Media General Reports Fourth-Quarter 2009 Results
RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG) today reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $27.4 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $85.5 million, or $3.86 per diluted share, in the 2008 fourth quarter. Income from continuing operations before income taxes, and adjusted for severance and impairment in both years, increased 40 percent to $22.9 million, compared with $16.4 million in the 2008 fourth quarter.
"Media General's fourth-quarter results improved year-over-year and sequentially from the third quarter of 2009. Total revenues in the fourth quarter decreased 14 percent, a sequential improvement from an 18 percent decrease in the third quarter of 2009. In addition, the 2009 quarter included only $3.7 million of Political revenues, compared with $23.4 million in the 2008 fourth quarter. Advertising sales strengthened as the quarter unfolded. In the month of December, total revenues were essentially even with December 2008," said Marshall N. Morton, president and chief executive officer.
"Total operating expenses decreased 22 percent in the fourth quarter, which reflected the aggressive cost-cutting actions we implemented during the recession. We had nearly 900 fewer employees at the end of 2009 compared with 2008 year-end, and we implemented a five-day furlough program in the 2009 fourth quarter. Newsprint expense in the fourth quarter declined 57 percent, reflecting both lower prices and lower consumption," said Mr. Morton.
Publishing revenues in the fourth quarter decreased 14 percent from the prior year, an improvement from an 18.5 percent decline in the third quarter of 2009. Partially offsetting a decline in local, national and classified revenues were higher circulation revenues and higher printing and distribution revenues.
Broadcast revenues in the fourth quarter declined 17 percent, which was entirely a reflection of lower Political revenues in the current period.
Digital Media revenues in the fourth quarter increased 11 percent from the prior year. Local and National digital revenues increased 28 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from a year ago. Unique visitors increased 43 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting in part the benefit of our Yahoo! partnership that uses the company's local headlines on Yahoo! pages and drives their audience to our Web sites.
Market Segments
Virginia/Tennessee segment profits in the fourth quarter increased 67.2 percent from a year ago to $15.6 million. Segment expenses decreased 20.5 percent and offset a 6.3 percent decline in revenues. The segment benefited from a 31 percent increase in Political spending at its two television stations, generated by the Virginia gubernatorial election and issues advertising related to health care reform. Increased circulation revenues and printing and distribution revenues partially offset declines in Local and National advertising.
Florida segment profits were $6.6 million, compared with a loss of $960,000 in the prior year. Expenses decreased 31 percent from the prior year and offset a 16 percent decline in total revenues. Political revenues in this segment in 2009 were $226,000 compared with $3.5 million in 2008. WFLA generated higher Local and National advertising. A decline in total advertising in the segment was partially offset by increases in circulation, syndication, and printing and distribution revenues.
Mid-South segment profits were $8.7 million, a 14.5 percent increase from the prior year. Revenues declined 11.8 percent, while expenses decreased 18 percent. Political revenues in this segment in 2009 were $391,000 compared with $5.8 million in 2008. Local revenues declined 2.7 percent and Classified revenues decreased 7.3 percent.
North Carolina segment profits were $3.4 million, a 26.6 percent decrease from the fourth quarter a year ago. Revenues decreased 25.6 percent, and expenses declined 25.3 percent. Political revenues in this segment in 2009 were $203,000, compared with $4.3 million in 2008. This segment's Local and Classified revenues were lower than other segments, due, in part, to Local advertiser cutbacks in the two larger markets of Winston-Salem and Raleigh. Higher circulation and distribution revenues partially offset the advertising declines.
Ohio/Rhode Island segment profits were $5.3 million, a 23.7 percent decrease from last year. Total revenues were $14.6 million, a 24.7 percent decrease, and operating expenses decreased 26.2 percent. Political revenues in this segment in 2009 were $1.2 million compared with $7.9 million in 2008. The company's Rhode Island television station benefited from Political spending for the recent Massachusetts Senate race. National advertising increased 27 percent, and Local spending decreased 2.4 percent in this segment.
The Advertising Services and Other segment profits of $1.7 million increased 65 percent from last year. Most of the improvement was generated by DealTaker.com, the company's shopping and coupon Web site. DealTaker.com's revenues increased 37 percent, reflecting increased traffic and visitors buying from merchant sites, driven by strong marketing and sales initiatives for the December holidays.
Other results
Interest expense of $10.3 million was approximately 4 percent lower than the prior year, due primarily to lower average debt levels. Acquisition intangibles amortization decreased 41.3 percent, as certain intangible assets were written down as part of previous impairment charges. Corporate expense declined 15.4 percent, reflecting cost containment actions and furlough days.
Debt at the end of 2009 was $712 million, compared with $730 million at the end of 2008.
The company recognized a tax benefit in the fourth quarter that came about as a result of a change in federal tax law that allows the company to carry back its 2009 loss into years in which it paid income taxes. The amount of the tax benefit is approximately $25 million, and a receivable has been established. The cash is expected in the middle of 2010, and the company will use this tax refund for debt reduction.
The effective tax rate on income or loss from continuing operations was a negative 4.5 percent for the fourth quarter and 39 percent for the full year. This unusual relationship of tax benefit to pre-tax income for the quarter is due primarily to the NOL carry back benefit as well as limitations imposed by the intra period tax allocation rules.
EBITDA (income (loss) from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $46.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with a loss of $92 million in the 2008 period, which included an impairment charge. After-Tax Cash Flow, excluding non-cash items, was $32.6 million, compared with $22.1 million in the prior year's quarter. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $6.8 million, compared with $12.3 million in the prior-year period. Free Cash Flow (After-Tax Cash Flow minus capital expenditures) was $25.8 million, compared with $9.9 million in the prior-year period.
Media General provides the non-GAAP financial metrics EBITDA from continuing operations, After-Tax Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow and Income from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for severance and impairment. The company believes these metrics are useful in evaluating financial performance and are common alternative measures used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies. These groups use EBITDA, along with other measures, to evaluate a company's ability to service its debt requirements and to estimate the value of the company. A reconciliation of these metrics to amounts on the GAAP statements has been included in this news release.
Outlook
"Media General will continue to build on the strength of its reorganized market-based structure, which is enabling us to accelerate our digital strategy, engage more employees in innovation, and get to market faster with customer-focused solutions. Our lower cost base going into 2010 provides us with significant flexibility. In 2010, we will benefit from an improving economy, revenues from the Winter Olympics on our eight NBC stations, and Political revenues, which we estimate will be approximately $42 million across all our markets for the year. For the full year, we expect our total revenues to increase in the mid-single digits. Total operating expenses are expected to increase in the mid-single digits, in part because we are not planning a furlough program in 2010. Our current budget estimates free cash flow of approximately $48-50 million for the year," Mr. Morton said.
Conference Call, Webcast and Financial Statements
The company will hold a conference call with financial analysts today at 2 p.m. ET. The conference call will be available to the media and general public through a limited number of listen-only dial-in conference lines and via simultaneous Webcast. To dial in to the call, listeners may call 1-800-659-2037 about 10 minutes prior to the 2 p.m. start. The participant passcode is "Media General." Listeners may also access the live Webcast by logging on to www.mediageneral.com and clicking on the "Live Webcast" link on the homepage about 10 minutes in advance. A replay of the Webcast will be available online at www.mediageneral.com beginning at 5 p.m. today. A telephone replay is also available, beginning at 5 p.m. today and ending at 5 p.m. on February 4, 2010, by dialing 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888, and using the passcode 72291164. The company will issue its audited Financial Statements for the three-years ended December 27, 2009, on the home page of Web site following the market close today.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties and should be understood in the context of the company's publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Media General's future performance could differ materially from its current expectations.
About Media General
Media General is a leading provider of news, information and entertainment across multiple media platforms, serving consumers and advertisers in strong local markets, primarily in the Southeastern United States. Media General's operations are organized in five geographic market segments and a sixth segment that includes the company's interactive advertising services and certain other operations. The company's operations include 18 network-affiliated television stations and their associated Web sites, three metropolitan and 20 community newspapers and their associated Web sites, more than 200 specialty publications that include weekly newspapers and niche publications targeted to various demographic, geographic and topical communities of interest. Many of the company's specialty publications have associated Web sites. Media General additionally operates three interactive advertising services companies: Blockdot, which specializes in interactive entertainment and advergaming technologies; DealTaker.com, a coupon and shopping Web site; and NetInformer, a leading provider of wireless media and mobile marketing services.
Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirteen Weeks Ending Fifty-Two Weeks Ending
(Unaudited, in --------------------- ----------------------
thousands except per Dec. 27, Dec. 28, Dec. 27, Dec. 28,
share amounts) 2009 2008 2009 2008
--------------------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Revenues
Publishing $94,367 $109,529 $357,502 $436,870
Broadcast 71,616 86,632 258,967 322,106
Digital media and
other 11,101 10,038 41,143 38,399
----------------- ------ ------ ------ ------
Total revenues 177,084 206,199 657,612 797,375
-------------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating costs:
Employee compensation 70,322 90,820 300,439 380,434
Production 34,472 48,171 154,785 193,034
Selling, general and
administrative 25,905 29,404 94,031 111,549
Depreciation and
amortization 13,923 17,268 59,178 71,464
Goodwill and other
asset impairment --- 130,383 84,220 908,701
Gain on insurance
recovery --- --- (1,915) (3,250)
----------------- ----- ----- ------ ------
Total operating
costs 144,622 316,046 690,738 1,661,932
--------------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 32,462 (109,847) (33,126) (864,557)
----------------------- ------ -------- ------- --------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (10,260) (10,650) (41,978) (43,449)
Impairment of and
income (loss) on
investments --- 167 701 (4,419)
Other, net 351 217 972 979
---------- --- --- --- ---
Total other expense (9,909) (10,266) (40,305) (46,889)
------------------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before income taxes 22,553 (120,113) (73,431) (911,446)
Income tax benefit (1,013) (34,393) (28,638) (288,191)
------------------ ------ ------- ------- --------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations 23,566 (85,720) (44,793) (623,255)
Discontinued operations:
Income from
discontinued
operations (net of
tax) 59 186 155 2,701
Income (loss)
related to
divestiture of
operations (net of
tax) 3,737 --- 8,873 (11,300)
--------------------- ----- ----- ----- -------
Net income (loss) $27,362 $(85,534) $(35,765) $(631,854)
================= ======= ======== ======== =========
Net income (loss)
per common share:
Income (loss) from
continuing
operations $1.02 $(3.87) $(2.01) $(28.21)
Discontinued
operations 0.17 0.01 0.40 (0.39)
---- ---- ---- -----
Net income (loss) $1.19 $(3.86) $(1.61) $(28.60)
===== ====== ====== =======
Net income (loss)
per common share -
assuming dilution:
Income (loss) from
continuing
operations $1.01 $(3.87) $(2.01) $(28.21)
Discontinued
operations 0.17 0.01 0.40 (0.39)
---- ---- ---- -----
Net income (loss) $1.18 $(3.86) $(1.61) $(28.60)
===== ====== ====== =======
Weighted-average
common shares
outstanding: ------ ------ ------ ------
Basic 22,273 22,166 22,245 22,113
Diluted 22,439 22,166 22,245 22,113
------ ------ ------ ------
Media General, Inc.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Depreciation & Operating
(Unaudited, in thousands) Revenues Amortization Profit (Loss)
------------------------- -------- -------------- --------------
Quarter ended in December 27, 2009
Virginia/Tennessee $53,882 $(3,282) $15,611
Florida 41,847 (1,845) 6,575
Mid-South 39,369 (3,274) 8,684
North Carolina 21,160 (1,707) 3,364
Ohio/Rhode Island 14,598 (830) 5,270
Advertising Services &
Other 6,720 (227) 1,685
Eliminations (492) - -
------
41,189
Unallocated amounts:
Acquisition intangibles
amortization (1,703) (1,703)
Corporate expense (1,055) (7,053)
-------- ------
$177,084 $(13,923)
======== ========
Interest expense (10,260)
Other 380
Consolidated income from continuing -------
operations before income taxes $22,553
=======
Depreciation & Operating
(Unaudited, in thousands) Revenues Amortization Profit (Loss)
------------------------- -------- -------------- --------------
Quarter ended in December 28, 2008
Virginia/Tennessee $57,493 $(3,709) $9,338
Florida 49,820 (2,507) (960)
Mid-South 44,648 (3,720) 7,584
North Carolina 28,425 (2,035) 4,586
Ohio/Rhode Island 19,378 (784) 6,907
Advertising Services &
Other 7,375 (209) 1,021
Eliminations (940) 2 (113)
----
28,363
Unallocated amounts:
Acquisition intangibles
amortization (2,902) (2,902)
Corporate expense (1,404) (8,338)
-------- ------
$206,199 $(17,268)
======== ========
Interest expense (10,650)
Impairment of and income (loss) on investments 167
Goodwill and other asset impairment (130,383)
Other 3,630
---------
Consolidated loss from continuing
operations before income taxes $(120,113)
=========
Depreciation & Operating
(Unaudited, in thousands) Revenues Amortization Profit (Loss)
------------------------- -------- -------------- --------------
Twelve months ended in
December 27, 2009
Virginia/Tennessee $199,290 $(13,807) $39,644
Florida 158,232 (8,111) 4,262
Mid-South 145,621 (13,426) 21,201
North Carolina 78,762 (6,801) 4,719
Ohio/Rhode Island 50,613 (3,371) 10,514
Advertising Services &
Other 26,683 (884) 4,579
Eliminations (1,589) 2 (46)
------
84,873
Unallocated amounts:
Acquisition intangibles
amortization (7,064) (7,064)
Corporate expense (5,716) (27,067)
-------- ------
$657,612 $(59,178)
======== ========
Interest expense (41,978)
Impairment of and income (loss) on investments 701
Gain on insurance recovery 1,915
Goodwill and other asset impairment (84,220)
Other (591)
Consolidated loss from continuing --------
operations before income taxes $(73,431)
========
Depreciation & Operating
(Unaudited, in thousands) Revenues Amortization Profit (Loss)
------------------------- -------- -------------- --------------
Twelve months ended in December 28, 2008
Virginia/Tennessee $232,465 $(15,244) $40,609
Florida 201,291 (9,905) (1,467)
Mid-South 171,531 (14,836) 24,967
North Carolina 105,372 (7,371) 11,642
Ohio/Rhode Island 62,921 (3,869) 13,949
Advertising Services &
Other 26,647 (796) 1,495
Eliminations (2,852) 10 (1,113)
------
90,082
Unallocated amounts:
Acquisition intangibles
amortization (13,670) (13,670)
Corporate expense (5,783) (38,504)
-------- ------
$797,375 $(71,464)
======== ========
Interest expense (43,449)
Impairment of and income (loss) on investments (4,419)
Gain on insurance recovery 3,250
Goodwill and other asset impairment (908,701)
Other 3,965
Consolidated loss from continuing ---------
operations before income taxes $(911,446)
=========
Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Dec. 27, Dec. 28,
(Unaudited, in thousands) 2009 2008
------------------------- ---- ----
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $33,232 $7,142
Accounts receivable - net 104,405 102,174
Inventories 6,632 12,035
Other 60,786 38,849
Assets of discontinued
operations - 12,402
------- ------
Total current assets 205,055 172,602
------- -------
Other assets 34,177 41,287
Property, plant and equipment -
net 421,208 453,627
FCC licenses and other
intangibles - net 575,608 666,736
--------- ---------
Total assets $1,236,048 $1,334,252
============ ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $26,398 $41,365
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities 72,174 86,291
Liabilities of discontinued
operations - 3,053
------ -----
Total current liabilities 98,572 130,709
------ -------
Long-term debt 711,909 730,049
Deferred income taxes 7,233 -
Other liabilities and deferred
credits 226,083 318,267
Stockholders' equity 192,251 155,227
------- -------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $1,236,048 $1,334,252
===================== ========== ==========
Media General, Inc.
EBITDA, After-tax Cash Flow, and Free Cash Flow
Thirteen Weeks Ending Fifty-Two Weeks Ending
(Unaudited, ------------------------- --------------------------
in Dec. 27, Dec. 28, Dec. 27, Dec. 28,
thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
----------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income
(loss) from
continuing
operations $23,566 $(85,720) $(44,793) $(623,255)
Interest 10,260 10,650 41,978 43,449
Taxes (1,013) (34,393) (28,638) (288,191)
Depreciation
and
amortization 13,923 17,268 59,178 71,464
------ ------ ------ ------
EBITDA from
continuing
operations $46,736 $(92,195) $27,725 $(796,533)
=========== ======= ======== ======= =========
Income
(loss) from
continuing
operations $23,566 $(85,720) $(44,793) $(623,255)
Non-cash
impairment
charge, net
of tax
adjustments (11,375) 83,054 51,374 615,137
Non-cash tax
valuation
allowance 6,529 7,527 6,529 7,527
Depreciation
and
amortization 13,923 17,268 59,178 71,464
------------- ------- ------- ------- -------
After-tax
cash flow
excluding
non-cash
items $32,643 $22,129 $72,288 $70,873
========== ======= ======= ======= =======
After-tax
cash flow $32,643 $22,129 $72,288 $70,873
Capital
expenditures 6,828 12,274 18,453 31,517
------------- ------- ------ ------- -------
Free cash
flow
excluding
non-cash
items $25,815 $9,855 $53,835 $39,356
========== ======= ====== ======= =======
Media General, Inc.
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for
severance and impairment
Thirteen Weeks Ending
---------------------
Dec. 27, Dec. 28,
(Unaudited, in thousands) 2009 2008
------------------------- ---- ----
Income (loss) from continuing operations,
before income taxes $22,553 $(120,113)
Severance 345 6,105
Non-cash impairment charge - 130,383
Income from cont. ops. before income
taxes, adjusted for severance and ------- -------
impairment $22,898 $16,375
==================================== ======= =======
SOURCE Media General, Inc.
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