SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. /DE/ - Annual Report: 2005 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005

OR

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________________ TO __________________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-26497

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (805) 987-0400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

          Yes [   ]      No  [ X ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

          Yes [   ]      No  [ X]

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 [X ]

No  [   ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [   ]

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

Large accelerated filer [   ]

Accelerated filer  [X ]

Non-accelerated filer  [   ]

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

            Yes [   ]      No  [ X ]

As of June 30, 2005, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $100,337,407 based on the closing sale price as reported on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System National Market System.

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

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      From time to time, in both written reports (such as this report) and oral statements, Salem Communications Corporation (“Salem” or the “company,” including references to Salem by “we,” “us” and “our”) makes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal and state securities laws. Disclosures that use words such as the company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “may” or “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the company’s current expectations and are based upon data available to the company at the time the statements are made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. These risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are detailed in Salem’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements made in this report speak as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this report. Any such forward-looking statements, whether made in this report or elsewhere, should be considered in context with the various disclosures made by Salem about its business. These projections or forward-looking statements fall under the safe harbors of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

All metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”) rank information used in this report, excluding information concerning The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is from the Fall 2005 Radio Market Survey Schedule & Population Rankings published by The Arbitron Company. According to the Radio Market Survey, the population estimates used were based upon 2000 U.S. Bureau Census estimates updated and projected to January 1, 2006 by Claritas, Inc.

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PART I

ITEM 1.      BUSINESS.

GENERAL

We believe that we are the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company, measured by number of stations and audience coverage, providing programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and family-themed radio programming. Our core business is the ownership and operation of radio stations in large metropolitan markets. Upon completion of all announced transactions, we will own a national portfolio of 104 radio stations in 40 markets, including 66 stations in 24 of the top 25 markets, which consists of 32 FM stations and 72 AM stations. We are one of only four commercial radio broadcasters with radio stations in all of the top 10 markets. We are the sixth largest operator measured by number of stations overall and the third largest operator measured by number of stations in the top 25 markets.

Our radio business is focused on the clustering of three strategic formats: Christian Teaching and Talk, Contemporary Christian Music and conservative News Talk. We also own and operate Salem Radio Network® (“SRN”), a national radio network that syndicates music, news and talk to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations, in addition to our owned and operated stations. Salem Radio Representatives® is a national radio advertising sales firm with offices in 13 U.S. cities. Additionally, Salem Web Network™ (“SWN”), a provider of online Christian content and streaming, and Salem Publishing™, a leading publisher of Christian magazines are owned and operated by Salem.

Business Strategy

Our principal business strategy is to expand and improve our national radio platform in order to deliver compelling content to audiences interested in Christian and family-themed programs. Our national presence gives advertisers a station platform that is a unique and a powerful way to reach a Christian audience.  We program 44 of our stations with our Christian Teaching and Talk format, which is talk programming with Christian and family themes. A key programming strategy on our Christian Teaching and Talk radio stations is to sell blocks of time to a variety of charitable organizations that create compelling radio programs.  We also program 34 News Talk and 14 Contemporary Christian Music stations. SRN supports our strategy by allowing us to reach listeners in markets where we do not own or operate stations.

Both our chief executive officer and our chairman are career radio broadcasters who have owned and operated radio stations for more than 30 years.

Acquisition Strategy

Since our initial public offering in July 1999, we have grown from 46 radio stations to 104 stations located in 40 radio markets. Our principal acquisition strategy is focused on acquiring stations in markets that have strong signals and will deliver an appropriate return on investment.  Because of our unique programming strategy that serves the Christian and family-themed audience, we usually must reformat each acquired station, which means we need to market and promote the new format, develop listenership, and cultivate a customer base to grow revenues. It can take five to six years of development for an acquired radio station to reach maturity. Over the long term, this strategy gives stations a competitive advantage and allows us to super-serve our large and loyal market segment.

We strive to build clusters of radio stations in each of our markets with each format targeting different demographic segments of the audience interested in Christian and family-themed programming. This clustering and programming segmentation strategy allows us to achieve greater penetration into each segment of our target market. We then are able to offer advertisers multiple audiences and to bundle the radio stations for advertising sales purposes when advantageous.

There are several potential benefits that result from operating multiple radio stations in the same market.  First, collectively our stations afford our clients a larger percentage of advertising time in that market. Second, the more stations we program, the greater the market share we can achieve in our target demographic groups through our distinctive programming. Third, we realize cost and operating efficiencies by consolidating sales, technical and administrative support and promotional functions where possible. Finally, the purchase of additional radio stations in an existing market allows us to leverage our market expertise to better serve our advertisers and our listeners through traditional and emerging media.   

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In addition to our radio station acquisitions, we are also looking for Christian content Internet and publishing opportunities that we can effectively integrate into our existing operations in a complementary manner.

Programming Strategy

Through the strength of our Christian Teaching and Talk format, the influence of our News Talk format and the growing popularity of our Contemporary Christian Music format, we are well-positioned to improve upon our leadership position in Christian and family-themed radio.

Christian Teaching and Talk.  Christian Teaching and Talk is our foundational format. Through this format, a listener can listen to Bible teaching and sermons, as well as gain answers to questions relating to daily life, from raising children to religious legal rights in education and the workplace.  This format serves as both a learning resource and as a personal support for listeners nationwide.  In response to the daily programming of our block programming partners, listeners call and write into these programs to ask questions, get more materials on a subject and receive study guides based on what they have learned on the radio.  

Block Programming.  Our national station platform and focused programming strategy provides us with the ability to consistently offer block programmers on our Christian Teaching and Talk stations both scale and targeting efficiencies. Historically, more than 90 percent of our block programming partners renewed their respective relationships with us. As a result, our block programming business tends to be recession resilient and provides a steady and consistent stream of revenue and cash flow.

News Talk.  News talk programming is the second most popular radio format in the country, based both on listenership and number of radio stations.  Our research has shown that our News Talk format is highly complementary to our core format of Christian Teaching and Talk.  As programmed by Salem, both formats express conservative views and family values.  Our News Talk format also provides us with the opportunity to leverage syndicated talk programming produced by our network, SRN. Our nationally syndicated programs are distributed through approximately 2,000 affiliates.  

The FISH® - Contemporary Christian Music.  Through our CCM format, called The FISH® in most markets, we are able to bring listeners the words of inspirational recording artists, set to upbeat contemporary music. Our music format is branded “Safe for the Whole Family™”, with sounds that everyone enjoys and lyrics that parents appreciate. The CCM genre continues to be popular. The American Music Awards annually honors and recognizes this format. According to Nielson Christian SoundScan, sales of Christian music, including digital, rose 2.4 percent making CCM the sixth most popular music genre in America in 2005.  We believe this listener base has been underserved in terms of radio coverage, especially in the larger markets.  

XM Satellite Radio.  As America's most popular satellite radio service, XM reaches more than 5 million subscribers from coast to coast. Our satellite radio station, XM 170, is the exclusive Christian Teaching and Talk channel on XM, reaching the entire nation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Audience Growth

We grow our audience by programming high quality, compelling content on our radio stations that is tested and fine-tuned to appeal to our listeners in each of our strategic formats. We work to maximize audience share and then convert these audience share ratings to advertising revenue, minimize clutter and control operating costs. We rely on a combination of research, marketing, targeted promotions and live events that create visibility and brand awareness for our stations in their local markets.

Station Development

Approximately half of our radio stations are in a start-up or early development stage.  Less mature stations generally grow their revenue and cash flow at a faster rate than mature stations.  Our strategy is to drive start-up and development stage stations to maturity as rapidly and as effectively as possible.   In addition, we focus on improving same-station revenue and station operating income at our mature stations. The start-up to maturity process in most cases is a span of five to six years, beginning with a period of start-up losses, moving to breakeven, and then growing profitability. As our start-up and development stage stations mature, significant revenue and cash flow growth is realized. Operating income margins typically improve as radio stations mature due to the fact that many costs are fixed or grow at or around the rate of inflation while revenues of the station tend to grow at a faster rate.

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Technical Improvements

A key focus for us is looking for ways to improve a radio station’s broadcast signal so that it can reach as many listeners as possible, both during the day and at night.  We have completed a number of enhancements that will improve the coverage of a number of signals, including several in the top 25 markets. In 2005, Salem completed tower upgrade projects for WYLL-AM in Chicago, and for The Fish™ WFSH-FM in Atlanta. In early 2006, Salem launched KTRO-FM, a new station in Portland, Oregon.

Radio Advertising Sales

We have assembled an effective, highly trained sales staff responsible for converting audience share into revenue.  We operate with a focused, sales-oriented culture that rewards aggressive selling efforts through a generous commission and bonus compensation structure.  We hire and deploy teams of sales professionals for each of our stations or station clusters, and we provide these teams with the resources necessary to compete effectively in the markets in which we operate.  We utilize various sales strategies to sell and market our stations as stand-alones, in combination with other stations within a given market and across markets, where appropriate.

Marketing Platform to National Advertisers

Through our acquisitions, we have created a national platform of radio stations that reaches more than four million listeners weekly. National companies find advertising on all our radio stations to be an efficient and cost-effective way to reach this target audience.  Through Salem Radio Representatives®, we bundle and sell this national platform of radio stations to national advertisers thereby enhancing our revenue generating opportunities, expanding our base of advertisers, creating greater demand for our advertising time inventory, and making our sales effort more efficient.

Significant Community Involvement

We believe our active involvement and significant relationships in the Christian community provide a competitive advantage in targeting Christian audiences. Our proactive involvement in the Christian community in each of our markets significantly improves the marketability of our radio broadcast time to advertisers who are targeting such communities.  We believe that a radio station’s image should reflect the lifestyle and viewpoints of the target demographic group it serves.  We regularly partner with organizations that serve the Christian and family-themed audience and sponsor and support events important to this group. These events include listener rallies, pastor recognition events and concerts like Fishfest® and Celebrate Freedom™.  These events connect us with our listeners and enable us to create enhanced awareness and name recognition in our markets. Involvement leads to increased effectiveness in developing and improving our programming formats, leading to greater listenership and higher ratings over the long term.

Corporate Structure

The management of our operations is decentralized. Our operations vice presidents, some of whom are also station general managers, oversee several markets on a regional basis. Our operations vice presidents are experienced radio broadcasters with expertise in sales, programming, marketing and production. We anticipate continuing to rely on this strategy of decentralization and encourage operations vice presidents to apply innovative techniques to the operations they oversee which, if successful, can be implemented at our other stations.

Our corporate headquarters personnel oversee the placement and rate negotiation for all national block programs. Centralized oversight of this component of our revenue is necessary because our key block program customers purchase time in many of our markets. Corporate headquarters personnel also are responsible for centralized accounting and finance functions, human resources, engineering, real estate, strategic direction and other support functions designed to provide resources to local management.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

We maintain a website at http://www.salem.cc. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Salem Communications Corporation was formed in 1986 as a California corporation and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1999. Salem Communications Holding Corporation (“Salem Holding”) was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Salem Communications Corporation in May 2000. In May 2000, Salem Communications Corporation formed an additional wholly-owned

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subsidiary, Salem Communications Acquisition Corporation (“AcquisitionCo”), which has since acquired nine radio stations through its wholly-owned subsidiary SCA License Corporation. In August 2000, Salem Communications Corporation assigned substantially all of its assets and liabilities (other than stock of Salem Holding and AcquisitionCo) to Salem Holding.

In June 2001, Salem Holding effected a dividend to Salem Communications Corporation of Salem Holding’s publishing and Internet businesses. This transaction was effected as a dividend of the capital stock and membership interests, respectively, of Salem Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiaries CCM Communications, Inc. (“CCM”) and OnePlace, LLC (“OnePlace”). As a result, CCM and OnePlace became direct subsidiaries of Salem Communications Corporation. Subsequently, the membership interests of OnePlace were contributed to SCA License Corporation, and OnePlace became an indirect subsidiary of Salem. Salem Communications Corporation and all of its subsidiaries (other than Salem Holding) are guarantors of the borrowings under Salem Holding’s credit facility and Salem Holding’s $94.4 million 9% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (“9% Notes”) and $100.0 million 7¾% senior subordinated notes due 2010 (“7¾% Notes”).

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

In 2005, we completed the purchase of selected assets of the following radio stations:

(1) “MSA” means metropolitan statistical area per the Fall 2005 Radio Market Survey Schedule and Population Rankings published by the Arbitron Company, excluding The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

On February 11, 2005, the Company acquired the Internet website Christianity.com and its related operations for $3.4 million.  On December 15, 2005, the Company acquired the Internet website Churchstaffing.com and its related operations for $3.1 million.

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RADIO STATIONS

Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 104 radio stations in 40 markets, including 32 FM stations and 72 AM stations. The following table sets forth information about each of Salem’s stations, in order of market size:

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RADIO STATIONS, CONT.

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RADIO STATIONS, CONT.

      (1) Actual city of license may differ from metropolitan market served.

      (2) “MSA” means metropolitan statistical area per the Fall 2005 Radio Market Survey Schedule and Population Rankings published by the Arbitron Company, excluding the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

      (3) This market includes the Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metro market which independently has a MSA rank of 17.

      (4) This market includes the San Jose, CA market which independently has a MSA rank of 33.

      (5) KPXI-FM is simulcast with KWRD-FM, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX.

      (6) KTFH-AM is an expanded band AM station. Under current Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules, we will be required to surrender to the FCC the license for either KTFH-AM or KLFE-AM on July 14, 2009.

      (7) WTBN-AM is simulcast with WTWD-AM, Tampa, FL.

      (8) KBJD-AM is an expanded band AM station. Under current FCC rules, we will be required to surrender to the FCC the license for either KBJD-AM or KRKS-AM on August 16, 2006.

      (9) WBOZ-FM is simulcast with WVRY-FM, Nashville, TN.

      (10) WFFH-FM is simulcast with WFFI-FM, Nashville, TN.

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PROGRAM REVENUE. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we derived 19.5% and 13.4% of our gross revenue, or $42.6 million and $29.3 million, respectively, from the sale of nationally syndicated and local block program time. We derive nationally syndicated program revenue from a programming customer base consisting primarily of geographically diverse, well-established non-profit religious and educational organizations that purchase time on stations in a large number of markets in the United States. Nationally syndicated program producers typically purchase 13, 26 or 52 minute blocks on a Monday through Friday basis and may offer supplemental programming for weekend release. We obtain local program revenue from community organizations and churches that typically purchase time primarily for weekend release and from local speakers who purchase daily releases. We believe our management has been successful in assisting quality local programs expand into national syndication.

ADVERTISING REVENUE. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we derived 45.5% of our gross revenue, or $99.6 million from the sale of local spot advertising and 8.2% of our gross revenue, or $18.0 million from the sale of national spot advertising.

SALEM RADIO NETWORK® AND SALEM RADIO REPRESENTATIVES ™

In 1993, we established SRN. Establishment of SRN was a part of our overall business strategy to develop a national network of affiliated radio stations anchored by our owned and operated radio stations in major markets. SRN, which is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, develops, produces and syndicates a broad range of programming specifically targeted to Christian and family-themed talk and music stations as well as general market News Talk stations. Currently, we have rights to several full-time satellite channels and all SRN product is delivered to affiliates via satellite.

SRN has approximately 2,000 affiliate stations, including our owned and operated stations, that broadcast one or more of the offered programming options. These programming options feature talk shows, news and music. The principal source of network revenue is from the sale of advertising time.

We established Salem Radio Representatives in 1992 as a sales representation company specializing in placing national advertising on religious format radio stations. SRN and our radio stations each have relationships with Salem Radio Representatives for the sale of available SRN spot advertising. Salem Radio Representatives receives a commission on all SRN sales. Salem Radio Representatives also contracts with individual radio stations to sell air time to national advertisers desiring to include selected company stations in national buys covering multiple markets.

We recognize our advertising and commission revenue from radio stations as the spots are aired. SRN’s gross revenue, including commission revenue for Salem Radio Representatives, for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $16.5 million.

OTHER MEDIA

Salem Web Network™.  Our online strategy centers on creating the premiere Internet platform serving the audience interested in Christian and family-themed content.  Leveraging our engaged and loyal radio listener base, SWN’s content, both in text and audio, can be accessed through our national portals which include OnePlace.com, Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com and through our 69 radio station websites, which  provide local content of interest to our local radio station listeners. In 2005 we acquired Christianity.com, ChristianJobs.com and ChurchStaffing.com. These recent acquisitions enhance our web leadership as a provider and distributor of Christian content and services for our target audience. SWN generates more than 400 million page views annually and has more than two million unique visitors each month.

Salem Publishing™.  Our leadership in the distribution of Christian content also extends into print through Salem Publishing, a magazine publisher serving the Christian audience and the Christian music industry. Last year, we published more than two million units. Our flagship publication, CCM Magazine®, has covered the contemporary Christian music industry for more than 25 years, playing an important role in the growth of contemporary Christian music. Salem Publishing™ is well positioned to grow with the addition of its other magazines: Homecoming Magazine, YouthWorker Journal™, Singing News Magazine, FaithTalk Magazine and CrossWalk.com Magazine.   

COMPETITION

RADIO. The radio broadcasting industry, including the segment of this industry that focuses on Christian and family themes, is a highly competitive business. The financial success of each of our radio stations that focuses on Christian Teaching and Talk is dependent, to a significant degree, upon its ability to generate revenue from the sale of block program time to national and local religious and educational organizations. We compete for this program revenue with a number of different commercial and noncommercial radio station licensees. While no commercial group owner in the United States specializing in Christian and family- themed programming approaches Salem in size of potential listening audience and presence in major markets, religious radio stations exist and enjoy varying degrees of prominence and success in all markets.

We also compete for revenue in the spot advertising market with other commercial religious format and general format radio station licensees. We compete in the spot advertising market with other media as well, including broadcast television, cable television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, Internet and billboard advertising, some of which may be controlled by horizontally-integrated companies.

Competition may also come from new media technologies and services that are being developed or introduced. These include delivery of audio programming by cable television and satellite systems, digital audio radio services, personal communications services and the service of low powered, limited coverage FM radio stations authorized by the FCC. Digital audio broadcasting will deliver multiformat digital radio services by satellite to national and regional audiences. The quality of programming delivered by digital audio broadcasting would be equivalent to compact disc. The delivery of live and stored audio programming through the Internet has also created new competition. In addition, commencement of satellite delivered digital audio radio services, which delivers multiple audio programming formats to local and national audiences, has created competition. We have attempted to address these existing and potential competitive threats through a more active strategy to acquire and integrate new electronic communications formats including Internet acquisitions made by SWN and our exclusive arrangement to provide Christian and family-themed talk and music formats on one of the two FCC licensees of satellite digital audio radio services.

NETWORK. Salem Radio Network® (“SRN”) competes with other commercial radio networks that offer news and talk programming to religious and general format stations and two noncommercial networks that offer Christian music formats. SRN also competes with other radio networks for the services of talk show personalities.

OTHER MEDIA. Our magazines compete for readers and advertisers with other publications that follow the Christian music industry and publications that address themes of interest to church leadership. Our Internet business competes with other companies that deliver on-line audio programming and Christian family themed Internet content.

SEGMENTS

The Company has one reportable operating segment - radio broadcasting. The remaining non-reportable segments consist of SWN and Salem Publishing, which do not meet the reportable segment quantitative thresholds and accordingly are aggregated as other media. The radio broadcasting segment also operates various radio networks.  The Company has presented its segment information in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Item 8 of Part II of this report, incorporated by reference.

EMPLOYEES

On March 3, 2006, Salem employed 1,147 full-time and 379 part-time employees. None of Salem’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and we consider our relations with our employees to be good.

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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

CERTAIN FACTORS AFFECTING SALEM   

We may choose not to pursue potentially more profitable business opportunities outside of our Christian and family-themed formats, or not to broadcast programming that violates our programming standards, either of which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are fundamentally committed to broadcasting formats and programming emphasizing Christian and family themes. We may choose not to switch to other formats or pursue potentially more profitable business opportunities in response to changing audience preferences. We do not intend to pursue business opportunities or air programming that would conflict with our core commitment to Christian and family themes formats or that would violate our programming standards, even if such opportunities or programming would be more profitable. Our decision not to pursue other formats or air programming inconsistent with our programming standards might result in lower operating revenues and profits than we might otherwise achieve.

We Must Respond To The Rapid Changes In Technology, Services And Standards Of Our Industry In Order To Remain Competitive

The radio broadcasting industries are subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of competition from new media technologies and services. We cannot assure you that we will have the resources to acquire new technologies or to introduce new services that could compete with these new technologies. Various new media technologies and services are being developed or introduced, including:

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satellite-delivered digital audio radio service, which has resulted in the introduction of new subscriber-based satellite radio services with numerous niche formats;

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audio programming by cable systems, direct-broadcast satellite systems, personal communications systems, content available over the Internet and other digital audio broadcast formats;

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in-band on-channel digital radio, which provides multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services;

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low-power FM radio, which could result in additional FM radio broadcast outlets; and

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iPod music players.

We currently program one channel on XM Satellite Radio. However, we cannot assure you that this arrangement will continue, will be successful or enable us to adapt effectively to these new media technologies. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that competition arising from new technologies or regulatory change may have on the radio broadcasting industry or on our financial condition and results of operations.

If We Are Unable To Execute Our Acquisition Strategy Successfully, Our Business May Not Continue To Grow

We intend to continue to acquire radio stations as well as other complementary media businesses. Our acquisition strategy has been, and will continue to focus primarily on, the acquisition of radio stations in the top 50 markets. However, we may not be able to identify and consummate future acquisitions successfully, and stations that we do acquire may not increase our station operating income or yield other anticipated benefits. Acquisitions in markets in which we already own stations may not increase our station operating income due to saturation of audience demand. Acquisitions in smaller markets may have less potential to increase operating revenues. Our failure to execute our acquisition strategy successfully in the future could limit our ability to continue to grow in terms of number of stations or profitability.

We May Be Unable To Integrate The Operations And Management Of Acquired Stations Or Businesses, Which Could Have A Material Adverse Effect On Our Business And Operating Results

Since January 1, 2005, we have acquired the assets of 17 radio stations, three Internet businesses and one publishing business, and we expect to make acquisitions of other stations and related businesses in the future. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate the operations or management of acquired stations and businesses and realize anticipated revenue synergies, or the operations or management of stations and businesses that might be acquired in the future. Continued acquisitions of stations will require us to manage a larger and likely more geographically diverse radio station portfolio than historically has been the case. Our inability to integrate and manage newly acquired stations or businesses successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

If We Are Unable To Implement Our Cluster Strategy, We May Not Realize Anticipated Operating Efficiencies

As part of our operating strategy, we attempt to realize efficiencies in operating costs and cross-selling of advertising by clustering the operations of two or more radio stations in a single market. However, there can be no assurance that this operating strategy will be successful. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that the clustering of radio stations in one market will not result in downward pressure on advertising rates at one or more of the existing or new radio stations within the cluster. There can be no assurance that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase its current listening audiences and operating revenue in circumstances where we implement our clustering strategy.

Additionally, FCC rules and policies allow a broadcaster to own a number of radio stations in a given market and permit, within limits, joint arrangements with other stations in a market relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations. We believe that radio stations that elect to take advantage of these clustering opportunities may, in certain circumstances, have lower operating costs and may be able to offer advertisers more attractive rates and services. The future development of our business in new markets, as well as the maintenance of our business growth in those markets in which we do not currently have radio station clusters, may be negatively impacted by competitors who are taking advantage of these clustering opportunities by operating multiple radio stations within markets.

The restrictions on ownership of multiple stations in each market may prevent us from implementing our cluster strategy.

As part of our growth strategy, we seek to acquire additional radio stations in markets in which we already have existing stations.  However, our ability to acquire, operate and integrate any such future acquisitions as part of a cluster is limited by antitrust laws, the Federal Communications Act of 1934 (the “Communications Act”), FCC regulations and other applicable laws and regulations.  Changes to any of these laws or regulations may affect our ability to acquire additional stations in radio markets where we already own one or more radio stations.

The FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rules limit the number of radio stations in a market which an entity may own and with which the entity may have joint arrangements relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations.  The number of radio stations an entity may own or have such arrangements with in a given market varies depending on the total number of radio stations located in the market.  In 2003, the FCC modified its definition of the term “market” and its method of determining the number of radio stations located in a “market” for all but smaller radio markets.  Specifically, the FCC replaced its “signal contour method” of defining a market and determining the number of radio stations located in the market with the use of “geographic markets” delineated by The Arbitron Company (“Arbitron”), which is a commercial ratings service.  For smaller radio markets for which Arbitron has not delineated a geographic market, the FCC is conducting a rulemaking to determine whether the “signal contour method” should be replaced with another method of defining the market and determining the number of radio stations in the market.  The method the FCC uses in such smaller markets affects the number of radio stations an entity may own or have joint arrangements with relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations in areas adjacent to a delineated Arbitron market.  We cannot predict the outcome of the FCC’s rulemaking regarding smaller markets or whether it will include modifications to the Arbitron geographic markets method used in markets delineated by Arbitron.

The maximum numbers of radio stations an entity may own or have joint arrangements with relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations in different size markets (the “Ownership Limits”) under the FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rules were mandated by Congress in 1996.  In 2003, an order of the FCC retaining the 1996 Ownership Limits was remanded to the FCC by the 3^rd Circuit Court of Appeals for further consideration.  In addition, interest has been expressed by members of Congress to reduce the Ownership Limits.  We cannot predict whether or how the FCC will modify the Ownership Limits on remand or whether Congress will mandate a modification of the Ownership Limits.  

We cannot predict the impact of pending modifications to the FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rules on our business operations.  Likewise, we cannot predict whether there will be a change in the antitrust laws, Communications Act or other law governing the ownership or operation of radio stations, or whether the FCC , Department of Justice (“DOJ”) or Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will modify their regulations and policies governing the acquisition of additional radio stations in a market.  In addition, we cannot predict whether a private party will challenge acquisitions we propose in the future.  These events could adversely affect our ability to implement our cluster acquisition strategy.

Government Regulation Of The Broadcasting Industry By The FTC, DOJ And FCC May Limit Our Ability To Acquire Or Dispose Of Radio Stations And Enter Into Certain Agreements

The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies require prior FCC approval for transfers of control of, and assignments of, FCC licenses. The FTC and the DOJ evaluate transactions to determine whether those transactions should be challenged under federal antitrust laws. Over the past eight years, the FTC and the DOJ have been increasingly active in their review of radio station acquisitions. This is particularly the case when a radio broadcast company proposes to acquire an additional station in an existing market. As we have gained a presence in a greater number of markets and percentage of the top 50 markets, our future proposed transactions may be subject to more frequent and aggressive review by the FTC or the DOJ due to market concentration concerns. This increased level of review may be accentuated in instances where we propose to engage in a transaction with parties who themselves have multiple stations in the relevant market. The FCC might not approve a proposed radio station acquisition or disposition when the DOJ has expressed market concentration concerns with respect to the buy or sell side of a given transaction, even if the proposed transaction would otherwise comply with the FCC’s numerical limits on in-market ownership. We cannot be sure that the DOJ or the FTC will not seek to prohibit or require the restructuring of our future acquisitions or dispositions on these or other bases.

Were a complaint to be filed against us or other FCC licenses involved in a transaction with us, the FCC could delay the grant of, or refuse to grant, its consent to an assignment or transfer of control of licenses and effectively prohibit a proposed acquisition or disposition.

As noted in the immediately preceding risk factor, the FCC’s local radio multiple ownership rules limit the number of stations we may own or operate in a market.  This limits our ability to make future radio station acquisitions.  Additionally, this limits our ability to enter into agreements whereby we provide programming to or sell advertising on radio stations that we do not own.  

Capital Requirements Necessary to Implement Acquisitions Could Pose Risks

We face stiff competition from other broadcasting companies for acquisition opportunities. If the prices sought by sellers of these companies were to rise, we may find fewer acceptable acquisition opportunities. In addition, the purchase price of possible acquisitions could require additional debt or equity financing on our part. Since the terms and availability of this financing depend to a large degree upon general economic conditions and third parties over which we have no control, we can give no assurance that we will obtain the needed financing or that we will obtain such financing on attractive terms. In addition, our ability to obtain financing depends on a number of other factors, many of which are also beyond our control, such as interest rates and national and local business conditions. If the cost of obtaining needed financing is too high or the terms of such financing are otherwise unacceptable in relation to the acquisition opportunity we are presented with, we may decide to forego that opportunity. Additional indebtedness could increase our leverage and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and may limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. Additional equity financing could result in dilution to our shareholders.

The Accounting Treatment Of Goodwill And FCC Licenses Could Cause Future Losses Due To Asset Impairment

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 142, goodwill and some indefinite-lived intangibles, including FCC licenses, are not amortized into results of operations, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually, with impairment being measured as the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible over its fair value. In addition, goodwill and intangible assets are tested more often for impairment as circumstances warrant. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their useful lives and are measured for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Any impairment losses under SFAS No. 142 or SFAS No. 144 will be recorded as operating expenses. Our future impairment reviews could result in asset write-downs.

Because Of Our Holding Company Structure, We Depend On Our Subsidiaries For Cash Flow, And Our Access To This Cash Flow Is Restricted

We operate as a holding company. All of our radio stations are currently owned and operated by our subsidiaries. Salem Holding, our wholly owned subsidiary, is the borrower under our credit facilities and our senior subordinated debt. All of our station-operating subsidiaries are subsidiaries of Salem Communications Corporation. Further, we guaranteed Salem Holding’s obligations under the credit facilities and under the senior subordinated notes.

As a holding company, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, including corporate overhead and other trade payables, are distributions from our subsidiaries of their net earnings and cash flow. We currently expect that the net earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries will be retained and used by them in their operations, including servicing their debt obligations, before distributions are made to us. Even if our subsidiaries elect to make distributions to us, we cannot assure you that applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including the dividend covenants contained in our credit facilities and senior subordinated notes, would permit such dividends or distributions.

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Our Business is Dependent Upon the Performance of Key Employees, On-Air Talent and Program Hosts

Our business is dependent upon the performance and continued efforts of certain key individuals, particularly Edward G. Atsinger III, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stuart W. Epperson, our Chairman of the Board. The loss of the services of either of Messrs. Atsinger or Epperson could have a material adverse effect upon us. We have entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson. Both agreements expire in June 2007. Mr. Epperson has radio interests unrelated to Salem’s operations that will continue to impose demands on his time. Mr. Atsinger has an interest in an aviation business unrelated to Salem’s operations that will continue to impose demands on his time.

We also employ or independently contract with several on-air personalities and hosts of syndicated radio programs with significant loyal audiences both on a national level and in their respective markets. Although we have entered into long-term agreements with some of our executive officers, key on-air talent and program hosts to protect our interests in those relationships, we can give no assurance that all or any of these key employees will remain with us or will retain their audiences. Competition for these individuals is intense and many of our key employees are at-will employees who are under no legal obligation to remain with us. Our competitors may choose to extend offers to any of these individuals on terms, which we may be unwilling to meet. In addition, any or all of our key employees may decide to leave for a variety of personal or other reasons beyond our control. Furthermore, the popularity and audience loyalty of our key on-air talent and program hosts is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes. A loss of such popularity or audience loyalty is beyond our control and could limit our ability to generate revenues.

We May Be Adversely Affected By New Statutes Dealing With Indecency

Congress currently has under consideration legislation that addresses the FCC’s enforcement of its rules concerning the broadcast of obscene, indecent, or profane material. Potential changes to enhance the FCC’s authority in this area include the ability to impose substantially higher monetary forfeiture penalties, consider violations to be “serious” offenses in the context of license renewal applications, and, under certain circumstances, designate a license for hearing to determine whether such license should be revoked. While we do not anticipate these regulations to impact us as significantly as some of our competitors given the nature of our programming, in the event that this or similar legislation is ultimately enacted into law, we could face increased costs in the form of fines and a greater risk that we could lose one or more of our broadcasting licenses.

If We Are Not Able To Obtain Financing Or Generate Sufficient Cash Flows From Operations, We May Be Unable To Fund Future Acquisitions

We may require significant financing to fund our acquisition strategy. This financing may not be available to us. The availability of funds under the credit facility at any time will be dependent upon, among other factors, our ability to satisfy financial covenants. Our future operating performance will be subject to financial, economic, business, competitive, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our future cash flows or borrowing capacity will be sufficient to allow us to complete future acquisitions or implement our business plan, which could have a material negative impact on our business and results of operations.

We may require significant financing to fund our acquisition strategy. This financing may not be available to us. The availability of funds under the credit facility at any time will be dependent upon, among other factors, our ability to satisfy financial covenants. Our future operating performance will be subject to financial, economic, business, competitive, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that our future cash flows or borrowing capacity will be sufficient to allow us to complete future acquisitions or implement our business plan, which could result in the disposition of certain income-producing assets or otherwise have a material negative impact on our business and results of operations.

Our Substantial Indebtedness And Our Ability To Incur More Indebtedness Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition

We currently have a significant amount of indebtedness. At December 31, 2005, our total consolidated indebtedness was $327.5 million. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

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making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to borrowings under the credit facility and the subordinated notes;

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limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate requirements;

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requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate requirements;

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placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to those of our competitors that have less indebtedness;

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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry that could make us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulations;

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subjecting us to higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates because some of our indebtedness is at variable rates of interest; and

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causing us to sell income-producing assets that have market value.

We may incur additional indebtedness to fund future acquisitions and for other corporate purposes. If new indebtedness is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current indebtedness levels, the related risks that we and they now face could intensify.

To Service Our Indebtedness And Other Obligations, We Will Require A Significant Amount Of Cash. Our Ability To Generate Cash Depends On Many Factors Beyond Our Control

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, to pay dividends and to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This ability to generate cash, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our businesses might not generate sufficient cash flow from operations. We might not be able to complete future offerings, and future borrowings might not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

If We Cannot Attract The Anticipated Listener, Programmer And Advertiser Base For Our Newly Acquired Radio Stations, We May Not Recoup Associated Operating Costs Or Achieve Profitability For These Radio Stations

We frequently acquire new radio stations that previously broadcast in formats other than our primary formats. We continue to program some of these recently acquired stations in non-primary formats and we re-program others to one of our primary formats. During, and for a period after, the conversion of a radio station’s format, the radio station typically generates operating losses. The magnitude and duration of these losses depends on a number of factors, including the promotional and marketing costs associated with attracting listeners and advertisers to our radio station’s new format and the success of these efforts. There is no guarantee that the operation of these newly acquired stations or our operations in new formats will attract a sufficient listener and advertiser base. If we are not successful in attracting the listener and advertiser base we anticipate, we may not recoup associated operating costs or achieve profitability for these radio stations.

If We Do Not Maintain Or Increase Our Block Programming Revenues, Our Business And Operating Results May Be Adversely Affected

The financial success of each of our radio stations that features Christian Teaching and Talk programming is dependent, to a significant degree, upon our ability to generate revenue from the sale of block programming time to national and local religious organizations, which accounted for 32.3% and 32.9% of our gross broadcasting revenue during the years ended December 31, 2004, and 2005, respectively. We compete for this program revenue with a number of commercial and non-commercial radio stations. Due to the significant competition for this block programming, we may not be able to maintain or increase our current block programming revenue.

If We Are Unable To Maintain Or Grow Our Advertising Revenues, Our Business And Operating Results May Be Adversely Affected

Our radio stations with our Christian Teaching and Talk, Contemporary Christian Music and News Talk formats are substantially dependent upon advertising for their revenues. In the advertising market, we compete for revenue with other commercial religious format and general format radio stations, as well as with other media, including broadcast and cable television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, Internet and billboard advertising. Due to this significant competition, we may not be able to maintain or increase our current advertising revenue.

A Sustained Economic Downturn In Key Salem Markets Could Negatively Impact Our Ability To Generate Broadcasting Revenues

We derive a substantial part of our revenues from the sale of advertising on our radio stations. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, 52.3%, 54.0%, and 53.7% of our broadcasting revenues, respectively, were generated from the sale of advertising. We are particularly dependent on revenue from stations in the Los Angeles and Dallas markets, which generated 8.4% and 7.5%, respectively, of our gross broadcasting revenues in 2005. Because substantial portions of our revenues are derived from local advertisers in these key markets, our ability to generate revenues in those markets could be adversely affected by local or regional economic downturns.

Environmental, Health, Safety and Land Use Laws and Regulations May Limit or Restrict Some of Our Operations

We must comply with various federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and land use laws and regulations which have a tendency to affect broadcast facilities differently than other uses.  We and our properties are subject to such laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and employee health and safety, as well as zoning restrictions which may affect, among other things, the ability for us to improve or relocate our radio broadcasting facilities. Historically, we have not incurred significant expenditures to comply with these laws. However, existing laws, and those  which may be applied in the future, or a finding of a violation of or liability, could require us to make significant expenditures and otherwise limit or restrict some of our operations.

Acts Of War And Terrorism May Reduce Our Revenue And Have Other Negative Effects On Our Business

In response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., we increased our news and community service programming, which decreased the amount of broadcast time available for commercial advertising and block programming. In addition, these events caused advertisers to cancel advertisements on our stations. Continued acts of war and terrorism against the United States, and the country’s response thereto, including the current military actions in Iraq, may also cause a general slowdown in the U.S. advertising market, which could cause our revenues to decline due to advertising and/or programming cancellations, delays or defaults in payment, and other factors. In addition, these events may have other negative effects on our business, the nature and duration of which we cannot predict. If these acts of war or terrorism or weak economic conditions continue or worsen, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our Controlling Stockholders May Cause Us To Act, Or Refrain From Acting, In A Way That Minority Stockholders Do Not Believe Is In Their Best Interest

As of March 10, 2006, Edward G. Atsinger III, Stuart W. Epperson, Nancy A. Epperson and Edward C. Atsinger controlled approximately 85.6% of the voting power of our capital stock. These four stockholders thus have the ability to control fundamental corporate transactions requiring stockholder approval, including but not limited to, the election of all of our directors, except for two directors elected by holders of our Class A common stock, approval of merger transactions involving Salem and the sale of all or substantially all of Salem’s assets. The interests of any of these controlling stockholders may differ from the interests of our other stockholders and one or more of the controlling stockholders could take action or make decisions (or block action or decisions) that are not in the minority stockholders’ best interest.

If We Fail To Maintain Our Licenses With The FCC, We Would Be Prevented From Operating Affected Radio Stations

We operate each of our radio stations pursuant to one or more FCC broadcasting licenses. As each license expires, we apply for renewal of the license. However, we cannot be sure that any of our licenses will be renewed, and renewal is subject to challenge by third-parties or to denial by the FCC. The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies require prior FCC approval for transfers of control of, and assignments of, FCC licenses. Were a complaint to be filed against us or other FCC licensees involved in a transaction with us, the FCC could delay the grant of, or refuse to grant, its consent to an assignment or transfer of control of licenses and effectively prohibit a proposed acquisition or disposition. The failure to renew any of our licenses would prevent us from operating the affected station and generating revenue from it. If the FCC decides to include conditions or qualifications in any of our licenses, we may be limited in the manner in which we may operate the affected station.

Covenant Restrictions Under Salem Holding’s Credit Facility And Its Indentures Governing Its Outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes May Limit Our Ability To Operate Our Business

Salem Holding’s credit facility and the indentures governing its notes contain, among other things, covenants that restrict Salem’s, Salem Holding’s and their subsidiaries’ ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. The credit facility and each of such indentures restrict, among other things, our ability to:

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incur additional debt;

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pay dividends or make distributions;

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purchase or redeem stock;

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make investments and extend credit;

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engage in transactions with affiliates;

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create liens on assets;

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transfer and sell assets; and

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effect a consolidation or merger or sell, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets.

These restrictions on management’s ability to operate Salem’s and Salem Holding’s business in accordance with their discretion could have a material adverse effect on our business. The covenants in each indenture of Salem Holding are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. These limitations and exceptions will, for example, allow Salem Holding to make certain restricted payments to, and investments in, Salem, subject to specified limitations.

In addition, Salem Holding’s credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests which may require that we take action to reduce our debt or to act in a manner contrary to our business objectives. Events beyond our control, including changes in general economic and business conditions, may affect our ability to meet those financial ratios and financial condition tests. We cannot assure you that we will meet those tests or that the lenders will waive any failure to meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under Salem Holding’s credit facility and its existing indentures. If an event of default occurs under any of these agreements, the lenders could, under the credit facility, elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable.

If we are unable to pay our obligations to the lenders under the credit facility or other future senior debt instruments, the lenders could proceed against any or all of the collateral securing the indebtedness to them. The collateral under the credit facility consists of substantially all of our existing assets. In addition, a breach of certain of the restrictions or covenants in these agreements, or an acceleration by these lenders of the obligations to them, would cause a default under Salem Holding’s notes. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make accelerated payments, including payments on the notes, or to repay the notes in full after we pay the senior secured lenders to the extent of their collateral.

We May be Adversely Affected by a General Deterioration in Economic Conditions

The risks associated with our businesses become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in advertising.  A decline in the level of business activity of our advertisers could have an adverse effect on our revenues and profit margins. During the recent economic slowdown in the United States, many advertisers reduced their advertising expenditures. The impact of slowdowns on our business is difficult to predict, but they may result in reductions in purchases of advertising.   

Our Broadcasts Often Rely on Content Owned by Third Parties; Obtaining Such Content Could Be Costly And Require Us To Enter Into Disadvantageous License Or Royalty Arrangements

We rely heavily upon content and software owned by third parties in order to provide programming for our broadcasts. The cost of obtaining all necessary licenses and permission to use this third party content and software continues to increase. Although we attempt to avoid infringing known proprietary rights of third parties in our broadcasting efforts, we expect that we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims for alleged infringement from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Any claims relating to the infringement of third-party proprietary rights, even if not meritorious, could result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources, or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements which are not advantageous to us. In addition, parties making claims may be able to obtain an injunction, which could prevent us from broadcasting all or certain portions of individual radio broadcasts containing content owned by third parties. We also rely on software that we license from third parties, including software that is integrated with internally developed software and used to perform key broadcasting and accounting functions. We could lose the right to use this software or it could be made available to us only on commercially unreasonable terms. Although we believe that alternative software is available from other third-party suppliers or internal developments, the loss of or inability to maintain any of these software licenses or the inability of the third parties to enhance in a timely and cost-effective manner their products in response to changing customer needs, industry standards or technological developments could result in limitations or delays in broadcasting or accounting for programming by us until equivalent software could be developed internally or identified, licensed and integrated, which would harm our business.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not Applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

The types of properties required to support our radio stations include offices, studios and tower and antenna sites. A station’s studios are generally located in an office in a downtown or business district.  Tower and antenna sites are selected in areas that provide maximum market coverage. Our network operations are supported by offices and studios from which its programming originates or is relayed from a remote point of origination. The operations of our other media businesses are supported by office facilities.

Our radio stations’ studios and offices as well as the operations of our other media businesses are located in leased facilities. Our network leases satellite transponders used for delivery of its programming. We either own or lease our radio station tower and antenna sites. We believe we will be able to renew any such lease that expires or obtain comparable facilities, as necessary. We own our corporate office building, located in Camarillo, California, and the headquarters of SRN and Salem Radio Representatives, located in the Dallas, Texas metropolitan area. In January 2004, we purchased the property upon which our studio and office facilities for our Tampa, Florida stations are located. In October 2004, we purchased the property upon which our studio and office facilities for our Honolulu, Hawaii stations will be located once the construction is complete.  In October 2005, we purchased land in Los Angeles, California, to be used as the nighttime transmitter site for KRLA-AM Los Angeles.    

We lease certain property from our principal stockholders or trusts and partnerships created for the benefit of the principal stockholders and their families. These leases are described in “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” in Part III, Item 13 and in Note 8 of our consolidated financial statements. All such leases have cost of living adjustments. Based upon our management’s assessment and analysis of local market conditions for comparable properties, we believe such leases have terms that that are as favorable, or more favorable, to the company than those that would have been available from unaffiliated parties.

No one physical property is material to our overall operations. We believe that our properties are in good condition and suitable for our operations; however, we continually evaluate opportunities to upgrade our properties.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We and our subsidiaries, incident to our business activities, are parties to a number of legal proceedings, lawsuits, arbitration and other claims including the purported class action described below. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. Also, we maintain insurance which may provide coverage for such matters. Consequently, we are unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. We believe, at this time, that the final resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon our annual consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On March 9, 2005, Pipefitters, Locals 522 and 633 Pension Trust Fund filed a Class Action Complaint for Violation of the Federal Securities Laws in the Superior Court of California for the County of Ventura against us, our directors, certain of our officers and certain underwriters of the company's April 2004 public offering of Class A common stock, on behalf of a putative class of all persons who purchased the company's equity securities pursuant to or traceable to that offering.  The complaint alleges that offering documents contained misstatements and omissions regarding the company's fixed assets and internal controls.  The complaint asserts claims under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, and seeks rescission or damages, interest, attorney's fees and costs, as well as equitable and injunctive relief.  The parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement dated as of February 7, 2006, which provides for a full settlement of these claims in exchange for payment of $1.85 million to be paid by the company and its insurance carrier.  The settlement is subject to certain conditions set forth in the stipulation, including final court approval following notice to the class members. The Court granted Plaintiff's unopposed motion and application for preliminary approval of the settlement on March 27, 2006 and set a schedule for providing notice to the class members.  The hearing for final approval of the settlement is set for June 19, 2006.  The company recognized expenses of $0.7 million related to this settlement.  

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

No matters were submitted to a vote of stockholders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY; RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

The company’s Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market® (“NASDAQ-NMS”) under the symbol SALM. At March 10, 2006, the company had approximately 47 stockholders of record (not including the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or street name through various brokerage firms) and 18,919,832 outstanding shares of its Class A common stock and two stockholders of record and 5,553,696 outstanding shares of its Class B common stock. The following table sets forth for the fiscal quarters indicated the range of high and low trade price information per share of the Class A common stock of the company as reported on the NASDAQ-NMS.

      There is no established public trading market for the company’s Class B common stock.

DIVIDEND POLICY

Historically, the company has not paid a dividend on either class of its common stock. The company has historically retained earnings for use in its business and will continue to do so unless its board of directors makes a determination to declare and pay dividends on its common stock in light of and after consideration of its earnings, financial position, capital requirements, its bank credit facility, the indentures governing its senior subordinated notes and such other factors as the board of directors deems relevant. The company’s sole source of cash available for making dividend payments will be dividends paid to the company or payments made to the company by its subsidiaries. The ability of subsidiaries of the company to make such payments may be restricted by applicable state laws or terms of agreements to which they are or may become a party; the company’s credit facility and the terms of the indentures governing its outstanding senior subordinated notes restrict the payment of dividends on its common stock unless certain specified conditions are satisfied.       

During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2005, we made repurchases of our Class A common stock pursuant to a $25.0 million share re share repurchase program adopted by our Board of Directors in May 2005.  This repurchase program will continue until the earlier of (a) May 6, 2007, (b) all desired shares are repurchased, or (c) the Repurchase Plan is terminated earlier by the Repurchase Plan Committee on behalf of Salem.  The amount we may repurchase may be limited by certain restrictions under our credit facilities.   The following table provides information on our repurchases for the year ended December 31, 2005.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

      The following table sets forth selected financial data and other operating information of Salem. The selected financial data in the table are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Salem. The data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial information included (incorporated by reference) herein. The data below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and specifically the disclosure concerning a reconciliation for historical Non-GAAP measures presented in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included in Item 7 of this report.  The Statements of Operations Data for all periods presented have been reclassified to reflect the operating results of WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio and WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia as a discontinued operation.  The Company entered into agreements to sell these radio stations during 2005 and 2006.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED).

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED).

(1)     Had SFAS No. 142 been applied as of January 1, 2001, we would have reported net income for the year ended December 31, 2001 as follows:

      Had SFAS No. 142 been applied as of January 1, 2001, income before operations would have been $19.1 million ($0.81 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2001.

(2)      We define station operating income as net broadcasting revenue less broadcasting operating expenses.

      Station operating income is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Therefore it should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for results of operations presented on the basis of GAAP. Management believes that station operating income is useful, when considered in conjunction with operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, because it is generally recognized by the radio broadcasting industry as a tool in measuring performance and in applying valuation methodologies for companies in the media, entertainment and communications industries. This measure is used by investors and by analysts who report on the industry to provide comparisons between broadcast groups. Additionally, we use station operating income as one of our key measures of operating efficiency and profitability. Station operating income does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities. Our statement of cash flows presents our cash flow activity and our income statement presents our historical performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our station operating income is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

RECONCILIATION OF STATION OPERATING INCOME TO OPERATING INCOME

(3)     Station operating income margin is station operating income as a percentage of net broadcasting revenue.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

GENERAL

      The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated financial statements are not directly comparable from period to period because of our acquisition and disposition of selected assets of radio stations and our acquisition of selected assets of other media businesses. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8 for additional information.

OVERVIEW

      As a radio broadcasting company with a national radio network, we derive our revenue primarily from the sale of broadcast time and radio advertising on a national and local basis.

      Historically, our principal sources of revenue have been:

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the sale of block program time, both to national and local program producers,

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the sale of advertising time on our radio stations, both to national and local advertisers, and

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the sale of advertising time on our national radio network.

      The rates we are able to charge for broadcast time and advertising time are dependent upon several factors, including:

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audience share,

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how well our stations perform for our clients,

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the size of the market,

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the general economic conditions in each market, and

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supply and demand on both a local and national level.

Our sources of revenue and product offerings also increasingly include other media businesses, including our Internet and magazine publishing businesses.

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      The following table shows gross broadcasting revenue, the percentage of gross broadcasting revenue for each broadcasting revenue source and net broadcasting revenue.

Our broadcasting revenue is affected primarily by the program rates our radio stations charge and by the advertising rates our radio stations and networks charge. The rates for block programming time are based upon our stations’ ability to attract audiences that will support the program producers through contributions and purchases of their products. Advertising rates are based upon the demand for advertising time, which in turn is based on our stations’ and networks’ ability to produce results for their advertisers. Historically we have not subscribed to traditional audience measuring services. Instead, we have marketed ourselves to advertisers based upon the responsiveness of our audiences. In selected markets we subscribe to Arbitron, which develops quarterly reports to measure a radio station’s audience share in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers. Each of our radio stations and our networks has a general pre-determined level of time that they make available for block programming and/or advertising, which may vary at different times of the day.

As is typical in the radio broadcasting industry, our second and fourth quarter advertising revenue generally exceeds our first and third quarter advertising revenue. This seasonal fluctuation in advertising revenue corresponds generally with quarterly fluctuations in the retail advertising industry. Quarterly revenue from the sale of block programming time does not tend to vary significantly, however, because program rates are generally set annually.

Our cash flow is affected by a transitional period experienced by radio stations when, due to the nature of the radio station, our plans for the market and other circumstances, we find it beneficial to change its format. This transitional period is when we develop a radio station’s customer and listener base. During this period, a station may generate negative or insignificant cash flow.

In the broadcasting industry, radio stations often utilize trade or barter agreements to exchange advertising time for goods or services (such as other media advertising, travel or lodging) in lieu of cash. In order to preserve the sale of our advertising time for cash, we generally enter into trade agreements only if the goods or services bartered to us will be used in our business. We have minimized our use of trade agreements and have generally sold most of our advertising time for cash. In 2005, we sold 96% of our advertising time for cash. In addition, it is our general policy not to preempt advertising paid for in cash with advertising paid for in trade.

The primary operating expenses incurred in the ownership and operation of our radio stations include: (i) employee salaries, commissions and related employee benefits and taxes, (ii) facility expenses such as rent and utilities, (iii) marketing and promotional expenses, and (iv) music license fees. In addition to these expenses, our network incurs programming costs and lease expenses for satellite communication facilities. We also incur and will continue to incur significant depreciation, amortization and interest expense as a result of completed and future acquisitions of radio stations and existing and future borrowings.

Salem Web Network™, our Internet business, earns its revenue from sales of streaming services, sales of advertising and, to a lesser extent, sales of software and software support contracts. Salem Publishing™, our publishing business, earns its revenue by selling advertising in and subscriptions to its publications. The revenue and related operating expenses of these businesses are reported as “other media” on our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

SAME STATION DEFINITION

In the discussion of our results of operations below, we compare our results between periods on an as reported basis (that is, the results of operations of all radio stations and network formats owned or operated at any time during either period) and on a “same station” basis. With regard to fiscal quarters, we include in our same station comparisons the results of operations of radio stations or radio station clusters and networks that we own or operate in the same format during the quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same station results for a full year are based on the sum of the same station results for the four quarters of that year.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We have reclassified our statements of operations data for all periods presented to reflect our sales of the assets of radio stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio and WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, which closed on February 10, 2006, and the assets of radio station WBTK-AM, Richmond, VA, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2006.  These transactions have been accounted for as a discontinued operation.

     The following table sets forth certain statements of operations data as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated:

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The following table presents selected financial data for the periods indicated as a percentage of total revenue

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Year ended December 31, 2005 compared to year ended December 31, 2004

      NET BROADCASTING REVENUE.  Net broadcasting revenue increased $14.7 million or 7.9% to $201.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $186.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, net revenue improved $10.0 million, or 6.0% to $176.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $166.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  This revenue growth is attributable primarily to an increase in local spot and local program revenue of $7.5 million on our News Talk stations and an increase in national and local program sales of $4.0 million on our Christian Teaching and Talk stations.  Revenue from advertising as a percentage of our gross broadcasting revenue decreased to 53.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, from 54.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004.  Revenue from block program time as a percentage of our gross broadcasting revenue increased to 32.9% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, from 32.3% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004.  This change in our revenue mix is primarily due to additional program revenue on our News Talk stations and continued revenue growth on our Christian Teaching and Talk stations.  

      OTHER MEDIA REVENUE.  Other media revenue increased $1.5 million, or 15.5% to $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase is primarily due to a $0.5 million increase in banner advertising, an increase in radio streaming of $0.5 million, and an increase in online job posting revenue of $0.2 million as a result of our acquisition of the assets of the Internet portal operations of Christianjobs.com in the third quarter of 2004.       

BROADCASTING OPERATING EXPENSES.  Broadcast operating expenses increased $9.5 million, or 8.4% to $124.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $114.7 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, broadcast operating expense increased $3.9 million or 3.9% to $102.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $99.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase is primarily due to higher payroll and related costs of $6.3 million, higher rent and utility costs of $2.0 million primarily associated with recently acquired facilities and increased marketing and promotional expense of $0.8 million related to our Christian music stations and the rollout of News Talk format in new markets.  

      COST OF DENIED / ABANDONED TOWER SITE AND LICENSE UPGRADE.   During 2004 we wrote off $0.7 million of project costs incurred to upgrade our radio station technical facilities and FCC licenses.

OTHER MEDIA OPERATING EXPENSES.   Other media operating expenses increased $1.3 million, or $15.0% to $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase is primarily due to our acquisition of the assets of the Internet portal operations of Christianjobs.com in the third quarter of 2004 and the acquisition of the Internet portal operations of Christianity.com in the first quarter of 2005.      

      LEGAL SETTLEMENT.   During the year ended December 31, 2005, we recorded a $0.7 million expense related to a stipulation of settlement of a class action lawsuit.   

CORPORATE EXPENSES.  Corporate expenses increased $2.1 million, or 12.2%, to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $17.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase is primarily due to increased overhead costs of $1.5 million associated with the growth of the company and higher audit and accounting fees of $0.6 million primarily associated with the compliance requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.   Depreciation expense increased $1.1 million, or 9.9%, to $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $10.7 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase is primarily due to depreciation associated with the acquisitions of radio station assets and Internet business assets during 2005. Amortization expense was $1.5 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005.

LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS.   Loss on disposal of assets of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, was primarily due to the write-off of various fixed assets and equipment.  Loss on disposal of fixed assets of $3.2 million for year ended December 31, 2004, was primarily due to the results of a physical inventory of our property plant and equipment and included an additional $0.2 million loss from the disposition of certain studio and production equipment being sold in connection with the early termination of a lease with a related party.

      OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE).  Interest income of $0.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was interest earned on excess cash.  Interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 13.2% to $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $19.9 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increased borrowings on our credit facilities and higher interest rates as well as reduced interest savings of $3.0 million realized from interest rate swaps, partially offset with savings of $2.3 million due to the redemption of $55.6 million of our 9% Notes.  Net other expense of $0.5 million relates primarily to bank commitment fees associated with our credit facilities.        

      PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.      Provision for income taxes was $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  Provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes (that is, the effective tax rate) was 39.7% for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 38.1% for the year ended December 31, 2004. The effective tax rate for each period differs from the federal statutory income rate of 35.0% due to the effect of state income taxes, certain expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, and changes in the valuation allowance from the utilization of certain state net operating loss carryforwards.

      INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX.       The income from discontinued operations of $0.1 million, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2005, is related to the recovery of a legal settlement of $0.3 million associated with the sale of WYGY-FM, Cincinnati, Ohio, in September 2002, partially offset by the operating results of stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, and WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia.  As described in Note 2 to our financial statements, we entered into agreements to sell these radio stations during 2005 and 2006.   All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations, resulting in an additional loss from discontinued operations in 2004 of $0.1 million, net of tax.  Also included in the 2004 loss from discontinued operations is a $91,000 charge, net of tax, related to an increase in a liability associated with the sale of WYGY-FM, Cincinnati, Ohio.  

   NET INCOME.   We recognized net income of $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to net income of $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  This increase is primarily due to an increase in operating income of $5.0 million and a loss of approximately $24,000 from the early redemption of long-term debt in 2005 compared to $6.6 million in 2004, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $2.6 million and an increase in provision for income taxes of $3.6 million.

Year ended December 31, 2004 compared to year ended December 31, 2003

      NET BROADCASTING REVENUE.      Net broadcasting revenue increased $17.1 million or 10.1% to $186.3 million in 2004 from $169.2 million in 2003. On a same station basis, net revenue improved $15.9 million or 9.9% to $176.4 million in 2004 from $160.5 million in 2003. The growth is primarily attributable to an increase in net broadcasting revenue of $5.6 million from our music stations acquired since the middle of 2000, the development of our News Talk platform resulting in an increase of $3.0 million in revenue and increases in national spot revenue of $4.1 million and network revenue of $2.0 million. Revenue from advertising as a percentage of our gross broadcasting revenue increased to 54.0% in 2004 from 52.3% in 2003.  Revenue from block program time as a percentage of our gross broadcasting revenue decreased to 32.3% in 2004 from 35.0% in 2003. This change in our revenue mix was primarily due to the growth of advertising revenues at our Contemporary Christian Music and News Talk radio stations and our continued efforts to develop more advertising revenue in all of our markets.

      OTHER MEDIA REVENUE.       Other media revenue increased $1.4 million or 18.8% to $9.3 million in 2004 from $7.9 million in 2003. This increase was due primarily to increased Internet display advertising of $0.5 million, print pages and custom print sold of $1.0 million, as well as our acquisition of the assets of the Internet portal operations of Christianjobs.com in the third quarter of 2004 resulting in $0.1 million in revenue.

      BROADCASTING OPERATING EXPENSES.       Broadcasting operating expenses increased $6.9 million or 6.3% to $114.7 million in 2004 from $107.8 million in 2003. On a same station basis, broadcasting operating expenses increased $2.4 million or 2.4% to $104.8 million in 2004 from $102.3 million in 2003. The increase is primarily due to incremental selling expenses of $5.0 million incurred to produce the increased revenue in the period and increased promotional expenses of $2.1 million related to the rollout of our News Talk format in new markets, partially offset by reduced bad debt expense of $2.7 million as a result of improved collections.

COST OF DENIED / ABANDONED TOWER SITE AND LICENSE UPGRADE.   During 2004 we wrote off $0.7 million of project costs incurred to upgrade our radio station technical facilities and FCC licenses.

      OTHER MEDIA OPERATING EXPENSES.       Other media operating expenses increased $0.7 million or 8.3% to $8.6 million in 2004 from $7.9 million in 2003. The increase is attributable primarily to costs of $0.2 million associated with our acquisition of the assets of the Internet portal operations of Christianjobs.com in the third quarter of 2004, the early termination of a lease of one of our Salem Web Network™ offices and increased circulation costs of $0.2 million due to additional production at Salem Publishing™.

      CORPORATE EXPENSES.      Corporate expenses increased $1.4 million or 8.6% to $17.5 million in 2004 from $16.1 million in 2003, primarily due to: (a) additional overhead costs incurred for all of 2004 as compared to a portion of 2003 in connection with the acquisitions of the assets of radio stations during 2003, (b) an increase in salaries and accrued executive bonuses of  $0.6 million in 2004,(c) additional overhead costs associated with the acquisitions of the assets of radio stations and an Internet business during 2004, and (d) costs of $0.2 million associated with the implementation of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      COST OF TERMINATED OFFERING.       During the third quarter of 2003, Salem incurred a one-time charge of $0.7 million to write-off costs associated with a contemplated debt offering that was terminated during that quarter. This charge is identified in Salem's Statement of Operations as “Cost of Terminated Offering.”

      DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.       Depreciation expense increased $0.2 million or 1.6% to $10.7 million in 2004 from $10.6 million in 2003. The increase was due to: (a) the additional depreciation expense incurred for all of 2004 as compared to a portion of 2003 in connection with our acquisitions of the assets of radio stations during 2003, and (b) additional depreciation expenses associated with the acquisition of the assets of radio stations and an Internet portal operation during 2004. Amortization expense decreased $0.1 million or 3.5% to $1.5 million in 2004 from $1.6 million in 2003.

LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS.       Loss on disposal of fixed assets of $3.2 million for year ended December 31, 2004, was primarily due to the results of a physical inventory of our property plant and equipment and included an additional $0.2 million from the disposition of certain studio and production equipment being sold in connection with the early termination of a lease with a related party.  Loss on disposal of assets of $0.2 million in 2003 was primarily due to the disposition of certain property, plant and equipment, partially offset by the recovery of a bad debt related to a note acquired in the sale of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets.

      OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE).       Interest income of $0.2 million in 2004 was primarily from interest earned on excess cash. Interest income of $0.2 million in 2003 was primarily from interest earned on the cash which was held in a trust account that was used to redeem all of our $100.0 million 9½% senior subordinated notes due 2007 (“9½% Notes”) and from interest earned on excess cash. Interest expense decreased $3.6 million or 15.1% to $19.9 million in 2004 from $23.5 million in 2003. The decrease is primarily due to savings of approximately $2.6 million in interest due to a combination of redemptions and open market repurchases (the “Redemption”) of $55.6 million of the 9% Notes, as well as savings resulting from the refinancing of our 9½% Notes. Additionally, as part of the refinancing of our 9½% Notes, both the 9½% Notes and the 7¾% Notes were outstanding until January 22, 2003, resulting in an additional $0.6 million of interest expense in the prior year (see “ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - Derivative Instruments”). Loss on early retirement of debt of $6.4 million in 2003 relates to the early retirement of our 9½% Notes on January 22, 2003. Other expense, net decreased to $0.1 million in 2004 from $0.4 million in 2003, due primarily to an increase in bank commitment fees partially offset by a brokerage fee earned from the sale of WGST-FM, Atlanta, Georgia.

      PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.      Provision for income taxes was $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Provision for income taxes as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations (that is, the effective tax rate) was 38.1% in 2004 and 565.2% in 2003. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, the effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory income rate of 34.0% primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and certain expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes and changes in the valuation allowance from the use of certain state net operating loss carryforwards.

      LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX.   Loss from discontinued operations was approximately $0.2 million net of income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2004. This amount includes $0.1 million increase in a liability, which has been resolved, arising from the sale of WYGY-FM, Cincinnati, Ohio, which was sold on September 30, 2002.  An additional loss of $0.1 million, net of tax, was recognized as of December 31, 2004 to reflect the operating results of stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati Ohio, and WBTK-AM, Richmond Virginia for each of these years.  As described in Note 2 to our financial statements, we entered into agreements to sell these radio stations during 2005 and 2006, and accordingly, reported the financial results of all prior periods as discontinued operations.    The loss from discontinued operations of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, was the result of the sale of WYGY-AM.  

      NET INCOME (LOSS).    We recognized net income of $7.3 million in 2004 as compared to a net loss of $0.7 million in 2003. The change is primarily due to an increase in operating income of $8.6 million in 2004 over 2003 and a reduction in interest expense of $3.6 million in 2004 over 2003, partially offset by an increase in the provision for income taxes of $4.1 million in 2004 over 2003.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The performance of a radio broadcasting company is customarily measured by the ability of its stations to generate station operating income. We define station operating income (“SOI”) as net broadcasting revenue less broadcasting operating expenses.

SOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP; as a result it should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for our results of operations presented on the basis of GAAP. Management believes that SOI is a useful non-GAAP financial measure to investors, when considered in conjunction with operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, because it is generally recognized by the radio broadcasting industry as a tool in measuring performance and in applying valuation methodologies for companies in the media, entertainment and communications industries. This measure is used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide comparisons between broadcasting groups. Additionally, our management uses SOI as one of the key measures of operating efficiency and profitability. SOI does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities. Our statement of cash flows presents our cash flow activity and our income statement presents our historical performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. SOI as defined by and used by our company is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Year ended December 31, 2005 compared to year ended December 31, 2004

      STATION OPERATING INCOME.   SOI increased $5.2 million, or 7.2% to $76.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $71.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  As a percentage of net broadcasting revenue, SOI decreased to 38.2% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from 38.5% for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, SOI improved $6.1 million, or 9.1%, to $73.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $67.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  As a percentage of same station net broadcasting revenue, same station SOI increased to 41.5% for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to 40.4% for the year ended December 31, 2004.  

      The following table provides a reconciliation of SOI (a non-GAAP financial measure) to operating income (as presented in our financial statements) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:

Year ended December 31, 2004 compared to year ended December 31, 2003

      STATION OPERATING INCOME.       SOI increased $10.2 million or 16.7% to $71.6 million in 2004 from $61.4 million in 2003. As a percentage of net broadcasting revenue, SOI increased to 38.5% in 2004 from 36.3% in 2003. On a same station basis, SOI improved $13.5 million or 23.2% to $71.7 million in 2004 from $58.2 million in 2003. As a percentage of same station net broadcasting revenue, same station SOI increased to 40.6% in 2004 from 36.2% in 2003.

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The following table provides a reconciliation of SOI (a non-GAAP financial measure) to operating income (as presented in our financial statements) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, acquisitions and upgrades of radio station and network assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, and long-term debt and debt covenant compliance. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following accounting policies and the related judgments and estimates are critical accounting policies which affect the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for acquisitions and upgrades of radio station and network assets

A majority of our radio station acquisitions are acquisitions of selected assets and not acquisitions of businesses. Such asset acquisitions have consisted primarily of the FCC licenses to broadcast in a particular market. We often do not acquire the existing format, or we change the format upon acquisition when we find it beneficial. As a result, a substantial portion of the purchase price for the assets of a radio station is allocated to the FCC license. It is our policy generally to retain third-party appraisers to value radio stations, networks or other media properties. The allocations assigned to acquired FCC licenses and other assets are subjective by their nature and require our careful consideration and judgment. We believe the allocations represent appropriate estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired. As part of the valuation and appraisal process, the third-party appraisers prepare reports which assign values to the various asset categories in our financial statements. Our management reviews these reports and determines the reasonableness of the assigned values used to record the acquisition of the radio station, network or other media properties at the close of the transaction.

We undertake projects from time to time to upgrade our radio station technical facilities and/or FCC licenses. Our policy is to capitalize costs incurred up to the point where the project is complete, at which time we transfer the costs to the appropriate fixed asset and/or intangible asset categories. When a project’s completion is contingent upon FCC or other regulatory approval, we assess the probable future benefit of the asset at the time that it is recorded and monitor it through the FCC or other regulatory approval process. In the event the required approval is not considered probable, we write-off the capitalized costs of the project.

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Allowance for doubtful accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. An analysis is performed by applying various percentages based on the age of the receivable and other subjective and historical analysis. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the likelihood of ultimate realization of these receivables including the current creditworthiness of each customer. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Intangible assets

Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s rules, SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we no longer amortize goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives, but perform annual impairment tests in accordance with these statements. We believe our FCC licenses have indefinite lives and accordingly amortization expense is no longer recorded for our FCC licenses as well as our goodwill. Other intangible assets continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

We perform impairment tests on our FCC licenses and goodwill at least annually. The annual tests are performed during the fourth quarter of each year and include comparing the recorded values to the appraised values, calculations of discounted cash flows, operating income and other analyses. As of December 31, 2005, no impairment was recognized.  The assessment of the fair values of these assets and the underlying businesses are estimates, which require careful consideration and judgments by our management. If conditions in the markets in which our stations and other media businesses operate or if the operating results of our stations and other media businesses change or fail to develop as anticipated, our estimates of the fair values may change in the future and result in impairment charges.

Valuation allowance (deferred taxes)

      For financial reporting purposes, the company has recorded a valuation allowance of $3.8 million as of December 31, 2005, to offset a portion of the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards. Management regularly reviews our financial forecasts in an effort to determine our ability to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes. Accordingly, the valuation allowance is adjusted periodically based on management’s estimate of the benefit the company will receive from such carryforwards.

Long-term debt and debt covenant compliance

Our classification of borrowings under our credit facilities as long-term debt on our balance sheet is based on our assessment that, under the borrowing restrictions and covenants in our credit facilities and after considering our projected operating results and cash flows for the coming year, no principal payments, other than the scheduled principal reductions in our term loan facility, will be required pursuant to the credit agreement. These projections are estimates dependent upon a number of factors including developments in the markets in which we are operating in and economic and political factors, among other factors. Accordingly, these projections are inherently uncertain and our actual results could differ from these estimates. Should our actual results differ materially from these estimates, payments may become due under our credit facilities or it may become necessary to seek an amendment to our credit facilities. Based on our management’s current assessment, we do not anticipate principal payments becoming due under our credit facilities, or a further amendment of our credit facilities becoming necessary.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R

On October 13, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) reached a conclusion on Statement 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” The Statement would require all public companies accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise, or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise's equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments to account for these types of transactions using a fair-value-based method. The Statement would eliminate the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25 for annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The company has adopted the modified prospective method whereby the company will recognize compensation cost beginning January 1, 2006 and it applies to unvested options granted prior to that date in addition to any new option grants. Based on the current options outstanding, the company expects to record approximately $2 million in non-cash compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006.  

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 153, “Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets — an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29,” which addresses the measurement of exchanges of non-monetary assets and eliminates the exception from fair value accounting for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of an entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. This statement is effective for the company beginning the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, and the company believes that the majority of future exchange transactions will result in the company recording the transactions at fair value with the company recognizing a gain or loss, as applicable, on these transactions.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” which replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinions No. 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements – An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 28.” SFAS 154 provides guidance on accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. It establishes retrospective application, or the latest practicable date, as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle and the reporting of a correction of an error. This statement is effective for the company beginning the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s results of operations or financial position.  

Emerging Issues Task Force 05-6

In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 05-6, “Determining the Amortization Period of Leasehold Improvements.”  EITF 05-6 requires that assets recognized under capital leases generally be amortized in a manner consistent with the lessee’s normal depreciation policy except that the amortization period is limited to the lease term (which includes renewal periods that are reasonably assured). EITF 05-6 also addresses the determination of the amortization period for leasehold improvements that are purchased subsequent to the inception of the lease. Leasehold improvements acquired in a business combination or purchased subsequent to the inception of the lease should be amortized over the lesser of the useful life of the asset or the lease term that includes reasonably assured lease renewals as determined on the date of the acquisition of the leasehold improvement. We adopted EITF 05-6 on July 1, 2005, which did not have a significant impact on the company’s results of operations or financial position.

FASB Staff Position 13-1

In October 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position 13-1 (“FSP 13-1”). FSP 13-1 requires rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period be recognized as rental expense. The guidance in FSP 13-1 shall be applied to the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. This statement is effective for the company beginning the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the company’s results of operations or financial position.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically financed acquisitions through borrowings, including borrowings under credit facilities and, to a lesser extent, from operating cash flow and selected asset dispositions. We expect to fund future acquisitions from cash on hand, proceeds from our debt and equity offerings, borrowings under the credit facilities, operating cash flow and possibly through the sale of income-producing assets. We have historically funded, and will continue to fund, expenditures for operations, administrative expenses, capital expenditures and debt service required by our credit facilities and our senior subordinated notes from operating cash flow, borrowings under our credit facilities and, if necessary, proceeds from the sale of selected assets. We believe that cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and borrowings under the credit facilities will be sufficient to permit us to meet our financial obligations, fund pending acquisitions and fund operations for at least the next twelve months.

On May 5, 2004, we completed a follow-on public offering of our Class A common stock. We used the net proceeds of $65.7 million from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the Redemption of $55.6 million principal amount of our 9% Notes.

      Cash. Cash and cash equivalents were $4.0 million on December 31, 2005. Working capital was $25.1 million on December 31, 2005. Cash and cash equivalents were $11.0 million on December 31, 2004. Working capital was $31.4 million on December 31, 2004.

      Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $0.1 million to $39.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $39.1 million in 2004.  The decrease is primarily due to increases in accounts receivable of $4.1 million, offset an increase in deferred revenue of $4.4 million.   

      Net cash used by investing activities increased to $83.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $44.1 million in 2004. The increase is due to cash used for acquisitions ($60.2 million cash used to purchase selected assets of seven radio stations and two Internet business during 2005 as compared to $26.5 million cash used to purchase selected assets of six radio stations and an Internet business during 2004) and capital expenditures of $22.3 million in 2005 compared to $17.6 million in 2004.

      Net cash provided by financing activities increased $37.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $10.4 million in 2004. The increase was primarily due to net borrowings against our credit facilities of $46.5 million for 2005, compared to $4.0 million for 2004,  proceeds of $65.7 million from our follow-on offering of our Class A common stock during 2004, partially offset by the redemption of $55.6 million of our 9% Notes.   

Credit Facilities.  Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Salem Holding, is the borrower under our credit facilities. On July 7, 2005, the credit facilities were amended to, among other things, add a $150.0 million delayed-draw term loan C facility (“term loan C facility”).  The credit facilities, as amended, include a $75.0 million senior secured reducing revolving credit facility (“revolving credit facility”), a $75.0 million term loan B facility (“term loan B facility”) and a $150.0 million term loan C facility. As of December 31, 2005, the borrowing capacity and aggregate commitments were $75.0 million under our revolving credit facility, $73.9 million under our term loan B facility and $150.0 million under our term loan C facility. The amount we can borrow, however, is subject to certain restrictions as described below. At December 31, 2005, $73.9 million was outstanding under the term loan B facility, $50.0 million was outstanding under the term loan C facility and $6.6 million was outstanding under our revolving credit facility. The borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility steps down in three 10% increments commencing June 30, 2007, and matures on March 25, 2009. The borrowing capacity under the term loan B facility steps down 0.5% each December 31 and June 30. The term loan B facility matures on the earlier of March 25, 2010, or the date that is six months prior to the maturity of any subordinated indebtedness of Salem or Salem Holding. The borrowing capacity under the term loan C facility steps down 0.5% each December 31 and June 30, commencing December 31, 2008. The term loan C facility matures on the earlier of June 30, 2012, or the date that is six months prior to the maturity of any subordinated indebtedness of Salem or Salem Holding. The credit facilities require us, under certain circumstances, to prepay borrowings under the credit facilities with excess cash flow and the net proceeds from the sale of assets, the issuance of equity interests and the issuance of subordinated notes. If we are required to make these prepayments, our borrowing capacity and the aggregate commitments under the facilities will be reduced, but such reduction shall not, in any event, reduce the borrowing capacity and aggregate commitments under the facilitates below $50.0 million.

Amounts outstanding under the credit facilities bear interest at a rate based on, at Salem Holding’s option, the bank’s prime rate or LIBOR, in each case plus a spread. For purposes of determining the interest rate under our revolving credit facility, the prime rate spread ranges from 0.00% to 1.00%, and the LIBOR spread ranges from 1.00% to 2.00%. For both the term loan B facility and the term loan C facility, the prime rate spread ranges from 0.25% to 0.75%, and the LIBOR spread ranges from 1.25% to 1.75%. In each case, the spread is based on the total leverage ratio on the date of determination. At December 31, 2005, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the credit facilities was 5.34%. If an event of default occurs, the rate may increase by 2.0%.

The maximum amount that Salem Holding may borrow under our credit facilities is limited by a ratio of our consolidated existing total adjusted funded debt to pro forma twelve-month cash flow (the “Total Leverage Ratio”). Our credit facilities will allow us to adjust our total debt as used in such calculation by the lesser of (i) 50% of the aggregate purchase price of acquisitions of newly acquired radio stations that we reformat to a religious talk, News Talk or religious music format or (ii) $45.0 million, and the cash flow from such stations will not be considered in the calculation of the ratio during the period in which such acquisition gives rise to an adjustment to total debt. The Total Leverage Ratio allowed under the credit facilities was 6.25 to 1 as of December 31, 2005. The ratio will decline periodically until December 31, 2006, at which point it will remain at 5.5 to 1 through March 2009. The Total Leverage Ratio under our credit facilities at December 31, 2005, on a pro forma basis, was 4.94 to 1, resulting in a borrowing availability under our term loan C facility and revolving credit facility of approximately $78.7 million.

Our credit facilities contain additional restrictive covenants customary for facilities of their size, type and purpose which, with specified exceptions, limits our ability to incur debt, have liens, enter into affiliate transactions, pay dividends, consolidate, merge or effect certain asset sales, make specified investments, acquisitions and loans and change the nature of our business. Our credit facilities also require us to satisfy specified financial covenants, which covenants require us on a consolidated basis to maintain specified financial ratios and comply with certain financial tests, including ratios for maximum leverage as described above, minimum interest coverage (not less than 1.5 to 1 through June 29, 2005 increasing in increments to 2.5 to 1 after June 30, 2008), minimum debt service coverage (a static ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1), a maximum consolidated senior leverage ratio (currently 2.21 to 1, which will decline periodically until December 31, 2008, at which point it will remain at 3.5 to 1 through March 2009), and minimum fixed charge coverage (a static ratio of not less than 1.1 to 1). Salem and all of its subsidiaries, except for Salem Holding, are guarantors of borrowings under the credit facilities. The credit facilities are secured by liens on all of our assets and our subsidiaries’ assets and pledges of all of the capital stock of our subsidiaries.

      As of December 31, 2005, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under our terms of the credit facilities.

     Swingline Credit Facility.  On June 1, 2005, we entered into an agreement for a swingline credit facility (“Swingline”).  As collateral for the Swingline, the company pledged its corporate office building.  Amounts outstanding under the Swingline bear interest at a rate based on the bank’s prime rate.  As of December 31, 2005, no amounts were outstanding under the Swingline.

      As of December 31, 2005, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under the terms of the Swingline.

     9½% Notes. In September 1997, we issued $150.0 million principal amount of 9½% Notes. In July 1999, we repurchased $50.0 million in principal amount of those notes with a portion of the net proceeds of our initial public offering. In January 2003, we redeemed the remaining $100.0 million in principal amount of the 9½% Notes from the proceeds of the issuance of $100.0 million principal amount of 7¾% Notes. As a result of this redemption, we incurred a non-cash charge in the first quarter of 2003 of approximately $1.7 million for the write-off of unamortized bond issue costs. This was in addition to the $4.8 million premium paid in connection with this redemption.

      9% Notes. In September 2001, Salem Holding issued $150.0 million principal amount of 9% Notes. The indenture for the 9% Notes contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the incurrence of debt by Salem Holding and its subsidiaries, the payment of dividends, the use of proceeds of specified asset sales and transactions with affiliates. During the second quarter of 2004, Salem completed the Redemption of $55.6 million of the 9% Notes, leaving $94.4 million outstanding. After giving effect to the Redemption, Salem Holding is required to pay $8.5 million per year in interest on the outstanding 9% Notes. We and all of our subsidiaries (other than Salem Holding) are guarantors of the 9% Notes.

      As a result of the Redemption of $55.6 million of 9% Notes, we incurred a non-cash charge in the second quarter of 2004 of approximately $1.6 million for the write-off of unamortized bond issue costs in addition the $5.0 million premium paid in connection with the Redemption. The $6.6 million was reported as loss on early redemption of long-term debt in the Statements of Operations.

      As of December 31, 2005, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under the indenture for the 9% Notes.

      7¾% Notes. In December 2002, Salem Holding issued $100.0 million principal amount of 7¾% Notes. Salem Holding used the net proceeds to redeem the $100.0 million 9½% Notes on January 22, 2003. The indenture for the 7¾% Notes contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the incurrence of debt by Salem Holding and its subsidiaries, the payment of dividends, the use of proceeds of specified asset sales and transactions with affiliates. Salem Holding is required to pay $7.8 million per year in interest on the 7¾% Notes. We and all of our subsidiaries (other than Salem Holding) are guarantors of the 7¾% Notes.

      As of December 31, 2005, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under the indenture for the 7¾% Notes.

(1)  Includes $2,633 as of December 31, 2005 of fair value adjustments related to terminated interest rate swaps.  The principal amount outstanding was $94,031 as of December 31, 2005.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

      At December 31, 2005 and 2004, Salem did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, Salem is not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if Salem had engaged in such relationships.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

      Future minimum contractual obligations, including capital and operating leases, revolving bank and bond issue debt, excluding associated interest costs, as well as other long-term obligations as of December 31, 2005, are as follows:

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates. Salem actively monitors these fluctuations and uses derivative instruments from time to time to manage the related risk. In accordance with our risk management strategy, Salem uses derivative instruments only for the purpose of managing risk associated with an asset, liability, committed transaction, or probable forecasted transaction that is identified by management. Our use of derivative instruments may result in short-term gains or losses and may increase volatility in Salem’s earnings.

Under SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended, the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument at each new measurement date is dependent upon its intended use. The change in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or a firm commitment, referred to as a fair value hedge, is recognized as gain or loss in earnings in the period of the change together with an offsetting gain or loss for the change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. The differential paid or received on the interest rate swap is recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense.

During 2004 and through February 18, 2005, we had an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $66.0 million.  This agreement related to its $94.4 million 9% Notes. This agreement was scheduled to expire in 2011 when the 9% Notes will mature, and effectively swapped the 9.0% fixed interest rate on $66.0 million of the 9% Notes for a floating rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 3.09%. On February 18, 2005, we sold our entire interest in this swap and received a payment of approximately $3.7 million, which will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes.  Interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, was reduced by $0.4 million, related to the amortization of the buyout premium received.  Because this fair value hedge was effective (that is, the change in the fair value of the hedge instrument was designed to be equal to the change in the fair value of the item being hedged), there was no income statement effect relative to the change in the fair value of the swap agreement. Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was reduced by $0.3 million as a result of the difference between the 9.0% fixed interest rate on the 9% hedged debt and the floating interest rate under the swap agreement, which was 5.88% from January 1, 2005 through February 18, 2005.

During 2004, we also had a second interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $24.0 million. This agreement also related to its 9% Notes. This agreement was to expire in 2011 when the 9% Notes will mature, and effectively swapped the 9.0% fixed interest rate on $24.0 million of the 9% Notes for a floating rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 4.86%. On August 20, 2004, we sold our interest in $14.0 million of this swap. As a result of this transaction, we paid and capitalized $0.3 million in buyout premium, which will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes. On October 22, 2004, we sold our remaining $10.0 million interest in this swap. As a result of this second transaction, we  paid and capitalized approximately $110,000 in buyout premium, which will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes. We recognized approximately $66,000 in interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, related to the amortization of capitalized buyout premium.  Because this fair value hedge was effective (that is, the change in the fair value of the hedge instrument was designed to be equal to the change in the fair value of the item being hedged), there was no income statement effect relative to the change in the fair value of the swap agreement.

On April 8, 2005, we entered into a forward-looking interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby we will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.99% as compared to LIBOR on a future bank credit facility borrowing.  As of December 31, 2005, we recorded a liability for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.2 million.  This amount, net of income tax benefits of approximately $0.1 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge.  The effective date of this interest rate swap is July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On April 26, 2005, we entered into a second forward-looking interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million we will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.70% as compared to LIBOR on a future bank credit facility borrowing.  As of December 31, 2005, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.2.  This amount, net of income taxes of approximately $0.1 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap is July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On May 5, 2005, we entered into a third forward-looking interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby we will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.53% as compared to LIBOR on a future bank credit facility borrowing.  As of December 31, 2005, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.5 million.  This amount, net of income taxes of approximately $0.2 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap is July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

MARKET RISK

In addition to the interest rate swap agreements discussed above under “Derivative Instruments,” borrowings under the credit facilities are subject to market risk exposure, specifically to changes in LIBOR and in the prime rate in the United States. As of December 31, 2005, we had borrowed $130.4 million under the credit facilities. As of December 31, 2005, we could borrow up to an additional $78.7 million under the credit facilities. Amounts outstanding under the credit facilities bear interest at a rate based on, at Salem Holding’s option, the bank’s prime rate or LIBOR, in each case plus a spread. For purposes of determining the interest rate under our revolving credit facility, the prime rate spread ranges from 0.00% to 1.00%, and the LIBOR spread ranges from 1.00% to 2.00%. For both the term loan B facility and the term loan C facility, the prime rate spread ranges from 0.25% to 0.75%, and the LIBOR spread ranges from 1.25% to 1.75%. In each case, the spread is based on the total leverage ratio on the date of determination. At December 31, 2005, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the credit facilities was 5.34%. At December 31, 2005, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the prime rate or LIBOR, as applicable, would result in additional interest expense of $1.3 million on an annualized basis.

In addition to the variable rate debt disclosed above, we have fixed rate debt with a carrying value of $194.0 million (relating to the outstanding 9% Notes and the 7¾% Notes) as of December 31, 2005, with an aggregate fair value of $202.7 million. We are exposed to changes in the fair value of these financial instruments based on changes in the market rate of interest on this debt. The ultimate value of these notes will be determined by actual market prices, as all of these notes are tradable. We estimate that a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in a decrease in the aggregate fair value of the notes to approximately $194.5 million and a hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in the increase of the fair value of the notes to approximately $211.4 million.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Salem Communications Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Salem Communications Corporation as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of Salem Communications Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Salem Communication Corporations as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Salem Communications Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 28, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 14, 2006

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