitate company-to-company operating performance comparisons by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), taxation and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense), which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to operating performance, and to facilitate year over year comparisons, by backing out the impact of political revenue which varies depending on the election cycle and may be unrelated to operating performance. We use Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income Per Share to assess total company operating performance on a consistent basis. We use Net Leverage to measure the Company’s ability to handle its debt burden. We believe that these measures, when considered together with our GAAP financial results, provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our business operating results, including underlying trends, by excluding the effects of transaction costs, net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets, business realignment costs and certain impairments. Further, while discretionary bonuses for members of management are not determined with reference to specific targets, our board of directors may consider Adjusted Operating Income by Segment, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political), Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income Per Share, and Net Leverage when determining discretionary bonuses.

Investor Relations
Claire Yenicay
(203) 900-5555
investors@townsquaremedia.com

TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
(unaudited)
 
  June 30,
2024
  December 31,
2023
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,511     $ 61,046  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $3,879 and $4,041, respectively   60,530       60,780  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   11,822       10,356  
Total current assets   100,863       132,182  
Property and equipment, net   110,011       110,194  
Intangible assets, net   166,982       200,306  
Goodwill   154,577       157,270  
Investments   2,183       3,542  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   43,800       46,887  
Other assets   711       1,165  
Restricted cash   507       503  
Total assets $ 579,634     $ 652,049  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 4,710     $ 5,036  
Deferred revenue   9,471       9,059  
Accrued compensation and benefits   10,062       13,085  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   26,630       25,112  
Operating lease liabilities, current   9,506       9,376  
Accrued interest   14,043       14,420  
Total current liabilities   74,422       76,088  
Long-term debt, net of deferred finance costs of $2,880 and $3,960, respectively   487,056       499,658  
Deferred tax liability   30,491       11,856  
Operating lease liability, net of current portion   40,038       41,437  
Other long-term liabilities   11,763       13,099  
Total liabilities   643,770       642,138  
Stockholders’ equity:      
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 15,298,802 and 14,023,767 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   153       140  
Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 815,296 and 815,296 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   8       8  
Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 1,961,341 shares issued and outstanding, respectively         20  
Total common stock   161       168  
Treasury stock, at cost; 840,461 and 183,768 shares of Class A common stock, respectively   (9,829 )     (2,177 )
Additional paid-in capital   299,161       310,612  
Accumulated deficit   (356,633 )     (302,193 )
Non-controlling interest   3,004       3,501  
Total stockholders’ equity   (64,136 )     9,911  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 579,634     $ 652,049  
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2024   2023   2024   2023
Net revenue $ 118,225     $ 121,231     $ 217,858     $ 224,341  
Operating costs and expenses:              
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation   85,512       85,654       162,407       163,978  
Depreciation and amortization   5,014       4,835       9,949       9,779  
Corporate expenses   6,482       6,962       11,699       12,307  
Stock-based compensation   8,325       2,106       11,195       3,878  
Transaction and business realignment costs   1,594       311       3,038       603  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   32,638       26,240       34,256       34,727  
Net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets   30       (49 )     44       (341 )
Total operating costs and expenses   139,595       126,059       232,588       224,931  
Operating loss   (21,370 )     (4,828 )     (14,730 )     (590 )
Other expense (income):              
Interest expense, net   9,212       9,314       18,243       18,872  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (3 )     (44 )     (3 )     (819 )
Other income, net   (546 )     (4,878 )     (4,697 )     (5,904 )
Loss from operations before tax   (30,033 )     (9,220 )     (28,273 )     (12,739 )
Income tax provision (benefit)   18,825       (6,520 )     19,032       (8,098 )
Net loss $ (48,858 )   $ (2,700 )   $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )
               
Net (loss) income attributable to:              
Controlling interests $ (49,244 )   $ (3,200 )   $ (48,108 )   $ (5,621 )
Non-controlling interests   386       500       803       980  
Net loss $ (48,858 )   $ (2,700 )   $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )
               
Basic loss per share $ (3.26 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (3.04 )   $ (0.33 )
               
Diluted loss per share $ (3.26 )   $ (0.19 )   $ (3.04 )   $ (0.33 )
               
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic   15,097       17,221       15,829       17,212  
Diluted   15,097       17,221       15,829       17,212  
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Six Months Ended June 30,
  2024   2023
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization   9,949       9,779  
Amortization of deferred financing costs   990       949  
Non-cash lease expense         52  
Net deferred taxes and other   18,635       (8,473 )
Allowance for credit losses   2,686       2,564  
Stock-based compensation expense   11,195       3,878  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (3 )     (819 )
Trade and barter activity, net   (575 )     (1,008 )
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   34,256       34,727  
Realized gain on sale of digital assets         (839 )
Gain on sale of investment   (4,009 )     (5,210 )
Unrealized gain on investment   (202 )     (112 )
Amortization of content rights   2,445       2,422  
Change in content rights liabilities   (2,464 )     (659 )
Other   1,946       (596 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable   (2,857 )     (3,453 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (527 )     4,548  
Accounts payable   (365 )     625  
Accrued expenses   (12,778 )     (1,946 )
Accrued interest   (377 )     (367 )
Other long-term liabilities   44       (15 )
Net cash provided by operating activities   10,684       31,406  
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchase of property and equipment   (8,679 )     (7,136 )
Proceeds from sale of digital assets         2,975  
Proceeds from insurance recoveries   278       372  
Proceeds from sale of assets and investment related transactions   4,408       6,196  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (3,993 )     2,407  
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Repurchases of 2026 Notes   (13,589 )     (11,966 )
Dividend payments   (6,256 )     (3,240 )
Proceeds from stock options exercised   4,773       4,308  
Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding   (35 )      
Withholdings for shares issued under the ESPP   403       430  
Repurchases of stock   (22,133 )     (15,572 )
Cash distribution to non-controlling interests   (1,300 )     (1,499 )
Repayments of capitalized obligations   (1,085 )     (90 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (39,222 )     (27,629 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:      
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (32,531 )     6,184  
Beginning of period   61,549       43,913  
End of period $ 29,018     $ 50,097  
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2024   2023
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:      
Cash payments:      
Interest $ 18,244   $ 19,054
Income taxes   684     817
       
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Activities:      
Dividends declared, but not paid during the period $ 3,174   $ 3,148
Property and equipment acquired in exchange for advertising(1)   587     253
Accrued capital expenditures   124     114
       
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information relating to Leases:      
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities, included in operating cash flows $ 6,094   $ 5,958
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations   3,524     3,593
       
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,511   $ 49,598
Restricted cash   507     499
  $ 29,018   $ 50,097

(1) Represents total advertising services provided by the Company in exchange for property and equipment during each of the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
      Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
  2024   2023   % Change   2024   2023   % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 18,515     $ 21,268     (12.9 )%   $ 36,768     $ 42,829     (14.2 )%
Digital Advertising   41,524       41,126     1.0 %     75,680       74,833     1.1 %
Broadcast Advertising   53,633       53,720     (0.2 )%     99,088       99,643     (0.6 )%
Other   4,553       5,117     (11.0 )%     6,322       7,036     (10.1 )%
Net revenue   118,225       121,231     (2.5 )%     217,858       224,341     (2.9 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions Expenses   13,098       15,243     (14.1 )%     26,295       31,205     (15.7 )%
Digital Advertising expenses   30,515       26,782     13.9 %     57,615       50,395     14.3 %
Broadcast Advertising expenses   37,612       38,983     (3.5 )%     72,882       76,348     (4.5 )%
Other expenses   4,287       4,646     (7.7 )%     5,615       6,030     (6.9 )%
Direct operating expenses   85,512       85,654     (0.2 )%     162,407       163,978     (1.0 )%
Depreciation and amortization   5,014       4,835     3.7 %     9,949       9,779     1.7 %
Corporate expenses   6,482       6,962     (6.9 )%     11,699       12,307     (4.9 )%
Stock-based compensation   8,325       2,106     295.3 %     11,195       3,878     188.7 %
Transaction and business realignment costs   1,594       311     412.5 %     3,038       603     403.8 %
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   32,638       26,240     24.4 %     34,256       34,727     (1.4 )%
Net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets   30       (49 )   (161.2 )%     44       (341 )   (112.9 )%
Total operating costs and expenses   139,595       126,059     10.7 %     232,588       224,931     3.4 %
Operating loss   (21,370 )     (4,828 )   342.6 %     (14,730 )     (590 )   2,396.6 %
Other expense (income):                      
Interest expense, net   9,212       9,314     (1.1 )%     18,243       18,872     (3.3 )%
Gain on repurchases of debt   (3 )     (44 )   (93.2 )%     (3 )     (819 )   (99.6 )%
Other income, net   (546 )             (4,878 )   (88.8 )%     (4,697 )     (5,904 )   (20.4 )%
Loss from operations before tax   (30,033 )             (9,220 )   225.7 %     (28,273 )     (12,739 )   121.9 %
Income tax provision (benefit)   18,825               (6,520 )   388.7 %     19,032       (8,098 )   335.0 %
Net loss $ (48,858 )   $         (2,700 )   1,709.6 %   $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )   919.3 %

** not meaningful

The following table presents Net revenue and Adjusted Operating Income by segment, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
      Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
  (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)    
  2024   2023   % Change   2024   2023   % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 18,515   $ 21,268   (12.9 )%   $ 36,768   $ 42,829   (14.2 )%
Digital Advertising   41,524     41,126   1.0 %     75,680     74,833   1.1 %
Digital   60,039     62,394   (3.8 )%     112,448     117,662   (4.4 )%
Broadcast Advertising   53,633     53,720   (0.2 )%     99,088     99,643   (0.6 )%
Other   4,553     5,117   (11.0 )%     6,322     7,036   (10.1 )%
Net revenue $ 118,225   $ 121,231   (2.5 )%   $ 217,858   $ 224,341   (2.9 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 5,417   $ 6,025   (10.1 )%   $ 10,473   $ 11,624   (9.9 )%
Digital Advertising   11,009     14,344   (23.3 )%     18,065     24,438   (26.1 )%
Digital   16,426     20,369   (19.4 )%     28,538     36,062   (20.9 )%
Broadcast Advertising   16,021     14,737   8.7 %     26,206     23,295   12.5 %
Other   266     471   (43.5 )%     707     1,006   (29.7 )%
Adjusted Operating Income $ 32,713   $ 35,577   (8.1 )%   $ 55,451   $ 60,363   (8.1 )%

The following table reconciles Net revenue to Net revenue, excluding political revenue on a GAAP basis by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
      Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
  (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)    
  2024   2023   % Change   2024   2023   % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 18,515   $ 21,268   (12.9 )%   $ 36,768   $ 42,829   (14.2 )%
Digital Advertising   41,524     41,126   1.0 %     75,680     74,833   1.1 %
Digital   60,039     62,394   (3.8 )%     112,448     117,662   (4.4 )%
Broadcast Advertising   53,633     53,720   (0.2 )%     99,088     99,643   (0.6 )%
Other   4,553     5,117   (11.0 )%     6,322     7,036   (10.1 )%
Net revenue $ 118,225   $ 121,231   (2.5 )%   $ 217,858   $ 224,341   (2.9 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions political revenue                      
Digital Advertising political revenue   147     46   219.6 %     219     61   259.0 %
Broadcast Advertising political revenue   1,312     359   265.5 %     2,300     557   312.9 %
Other political revenue                      
Political revenue $ 1,459   $ 405   260.2 %   $ 2,519   $ 618   307.6 %
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue (ex. political) $ 18,515   $ 21,268   (12.9 )%   $ 36,768   $ 42,829   (14.2 )%
Digital Advertising net revenue (ex. political)   41,377     41,080   0.7 %     75,461     74,772   0.9 %
Digital net revenue (ex. political)   59,892     62,348   (3.9 )%     112,229     117,601   (4.6 )%
Broadcast Advertising political net revenue (ex. political)   52,321     53,361   (1.9 )%     96,788     99,086   (2.3 )%
Other net revenue (ex. political)   4,553     5,117   (11.0 )%     6,322     7,036   (10.1 )%
Net revenue (ex. political) $ 116,766   $ 120,826   (3.4 )%   $ 215,339   $ 223,723   (3.7 )%

The following table reconciles on a GAAP basis net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted Net Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  (Unaudited)
  2024   2023   2024   2023
Net loss $ (48,858 )   $ (2,700 )   $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )
Income tax provision (benefit)   18,825       (6,520 )     19,032       (8,098 )
Loss from operations before taxes   (30,033 )     (9,220 )     (28,273 )     (12,739 )
Transaction and business realignment costs   1,594       311       3,038       603  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   32,638       26,240       34,256       34,727  
Net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets   30       (49 )     44       (341 )
Gain on repurchases of debt   (3 )     (44 )     (3 )     (819 )
Gain on sale of digital assets                     (839 )
Gain on sale of investment         (5,210 )     (4,009 )     (5,210 )
Change in fair value of investment   (434 )     (246 )     (202 )     (112 )
Gain on insurance recoveries   (278 )           (278 )     (372 )
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest, net of income taxes   (386 )     (500 )     (803 )     (980 )
Adjusted net income before income taxes   3,128       11,282       3,770       13,918  
Income tax provision(1)   794       2,877       957       3,550  
Adjusted Net Income $ 2,334     $ 8,405     $ 2,813     $ 10,368  
               
Adjusted Net Income Per Share:              
Basic $ 0.15     $ 0.49     $ 0.18     $ 0.60  
Diluted $ 0.14     $ 0.45     $ 0.16     $ 0.58  
               
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic   15,097       17,221       15,829       17,212  
Diluted   17,282       18,567       17,998       17,779  

(1) Income tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, was calculated using the Company’s statutory effective tax rate.

The following table reconciles on a GAAP basis net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political), and Adjusted EBITDA Less Interest, Capex and Taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
  (Unaudited)
  2024   2023   2024   2023
Net loss $ (48,858 )   $ (2,700 )   $ (47,305 )   $ (4,641 )
Income tax provision (benefit)   18,825       (6,520 )     19,032       (8,098 )
Interest expense, net   9,212       9,314       18,243       18,872  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (3 )     (44 )     (3 )     (819 )
Depreciation and amortization   5,014       4,835       9,949       9,779  
Stock-based compensation   8,325       2,106       11,195       3,878  
Transaction and business realignment costs   1,594       311       3,038       603  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   32,638       26,240       34,256       34,727  
Other(a)   (516 )     (4,927 )     (4,653 )     (6,245 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 26,231     $ 28,615     $ 43,752     $ 48,056  
Political Adjusted EBITDA   (1,240 )     (344 )     (2,141 )     (525 )
Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) $ 24,991     $ 28,271     $ 41,611     $ 47,531  
Political Adjusted EBITDA   1,240       344       2,141       525  
Net cash paid for interest   (606 )     (326 )     (18,244 )     (19,054 )
Capital expenditures   (4,251 )     (3,497 )     (8,679 )     (7,136 )
Cash paid for taxes   (672 )     (813 )     (684 )     (817 )
Adjusted EBITDA Less Interest, Capex and Taxes $ 20,702     $ 23,979     $ 16,145     $ 21,049  

(a) Other includes net loss (gain) on sale and retirement of assets and other (income) expense, net.

The following table reconciles net (loss) income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA on a quarterly basis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  (Unaudited)
  September 30,
2023
  December 31,
2023
  March 31,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  June 30,
2024
Net (loss) income $ (36,503 )   $ (1,878 )   $ 1,553     $ (48,858 )   $ (85,686 )
Income tax provision (benefit)   17,478       (15,522 )     207       18,825       20,988  
Interest expense, net   9,343       9,034       9,031       9,212       36,620  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (430 )                 (3 )     (433 )
Depreciation and amortization   4,717       4,704       4,935       5,014       19,370  
Stock-based compensation   2,350       1,805       2,870       8,325       15,350  
Transaction and business realignment costs   161       405       1,444       1,594       3,604  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   30,970       24,881       1,618       32,638       90,107  
Other(a)   (909 )     1,349       (4,137 )     (516 )     (4,213 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 27,177     $ 24,778     $ 17,521     $ 26,231     $ 95,707  

(a) Other includes net (loss) gain on sale and retirement of assets and other (income) expense, net.

The following tables reconcile Operating income (loss) by segment, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted Operating Income by segment for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands):

  Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 4,629   $ 8,751   $ (15,440 )   $ (685 )
Depreciation and amortization   608     266     2,807       32  
Stock-based compensation   180     208     169       4  
Transaction and business realignment costs           70       6  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets       1,784     28,385       909  
Net loss on sale and retirement of assets           30        
Adjusted Operating Income $ 5,417   $ 11,009   $ 16,021     $ 266  
  Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 5,547   $ 14,106   $ (5,724 )   $ 434
Depreciation and amortization   327     168     3,382       33
Stock-based compensation   151     70     218       4
Transaction and business realignment costs           167      
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, and long-lived assets           16,743      
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets           (49 )    
Adjusted Operating Income $ 6,025   $ 14,344   $ 14,737     $ 471

The following tables reconcile Operating income (loss) by segment, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted Operating Income by segment for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands):

  Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 8,917   $ 15,478   $ (9,958 )   $ (287 )
Depreciation and amortization   1,222     447     5,671       65  
Stock-based compensation   334     356     358       8  
Transaction and business realignment costs           88       12  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets       1,784     30,003       909  
Net loss on sale and retirement of assets           44        
Adjusted Operating Income $ 10,473   $ 18,065   $ 26,206     $ 707  
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 10,690   $ 23,991   $ (9,318 )   $ 920
Depreciation and amortization   655     332     6,982       69
Stock-based compensation   279     115     382       6
Transaction and business realignment costs           360       11
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, and long-lived assets           25,230      
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets           (341 )    
Adjusted Operating Income $ 11,624   $ 24,438   $ 23,295     $ 1,006


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