SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM INC - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019

OR

For the transition period from                    to                   

Commission file number 000-27823

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(305) 441-6901

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No   ☒

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

As of August 7, 2019, 4,241,991 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 2,340,353 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and 380,000 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, which are convertible into 760,000 shares of Class A common stock, were outstanding.

SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC.

INDEX

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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning 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”).

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and includes this statement for purposes of such safe harbor provisions.

“Forward-looking” statements, as such term is defined by the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in its rules, regulations and releases, represent our expectations or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning our operations, economic performance, financial condition, our recapitalization plan and restructuring efforts, growth and acquisition strategies, investments and future operational plans. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “seek,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “could,” “estimate,” “might,” “continue,” “seeking” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.   These statements, by their nature, involve substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019 (the “Annual Report”), and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and risk factors and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized.

We do not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements—Unaudited

SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  

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SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company, we, us, our or SBS). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as filed by the Company on April 1, 2019 (the “Annual Report”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are all of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods. Additionally, we evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of June 30, 2019 through the financial statements issuance date. The results of operations for the six-months ended June 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2019, or for any other future interim or annual periods.

Certain prior year amounts, which consist primarily of severance pay and station relocation costs, have been reclassified from engineering, programming, selling, general and administrative, and corporate expenses to recapitalization costs to conform to the current period’s financial presentation.  These changes had no effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going-concern, and do not include any adjustments that might result if we were unable to do so, and contemplate the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had a working capital deficit due primarily to the classification of our 10¾% Series B Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B preferred stock”) as a current liability and the classification of our 12.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “Notes”) as a current liability. Under Delaware law, our state of incorporation, the Series B preferred stock is deemed equity. Because the holders of the Series B preferred stock are not creditors, they do not have rights of, or remedies available to, creditors. Delaware law does not recognize a right of preferred stockholders to force redemptions or repurchases where the corporation does not have funds legally available. Currently, we do not have sufficient funds legally available to be able to redeem or repurchase the Series B preferred stock and its accumulated unpaid dividends. If we are successful in repaying or refinancing our Notes, and are able to generate legally available funds under Delaware law, we may be required to pay all or a portion of the accumulated preferred dividends and redeem all or a portion of the Series B preferred stock, to the extent of the funds legally available. The Company is currently involved in litigation with some holders of the Series B preferred stock.  See Note 8 elsewhere in these Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail regarding the Series B preferred stock litigation.     

As discussed in Note 10, the Notes became due on April 15, 2017. Cash from operations and proceeds from the sale of assets and the FCC spectrum auction were not sufficient to repay the Notes when they became due. We have worked and continue to work with our advisors regarding a consensual recapitalization or restructuring of our balance sheet, including through the issuance of new debt or equity to raise the necessary funds to repay the Notes.  The Series B preferred stock litigation and the foreign ownership issue have complicated our efforts at a successful refinancing of the Notes.  The resolution of the recapitalization or restructuring of our balance sheet, the litigation with the purported holders of our Series B preferred stock and the foreign ownership issue are subject to several factors currently beyond our control.  Our efforts to effect a consensual refinancing of the Notes, the Series B preferred stock litigation and the foreign ownership issue will likely continue to have a material adverse effect on us if they are not successfully resolved.  

The Company has incurred $1.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019 of recapitalization costs, primarily due to professional fees and costs directly related to our recapitalization efforts.  Also included in these amounts are the legal and financial advisory fees incurred by the holders of the Notes.    

The Company used $1.1 million of net cash from operating activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, management has evaluated its cash requirements for the next twelve-month period after the date of the filing of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and determined that it anticipates generating sufficient cash flows, together with cash on hand, to meet its obligations regarding ordinary course operating activities.  

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Although the Company expects to maintain cash on hand sufficient to meet its operating obligations, its inability to obtain financing in adequate amounts and on acceptable terms necessary to operate our business, repay our Notes and redeem or refinance our Series B preferred stock, obtain a favorable resolution to the Series B preferred stock litigation, or finance future acquisitions, negatively impacts our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include adjustments, if any, that might arise from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Changes in Accounting Policies – Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). This new standard requires organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the lease assets and lease liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases (with the exception of short-term leases) and disclose key information about the leasing agreements. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. The new standard also requires expanded disclosures regarding leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, intended to clarify the Codification or to correct unintended application of the guidance and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted improvements, which provides an alternative modified retrospective transition method. Under this method, the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings is recognized on the date of adoption. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and have elected the transition option, which allows us to continue to apply the legacy guidance for comparative periods, including disclosure requirements, in the year of adoption. We have elected to use the package of practical expedients available to us, including the short-term lease exception. Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of $13.9 million and $13.9 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The operating lease right-of-use asset includes the impact upon adoption of ASC Topic 842 of the derecognition of lease incentives, deferred rent, below-market lease intangibles, and prepaid rent balances recognized in prepaid expenses and other current assets, other intangible assets, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018. The standard did not materially impact our consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. Additionally, we did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to opening accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting guidance in effect for that period.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-02, Entertainment—Films—Other Assets—Film Costs (Subtopic 926-20) and Entertainment—Broadcasters—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Subtopic 920-350): Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials. ASU 2019-02 helps organizations align their accounting for production costs for films and episodic content produced for television and streaming services.  The standard addresses when an organization should assess films and license agreements for program material for impairment at the film-group level, revises presentation requirements; requires new disclosures about content that is either produced or licensed; and, addresses cash flow classification for license agreements. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect the update will have on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customers Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract, which provides additional guidance on the accounting for costs of implementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The amendments align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license).  This update should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the update will have on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements to all entities required to make disclosures about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance eliminates the requirement to disclose the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The methodology used to arrive at the fair value of the Series B preferred stock results in a Level 3 classification.  The Company has not currently adopted this ASU, however, the new guidance will not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.  Upon adoption, the Company will revise its disclosures in accordance with the requirements of this ASU.

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In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of share-based compensation guidance to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than the adoption date for ASC 606 on revenue recognition. The update is effective through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the update will have on its financial statements.

2. Revenue

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised services. The amount of revenue recognized and reported reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these services and entitled under the contract. Substantially all deferred revenue is recognized within twelve months of the payment date.  To achieve this core principle, the Company applies the following five steps:

1)  Identify the contract with a customer,

2)  Identify the performance obligations in the contract,

3)  Determine the transaction price,

4)  Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract, and

5)  Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

Nature of Products and Services

Local and digital revenues generally consist of advertising airtime sold in a station’s local market, the Company’s La Musica application or its websites either directly to the advertiser or through an advertiser’s agency. Local revenue includes local spot sales, integrated sales, sponsorship sales and paid-programming (or infomercials). National revenue generally consists of advertising airtime sold to agencies purchasing advertising for multiple markets. National sales are generally facilitated by an outside national representation firm, which serves as an agent in these transactions. Revenues from national advertisers are presented as net of agency commissions as this is the amount that the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these services and entitled to under the contract. Network revenue generally consists of advertising airtime sold on the AIRE Radio Networks platform by network sales staff.

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A contract for local, national, digital and network advertising exists only at the time commercial substance is present. For each contract, the Company considers the promise to air or display advertisements, each of which is distinct, to be the identified performance obligation. The price as specified on a customer purchase order is considered the standalone selling price as it is an observable input which depicts the price as if sold to a similar customer in similar circumstances. Revenue is recognized when control is transferred to the customer (i.e., when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied), which typically occurs as an advertisement airs or appears.

Special events revenue is generated from ticket sales, as well as through profit-sharing arrangements for producing or co-producing live concerts and events promoted by radio and television stations.

In addition to ticket sales, the Company enters into profit-sharing arrangements to produce or co-produce live concerts and events with partners which may also purchase various production services from the company. These contracts include multiple promises that the Company evaluates to determine if the promises are separate performance obligations. Once the Company determines the performance obligations and the transaction price, including estimating the amount of variable consideration, the Company then allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract based on a relative stand-alone selling price method or using the variable consideration allocation exception if the required criteria are met. The corresponding revenues are recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied, which may occur over time (i.e. term of agreement) or at a point in time (i.e. event completion).  In order to determine if revenue should be reported gross as principal or net as agent, the Company considers indicators such as if it is the party primarily responsible for fulfillment, has inventory risk, and has discretion in establishing price to determine control. When management determines it controls an event, it is acting as the principal and records revenue gross. When management determines it does not control an event, it is acting as an agent and records revenue net.

Barter sales agreements are used to reduce cash paid for operating costs and expenses by exchanging advertising airtime for goods or services.

A contract for barter advertising exists only at the time commercial substance is present. For each contract, the Company considers the promise to air or display advertisements, each of which is distinct, to be the identified performance obligation. The price as specified on a counterparty’s purchase order is considered the standalone selling price as it is an observable input which depicts the price as if sold to a similar customer in similar circumstances. Revenue is recognized when control is transferred to the customer (i.e., when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied), which typically occurs as an advertisement airs or displays.

For the three-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, barter revenue of $2.1 million and $1.4 million, respectively, was offset by barter expense of $1.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

For the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, barter revenue of $4.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively, was offset by barter expense of $3.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Other revenue consists of syndication revenue, subscriber revenue and other revenue. Syndication revenue is recognized from licensing various MegaTV content and is payable on a usage-based model. Subscriber revenue is payable in a per subscriber form from cable and satellite providers. Other revenue consists primarily of renting available tower space or sub-channels.

The Company considers signed license or subscriber agreements to be the contract with a customer for the sale of syndicated or subscriber related content. For each contract, the Company considers making content available to the customer to be the identified performance obligation. The price as specified on a counterparty’s agreement, which is generally stated on a per user basis, is considered the standalone selling price as it is an observable input which depicts the price as if sold to a similar customer in similar circumstances. Revenue is recognized when control is transferred to the customer (i.e., when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied), which typically occurs on a month-to-month basis. Other revenues related to renting tower space are recognized in accordance with ASC 842 - Leases.

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Significant Judgments

As part of its consideration of the existence of contracts, the Company evaluates certain factors including the customer’s ability to pay (or credit risk). Advertising contracts are for one year or less. In determining the transaction price the Company evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment to determine the net consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. In determining whether control has transferred, the Company considers if there is a present right to payment and legal title, along with risks and rewards of ownership having transferred to the customer.

Contract Balances

Local, national, digital and network revenue of $0.1 million and $0.3 million was recognized during the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, that was included in the unearned revenue balances at the beginning of the period.  During the three-months ended June 30, 2019, there were no special events revenue recognized that were included in the unearned balances at the beginning of period and $0.1 million of special events revenue recognized during the six-months ended June 30, 2019 that were included in the unearned balances at the beginning of period.  Barter revenue of $0.3 million and $0.4 million was recognized during the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, that was included in the unearned revenue balances at the beginning of the period.  Other revenue recognized during the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019 that were included in unearned revenue balances at the beginning of the period were not significant.  

3. Leases

The Company has commitments under operating leases for office space and radio tower sites used in its operations. Our leases have initial lease terms that expire between 2019 and 2082, most of which include options to extend or renew the leases. Currently, we do not have finance leases. Our annual rental expenses can range from less than $3 thousand up to $0.5 million. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. A lease exists when a contract conveys to the customer the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The definition of a lease embodies two conditions: (1) there is an identified asset in the contract that is land or a depreciable asset (i.e., property, plant, and equipment), and (2) the customer has the right to control the use of the identified asset.

Certain rental agreements for office space and radio towers contain non-lease components such as common area maintenance and utilities. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient that permits lessees to make an accounting policy election to account for each separate lease component of an office space and radio tower lease contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component. Certain rental agreements for office space and radio towers also include taxes and insurance which are not considered lease components.

Consideration for office space and radio tower site leases generally includes fixed monthly payments. The lease term begins at the commencement date and is determined on that date based on the term of the lease, together with periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. When evaluating whether the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an option to renew the lease, the Company is required to assess all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for the Company to exercise the renewal.

The various discount rates are based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate due to the rate implicit in the leases being not readily determinable. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The Company used publicly available information about low-grade debt, adjusted for the effects of collateralization, to determine the various rates it would pay to finance transactions over similar time periods.

The Company elected to apply a package of practical expedients that allows it not to reassess (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (iii) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases.

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The following table summarizes the components of lease cost for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands):

Lease costs for the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2018 include minimum rental payments under operating leases recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease including any periods of free rent. Rental expense for operating leases during the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

At June 30, 2019, amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet are as follows (in thousands):

Future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of June 30, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):

At December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under such leases are as follows (in thousands):

As of June 30, 2019, the Company has entered into an additional operating lease that has not yet commenced of approximately $1.0 million. The lease is expected to commence in 2019 and has a lease term of 10 years.

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We have agreements to sublease our radio frequencies and portions of our tower sites and buildings. Such agreements provide for payments through 2023.  Future minimum rental income to be received under these agreement as of June 30, 2019 is as follows:

4. Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share

In calculating net loss per share, the Company follows the two-class method, which distinguishes between classes of securities based on the proportionate participation rights of each security type in the Company’s undistributed net loss.  The Company’s Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock share equally on an as-converted basis with respect to net loss.  

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to stockholders by the weighted average number of shares for each period on an as-converted basis. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by giving effect to common stock equivalents as if they were outstanding for the entire period.

The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss available to stockholders for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

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5. Stockholders’ Deficit

The changes in stockholders' deficit for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:  

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6. Operating Segments

We have two reportable segments: radio and television.

The following summary table presents separate financial data for each of our operating segments (in thousands):  

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7. Income Taxes

We are calculating our effective income tax rate using an estimated annual effective tax rate with the exception of jurisdictions where losses have a full valuation allowance against them and jurisdictions with indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities for which their deferred tax assets are also subject to a full valuation allowance.  In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Due to the continued pre-tax operating losses reported through the second quarter of 2019, management has not changed its valuation allowance position as of June 30, 2019 from December 31, 2018.

Our income tax expense differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% and related statutory state tax rates primarily due to the winding down of tax amortization on certain indefinite-lived intangible assets that do not have any valuation allowance, offset by the deferred tax asset continued creation of disallowed interest as a result of tax laws changes from the Tax Legislation, and other changes in the valuation allowance.

U.S. Federal jurisdiction and the jurisdictions of Florida, New York, California, Illinois, Texas and Puerto Rico are the major tax jurisdictions where we file income tax returns. The tax years that remain subject to assessment of additional liabilities by the federal, state and local tax authorities are 2015 through 2018. The tax years that remain subject to assessment of additional liabilities by the Puerto Rico tax authority are 2012 through 2018.  

Based on our evaluation, we have concluded that there are no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not been fully adjudicated. In our opinion, we do not have a potential liability related to any current legal proceedings and claims that would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or operating results. However, the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Should we fail to prevail in any of these legal matters or should all of these legal matters be resolved against us in the same reporting period, the operating results of a particular reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

Series B Preferred Stock Litigation

Persons claiming to own 94.16% of our Series B preferred stock filed a complaint against us in the Delaware Court of Chancery, in Cedarview Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., et al. v. Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (Del.Ct.Ch. C.A. No. 2017-0785-AGB), on November 2, 2017, which was subsequently amended. The amended complaint (the “Preferred Holder Complaint”) alleges counts for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and specific performance regarding the Certificate of

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Designations in connection with a forbearance agreement we entered into with certain Noteholders on May 8, 2017 (the “Forbearance Agreement”) and breach of our Charter regarding the foreign ownership issues described below.  Specifically, it alleges that the Forbearance Agreement (which expired on May 31, 2017) and certain payments pursuant thereto were barred by the Certificate of Designations due to the existence of a “Voting Rights Triggering Event” under the Certificate of Designations because, among other things, the forbearance agreement allegedly constituted a “de facto” extension or refinancing of the Notes. The Preferred Holder Complaint alleges that SBS breached the Charter by suspending certain rights of the Series B preferred stockholders, and that Section 10.4 of the Charter is overbroad and thus invalid as a matter of Delaware law. The complaint requests relief including, among other things, an order interpreting and enforcing the Certificate of Designations, preventing us from making any additional payments on the Notes and requiring us to redeem the Series B preferred stock at face value plus accrued dividends (of approximately $180.2 million as of June 30, 2019, as well as unspecified money damages and a declaration that Section 10.4 of the Charter is invalid.  This is the fourth lawsuit filed against us by holders or purported holders of our Series B preferred stock, the first three of which we successfully challenged and won. The Company filed a motion to dismiss these claims, for which oral argument was heard on April 12, 2018. The Company received a ruling on the motion to dismiss on August 27, 2018. The ruling granted our motion to dismiss in part and denied it in part. The court dismissed the claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and dismissed the claim for specific performance (insofar as it sought a redemption of the Series B preferred stock) and dismissed the claim for a declaratory judgment regarding the Charter (insofar as it sought a declaration that Section 10.4 of the Charter is invalid on the face). The other claims in the Preferred Holder Complaint were not dismissed and remain pending before the court. On June 3, 2019, we filed a motion for leave to file counterclaims (the “Counterclaims”) that seek, among other things, declarations confirming that the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers’ (as defined below) purported purchase of Series B preferred stock was invalid ab initio and of no effect.  On July 12, 2019, the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers filed an opposition to our motion for leave to file the Counterclaims arguing that the Counterclaims depend on novel questions of federal law that the FCC should decide.  On July 23, 2019, we filed a reply in support of our motion for leave to file the Counterclaims, arguing that that the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers’ opposition to the Counterclaims is frivolous because, under Delaware law, the only valid basis for denial of the Counterclaims would be either that our original motion was not timely, or that one of the parties would be unfairly prejudiced by the Counterclaims. Because the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers failed to raise either argument, we argued they waived them. A ruling on our motion remains pending before the Court.  Given the uncertainties of litigation there can be no assurances that we will be successful nor can the Company conclude there are indicators of a probable loss. We believe these claims are without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.   

Local Tax Assessment

The Company received an audit assessment (the “Assessment”) wherein it was proposed that the Company underpaid a local tax for the tax periods between June 1, 2005 and May 31, 2015 totaling $1.4 million in underpaid tax, applicable interest and penalties.  The Company disagrees with the assessment and related calculations but is developing a settlement strategy to discuss and pursue with the taxing jurisdiction with the hope of avoiding a lengthy litigation process. While we are uncertain as to whether the jurisdiction will accept this offer, an accrual of $0.4 million, based upon our current best estimate of probable loss, was charged to operations in the second quarter of 2016. However, if the settlement offer is not accepted by the jurisdiction, the amount of the ultimate loss to the Company, if any, may equal the entire amount of the Assessment sought by the taxing jurisdiction.

9. Fair Value Measurement Disclosures

Cash and cash equivalents, receivables, as well as accounts payable and accrued expenses, and other current liabilities, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

The fair value of the Notes is estimated using market quotes from a major financial institution taking into consideration the most recent activity and are considered Level 2 measurements within the fair value hierarchy.  The fair value of the Series B cumulative exchangeable redeemable preferred stock was based upon a weighted average analysis using the Black-Scholes method, an income approach, and the yield method resulting in a Level 3 classification.  The Black-Scholes method utilized an estimate of the fair value of the SBS equity, volatility, an estimate of the time to liquidity, and a risk free rate in the determination of the SBS preferred fair value.  Key assumptions for the income and yield methods included the expected yield on preferred stock, accrued dividends, the principal amount of the Series B preferred stock, and an estimate of the time to liquidity.  A discount for lack of marketability of the preferred stock was also utilized in the analysis. The outcome of the Series B preferred stock litigation may impact the fair value of the Series B preferred stock going forward.

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The estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows (in millions):

10. 12.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2017

On February 7, 2012 we closed our offering of $275 million in aggregate principal amount of our Notes, at an issue price of 97% of the principal amount. The Notes were offered solely by means of a private placement either to qualified institutional buyers in the United States pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or to certain persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. We used the net proceeds from the offering, together with some cash on hand, to repay and terminate the senior credit facility term loan, and to pay the transaction costs related to the offering. The Notes matured on April 15, 2017.  Because we did not have sufficient cash on hand and did not generate sufficient cash from operations or asset sales, we did not repay the Notes at their maturity, as a result of which there was an event of default under the Indenture on April 17, 2017 (being the payment date following the Saturday, April 15, 2017 maturity date).  

On May 8, 2017, the Company, and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Forbearance Agreement with certain Noteholders, owning more than 75% of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes.  These Noteholders agreed to forbear from exercising any of their rights and remedies under the Indenture, with respect to certain defaults from the effective date of the Forbearance Agreement until the earliest to occur of (a) the occurrence of any event of termination and (b) May 31, 2017.  As part of the Forbearance Agreement, the Company agreed to make monthly interest payments of $2,864,583 on the Notes for the 30 day periods ending on May 15, 2017 and June 15, 2017, rather than on a semi-annual basis as required by the Indenture. The Company also agreed to pay a consent fee to these Noteholders equal to 0.35% of the principal amount of the Notes held by such parties and to pay the legal fees and financial advisor due diligence fees of these Noteholders.  The Forbearance Agreement expired and has not been extended.  As of the date of the filing of these financial statements, the Company had made all of the payments required to be made under the Forbearance Agreement and has continued to make monthly interest payments on the Notes on the 15th day of each month and continued to pay the monthly legal and financial advisor due diligence fees of these Noteholders.  

At June 30, 2019, there was $249.9 million in principal amount of Notes outstanding.  As a result, there has been and remains an event of default under the Indenture which gives the holders of our Notes the right to demand repayment of the Notes and, subject to the terms of the Indenture, to foreclose on our assets that serve as collateral for the Notes.  The collateral constitutes substantially all of our assets.

See Note 1 elsewhere in these financial statements for additional detail regarding our continued recapitalization and restructuring efforts and our failure to repay the Notes at maturity.

Interest

The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 12.5% per year. Since April 17, 2017, interest has been payable on demand. We have been paying interest monthly since that date. Additional interest will be payable at a rate of 2.00% per annum (the “Additional Interest”) on (i) the unpaid principal amount of the Notes plus (ii) any amount of Additional Interest payable but unpaid in any prior interest period, to be paid in cash, at our election, on any acceleration of the Notes and any redemption of the Notes; provided that no Additional Interest will be payable if, for the applicable fiscal period, either (a) we record positive consolidated station operating income for our television segment for the most recent twelve-month period ending either June 30 or December 31, or (b) our secured leverage ratio on a consolidated basis is less than 4.75 to 1.00.

Although our secured leverage ratio was greater than 4.75 to 1.00, we recorded positive consolidated station operating income for our television segment for the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30, 2019.    

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Collateral and Ranking

The Notes and the guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis by a security interest in certain of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future tangible and intangible assets (other than Excluded Assets (as defined in the Indenture)), which constitutes substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Notes and the guarantees are structurally subordinated to the obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. The Notes and guarantees are senior to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral.  

The Indenture permits us, under specified circumstances, to incur additional debt; however, the occurrence and continuance of the Voting Rights Triggering Event (as defined in Note 11 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) currently prevents us from incurring any such additional debt.

The Notes are senior secured obligations of the Company that rank equally with all of our existing and future senior indebtedness and senior to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. Subject to certain exceptions, the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of our existing wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (which excludes (i) our existing and future subsidiaries formed in Puerto Rico (the “Puerto Rican Subsidiaries”), (ii) our future subsidiaries formed under the laws of foreign jurisdictions and (iii) our existing and future subsidiaries, whether domestic or foreign, of the Puerto Rican Subsidiaries or foreign subsidiaries) and our other domestic subsidiaries that guarantee certain of our other debt. The Notes and guarantees are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Covenants and Other Matters

The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of the guarantors to:

As a result of our failure to pay the Notes at maturity, an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing.  

11. 10 ³/4% Series B Cumulative Exchangeable Redeemable Preferred Stock

Voting Rights Triggering Event

On October 30, 2003, we partially financed the purchase of a radio station with proceeds from the sale, through a private placement, of 75,000 shares of our 10 3/4% Series A cumulative exchangeable redeemable preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (the “Series A preferred stock”), without a specified maturity date. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the Series A preferred stock amounted to $75.0 million.

On February 18, 2004, we commenced an offer to exchange registered shares of our 10 3/4% Series B cumulative exchangeable redeemable preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share and liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for any and all shares of our outstanding unregistered Series A preferred stock. On April 5, 2004, we completed the exchange offer and exchanged 76,702 shares of our Series B preferred stock for all of our then outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock.  

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Holders of the Series B preferred stock have customary protective provisions. The Certificate of Designations governing the Series B preferred stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to:  (i) pay dividends, purchase junior securities and make restricted investments or other restricted payments; (ii) incur indebtedness, including refinancing indebtedness; (iii) merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; and (iv) engage in transactions with affiliates. Upon a change of control, we will be required to make an offer to purchase these shares at a price of 101% of the aggregate liquidation preference of these shares plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding the purchase date.

We had the option to redeem all or some of the registered Series B preferred stock for cash on or after October 15, 2009 at 103.583%, October 15, 2010 at 101.792% and October 15, 2011 and thereafter at 100%, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the redemption date. On October 15, 2013, each holder of Series B preferred stock had the right to request that we repurchase (subject to the legal availability of funds under Delaware General Corporate Law) all or a portion of such holder’s shares of Series B preferred stock at a purchase price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference of such shares, plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends (as described in more detail below) on those shares to the date of repurchase. Under the terms of our Series B preferred stock, we are required to pay dividends at a rate of 10 3/4% per year of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share of Series B preferred stock. From October 30, 2003 to October 15, 2008, we had the option to pay these dividends in either cash or additional shares of Series B preferred stock. During October 15, 2003 to October 30, 2008, we increased the carrying amount of the Series B preferred stock by approximately $17.3 million for stock dividends, which were accreted using the effective interest method. Since October 15, 2008, we have been required to pay the dividends on our Series B preferred stock in cash.

On October 15, 2013, holders of shares of our Series B preferred stock requested that we repurchase 92,223 shares of Series B preferred stock for an aggregate repurchase price of $126.9 million, which included accumulated and unpaid dividends on these shares as of October 15, 2013. We did not have sufficient funds legally available to repurchase all of the Series B preferred stock for which we received requests and instead used the limited funds legally available to us to repurchase 1,800 shares for a purchase price of approximately $2.5 million, which included accrued and unpaid dividends. Consequently, a “Voting Rights Triggering Event” occurred (the “Voting Rights Triggering Event”).

During the continuation of a Voting Rights Triggering Event, certain of the covenants summarized above become more restrictive by their terms including (i) a prohibition on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, (ii) restrictions on our ability to make restricted payments and (iii) restrictions on our ability to merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, the holders of the Series B preferred stock have the right to elect two members to our Board of Directors. At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2014, the holders of the Series B preferred stock nominated and elected Alan Miller and Gary Stone to serve as the Series B preferred stock directors who remained on the Board of Directors until their resignation on August 17, 2017.  The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have the right to elect two new directors to the Board of Directors to fill the seats vacated by Messrs. Miller and Stone for their unexpired terms at a special meeting of the holders of the Series B preferred stock.  As of the date of these financial statements, the holders of the Series B preferred stock have not elected any new directors to fill the vacated seats.  The two vacancies on the Board of Directors will remain unfilled until such time as the holders of the Series B preferred stock appoint two new directors.  

The Voting Rights Triggering Event shall continue until (i) all dividends in arrears shall have been paid in full and (ii) all other failures, breaches or defaults giving rise to such Voting Rights Triggering Event are remedied or waived by the holders of at least a majority of the shares of the then outstanding Series B preferred stock. We do not currently have sufficient funds legally available to be able to satisfy the conditions for terminating the Voting Rights Triggering Event.  The terms of our Series B preferred stock require us, in the event of a change of control, to offer to repurchase all or a portion of a holder’s shares at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the liquidation preference of the shares, plus an amount in cash equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends on those shares up to but excluding the date of repurchase. We do not currently have sufficient funds legally available to be able to satisfy the conditions for terminating the Voting Rights Triggering Event or for repurchasing the shares in the event of a change of control. During the continuation of the Voting Rights Triggering Event, the Indenture governing our Notes prohibits us from paying dividends or from repurchasing the Series B preferred stock.  

We are currently in litigation with persons claiming to own 94.16% of our Series B preferred stock as described above in Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies.  

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Given the information that was disclosed to us in the Preferred Holder Complaint regarding the purported ownership of a majority of the Series B preferred stock by foreign entities, we were required to take immediate remedial action in order to ensure that any potential violations of the Communications Act and our Charter resulting from that ownership did not adversely affect our FCC broadcast licenses and ability to continue our business operations.  Accordingly, on November 28, 2017, consistent with our obligations and authority provided to us under the Communications Act and by Article X of our Charter, we notified the purported holders of our Series B preferred stock that we were suspending all rights, effective immediately, of the holders of the Series B preferred stock, other than their right to transfer their shares to a citizen of the United States. Such suspension of rights was meant from the outset to be a temporary and reasonable measure, intended to elicit the information necessary to determine which Series B preferred stock sales were valid under the Charter. The Company pledged to restore the suspended rights to each shareholder that demonstrated it was neither an alien nor a representative of an alien or upon a showing that its ownership of Series B preferred stock (including stakes held by any non-U.S. entities) complies with Section 310(b) of the Communications Act and the Charter.

Additionally, on November 13, 2017, the Company filed a notification with the FCC to apprise the FCC of the possible non-compliance with the Communications Act’s limits on foreign ownership.  On December 4, 2017, the Company also filed a petition with the FCC for declaratory ruling (the “Petition”) with respect to the potential excess foreign ownership.  The Company filed the Petition not because it had concluded that an affirmative FCC public interest ruling regarding recognized foreign ownership was required, but at the suggestion of FCC staff to ensure the Company had prophylactically availed itself of the “safe harbor” protections of Section 1.5004(f)(4) of the FCC’s Rules, in the event such a declaratory ruling ultimately proved necessary. This suggestion came after the Company had previously notified the FCC of a possible Section 310(b) foreign ownership issue triggered by the filing of the Preferred Holder Complaint.  The FCC responded to the Petition by sending a letter to the Company detailing the information the FCC would need regarding the identities and nature of the purported foreign ownership of the Series B preferred stock to make a determination regarding the Petition and establishing a deadline for the disclosure of that information.  The purported Series B preferred stockholders were therefore required to provide to the Company sufficient information about the extent and nature of their foreign ownership to enable the Company to supplement the Petition with this additional information.  On March 23, 2018, counsel for the purported holders of most of the Series B preferred stock filed a letter with the FCC supplying a significant portion of the information requested. The Company reviewed this information in order to determine whether it was complete, true and correct, as required by the FCC’s rules, and requested some additional information from the Series B preferred stockholders.  The purported Series B preferred stockholders did not provide any additional information regarding the timing of their alleged purchases of Series B preferred stock until December 5, 2018. On that date, such stockholders filed responses to the Company’s interrogatories in the Series B Preferred Stock Litigation. These responses contained a significant portion of the pending information that was originally solicited on November 2017 and January 2018, respectively. The new information mainly consisted of the trading information in the Series B preferred stock, including dates of acquisition, the number of shares purportedly acquired in each transaction and, to the extent available, seller information.  On December 6, 2018, the Company received a letter from the Enforcement Bureau of the Investigations and Hearings Division (the “Bureau”) of the FCC advising the Company that it was under investigation for potential violations of Section 310(b) of the Communications Act related to excess foreign ownership of broadcast stations.  As part of its investigation, the Bureau requested of the Company detailed information and supporting documentation about the identities of the Series B preferred stockholders, the potential for a foreign ownership violation, the dates that the Company became aware of the situation, and the steps it took to address the situation.  The Company timely filed its response to the Bureau’s letter of inquiry on February 8, 2019.  As of the date of this filing, we have not received a response or any additional inquiries from the Bureau regarding this investigation.

Previously, on April 27, 2018, the Company had announced publicly that the purported foreign ownership excess did not exist.  On this date, the Company issued Notices of Ineffective Purported Purchase of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Notices”) to each of West Face Long Term Opportunities Global Master L.P., Stornoway Recovery Fund LP, Stonehill Master Fund Ltd. and Ravensource Fund (collectively, the “Prohibited Foreign Purchasers”) notifying these investors that their claimed purchases of Series B preferred stock would be treated as void and non-existent because these investors attempted to acquire these shares in transactions that, if given effect, would have violated the SBS Charter. In the Notices, the Company invited these investors to demonstrate facts to the contrary supported by relevant documentation. As of the date of these financial statements, these investors have not provided the Company with any facts or provided any documentation that would result in a different legal conclusion.

As stated above, the Company takes the position that certain of the purported non-U.S. preferred stockholders do not currently hold valid equity interests in the Company, with the result that there is no foreign ownership excess. For this reason, the Company did not claim in its Petition or any supplement thereto that it would be in the public interest for the relevant entities to hold aggregate interests exceeding the 25 percent foreign ownership benchmark. As stated in the original Petition, the Company then recognized that its showing “is not yet complete with respect to the FCC’s ability to render a decision regarding the … public interest inquiry.”  Because the share transfers that gave rise to some or all of the Series B preferred stock ownership claims of several purported non-U.S. preferred stockholders are invalid, there would be no need for such a showing unless a court first determines that the suspect transactions must be honored. Accordingly, both the Company and the purported Series B preferred stockholders have suggested that the FCC should consider simply holding the Petition in abeyance until the Series B Preferred Stock Litigation is resolved.

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On July 9, 2019, counsel to the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers sent a letter to the FCC requesting that it review the Company’s equity as mandated by seminal FCC precedent and conclude that the holders of the Series B preferred stock, including the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers, did not and do not cause the Company to exceed the 25 percent foreign ownership benchmark.  According to the letter, the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers disagree with the Company’s calculations of its foreign equity ownership.  The Company disagreed with the contents of this letter and on August 6, 2019 filed a timely response with the FCC detailing its objection to the Prohibited Foreign Purchasers position and again requesting that the FCC defer the issue to the pending Chancery Court proceeding.  As of the date of these financial statements, the FCC has not communicated with the Company regarding these letters.

As of the date of these financial statements, the Company believes that there remain genuine questions regarding valid ownership, or good title, to the Series B preferred stock by these foreign investors.  As a result, we intend to remain vigilant regarding compliance with the Communications Act and our Charter and will continue to evaluate information provided to us by the purported holders of the Series B preferred stock. Because we have not yet received all of the requisite information from the purported holders, we have been unable to effectively determine whether to withdraw the suspension of their rights as owners of such preferred stock or the extent of any additional remedial action by the Company that may be necessary.    

Quarterly Dividends

Under the terms of our Series B preferred stock, the holders of the outstanding shares of the Series B preferred stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Company legally available therefor, dividends on the Series B preferred stock at a rate of 10 ¾% per year, of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share. All dividends are cumulative, whether or not earned or declared, and are payable quarterly in arrears on specified dividend payment dates. While the Voting Rights Triggering Event continues, we cannot pay dividends on the Series B preferred stock without causing a breach of covenants under the Indenture governing our Notes.  

As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate cumulative unpaid dividends on the outstanding shares of the Series B preferred stock was approximately $89.6 million, which is accrued on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as 10 ¾% Series B cumulative exchangeable redeemable preferred stock.

Accounting Treatment of the Preferred Stock

The Series B preferred stock will be measured at subsequent reporting dates at the amount of cash that would be paid under the conditions specified in the contract, as if the settlement occurred at the reporting date, recognizing the resulting change in that amount from the previous reporting date as interest expense. Therefore, the 10 ¾% accruing quarterly dividends will be recorded as interest expense (i.e. “Dividends on Series B preferred stock classified as interest expense”) as required by ASC 480.  For the three-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we recorded $2.4 million as dividends on Series B preferred stock classified as interest expense and $4.9 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

12. Retirement of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

On May 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) with our former Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“SEVP/CFO”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, effective May 31, 2019 (the “Separation Date”), the former SEVP/CFO resigned as an officer and employee of the Company, but will continue to serve as a director of the Company.

Under the Separation Agreement, the former SEVP/CFO received his earned base salary and expenses through the Separation Date, plus $1,750,000 in cash severance.  The cash severance amount represents two times his base salary (that he was entitled to receive under his employment agreement with the Company plus an additional $700,000, and the cash severance will be paid out over a 12 month period.  The former SEVP/CFO’s vested stock options will also remain exercisable following the Separation Date, until the expiration of the applicable option term.  The former SEVP/CFO is also entitled to continue to participate in the Company’s group health plan for six months following the Separation Date at the Company’s expense.  Thereafter, the former SEVP/CFO may elect COBRA continuation coverage (subject to eligibility and timely election). If he elects such coverage, the Company will pay him a cash lump sum amount equivalent to 18 months of monthly COBRA premiums for the coverage elected.  For the three- and six-months ended June 30, 2019, we expensed $1.8 million as executive severance expenses which includes severance pay, future benefits and other expenses.  As of June 30, 2019, within accounts payable and accrued expenses, there is approximately $1.2 million that remains accrued related to the executive severance expense.

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

General Overview

We are a leading Spanish-language media and entertainment company with radio and television operations, together with live concerts and events, mobile, digital and interactive media platforms, which reach the growing U.S. Hispanic population, including Puerto Rico.  We produce and distribute original Spanish-language content, including radio programs, television shows, music and live entertainment through our multi-media platforms. We operate in two reportable segments: radio and television.  

We own and operate radio stations located in six of the eight most populous Hispanic markets in the United States: Los Angeles, New York, Puerto Rico, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. The Los Angeles and New York markets have the largest and second largest Hispanic populations and are also the largest and second largest radio markets in the United States measured by advertising revenue, respectively. We format the programming of each of our radio stations to capture a substantial share of the Hispanic audience in their respective markets. The U.S. Hispanic population is diverse, consisting of numerous identifiable ethnic groups from many different countries of origin, and each ethnic group has its own musical and cultural heritage. Since the music, culture, customs and Spanish dialects vary from one radio market to another, we strive to maintain familiarity with the musical tastes and preferences of each of the various Hispanic ethnic groups. To accommodate and monetize such diversity, we customize our programming to match the local preferences of our target demographic audience in each market we serve. In addition to our owned and operated radio stations, we operate our AIRE Radio Networks with over 250 affiliate radio stations serving 84 of the top 100 U.S. Hispanic markets, including 47 of the top 50 Hispanic markets.  AIRE Radio Networks currently covers 94% of the coveted U.S. Hispanic market.  Our AIRE Radio Networks reach over 15 million listeners in an average week with our targeted networks.  For the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, our radio revenue was generated primarily from the sale of local, national, digital and network advertising, and our radio segment generated 90% and 88% of our consolidated net revenue, respectively.  

Our television stations and related affiliates operate under the “MegaTV” brand.  We broadcast via our owned and operated television stations in South Florida, Houston and Puerto Rico through programming and/or distribution agreements, including nationally on a subscriber basis, which allow us to serve markets representing over 3.1 million Hispanic households. We have created a unique television format which focuses on entertainment, current events and variety with high-quality content. Our programming is formatted to capture a larger share of the U.S. Hispanic audience by focusing on our core strengths as an “entertainment” company, thus offering a new alternative compared to the traditional Hispanic television channels. MegaTV’s programming is based on a strategy designed to showcase a combination of programs, ranging from televised radio-branded shows to general entertainment programs, such as music, celebrity, debate, interviews and personality based shows. As part of our strategy, we have incorporated certain of our radio on-air personalities into our television programming. In addition, we have included interactive elements in our programming to complement our Internet websites. We produce over 65 hours of original programming per week.  For the six-months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, our television revenue was generated primarily from the sale of local and national advertising and paid programming, and our television segment generated 10% and 12% of our consolidated net revenues, respectively.

As part of our operating business, we also maintain multiple Spanish and bilingual websites, including www.lamusica.com, Mega.tv and various station websites that provide content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture, as well as the LaMusica mobile application.  The LaMusica mobile application is a music and entertainment video and audio application, that programs an extensive series of short form videos, simultaneously live streams our radio stations’, includes hundreds of curated playlists and has tools that enable users to personalize their mobile radio streaming experience.  The new video improvements to our mobile application significantly enhance the audience’s engagement level and increases the reach of our mobile offering.  In addition, we produce live concerts and events in the United States and Puerto Rico. Concerts generate revenue from ticket sales, sponsorship and promotions, raise awareness of our brands in the surrounding communities and provide our advertising partners additional opportunities to reach their target audience.

Our Continued Recapitalization and Restructuring Efforts

We have not repaid our outstanding Notes since they became due on April 17, 2017, and we continue to evaluate all options available to refinance the Notes.  While we assess how to best achieve a successful refinancing of the Notes, we have continued to pay interest on the Notes, payments that a group of investors purporting to own our Series B preferred stock have challenged through the institution of litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery as described in Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  The complaint filed by these investors revealed a purported foreign ownership of our Series B preferred stock, which we are actively addressing, including before the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) in order to protect our broadcast licenses.  Our refinancing efforts have been made more difficult and complex by the Series B preferred stock litigation and foreign ownership issue. We provide more information about each of these items under the headings “Business—Our Continued Recapitalization and Restructuring Efforts” and “Item 7—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in our Annual Report.

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Business Drivers and Financial Statement Presentation

The following discussion provides a brief description of certain key items that appear in our consolidated financial statements and general business factors that impact these items.

Net Revenue Description and Factors

Our net revenue is primarily derived from the sale of advertising airtime to local, national and network advertisers. Net revenue is gross revenue less agency commissions, which are generally 15% of gross revenue.

Our net revenue is generally determined by the advertising rates that we are able to charge and the number of advertisements that we can broadcast without jeopardizing listenership/viewership levels. Each station broadcasts a predetermined number of advertisements per hour with the actual number depending upon the format of a particular station and any programming strategy we are utilizing to attract an audience. The number of advertisements we decide to broadcast hourly is intended to maximize the station’s revenue without negatively impacting its audience listener/viewer levels. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year.

Our advertising rates are primarily based on the following factors:

Our net revenue is also affected by general economic conditions, competition and our ability to improve operations at our market clusters. Seasonal revenue fluctuations are also common in the broadcasting industry and are primarily due to variations in advertising expenditures by local and national advertisers. Our net revenue is typically lowest in the first calendar quarter of the year.

In addition to advertising revenue, we also generate revenue from barter sales, special events revenue, and other revenue.

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Operating Expenses Description and Factors

Our operating expenses consist primarily of (1) engineering and programming expenses, (2) selling, general and administrative expenses and (3) corporate expenses.