GRAY TELEVISION INC - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 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 1-13796

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 periods 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 and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ✔    No____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes           No     ✔   

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.

INDEX

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.       Financial Statements

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

GRAY TELEVISION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for per share data)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1.     Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Gray Television, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Gray” or the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012, which was derived from the Company’s audited balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013 and for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Our operations consist of one reportable segment. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Our financial condition as of, and operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended, September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the financial condition or results that may be expected for any future interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Seasonality and Cyclicality

Broadcast advertising revenues are generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases in consumer advertising in the spring and increases in retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. Broadcast advertising revenues are also typically higher in even-numbered years due to increased spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups in advance of elections. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Our actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates we make relate to our allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization of program broadcast rights and intangible assets, stock-based compensation, pension costs, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment and contingencies.

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding does not include restricted shares. These shares, although classified as issued and outstanding, are considered contingently returnable until the restrictions lapse and, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not included in the basic earnings per share calculation until the shares vest. Diluted earnings per share is computed by including common stock equivalents for all potentially dilutive common shares, including restricted shares and shares underlying stock options, in the denominator of the diluted earnings per weighted-average share calculation, unless their inclusion would be antidilutive. Common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method.

The following table reconciles basic weighted-average shares outstanding to diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of adjustments to our pension liability and income tax benefit as follows (in thousands):

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Our comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 consists entirely of net income. Therefore, a consolidated statement of comprehensive income is not presented for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method. Maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to operations as incurred; major replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost of any assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts at the time of disposition, and any resulting profit or loss is reflected in income or expense for the period. The following table lists components of property and equipment by major category (dollars in thousands):

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts is equal to at least 85% of our receivable balances that are 120 days old or older. We may provide allowances for certain receivable balances that are less than 120 days old when warranted by specific facts and circumstances. We generally write-off accounts receivable balances when the customer files for bankruptcy or when all commonly used methods of collection have been exhausted.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU clarifies guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the expected effects of this ASU; however, we do not anticipate that our adoption of this ASU will result in a material change in our financial statement presentation.

2.      Long-term Debt

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, long-term debt consisted of our obligations under our senior credit facility (the “2012 Senior Credit Facility”) and our 7½% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) as follows (in thousands):

Our 2012 Senior Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan and a term loan facility. Excluding accrued interest, the amount outstanding under our 2012 Senior Credit Facility as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised solely of a term loan balance of $535.0 million. Our maximum borrowing availability is limited by our required compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio covenant.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had $300.0 million of our 2020 Notes outstanding.

On October 18, 2013, we issued $375.0 million of additional 2020 Notes (the "Additional Notes"), and used the net proceeds therefrom, after deducting transaction fees and estimated expenses, to repay $376.0 million of the term loan outstanding under the 2012 Senior Credit Facility.  For additional information on this transaction, see Note 9 "Subsequent Events."

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the 2012 Senior Credit Facility was 4.8%. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the coupon interest rate and the yield on the 2020 Notes outstanding at those dates were 7.5% and 7.6%, respectively. The yield on the 2020 Notes exceeded the coupon interest rate because the 2020 Notes outstanding at those dates were issued with “original issue discount”.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a deferred loan cost balance, net of accumulated amortization, of $4.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to the 2012 Senior Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a deferred loan cost balance, net of accumulated amortization, of $6.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively, related to our 2020 Notes.

Our obligations under the 2012 Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, including real estate. In addition, our subsidiaries are joint and several guarantors of these obligations and our ownership interests in our subsidiaries are pledged to collateralize such obligations. The 2012 Senior Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants that we must comply with, including (a) limitations on additional indebtedness, (b) limitations on liens, (c) limitations on the sale of assets, (d) limitations on guarantees, (e) limitations on investments and acquisitions, (f) limitations on the payment of dividends and share repurchases, (g) limitations on mergers, and (h) maintenance of a total leverage ratio as set forth in the 2012 Senior Credit Facility not to exceed certain maximum limits, as well as other customary covenants for credit facilities of this type. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants required under our debt obligations.

3.      Fair Value Measurement

To determine fair value, we utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized into a hierarchy that gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“Level 1”) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that require assumptions to measure fair value (“Level 3”). Level 2 inputs are those that are other than quoted prices on national exchanges included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly (“Level 2”).

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

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

The carrying amounts of the following instruments approximate fair value due to their short term to maturity: (i) accounts receivable, (ii) prepaid and other current assets, (iii) accounts payable, (iv) accrued employee compensation and benefits, (v) accrued interest, (vi) other accrued expenses, (vii) acquisition-related liabilities and (viii) deferred revenue.

The carrying amount of our long-term debt was $833.1 million and $832.9 million, respectively, and the fair value was $849.7 million and $844.4 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. We classify our long-term debt within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fair value of our long-term debt is based on observable estimates provided by third-party financial professionals as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

4.      Retirement Plans

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension plans for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we contributed $3.7 million to our pension plans. During the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2013, we expect to contribute an additional $1.7 million to $4.3 million to our pension plans.

5.      Stock-based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for stock-based payment awards made to our employees and directors, including stock options and restricted stock under our 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Incentive Plan”). The following table provides our stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands).

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, the vesting dates of 107,224 previously granted shares of restricted common stock and stock options to purchase 63,616 shares of common stock were accelerated, resulting in $1.0 million of stock-based compensation expense being recognized by the Company in those periods. Had the vesting dates of these stock awards not been accelerated, these shares of restricted common stock and unvested stock options would have fully vested by March 19, 2016 and April 2, 2016, respectively. These stock awards were held by a former employee.

We did not have any stock options or restricted stock outstanding for our Class A common stock during any period presented.

A summary of restricted stock activity related to our common stock for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

A summary of stock option activity related to our common stock for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

         The aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding stock options was $1.6 million based on the closing market price of our common stock on September 30, 2013.

6.      Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings and Claims

From time to time, we are or may become subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of our business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to known actions, will not materially affect our financial position. However, the outcome of any one or more matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and the unfavorable resolution of any matter could have a material adverse effect on us in any period.

Sports Marketing Agreement

On October 12, 2004, the University of Kentucky (“UK”) awarded a sports marketing agreement jointly to us and IMG Worldwide, Inc. (“IMG”) (the “UK Agreement”). The UK Agreement expires April 15, 2015.

The UK Agreement provides that we will share in profits in excess of certain amounts specified by the agreement, if any, but not losses. The agreement also provides that we will separately retain all local broadcast advertising revenue and pay all local broadcast expenses for activities under the agreement. Under the agreement, IMG agreed to make all license fee payments to UK. However, if IMG is unable to pay the license fee to UK, we will then be required to pay the unpaid portion of the license fee to UK. As of September 30, 2013, the aggregate license fee to be paid by IMG to UK over the remaining term of the agreement is approximately $17.6 million. If we make advances on behalf of IMG, IMG is required to reimburse us for the amount paid within 60 days after the close of each contract year, which ends on June 30th. IMG has also agreed to pay interest on any advance at a rate equal to the prime rate. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we did not advance any amounts to UK on behalf of IMG under this agreement. As of September 30, 2013, we do not consider the risk of non-performance by IMG to be high.

Non-compete and Non-solicitation Payments

In connection with the resignation of an employee in June 2013, the Company entered into an arrangement that included, among other things, certain non-compete and non-solicitation commitments with respect to the Company for a two year period ending June 2015. Under that arrangement, the Company is required to make payments to the former employee totaling $1.9 million over a three-year period. Of this amount, $1.5 million remained unpaid as of September 30, 2013. Related expense of $0.3 million was recognized during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. The expense attributable to this arrangement is being recognized over the period beginning June 2013 and ending June 2015.

7.      Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets are primarily comprised of network affiliations and broadcast licenses. We purchased broadcast licenses for approximately $1.3 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. There were no triggering events that required a test of impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Upon renewal of intangible assets such as network affiliations and broadcast licenses, we expense all related fees as incurred.

8.      Income Taxes

For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, our income tax expense and effective income tax rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):

We estimate our differences between taxable income and recorded income on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim reporting period is based upon these full year projections which are revised each interim reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income and taxable income, state income taxes, adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits and other items as necessary to adjust our statutory Federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 42.6% as follows: an adjustment resulting from the expiration of certain unexercised stock options added 2.7%, state income taxes added 2.9%, permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 1.8%, and an adjustment for the write off of stock options deferred under Section 162(m) of the internal revenue code added 0.6%, while adjustments to our reserve for uncertain tax positions resulted in a reduction of 0.4%.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, these estimates increased or decreased our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate of 38.9% as follows: state income taxes added 4.6% and permanent differences between our U.S. GAAP income and taxable income added 0.5%, while adjustments to our reserve for uncertain tax positions resulted in a reduction of 1.2%.

9.      Subsequent Events

Acquisition of Yellowstone Television, LLC. 

On November 4, 2013, Gray announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Yellowstone Television, LLC (“Yellowstone”). Yellowstone owns the following stations:

• KGNS-TV in the Laredo, Texas market. Its channels are affiliated with NBC, CW, and Telemundo;

• KGWN-TV in the Cheyenne, Wyoming-Scottsbluff, Nebraska market. Its channels are affiliated with CBS and CW. KGWN-TV extends throughout the market on KSTF (TV) in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and K19FX in Laramie, Wyoming;

• KCHY-LP is the NBC affiliate for the Cheyenne-Scottsbluff market. It will now integrate its operations with KGWN-TV; and

• KCWY-TV in the Casper, Wyoming market. Its primary channel is affiliated with NBC.

This acquisition will represent Gray’s first stations in these markets. Gray used cash on hand of $23.0 million to acquire a 99% non-voting interest in the parent company of Yellowstone, and it began operating the Yellowstone stations pursuant to a local marketing agreement. Subject to the receipt of regulatory and other approvals, Gray expects to acquire voting control of Yellowstone by the first quarter of 2014.

We have not yet completed our initial accounting for this acquisition, including determination of the fair value of the acquired assets, as of the date of filing this quarterly report.

Shared Services Relationship with Excalibur Broadcasting, LLC

On November 1, 2013, we announced that Gray and Excalibur Broadcasting, LLC (“Excalibur”) had consummated the previously announced acquisition of KJCT(TV) and associated low power stations (collectively, “KJCT”) broadcasting ABC, CW, Telemundo and local programming in the Grand Junction, Colorado, market. In that transaction, Excalibur acquired the license assets of KJCT, and Gray acquired various non-license assets related to KJCT for approximately $9.0 million using cash on hand. Gray now provides back office, engineering and sales support services to Excalibur pursuant to a shared services agreement. Excalibur is wholly owned by a third party, and Excalibur maintains complete responsibility for and control over programming, finances, personnel and operations of KJCT and any other stations that it acquires. However, Gray has an option to purchase the assets and assume the liabilities of KJCT, subject to FCC consent.

In connection with the consummation of the transactions relating to KJCT, Gray has guaranteed approximately $3.0 million of Excalibur’s debt.

We have not yet completed our initial accounting for this transaction, including determination of the fair value of the acquired assets, as of the date of filing this quarterly report.

Issuance of $375.0 Million of Additional Notes

        On October 18, 2013, Gray completed its previously announced offering of $375.0 million of Additional Notes.  The Additional Notes were issued at a price of 102.125%, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $383.0 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including October 1, 2013.  Based on the issue price, the Additional Notes have a yield to worst of 6.984%.

        The Additional Notes are an additional issuance of, and rank equally and form a single series with, the 2020 Notes that were issued on October 9, 2012 (the “Existing Notes”).  The Additional Notes have the same terms as the Existing Notes, including being senior unsecured obligations of the Company, and being guaranteed by all of the Company’s existing, and certain future, subsidiaries.  
       
        On October 18, 2013, Gray used net proceeds from the offering of Additional Notes to repay $376.0 million of the term loan outstanding under its 2012 Senior Credit Facility.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Overview

Introduction

The following analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Gray Television, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Gray” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this report and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”).

Overview

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operates television stations in 31 television markets broadcasting 46 channels affiliated with one of the “Big 4 Networks” (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) and 42 additional channels of programming. We also operate additional television stations that broadcast channels affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, and Telemundo.  Our owned and/or operated television stations collectively broadcast twenty-three channels affiliated with the CBS Network, fourteen channels affiliated with the NBC Network, nine channels affiliated with the ABC Network and five channels affiliated with the FOX Network.

Within a market, our additional broadcast channels are generally affiliated with networks different from those affiliated with our “Big 4 Network” channels, and are operated by us to make better use of our broadcast spectrum by providing supplemental and/or alternative programming to our “Big 4 Network” channels. Certain of our additional channels are affiliated with more than one network simultaneously. Our additional channels are affiliated with networks such as “MyNetworkTV”, the CW Network or the CW Plus Network, the MeTV Network, This TV Network, the Live Well Network, Antenna TV and Telemundo. We also broadcast eight local news/weather channels in certain of our existing markets. Our combined TV station group reaches approximately 6.5% of total United States households.

Television Industry Background

The Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) grants broadcast licenses to television stations. Historically, there have been a limited number of channels available for broadcasting in any one geographic area.

Television station revenue is derived primarily from local, regional and national advertising. Television station revenue is derived to a much lesser extent from retransmission consent fees; network compensation; studio and tower space rental; and commercial production activities. “Advertising” refers primarily to advertisements broadcast by television stations, but it also includes advertisements placed on a television station’s website and sponsorships of television programming and off-line content (such as email messages, mobile applications, and other electronic content distributed by stations). Advertising rates are based upon: (i) the size of a station’s market, (ii) a station’s overall ratings, (iii) a program’s popularity among targeted viewers, (iv) the number of advertisers competing for available time, (v) the demographic makeup of the station’s market, (vi) the availability of alternative advertising media in the market, (vii) the presence of effective sales forces and (viii) the development of projects, features and programs that tie advertiser messages to programming. Rates can also be determined in part by a station’s overall ratings and in-market share, as well as the station’s ratings and market share among particular demographic groups that an advertiser may be targeting. Advertisers’ budgets, which can be affected by broad economic trends, can affect the broadcast industry in general and the revenue of individual broadcast television stations.

Revenues, Cyclicality and Seasonality

Broadcast stations like ours rely on advertising revenue and this revenue is sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy. As a result, our non-political advertising revenue improved along with the general economic environment in 2012 and has continued to improve in 2013.

Broadcast advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters each year. This seasonality results partly from increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. Broadcast advertising revenue is also typically higher in even-numbered years due to increased spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups in advance of elections. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, our largest advertising customer category was automotive. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we earned approximately 25% and 20%, respectively, of our total broadcast advertising revenue from our automotive advertising customers. Our business and operating results could be materially adversely affected if automotive advertising revenue decreases. Our business and operating results could also be materially adversely affected if revenue decreased from one or more other significant advertising categories, such as advertisers in the medical, restaurant, communications, furniture and appliances, entertainment, or financial services industries.

Please see our “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections below for further discussion of our operating results.

Revenue

Set forth below are the principal types of revenue, less agency commissions, earned by us for the periods indicated and the percentage contribution of each type of revenue to our total revenue (dollars in thousands):

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 (“2013 three-month period”) Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 (“2012 three-month period”)

Revenue. Total revenue decreased $14.6 million, or 14%, to $88.3 million in the 2013 three-month period. Local advertising revenue increased approximately $2.1 million, or 4%, to $48.7 million. National advertising revenue decreased approximately $0.8 million, or 5%, to $13.6 million. Our local and national advertising revenue did not have the benefit of Olympic advertising revenue as it did in the previous year. During the 2012 three-month period, we earned approximately $4.0 million of revenue from local and national advertisers and $1.1 million of revenue from political advertisers during the broadcast of the 2012 Summer Olympics on our ten primary NBC stations. Retransmission consent revenue increased $0.6 million, or 8%, to $9.2 million primarily due to increased subscriber counts and rates. Political advertising revenue decreased $23.1 million, or 94%, to $1.4 million, reflecting decreased advertising from political candidates and special interest groups in the 2013 three-month period due to this being the “off year” of the two-year political advertising cycle.

As previously disclosed, during the 2013 three-month period, we recognized a one-time payment of $7.1 million as incentive consulting revenue associated with a now-expired consulting agreement for services rendered prior to the expiration thereof. We do not expect to recognize any further revenue from this agreement.

For the 2013 three-month period, our five largest nonpolitical advertising customer categories on a combined local and national basis, by customer type, demonstrated the following changes in revenue compared to the 2012 three-month period: automotive increased 5%; restaurant increased 2%; medical decreased 9%; communications increased 6%; and furniture and appliances increased 2%.

Broadcast expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) increased $1.5 million, or 3%, to $53.5 million in the 2013 three-month period, due primarily to an increase in compensation expense of $1.7 million offset, in part, by a decrease in non-compensation expense of $0.2 million. Compensation expense increased primarily due to routine increases in salaries, healthcare expense and pension expense offset, in part, by a decrease in incentive compensation. Non-compensation expense increased primarily due to increases in programing costs, software license fees and bad debt expense offset, in part, by decreases in national sales commissions, legal expense and repairs and maintenance expense. As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, we employed 2,092 and 2,062 total employees, respectively, in our broadcast operations.

Corporate and administrative expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) increased $0.5 million, or 11%, to $4.5 million in the 2013 three-month period. The increase was due primarily to increases in compensation expense of $0.2 million and non-compensation expense of $0.3 million. Compensation expense increased primarily due to an increase in salaries, relocation expense and stock-based compensation expense offset, in part, by a decrease in incentive compensation. We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 of $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment increased $0.3 million, or 5%, to $6.0 million during the 2013 three-month period compared to the 2012 three-month period. Depreciation increased due to additional property and equipment having been placed in service during 2013.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $2.5 million, or 16%, to $12.7 million for the 2013 three-month period. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in average interest rates partially offset by an increase in average borrowings outstanding. Our average debt balance was $835.0 million and $825.2 million during the 2013 and 2012 three-month periods, respectively. The average interest rate on our total debt balances was approximately 5.7% and 7.0% during the 2013 and 2012 three-month periods, respectively.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $4.5 million and $10.0 million for the 2013 and 2012 three-month periods, respectively. For the 2013 and 2012 three-month periods, our effective income tax rate was 38.8% and 38.7%, respectively. We estimate differences between taxable income and recorded income on an annual basis. Our tax provision for each interim reporting period is based upon these full year projections which are revised each interim reporting period. These projections incorporate estimates of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP income and taxable income, state income taxes, adjustments to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits and other items as necessary to adjust our statutory Federal income tax rate of 35.0% to our effective income tax rate.

Preferred stock dividends. Preferred stock dividends decreased $1.2 million, or 100%, to $0.0 million for the 2013 three-month period. We repurchased all outstanding shares of our Series D Perpetual Preferred Stock in the year ended December 31, 2012 and, as a result, no dividends were paid in the 2013 three-month period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (“2013 nine-month period”) Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 (“2012 nine-month period”)

Revenue. Total revenue decreased $27.5 million, or 10%, to $250.7 million in the 2013 nine-month period. Local advertising revenue increased approximately $5.1 million, or 4%, to $146.0 million. National advertising revenue increased approximately $0.4 million, or 1%, to $42.1 million. Local and national advertising revenue in the 2013 nine-month period was positively influenced by the broadcast of the 2013 Super Bowl on our 20 CBS channels, earning us approximately $1.1 million, an increase of approximately $0.3 million compared to the broadcast of the 2012 Super Bowl on our 10 NBC channels that earned us approximately $0.8 million. However, local and national advertising revenue in the 2013 nine-month period did not benefit from any Olympic Games advertising. Retransmission consent revenue increased $3.0 million, or 12%, to $28.3 million in the 2013 nine-month period compared to the 2012 nine-month period primarily due to increased subscriber counts and rates. Political advertising revenue decreased $39.8 million, or 94%, to $2.8 million, reflecting decreased advertising from political candidates and special interest groups in the 2013 nine-month period due to this being the “off year” of the two-year political advertising cycle. Other revenue decreased $1.4 million, or 18%, to $6.1 million in the 2013 nine-month period compared to the 2012 nine-month period due primarily to an anticipated reduction in certain copyright royalty payments.

As described above, in the 2013 nine-month period we recorded $7.1 million of incentive consulting revenue from a now expired consulting agreement.

In the 2013 nine-month period, our five largest nonpolitical advertising customer categories on a combined local and national basis, by customer type, demonstrated the following changes in revenue compared to the 2012 nine-month period: automotive increased 8%; medical decreased 6%; restaurant decreased 1%; communications increased 3%; and furniture and appliances increased 4%.

Broadcast expenses. Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) increased $3.2 million, or 2%, to $158.8 million in the 2013 nine-month period, due primarily to an increase in compensation expense of $2.6 million and non-compensation expense of $0.6 million. Compensation expense increased primarily due to increases in salaries, healthcare expense and pension expense offset, in part, by a decrease in incentive compensation. Non-compensation expense increased primarily due to an increase in programing costs, market research and software license fees offset, in part, by a decrease in national sales commissions, legal expense and repairs and maintenance expense.

Corporate and administrative expenses. Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) increased $2.8 million, or 26%, to $13.6 million for the 2013 nine-month period. The increase was due primarily to an increase in compensation expense of $1.5 million and an increase in non-compensation expense of $1.3 million. Compensation expense increased primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation expense and severance expense resulting from the resignation of a former employee in June 2013. We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 of $1.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Non-compensation expense increased primarily due to increased consulting expenses, legal expenses and travel expenses.

Depreciation. Depreciation of property and equipment increased $0.4 million, or 2%, to $17.8 million for the 2013 nine-month period. Depreciation increased due to additional property and equipment having been placed in service during 2013.

Gain on disposal of assets. Gain on disposal of assets decreased $0.4 million to $0.1 million during the 2013 nine-month period as compared to the 2012 nine-month period. The decrease was due primarily to a gain recognized in the prior year period on a weather related tower collapse at one of our stations. We did not have a similar event in the current year period.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased $7.7 million, or 17%, to $37.8 million for the 2013 nine-month period. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in average interest rates partially offset by an increase in average borrowings outstanding. Our average debt balance was $835.0 million and $827.2 million during the 2013 and 2012 nine-month periods, respectively. The average interest rates on our total debt balances were 5.7% and 7.0% during the 2013 and 2012 nine-month periods, respectively.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $9.7 million and $19.3 million in the 2013 and 2012 nine-month periods, respectively. For the 2013 and 2012 nine-month periods, our effective income tax rate was 42.6% and 38.9%, respectively. Our effective income tax rate for the 2013 nine-month period as compared to the 2012 nine-month period increased primarily due to an adjustment resulting from the expiration of certain unexercised stock options in the 2013 nine-month period.

Preferred stock dividends. Preferred stock dividends decreased $3.6 million, or 100%, to $0.0 million for the 2013 nine-month period. The decrease in the dividend was due to no shares of our Series D Perpetual Preferred Stock being outstanding during the 2013 nine-month period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

The following table presents data that we believe is helpful in evaluating our liquidity and capital resources (in thousands).

Long-term Debt

Our 2012 Senior Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan and a term loan. Excluding accrued interest, the amount outstanding under our 2012 Senior Credit Facility as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised solely of a term loan balance of $535.0 million. Our maximum borrowing availability is limited by our required compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including a first lien net leverage ratio covenant.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had $300.0 million of our 2020 Notes outstanding.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the interest rate on the balance outstanding under the senior credit facility was 4.8%. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the coupon interest rate and the yield on the 2020 Notes outstanding on such dates were 7.5% and 7.6%, respectively. The yield on the 2020 Notes outstanding on such dates exceeded the coupon interest rate because the 2020 Notes outstanding on such dates were issued with “original issue discount”.

Subsequent to September 30, 2013, we issued $375.0 million of additional 2020 Notes (the "Additional Notes").   The Additional Notes were issued at a price of 102.125%, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approxmately $383.0 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest from and including October 1, 2013.  We used net proceeds from the issuance of Additional Notes to repay $376.0 million of the term loan outstanding under the 2012 Senior Credit Facility.   Based on the issue price, the Additional Notes have a yield to worst of 6.984%.   For addional information on this transaction, see " - Liquidity" below.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a deferred loan cost balance, net of accumulated amortization, of $4.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to the 2012 Senior Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a deferred loan cost balance, net of accumulated amortization, of $6.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively, related to our 2020 Notes.

Our obligations under our 2012 Senior Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, including real estate. In addition, our subsidiaries are joint and several guarantors of these obligations and our ownership interests in our subsidiaries are pledged to collateralize such obligations. The 2012 Senior Credit Facility contains affirmative and restrictive covenants that we must comply with, including (a) limitations on additional indebtedness, (b) limitations on liens, (c) limitations on the sale of assets, (d) limitations on guarantees, (e) limitations on investments and acquisitions, (f) limitations on the payment of dividends and share repurchases, (g) limitations on mergers, and (h) maintenance of a total leverage ratio as set forth in the 2012 Senior Credit Facility not to exceed certain maximum limits, as well as other customary covenants for credit facilities of this type. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants required under our debt obligations.

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $51.6 million in the 2013 nine-month period compared to $90.3 million in the 2012 nine-month period. The decrease in cash provided by operations was due primarily to decreases in political advertising revenue and increases in broadcast and corporate and administrative expenses described elsewhere herein.

Net cash used in investing activities was $19.6 million in the 2013 nine-month period compared to net cash used in investing activities of $17.2 million for the 2012 nine-month period. The increase in cash used in investing activities was largely due to increased spending for equipment and the purchases of broadcast licenses in the 2013 nine-month period.

Net provided by financing activities in the 2013 nine-month period was $0.3 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $32.6 million in the 2012 nine-month period. This increase in cash provided by financing activities was due primarily to a decrease in cash used for debt repayments and the repurchase of preferred stock offset, in part, by a decrease in cash provided by borrowings of long-term debt in the 2013 nine-month period compared to the 2012 nine-month period.

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2013, we were not required to make any debt principal payments during the twelve months immediately following September 30, 2013. On October 18, 2013, we used proceeds from the issuance of the Additional Notes to repay $376.0 million of the term loan outstanding under the 2012 Senior Credit Facility. We currently estimate that we will make approximately $58.0 million in debt interest payments and $20.0 million in capital expenditures during the twelve months immediately following September 30, 2013.

Although our cash flows from operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, we anticipate that our cash on hand, future cash expected to be generated from operations, and future borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility under our 2012 Senior Credit Facility (or any such other credit facility as may be in place at the appropriate time) will be sufficient to fund these debt service obligations and estimated capital expenditures.  We also presently believe that our future cash expected to be generated from operations and borrowing availability under our 2012 Senior Credit Facility (or any such other credit facility) will be sufficient to fund our future capital expenditures and long-term debt service obligations for the foreseeable future. As a result of the completion of the offering of Additional Notes and the use of net proceeds therefrom to repay a portion of the term loan outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility, Gray expects to continue to have the ability to incur significant additional indebtedness, including at least $541.0 million of additional senior secured indebtedness, which includes $40.0 million under its existing revolving credit facility.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

        There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from those disclosed in the table entitled "Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations as of December 31, 2012" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 except that, as a result of the issuance of the Additional Notes and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Company's long-term debt obligation disclosed as payable in 2016-2017 has become payable in the period "2018 and thereafter."

 
Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures in the 2013 and 2012 nine-month periods were $18.4 million and $17.7 million, respectively. We anticipate that our capital expenditures for the remainder of 2013 will range between approximately $4.6 million and $5.6 million.

Other

We file a consolidated federal income tax return and such state or local tax returns as are required. Although we may earn taxable operating income in future years, as of September 30, 2013, we anticipate that through the use of our available loss carryforwards we will not pay significant amounts of federal or state income taxes in the next several years.

We do not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on our results of operations nor is inflation expected to have a significant effect upon our business in the near future.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we contributed $3.7 million to our pension plans. During the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2013, we expect to contribute an additional $1.7 million to $4.3 million to our pension plans.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments and estimations that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider our accounting policies relating to intangible assets and income taxes to be critical policies that require judgments or estimations in their application where variances in those judgments or estimations could make a significant difference to future reported results. These critical accounting policies and estimates are more fully disclosed in our 2012 Form 10-K.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “should” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Among other things, statements that describe our expectations regarding our results of operations, general and industry-specific economic conditions, future pension plan contributions and capital expenditures are forward-looking statements. Readers of this Quarterly Report are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including those regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management, are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results and events may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our 2012 Form 10-K and as may be described in subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as the other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

We believe that the market risk of our financial instruments as of September 30, 2013 has not materially changed since December 31, 2012. The market risk profile on December 31, 2012 is disclosed in our 2012 Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or furnish under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. No system of controls, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 identified in connection with this evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Please refer to the information set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our 2012 Form 10-K for a description of risk factors that we determined to be most material to our financial condition and results of operations. We do not believe there have been any material changes in these risks. Additional risks that we do not currently consider to be material may also materially adversely affect our results of operation or financial condition in the future.

Item 6. Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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