E.W. SCRIPPS Co - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☑ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 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 001-10701
THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio | 31-1223339 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification Number) | |
312 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (513) 977-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | SSP | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
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 ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ 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 definition 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 | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth 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 Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of Class A Common shares of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the $15.29 per share closing price for such stock on June 30, 2019, was approximately $820,000,000. All Class A Common shares beneficially held by executives and directors of the registrant and descendants of Edward W. Scripps have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be held by affiliates of the registrant. There is no active market for our Common Voting shares.
As of January 31, 2020, there were 69,051,928 of the registrant’s Class A Common shares, $.01 par value per share, outstanding and 11,932,722 of the registrant’s Common Voting shares, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information required for Part III of this report is incorporated herein by reference to the proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders.
Index to The E.W. Scripps Company Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Item No. | Page | |
2
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E.W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies, or to all of them taken as a whole.
Additional Information
Our Company website is http://www.scripps.com. Copies of all of our SEC filings filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge on this website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our website also includes copies of the charters for our Compensation, Nominating & Governance and Audit Committees, our Corporate Governance Principles, our Insider Trading Policy, our Ethics Policy and our Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers. All of these documents are also available to shareholders in print upon request or by request via e-mail to secretary@scripps.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements related to the Company's businesses that are based on management’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.
3
PART I
Item 1. | Business |
We are an 141-year-old media enterprise with interests in local and national media brands. Founded in 1878, our motto is "Give light and the people will find their own way." Our mission is to do well by doing good — creating value for customers, employees and owners by informing, engaging and empowering those we serve. We serve audiences and businesses in our Local Media division through a portfolio of local television stations and their associated digital media products. We are the fourth-largest independent owner of local television stations, with 60 stations in 42 markets that reach about 31% of U.S. television households. We have affiliations with all of the “Big Four” television networks as well as the CW and MyNetworkTV networks. In our National Media division, we operate national brands including podcast industry-leader Stitcher and its advertising network Midroll Media; next-generation national news network Newsy; five national multicast networks - Bounce, Grit, Laff, Court TV and Court TV Mystery - that make up the Katz Networks; and Triton, a global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services. We also operate an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serve as the longtime steward of one of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. For a full listing of our outlets, visit http://www.scripps.com.
In our Local Media division, recent acquisitions have strengthened our economic durability, quadrupled the number of No.1 and No.2-ranked stations we operate and more than doubled the number of markets where we operate two stations. We have further expanded our attractive political advertising footprint and added new large markets. We now own 26 stations in the top 50 Nielsen Designated Market Areas. Effective January 1, 2019, we acquired ABC-affiliated stations in Waco, Texas and Tallahassee, Florida. On May 1, 2019, we acquired from Cordillera Communications, Inc. 15 television stations serving 10 markets. On September 19, 2019, we acquired eight television stations in seven markets from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company. In order to fund these acquisitions, we issued a $765 million term loan B in May 2019 and $500 million of senior unsecured notes in July 2019. As a result, our focus is now on integrating the stations we acquired.
We are committed to the continued investment in our national media businesses for long-term growth. We continue to increase our Newsy audience, Stitcher podcast listeners and Katz U.S. household reach through our investment in and creation of quality content. On May 8, 2019, Court TV launched as a fifth over-the-air network operated by Katz, available for cable, satellite and over-the-air and over-the-top carriage. This network is devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nation's most important and compelling trials. On June 10, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio, which is a Melbourne, Australia-based podcasting software-as-a-service company now operating as part of Triton. On September 30, 2019, Katz rebranded its popular and widely available network, Escape, as Court TV Mystery, which targets women 25-54 with programming anchored in true-crime. These rapidly growing national media brands are attracting large audiences and new advertisers.
Additionally, we deliver value to shareholders through our quarterly 5 cents per share dividend. Dividends paid totaled $16.4 million during 2019. We intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future. All subsequent dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be dependent upon, among other things, the Company's financial position, results of operations, cash flow and other factors.
Financial information for each of our business segments can be found under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.
4
LOCAL MEDIA
Our Local Media segment is comprised of our 60 local broadcast television stations and their related digital operations. We have operated broadcast television stations since 1947, when we launched Ohio’s first television station, WEWS, in Cleveland. Today, our television station group reaches approximately 31% of the nation’s television households and includes 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. We also have 13 CW affiliates - five on full power stations and eight on multicast; two MyNetwork TV affiliates; two independent stations and nine additional low power stations.
We produce high-quality news, information and entertainment content that informs and engages our local communities. We distribute our content on multiple platforms, including broadcast, digital, mobile, social and over-the-top (OTT). It is our objective to develop content and applications designed to enhance the user experience on each of those platforms. Our ability to cover our communities across various digital platforms allows us to expand our audiences beyond traditional broadcast television.
We believe the most critical component of our product mix is compelling news content, which is an important link to the community and aids our stations' efforts to retain and expand viewership. We have trained employees in our news departments to be multi-media journalists, allowing us to pursue a “hyper-local” strategy by having more reporters covering local news for our over-the-air and digital platforms.
In addition to news programming, our television stations run network programming, syndicated programming and original programming. Our strategy is to balance syndicated programming with original programming that we control. We believe this strategy improves our Local Media division's financial performance. Original shows we produce ourselves or in partnership with others include:
• | The List, an Emmy-award winning infotainment show, is available in 32 markets reaching viewers in approximately 25 percent of the country. |
• | The Race is a weekly show that focuses on the issues impacting Americans as we close in on the 2020 election. We avoid the political fights of the day and travel coast to coast talking to Americans about their lives. This show is available in more than 50 markets. |
• | RightThisMinute is a daily entertainment program featuring consumer-generated viral videos. RightThisMinute reaches nearly 97 percent of the nation's television households. |
5
Information concerning our full-power television stations, their network affiliations and the markets in which they operate is as follows:
Station | Market | Network Affiliation/ DTV Channel | Affiliation Agreement Expires in | FCC License Expires in | Market Rank (1) | Stations in Market (2) | Station Rank in Market (3) | Percentage of U.S. Television Households in Mkt (4) | Average Audience Share (5) | |||||||||
WPIX-TV | New York, Ch. 11 | CW/11 | 2021 | 2023 | 1 | 26 | 7 | 6.4% | 2 | |||||||||
KNXV-TV | Phoenix, Ch. 15 | ABC/15 | 2022 | 2022 | 11 | 19 | 3 | 1.8% | 5 | |||||||||
KASW -TV | Phoenix, Ch. 61 | CW/27 | 2021 | 2022 | 11 | 19 | 7 | 1.8% | 1 | |||||||||
WFTS-TV | Tampa, Ch. 28 | ABC/29 | 2022 | 2021 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 1.7% | 4 | |||||||||
WMYD-TV | Detroit, Ch. 20 | MY/21 | 2020 | 2021 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 1.6% | 1 | |||||||||
WXYZ-TV | Detroit, Ch. 7 | ABC/41 | 2022 | 2021 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1.6% | 9 | |||||||||
WSFL-TV | Miami, Ch. 39 | CW/27 | 2021 | 2021 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 1.5% | 1 | |||||||||
KMGH-TV | Denver, Ch. 7 | ABC/7 | 2022 | 2022 | 17 | 21 | 4 | 1.4% | 5 | |||||||||
WEWS-TV | Cleveland, Ch. 5 | ABC/15 | 2022 | 2021 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 1.3% | 8 | |||||||||
WRTV-TV | Indianapolis, Ch. 6 | ABC/25 | 2022 | 2021 | 25 | 15 | 4 | 1.0% | 5 | |||||||||
WMAR-TV | Baltimore, Ch. 2 | ABC/38 | 2022 | 2020 | 26 | 8 | 4 | 1.0% | 3 | |||||||||
WTVF-TV | Nashville, Ch. 5 | CBS/25 | 2021 | 2021 | 28 | 11 | 1 | 0.9% | 13 | |||||||||
KGTV-TV | San Diego, Ch. 10 | ABC/10 | 2022 | 2022 | 29 | 16 | 4 | 0.9% | 5 | |||||||||
KSTU-TV | Salt Lake City, Ch. 13 | FOX/28 | 2022 | 2022 | 30 | 17 | 2 | 0.9% | 8 | |||||||||
KMCI-TV | Kansas City, Ch. 38 | Ind./41 | N/A | 2022 | 32 | 12 | 6 | 0.8% | 1 | |||||||||
KSHB-TV | Kansas City, Ch. 41 | NBC/42 | 2021 | 2022 | 32 | 12 | 4 | 0.8% | 7 | |||||||||
WTMJ-TV | Milwaukee, Ch. 4 | NBC/28 | 2021 | 2021 | 35 | 13 | 4 | 0.8% | 7 | |||||||||
WPTV-TV | W. Palm Beach, Ch. 5 | NBC/12 | 2021 | 2021 | 36 | 12 | 1 | 0.8% | 9 | |||||||||
WHDT-TV | W. Palm Beach, Ch. 9 | Ind/34 | N/A | 2021 | 36 | 13 | 10 | 0.8% | N/A | |||||||||
WCPO-TV | Cincinnati, Ch. 9 | ABC/22 | 2022 | 2021 | 37 | 6 | 3 | 0.8% | 7 | |||||||||
KTNV-TV | Las Vegas, Ch. 13 | ABC/13 | 2022 | 2022 | 39 | 12 | 4 | 0.7% | 4 | |||||||||
WGNT-TV | Norfolk, Ch. 27 | CW/50 | 2021 | 2020 | 42 | 11 | 5 | 0.6% | 3 | |||||||||
WTKR-TV | Norfolk, Ch. 3 | CBS/40 | 2022 | 2020 | 42 | 11 | 1 | 0.6% | 9 | |||||||||
WXMI-TV | Grand Rapids, Ch. 17 | FOX/19 | 2022 | 2021 | 45 | 9 | 3 | 0.6% | 8 | |||||||||
WKBW-TV | Buffalo, Ch. 7 | ABC/38 | 2022 | 2023 | 52 | 9 | 3 | 0.5% | 5 | |||||||||
WFTX-TV | Fort Myers/Naples, Ch. 4 | FOX/35 | 2022 | 2021 | 53 | 10 | 3 | 0.5% | 6 | |||||||||
WTVR-TV | Richmond, Ch. 6 | CBS/25 | 2022 | 2020 | 54 | 8 | 1 | 0.5% | 9 | |||||||||
KJRH-TV | Tulsa, Ch. 2 | NBC/8 | 2021 | 2022 | 58 | 13 | 4 | 0.5% | 5 | |||||||||
WLEX-TV | Lexington, Ch. 18 | NBC/39 | 2021 | 2021 | 64 | 7 | 2 | 0.4% | 10 | |||||||||
KWBA-TV | Tucson, Ch. 58 | CW/44 | 2021 | 2022 | 65 | 12 | 8 | 0.4% | 1 | |||||||||
KGUN-TV | Tucson, Ch. 9 | ABC/9 | 2022 | 2022 | 65 | 12 | 4 | 0.4% | 5 | |||||||||
WGBA-TV | Green Bay/Appleton, Ch. 26 | NBC/41 | 2021 | 2021 | 67 | 6 | 4 | 0.4% | 5 | |||||||||
WACY-TV | Green Bay/Appleton, Ch. 32 | MY/27 | 2020 | 2021 | 67 | 6 | 6 | 0.4% | 1 | |||||||||
KMTV-TV | Omaha, Ch. 3 | CBS/45 | 2022 | 2022 | 71 | 6 | 3 | 0.4% | 7 | |||||||||
KXXV-TV | Waco, Ch.25 | ABC/26 | 2020 | 2022 | 82 | 9 | 3 | 0.3% | 6 | |||||||||
KOAA-TV | Colorado Springs, Ch.5 | NBC/42 | 2021 | 2022 | 85 | 8 | 2 | 0.3% | 8 | |||||||||
KIVI-TV | Boise, Ch. 6 | ABC/24 | 2022 | 2022 | 102 | 5 | 4 | 0.2% | 5 | |||||||||
WTXL-TV | Tallahassee, Ch. 27 | ABC/27 | 2020 | 2021 | 109 | 7 | 2 | 0.2% | 4 | |||||||||
WSYM-TV | Lansing, Ch. 47 | FOX/38 | 2022 | 2021 | 112 | 7 | 3 | 0.2% | 6 | |||||||||
KATC-TV | Lafayette, Ch. 3 | ABC/28 | 2022 | 2021 | 123 | 6 | 2 | 0.2% | 8 | |||||||||
KERO-TV | Bakersfield, Ch. 23 | ABC/10 | 2022 | 2022 | 125 | 8 | 4 | 0.2% | 4 | |||||||||
KSBY-TV | San Luis Obispo, Ch. 6 | NBC/15 | 2021 | 2022 | 126 | 11 | 1 | 0.2% | 9 | |||||||||
KRIS-TV | Corpus Christi, Ch. 6 | NBC/13 | 2021 | 2022 | 128 | 9 | 2 | 0.2% | 12 | |||||||||
KPAX-TV | Missoula, Ch. 8 | CBS/7 | 2021 | 2022 | 163 | 6 | 1 | 0.1% | 11 | |||||||||
KTVQ-TV | Billings, Ch. 2 | CBS/10 | 2021 | 2022 | 168 | 6 | 1 | 0.1% | 19 | |||||||||
KXLF-TV | Butte-Bozeman, Ch. 4 | CBS/5 | 2021 | 2022 | 186 | 4 | 1 | 0.1% | 17 | |||||||||
KRTV-TV | Great Falls, Ch. 3 | CBS/7 | 2021 | 2022 | 192 | 5 | 1 | 0.1% | 22 | |||||||||
KTVH-TV | Helena, Ch. 12 | NBC/12 | 2021 | 2022 | 205 | 4 | 1 | —% | 16 | |||||||||
6
All market and audience data is based on the October 2019 Nielsen survey and 2020 Nielson HH Universe Estimates. Share includes live viewing plus 7 days of viewing on DVR.
(1) | Market rank represents the relative size of the television market in the United States. |
(2) | Stations in Market represents stations within the Designated Market Area per the Nielsen survey excluding public broadcasting stations, satellite stations, and low-power stations. |
(3) | Station Rank in Market is based on Average Share as described in (5). |
(4) | Percentage of U.S. Television Households in Market represents the number of U.S. television households in Designated Market Area as a percentage of total U.S. television households. |
(5) | Average Audience Share represents the number of television households tuned to a specific station from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Sunday, as a percentage of total viewing households in the Designated Market Area. |
Historically, we have been successful in renewing our FCC licenses.
Additionally, we operate 11 low-power stations and one full-power satellite station.
Revenue cycles and sources
Core Advertising
Our core advertising is comprised of sales to local and national customers. The advertising includes a combination of broadcast spots, as well as digital and OTT advertising. Our core advertising revenues accounted for 59% of our Local Media segment’s revenues in 2019. Pricing of broadcast spot advertising is based on audience size and share, the demographics of our audiences and the demand for our limited inventory of commercial time. Our stations compete for advertising revenues with other sources of local media, including competitors’ television stations in the same markets, radio stations, cable television systems, newspapers, digital platforms and direct mail.
Local advertising time is sold by each station’s local sales staff who call upon advertising agencies and local businesses, which typically include advertisers such as car dealerships, health-care facilities and other service providers. We seek to attract new advertisers to our television stations and to increase the amount of advertising sold to existing local advertisers by relying on experienced local sales forces with strong community ties, producing news and other programming with local advertising appeal and sponsoring or promoting local events and activities.
National advertising time is generally sold through national sales representative firms that call upon advertising agencies, whose clients typically include automobile manufacturers and dealer groups, telecommunications companies and insurance providers.
Digital revenues are primarily generated from the sale of advertising to local and national customers on our local television websites, smartphone apps, tablet apps and other platforms.
Cyclical factors influence revenues from our core advertising categories. Some of the cycles are periodic and known well in advance, such as election campaign seasons and special programming events (e.g. the Olympics or the Super Bowl). For example, our NBC affiliates benefit from incremental advertising demand from the coverage of the Olympics. Economic cycles are less predictable and beyond our control.
Due to increased demand in the spring and holiday seasons, the second and fourth quarters normally have higher advertising revenues than the first and third quarters.
Political Advertising
Political advertising is generally sold through our Washington D.C. sales office. Advertising is sold to presidential, gubernatorial, Senate and House of Representative candidates, as well as for state races and local issues. It is also sold to political action groups (PACs) or other advocacy groups. Political advertising revenues were 2% of our Local Media segment's revenues in 2019.
Political advertising revenues increase significantly during even-numbered years when local, state and federal elections occur. In addition, every four years, political spending is typically elevated further due to the advertising for the presidential election. Because of the cyclical nature of each political election cycle, there has been a significant difference in our operating results when comparing the performance in even-numbered years to that in odd-numbered years. Additionally, our operating
7
results are impacted by the number, importance and competitiveness of individual political races and issues discussed in our local markets.
Retransmission Revenues
We earn revenues from retransmission consent agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors ("MVPDs") in our markets. Retransmission revenues were 37% of our Local Media segment's revenues in 2019. The MVPDs are cable operators, telecommunication companies and satellite carriers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. We expect to renew MVPD contracts covering 41% of our subscriber base in 2020 and an additional 18% by the end of 2021. In addition to the renewals for 2020, we will begin to receive retransmission fees from Comcast for nine of our television stations for which we have historically received little to no compensation. We also receive fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. The fees we receive from our retransmission consent agreements are typically based on the number of subscribers in our local market and the contracted rate per subscriber.
Expenses
Employee costs accounted for 45% of our Local Media segment's costs and expenses in 2019.
We centralize certain functions, such as master control, traffic, graphics and political advertising, at company-owned hubs that do not require a presence in the local markets. This approach enables each of our stations to focus local resources on the creation of content and revenue-producing activities. We expect to continue to look for opportunities to centralize functions that do not require a local market presence.
Programming costs, which include network affiliation fees, syndicated programming and shows produced for us or in partnership with others, were 34% of our Local Media segment's costs and expenses in 2019.
Our network-affiliated stations broadcast programming that is supplied to us by the networks in various dayparts. Under each affiliation agreement, the station broadcasts all of the programs transmitted by the network. In exchange, we pay affiliation fees to the network and the network sells a substantial majority of the advertising time during these broadcasts. We expect our network affiliation agreements to be renewed upon expiration.
Federal Regulation of Broadcasting — Broadcast television is subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Communications Act”). The Communications Act prohibits the operation of broadcast stations except in accordance with a license issued by the FCC and empowers the FCC to revoke, modify and renew broadcast licenses, approve the transfer of control of any entity holding such a license, determine the location of stations, regulate the equipment used by stations and adopt and enforce necessary regulations. As part of its obligation to ensure that broadcast licensees serve the public interest, the FCC exercises limited authority over broadcast programming by, among other things, requiring certain children's television programming and limiting commercial content therein, requiring the identification of program sponsors, regulating the sale of political advertising and the distribution of emergency information, and restricting indecent programming. The FCC also requires television broadcasters to close caption their programming for the benefit of persons with hearing impairment and to ensure that any of their programming that is later transmitted via the Internet is captioned. Network-affiliated television broadcasters in larger markets must also offer audio narration of certain programming for the benefit of persons with visual impairments. Reference should be made to the Communications Act, the FCC’s rules and regulations, and the FCC’s public notices and published decisions for a fuller description of the FCC’s extensive regulation of broadcasting.
Broadcast licenses are granted for a term of up to eight years and are renewable upon request, subject to FCC review of the licensee's performance. All the Company’s applications for license renewal during the current renewal cycle have been granted for full terms. While there can be no assurance regarding the renewal of our broadcast licenses, we have never had a license revoked, have never been denied a renewal, and all previous renewals have been for the maximum term.
FCC regulations govern the ownership of television stations, and the agency is required by statute to periodically review these rules. In November 2017, the FCC adopted significant changes to its local television ownership rules, but late in 2019 a reviewing court vacated these changes. Accordingly, the FCC’s relaxation of the television “duopoly rule” that generally restricts an applicant from owning or controlling more than one television station (or in some markets under certain conditions, more than two television stations) in the same market is no longer in effect. In particular, that rule’s requirement that eight independent local television station “voices” should remain after any merger and the prohibition against common ownership of two of the four most-viewed stations in a market have been reinstated. Prior to the court’s vacating this rule change, Scripps was permitted to acquire two stations that were in the “top-four” at the time--Stations WTKR and WGNT in the Norfolk-
8
Portsmouth-Newport News, VA market. While the reviewing court also rejected the FCC’s determination that stations in joint advertising sales agreements should not be treated as if they were under common ownership, stations already in such joint sales agreements enjoy a congressionally-directed “grandfathered” status that permits continuation of these arrangements. Stations WSYM-TV, Lansing, Michigan, and KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, Texas, are parties to such joint advertising agreements. These court-ordered rule changes remain subject to further judicial review.
With respect to national television ownership, the FCC voted in December 2017 to consider whether and how it might revisit its rule preventing applicants from obtaining an ownership interest in television stations whose total national audience reach would exceed 39% of all television households. Earlier in that year, the FCC reinstated the 50% discount applied to the number of households deemed covered by UHF television stations, and the new notice expressly addresses whether to retain this distinction for UHF. This proceeding remains open.
In December 2018, the FCC began another of its statutorily-required reviews of its multiple ownership rule, including a broad review of whether all the current local radio and television rules continue to serve the public interest. This proceeding remains open.
We cannot predict the outcome of the expected and pending court reviews of the FCC's television ownership rule changes or the effect of further FCC rule revisions on our stations' operations or our business.
The restrictions imposed by the FCC’s ownership rules may apply to a corporate licensee due to the ownership interests of its officers, directors or significant shareholders. If such parties meet the FCC’s criteria for holding an attributable interest in the licensee, they are likewise expected to comply with the ownership limits, as well as other licensee requirements such as compliance with certain criminal, antitrust, and antidiscrimination laws.
In order to provide additional spectrum for mobile broadband and other services, the FCC in 2017 conducted an incentive spectrum auction in which some television broadcasters agreed to voluntarily give up spectrum in return for a share of the auction proceeds. No Scripps station will be going off-air or relinquishing a current UHF-band allocation for a VHF-band allocation as a result of the auction, but 27 Scripps full-power and Class A stations and many of Scripps' low-power and translator stations are relocating to new channels in the reduced broadcast spectrum band. Broadcasters are concerned that the FCC’s approach to the post-auction “repacking” of the remaining television stations into this reduced broadcast spectrum may not adequately protect stations’ over-the-air services. Broadcasters also are particularly concerned that the FCC’s post-auction plans will not provide sufficient time to complete the repacking before the sold spectrum will be authorized for wireless use. Implementing the post-auction changes will be complicated and costly, and stations located near the Canadian and Mexican borders may be at particular risk of service loss due to the need to coordinate international frequency use. Despite warnings about difficulties, such as weather delays and a lack of available qualified tower and equipment installation crews, the FCC has expressed confidence that adequate time will be available to complete the repacking, and it has imposed a “hard” deadline that could require a station to cease broadcasting on its existing frequency even though an alternative facility is not yet ready to provide its over-the-air service.
Broadcasters are currently testing a new voluntary digital television standard, ATSC 3.0. This Internet-protocol based transmission system will permit television stations to offer enhanced and innovative services coupled with much improved broadcast signal reception, particularly by mobile devices. The new standard, however, is incompatible with both existing television receivers and with a station’s ability to continue offering its service via the current ATSC 1.0 digital standard. To avoid loss of service to those viewers who lack a new receiver, stations switching to ATSC 3.0 will be required to arrange for a local station that continues to use the current 1.0 standard to air (on a subchannel) programming “substantially similar” to that offered by the switching station on its 3.0 channel. In return, the 3.0 station could host the 3.0 signal of its 1.0 “host” station. This “simulcasting” requirement will sunset in July 2023, unless extended by the FCC. Scripps Station KNXV-TV is participating in a market test of the new transmission system in Phoenix, AZ.
The FCC remains committed to permitting increased non-broadcast spectrum use in the “white spaces” between television stations' protected service areas despite broadcasters’ concerns about the possibility of harmful interference to their existing service and to the potential for innovative uses of their broadcast spectrum in the future. In connection with the auction process, the FCC may further reduce the spectrum available for television broadcasting by reserving a 6 MHz channel in each market for non-broadcast, unlicensed services (including wireless microphones). The repacking of television broadcast spectrum and the reservation of spectrum in the “broadcast” band for interference-protected non-broadcast services could have a particularly adverse effect on the ability of low-power and translator television stations to offer service since these stations may not be able to find space to operate in the reduced band and they enjoy only “secondary” status that offers no protection from interference caused by a full-power station. We cannot predict the effect of these proceedings on our offering of digital television service or our business.
9
Full-power broadcast television stations generally enjoy “must-carry” rights on any cable television system defined as “local” with respect to the station. Stations may waive their must-carry rights and instead negotiate retransmission consent agreements with local cable companies. Similarly, satellite carriers, upon request, are required to carry the signal of those television stations that request carriage and that are located in markets in which the satellite carrier chooses to retransmit at least one local station, and satellite carriers cannot carry a broadcast station without its consent. The Company has elected to negotiate retransmission consent agreements with cable operators and satellite carriers for both our network-affiliated stations and our independent stations, although two recently acquired stations, elected “must-carry” status under their previous ownership.
While the Commission is not actively proceeding with its reexamination of the standards that might trigger the agency’s intervention in retransmission consent negotiations to enforce the obligation of the parties to negotiate in “good faith,” this rulemaking docket remains open. A related agency proceeding also remains open that looks toward the possible elimination of the “network nonduplication” and “syndicated exclusivity” rules that permit broadcasters to enforce certain contractual programming exclusivity rights through the FCC's processes rather than by judicial proceedings. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or their possible impact on the Company.
Other proceedings before the FCC and the courts have reexamined the policies that protect television stations' rights to control the distribution of their programming within their local service areas. For example, the FCC in 2014 initiated a rulemaking proceeding on the degree to which an entity relying upon the Internet to deliver video programming should be subject to the regulations that apply to multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), such as cable operators and satellite systems. That proceeding raised a variety of issues, including whether some Internet-based distributors might be able to take advantage of MVPDs' statutory copyright licensing rights. More recently, the major broadcast networks have filed suit against the streaming service Locast, alleging that its retransmission of local television stations’ signals without their consent violates copyright law. We cannot predict the outcome of such proceedings that address the use of new technologies to challenge traditional means of redistributing television broadcast programming or their possible impact on the Company.
The FCC may impose substantial penalties for violations of its rules and policies. While uncertainty continues regarding the scope of the FCC's authority to regulate indecent programming, the agency has increased its enforcement efforts regarding other programming issues such as sponsorship identification, broadcasting proper emergency alerts, and extending service to persons with disabilities. We cannot predict the effect of the FCC’s expanded enforcement efforts on the Company.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Our National Media segment represents our collection of national and international businesses including Katz, Stitcher, Newsy and Triton. These businesses compete on emerging platforms and marketplaces where there is significant growth in both audience and revenue, such as over-the-top (OTT) and over-the-air (OTA) video and digital audio. OTT refers to the delivery of content over the internet which can be assessed through apps on internet-connected devices such as set-top boxes (such as Roku or Apple TV), smartphones, smart TVs and tablets. OTA content can be viewed using antennas or through a cable subscription. Digital audio is on-demand, streaming music or spoken-word programming that can be subscription based or advertising supported. Our digital audio businesses serve consumers, publishers and advertisers by providing a suite of services including content production and distribution, technology, sales, and measurement.
Katz
Katz operates five national multicast networks — Bounce, Grit, Laff, Court TV and Court TV Mystery. The networks are primarily broadcast over-the-air on local broadcasters' digital sub-channels, but they are also available for cable, satellite and over-the-top carriage. Each of the networks is a fast-growing, audience-targeted national broadcast network. Bounce programming is aimed at African-Americans; Grit airs western movies and series targeted to men; Laff airs classic, well-loved comedies; Court TV is devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nation's most important and compelling trials; and Court TV Mystery targets women with programming anchored in true-crime. Each of these Nielsen rated networks reaches approximately 90 percent or more of all U.S. households as reported by Nielsen. The networks capitalize on the growing audience consuming over the air broadcast programming. Over the past 8 years, over the air viewership has increased from 9% to 14% of households.
The primary source of revenue for Katz is through the sale of advertising to national customers. The advertising revenue generated depends on viewership ratings and the rate paid by customers for certain viewer demographics. Katz sells its advertising in the upfront and scatter markets. In the upfront market, advertisers buy advertising time for upcoming seasons and, by committing to purchase in advance, lock in the advertising rates they will pay for the upcoming year. In the scatter market, advertisers buy their spots closer to the time when the spots will run. The mix of upfront and scatter market advertising
10
time sold is based upon the economic conditions at the time the upfront sales take place, impacting the sell-out levels management is willing or able to obtain. The demand in the scatter market then impacts the pricing achieved for our remaining advertising inventory. Scatter market pricing can vary from upfront pricing and can be volatile. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved.
Due to increased demand in the spring and holiday seasons, the second and fourth quarters normally have higher advertising revenues than the first and third quarters.
Katz programming is primarily distributed by reaching carriage agreements with local television broadcasters and cable and satellite providers to carry one or more of the Katz networks on their digital subchannels. Katz generally pays a fixed fee for these carriage rights over contract terms of three to five years.
For programming, Katz enters into agreements to license existing programming and movies, as well as to produce several original shows.
Stitcher
Stitcher creates original podcasts, operates multiple content networks that each target a specific genre and audience and provides podcast ad agency services that generate revenue for about 300 shows. A podcast is a digital audio recording in spoken-word format, usually part of a themed series, which is downloaded or streamed most often to mobile devices. In 2018, it’s estimated that 73 million Americans listened to a podcast at least monthly. Stitcher also provides a mobile app listening platform where consumers can stream the latest in news, sports, talk, and entertainment on demand. We expect to make continued investments in our Stitcher app, with the objective of creating a best-in-class user experience for the podcast listener and advertiser.
Stitcher, through its Midroll Media advertising network, earns revenue by acting as a sales and marketing representative to connect advertisers and specific podcasts based on the advertiser's desired target audience. Stitcher also earns revenue from the sale of advertising on its original podcasts and within the Stitcher app. Stitcher creates and distributes original podcasts through platforms such as its Stitcher app and the iPhone podcast app.
Stitcher earns subscription revenue from the Stitcher Premium subscription service for which users pay a standard monthly or annual fee for access to premium content and ad-free archived podcast episodes.
Newsy
Newsy is our national news network focused on bringing perspective and analysis to reporting on world and national news, including politics, entertainment, science and technology. It is targeted toward a younger audience. Newsy's cable programming lineup includes ten hours of daily live news coverage consisting of shows such as the evening newsmagazine “The Why,” the morning show “The Day Ahead,” and the newsmaker spotlight program “30 Minutes With.” Newsy also produces investigative reports and documentaries.
In 2017, we expanded Newsy's distribution to include cable, and at the end of 2019, we had agreements with cable and satellite operators to carry Newsy in more than 36 million households. We expect continued investment in Newsy as we look to increase distribution and enhance our content.
Newsy is also distributed widely on platforms providing over-the-top (OTT) television service, including Hulu, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Sling TV and Chromecast.
Newsy earns revenue from the sale of advertising on the platforms on which it is distributed. It also receives carriage fees from cable providers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. The revenue we receive is based on the number of subscribers who receive the programming.
11
Triton
Operating in more than 40 countries, Triton is a global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services, serving the growing digital audio marketplace. Triton provides innovative technology that enables broadcasters, podcasters and online music services to build their audience, maximize their revenue and streamline their operations. Triton’s technology is trusted by many of the biggest names in digital audio, including Pandora, iHeart, Entercom, Cumulus, Beasley, One Media Sales (Netherlands), Prisa (Spain), Mediacorp (Singapore) and Karnaval (Turkey).
Triton’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) business-to-business model has two main lines of business - measurement and infrastructure. Their primary source of revenue is the licensing of digital audio technology and services to a wide range of global audio publishers. Triton’s measurement technology platform is the standard in the digital audio marketplace, and its national and local metrics are the currency through which agencies and brands buy digital audio advertising from streaming audio companies across various geographies and devices. The national audience measurement product is offered for a fixed monthly fee with additional fees based on total audience listening hours. The local audience measurement product is offered on a fixed license fee for each market on which data is reported, along with annual fee escalations. Triton’s hosting and advertising infrastructure enables publishers around the world to deliver high-quality, digital audio streams with data-powered dynamic ad insertion to their listening audience. The hosting product is offered to users via a monthly license fee for access to the platform with additional fees for excess data delivery usage. For its advertising technology platform, Triton charges a fixed license fee with additional fees based on the number of impressions delivered. Through the advent of the world’s first programmatic audio advertising exchange, Triton provides the infrastructure in which publishers and advertisers can seamlessly transact audio inventory programmatically.
On June 10, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio ("Omny"), a Melbourne, Australia-based podcasting software-as-a-service company now operating as a part of Triton. Omny is an audio-on-demand platform built specifically for professional audio publishers. Omny serves as the content management system for those publishers and the platform includes publishing tools and an analytics dashboard to track listening.
Employees
As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 5,900 full-time equivalent employees, of whom approximately 4,800 were with Local Media and 750 with National Media. Various labor unions represent approximately 580 employees, all of which are in Local Media. We have not experienced any work stoppages at our current operations since 1985. We consider our relationships with our employees to be satisfactory.
12
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
For an enterprise as large and complex as ours, a wide range of factors could materially affect future developments and performance. The most significant factors affecting our operations include the following:
Risks Related to Our Businesses
We expect to derive the majority of our revenues from advertising spending, which is affected by numerous factors. Declines in advertising revenues will adversely affect the profitability of our business.
The demand for advertising is sensitive to a number of factors, both locally and nationally, including the following:
• | The advertising and marketing spending by customers can be subject to seasonal and cyclical variations and is likely to be adversely affected during economic downturns. |
• | Programming and content offered by our businesses may not achieve desired ratings or may decline in popularity with its audience. |
• | Audiences continue to fragment in recent years as the broad distribution of cable and satellite television and the growth in over-the-top streaming services have greatly increased the options available to the public for accessing audio and video programming, including live sports. Continued fragmentation of audiences, and the growth of internet programming and streaming services, could adversely impact advertising rates, which will reflect the size and demographics of the audience reached by advertisers through our media businesses. |
• | Television advertising revenues in even-numbered years benefit from political advertising, which is affected by campaign finance laws, as well as the competitiveness of specific political races in the markets where our television stations operate. |
• | Continued consolidation and contraction of local advertisers in our local markets could adversely impact our operating results, given that we expect the majority of our advertising to be sold to local businesses in our markets. |
• | Television stations have significant exposure to advertising in the automotive, retail and services industries. Advertising within these industries may decline and we may not be able to secure replacement advertisers. |
• | Several national advertising agencies are employing an automated process known as “programmatic buying” to gain efficiencies and reduce costs related to buying advertising. Growth in advertising revenues will rely in part on the ability to maintain and expand relationships with existing and future advertisers. The implementation of a programmatic model or other similar solution, where automation replaces existing pricing and allocation methods, could turn advertising inventory into a price-driven commodity. These automated solutions could reduce the value of relationships with advertisers as well as result in downward pricing pressure. |
If we are unable to respond to any or all of these factors, our advertising revenues could decline and affect our profitability.
We have made significant investments in our National Media businesses and expect to continue to make significant investments in those businesses in the coming years. Investments we make in our National Media businesses may not perform as expected.
In recent years, we have acquired Triton, Katz, Stitcher and Newsy for an aggregate purchase price of almost $550 million. Our National Media businesses are not mature businesses and will require additional capital to gain distribution and build audiences, or, in the case of Triton, build customer base. The markets for these businesses may not develop as we expect, we may face greater competition than we anticipate, and our competition may have greater financial resources. The success of these investments depends on a number of factors, including timely development and market acceptance of the products and services that these businesses offer.
13
The growth of direct content-to-consumer delivery channels may fragment our television audiences. This fragmentation could adversely impact advertising rates as well as cause a reduction in the revenues we receive from retransmission consent agreements, resulting in a loss of revenue that could materially adversely affect our broadcast operations.
We deliver our television programming to our audiences primarily over-the-air and through cable and satellite service providers. Our television audience is being fragmented by the digital delivery of content directly to the consumer audience. Content providers, such as the "Big 4" broadcast networks, cable networks such as HBO and Showtime, and new content developers, distributors and syndicators such as Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, are now able to deliver their programming directly to consumers, over-the-top (“OTT”) via the internet. The delivery of content directly to consumers allows them to bypass the programming we deliver, which may impact our audience size. Fragmentation of our audiences could impact the rates we receive from our advertisers. In addition, reduction in the number of subscribers to cable and satellite service providers could impact the revenue we receive under retransmission consent agreements. Widespread adoption of OTT by our audiences could result in a reduction of our advertising and retransmission revenues and affect our profitability.
The loss of affiliation and carriage agreements or the costs of renewals could adversely affect our operating results.
Eighteen of our stations have affiliations with the ABC television network, eleven with the NBC television network, nine with the CBS television network and four with the FOX television network. Additionally, we have affiliations with the MyNetworkTV television network and the CW television network. These television networks produce and distribute programming which our stations commit to air at specified times. Networks sell commercial advertising time during their programming, and the "Big 4" networks, ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, also require stations to pay fees for the right to carry their programming. These fees may be a percentage of retransmission revenues that the stations receive (see below) or may be fixed amounts based on the number of households or subscribers in a market. These fees have been increasing from renewal to renewal over the past several years.
Katz has carriage agreements with local television broadcasters and cable and satellite providers to carry one or more of the Katz networks. Through these agreements, each of the networks reaches approximately 90% or more of all U.S. households. These contracts require Katz to make fixed fee payments and generally have three to five-year terms.
There is no assurance that we will be able to reach network affiliation or carriage agreements in the future. The non-renewal or termination of our network affiliation agreements would prevent us from being able to carry programming of the respective network. Loss of a network affiliation would require us to obtain replacement programming, which may not be as attractive to target audiences and could result in lower advertising revenues. In addition, loss of any of the "Big 4" network affiliations would result in materially lower retransmission revenue. The loss of Katz carriage agreements would reduce our advertising revenues and affect our profitability.
Our retransmission consent revenue may be adversely affected by renewals of retransmission consent agreements, by declines in the number of subscribers to multichannel video programming distributor ("MVPD") services, by new technologies for the distribution of video programming, or by revised government regulations.
As our retransmission consent agreements expire, there can be no assurance that we will be able to renew them at comparable or better rates. As a result, retransmission revenues could decrease and retransmission revenue growth could decline over time.
In recent years, the number of subscribers to MVPD services has declined, as the growth of direct internet streaming of video programming to televisions and mobile devices has incentivized consumers to discontinue their cable or satellite service subscriptions. Decreases in the number of MVPD subscribers reduces the revenue we earn under our retransmission agreements.
The use of new technologies to redistribute broadcast programming, such as those that rely upon the Internet to deliver video programming or those that receive and record broadcast signals over the air via an antenna and then retransmit that information digitally to customers’ television sets, specialty set-top boxes, or computer or mobile devices, could adversely affect our retransmission revenue if such technologies are not found to be subject to copyright or other legal restrictions or to regulations that apply to MVPDs such as cable operators or satellite carriers.
Changes in the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”) or the FCC’s rules with respect to the negotiation of retransmission consent agreements between broadcasters and MVPDs could also adversely impact our ability to negotiate acceptable retransmission consent agreements. In addition, continued consolidation among cable television operators could adversely impact our ability to negotiate acceptable retransmission consent agreements.
14
There are proceedings before the FCC and legislation has been proposed in Congress reexamining policies that now protect television stations' rights to control the distribution of their programming within their local service areas. For example, the FCC has considered the degree to which an entity relying upon the Internet to deliver video programming should be subject to the regulations that apply to MVPDs. Should the FCC determine that Internet-based distributors may avoid its MVPD rules, broadcasters' ability to rely on the protection of the MVPD retransmission consent requirements and other regulations could be jeopardized. We cannot predict the outcome of these and other proceedings that address the use of new technologies to challenge traditional means of redistributing broadcast programming or their possible impact on our operations.
We make investments in television programming and podcast content rights (collectively "content") in advance of knowing whether that particular content will be popular enough for us to recoup our costs. Additionally, if costs to acquire this content increase or this content becomes more difficult to obtain, our operating results may be adversely affected.
We incur significant costs for the purchase of television programming and podcast content rights. We may have to purchase content several years in advance or enter into multi-year agreements, resulting in the commitment of significant costs in advance of knowing whether the content will be popular with its audience. If this acquired content is not sufficiently popular among audiences in relation to the cost we invest in the content, or if we need to replace content that is performing poorly, we may not be able to produce enough revenue to recover our costs. Additionally, increased competition for content from entrants into the market and the exclusive use of content on streaming services owned by content creators could reduce content availability or increase our content costs. Any of these factors could reduce our revenues, result in the incurrence of impairment charges or otherwise cause our costs to escalate relative to revenues.
Our television stations will continue to be subject to government regulations which, if revised, could adversely affect our operating results.
• | Pursuant to FCC rules, local television stations must elect every three years to either (1) require cable operators and/or direct broadcast satellite carriers to carry the stations’ over-the-air signals or (2) enter into retransmission consent negotiations for carriage. At present, all but one of our stations have retransmission consent agreements with cable operators and satellite carriers. If our retransmission consent agreements are terminated or not renewed, or if our broadcast signals are distributed on less-favorable terms, our ability to compete effectively may be adversely affected. |
• | If we cannot renew our FCC broadcast licenses, our broadcast operations will be impaired. Our business depends upon maintaining our broadcast licenses from the FCC, which has the authority to revoke licenses, not renew them, or renew them only with significant qualifications, including renewals for less than a full term. We cannot assure that future renewal applications will be approved, or that the renewals will not include conditions or qualifications that could adversely affect operations. If the FCC fails to renew any of these licenses, it could prevent us from operating the affected stations. If the FCC renews a license with substantial conditions or modifications (including renewing the license for a term of fewer than eight years), it could have a material adverse effect on the affected station’s revenue potential. |
• | As discussed under Federal Regulation of Broadcasting, the FCC in 2017 completed an auction in which some television licensees voluntarily auctioned away their spectrum rights and 84 MHz of broadcast spectrum was reallocated to other uses. As a result, many television stations, including 27 Company-owned full-power and Class A stations, were required to change their operating frequencies, and the FCC is setting tight deadlines for the completion of these facility changes in order to make the reallocated spectrum promptly available to the wireless service buyers. Depending on factors such as the availability of specialized technical assistance and custom-made equipment, weather issues, and, for stations near international borders, the cooperation of foreign governments, some stations could confront substantial costs and difficulty in completing these relocations within the allotted time, adversely affecting these stations’ over-the-air service. Scripps has received construction permits to complete the required changes for its stations and is expeditiously pursuing the steps necessary to complete this process. As of February 28, 2020, 18 of the 27 affected Scripps stations were licensed on their new channels. We cannot predict whether unforeseen circumstances might delay implementation and have a material adverse effect on one or more of the remaining stations' revenue potential. |
15
• | As also discussed under Federal Regulation of Broadcasting, the FCC has adopted broadcasters’ proposal to permit the voluntary use of a new digital television transmission standard, ATSC 3.0, that is incompatible with the existing standard. Much uncertainty exists concerning the costs, benefits, and public acceptance of the services expected to become possible under this new standard, and television stations could be adversely affected by moving either too quickly or too slowly towards its adoption. |
• | The FCC and other government agencies are continually considering proposals intended to promote consumer interests. New government regulations affecting the television industry could raise programming costs, restrict broadcasters’ operating flexibility, reduce advertising revenues, raise the costs of delivering broadcast signals, or otherwise affect operating results. We cannot predict the nature or scope of future government regulation or its impact on our operations. |
Acquisitions involve risks and, if said risks are not managed effectively, our operating results could be negatively affected.
During 2019, we acquired 27 television stations through multiple transactions for total cash consideration of $1.2 billion. Acquisitions involve inherent risks, such as increasing leverage and debt service requirements and combining company cultures, facilities and systems, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Additionally, our revenues and profitability could be adversely affected if we are unable to implement effective cost controls, achieve expected synergies, or increase revenues as a result of these acquisitions. Acquisitions can result in unexpected liabilities and potentially divert management’s attention from the operation of our business.
We intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisitions, and there are various risks associated with an acquisition strategy.
We have pursued and intend to selectively continue to pursue strategic acquisitions, subject to market conditions, our liquidity, and the availability of attractive acquisition candidates, with the goal of improving our business. We may not be able to identify other attractive acquisition targets or some of our competitors may have greater financial or managerial resources with which to pursue acquisition targets we may pursue. Therefore, even if we are successful in identifying attractive acquisition targets, we may face considerable competition and be unsuccessful in acquiring such targets.
Acquisitions of television stations are subject to the approval of the FCC and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. Current or future policies of these regulatory authorities could restrict our ability to pursue or consummate future transactions and could require us to divest certain television stations if an acquisition under contract would result in excessive concentration in a market or fail to comply with FCC ownership limitations. There can be no assurance that an acquisition will be approved by these regulatory authorities, or that a requirement to divest existing stations will not have an adverse effect on the transaction or our business.
We will continue to face cybersecurity and similar risks, which could result in the disclosure of confidential information, disruption of operations, damage to our brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses.
Security breaches, malware or other “cyber attacks” could harm our business by disrupting delivery of services, jeopardizing our confidential information and that of our vendors and clients, and damaging our reputation. Our operations are routinely involved in receiving, storing, processing and transmitting sensitive information. Although we monitor security measures regularly, any unauthorized intrusion, malicious software infiltration, theft of data, network disruption, denial of service, or similar act by any party could disrupt the integrity, continuity, and security of our systems or the systems of our clients or vendors. These events, or our failure to employ new technologies, revise processes and invest in people to sustain our ability to defend against cyber threats, could create financial liability, regulatory sanction, or a loss of confidence in our ability to protect information, and adversely affect our revenue by causing the loss of current or potential clients.
16
Risks Related to the Ownership of Scripps Class A Common Shares
Certain descendants of Edward W. Scripps own approximately 93% of Scripps' Common Voting shares and are signatories to the Scripps Family Agreement, which governs the transfer and voting of Common Voting shares held by them.
As a result of the foregoing, these descendants have the ability to elect two-thirds of the Board of Directors and to direct the outcome of any matter on which the Ohio Revised Code (“ORC”) does not require a vote of our Class A Common shares. Under our articles of incorporation, holders of Class A Common shares vote only for the election of one-third of the Board of Directors and are not entitled to vote on any matter other than a limited number of matters expressly set forth in the ORC as requiring a separate vote of both classes of stock. Because this concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction, the market price of our Class A Common shares could be adversely affected.
We have the ability to issue preferred stock, which could affect the rights of holders of our Class A Common shares.
Our articles of incorporation allow the Board of Directors to issue and set the terms of 25 million shares of preferred stock. The terms of any such preferred stock, if issued, may adversely affect the dividend, liquidation and other rights of holders of our Class A Common shares.
The public price and trading volume of our Class A Common shares may be volatile.
The price and trading volume of our Class A Common shares may be volatile and subject to fluctuation. Some of the factors that could cause fluctuation in the stock price or trading volume of Class A Common shares include:
• | general market and economic conditions and market trends, including in the television broadcast industry, the national media marketplace and the financial markets generally; |
• | the political, economic and social situation in the United States; |
• | variations in quarterly operating results; |
• | inability to meet revenue forecasts; |
• | announcements by us or competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, capital commitments or other business developments; |
• | adoption of new accounting standards affecting the media industry; |
• | operations of competitors and the performance of competitors’ common stock; |
• | litigation and governmental action involving or affecting us or our subsidiaries; |
• | changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts; |
• | recruitment of key personnel; |
• | purchases or sales of blocks of our Class A Common shares; |
• | operating and stock performance of companies that investors may consider to be comparable to us; and |
• | changes in the regulatory environment, including rulemaking or other actions by the FCC. |
There can be no assurance that the price of our Class A Common shares will not fluctuate or decline significantly. The stock market in recent years has experienced considerable price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of individual companies and that could adversely affect the price of our Class A Common shares, regardless of the Company’s operating performance. Stock price volatility might be higher if the trading volume of our Class A Common shares is low. Furthermore, shareholders may initiate securities class action lawsuits if the market price of our Class A Common shares declines significantly, which may cause us to incur substantial costs and divert the time and attention of our management.
17
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
We have substantial debt and have the ability to incur significant additional debt. The principal and interest payment obligations on such debt may restrict our future operations and impair our ability to meet our long-term obligations.
As of December 31, 2019, we and the guarantors had approximately $1.95 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness (excluding intercompany debt), approximately $900 million of which constituted senior debt (including the Senior Notes), and none of which was secured. We have the ability to incur up to $210 million of indebtedness under our Credit Agreement all of which is secured indebtedness, effectively ranking senior to the Senior Notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Our Credit Agreement matures in April 2022.
Our outstanding debt may have important consequences to you. For instance, it could:
• | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of any cash flow from operations to the payment of interest and principal due under our debt, which would reduce funds available for other business purposes, including capital expenditures and acquisitions; |
• | place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to some of our competitors that may have less debt and better access to capital resources; |
• | limit our ability to obtain additional financing required to fund acquisitions, working capital and capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes; and |
• | make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including those relating to the Senior Notes. |
Our ability to service our significant financial obligations depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow. This is partially subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, that future borrowings will be available to us under our Credit Agreement or any other credit facilities, or that we will be able to complete any necessary financings, in amounts sufficient to enable us to fund our operations or pay our debts and other obligations, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. Additional debt or equity financing may not be available in sufficient amounts, at times or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Specifically, volatility in the capital markets may also impact our ability to obtain additional financing, or to refinance our existing debt, on terms or at times favorable to us. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may not be able to service our debt or other obligations, which could result in us being in default thereon, in which circumstances our lenders could cease making loans to us, and lenders or other holders of our debt could accelerate and declare due all outstanding obligations under the respective agreements, which would likely have a material adverse effect on us.
The agreements governing our various debt obligations impose restrictions on our operations and limit our ability to undertake certain corporate actions.
The agreements governing our various debt obligations, including the indenture that governs the Senior Notes and the agreements governing our Credit Agreement, include covenants imposing significant restrictions on our operations. These restrictions may affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. These covenants place restrictions, subject to certain limitations, on our ability to, among other things:
• | incur additional debt; |
• | declare or pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders; |
• | make investments or acquisitions; |
• | create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; |
• | issue guarantees; |
• | merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of our assets; |
• | engage in transactions with affiliates; and |
• | purchase, sell or transfer certain assets. |
Any of these restrictions and limitations could make it more difficult for us to execute our business strategy.
18
Our Credit Agreement requires us to comply with certain financial ratios and covenants; our failure to do so will result in a default thereunder, which would have a material adverse effect on us.
We are required to comply with certain financial covenants under our Credit Agreement. Our ability to comply with these requirements may be affected by events affecting our business, but beyond our control, including prevailing general economic, financial and industry conditions. These covenants could have an adverse effect on us by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition or other corporate opportunities. The breach of any of these covenants or restrictions could result in a default under the applicable senior credit facility. Upon a default under any of our debt agreements, the lenders or debt holders thereunder could have the right to declare all amounts outstanding, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable, which could, in turn, trigger defaults under other debt obligations and could result in the termination of commitments of the lenders to make further extensions of credit under such senior credit facility. If we were unable to repay our secured debt to our lenders, or were otherwise in default under any provision governing our outstanding secured debt obligations, our secured lenders could proceed against us and the subsidiary guarantors and against the collateral securing that debt. Any default resulting in an acceleration of outstanding indebtedness, a termination of commitments under our financing arrangements or lenders proceeding against the collateral securing such indebtedness would likely result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our annual debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Borrowings under our Credit Agreement are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If the London Interbank Offered Rate were to increase, our debt service obligations on our variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash available to service our obligations, including making payments on the notes, would decrease.
19
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
Item 2. | Properties |
We lease our principal executive offices in a building located at 312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
We own or lease the facilities and equipment used by our television stations. We own, or co-own with other broadcast television stations, the towers used to transmit our television signals.
Our national businesses lease their facilities. This includes facilities for executive offices, sales offices, studio space and data centers.
All of our owned and leased properties are in good condition, and suitable for the conduct of our present business. We believe that suitable additional or alternative space, including those under lease options, will be available at commercially reasonable terms for future expansion.
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings |
We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental proceedings primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
None.
20
Executive Officers of the Company — Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
Name | Age | Position | ||
Adam P. Symson | 45 | President and Chief Executive Officer (since August 2017); Chief Operating Officer (November 2016 to August 2017); Senior Vice President, Digital (February 2013 to November 2016); Chief Digital Officer (2011 to February 2013); Vice President Interactive Media, Television (2007 to 2011) | ||
Lisa A. Knutson | 54 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (since October 2017); Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer (August 2017 to October 2017); Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer (2011 to 2017); Senior Vice President, Human Resources (2008 to 2011) | ||
William Appleton | 71 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel (since August 2017); Senior Vice President, General Counsel (July 2008 to August 2017) | ||
Brian G. Lawlor | 53 | President, Local Media (since August 2017); Senior Vice President, Broadcast (January 2009 to August 2017); Vice President/General Manager of WPTV (2004 to 2008) | ||
Laura M. Tomlin | 44 | Executive Vice President, National Media (since November 2019), Senior Vice President, National Media (2017- 2019); Vice President, Digital Operations (2014 to 2017) | ||
Douglas F. Lyons | 63 | Senior Vice President, Controller and Treasurer (since December 2017), Vice President, Controller and Treasurer (May 2015 to December 2017), Vice President, Controller (2008 to May 2015), Vice President, Finance and Administration (2006 to 2008) | ||
PART II
Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Our Class A Common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SSP.” As of December 31, 2019, there were approximately 11,000 owners of our Class A Common shares, based on security position listings, and approximately 50 owners of our Common Voting shares (which do not have a public market).
There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the quarter for which this report is filed.
In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. This authorization expires on March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. At December 31, 2019, $49.7 million was outstanding under this authorization. No shares were repurchased under this program during the fourth quarter of 2019.
In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through March 1, 2022.
21
Performance Graph — Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative return on the Company’s Class A Common shares, assuming an initial investment of $100 as of December 31, 2014, and based on the market prices at the end of each year and assuming dividend reinvestment, with the cumulative return of the Standard & Poor’s Composite-500 Stock Index and an Index based on a peer group of media companies. The spin-off of our newspaper business at April 1, 2015 is treated as a reinvestment of a special dividend pursuant to SEC rules.
We regularly evaluate and revise our Peer Group Index as necessary so that it is reflective of our Company’s portfolio of businesses. The companies that comprise our Peer Group Index are Nexstar Media Group, TEGNA, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Gray Television. The Peer Group Index is weighted based on market capitalization. Prior to 2019, our peer group included Tribune Media, which was acquired by Nexstar Media Group on September 19, 2019.
12/31/2014 | 12/31/2015 | 12/31/2016 | 12/31/2017 | 12/31/2018 | 12/31/2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | 100.00 | $ | 96.33 | $ | 98.00 | $ | 79.24 | $ | 80.82 | $ | 81.73 | ||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 100.00 | 101.38 | 113.51 | 138.29 | 132.23 | 173.86 | ||||||||||||||||||
Peer Group Index | 100.00 | 108.62 | 100.86 | 117.73 | 99.74 | 145.86 | ||||||||||||||||||
22
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
The Selected Financial Data required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
The market risk information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
The Financial Statements and Supplementary Data required by this item are filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
None.
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
The Controls and Procedures required by this item are filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-K.
Item 9B. | Other Information |
On February 24, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Company approved amendments to The E.W. Scripps Company Executive Annual Incentive Plan (the “Annual Incentive Plan”). The Annual Incentive Plan rewards designated employees of the Company for the achievement of each year’s business plan objectives in a manner consistent with the Company’s strategies for achieving sustainable long-term shareholder value and is effective for performance periods commencing on or after January 1, 2020. The amendments to this plan removed certain references to change in control provisions that are now addressed in the Scripps Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan. Additionally, these amendments removed certain Section 162(m) restrictions that were previously identified in the Annual Incentive Plan. These restrictions were no longer needed following a repeal of the performance-based compensation exception to Section 162(m) in 2017. The full text of the Annual Incentive Plan agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.04 to this Form 10-K.
On February 25, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, established the Scripps Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan supersedes and replaces The E.W. Scripps Company Executive Severance Plan and the Scripps Senior Executive Change in Control Plan, effective February 25, 2020, and provides severance protection for the Company’s corporate officers and certain employees following a termination event. Provisions in the Plan removed the excise tax gross-up provision that was previously included in the Scripps Senior Executive Change in Control Plan. As a result, the Company no longer provides tax gross-ups for named executive officers or any other employees in the event they are subject to golden parachute excise taxes on payments received in connection with a change in control. Additionally, provisions of the Plan modified the severance calculation to equal a multiple of a participant's "target" bonus for the year of termination. Previously the multiple considered the greater of target bonus and the highest paid bonus over three years. The full text of the Plan agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.05 to this Form 10‑K.
23
PART III
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance |
Information regarding executive officers is included in Part I of this Form 10-K as permitted by General Instruction G(3).
Information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K relating to directors is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Election of Directors” in our definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proxy Statement”). Information regarding Section 16(a) compliance is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Report on Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.
We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to all employees, officers and directors of Scripps. We also have a code of ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers that meets the requirements of Item 406 of Regulation S-K and the NASDAQ listing standards. Copies of our codes of ethics are posted on our website at http://www.scripps.com.
Information regarding our audit committee financial expert is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement.
The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with our 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Item 11. | Executive Compensation |
The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Tables” in the Proxy Statement.
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Report on the Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Report on the Security Ownership of Management,” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement.
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the materials captioned “Corporate Governance” and “Report on Related Party Transactions” in the Proxy Statement.
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services |
The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the material captioned “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors” in the Proxy Statement.
24
PART IV
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | |
Documents filed as part of this report:
(a) | The consolidated financial statements of The E.W. Scripps Company are filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1. |
The reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, dated February 28, 2020, are filed as part of this Form 10-K. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information at page F-1.
(b) | There are no supplemental schedules that are required to be filed as part of this Form 10-K. |
(c) | An exhibit index required by this item appears below. |
Item 16. | Form 10-K Summary |
None.
25
The E.W. Scripps Company
Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File Number | Exhibit | Report Date | |||||
2.01 | 8-K | 001-10701 | 2.1 | 10/27/2018 | ||||||
2.02 | 8-K | 001-10701 | 2.1 | 3/20/2019 | ||||||
3.01 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 99.03 | 2/17/2009 | ||||||
3.02 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 10.02 | 5/10/2007 | ||||||
3.03 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 3.1 | 3/11/2015 | ||||||
10.01 | * | |||||||||
10.02 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.02 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||
10.03 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 10.03B | 2/9/2005 | ||||||
10.04 | * | |||||||||
10.05 | * | |||||||||
10.06 | SC 13D | 005-43473 | 2 | 6/5/2015 | ||||||
10.07 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.1 | 3/31/2017 | ||||||
10.08 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 10.61 | 5/8/2008 | ||||||
10.09 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.10 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||
10.10 | 8-K | 001-10701 | 10.1 | 12/19/2019 | ||||||
10.11 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.14 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||
10.12 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.15 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||
10.13 | 10-Q | 000-16914 | 10.16 | 9/30/2017 | ||||||
10.14 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 10.1 | 4/20/2017 | ||||||
10.15 | 8-K | 000-16914 | 10.1 | 4/28/2017 | ||||||
10.16 | 8-K | 001-10701 | 10.1 | 5/1/2019 | ||||||
10.17 | * | |||||||||
10.18 | 8-K | 001-10701 | 10.1 | 7/26/2019 | ||||||
14 | 10-K | 000-16914 | 14 | 12/31/2004 | ||||||
21 | * | |||||||||
23 | * | |||||||||
31(a) | * | |||||||||
31(b) | * | |||||||||
32(a) | * | |||||||||
32(b) | * | |||||||||
101.INS | iXBRL 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.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | * | ||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | * | ||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101) | * | ||||||||
* - As filed herewith
26
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY | ||
Dated: February 28, 2020 | By: | /s/ Adam P. Symson |
Adam P. Symson | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated, on February 28, 2020.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ Adam P. Symson | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Adam P. Symson | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ Lisa A. Knutson | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
Lisa A. Knutson | ||
/s/ Douglas F. Lyons | Senior Vice President, Controller and Treasurer | |
Douglas F. Lyons | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ Marcellus W. Alexander, Jr. | Director | |
Marcellus W. Alexander, Jr. | ||
/s/ Charles Barmonde | Director | |
Charles Barmonde | ||
/s/ Richard A. Boehne | Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
Richard A. Boehne | ||
/s/ Kelly P. Conlin | Director | |
Kelly P. Conlin | ||
/s/ Lauren R. Fine | Director | |
Lauren R. Fine | ||
/s/ John W. Hayden | Director | |
John W. Hayden | ||
/s/ Anne M. La Dow | Director | |
Anne M. La Dow | ||
/s/ Wonya Y. Lucas | Director | |
Wonya Y. Lucas | ||
/s/ Roger L. Ogden | Director | |
Roger L. Ogden | ||
/s/ R. Michael Scagliotti | Director | |
R. Michael Scagliotti | ||
/s/ Kim Williams | Director | |
Kim Williams | ||
27
The E.W. Scripps Company
Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Information
Item No. | Page | ||
F-1
Selected Financial Data
Five-Year Financial Highlights
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) | 2019 (1) | 2018 (1) | 2017 (1) | 2016 (1) | 2015 (1) | |||||||||||||||
Summary of Operations (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues (3) | $ | 1,424 | $ | 1,208 | $ | 877 | $ | 874 | $ | 654 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (21 | ) | 74 | (32 | ) | 93 | (112 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (18 | ) | 56 | (12 | ) | 60 | (74 | ) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (87 | ) | (64 | ) | (56 | ) | (55 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||||||||
Per Share Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations — diluted | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | 0.68 | $ | (0.13 | ) | $ | 0.71 | $ | (0.95 | ) | |||||||
Cash dividends | 0.20 | 0.20 | — | — | 1.03 | |||||||||||||||
Market Value of Common Shares at December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per share | $ | 15.71 | $ | 15.73 | $ | 15.63 | $ | 19.33 | $ | 19.00 | ||||||||||
Total | 1,272 | 1,269 | 1,276 | 1,585 | 1,591 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,561 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 1,736 | $ | 1,706 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt (including current portion) | 1,953 | 696 | 702 | 396 | 399 | |||||||||||||||
Equity | 898 | 926 | 937 | 946 | 901 | |||||||||||||||
Notes to Selected Financial Data
As used herein and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E. W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies, or to all of them taken as a whole.
The statement of operations and cash flow data for the five years ended December 31, 2019, and the balance sheet data as of the same dates have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. All per-share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
(1) | 2019 — On January 1, 2019, we acquired three television stations owned by Raycom Media. On May 1, 2019, we acquired 15 television stations from Cordillera Communications, LLC. On June 10, 2019, we acquired Omny Studio. On September 19, 2019, we acquired eight television stations from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company. Operating results are included for periods after the acquisition. | |
2018 — On November 30, 2018, we acquired Triton Digital Canada, Inc. Operating results are included for periods after the acquisition. | ||
2017 — On October 2, 2017, we acquired the Katz networks. Operating results are included for periods after the acquisition. | ||
2016 — On April 12, 2016, we acquired Cracked. On June 6, 2016, we acquired Stitcher. Operating results for each are included for periods after the acquisitions. | ||
2015 — On April 1, 2015, we acquired the broadcast group owned by Journal Communications, Inc. On July 22, 2015, we acquired Midroll Media. Operating results for each are included for periods after the acquisitions. | ||
(2) | The five-year summary of operations excludes the operating results of the following entities and the gains (losses) on their divestiture as they are accounted for as discontinued operations: | |
- During the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed the sale of our radio station group. | ||
- On April 1, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our newspaper business. | ||
(3) | The year ended December 31, 2015 has not been retroactively-adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new revenue standard. | |
F-2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements are the basis for our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. You should read this discussion in conjunction with those financial statements.
This section of the Form 10-K omits discussion of year-to-year comparisons between 2018 and 2017, which may be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of our 2018 Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements related to the Company's businesses that are based on management’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors.” The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.
Executive Overview
The E.W. Scripps Company (“Scripps”) is a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local and national media brands. We are the fourth-largest independent owner of local television stations, with 60 stations in 42 markets that reach about 31% of U.S. television households. We have affiliations with all of the “Big Four” television networks as well as the CW and MyNetworkTV networks. In our National Media division, we operate national brands including podcast industry-leader Stitcher and its advertising network Midroll Media; next-generation national news network Newsy; five national multicast networks - Bounce, Grit, Laff, Court TV and Court TV Mystery - that make up the Katz Networks; and Triton, a global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services. We also operate an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serve as the longtime steward of one of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational programs, the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
In our Local Media division, recent acquisitions have strengthened our economic durability, quadrupled the number of No.1 and No.2-ranked stations we operate and more than doubled the number of markets where we operate two stations. We have further expanded our attractive political advertising footprint and added new large markets. We now own 26 stations in the top 50 Nielsen Designated Market Areas. Effective January 1, 2019, we acquired ABC-affiliated stations in Waco, Texas and Tallahassee, Florida. On May 1, 2019, we acquired from Cordillera Communications, Inc. 15 television stations serving 10 markets. On September 19, 2019, we acquired eight television stations in seven markets from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company. In order to fund these acquisitions, we issued a $765 million term loan B in May 2019 and $500 million of senior unsecured notes in July 2019. As a result, our focus is now on integrating the stations we acquired.
We are committed to the continued investment in our national media businesses for long-term growth. We continue to increase our Newsy audience, Stitcher podcast listeners and Katz U.S. household reach through our investment in and creation of quality content. On May 8, 2019, Court TV launched as a fifth over-the-air network operated by Katz, available for cable, satellite and over-the-air and over-the-top carriage. This network is devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nation's most important and compelling trials. On June 10, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio, which is a Melbourne, Australia-based podcasting software-as-a-service company now operating as part of Triton. On September 30, 2019, Katz rebranded its popular and widely available network, Escape, as Court TV Mystery, which targets women 25-54 with programming anchored in true-crime. These rapidly growing national media brands are attracting large audiences and new advertisers.
Additionally, we deliver value to shareholders through our quarterly 5 cents per share dividend. Dividends paid totaled $16.4 million during 2019. We intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future. All subsequent dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be dependent upon, among other things, the Company's financial position, results of operations, cash flow and other factors.
F-3
Results of Operations
The trends and underlying economic conditions affecting operating performance and future prospects differ for each of our business segments. Accordingly, you should read the following discussion of our consolidated results of operations in conjunction with the discussion of the operating performance of our individual business segments that follows.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Consolidated results of operations were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | Change | 2018 | Change | 2017 | |||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 1,423,836 | 17.8 | % | $ | 1,208,425 | 37.8 | % | $ | 876,972 | ||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | (499,022 | ) | 26.6 | % | (394,029 | ) | 7.2 | % | (367,735 | ) | ||||||||
Programming | (451,249 | ) | 28.7 | % | (350,753 | ) | 53.4 | % | (228,605 | ) | ||||||||
Impairment of programming assets | — | (8,920 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
Other expenses | (293,060 | ) | 18.9 | % | (246,487 | ) | 32.6 | % | (185,869 | ) | ||||||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | (26,304 | ) | (4,124 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
Restructuring costs | (3,370 | ) | (8,911 | ) | (4,422 | ) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (86,986 | ) | (63,987 | ) | (56,343 | ) | ||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | (35,732 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | 1,692 | (1,255 | ) | (169 | ) | |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 65,537 | 129,959 | (1,903 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (80,596 | ) | (36,184 | ) | (26,697 | ) | ||||||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (6,953 | ) | (19,752 | ) | (14,112 | ) | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 1,137 | 152 | 10,636 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (20,875 | ) | 74,175 | (32,076 | ) | |||||||||||||
(Provision) benefit for income taxes | 2,497 | (18,098 | ) | 20,054 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (18,378 | ) | 56,077 | (12,022 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (36,328 | ) | (2,595 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (18,378 | ) | 19,749 | (14,617 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (632 | ) | (1,511 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 20,381 | $ | (13,106 | ) | ||||||||||
On September 19, 2019, we acquired eight television stations from the Nexstar-Tribune transaction; on May 1, 2019, we acquired 15 television stations from Cordillera; effective January 1, 2019, we acquired ABC-affiliated stations in Waco, Texas and Tallahassee, Florida; and on November 30, 2018, we acquired Triton. These are referred to as the "acquired operations" in the discussion that follows. Katz was acquired on October 2, 2017. The inclusion of operating results from these businesses for the periods subsequent to their acquisition impacts the comparability of our consolidated and segment operating results.
2019 compared with 2018
Operating revenues increased 18% in 2019. Excluding the acquired operations, operating revenues decreased 2.6% year-over-year. The decrease was due to lower political revenues in a non-election year, partially offset by higher retransmission revenues in our Local Media group and overall growth within our National Media businesses.
Employee compensation and benefits increased 27% in 2019. Excluding the acquired operations, employee compensation and benefits increased 6.5% year-over-year, primarily driven by the expansion of our National Media group.
Programming expense increased 29% in 2019. Excluding the acquired operations, programming expense increased 15% year-over-year due to higher network affiliation fees at our stations, reflecting contractual rate increases, as well as an increase in programming costs associated with our national media brands, Katz and Stitcher.
F-4
Other expenses increased 19% in 2019 compared to the prior year. Excluding the acquired operations, other expenses increased 2.8% year-over-year, primarily driven by increases in marketing and promotion costs for our national brands, mainly Katz and Newsy.
Acquisition and related integration costs of $26.3 million in 2019 reflect investment banking and legal fees incurred to complete the current year acquisitions, as well as professional service costs incurred to integrate Triton and the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune television stations.
Restructuring costs of $3.4 million in 2019 and $8.9 million in 2018 reflect severance, outside consulting fees and other costs associated with our previously announced changes in management and operating structure.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased from $64 million in 2018 to $87 million in 2019 due to the acquired operations.
Interest expense increased in 2019 due to the issuance of a $765 million term loan in May 2019 and issuance of $500 million of senior unsecured notes in July 2019 in order to fund the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions.
Defined benefit pension plan expense in 2018 included a $1.8 million non-cash settlement charge related to lump-sum distributions from our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans and an $11.7 million non-cash settlement charge in connection with the merger of our Scripps Pension Plan into the Journal Communications, Inc. Plan and related transactions.
The effective income tax rate was 12.0% and 24.4% for 2019 and 2018, respectively. State taxes, non-deductible expenses, excess tax benefits or expense on share-based compensation, tax settlements and changes in our reserves for uncertain tax positions impacted our effective rate. Both our 2019 and 2018 tax provisions included $0.6 million of excess tax benefits from the exercise and vesting of share-based compensation awards.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations reflect the historical results of our radio operations. We closed on the sale of our Tulsa radio stations on October 1, 2018, closed on the sales of our Milwaukee, Knoxville, Omaha, Springfield and Wichita radio stations on November 1, 2018 and closed on the sales of our Boise and Tucson radio stations on December 12, 2018.
In 2018 and 2017, results of discontinued operations included $25.9 million and $8 million, respectively, of non-cash impairment charges to write-down the goodwill of our radio business to fair value.
F-5
Business Segment Results — As discussed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Items excluded from segment profit generally result from decisions made in prior periods or from decisions made by corporate executives rather than the managers of the business segments. Depreciation and amortization charges are the result of decisions made in prior periods regarding the allocation of resources and are therefore excluded from the measure. Generally, our corporate executives make financing, tax structure and divestiture decisions. Excluding these items from measurement of our business segment performance enables us to evaluate business segment operating performance based upon current economic conditions and decisions made by the managers of those business segments in the current period.
We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount.
Information regarding the operating performance of our business segments and a reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | Change | 2018 | Change | 2017 | |||||||||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 1,022,805 | 11.5 | % | $ | 917,480 | 17.9 | % | $ | 778,376 | ||||||||
National Media | 396,111 | 38.4 | % | 286,170 | 93,141 | |||||||||||||
Other | 4,920 | 3.0 | % | 4,775 | (12.5 | )% | 5,455 | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 1,423,836 | 17.8 | % | $ | 1,208,425 | 37.8 | % | $ | 876,972 | ||||||||
Segment profit (loss): | ||||||||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 217,885 | (13.2 | )% | $ | 251,119 | 60.1 | % | $ | 156,890 | ||||||||
National Media | 23,986 | 72.3 | % | 13,920 | (9,260 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other | (3,957 | ) | 7.5 | % | (3,680 | ) | 55.9 | % | (2,361 | ) | ||||||||
Shared services and corporate | (57,409 | ) | 8.1 | % | (53,123 | ) | 5.2 | % | (50,506 | ) | ||||||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | (26,304 | ) | (4,124 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
Restructuring costs | (3,370 | ) | (8,911 | ) | (4,422 | ) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (86,986 | ) | (63,987 | ) | (56,343 | ) | ||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | (35,732 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | 1,692 | (1,255 | ) | (169 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (80,596 | ) | (36,184 | ) | (26,697 | ) | ||||||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (6,953 | ) | (19,752 | ) | (14,112 | ) | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 1,137 | 152 | 10,636 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | (20,875 | ) | $ | 74,175 | $ | (32,076 | ) | ||||||||||
F-6
Local Media — Our Local Media segment includes our 60 local broadcast stations and their related digital properties. It is comprised of 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. We also have 13 CW affiliates - five on full power stations and eight on multicast; two MyNetwork TV affiliates; two independent stations and nine additional low power stations. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, telecommunication companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now.
National television networks offer affiliates a variety of programs and sell the majority of advertising within those programs. In addition to network programs, we broadcast local and national internally produced programs, syndicated programs, sporting events and other programs of interest in each station's market. News is the primary focus of our locally-produced programming.
The operating performance of our Local Media group is most affected by local and national economic conditions, particularly conditions within the automotive and services categories, and by the volume of advertising purchased by campaigns for elective office and political issues. The demand for political advertising is significantly higher in the third and fourth quarters of even-numbered years.
Operating results for our Local Media segment were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | Change | 2018 | Change | 2017 | |||||||||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||
Core advertising | $ | 599,870 | 28.9 | % | $ | 465,275 | (5.6 | )% | $ | 492,633 | ||||||||
Political | 23,263 | 139,600 | 8,651 | |||||||||||||||
Retransmission | 382,710 | 27.0 | % | 301,411 | 16.2 | % | 259,499 | |||||||||||
Other | 16,962 | 51.5 | % | 11,194 | (36.4 | )% | 17,593 | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 1,022,805 | 11.5 | % | 917,480 | 17.9 | % | 778,376 | |||||||||||
Segment costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 363,801 | 24.6 | % | 292,079 | 1.5 | % | 287,758 | |||||||||||
Programming | 276,784 | 26.0 | % | 219,690 | 18.0 | % | 186,116 | |||||||||||
Impairment of programming assets | — | 8,920 | — | |||||||||||||||
Other expenses | 164,335 | 12.8 | % | 145,672 | (1.3 | )% | 147,612 | |||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 804,920 | 20.8 | % | 666,361 | 7.2 | % | 621,486 | |||||||||||
Segment profit | $ | 217,885 | (13.2 | )% | $ | 251,119 | 60.1 | % | $ | 156,890 | ||||||||
On September 19, 2019, we acquired eight television stations from the Nexstar-Tribune transaction; on May 1, 2019, we acquired 15 television stations from Cordillera; and effective January 1, 2019, we acquired ABC-affiliated stations in Waco, Texas and Tallahassee, Florida. These stations are referred to as the "acquired stations" in the discussion that follows. The inclusion of operating results from these stations for the periods subsequent to their acquisition impacts the comparability of our Local Media segment operating results.
2019 compared with 2018
Revenues
Total Local Media revenues increased 11% in 2019. Excluding the acquired stations, Local Media revenues decreased 11% year-over-year, driven by lower political revenues in a non-election year. The decrease in political revenues was partially offset by increases in core, retransmission and other revenues. Core advertising increased 1.4% in 2019 due to the political displacement in the prior year. Retransmission revenue increased 5.4% year-over-year as a result of contractual rate increases, which were partially offset by declining subscriber counts for our traditional MVPDs. These declines were in-line with industry trends and were partially offset by the growth of our virtual MVPD subscribers.
Costs and expenses
Employee compensation and benefits increased 25% in 2019 compared to 2018, mainly due to the acquired stations.
F-7
Programming expense increased 26% in 2019. Excluding the acquired stations, programming expense increased 4.2% year-over-year, primarily due to higher network affiliation fees. Network affiliation fees have been increasing industry-wide due to higher rates on renewals, as well as contractual rate increases during the terms of the affiliation agreements, and we expect that they may continue to increase over the next several years.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, we incurred a non-cash impairment charge of $8.9 million related to our original programming show, Pickler & Ben, which was not renewed for a third season.
Other expenses increased 13% in 2019. Excluding the acquired stations, other expenses decreased 8.3% year-over-year, driven by lower costs in advertising and promotion, supplies and rental as well as professional services.
National Media — Our National Media segment is comprised of the operations of our national media businesses including five national broadcast networks, the Katz networks; podcast industry-leader, Stitcher, and its advertising network Midroll Media; next-generation national news network, Newsy; a global leader in digital audio technology and measurement services, Triton; and other national brands. Our National Media group earns revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.
Operating results for our National Media segment were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | Change | 2018 | Change | 2017 | |||||||||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||
Katz | $ | 227,035 | 22.2 | % | $ | 185,852 | $ | 40,975 | ||||||||||
Stitcher | 72,545 | 42.1 | % | 51,063 | 63.7 | % | 31,199 | |||||||||||
Newsy | 43,025 | 75.0 | % | 24,588 | 10,089 | |||||||||||||
Triton | 41,065 | 3,292 | — | |||||||||||||||
Other | 12,441 | (41.8 | )% | 21,375 | 96.5 | % | 10,878 | |||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 396,111 | 38.4 | % | 286,170 | 93,141 | |||||||||||||
Segment costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 86,315 | 48.7 | % | 58,033 | 86.5 | % | 31,121 | |||||||||||
Programming | 174,604 | 33.2 | % | 131,063 | 42,489 | |||||||||||||
Other expenses | 111,206 | 33.7 | % | 83,154 | 28,791 | |||||||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 372,125 | 36.7 | % | 272,250 | 102,401 | |||||||||||||
Segment profit (loss) | $ | 23,986 | 72.3 | % | $ | 13,920 | $ | (9,260 | ) | |||||||||
Our National Media businesses Triton and Katz were acquired on November 30, 2018 and October 2, 2017, respectively. The inclusion of operating results from these businesses for the periods subsequent to the acquisitions impacts the comparability of our National Media segment operating results.
2019 compared with 2018
Revenues
National Media revenues increased $110 million or 38% in 2019. Triton accounted for $37.8 million of the year-over-year increase. The remainder of the increase came from growth in our other national brands. Katz's revenues increased $41.2 million or 22% as a result of growth on all of its networks, as well as the launch of the new network, Court TV, in May 2019. Stitcher's revenues increased $21.5 million or 42% due to advertising growth from existing podcasts, as well as the addition of new titles to its portfolio. Newsy's revenues increased $18.4 million or 75% primarily from the growth of advertising on over-the-top platforms.
Cost and Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits increased 49% or $28.3 million in 2019. Excluding the impact of Triton, employee compensation and benefits increased 25% year-over-year, mainly attributable to the hiring of personnel to support the growth of Katz, Stitcher and Newsy.
F-8
Programming expense increased $43.5 million or 33% in 2019. Programming expense includes the amortization of programming for Katz, podcast production costs and other programming costs. The overall increase is attributable to the continual investment in Katz programming, higher affiliate fees related to the increased distribution of all of the Katz networks and the additional programming costs for our podcast business as a result of higher revenue.
Other expenses increased $28.1 million or 34% in 2019. Excluding the impact of Triton, other expenses increased 23% year-over-year. Newsy had higher expenses related to its audience extension product and network distribution incentives. Katz had higher advertising and promotion expenses related to the launch of the new network, Court TV, and for promotion of Bounce network's original programming. Stitcher had higher podcast hosting and bandwidth costs. Additionally, occupancy, travel and entertainment expenses at the segment level increased as a direct result of an increase in hiring in order to support the growth of our national brands.
Shared services and corporate
We centrally provide certain services to our business segments. Such services include accounting, tax, cash management, procurement, human resources, employee benefits and information technology. The business segments are allocated costs for such services at amounts agreed upon by management. Such allocated costs may differ from amounts that might be negotiated at arms-length. Costs for such services that are not allocated to the business segments are included in shared services and corporate costs. Shared services and corporate also includes unallocated corporate costs, such as costs associated with being a public company.
2019 compared with 2018
Shared services and corporate expenses were up year-over-year with $57.4 million in 2019 and $53.1 million in 2018. Employee compensation and benefits increased nearly $5 million as a result of increased hiring at corporate to support to the growth of our local and national businesses.
F-9
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity is our available cash and borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility.
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 19,749 | $ | (14,617 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (36,328 | ) | (2,595 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (18,378 | ) | 56,077 | (12,022 | ) | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 86,986 | 63,987 | 56,343 | |||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | 35,732 | |||||||||
Impairment of programming assets | — | 8,920 | — | |||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposition of investments | (930 | ) | 251 | (6,106 | ) | |||||||
(Gains) losses on sale of property and equipment | (1,692 | ) | 1,255 | 169 | ||||||||
Programming assets and liabilities | 17,900 | (12,788 | ) | (9,172 | ) | |||||||
Deferred income taxes | (4,665 | ) | 19,354 | (16,084 | ) | |||||||
Stock and deferred compensation plans | 14,912 | 10,741 | 15,872 | |||||||||
Pension expense, net of contributions | (13,066 | ) | (4,052 | ) | (6,738 | ) | ||||||
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net | (117,446 | ) | (16,159 | ) | (22,190 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 8,927 | 2,645 | (5,619 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations | (27,452 | ) | 130,231 | 30,185 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations | — | 10,680 | 10,667 | |||||||||
Net operating activities | $ | (27,452 | ) | $ | 140,911 | $ | 40,852 | |||||
2019 to 2018
The $158 million increase in cash used by continuing operating activities was primarily attributable to a $28 million year-over-year decrease in segment profit, changes in working capital accounts that decreased year-over-year cash by $101 million and $28 million higher cash interest payments made in 2019 compared to 2018. Interest payments increased due to the issuance of a $765 million term loan in May 2019 and issuance of $500 million of senior unsecured notes in July 2019 to fund the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions.
One of the main factors contributing to the $101 million increase in cash used for working capital accounts was the timing of payments received on accounts receivable, which decreased cash by $83 million year-over-year. The main drivers in the accounts receivable change year-over-year were the Nexstar-Tribune acquisition and the impact of political advertising. We did not acquire working capital in the Nexstar-Tribune acquisition, and as advertisers tend to pay on a 60- to 90-day lag and retransmission partners on a 90- to 120-day lag, fourth quarter revenue resulted in growth of the accounts receivable balance and reduced cash flow. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we recognized $41 million of core advertising and $22 million of retransmission revenue attributed to the stations acquired in the Nexstar-Tribune acquisition. Additionally, we recognized $19 million in political revenue over the last two months of 2018, which increased prior year cash flow, as political advertising is paid in advance. Another factor contributing to the increase in cash used for working capital accounts was the $11 million tax payment made in the second quarter of 2019 related to the sale of our radio stations.
F-10
Investing activities
Cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | $ | (1,190,422 | ) | $ | (149,469 | ) | $ | (280,940 | ) | |||
Additions to property and equipment | (61,043 | ) | (53,253 | ) | (17,932 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition of intangible assets | (24,864 | ) | (7,229 | ) | (9,745 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of investments | (1,871 | ) | (558 | ) | (836 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from FCC repack | 6,959 | 1,530 | — | |||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 6,734 | 2,307 | 12,886 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | (1,264,507 | ) | (206,672 | ) | (296,567 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations | — | 79,188 | (2,500 | ) | ||||||||
Net investing activities | $ | (1,264,507 | ) | $ | (127,484 | ) | $ | (299,067 | ) | |||
In 2019, 2018 and 2017 we used $1.3 billion, $207 million and $297 million, respectively, in cash for investing activities from continuing operations. The primary factors affecting our cash flows from investing activities for the years presented are described below.
• | During 2019, we acquired three television stations owned by Raycom Media for $55 million in cash, we acquired 15 television stations owned by Cordillera Communications, LLC for $521 million in cash, plus an estimated working capital adjustment of $23.9 million, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio for a cash purchase price of $8.3 million and we acquired eight television stations from the Nexstar-Tribune transactions for $582 million. In 2018, we acquired Triton for $150 million, net of cash acquired. In 2017, we acquired Katz for $281 million, net of cash acquired. |
• | During 2019, capital expenditures increased $8 million year-over-year due to an increase in spending at Local Media as a result of our station growth during the year. Included in Local Media's 2019 capital expenditures was $16.7 million related to the FCC repacking process. In 2018, capital expenditures increased $35 million. A significant portion of the increase was attributed to $17.9 million of capital expenditures incurred in 2018 related to the FCC repacking process. Additionally in 2018, National Media's capital expenditures increased $14.4 million year-over-year mainly as a result of one-time expenses incurred related to the expansion and renovation of office and studio space in our leased facilities that was needed to accommodate current and future growth of our national brands. |
• | In April of 2019, we acquired assets from an independent station in Stuart, Florida, for $23.6 million in cash, the majority of which were intangible assets. In 2018 and 2017, we recognized other intangible assets of $5.8 million and $9.7 million, respectively, related to the acquisition of cable and satellite carriage rights for Newsy. |
• | In 2019 and 2018, we received $7.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in proceeds from the FCC repacking process. |
• | Miscellaneous investing activities for the current year include cash received from the sale of land and the sale of assets at Triton. |
In the repacking process associated with the incentive spectrum auction conducted by the FCC in 2017, the FCC has reassigned some stations to new post-auction channels. We do not expect reassignment to new channels to have a material impact on our stations' broadcast signals as viewed in their markets. Twenty-seven of our current full power stations (including nine from recent acquisitions) have been assigned to new channels. The legislation authorizing the incentive auction and repack provides the FCC with up to a $2.75 billion fund to reimburse reasonable costs incurred by stations that are reassigned to new channels in the repack. We expect the FCC fund will be sufficient to cover the costs we would expect to incur for the repack and that our only potential funding risks would be limited to any disagreements with the FCC over reimbursement of expenditures incurred. Reimbursements provided by the FCC are recognized as the cash is received.
We have spent $37.5 million to date on FCC repack and expect to incur approximately $20 million of additional expenditures through the end of 2020. We have received total reimbursement proceeds from the FCC of $8.5 million as of December 31, 2019.
F-11
Financing activities
Cash used in or provided by financing activities for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | $ | 1,261,175 | $ | — | $ | 700,000 | ||||||
Payments on long-term debt | (8,728 | ) | (5,656 | ) | (393,927 | ) | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | (31,295 | ) | — | (9,671 | ) | |||||||
Dividends paid | (16,374 | ) | (16,395 | ) | — | |||||||
Repurchase of Class A Common shares | (584 | ) | (32,323 | ) | (17,885 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | — | 1,857 | 1,461 | |||||||||
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs | (3,831 | ) | (3,796 | ) | (4,576 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 17,463 | 1,316 | (2,840 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations | $ | 1,217,826 | $ | (54,997 | ) | $ | 272,562 | |||||
For continuing financing activities, cash provided by financing activities was $1.2 billion and $273 million in 2019 and 2017, respectively, while cash used in financing activities was $55 million in 2018. The primary factors affecting our cash flows from financing activities are described below.
We have $400 million of senior unsecured notes that mature on May 15, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum. We also have $500 million aggregate principal amount senior unsecured notes that mature on July 15, 2027, which bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum. Additionally, we have a $300 million term loan B that matures in October 2024 ("2024 term loan"). Following an amendment to the 2024 term loan on April 4, 2018, interest is payable at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the Company’s total net leverage, as defined by the amended agreement, is below 2.75. The 2024 term loan requires annual principal payments of $3 million. On May 1, 2019, we issued a $765 million term loan B that matures in May 2026 ("2026 term loan") with interest payable at rates based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.75%. Following an amendment to the 2026 term loan on December 18, 2019, interest is payable at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.50%. The 2026 term loan requires annual principal payments of $7.6 million. Deferred financing costs and original issuance discount on the new debt issued in 2019 totaled approximately $34 million.
We have a revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") with a capacity of $210 million that matures in April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin, based on our leverage ratio, ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%. The weighted-average interest rate over the period we had a drawn revolver balance in 2019 was 4.18%. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit agreement. The revolving credit agreement includes financial covenants, which we were in compliance with for all periods presented.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio when we have outstanding borrowings on the facility. Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 5.5 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all financial covenants at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
Our credit agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow, as defined, to repay debt. As of December 31, 2019, we were not required to make additional principal payments pursuant to this provision.
We paid quarterly dividends of 5 cents per share, totaling $16.4 million in both 2019 and 2018. We intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future. All subsequent dividends will be reviewed quarterly and declared by the Board of Directors at its discretion. The declaration and payment of future dividends will be dependent upon, among other things, the Company's financial position, results of operations, cash flow and other factors.
In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. This authorization expires on March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During 2017, we repurchased $17.9 million of shares at prices ranging from $14.05 to $23.01 per share. From March 15, 2018 through August 20, 2018, we
F-12
were in a black out period for repurchasing shares while we negotiated the sales of our radio stations. On August 21, 2018, we entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase ("ASR") agreement with JP Morgan to repurchase the Company’s common stock. We repurchased $32.3 million of shares in 2018, of which, $25 million was under the ASR agreement. During 2019, we repurchased $0.6 million of shares at prices ranging from $15.54 to $18.72 per share. As of December 31, 2019, $49.7 million was outstanding under this authorization. In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through March 1, 2022.
In 2018 and 2017, we received $2 million and $1 million, respectively, of proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options. We have not issued any stock options since 2008.
Other
We have met our funding requirements for our defined benefit pension plans under the provisions of the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006. In 2020, we expect to contribute approximately $33 million in total to our defined benefit pension plans and our SERPs.
We expect that our cash and cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our operating and capital needs over the next 12 months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Off-balance sheet arrangements include the following four categories: obligations under certain guarantees or contracts; retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangements; obligations under certain derivative arrangements; and obligations under material variable interests.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of our contractual cash commitments as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:
Less than | Years | Years | Over | |||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 1 Year | 2 & 3 | 4 & 5 | 5 Years | Total | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Principal amounts | $ | 10,612 | $ | 21,224 | $ | 299,474 | $ | 1,621,212 | $ | 1,952,522 | ||||||||||
Interest on debt | 93,447 | 185,569 | 181,146 | 124,710 | 584,872 | |||||||||||||||
Programming: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Program licenses, network affiliations and other programming commitments | 506,812 | 691,106 | 14,910 | 162 | 1,212,990 | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred compensation and other post-employment benefits | 1,595 | 2,976 | 2,900 | 14,784 | 22,255 | |||||||||||||||
Employment and talent contracts | 77,351 | 57,578 | 2,376 | 6 | 137,311 | |||||||||||||||
Pension obligations | 32,973 | 53,607 | 37,184 | 67,669 | 191,433 | |||||||||||||||
Operating leases | 22,966 | 30,008 | 32,189 | 105,608 | 190,771 | |||||||||||||||
Other purchase and service commitments | 115,049 | 153,795 | 73,767 | 5 | 342,616 | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual cash obligations | $ | 860,805 | $ | 1,195,863 | $ | 643,946 | $ | 1,934,156 | $ | 4,634,770 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt — Long-term debt includes $900 million of unsecured senior notes and $1.1 billion outstanding balance on our term loans. We have $400 million of senior unsecured notes that mature on May 15, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum. We also have $500 million of senior unsecured notes that mature on July 15, 2027, which bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum. Additionally, we have $293.3 million outstanding on a term loan B that matures in October 2024. Interest is payable at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the Company’s total net leverage, as defined by the loan agreement, is below 2.75. The rate on this term loan was 3.80% at December 31, 2019. We also have $759.3 million outstanding on a term loan B that matures in May 2026. Following an amendment to this loan on December 18, 2019, interest is payable at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin
F-13
of 2.50%. The rate on this term loan was 4.30% at December 31, 2019. Amounts included in the table may differ from amounts actually paid due to changes in LIBOR. A 100 basis point increase in LIBOR would result in an increase in annual interest payments of approximately $10.5 million.
Our credit agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. Principal payments included in the contractual obligations table reflect only scheduled principal payments and do not reflect any amounts that may be required to be paid under this provision. As of December 31, 2019, we were not required to make any additional principal payments pursuant to this provision.
Other Contractual Obligations — In the ordinary course of business, we enter into long-term contracts to license or produce programming, to secure on-air talent, to lease office space and equipment and to purchase other goods and services.
Programming — Program licenses generally require payments over the terms of the licenses. Licensed programming includes both programs that have been delivered and are available for telecast and programs that have not yet been produced. It also includes payments for our network affiliation agreements. If the programs are not produced, our commitments would generally expire without obligation. Fixed fee amounts payable under our network affiliation agreements are also included. Variable amounts in excess of the contractual amounts payable to the networks are not included in the amounts above. Other programming rights also include commitments for the purchase of podcast content rights.
Talent Contracts — We secure on-air talent for our television stations through multi-year talent agreements. Certain agreements may be terminated under certain circumstances or at certain dates prior to expiration. We expect our employment and talent contracts will be renewed or replaced with similar agreements upon their expiration. Amounts due under the contracts, assuming the contracts are not terminated prior to their expiration, are included in the contractual obligations table.
Pension Funding — We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs").
Contractual commitments summarized in the contractual obligations table include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our defined benefit pension plans and estimated benefit payments for our unfunded SERPs. Contractual pension obligations reflect anticipated minimum statutory pension contributions as of December 31, 2019, based upon pension funding regulations in effect at the time and our current pension assumptions regarding discount rates and returns on plan assets. Actual funding requirements may differ from amounts presented due to changes in discount rates, returns on plan assets or pension funding regulations that are in effect at the time.
Payments for the SERPs have been estimated over a ten-year period. Accordingly, the amounts in the “over 5 years” column include estimated payments for the periods of 2025-2029. While benefit payments under these plans are expected to continue beyond 2029, we do not believe it is practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
Operating Leases — We obtain certain office space under multi-year lease agreements. Leases for office space are generally not cancelable prior to their expiration.
Leases for operating and office equipment are generally cancelable by either party with 30 to 90 days notice. However, we expect such contracts will remain in force throughout the terms of the leases. The amounts included in the table above represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration.
We expect our operating leases will be renewed or replaced with similar agreements upon their expiration.
Purchase Commitments — We obtain audience ratings, market research and certain other services under multi-year agreements. These agreements are generally not cancelable prior to expiration of the service agreement. We expect such agreements will be renewed or replaced with similar agreements upon their expiration.
Katz has carriage agreements with local television broadcasters to carry one or more of the Katz networks. These carriage agreements are generally for a five-year term. Under these agreements, Katz pays a fixed fee for the carriage rights.
We may also enter into contracts with certain vendors and suppliers. These contracts typically do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated at any time without penalty. Included in the table of contractual obligations are purchase orders placed as of December 31, 2019. Purchase orders placed with vendors, including those with whom we maintain contractual relationships, are generally cancelable prior to shipment. While these vendor agreements do not require us to purchase a minimum quantity of goods or services, and we may generally cancel orders prior to shipment, we expect expenditures for goods and services in future periods will approximate those in prior years.
F-14
Income Tax Obligations — The contractual obligations table does not include any reserves for income taxes recognized because we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of our reserves for income taxes. As of December 31, 2019, our reserves for income taxes totaled $0.6 million, which is reflected as a long-term liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures, including the selection of appropriate accounting principles and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions. We are committed to incorporating accounting principles, assumptions and estimates that promote the representational faithfulness, verifiability, neutrality and transparency of the accounting information included in the financial statements.
Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies we have selected for use in the preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures. We believe the following to be the most critical accounting policies, estimates and assumptions affecting our reported amounts and related disclosures.
Acquisitions — The accounting for a business combination requires tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at estimated fair value. With the assistance of third party appraisals, we generally determine fair values using comparisons to market transactions and a discounted cash flow analysis. The use of a discounted cash flow analysis requires significant judgment to estimate the future cash flows derived from the asset and the expected period of time over which those cash flows will occur and to determine an appropriate discount rate. Changes in such estimates could affect the amounts allocated to individual identifiable assets. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable, if different assumptions were made, the amount allocated to intangible assets could differ substantially from the reported amounts.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill for each reporting unit must be tested for impairment on an annual basis or when events occur or circumstances change that would indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we may be required to record an impairment charge.
The following is goodwill by reporting unit as of December 31, 2019:
(in thousands) | ||||
Local Media | $ | 926,945 | ||
Katz | 203,760 | |||
Triton | 85,992 | |||
Stitcher | 47,176 | |||
Newsy | 7,982 | |||
Total goodwill | $ | 1,271,855 | ||
For our annual goodwill impairment testing, we utilized the quantitative approach for performing our test. Under that approach, we determine the fair value of our reporting unit generally using market data, appraised values and discounted cash flow analyses. The use of a discounted cash flow analysis requires significant judgment to estimate the future cash flows derived from the business and the period of time over which those cash flows will occur, as well as to determine an appropriate discount rate. The determination of the discount rate is based on a cost of capital model, using a risk-free rate, adjusted by a stock-beta adjusted risk premium and a size premium. While we believe the estimates and judgments used in determining the fair values were appropriate, different assumptions with respect to future cash flows, long-term growth rates and discount rates, could produce a different estimate of fair value. The estimate of fair value assumes certain growth of our businesses, which, if not achieved, could impact the fair value and possibly result in an impairment of the goodwill. Our annual impairment testing for goodwill indicated that the fair value of our Local Media reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 25% and our other reporting units exceeded their carrying value by over 30%.
We have determined that our FCC licenses are indefinite lived assets and not subject to amortization. At December 31, 2019, the carrying value of our television FCC licenses was $386 million, which are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. We compare the estimated fair value of
F-15
each individual FCC license to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Fair value is estimated using an income approach referred to as the “Greenfield Approach,” which requires multiple assumptions relating to the future prospects of each individual FCC license. The fair value of the FCC license is sensitive to each of the assumptions used in the Greenfield Approach and a change in any individual assumption could result in the fair value being less than the carrying value of the asset and an impairment charge being recorded. For example, a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would reduce the aggregate fair value of the FCC licenses by approximately $65 million. Our annual impairment testing for our FCC licenses indicated that their fair value exceeded their recorded value.
Pension Plans — We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan as well as non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). Both the defined benefit plan and the SERPs have frozen the accrual of future benefits.
The measurement of our pension obligation and related expense is dependent on a variety of estimates, including: discount rates; expected long-term rate of return on plan assets; and employee turnover, mortality and retirement ages. We review these assumptions on an annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when appropriate. In accordance with accounting principles, we record the effects of these modifications currently or amortize them over future periods. We consider the most critical of our pension estimates to be our discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
The assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans for 2019 and 2018 are as follows:
2019 | 2018 | ||||
Discount rate for expense | 4.38 | % | 3.71% - 4.58% | ||
Discount rate for obligations | 3.40 | % | 4.38 | % | |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets for expense | 5.50 | % | 5.10 | % | |
The discount rate used to determine our future pension obligations is based upon a dedicated bond portfolio approach that includes securities rated Aa or better with maturities matching our expected benefit payments from the plans. The rate is determined each year at the plan measurement date and affects the succeeding year’s pension cost. Discount rates can change from year to year based on economic conditions that impact corporate bond yields. A 50 basis point increase or decrease in the discount rate would decrease or increase our pension obligations as of December 31, 2019, by approximately $38.1 million and decrease or increase 2020 pension expense by approximately $0.2 million.
Under our asset allocation strategy, approximately 45% of plan assets are invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities with a duration approximately that of the projected payment of benefit obligations. The remaining 55% of plan assets are invested in equity securities and other return-seeking assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based primarily upon the target asset allocation for plan assets and capital markets forecasts for each asset class employed. A decrease in the expected rate of return on plan assets increases pension expense. A 50 basis point change in the 2020 expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would increase or decrease our 2020 pension expense by approximately $1.9 million.
We had unrecognized accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net actuarial losses for our pension plans and SERPs of $130 million at December 31, 2019. Unrealized actuarial gains and losses result from deferred recognition of differences between our actuarial assumptions and actual results. In 2019, we had an actuarial loss of $7.4 million. Based on our current assumptions, we anticipate that 2020 pension expense will include $4.7 million in amortization of actuarial losses.
Recently Adopted Standards and Issued Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
F-16
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Earnings and cash flow can be affected by, among other things, economic conditions and interest rate changes. We are also exposed to changes in the market value of our investments.
Our objectives in managing interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings and cash flows, and to reduce overall borrowing costs.
The following table presents additional information about market-risk-sensitive financial instruments:
As of December 31, 2019 | As of December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Cost Basis | Fair Value | Cost Basis | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk: | ||||||||||||||||
Revolving credit facility | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 | 400,000 | 409,000 | 400,000 | 374,000 | ||||||||||||
Senior unsecured notes, due in 2027 | 500,000 | 525,000 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Term loan, due in 2024 | 293,250 | 293,617 | 296,250 | 288,844 | ||||||||||||
Term loan, due in 2026 | 759,272 | 763,547 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Long-term debt, including current portion | $ | 1,952,522 | $ | 1,991,164 | $ | 696,250 | $ | 662,844 | ||||||||
Financial instruments subject to market value risk: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments held at cost | $ | 4,405 | (a) | $ | 4,114 | (a) | ||||||||||
(a) | Includes securities that do not trade in public markets, thus the securities do not have readily determinable fair values. We estimate the fair value of these securities approximates their carrying value. |
F-17
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was evaluated as of the date of the financial statements. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision of and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
We implemented internal controls to ensure we properly assessed the impact of the new lease accounting standard on our financial statements to facilitate its adoption on January 1, 2019. There were no significant changes to our internal controls over financial reporting due to the adoption of the new standard. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, we review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our systems and processes to improve such controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, automating manual processes and updating existing systems. For example, during the third quarter of 2019, we completed the implementation of various financial system applications across the Company. As these financial system applications are implemented, they become a significant component of our internal control over financial reporting. Except for the ongoing implementation of these financial system applications, there were no changes to the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
F-18
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Scripps’ management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
1. | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
2. | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and |
3. | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, collusion and the improper overriding of controls by management. Accordingly, even effective internal control can only provide reasonable, but not absolute assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, management assessed the effectiveness of The E.W. Scripps Company and subsidiaries' (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. Management’s assessment is based on the criteria established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based upon our assessment, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.
We acquired 15 television stations from Cordillera Communications, LLC on May 1, 2019 and eight television stations from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company on September 19, 2019, and have excluded these businesses from management's reporting on internal control over financial reporting, as permitted by SEC guidance, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The acquired operations have total assets of approximately $1.3 billion, or 37% of our total assets as of December 31, 2019 and revenues of approximately $185 million, or 13% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. This report appears on page F-22.
Date: February 28, 2020
BY:
/s/ Adam P. Symson | ||
Adam P. Symson | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
/s/ Lisa A. Knutson | ||
Lisa A. Knutson | ||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
F-19
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The E.W. Scripps Company
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The E.W. Scripps Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and equity, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases in 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Acquisition of television stations from Cordillera Communications, LLC and Nexstar Media Group, Inc. - Refer to Note 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company completed its acquisition of 15 television stations in 10 markets from Cordillera Communications, LLC for $521 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $23.9 million, on May 1, 2019. Additionally, the Company completed its acquisition of eight television stations in seven markets that were required to be divested by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. as part of its acquisition of Tribune Media Company for $582 million on September 19, 2019.
F-20
The Company accounted for these transactions under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase prices were allocated, on a preliminary basis, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values, including aggregate identified intangible assets of $579 million and aggregate goodwill of $417 million. The identified intangible assets primarily included indefinite-lived Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses of $203 million and amortizable television network affiliation relationships of $350 million.
The Company estimated the fair value of the FCC licenses and television network affiliation relationships using the Greenfield (market-based) approach, which is a discounted cash flow method that required management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to future market revenues and cash flows for a hypothetical new market participant, as well as discount rates.
We identified the valuation of the acquired intangible assets through the television station acquisitions as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions management utilized to record these assets at fair value for purposes of allocating the acquisition purchase prices. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s forecasts of future revenues and cash flows as well as the selection of discount rates, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenues and cash flows as well as the selection of discount rates for purposes of estimating a fair value of the acquired intangible assets included the following, among others:
• | We inquired of management to understand the process being used by the Company to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the television station acquisitions. |
• | We tested the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over the valuation of the acquired intangible assets, including controls over forecasts of future revenues and cash flows and selection of the discount rates. |
• | We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts of future revenues and cash flows for a hypothetical new market participant by comparing the projections to historical results and available industry data and performing lookback procedures to assess management’s ability to forecast future revenues and cash flows. |
• | With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the valuation methodologies utilized along with valuation assumptions including the discount rates selected by: |
• | Testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rates and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations. |
• | Developing a range of independent estimates for the discount rates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management. |
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 28, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1959; however, an earlier year could not be reliably determined.
F-21
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The E.W. Scripps Company
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of The E.W. Scripps Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph related to the Company’s change in method of accounting for leases due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), during 2019.
As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at television stations acquired from Cordillera Communications, LLC, and the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company, which were acquired on May 1, 2019 and September 19, 2019, respectively, and whose financial statements combined constitute 37% of total assets and 13% of total revenues of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at television stations acquired from Cordillera Communications, LLC, or the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. transaction with Tribune Media Company.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
F-22
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 28, 2020
F-23
The E.W. Scripps Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands, except share data) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32,968 | $ | 107,114 | ||||
Accounts receivable (less allowances — $3,546 and $4,371) | 413,567 | 281,330 | ||||||
Programming | 60,184 | 34,432 | ||||||
FCC repack receivable | 29,651 | 19,242 | ||||||
Miscellaneous | 41,074 | 28,899 | ||||||
Total current assets | 577,444 | 471,017 | ||||||
Investments | 8,553 | 7,162 | ||||||
Property and equipment | 375,904 | 237,927 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 138,640 | — | ||||||
Goodwill | 1,271,855 | 834,013 | ||||||
Other intangible assets | 1,061,791 | 478,953 | ||||||
Programming (less current portion) | 96,256 | 75,333 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 11,802 | 9,141 | ||||||
Miscellaneous | 19,108 | 16,515 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 3,561,353 | $ | 2,130,061 | ||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 29,153 | $ | 26,919 | ||||
Unearned revenue | 11,678 | 11,459 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 10,612 | 3,000 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities: | ||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 45,701 | 44,929 | ||||||
Programming liability | 96,682 | 40,301 | ||||||
Accrued interest | 15,352 | 2,626 | ||||||
Miscellaneous | 46,624 | 43,486 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 43,678 | 25,339 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 299,480 | 198,059 | ||||||
Long-term debt (less current portion) | 1,904,418 | 685,764 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 19,833 | 25,531 | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 123,739 | — | ||||||
Other liabilities (less current portion) | 315,948 | 294,542 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) | ||||||||
Equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par — authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding | — | — | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par: | ||||||||
Class A — authorized: 240,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 2019 - 69,027,524 shares; 2018 - 68,736,867 shares | 691 | 688 | ||||||
Voting — authorized: 60,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 2019 - 11,932,722 shares; 2018 - 11,932,722 shares | 119 | 119 | ||||||
Total | 810 | 807 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,117,095 | 1,106,984 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (120,981 | ) | (86,229 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes | (98,989 | ) | (95,397 | ) | ||||
Total equity | 897,935 | 926,165 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ | 3,561,353 | $ | 2,130,061 | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-24
The E.W. Scripps Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Operating Revenues: | ||||||||||||
Advertising | $ | 902,892 | $ | 836,049 | $ | 563,879 | ||||||
Retransmission and carriage | 390,043 | 304,402 | 259,712 | |||||||||
Other | 130,901 | 67,974 | 53,381 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues | 1,423,836 | 1,208,425 | 876,972 | |||||||||
Costs and Expenses: | ||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 499,022 | 394,029 | 367,735 | |||||||||
Programming | 451,249 | 350,753 | 228,605 | |||||||||
Impairment of programming assets | — | 8,920 | — | |||||||||
Other expenses | 293,060 | 246,487 | 185,869 | |||||||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | 26,304 | 4,124 | — | |||||||||
Restructuring costs | 3,370 | 8,911 | 4,422 | |||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 1,273,005 | 1,013,224 | 786,631 | |||||||||
Depreciation, Amortization, and (Gains) Losses: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 40,709 | 34,641 | 34,049 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 46,277 | 29,346 | 22,294 | |||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | 35,732 | |||||||||
(Gains) losses, net on disposal of property and equipment | (1,692 | ) | 1,255 | 169 | ||||||||
Net depreciation, amortization, and (gains) losses | 85,294 | 65,242 | 92,244 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 65,537 | 129,959 | (1,903 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense | (80,596 | ) | (36,184 | ) | (26,697 | ) | ||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (6,953 | ) | (19,752 | ) | (14,112 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 1,137 | 152 | 10,636 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (20,875 | ) | 74,175 | (32,076 | ) | |||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (2,497 | ) | 18,098 | (20,054 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (18,378 | ) | 56,077 | (12,022 | ) | |||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (36,328 | ) | (2,595 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) | (18,378 | ) | 19,749 | (14,617 | ) | |||||||
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (632 | ) | (1,511 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 20,381 | $ | (13,106 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company: | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | 0.69 | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations | — | (0.44 | ) | (0.03 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) per basic share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.16 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company: | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | 0.68 | $ | (0.13 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations | — | (0.44 | ) | (0.03 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.16 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Basic | 80,826 | 81,369 | 82,052 | |||||||||
Diluted | 80,826 | 81,927 | 82,052 | |||||||||
Net income per share amounts may not foot since each is calculated independently.
F-25
The E.W. Scripps Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 19,749 | $ | (14,617 | ) | ||||
Changes in defined benefit pension plans, net of tax of $(1,156), $2,557, and $4,152 | (3,369 | ) | 7,590 | 10,150 | ||||||||
Other, net of tax of $(77), $(22) and $(136) | (223 | ) | (65 | ) | (355 | ) | ||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | (21,970 | ) | 27,274 | (4,822 | ) | |||||||
Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (632 | ) | (1,511 | ) | |||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (21,970 | ) | $ | 27,906 | $ | (3,311 | ) | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-26
The E.W. Scripps Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 19,749 | $ | (14,617 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | (36,328 | ) | (2,595 | ) | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (18,378 | ) | 56,077 | (12,022 | ) | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 86,986 | 63,987 | 56,343 | |||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | 35,732 | |||||||||
Impairment of programming assets | — | 8,920 | — | |||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposition of investments | (930 | ) | 251 | (6,106 | ) | |||||||
(Gains) losses on sale of property and equipment | (1,692 | ) | 1,255 | 169 | ||||||||
Programming assets and liabilities | 17,900 | (12,788 | ) | (9,172 | ) | |||||||
Deferred income taxes | (4,665 | ) | 19,354 | (16,084 | ) | |||||||
Stock and deferred compensation plans | 14,912 | 10,741 | 15,872 | |||||||||
Pension expense, net of contributions | (13,066 | ) | (4,052 | ) | (6,738 | ) | ||||||
Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net | (117,446 | ) | (16,159 | ) | (22,190 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 8,927 | 2,645 | (5,619 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations | (27,452 | ) | 130,231 | 30,185 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations | — | 10,680 | 10,667 | |||||||||
Net operating activities | (27,452 | ) | 140,911 | 40,852 | ||||||||
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (1,190,422 | ) | (149,469 | ) | (280,940 | ) | ||||||
Additions to property and equipment | (61,043 | ) | (53,253 | ) | (17,932 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition of intangible assets | (24,864 | ) | (7,229 | ) | (9,745 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of investments | (1,871 | ) | (558 | ) | (836 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from FCC repack | 6,959 | 1,530 | — | |||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 6,734 | 2,307 | 12,886 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations | (1,264,507 | ) | (206,672 | ) | (296,567 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations | — | 79,188 | (2,500 | ) | ||||||||
Net investing activities | (1,264,507 | ) | (127,484 | ) | (299,067 | ) | ||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,261,175 | — | 700,000 | |||||||||
Payments on long-term debt | (8,728 | ) | (5,656 | ) | (393,927 | ) | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | (31,295 | ) | — | (9,671 | ) | |||||||
Dividends paid | (16,374 | ) | (16,395 | ) | — | |||||||
Repurchase of Class A Common shares | (584 | ) | (32,323 | ) | (17,885 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | — | 1,857 | 1,461 | |||||||||
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs | (3,831 | ) | (3,796 | ) | (4,576 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 17,463 | 1,316 | (2,840 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations | 1,217,826 | (54,997 | ) | 272,562 | ||||||||
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (13 | ) | (15 | ) | — | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (74,146 | ) | (41,585 | ) | 14,347 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | ||||||||||||
Beginning of year | 107,114 | 148,699 | 134,352 | |||||||||
End of year | $ | 32,968 | $ | 107,114 | $ | 148,699 | ||||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures | ||||||||||||
Interest paid | 61,299 | 33,673 | 18,956 | |||||||||
Income taxes paid | 13,183 | 3,729 | 1,756 | |||||||||
Non-cash investing information | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable | $ | 983 | $ | 693 | $ | 286 | ||||||
F-27
The E.W. Scripps Company
Consolidated Statements of Equity
(in thousands, except share data) | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("AOCI") | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2016 | $ | 819 | $ | 1,132,540 | $ | (94,077 | ) | $ | (93,347 | ) | $ | — | $ | 945,935 | ||||||||||
Minority interest contribution to subsidiary | — | — | — | — | 2,143 | 2,143 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | — | — | (13,106 | ) | 9,795 | (1,511 | ) | (4,822 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Repurchase 1,004,451 Class A Common Shares | (10 | ) | (15,627 | ) | (2,248 | ) | — | — | (17,885 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Compensation plans: 661,256 net shares issued * | 7 | 12,107 | — | — | — | 12,114 | ||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of disproportionate tax effects from AOCI | — | — | 19,370 | (19,370 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2017 | 816 | 1,129,020 | (90,061 | ) | (102,922 | ) | 632 | 937,485 | ||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | — | — | 20,381 | 7,525 | (632 | ) | 27,274 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash dividend: declared and paid - $0.20 per share | — | — | (16,395 | ) | — | — | (16,395 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Repurchase 1,813,249 Class A Common Shares | (18 | ) | (32,151 | ) | (154 | ) | — | — | (32,323 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Compensation plans: 851,011 net shares issued * | 9 | 10,115 | — | — | — | 10,124 | ||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2018 | 807 | 1,106,984 | (86,229 | ) | (95,397 | ) | — | 926,165 | ||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | — | — | (18,378 | ) | (3,592 | ) | — | (21,970 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividend: declared and paid - $0.20 per share | — | — | (16,374 | ) | — | — | (16,374 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Repurchase 180,541 Class A Common Shares | (2 | ) | (582 | ) | — | — | — | (584 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Compensation plans: 471,198 net shares issued * | 5 | 10,693 | — | — | — | 10,698 | ||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2019 | $ | 810 | $ | 1,117,095 | $ | (120,981 | ) | $ | (98,989 | ) | $ | — | $ | 897,935 | ||||||||||
* Net of tax payments related to shares withheld for vested stock and RSUs of $3,831 in 2019, $3,796 in 2018 and $4,576 in 2017.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-28
THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
As used in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms “Scripps,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may, depending on the context, refer to The E.W. Scripps Company, to one or more of its consolidated subsidiary companies or to all of them taken as a whole.
Nature of Operations — We are a diverse media enterprise, serving audiences and businesses through a portfolio of local television stations and national media brands. All of our businesses provide content and services via digital platforms, including the Internet, smartphones and tablets. Our media businesses are organized into the following reportable business segments: Local Media, National Media and Other.
Basis of Presentation — Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.
Concentration Risks — Our operations are geographically dispersed and we have a diverse customer base. We believe bad debt losses resulting from default by a single customer, or defaults by customers in any depressed region or business sector, would not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We derive approximately 63% of our operating revenues from advertising. Changes in the demand for such services, both nationally and in individual markets, can affect operating results.
Use of Estimates — Preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a variety of decisions that affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including our historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.
Our financial statements include estimates and assumptions used in accounting for our defined benefit pension plans; the periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated or amortized; the fair value of long-lived assets, goodwill and indefinite lived assets; the liability for uncertain tax positions and valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets; the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and self-insured risks.
While we re-evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, actual results could differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements.
Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. Noncontrolling interest represents an owner’s share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees.
Nature of Products and Services — The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue.
Core Advertising — Core advertising is comprised of sales to local and national customers. The advertising includes a combination of broadcast air time, as well as digital advertising. Pricing of advertising time is based on audience size and share, the demographic of our audiences and the demand for our limited inventory of commercial time. Advertising time is sold through a combination of local sales staff and national sales representative firms. Digital revenues are primarily generated from the sale of advertising to local and national customers on our local television websites, smartphone apps, tablet apps and other platforms.
F-29
Political Advertising — Political advertising is generally sold through our Washington D.C. sales office. Advertising is sold to presidential, gubernatorial, Senate and House of Representative candidates, as well as for state and local issues. It is also sold to political action groups (PACs) or other advocacy groups.
Retransmission Revenues — We earn revenue from retransmission consent agreements with multi-channel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”) in our markets. The MVPDs are cable operators and satellite carriers who pay us to offer our programming to their customers. We also receive fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now. The fees we receive are typically based on the number of subscribers in our local market and the contracted rate per subscriber.
Other Products and Services — We derive revenue from sponsorships and community events through our Local Media segment. Our National Media segment offers subscription services for access to premium content to its customers. Our Triton business earns revenue from monthly fees charged to audio publishers for converting their content into digital audio streams and inserting digital advertising into those audio streams and providing statistical measurement information about their listening audience. Our podcast business acts as a sales and marketing representative and earns commission for its work.
Refer to Note 16. Segment Information for further information, including revenue by significant product and service offering.
Revenue Recognition — Revenue is measured based on the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for promised goods or services provided to customers, and excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers.
Advertising — Advertising revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, over time primarily as ads are aired or impressions are delivered and any contracted audience guarantees are met. We apply the practical expedient to recognize revenue at the amount we have the right to invoice, which corresponds directly to the value a customer has received relative to our performance. For advertising sold based on audience guarantees, audience deficiency may result in an obligation to deliver additional advertisements to the customer. To the extent that we do not satisfy contracted audience ratings, we record deferred revenue until such time that the audience guarantee has been satisfied.
Retransmission — Retransmission revenues are considered licenses of functional intellectual property and are recognized at the point in time the content is transferred to the customer. MVPDs report their subscriber numbers to us generally on a 30- to 90-day lag. Prior to receiving the MVPD reporting, we record revenue based on estimates of the number of subscribers, utilizing historical levels and trends of subscribers for each MVPD.
Other — Revenues generated by our Triton business are recognized on a ratable basis over the contract term as the monthly service is provided to the customer.
Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations — As of December 31, 2019, we had an aggregate transaction price of $59.6 million allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations related to contracts within our Triton business, all of which are expected to be recognized into revenue over the next 24 months.
We did not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations on any other contracts with customers because they are either (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, (ii) contracts for which the sales- or usage-based royalty exception was applied, or (iii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Cash Equivalents — Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments with maturity of less than three months when acquired.
Contract Balances — Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, or unearned revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing.
We extend credit to customers based upon our assessment of the customer’s financial condition. Collateral is generally not required from customers. Payment terms may vary by contract type, although our terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 90 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to receive financing from our customers.
F-30
The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience and other currently available evidence. A rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
(in thousands) | ||||
January 1, 2017 | $ | 1,490 | ||
Charged to costs and expenses | 1,407 | |||
Amounts charged off, net | (948 | ) | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 | 1,949 | |||
Charged to costs and expenses | 3,767 | |||
Amounts charged off, net | (1,345 | ) | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 | 4,371 | |||
Charged to costs and expenses | 1,886 | |||
Amounts charged off, net | (2,711 | ) | ||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 3,546 | ||
We record unearned revenue when cash payments are received in advance of our performance. We generally require advance payment for advertising contracts with political advertising customers. Unearned revenue totaled $11.7 million at December 31, 2019 and is expected to be recognized within revenue over the next 12 months. Unearned revenue totaled $11.5 million at December 31, 2018. We recorded $10.0 million of revenue in 2019 that was included in unearned revenue at December 31, 2018.
Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer — We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We apply and use the practical expedient in the revenue guidance to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. This expedient applies to advertising sales commissions since advertising contracts are short-term in nature. In addition, we also may provide inducement payments to secure carriage agreements with distributors of our content. These inducement payments are capitalized and amortized to expense over the term of the distribution contract. Capitalized costs to obtain a contract with a customer totaled $9.3 million at December 31, 2019 and $9.7 million at December 31, 2018 and are included within miscellaneous assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of these costs totaled $4.2 million and $1.0 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Investments — From time to time, we make investments in private companies. Investment securities can be impacted by various market risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term. Such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in our financial statements.
We record investments in private companies not accounted for under the equity method at cost, net of impairment write-downs, because no readily determinable market price is available.
We regularly review our investments to determine if there has been any other-than-temporary decline in value. These reviews require management judgments that often include estimating the outcome of future events and determining whether factors exist that indicate impairment has occurred. We evaluate, among other factors, the extent to which cost exceeds fair value; the duration of the decline in fair value below cost; and the current cash position, earnings and cash forecasts and near-term prospects of the investee. We reduce the cost basis when a decline in fair value below cost is determined to be other than temporary, with the resulting adjustment charged against earnings.
Property and Equipment — Property and equipment is carried at cost less depreciation. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:
F-31
Buildings and improvements | 15 to 45 years |
Leasehold improvements | Shorter of term of lease or useful life |
Broadcast transmission towers and related equipment | 15 to 35 years |
Other broadcast and program production equipment | 3 to 15 years |
Computer hardware | 3 to 5 years |
Office and other equipment | 3 to 10 years |
Programming — Programming includes the cost of national television network programming, programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies and programs licensed under agreements with independent producers.
Our network affiliation agreements require the payment of affiliation fees to the network. Network affiliation fees consist of pre-determined fixed fees in all cases and variable payments based on a share of retransmission revenues above the fixed fees for some of our agreements.
Program licenses principally consist of television series and films. Program licenses generally have fixed terms, limit the number of times we can air the programs and require payments over the terms of the licenses. We record licensed program assets and liabilities when the license period has commenced and the programs are available for broadcast. We do not discount program licenses for imputed interest. We amortize program licenses based upon expected cash flows over the term of the license agreement. We classify the portion of the unamortized balance expected to be amortized within one year as a current asset.
The costs of programming produced by us or for us by independent production companies is charged to expense over estimated useful lives based upon expected future cash flows. The realizable value of internal costs incurred for trial footage at Court TV, including employee compensation and benefits, are capitalized and amortized based upon expected future cash flows. All other internal costs to produce daily or live broadcast shows, such as news, sports or daily magazine shows, are expensed as incurred and are not classified in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as program costs, but are classified based on the type of cost incurred.
Progress payments on programs not yet available for broadcast are recorded as deposits within programming assets.
We review the net realizable value of program assets for impairment using a day-part methodology if the programming is for our local broadcast stations, whereby programs broadcast during a particular time period, such as prime time, are evaluated on an aggregate basis. Programming for our over-the-air broadcast network is reviewed for impairment using the individual network methodology.
For our program assets available for broadcast, estimated amortization for each of the next five years is $59.4 million in 2020, $44.1 million in 2021, $25.9 million in 2022, $7.4 million in 2023, $3.1 million in 2024 and $3.3 million thereafter. Actual amortization in each of the next five years will exceed the amounts currently recorded as program assets available for broadcast, as we will continue to produce and license additional programs.
Program rights liabilities payable within the next twelve months are included as current liabilities and noncurrent program rights liabilities are included in other noncurrent liabilities.
FCC Repack — In April 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) began a process of reallocating the broadcast spectrum (the “repack”). Specifically, the FCC is requiring certain television stations to change channels and/or modify their transmission facilities. The U.S. Congress passed legislation which provides the FCC with a fund to reimburse all reasonable costs incurred by stations operating under a full power license and a portion of the costs incurred by stations operating under a low power license that are reassigned to new channels.
We record an FCC repack receivable for the amount of reimbursable costs due from the FCC, which totaled $29.7 million at December 31, 2019 and $19.2 million at December 31, 2018. The total amount of consideration currently due or that has been collected from the FCC is recorded as a deferred liability and will be recognized against depreciation expense in the same manner that the underlying FCC repack fixed assets are depreciated. Deferred FCC repack income totaled $36.8 million at December 31, 2019 and $20.6 million at December 31, 2018.
Leases — We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities and operating lease liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
F-32
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable for most of our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate when determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate we would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of the lease. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any payments made at or before commencement and is reduced by any lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the acquired businesses’ tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets.
FCC licenses represent the value assigned to the broadcast licenses of acquired broadcast television stations. Broadcast television stations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) which prohibits the operation of stations except in accordance with an FCC license. FCC licenses stipulate each station’s operating parameters as defined by channels, effective radiated power and antenna height. FCC licenses are granted for a term of up to eight years, and are renewable upon request. We have never had a renewal request denied and all previous renewals have been for the maximum term.
We do not amortize goodwill or our FCC licenses, but we review them for impairment at least annually or any time events occur or conditions change that would indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. We perform our annual impairment review during the fourth quarter of each year in conjunction with our annual planning cycle. We also assess, at least annually, whether our FCC licenses, classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets, continue to have indefinite lives.
We review goodwill for impairment based upon our reporting units, which are defined as operating segments or groupings of businesses one level below the operating segment level. Reporting units with similar economic characteristics are aggregated into a single unit when testing goodwill for impairment. Our reporting units are our Local Media group, Katz, Stitcher, Triton and Newsy.
Amortizable Intangible Assets — Television network affiliations represents the value assigned to an acquired broadcast television station’s relationship with a national television network. Television stations affiliated with national television networks typically have greater profit margins than independent television stations, primarily due to audience recognition of the television station as a network affiliate. We amortize these network affiliation relationships on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of 20 years.
We amortize customer lists and other intangible assets in relation to their expected future cash flows over estimated useful lives of up to 20 years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — We review long-lived assets (primarily property and equipment and amortizable intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is determined by comparing the aggregate forecasted undiscounted cash flows derived from the operation of the assets to the carrying amount of the assets. If the aggregate undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, then amortizable intangible assets are written down first, followed by other long-lived assets, to fair value. We determine fair value based on discounted cash flows or appraisals. We report long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Self-Insured Risks — We are self-insured, up to certain limits, for general and automobile liability, employee health, disability and workers’ compensation claims and certain other risks. Estimated liabilities for unpaid claims totaled $9.1 million at December 31, 2019 and $9.8 million at December 31, 2018. We estimate liabilities for unpaid claims using actuarial methodologies and our historical claims experience. While we re-evaluate our assumptions and review our claims experience on an ongoing basis, actual claims paid could vary significantly from estimated claims, which would require adjustments to expense. Based on the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement with Journal Media Group ("Journal"), Scripps remains the primary obligor for newspaper insurance claims incurred prior to April 1, 2015. We recorded the liabilities related to these claims on our Consolidated Balance Sheets with an offsetting receivable of $1.3 million, which will be paid by Journal.
Income Taxes — We recognize deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and reported amounts of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. We establish a valuation allowance if we believe that it is more likely than not that we will not realize some or all of the deferred tax assets.
F-33
We record a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or that we expect to take in a tax return. Interest and penalties associated with such tax positions are included in the tax provision. The liability for additional taxes and interest is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Risk Management Contracts — We do not hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and we do not hold leveraged contracts. From time to time, we may use derivative financial instruments to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation — We have a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which is described more fully in Note 18. The Plan provides for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs) and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.
We recognize compensation cost based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We determine the fair value of awards that grant the employee the underlying shares by the fair value of a Class A Common share on the date of the award.
Certain awards of RSUs have performance conditions under which the number of shares granted is determined by the extent to which such performance conditions are met (“Performance Shares”). Compensation costs for such awards are measured by the grant-date fair value of a Class A Common share and the number of shares earned. In periods prior to completion of the performance period, compensation costs are based upon estimates of the number of shares that will be earned.
Compensation costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The impact of forfeitures is recognized as they occur. The requisite service period is generally the vesting period stated in the award. Grants to retirement-eligible employees are expensed immediately and grants to employees who will become retirement eligible prior to the end of the stated vesting period are expensed over such shorter period because stock compensation grants vest upon the retirement eligibility of the employee.
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) — Unvested awards of share-based payments with rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, such as our RSUs, are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS. Under the two-class method, we allocate a portion of net income to these participating securities and therefore exclude that income from the calculation of EPS for common stock. We do not allocate losses to the participating securities.
The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 56,077 | $ | (12,022 | ) | ||||
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | 632 | 1,511 | |||||||||
Less income allocated to RSUs | — | (908 | ) | — | ||||||||
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (18,378 | ) | $ | 55,801 | $ | (10,511 | ) | ||||
Denominator | ||||||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 80,826 | 81,369 | 82,052 | |||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||||||
Stock options and restricted stock units | — | 558 | — | |||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 80,826 | 81,927 | 82,052 | |||||||||
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2017, we incurred a net loss and the inclusion of RSUs and stock options would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the diluted EPS calculation excludes the effect from 1.4 million and 1.2 million of outstanding RSUs as of December 31, 2019 and 2017, respectively.
2. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards — In August 2018, the SEC issued a final rule that amended certain of its disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of shareholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of shareholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. This rule was effective for us in 2019.
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. Under this guidance, lessees are required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases at the commencement date. In July 2018, the FASB approved amendments to create an optional transition method. The amendments provided an option to implement the new leasing standard through a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption without having to restate the comparative periods presented. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019 using this optional transition method that does not restate the comparative prior periods.
The new guidance provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We elected the transition package of three practical expedients permitted within the standard, which eliminates the requirements to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of right-of-use assets. We have utilized the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components. Further, we elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less).
Implementation of the standard resulted in the recognition of $46.6 million of right-of-use assets and $50.3 million of lease liabilities, which included the impact of prepaid and deferred rent and lease incentives, on our consolidated balance sheet. No cumulative-effect adjustment was recognized as the amount was not material, and adoption of the standard had no impact on our consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In March 2019, the FASB issued new guidance to align the accounting for the costs of producing films and episodic television series in response to changes in production and distribution models in the media and entertainment industry. The new guidance amends the capitalization, amortization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements for entities that produce and own content, and also aligns the impairment guidance for licensed content to the owned content fair value model. This guidance applies to broadcasters and entities that produce and distribute films and episodic television series through both traditional mediums and digital mediums. It is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, all programming assets (licensed and produced by us) will be recorded as non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheet. We do not expect a material impact to our consolidated statement of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to address a customer's accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement ("CCA") that is a service contract. The new guidance aligns the accounting for costs incurred to implement a CCA that is a service arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in 2020.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to add, remove and clarify annual disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted, and it should be applied on a retrospective basis. We believe the main impact of this guidance will be to no longer disclose the amount in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. Additionally, we will have to add a narrative description for any significant gains and losses affecting the benefit obligation for the period. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model, which generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. The guidance is effective in 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, specifically as it relates to our allowances for accounts receivable, but do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements and related disclosure on adoption.
F-34
3. Acquisitions
Television Stations Acquisitions
On September 19, 2019, we closed on the previously announced acquisition of eight television stations in seven markets from the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. ("Nexstar") transaction with Tribune Media Company ("Tribune"). Cash consideration for the transaction totaled $582 million. Seven of the stations were operated by Tribune, and its subsidiaries, and one was operated by Nexstar. Nexstar was required to divest these stations in order to complete its acquisition of Tribune. The purchase price and other related costs associated with the transaction were financed from a combination of incremental term loan B proceeds and a portion of the $500 million of senior unsecured notes issued on July 26, 2019.
From the acquisition date of September 19, 2019 through December 31, 2019, revenue from the Nexstar-Tribune stations was $79.8 million.
On May 1, 2019, we acquired 15 television stations in 10 markets from Cordillera Communications, LLC ("Cordillera"), for $521 million in cash, plus a working capital adjustment of $23.9 million. We financed the acquisition with a $765 million term loan B, of which $240 million was segregated into a separate account for financing a portion of the Nexstar transaction.
From the acquisition date of May 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, revenue from the Cordillera stations was $105.2 million.
Effective January 1, 2019, we acquired three television stations owned by Raycom Media ("Raycom") — Waco, Texas ABC affiliate KXXV/KRHD and Tallahassee, Florida ABC affiliate WTXL — for $55 million in cash. These stations were being divested as part of Gray Television's acquisition of Raycom.
From the acquisition date of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, revenue from the Raycom stations was $23.4 million.
The following table summarizes the fair values of the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing dates. The allocation of purchase price for the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions reflect preliminary fair values.
(in thousands) | Raycom | Cordillera | Nexstar- Tribune | Total | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | — | $ | 26,264 | $ | — | $ | 26,264 | ||||||||
Current portion of programming | — | — | 11,997 | 11,997 | ||||||||||||
Other current assets | — | 986 | 3,541 | 4,527 | ||||||||||||
Property and equipment | 11,721 | 53,734 | 61,864 | 127,319 | ||||||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 296 | 4,667 | 82,447 | 87,410 | ||||||||||||
Programming (less current portion) | — | — | 9,830 | 9,830 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 18,349 | 252,920 | 164,457 | 435,726 | ||||||||||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets - FCC licenses | 6,800 | 26,700 | 176,000 | 209,500 | ||||||||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Television network affiliation relationships | 17,400 | 169,400 | 181,000 | 367,800 | ||||||||||||
Advertiser relationships | 700 | 5,900 | 7,100 | 13,700 | ||||||||||||
Other intangible assets | — | 13,000 | — | 13,000 | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable | — | (15 | ) | — | (15 | ) | ||||||||||
Accrued expenses | — | (3,983 | ) | (1,820 | ) | (5,803 | ) | |||||||||
Current portion of programming liabilities | — | — | (16,211 | ) | (16,211 | ) | ||||||||||
Other current liabilities | — | (280 | ) | (3,035 | ) | (3,315 | ) | |||||||||
Programming liabilities | — | — | (15,079 | ) | (15,079 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating lease liabilities | (296 | ) | (4,387 | ) | (79,766 | ) | (84,449 | ) | ||||||||
Net purchase price | $ | 54,970 | $ | 544,906 | $ | 582,325 | $ | 1,182,201 | ||||||||
Of the value allocated to amortizable intangible assets, television network affiliation relationships have an estimated amortization period of 20 years, advertiser relationships have estimated amortization periods of 5-10 years and the value allocated to a shared services agreement has an estimated amortization period of 20 years.
The goodwill of $436 million arising from the transactions consists largely of synergies, economies of scale and other benefits of a larger broadcast footprint. We allocated the goodwill to our Local Media segment. We treated the transactions as asset acquisitions for income tax purposes resulting in a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
Omny Studio
On June 10, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Omny Studio ("Omny") for a cash purchase price of $8.3 million. Omny is a Melbourne, Australia-based podcasting software-as-a-service company operating as a part of Triton in our National Media segment. Omny is an audio-on-demand platform built specifically for professional audio publishers. The platform enables audio publishers to seamlessly record, edit, distribute, monetize and analyze podcast content; replace static ads with dynamically inserted, highly targeted ads; and automates key aspects of campaign management, such as industry separation, frequency capping and volume normalization.
The preliminary purchase price allocation assigned $5.3 million to goodwill, $3.8 million to a developed technology intangible asset and the remainder was allocated to various working capital and deferred tax liability accounts. The developed technology intangible asset has an estimated amortization period of 10 years. The goodwill arising from the transaction consists largely of the fact that the addition of Omny's podcast and on-demand audio publishing platform to Triton's portfolio of streaming, advertising and measurement technologies provides audio publishers around the world with a full-stack enterprise solution to increase reach and revenue.
Triton
On November 30, 2018, we acquired Triton Digital Canada, Inc. ("Triton") for total cash consideration of $160 million. Assets acquired in the transaction included approximately $10.5 million of cash. The transaction was funded with cash on hand at time of closing. Triton is a leading global digital audio infrastructure and audience measurement services company. Triton’s infrastructure and ad-serving solutions deliver live and on-demand audio streams and insert advertisements into those streams. Triton’s data and measurement service is recognized as the currency by which publishers sell digital audio advertising.
The following table summarizes the final fair values of the Triton assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date.
(in thousands) | ||||
Cash | $ | 10,515 | ||
Accounts receivable | 8,879 | |||
Other current assets | 679 | |||
Property and equipment | 705 | |||
Goodwill | 80,656 | |||
Other intangible assets | 75,000 | |||
Accounts payable | (1,895 | ) | ||
Accrued expenses | (3,332 | ) | ||
Other current liabilities | (18 | ) | ||
Deferred tax liability | (10,976 | ) | ||
Total purchase price | $ | 160,213 | ||
The acquisition date fair value of goodwill was revised in 2019. Goodwill was decreased by $3.2 million as a result of adjustments to assumed tax liability balances in the opening balance sheet. Adjustment to decrease the fair value of the deferred tax liability by $3.6 million was partially offset by adjustments to various working capital accounts.
Of the $75 million allocated to intangible assets, $39 million was assigned to various developed technologies for audience measurement, content delivery and advertising with lives ranging from 8-12 years, $31 million was assigned to customer relationships with a life of 12 years and $5 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years.
The goodwill of $81 million arises from being able to capitalize on the growth of the streaming audio industry and further improve our position in the global digital audio marketplace. The goodwill is allocated to our National Media segment. The transaction is accounted for as a stock acquisition which applies carryover tax basis to the assets and liabilities acquired. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.
Katz
On October 2, 2017 we acquired the Katz networks for $292 million, which was net of a 5.33% non-controlling interest we owned prior to the acquisition date. At the time of acquisition, Katz owned and operated four national television networks — Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of a new term loan B. Katz is included as part of our National Media segment.
The following table summarizes the final fair values of the Katz assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date.
(in thousands) | ||||
Cash | $ | 21,372 | ||
Accounts receivable | 44,306 | |||
Current portion of programming | 36,218 | |||
Intangible assets | 32,300 | |||
Goodwill | 203,760 | |||
Programming (less current portion) | 52,908 | |||
Other assets | 11,356 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (29,339 | ) | ||
Current portion of programming liabilities | (32,877 | ) | ||
Programming liabilities | (37,692 | ) | ||
Net purchase price | $ | 302,312 | ||
The acquisition date fair value of goodwill was revised in 2018. Goodwill was decreased by $5.8 million. Adjustments to increase the fair value of property and equipment by $9.9 million were partially offset by adjustments to decrease the fair value of program assets by $4.1 million. Additionally, these changes to the acquired value of assets in 2018 resulted in an increase to previously reported depreciation expense of $0.3 million and a decrease to previously reported programming costs of $0.3 million.
Of the $32 million allocated to intangible assets, $8 million was assigned to trade names with a life of 10 years and $24 million was assigned to advertiser relationships with a life of 5 years.
The goodwill of $204 million arises from being able to enter into the market for established over-the-air networks. The goodwill was allocated to our National Media segment. We treated the transaction as an asset acquisition for income tax purposes with a step-up in the assets acquired. The goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
Prior to the acquisition of Katz, we owned a 5.33% noncontrolling interest of the company. Upon obtaining a controlling interest in Katz in 2017, we recorded a $5.4 million gain from the fair value remeasurement of our 5.33% interest. This gain was included in Miscellaneous, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Pro forma results of operations
Pro forma results of operations, assuming the Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2018, are presented in the following table. The pro forma results do not include Raycom or Omny Studio, as the impact of these acquisitions, individually or in the aggregate, is not material to prior year results of operations. The pro forma information includes the historical results of operations of Scripps, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune, as well as adjustments for additional depreciation and amortization of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transaction and other transactional adjustments. The pro forma results exclude the $19.9 million of transaction related costs that were expensed in conjunction with the acquisitions and do not include efficiencies, cost reductions or synergies expected to result from the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been completed at the beginning of the period.
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 1,644,930 | $ | 1,619,423 | ||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | (35,122 | ) | 28,614 | |||||
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | ||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | 0.35 | |||
Diluted | (0.43 | ) | 0.35 | |||||
4. Asset Write-Downs and Other Charges and Credits
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes was affected by the following:
2019 — Acquisition and related integration costs of $26.3 million reflect investment banking and legal fees incurred to complete the current year acquisitions, as well as professional service costs incurred to integrate Triton and the Raycom, Cordillera and Nexstar-Tribune television stations.
2018 — Costs associated with our previously announced restructuring totaled $8.9 million.
Acquisition and related integration costs of $4.1 million reflect professional service costs incurred to integrate Triton and the former Raycom stations, as well as costs related to the 2019 Cordillera acquisition.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, we incurred a non-cash impairment charge of $8.9 million related to our original programming show, Pickler & Ben, which was not renewed for a third season.
2017 — In the second quarter, we sold our newspaper syndication business, resulting in a gain of $3.0 million.
Restructuring includes $3.5 million of severance associated with a change in senior management and employees, as well as outside consulting fees associated with changes in our management and operating structure.
Reductions to the earn out provision associated with the acquisition of Midroll Media resulted in increases to other income of $3.2 million.
In the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a $29.4 million non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $6.3 million to reduce the value of intangible assets related to Cracked. For more information around the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, see Note 10.
We recognized a $5.4 million gain on our investment in Katz when we completed the acquisition in the fourth quarter.
F-35
5. Income Taxes
We file a consolidated federal income tax return, consolidated unitary returns in certain states, other separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies, and applicable foreign returns.
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations consisted of the following:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Current: | ||||||||||||
Federal | $ | 1,412 | $ | (719 | ) | $ | 215 | |||||
State and local | 946 | 1,119 | (963 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign | (6 | ) | 1 | — | ||||||||
Total current income tax provision (benefit) | 2,352 | 401 | (748 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred: | ||||||||||||
Federal | (5,402 | ) | 16,513 | (16,602 | ) | |||||||
State and local | 378 | 1,188 | (2,704 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign | 175 | (4 | ) | — | ||||||||
Total deferred income tax provision (benefit) | (4,849 | ) | 17,697 | (19,306 | ) | |||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | (2,497 | ) | $ | 18,098 | $ | (20,054 | ) | ||||
The difference between the statutory rate for federal income tax and the effective income tax rate was as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
Statutory rate | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 35.0 | % | |||
Effect of: | |||||||||
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | (6.2 | ) | 3.0 | 2.2 | |||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 2.9 | 0.9 | 7.1 | ||||||
Nondeductible expenses | (5.7 | ) | 1.5 | (4.6 | ) | ||||
Reserve for uncertain tax positions | 0.7 | (0.2 | ) | 3.6 | |||||
U.S. federal statutory rate change | — | — | 13.2 | ||||||
Other | (0.7 | ) | (1.8 | ) | 6.0 | ||||
Effective income tax rate | 12.0 | % | 24.4 | % | 62.5 | % | |||
F-36
The approximate effect of the temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Temporary differences: | ||||||||
Property and equipment | $ | (33,669 | ) | $ | (14,545 | ) | ||
Goodwill and other intangible assets | (102,485 | ) | (81,721 | ) | ||||
Investments, primarily gains and losses not yet recognized for tax purposes | 3,176 | 3,067 | ||||||
Accrued expenses not deductible until paid | 6,781 | 8,792 | ||||||
Deferred compensation and retiree benefits not deductible until paid | 54,258 | 56,902 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | (33,232 | ) | — | |||||
Operating lease liabilities | 35,029 | — | ||||||
Interest limitation carryforward | 12,527 | — | ||||||
Other temporary differences, net | 3,181 | 3,416 | ||||||
Total temporary differences | (54,434 | ) | (24,089 | ) | ||||
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards | 51,308 | 12,800 | ||||||
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets | (4,905 | ) | (5,101 | ) | ||||
Net deferred tax asset (liability) | $ | (8,031 | ) | $ | (16,390 | ) | ||
Total federal operating loss carryforwards were $176 million and state operating loss carryforwards were $353 million at December 31, 2019. Our state tax loss carryforwards expire through 2039. Because we file separate state income tax returns for certain of our subsidiary companies, we are not able to use state tax losses of a subsidiary company to offset state taxable income of another subsidiary company.
Deferred tax assets related to our state jurisdictions totaled $12 million at December 31, 2019. We recognize state net operating loss carryforwards as deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances. At each balance sheet date, we estimate the amount of carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to expiration of the carryforward period. The tax effect of the carryforwards that are not expected to be used prior to their expiration is included in the valuation allowance.
The Company has not provided for income taxes, including withholding tax, U.S. state taxes, or tax on foreign exchange rate changes, associated with the undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries because we plan to indefinitely reinvest the unremitted earnings in these entities.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act significantly revised the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering U.S. corporate income tax rates.
The reduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate caused the Company to adjust its federal deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower base rate of 21%. The change in the rate resulted in a provisional estimated benefit of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. This amount includes the benefit related to the rate change on the deferred tax liabilities included in the radio net assets that are classified as held for sale (see Note 21) as such benefit is required by GAAP to be included in income taxes from continuing operations.
The SEC provided guidance in SAB 118 that would allow for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related income tax impacts. In accordance with that guidance, the income tax effects recorded in 2017 were provisional, including those related to our revaluation of federal deferred tax assets and liabilities. The accounting for the income tax effects could have been adjusted during 2018 as a result of continuing analysis of the Tax Act, or additional implementation guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), state tax authorities, the SEC, the FASB, or the Joint Committee on Taxation. We had no material adjustments to our accounting for the Tax Act during 2018.
F-37
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year | $ | 1,112 | $ | 1,088 | $ | 2,665 | ||||||
Increases in tax positions for prior years | 87 | 130 | 16 | |||||||||
Decreases in tax positions for prior years | (387 | ) | (33 | ) | (390 | ) | ||||||
Increases in tax positions for current years | — | 182 | — | |||||||||
Decreases in tax positions for current years | (167 | ) | — | (54 | ) | |||||||
Decreases from lapse in statute of limitations | (69 | ) | (255 | ) | (1,149 | ) | ||||||
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of year | $ | 576 | $ | 1,112 | $ | 1,088 | ||||||
The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $0.2 million at December 31, 2019. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of less than $0.1 million.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state and local jurisdictions. We are routinely examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. At December 31, 2019, we are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2016. For state and local jurisdictions, we are generally no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2015.
Due to the potential for resolution of federal and state examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitation, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months by as much as $0.1 million.
6. Restricted Cash
At December 31, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents included $5.1 million held in a restricted cash account on deposit with our insurance carrier. This account served as collateral, in place of an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, to provide financial assurance that we will fulfill our obligations with respect to cash requirements associated with our workers' compensation self-insurance. This cash was to remain on deposit with the carrier until all claims have been paid or we provided a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit. At December 31, 2019, no deposits were held in a restricted cash account as we provided a letter of credit in lieu of the cash deposit.
7. Investments
Investments consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Investments held at cost | $ | 4,405 | $ | 4,114 | ||||
Equity method investments | 4,148 | 3,048 | ||||||
Total investments | $ | 8,553 | $ | 7,162 | ||||
Our investments do not trade in public markets, thus they do not have readily determinable fair values. We estimate the fair values of the investments to approximate their carrying values at December 31, 2019 and 2018.
F-38
8. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Land and improvements | $ | 62,712 | $ | 47,054 | ||||
Buildings and improvements | 193,788 | 149,159 | ||||||
Equipment | 452,812 | 346,850 | ||||||
Computer software | 20,047 | 17,492 | ||||||
Total | 729,359 | 560,555 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation | 353,455 | 322,628 | ||||||
Net property and equipment | $ | 375,904 | $ | 237,927 | ||||
9. Leases
We have operating leases for office space, data centers and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 20 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to 5 years, and some of which may include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. Operating lease costs recognized in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 totaled $17.2 million, including short-term lease costs of $0.3 million.
Other information related to our operating leases was as follows:
(in thousands, except lease term and discount rate) | As of December 31, 2019 | |||
Balance Sheet Information | ||||
Right-of-use assets | $ | 138,640 | ||
Other current liabilities | 16,168 | |||
Operating lease liabilities | 123,739 | |||
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term | ||||
Operating leases | 12.09 years | |||
Weighted Average Discount Rate | ||||
Operating leases | 5.3 | % | ||
(in thousands) | As of December 31, 2019 | |||
Supplemental Cash Flows Information | ||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | $ | 16,627 | ||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | 9,612 | |||
F-39
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:
(in thousands) | Operating Leases | |||
2020 | $ | 22,966 | ||
2021 | 13,407 | |||
2022 | 16,601 | |||
2023 | 16,720 | |||
2024 | 15,469 | |||
Thereafter | 105,608 | |||
Total future minimum lease payments | 190,771 | |||
Less: Imputed interest | (50,864 | ) | ||
Total | $ | 139,907 | ||
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2018(1) were as follows:
(in thousands) | Operating Leases | |||
2019 | $ | 11,197 | ||
2020 | 9,195 | |||
2021 | 6,545 | |||
2022 | 6,352 | |||
2023 | 11,412 | |||
Thereafter | 15,311 | |||
Total future minimum lease payments | $ | 60,012 | ||
(1) | Amounts included for comparability and accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, "Leases". |
F-40
10. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill by business segment was as follows:
(in thousands) | Local Media | National Media | Total | |||||||||
Gross balance as of December 31, 2016 | $ | 708,133 | $ | 105,561 | $ | 813,694 | ||||||
Accumulated impairment losses | (216,914 | ) | (21,000 | ) | (237,914 | ) | ||||||
Net balance as of December 31, 2016 | 491,219 | 84,561 | 575,780 | |||||||||
Cracked impairment charge | — | (29,403 | ) | (29,403 | ) | |||||||
Katz acquisition | — | 209,572 | 209,572 | |||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2017 | $ | 491,219 | $ | 264,730 | $ | 755,949 | ||||||
Gross balance as of December 31, 2017 | $ | 708,133 | $ | 315,133 | $ | 1,023,266 | ||||||
Accumulated impairment losses | (216,914 | ) | (50,403 | ) | (267,317 | ) | ||||||
Net balance as of December 31, 2017 | 491,219 | 264,730 | 755,949 | |||||||||
Katz acquisition adjustments | — | (5,812 | ) | (5,812 | ) | |||||||
Triton acquisition | — | 83,876 | 83,876 | |||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2018 | $ | 491,219 | $ | 342,794 | $ | 834,013 | ||||||
Gross balance as of December 31, 2018 | $ | 708,133 | $ | 393,197 | $ | 1,101,330 | ||||||
Accumulated impairment losses | (216,914 | ) | (50,403 | ) | (267,317 | ) | ||||||
Net balance as of December 31, 2018 | 491,219 | 342,794 | 834,013 | |||||||||
Television stations acquisitions | 435,726 | — | 435,726 | |||||||||
Omny acquisition | — | 5,336 | 5,336 | |||||||||
Triton acquisition adjustment | — | (3,220 | ) | (3,220 | ) | |||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 926,945 | $ | 344,910 | $ | 1,271,855 | ||||||
Gross balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 1,143,859 | $ | 395,313 | $ | 1,539,172 | ||||||
Accumulated impairment losses | (216,914 | ) | (50,403 | ) | (267,317 | ) | ||||||
Net balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 926,945 | $ | 344,910 | $ | 1,271,855 | ||||||
Other intangible assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: | ||||||||
Carrying amount: | ||||||||
Television network affiliation relationships | $ | 616,244 | $ | 248,444 | ||||
Customer lists and advertiser relationships | 111,700 | 100,500 | ||||||
Other | 109,156 | 88,393 | ||||||
Total carrying amount | 837,100 | 437,337 | ||||||
Accumulated amortization: | ||||||||
Television network affiliation relationships | (82,917 | ) | (62,020 | ) | ||||
Customer lists and advertiser relationships | (48,586 | ) | (36,380 | ) | ||||
Other | (29,721 | ) | (17,199 | ) | ||||
Total accumulated amortization | (161,224 | ) | (115,599 | ) | ||||
Net amortizable intangible assets | 675,876 | 321,738 | ||||||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets — FCC licenses | 385,915 | 157,215 | ||||||
Total other intangible assets | $ | 1,061,791 | $ | 478,953 | ||||
F-41
On April 4, 2019, we acquired assets from an independent station in Stuart, Florida, for $23.6 million in cash. The value attributed to the acquired FCC license totaled $19.2 million and $4.1 million of value was attributed to other intangible assets.
In 2018, we recognized other intangible assets of $5.8 million related to the acquisition of cable and satellite carriage rights for the launch of our Newsy cable network. These rights are amortized over the life of the respective carriage agreement.
Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years is $57.9 million in 2020, $54.9 million in 2021, $49.8 million in 2022, $44.7 million in 2023, $42.9 million in 2024 and $425.7 million in later years.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and any time events occur or conditions change that would indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Such indicators of impairment include, but are not limited to, changes in business climate or other factors resulting in low cash flow related to such assets. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit then an impairment of goodwill exists and an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value of the reporting unit and its estimated fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of the goodwill.
The slower development of our original operating model created indications of impairment of goodwill as of September 30, 2017 for Cracked.
Under the process required by GAAP, we estimated the fair value of Cracked. The fair value was determined using a combination of discounted cash flow approach, which estimated fair value based upon future revenues, expenses and cash flows discounted to their present value, and a market approach, which estimated fair value using market multiples of various financial measures compared to a set of comparable public companies. The discounted cash flow approach utilized unobservable factors, such as projected revenues and expenses and a discount rate applied to the estimated cash flows. The determination of the discount rate was based on a cost of capital model, using a risk-free rate, adjusted by a stock-beta adjusted risk premium and a size premium. The inputs to the nonrecurring fair value determination of our reporting units are classified as Level 3 fair value measurements under GAAP.
The valuation methodology and underlying financial information used to determine fair value requires significant judgments to be made by management. These judgments include, but are not limited to, long-term projections of future financial performance and the selection of appropriate discount rates used to determine the present value of future cash flows. Changes in such estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results.
We concluded that the fair value of Cracked did not exceed its carrying value as of September 30, 2017. Based upon our valuations, we recorded a $29.4 million non-cash impairment charge in 2017 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and $6.3 million to reduce the value of intangible assets.
F-42
11. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Revolving credit facility | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Senior unsecured notes, due in 2025 | 400,000 | 400,000 | ||||||
Senior unsecured notes, due in 2027 | 500,000 | — | ||||||
Term loan, due in 2024 | 293,250 | 296,250 | ||||||
Term loan, due in 2026 | 759,272 | — | ||||||
Total outstanding principal | 1,952,522 | 696,250 | ||||||
Less: Debt issuance costs and issuance discounts | (37,492 | ) | (7,486 | ) | ||||
Less: Current portion | (10,612 | ) | (3,000 | ) | ||||
Net carrying value of long-term debt | 1,904,418 | 685,764 | ||||||
Fair value of long-term debt * | $ | 1,991,164 | $ | 662,844 | ||||
* Fair values of the 2025 and 2027 Senior Notes are estimated based on quoted private market transactions and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the term loans are based on observable estimates provided by third party financial professionals, and as such, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
2025 Senior Unsecured Notes
On April 28, 2017, we issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes (the "2025 Senior Notes"), which bear interest at a rate of 5.125% per annum and mature on May 15, 2025. The proceeds of the 2025 Senior Notes were used to repay an old term loan, for the payment of the related issuance costs and for general corporate purposes. The 2025 Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. Prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem the 2025 Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium, as set forth in the 2025 Senior Notes indenture. In addition, on or prior to May 15, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes, using proceeds of equity offerings. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the 2025 Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The 2025 Senior Notes are also guaranteed by us and the majority our subsidiaries. The 2025 Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature.
We incurred approximately $7.0 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the 2025 Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the notes. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2017, we wrote off $2.4 million of deferred financing costs associated with an old term loan.
2027 Senior Unsecured Notes
On July 26, 2019, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Scripps Escrow, Inc. ("Scripps Escrow"), issued $500 million of senior unsecured notes, which bear interest at a rate of 5.875% per annum and mature on July 15, 2027 ("the 2027 Senior Notes"). The 2027 Senior Notes were released from Escrow on September 19, 2019 upon closing the acquisition of eight television stations from Nexstar. A portion of the proceeds from these 2027 Senior Notes and the incremental term loan B proceeds were used to finance these stations acquired from Nexstar. The 2027 Senior Notes were priced at 100% of par value and interest is payable semi-annually on July 15 and January 15, commencing on January 15, 2020. Prior to July 15, 2022, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 105.875% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may also redeem some or all of the notes before 2022 at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. If we sell certain of our assets or have a change of control, the holders of the 2027 Senior Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the notes. The 2027 Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries. The 2027 Senior Notes contain covenants with which we must comply that are typical for borrowing transactions of this nature. There are no registration rights associated with the 2027 Senior Notes.
We incurred approximately $10.7 million of deferred financing costs in connection with the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, which are being amortized over the life of the notes.
Scripps Senior Secured Credit Agreement
On October 2, 2017, we issued a $300 million term loan B which matures in October 2024 ("2024 term loan"). We amended this term loan on April 4, 2018, reducing the interest rate by 25 basis points. Following the amendment, interest is payable on the 2024 term loan at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.00%. Interest will reduce to a rate of LIBOR plus a fixed margin of 1.75% if the Company's total net leverage, as defined by the amended agreement, is below 2.75. The 2024 term loan requires annual principal payments of $3 million.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the interest rate on the 2024 term loan was 3.80% and 4.34%, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate was 3.88% and 4.30% in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
On May 1, 2019, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Fourth Amendment"). Under the Fourth Amendment, we issued a $765 million term loan B ("2026 term loan") that matures in May 2026 with interest payable at rates based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.75%. We amended this term loan on December 18, 2019, reducing the interest rate by 25 basis points. Following the amendment, interest is payable on the 2026 term loan at a rate based on LIBOR, plus a fixed margin of 2.50%. The 2026 term loan requires annual principal payments of $7.6 million. Deferred financing costs and original issuance discount totaled approximately $23.0 million with this term loan, which are being amortized over the life of the loan.
Of the $765 million raised under the 2026 term loan, $525 million of the proceeds were used to fund the Cordillera acquisition and pay related fees and expenses, which closed on May 1, 2019. The remaining proceeds financed a portion of the acquisition of eight broadcast television stations from the Nexstar transaction with Tribune Media Company, which closed on September 19, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the 2026 term loan was 4.30%. The weighted-average interest rate on the 2026 term loan was 4.56% for the months it was outstanding during 2019.
Our credit agreement also includes a provision that in certain circumstances we must use a portion of excess cash flow to repay debt. As of December 31, 2019, we were not required to make any additional principal payments pursuant to this provision.
We have a $210 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") that expires in April 2022. Interest is payable on the Revolving Credit Facility at rates based on LIBOR, plus a margin, based on our leverage ratio, ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%. The weighted-average interest rate over the period we had a drawn revolver balance in 2019 was 4.18%. As of December 31, 2019, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit agreement.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes the maintenance of a net leverage ratio when we have outstanding borrowings on the facility, as well as other restrictions on payments (dividends and share repurchases). Additionally, we can make acquisitions as long as the pro forma net leverage ratio is less than 5.5 to 1.0.
Commitment fees of 0.30% to 0.50% per annum, based on our leverage ratio, of the total unused commitment are payable under the Revolving Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $6.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Our credit agreement grants the lenders pledges of our equity interests in our subsidiaries and security interests in substantially all other personal property including cash, accounts receivables and equipment.
F-43
12. Fair Value Measurement
We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, such as cash equivalents. The fair values of these financial assets were determined based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. These levels of input are as follows:
• | Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
• | Level 2 — Inputs, other than quoted market prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly. |
• | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions. |
The following tables set forth our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 and 2018:
December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||
Cash equivalents | $ | 8,948 | $ | 8,948 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||
Cash equivalents | $ | 1,007 | $ | 1,007 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
13. Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 21,403 | $ | 19,775 | ||||
Deferred FCC repack income | 36,770 | 20,620 | ||||||
Programming liability | 57,291 | 43,825 | ||||||
Liability for pension benefits | 190,219 | 198,444 | ||||||
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions | 637 | 811 | ||||||
Other | 9,628 | 11,067 | ||||||
Other liabilities (less current portion) | $ | 315,948 | $ | 294,542 | ||||
F-44
14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table presents additional information about the change in certain working capital accounts:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | (104,956 | ) | $ | (22,130 | ) | $ | (22,522 | ) | |||
Other current assets | (11,352 | ) | (6,207 | ) | (6,150 | ) | ||||||
Accounts payable | 1,572 | 965 | (7,259 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued employee compensation and benefits | 514 | 9,218 | 3,175 | |||||||||
Accrued interest | 12,726 | 6 | 465 | |||||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 3,853 | (1,531 | ) | 12,180 | ||||||||
Unearned revenue | 219 | 2,915 | 943 | |||||||||
Other, net | (20,022 | ) | 605 | (3,022 | ) | |||||||
Total | $ | (117,446 | ) | $ | (16,159 | ) | $ | (22,190 | ) | |||
15. Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan and non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans ("SERPs"). Both the defined benefit plan and the SERPs have frozen the accrual of future benefits.
We sponsor a defined contribution plan covering substantially all non-union and certain union employees. We match a portion of employees' voluntary contributions to this plan.
Other union-represented employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans jointly sponsored by us and the union, or by union-sponsored multi-employer plans.
We use a December 31 measurement date for our retirement plans. Retirement plans expense is based on valuations as of the beginning of each year.
The components of the expense consisted of the following:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Interest cost | $ | 23,287 | $ | 23,836 | $ | 25,966 | ||||||
Expected return on plan assets, net of expenses | (19,974 | ) | (22,232 | ) | (17,439 | ) | ||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost | 2,622 | 3,527 | 4,424 | |||||||||
Settlement losses | — | 11,713 | — | |||||||||
Total for defined benefit plans | 5,935 | 16,844 | 12,951 | |||||||||
Multi-employer plans | 132 | 190 | 253 | |||||||||
SERPs | 1,018 | 2,908 | 1,161 | |||||||||
Defined contribution plan | 10,494 | 8,619 | 9,183 | |||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | 17,579 | 28,561 | 23,548 | |||||||||
Allocated to discontinued operations | — | (543 | ) | (687 | ) | |||||||
Net periodic benefit cost - continuing operations | $ | 17,579 | $ | 28,018 | $ | 22,861 | ||||||
In 2018, we recognized a $1.8 million non-cash settlement charge related to lump-sum distributions from our SERP. Settlement charges are recorded when total lump-sum distributions for a plan's year exceed the total projected service cost and interest cost for that plan year.
F-45
In November of 2018, we merged $306 million of pension assets and $419 million of pension obligations from our Scripps Pension Plan ("SPP”) into the Journal Communications, Inc. Plan (“JCI Plan”) that we also sponsor. The SPP retained pension assets and pension obligations totaling $9 million. Following the merger, we terminated the SPP and purchased a single premium group annuity contract from an insurance company in the amount of $53.5 million for the terminating SPP participants and certain participants in the newly merged JCI Plan. Upon issuance of the group annuity contract, the insurance company assumed all investment risk associated with the assets that were delivered as the annuity contract premium and assumed the obligation to make future annuity payments to approximately 600 remaining retirees receiving pension benefits in the SPP and approximately 1,500 remaining retirees receiving pension benefits in the newly merged JCI Plan. There was no change to the pension benefits for any plan participants as a result of these transactions and the purchase of the group annuity contract was funded directly by assets of the SPP and JCI Plan. In the fourth quarter of 2018, we recognized a one-time non-cash settlement charge of $11.7 million in connection with these transactions.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Actuarial gain/(loss) | $ | (5,478 | ) | $ | (7,765 | ) | $ | 12,205 | ||||
Prior service cost | — | (424 | ) | — | ||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost | 2,622 | 3,527 | 4,424 | |||||||||
Reclassification of actuarial loss related to settlement | — | 11,713 | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | (2,856 | ) | $ | 7,051 | $ | 16,629 | |||||
In addition to the amounts summarized above, amortization of actuarial losses related to our SERPs recognized through other comprehensive income was $0.2 million in 2019, $0.3 million in 2018 and $0.2 million in 2017, and settlement losses in 2018 totaled $1.8 million. We recognized actuarial losses for our SERPs of $1.9 million and $2.5 million in 2019 and 2017, respectively, and a gain of $1.0 million in 2018.
Assumptions used in determining the annual retirement plans expense were as follows:
2019 | 2018 (1) | 2017 (2) | |||||||
Discount rate | 4.38 | % | 3.71%-4.58% | 4.26 | % | ||||
Long-term rate of return on plan assets | 5.50 | % | 5.10 | % | 4.20%-4.30% | ||||
(1) Range presented for 2018 discount rate represents the rates used for various remeasurement periods during the year as well as differing rates used for Scripps Pension Plan and Journal Communications, Inc. Plan.
(2) Range presented for long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2017 represents the rates used for Scripps Pension Plan and Journal Communications, Inc. Plan.
The discount rate used to determine our future pension obligations is based on a dedicated bond portfolio approach that includes securities rated Aa or better with maturities matching our expected benefit payments from the plans.
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based upon the weighted-average expected rate of return and capital market forecasts for each asset class employed.
Changes in other key actuarial assumptions affect the determination of the benefit obligations as of the measurement date and the calculation of net periodic benefit costs in subsequent periods.
F-46
Obligations and Funded Status — The defined benefit pension plan obligations and funded status are actuarially valued as of the end of each year. The following table presents information about our employee benefit plan assets and obligations:
Defined Benefit Plans | SERPs | |||||||||||||||
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Change in projected benefit obligation: | ||||||||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 544,581 | $ | 654,536 | $ | 16,985 | $ | 23,691 | ||||||||
Interest cost | 23,287 | 23,836 | 718 | 746 | ||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (35,186 | ) | (33,872 | ) | (1,019 | ) | (1,021 | ) | ||||||||
Actuarial (gains)/losses | 60,909 | (46,800 | ) | 1,857 | (1,034 | ) | ||||||||||
Plan Amendments | — | 424 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Settlements | — | (53,543 | ) | — | (5,397 | ) | ||||||||||
Projected benefit obligation at end of year | 593,591 | 544,581 | 18,541 | 16,985 | ||||||||||||
Plan assets: | ||||||||||||||||
Fair value at beginning of year | 361,891 | 464,441 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Actual return on plan assets | 75,405 | (32,334 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
Company contributions | 18,589 | 17,199 | 1,019 | 6,418 | ||||||||||||
Benefits paid | (35,186 | ) | (33,872 | ) | (1,019 | ) | (1,021 | ) | ||||||||
Settlements | — | (53,543 | ) | — | (5,397 | ) | ||||||||||
Fair value at end of year | 420,699 | 361,891 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Funded status | $ | (172,892 | ) | $ | (182,690 | ) | $ | (18,541 | ) | $ | (16,985 | ) | ||||
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets: | ||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (1,214 | ) | $ | (1,231 | ) | ||||||
Noncurrent liabilities | (172,892 | ) | (182,690 | ) | (17,327 | ) | (15,754 | ) | ||||||||
Total | $ | (172,892 | ) | $ | (182,690 | ) | $ | (18,541 | ) | $ | (16,985 | ) | ||||
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of: | ||||||||||||||||
Net actuarial loss | $ | 123,065 | $ | 120,191 | $ | 7,240 | $ | 5,571 | ||||||||
Prior service cost | 406 | 424 | — | — | ||||||||||||
In 2020, we expect to recognize amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit costs of $4.8 million (including $0.3 million for our SERPs).
Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets was as follows:
Defined Benefit Plans | SERPs | |||||||||||||||
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 593,591 | $ | 544,581 | $ | 18,541 | $ | 16,985 | ||||||||
Projected benefit obligation | 593,591 | 544,581 | 18,541 | 16,985 | ||||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets | 420,699 | 361,891 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit pension plans benefit obligations were as follows:
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
Weighted average discount rate | 3.40 | % | 4.38 | % | 3.70 | % | |||
F-47
In 2020, we expect to contribute $1.2 million to fund our SERPs and $31.8 million to fund our qualified defined benefit pension plan.
Estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid from the plans for the next ten years are $31.4 million in 2020, $31.9 million in 2021, $32.4 million in 2022, $33.0 million in 2023, $33.8 million in 2024 and a total of $175.0 million for the five years ending 2029.
Plan Assets and Investment Strategy
Our long-term investment strategy for pension assets is to earn a rate of return over time that minimizes future contributions to the plan while reducing the volatility of pension assets relative to pension liabilities. The strategy reflects the fact that we have frozen the accrual of service credits under our plans which cover the majority of employees. We evaluate our asset allocation target ranges for equity, fixed income and other investments annually. We monitor actual asset allocations quarterly and adjust as necessary. We control risk through diversification among multiple asset classes, managers and styles. Risk is further monitored at the manager and asset class level by evaluating performance against appropriate benchmarks.
Information related to our pension plan asset allocations by asset category were as follows:
Target allocation | Percentage of plan assets as of December 31, | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||
US equity securities | 20 | % | 17 | % | 19 | % | |||
Non-US equity securities | 30 | % | 39 | % | 28 | % | |||
Fixed-income securities | 45 | % | 43 | % | 46 | % | |||
Other | 5 | % | 1 | % | 7 | % | |||
Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||
U.S. equity securities include common stocks of large, medium and small capitalization companies, which are predominantly U.S. based. Non-U.S. equity securities include companies domiciled outside of the U.S. and American depository receipts. Fixed-income securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, mortgage backed securities and corporate debt obligations. Other investments include real estate funds and cash equivalents.
Under our asset allocation strategy, approximately 45% of plan assets are invested in a portfolio of fixed income securities with a duration approximately that of the projected payment of benefit obligations. The remaining 55% of plan assets are invested in equity securities and other return-seeking assets. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based primarily upon the target asset allocation for plan assets and capital markets forecasts for each asset class employed.
The following table presents our plan assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:
As of December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
Equity securities | ||||||||
Common/collective trust funds | $ | 237,015 | $ | 168,547 | ||||
Fixed income | ||||||||
Common/collective trust funds | 181,176 | 166,079 | ||||||
Real estate fund | — | 24,798 | ||||||
Cash equivalents | 2,508 | 2,467 | ||||||
Fair value of plan assets | $ | 420,699 | $ | 361,891 | ||||
Our investments are valued using net asset value as a practical expedient as allowed under U.S. GAAP and therefore are not valued using the fair value hierarchy.
Equity securities-common/collective trust funds and fixed income-common/collective trust funds are comprised of shares or units in commingled funds that are not publicly traded. The underlying assets in these funds (equity securities and fixed income securities) are publicly traded on exchanges and price quotes for the assets held by these funds are readily available. Common/collective trust funds are typically valued at their net asset values that are calculated by the investment manager or
F-48
sponsor of the fund and have daily or monthly liquidity.
Real estate fund pertained to an investment in a real estate fund which invested in limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, real estate investment trusts, other funds and insurance company group annuity contracts. The valuations for these holdings were based on property appraisals using cash flow analysis and market transactions. The fund provided for quarterly redemptions with 110 days written notice.
16. Segment Information
We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structure, as well as the basis that our chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions. We report our financial performance based on the following segments: Local Media, National Media, Other.
Our Local Media segment includes our 60 local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. We also have 13 CW affiliates - five on full power stations and eight on multicast; two MyNetwork TV affiliates; two independent stations and nine additional low power stations. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, telecommunication companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now.
Our National Media segment includes our collection of national brands. Our national media brands include Katz, Stitcher and its advertising network Midroll Media (Midroll), Newsy, Triton and other national brands. These operations earn revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.
We allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services, to our business segments. The allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount.
Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments and makes decisions about the allocation of resources to our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
F-49
Information regarding our business segments is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Segment operating revenues: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 1,022,805 | $ | 917,480 | $ | 778,376 | ||||||
National Media | 396,111 | 286,170 | 93,141 | |||||||||
Other | 4,920 | 4,775 | 5,455 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 1,423,836 | $ | 1,208,425 | $ | 876,972 | ||||||
Segment profit (loss): | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 217,885 | $ | 251,119 | $ | 156,890 | ||||||
National Media | 23,986 | 13,920 | (9,260 | ) | ||||||||
Other | (3,957 | ) | (3,680 | ) | (2,361 | ) | ||||||
Shared services and corporate | (57,409 | ) | (53,123 | ) | (50,506 | ) | ||||||
Acquisition and related integration costs | (26,304 | ) | (4,124 | ) | — | |||||||
Restructuring costs | (3,370 | ) | (8,911 | ) | (4,422 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (86,986 | ) | (63,987 | ) | (56,343 | ) | ||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | — | — | (35,732 | ) | ||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | 1,692 | (1,255 | ) | (169 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense | (80,596 | ) | (36,184 | ) | (26,697 | ) | ||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (6,953 | ) | (19,752 | ) | (14,112 | ) | ||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 1,137 | 152 | 10,636 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | (20,875 | ) | $ | 74,175 | $ | (32,076 | ) | ||||
Depreciation: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 34,086 | $ | 30,467 | $ | 31,870 | ||||||
National Media | 5,013 | 2,592 | 88 | |||||||||
Other | 148 | 150 | 208 | |||||||||
Shared services and corporate | 1,462 | 1,432 | 1,883 | |||||||||
Total depreciation | $ | 40,709 | $ | 34,641 | $ | 34,049 | ||||||
Amortization of intangible assets: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 26,283 | $ | 14,821 | $ | 15,084 | ||||||
National Media | 18,641 | 13,172 | 5,856 | |||||||||
Shared services and corporate | 1,353 | 1,353 | 1,354 | |||||||||
Total amortization of intangible assets | $ | 46,277 | $ | 29,346 | $ | 22,294 | ||||||
A disaggregation of the principal activities from which we generate revenue is as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Operating revenues: | ||||||||||||
Core advertising | $ | 879,629 | $ | 696,449 | $ | 555,228 | ||||||
Political | 23,263 | 139,600 | 8,651 | |||||||||
Retransmission and carriage | 390,043 | 304,402 | 259,712 | |||||||||
Other | 130,901 | 67,974 | 53,381 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 1,423,836 | $ | 1,208,425 | $ | 876,972 | ||||||
F-50
The following table presents additions to property and equipment by segment:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Additions to property and equipment: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 46,855 | $ | 37,773 | $ | 16,946 | ||||||
National Media | 12,071 | 15,164 | 792 | |||||||||
Other | 529 | — | — | |||||||||
Shared services and corporate | 1,878 | 723 | 367 | |||||||||
Total additions to property and equipment | $ | 61,333 | $ | 53,660 | $ | 18,105 | ||||||
Total assets by segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
As of December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Local Media | $ | 2,694,667 | $ | 1,261,526 | $ | 1,273,735 | ||||||
National Media | 782,030 | 737,987 | 528,479 | |||||||||
Other | 3,503 | 865 | 2,128 | |||||||||
Shared services and corporate | 81,153 | 129,683 | 189,202 | |||||||||
Total assets of continuing operations | 3,561,353 | 2,130,061 | 1,993,544 | |||||||||
Discontinued operations | — | — | 136,004 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 3,561,353 | $ | 2,130,061 | $ | 2,129,548 | ||||||
17. Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual commitments for network affiliation agreements, the acquisition of programming and for other purchase and service agreements. Minimum payments on such contractual commitments at December 31, 2019 were: $621.9 million in 2020, $563.6 million in 2021, $281.3 million in 2022, $55.2 million in 2023, $33.4 million in 2024, and $0.2 million in later years. We expect these contracts will be replaced with similar contracts upon their expiration.
We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and governmental proceedings primarily relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.
18. Capital Stock and Share-Based Compensation Plans
Capital Stock — We have two classes of common shares, Common Voting shares and Class A Common shares. The Class A Common shares are only entitled to vote on the election of the greater of three or one-third of the directors and other matters as required by Ohio law.
Share Repurchase Plan — Shares may be repurchased from time to time at management's discretion. In November 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares. This authorization expires on March 1, 2020. Shares can be repurchased under the authorization via open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including accelerated stock repurchase transactions, block trades, or pursuant to trades intending to comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
As part of the share repurchase plan, the Company entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase ("ASR") agreement with JP Morgan to repurchase $25 million of the Company's common stock. Under the ASR agreement, the Company paid $25 million to JP Morgan and received an initial delivery of 1.3 million shares in the third quarter of 2018, which represented 80% of the total shares the Company expected to receive based on the market price at the time of the initial delivery. The transaction was accounted for as an equity transaction. The par value of shares received was recorded as a reduction to common stock with the remainder recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital or retained earnings. Upon initial receipt of the shares, there was an immediate reduction in the weighted average common shares calculation for basic and diluted earnings per share. Upon
F-51
final settlement of the ASR agreement in February 2019, the Company received additional deliveries totaling 147,164 shares of its common stock based on a weighted average cost per share of $16.70 over the term of the ASR agreement.
As of December 31, 2019, we repurchased $0.6 million of shares at prices ranging from $15.54 to $18.72 per share. Excluding the shares repurchased under the ASR, during 2018 we repurchased $7.3 million of shares at prices ranging from $13.29 to $17.86 per share. As of December 31, 2019, $49.7 million was outstanding under this authorization.
In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our Class A Common shares through March 1, 2022.
Incentive Plans — The Company has a long-term incentive plan (the “Plan”) that permits the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted and unrestricted Class A Common shares and performance units to key employees and non-employee directors.
We satisfy stock option exercises and vested stock awards with newly issued shares. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 5.1 million shares were available for future stock compensation awards.
Stock Options — Stock options grant the recipient the right to purchase Class A Common shares at not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date the option is granted. We have not issued any new stock options since 2008.
The following table summarizes our stock option activity:
Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Range of Exercise Prices | |||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | 486,914 | $ | 6.81 | $ 6-9 | |||||
Exercised | (235,407 | ) | 6.20 | 6-8 | |||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 | 251,507 | 7.38 | 6-9 | ||||||
Exercised | (251,507 | ) | 7.38 | 6-9 | |||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2018 | — | ||||||||
The following table summarizes additional information about exercises of stock options:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Cash received upon exercise | $ | — | $ | 1,857 | $ | 1,461 | ||||||
Intrinsic value (market value on date of exercise less exercise price) | — | 1,266 | 3,919 | |||||||||
Tax benefits realized | — | 315 | 1,497 | |||||||||
Restricted Stock Units — Awards of restricted stock units (RSUs) generally require no payment by the employee. RSUs are converted into an equal number of Class A Common shares when vested. These awards generally vest over a three or four year period, conditioned upon the individual’s continued employment through that period. Awards vest immediately upon the retirement, death or disability of the employee or upon a change in control of Scripps or in the business in which the individual is employed. Unvested awards may be forfeited if employment is terminated for other reasons. Awards are nontransferable during the vesting period, but the awards are entitled to all the rights of an outstanding share, including receiving stock dividend equivalents. There are no post-vesting restrictions on awards granted to employees and non-employee directors.
Long-term incentive compensation includes performance share awards. Performance share awards represent the right to receive an award of RSUs if certain performance measures are met. Each award specifies a target number of shares to be issued and the specific performance criteria that must be met. The number of shares that an employee receives may be less or more than the target number of shares depending on the extent to which the specified performance measures are met or exceeded.
F-52
The following table summarizes our RSU activity:
Fair Value | |||||||||
Number of Shares | Weighted Average | Range of Prices | |||||||
Unvested at December 31, 2016 | 1,425,177 | $ | 17.05 | $ 12-24 | |||||
Awarded | 653,522 | 22.51 | 17-24 | ||||||
Vested | (581,920 | ) | 20.78 | 14-24 | |||||
Forfeited | (308,856 | ) | 17.20 | 14-24 | |||||
Unvested at December 31, 2017 | 1,187,923 | 19.99 | 14-24 | ||||||
Awarded | 816,771 | 13.28 | 11-17 | ||||||
Vested | (771,904 | ) | 14.16 | 11-18 | |||||
Forfeited | (57,348 | ) | 16.68 | 13-23 | |||||
Unvested at December 31, 2018 | 1,175,442 | 15.86 | 11-24 | ||||||
Awarded | 758,557 | 22.12 | 13-23 | ||||||
Vested | (536,064 | ) | 21.67 | 12-23 | |||||
Forfeited | (39,497 | ) | 17.89 | 13-24 | |||||
Unvested at December 31, 2019 | 1,358,438 | 18.68 | 11-24 | ||||||
The following table summarizes additional information about RSU vesting:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Fair value of RSUs vested | $ | 11,618 | $ | 10,930 | $ | 12,090 | ||||||
Tax benefits realized on vesting | 2,969 | 1,758 | 4,630 | |||||||||
Share-based Compensation Costs
Share-based compensation costs were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||
Total share-based compensation | $ | 13,308 | $ | 11,008 | $ | 12,960 | ||||||
Included in discontinued operations | — | (227 | ) | (465 | ) | |||||||
Included in continuing operations | $ | 13,308 | $ | 10,781 | $ | 12,495 | ||||||
Share-based compensation, net of tax | $ | 9,907 | $ | 8,100 | $ | 7,717 | ||||||
As of December 31, 2019, $13.4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs and performance shares is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.
F-53
19. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") balance by component consisted of the following for the respective years:
(in thousands) | Defined Benefit Pension Items | Other | Total | |||||||||
As of December 31, 2017 | $ | (102,955 | ) | $ | 33 | $ | (102,922 | ) | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $(1,803) and ($22) | (5,351 | ) | (65 | ) | (5,416 | ) | ||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $4,360 | 12,941 | — | 12,941 | |||||||||
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | 7,590 | (65 | ) | 7,525 | ||||||||
As of December 31, 2018 | (95,365 | ) | (32 | ) | (95,397 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax of $(1,874) and $(77) | (5,461 | ) | (223 | ) | (5,684 | ) | ||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax of $718 | 2,092 | — | 2,092 | |||||||||
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | (3,369 | ) | (223 | ) | (3,592 | ) | ||||||
As of December 31, 2019 | $ | (98,734 | ) | $ | (255 | ) | $ | (98,989 | ) | |||
Amounts reclassified to net earnings for defined benefit pension items relate to the amortization of actuarial gains (losses) and settlement charges. These amounts are included within the defined benefit pension plan expense caption on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 15. Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.
F-54
20. Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:
2019 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Total | |||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 292,163 | $ | 337,495 | $ | 349,777 | $ | 444,401 | $ | 1,423,836 | ||||||||||
Costs and expenses | (274,058 | ) | (294,942 | ) | (327,049 | ) | (376,956 | ) | (1,273,005 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (17,792 | ) | (20,237 | ) | (22,241 | ) | (26,716 | ) | (86,986 | ) | ||||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | (173 | ) | (144 | ) | 11 | 1,998 | 1,692 | |||||||||||||
Interest expense | (8,916 | ) | (18,023 | ) | (26,537 | ) | (27,120 | ) | (80,596 | ) | ||||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (1,572 | ) | (1,564 | ) | (2,071 | ) | (1,746 | ) | (6,953 | ) | ||||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | (800 | ) | 369 | 2,042 | (474 | ) | 1,137 | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (11,148 | ) | 2,954 | (26,068 | ) | 13,387 | (20,875 | ) | ||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (4,334 | ) | 3,320 | (4,305 | ) | 2,822 | (2,497 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (6,814 | ) | (366 | ) | (21,763 | ) | 10,565 | (18,378 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (6,814 | ) | (366 | ) | (21,763 | ) | 10,565 | (18,378 | ) | |||||||||||
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | — | 166 | (166 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (6,814 | ) | $ | (366 | ) | $ | (21,929 | ) | $ | 10,731 | $ | (18,378 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | 0.13 | $ | (0.23 | ) | ||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | $ | 0.13 | $ | (0.23 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 80,673 | 80,822 | 80,877 | 80,927 | 80,826 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | 80,673 | 80,822 | 80,877 | 81,322 | 80,826 | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends per share of common stock | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.20 | ||||||||||
The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share amounts may not equal the reported annual amount because each amount is computed independently based upon the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.
F-55
2018 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Total | |||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 254,191 | $ | 283,395 | $ | 302,726 | $ | 368,113 | $ | 1,208,425 | ||||||||||
Costs and expenses | (238,682 | ) | (245,610 | ) | (247,304 | ) | (281,628 | ) | (1,013,224 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | (15,420 | ) | (15,382 | ) | (15,598 | ) | (17,587 | ) | (63,987 | ) | ||||||||||
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment | (717 | ) | 66 | 501 | (1,105 | ) | (1,255 | ) | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (8,759 | ) | (9,279 | ) | (9,003 | ) | (9,143 | ) | (36,184 | ) | ||||||||||
Defined benefit pension plan expense | (1,388 | ) | (1,389 | ) | (3,529 | ) | (13,446 | ) | (19,752 | ) | ||||||||||
Miscellaneous, net | 167 | (156 | ) | (546 | ) | 687 | 152 | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | (10,608 | ) | 11,645 | 27,247 | 45,891 | 74,175 | ||||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (2,031 | ) | 2,983 | 7,208 | 9,938 | 18,098 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax | (8,577 | ) | 8,662 | 20,039 | 35,953 | 56,077 | ||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | (18,504 | ) | (2,942 | ) | (908 | ) | (13,974 | ) | (36,328 | ) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (27,081 | ) | $ | 5,720 | $ | 19,131 | $ | 21,979 | $ | 19,749 | |||||||||
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (632 | ) | — | — | — | (632 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company | $ | (26,449 | ) | $ | 5,720 | $ | 19,131 | $ | 21,979 | $ | 20,381 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share of common stock | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.69 | |||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations per basic share of common stock | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.44 | ) | |||||
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share of common stock | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.68 | |||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations per diluted share of common stock | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.44 | ) | |||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 81,554 | 81,824 | 81,452 | 80,669 | 81,369 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | 81,554 | 81,852 | 82,084 | 81,348 | 81,927 | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends per share of common stock | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.20 | ||||||||||
The sum of the quarterly net income (loss) per share amounts may not equal the reported annual amount because each amount is computed independently based upon the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.
F-56
21. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
Radio Divestiture
In the fourth quarter of 2017, we began the process to divest our radio business. Our radio business consisted of 34 radio stations in eight markets. We closed on the sale of our Tulsa radio stations on October 1, 2018, closed on the sales of our Milwaukee, Knoxville, Omaha, Springfield and Wichita radio stations on November 1, 2018 and closed on the sales of our Boise and Tucson radio stations on December 12, 2018. We have reported its results as discontinued operations for the years ended 2017 and 2018.
Operating results of our radio operations included in discontinued operations were as follows:
For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||
(in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 49,243 | $ | 68,630 | ||||
Total costs and expenses | (42,694 | ) | (57,061 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets | — | (2,910 | ) | |||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | (25,900 | ) | (8,000 | ) | ||||
Other, net | (179 | ) | (258 | ) | ||||
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations | (19,530 | ) | 401 | |||||
Pretax loss on disposal of discontinued operations | (18,558 | ) | — | |||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes | (38,088 | ) | 401 | |||||
Income tax benefit (provision) | 1,760 | (2,996 | ) | |||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (36,328 | ) | $ | (2,595 | ) | ||
Results of discontinued operations in 2018 and 2017 included $25.9 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of non-cash impairment charges to write-down the goodwill of our radio business to fair value. The income tax provision for discontinued operations was impacted by non-deductible charges of $30.9 million in 2018 and $8.0 million in 2017.
We also entered into separate Local Marketing Agreements (“LMA”) with the acquirer of the Tulsa radio stations and the acquirer of the Wichita, Springfield, Omaha, and Knoxville radio stations. Under the terms of these agreements, the acquiring entities paid us a monthly LMA fee and also reimbursed us for certain station expenses, as defined in the agreements, in exchange for the right to program and sell advertising from the stations' inventory of broadcast time. The LMA with the acquirer of the Tulsa radio stations was effective from July 30, 2018 until the closing of the transaction. The other LMA was effective from September 1, 2018 until closing of the transactions. Discontinued operating revenues included LMA fees totaling $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
F-57