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SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. /DE/ - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)

Salem Communications 10-K (12-31-2006) 03/16/2007">

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


FORM 10-K


[X]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006

OR

[   ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________________ TO __________________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-26497

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

[f10kdec06001.jpg]


DELAWARE

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

 

77-0121400

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

   

4880 SANTA ROSA ROAD CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL

EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

 

93012

( ZIP CODE)

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.  [  X ]


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, 2006, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $60,734,622 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.


Class A

 

Outstanding at March 10, 2007

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

18,296,324 shares



Class B

 

Outstanding at March 10, 2007

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

5,553,696 shares



DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document

 

Parts Into Which Incorporated

Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held June 6, 2007

 

Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14







 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

PAGE

PART I

Item 1.

Business

 

2

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

11

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

18

 

Item 2.

Properties

 

19

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

19

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

19

 
     

PART II

     

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 


20

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

21

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

24

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

38

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

41

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

80

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

80

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

82

 

     

PART III

     

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

82

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

82

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 


82

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

82

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

82

 

     

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

83

 

 

Signatures

 

II-1

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

II-3

 






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. Except as required by law, 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 2006 Radio Market Survey Schedule & Population Rankings published by Arbitron.  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, 2007 by Claritas, Inc.



1



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 97 radio stations in 36 markets, including 61 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets, which consists of 30 FM stations and 67 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® (“SRR”) is a national radio advertising sales firm with offices in 13 U.S. cities. Additionally, we own Salem Web Network™ (“SWN”), a provider of online Christian content and streaming, Townhall.com, a provider of conservative content on-line, and Salem Publishing™, a leading publisher of Christian magazines and Xulon Press, a digital publisher of books targeting the Christian audience.  

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 and conservative news talk. Our national presence gives advertisers a station platform that is a unique and a powerful way to reach a Christian audience.  We program 45 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 31 News Talk and 13 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 40 years.

Acquisition Strategy

Since our initial public offering in July 1999, we have grown from 46 radio stations to 97 stations located in 36 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 serving Christian and family-themed audiences, we usually 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 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.  There are several potential benefits that result from operating multiple radio stations in the same market. First, this clustering and programming segmentation strategy allows us to achieve greater penetration into each segment of our target market and collectively our stations afford our clients a larger percentage of advertising time in that market.  We then are able to offer advertisers multiple audiences and to bundle the radio stations for advertising sales purposes when advantageous.  Second, 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.   



2



In addition to our radio station acquisitions, we look for Christian and conservative 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 believe we remain 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 hear 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 Contemporary Christian Music (“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 and is the sixth largest genre in terms of album sales.  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 7.6 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 providing high quality, compelling content on our radio stations and in syndication 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 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

Due to our acquisition strategy and some station format changes, 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.



3



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 early 2006, Salem launched KTRO-FM, a new station in Portland, Oregon.  Additionally, during 2006 Salem completed a tower upgrade project for WLQV-AM in Detroit, Michigan, and relocated our tower for KKOL-AM in Seattle, Washington.

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 selling efforts through a 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

We have created a national platform of radio stations that reaches more than four million listeners weekly. National companies find advertising on multiple radio stations to be an efficient and cost-effective way to reach this target audience.  Through SRR, 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 appreciation 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 relying 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, information technology, human resources, legal, engineering, real estate, strategic direction and other support functions designed to provide resources to local management.

CORPORATE INFORMATION



4



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 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 $100.0 million 7¾% senior subordinated notes due 2010 (“7¾% Notes”).

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

In 2006, we completed the purchase of selected assets of the following radio stations:

      

MSA

  

Date

 

Market

 

Station

 

Rank (1)

 

Purchase Price

        

(Dollars in thousands)

January 23, 2006

 

Orlando, FL

 

WTLN-AM

 

33

 

$                         5,497

January 23, 2006

 

Orlando, FL

 

WHIM-AM

 

33

 

                       4,503

February 3, 2006

 

Orlando, FL

 

WORL-AM  (2)

 

33

 

3,998

February 10, 2006

 

Detroit, MI

 

WLQV-AM (3)

 

10

 

8,813

May 12, 2006

 

Sacramento, CA

 

KKFS-FM   (4)

 

26

 

21,835

October 1, 2006

 

Honolulu, HI

 

KORL-AM  (5)

 

63

 

1,546

        

 $                     46,192

(1)

“MSA” means metropolitan statistical area per the fall 2006 Radio Market Survey Schedule and Population Rankings published by Arbitron, excluding The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(2)

Selected assets of radio station WORL-AM, Orlando, Florida were acquired in exchange for radio station KNIT-AM, Dallas, Texas.  The exchange was accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29,” adopted as of January 1, 2006, resulting in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $3.5 million.  

(3)

Selected assets of radio station WLQV-AM, Detroit, Michigan, were acquired in exchange for radio stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, and WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio and $6.7 million in cash.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153, and resulted in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $0.7 million.  

(4)

Selected assets of radio station KKFS-FM, Sacramento, California was acquired in exchange for selected assets of radio station KLMG-FM, Sacramento, California.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153 and resulted in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $14.6 million

(5)

Selected assets of radio station KORL-AM, Honolulu, Hawaii were acquired in exchange for selected assets of radio station KHCM-AM, Honolulu, Hawaii, and $1.0 million in cash.  The Company retained the call letters of the station.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153 and resulted in a pre-tax loss on the exchange of $0.04 million.  



5



In 2006, we completed the purchase of the following non-broadcast entities:

     

Date

 

Entity

 

Purchase Price

    

(Dollars in thousands)

January 1, 2006

 

The Singing News

 

$                       4,400

February 13, 2006

 

CrossDaily.com

 

2,250

April 28, 2006

 

Townhall.com

 

4,788

June 1, 2006

 

Preaching Magazine

 

250

June 1, 2006

 

Xulon Press

 

1,500

    

 $                     13,188

RADIO STATIONS

Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 97 radio stations in 36 markets, consisting of 30 FM stations and 67 AM stations. The following table sets forth information about each of Salem’s stations, in order of market size:

  

MSA

 

Station

 

Year

  

Market (1)

 

Rank (2)

 

Call Letters

 

Acquired

 

Format

         

New York, NY

 

1, 17 (3)

 

WMCA-AM

 

1989

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WWDJ-AM

 

1994

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Los Angeles, CA

 

2

 

KKLA-FM

 

1985

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

KRLA-AM

 

1998

 

News Talk

 

 

 

 

KFSH-FM

 

2000

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KXMX-AM

 

2000

 

Ethnic Brokered Programming

Chicago, IL

 

3

 

WYLL-AM

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WIND-AM

 

2005

 

News Talk

San Francisco, CA

 

4, 34 (4)

 

KFAX-AM

 

1984

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

KNTS-AM

 

2001

 

News Talk

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

 

5

 

KLTY-FM

 

1996

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KWRD-FM (5)

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KSKY-AM

 

2000

 

News Talk

Houston-Galveston, TX

 

6

 

KNTH-AM

 

1995

 

News Talk

    

KTEK-AM

 

1998

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KKHT-FM

 

2005

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Philadelphia, PA

 

7

 

WFIL-AM

 

1993

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WNTP-AM

 

1994

 

News Talk

Washington, D.C.

 

8

 

WAVA-FM

 

1992

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

WAVA-AM

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Atlanta, GA

 

9

 

WNIV-AM

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

WLTA-AM

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WAFS-AM  (6)

 

2000

 

Ethnic Brokered Programming

 

 

 

 

WFSH-FM

 

2000

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

WGKA-AM

 

2004

 

News Talk

Detroit, MI

 

10

 

WDTK-AM

 

2004

 

News Talk

    

WLQV-AM

 

2006

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Boston, MA

 

11

 

WEZE-AM

 

1997

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

WROL-AM

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WTTT-AM

 

2003

 

News Talk

Miami, FL

 

12

 

WKAT-AM

 

2004

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Seattle-Tacoma, WA

 

13

 

KGNW-AM

 

1986

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KLFE-AM

 

1994

 

Christian Teaching and Talk



6






RADIO STATIONS, CONT.

    
  

MSA

 

Station

 

Year

  

Market (1)

 

Rank (2)

 

Call Letters

 

Acquired

 

Format

         
    

KDOW-AM (formerly KTFH-AM) (7)

 

1997

 

Ethnic Brokered Programming

 

 

 

 

KKMO-AM

 

1998

 

Spanish

    

KKOL-AM

 

1999

 

News Talk

Phoenix, AZ

 

14

 

KKNT-AM

 

1996

 

News Talk

 

 

 

 

KPXQ-AM

 

1999

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

 

15

 

KKMS-AM

 

1996

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KYCR-AM

 

1998

 

News Talk

    

WWTC-AM

 

2001

 

News Talk

San Diego, CA

 

16

 

KPRZ-AM

 

1987

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

KCBQ-AM

 

2000

 

News Talk

Tampa, FL

 

18

 

WTWD-AM (8)

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

WTBN-AM (8)

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WGUL-AM

 

2005

 

News Talk

Denver-Boulder, CO

 

21

 

KRKS-FM

 

1993

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

KRKS-AM

 

1994

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KNUS-AM

 

1996

 

News Talk

    

KBJD-AM (9)

 

1999

 

News Talk

Portland, OR

 

22

 

KPDQ-FM

 

1986

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

KPDQ-AM

 

1986

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KFIS-FM

 

2002

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KTRO-FM (formerly KAST-FM)

 

2005

 

News Talk

    

KKSN-AM (10)

 

2007

 

News Talk

Pittsburgh, PA

 

23

 

WORD-FM

 

1993

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WPIT-AM

 

1993

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Riverside-San Bernardino, CA

 

24

 

KTIE-AM

 

2001

 

News Talk

Cleveland, OH

 

25

 

WHKW-AM

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WFHM-FM

 

2001

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

WHK-AM

 

2005

 

News Talk

Sacramento, CA

 

26

 

KFIA-AM

 

1995

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KTKZ-AM

 

1997

 

News Talk

    

KTKZ-FM

 

2002

 

News Talk

    

KKFS-FM

 

2006

 

Contemporary Christian Music

San Antonio, TX

 

28

 

KSLR-AM

 

1994

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KLUP-AM

 

2000

 

News Talk

Orlando, FL

 

33

 

WORL-AM

 

2006

 

News Talk

    

WTLN-AM

 

2006

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WHIM-AM

 

2006

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Milwaukee-Racine, WI

 

35

 

WRRD-AM

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

WFZH-FM

 

2001

 

Contemporary Christian Music

Columbus, OH

 

36

 

WRFD-AM

 

1987

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Nashville, TN

 

43

 

WBOZ-FM

 

2000

 

Southern Gospel

 

 

 

 

WFFH-FM (11)

 

2002

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

WFFI-FM (11)

 

2002

 

Contemporary Christian Music

Louisville, KY

 

53

 

WFIA-FM

 

1999

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

    

WRVI-FM

 

1999

 

Contemporary Christian Music

 

 

 

 

WGTK-AM

 

2000

 

News Talk

    

WFIA-AM

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk



7




         
  

MSA

 

Station

 

Year

  

Market (1)

 

Rank (2)

 

Call Letters

 

Acquired

 

Format

         

Honolulu, HI

 

63

 

KHNR-AM

 

2000

 

News Talk

 

 

 

 

KAIM-FM

 

2000

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KGU-AM

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KHCM-AM (formerly KORL-AM)

 

2006

 

Country Music

    

KHNR-FM

 

2004

 

News Talk

 

 

 

 

KHUI-FM

 

2004

 

Adult Standards

    

KGMZ-FM

 

2005

 

Adult Nostalgia

Omaha, NE

 

71

 

KGBI-FM

 

2005

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KOTK-AM (formerly KHLP-AM)

 

2005

 

News Talk

    

KCRO-AM

 

2005

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Sarasota-Bradenton, FL

 

72

 

WLSS-AM

 

2005

 

News Talk

Colorado Springs, CO

 

96

 

KGFT-FM

 

1996

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

 

 

 

 

KBIQ-FM

 

1996

 

Contemporary Christian Music

    

KZNT-AM

 

2003

 

News Talk

Youngstown-Warren, OH

 

116

 

WHKZ-AM

 

2001

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Oxnard-Ventura, CA

 

119

 

KDAR-FM

 

1974

 

Christian Teaching and Talk

Tyler-Longview, TX

 

147

 

KPXI-FM (5)

 

2000

 

Christian Teaching and Talk


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

      (2) “MSA” means metropolitan statistical area per the fall 2006 Radio Market Survey Schedule and Population Rankings published by Arbitron, 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 34.

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

      (6) WAFS-AM is currently being programmed by Radio Planeta X, Inc. pursuant to a local marketing agreement that can be terminated by Salem on 30 days notice.

      (7) KDOW-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 KDOW-AM or KLFE-AM on July 14, 2009.

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

       (9) KBJD-AM is an expanded band AM station. Under current FCC rules, we must request special temporary authority (STA) to operate the station for periods of approximately six months.  An STA request was filed on February 12, 2007 and will be requested every six months thereafter pursuant to the FCC requirements.   

      (10) KKSN-AM is being operated under a Time Brokerage Agreement with Entercom Portland License, LLC as of February 1, 2007.

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

      



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       PROGRAM REVENUE. For the year ended December 31, 2006 we derived 19.9% and 14.9% of our net broadcasting revenue, or $41.5 million and $31.0 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, 2006, we derived 43.9% of our net broadcasting revenue, or $91.5 million from the sale of local spot advertising and 8.4% of our net broadcasting revenue, or $17.5 million from the sale of national spot advertising.

SALEM RADIO NETWORK® AND SALEM RADIO REPRESENTATIVES

In 1993, we established Salem Radio Network, (“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 to deliver SRN programs to affiliates via satellite.

SRN has approximately 2,000 affiliate stations, including our owned and operated stations, which 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 (“SRR”) 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 SRR for the sale of available SRN spot advertising. SRR receives a commission on all SRN sales. SRR 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 established Vista Radio Representatives (“VRR”) in 2005, a sales representation company specializing in placing national advertising on non-religious format radio stations.

We recognize our advertising and commission revenue from radio stations as the spots are aired. SRN’s net revenue, including commission revenue for SRR, for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $14.8 million.

NON-BROADCAST MEDIA

Salem Web Network™ and Townhall™.com.  Our online strategy centers on creating the premiere Internet platform serving the audience interested in Christian and conservative 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 Townhall.com, OnePlace.com, Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com and through our 95 radio station websites, which provide local content of interest to our local radio station listeners. In 2006 we acquired CrossDaily.com and Townhall.com.  These recent acquisitions enhance our web leadership as a provider and distributor of Christian and family-values content and services for our target audience.  SWN generates more than one billion page views annually and has more than four 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 and Xulon Press, a provider of print-on-demand publishing services targeted to the Christian audience.  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® The Magazine, YouthWorker Journal™, The Singing News, FaithTalk Magazine, Preaching and CrossWalk.com® Magazine.   In 2006, we acquired two target segment-leading magazines, The Singing News magazine and Preaching magazine, and their respective web sites.  In 2006, we also purchased the Xulon Press.



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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, other 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 non-broadcast 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, mobile telephony, personal communications services and the service of low powered, limited coverage FM radio stations authorized by the FCC. Digital audio broadcasting will deliver multi-format 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.

NON-BROADCAST 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 and the Christian audience. Xulon Press competes for authors with other on-demand publishers and other Christian book publishers.  Our Internet business competes for visitors and advertisers with other companies that deliver on-line audio programming and Christian and conservative Internet content as well as providers of general market Internet sites.   

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 non-broadcast 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 February 28, 2007, Salem employed 1,171 full-time and 375 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, conservative news talk  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 Internet and publishing formats and programming emphasizing Christian, conservative news talk 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:

·

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

·

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

·

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;

·

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

·

mobile telephony; and

·

iPod or similar music players.

We currently program one channel on XM Satellite Radio. We also offer pod-casts and downloads of portions of our programming, 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.

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 Other Intangible Assets,” 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.

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, 2006, we have acquired selected assets of six radio stations, two Internet businesses and three publishing businesses, and we expect to make acquisitions of other stations and related non-broadcast businesses in the future. We cannot assure



11



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.


In 1996, Congress passed legislation that requires the FCC to periodically conduct reviews of is regulations, including ones that govern the maximum number of radio stations an entity may own or have joint arrangements with relating to programming, advertising sales and station operations (the “Ownership Limits”).  The FCC has adopted radio multiple ownership rules that depend upon the total number of radio stations located in the market in determining the applicable Ownership Limits.  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.”  Specifically, in larger markets 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 “signal contour method” continues to be the method of defining the market and determining the number of radio stations in the market.  The methods the FCC uses to define markets affect 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.  In 2006, the FCC opened a new phase of rulemaking concerning its broadcast ownership rules.  The FCC is currently seeking public comments on the existing rules, including arguments and factual data on their impact on competition, localism, and diversity.  The FCC has held, and is planning to hold more, public meetings around the country on the issue of media ownership rules, including regulations affecting the Ownership Limits, and how to define the term “market.”  The FCC has also commissioned a series of research studies in these issues.  In addition, interest has been expressed by members of Congress to reduce the Ownership Limits.


We cannot predict the impact of possible 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 laws 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.



12



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 licensees involved in a transaction with us, or an objection to the transaction itself, 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 maximum number of stations we may own or operate in a market.  This may limit our ability to make future radio station acquisitions in certain markets.  Additionally, this may limit our ability, in certain markets, to enter into agreements whereby we provide programming to or sell advertising on radio stations that we do not own.   It could also limit our ability to sell stations to other entities that already own stations in some markets.


We May Be Adversely Affected By New Statutes Dealing With Indecency

Congress recently passed, and President Bush signed into law on June 15, 2006, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2005 that enhances the FCC’s enforcement of its rules concerning the broadcast of obscene, indecent, or profane material.  This legislation increased the FCC’s authority in this area to impose substantially higher monetary forfeiture penalties, up to $325,000 per violation and a total of $3,000,000 for any one incident.  While we do not anticipate these increased penalties to impact us as significantly as some of our competitors given the nature of our programming, we could face increased costs in the form of fines as a result of this legislation.

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, generally of eight years duration.  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.  In evaluating a broadcasting license renewal application, the FCC must grant the renewal if:  (1) the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity; (2) there have been no serious violations of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules; and (3) there have been no other violations which, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse  If, however, the station fails to meet these standards, the FCC may deny the application, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, or grant the application on terms and conditions that are appropriate, including renewal for less than the maximum term otherwise allowed.  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.

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



13



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.

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 complementary non-broadcast media businesses. With respect to the acquisition of radio stations, our acquisition strategy has been, and will continue to focus primarily on, the acquisition of 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. With respect to our acquisition strategy of non-broadcast media businesses, we may not be able to identify and consummate the acquisition of future non-broadcast media businesses successfully.  Additionally, we may not be able to effectively integrate the operation of newly acquired businesses with our existing businesses which could result in reduced operating income from our non-broadcast media businesses.  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.

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.

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.



14



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, 2006, our total consolidated indebtedness was $361.0 million. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

·

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

·

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

·

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;

·

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

·

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;

·

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

·

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.




15



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 selected assets of 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 32.6% and 34.8% of our net broadcasting revenue during the years ended December 31, 2005, and 2006, 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, 2004, 2005 and 2006, 54.0%, 54.0%, and 52.3% of our net 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 8.5% and 7.1%, respectively, of our net broadcasting revenues in 2006. 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



16



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, 2007, Edward G. Atsinger III, Stuart W. Epperson, Nancy A. Epperson and Edward C. Atsinger controlled approximately 86.0% 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:

·

incur additional debt;

·

pay dividends or make distributions;

·

purchase or redeem stock;

·

make investments and extend credit;

·

engage in transactions with affiliates;



17



·

create liens on assets;

·

transfer and sell assets;

·

extend radio site leases, and

·

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.



18



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 non-broadcast businesses are supported by office facilities.

Our radio stations’ studios and offices, as well as the operations of our non-broadcast businesses, are generally 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 SRR, located in the Dallas, Texas metropolitan area.  Additionally, we own our studio and office facilities for our Tampa, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phoenix, Arizona, and Honolulu, Hawaii operations.

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 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 the Company, the Company directors, certain of the Company’s 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 alleged that offering documents contained misstatements and omissions regarding the Company's fixed assets and internal controls.  The complaint asserted claims under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, and sought 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 provided for a full settlement of these claims in exchange for payment of $1.85 million by the company and its insurance carrier.  The court approved the full settlement at a hearing held on June 19, 2006.  During 2005, 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 2006.



19




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 Global Market® (“NASDAQ-NGM”) under the symbol SALM. On March 9, 2007, the company had approximately 53 stockholders of record (not including the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or street name through various brokerage firms) and 18,296,324 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-NGM.

  

2005

 

2006

  

1st Qtr

 

2nd Qtr

 

3rd Qtr

 

4th Qtr

 

1st Qtr

 

2nd Qtr

 

3rd Qtr

 

4th Qtr

                 

High (mid-day)

 

$ 25.35

 

$ 21.69

 

$ 21.20

 

$ 20.61

 

$ 18.16

 

$ 15.60

 

$ 13.86

 

$ 14.05

Low (mid-day)

 

$ 20.02

 

$ 16.44

 

$ 16.95

 

$ 17.11

 

$ 12.85

 

$ 11.42

 

$  9.95

 

$ 11.63

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

DIVIDEND POLICY

On July 28, 2006, the company paid a special cash dividend of $0.60 per share on its Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 17, 2006.  The cash payment amounted to approximately $14.6 million.  Due to the transition of the radio broadcasting industry to a more mature stage of its lifecycle, a number of broadcasting peers have introduced special dividends.  After careful review and consideration of its earnings, financial position, capital requirements, its bank credit facilities, the indentures governing its senior subordinated notes, the company determined that it was in the interest of its shareholders to grant a special dividend.  The company’s sole source of cash available for making any future 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.



20




During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006, we made repurchases of our Class A common stock pursuant to share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors as May 2005 and February 2006.  This repurchase program will continue until the earlier of (a) December 31, 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.   During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2006, we made repurchases of our Class A common stock as follows:

Repurchases of Class A Common Stock

   

Total Number of

Maximum Approximate

   

Shares Purchased

Dollar Value of Shares

 

Total Number of

 

 as Part of

That May Yet Be

 

of Shares

Average Price

Publicly Announced

Purchased Under The

Period

Purchased

Paid Per Share

Plans or Programs

Plans or Programs

Jan. 1, 2006 – Jan. 31, 2006

544,592

16.55

544,592

$           29,447,407

Feb. 1, 2006 – Feb. 28, 2006

283,323

14.58

283,323

25,317,837

Mar. 1, 2006 - Mar. 31, 2006

151,460

13.24

151,460

23,311,930

Apr. 1, 2006 – Apr. 30, 2006

--

--

--

23,311,930

May 1, 2006 –  May 31, 2006

--

--

--

23,311,930

Jun. 1, 2006 – Jun. 30, 2006

--

--

--

23,311,930

Jul. 1, 2006 –  Jul. 31, 2006

--

--

--

23,311,930

Aug. 1, 2006 – Aug. 31,2006

502,250

10.80

502,250

17,885,857

Sept. 1, 2006 – Sept. 30, 2006

9,000

11.54

9,000

17,781,997

Oct 1, 2006 – Oct 31, 2006

--

--

--

17,781,997

Nov 1, 2006 – Nov 30, 2006

--

--

--

17,781,997

Dec 1, 2006 – Dec 31, 2006

--

--

--

17,781,997

   Total

1,490,625

 

1,490,625

 


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, WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland, WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida, WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, as discontinued operations.  The Company entered into agreements to sell these radio stations during 2005 and 2006 and completed the sale of all discontinued operations as of the end of 2006.



21



ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED).

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Statement of Operations Data:

          

Net broadcasting revenue

 

$   154,949

 

$   168,637

 

$   184,296

 

$     198,852

 

$     208,400             

Non-broadcast revenue

 

8,054

 

7,865

 

9,342

 

10,790

 

19,369

Total revenue

 

163,003

 

176,502

 

193,638

 

209,642

 

227,769

Operating expenses:

          

 

Broadcasting operating expenses

 

102,651

 

106,812

 

112,334

 

121,462

 

131,117

 

Cost of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade

 

 

2,202

 

746

 

 

 

Non-broadcast operating expenses

 

7,709

 

7,942

 

8,600

 

9,889

 

18,172

 

Legal settlement

 

2,300

 

 —

 

 —

 

650

 

 

Corporate expenses

 

14,387

 

16,091

 

17,480

 

19,607

 

24,043

 

Cost of terminated offering

 

 

651

 

 —

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,296

 

12,105

 

12,071

 

13,017

 

15,193

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

567

 

214

 

3,217

 

527

 

(18,647)

Total operating expenses

 

138,910

 

146,017

 

154,448

 

165,152

 

169,878

Operating income

 

24,093

 

30,485

 

39,190

 

44,490

 

57,891


Other income (expense):

 

Interest income

 

255

 

212

 

171

 

207

 

210

 

Interest expense

 

 (27,162)

 

 (23,474)

 

(19,931)

 

(22,559)

 

(26,342)

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

 —

 

 (6,440)

 

(6,588)

 

(24)

 

(3,625)

 

Other income (expense)

 

 (458)

 

(410)

 

(116)

 

(506)

 

(420)

Total other expense

 

 (27,365)

 

 (30,112)

 

(26,464)

 

(22,882)

 

(30,177)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(3,272)

 

 373

 

12,726

 

21,608

 

27,714

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

(1,307)

 

 701

 

4,859

 

8,570

 

11,167

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(1,965)

 

 (328)

 

7,867

 

13,038

 

16,547

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

15,969

 

(349)

 

(534)

 

(376)

 

2,452


Net income (loss)

 

 $    14,004

 

 $    (677)

 

 $      7,333

 

$      12,662

 

$       18,999                    

           

Basic earnings (loss) per share data:

          

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

 

 $      (0.08)

 

 $      (0.01)

 

 $      0.31

 

 $      0.51

 

$             0.68       

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

  0.68

 

 (0.01)

 

 (0.02)

 

(0.01)

 

 0.10

Net earnings (loss) per share

 

           0.60

 

 (0.02)

 

 0.29

 

 0.49

 

0.78

Diluted earnings (loss) per share data:

          

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

 

$       (0.08)

 

$       (0.01)

 

$       0.31

 

$       0.51

 

$             0.68      

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations 

 

           0.68

 

 (0.01)

 

 (0.02)

 

(0.01)

 

 0.10

Net earnings (loss) per share

 

           0.59

 

 (0.03)

 

 0.29

 

 0.49

 

$             0.78      

Basic weighted average shares outstanding 

 

23,473,821

 

23,488,898

 

25,220,678

 

25,735,641

 

24,215,867

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 

 

23,582,906

 

23,488,898

 

25,371,649

 

25,794,875

 

24,223,751

           



22



ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED).

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

           

Balance Sheet Data:

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 $    26,325

 

 $      5,620

 

 $    10,994

 

 $      3,979

 

$             710        

Restricted cash

 

107,661

 

 

 

 

Broadcast licenses

 

361,349

 

372,016

 

396,542

 

443,092

 

476,544

Other intangible assets including goodwill, net

 

         17,305

 

         15,387

 

          14,172

 

20,047

 

31.866

Total assets

 

672,209

 

560,011

 

     585,374

 

645,930

 

686,264

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

350,908

 

336,091

 

 280,614

 

326,685

 

358,978

Stockholders’ equity

 

171,928

 

171,822

 

     247,637

 

249,118

 

237,716

            

Cash flows related to:

Operating activities

 

 $      6,617

 

 $    24,043

 

 $    38,933

 

$     38,903

 

$       36,661

Investing activities

 

     (26,926)

 

     (19,790)

 

     (44,157)

 

(83,422)

 

(50,561)

Financing activities

 

22,608

 

 (14,883)

 

       10,923

 

37,548

 

(3,773)

            

 Other Data:

Station operating income (1)

 

 $    52,298

 

 $    61,825

 

 $    71,962

 

$     77,390

 

$     77,283

Station operating income margin (2)

 

33.8%

 

36.7%

 

39.0%

 

38.9%

 

37.1%


(1)

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

(2)

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

      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

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

           

Station operating income

 

 $   52,298

 

 $   61,825

 

 $   71,962

 

$    77,390

 

$       77,283

Plus non-broadcast revenue

 

8,054

 

7,865

 

9,342

 

10,790

 

19,369

Less cost of denied tower site and license upgrade

 

 —

 

 (2,202)

 

 (746)

 

 

Less non-broadcast operating expenses

 

 (7,709)

 

 (7,942)

 

 (8,600)

 

(9,889)

 

(18,172)

Less depreciation and amortization

 

 (11,296)

 

(12,105)

 

(12,071)

 

(13,017)

 

(15,193)

Less gain (loss) on disposal of assets

 

 (567)

 

 (214)

 

 (3,217)

 

(527)

 

18,647

Less corporate expenses

 

 (14,387)

 

 (16,091)

 

 (17,480)

 

(19,607)

 

(24,043)

Less cost of terminated offering

 

 —

 

 (651)

 

 —

 

 

Less legal settlement

 

 (2,300)

 

 —

 

 —

 

(650)

 

           

Operating income

 

 $   24,093

 

 $   30,485

 

 $   39,190

 

$   44,490

 

$       57,891



23



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 non-broadcast 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:

·

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

·

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

·

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:

·

audience share,

·

how well our stations perform for our clients,

·

the size of the market,

·

the general economic conditions in each market, and

·

supply and demand on both a local and national level.

Our sources of revenue and product offerings also increasingly include non-broadcast businesses, including our Internet and publishing businesses.

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

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Block program time:

            

 

National

 

 $  34,773

 

18.9%

 

$  36,546

 

18.4%

 

$41,518

 

19.9%

 

Local

 

24,327

 

13.2

 

28,208

 

14.2

 

31,047

 

14.9

 

 

 

59,100

 

32.1

 

64,754

 

32.6

 

72,565

 

34.8

Advertising:

            

 

National

 

14,358

 

7.8

 

15,647

 

7.9

 

17,519

 

8.4

 

Local

 

85,188

 

46.2

 

91,767

 

46.1

 

91,530

 

43.9

 

 

 

99,546

 

54.0

 

107,414

 

54.0

 

109,049

 

52.3

 

Infomercials

 

8,093

 

4.4

 

8,129

 

4.0

 

7,837

 

3.8

 

Network

 

14,053

 

7.6

 

14,664

 

7.4

 

14,834

 

7.1

 

Other

 

3,504

 

1.9

 

3,891

 

2.0

 

4,115

 

2.0

 

Net broadcasting revenue

 

 $184,296

 

 100%

 

$ 198,852

 

 100%

 

$208,400

 

100%



24






Our broadcasting revenue is affected primarily by the program rates our radio stations charge, the level of broadcast air time sold, 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. We do not subscribe to traditional audience measuring services for our Christian Teaching and Talk stations. 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 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 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 and are recognized on a per program basis.   

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 listener and customer 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 non-broadcast 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 2006, 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™ and Towhanll.com, our Internet businesses, earn revenues from the 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 and by selling books. Xulon Press earns its revenue from the publishing of books.  The revenue and related operating expenses of these businesses are reported as “non-broadcast” 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.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We have reclassified our statements of operations data for all periods presented to reflect the operating results of WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland, WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida, WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, as discontinued operations.  The Company entered into agreements to sell these radio stations during 2005 and 2006 and completed the sale of all discontinued operations as of the end of 2006.



25



 The following table sets forth certain statements of operations data for the periods indicated and shows annual changes:

   

Year Ended December 31,

    
   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005 over 2004

 

2006 over 2005

   

(in thousands)

 

% change

Net broadcasting revenue

 

 $ 184,296

 

$  198,852

 

$    208,400

 

7.9%

 

4.8%

Non-broadcast revenue

 

9,342

 

10,790

 

19,369

 

15.5%

 

79.5%

Total revenue

 

193,638

 

209,642

 

227,769

 

8.3%

 

8.6%

Operating expenses:

         

                               

 

Broadcasting operating expenses

 

112,334

 

121,462

 

131,117

 

8.1%

 

7.9%

 

Cost of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade

 

746

 

 

 

(100)%

 


 

Non-broadcast operating expenses

 

8,600

 

9,889

 

18,172

 

15.0%

 

83.8%

 

Legal settlement

 

 

650

 

 

 

(100)%

 

Corporate expenses

 

17,480

 

19,607

 

24,043

 

12.2%

 

22.6%

 

Depreciation

 

10,538

 

11,557

 

12,073

 

9.7%

 

4.5%

 

Amortization

 

1,533

 

1,460

 

3,120

 

(4.8)%

 

113.7%

 

(Gain) / Loss on disposal of assets

 

3,217

 

527

 

(18,647)

 

(83.6)%

 

(3,638.3)%

Total operating expenses

 

154,448

 

165,152

 

169,878

 

6.9%

 

2.9%

Operating income from continuing operations

 

39,190

 

44,490

 

57,891

 

13.5%

 

30.1%

Other income (expense):

 

Interest income

 

171

 

207

 

210

 

21.1%

 

1.4%

 

Interest expense

 

 (19,931)

 

(22,559)

 

(26,342)

 

13.2%

 

16.8%

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

(6,588)

 

(24)

 

(3,625)

 

(99.6)%

 


15,004.2%

 

Other expense, net

 

 (116)

 

(506)

 

(420)

 

336.2%

 

(17.0)%

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

      12,726

 

21,608

 

27,714

 

69.8%

 


28.3%

Provision for income taxes

 

4,859

 

8,570

 

11,167

 

76.4%

 

30.3%

Income from continuing  operations

 

7,867

 

13,038

 

16,547

 

65.7%

 

26.9%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(534)

 

(376)

 

2,452

 

(29.6)%

 


(752.1)%

Net income

 

$      7,333

 

$   12,662

 

$      18,999

 

72.7%

 

50.0%




26



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

 

   

Year Ended

   

December 31,

   

2004

  

2005

  

2006

 
           

Net broadcasting revenue

 

95

%

 

95

%

 

92

%

Non-broadcast revenue

 

5

%

 

5

%

 

8

%

Total revenue

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

100

%

Operating expenses:

 

Broadcasting operating expenses

 

58

%

 

58

%

 

58

%

 

Cost of denied/abandoned tower site and license upgrade

 

%

 

%

 

%

 

Non-broadcast operating expenses

 

4

%

 

5

%

 

8

%

 

Legal settlement

 

%

 

%

 

%

 

Corporate expenses

 

9

%

 

9

%

 

11

%

 

Depreciation

 

6

%

 

6

%

 

5

%

 

Amortization

 

1

%

 

1

%

 

1

%

 

(Gain) Loss on disposal of assets

 

2

%

 

%

 

(8)

%

           
 

Total operating expenses

 

80

%

 

79

%

 

75

%

           

Operating income from continuing operations

 

20

%

 

21

%

 

25

%

Other income (expense):

 

Interest income

 

%

 

%

 

%

 

Interest expense

 

 (10)

%

 

 (11)

%

 

(12)

%

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

(3)

%

 

%

 

(1)

%

 

Other expense, net

 

%

 

%

 

%

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

7

%

 

10

%

 

12

%

Provision for income taxes

 

3

%

 

4

%

 

5

%

           

Income from continuing operations

 

4

%

 

6

%

 

7

%

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

%

 

%

 

1

%

Net income

 

4

%

 

6

%

 

8

%




27



Year ended December 31, 2006 compared to year ended December 31, 2005

      NET BROADCASTING REVENUE.  Net broadcasting revenue increased $9.5 million or 4.8% to $208.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, from $198.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  On a same station basis, net broadcasting revenue improved $4.8 million, or 2.4% to $200.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, from $195.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  This revenue growth is attributable primarily to increases in net broadcasting revenue on our Christian Teaching and Talk stations of $3.7 million and in net broadcasting revenue on our News Talk stations of $2.4 million.  Revenue from advertising as a percentage of our net broadcasting revenue decreased to 52.3% for the year ended December 31, 2006, from 54.0% for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Revenue from block program time as a percentage of our net broadcasting revenue increased to 34.8% for year ended December 31, 2006, from 32.6% for the year ended December 31, 2005.  This change in our revenue mix was primarily due to weakness in the radio advertising market, additional program revenue on our News Talk stations and continued program revenue growth on our Christian Teaching and Talk stations.

      NON-BROADCAST REVENUE.  Non-broadcast revenue increased $8.6 million, or 79.5% to $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, from $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase was primarily due to our acquisitions of Churchstaffing.com in the fourth quarter of 2005 and our acquisitions of Singing News, CrossDaily.com, Townhall.com, and Xulon Press during 2006 plus organic growth of advertising revenue at Salem Web NetworkTM.        

BROADCASTING OPERATING EXPENSES.  Broadcast operating expenses increased $9.6 million, or 7.9% to $131.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $121.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  On a same station basis, broadcast operating expense increased $5.3 million or 4.5% to $123.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $118.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase is primarily attributable to higher personnel costs of $3.8 million, including stock based compensation of $0.8 million which was not applicable during the same period of the prior year and including commissions of $0.1 million associated with higher sales, higher advertising costs of $0.5 million, higher facility related costs of $0.6 million associated with recently acquired facilities and higher production costs of $1.2 million associated with station programming.

NON-BROADCAST OPERATING EXPENSES.   Non-broadcast operating expenses increased $8.3 million, or 83.8% to $18.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase is attributable primarily to costs associated with our acquisitions of Churchstaffing.com in the fourth quarter of 2005 and our acquisitions of Singing News, CrossDaily.com, Townhall.com, and Xulon Press during 2006.

      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 $4.4 million, or 22.65%, to $24.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase is primarily due to $3.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense associated with the implementation of SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” on January 1, 2006, higher personnel costs of $0.3 million, higher research and development costs of $0.2 million and $0.3 million of costs associated with compliance requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.   Depreciation expense increased $0.5 million, or 4.5%, to $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase is primarily due to depreciation associated with the acquisitions of radio station assets and non-broadcast entities during 2006.  Amortization expense increased $1.6 million, or 113.7%, to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.   The increase in amortization is primarily due to definitive lived assets acquired with non-broadcast media entities during 2005 and 2006.

(GAIN) LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS.   Gain on disposal of assets of $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, was primarily due to gains recognized on various exchange transactions accounted for under SFAS No. 153.  Radio station KLMG-FM, Sacramento, California, was exchanged for selected assets of radio station KKFS-FM, Sacramento, California, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $14.6 million.  Additionally, we sold radio station WCCD-AM in Cleveland, Ohio, for $2.1 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million, which was primarily offset by the sale of radio station KBAA-FM, Sacramento, California, for $0.5 million, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $0.6 million.  We also exchanged radio station KNIT-AM, Dallas, Texas for selected assets of radio



28



station WORL-AM, Orlando, Florida, resulting in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $3.5 million.  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.  

      OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE).   Interest expense increased $3.7 million, or 16.8% to $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  The increase in interest expense is due to higher interest rates under our credit facilities and an increase in our net outstanding debt throughout the year.  Net other expense of $0.4 million relates primarily to bank commitment fees associated with our credit facilities.  During the year ended December 31, 2006, we recognized a pre-tax loss of approximately $3.6 million on the redemption of our 9% senior subordinated notes due July 2011, which includes the write-off of unamortized bond issue costs and interest rate swap settlement amounts.        

      PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.      Provision for income taxes was $11.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  Provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes (that is, the effective tax rate) was 40.3% for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 39.7% for the year ended December 31, 2005. 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 was approximately $2.5 million, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to a loss of $0.4 million, net of tax for the prior year.  The gain includes a pre-tax gain of $0.8 million from the sale of WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida and a pre-tax gain of $0.6 million from the sale of WBTK-AM in Richmond, Virginia.  The gain also includes a pre-tax gain of $2.2 million from the sale of WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland and a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million for the sale of WJGR-AM, WZNZ-AM, and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida.  The loss of $0.4 million for the prior year represents the operating results of WTSJ-AM, WBOB-AM, WBTK-AM, WITH-AM, WBGB-FM, WJGR-AM, WZNZ-AM, and WZAZ-AM as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentations.

  NET INCOME.   We recognized net income of $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to net income of $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  This increase of $6.3 million is comprised of a $19.2 million increase in (gain) losses on disposal of assets, a $9.5 million increase in net broadcast revenue and a $8.6 million increase in non-broadcast revenue offset by a $9.4 million increase in broadcast expenses (exclusive of stock based compensation), a $8.2 million increase in non-broadcast expenses (exclusive of stock-based compensation), an increase of $4.3 million for total stock based compensation expense, a $3.7 million increase in interest expense, a $3.6 million charge on the early redemption of debt, and a $2.6 million increase in our provision for income taxes.    



29



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

      NET BROADCASTING REVENUE.  Net broadcasting revenue increased $14.6 million or 7.9% to $198.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $184.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, net broadcasting revenue improved $21.4 million, or 12.3% to $195.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, from $174.4 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 net broadcasting revenue remained at 54% compared to the prior year.  Revenue from block program time as a percentage of our net broadcasting revenue increased to 32.6% for the year ended December 31, 2005, from 32.1% for the year 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.  

      NON-BROADCAST REVENUE.  Non-broadcast 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 $9.1 million, or 8.1% to $121.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $112.3 for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, broadcast operating expense increased $15.5 million or 15.1% to $117.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $102.4 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.

NON-BROADCAST OPERATING EXPENSES.   Non-broadcast 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 $1.0 million, or 9.7%, to $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $10.5 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.

(GAIN) 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 year 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



30



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 $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $4.9 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 38.2% 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 loss from discontinued operations of $0.4 million, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2005, includes the recovery of a legal settlement of $0.3 million associated with the sale of WYGY-FM, Cincinnati, Ohio, in September 2002, and the net operating results of stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland, WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida, WJGR-AM Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM Jacksonville, Florida, and WZAZ-AM Jacksonville, Florida.  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.  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 of $5.4 million is primarily due to an increase in income from continuing operations of $5.2 million and a decrease on loss on early redemption of debt of $6.6 million offset by an increase in interest expense of $2.6 million and an increase in the provision for income taxes of $3.7 million.   

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.  Accordingly, changes in net broadcasting revenue and broadcasting operating expenses, as explained above, have a direct impact on changes in SOI.  

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, 2006 compared to year ended December 31, 2005

      STATION OPERATING INCOME.       SOI decreased $0.1 million, or 0.1% to $77.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 as a result of the changes in net broadcasting revenue and broadcast operating expense explained above.   As a percentage of net broadcasting revenue, SOI decreased to 37.1% for the year ended December 31, 2006 from 38.9% for the year ended December 31, 2005.  On a same station basis, SOI declined $0.5 million, or 0.6%, to $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $77.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.  As a percentage of same station net broadcasting revenue, same station SOI decreased to 38.6% for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to 39.8% for the year ended December 31, 2005.  



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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 year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:

  

For the Year Ended December 31,

  

(Dollars in thousands)

     
  

2005

 

2006

     

Station operating income

 

$                 77,390

 

$                  77,283

Plus non-broadcast revenue

 

10,790

 

19,369

Less non-broadcast operating expenses

 

(9,889)

 

(18,172)

Less depreciation and amortization

 

(13,017)

 

(15,193)

Less gain (loss) on disposal of assets

 

(527)

 

18,647

Less corporate expenses

 

(19,607)

 

(24,043)

Less legal settlement

 

(650)

 

Operating income

 

$               44,490

 

$                  57,891

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

      STATION OPERATING INCOME.   SOI increased $5.4 million, or 7.5% to $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, compared to $72.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 as a result of the changes in net broadcasting revenue and broadcast operating expense explained above.   As a percentage of net broadcasting revenue, SOI decreased to 38.9% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from 39% for the year ended December 31, 2004.  On a same station basis, SOI improved $5.9 million, or 8.2%, to $77.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 from $72.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.  As a percentage of same station net broadcasting revenue, same station SOI increased to 39.8% for the year ended December 31, 2005 from 41.3% 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 year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:

  

For the Year Ended December 31,

  

(Dollars in thousands)

     
  

2004

 

2005

Station operating income

 

$                 71,962

 

$                 77,390

Plus non-broadcast revenue

 

9,342

 

10,790

Less cost of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade

 

(746)

 

Less non-broadcast operating expenses

 

(8,600)

 

(9,889)

Less depreciation and amortization

 

(12,071)

 

(13,017)

Less loss on disposal of assets

 

(3,217)

 

(527)

Less corporate expenses

 

(17,480)

 

(19,607)

Less legal settlement

 

 

(650)

Operating income

 

$               39,190

 

$               44,490

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



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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 non-broadcast 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 non-broadcast 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 the completion of a project 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.

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, 2006, 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 non-broadcast businesses operate or if the operating results of our stations and non-broadcast businesses change or fail to develop as anticipated, our estimates of the fair values may change in the future and may result in impairment charges.



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Valuation allowance (deferred taxes)

      For financial reporting purposes, the company has recorded a valuation allowance of $4.8 million as of December 31, 2006, 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.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has one stock option plan, The Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, (the “Plan”) under which stock options and restricted stock units are granted to employees, directors, officers and advisors of the Company.  As of December 31, 2006, a maximum of 3,100,000 shares are authorized under the plan, of which 2,159,604 are outstanding and 1,309,337 are exercisable.  

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R), which requires the measurement at fair value and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards. Total stock based compensation expense during 2006 was $4.3 million. Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock purchase plans at the date of grant requires judgment. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of these share-based awards consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Option pricing models, including the Black-Scholes model, also require the use of input assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, expected dividend rate, and expected risk-free rate of return. The assumptions for expected volatility and expected life are the two assumptions that significantly affect the grant date fair value. The expected dividend rate and expected risk-free rate of return are not currently significant to the calculation of fair value.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statements No. 115 (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting period.  SFAS No. 159 is effective beginning January 1, 2008.  We believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on the company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157

On September 15, 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  This statement defines fair value, specifies the acceptable methods for determining fair value, and expands



34



disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective beginning January 1, 2008.  We believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on the company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153

In December 2004, the FASB issued 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 was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 and had a significant impact on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.  As a result of this accounting pronouncement, we recognized a net gain on exchanges of radio stations of $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, which is reported in discontinued operations and in (gain) loss on disposal of assets.  

FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)”.  FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN No. 48 is effective beginning January 1, 2007, and the cumulative effect adjustment, if any, will be recorded in the first quarter of 2007. We continue to evaluate the impact of FIN No. 48 on our consolidated financial statements. At this time, we do not know what the impact will be upon the adoption of this standard.  

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, (“SAB 108”). The interpretations in SAB 108 are being issued to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements and the potential under current practice for the build up of improper amounts on the balance sheet. SAB 108 is effective for the first interim period of the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006.   SAB 108 was effective for us beginning in 2006 and there were no adjustments to opening retained earnings resulting from its application.

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.

      Cash. Cash and cash equivalents were $0.7 million on December 31, 2006. Working capital was $13.3 million on December 31, 2006. Cash and cash equivalents were $4.0 million on December 31, 2005. Working capital was $35.4 million on December 31, 2005.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, we made net borrowings of $128 million under our credit facilities and used $31.5 million of cash to acquire selected assets of five radio stations, three Internet businesses and two magazine businesses.   

      Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $2.2 million to $36.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to $38.9 million in 2005.  The decrease is primarily due to higher cash paid for interest expense of $6.0 million that was offset by an increase in net income from continuing operations of $3.5 million that includes non-cash gains recognized on exchanges of radio stations of $18.6 million and non-cash stock based compensation expense of $4.3 million that were partially offset by an increase in deferred income taxes of $4.4 million and a decrease in deferred revenue of $3.9 million.



35



      Net cash used by investing activities decreased to $50.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to $83.4 million in 2005.  The decrease is primarily due to lower cash outlays for acquisition activity, $31.5 million of cash used to purchase selected assets of five radio stations, three Internet businesses and two magazine businesses during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, compared to $60.2 million used to purchase selected assets of seven radio stations and one Internet business in the prior year.

      Net cash from financing activities decreased $41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The decrease is primarily due to cash used for the redemption of our 9% notes of $98.3 million which included a premium, the payment of a special cash dividend of $14.6 million, and treasury stock repurchases of $20.7 million offset by net borrowings of $129.0 million.

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 were subsequently amended on June 9, 2006 to increase the loan commitments under the term loan C facility by $15.0 million; allow for the payment of dividends of up to $5.0 million per year and payment of an additional $30.0 million in dividends during the life of the credit facility; allow for the payment of dividends and the repurchase of stock, in addition to the amounts repurchased prior to the amendment, of an additional $50.0 million when total leverage is greater than 4.00 to 1.00 but less than 5.50 to 1.00 and up to $15.0 million when total leverage is greater than 5.50 to 1.00.  

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 $165.0 million term loan C facility. As of December 31, 2006, the borrowing capacity and aggregate commitments were $75.0 million under our revolving credit facility, $73.1 million under our term loan B facility and $165.0 million under our term loan C facility. The amount we can borrow, however, is subject to certain restrictions as described below.  As of December 31, 2006, we could borrow $51.9 million under our credit facilities.  

On December 31, 2006, $73.1 million was outstanding under the term loan B facility, $165.0 million was outstanding under the term loan C facility and $19.1 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 facilities 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. If an event of default occurs, the rate may increase by 2.0%. At December 31, 2006, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the credit facilities was 6.95%.

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 6.75 to 1 as of December 31, 2006. The ratio will decline periodically until December 31, 2009, at which point it will remain at 5.5 to 1 through the remaining term of the credit facilities. The Total Leverage Ratio under our credit facilities at December 31, 2006, on a pro forma basis, was 5.88 to 1.

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



36



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 2.0 to 1 through June 30, 2009 increasing in increments to 2.5 to 1 after June 30, 2009), minimum debt service coverage (a static ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1), a maximum consolidated senior leverage ratio (currently 5.0 to 1, which will decline periodically until December 31, 2008, at which point it will remain at 4.0 to 1 through the remaining term of the credit facilities), 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.

On October 18, 2006, the company purchased two interest rate caps for $0.1 million to mitigate exposure to rising interest rates based on LIBOR.  The first interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a three year period.  The second interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a four year period.  Both interest rate caps are at 7.25%.

      As of December 31, 2006, 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”) with a borrowing capacity of $5.0 million.  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, 2006, $1.2 million was outstanding under the Swingline bearing interest at 8.25%.

      As of December 31, 2006, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under the terms of the Swingline.

             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, 2006, we were and remain in compliance with all of the covenants under the indenture for the 7¾% Notes.

A summary of long-term debt obligations is as follows:


Summary of Long-Term Debt Obligations

As of December 31, 2005

As of December 31, 2006

 

(Dollars in thousands)

    

Term loan B

$                     73,875

 

$                     73,125

Term loan C

 50,000

 

 165,000

Revolving line of credit under credit facility

 6,600

 

 19,100

Swingline credit facility

 

1,241

9% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (1)

96,664

 

7¾% senior subordinated notes due 2010

100,000

 

100,000

Fair market value of interest rate swap agreement

215

 

Capital leases and other loans

 142

 

 2,560

 

$                   327,496

 

$                   361,026

Less current portion

811

 

2,048

 

$                   326,685

 

$                   358,978


(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.




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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

      At December 31, 2006 and 2005, 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

      The following table summarizes our aggregate contractual obligations at December 31, 2006, and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods

  

Payments Due by Period

Contractual

   

Less

than 1

 

1-3

 

3-5

 

More Than 5

Obligations

 

Total

 

year

 

years

 

years

 

years

  

(Dollars in thousands)

           

Long-term debt, including current portion

 

$    358,466

 

  $   1,991

 

$   20,600

 

$ 335,875

 

$      —

Interest payments on long-term debt (1)

 

58,875

 

17,942

 

34,603

 

6,330

 

Capital lease obligations and other loans

 

2,560

 

57

 

2,493

 

10

 

Operating leases

 

77,280

 

9,920

 

17,246

 

14,408

 

35,706

           

Total contractual cash obligations

 

$    497,181

 

$   29,910

 

$   74,942

 

$ 356,623

 

$    35,706


(1)

Interest payments on long-term debt are based on the outstanding debt and respective interest rates with interest rates on variable-rate debt held constant through maturity at the December 31, 2006 rates.  Interest ultimately paid on these obligations may differ based on changes in interest rates for variable-rate debt, as well as any potential future refinancing.   See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details.



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 change in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows of recognized assets, liabilities or of unrecognized forecasted transactions, referred to as a cash flow hedge, is recognized as other comprehensive income.  The differential paid or received on the interest rate swaps 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 were to 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 was amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes.  On July 6, 2006, we



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completed the redemption of the remainder of our outstanding 9% senior subordinated notes.  As a result of the redemption, we wrote off the remaining balance of the buyout premium of approximately $2.7 million as a reduction of the loss on the early redemption of long term debt.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $0.3 million related to the amortization of the buyout premium received.     

       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 were to 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 was 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 was amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes.  On July 6, 2006, we completed the redemption of the remainder of our outstanding 9% Notes.  As a result of this redemption, we recorded a loss on the swap of approximately $0.3 million which is included in the loss on early redemption of long-term debt.  We recognized approximately $33,000 in interest expense for twelve months ended December 31, 2006 related to the amortization of capitalized buyout premium.

On April 8, 2005, we entered into an 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 bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $69,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates.  As of December 31, 2006, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $50,000. This amount, net of income tax benefits of approximately $20,000, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge.  The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On April 26, 2005, we entered into a second interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby we will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.70% as compared to LIBOR on a bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $114,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates.  As of December 31, 2006, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.5 million.  This amount, net of income tax benefits of approximately $0.2 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On May 5, 2005, we entered into a third 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 bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $139,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates. As of December 31, 2006, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.8 million.  This amount, net of income taxes of approximately $0.3 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as we have designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

      On October 18, 2006, the Company purchased two interest rate caps for $0.1 million to mitigate exposure to rising interest rates based on LIBOR.  The first interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a three year period.  The second interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a four year period.  Both interest rate caps are at 7.25%. The caps do not qualify for hedge accounting and accordingly, all changes in fair value have been included as a component of interest expense.  As of December 31, 2006, interest expense of $53,000 was booked related to our interest rate caps.  

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, 2006, we had borrowed $257.2 million under our credit facilities and Swingline.  As of December 31, 2006, we could borrow up to an additional $51.9 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



39



determination. At December 31, 2006, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the credit facilities was 6.95%. At December 31, 2006 a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the prime rate or LIBOR, as applicable, would result in additional interest expense of $1.7 million on an annualized basis.

In addition to the variable rate debt disclosed above, we have fixed rate debt with a carrying value of $100.0 million relating to the outstanding 7¾% Notes as of December 31, 2006, with an aggregate fair value of $101.4 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 $98.1 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 $104.9 million.



40



ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

PAGE

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

42

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2006

 

43

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

 

44

   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

 

46

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

 

47

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

49



41




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, 2005 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. 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 Communications Corporation at December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, 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.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, on January 1, 2006 Salem Communications Corporation changed its method of accounting for share-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) and its method of accounting for exchanges of non-monetary assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153.

We also have 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, 2006, 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 15, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.



/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Los Angeles, California

March 15, 2007



  



42




SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

     

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

     

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

     
    

December 31,

                      ASSETS

2005

 

2006

Current assets:

      

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,979

 

$

710

 

Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,215 in 2005 and $7,606 in 2006)

  

30,953

  

31,984

 

Other receivables

 

 

1,579

 

 

551

 

Prepaid expenses

  

2,468

  

2,330

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

4,614

 

 

5,020

 

Assets of discontinued operations  

  

12,456

  

-

Total current assets

 

 

56,049

 

 

40,595

Property, plant and equipment, net

  

116,245

  

128,713

Broadcast licenses

 

 

443,092

 

 

476,544

Goodwill

  

16,803

  

20,606

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets

  

-

  

2,892

Amortizable intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $7,726 in 2005 and $10,846 in 2006)

 

 

3,244

 

 

8,368

Bond issue costs

  

2,742

  

593

Bank loan fees

 

 

3,709

 

 

2,996

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements

  

743

  

1,290

Other assets

 

 

3,303

 

 

3,667

Total assets

 

$

645,930

 

$

686,264

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

      

 

Accounts payable

 

$

448

 

$

3,421

 

Accrued expenses

  

5,606

  

6,446

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

6,461

 

 

7,033

 

Accrued interest

  

5,429

  

4,275

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

1,903

 

 

4,050

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

 

811

 

 

2,048

 

Income tax payable

  

-

  

22

Total current liabilities

 

 

20,658

 

 

27,295

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion

  

326,685

  

358,978

Deferred income taxes

  

40,810

  

53,935

Deferred revenue

 

 

7,304

 

 

7,063

Other liabilities

  

1,355

  

1,277

Total liabilities

  

396,812

  

448,548

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 80,000,000 shares; 20,410,992 issued and 19,771,199 outstanding shares in 2005; 20,424,242 issued and 18,293,824 outstanding in 2006

 

 

204

 

 

204

 

Class B common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; 5,553,696 issued and outstanding shares in 2005 and 2006

  

56

  

56

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

217,036

 

 

221,466

 

Retained earnings

  

43,043

  

47,433

 

Treasury stock, at cost (639,793 shares and 2,130,418 shares as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively)

  

(11,539)

  

(32,218)

         Accumulated other comprehensive income

  

318

  

775

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

249,118

 

 

237,716

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

645,930

 

$

686,264

 See accompanying notes



43



SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Net broadcasting revenue

 

$

184,296

 

$

198,852

 

$

208,400

Non-broadcast revenue

 

 

9,342

 

 

10,790

 

 

19,369

Total revenue

 

 

193,638

 

 

209,642

 

 

227,769

Operating expenses:

         

 

Broadcasting operating expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below (including $1,101, $1,115 and $1,117 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, paid to related parties)

 

 

112,334

 

 

121,462

 

 

131,117

 

Cost of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade

  

746

  

  

 

Non-broadcast operating expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below

  

8,600

  

9,889

  

18,172

 

Legal settlement

 

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

Corporate expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below (including $342, $256 and $235 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, paid to related parties)

  

17,480

  

19,607

  

24,043

 

Depreciation (including $414, $394 and $862 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, for non-broadcast businesses)

 

 

10,538

 

 

11,557

 

 

12,073

 

Amortization (including $620, $518 and $2,405 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, for non-broadcast businesses)

  

1,533

  

1,460

  

3,120

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

 

3,217

 

 

527

 

 

(18,647)

Total operating expenses

 

 

154,448

 

 

165,152

 

 

169,878

Operating income from continuing operations

  

39,190

  

44,490

  

57,891

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Interest income

  

         171

  

207

  

210

 

Interest expense

  

 (19,931)

  

(22,559)

  

(26,342)

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

 

   (6,588)

 

 

(24)

 

 

(3,625)

 

Other expense, net

  

      (116)

  

(506)

 

 

(420)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

        12,726

 

 

21,608

 

 

27,714

Provision for income taxes

 

 

4,859        

 

 

8,570

 

 

11,167

Income from continuing operations

 

 

      7,867

 

 

13,038

 

 

16,547

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of  tax

 

 

(534)

 

 

(376)

 

 

2,452

Net income

 

$

7,333

 

$

12,662

 

$

18,999

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  

 —

  

318

  

457

Comprehensive income

 

$

7,333

 

$

12,980

 

$

19,456

See accompanying notes



44




SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Basic earnings (loss) per share data:

         
 

Earnings per share from continuing  operations

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.68

 

Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations

  

(0.02)

  

               

         (0.01)

  

0.10

     

Basic earnings per share

  

0.29

  

0.49

  

0.78

           

Diluted earnings (loss) per share data:

         

     

Earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.31

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.68

     

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  

(0.02)

  

(0.01)

  

0.10

 

Diluted earnings per share

  

0.29

  

0.49

  

0.78

           

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

25,220,678

 

 

25,735,641

 

 

24,215,867

           

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

25,371,649

 

 

25,794,875

 

 

24,223,751

           
 

See accompanying notes



45



SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

  

Class A

 

Class B

       

Accumulated

  
  

Common Stock

 

Common Stock

 

Additional

     

Other

  
    

 

   

 

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Treasury

 

Comprehensive

  
  

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stock

 

Income

 

Total

Stockholders’ equity, January 1, 2004

 

17,956,567

 

$180

 

5,553,696

 

$56

 

$148,538

 

$23,048

 

 

 

$171,822

Public issuance of class A common stock

 

2,325,000

 

23

 

 

 

65,691

 

 

 

 

65,714

Options exercised

 

127,175

 

1

 

 

 

2,272

 

 

 

 

2,273

Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

495

 

 

 

 

495

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,333

 

 

 

7,333

Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2004

 

20,408,742

 

204

 

5,553,696

 

56

 

216,996

 

30,381

 

 

 

247,637

Options exercised

 

2,250

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

33

Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

7

Class A common stock shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (11,539)

 

 

   (11,539)

Net unrealized income on interest rate swap agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

318

 

318

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,662

 

 

 

12,662

Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2005

 

20,410,992

 

204

 

5,553,696

 

56

 

217,036

 

43,043

 

(11,539)

 

318

 

249,118

Options exercised

 

13,250

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

 

95

Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

Class A common stock shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   (20,679)

 

 

   (20,679)

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,609)

 

   

(14,609)

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

4,334

 

 

 

 

4,334

Net unrealized income on interest rate swap agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

457

 

457

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,999

 

 

 

18,999

Stockholders' equity, December 31, 2006

 

20,424,242

 

204

 

5,553,696

 

56

 

221,466

 

47,433

 

(32,218)

 

775

 

237,716

See accompanying notes



46




SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

   

Year Ended December 31,

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     

Income from continuing operations

$

7,867

 

$

13,038

 

$

16,547

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

        
 

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

 

  

4,334

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

12,071

  

13,017

  

15,193

 

Amortization of bond issue costs and bank loan fees

 

1,486

 

 

1,470

 

 

1,360

 

Amortization and accretion of financing items

 

  

(687)

  

(166)

 

Provision for bad debts

 

3,821

 

 

2,793

 

 

3,566

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,787

  

8,024

  

12,414

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

3,217

 

 

527

 

 

(18,647)

 

Loss on early redemption of debt

 

6,588

 

 

24

 

 

3,625

 

Costs of denied tower site and license upgrade

 

746

  

  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,847)

 

 

(4,211)

 

 

(3,488)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  

1,189

  

(335)

  

154

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(279)

 

 

446

 

 

1,256

 

Deferred revenue

  

131

  

4,441

  

569

 

Other liabilities

 

 

156

 

 

356

 

 

(78)

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

   Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

38,933

 

 

38,903

 

 

36,661

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

  Capital expenditures

 

(17,667)

 

 

(22,222)

 

 

(21,122)

  Deposits on radio station acquisitions

 

(425)

  

670

  

  Purchases of radio station assets

 

(26,460)

 

 

(53,249)

 

 

(20,229)

  Purchases of Internet and magazine businesses

 

  

(6,940)

  

(11,246)

  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and broadcast licenses

 

1

  

80

  

2,400

  Other

 

394

 

 

(1,761)

 

 

(364)

     Net cash used in investing activities

 

(44,157)

  

(83,422)

  

(50,561)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

  Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock

 

65,714

 

 

 

 

  Repurchase of Class A common stock

 

  

(11,539)

  

(20,679)

  Payments to redeem 9% Notes

 

(55,630)

  

  

(94,031)

  Proceeds from borrowings under credit facilities

 

24,000

  

87,750

  

156,000

  Payments of long-term debt and notes payable

 

(20,000)

 

 

(41,275)

 

 

(28,009)

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

2,273

  

33

  

95

  Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

495

  

7

  

1

  Payment of cash dividend on common stock

 

  

  

(14,609)

  Issuance of loans and capital lease obligations

 

24

 

 

84

 

 

  Payments on capital lease obligations

 

(18)

  

(9)

  

(26)

  Payments for interest rate swap

 

(440)

 

 

(339)

 

 

  Payments of costs related to bank credit facility and debt financing

 

(497)

  

(870)

  

(273)

  Proceeds from interest rate swap termination

 

  

3,730

  

  Payment of bond premium

 

(4,998)

  

(24)

  

(4,231)

  Other

 

  

  

1,989

     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

10,923

 

 

37,548

 

 

(3,773)

CASH FLOWS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

        

  Operating cash flows

 

(663)

  

(123)

  

(3,251)

  Investing cash flows

 

338

  

79

  

17,655

      Total cash inflow (outflow) form discontinued operations

 

(325)

  

(44)

  

14,404

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,374

 

 

(7,015)

 

 

(3,269)

  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

5,620

 

 

10,994

 

 

3,979

  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

10,994

 

$

3,979

 

$

710



47






See accompanying notes

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(Dollars in thousands)

      
 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

     

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Interest

 

$

23,627

 

$

21,447

 

$

27,496

 

Income taxes

 

 

300

 

 

341

 

 

256


See accompanying notes



48



SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

      The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Salem Communications Corporation (“Salem” or the “Company”) include the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

      The Company is a holding company with substantially no assets, operations or cash flows other than its investments in subsidiaries. The Company, excluding its subsidiaries, is herein referred to as Parent. In May 2000, the Company formed two new wholly-owned subsidiaries, Salem Communications Holding Corporation (“HoldCo”) and Salem Communications Acquisition Corporation (“AcquisitionCo”), each a Delaware corporation. HoldCo is the issuer of the 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 (“7¾% Notes”). HoldCo is a holding company with substantially no assets, operations or cash flows other than its investments in subsidiaries. In July 2000, the Company formed SCA License Corporation (“SCA”), a Delaware corporation. HoldCo and AcquisitionCo are direct subsidiaries of the Company; SCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AcquisitionCo. Parent, AcquisitionCo and all of its subsidiaries and all of the subsidiaries of HoldCo are Guarantors of the 7¾% Notes discussed in Note 4. The Guarantors (i) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, (ii) comprise substantially all the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and (iii) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis and the 7¾% Notes. SCA owns the assets of eight radio stations as of December 31, 2006. See Note 13 for certain consolidating information with respect to the Company.

Description of Business

      Salem is a domestic U.S. radio broadcast company, which has traditionally provided talk and music programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and family issues. Salem operated 104 and 97 radio stations across the United States at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The Company also owns and operates Salem Radio Network® (“SRN”), SRN News Network (“SNN”), Salem Music Network (“SMN”), Reach Satellite Network (“RSN”), Salem Radio Representatives (“SRR”) and Vista Radio Representatives (“VRR”). SRN, SNN, SMN and RSN are radio networks, which produce and distribute talk, news and music programming to radio stations in the U.S., including some of Salem’s stations. SRR and VRR sell commercial air time to national advertisers for Salem’s radio stations and networks, and for independent radio station affiliates.

      Additionally, Salem also owns and operates Internet businesses, including Salem Web Network (“SWN”) and Townhall.com, and publishing businesses including Salem Publishing and Xulon Press.  SWN and Townhall.com provide Christian and conservative editorial content on the Internet as well as on-demand audio streaming and related services. Salem Publishing and Xulon publish magazines and books that follow the Christian music industry and that serve the Christian audience. The revenue and related operating expenses of these businesses are reported as “non-broadcast” on the consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

      The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments, purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of the Company’s cash equivalents approximated fair value at each balance sheet date.

Revenue Recognition

      Revenues are recognized when pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or the service has been rendered, the price to the customer is fixed or determinable and collection of the arrangement fee is reasonably assured.

      Revenue from radio programs and commercial advertising is recognized when broadcast. Salem’s broadcasting customers principally include not-for-profit charitable organizations and commercial advertisers.

      Revenue from the sale of products and services from the Company’s non-broadcast businesses is recognized when the products are shipped and the services are rendered. Revenue from the sale of advertising in Salem Publishing’s publications is recognized upon



49



publication. Revenue from the sale of subscriptions to Salem Publishing’s publications is recognized over the life of the subscription.  Revenues from book sales are recorded by Xulon Press when shipment occurs.     

      Advertising by the radio stations exchanged for goods and services is recorded as the advertising is broadcast and is valued at the estimated value of goods or services received or to be received. The value of the goods and services received in such barter transactions is charged to expense when used. Barter advertising revenue included in broadcasting revenue for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was approximately $5.4 million, $5.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively, and barter expenses were approximately the same as barter revenue for each period. The Company records its broadcast advertising provided in exchange for goods and services as broadcasting revenue and the goods or services received in exchange for such advertising as broadcasting operating expenses.

Accounting For Stock Based Compensation    

     The Company has one employee compensation plan, described more fully in “Note 7. Stock Option Plan.” Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment.”  SFAS No. 123(R) requires employee equity awards to be accounted for under the fair value method. Accordingly, share-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for awards granted under its equity incentive plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, and provided the required pro forma disclosures prescribed by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended.  The exercise price of options is equal to the market price of Salem Communications common stock on the date of grant. Additionally, the stock purchase plan was deemed non-compensatory under APB No. 25. Accordingly, no share-based compensation, other than insignificant amounts of acquisition-related compensation, was recognized on the consolidated financial statements prior to 2006.


     Under the modified prospective method of adoption for SFAS No. 123(R), the compensation cost recognized by the Company beginning in 2006 includes (a) compensation cost for all equity incentive awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all equity incentive awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The Company uses the straight-line attribution method to recognize share-based compensation costs over the service period of the award. Upon exercise, cancellation, forfeiture, or expiration of stock options, or upon vesting or forfeiture of restricted stock units, deferred tax assets for options and restricted stock units with multiple vesting dates are eliminated for each vesting period on a first-in, first-out basis as if each vesting period was a separate award. To calculate the excess tax benefits available as of the date of adoption for use in offsetting future tax shortfalls, the Company followed the alternative transition method discussed in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position No. 123(R)-3.

Accounting for upgrades of radio station and network assets

      From time to time the Company undertakes projects to upgrade its radio station technical facilities and/or FCC licenses. The Company’s policy is to capitalize costs up to the point where the project is complete, at which point the Company transfers the costs to the appropriate fixed asset and/or intangible asset categories. In certain cases where a project’s completion is contingent upon FCC or other regulatory approval, the Company will 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. If the required approval is not considered probable, the Company will write-off the capitalized costs of the project. The write-offs are included in “Cost of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statements No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting period.  SFAS No. 159 is effective beginning



50



January 1, 2008.  The Company believes that the adoption of SFAS No. 159 will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157

On September 15, 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  This statement defines fair value, specifies the acceptable methods for determining fair value, and expands disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 is effective beginning January 1, 2008.  The Company believes that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109)”.  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN No. 48 is effective beginning January 1, 2007, and the cumulative effect adjustment, if any, will be recorded in the first quarter of 2007.  The Company continues to evaluate the impact of FIN No. 48 on its consolidated financial statements. At this time, the Company does not know what the impact will be upon the adoption of this standard.  

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153

In December 2004, the FASB issued 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 was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 and had a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position.  As a result of this accounting pronouncement, the Company recognized a net gain on exchanges of radio stations of $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 which is reported in discontinued operations and in (gain) loss on disposal of assets.    

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, (“SAB 108”). The interpretations in SAB 108 are being issued to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements and the potential under current practice for the build up of improper amounts on the balance sheet. SAB 108 is effective for the first interim period of the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006.   SAB 108 was effective for the Company beginning in 2006 and there were no adjustments to opening retained earnings resulting from its application.   

Discontinued Operations

The following table sets forth the components of income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 (dollars in thousands).

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

      
 

Operating loss

 

$

(875)

 

$

(897)

 

$

(327)

 

Gain on sale or exchange of station

  

  

325

  

4,332

 

Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

  

(875)

  

(572)

  

4,005

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  

(341)

  

(196)

  

1,553



51






 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

$

(534)

 

$

(376)

 

$

2,452

 

Details of these transactions are as follows:

On February 10, 2006, the Company exchanged radio stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, and WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio and $6.7 million in cash for selected assets of radio station WLQV-AM, Detroit, Michigan.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WTSJ-AM and WBOB-AM as discontinued operations through the date of the sale.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29,” and resulted in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $0.7 million.

On July 17, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, for $1.5 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.6 million.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WBTK-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.  

On September 18, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida for $7.6 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.8 million.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WBGB-FM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

On December 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio stations WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida for $2.8 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million.  The assets were sold to Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (“Chesapeake-Portsmouth”).  Chesapeake-Portsmouth is a company controlled by Nancy Epperson, wife of Salem's Chairman of the Board Stuart W. Epperson and sister of Salem’s CEO Edward G. Atsinger III.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida as discontinued operations.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.   

On December 22, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland for $3.0 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.2 million.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WITH-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

Property, Plant and Equipment

      Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows:

Category

Life

Buildings

40 years

Office furnishings and equipment

5-10 years

Antennae, towers and transmitting equipment

20 years

Studio and Production equipment

10 years

Computer software

3 years

Record and tape libraries

5 years

Automobiles

5 years

Leasehold improvements

Lesser of 15 years or life of lease

      The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is evaluated periodically in relation to the operating performance and anticipated future cash flows of the underlying radio stations and businesses for indicators of impairment. When indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated from these assets are less than the carrying value of



52



these assets an adjustment to reduce the carrying value to the fair market value of the assets is recorded, if necessary. No adjustments to the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment have been made during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

      Intangible assets acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of various radio stations and non-broadcast businesses are being amortized over the following estimated useful lives using the straight-line method:

Category

Life

Customer lists and contracts

Lesser of 5 years or life of contract

Favorable and assigned leases

Life of the lease

Other

5-10 years

The following tables provide details, by major category, of the significant classes of amortizable intangible assets:

  

As of December 31, 2006

   

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

  

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Net

  

(Dollars in thousands)

   

Customer lists and contracts

 

$

10,404

 

$

(6,030)

 

$

4,374

Domain and brand names

  

4,487

  

(1,533)

  

2,954

Favorable and assigned leases

  

1,581

  

(1,144)

  

437

Other amortizable intangible assets

 

 

2,742

 

 

(2,139)

 

 

603

  

$

19,214

 

$

(10,846)

 

$

8,368


  

As of December 31, 2005

   

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

  

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Net

  

(Dollars in thousands)

   

Customer lists and contracts

 

$

5,419

 

$

      (4,062)

 

$

1,357

Domain and brand names

  

1,878

  

(766)

  

1,112

Favorable and assigned leases

  

1,581

  

         (1,059)

  

522

Other amortizable intangible assets

 

 

2,092

 

 

      (1,839)

 

 

253

  

$

10,970

 

$

      (7,726)

 

$

3,244

      Based on the amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2006, the Company estimates amortization expense for the next five years to be as follows:

Year Ending December 31,

 

Amortization Expense

  

(Dollars in thousands)

2007

 

   $       2,922

2008

 

           2,467

2009

 

           1,215

2010

 

             775

2011

 

              313

Thereafter

 

676

Total

 

$   8,368

      The carrying value of intangibles is evaluated periodically in relation to the operating performance and anticipated future cash flows of the underlying radio stations and businesses for indicators of impairment. When indicators of impairment are present and the



53



undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated from these assets are less than the carrying amounts of these assets, an adjustment to reduce the carrying value to the fair market value of these assets is recorded, if necessary. No adjustments to the carrying amounts of intangible assets have been made during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

      The Company accounts for goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No.142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  Accordingly, the Company does not amortize goodwill or other indefinite lived intangible assets, but rather tests for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that impairment may exist. The Company completed its annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2006  The Company estimates fair value of its indefinite lived intangibles using a combination of market analysis, review of appraisals and cash flow analysis.  No adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite long-lived assets were necessary based on our review and evaluations.

(Gain) Loss on Disposal of Assets

In preparation for the implementation of a fixed asset management and tracking system, Salem conducted a physical inventory of its property, plant and equipment during 2004.  Based on the results, the Company wrote-off certain assets, with a net book value of approximately $3.1 million, charged to loss on disposal of assets during the third and fourth quarter of 2004.  Additionally, the loss during the year ended December 31, 2004, includes $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 $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 was primarily due to the write-off of various fixed assets and equipment.  Gain on disposal of assets of $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 was primarily due to the gains recognized on various exchange transactions accounted for under SFAS No. 153 as explained in Note 2.

Leases

At the time a lease is entered, the Company determines the classification of the lease as either a capital or operating lease based on the factors listed in SFAS No. 13 “Accounting for Leases”.  Lease terms generally range from one to ten years with rent expense recorded on a straight line basis for financial reporting purposes.

Leasehold Improvements

If, at any time during tenancy, the Company elects to construct or otherwise invest in leasehold improvements to the property, the Company capitalizes the improvements.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the remaining lease term.  

Bond Issue Costs

      Bond issue costs are being amortized over the terms of the 7¾% Notes as an adjustment to interest expense.

Derivative Instruments

The Company is 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. The Company’s use of derivative instruments may result in short-term gains or losses that may increase the volatility of 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 change in the fair



54



value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows of recognized assets, liabilities or of unrecognized forecasted transactions, referred to as a cash flow hedge, is recognized as other comprehensive income.  The differential paid or received on the interest rate swaps is recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense.

During 2004 and through February 18, 2005, the Company had an interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $66.0 million related to its $94.4 million 9% Notes. This agreement was scheduled to expire in 2011 when the 9% Notes were to 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, the Company sold its entire interest in this swap and received a payment of approximately $3.7 million, which was amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes.  On July 6, 2006, the Company completed the redemption of the remainder of its outstanding 9% senior subordinated notes.  As a result of the redemption, the Company wrote off the remaining balance of the buyout premium of approximately $2.7 million as a reduction of the loss on the early redemption of long term debt.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $0.3 million related to the amortization of the buyout premium received.     

During 2004, the Company also had a second interest rate swap agreement with a notional principal amount of $24.0 million. This agreement also related to the 9% Notes. This agreement was to expire in 2011 when the 9% Notes were to 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, the Company sold its interest in $14.0 million of this swap. As a result of this transaction, the Company paid and capitalized $0.3 million in buyout premium, which was amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes. On October 22, 2004, the Company sold its remaining $10.0 million interest in this swap. As a result of this second transaction, the Company paid and capitalized approximately $110,000 in buyout premium, which was amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the 9% Notes.  On July 6, 2006, the Company completed the redemption of the remainder of our outstanding 9% Notes.  As a result of this redemption, the Company recorded a loss on the swap of approximately $0.3 million which is included in the loss on early redemption of long-term debt.  The Company recognized approximately $33,000 in interest expense for twelve months ended December 31, 2006 related to the amortization of capitalized buyout premium.

On April 8, 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby the Company will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.99% as compared to LIBOR on a bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $69,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $50,000. This amount, net of income tax benefits of approximately $20,000, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as the Company has designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge.  The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On April 26, 2005, the Company entered into a second interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby the Company will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.70% as compared to LIBOR on a bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $114,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.5 million.  This amount, net of income tax benefits of approximately $0.2 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as the Company has designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.

On May 5, 2005, the Company entered into a third interest rate swap arrangement for the notional principal amount of $30.0 million whereby the Company will pay a fixed interest rate of 4.53% as compared to LIBOR on a bank credit facility borrowing.  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2006, was reduced by approximately $139,000 as a result of the difference between the interest rates. As of December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest swap of approximately $0.8 million.  This amount, net of income taxes of approximately $0.3 million, is reflected in other comprehensive income, as the Company has designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge. The effective date of this interest rate swap was July 1, 2006 and the expiration date is July 1, 2012.



55



Interest Rate Caps

       On October 18, 2006, the Company purchased two interest rate caps for $0.1 million to mitigate exposure to rising interest rates based on LIBOR.  The first interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a three year period.  The second interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a four year period.  Both interest rate caps are at 7.25%. The caps do not qualify for hedge accounting and accordingly, all changes in fair value have been included as a component of interest expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2006, interest expense of $53,000 was recorded related to our interest rate caps.  


Income Taxes

      The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the liability method of providing for deferred income taxes. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.

Comprehensive Income

      SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements. The Company accounts for changes in the fair value of its interest rate swaps as a component of Other Comprehensive Income.   

Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share

Basic net earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effects of stock options.

Options to purchase 762,875, 1,924,269 and 2,152,564 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  Diluted weighted average shares outstanding exclude outstanding stock options whose exercise price is in excess of the average price of the Company’s stock price. These options from the respective computations of diluted net income or loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth the shares used to compute basic and diluted net earnings per share for the periods indicated:

  

Year Ended December 31,

  

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Weighted average shares

 

25,220,678

 

25,735,641

 

24,215,867

Effect of dilutive securities - stock options

 

150,971

 

59,234

 

7,884

Weighted average shares adjusted for dilutive securities

 

25,371,649

 

25,794,875

 

24,223,751

Segments

      The Company presents its segment information in Note 12. The Company has one reportable operating segment - radio broadcasting. The remaining non-reportable segments consist of our Internet businesses, SWN and Townhall.com and our publishing businesses, Salem Publishing and Xulon Press, which do not meet the reportable segment quantitative thresholds and accordingly are aggregated below as non-broadcast. The radio broadcasting segment also operates various radio networks.

Concentrations of Business and Credit Risks

      The majority of the Company’s operations are conducted in multiple locations across the country. The Company’s credit risk is spread across a large number of customers, none of which account for a significant volume of revenue or outstanding receivables. The Company does not normally require collateral on credit sales; however, credit histories are reviewed before extending substantial credit to any customer. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on customers’ payment history and perceived credit risks. Bad debt expense has been within management’s expectations.



56



Use of Estimates

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant areas for which management uses estimates are allowance for bad debts, income tax valuation allowance and impairment analysis for intangible assets including broadcast licenses and goodwill as well as other long-lived assets.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.  These reclassifications include the accounting for WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland, WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida, WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida as discontinued operations as discussed in Note 2.   The accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations reflect the results of these stations as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2006.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results and net assets of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.  

NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS

      During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company completed the following transactions:

Acquisition Date

 

Station(s)

 

Market Served

 

Acquisition Cost

 

Format Changed

      

(Dollars in thousands)

  

January 23, 2006

 

WTLN-AM

 

Orlando, FL

 

$

5,497

 

No

January 23, 2006

 

WHIM-AM

 

Orlando, FL

  

4,503

 

No

February 3, 2006

 

WORL-AM (1)

 

Orlando, FL

  

3,998

 

Yes

February 10, 2006

 

WLQV-AM (1)

 

Detroit, MI

  

8,813

 

No

May 12, 2006

 

KKFS-FM (1)

 

Sacramento, CA

  

21,835

 

Yes

October 1, 2006

 

KORL-AM (1)

 

Honolulu, HI

  

1,546

 

Yes

      

$

46,192

  

(1) Indicates that the station was acquired through an exchange as detailed below.

The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired as follows:

  

Amount

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Asset

 

 

Property and equipment

 $          4,305                         

 

Amortizable intangible assets

406

 

Goodwill

211

 

Broadcast licenses

41,270

  

 $       46,192                       

The accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets includes the acquired assets and liabilities of each acquired entity as of their respective date of acquisition.  With the exception of WTLN-AM, WHIM-AM, and KKFS-FM, the results of operations are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as of the date of acquisition.  The operating results for both WTLN-AM and WHIM-AM were included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning on October 1, 2005, the date on which the Company began operating each station under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”) with the seller pending approval of the acquisition by the Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”).   The operating results of KKFS-FM were included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning on July 28, 2005, the date on which the Company began operating the station under an LMA agreement with the seller pending approval of the exchange by the FCC.  



57



On February 3, 2006, the Company exchanged radio station KNIT-AM, Dallas, Texas, for selected assets of radio station WORL-AM, Orlando, Florida.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29,” which was adopted on January 1, 2006, resulting in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $3.5 million.  

On February 10, 2006, the Company exchanged radio stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, and WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio and $6.7 million in cash for selected assets of radio station WLQV-AM, Detroit, Michigan.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WTSJ-AM and WBOB-AM as discontinued operations.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153, and resulted in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $0.7 million.

On May 12, 2006, the Company exchanged radio station KLMG-FM, Sacramento, California, for selected assets of radio station KKFS-FM, Sacramento, California. The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153 and resulted in a pre-tax gain on the exchange of $14.6 million.  Additionally, the Company sold radio station KBAA-FM, Sacramento, California, for $0.5 million, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $0.6 million.  

On May 31, 2006, the Company sold radio station WCCD-AM in Cleveland, Ohio, for $2.1 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million.  

On July 17, 2006, the Company completed the sale radio station WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia, for $1.5 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.6 million.   The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WBTK-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.  

On September 18, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida for $7.6 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.8 million.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WBGB-FM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

On October 1, 2006, the Company exchanged radio station KHCM-AM, Honolulu, Hawaii and $1.0 million in cash for selected assets of radio station KORL-AM, Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Company retained the call letters of the station.  The exchange was accounted for under SFAS No. 153 and resulted in a pre-tax loss on the exchange of $0.04 million.  

On December 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio stations WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida for $2.8 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million.  The assets were sold to Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (“Chesapeake-Portsmouth”).  Chesapeake-Portsmouth is a company controlled by Nancy Epperson, wife of Salem's Chairman of the Board Stuart W. Epperson and sister of CEO Edward G. Atsinger III.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida as discontinued operations.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.   

On December 22, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland for $3.0 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.2 million.  The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 reflect WITH-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

Other Completed Transactions:

On January 1, 2006, the Company acquired The Singing News, a Christian music publication, and its related operations for $4.4 million, which includes $0.2 million of goodwill and $0.6 million of deferred revenue liabilities assumed.  

On February 13, 2006, the Company acquired the Internet website CrossDaily.com and its related operations for $2.3 million, which includes $0.6 million of goodwill.



58



On April 28, 2006, the Company acquired the Internet website Townhall.com and its related operations for $4.8 million, upon which a $2.6 million seller financed non-interest bearing note was issued.  The purchase price includes $1.3 million of goodwill.

On June 1, 2006, the Company acquired Preaching Magazine and its companion web properties and related operations for $0.3 million, which includes $10,000 of goodwill.

On June 1, 2006, the Company acquired Xulon Press, an on-demand digital publisher of books targeting the Christian audience, and its related operations, for $1.5 million, which includes $0.1 million of goodwill and $0.7 million of deferred revenue liabilities.  

The purchase price for these transactions was allocated as follows:

  

Amount

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Asset

 

 

Property and equipment

 $            391

 

Amortizable intangible assets

7,806

 

Goodwill

2,099

 

Mastheads

2,892

  

 $       13,188

Other Pending Transactions:

On December 1, 2006, the Company entered an LMA agreement with Good Karma Broadcasting, LLC for WKNR-AM serving the Cleveland, OH market.  Good Karma Broadcasting began to operate this station as of the LMA date.  The accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations excludes the operating results of this station as of the LMA date.   On February 7, 2007, the Company completed the sale of WKNR-AM to Good Karma for $7.0 million.

      During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company completed the following transactions:

Acquisition Date

 

Station(s)

 

Market Served

 

Acquisition Cost

 

Format Changed

      

(Dollars in thousands)

  

January 19, 2005

 

KAST-FM

 

Portland, OR

 

$

8,000

 

Yes

January 31, 2005

 

WKAT-AM

 

Miami, FL

  

10,000

 

Yes

January 31, 2005

 

KGBI-FM

 

Omaha, NE

 

 

10,000

 

No

March 15, 2005

 

WRMR-AM

 

Cleveland, OH

  

10,000

 

Yes

August 12, 2005

 

WGUL-AM and WLSS-AM

 

Tampa, FL and Sarasota, FL

  

8,700

 

Yes

September 1, 2005

 

KCRO-AM

 

Omaha, NE

  

3,150

 

No

December 7, 2005

 

KHLP-AM

 

Omaha, NE

  

900

 

No

      

$

50,750

  


The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired as follows:

  

Amount

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Asset

 

 

Property and equipment

 $                         3,953

 

Amortizable intangible assets

198

 

Goodwill

616

 

Broadcast licenses

45,983

  

 $                       50,750                        

Other Completed Transactions:

On January 3, 2005, the Company exchanged radio stations KHNR-AM and KHCM-AM, both in Honolulu, Hawaii, for selected assets of radio station KGMZ-FM, Honolulu, Hawaii. The net carrying amount of the assets exchanged approximated $1.2 million. No



59



gain or loss was recognized by the Company as a result of this exchange.  

On February 11, 2005, the Company acquired the Internet website Christianity.com and its related operations for $3.4 million, which included $2.0 million of goodwill.  

On March 31, 2005, the Company exchanged radio station WZFS-FM, Chicago, Illinois for selected assets of radio stations WIND-AM, Chicago, Illinois, KOBT-FM, Houston, Texas and KHCK-AM, Dallas, Texas. The net carrying amount of the assets exchanged approximated $3.9 million. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company as a result of this exchange.  The accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations reflect this transaction as of November 1, 2004, the date the parties entered an LMA pending FCC approval of the exchange.  

On June 30, 2005, the Company exchanged radio station KSFB-FM, San Francisco, California for selected assets of radio station KOSL-FM, Sacramento, California. The net carrying amount of the assets exchanged approximated $7.2 million. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company as a result of this exchange.   The accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations reflect this transaction as of November 15, 2004, the date the parties entered an LMA pending FCC approval of the exchange.  

On December 15, 2005, the Company purchased Churchstaffing.com, an online job information site, for $3.1 million.  

With the exception of the acquisition of KGMZ-FM, Honolulu Hawaii, KGBI-FM, Omaha, Nebraska, KCRO-AM, Omaha, Nebraska, Christianity.com and Churchstaffing.com, which were the acquisitions of businesses, the above radio station acquisitions were acquisitions of assets.  

      During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company completed the following transactions:

Acquisition Date

 

Station

 

Market Served

 

Acquisition Cost

 

Format Changed

     

(Dollars in thousands)

 

May 28, 2004

 

KJPN-AM

 

Honolulu, HI

 

$

500

 

Yes

June 28, 2004

 

WAFS (now WGKA-AM)

 

Atlanta, GA

  

16,545

 

Yes

August 13, 2004

 

KHUI-FM

 

Honolulu, HI

 

 

1,850

 

Yes

August 13, 2004

 

KPOI-FM (now KHNR-FM)

 

Honolulu, HI

  

1,850

 

Yes

September 30, 2004

 

WQBH-AM (now WDTK-AM)

 

Detroit, MI

 

 

4,750

 

Yes

November 2, 2004

 

KIIS-AM

 

Oxnard-Ventura, CA

 

 

800

 

Yes

      

$

26,295

  

The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired as follows:

  

Amount

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Asset

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 $                  1,865

 

Broadcast licenses

24,430

  

 $                26,295

      On July 30, 2004, the Company acquired the assets of the Internet portal operations of Christianjobs.com for $0.4 million.

      On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement to exchange radio stations WZFS-FM, Chicago, Illinois and KSFB-FM, San Francisco, California for selected assets of radio stations WIND-AM, Chicago, Illinois, KOBT-FM, Houston, Texas, KHCK-AM, Dallas, Texas and KOSL-FM, Sacramento, California. The Company began to operate WIND-AM, Chicago, Illinois, KOBT-FM, Houston, Texas and KHCK-AM, Dallas, Texas effective November 1, 2004 and KOSL-FM, Sacramento, California effective November 15, 2004 under LMAs.  Additionally, the Company discontinued operating the stations it divested under an LMA effective November 1, 2004.



60



NOTE 3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

      Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

  

December 31,

  

2005

 

2006

  

(Dollars in thousands)

     

Land

 

 $      27,719

 

$          30,515           

Buildings

 

17,054

 

24,641

Office furnishings and equipment

 

25,303

 

28,110

Antennae, towers and transmitting equipment

 

58,716

 

62,360

Studio and production equipment

 

26,486

 

27,403

Computer software

 

2,734

 

3,212

Record and tape libraries

 

194

 

186

Automobiles

 

1,006

 

1,087

Leasehold improvements

 

11,503

 

12,248

Construction-in-progress

 

10,287

 

13,717

 

 

181,002

 

203,479

Less accumulated depreciation

 

64,757

 

74,766

 

 

 $    116,245

 

$         128,713         

NOTE 4. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

On June 9, 2006, the Company amended its credit facilities.  The primary modifications to the credit agreement included:  increasing the loan commitments to $315 million; allowing for the payment of up to $5.0 million per year in dividends and the payment of an additional $30.0 million in dividends during the life of the credit facility; allowing for the repurchase of stock and payment of dividends, in addition to amounts repurchased prior to June 9, 2006, up to $50.0 million when total leverage is greater than 4.00 to 1.00 but less than 5.50 to 1.00 and up to $15 million when total leverage is greater than 5.50 to 1.00; and allowing for the repurchase of stock or the payment of additional dividends with a portion of the proceeds of asset sales.

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

December 31,

 

2005

 

2006

 

(Dollars in thousands)

      

Term loans under credit facility

$

123,875

 

$

238,125

Revolving line of credit under credit facility

 

6,600

  

19,100

Swingline credit facility

 

-

  

1,241

9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 (1)

 

96,664

 

 

-

7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010

 

100,000

  

100,000

Fair market value of interest swap of interest rate swap agreement

 

215

 

 

-

Capital leases and other loans

 

142

 

 

2,560

  

327,496

  

361,026

Less current portion

 

811

 

 

2,048

 

$

326,685

 

$

358,978


(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.

      Since the revolving line of credit under the credit facilities and the term loan under the credit facilities carry floating interest rates, the carrying amounts approximate fair market value. The 9% Notes were issued in June 2001 at par. The 7¾% Notes were issued in December 2002 at par. At December 31, 2006, the fair market value of the 7¾% Notes was approximately $101.4 million.



61



Revolving Line of Credit with Banks

      HoldCo is the borrower under the Company’s 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, 2006, the borrowing capacity and aggregate commitments was $19.1 million under the revolving credit facility, $73.1 million under the term loan B facility and $165.0 million under the term loan C facility. The amount the Company can borrow, however, is subject to certain restrictions as described below. At December 31, 2006, $73.1 million was outstanding under the term loan B facility, $165 million was outstanding under the term loan C facility and $19.1 million was outstanding under the 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 HoldCo. 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 the Company, 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 the Company is required to make these prepayments, the 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 HoldCo’s option, the bank’s prime rate or LIBOR, in each case plus a spread. For purposes of determining the interest rate under the 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, 2006, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the credit facilities was 6.95%. If an event of default occurs, the rate may increase by 2.0%.

The maximum amount that HoldCo may borrow under its credit facilities is limited by a ratio of HoldCo’s consolidated existing total adjusted funded debt to pro forma twelve-month cash flow (the “Total Leverage Ratio”). HoldCo’s credit facilities will allow it to adjust the 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 6.75 to 1 as of December 31, 2006. The ratio will decline periodically until December 31, 2007, at which point it will remain at 5.5 to 1 through March 2009. The Total Leverage Ratio under the credit facilities at December 31, 2006, on a pro forma basis, was 5.88 to 1, resulting in a borrowing availability under the term loan C facility and revolving credit facility of approximately $51.9 million.

The credit facilities contain additional restrictive covenants customary for facilities of their size, type and purpose which, with specified exceptions, limits the Company’s 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 the Company’s business. The credit facilities also require the Company to satisfy specified financial covenants, which covenants require the Company 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 5.00 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 HoldCo, are guarantors of borrowings under the credit facilities. The credit facilities are secured by liens on all of Salem and its subsidiaries’ assets and pledges of all of the capital stock of its subsidiaries.

On October 18, 2006, the Company purchased two interest rate caps for $0.1 million to mitigate exposure to rising interest rates based on LIBOR.  The first interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a three year period.  The second interest rate cap covers $50.0 million of borrowings under the credit facilities for a four year period.  Both interest rate caps are at 7.25%.



62



Swingline Credit Facility

     On June 1, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement for a swingline credit facility (“Swingline”) with a borrowing capacity of $5.0 million.  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, 2006, $1.2 million was outstanding under the Swingline bearing interest at 8.25%.

9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011

      In June 2001, HoldCo issued $150.0 million principal amount of 9% Notes due 2011. HoldCo used the net proceeds to repay approximately $145.5 million in borrowings under the credit facility.  The 9% Notes were redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after July 1, 2006, at the redemption prices specified in the indenture.

       During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company repurchased an aggregate amount of $55.6 million of its 9% Notes through a combination of redemptions and open market repurchases (the “Redemption”) pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 9% Notes. The Redemption resulted in a loss of approximately $6.6 million. The Company used the proceeds from its follow-on offering of 2.3 million shares of Class A common stock issued in May 2004, to complete the Redemption.

      During the year ended December 31, 2005, we repurchased an aggregate amount of $0.3 million of our 9% Notes through open market repurchases.  As a result, we reported $24,000 as a loss on early redemption of long-term debt in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.  

       On July 6, 2006, we, through the borrowings under our term loan C facility, redeemed the remainder of our outstanding 9% Notes.  The redemption price, as set for in the notes, of 104.5% of the principal outstanding of $94.0 million, resulted in a pre-tax loss of approximately $3.6 million, including the write-off of unamortized bond issued costs and interest rate swap settlement amounts, which is reported as a loss on early retirement of long-term debt.

7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010

      In December 2002, HoldCo issued $100.0 million of the Company’s 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes, the proceeds of which were used to redeem the 9½% Notes on January 22, 2003.

      The 7¾% Notes have interest payment dates on June 15 and December 15. Principal is due on the maturity date, December 15, 2010. The 7¾% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2007, at the redemption prices specified in the indenture.  The 7¾% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated basis by the Guarantors (Salem Communications Corporation and all of its subsidiaries (other than HoldCo)). The 7¾% Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness, including the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. The indenture limits the incurrence of additional indebtedness by the Company, the payment of dividends, the use of proceeds of certain asset sales, and contains certain other restrictive covenants affecting the Company.

Other Debt

      The Company has several capital leases related to various data processing equipment. The obligation recorded at December 31, 2005 and 2006 represents the present value of future commitments under the lease agreements.



63



Maturities of Long-Term Debt

      Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at December 31, 2006 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

 

Amount

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  

2007

$              2,048                         

2008

1,938

2009

21,155

2010

335,885

2011

-

  Thereafter

-

 

 $          361,026                 

NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES

      The consolidated provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for Salem consisted of the following at December 31:

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 $           —

 

$           149

 

 $             (46)              

 

State

169

 

251

 

351

  

             

            169

 

             400

 

305

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Federal

         5,624

 

7,623

 

9,924

 

State

(934)               

 

547               

 

938

  

          

      4,690

 

          8,170

 

10,862

 

      

 

Provision for income taxes

 $     4,859            

 

 $       8,570

 

$          11,167          

     Discontinued operations are reported net of the tax provision (benefit) of ($0.3) million in 2004, ($0.2) million in 2005 and $1.6 million in 2006.     

 The consolidated deferred tax asset and liability consisted of the following:

   

December 31,

   

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Deferred tax assets:

    

 

Financial statement accruals not currently deductible

 

 $         4,535

 

$                 4,898             

 

Net operating loss, AMT credit and other carryforwards

 

34,173

 

35,275

 

State taxes

 

79

 

122

 

Other

 

-

 

988

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

38,787

 

41,283

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

(3,774)

 

(4,752)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$          35,013

 

$               36,531          

Deferred tax liabilities:

    



64






 

Excess of net book value of property, plant, equipment and software for financial reporting purposes over tax basis

 

$          12,483

 

$               10,537          

 

Excess of net book value of intangible assets for financial reporting purposes over tax basis

 

58,451

 

74,395

 

Other

 

275

 

514

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

71,209

 

85,446

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

 $       36,196

 

 $              48,915                       

The following table reconciles the above net deferred tax liabilities to the financial statements:

  

December 31,

  

2005

 

2006

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Deferred income tax asset per balance sheet

 

 $       4,614

 

$                5,020               

Deferred income tax liability per balance sheet

 

           (40,810)

 

 (53,935)

 

 

 $   (36,196)

 

$           (48,915)          

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the provision for income tax is as follows:

  

Year Ended December 31,

  

2004

 

2005

 

2006

  

(dollars in thousands)

Statutory federal income tax rate (at 35%)

 

$         4,454

 

$         7,563

 

$         9,700

Effect of state taxes, net of federal

 

636

 

518

 

838

Permanent items

 

(383)

 

289

 

777

Other, net

 

152

 

200

 

(148)

 Provision for income taxes

 

$        4,859

 

$       8,570

 

$            11,167

      At December 31, 2006, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $69.6 million which expire in 2020 through 2025 and for state income tax purposes of approximately $529.1 million which expire in years 2007 through 2025. For financial reporting purposes at December 31, 2006 the Company has a valuation allowance of $4.8 million, net of federal benefit, to offset a portion of the deferred tax assets related to state net operating loss carryforwards which may not be realized.

NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company and its subsidiaries, incident to its 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, the Company maintains insurance which may provide coverage for such matters. Consequently, the Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. The Company believes, at this time, that the final resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s 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 the Company, the Company directors, certain of the Company’s 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 alleged that offering documents contained misstatements and omissions regarding the Company's fixed assets and internal controls.  The complaint asserted claims under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, and sought 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 provided for a full settlement of these claims in exchange for payment of $1.85 million by the Company and its insurance carrier.  The court approved the full settlement at a hearing held on June 19, 2006.  During 2005, the Company recognized expenses of $0.7 million related to this settlement.



65




Salem leases various land, offices, studios and other equipment under operating leases that expire over the next 10 years. The majority of these leases are subject to escalation clauses and may be renewed for successive periods ranging from one to five years on terms similar to current agreements and except for specified increases in lease payments. Rental expense included in operating expense under all lease agreements was $9.5 million, $12.7 million and $13.9 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.


      Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2006, are as follows:


  

Related

    
  

Parties

 

Other

 

Total

  

(Dollars in thousands)

2007

 

$            1,119        

 

 $              8,353      

 

 $              9,472        

2008

 

1,082

 

7,570

 

8,652

2009

 

871

 

7,186

 

8,057

2010

 

724

 

6,754

 

7,478

2011

 

646

 

5,814

 

6,460

Thereafter

 

2,909

 

34,949

 

37,858

 

 

 $            7,351       

 

 $            70,626       

 

 $            77,977        

NOTE 7. STOCK OPTION PLAN

   The Company has one stock option plan.  The Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) allows the Company to grant stock options to employees, directors, officers and advisors of the Company. A maximum of 3,100,000 shares are authorized under the Plan. Options generally vest over four or five years and have a maximum term of five years from the vesting date. The Plan provides that vesting may be accelerated in certain corporate transactions of the Company. The Plan provides that the Board of Directors, or a committee appointed by the Board, has discretion, subject to certain limits, to modify the terms of outstanding options.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for our employee stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement principles of APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” APB No. 25 did not require the recognition of compensation expense for our stock options because the exercise price of these instruments was equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, and the related number of shares granted were fixed at that point in time.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R).  SFAS No. 123(R) requires the recognition of compensation expense related to the estimated fair value of stock options granted.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under this transition method, compensation expense recognized subsequent to adoption includes: (a) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted prior to, but not yet vested, as of December 31, 2005 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123 and (b) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair values estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified-prospective-transition method, the Company’s results of operations for prior periods have not been adjusted to reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R). SFAS No. 123(R) also requires a classification change in the statement of cash flows, whereby the income tax benefits from stock option exercises are reported as a financing cash flow rather than an operating cash flow as previously reported.  



66



On November 10, 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123R-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.”  The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition method provided in the FASB staff position for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation according to SFAS No. 123R.  The alternative transition method includes simplified methods to establish the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation, and to determine the subsequent impact on the APIC Pool and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the tax effects of employee and director share-based awards that are outstanding upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

As a result of recognizing compensation expense for stock options pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), our income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $4.3 million lower and our net income was $2.6 million lower, than if we had continued to account for stock options under APB No. 25.  The impact on basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:


    
   

Year Ended December 31, 2006  without SFAS 123R

 

Impact of SFAS 123R for the year ended December 31, 2006

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2006 as Reported

Basic earnings per share data:

         
 

Earnings per share from continuing  operations

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.68

 

Income per share from discontinued operations

  

0.10

  

               

-

  

0.10

     

Basic earnings per share

  

0.89

  

0.11

  

0.78

           

Diluted earnings per share data:

         

     

Earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.68

     

Income from discontinued operations

  

0.10

  

-

  

0.10

 

Diluted earnings per share

  

0.89

  

0.11

  

0.78

           

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

24,215,867

 

 

24,215,867

 

 

24,215,867

           

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

24,223,751

 

 

24,223,751

 

 

24,223,751

           

The following table reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004:  


  

Year Ended December 31,

  

2004

 

2005

 

2006

  

(dollars in thousands)

Stock option compensation expense included in corporate expenses

 

$       —

 

$       —

 

$          3,372

Restricted stock units compensation expense included in corporate expenses

 

 

 

91

Stock option compensation expense included in broadcast operating expenses

 

 

 

798

Stock option compensation expense included in non-broadcast  operating expenses

 

 

 

73

 Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax

 

   $                                                

 

 

$        4,334

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

(1,746)

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation expense

 

$       —

 

 

$        2,588

The above table does not reflect any stock option compensation for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 as we did not record stock option expense under APB No. 25, as previously discussed.



67



The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions to our stock options as provided under SFAS No. 123:

 

  

Twelve Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

  

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2005

  

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

Net income, as reported

 $

7,333

 

 $

12,662

Add: Stock-based compensation, as reported

 

  

Deduct: Total stock-based compensation determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax

 

(4,920)

  

 (3,346)

Pro forma net income

$

2,413

 

$

9,316

Earnings per share:

 

  

 

 

Basic earnings per share - as reported

$

0.29

 

$

0.49

Basic earnings per share - pro forma

$

0.10

 

$

0.36

Diluted earnings per share - as reported

$

0.29

 

$

0.49

Diluted earnings per share - pro forma

$

0.10

 

$

 0.36

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the fair values of stock options were estimated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods.

 

Employee stock option and restricted stock grants

The Plan provides for grants of stock options to employees. The option exercise price is set at the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, and the related number of shares granted is fixed at that point in time. The Plan also provides for grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Grants of these equity instruments generally vest over a four year period. In addition, stock option awards expire five years from the date of vesting. Eligible employees generally receive stock options units annually with the number of shares and type of instrument generally determined by the employee’s salary grade and performance level. In addition, certain management and professional level employees typically receive a stock option grant upon commencement of employment.  Non-employee directors of the Company have received restricted stock units that vest one year from the date of issuance.  

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option valuation model to estimate the grant date fair value of stock options. The expected volatility reflects the consideration of the historical volatility of the Company stock as determined by the closing price over the preceding two years.  Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) the expected term of the option is based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior.   The risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected life of the option are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect during the period the options were granted.  The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004:


  

Year Ended December 31,

  

2004

 

2005

 

2006

Expected volatility

 

134.3% - 138.1%

 

50.0% - 57.6%

 

47.2% - 55.0%%

Expected dividends

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

 

0.0%

Expected term (in years)

 

4

 

4

 

5 – 8

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.61%

 

4.20%

 

4.93%

 

 



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Stock option information with respect to our stock-based compensation plans during the three years ended December 31, 2006 is as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts and weighted average exercise price):


 

Options

Shares

Weighted Average Exercise Price

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

Aggregate Intrinsic Value

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2004

745,915

$      20.54

  
 

Granted

860,126

28.63

  
 

Exercised

(127,175)

17.87

  
 

Forfeited or expired

(10,900)

18.84

  
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

1,467,966

25.53

5.6 years

 
 

Exercisable at December 31, 2004

650,399

23.81

3.6 years

 
      
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2005

1,467,966

$      25.53

  
 

Granted

487,603

18.48

  
 

Exercised

(2,250)

14.75

  
 

Forfeited or expired

(29,050)

21.28

  
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

1,924,269

23.82

5.1 years

 
 

Exercisable at December 31, 2005

1,024,385

24.71

3.4 years

 
      
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

1,924,269

$      23.82

  
 

Granted

350,950

13.63

  
 

Exercised

(8,250)

11.58

  
 

Forfeited or expired

(120,405)

22.19

  
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

2,146,564

22.30

4.5 years

$                    —

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

1,347,787

25.14

3.1 years

$                    —



The fair values of shares of restricted stock are determined based on the closing price of the Company common stock on the grant dates. Information regarding our restricted stock during the year ended December 31, 2006 is as follows:  


 

Restricted Stock Units

Shares

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

 

Non-Vested at January 1, 2006

5,000

$      17.90

 

Granted

6,000

11.15

 

Vested

(5,000)

17.90

 

Forfeited

 

Non-Vested at December 31, 2006

6,000

$    11.15


         As of December 31, 2006, there was $4.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards of stock options and restricted shares. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.



69



      Additional information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:

    

Weighted Average

      
    

Contractual Life

 

Weighted

   

Weighted

Range of

   

Remaining

 

Average

 

Exercisable

 

Average

Exercise Prices

 

Options

 

(Years)

 

Exercise Price

 

Options

 

Exercise Price

$9.00 - $12.00

 

32,500

 

2.3

 

 $           11.50

 

32,500

 

 $           11.50

$12.01 - $15.00

 

417,325

 

5.7

 

 $           13.89

 

85,375

 

 $           14.76

$15.01 - $18.00

 

243,420

 

5.4

 

 $           16.75

 

78,793

 

 $           16.76

$18.01 - $21.00

 

186,500

 

7.2

 

 $           19.08

 

35,375

 

 $           19.15

$21.01 - $24.00

 

403,743

 

3.2

 

$           22.60

 

334,968

 

$           22.65

$24.01 - $27.00

 

106,226

 

4.4

 

 $           25.01

 

73,926

 

 $           25.35

$27.01 - $30.00

 

756,850

 

3.8

 

 $           29.45

 

706,850

 

 $           29.41

$9.00 - $30.00

 

2,146,564

 

4.54

 

 $           22.30

 

1,347,787

 

 $           25.14

NOTE 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Leases with Principal Stockholders

      A trust controlled by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Edward G. Atsinger III, owns real estate on which assets of one radio station are located. Salem has entered into a lease agreement with this trust. Rental expense related to this lease included in operating expense for 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounted to $123,000, $127,000 and $122,000, respectively.

      Land and buildings occupied by various Salem radio stations are leased from the principal stockholders of Salem. Rental expense under these leases included in operating expense for 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounted to $1.1 million in each of the years.  

Radio Stations Owned by the Eppersons

      Nancy A. Epperson, the wife of the Chairman of the Board, Stuart W. Epperson, currently serves as an officer, director and stockholder of six radio stations in Virginia, five radio stations in North Carolina, and five radio stations in Florida.  

The markets where these radio stations are located are not currently served by stations owned and operated by the Company.  Under his employment agreement, Mr. Epperson is required to offer the Company a right of first refusal of opportunities related to the Company’s business.

On December 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio stations WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida for $2.8 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million.  The radio stations were sold to Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (“Chesapeake-Portsmouth”).  Chesapeake-Portsmouth is a company controlled by Nancy Epperson, wife of Salem's Chairman of the Board Stuart W. Epperson and sister of Salem’s CEO Edward G. Atsinger III.  

Radio Stations Owned by Mr. Hinz

      Mr. Hinz, a director of the Company, through companies or entities controlled by him, operates 3 radio stations in Southern California. These radio stations are formatted in Christian Teaching and Talk programming in the Spanish language. Operating radio stations with such programming in the markets reached by such stations is not currently part of the Salem’s current business strategy.

Truth For Life - Mr. Hinz and Mr. Weinberg



70



      Mr. Hinz and Mr. Weinberg are members of the board of directors of Truth For Life, a non-profit organization that is a customer of Salem. During 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company was paid approximately $1.1 million, $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, by Truth For Life for airtime on its stations.

Split-Dollar Life Insurance

      The Company purchased split-dollar life insurance policies for its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1997. The premiums were $219,000, $230,000 and $230,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.  The Company is the owner of the policies and is entitled to recover all of the premiums paid on these policies.   The Company records an asset based on the lower of the aggregate premiums paid or insurance cash surrender value. As of December 31, 2005, and 2006, the Company recorded an asset of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.  Benefits above and beyond the cumulative premiums paid will go to the beneficiary trusts established by each of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Transportation Services Supplied by Atsinger Aviation

      From time to time, the Company rents aircraft from a company which is owned by Edward G. Atsinger III. As approved by the independent members of the Company’s board of directors, the Company rents these aircraft on an hourly basis at what the Company believes are market rates and uses them for general corporate needs. Total rental expense for these aircraft for 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounted to approximately $297,000, $226,000 and $235,000, respectively.

Americans of Faith - Mr. Atsinger

     Edward G. Atsinger III is the co-chair of the board of directors of Americans of Faith, a non-profit organization.  The Company made charitable contributions to Americans of Faith of $45,000 and $30,000 in the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Employment of Edward C. Atsinger

      Edward C. Atsinger, son of Edward G. Atsinger, III and beneficial owner of approximately 5.78% of our Class A common stock, was employed in the capacity of Producer until June 2, 2005.  In 2005 and 2004, he was paid $29,000 and $77,000 respectively, for his services.

NOTE 9. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

      In 1993, the Company established a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which covers all eligible employees (as defined in the 401(k) Plan). Participants are allowed to make nonforfeitable contributions up to 60% of their annual salary, but may not exceed the annual maximum contribution limitations established by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company matches 50% on the first 3% of the amounts contributed by each participant and 25% on the next 3% contributed but does not match participants’ contributions in excess of 6% of their compensation per pay period.  The Company contributed and expensed $0.9 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million to the 401(k) Plan in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

NOTE 10. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share, except for specified related party transactions. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, except that holders of Class A common stock vote separately for two independent directors.

      On May 5, 2004, Salem sold 2,325,000 shares of its Class A common stock at $30.00 per share in a public offering, generating offering proceeds of approximately $65.7 million, net of approximately $4.0 million of offering commissions and costs.  In addition, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer sold 290,000 shares and 485,000 shares of Class A common stock, respectively, in the public offering in May 2004, that were beneficially owned by them. Salem did not receive any monies from the sale of shares by these selling stockholders.



71



In November 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $25.0 million stock repurchase program subject to the Company remaining in compliance with its credit facilities and bond indentures, which limit the Company’s ability to repurchase shares.  In February 2006, the Board of Directors increased Salem’s existing share repurchase program to permit the repurchase of up to an additional $25.0 million of shares of Salem Communications Class A common stock.  As of December 2006, the Company repurchased 2,130,418 shares of stock for $32.2 million at an average price of $15.12 per share.  


As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006.  As a result, $4.3 million of stock-based compensation expense has been recorded to additional paid-in capital for the year ended December 31, 2006.  


On July 28, 2006, the Company paid a special cash dividend of $0.60 per share of its Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 17, 2006.  The cash payment amounted to $14.6 million.


During the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, the Company repurchased 1,490,625 shares of its Class A common stock for $20.7 million.  


Additional repurchases, if any are made, could occur through open-market or privately negotiated transactions, block transactions, a trading plan satisfying the safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, as otherwise permitted by law, or any combination of the foregoing. In making any repurchases, the Company (a) intends to be opportunistic and will evaluate potential repurchases based on the market’s valuation of the Company stock, available acquisition opportunities, indebtedness and other factors, (b) may use available borrowings under its credit facilities to pay for all or part of the cost of repurchasing shares, and (c) will either retire or keep all repurchased shares as treasury shares.

NOTE 11. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED):

On January 1, 2006, the Company on January 1, 2006 the Company changed its method of accounting for share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) and its method of accounting for exchanges of non-monetary assets in accordance with SFAS No. 153.

On February 10, 2006, the Company exchanged radio stations WTSJ-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio, and WBOB-AM, Cincinnati, Ohio for selected assets of radio station WLQV-AM, Detroit, Michigan.  The accompanying quarterly results of operations reflect WTSJ-AM and WBOB-AM as discontinued operations through the date of the sale.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as discontinued operations to conform to the current period presentation.  

On July 17, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WBTK-AM, Richmond, Virginia.  The accompanying quarterly results of operations reflect WBTK-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.  

On September 18, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WBGB-FM, Jacksonville, Florida.  The accompanying quarterly results of operations reflect WBGB-FM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

On December 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale radio stations WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida.  The assets were sold to Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (“Chesapeake-Portsmouth”).  Chesapeake-Portsmouth is a company controlled by Nancy Epperson, wife of Salem's Chairman of the Board Stuart W. Epperson and sister of Salem’s CEO Edward G. Atsinger III.  The accompanying quarterly results of operations reflect WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida and WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida as discontinued operations.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of these stations as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   

On December 22, 2006, the Company completed the sale of radio station WITH-AM, Baltimore, Maryland.  The accompanying quarterly results of operations reflect WITH-AM as a discontinued operation.  All prior periods have been revised to reflect the operating results of this station as a discontinued operation to conform to the current period presentation.   




72



QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)


  

March 31

 

June 30

 

September 30

 

December 31

  

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                 

Total revenue

 

$ 49,390

 

$ 52,026

 

$ 53,386

 

$ 58,065

 

$ 52,976

 

$ 57,911

 

$53,890

 

$59,767

Operating income

 

9,273

 

10,694

 

11,360

 

26,128

 

11,671

 

11,018

 

12,186

 

10,051

Net income before discontinued operations

 

2,579

 

2,386

 

3,676

 

11,591

 

3,526

 

651

 

3,257

 

1,919

Net income

 

$   2,392

 

$    2,715   

 

$   3,553

 

$ 11,566   

 

$    3,423

 

$    1,453    

 

$  3,294

 

$3,265  

Basic earnings per share from  continuing operations

 

$      0.10

 

$      0.10      

 

$     0.14

 

$     0.48      

 

$      0.14

 

$      0.03

 

$    0.13

 

$0.08    

Diluted earnings per share from  continuing operations

 

$      0.10

 

$      0.10     

 

$     0.14

 

$     0.48     

 

$      0.14

 

$      0.03

 

$    0.13

 

$0.08    

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$      0.09

 

$      0.11     

 

$     0.14

 

$     0.48     

 

$      0.13

 

$      0.06

 

$    0.13

 

$0.14    

Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

$      0.09

 

$      0.11      

 

$     0.14

 

$     0.47      

 

$      0.13

 

$      0.06

 

$    0.13

 

$0.14    



73



NOTE 12. SEGMENT DATA

      SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of An Enterprise and Related Information” requires companies to provide certain information about their operating 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 below as non-broadcast. The radio broadcasting segment also operates various radio networks.

      Management uses operating income before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and loss on disposal of assets as its measure of profitability for purposes of assessing performance and allocating resources.

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Net revenue

 

Radio broadcasting

$

184,296

 

$

198,852

 

$

208,400

 

Non-broadcast

 

9,342

 

 

10,790

 

 

19,369

Consolidated net revenue

 

$

193,638

 

$

209,642

 

$

227,769

           

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

 

 

Radio broadcasting

$

112,334

 

$

121,462

 

$

131,117

 

Non-broadcast

 

8,600

 

 

9,889

 

 

18,172

 

Corporate

 

17,480

 

 

19,607

  

24,043

Consolidated operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

 

$

138,414

 

$

150,958

 

$

173,332

           

Operating income before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement and costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

         

 

Radio broadcasting

$

71,962

 

$

77,390

 

$

77,283

 

Non-broadcast

 

742

  

901

  

1,197

 

Corporate

 

(17,480)

 

 

(19,607)

 

 

(24,043)

Consolidated operating income before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement and costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

 

$

55,224

 

$

58,684

 

$

54,437



74



NOTE 12. SEGMENT DATA (CONTINUED)

   

2004

 

2005

 

2006

   

(Dollars in thousands)

Depreciation expense

         

 

Radio broadcasting

$

9,103

 

$

10,118

 

$

10,026

 

Non-broadcast

 

414

  

394

  

862

 

Corporate

 

1,021

 

 

1,045

 

 

1,185

Consolidated depreciation expense

 

$

10,538

 

$

11,557

 

$

12,073

           

Amortization expense

 

Radio broadcasting

$

901

 

$

927

 

$

696

 

Non-broadcast

 

620

  

518

  

2,405

 

Corporate

 

12

 

 

15

 

 

19

Consolidated amortization expense

 

$

1,533

 

$

1,460

 

$

3,120

Operating income before legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

         

 

Radio broadcasting

$

61,958

 

$

66,345

 

$

66,561

 

Non-broadcast

 

(292)

  

(11)

  

(2,070)

 

Corporate

 

(18,513)

 

 

(20,667)

 

 

(25,247)

Consolidated operating income before legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

 

$

43,153

 

$

45,667

 

$

39,244

           

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

Radio broadcasting

$

88,728

 

$

104,194

 

$

115,604

 

Non-broadcast

 

1,048

  

1,572

  

2,830

 

Corporate

 

10,034

 

 

10,479

 

 

10,279

Consolidated property, plant and equipment, net

 

$

99,810

 

$

116,245

 

$

128,713

          

Goodwill

         

Radio broadcasting

 

$

4,175

 

$

4,695

 

$

5,011

Non-broadcast

  

7,232

  

12,100

  

15,587

Corporate

  

8

  

           8

  

8

Consolidated Goodwill

 

$

11,415

 

$

16,803

 

$

20,606



75



NOTE 12. SEGMENT DATA (CONTINUED).

Reconciliation of operating income before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade, cost of terminated offering and loss on disposal of assets to pretax income

   
    

2004

 

2005

 

2006

    

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Operating income before depreciation, amortization, legal settlement, costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade and gain/loss on disposal of assets

$

55,224

 

$

58,684

 

$

54,437

 

Depreciation expense

 

(10,538)

  

(11,557)

  

(12,073)

 

Amortization expense

 

(1,533)

 

 

(1,460)

 

 

(3,120)

 

Legal settlement

 

  

(650)

  

 

Costs of denied / abandoned tower site and license upgrade

 

(746)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

171

 

 

207

 

 

210

 

Gain / (loss) on disposal of assets

 

(3,217)

  

(527)

  

18,647

 

Interest expense

 

(19,931)

 

 

(22,559)

 

 

(26,342)

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

(6,588)

  

(24)

  

(3,625)

 

Other expense, net

 

(116)

 

 

(506)

 

 

(420)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

  

$

12,726

 

$

21,608

 

$

27,714


NOTE 13. CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      The following is the consolidating information of Salem Communications Corporation for purposes of presenting the financial position and operating results of HoldCo as the issuer of the 7¾% Notes and its guarantor subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the financial position and operating results of the other guarantors, which are consolidated within the Company. Separate financial information of HoldCo on an unconsolidated basis is not presented because HoldCo has substantially no assets, operations or cash other than its investments in subsidiaries. Each guarantor has given its full and unconditional guarantee, on a joint and several basis, of indebtedness under the 7¾% Notes. HoldCo and AcquisitionCo are 100% owned by Salem and HoldCo owns 100% of all of its subsidiaries. All subsidiaries of HoldCo are guarantors. The net assets of HoldCo are subject to certain restrictions which, among other things, require HoldCo to maintain certain financial covenant ratios, and restrict HoldCo and its subsidiaries from transferring funds in the form of dividends, loans or advances without the consent of the holders of the 7¾% Notes. The restricted net assets of HoldCo as of December 31, 2006, amounted to $186.7 million. Included in intercompany receivables of HoldCo presented in the consolidating balance sheet below is $63.2 million of amounts due from Salem and AcquisitionCo as of December 31, 2006.



76



NOTE 13. CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)


SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)

   

As of December 31, 2006

         

Issuer and

         

Guarantor

   

Guarantors

 

Subsidiaries

       

Other

     

Salem

   

Parent

 

AcquisitionCo

 

Media

 

HoldCo

 

Adjustments

 

Consolidated

Current assets:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 $          —

 

 $78              

 

 $319      

 

 $313       

 

 $          —

 

 $710       

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

3,172

 

790

 

27,989

 

33

 

31,984

 

Other receivables

 

 

12

 

11

 

528

 

 

551

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

86

 

140

 

2,104

 

 

2,330

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

77

 

54

 

4,889

 

 

5,020

Total current assets

 

 

3,425

 

1,314

 

35,823

 

33

 

40,595

Investment in subsidiaries

 

209,309

 

 

 

 

(209,309)

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

6,148

 

363

 

122,202

 

 

128,713

Broadcast licenses

 

 

94,473

 

 

382,071

 

 

476,544

Goodwill

 

 

10,256

 

2,554

 

7,796

 

 

20,606

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

2,892

 

 

 

2,892

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

 

5,457

 

932

 

1,979

 

 

8,368

Bond issue costs

 

 

 

 

593

 

 

593

Bank loan fees

 

 

 

 

2,996

 

 

2,996

Fair value of interest rate swap

 

 

 

 

1,290

 

 

1,290

Intercompany receivables

 

102,851

 

9,636

 

 

80,874

 

(193,361)

 

Other assets

 

 

48

 

25

 

3,594

 

 

3,667

Total assets

 

 $312,160   

 

 $129,443       

 

 $8,080

 

 $639,218

 

 $(402,637)  

 

 $686,264     



77



NOTE 13. CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)

   

As of December 31, 2006

         

Issuer and

         

Guarantor

   

Guarantors

 

Subsidiaries

       

Other

     

Salem

   

Parent

 

AcquisitionCo

 

Media

 

HoldCo

 

Adjustments

 

Consolidated

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

 $33                  

 

 $285     

 

 $3,103    

 

 $          —

 

 $3,421            

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

503

 

481

 

5,591

 

(129)

 

6,446

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

597

 

113

 

6,323

 

 

7,033

 

Accrued interest

 

 

 

 

4,275

 

 

4,275

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

 

3,470

 

379

 

201

 

4,050

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

2

 

1

 

22

 

(3)

 

22

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

2,048

 

 

2,048

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,135

 

4,350

 

21,741

 

69

 

27,295

Intercompany payables

 

72,832

 

98,242

 

12,686

 

9,636

 

(193,396)

 

Long-term debt

 

 

2,495

 

 

356,483

 

 

358,978

Deferred income taxes

 

1,612

 

(2,362)

 

(981)

 

55,667

 

(1)

 

53,935

Deferred revenue

 

 

531

 

(1,149)

 

7,681

 

 

7,063

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

1,277

 

 

1,277

Total stockholders’ equity

 

237,716

 

29,402

 

(6,826)

 

186,733

 

(209,309)

 

237,716

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 $312,160   

 

 $129,443       

 

$8,080

 

 $639,218

 

 $(402,637)

 

 $686,264     



78



NOTE 13. CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)

   

Year Ended December 31, 2006

         

Issuer and

         

Guarantor

   

Guarantors

 

Subsidiaries

       

Other

     

Salem

   

Parent

 

AcquisitionCo

 

Media

 

HoldCo

 

Adjustments

 

Consolidated

Net broadcasting revenue

 

  $    —

 

$11,746          

 

$     —

 

$199,281

 

$(2,627)      

 

$208,400          

Non-broadcast revenue

 

 

10,569

 

7,539

 

2,392

 

(1,131)

 

19,369

Total revenue

 

 

22,315

 

7,539

 

201,673

 

(3,758)

 

227,769

Operating expenses:

            

 

Broadcasting operating expenses

 

 

8,089

 

 

123,161

 

(133)

 

131,117

 

Non-broadcast operating expenses

 

 

10,485

 

8,449

 

1,804

 

(2,566)

 

18,172

 

Corporate expenses

 

 

1,059

 

 

24,043

 

(1,059)

 

24,043

 

Amortization

 

 

1,321

 

413

 

1,386

 

 

3,120

 

Depreciation

 

 

1,095

 

140

 

10,838

 

 

12,073

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 


 

3

 

 

(18,650)

 


 

(18,647)

Total operating expenses

 

 

22,052

 

9,002

 

142,582

 

(3,758)

 

169,878

Operating income (loss)

 

 

263

 

(1,463)

 

59,091

 

 

57,891

Other income (expense):

 

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries, net

 

18,755

 

 

 

 

(18,755)

 

 

Interest income

 

7,077

 

 

 

9,714

 

(16,581)

 

210

 

Interest expense

 

(6,689)

 

(8,478)

 

(1,090)

 

(26,666)

 

16,581

 

(26,342)

 

Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

(3,625)

 

 

(3,625)

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

(420)

 

 

(420)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

19,143

 

(8,215)

 

(2,553)

 

38,094

 

(18,755)

 

27,714

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

144

 

(2,661)

 

(1,033)

 

14,717

 

 

11,167

Income (loss) before discontinued operations

 

18,999

 

(5,554)

 

(1,520)

 

23,377

 

(18,755)

 

16,547

Discontinued operations

 

 

378

 

 

2,074

 

 

2,452

Net income (loss)

 

$18,999

 

$(5,176)          

 

$(1,520)

 

$25,451  

 

$(18,755)           

 

$18,999            

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

457

 

 

 

457

 

(457)

 

457

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$19,456

 

$(5,176)          

 

$(1,520)

 

$25,908  

 

$(19,212)             

 

$19,456           



79







NOTE 14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)

On February 1, 2007, the Company entered into an LMA agreement to operate station KKSN-AM, in Portland, Oregon.  The Company entered an agreement to purchase KKSN-AM, subject to certain conditions, for $4.5 million.

On February 8, 2007, the Company purchased ChristianMusicPlanet.com, a leading Christian music web portal for $0.3 million.  

On March 9, 2007, the Company entered an agreement to sell radio station WVRY-FM, Nashville, Tennessee for $0.9 million.

TEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

      None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded accurately, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.


(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under that framework and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.


(c) Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm.  Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.


(d) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.   There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our fourth fiscal quarter for 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



80




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Salem Communications Corporation



We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Salem Communications Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Salem Communications Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.


We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


In our opinion, management’s assessment that Salem Communications Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria.  Also, in our opinion, Salem Communications Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the COSO criteria.


We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Salem Communications Corporation as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 and our report dated March 15, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.





/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Los Angeles, California

March 15, 2007



81




ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

      Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

  The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT,” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

  The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

Stock Price Performance Graph

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.


  The information required by this item relating to “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.  

     The information required by this item relating to “Director Independence” is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.  

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading “PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES,” expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end.



82




PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)

      1. Financial Statements. The financial statements required to be filed hereunder are included in Item 8.

      2. Financial Statement Schedule. The following financial statement schedule for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 is filed as part of this report and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements.

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Schedule II – Valuation & Qualifying Accounts
(Dollars in thousands)

     

Additions

 

Deductions

   
  

Balance

 

Charged to

      
  

Beginning of

 

Cost and

 

Bad Debt

 

Balance at

Description

 

Period

 

Expense

 

Write-offs

 

End of Period

         

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

$

9,423

 

$

3,821

 

$

     (5,135)

 

$

8,109

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

  

8,109

  

2,793

  

(3,687)

  

7,215

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

 

7,215

  

3,566

  

(3,175)

  

7,606

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

       3. Exhibits.



83




EXHIBIT LIST

 

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


    

Incorporated by Reference


Exhibit

Number

 



Exhibit Description

 



Form

 


File No.

 

Date of

First Filing

 


Exhibit

Number

 


Filed

Herewith

3.01

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Salem Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 


8-K

 


333-41733-29

 


04/14/99

 


3.1

  

3.02

 

Bylaws of Salem Communications Corporation, a Delaware Corporation.

 


8-K

 


333-41733-29

 


04/14/99

 


3.2

  

3.03

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Salem Communications Holding Corporation.

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


09/08/00

 


2.01

  

3.04

 

Bylaws of Salem Communications Holding Corporation.

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


09/08/00

 


2.02

  

3.05

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Salem Communications Acquisition Corporation.

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


09/08/00

 


2.03

  

3.06

 

Bylaws of Salem Communications Acquisition Corporation.

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


09/08/00

 


2.04

  

3.07

 

Certificate of Incorporation of SCA License Corporation.

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


09/08/00

 


2.05

  

3.08

 

Bylaws of SCA License Corporation.

 

8-K

 

000-26497

 

09/08/00

 

2.06

  



84






4.01

 

Specimen of Class A common stock certificate.

 


S-1/A

 


333-76649

 

Declared Effective

06/30/99

 


4.09

  

4.02

 

Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2003, by and among Salem Communications Corporation, Salem Communications Holding Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent, Suntrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Fleet National Bank, as Documentation Agent, ING (U.S.) Capital, LLC, as Documentation Agent, The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.

 







10-Q

 







000-26497

 







11/06/03

 







4.09

  

4.03

 

Second Amended and Restated Parent Security Agreement dated as of June 15, 2001, by and among Salem Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Salem Communications Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent.

 





10-Q

 





000-26497

 





08/14/01

 





4.24.02

  



85






4.04

 

Amendment #1, dated as of May 19, 2004, to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2003, by and among Salem Communications Corporation, Salem Communications Holding Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent, Suntrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Fleet National Bank, as Documentation Agent, ING (U.S.) Capital, LLC, as Documentation Agent, The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.

 






10-Q

 






000-26497

 






08/06/04

 






4.11

  

4.05

 

Amendment #2, dated as of July 7, 2005, to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2003, by and among Salem Communications Corporation, Salem Communications Holding Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent, Suntrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Fleet National Bank, as Documentation Agent, ING (U.S.) Capital, LLC, as Documentation Agent, The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.

 







8-K

 







000-26497

 







07/13/05

 







4.12

  



86






4.06

 

Indenture between Salem Communications Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, certain named guarantors and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of June 25, 2001, relating to the 9% Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011.

 




10-Q


 




000-26497

 




08/14/01

 




4.10.03

  

4.07

 

Form of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes (filed as part of exhibit 4.06).

 


10-Q

 


000-26497

 


08/14/01

    

4.08

 

Form of Note Guarantee (filed as part of exhibit 4.06).

 


10-Q

 


000-26497

 


08/14/01

    

4.09

 

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 25, 2001, by and among Salem Communications Holding Corporation, the guarantors and initial purchasers named therein.

 



10-Q

 



000-26497

 



08/14/01

 



4.28

  

4.10

 

Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2002, relating to the 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 by and among Salem Holding, the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, with form of Note incorporated

 




8-K

 




000-26497

 




12/23/02

 




4.1

  

4.11

 

Form of 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes (filed as part of exhibit 4.10).

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


12/23/02

    

4.12

 

Form of Note Guarantee (filed as part of exhibit 4.10).

 


8-K

 


000-26497

 


12/23/02

    



87






4.13

 

Supplemental Indenture No. 1 to the 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of December 23, 2002, between Salem Communications Corporation and its guarantors, and Bank of New York.

 



10-K

 



000-26497

 



03/31/03

 



4.22

  

4.14

 

Supplemental Indenture No. 1 to the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of December 16, 2002, between Salem Communications Corporation and its guarantors, and Bank of New York.

 



10-K

 



000-26497

 



03/31/03

 



4.23

  

4.15

 

Supplemental Indenture No. 2 to the 7¾% Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of June 12, 2003, between Salem Communications Corporation and its guarantors, and Bank of New York.

 



10-Q

 



000-26497

 



08/06/03

 



4.24

  

4.16

 

Supplemental Indenture No. 2 to the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of June 12, 2003, between Salem Communications Corporation and its guarantors, and Bank of New York.

 



10-Q

 



000-26497

 



08/06/03

 



4.25

  

4.17

 

Consent No. 2, dated as of July 23, 2003, under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between Salem Communications Corporation and its guarantors, and The Bank of New York.

 



10-Q

 



000-26497

 



08/06/03

 



4.26

  



88






4.18

 

Amendment #3, dated as of June 9, 2006, to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2003, by and among Salem Communications Corporation, Salem Communications Holding Corporation, General Electric Capital Corporation, as Syndication Agent, Suntrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Fleet National Bank, as Documentation Agent, ING (U.S.) Capital, LLC, as Documentation Agent, The Bank of New York, as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto.

 








8-K

 








000-26497

 








06/15/06

 








4.13

  

10.01.01

 

Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2004, between Salem Communications Holding Corporation and Edward G. Atsinger III.

 



10-Q

 



000-26497

 



08/06/04

 



10.01.01

  

10.02.01

 

Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2004, between Salem Communications Holding Corporation and Stuart W. Epperson.

 


10-Q

 


000-26497

 


08/06/04

 


10.02.01

  

10.04.01

 

Employment Agreement, effective as of September 1, 2005, between Salem Communications Holding Corporation and David A.R. Evans.

 



8-K

 



000-26497

 



09/27/05

 



99.1

  

10.04.02

 

Employment Agreement, effective as of September 1, 2005, between Salem Communications Holding Corporation and Joe D. Davis

 



8-K/A

 



000-26497

 



05/25/05

 



99.1

  



89






10.05.04

 

Antenna/tower/studio lease between Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc. (KKMS-AM/Eagan, Minnesota) and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson expiring in 2016.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.04

  

10.05.05

 

Antenna/tower lease between Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc. (WHK-AM/ Cleveland, Ohio) and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson expiring 2008.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.05

  

10.05.06

 

Antenna/tower lease (KFAX-FM/Hayward, California) and Salem Broadcasting Company, a partnership consisting of Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson, expiring in 2013.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.06

  

10.05.08

 

Antenna/tower lease between Inspiration Media, Inc. (KGNW-AM/Seattle, Washington) and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson expiring in 2012.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.08

  

10.05.09

 

Antenna/tower lease between Inspiration Media, Inc. (KLFE-AM/Seattle, Washington) and The Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring in 2014.

 




S-4

 




333-41733-29

 




01/29/98

 




10.05.09

  

10.05.11.01

 

Antenna/tower/studio lease between Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc. (WNTP-AM/WFIL-AM/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson, as assigned from WEAZ-FM Radio, Inc., expiring 2004.

 




S-4

 




333-41733-29

 




01/29/98

 




10.05.11.01

  



90






10.05.11.02

 

Antenna/tower/studio lease between Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc. (WNTP-AM/WFIL-AM/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and The Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring 2014.

 




S-4

 




333-41733-29

 




01/29/98

 




10.05.11.02

  

10.05.12

 

Antenna/tower lease between New Inspiration Broadcasting Co., Inc.: as successor in interest to Radio 1210, Inc. (KPRZ-AM/Olivenhain, California) and The Atsinger Family Trust expiring in 2028.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.12

  

10.05.13

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Texas, Inc. and Atsinger Family Trust/Epperson Family Limited Partnership (KSLR-AM/San Antonio, Texas).

 



10-K

 



000-26497

 



03/30/00

 



10.05.13

  

10.05.15

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Colorado, Inc. (KNUS-AM/Denver-Boulder, Colorado) and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson expiring 2016.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.15

  

10.05.16

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Colorado, Inc. and Atsinger Family Trust/Epperson Family Limited Partnership (KRKS-AM/KBJD-AM/Denver, Colorado) expiring 2009.

 



10-K

 



000-26497

 



03/30/00

 



10.05.16

  

10.05.17.02

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Oregon, Inc. (KPDQ-AM/FM/Raleigh Hills, Oregon), and Messrs. Atsinger and Epperson expiring 2012.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.17.02

  



91






10.05.18

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Pennsylvania, Inc. (WORD-FM/WPIT-AM/Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and The Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring 2013.

 




S-4

 




333-41733-29

 




01/29/98

 




10.05.18

  

10.05.19

 

Antenna/tower lease between Salem Media of Texas, Inc. (KSLR-AM/San Antonio, Texas) and Epperson-Atsinger 1983 Family Trust expiring 2017.

 



S-4

 


333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.19

  

10.05.20

 

Antenna/tower lease between South Texas Broadcasting, Inc. (KNTH-AM/Houston-Galveston, Texas) and Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring 2015.

 



S-4

 



333-41733-29

 



01/29/98

 



10.05.20

  

10.05.21

 

Antenna/tower lease between New Inspiration Broadcasting Co., Inc. successor in interest to Vista Broadcasting, Inc. (KFIA-AM/Sacramento, California) and The Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring 2016.

 




S-4

 




333-41733-29

 




10/29/98

 




10.05.21

  

10.05.22

 

Antenna/tower lease between South Texas Broadcasting, Inc. (KKHT-FM/Houston-Galveston, Texas) and Sonsinger Broadcasting Company of Houston, LP expiring 2008.

 



10-K 405

 



000-26497

 



03/31/99

 



10.05.22

  



92






10.05.23

 

Antenna/tower lease between Inspiration Media of Texas, Inc. (KTEK-AM/Alvin, Texas) and the Atsinger Family Trust and The Stuart W. Epperson Revocable Living Trust expiring 2018.

 



10-K 405

 



000-26497

 



03/31/99

 



10.05.23

  

10.05.24

 

Studio building lease between Salem Radio Properties, Inc. and Thomas H. Moffit Jr.   

 


10-K

 


000-26497

 


03/31/06

 


10.05.24

  

10.05.25

 

Antenna/tower lease between Pennsylvania Media Associates Inc. (WTLN-AM/ Orlando, Florida) and Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson, revocable living trust expiring 2045.

 



 



 



 



 



X

10.06.02

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 18, 2006, by and between Caron Broadcasting, Inc. and Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida, and WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida)

 


10Q

 


000-26497

 


11/09/06

 


10.06.02

 


X

10.06.03

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 14, 2006, by and between Caron Broadcasting, Inc. and Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida)

 


10Q

 


000-26497

 


11/09/06

 


10.06.03

  



93






10.06.04

 

Local Programming and Marketing Agreement, dated September 14, 2006, by and between Caron Broadcasting, Inc. and Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (WJGR-AM, Jacksonville, Florida,   and WZNZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida)

 


10Q

 


000-26497

 


11/09/06

 


10.06.04

 


10.06.05

 

Local Programming and Marketing Agreement, dated September 14, 2006, by and between Caron Broadcasting, Inc. and Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corporation (WZAZ-AM, Jacksonville, Florida)

 


10Q

 


000-26497

 


11/09/06

 


10.06.05

  

10.08.01

 

Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to previously filed Appendix B).

 


DEF 14A

 


000-26497

 


04/29/03

 


Appendix B

  

10.08.02

 

Form of stock option grant for Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

 


10-K

 


000-26497

 


03/16/05

 


10.08.02

  

10.08.03

 

Form of restricted stock option grant for Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

 


10-Q

 


000-26497

 


11/09/05

 


10.01

  

10.08.04

 

Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated through May 18, 2005.

 


DEF 14A

 


000-26497

 


04/18/05

 


Proposal No. 2

  



94






10.09

 

Management Services Agreement by and among Salem and Salem Communications Holding Corporation, dated August 25, 2000 (incorporated by reference to previously filed exhibit 10.11). (7)

 


10-Q

 


000-26497

 


05/15/01

 


10.11

  

31.1

 

Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

X

31.2

 

Certification of David A.R. Evans Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

X

32.1

 

Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

X

32.2

 

Certification of David A.R. Evans Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

X



95




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

March 16, 2007

 

 

 

By: /s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III

 

 

 

 

 

Edward G. Atsinger III

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

March 16, 2007

 

 

 

By: /s/ DAVID A.R. EVANS

 

 

 

 

 

David A.R. Evans

 

 

Executive Vice President - Business Development and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 




96



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

     

 

    

/s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

  
  

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

March 16, 2007

Edward G. Atsinger III

    

 

    

/s/ DAVID A.R. EVANS

 

Executive Vice President - Business Development and Chief Financial Officer

  
  

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

March 16, 2007

David A.R. Evans

    

 

    

/s/ EVAN D. MASYR

 

Vice President - Accounting and Finance

  
  

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

March 16, 2007

Evan D. Masyr

    

 

    

/s/ STUART W. EPPERSON

 

Chairman

  
    

March 16, 2007

Stuart W. Epperson

    

 

    

/s/ DAVID DAVENPORT

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

David Davenport

    

 

    

/s/ ERIC H. HALVORSON

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

Eric H. Halvorson

    

 

    

/s/ ROLAND S. HINZ

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

Roland S. Hinz

    

 

    

/s/ PAUL PRESSLER

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

Paul Pressler

    

 

    

/s/ RICHARD A. RIDDLE

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

Richard A. Riddle

    

 

    

/s/ DENNIS M. WEINBERG

 

Director

  
    

March 16, 2007

Dennis M. Weinberg

    

 

    



97




EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Exhibit

  

Number

 

Description of Exhibits

   

10.05.25

 

Antenna/tower lease between Pennsylvania Media Associates Inc. (WTLN-AM/ Orlando, Florida) and Atsinger Family Trust and Stuart W. Epperson, revocable living trust expiring 2045.

21.01

 

Subsidiaries of Salem Communications Corporation

23.1

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1

 

Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.

31.2

 

Certification of David A.R. Evans Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.

32.1

 

Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2

 

Certification of David A.R. Evans Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

   
   



98



EXHIBIT 10.05.25

LEASE AGREEMENT


This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of this 23rd day of January, 2006, by and between EDWARD G. ATSINGER III, not individually but as sole Trustee of the ATSINGER FAMILY TRUST /u/a dated April 8, 2002,  and STUART W. EPPERSON, not individually but solely as Trustee of the STUART W. EPPERSON REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST /u/a dated January 14th 1993, collectively referred to herein as “Lessor”, and  Pennsylvania Media Associates Inc., (“Lessee”), a Pennsylvania Corporation.

WHEREAS, Lessor owns certain land which shall include all rights, easements, fixtures, buildings and appurtenances pertaining to such property (the “Land”)  and Lessee owns certain improvements thereon including five (5) radio transmitting towers and (1) auxiliary tower  (the “Improvements”), which Land and Improvements together comprise certain real property located in the County of Orange, State of Florida, more particularly described as set forth in Exhibit “A”, which is attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Real Property”); and,

WHEREAS, Lessee uses said Real Property in operating its radio station WTLN-AM; and,

WHEREAS, the parties are desirous of making a mutually suitable and satisfactory agreement whereby Lessor will lease to Lessee the Real Property (constituting the “Leased Premises”) on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following covenants, agreements, conditions and representations, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1

USE OF THE LEASED PREMISES

(a)  Lessor, in consideration of the rents to be paid and covenants herein contained, hereby leases to Lessee the Leased Premises.

(b)  Lessee may use the Leased Premises for the operation of its radio station, and, in connection therewith, for the installation, repair, maintenance, operation, housing and removal of its Improvements and other related broadcasting equipment (together comprising the “Installations”). Lessee is fully familiar with the physical condition of the Land and has received the same in good order and condition, and agrees that the Land complies in all respects with all requirements of this Agreement. Lessee shall use the Land exclusively for purposes associated with the operation of a radio station.



(c)  Lessee shall have the right from time to time to substitute Installations of similar kind and character for those hereinabove specified, including without limitation, the rebuilding and reconfiguring of the towers on the Real Property, provided such changes shall be approved in advance by Lessor, and Lessor shall not unreasonably delay or withhold its approval. In the event Lessee submits any such changes for Lessor’s approval and Lessor does not respond within thirty (30) days after Lessor’s receipt thereof, then such changes shall be deemed approved by Lessor, so long as such changes otherwise comply with this Agreement, five (5) days after Lessor’s receipt of notice that it has not responded.



99



(d)  Lessee shall have access to the Leased Premises twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, for the purpose of installing, maintaining and repairing its Installations, provided that the contractors performing such work are reasonably acceptable to Lessor.

(e)  Lessor shall not be responsible for repairs or maintenance to the Installations, except for repairs occasioned by the negligence of Lessor, its agents, employees or contractors.

 (f)  Lessee shall not use or permit the Leased Premises to be used by any dangerous, toxic, noxious or offensive trade or business, or for any unlawful purpose.

(g)  Lessee shall not directly or indirectly create or permit to be created or to remain, and will discharge any mortgage, lien, security interest, encumbrance or charge on, pledge of or conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to the Real Property or any part thereof or Lessee’s interest therein other than (i) this Agreement, (ii) any lien, including a mortgage on the leasehold interest of Lessee, which may be approved by the Lessor in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, (iii) liens for impositions not yet payable, or payable without the addition of any fine, penalty, interest or cost for non-payment, or being contested as permitted by Paragraph 3(d), below, and (iv) liens of mechanics, materialmen, suppliers or vendors, or rights thereto, incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums which under the terms of the related contracts are not at the time due, provided that adequate provision for the payment thereof shall have been made.

SECTION 2

TERM AND RENT

(a)  The term of this Lease (the “Term”) shall commence on January, 23rd, 2006 (the “Commencement Date”), and shall expire on December 31, 2045 (the “Expiration Date”).

 (b)  RESERVED

 

(c)  Lessee agrees to pay rent to Lessor from the Commencement Date through the Expiration Date, or such earlier date as this Agreement is terminated as provided herein, at 855 Aviation Drive, Suite 200, Camarillo, CA 93010, or to such other person or place as Lessor may designate from time to time by notice to Lessee, in the following amounts and in the following manner:

(i)  Beginning with the Commencement Date and ending on the last day of December, 2023, Lessee shall pay a base rent of Eighty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($80,000.00) per annum, in equal monthly installments of Six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Six Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents ($6,666.67) (the “Base Rent”) in advance on the first day of each month.  Thereafter on each and every Adjustment Date (hereinafter defined) the monthly rent shall be computed according to subparagraph (ii) below.

(ii)  The term “Adjustment Date” shall mean January 1, 2024.  Beginning with the Adjustment Date and every year thereafter on the anniversary of the adjustment date, the monthly rent payable by Lessee shall reflect an adjustment, as herein provided, for an increase, but never a decrease, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, All Items, U.S. Cities Average [Base Year 1982/84=100] (“CPI”) published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, as measured in November of the previous year  i e., beginning with the Adjustment Date, the monthly rent shall be the product obtained by multiplying the Base Rent times a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the CPI for November of the previous year and the denominator of which shall be the CPI for November 2022.  For example, the first rent adjustment on the Adjustment Date shall be computed by multiplying The Base Rent times the CPI for November 2023 divided by the CPI for November 2022.   In the event that the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall change the base period for the CPI, the new index number shall be substituted for the old index numbers in making the above computation. In the event the Bureau of Labor Statistics ceases publishing the CPI, or materially changes the method of its computation, Lessor and Lessee shall accept comparable statistics on the purchasing power of the consumer dollar as published at the time of said discontinuation or change by a responsible financial periodical of recognized authority to be then chosen by Lessor subject to reasonable consent of Lessee.



100



(d)  Rent and all other sums payable to Lessor hereunder shall be paid without notice, demand, counterclaim, set-off, deduction or defense and without abatement, suspension, deferment, diminution or reduction. Except as expressly provided herein, Lessee waives all rights now or hereafter conferred by statute or otherwise to quit, terminate or surrender this Agreement or the Real Property or any part thereof, or to any abatement, suspension, deferment, diminution or reduction of rent or any other sum payable by Lessee hereunder.

SECTION 3

CHARGES AND UTILITIES

(a)  Lessee, at its sole expense, shall keep the Real Property including roadways on the property in good and clean order and condition and will promptly make all necessary or appropriate repairs, replacements, and renewals thereof, whether interior or exterior, structural or non- structural, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen. All repairs, replacements and renewals shall be equal in quality and class to the original work. Lessee waives any right created by any law now or hereafter in force to make repairs to the Real Property at Lessor’s expense. Lessee, at its sole expense, shall do or cause others to do every act necessary or appropriate for the preservation and safety of the Real Property whether or not the Lessor shall be required by any legal requirement to take such action or be liable for failure to do so.

(b)  If not at the time in default under this Agreement, Lessee, at its sole expense, may make reasonable alterations of and additions to the Improvements or any part thereof, including the rebuilding and reconfiguring of the towers, provided that any alteration or addition (i) shall not change the general character of the Real Property, or reduce the fair market value thereof below their value immediately before such alteration or addition, or impair their usefulness, (ii) is effected with due diligence, in a good and workmanlike manner and in compliance with all legal requirements and insurance requirements, (iii) is promptly and fully paid for by Lessee, and (iv) is made, in case the estimated cost of such alteration or addition exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), under the supervision of an architect or engineer satisfactory to Lessor and in accordance with plans, specifications and cost estimates approved by Lessor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(c)  Subject to subparagraph (d), below, relating to contests, Lessee shall pay all taxes, assessments (including without limitation, all assessments for public improvements or benefits, whether or not commenced or completed prior to the date hereof and whether or not to be completed within the Term hereof), ground rents, water, sewer or similar rents, rates and charges, excises, levies, license fees, permit fees, inspection fees and other authorization fees and other charges in each case, whether general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen, of every character (including all interest and penalties thereof), which at any time during or in respect of the Term hereof may be assessed, levied, confirmed or imposed on or in respect of or be a lien upon the Real Property or any part thereof or any rent therefrom received by Lessor from Lessee, or any estate, right or interest therein, or any occupancy, use or possession of or activity conducted on the Real Property or any part thereof, other than any income or excess profits tax imposed upon the Lessor’s general income or revenues, and any income or excess profits or franchise taxes of Lessor determined on the basis of general income or revenue or any interest or penalties in respect thereof. Lessee shall furnish to Lessor for inspection within thirty (30) days after written request, official receipts of the appropriate taxing authority or other proof satisfactory to Lessor evidencing such payment. If by law any such amount may be paid in installments, Lessee shall be obligated to pay only those installments as they become due from time to time before any interest, penalty, fine or cost may be added thereto; and any such amount relating to the fiscal period of the taxing authority, part of which is included within the Term and a part of which extends beyond the Term shall, if Lessee shall not be in default under this Agreement, be apportioned between Lessee and Lessor as of the expiration of the Term of this Agreement.

(d)  Lessee, at its sole expense, may contest, after prior written notice to Lessor, by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, the amount or validity or application, in whole or in part, of any tax, lien or other imposition on the Real Property, provided that (i) Lessee shall first make all contested payments, under protest if it desires, (ii) neither the Real Property nor any part thereof or interest therein nor any such rents or other sums would be in any danger of being sold, forfeited, lost or interfered with, and (iii) Lessee shall have furnished such security, if any, as may be required in the proceedings or reasonably requested by Lessor.

(e)  Lessee shall pay or cause to be paid all charges for all public or private utility services, landscape maintenance, trash disposal services, and all sprinkler systems and protective services at any time rendered to or in connection with the Real Property or



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any part thereof, and will comply with all contracts relating to any such services, and will do all other things required for the maintenance and continuance of all such services.

(f)

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event Lessor conveys a portion of the Real Property, including leasehold interests, to others, Lessee’s obligations set forth in this Section 3 shall be equitably apportioned between Lessee and the other parties.    

SECTION 4

INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

(a)  Lessee shall, at its sole cost and expense, during the Term hereof, obtain or provide and keep in full force for the benefit of Lessor, as an additional named insured (i) general public liability insurance, insuring Lessor against any and all liability or claims or liability arising out of, occasioned by or resulting from any accident or other occurrence in or about the Real Property arising out of any act or omission of Lessee or any officer, employee, agent or contractor of Lessee, for injuries to any person or persons, with limits of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for injuries to one person, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for injuries to more than one person, in any one accident or occurrence, and for loss or damage to the property of any person or persons, for not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00); (ii) insurance with respect to the Improvements against loss or damage by fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, riot, riot attending a strike, civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke and other risks from time to time included under “extended coverage” policies, in an amount equal to at least One Hundred Percent (100%) of the full replacement value of the Improvements and, in any event, in an amount sufficient to prevent Lessor or Lessee from becoming a co-insurer of any partial loss under the applicable policies, which shall be written on a replacement cost basis; (iii) appropriate workers’ compensation or other insurance against liability arising from claims of workers in respect of and during the period of any work on or about the Real Property; and (iv) insurance against such other hazards and in such amounts as is customarily carried by owners and operators of similar properties, and as Lessor may reasonably require for its protection. Lessee shall comply with such other requirements as Lessor, or any mortgagee, may from time to time reasonably request for the protection by insurance of their respective interests. The policy or policies of insurance maintained by Lessee pursuant to this Paragraph shall be of a company or companies authorized to do business in Florida and a certificate thereof shall be delivered to Lessor, together with evidence of the payment of the premiums therefor, not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the commencement of the Term hereof or of the date when Lessee shall enter upon the Leased Premises, whichever occurs sooner. At least fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration or termination date of any policy, Lessee shall deliver a certificate of a renewal or replacement policy with proof of the payment of the premium therefor. Any such insurance required by this Paragraph may, at Lessee’s option, be provided through a blanket policy or policies.

(b)  Lessee shall indemnify Lessor and hold Lessor harmless from and against all claims, actions, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or asserted against Lessor, whether during or after the Term of this Agreement, including by reason of personal injury, loss of life, or damage to property, caused by or resulting from in whole or any material part, (i) any breach of this Agreement by Lessee, (ii) any negligent or intentional act or omission of Lessee, its employees, agents, invitees or contractors, whether in, on, about or with respect to the Leased Premises or otherwise, (iii) the use by Lessee of any part of the Leased Premises, (iv) any work undertaken by or at the request of Lessee on or about the Leased Premises, (v) any other activity undertaken by or at the request of Lessee pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, or (vi) the presence of any individuals on the Leased Premises as a result of Lessee’s request or this Agreement; provided, however, that Lessee shall not be required to indemnify Lessor for any damages, injury, loss or expense arising out of Lessor’s or its agents’, employees’, invitees’ or contractors’ negligent acts or omissions.

(c)  If Lessor so elects by notice to Lessee, Lessee shall have the obligation of defending, at its sole cost and expense, by counsel selected by Lessee and approved by Lessor (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), against any claim to which the foregoing indemnity may apply. Lessor may assume, or require that such defense be assumed, by Lessor and counsel selected by Lessor, at the cost and expense of Lessee if Lessor is for any reason dissatisfied with the defense by Lessee, or believes that its interests would be better served thereby. In any case where Lessee is defending any such claim, Lessor may participate in the defense thereof by counsel selected by it, but at Lessor’s expense. Lessee shall not enter into any settlement of any claim without the consent of Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(d)  Lessor shall indemnify Lessee and hold Lessee harmless from and against all claims, actions, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or asserted against Lessee, whether during or after the Term of this



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Agreement, including by reason of personal injury, loss of life, or damage to property, caused by or resulting from in whole or any material part, (i) any breach of this Agreement by Lessor, (ii) any negligent or intentional act or omission of Lessor, its employees, agents, invitees or contractors, whether in, on, about or with respect to the Leased Premises or otherwise, (iii) the use by Lessor of any part of the Leased Premises, (iv) any work undertaken by or at the request of Lessor on or about the Leased Premises, (v) any other activity undertaken by or at the request of Lessor pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, or (vi) the presence of any individuals on the Leased Premises as a result of Lessor’s request or this Agreement; provided, however, that Lessor shall not be required to indemnify Lessee for any damages, injury, loss or expense arising out of Lessee’s or its agents’, employees’, invitees’ or contractors’ negligent acts or omissions.

(e)  If Lessee so elects by notice to Lessor, Lessor shall have the obligation of defending, at its sole cost and expense, by counsel selected by Lessor and approved by Lessee (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), against any claim to which the foregoing indemnity may apply. Lessee may assume, or require that such defense be assumed, by Lessee and counsel selected by Lessee, at the cost and expense of Lessor if Lessee is for any reason dissatisfied with the defense by Lessor, or believes that its interests would be better served thereby. In any case where Lessor is defending any such claim, Lessee may participate in the defense thereof by counsel selected by it, but at Lessee’s expense. Lessor shall not enter into any settlement of any claim without the consent of Lessee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(f)  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed so as to authorize or permit any insurer of Lessor or Lessee to be subrogated to any right of Lessor or Lessee against the other. Each of Lessor and Lessee hereby releases the other to the extent of its insurance coverage for any loss or damage caused by fire or any of the extended coverage casualties, even if such fire or other casualty shall be brought about by the fault or negligence of the other party or persons for whose acts said party is liable.

SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS

(a)  Lessor represents and warrants that:

(i)  The execution and performance of this Agreement shall not constitute a breach or violation under any Agreement to which Lessor is a party.

(ii)  To the best of Lessor’s knowledge, there are no violations of any federal, state, county or municipal law, ordinance, order, regulations or requirement with respect to the Leased Premises, and as of the date of this Agreement, no notice of any kind relating thereto (which would adversely affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) has been issued by public authorities having jurisdiction over the Leased Premises.

(iii)  No person or party other than Lessor has a right to use the Leased Premises for any purpose which would affect Lessee’s right to use the Leased Premises as contemplated hereunder.

(iv)  Lessor has not received written notice of pending or contemplated condemnation proceedings affecting the Leased Premises or any part thereof.

(v)  To the best of Lessor’s knowledge, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending or threatened against or affecting the Leased Premises or any portion thereof and Lessor has not received notice written or otherwise of any litigation affecting or concerning the Leased Premises relating to or arising out of its ownership, management, use or operation. Lessor shall give to Lessee prompt notice of institution of any such proceeding or litigation.

(vi)  To the best of Lessor’s knowledge, there are presently no proceedings for overdue real estate taxes assessed against the Leased Premises for any fiscal period.

(vii)  Lessor shall promptly advise Lessee in writing of any written notice received from any governmental authority to comply with the terms, provisions and requirements of any local, state and federal laws, ordinances, directives, orders, regulations



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and requirements which apply to any portion of the Leased Premises or to any adjacent street or other public area or to the maintenance, operation or use thereof.

(viii)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of Lessor (none of which actions have been modified or rescinded and all of which actions are in full force and effect). This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement and obligation of Lessor, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(ix)  Subject to liens and encumbrances of record, Lessor owns good and marketable title in fee simple to the Real Property on which the Leased Premises are located, and Lessor acknowledges that Lessee is relying upon the foregoing representation and warranty in entering into this Agreement and in expending moneys in connection herewith. Lessor shall not encumber or permit any encumbrances, liens or restrictions on Lessee’s Installations, except with the prior written approval of Lessee.

(b)  Each party shall comply in all material respects with all local, state and federal laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders and decrees that it knows to be applicable in connection with its activities and operations at the Leased Premises, and Lessor shall require the same representation and warranty from all additional users of the facilities at the Leased Premises.

(c)  Subject to Section 10(a) herein, Lessor agree that, during the Term of this Agreement Lessor shall not intentionally do anything at the Leased Premises which will interfere with or adversely affect the operations of Lessee.

 (d)  If the whole or any material part of the Real Property, including, but not limited to, Lessee’s Installations (as defined in the Agreement), shall be acquired or condemned by eminent domain for any public or quasi public use or purpose or by a voluntary conveyance or transfer in lieu thereof, then, and in that event, the Term of this Agreement shall cease and terminate on the date title vests in the condemning authority and Lessee shall have no claim for the value of any unexpired Term of said Agreement, and Lessor and Lessee shall have no further obligations except those accrued prior to such termination.  Any award granted by any condemning authority, or any payment for any voluntary conveyance or transfer in lieu of condemnation, shall belong to and be paid to Lessor.  Although all damages in the event of any condemnation are to belong to the Lessor, whether such damages are awarded as compensation for diminution in value of the leasehold, reversion or fee of the Real Property, Lessee shall have the right to claim and recover from the condemning authority, but not from Lessor, such compensation as may be separately awarded or recoverable by Lessee or Lessee’s own right on account of any and all damage to Lessee by reason of the condemnation and for or on account of any cost or loss which Lessee might incur in removing Lessee’s Installations.  For purposes of this Section, a “material part” is a portion without which the continued operation of Lessee’s radio station and the transmission of Lessee’s AM radio signal in a manner consistent with its historic use, is not reasonably feasible.  In the event of a lesser taking, Lessee shall not be entitled to any portion of any award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in the event of a lesser taking, if Lessor’s award received includes funds specifically earmarked for any and all damage to Lessee’s business by reason of the condemnation, for or on account of any cost or loss which Lessee might incur in removing Lessee’s Installations and/or making repairs to Lessee’s Installations, then such amounts shall be paid to Lessee.


(e)  Lessee represents and warrants that its Installations to be located on or about the Leased Premises, together with the existence of the equipment of Lessor, and the operation thereof do not and will not result in exposure of workers or the general public to levels of radio frequency radiation in excess of the “Radio Frequency Protection Guides” recommended in “American National Standard Safety Levels With Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 300 KHz to 100 GHz,” issued by the American National Standards Institute (“Acceptable Radio Frequency Radiation Standards”).

(f)  Lessee covenants that it will not at any time during the Term of this Agreement, transmit, store, handle or dump toxic or hazardous wastes anywhere at or around the Leased Premises.

(g)  Lessee shall promptly advise Lessor in writing of any written notice received from any governmental authority to comply with the terms, provisions and requirements of any local, state and federal laws, ordinances, directives, orders, regulations, and requirements which apply to any portion of the Leased Premises or to any adjacent street or other public area or the maintenance, operation or use thereof.



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(h)  Lessee represents and warrants that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of Lessee (none of which actions have been modified or rescinded and all of which actions are in full force and effect). This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement and obligation of Lessee, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(i)  Lessee warrants to Lessor that the Improvements (including the radio tower(s) located on the Real Property) are and will remain in material compliance at all times during the Term and any Extension Term with all federal, state, county, municipal, local, administrative and other governmental laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and orders pertaining thereto, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, all zoning laws and building codes and all regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”).

(j)  In case of any material damage to or destruction of the Real Property or any part thereof, Lessee shall promptly give written notice thereof to Lessor and any mortgagee, generally describing the nature and extent of such damage or destruction. In case of any damage to or destruction of the Improvements or any parts thereof, Lessee, whether or not the insurance proceeds, if any, on account of such damage or destruction shall be sufficient for the purpose, at its sole expense, shall promptly commence and complete the restoration, replacement or rebuilding of the Improvements as nearly as possible to their value, condition and character immediately prior to such damage or destruction.

(k)  Lessee will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Lessor, promptly upon request, a certificate certifying that (i) this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if there have been modifications, that the Agreement is in full force and effect, as modified, and stating the modifications), (ii) the dates, if any, to which rent and other sums payable hereunder have been paid, and (iii) no notice has been received by Lessee of any default which has not been cured, except as to defaults specified in said certificate. Any such certificate may be relied upon by any prospective purchaser or mortgagee of the Real Property or any part thereof.

(l)  Lessor will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Lessee or any mortgagee, promptly upon request, a certificate certifying that (i) this Agreement is unmodified and in full force and effect (or, if there have been modifications, that the Agreement is in full force and effect, as modified, and stating the modifications), (ii) the dates, if any, to which rent and other sums payable hereunder have been paid, and (iii) whether or not, to the knowledge of Lessor, there are then existing any defaults under this Agreement (and if so, specifying the same). Any such certificate may be relied upon by any prospective purchaser transferee or mortgagee of Lessee’s interest under this Agreement.

SECTION 6

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

(a)  Any of the following events shall constitute a default on the part of Lessee:

(i)  The failure of Lessee to pay rent or additional rent, and continuation of such failure for more than ten (10) days after Lessee's receipt of written notice thereof from Lessor; or

(ii)  The failure of Lessee to cure any other default under the terms hereof, and continuation of such failure to cure for more than thirty (30) days after notice by Lessor, provided, however, that if the nature of Lessee’s default is such that more than thirty (30) days is required for its cure, then Lessee shall not be deemed to be in default if Lessee has commenced such cure within the thirty (30) day period, demonstrates to Lessor’s reasonable satisfaction that such default is curable and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion; or

(iii)  Lessee is finally and without further right of appeal or review, adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or has a receiver appointed for all or substantially all of its business or assets on the ground of its insolvency, or has a trustee appointed for it after a petition has been filed for Lessee’s reorganization under the Bankruptcy Act of the United States, or any future law of the United States having the same general purpose, or if Lessee shall make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or if Lessee’s interest hereunder shall be levied upon or attached, which levy or attachment shall not be removed within twenty (20) days from the date thereof.

(b)  If an event of default on the part of Lessee shall occur at any time, Lessor, at its election, may give Lessee a notice of termination in writing specifying a day not less than thirty (30) days thereafter on which the Term of this Agreement shall end, unless such default shall be cured within said period, or, if the default is such that more than thirty (30) days is required for its cure, unless Lessee has commenced such cure within said period. If such notice is given and the default remains uncured, the Agreement shall expire on the day so specified as fully and completely as if that day were the day herein originally fixed for such expiration, and Lessee shall then quit and surrender the Leased Premises to Lessor, but Lessee shall remain liable for the payment of rent during the full period which would otherwise constitute the balance of the Term of this Agreement; and without prejudice to any other right or remedy which it may have hereunder or by law, and notwithstanding any waiver of any prior breach of condition or event of default hereunder, Lessor may re-enter the Leased Premises either by reasonable force or otherwise, or dispossess Lessee, any legal representative of Lessee or other occupant of the Leased Premises by appropriate suit, action or proceeding and remove its effects and hold the Leased Premises as if this Agreement had not been made.

(c)  The failure of Lessor to cure any default under the terms hereof, and continuation of such failure to cure for more than thirty (30) days after notice by Lessee, shall constitute a default on the part of Lessor; provided, however, that if the nature of Lessor’s default is such that more than thirty (30) days is required for its cure, then Lessor shall not be deemed to be in default if Lessor has commenced such cure within the thirty (30) day period, demonstrates to Lessee’s reasonable satisfaction that such default is curable and thereafter diligently prosecutes such cure to completion.

(d)  If an event of default on the part of Lessor shall occur at any time, Lessee, at its election, may give Lessor a notice of termination specifying a day not less than thirty (30) days thereafter on which the Term of this Agreement shall end, unless such default shall be cured within said period, or, if the default is such that more than thirty (30) days is required for its cure, unless Lessor has commenced such cure within said period.  If such notice is given, the Agreement shall expire on the day so specified as fully and completely as if that day were the day herein originally fixed for such expiration, and Lessee shall then quit and surrender the Leased Premises to Lessor, and Lessee shall not be liable for payment of rent for any period after such expiration.

SECTION 7

ASSIGNMENT

Lessee shall not assign this Agreement nor sublet any portion of the Leased Premises without the prior written consent of the Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Notwithstanding any assignment or sublease, Lessee shall remain primarily liable under this Agreement.


SECTION 8

NON-LIABILITY OF LESSOR

Lessor shall not be liable for any damages or injury which may be sustained by Lessee or any other person by reason of the failure, breakage, leakage or obstruction of the water, sewer, plumbing, roof, drains, leaders, electrical, air conditioning or any other equipment; or by reason of the elements; or resulting from the carelessness, negligence or improper conduct of Lessee, its agents, employees, contractors, invitees, assignees or successors; or attributable to any interference with or the interruption of or failure of any services, beyond the control of Lessor, to be supplied by Lessor.

SECTION 9

QUIET ENJOYMENT

(a)  Lessor agrees that it shall not enforce any unreasonable rules or regulations which would unduly prejudice the conduct of Lessee's business, or which would prevent full and free access to the Leased Premises by Lessee, as herein provided.

(b)  Lessor reserves and shall at all times have the right to re-enter the Real Property to inspect the same, to supply any service to be provided by Lessor to Lessee hereunder, and to show the Real Property to prospective purchasers, mortgagees, or lessees, to post notices of non- responsibility, without abatement of rent, provided entrance to the Real Property shall not be denied Lessee.

SECTION 10

USE OF REAL PROPERTY BY LESSOR

(a) At all times during the Term of this Agreement, Lessor shall have the exclusive right to place and operate, or to permit another tenant to place and operate, broadcasting equipment on the Leased Premises and on the Lessee’s broadcasting towers, or to use the Real Property, including a sale of a portion of the Real Property, for any other lawful purpose, provided, such actions do not interfere with Lessee’s operations.  Lessor shall have no obligation to pay rent for the uses described above.  Lessor shall hold Lessee harmless from and defend Lessee against any and all claims or liability arising out of or in any way connected to Lessor’s use or occupancy of the Real Property.

(b) At all times during the Term of this Agreement, Lessor shall have the exclusive right to relocate Lessee’s broadcast operations to a different site, whether owned by Lessor or not, and terminate this Agreement upon the date such move is completed, provided however 1) all expenses incurred to accomplish such move are borne wholly by Lessor, 2) the lease terms at the new site are at least as favorable to Lessee as under this Agreement, and 3) Lessee suffers no material detriment to its broadcast signal or coverage.


SECTION 11

SALE OF LEASED PREMISES BY LESSOR

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Lease, Lessor (a) may assign, in whole or in part, Lessor’s interest in this Lease and (b) may sell all or part of the Real Property. In the event of any sale or exchange of the Leased Premises by Lessor and assignment by Lessor of this Lease, Lessor shall be and is hereby relieved of all liability under any and all of its covenants and obligations contained in or derived from this Lease arising out of any act, occurrence or omission relating to the Leased Premises occurring after the consummation of such sale or exchange and assignment, but only upon the condition that, as part of such sale or exchange, Lessor will cause the grantee to agree in writing to assume to carry out any and all of the covenants and obligations of Lessor under this Lease occurring after the consummation of Lessor’s assignment of its interest in and to this Lease.

SECTION 12

BROKERAGE

The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has not been brought about as a result of the services of any real estate broker, firm or corporation, and each indemnifies and saves the other harmless from any and all claims from any person(s) claiming to have rendered real estate services in connection with this Agreement.

SECTION 13

SURRENDER OF PREMISES

Upon the expiration of the Term hereof, Lessee shall surrender the Leased Premises, and, at Lessor’s option, all interest of the Lessee in and to the Improvements (including the radio towers located on the Land), to Lessor in good order and condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted.  Any equipment, fixtures, goods or other property of Lessee not removed within thirty (30) days after any quitting, vacating or abandonment of the Leased Premises, or upon Lessee’s eviction therefrom, shall be considered abandoned, and Lessor shall have the right, without notice to Lessee, to sell or otherwise dispose of same without having to account to Lessee for any part of the proceeds of such sale.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the end of the Term, if Lessor does not exercise its option to acquire Lessee’s interest in and to some or all of the Improvements, Lessor may require, by written notice to Lessee, that Lessee dismantle and remove such Improvements from the Land by lawful means within thirty (30) days after the end of the Term at Lessee’s sole cost and expense.

SECTION 14

NOTICES AND RECORDING

All notices, demands, and requests required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and sent certified mail, return receipt requested, and if to Lessor, at 855 Aviation Drive, Suite 200, Camarillo, CA 93010, Attn: Brian J. Counsil, and if Lessee, at 4880 Santa Rosa Road Suite 100, Camarillo, CA 93012, Attn: Jonathan L. Block. Either party hereto may change the place for notice to it by sending like written notice to the other party hereto.  Within a reasonable time after this Agreement is executed, the parties hereto shall have the right to record a Memorandum of Lease which sets forth the basic terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SECTION 15

BINDING NATURE

The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to, bind and inure to the benefit of Lessor and Lessee, their respective successors, legal representatives or assigns. The terms of this Agreement and any disputes arising therefrom, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida.


SECTION 16

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between the parties. No representative, agent or employee of Lessor has been authorized to make any representations or promises with reference to the within agreement or to vary, alter or modify the terms hereof. No additions, changes or modifications shall be binding unless reduced to writing and signed by the parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

LESSOR:

LESSEE
ATSINGER FAMILY TRUST

Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc.


_________________________________

____________________________________
EDWARD G. ATSINGER, III

Name: ______________________________

Trustee

Title: _______________________________



STUART W. EPPERSON

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST


__________________________________

STUART W. EPPERSON

Trustee



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EXHIBIT A


LEGAL DESCRIPTION



WTLN SITE


PARCEL A:


The South 150 feet of the North 360 feet of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 29 East, subject to easement over the west 30 feet thereof, lying and being in Orange County, Florida.


PARCEL B:


The South 960  feet of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 29 East, Orange County, Florida.


LESS AND EXCEPT from PARCEL B the following described land:


From the Southwest corner of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 29 East, run thence North 88 deg 55 min 08 sec East, along the 40 acre line, for a distance of 1,314.25 feet for a POINT OF BEGINNING, said point being on the West line of "L.C. Cox's Addition to Washington Park", as recorded in Plat Book "R", Page 42, of the public records of Orange County, Florida; run thence North 00 deg 28 min 53 sec East, along said West line, a distance of 330.19 feet; thence South 88 deg 55 min 08 sec West, a  distance of 385.68 feet; thence South 74 deg 06 min 53 sec West, a distance of 35.75 feet; thence South 00 deg 38 min 53 sec West, a distance of 321.05 feet to a point on said 40 acre line; thence North 88 deg 55 min 08 sec East, a distance of 420 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.




PARCEL C:


BEGINNING on the West line of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 29 East, Orange County, Florida, 360.90 feet North of the Southwest corner of said Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of the Northeast Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 31, Township 22 South, Range 29 East; run thence North 01 deg 41 min East, along said West line, 599.1 feet; thence South 89 deg 58 min East, 236.23 feet; thence South 01 deg 47 min West, 463.04 feet; thence South 89 deg 49 min 15 sec West, 100 feet; thence South 01 deg 47 min West, 135.67 feet; thence South 89 deg 53 min 30 sec West, 134.92 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.



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EXHIBIT 21.01

SUBSIDIARIES OF SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


Name

State of Formation

Bison Media, Inc.

Colorado

Caron Broadcasting, Inc.

Ohio

CCM Communications, Inc.

Tennessee

Common Ground Broadcasting, Inc.

Oregon

Inspiration Media, Inc.

Washington

Inspiration Media of Texas, LLC

Texas

New Inspiration Broadcasting Company, Inc.

California

NI Acquisition Corp.

California

OnePlace, LLC

Delaware

Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc.

Pennsylvania

Reach Satellite Network, Inc.

Tennessee

Salem Communications Acquisition Corporation

Delaware

Salem Communications Holding Corporation

Delaware

Salem Media Corporation

New York

Salem Media of Colorado, Inc.

Colorado

Salem Media of Hawaii, Inc.

Delaware

Salem Media of Illinois, LLC

Delaware

Salem Media of Kentucky, Inc.

Kentucky

Salem Media of New York, LLC

Delaware

Salem Media of Ohio, Inc.

Ohio

Salem Media of Oregon, Inc.

Oregon

Salem Media of Texas, Inc.

Texas

Salem Media of Virginia, Inc.

Virginia

Salem Music Network, Inc.

Texas

Salem Radio Network Incorporated

Delaware

Salem Radio Operations, LLC

Delaware

Salem Radio Properties, Inc.

Delaware

Salem Radio Representatives, Inc.

Texas

Salem Satellite Media, LLC

Delaware

SCA License Corporation

Delaware

SCA-Palo Alto, LLC

Delaware

SCHC Lubbock Application, Inc.

Texas

South Texas Broadcasting, Inc.

Texas

SRN News Network, Inc.

Texas

(Revision 3-22-2006)



107




EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-40494 and 333-113794) pertaining to the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan of Salem Communications Corporation and in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-86580) of Salem Communications Corporation and in the related Prospectus of our reports dated March 15, 2007, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Salem Communications Corporation, Salem Communication Corporation management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Salem Communications Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2006.




/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP




Los Angeles, California

March 15, 2007





108



EXHIBIT 31.1

I, Edward G. Atsinger III, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Salem Communications Corporation;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: March 16, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward G. Atsinger III

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 



109



EXHIBIT 31.2

I, David A.R. Evans, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Salem Communications Corporation;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(a)

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

(b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: March 16, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID A.R. EVANS

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

David A.R. Evans

 

 

 

Executive Vice President - Business Development and Chief Financial Officer

 



110




EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of Salem Communications Corporation (the “Company”), for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based on his knowledge:

·

the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

·

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: March 16, 2007

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward G. Atsinger III

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 




111




EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as Executive Vice President – Business Development and Chief Financial Officer of Salem Communications Corporation (the “Company”), for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based on his knowledge:

·

the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

·

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: March 16, 2007

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ DAVID A.R. EVANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David A.R. Evans

 

 

 

Executive Vice President - Business Development and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 




112