Annual Statements Open main menu

CUMULUS MEDIA INC - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021
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 001-38108
cmls-20210930_g1.jpg
 
Cumulus Media Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
 
Delaware 82-5134717
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3280 Peachtree Road,NW Suite 2200Atlanta,GA 30305
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (ZIP Code)
(404) 949-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, par value $0.0000001 per shareCMLSNasdaq Global Market



Table of Contents

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  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated Filer ¨Accelerated Filer  
þ
Non-accelerated Filer 
¨ 
  Smaller Reporting Company
þ
Emerging Growth Company¨
If an emerging company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  þ    No  ¨
As of October 27, 2021, the registrant had 20,502,895 outstanding shares of common stock consisting of: (i) 18,538,131 shares of Class A common stock; (ii) 1,964,764 shares of Class B common stock, and no warrants issued and outstanding. In addition, the registrant had 22,154 Series 1 warrants authorized to be issued.




Table of Contents
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
INDEX
 

2

Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
Dollars in thousands (except for share data)September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$152,917 $271,761 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,199 and $6,745 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
200,508 201,275 
Trade receivable2,718 1,986 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets35,954 27,942 
Total current assets392,097 502,964 
Property and equipment, net194,214 208,692 
Operating lease right-of-use assets151,331 157,568 
Broadcast licenses823,934 825,590 
Other intangible assets, net144,072 144,387 
Deferred income tax assets8,213 7,779 
Other assets8,610 12,758 
Total assets$1,722,471 $1,859,738 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$106,867 $94,128 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities28,154 28,121 
Trade payable1,883 1,537 
Current portion of term loan due 2026— 5,250 
Total current liabilities136,904 129,036 
2020 revolving credit facility— 60,000 
Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans20,000 — 
Term loan due 2026, net of debt issuance costs of $2,530 and $3,850 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
353,710 460,311 
6.75% senior notes, net of debt issuance costs of $4,823 and $5,486 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
444,872 447,350 
Operating lease liabilities127,682 129,273 
Financing liabilities, net220,670 222,802 
Other liabilities18,138 13,375 
Total liabilities1,321,976 1,462,147 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity:
Class A common stock, par value $0.0000001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 18,721,481 and 18,135,956 shares issued; 18,494,822 and 17,961,734 shares outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
— — 
Convertible Class B common stock, par value $0.0000001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 2,008,073 and 2,416,253 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
— — 
Treasury stock, at cost, 226,659 and 174,222 shares at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively
(2,937)(2,414)
Additional paid-in-capital340,829 337,042 
Retained earnings62,603 62,963 
Total stockholders’ equity400,495 397,591 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,722,471 $1,859,738 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

Table of Contents
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Dollars in thousands (except for share and per share data)Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30, 2021September 30, 2020September 30, 2021September 30, 2020
Net revenue$237,716 $196,385 $664,163 $570,321 
Operating expenses:
Content costs87,279 82,014 260,309 236,304 
Selling, general and administrative expenses93,213 86,323 276,375 269,856 
Depreciation and amortization13,223 13,151 39,796 39,063 
Local marketing agreement fees373 984 1,062 3,037 
Corporate expenses16,017 16,926 55,426 39,065 
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,197)1,930 (20,659)7,513 
Impairment of intangible assets— — — 4,509 
Total operating expenses189,908 201,328 612,309 599,347 
Operating income (loss)47,808 (4,943)51,854 (29,026)
Non-operating expense:
Interest expense(16,187)(15,930)(51,827)(48,977)
Other expense, net(505)(12)(330)(70)
Total non-operating expense, net(16,692)(15,942)(52,157)(49,047)
Income (loss) before income taxes31,116 (20,885)(303)(78,073)
Income tax (expense) benefit(3,668)5,082 (57)18,603 
Net income (loss)$27,448 $(15,803)$(360)$(59,470)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share (see Note 8, "Income (Loss) Per Share"):
Basic: Income (loss) per share$1.34 $(0.78)$(0.02)$(2.93)
Diluted: Income (loss) per share$1.32 $(0.78)$(0.02)$(2.93)
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding20,508,135 20,339,895 20,467,969 20,299,461 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding20,717,018 20,339,895 20,467,969 20,299,461 


See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.





4

Table of Contents
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Dollars in thousandsClass A
Common Stock
Class B
Common Stock
Treasury
Stock
 Number of
Shares
Par
Value
Number of
Shares
Par
Value
Number of
Shares
ValueAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained EarningsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2020
17,961,734 $— 2,416,253 $— 174,222 $(2,414)$337,042 $62,963 $397,591 
Net loss— — — — — — — (21,917)(21,917)
Shares returned in lieu of tax payments— — — — 33,666 (315)— — (315)
Conversion of Class B common stock298,347 — (298,347)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock67,635 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense— — — — — — 1,057 — 1,057 
Balance at March 31, 202118,327,716 $— 2,117,906 $— 207,888 $(2,729)$338,099 $41,046 $376,416 
Net loss— — — — — — — (5,891)(5,891)
Shares returned in lieu of tax payments— — — — 18,771 (208)— — (208)
Conversion of Class B common stock77,754 — (77,754)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock40,173 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense — — — — — — 1,358 — 1,358 
Balance at June 30, 202118,445,643 $— 2,040,152 $— 226,659 $(2,937)$339,457 $35,155 $371,675 
Net income— — — — — — — 27,448 27,448 
Conversion of Class B common stock32,079 — (32,079)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock17,100 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense— — — — — — 1,372 — 1,372 
Balance at September 30, 202118,494,822 $— 2,008,073 $— 226,659 $(2,937)$340,829 $62,603 $400,495 
5

Table of Contents
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Dollars in thousandsClass A
Common Stock
Class B
Common Stock
Treasury
Stock
 Number of
Shares
Par
Value
Number of
Shares
Par
Value
Number of
Shares
ValueAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained EarningsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2019
15,681,439 $— 1,926,848 $— 68,658 $(1,171)$333,705 $122,682 $455,216 
Net loss— — — — — — — (7,351)(7,351)
Shares returned in lieu of tax payments— — — — 75,493 (1,072)— — (1,072)
Conversion of Class B common stock38,563 — (38,563)— — — — — — 
Exercise of warrants121,114 — — — — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock112,569 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense— — — — — — 719 — 719 
Balance at March 31, 202015,953,685 $— 1,888,285 $— 144,151 $(2,243)$334,424 $115,331 $447,512 
Net loss— — — — — — — (36,316)(36,316)
Shares returned in lieu of tax payments— — — — 30,071 (171)— — (171)
Exercise of warrants1,723,253 — 686,315 — — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock66,476 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense — — — — — — 985 — 985 
Balance at June 30, 202017,743,414 $— 2,574,600 $— 174,222 $(2,414)$335,409 $79,015 $412,010 
Net loss— — — — — — (15,803)(15,803)
Conversion of Class B common stock158,347 — (158,347)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock28,984 — — — — — — — — 
Stock based compensation expense— — — — — — 861 — 861 
Balance at September 30, 202017,930,745 $— 2,416,253 $— 174,222 $(2,414)$336,270 $63,212 $397,068 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6

Table of Contents
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Dollars in thousandsNine Months Ended
 September 30, 2021September 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $(360)$(59,470)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization39,796 39,063 
Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs2,349 1,988 
Provision for doubtful accounts67 4,902 
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,659)7,513 
Impairment of intangible assets— 4,509 
Deferred income taxes(434)(20,810)
Stock-based compensation expense3,787 2,565 
Non-cash interest expense on financing liabilities3,032 610 
Non-cash imputed rental income(3,345)— 
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding acquisitions and dispositions):
Accounts receivable701 74,430 
Trade receivable(732)(733)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(8,034)(4,239)
Operating leases, net 4,751 24,200 
Other assets3,441 (212)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses8,348 (19,204)
Trade payable346 (113)
Other liabilities165 6,238 
Net cash provided by operating activities33,219 61,237 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of assets or stations33,497 78,333 
Asset acquisition (7,000)— 
Proceeds from insurance reimbursement866 — 
Capital expenditures(21,988)(9,559)
Net cash provided by investing activities5,375 68,774 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowings under term loan (113,171)(52,964)
Repayments of borrowings under 6.75% senior notes
(3,141)— 
   Repayments of borrowings under the 2020 revolving credit facility(60,000)— 
Proceeds from PPP loans20,000 — 
Borrowings under the 2020 revolving credit facility— 60,000 
Financing costs— (493)
Shares returned in lieu of tax payments (523)(1,243)
Transaction costs for financing liability(7)(3,152)
Proceeds from financing liability2,635 205,442 
Repayments of financing liabilities(3,030)(631)
Repayments of finance lease obligations(201)(255)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(157,438)206,704 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(118,844)336,715 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period271,761 17,007 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$152,917 $353,722 
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

Table of Contents
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Nature of Business, Interim Financial Data and Basis of Presentation
Cumulus Media Inc. (and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as the context may otherwise require, "CUMULUS MEDIA," "we," "us," "our," or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation, organized in 2018, and successor to a Delaware corporation with the same name that had been organized in 2002.
Nature of Business
CUMULUS MEDIA (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. CUMULUS MEDIA engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 412 owned-and-operated stations across 86 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across nearly 7,300 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the CUMULUS Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. CUMULUS MEDIA provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. CUMULUS MEDIA is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has one reportable segment and presents the comparative periods on a consolidated basis to reflect the one reportable segment. In the opinion of management, the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented herein. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, was derived from the Company’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2020, and our accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2021 and for the periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. The financial condition and results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for any future interim period or for the full year. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including significant estimates related to bad debts, intangible assets, income taxes, stock-based compensation, contingencies, litigation, valuation assumptions for impairment analysis, certain expense accruals, leases and, if applicable, purchase price allocations. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. We assessed these aforementioned estimates and judgments utilizing information reasonably available to us and considering the unknown future impacts of the novel coronavirus disease ("COVID-19") pandemic. The business and economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has made such estimates and assumptions more difficult to calculate. While there was not a material impact to our key estimates as of and for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, our estimates may change based on the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors. Actual amounts and results may differ materially from these estimates.
8

Table of Contents
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and certain items that are excluded from net income (loss) and recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no items of other comprehensive income (loss) and, therefore, comprehensive income (loss) does not differ from reported net income (loss).
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. The Company measures assets held for sale at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.
On June 10, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain land, a single-story building and certain related equipment in the Company's Nashville, TN market ("Nashville Sale") to a third party. The transaction closed on August 2, 2021. The Company recorded a gain on the Nashville Sale of $20.8 million which is included in the (Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations financial statement line item of the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations for three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, assets held for sale were not material.
Asset Acquisition
On July 30, 2021, the Company purchased affiliate advertising relationships from a producer of radio station advertising for total consideration of $15.0 million. The consideration included a $7.0 million upfront cash payment and contingent consideration owed of up to $8.0 million to be paid over approximately three years. The Company recorded a liability for the contingent consideration on the acquisition date in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, Contingencies, as payment was both probable and estimable.
Tower Sale
The Company completed the final closing with Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC for the sale of substantially all of the Company's broadcast communications tower sites and certain other related assets (the "Tower Sale") on June 30, 2021, for net proceeds of $2.6 million. In connection with the Tower Sale, the Company entered into individual site leases for the continued use of substantially all of the assets that were included in the Tower Sale. As the terms of the Tower Sale arrangement contain a repurchase option, the leaseback was not accounted for as a sale. The carrying amount of the leased back assets will remain on the Company's books and continue to be depreciated over their remaining useful lives. The proceeds received for the leased back assets have been recorded as a financing liability.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following summarizes supplemental cash flow information to be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021September 30, 2020
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid$38,951 $37,707 
Income taxes paid (refunded)5,348 (2,155)
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow information:
Trade revenue$27,349 $22,154 
Trade expense26,819 20,941 
Noncash principal change in financing liabilities(54)620 
Recent Accounting Standards Updates
ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) ("ASU 2016-13"). In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 which requires entities to estimate loss of financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables, debt securities and loans, using an expected credit loss model. The expected credit loss differs from the previous incurred losses model primarily in that the loss recognition threshold of "probable" has been eliminated and that expected loss should consider reasonable and supportable forecasts in addition to the previously considered past events and current
9

Table of Contents
conditions. Additionally, the guidance requires additional disclosures related to the further disaggregation of information related to the credit quality of financial assets by year of the asset's origination for as many as five years.
Entities must apply the standard provision as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The standard was effective for public business entities, excluding Smaller Reporting Companies ("SRC"), for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard is effective for SRCs for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 on its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2. Revenues
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
The following table presents revenues disaggregated by revenue source (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Advertising revenues$233,816 $192,823 
Non-advertising revenues3,900 3,562 
Total revenue$237,716 $196,385 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Advertising revenues$651,016 $560,236 
Non-advertising revenues13,147 10,085 
Total revenue$664,163 $570,321 
Advertising Revenues
Substantially all of the Company's revenues are from advertising, primarily generated through (i) the sale of broadcast radio advertising time and advertising and promotional opportunities across digital audio networks to local, regional, national and network advertisers and (ii) remote/event revenue. The Company considers each advertising element a separate contract, and thus a separate performance obligation, as a result of both the customer's and the Company's respective ability to stop transferring promised goods or services during the contract term without notice or penalty. As a result, revenue associated with these contracts is recognized at the time advertising or other services, for example hosting an event, are delivered.
The Company's payment terms vary by the type and location of customer and the products or services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is generally not significant. There are no further obligations for returns, refunds or similar obligations related to the contracts. The Company records deferred revenues when cash payments, including amounts which are refundable, are received in advance of performance.
Non-Advertising Revenues
Non-advertising revenue does not constitute a material portion of the Company's revenue and primarily consists of licensing content, and to a lesser degree, imputed tower rental income and satellite rental income.
Trade and Barter Transactions                        
The Company provides commercial advertising inventory in exchange for goods and services used principally for promotional, sales, programming and other business activities. Programming barter revenue is derived from an exchange of programming content, to be broadcast on the Company's airwaves, for commercial advertising inventory, usually in the form of commercial placements inside the show exchanged. Trade and barter value is based upon management's estimate of the fair value of the products, supplies and services received. Trade and barter revenue is recorded when commercial spots are aired, in the same pattern as the Company's normal cash spot revenue is recognized.
10

Table of Contents
Trade and barter expense is recorded when goods or services are consumed. For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, amounts reflected under trade and barter transactions were: (1) trade and barter revenues of $8.6 million and $7.2 million, respectively; and (2) trade and barter expenses of $8.3 million and $6.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, amounts reflected under trade and barter transactions were: (1) trade and barter revenues of $27.3 million and $22.2 million, respectively; and (2) trade and barter expenses of $26.8 million and $20.9 million, respectively.
Capitalized Costs of Obtaining a Contract
The Company capitalizes certain incremental costs of obtaining contracts with customers which it expects to recover. For contracts with a customer life of one year or less, commissions are expensed as they are incurred. For new local direct contracts where the new and renewal commission rates are not commensurate, management capitalizes commissions and amortizes the capitalized commissions over the average customer life. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an asset of approximately $6.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively, related to the unamortized portion of commission expense on new local direct revenue.
3. Intangible Assets
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Indefinite-LivedDefinite-LivedTotal
Gross Carrying Amount
FCC licenses
TrademarksAffiliate and producer relationshipsBroadcast advertisingTower income contractsOther
Balance as of December 31, 2020
$825,590 $19,760 $130,000 $32,000 $13,592 $11,060 $1,032,002 
Assets held for sale(185)(2)— — (2)(1)(190)
Acquisition— — 15,000 — — — 15,000 
Dispositions(1,471)(9)— — (10)(6)(1,496)
Balance as of September 30, 2021
$823,934 $19,749 $145,000 $32,000 $13,580 $11,053 $1,045,316 
Accumulated Amortization
Balance as of December 31, 2020
$— $— $(30,530)$(16,533)$(3,902)$(11,060)$(62,025)
Amortization Expense— — (9,364)(4,800)(1,128)— (15,292)
Assets held for sale— — — — — 
Dispositions— — — — — 
Balance as of September 30, 2021
$— $— $(39,894)$(21,333)$(5,030)$(11,053)$(77,310)
Net Book Value as of September 30, 2021
$823,934 $19,749 $105,106 $10,667 $8,550 $— $968,006 
The Company performs impairment testing of its indefinite-lived intangible assets annually as of December 31 of each year and on an interim basis if management believes events or circumstances indicate that its indefinite-lived intangible assets may be impaired. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its definite-lived intangible assets, primarily broadcast advertising and affiliate relationships, for recoverability prior to its annual impairment test and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company considered the current and expected future economic and market conditions surrounding COVID-19, and other potential indicators of impairment, and determined a triggering event had not occurred which would necessitate any interim impairment tests during the three months ended September 30, 2021. We will continue to monitor changes in economic and market conditions, including those related to COVID-19, and if any events or circumstances indicate a triggering event has occurred, we will perform an interim impairment test of our intangible assets at the appropriate time.
11

Table of Contents
4. Long-Term Debt
The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Term Loan due 2026$356,240 $469,411 
       Less: current portion of Term Loan due 2026— (5,250)
6.75% Senior Notes
449,695 452,836 
2020 Revolving Credit Facility— 60,000 
PPP Loans20,000 — 
Less: Total unamortized debt issuance costs(7,353)(9,336)
Long-term debt, net$818,582 $967,661 
Refinanced Credit Agreement (Term Loan due 2026)
On September 26, 2019, the Company entered into a new credit agreement by and among Cumulus Media New Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("Holdings"), certain other subsidiaries of the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other banks and financial institutions party thereto as Lenders (the "Refinanced Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to the Refinanced Credit Agreement, the lenders party thereto provided Holdings and its subsidiaries that are party thereto as co-borrowers with a $525.0 million senior secured Term Loan (the "Term Loan due 2026"), which was used to refinance the remaining balance of the then outstanding term loan (the "Term Loan due 2022").
Amounts outstanding under the Refinanced Credit Agreement bear interest at a per annum rate equal to (i) the London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin of 3.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, or (ii) the Alternative Base Rate (as defined below) plus an applicable margin of 2.75%, subject to an Alternative Base Rate floor of 2.00%. The Alternative Base Rate is defined, for any day, as the per annum rate equal to the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, plus 1/2 of 1.0%, (ii) the rate identified by Bank of America, N.A. as its "Prime Rate" and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%. As of September 30, 2021, the Term Loan due 2026 bore interest at a rate of 4.75% per annum.
Amounts outstanding under the Term Loan due 2026 amortize in equal quarterly installments of 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan due 2026 with the balance payable on the maturity date. The maturity date of the Term Loan due 2026 is March 26, 2026.
Debt discounts and issuance costs of $5.1 million were capitalized and amortized over the term of the Term Loan due 2026. On August 7, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC, for the sale of substantially all of the Company's broadcast communications tower sites and certain other related assets (the "Tower Sale"). On September 30, 2020, pursuant to the Term Loan due 2026, the Company was required to pay down at closing of the Tower Sale $49.0 million. As a result of the pay down, the Company wrote-off approximately $0.4 million of debt issuance costs related to the Term Loan due 2026.
The Company was also required by the provisions of the Term Loan due 2026 to prepay any remaining amounts of the net proceeds from the Tower Sale and the Company's previously announced sale of land in Bethesda, MD, in June 2020 (the "Land Sale" and, together with the Tower Sale, the "Sale") not reinvested in accordance with the Term Loan. On May 25, 2021, the Company repaid approximately $89 million of its Term Loan due 2026 related to this mandatory prepayment obligation. Approximately $65 million of the prepayment related to the Land Sale and approximately $23 million of the prepayment related to the Tower Sale. Additionally, as a result of the expiration of the May 2021 Tender Offer (as defined below), the Company applied the untendered amount of approximately $23 million towards an incremental prepayment of the Term Loan due 2026. In conjunction with the prepayments, the Company wrote-off approximately $0.9 million of debt issuance costs related to the Term Loan due 2026.
As of September 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all required covenants under the Refinanced Credit Agreement.
2020 Revolving Credit Agreement
On March 6, 2020, Holdings and certain of the Company’s other subsidiaries, as borrowers (the “Borrowers”), and Intermediate Holdings entered into a $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the “2020 Revolving Credit Facility") pursuant to a Credit Agreement (the "2020 Revolving Credit Agreement"), dated as of March 6, 2020, with Fifth Third Bank, as a lender
12

Table of Contents
and Administrative Agent and certain other lenders from time to time party thereto. The 2020 Revolving Credit Facility refinances and replaces the Company’s 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement entered into pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 17, 2018, by and among Holdings, the Borrowers, Intermediate Holdings and certain lenders and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as a lender and Administrative Agent.
The 2020 Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of March 6, 2025. Availability under the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility is tied to a borrowing base equal to 85% of the accounts receivable of the Borrowers, subject to customary reserves and eligibility criteria and reduced by outstanding letters of credit. Under the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility, up to $10.0 million of availability may be drawn in the form of letters of credit and up to $10.0 million of availability may be drawn in the form of swing line loans.
Borrowings under the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at the option of Holdings, based on LIBOR plus a percentage spread of 1.00% or the Alternative Base Rate. The Alternative Base Rate is defined, for any day, as the per annum rate equal to the rate identified as the “Prime Rate” by Fifth Third Bank. In addition, the unused portion of the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility will be subject to a commitment fee of 0.25%. The 2020 Revolving Credit Facility contains customary LIBOR successor provisions.
The issuance of the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement was evaluated in accordance with ASC 470-50-40 - Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments-Derecognition, to determine whether the refinance transaction should be accounted for as a debt modification or extinguishment of the 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company expensed approximately $0.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the exiting lender from the Revolving Credit Agreement. Costs incurred with third parties for issuance of the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement totaled approximately $0.4 million and were capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.
On May 17, 2021, the Company completed a $60.0 million repayment of the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2021, $4.3 million was outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Credit Facility, representing letters of credit. As of September 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.
6.75% Senior Notes
On June 26, 2019, Holdings (the "Issuer"), and certain of the Company's other subsidiaries, entered into an indenture, dated as of June 26, 2019 (the "Indenture") with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, governing the terms of the Issuer's $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Secured First-Lien Notes due 2026 (the "6.75% Senior Notes"). The 6.75% Senior Notes were issued on June 26, 2019. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 6.75% Senior Notes were applied to partially repay existing indebtedness under the Term Loan due 2022. In conjunction with the issuance of the 6.75% Senior Notes, debt issuance costs of $7.3 million were capitalized and are being amortized over the term of the 6.75% Senior Notes.
On November 3, 2020, the Company completed a tender offer (the "November 2020 Tender Offer") pursuant to which it accepted and cancelled $47.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% Notes as a result of the Tower Sale. As a result of the November 2020 Tender Offer, the Company wrote-off approximately $0.6 million of debt issuance costs related to the 6.75% Notes accepted and canceled in the transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company made a tender offer (the "May 2021 Tender Offer") with respect to the prorated portion of the remaining net proceeds from the Tower Sale which it determined would not be reinvested by the end of the reinvestment period of approximately $26 million of the 6.75% Notes. On June 23, 2021, the May 2021 Tender Offer expired and approximately $3 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.75% Notes was validly tendered and accepted for cancellation. The Company directed the untendered amount of approximately $23 million towards an additional prepayment of the Term Loan due 2026.
As of September 30, 2021, the Issuer was in compliance with all required covenants under the Indenture.
Paycheck Protection Program
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") and the Consolidated Appropriations Act (collectively, the "COVID-19 Relief Measures") were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Relief Measures and related notices include several significant provisions, including delaying certain payroll tax payments and providing eligibility for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program for public broadcasting entities meeting specified requirements. In light of the uncertainties that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to present to the Company, the media industry, and the economy, in general, certain subsidiaries of the Company received unsecured loans in an aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million during the first half of 2021 under the Paycheck Protection Program (or "PPP") evidenced by promissory notes with Fifth Third Bank. Those loans (the "PPP Loans"), which provided additional liquidity for the Company’s subsidiaries, have various maturity dates through April 1, 2026 and accrue interest at an annual rate of 1.0%. Principal and interest payments will be deferred, with interest accruing, until after the period in which the Company may apply for loan
13

Table of Contents
forgiveness pursuant to the PPP. After the deferral period, the Company will make monthly principal and interest payments, amortized over the remaining term of the loan. The loan may be prepaid at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties. The promissory notes evidencing the PPP Loans contain customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and provisions of the promissory notes. The PPP permits borrowers to apply for forgiveness for some or all of the loans based on meeting certain criteria including the use of proceeds from PPP Loans being limited to qualifying expenses. In October 2021, the Company received confirmation from Fifth Third Bank that the Small Business Administration approved the Company’s PPP Loan forgiveness applications for certain of its subsidiaries for $20.0 million and all of the related interest.
Other than as outlined above, we do not currently expect the COVID-19 Relief Measures to have a material impact on our financial results or on our liquidity. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact the COVID-19 Relief Measures may have on our business and financial results.
5. Fair Value Measurements
The following table shows the gross amount and fair value of the Term Loan due 2026 and 6.75% Senior Notes (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Term Loan due 2026:
Gross value$356,240 $469,411 
Fair value - Level 2355,884 460,023 
6.75% Senior Notes:
Gross value$449,695 $452,836 
Fair value - Level 2465,434 464,157 
As of September 30, 2021, the Company used trading prices from a third party of 99.9% and 103.5% to calculate the fair value of the Term Loan due 2026 and the 6.75% Senior Notes, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company used trading prices from a third party of 98.0% and 102.5% to calculate the fair value of the Term Loan 2026 and the 6.75% Senior Notes, respectively.
The fair value of the Company's 2020 Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2020 approximates its carrying amount as a result of the market interest rates of this item and is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company's PPP loans as of September 30, 2021 approximates the carrying amount as a result of the market interest rates of this item and is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
6. Income Taxes
For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.7 million on pre-tax book income of $31.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 11.8%. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $5.1 million on pre-tax book loss of $20.9 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 24.3%.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.1 million on pre-tax book loss of $0.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately (18.9)%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $18.6 million on pre-tax book loss of $78.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 23.8%.
The differences between the effective tax rates and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2021, are primarily driven by improved annual forecasted results, the effects of certain statutory non-deductible expenses including disallowed executive compensation and parking, and state and local income taxes.
The differences between the effective tax rates and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2020 primarily relate to state and local income taxes and the effect of certain statutory non-deductible expenses.
The Company recognizes the benefits of deferred tax assets only as its assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"). The Company reviews the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize existing deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2021, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance since the Company continues to believe, on the basis of its evaluation, that its deferred tax assets meet the more
14

Table of Contents
likely than not recognition standard for recovery. The Company will continue to monitor the valuation of deferred tax assets, which requires judgment in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that are recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns as well as judgment in projecting future profitability.
7. Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue an aggregate of 300,000,000 shares of stock divided into three classes consisting of: (i) 100,000,000 shares of new Class A common stock; (ii) 100,000,000 shares of new Class B common stock; and (iii) 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had 20,729,554 aggregate issued shares of common stock, and 20,502,895 outstanding shares consisting of: (i) 18,721,481 issued shares and 18,494,822 outstanding shares designated as Class A common stock; and (ii) 2,008,073 issued and outstanding shares designated as Class B common stock.
Shareholder Rights Plan
On May 20, 2020, our Board adopted a rights plan and declared a dividend of (a) one Class A right (a "Class A Right") in respect of each share of the Company's Class A common stock, par value $0.0000001 per share (the "Class A Common Shares"), (b) one Class B right (a "Class B Right") in respect of each share of the Company's Class B common stock, par value $0.0000001 per share (the "Class B Common Shares" and together with the Class A Common Shares, the "Common Shares"), (c) one Series 1 warrant right (a "Series 1 Warrant Right") in respect of each of the Company's Series 1 warrants (the "Series 1 Warrants"), and (d) one Series 2 warrant right (a "Series 2 Warrant Right," and together with the Class A Rights, the Class B Rights and the Series 1 Warrant Rights, the "Rights") in respect of each of the Company's Series 2 warrants (the "Series 2 Warrants," and together with the Series 1 Warrants, the "Warrants"). The dividend distribution was made on June 1, 2020 to the Company's stockholders and Warrant holders of record on that date. The Rights were not initially exercisable and traded with the shares of the Company’s common stock. The Rights expired, with no rights having become exercisable, in accordance with their terms at the close of business on April 30, 2021.
8. Income (Loss) Per Share
The Company calculates basic income (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted shares. The Company calculates diluted income (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of all outstanding share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards. Warrants generally are included in basic and diluted shares outstanding because there is little or no consideration paid upon exercise of the Warrants.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, due to the net loss attributable to the Company's common stockholders, potential common shares that would cause dilution, such as employee stock options, restricted shares and other stock awards, have been excluded from the diluted share count because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The Company applies the two-class method to calculate income (loss) per share. Because both classes share the same rights in dividends and losses, loss per share (basic and diluted) is the same for both classes.
15

Table of Contents
    The following table presents the basic and diluted income (loss) per share, and the reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share
     Numerator:
           Undistributed net income (loss) from operations$27,448 $(15,803)
           Basic net income (loss) attributable to common shares$27,448 $(15,803)
     Denominator:
           Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,508 20,340 
           Basic undistributed net income (loss) per share attributable to common shares$1.34 $(0.78)
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share
     Numerator:
           Undistributed net income (loss) from operations$27,448 $(15,803)
           Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common shares$27,448 $(15,803)
     Denominator:
           Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,508 20,340 
           Effect of dilutive options and restricted share units209 — 
           Diluted weighted average shares outstanding20,717 20,340 
           Diluted undistributed net income (loss) per share attributable to common shares$1.32 $(0.78)

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Basic Loss Per Share
     Numerator:
           Undistributed net loss from operations$(360)$(59,470)
           Basic net loss attributable to common shares$(360)$(59,470)
     Denominator:
           Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,468 20,299 
           Basic undistributed net loss per share attributable to common shares$(0.02)$(2.93)
Diluted Loss Per Share
     Numerator:
           Undistributed net loss from operations$(360)$(59,470)
           Diluted net loss attributable to common shares$(360)$(59,470)
     Denominator:
           Basic weighted average shares outstanding20,468 20,299 
           Diluted weighted average shares outstanding20,468 20,299 
           Diluted undistributed net loss per share attributable to common shares$(0.02)$(2.93)
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Future Commitments
The radio broadcast industry’s principal ratings service is Nielsen Audio ("Nielsen"), which publishes surveys for domestic radio markets. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have agreements with Nielsen under which they receive
16

Table of Contents
programming ratings information. The remaining aggregate obligation under the agreements with Nielsen is approximately $58.8 million as of September 30, 2021 and is expected to be paid in accordance with the agreements through December 2022.
The Company engages Katz Media Group, Inc. ("Katz") as its national advertising sales agent. The national advertising agency contract with Katz contains termination provisions that, if exercised by the Company during the term of the contract, would obligate the Company to pay a termination fee to Katz, based upon a formula set forth in the contract.
The Company is committed under various contractual agreements to pay for broadcast rights that include sports and news content and to pay for talent, executives, research, weather and traffic information and other content and services.
The Company from time to time enters into radio network contractual obligations to guarantee a minimum amount of revenue share to contractual counterparties on certain programming in future years. As of September 30, 2021, the Company believes that it will meet all such material minimum obligations.
Legal Proceedings
We have been, and expect in the future to be, a party to various legal proceedings, investigations or claims. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we record accruals for certain of our outstanding legal proceedings when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, at least on a quarterly basis, developments in our legal proceedings or other claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would result in a loss contingency to become both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not record a loss accrual.
If the loss (or an additional loss in excess of any prior accrual) is reasonably possible and material, we disclose an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such estimate can be made. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, involves a series of judgments about future events, which are often complex. Even if a loss is reasonably possible, we may not be able to estimate a range of possible loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large number of parties, or (iv) various factors outside of our control could lead to vastly different outcomes. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including the amount of any possible loss.
In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to its use and public performance of certain sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972 (the "Pre-1972 Recordings"). The first suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., et. al. v, Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleged, among other things, copyright infringement under California state law, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, this suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and claimed, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit was stayed pending an appeal before the Second Circuit involving unrelated third parties over whether the owner of a Pre-1972 Recording holds an exclusive right to publicly perform that recording under New York common law. On December 20, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York common law does not recognize a right of public performance for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. As a result of that case (to which Cumulus Media Inc. was not a party) the New York case against Cumulus Media Inc., was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs on April 3, 2017. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (the "Music Modernization Act") into law, which, among other things, provides new federal rights going forward for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. The question of whether public performance rights existed for Pre-1972 recordings under state law prior to the enactment of the new Music Modernization Act was, until recently, still being litigated by other parties in California. On August 23, 2021, the Ninth Circuit held in the matter of Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., Case No. 17-55844, that no such public performance right exists under California law. The Company is not a party to that case, and because of the possibility of further appeal to the US Supreme Court, is not yet able to determine what effect that proceeding will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On February 24, 2020, two individual plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia alleging claims regarding the Cumulus Media Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan").  The case alleges that the Company breached its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in the oversight of the Plan, principally by selecting and retaining certain investment options despite their higher fees and costs than other available investment options, causing participants in the Plan to pay excessive recordkeeping fees, and by failing to monitor other fiduciaries. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages on behalf of a class of Plan participants from February 24, 2014 through the date of any judgment. On May 28, 2020, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On December 17, 2020 the Court entered an order dismissing one of the individual plaintiffs and all claims against the Company except those that arose on or after February 24, 2019 (i.e., one year prior to the filing of the Complaint). On March
17

Table of Contents
24, 2021, the Company filed a motion seeking dismissal of all remaining claims. On October 15, 2021, the Court entered an order granting the Company’s motion and dismissing all remaining claims. Plaintiffs have certain appeal rights under federal law with respect to the October 15, 2021 order. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in any such appeal. The October 15, 2021 order may not foreclose other parties from asserting similar claims against the Company. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate what effect the ultimate outcome might have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On September 28, 2020, Westwood One and the National Collegiate Athletic Association and NIT, LLC (collectively "the NCAA"), filed competing lawsuits in the Indiana Commercial Court in Indianapolis, Indiana (the "Court"), with regard to the terms of that certain Radio Agreement between the parties dated January 13, 2011 (the "Radio Agreement"), that granted Westwood One exclusive rights to produce and distribute audio broadcasts for all NCAA and NIT championship events during the term of that agreement. Both lawsuits relate to annual rights fees applicable to championship events under the Rights Agreement that were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent termination of the Rights Agreement by the NCAA. The complaint filed by the NCAA alleges a breach of the Radio Agreement by Westwood One for non-payment of certain fees related to the events that were canceled and requests, among other things, a declaratory ruling that the termination of the Radio Agreement by the NCAA was permissible and that the NCAA is entitled to full payment of the annual rights fees under the Radio Agreement for the 2019-2020 contract year despite the cancellation of certain events. Westwood One filed its complaint seeking, among other things, a declaratory ruling that Westwood One was not obligated to pay the disputed annual rights fees due to the cancellation of the relevant events and that the NCAA was prohibited from terminating the Radio Agreement for such non-payment, and also requested a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the NCAA from terminating the Radio Agreement until the Court could make a determination on the issues raised by the lawsuits. By order dated October 23, 2020, the Court denied Westwood One's motion for preliminary injunction, but did not reach a conclusion on the merits of Westwood One's request for a declaratory ruling. On October 23, 2020, Westwood One filed an appeal of the Court's denial of its motion for preliminary injunction. On May 26, 2021, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied Westwood One's appeal of the trial court's denial of a preliminary injunction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Westwood One and the NCAA entered into an agreement granting Westwood One exclusive rights to produce and distribute audio broadcasts of the 2020-21 college basketball season, including the April 2021 NCAA championship event. In addition, on August 1, 2021, the Company and the NCAA settled both lawsuits, thereby concluding the litigation between the parties.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the other information contained in this Form 10-Q, including our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, as well as our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 ("2020 Form 10-K"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). This discussion, as well as various other sections of this Form 10-Q, contain and refer to statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Such statements are any statements other than those of historical fact and relate to our intent, belief or current expectations primarily with respect to our future operating, financial and strategic performance. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and elsewhere in our 2020 Form 10-K and elsewhere in this report, and those described from time to time in other reports filed with the SEC from time to time. Actual results may differ from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the evolving and uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company, the media industry, and the economy in general. For more information, see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in our 2020 Form 10-K.    
Recent Events and Company Outlook
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic. In March of 2020, the impact of COVID-19 and related actions to attempt to control its spread began to impact our consolidated operating results. Beginning in the second half of March 2020, revenue trends began to weaken when compared to 2019 and continued through the first quarter of 2021. Net revenue for third quarter 2021 exceeded the comparable period in 2020. However, overall results for the third quarter of 2021 remain lower than pre-COVID-19 results. While we currently expect fourth quarter 2021 revenue to continue to increase over the same 2020 period, consolidated revenue continues to be negatively impacted when compared to pre-COVID-19 results.
18

Table of Contents
Our business could also continue to be impacted by the disruption from COVID-19 and resulting adverse changes in advertising customers and consumer behavior. Our sales team continues to focus on how to meet changing needs of our customers in this environment.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced a disruption in events we produce, including the cancellation or postponement of certain sporting events in 2020, which had an adverse impact on our financial and operating results. While these events have mostly returned in 2021, our financial and operating results may continue to be impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of governmental regulations and other restrictions that have been or may be imposed in response to the on-going pandemic.
In the second half of 2021, a majority of our employees have returned to our stations or offices. For all employees returning to work, we have instituted COVID-19 protocols including mandating that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to legally-mandated exceptions, increased the level of cleaning and sanitizing in the offices and radio stations and undertaken other actions to make these offices and stations safer for our employees. We are generally following the requirements and protocols published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and state and local governments and will continue to monitor the latest public health and government guidance related to COVID-19. As of the date of this filing, we do not believe these safety protocols have materially adversely impacted our internal controls, financial reporting systems or our operations, however, there can be no assurance as to what impact such protocols may have in the future.
As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented plans to manage our costs. We have taken actions to significantly reduce our permanent fixed costs as compared to the 2019 baseline and have also limited the addition of third party contracted services, travel, and discretionary spending. We will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will consider additional cost management actions as deemed necessary.
In light of the evolving health, social, economic and business environment, governmental regulations or mandates, and business disruptions that could occur in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the broader impact that COVID-19 could have on our business, financial condition and operating results remains highly uncertain.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
From time to time, we utilize certain financial measures that are not prepared or calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial performance and profitability. Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") is the financial metric by which management and the chief operating decision maker allocate resources of the Company and analyze the performance of the Company as a whole. Management also uses this measure to determine the contribution of our core operations to the funding of our corporate resources utilized to manage our operations and our non-operating expenses including debt service and acquisitions. In addition, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric for purposes of calculating and determining our compliance with certain covenants contained in our Refinanced Credit Agreement.
In determining Adjusted EBITDA, we exclude the following from net loss: interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, gain or loss on the exchange, sale, or disposal of any assets or stations, local marketing agreement fees, restructuring costs, expenses relating to acquisitions and divestitures, non-routine legal expenses incurred in connection with certain litigation matters, and non-cash impairments of assets, if any.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, although not a measure that is calculated in accordance with GAAP, is commonly employed by the investment community as a measure for determining the market value of a media company and comparing the operational and financial performance among media companies. Management has also observed that Adjusted EBITDA is routinely utilized to evaluate and negotiate the potential purchase price for media companies. Given the relevance to our overall value, management believes that investors consider the metric to be extremely useful.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net loss, operating income (loss), cash flows from operating activities or any other measure for determining our operating performance or liquidity that is calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA may be defined or calculated differently by other companies, and comparability may be limited.
19

Table of Contents
Consolidated Results of Operations
Analysis of Consolidated Results of Operations
The following selected data from our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and other supplementary data provides information that our management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein (dollars in thousands).
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 20202021 vs 2020 Change
$%
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenue$237,716 $196,385 $41,331 21.0 %
Content costs87,279 82,014 5,265 6.4 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses93,213 86,323 6,890 8.0 %
Depreciation and amortization13,223 13,151 72 0.5 %
Local marketing agreement fees373 984 (611)(62.1)%
Corporate expenses16,017 16,926 (909)(5.4)%
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,197)1,930 (22,127)N/A
Operating income (loss)47,808 (4,943)52,751 N/A
Interest expense(16,187)(15,930)(257)1.6 %
Other expense, net(505)(12)(493)N/A
Income (loss) before income taxes31,116 (20,885)52,001 N/A
Income tax (expense) benefit(3,668)5,082 (8,750)N/A
Net income (loss) $27,448 $(15,803)$43,251 N/A
KEY NON-GAAP FINANCIAL METRIC:
Adjusted EBITDA$45,828 $20,331 $25,497 125.4 %

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 20202021 vs 2020 Change
$%
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenue$664,163 $570,321 $93,842 16.5 %
Content costs260,309 236,304 24,005 10.2 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses276,375 269,856 6,519 2.4 %
Depreciation and amortization39,796 39,063 733 1.9 %
Local marketing agreement fees1,062 3,037 (1,975)(65.0)%
Corporate expenses55,426 39,065 16,361 41.9 %
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,659)7,513 (28,172)N/A
Impairment of intangible assets— 4,509 (4,509)N/A
Operating income (loss)51,854 (29,026)80,880 N/A
Interest expense(51,827)(48,977)(2,850)5.8 %
Other expense, net(330)(70)(260)N/A
Loss before income taxes(303)(78,073)77,770 99.6 %
Income tax (expense) benefit(57)18,603 (18,660)(100.3)%
Net loss$(360)$(59,470)$59,110 99.4 %
KEY NON-GAAP FINANCIAL METRIC:
Adjusted EBITDA$91,617 $41,681 $49,936 119.8 %

20

Table of Contents
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Net Revenue
Net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2020, increased as national and local broadcast advertising revenue strengthened from COVID-19 economic recovery. Digital advertising revenue increased driven by growth in streaming and podcasting. Additionally, remote/event and trade revenue grew primarily as a result of the return of events in 2021 that were canceled or postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19. These increases were slightly offset by lower political revenue from election cycle seasonality.
Content Costs
Content costs consist of all costs related to the licensing, acquisition and development of our programming. Content costs for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to content costs for the three months ended September 30, 2020, increased primarily as a result of higher broadcast rights fees associated with the return of sporting events in 2021. Digital costs grew in line with digital advertising revenue. In addition, the Company had higher music licensing fees and revenue share costs attributed to increased revenue.
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of expenses related to our sales efforts and distribution of our content across our platform and overhead in our markets. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020, increased primarily as result of higher personnel costs, both internally and externally, as the Company implemented temporary cost-saving actions during 2020, which did not recur in 2021. In addition, trade, remote/event, and talent expense grew primarily related to the return of sporting and other events in 2021 that were canceled or postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19. Finally, overall commissions increased as a result of higher broadcast revenue.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 remained generally consistent period over period.
Local Marketing Agreement Fees
Local marketing agreements ("LMA") are those agreements under which one party programs a radio station on behalf of another party. LMA fees for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to LMA fees for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreased as the Company ceased programming for KESN-FM in October 2020.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for our executive, accounting, finance, human resources, information technology and legal personnel, and fees for professional services. Professional services are principally comprised of audit, consulting and outside legal services. Corporate expenses also include restructuring costs and stock-based compensation expense. Corporate expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to corporate expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 decreased primarily as a result of lower restructuring and consulting expenses. These decreases were mostly offset by higher personnel costs, including incentive and stock-based compensation expense which were driven by Company performance and temporary cost-saving actions implemented during 2020 that did not recur in 2021, and increased legal fees.
(Gain) Loss on Sale or Disposal of Assets or Stations
The gain on sale or disposal of assets or stations for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $20.2 million was primarily driven by the sale of certain land, a single-story building and certain related equipment in the Company's Nashville, TN market ("Nashville Sale") to a third party.
The loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of $1.9 million was primarily driven by fixed asset dispositions related to the exit of certain facilities.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021, increased when compared to the total interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The below table details the components of our interest expense by debt instrument (dollars in thousands):
21

Table of Contents
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020$ Change
Term Loan due 2026$4,324 $6,413 $(2,089)
6.75% Senior Notes7,589 8,438 (849)
2020 Revolving Credit Facility— 279 (279)
Financing liabilities3,489 116 3,373 
Other, including debt issuance cost amortization and write-off785 684 101 
Interest expense$16,187 $15,930 $257 
Income Tax Expense
For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.7 million on pre-tax book income of $31.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 11.8%. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $5.1 million on pre-tax book loss of $20.9 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 24.3%.
The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 is primarily driven by improved annual forecasted results, the effects of certain statutory non-deductible expenses including disallowed executive compensation and parking, and state and local income taxes.
The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily relates to state and local income taxes and the effect of certain statutory non-deductible expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the factors described above, Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2020, increased.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Net Revenue
Net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased as national and local broadcast advertising revenue strengthened from COVID-19 economic recovery. In addition, digital advertising revenue increased which was driven by growth in streaming and podcasting. Higher trade and remote/event revenue resulted from the return of sporting and other events in 2021 that were canceled or postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19. These increases were slightly offset by lower political revenue from election cycle seasonality.
Content Costs
Content costs consist of all costs related to the licensing, acquisition and development of our programming. Content costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to content costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased primarily as a result of higher broadcast rights fees associated with the return of sporting events in 2021, higher revenue share costs driven by increased revenue and an increase in digital advertising costs attributed to digital growth. These increases were partially offset by lower spend on third-party station inventory, lower personnel costs, both internally and externally, related to cost-saving actions and station dispositions and the cancellation of our news service subscription resulting from the elimination of Westwood One News during the third quarter of 2020.
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of expenses related to our sales efforts and distribution of our content across our platform and overhead in our markets. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased from higher incentive accruals, based on revenue growth and improved Company performance, and higher trade expenses primarily related to the return of sporting and other events in 2021 that were canceled or postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19. These increases were partially offset by lower bad debt expense and a decrease in bank fees.
22

Table of Contents
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, remained generally consistent period over period.
Local Marketing Agreement Fees
Local marketing agreements ("LMA") are those agreements under which one party programs a radio station on behalf of another party. LMA fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to LMA fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, decreased as the Company ceased programming for KESN-FM in October 2020.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for our executive, accounting, finance, human resources, information technology and legal personnel, and fees for professional services. Professional services are principally comprised of audit, consulting and outside legal services. Corporate expenses also include restructuring costs and stock-based compensation expense. Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased primarily as a result of higher personnel costs, including incentive and stock-based compensation expense, driven by Company performance and temporary cost-saving actions implemented during 2020 that did not recur in 2021 and a legal settlement. These increases were partially offset by lower restructuring expense.
(Gain) Loss on Sale or Disposal of Assets or Stations
The gain on sale or disposal of assets or stations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 of $20.7 million was primarily driven by the Nashville Sale and insurance proceeds received for 2020 hurricane damage which were slightly offset by fixed asset dispositions.
The loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations for the nine months ended of September 30, 2020 of $7.5 million was primarily a result of the sale of the DC Land, fixed asset dispositions related to the exit of certain facilities and the WABC sale.
Impairment of Intangible Assets
Impairment of intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of approximately $4.5 million resulted from the interim impairment test of our FCC licenses in the second quarter of 2020.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased when compared to the total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The below table details the components of our interest expense by debt instrument (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020$ Change
Term Loan due 2026$15,029 $19,961 $(4,932)
6.75% Senior Notes22,868 25,312 (2,444)
2020 Revolving Credit Facility274 611 (337)
Financing liabilities10,583 363 10,220 
Other, including debt issuance cost amortization and write-off3,073 2,730 343 
Interest expense$51,827 $48,977 $2,850 
Income Tax Expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.1 million on pre-tax book loss of $0.3 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately (18.9)%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $18.6 million on pre-tax book loss of $78.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of approximately 23.8%.
The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is primarily driven by improved annual forecasted results, the effects of certain statutory non-deductible expenses including disallowed executive compensation and parking, and state and local income taxes.
23

Table of Contents
The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate of 21.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily relates to state and local income taxes and the effect of certain statutory non-deductible expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
As a result of the factors described above, Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
The following tables reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to net loss (the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP) as presented in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
GAAP net income (loss)$27,448 $(15,803)
Income tax expense (benefit)3,668 (5,082)
Non-operating expenses, including net interest expense16,692 15,942 
Local marketing agreement fees373 984 
Depreciation and amortization13,223 13,151 
Stock-based compensation expense1,372 861 
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,197)1,930 
Restructuring costs2,474 8,168 
Non-routine legal expenses589 — 
Franchise taxes186 180 
Adjusted EBITDA$45,828 $20,331 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
GAAP net loss$(360)$(59,470)
Income tax expense (benefit)57 (18,603)
Non-operating expenses, including net interest expense52,157 49,047 
Local marketing agreement fees1,062 3,037 
Depreciation and amortization39,796 39,063 
Stock-based compensation expense3,787 2,565 
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets or stations(20,659)7,513 
Impairment of intangible assets— 4,509 
Restructuring costs6,948 13,431 
Non-routine legal expenses8,216 — 
Franchise taxes613 589 
Adjusted EBITDA$91,617 $41,681 
24

Table of Contents
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2021, we had $152.9 million of cash and cash equivalents. The Company generated cash from operating activities of $33.2 million and $61.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, respectively.     
Historically, our principal sources of funds have been cash flow from operations and borrowings under credit facilities in existence from time to time. Our cash flow from operations remains subject to factors such as fluctuations in advertising media preferences and changes in demand caused by shifts in population, station listenership, demographics and audience tastes, some of which may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, our cash flows may be affected if customers are not able to pay, or delay payment of, accounts receivable that are owed to us, which risks may also be exacerbated in challenging or otherwise uncertain economic periods. In certain periods, the Company has experienced reductions in revenue and profitability from prior historical periods because of market revenue pressures and cost escalations built into certain contracts. Notwithstanding this, we believe that our national platform and extensive station portfolio representing a broad diversity in format, listener base, geography, and advertiser base help us maintain a more stable revenue stream by reducing our dependence on any single demographic, region or industry. However, future reductions in revenue or profitability are possible and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
Although there is uncertainty related to the anticipated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's future results, we believe our business model, our current cash reserves and the recent steps we have taken to strengthen our balance sheet, such as the sale of substantially all of the Company's broadcast communications tower sites and certain other related assets, sale of land in Bethesda, MD, Nashville Sale, and the PPP Loans, will help us manage our business and anticipated liquidity needs. 
We continually monitor our capital structure, and from time to time, we have evaluated, and expect that we will continue to evaluate, opportunities to obtain additional capital from the divestiture of radio stations or other assets, when we determine that it would further our strategic and financial objectives, as well as from the issuance of equity and/or debt securities, in each case, subject to market and other conditions in existence at that time. There can be no assurance that any such financing would be available on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Future volatility in the capital and credit markets, caused by COVID-19 or otherwise, may increase costs associated with issuing debt instruments or affect our ability to access those markets. In addition, it is possible that our ability to access the capital and credit markets could be limited at a time when we would like, or need, to do so, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to refinance maturing debt on terms or at times acceptable to us, or at all, and/or react to changing economic and business conditions.
Refinanced Credit Agreement
On September 26, 2019, we entered into a Refinanced Credit Agreement to refinance the principal balance outstanding on the Term Loan due 2022. See Part I, "Item 1 — Financial Statements — Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Long-Term Debt," for further discussion of the Refinanced Credit Agreement.
2020 Revolving Credit Agreement
On March 6, 2020, we entered into a $100.0 million Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement, and replaced our 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. See Part I, "Item 1 — Financial Statements — Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Long-Term Debt," for further discussion of our 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.
6.75% Senior Notes
On June 26, 2019, we entered into an Indenture under which the 6.75% Senior Notes were issued. See Part I, "Item 1 — Financial Statements — Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Long-Term Debt," for further discussion of the Indenture and the 6.75% Senior Notes.
25

Table of Contents
PPP Loans
Certain subsidiaries of the Company have received unsecured loans under the PPP in an aggregate principal amount of $20.0 million. See Part I, "Item 1 — Financial Statements — Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 — Long-Term Debt," for further discussion of the PPP Loans.
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$33,219 $61,237 
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020 decreased primarily as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on sales, which was partially offset by increased net income.
Cash Flows Provided by Investing Activities
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by investing activities
$5,375 $68,774 
Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 consists primarily of proceeds from the Nashville Sale which were mostly offset by capital expenditures and the purchase of affiliate advertising relationships.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net cash provided by investing activities includes the proceeds received from the DC Land and WABC sales partially offset by capital expenditures.
Cash Flows (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities$(157,438)$206,704 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used in financing activities is primarily comprised of the total $115.0 million mandatory prepayments required by the terms of the Company's debt agreements from the proceeds of the sale of land in Bethesda, MD, and sale of substantially all of the Company's broadcast communications tower sites and certain other related assets after giving effect to a right of reinvestment and a $60.0 million voluntary pay down of the total amount previously outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement. These payments were partially offset by the proceeds received from the PPP loans. See Part I, "Item 1 — Financial Statements — Notes to unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 4 —Long Term Debt," for further discussion of the mandatory prepayments related to the remaining net proceeds from the asset sales described above and voluntary pay down of the amount previously outstanding under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities primarily reflects $202.3 million of cash received from the Tower Sale, after transaction costs and closing adjustments, and $60.0 million of proceeds received from borrowings under the 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement partially offset by the $49.0 million pay down required at closing of the Tower Sale and principal payments on the Term Loan due 2026.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed materially during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
26

Table of Contents
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the "Exchange Act") designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including, our President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") the principal executive and principal financial officers, respectively, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. At the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2021.
There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the three months ended September 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

27

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In August 2015, the Company was named as a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits relating to its use and public performance of certain sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972 (the "Pre-1972 Recordings"). The first suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., et. al. v, Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleged, among other things, copyright infringement under California state law, common law conversion, misappropriation and unfair business practices. On December 11, 2015, this suit was dismissed without prejudice. The second suit, ABS Entertainment, Inc., v. Cumulus Media Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and claimed, among other things, common law copyright infringement and unfair competition. The New York lawsuit was stayed pending an appeal before the Second Circuit involving unrelated third parties over whether the owner of a Pre-1972 Recording holds an exclusive right to publicly perform that recording under New York common law. On December 20, 2016, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York common law does not recognize a right of public performance for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. As a result of that case (to which Cumulus Media Inc. was not a party) the New York case against Cumulus Media Inc., was voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs on April 3, 2017. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (the "Music Modernization Act") into law, which, among other things, provides new federal rights going forward for owners of pre-1972 Recordings. The question of whether public performance rights existed for Pre-1972 recordings under state law prior to the enactment of the new Music Modernization Act was, until recently, still being litigated by other parties in California. On August 23, 2021, the Ninth Circuit held in the matter of Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., Case No. 17-55844, that no such public performance right exists under California law. The Company is not a party to that case, and because of the possibility of further appeal to the US Supreme Court, is not yet able to determine what effect that proceeding will have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On February 24, 2020, two individual plaintiffs filed a putative class action lawsuit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia alleging claims regarding the Cumulus Media Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "Plan").  The case alleges that the Company breached its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in the oversight of the Plan, principally by selecting and retaining certain investment options despite their higher fees and costs than other available investment options, causing participants in the Plan to pay excessive recordkeeping fees, and by failing to monitor other fiduciaries. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages on behalf of a class of Plan participants from February 24, 2014 through the date of any judgment. On May 28, 2020, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On December 17, 2020 the Court entered an order dismissing one of the individual plaintiffs and all claims against the Company except those that arose on or after February 24, 2019 (i.e., one year prior to the filing of the Complaint). On March 24, 2021, the Company filed a motion seeking dismissal of all remaining claims. On October 15, 2021, the Court entered an order granting the Company’s motion and dismissing all remaining claims. Plaintiffs have certain appeal rights under federal law with respect to the October 15, 2021 order. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in any such appeal. The October 15, 2021 order may not foreclose other parties from asserting similar claims against the Company. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate what effect the ultimate outcome might have, if any, on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On September 28, 2020, Westwood One and the National Collegiate Athletic Association and NIT, LLC (collectively "the NCAA"), filed competing lawsuits in the Indiana Commercial Court in Indianapolis, Indiana (the "Court"), with regard to the terms of that certain Radio Agreement between the parties dated January 13, 2011 (the "Radio Agreement"), that granted Westwood One exclusive rights to produce and distribute audio broadcasts for all NCAA and NIT championship events during the term of that agreement. Both lawsuits relate to annual rights fees applicable to championship events under the Rights Agreement that were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent termination of the Rights Agreement by the NCAA. The complaint filed by the NCAA alleges a breach of the Radio Agreement by Westwood One for non-payment of certain fees related to the events that were canceled and requests, among other things, a declaratory ruling that the termination of the Radio Agreement by the NCAA was permissible and that the NCAA is entitled to full payment of the annual rights fees under the Radio Agreement for the 2019-2020 contract year despite the cancellation of certain events. Westwood One filed its complaint seeking, among other things, a declaratory ruling that Westwood One was not obligated to pay the disputed annual rights fees due to the cancellation of the relevant events and that the NCAA was prohibited from terminating the Radio Agreement for such non-payment, and also requested a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin the NCAA from terminating the Radio Agreement until the Court could make a determination on the issues raised by the lawsuits. By order dated October 23, 2020, the Court denied Westwood One's motion for preliminary injunction, but did not reach a conclusion on the merits of Westwood One's request for a declaratory ruling. On October 23, 2020, Westwood One filed an appeal of the Court's denial of its motion for preliminary injunction. On May 26, 2021, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied Westwood One's appeal of the trial court's denial of a preliminary injunction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Westwood One and the NCAA entered into an agreement granting Westwood One exclusive rights to produce and distribute audio broadcasts
28

Table of Contents
of the 2020-21 college basketball season, including the April 2021 NCAA championship event. In addition, on August 1, 2021, the Company and the NCAA settled both lawsuits, thereby concluding the litigation between the parties.
The Company currently is, and expects that from time to time in the future it will be, party to, or a defendant in, various other claims or lawsuits that are generally incidental to its business. The Company expects that it will vigorously contest any such claims or lawsuits and believes that the ultimate resolution of any such known claim or lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Please refer to Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our 2020 Form 10-K for information regarding known material risks that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Additional factors not presently known to the Company, or that the Company does not currently believe to be material, may also cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
Item 5. Other Information
On August 3, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment and restatement of the bylaws of the Company (the "Amended Bylaws"), effective as of such date.
The Amended Bylaws, among other matters, (1) revise procedures and disclosure requirements for the nomination of directors and the submission of proposals for consideration at meetings of stockholders, (2) provide that the chair of a stockholder meeting may adjourn any such meeting whether or not there is a quorum present, (3) establish that special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chair of the Board of Directors or by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office (rather than by the Chair of the Board of Directors or any two directors), (4) adopt gender neutral pronoun designations, and (5) reflect certain administrative, modernizing, clarifying, and conforming changes.
The foregoing description of the Amended Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Exhibits
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cumulus Media Inc.
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File - (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

29

Table of Contents
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
CUMULUS MEDIA INC.
November 3, 2021By: /s/ Francisco J. Lopez-Balboa
 Francisco J. Lopez-Balboa
 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

30