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Townsquare Returns to Total and Digital Revenue Growth in the Third Quarter

Digital Represents 52% of September YTD Total Net Revenue
Ignite’s Digital Advertising Revenue Growth Accelerates in Q3
Repurchased $25 Million of Debt ($36M through October) and $24 Million of Equity in September YTD Period

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

“I am pleased to share that Townsquare’s net revenue returned to year-over-year growth, driven by sequential improvement across each of our three business segments, due to our local focus and our unique and differentiated digital platform, as well as the benefit from political revenue. Third quarter net revenue increased +0.2% year-over-year and Adjusted EBITDA decreased -6.3% year-over-year, both meeting guidance and reflecting a sequential improvement from the first and second quarter. In addition, net income improved $47.8 million year-over-year, in large part due to a reduction in non-cash impairment charges,” commented Bill Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Townsquare Media, Inc. “Our return to net revenue growth in the third quarter coincided with our return to total Digital net revenue growth, which increased by +1% year-over-year. In particular, Townsquare Interactive’s sequential revenue growth improved to +3% quarter-over-quarter, and Digital Advertising net revenue increased +5% year-over-year, an acceleration from the +1% revenue growth rates in the first six months of 2024. In total, Digital represented more than half of Townsquare’s net revenue in the first nine months of the year, a true point of differentiation from others in local media, as we have evolved from a local broadcast radio company that was founded in 2010, to a Digital First Local Media Company with a world class team and a unique and differentiated strategy, assets, platforms and solutions.”

Mr. Wilson continued, “We have executed and delivered on what we said we would do, while simultaneously building value for our shareholders through dividend payments, debt reduction and share repurchases. In the first nine months of the year, we have repurchased and retired $25 million of our bonds at a discount to par ($36 million through October), and repurchased $24 million of equity, or 2.3 million shares, including the accretive share repurchase of 1.5 million shares from Madison Square Garden. At the same time, we have maintained our high yielding dividend and a strong cash balance, which was $22 million at the end of the third quarter, and net leverage remained below 4.9x. We are gearing up for our upcoming refinancing, and we look forward to sharing that outcome with our investors when we next report.”

The Company announced today that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.1975 per share. The dividend will be payable on February 1, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 21, 2025. As of yesterday’s closing price that reflects a dividend yield of approximately 8%.

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

Third Quarter Results*

Year-to-Date Highlights*

*See below for discussion of non-GAAP measures.

Guidance
For the fourth quarter of 2024, net revenue is expected to be between $114.8 million and $118.8 million, and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $30.8 million and $31.8 million.

For the full year 2024, net revenue is expected to be between $448 million and $452 million, and Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $100 million and $101 million, both within our original guidance ranges.

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

Net Revenue
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased $0.2 million, or 0.2%, to $115.3 million as compared to $115.1 million in the same period in 2023. Digital Advertising net revenue increased $1.9 million, or 4.7%, as compared to the same period in 2023, and Broadcast Advertising net revenue increased $0.2 million, or 0.3%, as compared to the same period in 2023. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue of $1.2 million, or 5.8%, and a $0.6 million, or 37.3%, decrease in Other net revenue as compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding political revenue of $3.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, net revenue decreased $2.9 million, or 2.5%, to $111.6 million. Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $2.8 million, or 5.3%, to $50.8 million, and Digital Advertising net revenue increased $1.8 million, or 4.6%, to $40.7 million.

Net Income (Loss)
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we reported net income of $11.3 million, an increase of $47.8 million as compared to a net loss of $36.5 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to a $29.0 million decrease in non-cash impairment charges, partially offset by a $2.5 million increase in direct operating expenses and a $22.6 million decrease in the income tax provision due to the valuation allowance for interest expense carryforwards and an increase in certain non-deductible compensation costs. Adjusted Net Income decreased $2.2 million as compared to the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2024 decreased $1.7 million, or 6.3%, to $25.5 million, as compared to $27.2 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) decreased $4.3 million, or 16.3%, to $22.3 million, as compared to $26.6 million in the same period last year.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Net Revenue
Net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, decreased $6.3 million, or 1.8%, to $333.2 million as compared to $339.4 million in the same period in 2023. Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue decreased $7.2 million, or 11.5%, Other net revenue decreased $1.3 million, or 15.3%, and Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 0.3%, as compared to the same period in 2023. These declines were partially offset by a $2.7 million, or 2.4%, increase in Digital Advertising net revenue as compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding political revenue of $6.2 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, net revenue decreased $11.3 million, or 3.3% to $327.0 million, Broadcast Advertising net revenue decreased $5.1 million, or 3.4%, to $147.6 million, and Digital Advertising net revenue increased $2.5 million, or 2.2%, to $116.2 million.

Net Loss
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we reported a net loss of $36.0 million, a decrease of $5.2 million as compared to a net loss of $41.1 million in the same period last year. The decrease was due to a $29.4 million decrease in non-cash impairment charges, partially offset by increases in stock-based compensation and transaction and business realignment costs, the decrease in net revenue and a $4.5 million increase in the income tax provision was driven by the valuation allowance for interest expense carryforwards and an increase in certain non-deductible compensation costs. Adjusted Net Income decreased $9.7 million as compared to the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 decreased $6.0 million, or 8.0% to $69.2 million, as compared to $75.2 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) decreased $10.3 million, or 13.8%, to $63.9 million, as compared to $74.2 million in the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2024, we had a total of $21.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and $478.9 million of outstanding indebtedness, representing 5.10x and 4.86x gross and net leverage, respectively, based on Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended September 30, 2024, of $94.0 million.

The table below presents a summary, as of November 1, 2024, of our outstanding common stock (net of treasury shares).

Security   Number Outstanding   Description
Class A common stock   14,231,917   One vote per share.
Class B common stock   815,296   10 votes per share.1
Class C common stock   500,000   No votes.1
Total   15,547,213    
1 Each share converts into one share of Class A common stock upon transfer or at the option of the holder, subject to certain conditions, including compliance with FCC rules.
 

Conference Call
Townsquare Media, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss certain third quarter 2024 financial results and 2024 guidance on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call dial-in number is 1-800-717-1738 (U.S. & Canada) or 1-646-307-1865 (International) and the conference ID is “Townsquare”. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Company’s website at www.townsquaremedia.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through November 14, 2024. To access the replay, please dial 1-844-512-2921 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) and enter confirmation code 1142541. A web-based archive of the conference call will also be available at the above website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
 
  September 30,
2024
  December 31,
2023
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,786     $ 61,046  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $4,131 and $4,041, respectively   57,654       60,780  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   12,759       10,356  
Total current assets   92,199       132,182  
Property and equipment, net   110,428       110,194  
Intangible assets, net   165,179       200,306  
Goodwill   152,903       157,270  
Investments   975       3,542  
Operating lease right-of-use assets   42,460       46,887  
Other assets   763       1,165  
Restricted cash   509       503  
Total assets $ 565,416     $ 652,049  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 3,799     $ 5,036  
Deferred revenue   9,092       9,059  
Accrued compensation and benefits   12,007       13,085  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   26,986       25,112  
Operating lease liabilities, current   9,487       9,376  
Accrued interest   5,501       14,420  
Total current liabilities   66,872       76,088  
Long-term debt, net of deferred finance costs of $2,234 and $3,960, respectively   476,702       499,658  
Deferred tax liability   25,163       11,856  
Operating lease liability, net of current portion   38,153       41,437  
Other long-term liabilities   10,989       13,099  
Total liabilities   617,879       642,138  
Stockholders’ equity:      
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 15,196,963 and 14,023,767 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   152       140  
Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 815,296 and 815,296 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   8       8  
Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 500,000 and 1,961,341 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   5       20  
Total common stock   165       168  
Treasury stock, at cost; 965,399 and 183,768 shares of Class A common stock, respectively   (11,218 )     (2,177 )
Additional paid-in capital   304,097       310,612  
Accumulated deficit   (349,000 )     (302,193 )
Non-controlling interest   3,493       3,501  
Total stockholders’ equity   (52,463 )     9,911  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 565,416     $ 652,049  
 
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
    2024       2023       2024       2023  
Net revenue $ 115,311     $ 115,104     $ 333,169     $ 339,445  
Operating costs and expenses:              
Direct operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation   83,794       81,323       246,201       245,301  
Depreciation and amortization   4,947       4,717       14,896       14,496  
Corporate expenses   6,063       6,604       17,762       18,911  
Stock-based compensation   2,867       2,350       14,062       6,228  
Transaction and business realignment costs   645       161       3,683       764  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   2,008       30,970       36,264       65,697  
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets   (110 )     (362 )     (66 )     (703 )
Total operating costs and expenses   100,214       125,763       332,802       350,694  
Operating income (loss)   15,097       (10,659 )     367       (11,249 )
Other expense (income):              
Interest expense, net   9,175       9,343       27,418       28,215  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (8 )     (430 )     (11 )     (1,249 )
Other income, net   (277 )     (547 )     (4,974 )     (6,451 )
Income (loss) from operations before tax   6,207       (19,025 )     (22,066 )     (31,764 )
Income tax (benefit) provision   (5,129 )     17,478       13,903       9,380  
Net income (loss) $ 11,336     $ (36,503 )   $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )
               
Net income (loss) attributable to:              
Controlling interests $ 10,847     $ (36,999 )   $ (37,261 )   $ (42,620 )
Non-controlling interests   489       496       1,292       1,476  
Net income (loss) $ 11,336     $ (36,503 )   $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )
               
Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.71     $ (2.27 )   $ (2.38 )   $ (2.52 )
               
Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.63     $ (2.27 )   $ (2.38 )   $ (2.52 )
               
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic   15,296       16,277       15,650       16,897  
Diluted   17,227       16,277       15,650       16,897  
 
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2024       2023  
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization   14,896       14,496  
Amortization of deferred financing costs   1,576       1,567  
Non-cash lease (income) expense   (558 )     69  
Net deferred taxes and other   13,307       8,817  
Allowance for credit losses   4,036       2,817  
Stock-based compensation expense   14,062       6,228  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (11 )     (1,249 )
Trade and barter activity, net   (993 )     (1,352 )
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   36,264       65,697  
Realized gain on sale of digital assets         (839 )
Gain on sale of investment   (4,054 )     (5,210 )
Unrealized gain on investment   (202 )     493  
Amortization of content rights   3,667       3,645  
Change in content rights liabilities   (3,747 )     (1,819 )
Reimbursement of equipment modification costs         (1,487 )
Other   1,837       (1,276 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable   (1,117 )     (3,037 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (1,516 )     5,130  
Accounts payable   (1,231 )     646  
Accrued expenses   (10,812 )     (3,845 )
Accrued interest   (8,920 )     (9,443 )
Other long-term liabilities   42       60  
Net cash provided by operating activities   20,557       38,964  
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property and equipment   (13,771 )     (11,373 )
Proceeds from sale of digital assets         2,975  
Proceeds from insurance recoveries   336       721  
Proceeds from sale of assets and investment related transactions   5,829       7,277  
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,606 )     (400 )
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Repurchases of 2026 Notes   (24,521 )     (25,621 )
Dividend payments   (9,267 )     (6,285 )
Proceeds from stock options exercised   7,252       5,440  
Shares withheld in lieu of employee tax withholding   (35 )      
Withholdings for shares issued under the ESPP   708       729  
Repurchases of stock   (23,551 )     (16,645 )
Cash distribution to non-controlling interests   (1,300 )     (1,499 )
Repayments of capitalized obligations   (1,491 )     (140 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (52,205 )     (44,021 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:      
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (39,254 )     (5,457 )
Beginning of period   61,549       43,913  
End of period $ 22,295     $ 38,456  
 
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
    2024       2023  
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:      
Cash payments:      
Interest $ 35,390     $ 37,273  
Income taxes   945       1,122  
       
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-cash Activities:      
Dividends declared, but not paid during the period $ 3,214     $ 3,164  
Property and equipment acquired in exchange for advertising(1)   772       550  
Accrued capital expenditures   79       229  
       
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information relating to Leases:      
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities, included in operating cash flows $ 9,175     $ 8,850  
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations   4,691       4,035  
       
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,786     $ 37,955  
Restricted cash   509       501  
  $ 22,295     $ 38,456  

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

 
TOWNSQUARE MEDIA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
(in Thousands)
(unaudited)
 
  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
      Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
   
    2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 19,080     $ 20,257     (5.8 )%   $ 55,848     $ 63,086     (11.5 )%
Digital Advertising   40,861       39,009     4.7 %     116,541       113,842     2.4 %
Broadcast Advertising   54,330       54,179     0.3 %     153,418       153,822     (0.3 )%
Other   1,040       1,659     (37.3 )%     7,362       8,695     (15.3 )%
Net revenue   115,311       115,104     0.2 %     333,169       339,445     (1.8 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions Expenses   13,956       14,498     (3.7 )%     40,251       45,703     (11.9 )%
Digital Advertising expenses   30,050       27,271     10.2 %     87,665       77,666     12.9 %
Broadcast Advertising expenses   38,560       37,510     2.8 %     111,442       113,858     (2.1 )%
Other expenses   1,228       2,044     (39.9 )%     6,843       8,074     (15.2 )%
Direct operating expenses   83,794       81,323     3.0 %     246,201       245,301     0.4 %
Depreciation and amortization   4,947       4,717     4.9 %     14,896       14,496     2.8 %
Corporate expenses   6,063       6,604     (8.2 )%     17,762       18,911     (6.1 )%
Stock-based compensation   2,867       2,350     22.0 %     14,062       6,228     125.8 %
Transaction and business realignment costs   645       161     300.6 %     3,683       764     382.1 %
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   2,008       30,970     (93.5 )%     36,264       65,697     (44.8 )%
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets   (110 )     (362 )   (69.6 )%     (66 )     (703 )   (90.6 )%
Total operating costs and expenses   100,214       125,763     (20.3 )%     332,802       350,694     (5.1 )%
Operating income (loss)   15,097       (10,659 )   (241.6 )%     367       (11,249 )   (103.3 )%
Other expense (income):                      
Interest expense, net   9,175       9,343     (1.8 )%     27,418       28,215     (2.8 )%
Gain on repurchases of debt   (8 )     (430 )   (98.1 )%     (11 )     (1,249 )   (99.1 )%
Other income, net   (277 )     (547 )   (49.4 )%     (4,974 )     (6,451 )   (22.9 )%
Income (loss) from operations before tax   6,207       (19,025 )   (132.6 )%     (22,066 )     (31,764 )   (30.5 )%
Income tax (benefit) provision   (5,129 )     17,478     129.3 %     13,903       9,380     (48.2 )%
Net income (loss) $ 11,336     $ (36,503 )   (131.1 )%   $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )   (12.6 )%

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

  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
      Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
   
  (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)    
    2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 19,080     $ 20,257     (5.8 )%   $ 55,848     $ 63,086     (11.5 )%
Digital Advertising   40,861       39,009     4.7 %     116,541       113,842     2.4 %
Digital   59,941       59,266     1.1 %     172,389       176,928     (2.6 )%
Broadcast Advertising   54,330       54,179     0.3 %     153,418       153,822     (0.3 )%
Other   1,040       1,659     (37.3 )%     7,362       8,695     (15.3 )%
Net revenue $ 115,311     $ 115,104     0.2 %   $ 333,169     $ 339,445     (1.8 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 5,124     $ 5,759     (11.0 )%   $ 15,597     $ 17,383     (10.3 )%
Digital Advertising   10,811       11,738     (7.9 )%     28,876       36,176     (20.2 )%
Digital   15,935       17,497     (8.9 )%     44,473       53,559     (17.0 )%
Broadcast Advertising   15,770       16,669     (5.4 )%     41,976       39,964     5.0 %
Other   (188 )     (385 )   (51.2 )%     519       621     (16.4 )%
Adjusted Operating Income $ 31,517     $ 33,781     (6.7 )%   $ 86,968     $ 94,144     (7.6 )%

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

  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
      Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
   
  (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)    
    2024       2023     % Change     2024       2023     % Change
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions $ 19,080     $ 20,257     (5.8 )%   $ 55,848     $ 63,086     (11.5 )%
Digital Advertising   40,861       39,009     4.7 %     116,541       113,842     2.4 %
Digital   59,941       59,266     1.1 %     172,389       176,928     (2.6 )%
Broadcast Advertising   54,330       54,179     0.3 %     153,418       153,822     (0.3 )%
Other   1,040       1,659     (37.3 )%     7,362       8,695     (15.3 )%
Net revenue $ 115,311     $ 115,104     0.2 %   $ 333,169     $ 339,445     (1.8 )%
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions political revenue                              
Digital Advertising political revenue   145       66     119.7 %     364       127     186.6 %
Broadcast Advertising political revenue   3,555       561     533.7 %     5,855       1,118     423.7 %
Other political revenue                              
Political revenue $ 3,700     $ 627     490.1 %   $ 6,219     $ 1,245     399.5 %
Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions net revenue (ex. political) $ 19,080     $ 20,257     (5.8 )%   $ 55,848     $ 63,086     (11.5 )%
Digital Advertising net revenue (ex. political)   40,716       38,943     4.6 %     116,177       113,715     2.2 %
Digital net revenue (ex. political)   59,796       59,200     1.0 %     172,025       176,801     (2.7 )%
Broadcast Advertising political net revenue (ex. political)   50,775       53,618     (5.3 )%     147,563       152,704     (3.4 )%
Other net revenue (ex. political)   1,040       1,659     (37.3 )%     7,362       8,695     (15.3 )%
Net revenue (ex. political) $ 111,611     $ 114,477     (2.5 )%   $ 326,950     $ 338,200     (3.3 )%

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

  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
  (Unaudited)
    2024       2023       2024       2023  
Net income (loss) $ 11,336     $ (36,503 )   $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )
Income tax (benefit) provision   (5,129 )     17,478       13,903       9,380  
Income (loss) from operations before taxes   6,207       (19,025 )     (22,066 )     (31,764 )
Transaction and business realignment costs   645       161       3,683       764  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   2,008       30,970       36,264       65,697  
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets   (110 )     (362 )     (66 )     (703 )
Gain on repurchases of debt   (8 )     (430 )     (11 )     (1,249 )
Gain on sale of digital assets                     (839 )
Gain on sale of investment   (46 )           (4,054 )     (5,210 )
Change in fair value of investment         605       (202 )     493  
Gain on insurance recoveries   (58 )     (349 )     (336 )     (721 )
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest, net of income taxes   (489 )     (496 )     (1,292 )     (1,476 )
Adjusted net income before income taxes   8,149       11,074       11,920       24,992  
Income tax provision (1)   2,069       2,824       3,027       6,373  
Adjusted Net Income $ 6,080     $ 8,250     $ 8,893     $ 18,619  
               
Adjusted Net Income Per Share:              
Basic $ 0.40     $ 0.51     $ 0.57     $ 1.10  
Diluted $ 0.35     $ 0.46     $ 0.50     $ 1.05  
               
Weighted average shares outstanding:              
Basic   15,296       16,277       15,650       16,897  
Diluted   17,227       18,073       17,694       17,726  

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

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

  Three Months Ended 
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
  (Unaudited)
    2024       2023       2024       2023  
Net income (loss) $ 11,336     $ (36,503 )   $ (35,969 )   $ (41,144 )
Income tax (benefit) provision   (5,129 )     17,478       13,903       9,380  
Interest expense, net   9,175       9,343       27,418       28,215  
Gain on repurchases of debt   (8 )     (430 )     (11 )     (1,249 )
Depreciation and amortization   4,947       4,717       14,896       14,496  
Stock-based compensation   2,867       2,350       14,062       6,228  
Transaction and business realignment costs   645       161       3,683       764  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   2,008       30,970       36,264       65,697  
Other (a)   (387 )     (909 )     (5,040 )     (7,154 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 25,454     $ 27,177     $ 69,206     $ 75,233  
Political Adjusted EBITDA   (3,145 )     (533 )     (5,286 )     (1,058 )
Adjusted EBITDA (Excluding Political) $ 22,309     $ 26,644     $ 63,920     $ 74,175  
Political Adjusted EBITDA   3,145       533       5,286       1,058  
Net cash paid for interest   (17,146 )     (18,219 )     (35,390 )     (37,273 )
Capital expenditures   (5,092 )     (4,237 )     (13,771 )     (11,373 )
Cash paid for taxes   (261 )     (305 )     (945 )     (1,122 )
Adjusted EBITDA Less Interest, Capex and Taxes $ 2,955     $ 4,416     $ 19,100     $ 25,465  

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

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

  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  (Unaudited)
  December 31,
2023
  March 31,
2024
  June 30,
2024
  September 30,
2024
  September 30,
2024
Net (loss) income $ (1,878 )   $ 1,553     $ (48,858 )   $ 11,336     $ (37,847 )
Income tax (benefit) provision   (15,522 )     207       18,825       (5,129 )     (1,619 )
Interest expense, net   9,034       9,031       9,212       9,175       36,452  
Gain on repurchases of debt               (3 )     (8 )     (11 )
Depreciation and amortization   4,704       4,935       5,014       4,947       19,600  
Stock-based compensation   1,805       2,870       8,325       2,867       15,867  
Transaction and business realignment costs   405       1,444       1,594       645       4,088  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets   24,881       1,618       32,638       2,008       61,145  
Other (a)   1,349       (4,137 )     (516 )   $ (387 )     (3,691 )
Adjusted EBITDA $ 24,778     $ 17,521     $ 26,231     $ 25,454     $ 93,984  

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

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

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 4,388     $ 10,417     $ 12,682     $ (1,903 )
Depreciation and amortization   602       251       2,715       32  
Stock-based compensation   134       143       188       4  
Transaction and business realignment costs               161       5  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets               134       1,674  
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets               (110 )      
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) $ 5,124     $ 10,811     $ 15,770     $ (188 )
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 5,282     $ 11,448     $ (13,081 )   $ (427 )
Depreciation and amortization   325       147       3,263       35  
Stock-based compensation   152       143       240       4  
Transaction and business realignment costs               6       3  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets               26,603        
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets               (362 )      
Adjusted Operating Income $ 5,759     $ 11,738     $ 16,669     $ (385 )

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 13,305     $ 25,895     $ 2,724     $ (2,190 )
Depreciation and amortization   1,824       698       8,386       97  
Stock-based compensation   468       499       546       12  
Transaction and business realignment costs               249       17  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets         1,784       30,137       2,583  
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets               (66 )      
Adjusted Operating Income $ 15,597     $ 28,876     $ 41,976     $ 519  
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
  (Unaudited)
  Subscription Digital Marketing Solutions   Digital Advertising   Broadcast Advertising   Other
Operating income (loss) $ 15,972     $ 35,439     $ (22,399 )   $ 493  
Depreciation and amortization   980       479       10,245       104  
Stock-based compensation   431       258       622       10  
Transaction and business realignment costs               366       14  
Impairment of intangible assets, investments, goodwill and long-lived assets               51,833        
Net gain on sale and retirement of assets               (703 )      
Adjusted Operating Income $ 17,383     $ 36,176     $ 39,964     $ 621  


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