Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - AUDACY, INC.Financial_Report.xls
EX-31.02 - EX-31.02 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex3102.htm
EX-32.02 - EX-32.02 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex3202.htm
EX-21.01 - EX-21.01 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex2101.htm
EX-23.01 - EX-23.01 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex2301.htm
EX-32.01 - EX-32.01 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex3201.htm
EX-31.01 - EX-31.01 - AUDACY, INC.d875162dex3101.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

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)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

NONE

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

As of February 13, 2015, the aggregate market value of the Class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $283,618,697 based on the June 30, 2014 closing price of $10.73 on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value 31,804,613 Shares Outstanding as of February 13, 2015

(Class A Shares Outstanding includes 1,031,388 unvested and vested but deferred restricted stock units).

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value 7,197,532 Shares Outstanding as February 13, 2015.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information in the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to Regulation 14A, is incorporated by reference in Part III of this report, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than April 30, 2015.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
PART I   
Item 1.  

Business

     1   
Item 1A.  

Risk Factors

     5   
Item 1B.  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     12   
Item 2.  

Properties

     12   
Item 3.  

Legal Proceedings

     12   
Item 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     12   
PART II   
Item 5.  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     13   
Item 6.  

Selected Financial Data

     17   
Item 7.  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     20   
Item 7A.  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     40   
Item 8.  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     40   
Item 9.  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     40   
Item 9A.  

Controls and Procedures

     40   
Item 9B.  

Other Information

     41   
PART III   
Item 10.  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     42   
Item 11.  

Executive Compensation

     42   
Item 12.  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

     42   
Item 13.  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

     42   
Item 14.  

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     42   
PART IV   
Item 15.  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     43   
Signatures        94   

 

ii


Table of Contents

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this report to “Entercom,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Entercom Communications Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, which would include any variable interest entities that are required to be consolidated under accounting guidance.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains, in addition to historical information, 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, as amended.

Forward-looking statements, including certain pro forma information, 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.

We report our financial information on a calendar year basis. Any reference to activity during the year is for the year ended December 31.

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. These risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, the factors described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

Any pro forma information that may be included reflects adjustments and is presented for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of what has occurred or indicative of future operating results or financial position.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our view only as of the date of this report. We do not intend, and we do not undertake any 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.

 

iii


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

We are the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States with a portfolio that, including the pending acquisition of Lincoln Financial Media Company (“Lincoln”) from The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, boasts over 125 radio stations in 26 top markets across the country. We were organized in 1968 as a Pennsylvania corporation.

Our Strategy

Our strategy focuses on providing compelling content in the communities we serve to enable us to offer our advertisers an effective marketing platform to reach a large targeted local audience. The principal components of our strategy are to: (i) focus on creating effective integrated marketing solutions for our customers that incorporate our audio, digital and experiential assets; (ii) build strongly-branded radio stations with highly compelling content; (iii) develop market leading station clusters; and (iv) recruit, develop, motivate and retain superior employees.

Source Of Revenue

The primary source of revenue for our radio stations is the sale of advertising time to local, regional and national advertisers and national network advertisers who purchase spot commercials in varying lengths. A growing source of revenue is from station-related digital platforms which allow for enhanced audience interaction and participation as well as integrated advertising. A station’s local sales staff generates the majority of its local and regional advertising sales through direct solicitations of local advertising agencies and businesses. We retain a national representation firm to sell to advertisers outside of our local markets.

We believe that radio is an efficient and effective means of reaching specifically identified demographic groups. Our stations are typically classified by their format, such as news, talk, classic rock, adult contemporary, alternative and country, among others. A station’s format enables it to target specific segments of listeners sharing certain demographics. Advertisers and stations use data published by audience measuring services to estimate how many people within particular geographical markets and demographics listen to specific stations. Our geographically and demographically diverse portfolio of radio stations allows us to deliver targeted messages to specific audiences for advertisers on a local, regional and national basis.

Competition

The radio broadcasting industry is highly competitive. Our stations compete for listeners and advertising revenue with other radio stations within their respective markets. In addition, our stations compete for audiences and advertising revenues with other media such as: broadcast, satellite and cable television, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertising, direct mail, yellow pages, Internet, satellite radio, wireless media alternatives, cellular phones and other forms of audio entertainment and advertisement.

The following are some of the factors that are important to a radio station’s competitive position: (i) audience ratings; (ii) program content; (iii) management talent and expertise; (iv) sales talent and expertise; (v) audience characteristics; (vi) signal strength; and (vii) the number and characteristics of other radio stations and other advertising media in the market area.

We believe owning multiple radio stations in a market allows us to provide our listeners with a more diverse programming selection and a more efficient means for our advertisers to reach those listeners. By owning multiple stations in a market, we are also able to operate our stations with more highly skilled local management teams and eliminate duplicative operating and overhead expenses.

Our Radio Stations

We will operate in a nationwide portfolio of 26 markets (pro forma for the announced Lincoln acquisition, which is pending subject to regulatory approval): San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Portland, Sacramento, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Austin, Norfolk, Buffalo, New Orleans, Memphis, Providence, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Rochester, Madison, Wichita, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Springfield (MA) and Gainesville/Ocala.

 

1


Table of Contents

Federal Regulation Of Radio Broadcasting

Overview. The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing regulation of, among other things, ownership limitations, program content, advertising content, technical operations and business and employment practices. The ownership, operation and sale of radio stations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”).

The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and of certain specific FCC regulations and policies. This summary is not a comprehensive listing of all of the regulations and policies affecting radio stations. For further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of radio stations, you should refer to the Communications Act, FCC rules and FCC public notices and rulings.

FCC Licenses. The operation of a radio broadcast station requires a license from the FCC. Certain of our subsidiaries hold the FCC licenses for our stations. While there is no national limit, the number of radio stations that can operate in a given area or market is limited by the number of AM and FM frequencies allotted by the FCC based upon consideration of interference to and from other operating or authorized stations. The FCC’s multiple ownership rules further limit the number of stations serving the same area that may be owned or controlled by a single individual or entity. In the largest markets (markets with 45 or more stations), the maximum is eight commercial stations, with no more than five in the same service (that is, AM or FM). In the smallest markets, ownership is limited to the lesser of either five commercial stations or not more than 50% of stations in the market, with no more than three in the same service. In connection with our proposed acquisition of Lincoln from The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, we filed an application to place one FM radio station in Denver into a disposition trust in order to comply with the FCC’s radio station ownership limitations.

Since the number of stations in a local market may fluctuate from time to time, the number of stations that can be owned by a single individual or entity in a given market can vary over time. Once the FCC approves the ownership of a cluster of stations in a market, that owner may continue to hold those stations under the “grandfathering” policies, despite a decrease in the number of stations in the market. A few of our market clusters, such as our stations in Greenville and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, are considered to be “grandfathered.” If, at the time of a proposed future transaction, a cluster does not comply with the multiple ownership limitations based upon the number of stations then present in the market, the entire cluster cannot be transferred intact to a single party unless the purchaser qualifies as an “eligible entity” under specified small business standards and meets certain control tests.

Ownership Rules. The FCC sets limits on the number of broadcast stations (including both radio and TV) an entity can own, as well as limits on the common ownership of broadcast stations and newspapers. The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules every four years to determine whether the rules are in the public interest and to repeal or modify any regulation it determines does not meet this criteria. In 2003, the FCC significantly revised its ownership rules which included: (i) cross-media limits that in certain markets eliminated the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban and altered the television-radio cross-ownership limitations; and (ii) a revised manner in which the radio numeric ownership limitations were to be applied, substituting, where available, geographic markets as determined by Nielsen Audio. In areas outside of Nielsen Audio markets, the relevant radio market for purposes of the rules is determined by overlap of specified signal contours. These changes are the subject of various appeals and review by the current FCC Commissioners.

Ownership Attribution. In the application of the ownership limitations, the FCC generally only considers “attributable” ownership interests. Attributable interests generally include: (i) equity and debt interests which when combined exceed 33% of a licensee’s or other media entity’s total asset value, if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of a station’s total weekly programming or has an attributable interest in any same-market media (television, radio, cable or newspaper), with a higher threshold in the case of investments in certain “eligible entities” acquiring broadcast stations; (ii) a 5% or greater direct or indirect voting stock interest, including certain interests held in trust, unless the holder is a qualified passive investor, in which case the threshold is a 20% or greater voting stock interest; (iii) any equity interest in a limited liability company or a partnership, including a limited partnership, unless properly “insulated” from management activities; and (iv) any position as an officer or director of a licensee or of its direct or indirect parent. In instances, as in our case, where there is a “single majority voting shareholder,” voting stock interests held by other owners in excess of the five percent standard described above are considered to be non-attributable. This exemption remains in effect, but has been under review by the FCC for a number of years.

Alien Ownership Rules. The Communications Act prohibits the issuance to or holding of broadcast licenses by foreign governments or aliens, non-U.S. citizens, whether individuals or entities, including any interest in a corporation which holds a broadcast license if more than 20% of the capital stock is owned or voted by aliens. In addition, the FCC may prohibit any corporation from holding a broadcast license if the corporation is directly or

 

2


Table of Contents

indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than 25% of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens if the FCC finds that the prohibition is in the public interest. The Communications Act gives the FCC discretion to allow greater amounts of alien ownership. In 2013, the FCC announced that it was open to considering investment proposals from international companies or individuals on a case-by-case basis.

License Renewal. The licenses issued by the FCC for radio stations are renewable authorizations that are ordinarily granted for an eight-year term. The present period for filing for license renewals began in June 2011 and concluded in April 2014. Twelve of our FCC radio station license renewal applications made in the most recent 2011-2014 renewal period remain pending. Of these, eight have been pending since the prior 2003-2006 renewal period. A station may continue to operate beyond the expiration date of its license if a timely filed license renewal application is pending.

The FCC is required to renew a broadcast station’s license if the FCC finds that the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity; there have been no serious violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations; and there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules and regulations that, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse. If a challenge is filed against a renewal application, and, as a result of an evidentiary hearing, the FCC determines that the licensee has failed to meet certain fundamental requirements and that no mitigating factors justify the imposition of a lesser sanction, the FCC may deny a license renewal application. Historically, FCC licenses have generally been renewed.

Petitions to deny the renewal applications are filed from time to time. Several petitions have been filed against us. Subject to the resolution of open FCC inquiries, we believe that our licenses will be renewed, although there can be no assurance to that effect. The non-renewal of one or more of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Transfer Or Assignment Of Licenses. The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of broadcast licenses or the transfer of control of a broadcast licensee without the prior approval of the FCC. In determining whether to grant such approval, the FCC considers a number of factors pertaining to the existing licensee and the proposed licensee, including:

 

    compliance with the various rules limiting common ownership of media properties in a given market;

 

    the “character” of the proposed licensee; and

 

    compliance with the Communications Act’s limitations on alien ownership as well as compliance with other FCC regulations and policies.

To obtain FCC consent for the assignment or transfer of control of a broadcast license, appropriate applications must be filed with the FCC. Interested parties may file objections or petitions to deny such applications. When evaluating an assignment or transfer application, the FCC is prohibited from considering whether the public interest might be served by assignment or transfer of the broadcast license to any party other than the one specified in the application. No assignment or transfer application will be granted by the FCC for any station while a renewal application is pending for the station. Once an assignment or transfer application is granted, interested parties have 30 days following public notice of the grant to seek reconsideration of that grant. The Communications Act permits certain court appeals of a contested grant as well.

Programming And Operation. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest.” A licensee is required to present programming that is responsive to issues in the station’s community of license and to maintain records demonstrating this responsiveness. The FCC regulates, among other things, political advertising; sponsorship identification; the advertisement of contests and lotteries; the conduct of station-run contests; obscene, indecent and profane broadcasts; certain employment practices; and certain technical operation requirements, including limits on human exposure to radio-frequency radiation. The FCC considers complaints from listeners concerning a station’s public service programming, employment practices, or other operational issues when processing a renewal application filed by a station, but the FCC may consider complaints at any time and may impose fines or take other action for violations of the FCC’s rules separate from its action on a renewal application.

FCC regulations prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and restrict when material it considers “indecent” can be broadcast. The FCC has greatly intensified its enforcement activities with respect to programming which it considers indecent or profane, including: (i) adopting rules to implement the statutory increase in the maximum fine which may be assessed for the broadcast of indecent or profane programming to $325,000 for a

 

3


Table of Contents

single violation, up to a maximum of $3,000,000 for a continuing violation; (ii) imposing fines on a per utterance basis instead of the imposition of a single fine for an entire program; and (iii) repeatedly warning broadcasters that future “serious” violations may result in the commencement of license revocation proceedings. There are a number of outstanding indecency proceedings in which we are defending our stations’ conduct, and there may be other complaints of this nature which have been submitted to the FCC of which we have not yet been notified.

In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit involving certain aspects of the FCC’s indecency rules. The Supreme Court invalidated violations on fleeting material that predated the FCC’s announcement of its change in policy regarding fleeting material. Otherwise the Supreme Court kept the existing indecency rules intact and left for future proceedings all other challenges to those rules.

FCC rules prohibit employment discrimination by broadcast stations on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin and gender. These rules require broadcasters generally to: (i) refrain from discrimination in hiring and promotion; (ii) widely disseminate information about all full-time job openings to all segments of the community to ensure that all qualified applicants have sufficient opportunity to apply for the job; (iii) send job vacancy announcements to recruitment organizations and others in the community indicating an interest in vacancies at the station; and (iv) implement a number of specific recruitment outreach efforts, such as job fairs, internship programs, and interaction with educational and community groups. In addition, the FCC bars discrimination with regard to race or gender in station transactions and has other rules designed to enhance the diversification of station ownership.

The FCC has rules which concern the manner in which on-air contests conducted by a station are announced and conducted, requiring in general that the material rules and terms of the contest be broadcast periodically and that the contest be conducted substantially as announced. The FCC has a pending investigation into a contest at one of our stations. See Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” for further discussion.

Enforcement Authority. The FCC has the power to impose penalties for violations of its rules under the Communications Act, including the imposition of monetary fines, the issuance of short-term licenses, the imposition of a condition on the renewal of a license, the denial of authority to acquire new stations, and the revocation of operating authority. The maximum fine for a single violation of the FCC’s rules (other than indecency rules – see discussion above) is currently $37,500.

Proposed And Recent Changes. Congress, the FCC and other federal agencies are considering or may in the future consider and adopt new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could: (1) affect, directly or indirectly, the operation, ownership and profitability of our radio stations; (2) result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenues for our radio stations; and (3) affect our ability to acquire additional radio stations or to finance those acquisitions. We cannot predict what other matters may be proposed or considered by the FCC or Congress, and we are unable to determine what effect, if any, the adoption of any such restrictions or limitations may have on our operations.

Federal Antitrust Laws. The federal agencies responsible for enforcing the federal antitrust laws, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, may investigate certain acquisitions. For an acquisition meeting certain size thresholds, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 requires the parties to file Notification and Report Forms with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice and to observe specified waiting-period requirements before consummating the acquisition. In connection with our proposed acquisition of Lincoln, on February 17, 2015, the Department of Justice issued us a request for additional information and documentary material, often referred to as a “second request.”

HD Radio

AM and FM radio stations use the FCC selected In-Band On-Channel (“IBOC”) as the exclusive technology for terrestrial digital operations. IBOC, developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation, is also known as “HD Radio.”

HD Radio technology permits a station to transmit radio programming in digital format. We currently use HD Radio digital technology on most of our FM stations. The advantages of digital audio broadcasting over traditional analog broadcasting technology include improved sound quality, the availability of additional channels and the ability to offer a greater variety of auxiliary services.

 

4


Table of Contents

Employees

As of January 31, 2015, we had 1,434 full-time employees and 881 part-time employees. With respect to certain of our stations in our Kansas City and San Francisco markets, we are a party to collective bargaining agreements with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (known as SAG-AFTRA). Approximately 11 employees are represented by these collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Corporate Governance

Code Of Business Conduct And Ethics. We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to each of our employees including our principal executive officers and senior members of our finance department. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on the “Investors” sub-page of our website located at www.entercom.com/investors.

Board Committee Charters. Each of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has a committee charter as required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. These committee charters can be found on the “Investors” sub-page of our website located at www.entercom.com/investors.

Corporate Governance Guidelines. New York Stock Exchange rules require our Board of Directors to establish certain Corporate Governance Guidelines. These guidelines can be found on the “Investors” sub-page of our website located at www.entercom.com/investors.

Environmental Compliance

As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, we are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our business.

Seasonality

Seasonal revenue fluctuations are common in the radio broadcasting industry and are due primarily to fluctuations in advertising expenditures. Our revenues are typically lowest in the first calendar quarter.

Internet Address And Internet Access To Periodic And Current Reports

You can find more information about us at our Internet website located at www.entercom.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our Internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The contents of our websites are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only. We will also provide a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K upon any written request.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Many statements contained in this report are forward-looking in nature. See Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements at the beginning of this Form 10-K. These statements are based on current plans, intentions or expectations, and actual results could differ materially as we cannot guarantee that we will achieve these plans, intentions or expectations. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are the following:

BUSINESS RISKS

Current economic growth remains slow and uneven.

Our net revenues increased marginally in 2014 as compared to the prior year. Demand for advertising during the second half of 2014 improved for us as compared to the first half of 2014. The current year benefited from the influx of advertising from political candidates and groups primarily due to certain state and federal elections. This was offset by the absence this year of the Boston Red Sox from the playoffs, as we were not able to generate post-season advertising from the broadcast of the Red Sox games. Advertising demand continues to fluctuate and reflects the uneven performance of the general economy.

 

5


Table of Contents

Due to the continued uncertain pace of economic growth, we cannot predict future revenue trends. Our results of operations could be negatively impacted by delays or reversals in the economic recovery or by future economic downturns. Also, expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions. The risks associated with our business will be more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in advertising. A decrease in advertising expenditures can have an adverse effect on our net revenues, profit margins, cash flow, and liquidity, which in turn could further impair our assets.

There can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse impact on our ability to access capital, which may be material to our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like or need to do so, which could have an adverse impact on our capacity to react to changing economic and business conditions.

Our radio stations may be adversely affected by changes in programming and competition for advertising revenues.

We operate in a highly competitive business. Our radio stations compete for audiences with advertising revenue as our principal source of income. We compete directly with other radio stations, as well as with other media, such as broadcast, cable and satellite television, internet audio, newspapers and magazines, national and local digital services, outdoor advertising and direct mail. Audience ratings and market shares are subject to change, and any decrease in our ratings or market share in a particular market could have a material adverse effect on the revenue of our stations located in that market. Audience ratings and market shares could be affected by a variety of factors, including changes in the format or content of programming (some of which may be outside of our control), personnel changes, an event or series of events, demographic shifts and general broadcast listening trends. Adverse changes in any of these areas or trends could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

While we already compete in some of our markets with stations with similarly programmed formats, if another radio station in a market were to convert its programming format to a format similar to one of our stations or if an existing competitor were to garner additional market share, our stations could suffer a reduction in ratings and/or advertising revenue and could incur increased promotional and other expenses. Competing companies may be larger and have more financial resources than we do. We cannot be assured that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings and advertising revenues.

We cannot predict the competitive effect on the radio broadcasting industry of changes in audio content distribution, changes in technology or changes in regulations.

The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of new media technologies and services. We may lack the resources to acquire new technologies or introduce new services to allow us to compete with these new offerings. Competing technologies and services, some of which are commercial free, include the following:

 

    personal digital audio devices (e.g., mobile phones including smart phones, iPods, iPads, mp3 players, audio via WiFi and WiMAX);

 

    national and local digital audio services;

 

    satellite-delivered digital radio services;

 

    audio programming by cable systems, direct-broadcast satellite systems, personal communications systems, content available over the Internet and other digital audio broadcast formats;

 

    HD Radio, which provides multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services; and

 

    low-power FM radio, which could result in additional FM radio broadcast outlets, including additional low-power FM radio signals authorized in December 2010 under the Local Community Radio Act.

We cannot predict the effect, if any, that competition arising from new technologies or regulatory changes may have on the radio broadcasting industry or on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

6


Table of Contents

We are subject to extensive regulations and are dependent on federally issued licenses to operate our radio stations. Failure to comply with such regulations could damage our business.

The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934. See Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting under Part I, Item 1, “Business.” We are required to obtain licenses from the FCC to operate our radio stations. Licenses are normally granted for a term of eight years and are renewable. Although the vast majority of FCC radio station licenses are routinely renewed, we cannot be assured that the FCC will approve our future renewal applications or that the renewals will not include conditions or qualifications. During the periods when a renewal application is pending, informal objections and petitions to deny the renewal application can be filed by interested parties, including members of the public, on a variety of grounds. Twelve of our FCC radio station license renewal applications made in the most recent 2011-2014 renewal period remain pending. Of these, eight have been pending since the prior 2003-2006 renewal period. The non-renewal, or renewal with substantial conditions or modifications, of one or more of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on us.

We must comply with extensive FCC regulations and policies in the ownership and operation of our radio stations. FCC regulations limit the number of radio stations that a licensee can own in a market, which could restrict our ability to consummate future transactions and in certain circumstances could require us to divest some radio stations. The FCC’s rules governing our radio station operations impose costs on our operations, and changes in those rules could have an adverse effect on our business. The FCC also requires radio stations to comply with certain technical requirements to limit interference between two or more radio stations. If the FCC relaxes these technical requirements, it could impair the signals transmitted by our radio stations and could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, these FCC regulations may change over time, and we cannot be assured that changes would not have a material adverse effect on us. We are currently the subject of several pending investigations by the FCC, including one involving a death following a contest at one of our stations.

Congress or federal agencies that regulate us could impose new regulations or fees on our operations that could have a material adverse effect on us.

There has been proposed legislation in the past and there could be again in the future that requires radio broadcasters to pay additional fees such as a spectrum fee for the use of the spectrum. In addition, there has been legislation proposed which would impose a new royalty fee that would be paid to record labels and performing artists for use of their recorded music. Currently we pay royalties to song composers and publishers indirectly through third parties. Any proposed legislation that is adopted into law could add additional royalties. While this proposed legislation did not become law, it has been the subject of considerable debate and activity by the broadcast industry and other parties affected by the legislation. It is currently unknown what impact any potential required royalty payments or fees would have on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The FCC has engaged in vigorous enforcement of its indecency rules against the broadcast industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

FCC regulations prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Over the last decade, the FCC has increased its enforcement efforts relating to the regulation of indecency and has threatened on more than one occasion to initiate license revocation proceedings against a broadcast licensee who commits a “serious” indecency violation. Congress has dramatically increased the penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent or profane programming, and these penalties may potentially subject broadcasters to license revocation, renewal or qualification proceedings in the event that they broadcast such material. In addition, the FCC’s heightened focus on the indecency regulatory scheme, against the broadcast industry generally, may encourage third parties to oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations. Several of our stations are currently subject to indecency-related inquiries and/or proposed fines at the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau as well as objections to our license renewals based on such inquiries and proposed fines, and we may in the future become subject to additional inquiries or proceedings related to our stations’ broadcast of obscene, indecent or profane material. To the extent that these inquiries or other proceedings result in the imposition of fines, a settlement with the FCC, revocation of any of our station licenses or denials of license renewal applications, our results of operations and business could be materially adversely affected.

 

7


Table of Contents

The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of our executive officers and other key personnel. We believe that the loss of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our radio stations compete for creative and on-air talent with other radio stations and providers of syndicated media as well as other media, such as broadcast, cable and satellite television, the Internet and satellite radio. Our on-air talent are subject to change, due to competition and for other reasons. Changes in on-air talent could materially and negatively affect our ratings and our ability to attract local and national advertisers, which could in turn adversely affect our revenues.

We depend on selected market clusters of radio stations for a material portion of our revenues.

For 2014, we generated over 50% of our net revenues in seven of our 23 markets, which were Boston, Buffalo, Denver, Kansas City, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. Accordingly, we have greater exposure to adverse events or conditions in any of these markets, such as changes in the economy, shifts in population or demographics, or changes in audience tastes, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations and cash flows.

We may be unable to effectively integrate our acquisitions.

The integration of acquisitions involves numerous risks, including:

 

    difficulties in the integration of operations and systems and the management of a large and geographically diverse group of stations;

 

    the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and

 

    the potential loss of key employees of acquired stations.

The risks of integration are magnified during any period of significant growth from acquisitions. We cannot be assured that we will be able to integrate successfully any operations, systems or management that might be acquired under the pending Lincoln acquisition or in future acquisitions. In addition, in the event that the operations of a new business do not meet expectations, we may restructure or write off the value of some or all of the assets of the new business.

Impairments to our broadcasting licenses and goodwill have reduced our earnings.

We have incurred impairment losses primarily as a result of recording non-cash write-downs of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill. A significant amount of these impairment losses were recorded in 2008 during the recession and the most recent impairment loss was recorded in 2012. As of December 31, 2014, our broadcasting licenses and goodwill comprise 82% of our total assets. The valuation of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill is subjective and based on our estimates and assumptions rather than precise calculations. The fair value measurements for both our broadcast licenses and goodwill use significant unobservable inputs and reflect our own assumptions including market share and profit margin for an average station, growth within a radio market, estimates of costs and losses during early years, potential competition within a radio market and the appropriate discount rate used in determining fair value. If events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of the broadcasting licenses and goodwill below the amount reflected on the balance sheet, we may be required to recognize impairment charges, which may be material, in future periods. Current accounting guidance does not permit a valuation increase.

We have significant obligations relating to our current operating leases.

As of December 31, 2014, we had future operating lease commitments of approximately $98.0 million that are disclosed in Note 20 in the accompanying notes to the audited consolidated financial statements. We are required to make certain estimates at the inception of a lease in order to determine whether the lease is operating or capital. There is a proposed accounting change that would require us to reflect all operating leases as capital leases. If adopted in its present form, this would result in: (1) an increase in the assets and liabilities reflected on our consolidated balance sheets; and (2) an increase in our interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense and a decrease to our station operating expense reflected on our consolidated statements of operations. The effective date has not been determined and may require retrospective adoption.

 

8


Table of Contents

Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our internal business processes and information systems and modification or interruption of such systems may disrupt our business, processes and internal controls.

The proper functioning of our internal business processes and information systems is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business. If these information technology systems fail or are interrupted, our operations may be adversely affected and operating results could be harmed. Our business processes and information systems need to be sufficiently scalable to support the future growth of our business and may require modifications or upgrades that expose us to a number of operational risks. Our information technology systems, and those of third-party providers, may also be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control. These include catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, viruses or malware, physical or electronic intrusions, unauthorized access and cyber-attacks. Any material disruption, malfunction or similar challenges with our business processes or information systems, or disruptions or challenges relating to the transition to new processes, systems or providers, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The loss of confidential information may subject us to financial liability and loss of confidence by others in how we manage our business which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, and our business could be materially adversely affected.

Virtually every organization acquires, uses and stores personally identifiable information (“PII”). We request PII from our employees, advertisers, vendors and listeners that may be stored in physical and/or electronic form. Organizations are expected to manage this private data appropriately and take precautions to protect it from loss, unauthorized access or theft. If this information is compromised, it could subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and penalties, and could expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS

Current and future indebtedness could have an adverse impact on us.

We have outstanding debt that could have an adverse impact on us. For example, these obligations:

 

    increase our vulnerability in an economic downturn, limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and reduce our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions;

 

    make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations;

 

    limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes;

 

    require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow for other purposes;

 

    restrict us from taking advantage of opportunities to grow our business; and

 

    limit or prohibit our ability to pay dividends and make other distributions.

Our senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) includes a $50 million revolving commitment (the “Revolver”) of which $49.4 million was undrawn and available to us as of December 31, 2014. The amount of the Revolver available to us is a function of covenant compliance at the time of borrowing. Based on our financial covenant analysis as of December 31, 2014, we would not be limited in these borrowings.

We may from time to time seek to amend our existing debt agreements or obtain funding or additional debt financing, which may result in higher interest rates.

 

9


Table of Contents

Our pending acquisition with Lincoln requires that we provide $105 million of consideration at closing, of which of $77.5 million is in the form of cash. We expect to fund the purchase price from some or all of the following sources: (1) the Revolver; (2) cash on hand (3) cash flow generated from operations; and (4) borrowings permitted under our Credit Facility’s term loan (the “Term B Loan”).

We will issue perpetual convertible preferred stock to Lincoln as a portion of the purchase price and it will rank senior to common stock in our capital structure. The payment of dividends on the preferred stock and the repayment of the liquidation preference of the preferred stock will take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders. The preferred stock is convertible by Lincoln into a fixed number of class A common shares after a three-year waiting period. At certain times (including the first three years after issuance), we can redeem the preferred shares in cash. The dividend rate on the preferred stock increases over time.

We must comply with the covenants in our debt agreements, which restrict our operational flexibility.

Our Credit Facility, which was entered into in November 2011 and subsequently amended in 2012 and in 2013, and the indenture governing our senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”), which were issued in November 2011, each contain provisions which, under certain circumstances, limit our ability to borrow money; make acquisitions, investments or restricted payments, including without limitation dividends and the repurchase of stock; swap or sell assets; or merge or consolidate with another company. To secure the debt under our Credit Facility, we have pledged substantially all of our assets, including the stock or equity interests of our subsidiaries. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the parent and all of our existing subsidiaries.

These debt instruments require us to maintain compliance with specific financial covenants. Our ability to comply with these financial covenants can be affected by operating performance or other events beyond our control, and we cannot be assured that we will comply with these covenants. A default under the indenture governing our Senior Notes or a default under our Credit Facility could cause a cross default. Any event of default, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Specifically, our Credit Facility requires us to comply with certain financial covenants which are defined terms within the agreement, including: (1) a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio that cannot exceed 5.5 times at December 31, 2014, and which decreases over time to 4.75 times at December 31, 2015 and 4.5 times at March 31, 2016 and thereafter; and (2) a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.75 times at December 31, 2014, which increases over time to 2.0 times at September 30, 2015 and thereafter.

Failure to comply with our financial covenants or other terms of these financial instruments and the failure to negotiate and obtain any required relief from our lenders could result in the acceleration of the maturity of our outstanding debt and our lenders could proceed against our assets, including the equity interests of our subsidiaries. Under these circumstances, the acceleration of our debt could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Because of our holding company structure, we depend on our subsidiaries for cash flow, and our access to this cash flow is restricted.

We operate as a holding company. All of our radio stations are currently owned and operated by our subsidiaries. Entercom Radio, LLC (“Radio”), our 100% owned finance subsidiary, is the borrower under our Credit Facility and is the issuer of our Senior Notes. All of our station operating subsidiaries and FCC license subsidiaries are subsidiaries of Radio. Further, we guarantee Radio’s obligations under the Credit Facility on a senior secured basis. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured basis. Radio’s subsidiaries are all full and unconditional guarantors jointly and severally under the Credit Facility and the Senior Notes.

As a holding company, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, including corporate overhead and other expenses, is cash distributed from our subsidiaries. We currently expect that the majority of the net earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries will be retained and used by them in their operations, including servicing Radio’s debt obligations. Even if our subsidiaries elect to make distributions to us, we cannot be assured that applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including the dividend covenants contained in our Credit Facility, would permit such dividends or distributions.

Our variable rate debt subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.

Borrowings under our Credit Facility are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations under the Credit Facility could increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our debt,

 

10


Table of Contents

could correspondingly decrease. As of December 31, 2014, and assuming all revolving loans are fully drawn, a 100 basis point increase in London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) rates as of December 31, 2014 would result in a $0.9 million increase in annual interest expense on our debt (in this assumption, a 100 basis point increase in LIBOR only partially impacted the interest on our Term B Loan as the LIBOR rate on our Term B Loan is subject to a 100 basis point minimum).

In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate risk. We may, however, not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate debt, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk.

A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to our debt securities by rating agencies may increase our future borrowing costs and reduce our access to capital.

Our debt has a non-investment grade rating, and any rating assigned could be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in the rating agency’s judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, such as adverse changes, so warrant. Any future lowering of our ratings would likely make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR STOCK

Our Chairman of the Board and our President and Chief Executive Officer effectively control our Company and own a substantial equity interest in us. Their interests may conflict with your interest.

As of February 13, 2015, Joseph M. Field, our Chairman of the Board, beneficially owned 1,532,920 shares of our Class A common stock and 6,148,282 shares of our Class B common stock, representing approximately 61.9% of the total voting power of all of our outstanding common stock. As of February 13, 2015, David J. Field, our President and Chief Executive Officer, one of our directors and the son of Joseph M. Field, beneficially owned 3,095,521 shares of our Class A common stock and 749,250 shares of our outstanding Class B common stock, representing approximately 10.9% of the total voting power of all of our outstanding common stock. Collectively, Joseph M. Field and David J. Field and other members of the Field family beneficially own all of our outstanding Class B common stock. Other members of the Field family and trusts for their benefit also own shares of Class A common stock.

Shares of Class B common stock are transferable only to Joseph M. Field, David J. Field, certain of their family members or trusts for any of their benefit. Upon any other transfer, shares of our Class B common stock automatically convert into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Shares of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes only when Joseph M. Field or David J. Field vote them, subject to certain exceptions when they are restricted to one vote. Joseph M. Field generally is able to control the vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and, therefore, is able to direct our management and policies, except with respect to those matters when the shares of our Class B common stock are only entitled to one vote and those matters requiring a class vote under the provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law, including, without limitation, the election of the two Class A directors.

Future sales by Joseph M. Field and/or David J. Field could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

The price for our Class A common stock could fall substantially if Joseph M. Field and/or David J. Field sell in the public market or transfer large amounts of shares, including any shares of our Class B common stock which are automatically converted to Class A common stock when sold (as described in the above paragraph). These sales, or the possibility of such sales, could make it more difficult for us to raise capital by selling equity or equity-related securities in the future.

 

11


Table of Contents

The difficulties associated with any attempt to gain control of our Company could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

Joseph M. Field controls the decision as to whether a change in control will occur for our Company. There are also provisions contained in our articles of incorporation, by-laws and Pennsylvania law that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of our Company. In addition, FCC approval for transfers of control of FCC licenses and assignments of FCC licenses is required. These restrictions and limitations could adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our stock price and trading volume could be volatile.

Our Class A common stock has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since January 29, 1999. The market price of our Class A common stock and our trading volume have been subject to fluctuations since the date of our initial public offering. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could experience volatility, regardless of our operating performance.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The types of properties required to support each of our radio stations include offices, studios and transmitter/antenna sites. We lease most of these sites. A station’s studios are generally housed with its offices in business districts. Our studio and office space leases typically contain lease terms with expiration dates of five to 15 years. Our transmitter/antenna sites, which may include an auxiliary transmitter/antenna as a back-up to the main site, contain lease terms that generally range from five to 30 years, which may include options to renew.

The transmitter/antenna site for each station is generally located so as to provide maximum market coverage. In general, we do not anticipate difficulties in renewing facility or transmitter/antenna site leases or in leasing additional space or sites if required. We have approximately $98 million in future minimum rental commitments under real estate leases (excluding leases we have not yet assumed under our pending Lincoln transaction). Many of these leases contain clauses such as defined contractual increases or cost of living adjustments.

Our principal executive offices are located at 401 E. City Avenue, Suite 809, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004, in 14,061 square feet of leased office space. The lease on these premises is due to expire on October 31, 2016. We generally consider our facilities to be suitable and of adequate size for our current and intended purposes.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We currently and from time to time are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. Management anticipates that any potential liability of ours that may arise out of or with respect to these matters will not materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Broadcast Licenses

We could face increased costs in the form of fines and a greater risk that we could lose any one or more of our broadcasting licenses if the FCC concludes that programming broadcast by our stations was obscene, indecent or profane and such conduct warrants license revocation. The FCC’s authority to impose a fine for the broadcast of such material is $325,000 for a single incident, with a maximum fine of up to $3,000,000 for a continuing violation. In the past, the FCC has issued Notices of Apparent Liability and a Forfeiture Order with respect to several of our stations proposing fines for certain programming which the FCC deemed to have been indecent. These cases are the subject of pending administrative appeals. The FCC has also investigated other complaints from the public that some of our stations broadcast indecent programming. These investigations remain pending. The FCC initiated an investigation into an incident where a person died in January 2007 after participating in a contest at one of our stations and this investigation remains pending. For a further discussion, refer to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

 

12


Table of Contents

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information For Our Common Stock

Our Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ETM.” The table below shows, for the quarters indicated, the reported high and low trading prices of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

     Price Range  
     High      Low  

Calendar Year 2014

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 12.77       $ 7.86   

Third Quarter

   $ 11.33       $ 8.03   

Second Quarter

   $ 11.11       $ 9.87   

First Quarter

   $ 11.47       $ 8.96   

Calendar Year 2013

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 10.89       $ 7.80   

Third Quarter

   $ 11.00       $ 7.68   

Second Quarter

   $ 10.13       $ 6.90   

First Quarter

   $ 8.42       $ 6.99   

There is no established trading market for our Class B common stock, $0.01 par value.

Holders

As of February 18, 2015, there were approximately 272 shareholders of record of our Class A common stock. Based upon available information, we believe we have approximately 2,295 beneficial owners of our Class A common stock. There are four shareholders of record of our Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, and no shareholders of record of our Class C common stock, $0.01 par value.

Dividends

We do not currently pay, and have not paid since 2008, dividends on our common stock. The payment of 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 compliance with the restrictions set forth in our Credit Facility and the indenture governing our Senior Notes.

For a summary of these restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, see Liquidity under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations,” and Note 8 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

13


Table of Contents

Repurchases Of Our Stock

The following table provides information on our repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2014:

 

Period (1)

   (a)
Total
Number
Of

Shares
Purchased
     (b)
Average
Price
Paid Per
Share
     (c)
Total
Number
Of Shares
Purchased
As Part Of
Publicly
Announced
Plans Or
Programs
     (d)
Maximum
Approximate
Dollar

Value Of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under The
Plans Or
Programs
 

October 1, 2014 - October 31, 2014

     —         $ —           —         $ —     

November 1, 2014 - November 30, 2014

     2,426       $ 10.28         —         $ —     

December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

     45,819       $ 12.54         —         $ —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

  48,245      —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(1)  We withheld shares upon the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) in order to satisfy employees’ tax obligations. As a result, we are deemed to have purchased: (1) 2,426 shares at an average price of $10.28 per share in November 2014; and (2) 45,819 shares at an average price of $12.54 per share in December 2014.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2014, the number of securities outstanding under our equity compensation plans, the weighted average exercise price of such securities and the number of securities available for grant under these plans:

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 2014

 
     (a)      (b)      (c)  

Plan Category

   Number Of
Shares To Be
Issued Upon
Exercise Of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
And Rights
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price Of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
And Rights
     Number Of
Securities
Remaining
Available For
Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Column (a))
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders:

        

Entercom Equity Compensation Plan (1)

     486,675       $ 2.11         3,233,181   

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders:

        

None

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

  486,675      3,233,181   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(1)  On January 1 of each year, the number of shares of Class A common stock authorized under the Entercom Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is automatically increased by 1.5 million, or a lesser number as may be determined by our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors elected to forego the January 1, 2015 increase. As of December 31, 2014: (i) the maximum number of shares authorized under the Plan was 10.3 million shares; and (ii) 3.2 million shares remain available for future grant under the Plan.

 

14


Table of Contents

For a description of the Entercom Equity Compensation Plan refer to Note 12, Share-Based Compensation, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

15


Table of Contents

Performance Graph

The following Comparative Stock Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Form 10-K into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference. This Comparative Stock Performance Graph is being furnished with this Form 10-K and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.

The following line graph compares the cumulative 5-year total return provided to shareholders of our Class A common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of: (i) the S&P 500 index; and (ii) a peer group index consisting of Cumulus Media Inc., Emmis Communications Corp., Radio One, Inc. and Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. An investment of $100 (with reinvestment of all dividends) is assumed to have been made on December 31, 2009.

Cumulative Five-Year Return Index Of A $100 Investment

 

LOGO

 

     12/09      12/10      12/11      12/12      12/13      12/14  

Entercom Communications Corp.

     100.00         163.79         86.99         98.73         148.66         171.99   

S&P 500

     100.00         115.06         117.49         136.30         180.44         205.14   

Peer Group

     100.00         96.72         74.72         68.73         190.20         104.31   

 

16


Table of Contents
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data below, as of and for 2014 and the four prior years, were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data for 2014, 2013 and 2012 and balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the corresponding audited consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected financial data for 2011 and 2010 and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from financial statements not included herein.

Our financial results are not comparable from year to year due to acquisitions and dispositions of radio stations, impairments of broadcasting licenses and goodwill and other significant events:

 

    In year 2012, we incurred an impairment loss of $22.3 million in connection with our review of goodwill and broadcasting licenses. See the notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the contributing factors to the impairment losses;

 

    We acquired one radio station in each of the years 2012 and 2011;

 

    In 2011, we reversed a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets that had been established in 2008 primarily due to a material impairment loss incurred in that same year; and

 

    In the fourth quarter of 2011, we refinanced our debt which substantially increased our interest expense in 2012 as our new debt had higher borrowing rates than our prior debt. In addition, we incurred new deferred financing fees as part of the refinancing that were higher than the previous deferred financing fees. Subsequent modifications of our outstanding debt in the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012 decreased our borrowing rate.

 

17


Table of Contents

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Operating Data:

          

Net revenues

   $ 379,789      $ 377,618      $ 388,924      $ 382,727      $ 391,447   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (income) expenses:

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense

  259,184      252,596      252,934      264,195      258,896   

Depreciation and amortization

  7,794      8,545      10,839      11,276      12,660   

Corporate G & A expenses, including non-cash compensation expense

  26,572      24,381      25,874      26,609      21,954   

Impairment loss

  —        850      22,307      —        —     

Merger and acquisition costs

  1,042      —        —        767      —     

Net time brokerage agreement fees (income)

  —        —        238      244      —     

Net (gain) loss on sale of assets

  (379   (1,321   138      163      228   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  294,213      285,051      312,330      303,254      293,738   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  85,576      92,567      76,594      79,473      97,709   

Other (income) expense:

Net interest expense

  38,821      44,232      53,446      24,919      30,491   

Other income

  —        (165   (118   (32   (49

(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt

  —        —        747      1,144      62   

Net loss on investments

  21      —        123      30      174   

Net (gain) loss on derivative instruments

  —        —        (1,346   1,346      —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

  38,842      44,067      52,852      27,407      30,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit)

  46,734      48,500      23,742      52,066      67,031   

Income taxes (benefit)

  19,911      22,476      12,474      (18,988   20,595   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 26,823    $ 26,024    $ 11,268    $ 71,054    $ 46,436   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

18


Table of Contents

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Operating Data (continued):

          

Net income (loss) per common share - basic:

   $ 0.71      $ 0.70      $ 0.31      $ 1.95      $ 1.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share - diluted:

$ 0.69    $ 0.68    $ 0.30    $ 1.88    $ 1.23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares - basic

  37,763      37,418      36,906      36,369      35,712   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares - diluted

  38,664      38,301      37,810      37,764      37,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows Data:

Cash flows related to:

Operating activities

$ 65,296    $ 63,349    $ 69,702    $ 85,525    $ 90,410   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities

$ (7,055 $ (4,583 $ (29,359 $ (14,284 $ (4,262
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

$ (38,932 $ (55,458 $ (35,045 $ (71,384 $ (93,131
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  

Balance Sheet Data:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 31,540      $ 12,231      $ 8,923      $ 3,625      $ 3,768   

Intangibles and other assets

     771,081        774,893        777,885        779,495        756,583   

Total assets

     926,615        912,688        920,358        919,269        901,025   

Senior secured debt, including current portion

     262,000        299,500        352,592        385,121        650,148   

Senior unsecured notes, senior subordinated notes and other

     217,929        217,624        229,959        229,713        12,610   

Deferred tax liabilities and other long-term liabilities

     89,904        70,519        41,455        23,152        42,378   

Total shareholders’ equity

     329,021        298,393        269,494        253,688        170,667   

 

19


Table of Contents
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

We are the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States with a portfolio that, including the pending acquisition of Lincoln, boasts over 125 radio stations in 26 top markets across the country.

A radio broadcasting company derives its revenues primarily from the sale of broadcasting time to local and national advertisers. Net revenues are gross revenues minus agency commissions. The revenues are determined by the advertising rates charged and the number of advertisements broadcast. We maximize our revenues by managing the inventory of advertising spots available for broadcast, which can vary throughout the day but is consistent over time. Advertising rates are primarily based on four factors:

 

    a station’s audience share in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers as measured principally by periodic reports issued by Nielson Audio;

 

    the number of radio stations in the market competing for the same demographic groups;

 

    the supply of, and demand for, radio advertising time, both nationally and in the region in which the station operates; and

 

    the market’s size based upon available radio advertising revenue.

In 2014, we generated the majority of our net revenues from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each individual local radio station’s sales staff, and the next largest amount from national advertising, which is sold by an independent advertising sales representative. This includes, but is not limited to, the sale of advertising on our stations’ websites, the sale of advertising during audio streaming of our radio stations over the Internet and fully integrated local digital marketing strategies. We generated the balance of our 2014 revenues principally from network compensation, non-spot revenue and e-commerce.

Our most significant station operating expenses are employee compensation, programming and promotional expenses. Other significant expenses that impact our profitability are interest and depreciation and amortization expense.

Our performance is based upon the aggregate performance of our radio stations. The following are some of the factors that impact a radio station’s performance at any given time: (i) audience ratings; (ii) program content; (iii) management talent and expertise; (iv) sales talent and expertise; (v) audience characteristics; (vi) signal strength; and (vii) the number and characteristics of other radio stations and other advertising media in the market area.

In the radio broadcasting industry, seasonal revenue fluctuations are common and are due primarily to variations in advertising expenditures by local and national advertisers. Typically, revenues are lowest in the first calendar quarter of the year.

As opportunities arise, we may, on a selective basis, change or modify a station’s format due to changes in listeners’ tastes or changes in a competitor’s format. This could have an initial negative impact on a station’s ratings and/or revenues, and there are no guarantees that the modification or change will be beneficial at some future time. Our management is continually focused on these opportunities as well as the associated risks and uncertainties. We strive to develop compelling content and strong brand images to maximize audience ratings that are crucial to our stations’ financial success.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The following results of operations include a discussion of 2014 as compared to the prior year and a discussion of 2013 as compared to the prior year.

We evaluate net revenues, station operating expenses and operating income by comparing the performance of stations owned or operated by us throughout a relevant period to the performance of those same stations in the prior period whether or not owned or operated by us. Same station comparisons are used by us and those in the industry to assess the effect of acquisitions and dispositions on our operations throughout the periods measured. For those acquisitions and dispositions that management considers material, we include these stations in our same station computations. The acquisition noted below was not considered material.

 

20


Table of Contents

On May 1, 2012, we commenced operations under a TBA for KBLX-FM, a station in the San Francisco, California, market. On June 28, 2012, we acquired KBLX-FM for $25.0 million in cash.

Results Of Operations

The year 2014 as compared to the year 2013

 

 

The following significant factors affected our results of operations for 2014 as compared to the prior year:

During the fourth quarter of 2014, we incurred merger and acquisition costs of $1.0 million related to our pending acquisition of Lincoln.

During the third quarter of 2014, we settled a legal claim for $1.0 million. This amount was included in corporate general and administrative expenses.

During the fourth quarter of 2013, our Term B Loan was modified, reducing interest rates on outstanding debt upon which interest is computed thereby lowering our interest expense in 2014 as compared to 2013.

During the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a non-cash gain of $1.6 million on the sale of certain towers under sale and leaseback accounting.

 

21


Table of Contents
     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014      2013      % Change  
     (dollars in millions)  

NET REVENUES

   $ 379.8       $ 377.6         1

OPERATING EXPENSE:

        

Station operating expenses

     259.2         252.6         3

Depreciation and amortization expense

     7.8         8.5         (8 %) 

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     26.6         24.4         9

Other operating expenses

     0.6         (0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expense

  294.2      285.1      3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

  85.6      92.5      (7 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

Net interest expense

  38.8      44.2      (12 %) 

Other income and expense

  —        (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE

  38.8      44.1      (12 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  46.8      48.4      (3 %) 

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  20.0      22.4      (11 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$ 26.8    $ 26.0      3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net Revenues

Our net revenues increased marginally in 2014 as compared to the prior year. Demand for advertising during the second half of 2014 improved for us as compared to demand in the first half of 2014. The current year benefited from the influx of advertising from political candidates and groups primarily due to certain state and federal elections during that period. This was offset by the absence this year of the Boston Red Sox from the playoffs, as we were not able to generate post-season advertising from the broadcast of the Red Sox games. Advertising demand continues to fluctuate and reflects the uneven performance of the general economy.

Net revenues increased the most for our stations in the Kansas City and San Francisco markets, offset by revenue decreases for our stations located in the Boston and Portland markets. A factor contributing to the decline in our Boston market is described above.

Station Operating Expenses

Station operating expenses increased for the current year primarily due to the commencement and integration of SmartReach Digital, a digital marketing initiative.

This increase in station operating expenses during the year was partially offset by: (1) the absence this year of the Boston Red Sox from the playoffs as we did not incur variable station operating expenses associated with post-season advertising from the broadcast of the Red Sox games; and (2) the termination of the Celtics radio sports contract after last year’s season.

Depreciation And Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in 2014 primarily due to a trend of lower capital expenditure requirements over the past several years, offset by higher capital expenditures in the current year.

Corporate General And Administrative Expenses

Corporate general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to: (1) the settlement during the third quarter of 2014 of a $1.0 million legal claim; and (2) an increase in non-cash compensation expense of $1.0 million.

 

22


Table of Contents

Operating Income

Operating income decreased primarily due to: (1) a $6.6 million increase in station operating expenses; (2) a $2.2 increase in corporate general and administrative expenses; and (3) a $1.0 million increase in merger and acquisition costs associated with the Lincoln transaction. The decrease was offset by an increase of $2.2 million in net revenues.

Interest Expense

The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to: (1) lower outstanding debt upon which interest is computed; and (2) lower interest rates as a result of the December 2013 modification to the Credit Facility.

The weighted average variable interest rate as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 4%.

Income Before Income Taxes

The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in operating income, offset by a decrease in interest expense.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 42.6% for 2014. This rate was impacted by expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes and net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill. During this period, we received a discrete tax benefit from legislatively reduced income tax rates in certain states.

The effective income tax rate was 46.3% for 2013 which was higher than expected due to an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill and discrete items arising during the period such as tax benefit shortfalls associated with share-based awards.

Estimated Income Tax Rate For 2015

We estimate that our 2015 annual tax rate before discrete items, which may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, will be in the low 40% range. We anticipate that our rate in 2015 could be affected primarily by: (1) changes in the level of income in any of our taxing jurisdictions; (2) adding facilities in states that on average have different income tax rates from states in which we currently operate and the resulting effect on previously reported temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of our assets and liabilities; (3) the effect of recording changes in our liabilities for uncertain tax positions; (4) taxes in certain states that are dependent on factors other than taxable income; (5) the limitations on the deduction of cash and certain non-cash compensation expense for certain key employees; and (6) any tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards. Our annual effective tax rate may also be materially impacted by: (i) tax expense associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (ii) regulatory changes in certain states in which we operate; (iii) changes in the expected outcome of tax audits; (iv) changes in the estimate of expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (v) changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.

In the event we determine at a future time that it is more likely than not that we will not realize our net deferred tax assets, we will increase our deferred tax asset valuation allowance and increase income tax expense in the period when we make such a determination.

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our total net deferred tax liabilities were $61.2 million and $41.4 million, respectively. Our net deferred tax liabilities primarily relate to differences between book and tax bases of certain of our indefinite-lived intangibles (broadcasting licenses and goodwill). Under accounting guidance, we do not amortize our indefinite-lived intangibles for financial statement purposes, but instead test them annually for impairment. The amortization of our indefinite-lived assets for tax purposes but not for book purposes creates deferred tax liabilities. A reversal of deferred tax liabilities may occur when indefinite-lived intangibles: (1) become impaired; or (2) are sold, which would typically only occur in connection with the sale of the assets of a station or groups of stations or the entire company in a taxable transaction. Due to the amortization for tax purposes and not book purposes of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we expect to continue to generate deferred tax liabilities in future periods (without consideration for any impairment loss in future periods).

 

23


Table of Contents

Net Income

The increase in net income was primarily due to a decrease in the effective income tax rate.

Results Of Operations

The year 2013 as compared to the year 2012

 

 

The following significant factors affected our results of operations for 2013 as compared to the prior year:

During each of the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2012, our Term B Loan was modified, reducing interest rates on outstanding debt upon which interest is computed thereby lowering our interest expense in 2013 as compared to 2012.

During the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a non-cash gain of $1.6 million on the sale of certain towers under sale and leaseback accounting.

In the third quarter of 2012, we recorded a $2.0 million music royalty expense credit as a result of an industry settlement with Broadcast Music Inc. (“BMI”) for fees paid in prior years.

In June 2012, we acquired KBLX-FM, a station in the San Francisco, California, market, for $25.0 million in cash. We commenced operations of KBLX-FM under a TBA on May 1, 2012 that increased our revenues, station operating expenses, depreciation and amortization expense and interest expense.

During the second quarter of 2012, we recorded an impairment loss of $22.3 million in our Boston market as a result of a write-down in the carrying value of our broadcasting licenses.

 

24


Table of Contents
     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2013      2012      % Change  
     (dollars in millions)  

NET REVENUES

   $ 377.6       $ 388.9         (3 %) 

OPERATING EXPENSE:

        

Station operating expenses

     252.6         252.9         (0 %) 

Depreciation and amortization expense

     8.5         10.8         (21 %) 

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     24.4         25.9         (6 %) 

Other operating expenses

     (0.4      22.7      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expense

  285.1      312.3      (9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

  92.5      76.6      21
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

Net interest expense

  44.2      53.4      (17 %) 

Other income and expense

  (0.1   (0.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE

  44.1      52.9      (17 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  48.4      23.7      104

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  22.4      12.4      81
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  -26.0      -11.3      130
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net Revenues

Net revenues were down versus the prior year due to sluggish demand for advertising as total radio ad revenues in the markets in which we operate declined for the year. In addition, the prior year benefited from the influx of advertising from political candidates and groups primarily due to the high number of state and federal elections during that period.

Net revenues increased the most for our stations in the Kansas City and Memphis markets, offset by revenue decreases for our stations located in the Boston and Norfolk markets. Net revenues were favorably impacted by: (1) our acquisition of KBLX-FM, San Francisco, which we began operating on May 1, 2012 under a TBA; and (2) our joint sales agreement that was effective July 1, 2012 with two Gainesville stations not owned by us.

Station Operating Expenses

Station operating expenses remained flat primarily as this year’s expenses benefited from certain cost reduction initiatives and a reduction in certain variable sales costs that were dependent on the decline in net revenues. This was offset by a benefit to last year’s expense of a $2.0 million music royalty expense credit as a result of an industry settlement with BMI for fees paid by us to BMI in prior years.

Depreciation And Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in 2013 primarily due to a trend of lower capital expenditure requirements over the past several years.

Corporate General And Administrative Expenses

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to a decline in non-cash equity compensation expense of $1.6 million and a decrease in management bonus incentives of $0.9 million. The decrease was offset by an increase in deferred compensation expense of $0.8 million, as our deferred compensation liability generally tracks movements in the stock market.

 

25


Table of Contents

Operating Income

Operating income increased as the prior year included an impairment loss of $22.3 million in our Boston market in connection with our review of broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Operating income also increased due to: (1) a $2.3 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense; and (2) a $1.5 million decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses.

The increase in operating income was offset by a decrease in net revenues of $11.3 million.

Interest Expense

The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to: (1) lower interest rates as a result of the November 2012 modification to our Term B Loan; and (2) lower outstanding debt upon which interest is computed.

The weighted average variable interest rate as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was 4.0% and 5.01%, respectively.

Income Before Income Taxes

The increase was primarily attributable to: (1) an increase in operating income as the prior year’s operating income was negatively impacted by an impairment loss of $22.3 million; and (2) a decrease in interest expense. The increase was offset by a decrease in net revenues.

Income Taxes (Benefit)

The income tax rate was 46.3% for 2013, which includes an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill and tax benefit shortfalls associated with share-based awards.

The income tax rate was 52.5% for 2012, which includes adjustments for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, and the recognition of tax benefits related to discrete items arising during the period. Our 2012 annual tax rate before discrete items was higher than the expected low 40% range primarily due to the negative impact of the impairment loss recorded in the second quarter of 2012.

Net Income

The increase in net income was primarily due to the impact to the prior year of an impairment loss, net of income taxes.

Future Impairments

We may determine that it will be necessary to take impairment charges in future periods if we determine the carrying value of our intangible assets is more than the fair value. Our annual impairment test of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill was performed in the second quarter of 2014. We may be required to retest prior to our next annual evaluation, which could result in a material impairment. As of December 31, 2014, no interim impairment test was required for our broadcasting licenses and goodwill.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

Liquidity

Over the past several years, we have used a significant portion of our cash flow to reduce our indebtedness. To consummate the pending acquisition of Lincoln (as described below), which requires the payment in cash of $77.5 million (plus an amount to be determined for working capital) at closing, we expect to fund the cash portion of the purchase price, including acquisition-related working capital, from any or all of the following sources: (1) the Revolver; (2) cash on hand; (3) cash flow generated from operations; and (4) borrowings permitted under our Credit Facility. We may from time to time seek to repurchase and retire our outstanding debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

 

26


Table of Contents

We may also use our capital resources to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock, pay dividends to our shareholders and to purchase radio station assets. We expect to fund a portion of the Lincoln acquisition with the issuance by us of perpetual cumulative convertible preferred stock in the amount of $27.5 million, which also requires us to pay dividends on the preferred stock. We could also use our capital resources to repurchase the preferred stock from time to time. Generally, our cash requirements are funded from one or a combination of internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our credit agreements.

As of December 31, 2014, we had $262.0 million outstanding under our Credit Facility, $220.0 million principal amount of our Senior Notes and $31.5 million in cash. In addition, we have outstanding $0.6 million in letters of credit.

During 2014, we decreased our outstanding debt by $37.5 million (excluding the impact of amortization of the Original Issue Discount on our Senior Notes) and increased our cash by $19.3 million to $31.5 million in cash.

During the year ended 2013, we decreased our outstanding debt by $53.0 million.

The Credit Facility

On November 23, 2011, we entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders for a $425 million Credit Facility that was comprised of: (a) a $50 million Revolver that matures on November 23, 2016; and (b) a $375 million Term B Loan that matures on November 23, 2018. The Term B Loan amortizes in quarterly installments of $0.8 million and any remaining principal and interest is due at maturity (except for certain mandatory principal prepayments of Excess Cash Flow and other events as described below). As of December 31, 2014, $262.0 million was outstanding under the Term B Loan and no amount was outstanding under the Revolver.

The available undrawn amount of the Revolver was $49.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The amount of the Revolver available to us is a function of covenant compliance at the time of borrowing. Based on our financial covenant analysis as of December 31, 2014, we would not be limited in these borrowings.

The Term B Loan requires: (1) mandatory prepayments equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow, as defined within the agreement, subject to incremental step-downs depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio; and (2) mandatory prepayments from certain events such as the sale of certain property or the issuance of debt. Under the Term B Loan, an Excess Cash Flow payment is due in the first quarter of each year based on the Excess Cash Flow and Leverage Ratio for the prior year. The Excess Cash Flow payment, which is due in the first quarter of 2015, was fully paid as of December 31, 2014 as we made sufficient pre-payments in 2014 using cash from operating activities.

As of December 31, 2014, we are in compliance with all financial covenants and all other terms of the Credit Facility in all material respects. Our ability to maintain compliance with our covenants is highly dependent on our results of operations. A default under our Credit Facility or the indenture governing our Senior Notes could cause a cross default in the other instrument. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We believe that over the next 12 months we can continue to maintain our compliance with these covenants. Our operating cash flow remains positive, and we believe that it is adequate to fund our operating needs. We believe that cash on hand and cash from operating activities, together with available borrowings under the Revolver, will be sufficient to permit us to meet our liquidity requirements over the next 12 months, including our debt repayments. As a result, we have not been required to rely upon, and we do not anticipate being required to rely upon, the Revolver to fund our operations.

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 the acceleration of the maturity of all outstanding debt. Under these circumstances, 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 financing, which may result in higher interest rates.

 

27


Table of Contents

The Credit Facility requires us to maintain compliance with certain financial covenants which are defined terms within the agreement, including:

 

    a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio that cannot exceed 5.5 times at December 31, 2014, 4.75 times at December 31, 2015 and which decreases over time to 4.5 times at March 31, 2016 and thereafter; and

 

    a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.75 times at December 31, 2014, which increases over time to 2.0 times at September 30, 2015 and thereafter.

As of December 31, 2014, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 4.5 times and our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 2.9 times.

On December 2, 2013 and on November 27, 2012, the Term B Loan was amended, which reduced our interest rates on outstanding debt. Under the amended Term B Loan and depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, we may elect an interest rate per annum equal to: (1) LIBOR plus fees of 3.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the interest rate ranged from LIBOR plus fees from 3.5% to 5.0%); and (2) the Base Rate plus fees of 2.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the interest rate ranged from the Base Rate plus fees from 2.5% to 4.0%). The Term B Loan includes a LIBOR floor of 1.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the LIBOR floor was 1.25%).

Under the Revolver and depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, we may elect an interest rate per annum equal to: (1) LIBOR plus fees that can range from 4.5% to 5.0%; or (2) the Base Rate plus fees that can range from 3.5% to 4.0%, where the Base Rate is the highest of: (a) the administrative agent’s prime rate; (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%; and (c) LIBOR plus 1.0%. In addition, the Revolver requires us to pay a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum for the unused amount of the Revolver.

We expect that we may use the Revolver to: (1) provide for working capital; and (2) provide for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and any or all of the following (subject to certain restrictions): the pending Lincoln acquisition, repurchases of our Senior Notes, repurchases of Class A common stock, investments, dividends and future acquisitions. The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of 100% of the capital stock and other equity interest in all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Facility is secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets, with limited exclusions (including our real property). The assets securing the Credit Facility are subject to customary release provisions which would enable us to sell such assets free and clear of encumbrance, subject to certain conditions and exceptions.

The Term B Loan amendment in December 2013 was treated as a loan modification and we: (1) recorded deferred financing costs of $1.0 million that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method; and (2) maintained unamortized deferred financing costs of $6.8 million that will continue to be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method. There was no extinguishment of debt as all lenders participated at the same commitment level and agreed to the terms of the amendment. We also incurred third-party costs of under $0.1 million that were expensed.

We treated the Term B Loan amendment in November 2012 under modification accounting and we: (1) recorded deferred financing costs of $1.1 million that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method; and (2) maintained unamortized deferred financing costs of $9.0 million that will continue to be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method. We also recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $0.7 million for those lenders who either participated at a reduced commitment level or for those lenders who did not agree to the terms of the amendment. We also incurred third-party costs of $0.1 million that were expensed.

Pending Acquisition - Lincoln

On December 7, 2014, we entered into a stock purchase agreement (“SPA”) with The Lincoln Life Insurance Company to acquire the stock of one of its subsidiaries that holds the assets and liabilities of 15 radio stations serving the Atlanta, Denver, Miami and San Diego radio markets. The purchase price is $105.0 million of which $77.5 million will be paid in cash and $27.5 million will be paid with a new issuance of perpetual cumulative convertible preferred stock. Other than in Denver, we do not currently operate any stations in these markets. The SPA provides for a step-up in basis for tax purposes. Merger and acquisition related costs of $1.0 million were expensed as a separate line item in the statement of operations for 2014. Subject to regulatory approval, we expect to complete this transaction during the second half of 2015.

 

28


Table of Contents

Concurrently with entering into the SPA, we also entered into a TBA that we expect will commence once we receive governmental regulatory approval. During the period of the TBA, which terminates upon the closing of this transaction, we will include the net revenues, station operating expenses and TBA fees associated with operating these stations in our consolidated financial statements. Depending on the timing of closing, we could incur in 2015 up to $7.0 million annually in TBA fees, which increases by $1.5 million each year over the following three years. The payment of the TBA fees is in exchange for our retention of the operating profits or losses from the operation of these radio stations during the TBA period.

Upon commencement of the TBA, we believe that Lincoln is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and that we are the primary beneficiary as we may absorb the profits and losses from the operation of the VIE during the period of the TBA. Effective upon the commencement of the TBA, we expect to consolidate 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 this transaction. The equity investment by Lincoln in the VIE would be reflected as a non-controlling interest. The assets of our consolidated VIE can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. There is a lack of recourse by the beneficial interest holders of the VIE against our general creditors.

 

29


Table of Contents

Credit Facility’s Financial Covenants

The following table presents the computations of our Consolidated Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as defined under our Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014:

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio Computations:

      
(amounts in thousands, except ratios)       

Numerator: Consolidated Funded Indebtedness

  

Senior debt outstanding

   $ 262,000   

Senior Notes at maturity

     220,000   

Letter of credit outstanding

     620   
  

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding

  482,620   

Less cash available, not to exceed $40 million

  (31,540
  

 

 

 

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness

$ 451,080   
  

 

 

 

Denominator: Consolidated Operating Cash Flow

Net income

$ 26,823   

Income taxes

  19,911   

Depreciation and amortization

  7,794   

Interest expense

  38,821   

Non-cash compensation expense

  5,233   

Deferred non-cash charges

  2,312   

Unusual gains not in the ordinary course of business

  (601
  

 

 

 

Consolidated Operating Cash Flow

$ 100,293   
  

 

 

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

  4.50   
  

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio Computations:

      
(amounts in thousands, except ratios)       

Numerator: Consolidated Operating Cash Flow

   $ 100,293   
  

 

 

 

Denominator: Consolidated Interest Charges

Interest expense

$ 38,821   

Less: interest income and deferred financing expense

  (4,165
  

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest Charges

$ 34,656   
  

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio

  2.89   
  

 

 

 

The Senior Notes

Simultaneously with entering into the Credit Facility, on November 23, 2011 we issued 10.5% unsecured senior notes, or the Senior Notes, which mature on December 1, 2019 in the amount of $220.0 million. We received net proceeds of $212.7 million, which includes a discount of $2.9 million and deferred financing costs of $6.1 million, which will be amortized over the term under the effective interest rate method.

Interest on the Senior Notes accrues at the rate of 10.5% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Senior Notes may be redeemed at any time on or after December 1, 2015 at a redemption price of 105.25% of their principal amount plus accrued interest. The redemption price decreases to 102.625% of their principal amount plus accrued interest on or after December 1, 2016 and 100% on or after December 1, 2017. The Senior Notes are unsecured and rank: (1) senior in right of payment to our future subordinated debt; (2) equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior debt; (3) effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured debt (including the debt under our Credit Facility), to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt; and (4) structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

In addition to the parent, Entercom Communications Corp., all of the Company’s existing subsidiaries (other than Entercom Radio, LLC, which is a finance subsidiary and is the issuer of the Senior Notes), jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes. Under certain covenants, our subsidiary guarantors are restricted from paying dividends or distributions in excess of amounts defined under the Senior Notes, and the subsidiary guarantors are limited in their ability to incur additional indebtedness under certain restrictive covenants.

 

30


Table of Contents

A default under our Senior Notes could cause a default under our Credit Facility. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Repurchases

We may from time to time seek to repurchase and retire our outstanding debt through cash purchases, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

Finance Method Lease Obligation

On June 23, 2013, we eliminated our finance method lease obligation of $12.6 million and recorded a current and deferred gain on the disposition of the towers of $1.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively. We recorded this transaction during the second quarter of 2013 as a non-cash reduction of debt and non-cash recognition of gain.

As background, in 2009, we completed the sale of certain tower facilities for $12.6 million in cash. At the same time, we entered into leases for space on these towers for use by our radio stations. The agreement of sale provided for a possible earn-out to us of additional cash consideration, depending on whether the buyer met certain revenue targets. The period during the earn-out constituted a continuing involvement by us that precluded sale and leaseback accounting during the period of the earn-out and we recorded a finance method lease obligation. On June 23, 2013, the earn-out period ended, and it was determined that we were not entitled to receive any additional compensation.

Pending Issuance Of Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock

The perpetual convertible preferred stock we expect to issue upon the acquisition of Lincoln would rank senior to common stock in our capital structure. The payment of dividends on the preferred stock and the repayment of the liquidation preference of the preferred stock will take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders. The preferred stock is convertible by Lincoln into a fixed number of shares after a three-year waiting period. At certain times (including the first three years after issuance), we can redeem the preferred shares in cash. The dividend rate on the preferred stock increases over time from 6% to 12%.

Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $65.3 million and $63.3 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively. The cash flows from operating activities increased primarily due to: (1) a $5.4 million decrease in interest expense as a result of a decline in the outstanding debt upon which interest is computed and a decline in the average interest rate used to compute interest on outstanding debt; and (2) a decrease in working capital requirements of $3.6 million. This increase in cash flows from operating activities was offset by a $7.0 million decrease in operating income primarily due to the increase in station operating expenses of $6.6 million.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $63.3 million and $69.7 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The cash flows decreased primarily due to the decrease in net revenues of $11.3 million, offset by a $9.2 million decrease in interest expense as a result of: (1) a decline in the average interest rate used to compute interest on outstanding debt, primarily due to the modification to the Term B Loan during the fourth quarter of 2012; and (2) a decline in the outstanding debt upon which interest is computed.

Investing Activities

For 2014 and 2013, net cash flows used in investing activities were $7.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, which primarily reflected the additions to property and equipment of $8.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively. For 2012, net cash flows used in investing activities were $29.4 million, which primarily reflected the purchase of radio station assets of $25.3 million as well as additions to property and equipment.

 

31


Table of Contents

Financing Activities

For 2014, 2013 and 2012, net cash flows used in financing activities were $38.9 million, $55.5 million and $35.0 million, respectively.

For each of these years, the cash flows used in financing activities primarily reflected the net repayment of debt of $37.5 million, $53.0 million and $32.5 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, we paid a nominal amount in income taxes (state income taxes) as we have benefited from the tax deductions available on acquired assets, which are primarily intangible assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill. We anticipate that it will not be necessary to make any additional quarterly estimated federal, and most state, income tax payments for 2015, based upon projected quarterly taxable income and our ability to utilize federal and state net operating loss carryforwards.

Dividends

We do not currently pay and have not paid dividends on our common stock since 2008. 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 Indenture governing our Notes.

See Liquidity under Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations,” and Note 8 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Share Repurchase Programs

Any share repurchase program is subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. Such approval would be dependent on many factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and restrictions under our Credit Facility and the indenture governing our Senior Notes. New share repurchase programs could be commenced at any time without prior notice.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $8.4 million, $4.3 million and $3.7 million, respectively. We anticipate that capital expenditures in 2015 will be between $7.5 million and $8.5 million.

Credit Rating Agencies

In connection with our refinancing during November 2011, we received credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Services. On a continuing basis, these and other rating agencies may evaluate our debt in order to assign a credit rating. Any significant downgrade in our credit rating could adversely impact our future liquidity by limiting or eliminating our ability to obtain debt financing.

 

32


Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations

The following table reflects a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 (excludes the contractual commitments for pending Lincoln transaction, other than the purchase price obligation):

 

     Payments Due By Period  

Contractual Obligations:

   Total      Less Than
1 Year
     1 To 3
Years
     3 To 5
Years
     More Than
5

Years
 

Long-term debt obligations (1)

   $ 636,082       $ 36,535       $ 72,710       $ 526,837       $ —     

Operating lease obligations (2)

     97,976         14,215         27,182         20,923         35,656   

Purchase obligations (3)

     269,774         180,605         83,500         5,153         516   

Other long-term liabilities (4)

     89,904         806         2,884         2,432         83,782   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,093,736    $ 232,161    $ 186,276    $ 555,345    $ 119,954   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The total amount reflected in the above table includes principal and interest.

 

  (a) Our Credit Facility had outstanding debt in the amount of $262.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The maturity under our Credit Facility could be accelerated if we do not maintain compliance with certain covenants. The principal maturities reflected exclude any impact from required principal payments based upon our future operating performance. The above table includes projected interest expense under the remaining term of our Credit Facility.

 

  (b) Under our Senior Notes, the maturity could be accelerated if we do not maintain certain covenants or could be repaid in cash by us at our option prior to maturity. The above table includes projected interest expense under the remaining term of the agreement.

 

(2) Certain leases include contingent rents for common area maintenance. These amounts are included in minimum operating lease commitments when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably measurable.

 

(3)    (a) We have purchase obligations of $161.7 million including contracts primarily for on-air personalities, ratings services, sports programming rights, software and equipment maintenance and certain other operating contracts.

 

  (b) In addition to the above, we have $108.1 million in liabilities related to: (i) a pending acquisition with Lincoln to acquire the stock of multiple radio stations for $77.5 million in cash and $27.5 million in perpetual cumulative convertible preferred stock; (ii) construction obligations of $2.5 million; and (iii) our obligation to provide $0.6 million in letters of credit.

 

(4) Included within total other long-term liabilities of $89.9 million are deferred income tax liabilities of $63.5 million. It is impractical to determine whether there will be a cash impact to an individual year. Therefore, deferred income tax liabilities, together with liabilities for deferred compensation and uncertain tax positions (other than the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that are subject to the expiration of various statutes of limitation over the next 12 months) are reflected in the above table in the column labeled as “More Than 5 Years.” See Note 14, Income Taxes, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of deferred tax liabilities, including liabilities for unrecognized tax positions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2014 and as of the date this report was filed (other than as described below), we did not have any material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, or obligations, including contingent obligations.

Market Capitalization

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our total market capitalization was $475.0 million and $404.7 million, respectively, which was $145.9 million and $106.3 million higher, respectively, than our book equity value on those dates. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our stock price was $12.16 per share and $10.51 per share, respectively. See Note 4, Intangible Assets And Goodwill, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of impairment losses, which reduced our book equity value.

 

33


Table of Contents

Intangibles

As of December 31, 2014, approximately 82% of our total assets consisted of radio broadcast licenses and goodwill, the value of which depends significantly upon the operational results of our business. We could not operate our radio stations without the related FCC license for each station. FCC licenses are subject to renewal every eight years. Consequently, we continually monitor the activities of our stations to ensure they comply with all regulatory requirements. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for a discussion of the risks associated with the renewal of licenses.

Inflation

Inflation has affected our performance by increasing our radio station operating expenses in terms of higher costs for wages and multi-year vendor contracts with assumed inflationary built-in escalator clauses. The exact effects of inflation, however, cannot be reasonably determined. There can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse effect on our profits, especially since our Credit Facility is variable rate.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 2 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different circumstances or by using different assumptions.

We consider the following policies to be important in understanding the judgments involved in preparing our consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows:

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue from the sale to advertisers of various services and products, including but not limited to: (1) commercial broadcast time; (2) internet banner ads or pre-video rolls; (3) promotional events; (4) e-commerce where an advertiser’s goods and services are sold through our websites; and (5) stations’ digital marketing solutions utilizing SmartReach Digital.

Revenue from services and products is recognized when delivered.

Advertiser payments received in advance of when the products or services are delivered are recorded on our balance sheet as unearned revenue.

Revenues presented in the consolidated financial statements are reflected on a net basis, after the deduction of advertising agency fees by the advertising agencies. We also evaluate when it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount invoiced to the customer or the net amount retained by us if a third party is involved.

 

34


Table of Contents

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

We evaluate our allowance for doubtful accounts on an ongoing basis. We specifically review historical write-off activity by market, large customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, the economic conditions of the customer’s industry, and changes in our customer payment practices when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Our historical estimates have been a reliable method to estimate future allowances.

Contingencies And Litigation

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our exposure related to contingencies and litigation and record a liability when available information indicates that a liability is probable and estimable. We also disclose significant matters that may reasonably result in a loss or are probable but not estimable.

Estimation Of Our Tax Rates

We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments must be used in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities because of differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. As changes occur in our assessments regarding our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, our tax provision is increased in any period in which we determine that the recovery is not probable.

We expect our effective tax rate, before discrete items, changes in the valuation allowance, the tax expense associated with non-amortizable assets and impairment losses, to be in the low 40% range. When these items are excluded, our effective tax rate has been in the low 40% range over the last several years.

In 2014, our tax rate was 42.6%. The income tax rate in 2013 of 46.3% was higher primarily due to a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards. The income tax rate in 2012 of 52.5% was higher than expected due to the negative impact to income before income taxes of the $22.3 million impairment loss recorded during the second quarter of 2012.

The calculation of our tax liabilities requires us to account for uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on the two-step process prescribed within the interpretation of accounting for uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition of a tax benefit by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit based upon its technical merits, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We evaluate these uncertain tax positions, and review whether any new uncertain tax positions have arisen, on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, historical experience with similar tax matters, guidance from our tax advisors, and new audit activity. A change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period in which the change occurs.

We believe our estimates of the value of our tax contingencies and valuation allowances are critical accounting estimates, as they contain assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions. It is reasonably likely that the ultimate resolution of these matters may be greater or less than the amount that we have currently accrued. The effect of a 1% increase in our estimated tax rate as of December 31, 2014 would be an increase in income tax expense of $0.5 million and a decrease in net income of $0.5 million (net income per basic and diluted share of $0.01) for 2014.

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 December 31, 2014, we have recorded approximately $758 million in radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, which represents 82% 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 and goodwill was in 2012.

 

35


Table of Contents

We believe our estimate of the value of our radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill assets is an important 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

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) the 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 assumptions in items (1) through (3) above are the most important and sensitive in the determination of fair value.

We most recently completed our annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses during the second quarter of 2014 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.

The following table reflects the estimates and assumptions used in the second quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2013, the date of the most recent prior impairment test:

 

     Estimates And Assumptions
     Second
Quarter
2014
  Second
Quarter
2013

Discount rate

   9.6%   9.8%

Operating profit margin ranges expected for average stations in the markets where the Company operates

   24.9% to 40.8%   25.0% to 41.0%

Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company’s markets

   1.5% to 2.0%   1.5% to 2.0%

While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of our broadcasting licenses, these estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results.

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 amount reflected on the balance sheet, we may be required to recognize impairment charges, which could be material, in future periods.

 

36


Table of Contents

The table below presents the percentage within a range by which the fair value exceeded the carrying value of our radio broadcasting licenses as of December 31, 2014 for 20 units of accounting where the carrying value of the licenses is considered material to our financial statements (20 geographical markets). Rather than presenting the percentage separately for each unit of accounting, management’s opinion is that this table in summary form is more meaningful to the reader in assessing the recoverability of the broadcasting licenses. In addition, the units of accounting are not disclosed with the specific market name as such disclosure could be competitively harmful to us.

 

     Based Upon The Valuation As Of June 30, 2014
Percentage Range By Which Fair Value Exceeds

The Carrying Value
 
     0% To
5%
     Greater
Than 5%
To 10%
     Greater
Than 10%
To 15%
     Greater
Than

15%
 

Number of units of accounting

     3         4         1         12   

Carrying value (in thousands)

   $ 153,938       $ 235,035       $ 8,519       $ 319,142   

Broadcasting Licenses Valuation At Risk

The second quarter 2014 impairment test of our broadcasting licenses indicated that there were seven units of accounting where the fair value exceeded their carrying value by 10% or less. In aggregate, these seven units of accounting have a carrying value of $389.0 million. If overall market conditions or the performance of the economy deteriorates, advertising expenditures and radio industry results could be negatively impacted, including expectations for future growth. This could result in future impairment charges for these or other of our units of accounting.

Goodwill Impairment Test

We perform our annual goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of each year by evaluating our goodwill for each reporting unit. We determined that a radio market is a reporting unit and, in total, we assessed goodwill at 19 separate reporting units (four of our 23 reporting units have no goodwill recorded as of June 30, 2014). If the fair value of any reporting unit is less than the amount reflected in the balance sheet, an indication exists that the amount of goodwill attributed to a reporting unit may be impaired, and we are required to perform a second step of the impairment test. In the second step, we compare the amount reflected in the balance sheet to the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation.

To determine the fair value, we use a market approach and, when appropriate, an income approach in computing the fair value for each reporting unit. The market approach calculates the fair value of each market’s radio stations by analyzing recent sales 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.

In step one of our goodwill analysis, we considered the results of the market approach and, where appropriate, the income approach in computing the fair value of our reporting units. In the market approach, we applied an estimated market multiple of between seven and a half times and eight times to each reporting unit’s operating performance to calculate the fair value. This multiple was consistent with the multiple applied to all markets in the second quarter of 2013. Management believes that these approaches are an appropriate measurement given the current market valuations of broadcast radio stations together with historical market transactions, including those in recent months. Factors contributing to the determination of the reporting unit’s operating performance were historical performance and management’s estimates of future performance.

 

37


Table of Contents

The following table reflects certain key estimates and assumptions applied to each of our markets that were used in the second quarter of 2014 and in the second quarter of 2013, the date of the most recent prior impairment test:

 

     Estimates And Assumptions
     Second
Quarter

2014
  Second
Quarter

2013

Discount rate

   9.6%   9.8%

Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company’s markets

   1.5% to 2.0%   1.5% to 2.0%

Market multiple used in the market valuation approach

   7.5x to 8.0x   7.5x to 8.0x

While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of our goodwill, these estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results.

The results of step one indicated that it was not necessary to perform the second step analysis in any of the markets tested. As a result of the step one test, no impairment loss was recorded during the second quarter of 2014. We performed a reasonableness test by comparing the fair value results for goodwill (by using the implied multiple based on our cash flow performance and our current stock price) to prevailing radio broadcast transaction multiples.

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.

The table below presents the percentage within a range by which the fair value exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit as of June 30, 2014 for 19 reporting units under step one of the goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of 2014. Rather than presenting the percentage separately for each reporting unit, management’s opinion is that this table in summary form is more meaningful to the reader in assessing the recoverability of the reporting unit, including goodwill. In addition, the reporting units are not disclosed with the specific market name as such disclosure could be competitively harmful to us.

 

     Reporting Units As Of December 31, 2014
Based Upon The Valuation As Of June 30, 2014
Percentage Range By Which Fair Value Exceeds Carrying Value
 
     0% To
5%
     Greater
Than 5%
To 10%
     Greater
Than 10%
To 15%
     Greater
Than

15%
 

Number of reporting units

     1         2         1         15   

Carrying value (in thousands)

   $ 31,833       $ 230,592       $ 8,958       $ 491,316   

Goodwill Valuation At Risk

The second quarter 2014 impairment test of our goodwill indicated that there were three reporting units that exceeded the carrying value by 10% or less. In aggregate, these three reporting units have a carrying value of $262.4 million, of which $4.4 million is goodwill. Future impairment charges may be required on these, or other of our reporting units, as the discounted cash flow and market-based models are subject to change based upon our performance, our stock price, peer company performance and their stock prices, overall market conditions, and the state of the credit markets.

 

38


Table of Contents

Sensitivity Of Key Broadcasting Licenses And Goodwill Assumptions

If we were to assume a 100 basis point change in certain of our key assumptions (a reduction in the long-term revenue growth rate, a reduction in the operating performance cash flow margin and an increase in the weighted average cost of capital) used to determine the fair value of our broadcasting licenses and goodwill using the income approach during the second quarter of 2014, the following would be the incremental impact:

 

Sensitivity Analysis (1)

 
     Results Of
Long-Term
Revenue
Growth

Rate
Decrease
     Results Of
Operating
Performance
Cash Flow
Margin
Decrease
     Results Of
Weighted
Average
Cost Of
Capital
Increase
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

Broadcasting Licenses

        

Incremental broadcasting licenses impairment

   $ 16,293       $ 46       $ 40,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill (2)

Incremental goodwill impairment

$ 8,351    $ 272    $ 23,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Each assumption used in the sensitivity analysis is independent of the other assumptions.
(2)  The sensitivity goodwill analysis is computed using data from testing goodwill using the income approach under step 1.

To determine the radio broadcasting industry’s future revenue growth rate, management uses publicly available information on industry expectations rather than management’s own estimates, which could be different. In addition, these long-term market growth rate estimates could vary in each of our markets. Using the publicly available information on industry expectations, each market’s revenues were forecasted over a ten-year projection period to reflect the expected long-term growth rate for the radio broadcast industry, which was further adjusted for each of our markets. If the industry’s growth is less than forecasted, then the fair value of our broadcasting licenses could be negatively impacted.

Operating profit is defined as profit before interest, depreciation and amortization, income tax and corporate allocation charges. Operating profit is then divided by broadcast revenues, net of agency and national representative commissions, to compute the operating profit margin. For the broadcast license fair value analysis, the projections of operating profit margin that are used are based upon industry operating profit norms, which reflect market size and station type. These margin projections are not specific to the performance of our radio stations in a market, but are predicated on the expectation that a new entrant into the market could reasonably be expected to perform at a level similar to a typical competitor. For the goodwill fair value analysis, the projections of operating margin for each market are based on the Company’s actual historical performance. If the outlook for the radio industry’s growth declines, then operating profit margins in both the broadcasting license and goodwill fair value analyses would be negatively impacted, which would decrease the value of those assets.

The discount rate to be used by a typical market participant reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows for the broadcast industry. The same discount rate was used for each of our markets. The discount rate is calculated by weighting the required returns on interest-bearing debt and common equity capital in proportion to their estimated percentages in an expected capital structure. The capital structure was estimated based upon data available for publicly traded companies in the broadcast industry.

See Note 4, Intangible Assets And Goodwill, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements, for a discussion of intangible assets and goodwill.

For a more comprehensive list of our accounting policies, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, accompanying the consolidated financial statements included within this annual report on Form 10-K for 2014. Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included with Form 10-K contains several other policies, including policies governing the timing of revenue recognition, that are important to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, but do not meet the SEC’s definition of critical accounting policies because they do not involve subjective or complex judgments. In addition, for further discussion of new accounting policies that were effective for us on January 1, 2014, see the new accounting standards under Note 2 to the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

39


Table of Contents
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our variable rate senior debt. If the borrowing rates under LIBOR were to increase 1% above the current rates as of December 31, 2014, our interest expense on: (1) our Term B Loan would increase $0.4 million on an annual basis as our Term B Loan provides for a minimum LIBOR floor; and (2) our Revolver would increase by $0.5 million, assuming our entire Revolver was outstanding as of December 31, 2014. 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 in 2015 could be higher due to an anticipated net increase in our outstanding debt upon which interest is computed if our pending transaction with Lincoln closes in 2015.

As of December 31, 2014, there were no interest rate hedging transactions outstanding.

Our credit exposure under hedging agreements similar to the agreements that we have entered into in the past, or similar agreements that we may enter into in the future, is the cost of replacing such agreements in the event of nonperformance by our counterparty. To minimize this risk, we select high credit quality counterparties. We do not anticipate nonperformance by such counterparties who we may enter into agreements with in the future, but we could recognize a loss in the event of nonperformance.

From time to time, we may invest all or a portion of our cash in cash equivalents, which are money market instruments consisting of short-term government securities and repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by government securities. We do not believe that we have any material credit exposure with respect to these assets.

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 advertising business sectors.

See also additional disclosures regarding liquidity and capital resources made under Part II, Item 7, above.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our consolidated financial statements, together with related notes and the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth on the pages indicated in Part IV, Item 15.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. 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) that are designed to ensure that: (1) 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 (2) 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 of 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 December 31, 2014. Based on the foregoing, our President/Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

40


Table of Contents

Changes In Internal Controls

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

    pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

    provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 

    provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.

Management has used the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears under Item 15.

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer

Stephen F. Fisher, Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

41


Table of Contents

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated in this report by reference to the applicable information set forth in our proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 2015.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated in this report by reference to the applicable information set forth in our proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 2015.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated in this report by reference to the applicable information set forth in our proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 2015.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated in this report by reference to the applicable information set forth in our proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 2015.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated in this report by reference to the applicable information set forth in our proxy statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to April 30, 2015.

 

42


Table of Contents

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

 

Document

   Page  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     46   

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     47   

Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     48   

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     49   

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     50   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     52   

Index to Exhibits

     95   

 

43


Table of Contents
(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

    3.01    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Entercom Communications Corp. (1)
    3.02    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Entercom Communications Corp. (2)
    4.01    Credit Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2011, 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. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.1)
    4.02    First Amendment To Credit Agreement, dated as of November 27, 2012, 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. (4)
    4.03    Second Amendment To Credit Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2013, 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. (5)
    4.04    Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2011, by and among Entercom Radio, LLC, as the Issuer, the Note Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.2)
    4.05    Form of Note. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.3)
  10.01    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 23, 2010, between Entercom Communications Corp. and David J. Field. (7) (Originally filed as Exhibit 10.01)
  10.02    Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2007, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Joseph M. Field. (8)
  10.03    First Amendment To Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2008, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Joseph M. Field. (9)
  10.04    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 11, 2014, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Stephen F. Fisher. (10)
  10.05    Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2013 between Entercom Communications Corp. and Andrew P. Sutor, IV. (11)
  10.06    Employment Agreement, dated June 12, 2013, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Louise Kramer. (12)
  10.07    Entercom Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy adopted February 19, 2015. (13)
  10.08    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 7, 2014, by and among The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Entercom Communications Corp. and Entercom Radio, LLC. (14)
  10.09    Amended and Restated Entercom Equity Compensation Plan. (15)
  10.10    Entercom Annual Incentive Plan. (16)
  21.01    Information Regarding Subsidiaries of Entercom Communications Corp. (6)
  23.01    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (6)
  31.01    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. (6)
  31.02    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. (6)
  32.01    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. (17)
  32.02    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. (17)
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

44


Table of Contents

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to our Amendment to Registration Statement on Form S-1, as filed on January 27, 1999 (File No. 333-61381), Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on December 21, 2007 and Exhibit 3.02 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as filed on August 5, 2009.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2008.
(3) Incorporated by reference to an exhibit (as indicated above) to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2011.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed on February 27, 2013.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed on March 3, 2014.
(6) Filed herewith.
(7) Incorporated by reference to an exhibit (as indicated above) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed on February 9, 2011.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed on November 21, 2007.
(9) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed on February 26, 2009.
(10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, as filed on May 9, 2014.
(11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, as filed on May 9, 2013.
(12) Incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as filed on August 7, 2013.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2015.
(14) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2014.
(15) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 18, 2011.
(16) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 24, 2008.
(17) These exhibits are submitted as “accompanying” this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” as part of such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

45


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

of Entercom Communications Corp.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Entercom Communications Corp. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 2, 2015

 

46


Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

     DECEMBER 31,
2014
    DECEMBER 31,
2013
 

ASSETS:

    

Cash

   $ 31,540      $ 12,231   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

     70,249        71,818   

Prepaid expenses, deposits and other

     5,937        4,326   

Prepaid and refundable federal and state income taxes

     30        41   

Deferred tax assets

     2,248        2,850   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

  110,004      91,266   

Net property and equipment

  44,662      44,439   

Radio broadcasting licenses

  718,992      718,542   

Goodwill

  38,850      38,850   

Assets held for sale

  868      2,090   

Deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization

  13,239      17,501   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 926,615    $ 912,688   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$ 324    $ 200   

Accrued expenses

  13,938      13,729   

Other current liabilities

  13,499      12,723   

Long-term debt, current portion

  3,000      3,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  30,761      29,652   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

  476,929      514,124   

Deferred tax liabilities

  63,470      44,272   

Other long-term liabilities

  26,434      26,247   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

  566,833      584,643   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  597,594      614,295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Preferred stock $0.01 par value; authorized 25,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

  —        —     

Class A common stock $0.01 par value; voting; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 31,862,294 in 2014 and 31,308,194 in 2013

  319      313   

Class B common stock $0.01 par value; voting; authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,197,532 in 2014 and 2013

  72      72   

Class C common stock $0.01 par value; nonvoting; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

  —        —     

Additional paid-in capital

  608,515      604,721   

Accumulated deficit

  (279,885   (306,713
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  329,021      298,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$ 926,615    $ 912,688   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

47


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

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

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

NET REVENUES

   $ 379,789      $ 377,618      $ 388,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSE:

Station operating expenses, including non-cash compensation expense

  259,184      252,596      252,934   

Depreciation and amortization expense

  7,794      8,545      10,839   

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

  26,572      24,381      25,874   

Impairment loss

  —        850      22,307   

Merger and acquisition costs

  1,042      —        —     

Net time brokerage agreement (income) fees

  —        —        238   

Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

  (379   (1,321   138   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expense

  294,213      285,051      312,330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

  85,576      92,567      76,594   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE:

Net interest expense

  38,821      44,232      53,446   

Net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

  —        —        747   

Net (gain) loss on derivative instruments

  —        —        (1,346

Net (gain) loss on investments

  21      —        123   

Other expense (income)

  —        (165   (118
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE

  38,842      44,067      52,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  46,734      48,500      23,742   

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  19,911      22,476      12,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$ 26,823    $ 26,024    $ 11,268   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - BASIC

$ 0.71    $ 0.70    $ 0.31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE - DILUTED

$ 0.69    $ 0.68    $ 0.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:

Basic

  37,763,353      37,417,807      36,906,468   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  38,664,066      38,301,495      37,809,646   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

48


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings

(Accumulated
Deficit)
       
     Class A     Class B             
     Shares     Amount     Shares      Amount          Total  

Balance, December 31, 2011

     31,044,001      $ 310        7,197,532       $ 72       $ 597,327      $ (344,021   $ 253,688   

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —           —           —          11,268        11,268   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

     280,072        3        —           —           5,751        —          5,754   

Exercise of stock options

     101,350        1        —           —           134        —          135   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (199,376     (2     —           —           (1,365     —          (1,367

Forfeitures of dividend equivalents

     —          —          —           —           —          16        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

  31,226,047      312      7,197,532      72      601,847      (332,737   269,494   

Net income (loss)

  —        —        —        —        —        26,024      26,024   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

  96,560      1      —        —        4,269      —        4,270   

Exercise of stock options

  171,625      2      —        —        243      —        245   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

  (186,038   (2   —        —        (1,638   —        (1,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

  31,308,194      313      7,197,532      72      604,721      (306,713   298,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  —        —        —        —        —        26,823      26,823   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

  638,102      7      —        —        5,225      —        5,232   

Exercise of stock options

  57,500      —        —        —        82      —        82   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

  (141,502   (1   —        —        (1,513   —        (1,514

Forfeitures of dividend equivalents

  —        —        —        —        —        5      5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

  31,862,294    $ 319      7,197,532    $ 72    $ 608,515    $ (279,885 $ 329,021   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

49


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 26,823      $ 26,024      $ 11,268   

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

      

Depreciation and amortization

     7,794        8,545        10,839   

Amortization of deferred financing costs (including original issue discount)

     4,165        4,144        4,651   

Net deferred taxes (benefit) and other

     19,811        22,422        13,296   

Provision for bad debts

     1,004        824        390   

Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     (379     (1,251     138   

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense

     5,232        4,270        5,754   

Net (gain) loss on investments

     21        —          123   

Net (gain) loss on derivatives

     —          —          (1,346

Deferred rent

     807        206        516   

Unearned revenue - long-term

     (33     (82     (15

Net loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          —          747   

Deferred compensation

     1,291        2,380        1,762   

Impairment loss

     —          850        22,307   

Accretion expense, net of asset retirement obligation adjustments

     (11     18        (87

Other income

     —          (165     (118

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     565        (1,678     (2,138

Prepaid expenses and deposits

     (1,586     (743     1,692   

Prepaid and refundable income taxes

     —          —          271   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,633        (952     (535

Accrued interest expense

     (132     (523     302   

Accrued liabilities - long-term

     (1,311     (1,140     (772

Prepaid expenses - long-term

     (398     200        657   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  65,296      63,349      69,702   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Additions to property and equipment

  (8,408   (4,325   (3,688

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

  2,153      8      29   

Purchases of radio station assets

  —        —        (25,325

Deferred charges and other assets

  (800   (475   (857

Proceeds from investments and capital projects

  —        209      482   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  (7,055   (4,583   (29,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

50


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Deferred financing expenses related to the senior unsecured notes

     —          (1,040     (1,241

Borrowing under the revolving senior debt

     15,500        33,000        36,000   

Payments of long-term debt

     (53,000     (86,023     (68,529

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

     82        245        135   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (1,514     (1,640     (1,367

Payment of dividend equivalents on vested restricted stock units

     —          —          (43
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  (38,932   (55,458   (35,045
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  19,309      3,308      5,298   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

  12,231      8,923      3,625   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

$ 31,540    $ 12,231    $ 8,923   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

$ 35,593    $ 41,010    $ 48,568   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes

$ 79    $ 69    $ 99   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

51


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature Of Business Entercom Communications Corp. (the “Company”) is the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States with a portfolio that, including the pending acquisition of Lincoln Financial Media Company (“Lincoln”) from The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, boasts over 125 radio stations in 26 top markets across the country. See Note 20, Contingencies And Commitments for further discussion.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles Of Consolidation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned by the Company. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company also considers the applicability of any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are required to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. From time to time, the Company may enter into a TBA in connection with a pending acquisition or disposition of radio stations and the requirement to consolidate a VIE may apply, depending on the facts and circumstances related to each transaction. As of December 31, 2014, the consolidation requirements as a VIE did not apply to a pending acquisition with Lincoln as described in Note 20, Contingencies And Commitments. The Company expects, however, that the VIE will apply to the Lincoln acquisition in the reporting period in which the time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) commences.

Reportable Segment - The Company operates under one reportable business segment, radio broadcasting, for which segment disclosure is consistent with the management decision-making process that determines the allocation of resources and the measuring of performance. Radio stations serving the same geographic area, which may be comprised of a city or combination of cities, are referred to as markets or as distinct operating segments. The Company has 23 operating segments. These operating segments are aggregated to create one reportable segment.

Management’s Use Of Estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) asset impairments, including broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (2) income tax valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; (3) allowance for doubtful accounts; (4) self-insurance reserves; (5) fair value of equity awards; (6) estimated lives for tangible and intangible assets; (7) contingency and litigation reserves; (8) fair value measurements,; and (9) uncertain tax positions. The Company’s accounting estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The accounting estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. The Company evaluates and updates assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may use outside experts to assist in the Company’s evaluation, as considered necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes – The Company applies the liability method to the accounting for deferred income taxes. Deferred income taxes are recognized for 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 periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation allowance is recorded for a net deferred tax asset balance when it is more likely than not that the benefits of the tax asset will not be realized. The Company reviews on a continuing basis the need for a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Any adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that such an adjustment is required.

The Company applies the guidance for income taxes and intra-period allocation to the recognition of uncertain tax positions. This guidance clarifies the recognition, de-recognition and measurement in financial statements of income tax positions taken in previously filed tax returns or tax positions expected to be taken in tax returns, including a decision whether to file or not to file in a particular jurisdiction. The guidance requires that any liability created for unrecognized tax benefits is disclosed. The application of this guidance may also affect the tax bases of assets and liabilities and therefore may change or create deferred tax liabilities or assets. This guidance also

 

52


Table of Contents

clarifies the method to allocate income taxes (benefit) to the different components of income (loss), such as: (1) income (loss) from continuing operations; (2) income (loss) from discontinued operations; (3) extraordinary items; (4) other comprehensive income (loss); (5) the cumulative effects of accounting changes; and (6) other charges or credits recorded directly to shareholders’ equity. See Note 14 for a further discussion of income taxes.

Property And Equipment – Property and equipment are carried at cost. Major additions or improvements are capitalized, including interest expense when material, while repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Upon sale or retirement, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized in the statement of operations. Depreciation expense on property and equipment is determined on a straight-line basis.

Depreciation expense for property and equipment is reflected in the following table:

 

     Property And Equipment  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Depreciation expense

   $ 6,748       $ 7,543       $ 9,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had construction commitments outstanding of $2.5 million.

During the current year, the Company wrote off a significant amount of unused and obsolete assets that primarily consisted of fully depreciated assets.

The following is a summary of the categories of property and equipment along with the range of estimated useful lives used for depreciation purposes:

 

     Depreciation Period      Property And Equipment  
     In Years      December 31,  
     From      To      2014      2013  
                   (amounts in thousands)  

Land, land easements and land improvements

     —           15       $ 12,020       $ 12,750   

Buildings

     20         40         21,836         22,660   

Equipment

     3         40         97,509         118,180   

Furniture and fixtures

     5         10         9,906         13,945   

Leasehold improvements

    
 
shorter of economic life
or lease term
  
  
     21,245         21,442   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
  162,516      188,977   

Accumulated depreciation

  (118,667   (145,193
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
  43,849      43,784   

Capital improvements in progress

  813      655   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property and equipment

$ 44,662    $ 44,439   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Lived Assets - The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, broadcasting licenses (subject to an eight-year renewal cycle), goodwill, deferred charges, and other assets. See Note 4 for further discussion. If events or changes in circumstances were to indicate that an asset’s carrying value is not recoverable, a write-down of the asset would be recorded through a charge to operations. The determination and measurement of the fair value of long-lived assets requires the use of significant judgments and estimates. Future events may impact these judgments and estimates.

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company conducted an evaluation of useful lives for longer-lived assets, such as broadcast towers and buildings. As a result of this review, which was based upon current facts and circumstances, the Company determined that future acquisitions may warrant the use of longer lives anywhere between 15 years and 40 years.

 

53


Table of Contents

Revenue Recognition – The Company generates revenue from the sale to advertisers of various services and products, including but not limited to: (1) commercial broadcast time; (2) internet banner ads or pre-video rolls; (3) promotional events; (4) e-commerce where an advertiser’s goods and services are sold through our websites; and (5) stations’ digital marketing solutions utilizing SmartReach Digital.

Revenue from services and products is recognized when delivered.

Advertiser payments received in advance of when the products or services are delivered are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet as unearned revenue.

Revenues presented in the consolidated financial statements are reflected on a net basis, after the deduction of advertising agency fees by the advertising agencies. The Company also evaluates when it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount invoiced to the customer or the net amount retained by the Company if a third party is involved.

The following table presents the amounts of unearned revenues as of the periods indicated:

 

          Unearned Revenues  
          December 31,  
    

Balance Sheet Location

   2014      2013  
          (amounts in thousands)  

Current

   Accrued compensation and other current liabilities    $ 191       $ 317   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term

Other long-term liabilities $ 10    $ 43   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Concentration Of Credit Risk – The Company’s revenues and accounts receivable relate primarily to the sale of advertising within its radio stations’ broadcast areas. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within management’s expectations. The Company also maintains deposit accounts with financial institutions. At times, such deposits may exceed FDIC insurance limits.

Debt Issuance Costs And Original Issue Discount – The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized over the lives of the related debt and such amortization is accounted for as interest expense. The Company modified its outstanding debt in December 2013 and in November 2012 and recorded deferred debt issuance costs that were in addition to those costs initially incurred prior to the modifications. See Note 8 for further discussion for the amount of deferred financing expense and original issue discount that was included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Extinguishment Of Debt –The Company may amend, append or replace, in part or in full, its outstanding debt. The Company reviews its unamortized financing costs associated with its outstanding debt to determine the amount subject to extinguishment under the accounting provisions for an exchange of debt instruments with substantially different terms or changes in a line-of-credit or revolving-debt arrangement. In connection with the Company’s November 2012 debt modification, the Company recorded debt extinguishment costs. See Note 8 for a discussion of any debt extinguishments associated with the Company’s long-term debt.

Corporate General And Administrative Expense – Corporate general and administrative expense consists of corporate overhead costs and non-cash compensation expense. Included in corporate general and administrative expenses are those costs not specifically allocable to any of the Company’s individual business properties.

Time Brokerage Agreement (Income) Fees – TBA fees or income consist of fees paid or received under agreements which permit an acquirer to program and market stations prior to an acquisition. The Company sometimes enters into a TBA prior to the consummation of station acquisitions and dispositions. The Company may also enter into a Joint Sales Agreement (“JSA”) to market, but not to program, a station for a defined period of time. See Note 20, Contingencies And Commitments, for a discussion of a TBA in connection with the pending Lincoln acquisition.

Barter Transactions – The Company provides advertising broadcast time in exchange for certain products, supplies and services. The terms of the exchanges generally permit the Company to preempt such broadcast time in favor of advertisers who purchase time on regular terms. The Company includes the value of such exchanges in both broadcasting net revenues and station operating expenses. Barter valuation is based upon management’s estimate of the fair value of the products, supplies and services received. See Note 15, Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures On Non-Cash Investing And Financing Activities, for a summary of the Company’s barter transactions.

 

54


Table of Contents

Business Combinations – Accounting guidance for business combinations provides the criteria to recognize intangible assets apart from goodwill. Other than goodwill, the Company uses a direct value method to determine the fair value of all intangible assets required to be recognized for business combinations. For a discussion of impairment testing of those assets acquired in a business combination, including goodwill, see Note 4.

Asset Retirement Obligations – The Company reasonably estimates the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. For an asset retirement obligation that is conditional (uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement), the Company factors into its fair value measurement a probability factor as the obligation depends upon a future event that may or may not be within the control of the Company. The Company’s asset retirement obligations are not significant when compared to its net outstanding property and equipment.

Accrued Compensation – Certain types of employee compensation, which amounts are included in the balance sheets under accrued compensation and other current liabilities, are paid in subsequent periods. See Note 6 for amounts reflected in the balance sheets.

Cash And Cash Equivalents – Cash consists primarily of amounts held on deposit with financial institutions. From time to time, the Company may invest in cash equivalents, which consists of investments in immediately available money market accounts and all highly liquid debt instruments with initial maturities of three months or less.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company follows accounting guidance for its derivative financial instruments that it enters into from time to time, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities.

LeasesThe Company follows accounting guidance for its leases, which includes the recognition of escalated rents on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease agreement, as described further in Note 7.

Share-Based Compensation – The Company records compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, at estimated fair value. The Company also uses the simplified method in developing an estimate of the expected term of certain stock options. For further discussion of share-based compensation, see Note 12.

Investments – For those investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, the investment is accounted for under the equity method. For those investments in which the Company does not have such significant influence, the Company applies the accounting guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities. An investment is classified into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities, and, depending upon the classification, is carried at fair value based upon quoted market prices or historical cost when quoted market prices are unavailable.

The Company also provides certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures for those investments that are impaired (other than temporarily) at the balance sheet date and for those investments for which an impairment has not been recognized.

Advertising And Promotion Costs – Costs of media advertising and associated production costs are expensed when incurred.

Insurance And Self-Insurance Liabilities – The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms to provide for the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property, director and officers’ liability, vehicle liability and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, outside expertise and other actuarial assumptions. For any legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency, the Company recognizes the expense as incurred.

Recognition Of Insurance Recoveries – The Company recognizes insurance recoveries when all of the contingencies related to the insurance claims have been satisfied.

Sports Programming Costs – Programming costs which are for a specified number of events are amortized on an event-by-event basis, and programming costs which are for a specified season are amortized over the season on a straight-line basis. The Company allocates that portion of sports programming costs that are related to sponsorship and marketing activities to sales and marketing expenses on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement.

 

55


Table of Contents

Accrued Litigation - The Company evaluates the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal or regulatory proceedings to which it is a party and records a loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These judgments are subjective, based on the status of such legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of the Company’s defenses and consultation with corporate and external legal counsel. Actual outcomes of these legal and regulatory proceedings may materially differ from the Company’s estimates. The Company expenses legal costs as incurred in professional fees. See Note 20, Contingencies And Commitments.

Software Costs – The Company capitalizes direct internal and external costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the application development state. Internal-use software includes website development activities such as the planning and design of additional functionality and features for existing sites and/or the planning and design of new sites. Costs related to the maintenance, content development and training of internal-use software are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated useful life of three years using the straight-line method.

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 for a few of those as listed below, that might have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Extraordinary Items

In January 2015, the accounting guidance was updated to eliminate the concept of an extraordinary item and the requirement to consider whether an underlying event or transaction is extraordinary. If an item is considered extraordinary, it is presented in the income statement net of tax, after income from continuing operations. Eliminating the concept of extraordinary removes the uncertainty for the preparer as to whether the item had been treated properly. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its financial statements.

Derivatives And Hedging

In November 2014, the accounting guidance was updated for determining whether the host contract in a hybrid financial instrument issued in the form of a share is more akin to debt or to equity. This update does not change the current criteria for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required, but clarifies how current accounting guidance should be interpreted in the evaluation of the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share, reducing existing diversity in practice. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its financial statements. This guidance could, however, have an impact on the issuance of the Company’s preferred stock (see Note 20, Contingencies and Commitments). This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2016.

Stock-Based Performance Awards

In June 2014, accounting guidance was updated for stock-based awards when the terms of an award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. The current accounting standard for stock-based compensation as it applies to awards with performance conditions should be applied. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact on its financial statements.

Revenue From Contracts With Customers

In May 2014, the accounting guidance was updated for revenue recognition from contracts with customers. Along with the update, most industry-specific revenue guidance was eliminated. The new guidance is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance

 

56


Table of Contents

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 guidance will be applied using one of two retrospective methods. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2017. The Company has not determined the potential effects of this guidance on its financial statements.

Reporting Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the criteria for reporting discontinued operations, including enhanced disclosures, was modified under new accounting guidance. Under the new guidance, only disposals that have a major effect through a strategic shift on an organization’s operations and financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2016. The Company expects that this new guidance will reduce the number of transactions that will qualify for reporting discontinued operations.

Netting Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Against Tax Assets

In June 2013, the accounting guidance was modified to require the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in the settlement of uncertain tax positions. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company’s current and prior presentation conforms to this new guidance.

Obligations Resulting From Joint And Several Liability Arrangements

In February 2013, the accounting guidance was amended for obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The amendments provide guidance on the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, including debt arrangements, other contractual obligations, and settled litigation and judicial rulings, for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date. The amendment was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2014 and was applied retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND RELATED ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Accounts receivable are primarily attributable to advertising which has been provided and for which payment has not been received from the advertiser. Accounts receivable are net of agency commissions and an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. Estimates of the allowance for doubtful accounts are recorded based on management’s judgment of the collectability of the accounts receivable based on historical information, relative improvements or deteriorations in the age of the accounts receivable and changes in current economic conditions.

The accounts receivable balances and reserve for doubtful accounts are presented in the following table:

 

     Net Accounts Receivable  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Accounts receivable

   $ 72,698       $ 74,231   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (2,449      (2,413
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

$ 70,249    $ 71,818   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See the table in Note 6 for accounts receivable credits outstanding as of the periods indicated.

 

57


Table of Contents

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

Changes In Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

 

Year Ended

   Balance At
Beginning
Of Year
     Additions
Charged To
Costs And
Expenses
     Deductions
From
Reserves
     Balance At
End Of
Year
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

December 31, 2014

   $ 2,413       $ 1,004       $ (968    $ 2,449   

December 31, 2013

     2,703         824         (1,114      2,413   

December 31, 2012

     3,319         390         (1,006      2,703   

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

(A) Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

Goodwill and certain intangible assets are not amortized. 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.

The Company may only write down the carrying value of its indefinite-lived intangibles. The Company is not permitted to increase the carrying value if the fair value of these assets subsequently increases.

The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses:

 

     Broadcasting Licenses
Carrying Amount
 
    
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 
       
     (amounts in thousands)  

Beginning of period balance as of January 1,

   $ 718,542       $ 718,656   

Acquisitions

     450         —     

Dispositions

     —           (114
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending period balance

$ 718,992    $ 718,542   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the changes in goodwill:

 

     Goodwill Carrying Amount  
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 
       
     (amounts in thousands)  

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

   $ 164,465       $ 164,718   

Accumulated loss on impairment as of January 1,

     (125,615      (125,615
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

  38,850      39,103   

Dispositions

  —        (253
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending period balance

$ 38,850    $ 38,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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.

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

 

58


Table of Contents

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 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.

The following table reflects the estimates and assumptions used in the second quarter of each year (there were no interim tests performed in these years):

 

     Estimates And Assumptions
     Second
Quarter
2014
   Second
Quarter
2013
   Second
Quarter
2012
   Second
Quarter
2011
             
             

Discount rate

   9.6%    9.8%    10.0%    10.0%

Operating profit margin ranges expected for average stations in the markets where the Company operates

   24.9% to 40.8%    25.0% to 41.0%    20.7% to 40.9%    19.5% to 41.5%

Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company’s markets

   1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%

During the second quarter for each of the years 2014 and 2013, 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.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company completed its annual impairment test for broadcasting licenses and determined that the fair value of its broadcasting licenses in Boston was less than the amount reflected in the balance sheet. The impairment was principally due to a change in the relative market share attributable to the different classes of broadcast license signals in the Boston market. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $22.3 million.

The Company has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of its broadcasting licenses; however, these estimates and assumptions could be materially different from actual results.

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.

 

59


Table of Contents

Goodwill Impairment Test

The Company has determined that a radio market is a reporting unit and the Company assesses goodwill in each of the Company’s markets. If the fair value of any reporting unit is less than the amount reflected on the balance sheet, an indication exists that the amount of goodwill attributed to a reporting unit may be impaired, and the Company is required to perform a second step of the impairment test. The Company uses quantitative rather than qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. In the second step, the Company compares the amount reflected on the balance sheet to the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation.

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.

The following table reflects the estimates and assumptions used in the second quarter of each year (there were no interim tests performed in these years):

 

     Estimates And Assumptions
     Second
Quarter
2014
   Second
Quarter
2013
   Second
Quarter
2012
   Second
Quarter
2011
             
             

Discount rate

   9.6%    9.8%    10.0%    10.0%

Long-term revenue growth rate range of the Company’s markets

   1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%    1.5% to 2.0%

Market multiple used in the market valuation approach

   7.5x to 8.0x    7.5x to 8.0x    7.5x to 8.0x    7.5x to 8.0x

During the second quarter in each of the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, the results of step one indicated that it was not necessary to perform the second step analysis in any of the reporting units that contained goodwill.

The Company also performed a reasonableness test on the fair value results for goodwill on a combined basis by comparing the carrying value of the Company’s assets to the Company’s enterprise value based upon its stock price. The Company determined that the results were reasonable.

In step one of the Company’s goodwill analysis, the Company considered the results of the market approach and when appropriate, the income approach, in computing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units. In the market approach, the Company applied an estimated market multiple to each reporting unit’s operating profit to calculate the fair value. In the income approach, the Company utilized the discounted cash flow methodology to calculate the fair value of the reporting unit. 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.

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 required the Company to test the carrying value of its goodwill.

(B) Definite-Lived Intangibles

The Company has definite-lived intangible assets that consist of advertiser lists and customer relationships, and acquired advertising contracts. These assets are amortized over the period for which the assets are expected to contribute to the Company’s future cash flows and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company reviewed the carrying value and the useful lives of these assets and determined they were appropriate.

 

60


Table of Contents

See Note 5 for: (1) a listing of the assets comprising definite-lived assets, which are included in deferred charges and other assets on the balance sheets; (2) the amount of amortization expense for definite-lived assets; and (3) the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for definite-lived assets in future periods.

5. DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS

Deferred charges and other assets, including definite-lived intangible assets, consist of the following:

 

     Deferred Charges And Other Assets       
     December 31,       
     2014      2013       
     Asset      Reserve      Net      Asset      Reserve      Net      Period Of
Amortization
     (amounts in thousands)       

Deferred contracts and other agreements

   $ 1,788       $ 1,374       $ 414       $ 1,788       $ 1,277       $ 511       Term of contract

Leasehold premium

     846         515         331         846         474         372       Less than 1 year

Other definitive-lived assets

     833         833         —           833         823         10       3 years
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total definite-lived intangibles

  3,467      2,722      745      3,467      2,574      893   

Debt issuance costs

  23,154      13,594      9,560      23,154      9,734      13,420    Term of debt

Prepaid assets - long-term

  467      —        467      600      —        600   

Software costs and other

  5,665      3,198      2,467      4,889      2,301      2,588   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
$ 32,753    $ 19,514    $ 13,239    $ 32,110    $ 14,609    $ 17,501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The following table presents the various categories of amortization expense, including deferred financing expense which is reflected as interest expense:

 

     Amortization Expense  
     Deferred Charges And Other Assets  
     For The Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Definite-lived assets

   $ 147       $ 203       $ 240   

Deferred financing expense

     3,860         3,870         4,405   

Software costs

     899         800         696   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 4,906    $ 4,873    $ 5,341   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense, for each of the five succeeding years for: (1) deferred charges and other assets; and (2) definite-lived assets:

 

     Future Amortization Expense  
     Total      Other      Definite-Lived
Assets
 
          
     (amounts in thousands)  

Years ending December 31,

  

2015

   $ 3,726       $ 3,617         109   

2016

     3,287         3,205         82   

2017

     1,963         1,893         70   

2018

     1,291         1,223         68   

2019

     1,040         972         68   

Thereafter

     348         —           348   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 11,655    $ 10,910    $ 745   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

61


Table of Contents

6. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

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

 

     Other Current Liabilities  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Accrued compensation

   $ 5,783       $ 5,418   

Accounts receivable credits

     2,398         1,547   

Advertiser obligations

     928         1,123   

Accrued interest payable

     2,777         2,910   

Other

     1,613         1,725   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other current liabilities

$ 13,499    $ 12,723   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Deferred Rent Liabilities

Under the Company’s leases, the Company recognizes: (1) escalated rents, including any rent-free periods, on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease for those lease agreements where the Company receives the right to control the use of the entire leased property at the beginning of the lease term; (2) amortization expense over the shorter of the economic lives of the leasehold assets or the lease term, excluding any lease renewals unless the lease renewals are reasonably assured; (3) landlord incentive payments to the Company as deferred rent that is amortized as reductions to lease rent expense over the lease term; and (4) rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases, that are incurred during a construction period, as rental expense.

For those leasehold improvements acquired in a business combination or acquired subsequent to lease inception, the amortization period is based on the lesser of the useful life of the leasehold improvements or the period of the lease including all renewal periods that are reasonably assured of exercise at the time of the acquisition.

The following table reflects deferred rent liabilities included under other long-term liabilities:

 

     Deferred Rent Liabilities  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Deferred rent liabilities

   $ 5,120       $ 4,313   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

62


Table of Contents

8. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, including financing method lease obligations, was comprised of the following:

 

     Long-Term Debt  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Credit Facility

     

Revolver, due November 23, 2016

   $ —         $ —     

Term B Loan, due November 23, 2018

     262,000         299,500   

Senior Notes

     

10.5% senior unsecured notes, due December 1, 2019

     220,000         220,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  482,000      519,500   

Current amount of long-term debt

  (3,000   (3,000

Unamortized original issue discount

  (2,071   (2,376
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

$ 476,929    $ 514,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding standby letter of credit

$ 620    $ 370   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

(A) Senior Debt

The Credit Facility

As of December 31, 2014, the amount outstanding under the term loan component (the “Term B Loan”) of the Company’s senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) was $262.0 million and the amount outstanding under the revolving credit facility component (the “Revolver”) of the Credit Facility was $0.0 million. The maximum available amount under the Revolver, which includes the impact of outstanding letters of credit, was $49.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The amount of the Revolver actually available to the Company is a function of covenant compliance at the time of borrowing.

On November 23, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders for a $425 million Credit Facility that was initially comprised of: (a) a $50 million Revolver that matures on November 23, 2016; and (b) a $375 million Term B Loan that matures on November 23, 2018.

The Company uses the Revolver to: (1) provide for working capital; and (2) provide for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and any or all of the following (subject to certain restrictions): acquisitions, repurchases of Class A common stock, repurchases of the Company’s 10.5% senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”), dividends and investments. To consummate the pending acquisition with Lincoln (as described below), which requires the payment in cash of $77.5 million at closing, we expect to fund the transaction, including acquisition-related working capital, from any or all of the following sources: (1) the Revolver; (2) cash on hand; (3) cash flow generated from operations; and (4) borrowings permitted under our Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of 100% of the capital stock and other equity interest in all of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Facility is secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets, with limited exclusions (including the Company’s real property). The assets securing the Credit Facility are subject to customary release provisions which would enable the Company to sell such assets free and clear of encumbrance, subject to certain conditions and exceptions.

The Term B Loan requires mandatory prepayments equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow, as defined within the agreement, subject to incremental step-downs to 0%, depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Excess Cash Flow payment is due in the first quarter of each year and is based on the Excess Cash Flow and Leverage Ratio for the prior year. The Company estimates that the Excess Cash Flow payment, which is due in the first quarter of 2015, was fully paid as the Company made sufficient pre-payments in 2014 using cash from operating activities.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company is 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 is highly dependent on its results of operations. Management believes that over the next 12 months the Company can continue to maintain compliance. The Company’s operating cash flow is positive, and management believes that it is adequate to fund the Company’s operating needs and mandatory debt repayments under the Company’s Credit Facility. The Company has not been required to rely upon, and the Company does not anticipate being required to rely upon, the Revolver to fund its operations. Management believes that cash on hand and cash from operating activities, together with available borrowings under the Revolver, will be sufficient to permit the Company to meet its liquidity requirements over the next 12 months, including its debt repayments.

 

63


Table of Contents

The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain compliance with certain financial covenants which are defined terms within the agreement, including:

 

    a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio that cannot exceed 5.5 times as of December 31, 2014 and 4.75 times as of December 31, 2015, which decreases over time to 4.5 times as of March 31, 2016 and thereafter; and

 

    a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.75 times as of December 31, 2014 and 2.0 times as of September 30, 2015, and thereafter.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 4.5 times and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 2.9 times.

On December 2, 2013 and on November 27, 2012, the Term B Loan was amended, with each amendment further reducing the interest rates. Under the December 2, 2013 amendment of the Term B Loan and depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the Company may elect an interest rate per annum equal to: (1) the Eurodollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus fees of 3.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the interest rate ranged from LIBOR plus fees of 3.5% to 5.0%); and (2) the Base Rate plus fees of 2.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the interest rate ranged from the Base Rate plus fees of 2.5% to 4.0%). The Term B Loan includes a LIBOR floor of 1.0% (prior to the December 2, 2013 amendment, the LIBOR floor was 1.25%).

Under the Revolver and depending on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the Company may elect an interest rate per annum equal to: (1) LIBOR plus fees that can range from 4.5% to 5.0%; or (2) the Base Rate plus fees that can range from 3.5% to 4.0%, where the Base Rate is the highest of: (a) the administrative agent’s prime rate; (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%; and (c) LIBOR plus 1.0%. In addition, the Revolver requires the Company to pay a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum for the unused amount of the Revolver.

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 Company’s Credit Facility. Any event of default could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, a default under either the Company’s Credit Facility or the indenture governing the Company’s Senior Notes could cause a cross default in the other instrument and result in the acceleration of the maturity of all outstanding debt. 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.

The Term B Loan amendment in December 2013 was reflected as a loan modification and the Company: (1) recorded deferred financing costs of $1.0 million (including the lender’s legal costs) that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method; and (2) maintained unamortized deferred financing costs of $6.8 million that will continue to be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method. The Company did not record any loss on extinguishment of debt as all lenders participated at the same commitment level and agreed to the terms of the amendment. The Company also incurred third-party costs of less than $0.1 million, which were expensed.

The Company treated the 2012 amendment under modification accounting and the Company: (1) recorded deferred financing costs of $1.1 million (including the lender’s legal costs) that will be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method; and (2) maintained unamortized deferred financing costs of $9.0 million that will continue to be amortized over the remaining life of the Term B Loan under the effective interest rate method. The Company also recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $0.7 million for those lenders who either participated at a reduced commitment level or for those lenders who did not agree to the terms of the amendment. The Company also incurred third-party costs of $0.1 million that were expensed.

 

64


Table of Contents

(B) Senior Unsecured Debt

The Senior Notes

Simultaneously with entering into the Credit Facility on November 23, 2011, the Company issued $220.0 million of 10.5% unsecured Senior Notes which mature on December 1, 2019. The Company received net proceeds of $212.7 million, which included a discount of $2.9 million, and incurred deferred financing costs of $6.1 million. These amounts are amortized over the term under the effective interest rate method. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year.

The Senior Notes are in minimum denominations of $2,000. The Senior Notes may be redeemed at any time on or after December 1, 2015 at a redemption price of 105.25% of principal amount plus accrued interest. The redemption price decreases to 102.625% of principal amount plus accrued interest on or after December 1, 2016 and 100% on or after December 1, 2017. The Senior Notes are unsecured and rank: (1) senior in right of payment to the Company’s future subordinated debt; (2) equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt; (3) effectively subordinated to the Company’s existing and future secured debt (including the debt under the Company’s Credit Facility), to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt; and (4) structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

Financial statements of the subsidiaries are not included in accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X as: (1) Entercom Communications Corp., after excluding all subsidiaries (the “Parent Company”), has no independent assets or operations; (2) Entercom Radio, LLC (“Radio”) is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of the Parent Company; (3) the Parent Company has guaranteed the Credit Facility and Senior Notes; (4) all of the Parent Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries other than Radio have guaranteed the Credit Facility and Senior Notes; (5) all of the guarantees are full and unconditional (subject to the customary automatic release provisions); and (6) all of the guarantees are joint and several.

Radio, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Company, holds the ownership interest in various subsidiary companies that own the operating assets, including broadcasting licenses, permits, authorizations and cash royalties. Radio is the borrower under the Credit Facility and is the issuer of the Senior Notes. The assets securing both the Credit Facility and the Senior Notes are subject to customary release provisions which would enable the Company to sell such assets free and clear of encumbrance, subject to certain conditions and exceptions.

Under certain covenants, the Company’s subsidiary guarantors are restricted from paying dividends or distributions in excess of amounts defined under the Senior Notes, and the subsidiary guarantors are limited in their ability to incur additional indebtedness under certain restrictive covenants. See Note 20 for financial statements of the parent.

A default under the Company’s Senior Notes could cause a default under the Company’s Credit Facility. Any event of default, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.

(C) Net Interest Expense

The components of net interest expense are as follows:

 

     Net Interest Expense  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Interest expense

   $ 34,656       $ 40,091       $ 47,412   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     3,860         3,870         4,405   

Amortization of original issue discount of senior notes

     305         274         246   

Interest expense on interest rate hedging agreements

     —           —           1,392   

Interest income and other investment income

     —           (3      (9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net interest expense

$ 38,821    $ 44,232    $ 53,446   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average interest rate under the Credit Facility (before taking into account the fees on the unused portion of the Revolver) was: (1) 4.0% as of December 31, 2014; and (2) 4.0% as of December 31, 2013.

 

65


Table of Contents

(D) Interest Rate Transactions

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no derivative interest rate transactions outstanding.

The Company from time to time enters into interest rate transactions with different lenders to diversify its risk associated with interest rate fluctuations of its variable rate debt. Under these transactions, the Company agrees with other parties (participating members of the Company’s Credit Facility) to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount against the variable debt.

The Company’s credit exposure under these hedging agreements, or similar agreements the Company may enter into in the future, is the cost of replacing such agreements in the event of nonperformance by the Company’s counterparty. For those interest rate transactions that may be entered into with the same counterparty, the Company will enter into a master netting agreement that would allow, under certain circumstances, the Company and the counterparty to settle financial assets and liabilities on a net basis.

(E) Aggregate Principal Maturities

The minimum aggregate principal maturities on the Company’s outstanding debt (excluding any impact from required principal payments based upon the Company’s future operating performance) are as follows:

 

     Principal Debt Maturities  
     Credit
Facility
     Senior
Notes
     Total  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Years ending December 31:

        

2015

   $ 3,000       $ —         $ 3,000   

2016

     3,000         —           3,000   

2017

     3,000         —           3,000   

2018

     253,000         —           253,000   

2019

     —           220,000         220,000   

Thereafter

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 262,000    $ 220,000    $ 482,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(F) Outstanding Letters Of Credit

The Company is required to maintain standby letters of credit in connection with insurance coverage as described in Note 20.

(G) Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

Radio, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Entercom Communications Corp., holds the ownership interest in various subsidiary companies that own the operating assets, including broadcasting licenses, permits and authorizations. Radio (1) is the borrower under the Credit Facility, as described in Note 8(A); and (2) is the issuer of the Senior Notes, as described in Note 8(B). As of December 31, 2014, Entercom Communications Corp. and each direct and indirect subsidiary of Radio is a guarantor of Radio’s obligations under both the Credit Facility and the Senior Notes.

Separate condensed consolidating financial information is not included as Entercom Communications Corp. does not have independent assets or operations, Radio is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Entercom Communications Corp., and all guarantees by Entercom Communications Corp. and its guarantor subsidiaries are full, unconditional (subject to the customary automatic release provisions), joint and several under its Credit Facility and are full, unconditional, joint and several under its Senior Notes.

Under the Credit Facility, Radio is permitted to make distributions to Entercom Communications Corp. in amounts as defined, which are required to pay Entercom Communications Corp.’s reasonable overhead costs, including income taxes and other costs associated with conducting the operations of Radio and its subsidiaries.

 

66


Table of Contents

Under the indenture governing the Senior Notes, Radio is permitted to make distributions to Entercom Communications Corp. in amounts, as defined, that are required to pay Entercom Communications Corp’s overhead costs and other costs associated with conducting the operations of Radio and its subsidiaries.

(H) Debt Extinguishment

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of gain or loss recorded on debt extinguishment along with the amount of debt that was retired early:

 

     Debt Extinguishment  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs

   $ —         $ —         $ 747   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amount of debt retired early

$ —      $ 69    $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

9. TOWER SALE AND LEASEBACK

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company: (1) recorded current and deferred gains of $1.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively, from the sale of certain towers; and (2) applied sale and leaseback accounting to the leases that the Company had entered into for radio station space on these same towers. Due to the Company’s continuing economic involvement in this transaction since the sale of the towers in 2009, the recording of the gain and the sale and leaseback accounting were deferred until 2013 when the Company’s continuing economic involvement ceased. The recording of the gain was non-cash in 2013 as $12.6 million in cash from this sale was received in 2009. All of the leases were accounted for as operating leases.

The current gain was included in 2013 in the statement of operations under net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets. The deferred gain is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the leases, which was 16.5 years as of June 2013, and during this period the gain will be reflected as a net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets. As of December 31, 2014, the Company recorded on the balance sheet $0.6 million of deferred gain as a short-term liability under other current liabilities and $8.4 million of deferred gain as a long-term liability under other long-term liabilities.

As background, in connection with the sale of the towers and the Company’s continuing involvement as described above, the Company classified this transaction under the financing method as $12.6 million in finance method lease obligations. Under the financing method: (1) the assets and accumulated depreciation remained on the consolidated balance sheet and continued to be depreciated; (2) no gain was recognized for book purposes (the gain was recognized in 2009 for tax purposes); (3) proceeds of $12.6 million received by the Company from these transactions were recorded as a finance method lease liability; and (4) transaction costs of $0.2 million were recorded as deferred financing expense, which was amortized over 42 months.

Payments under these leases over the partial lease term of 42 months were applied as payments of imputed interest at an approximate interest rate of 5.5%. The earn-out component of this transaction enabled the Company to participate in the upside potential of these sites as the new owner (whose primary business is managing tower sites) was better suited to maximize the value of these sites through new third-party tenants.

Minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2014 for these non-cancellable leases are included within the operating lease commitment table under Note 20.

10. DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company from time to time enters into derivative financial instruments, including interest rate exchange agreements (“Swaps”) and interest rate collar agreements (“Collars”), to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates under the Company’s variable rate debt.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no derivative interest rate transactions outstanding.

 

67


Table of Contents

Accounting For Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

The Company recognizes at fair value all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, in the balance sheet as either net assets or net liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item are recognized in the statement of operations. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects net income. If a derivative does not qualify as a hedge, it is marked to fair value through the statement of operations. Any fees associated with these derivatives are amortized over their term. Under these derivatives, the differentials to be received or paid are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the contract. In the event the cash flow hedges are terminated early, any amount previously included in comprehensive income (loss) would be reclassified as interest expense to the statement of operations as the forecasted transaction settles.

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes ongoing effectiveness assessments by relating all derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company’s derivative activities, all of which are for purposes other than trading, are initiated within the guidelines of corporate risk-management policies. The Company reviews the correlation and effectiveness of its derivatives on a periodic basis.

The fair value of these derivatives is determined using observable market based inputs (a Level 2 measurement, as described in Note 17) and the impact of credit risk on a derivative’s fair value (the creditworthiness of the Company’s counterparty for assets and the creditworthiness of the Company for liabilities).

During the period of an interest rate hedging agreement, the outstanding amount of the Company’s variable rate debt is expected to be greater than the notional amount of the derivative rate hedging transactions. These transactions are typically tied to LIBOR. Under a fixed rate swap, the Company pays a fixed rate on a notional amount to the counterparty, and the counterparty pays to the Company a variable rate on the notional amount equal to LIBOR. A Collar establishes two separate agreements: an upper limit equal to LIBOR, or cap, and a lower limit equal to LIBOR, or floor.

Non-Hedge Accounting Treatment

The Company recognized non-hedge accounting treatment for the following hedge as the hedge was no longer effective once the Company refinanced its senior debt on November 23, 2011:

 

Expired Derivative

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Type Of Hedge

   Notional
Amount
     Effective
Date
   Collar    Fixed
LIBOR
Rate
    Expiration
Date
    

(amounts

(in millions)

                      

Swap

   $ 100.0       May 28, 2008    n/a      3.62   May 28, 2012
  

 

 

            

For 2012, the Company recognized a $1.3 million gain to the statement of operations due to ineffectiveness from a cash flow hedge.

The fair value of this derivative was determined using observable market-based inputs (a Level 2 measurement) and the impact of credit risk on a derivative’s fair value (the creditworthiness of the transaction’s counterparty for assets and the creditworthiness of the Company for liabilities).

 

68


Table of Contents

11. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Conversion Of Class B Common Stock

Shares of Class B common stock are transferable only to Joseph M. Field, David J. Field, certain of their family members, their estates or trusts for any of their benefit. Upon any other transfer, shares of Class B common stock automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Dividends

The Company does not currently pay and has not paid dividends on its common stock since 2008. 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 Credit Facility.

Dividend Equivalents

The Company’s grants of restricted stock units (“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 as of the periods indicated:

 

     Dividend Equivalent Liabilities  
     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Long-term

   $ 216       $ 221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the amount of dividend equivalents that were paid to the holders of RSUs that vested (there was no tax benefit recognized to paid-in capital as a result of the dividend equivalents payment):

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Dividend equivalents paid

   $ —         $ —         $ 43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Tax benefit recognized in paid-in capital

$ —      $ —      $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deemed Repurchase When RSUs Vest

Upon vesting of RSUs, a tax obligation is created for both the employer and the employee. Unless employees elect to pay their tax withholding obligations in cash, the Company withholds shares of stock in an amount sufficient to cover their tax withholding obligations. The withholding of these shares by the Company is deemed to be a repurchase of its stock.

The following table provides summary information on the deemed repurchase of vested RSUs:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Shares of stock deemed repurchased

     142         186         199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amount recorded as financing activity

$ 1,514    $ 1,640    $ 1,367   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Equity Compensation Plan

Under the Entercom Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), the Company is authorized to issue share-based compensation awards to key employees, directors and consultants. The RSUs and options that have been issued generally vest over periods of up to four years. The options expire ten years from the date of grant. The Company issues new shares of Class A common stock upon the exercise of stock options and the later of vesting or issuance of RSUs.

 

69


Table of Contents

On January 1 of each year, the number of shares of Class A common stock authorized under the Plan is automatically increased by 1.5 million, or a lesser number as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors elected to forego the January 1, 2015 increase in the shares available for grant. As of January 1, 2015, the shares available for grant were 3.2 million shares.

The Plan includes certain performance criteria for purposes of satisfying expense deduction requirements for income tax purposes.

Accounting For Share-Based Compensation

The measurement and recognition of compensation expense, for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, is based on estimated fair values. The fair value is determined at the time of grant: (1) using the Company’s stock price for RSUs; and (2) using the Black Scholes model for options. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Estimated forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

RSU 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
December 31,
2014
 

RSUs outstanding as of:

   December 31, 2013      1,030,486           

RSUs awarded

        685,113           

RSUs released

        (409,903        

RSUs forfeited

        (47,011        
     

 

 

         

RSUs outstanding as of:

December 31, 2014   1,258,685    $ —        1.1    $ 15,305,610   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

RSUs vested and expected to vest as of:

December 31, 2014   1,196,328    $ —        1.1    $ 13,518,577   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

RSUs exercisable (vested and deferred) as of:

December 31, 2014   84,603    $ —        —      $ 1,028,772   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining recognition period in years

  1.8   
     

 

 

         

Unamortized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures

$ 5,074,280   
     

 

 

         

 

70


Table of Contents

The following table presents additional information on RSU activity for the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
     (amounts in thousands)  

RSUs issued

     685      $ 5,754        361      $ 2,906        307      $ 2,133   

RSUs forfeited - service based

     (47     (727     (64     (685     (26     (235

RSUs forfeited - market based

     —          —          (200     (2,110     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net RSUs issued and increase (decrease) to paid-in capital

  638    $ 5,027      97    $ 111      281    $ 1,898   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RSUs vested and released

  410      547      659   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

RSUs With Service And Market Conditions

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company issued RSUs with service and market conditions. 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. These RSUs, which are included in the RSU activity table, are amortized over the longest of the explicit, implicit or derived service periods, which is one or two years, as all of the conditions need to be satisfied.

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

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Reconciliation Of RSUs With Market Conditions

        

Beginning of period balance

     —           200         300   

Number of RSUs granted

     290         —           —     

Number of RSUs forfeited

     —           (200      —     

Number of RSUs vested

     —           —           (100
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period balance

  290      —        200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average fair value of RSUs issued with market conditions

$ 6.90    $ —      $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of RSUs with service conditions is estimated based on the market value 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 this valuation are as follows:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
2014

Expected Volatility Structure (1)

   33% to 42%

Risk Free Interest Rate (2)

   0.1% to 0.4%

Expected Dividend Yield (3)

   0.0%

 

71


Table of Contents
(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)  Expected Dividend Yield - The Company calculated the expected dividend yield at the time of grant based upon the Company’s most recent history of not paying a dividend on its common stock.

RSUs With Performance Conditions

In addition to the RSUs included in the table above summarizing the changes in RSUs under the Plan, the Company issued 11 thousand RSUs during 2014 with performance conditions at an average fair market value of $9.60 per share, of which 3 thousand RSUs will not vest as the performance conditions were not met. The fair value was determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Vesting of the ultimate number of shares underlying such performance-based awards, if any, will be 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 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.

As of December 31, 2014, no non-cash compensation expense was accrued and no performance RSUs vested.

Option Activity

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

 

     Period Ended    Number Of
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
     Intrinsic
Value

As Of
December 31,
2014
 

Options outstanding as of:

   December 31, 2013      557,550      $ 2.58         

Options granted

        —             

Options exercised

        (57,500     1.43         

Options forfeited

        —             

Options expired

        (13,375     24.46         
     

 

 

         

Options outstanding as of:

December 31, 2014   486,675    $ 2.11      4.1    $ 4,910,419   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and expected to vest as of:

December 31, 2014   486,377    $ 2.11      4.1    $ 4,909,394   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options vested and exercisable as of:

December 31, 2014   482,925    $ 2.06      4.1    $ 4,897,519   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining recognition period in years

  2.6   
     

 

 

         

Unamortized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures

$ 17,025   
     

 

 

         

 

72


Table of Contents

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

 

            Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
Range Of Exercise Prices     Number Of
Options
Outstanding
December 31,
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
    Number Of
Options
Exercisable
December 31,
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
 
From     To     2014     Life     Price     2014     Price  
$ 1.34      $ 1.34        440,675        4.1      $ 1.34        440,675      $ 1.34   
$ 2.02      $ 11.78        45,000        4.3      $ 9.00        41,250      $ 9.02   
$ 33.90      $ 33.90        1,000        0.2      $ 33.90        1,000      $ 33.90   
   

 

 

       

 

 

   
$ 1.34    $ 33.90      486,675      4.1    $ 2.11      482,925    $ 2.06   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table provides summary information on the granting and vesting of options:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  

Option Issuance And Exercise Data

   2014      2013      2012  
     From      To      From      To      From      To  

Exercise price range of options issued

   $ —         $ —         $ 8.72       $ 8.72       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Upon vesting, period to exercise

  —        —        1      10      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value per option issued

$ —      $ 6.07    $ —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    
     (amounts in thousands)  

Intrinsic value of options exercised

   $ 517          $ 1,228          $ 508      
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Tax benefit from options exercised (1)

$ 196    $ 466    $ 192   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Cash received from exercise price of options exercised

$ 82    $ 245    $ 135   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

Number of options granted

  —        5      —     
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

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

Valuation Of Options

The Company estimates the fair value of option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The Company used the straight-line single option method for recognizing compensation expense, which was reduced for estimated forfeitures based on awards ultimately expected to vest. The Company’s determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. The Company’s stock options have certain characteristics that are different from traded options, and changes in the subjective assumptions could affect the estimated value.

For options granted, the Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and determined: (1) the term by using the simplified plain-vanilla method as the Company’s employee exercise history may not be indicative for estimating future exercises; (2) a historical volatility over a period commensurate with the expected term, with the observation of the volatility on a daily basis; (3) a risk-free interest rate that was consistent with the expected term of the stock options and based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant; and (4) an annual dividend yield based upon the Company’s most recent quarterly dividend at the time of grant.

 

73


Table of Contents

The following table presents the range of the assumptions used to determine the fair value:

 

     Option Valuation Estimates
     Years Ended December 31,
     2014    2013      2012

Expected life (years)

        6.3      

Expected volatility factor (%)

   no options      78.8       no options

Risk-free interest rate (%)

   issued      2.0       issued

Expected dividend yield (%)

        —        

Recognized Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following summarizes recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which consists primarily of RSUs:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Station operating expenses

   $ 919       $ 766       $ 584   

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     4,313         3,504         5,170   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

  5,232      4,270      5,754   

Income tax benefit (1)

  1,502      1,080      1,540   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net stock-based compensation expense

$ 3,730    $ 3,190    $ 4,214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

13. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Net income per common share is calculated as basic net income per share and diluted net income per share. Basic net income per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share is computed in the same manner as basic net income after assuming issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive equivalent shares, which includes the potential dilution that could occur: (1) if the RSUs with service conditions were fully vested (using the treasury stock method); (2) if all of the Company’s outstanding stock options that are in-the-money were exercised (using the treasury stock method); (3) if the RSUs with service and market conditions were considered contingently issuable; and (4) if the RSUs with service and performance conditions were considered contingently issuable.

The Company considered the allocation of undistributed net income for multiple classes of common stock and determined that it was appropriate to allocate undistributed net income between the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock on an equal basis. For purposes of making this determination, the Company’s charter provides that the holders of Class A and Class B common stock have equal rights and privileges except with respect to voting on most matters voted by Joseph Field or David Field.

 

74


Table of Contents

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

 

     Computation Of Net Income (Loss) Per Share  
     Year Ended December 31, 2014  
     (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  
     Net Income (Loss)      Shares      Net Income (Loss)
Per Share
 

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

   $ 26,823         37,763,353       $ 0.71   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Impact of dilutive equity awards

  900,713   
     

 

 

    

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

$ 26,823      38,664,066    $ 0.69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Computation Of Net Income (Loss) Per Share  
     Year Ended December 31, 2013  
     (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  
     Net Income (Loss)      Shares      Net Income (Loss)
Per Share
 

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

   $ 26,024         37,417,807       $ 0.70   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Impact of dilutive equity awards

  883,688   
     

 

 

    

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

$ 26,024      38,301,495    $ 0.68   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Computation Of Net Income (Loss) Per Share  
     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
     (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  
     Net Income (Loss)      Shares      Net Income (Loss)
Per Share
 

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

   $ 11,268         36,906,468       $ 0.31   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Impact of dilutive equity awards

  903,178   
     

 

 

    

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

$ 11,268      37,809,646    $ 0.30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

75


Table of Contents

Incremental Shares Disclosed As Anti-Dilutive

The following table provides the incremental shares excluded as they were anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method:

 

     Impact Of Equity Awards  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Dilutive or anti-dilutive for all potentially dilutive equivalent shares

     dilutive         dilutive         dilutive   

Excluded shares as anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method

        

Price range of options excluded: from

   $ 10.11       $ 10.52       $ 6.43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Price range of options excluded: to

$ 33.90    $ 48.21    $ 48.21   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options excluded

  30      37      46   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

RSUs with service conditions

  1      4      939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

  193      —        200   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Excluded RSUs with service and performance conditions until performance criteria is probable

  11      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

14. INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rate - Overview

The Company’s effective income tax rate may be impacted by: (1) changes in the level of income in any of the Company’s taxing jurisdictions; (2) changes in the statutes and rules applicable to taxable income in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; (3) changes in the expected outcome of income tax audits; (4) changes in the estimate of expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; (5) income taxes in certain states where the states’ current taxable income is dependent on factors other than the Company’s consolidated net income; and (6) adding facilities in states that on average have different income tax rates from states in which the Company currently operates and the resulting effect on previously reported temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities. The Company’s annual effective tax rate may also be materially impacted by tax expense associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill and changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance.

An impairment loss for financial statement purposes will result in an income tax benefit during the period incurred as the amortization of broadcasting licenses and goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.

Expected And Reported Income Taxes (Benefit)

Income tax expense (benefit) computed using the United States federal statutory rates is reconciled to the reported income tax expense (benefit) as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Federal statutory income tax rate

     35     35     35

Computed tax expense at federal statutory rates on income before income taxes

   $ 16,357      $ 16,975      $ 8,310   

State income tax expense, net of federal benefit

     2,491        3,399        2,274   

Non-recognition of expense due to full valuation allowance

     —          54        203   

Tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards

     62        997        412   

Nondeductible expenses and other

     1,001        1,051        1,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes

$ 19,911    $ 22,476    $ 12,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

76


Table of Contents

For 2014

The effective income tax rate was 42.6%. This rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the combination of: (1) an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; (2) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes; and (3) a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards. In addition, the Company recorded a discrete tax benefit from legislatively reduced income tax rates in certain states.

For 2013

The effective income tax rate was 46.3%. This rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the combination of: (1) an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; and (2) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the effective tax rate increased due to a tax benefit shortfall associated with share-based awards.

For 2012

The effective income tax rate was 52.5%. This rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the combination of: (1) a reduction in income before income taxes as a result of the impairment loss of $22.3 million recorded in the second quarter of 2012; (2) an increase in net deferred tax liabilities associated with non-amortizable assets such as broadcasting licenses and goodwill; and (3) an adjustment for expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes. The rate was reduced by a tax benefit associated with a reduction in liabilities for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense (benefit) for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

Current:

        

Federal

   $ —         $ —         $ —     

State

     100         54         (822
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current

  100      54      (822
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

Federal

  17,373      19,051      10,481   

State

  2,438      3,371      2,815   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred

  19,811      22,422      13,296   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income taxes (benefit)

$ 19,911    $ 22,476    $ 12,474   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities

The income tax accounting process to determine the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities involves estimating all temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities based on tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. These estimates include assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. Changes to these estimates could have a future impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

77


Table of Contents

The tax effects of significant temporary differences that comprise the net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Employee benefits

   $ 678       $ 857   

Deferred compensation

     588         476   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     959         947   

Deferred gain on tower transaction

     236         236   

Other

     505         567   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

  2,966      3,083   

Valuation allowance

  (620   (195
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current deferred tax assets - net

  2,346      2,888   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Federal and state income tax loss carryforwards

  130,074      115,130   

Share-based compensation

  2,648      2,136   

Investments - impairments

  498      490   

Lease rental obligations

  2,289      2,058   

Deferred compensation

  4,322      4,112   

Deferred gain on tower transaction

  3,281      3,525   

Other non-current

  1,154      1,086   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

  144,266      128,537   

Valuation allowance

  (20,146   (20,043
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current deferred tax assets - net

  124,120      108,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

$ 126,466    $ 111,382   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

Advertiser broadcasting obligations

$ (98 $ (38
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current deferred tax liabilities

  (98   (38
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferral of gain recognition on the extinguishment of debt

  (6,119   (7,657

Property, equipment and certain intangibles (other than broadcasting licenses and goodwill)

  5,579      4,318   

Broadcasting licenses and goodwill

  (187,050   (149,427
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current deferred tax liabilities

  (187,590   (152,766
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

$ (187,688 $ (152,804
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax liabilities

$ (61,222 $ (41,422
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Valuation Allowance For Deferred Tax Assets

Judgment is required in estimating valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if an assessment of their components indicates that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of these assets will not be realized. The realization of a deferred tax asset ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income in the carryforward periods under tax law. The Company periodically assesses the need for valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based on more-likely-than-not realization threshold criteria. In the Company’s assessment, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods and any ownership change limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 on the Company’s future income that can be used to offset historic losses.

As changes occur in the Company’s assessments regarding its ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company’s tax provision is increased in any period in which the Company determines that the recovery is not probable.

 

78


Table of Contents

The following table presents the changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance for the periods indicated:

 

Year Ended

   Balance At
Beginning
Of Year
     Increase
(Decrease)
Charged
(Credited)
To Income
Taxes
(Benefit)
     Increase
(Decrease)
Charged
(Credited)
To

OCI
     Balance At
End Of
Year
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

December 31, 2014

   $ 20,238       $ 528       $ —         $ 20,766   

December 31, 2013

     18,333         1,905         —           20,238   

December 31, 2012

     9,633         8,700         —           18,333   

Liabilities For Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on whether evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires the Company to estimate the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in assumptions may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

The Company classifies interest related to income tax liabilities as income tax expense, and penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense. The income tax liabilities and accrued interest and penalties are presented as non-current liabilities, as payments are not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date. These non-current income tax liabilities are recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions are reflected in the following table:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Liabilities for uncertain tax positions

     

Tax

   $ 67       $ 67   

Interest and penalties

     150         132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 217    $ 199   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amounts for interest and penalties expense reflected in the statements of operations were eliminated in the statements of cash flows under net deferred taxes (benefit) and other as no cash payments were made during these periods.

The following table presents the expense (income) for uncertain tax positions, which amounts were reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as an increase (decrease) to income tax expense:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Tax expense (income)

   $ —         $ —         $ (617

Interest and penalties (income)

     18         11         (309
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income taxes (benefit) from uncertain tax positions

$ 18    $ 11    $ (926
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increase in liabilities for uncertain tax positions for 2014 primarily reflects the addition of interest related to existing uncertain tax positions.

For 2012, the liabilities for uncertain tax positions primarily reflect the expiration of statutes of limitation for certain tax jurisdictions.

 

79


Table of Contents

The following table presents the gross amount of changes in unrecognized tax benefits:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Beginning of year balance

   $ (7,690    $ (7,690    $ (8,180

Prior year positions

        

Gross Increases

     —           —           (733

Gross Decreases

     —           —           858   

Current year positions

        

Gross Increases

     —           —           —     

Gross Decreases

     —           —           —     

Settlements with tax authorities

     —           —           —     

Reductions due to statute lapse

     —           —           365   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year balance

$ (7,690 $ (7,690 $ (7,690
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending liability balance included above that was reflected as an offset to deferred tax assets

$ (7,623 $ (7,623 $ (7,623
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The gross amount of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits is reflected in the above table which, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective income tax rate in the period of recognition. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could increase or decrease within the next 12 months for a number of reasons including the expiration of statutes of limitations, audit settlements and tax examination activities.

As of December 31, 2014, there were no significant unrecognized net tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) that over the next 12 months are subject to the expiration of various statutes of limitation. Interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions are released upon the expiration of statutes of limitations.

Federal And State Income Tax Audits

The Company is subject to federal and state income tax audits from time to time that could result in proposed assessments. Management believes that the Company has made sufficient tax provisions for tax periods that are within the statutory period of limitations not previously audited and that are potentially open for examination by the taxing authorities. Potential liabilities associated with these years will be resolved when an event occurs to warrant closure, primarily through the completion of audits by the taxing jurisdictions, or if the statute of limitations expires. To the extent audits or other events result in a material adjustment to the accrued estimates, the effect would be recognized during the period of the event. There can be no assurance, however, that the ultimate outcome of audits will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company cannot predict with certainty how these audits will be resolved and whether the Company will be required to make additional tax payments, which may include penalties and interest. During 2010, the Company concluded an audit by the IRS with no proposed adjustment for the tax years of 2004 through 2008. For most states where the Company conducts business, the Company is subject to examination for the preceding three to six years. In certain states, the period could be longer.

 

80


Table of Contents

Income Tax Payments And Refunds

The following table provides the amount of income tax payments and income tax refunds for the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

State income tax payments

   $ 79       $ 69       $ 99   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Federal and state income tax refunds

$ 10    $ 5    $ 256   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for certain of its state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) as the Company does not expect to obtain a benefit in future periods. In addition, utilization in future years of the NOL carryforwards may be subject to limitations due to the changes in ownership provisions under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions.

Windfall tax benefits will be recognized for book purposes and recorded to paid-in capital only when realized. The Company does not recognize a deferred tax asset for unrealized tax benefits associated with the tax deductions in excess of the compensation recorded (excess tax benefit). The Company applies the “with and without” approach for utilization of tax attributes upon realization of NOLs in the future. This method allocates stock-based compensation benefits last among other tax benefits recognized.

The NOLs reflected in the following table exclude these windfall stock compensation deductions. In addition, the NOLs reflect an estimate of the NOLs for the 2014 tax filing year as these returns will not be filed until later in 2015:

 

     Net Operating Losses
     December 31, 2014
     NOLs      Suspended
Windfall
     NOL Expiration Period
     (amounts in thousands)      (in years)

Federal NOL carryforwards

   $ 295,394       $ 9,719       2030 to 2035
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

State NOL carryforwards

$ 629,804    $ 9,002    2015 to 2034
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

State income tax credit

$ 1,248    to 2018
  

 

 

       

15. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES ON NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

The following table provides non-cash disclosures during the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Barter revenues

   $ 3,826       $ 3,821       $ 3,403   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Barter expenses

$ 3,665    $ 3,766    $ 3,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retirement of finance method lease obligations and other

$ —      $ 12,679    $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

16. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS AND BENEFIT PLANS

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company provides certain of its employees and the Board of Directors with an opportunity to defer a portion of their compensation on a tax-favored basis. The obligations by the Company to pay these benefits under the deferred compensation plans represent unsecured general obligations that rank equally with the Company’s other unsecured indebtedness. Amounts deferred under these plans were included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Any change in the deferred compensation liability for each period is recorded to corporate general and administrative expenses and to station operating expenses in the statement of operations.

 

81


Table of Contents
     Years Ended December 31,  

Benefit Plan Disclosures

   2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Deferred compensation

        

Beginning of period balance

   $ 10,459       $ 8,377       $ 6,824   

Employee compensation deferrals

     420         369         805   

Employee compensation payments

     (734      (297      (210

Increase (decrease) in plan fair value

     872         2,010         958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period balance

$ 11,017    $ 10,459    $ 8,377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

401(k) Savings Plan

The Company has a savings plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan is a defined contribution plan, available to all eligible employees, and allows participants to contribute up to the legal maximum of their eligible compensation, not to exceed the maximum tax-deferred amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company’s discretionary matching contribution is subject to certain conditions.

The following table presents for the periods indicated the Company’s contribution to the 401(k) Plan:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

401(k) savings plan expense

   $ 803       $ 851       $ 881   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

17. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Subject To Fair Value Measurements

The Company has determined the types of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are: (1) certain tangible and intangible assets subject to impairment testing as described in Note 4; (2) financial instruments as described in Note 8; (3) interest rate derivative transactions as described under Note 10; (4) deemed deferred compensation plans as described in Note 16; and (5) lease abandonment liabilities as described in Note 19.

The fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent to the inputs of the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy assigns the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. At each balance sheet date, the Company performs an analysis of all instruments and includes in Level 3 all of those whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

 

82


Table of Contents

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.

 

     Value Measurements At Reporting Date  
     December 31,  

Description

   2014      2013  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Liabilities

     

Deferred compensation - Level 1 (1)

   $ 11,017       $ 10,459   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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 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.

For 2014

The Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses, goodwill and net property and equipment and other intangibles, and concluded that these assets were not impaired as the fair value of these assets equaled or exceeded their carrying values.

For 2013

The Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses, goodwill and net property and equipment and other intangibles (except as described below), and concluded that these assets were not impaired as the fair value of these assets equaled or exceeded their carrying values.

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company determined that land it had reclassified as held for sale was in excess of the fair value less the cost to sell. As of June 30, 2013, the Company measured $2.1 million of land held for sale using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) and recorded an impairment loss of $0.9 million. This land was later sold in October 2014.

For 2012

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company reviewed the fair value of its broadcasting licenses, goodwill and net property and equipment and other intangibles, and concluded that except as described below, the fair value of these assets equaled or exceeded their carrying values.

As of June 30, 2012, the Company measured $100.5 million of radio broadcasting licenses using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) and recorded an impairment loss of $22.3 million.

 

83


Table of Contents

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Subject To Disclosures

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

The 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.

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

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Value
     Fair
Value
 
     (amounts in thousands)  

Credit Facility (1)

   $ 262,000       $ 261,345       $ 299,500       $ 301,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Senior Notes (2)

$ 217,929    $ 237,134    $ 217,624    $ 248,635   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Letters of credit (3)

$ 620    $ 370   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

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 Credit Facility was based on quoted prices for this instrument and is considered a Level 2 measurement.
(2)  The Company utilizes a Level 2 valuation input based upon the market trading prices of the Senior Notes to compute the fair value as these Senior Notes are traded in the debt securities market.
(3)  The Company does not believe it is practicable to estimate the fair value of the outstanding standby letters of credit and does not expect any material loss since the performance of the letters of credit is not likely to be required.

18. 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. As of December 31, 2014, the Company classified $0.9 million as assets held for sale, which primarily reflects land and a building that the Company formerly used as its main studio facility in one of its markets and a co-located tower/antenna structure for two of its AM radio stations that the Company plans to relocate to other suitable sites.

As of December 31, 2013, $1.9 million of land at a former transmitter site was reflected as held for sale. In October 2014, the Company completed the sale of this land.

Impairment Of Assets Held For Sale

Long-lived assets considered held for sale are stated at the lower of carrying value or fair value less the cost to sell. 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. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the carrying value of land it was holding for sale was in excess of the fair value less the cost to sell. The Level 3 fair

 

84


Table of Contents

value measurement was determined using a third party’s offer as representative of the fair value. The third party’s offer was accepted by the Company in early July 2013. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment of $0.9 million during the second quarter of 2013.

19. ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER

The Company consummated acquisitions of radio stations under the purchase method of accounting, and the purchase price was allocated to the assets based upon their respective fair values as determined as of the purchase date. The purchase price for acquisitions consummated subsequent to 2008 excludes transaction costs.

Acquisitions For 2014 and 2013

There were no acquisitions during these periods.

Acquisition For 2012

San Francisco, California

On June 28, 2012, the Company acquired the assets of KBLX-FM, a radio station in the San Francisco, California, market for a purchase price of $25.0 million in cash, of which $7.0 million was paid from cash available from operating cash flow and $18.0 was borrowed under the Company’s Revolver. The Company commenced operations under a TBA effective May 1, 2012.

In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $0.2 million, which is fully deductible for tax purposes, and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the form of broadcasting licenses of $24.8 million. The acquisition of this station was not material to the Company’s results of operations for any of the periods presented herein.

Including this acquisition, the Company owns four radio stations in the San Francisco market and one station in the San Jose market. Management believes that the addition of KBLX-FM to the Company’s cluster of existing stations in this market has allowed the Company to compete more effectively by sharing certain synergies in sales, programming and administration.

Acquisition Related Lease Abandonment Costs

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company entered into a sublease for previously abandoned studio space. As a result, the Company eliminated a lease abandonment liability of $0.7 million and recorded a reduction to station operating expenses of $0.6 million, net of broker’s commission. The lease expires during the third quarter of 2018.

20. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

Contingencies

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.

Insurance

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms to mitigate the potential liabilities for workers’ compensation, general liability, property, directors’ and officers’ liability, vehicle liability and employee health care benefits. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated, in part, by considering claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors, outside expertise and other actuarial assumptions. Under these policies, the Company is required to maintain letters of credit in the amount of $0.6 million.

 

85


Table of Contents

Broadcast Licenses

The Company could face increased costs in the form of fines and a greater risk that the Company could lose any one or more of its broadcasting licenses if the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) concludes that programming broadcast by a Company station was obscene, indecent or profane and such conduct warrants license revocation. The FCC’s authority to impose a fine for the broadcast of such material is $325,000 for a single incident, with a maximum fine of up to $3,000,000 for a continuing violation. In the past, the FCC has issued Notices of Apparent Liability and a Forfeiture Order with respect to several of the Company’s stations proposing fines for certain programming which the FCC deemed to have been indecent. These cases are the subject of pending administrative appeals. The FCC has also investigated other complaints from the public that some of the Company’s stations broadcast indecent programming. These investigations remain pending. The FCC initiated an investigation into an incident where a person died in January 2007 after participating in a contest at one of the Company’s stations and this investigation remains pending. The Company has determined that, at this time, the amount of potential fines and penalties, if any, is not fixed or determinable.

The Company has filed, on a timely basis, renewal applications for those radio stations with radio broadcasting licenses that are subject to renewal with the FCC. The Company’s costs to renew its licenses with the FCC are nominal and are expensed as incurred rather than capitalized. Twelve of our FCC radio station license renewal applications made in the most recent 2011-2014 renewal period remain pending. Of these, eight have been pending since the prior 2003-2006 renewal period. The Company continues to operate these radio stations under their existing licenses until the licenses are renewed. The FCC may delay the renewal pending the resolution of open inquiries. The affected stations are, however, authorized to continue operations until the FCC acts upon the renewal applications.

Commitments

Pending Acquisition

On December 7, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) agreement with The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company to acquire the stock of one of its subsidiaries that holds the assets and liabilities of 15 radio stations serving the Atlanta, Denver, Miami and San Diego radio markets. The purchase price is $105.0 million of which $77.5 million will be paid in cash and $27.5 million will be paid with the Company’s perpetual convertible preferred stock. Other than in Denver, the Company does not currently operate any stations in these markets. The SPA provides for a step-up in basis for tax purposes. Merger and acquisition related costs of $1.0 million were expensed as a separate line item in the statement of operations for 2014. Subject to regulatory approval, the Company expects to complete this transaction during the second half of 2015.

Concurrently with entering into the SPA, the Company also entered into a TBA. During the period of the TBA, which terminates upon the closing of this transaction, the Company will include the net revenues, station operating expenses and TBA fees associated with operating these stations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Depending on the timing of closing, the Company could incur in 2015 up to $7.0 million annually in TBA fees, which increases by $1.5 million each year over the following three years. The payment of the TBA fees is in exchange for the Company’s retention of the operating profits or losses from the operation of these stations during the TBA period.

Upon commencement of the TBA, the Company believes that Lincoln is a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary as the Company may absorb the profits and losses from the operation of the VIE during the period of the TBA. Effective upon the commencement of the TBA, the Company expects to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE within its consolidated financial statements, using fair values for the assets and liabilities as if the Company had closed on this transaction. The equity investment by Lincoln in the VIE would be reflected as a non-controlling interest. The assets of the Company’s consolidated VIE can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. There is a lack of recourse by the beneficial interest holders of the VIE against the Company’s general creditors.

Other Matters

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company settled a legal claim of $1.0 million. This amount was included in corporate general and administrative expenses for 2014.

 

86


Table of Contents

Leases And Other Contracts

Rental expense is incurred principally for office and broadcasting facilities. Certain of the leases contain clauses that provide for contingent rental expense based upon defined events such as cost of living adjustments and/or maintenance costs in excess of pre-defined amounts. For the period prior to July 1, 2013, rental expense does not include any payments made in connection with financing method lease obligations as described under Note 9, Tower Sale And Leaseback.

The following table provides the Company’s rent expense for the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Rent Expense

   $ 14,556       $ 13,226       $ 12,748   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company also has various commitments under the following types of contracts: (1) rent under operating leases; (2) rent under a sale and leaseback agreement; (3) sports programming; (4) on-air talent; and (5) other contracts with aggregate minimum annual commitments as of December 31, 2014 as follows:

 

     Future Minimum Annual Commitments  
     Rent Under
Operating
Leases
     Sale
Leaseback
Operating
Leases
     Programming
And Related
Contracts
     Total  
     (amounts in thousands)  

Years ending December 31,

           

2015

   $ 13,398       $ 817       $ 73,466       $ 87,681   

2016

     13,195         840         61,684         75,719   

2017

     12,282         865         20,882         34,029   

2018

     10,222         891         4,238         15,351   

2019

     8,892         918         915         10,725   

Thereafter

     25,019         10,637         516         36,172   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 83,008    $ 14,968    $ 161,701    $ 259,677   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

21. GUARANTOR ARRANGEMENTS

Guarantor Arrangements

The Company recognizes, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken by issuing the guarantee. The following is a summary of agreements that the Company has determined are within the scope of guarantor arrangements:

 

    The Company enters into indemnification agreements in the ordinary course of business. Under these agreements, the Company typically indemnifies, holds harmless, and agrees to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited. The Company believes that the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded liabilities for these agreements as of December 31, 2014.

 

    Under the Company’s Credit Facility, the Company is required to reimburse lenders for any increased costs that they may incur in the event of a change in law, rule or regulation resulting in their reduced returns from any change in capital requirements. The Company cannot estimate the potential amount of any future payment under this provision, nor can the Company predict if such an event will ever occur.

 

   

In connection with many of the Company’s acquisitions, the Company enters into time brokerage agreements or local marketing agreements for specified periods of time, usually six months or less, whereby the Company typically indemnifies the owner and operator of the radio station, their

 

87


Table of Contents
 

employees, agents and contractors from liability, claims and damages arising from the activities of operating the radio station under such agreements. The maximum potential amount of any future payments the Company could be required to make for any such previous indemnification obligations is indeterminable at this time. The Company has not, however, previously incurred any significant costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims relating to any such indemnification obligation.

Financial Statements Of Parent

The condensed financial data of the Parent Company has been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04 of Regulation S-X. The Parent Company’s financial data includes the financial data of Entercom Communications Corp., excluding all subsidiaries.

The most significant restrictions on the payment of dividends by Radio (as contemplated by Rule 4-08(e) of Regulation S-X) are set forth in the Credit Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes.

Under both the Credit Facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes, Radio is permitted to make distributions to the Parent Company in amounts, as defined, as follow: (a) amounts which are required to pay the Parent Company’s reasonable overhead costs, including income taxes and other costs associated with conducting the operations of Radio and its subsidiaries; and (b) certain amounts which qualify as “Restricted Payments.” With respect to the Credit Facility, the permitted Restricted Payment is generally $40 million plus Cumulative Retained Excess Cash Flow. The Company’s ability to make a Restricted Payment in these amounts under the Credit Facility is a function of its leverage ratio. With respect to the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the permitted Restricted Payment is generally $60 million plus a variable amount. The variable amount is a function of the Company’s EBITDA and the Company’s leverage ratio.

Effectively all of Radio’s assets are subject to these distribution limitations to the Parent Company.

The following tables set forth the condensed financial data (other than the statements of shareholders’ equity and statements of comprehensive income as these statements are not condensed) of the Parent Company:

 

    the balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013;

 

    the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012;

 

    the statements of shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; and

 

    the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

88


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     2014     2013  
ASSETS     

Current Assets

   $ 6,446      $ 4,330   

Property And Equipment - Net

     495        727   

Deferred Charges And

    

Other Assets - Net

     2,233        2,564   

Investment In Subsidiaries / Intercompany

     360,091        328,116   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 369,265    $ 335,737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities

$ 14,041    $ 11,317   

Long Term Liabilities

  26,203      26,027   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  40,244      37,344   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

Class A, B and C Common Stock

  391      385   

Additional Paid-In Capital

  608,515      604,721   

Accumulated Deficit

  (279,885   (306,713
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  329,021      298,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$ 369,265    $ 335,737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed Parent Company financial statements.

 

89


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY INCOME STATEMENTS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

NET REVENUES

   $ 1,309      $ 615      $ 659   

OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSE:

      

Depreciation and amortization expense

     1,217        1,122        920   

Corporate general and administrative expenses

     26,463        24,229        25,717   

Merger and acquisition costs

     1,042        —          —     

Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets

     (601     (1,954     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expense

  28,121      23,397      26,637   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

  (26,812   (22,782   (25,978
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing expense

  15      1      (46

Other expense (income)

  —        (165   (118

Income from equity investment in subsidiaries

  (73,561   (71,118   (49,556
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

  (73,546   (71,282   (49,720
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  46,734      48,500      23,742   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME TAXES (BENEFIT)

  19,911      22,476      12,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$ 26,823    $ 26,024    $ 11,268   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed Parent Company financial statements.

 

90


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

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

Balance, December 31, 2011

     31,044,001      $ 310        7,197,532       $ 72       $ 597,327      $ (344,021   $ 253,688   

Net income (loss)

     —          —          —           —           —          11,268        11,268   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

     280,072        3        —           —           5,751        —          5,754   

Exercise of stock options

     101,350        1        —           —           134        —          135   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

     (199,376     (2     —           —           (1,365     —          (1,367

Forfeitures of dividend equivalents

     —          —          —           —           —          16        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

  31,226,047      312      7,197,532      72      601,847      (332,737   269,494   

Net income (loss)

  —        —        —        —        —        26,024      26,024   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

  96,560      1      —        —        4,269      —        4,270   

Exercise of stock options

  171,625      2      —        —        243      —        245   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

  (186,038   (2   —        —        (1,638   —        (1,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

  31,308,194      313      7,197,532      72      604,721      (306,713   298,393   

Net income (loss)

  —        —        —        —        —        26,823      26,823   

Compensation expense related to granting of stock awards

  638,102      7      —        —        5,225      —        5,232   

Exercise of stock options

  57,500      —        —        —        82      —        82   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

  (141,502   (1   —        —        (1,513   —        (1,514

Forfeitures of dividend equivalents

  —        —        —        —        —        5      5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

  31,862,294    $ 319      7,197,532    $ 72    $ 608,515    $ (279,885 $ 329,021   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to Parent Company financial statements.

 

91


Table of Contents

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(amounts in thousands)

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2014     2013 (1)     2012  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (21,652   $ (18,167   $ (16,074
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Additions to property and equipment

  (213   (146   (500

Deferred charges and other assets

  (481   (468   (842

Proceeds (distributions) from investments in subsidiaries

  23,610      20,208      18,712   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  22,916      19,594      17,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

  82      245      135   

Purchase of vested employee restricted stock units

  (1,514   (1,640   (1,367

Payment of dividend equivalents on vested restricted stock units

  —        —        (43
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  (1,432   (1,395   (1,275
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  (168   32      21   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

  301      269      248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

$ 133    $ 301    $ 269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed Parent Company financial statements.

 

(1)  Revisions to the year 2013 were made to correct a classification error in the Investing Activities section of the Condensed Parent Company Statement of Cash Flows. The amounts reported in additions to property and equipment, deferred charges and other assets, and proceeds (distributions) from investment in subsidiaries were changed, but there was no impact on the caption total reported.

Accounting Policies

The Parent Company follows the accounting policies as described in Note 2 except that the Parent Company accounts for its investment in its subsidiaries using the equity method.

Debt – For a discussion of debt obligations of the Company, refer to Note 8.

Other - For further information, reference should be made to the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Events occurring after December 31, 2014, 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.

23. SUMMARIZED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following table presents unaudited operating results for each quarter within the two most recent years. The Company believes that all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been

 

92


Table of Contents

included in the amounts stated below to present fairly the following quarterly results when read in conjunction with the financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Results of operations for any particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year. The Company’s financial results are also not comparable from quarter to quarter due to: (1) the seasonality of revenues, with revenues usually the lowest in the first quarter of each year; (2) the modifications to the Company’s Credit Facility during the fourth quarter of 2013 that reduced interest rates on outstanding debt resulting in a decrease to interest expense, as described in Note 8, Long-Term Debt; and (3) the settlement of a legal claim during the third quarter of 2014.

 

     Quarters Ended  
     December 31      September 30      June 30      March 31  
     (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

2014

           

Net revenues

   $ 101,513       $ 99,840       $ 100,201       $ 78,235   

Operating income

   $ 28,531       $ 21,205       $ 23,916       $ 11,924   

Net income (loss)

   $ 10,850       $ 6,473       $ 8,137       $ 1,363   

Basic net income (loss) per common share (1)

   $ 0.29       $ 0.17       $ 0.22       $ 0.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

  37,779      37,693      37,687      37,660   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share (1)

$ 0.28    $ 0.17    $ 0.21    $ 0.04   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding

  38,730      38,482      38,446      38,501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Quarters Ended  
     December 31      September 30      June 30      March 31  
     (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

2013

           

Net revenues

   $ 99,583       $ 98,436       $ 101,239       $ 78,360   

Operating income

   $ 29,241       $ 23,286       $ 28,268       $ 11,772   

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,507       $ 6,875       $ 9,893       $ (251

Basic net income (loss) per common share (1)

   $ 0.25       $ 0.18       $ 0.26       $ (0.01
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

  37,471      37,386      37,344      37,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share (1)

$ 0.25    $ 0.18    $ 0.26    $ (0.01
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding

  38,336      38,153      38,103      37,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Basic and diluted net income per share is computed independently for each quarter and the full year based upon respective average shares outstanding. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal the annual per share amounts reported.

 

93


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 2015.

 

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
By:  

/s/ DAVID J. FIELD

  David J. Field, President, Chief Executive Officer
  (principal executive officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE    CAPACITY   DATE
Principal Executive Officer:     

/s/ DAVID J. FIELD

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director

  March 2, 2015
David J. Field     
Principal Financial Officer:     

/s/ STEPHEN F. FISHER

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  March 2, 2015
Stephen F. Fisher     
Principal Accounting Officer:     

/s/ EUGENE D. LEVIN

  

Vice President, Treasurer and Controller

  March 2, 2015
Eugene D. Levin     
Directors:     

/s/ JOSEPH M. FIELD

  

Chairman of the Board

  March 2, 2015
Joseph M. Field     

/s/ DAVID J. BERKMAN

  

Director

  March 2, 2015
David J. Berkman     

/s/ JOEL HOLLANDER

  

Director

  March 2, 2015
Joel Hollander     

/s/ MARK R. LANEVE

  

Director

  March 2, 2015
MARK R. LANEVE     

/s/ ROBERT S. WIESENTHAL

  

Director

  March 2, 2015
Robert S. Wiesenthal     

 

94


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

    3.01    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Entercom Communications Corp. (1)
    3.02    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Entercom Communications Corp. (2)
    4.01    Credit Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2011, 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. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.1)
    4.02   

First Amendment To Credit Agreement, dated as of November 27, 2012, 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. (4)

    4.03   

Second Amendment To Credit Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2013, 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. (5)

    4.04    Indenture, dated as of November 23, 2011, by and among Entercom Radio, LLC, as the Issuer, the Note Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.2)
    4.05    Form of Note. (3) (Originally filed as Exhibit 4.3)
  10.01    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 23, 2010, between Entercom Communications Corp. and David J. Field. (7) (Originally filed as Exhibit 10.01)
  10.02    Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2007, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Joseph M. Field. (8)
  10.03    First Amendment To Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2008, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Joseph M. Field. (9)
  10.04    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 11, 2014, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Stephen F. Fisher. (10)
  10.05    Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2013 between Entercom Communications Corp. and Andrew P. Sutor, IV. (11)
  10.06    Employment Agreement, dated June 12, 2013, between Entercom Communications Corp. and Louise Kramer. (12)
  10.07    Entercom Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy adopted February 19, 2015. (13)
  10.08    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 7, 2014, by and among The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Entercom Communications Corp. and Entercom Radio, LLC. (14)
  10.09    Amended and Restated Entercom Equity Compensation Plan. (15)
  10.10    Entercom Annual Incentive Plan. (16)
  21.01    Information Regarding Subsidiaries of Entercom Communications Corp. (6)
  23.01    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (6)
  31.01    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. (6)
  31.02    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. (6)
  32.01    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. (17)
  32.02    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. (17)
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

95


Table of Contents

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to our Amendment to Registration Statement on Form S-1, as filed on January 27, 1999 (File No. 333-61381), Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on December 21, 2007 and Exhibit 3.02 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as filed on August 5, 2009.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2008.
(3) Incorporated by reference to an exhibit (as indicated above) to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2011.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed on February 27, 2013.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed on March 3, 2014.
(6) Filed herewith.
(7) Incorporated by reference to an exhibit (as indicated above) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed on February 9, 2011.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed on November 21, 2007.
(9) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed on February 26, 2009.
(10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, as filed on May 9, 2014.
(11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, as filed on May 9, 2013.
(12) Incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as filed on August 7, 2013.
(13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2015.
(14) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2014.
(15) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 18, 2011.
(16) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 24, 2008.
(17) These exhibits are submitted as “accompanying” this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” as part of such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

96