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Form 10-Q URBAN ONE, INC. For: Mar 31

May 14, 2021 10:17 AM EDT

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

 

Commission File No. 0-25969

 

 

 

URBAN ONE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 52-1166660
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

 

1010 Wayne Avenue,

14th Floor

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(301) 429-3200

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

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

 

Title of each class:   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered:
Class A Common Stock   UONE   NASDAQ Stock Market
Class D Common Stock   UONEK   NASDAQ Stock Market

  

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 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  x   No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or 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.

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer  x Smaller reporting company x
  Emerging growth company ¨

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Class   Outstanding at May 7, 2021  
Class A Common Stock, $.001 Par Value    

6,327,900

 
Class B Common Stock, $.001 Par Value     2,861,843  
Class C Common Stock, $.001 Par Value     2,928,906  
Class D Common Stock, $.001 Par Value    

37,068,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited) 5
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited) 6
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020 7
  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) 8
  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (Unaudited) 9
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited) 10
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 11
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 39
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 55
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 55
     
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 56
Item 1A. Risk Factors 56
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 56
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 56
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 56
Item 5. Other Information 56
Item 6. Exhibits 56
  SIGNATURES 57

 

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CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

Unless otherwise noted, throughout this report, the terms “Urban One,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Urban One, Inc. together with its subsidiaries.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements do not relay historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future operations, results and events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by our use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “likely,” “may,” “estimates” and similar expressions.  You can also identify a forward-looking statement in that such statements discuss matters in a way that anticipates operations, results or events that have not already occurred but rather will or may occur in future periods.  We cannot guarantee that we will achieve any forward-looking plans, intentions, results, operations or expectations.  Because these statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or anticipated in the forward-looking statements.  These risks, uncertainties and factors include (in no particular order), but are not limited to:

 

  · economic volatility, financial market unpredictability and fluctuations in the United States and other world economies that may affect our business and financial condition, and the business and financial conditions of our advertisers, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

 

  · our high degree of leverage, certain cash commitments related thereto and potential inability to finance strategic transactions given fluctuations in market conditions;

 

  · fluctuations in the local economies of the markets in which we operate (particularly our largest markets, Atlanta; Baltimore; Houston; and Washington, DC) could negatively impact our ability to meet our cash needs and our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants;

 

  · the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly in our largest markets, Atlanta; Baltimore; Houston; and Washington, DC), including the duration, spread, severity, and any recurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration and scope of related government orders and restrictions, the impact on our employees, and the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall demand for  advertising across our various media;

 

  · local, regional, national, and international economic conditions that have deteriorated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the risks of a global recession or a recession in one or more of our key markets, the impact that these economic conditions may have on us and our customers, and our assessment of that impact;

 

  · risks associated with the implementation and execution of our business diversification strategy;

 

  · regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) relative to maintaining our broadcasting licenses, enacting media ownership rules and enforcing of indecency rules;

 

  · regulation by certain gaming commissions relative to maintaining our interests, or our creditors ability to foreclose on collateral that includes our interests in, in any gaming licenses, joint ventures or other gaming and casino investments;

 

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  · risks associated with our investment in gaming businesses that are managed or operated by persons not affiliated with us and over which we have little or no control;

 

  · changes in our key personnel and on-air talent;

 

  · increases in competition for and in the costs of our programming and content, including on-air talent and content production or acquisitions costs;

 

  · financial losses that may be incurred due to impairment charges against our broadcasting licenses, goodwill, and other intangible assets;

 

  · increased competition for advertising revenues with other radio stations, broadcast and cable television, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertising, direct mail, internet radio, satellite radio, smart phones, tablets, and other wireless media, the internet, social media, and other forms of advertising;

 

  · the impact of our acquisitions, dispositions and similar transactions, as well as consolidation in industries in which we and our advertisers operate;

 

  · developments and/or changes in laws and regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act or other similar federal or state regulation through legislative action and revised rules and standards;

 

  · disruptions to our technology network including computer systems and software, whether by man-made or other disruptions of our operating systems, structures or equipment as well as natural events such as pandemic, severe weather, fires, floods and earthquakes;

 

  · other factors mentioned in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) including the factors discussed in detail in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2020.

  

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our views as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands, except
share data)
 
NET REVENUE  $91,440   $94,875 
OPERATING EXPENSES:          
Programming and technical, including stock-based compensation of $6 and $8, respectively   25,096    27,870 
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation of $31 and $86, respectively   29,987    29,463 
Corporate selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation of $216 and $299, respectively   10,336    8,631 
Depreciation and amortization   2,264    2,548 
Impairment of long-lived assets       53,650 
Total operating expenses   67,683    122,162 
Operating income (loss)   23,757    (27,287)
INTEREST INCOME   4    8 
INTEREST EXPENSE   18,045    19,138 
LOSS ON RETIREMENT OF DEBT   6,949     
OTHER INCOME, net   (1,684)   (1,504)
Income (loss) before benefit from income taxes and noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries   451    (44,913)
BENEFIT FROM INCOME TAXES   (10)   (21,855)
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)   461    (23,058)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS   454    129 
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS  $7   $(23,187)
           
BASIC NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS          
Net loss attributable to common stockholders  $0.00   $(0.51)
           
DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS          
Net loss attributable to common stockholders  $0.00   $(0.51)
           
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:          
Basic   48,463,289    45,228,164 
Diluted   49,053,650    45,228,164 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands) 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)  $461   $(23,058)
LESS: COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS   454    129 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS  $7   $(23,187)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   As of 
   March 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
   (Unaudited)     
   (In thousands, except share
data)
 
ASSETS          
CURRENT ASSETS:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $56,814   $73,385 
Restricted cash   473    473 
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,954 and $7,956, respectively   94,633    106,296 
Prepaid expenses   9,326    10,154 
Current portion of content assets   38,008    28,434 
Other current assets   4,639    4,224 
Total current assets   203,893    222,966 
CONTENT ASSETS, net   57,930    63,175 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net   18,589    19,192 
GOODWILL   223,402    223,402 
RIGHT OF USE ASSETS   40,421    40,918 
RADIO BROADCASTING LICENSES   484,066    484,066 
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net   54,375    56,053 
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS, net   10,051    10,041 
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE   32,932    32,661 
OTHER ASSETS   43,092    43,013 
Total assets  $1,168,751   $1,195,487 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
CURRENT LIABILITIES:          
Accounts payable  $9,037   $11,135 
Accrued interest   11,204    8,017 
Accrued compensation and related benefits   5,924    12,302 
Current portion of content payables   17,522    16,248 
Current portion of lease liabilities   9,264    8,928 
Other current liabilities   25,022    26,917 
Current portion of long-term debt       23,362 
Total current liabilities   77,973    106,909 
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion, original issue discount and issuance costs   809,857    818,924 
CONTENT PAYABLES, net of current portion   8,726    9,479 
LONG-TERM LEASE LIABILITIES   35,976    36,577 
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES   24,653    23,999 
Total liabilities   957,185    995,888 
           
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS   12,735    12,701 
           
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:          
Convertible preferred stock, $.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020        
Common stock — Class A, $.001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 6,327,900 and 4,441,635 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   6    4 
Common stock — Class B, $.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 2,861,843 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020   3    3 
Common stock — Class C, $.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 2,928,906 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020   3    3 
Common stock — Class D, $.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 37,040,505 and 37,515,801 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   37    38 
Additional paid-in capital   1,003,694    991,769 
Accumulated deficit   (804,912)   (804,919)
Total stockholders’ equity   198,831    186,898 
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity  $1,168,751   $1,195,487 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED) 

 

   Convertible
Preferred
Stock
   Common
Stock
Class A
   Common
Stock
Class B
   Common
Stock
Class C
   Common
Stock
Class D
   Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   Accumulated
Deficit
   Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
   (In thousands, except share data) 
BALANCE, as of December 31, 2020  $   $4   $3   $3   $38   $991,769   $(804,919)  $186,898 
Consolidated net income                           7    7 
Repurchase of 495,296 shares of Class D common stock                   (1)   (871)       (872)
Issuance of 1,886,265 shares of Class A common stock       2                12,123        12,125 
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests to estimated redemption value                       420        420 
Stock-based compensation expense                       253        253 
BALANCE, as of March 31, 2021  $   $6   $3   $3   $37   $1,003,694   $(804,912)  $198,831 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 (UNAUDITED) 

 

   Convertible
Preferred
Stock
   Common
Stock
Class A
   Common
Stock
Class B
   Common
Stock
Class C
   Common
Stock
Class D
   Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   Accumulated
Deficit
   Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
                                 
   (In thousands, except share data) 
BALANCE, as of December 31, 2019  $            $2   $3   $3   $39   $979,834   $(796,806)  $183,075 
Consolidated net loss                                   (23,187)   (23,187)
Repurchase of 547,801 shares of Class D common stock                                            (1)   (1,013)       (1,014)
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests to estimated redemption value                       (599)       (599)
Stock-based compensation expense                       393        393 
BALANCE, as of March 31, 2020  $   $2   $3   $3   $38   $978,615   $(819,993)  $158,668 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2021     2020  
             
    (Unaudited)  
    (In thousands)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Consolidated net income (loss)   $ 461     $ (23,058 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization     2,264       2,548  
Amortization of debt financing costs     824       1,050  
Amortization of content assets     8,298       7,637  
Amortization of launch assets     334       257  
Bad debt expense     283       (95 )
Deferred income taxes     (10     (21,856 )
Amortization of right of use assets     1,875       2,008  
Non-cash lease liability expense     1,154       1,207  
Non-cash interest expense     158       518  
Impairment of long-lived assets           53,650  
Stock-based compensation     253       393  
Non-cash fair value adjustment of Employment Agreement Award     597       1,213  
Loss on retirement of debt     6,949        
                 
Effect of change in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:                
Trade accounts receivable     11,380       9,094  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     18       (1,767 )
Other assets     (1,100 )     (4,225 )
Accounts payable     (2,098 )     (277 )
Accrued interest     3,187       3,709  
Accrued compensation and related benefits     (6,378 )     (3,929 )
Other liabilities     (2,050 )     3,422  
Payments for content assets     (12,106 )     (9,464 )
Net cash flows provided by operating activities     14,293       22,035  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Purchases of property and equipment     (804 )     (1,430 )
Acquisition of broadcasting assets           (475 )
Net cash flows used in investing activities     (804 )     (1,905 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Repayment of 2017 credit facility     (317,332 )     (824 )
Proceeds of asset-backed credit facility           27,500  
Proceeds from 2028 Notes     825,000        
Debt refinancing costs     (11,157 )      
Repayment of MGM National Harbor Loan     (57,889 )      
Repayment of 7.375% Notes     (2,984 )      
Repayment of 8.75% Notes     (347,016 )      
Repayment of 2018 credit facility     (129,935 )     (11,948 )
Proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock, net of fees     12,125        
Payment of dividends to noncontrolling interest members of Reach Media           (1,000 )
Repurchase of common stock     (872 )     (1,014 )
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities     (30,060 )     12,714  
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH     (16,571 )     32,844  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period     73,858       33,546  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period   $ 57,287     $ 66,390  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                
Cash paid for:                
Interest   $ 13,876     $ 13,860  
Income taxes, net of refunds   $ (32 )   $  
                 
NON-CASH OPERATING, FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Right of use asset and lease liability additions   $ 1,351     $ 2,408  

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

  (a) Organization

 

Urban One, Inc. (a Delaware corporation referred to as “Urban One”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is an urban-oriented, multi-media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. Our core business is our radio broadcasting franchise which is the largest radio broadcasting operation that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. As of March 31, 2021, we owned and/or operated 63 independently formatted, revenue producing broadcast stations (including 54 FM or AM stations, 7 HD stations, and the 2 low power television stations we operate) located in 13 of the most populous African-American markets in the United States. While a core source of our revenue has historically been and remains the sale of local and national advertising for broadcast on our radio stations, our strategy is to operate as the premier multi-media entertainment and information content provider targeting African-American and urban consumers. Thus, we have diversified our revenue streams by making acquisitions and investments in other complementary media properties. Our diverse media and entertainment interests include TV One, LLC (“TV One”), an African-American targeted cable television network; our 80.0% ownership interest in Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”) which operates the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and our other syndicated programming assets, including the Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell Show, Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show; and Interactive One, LLC (“Interactive One”), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius and Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands. We also hold a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American and urban audiences.

 

On January 19, 2019, the Company launched CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. CLEO TV offers quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The results of CLEO TV’s operations will be reflected in the Company’s cable television segment.

 

Our core radio broadcasting franchise operates under the brand “Radio One.”  We also operate our other brands, such as TV One, CLEO TV, Reach Media and Interactive One, while developing additional branding reflective of our diverse media operations and targeting our African-American and urban audiences.

 

As part of our consolidated financial statements, consistent with our financial reporting structure and how the Company currently manages its businesses, we have provided selected financial information on the Company’s four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) Reach Media; (iii) digital; and (iv) cable television. (See Note 7 – Segment Information.)

 

  (b) Interim Financial Statements

 

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In management’s opinion, the interim financial data presented herein include all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

 

Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. This Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.   

  

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  (c) Financial Instruments

 

Financial instruments as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, consisted of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade accounts receivable, asset-backed credit facility, long-term debt and redeemable noncontrolling interests. The carrying amounts approximated fair value for each of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, except for the Company’s long-term debt. On January 24, 2021, the Company borrowed $825 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due February 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The 7.375% 2028 Notes had a carrying value of approximately $825.0 million and fair value of approximately $851.8 million as of March 31, 2021. The fair values of the 2028 Notes, classified as Level 2 instruments, were determined based on the trading values of these instruments in an inactive market as of the reporting date. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2028 Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay or redeem (1) the 2017 Credit Facility, (2) the 2018 Credit Facility, (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes, and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer (all as defined below). Upon settlement of the 2028 Notes Offering, the 2017 Credit Facility, the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were terminated and the indentures governing the 7.375% Notes and the 8.75% Notes were satisfied and discharged. The 7.375% Senior Secured Notes that were due in April 2022 (the “7.375% Notes”) had a carrying value of approximately $3.0 million and fair value of approximately $2.8 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair values of the 7.375% Notes, classified as Level 2 instruments, were determined based on the trading values of these instruments in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On April 18, 2017, the Company closed on a $350.0 million senior secured credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility”) which had a carrying value of approximately $317.3 million and fair value of approximately $293.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair value of the 2017 Credit Facility, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On December 20, 2018, the Company closed on a $192.0 million unsecured credit facility (the “2018 Credit Facility”) which had a carrying value of approximately $129.9 million and fair value of approximately $132.5 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair value of the 2018 Credit Facility, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On December 20, 2018, the Company also closed on a $50.0 million secured credit loan (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”) which had a carrying value of approximately $57.9 million and fair value of approximately $64.8 million as of December 31, 2020. The fair value of the 2018 MGM National Harbor Loan, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On November 9, 2020, we completed an exchange of 99.15% of our outstanding 7.375% Notes for $347.0 million aggregate principal amount of newly issued 8.75% Senior Secured Notes due December 2022 (the “8.75% Notes”). As of December 31, 2020, the 8.75% Notes had a carrying value of approximately $347.0 million and fair value of approximately $338.0 million. There was no balance outstanding on the Company’s asset-backed credit facility as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

  (d) Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” the Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company elected to use the modified retrospective method, but the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact to our financial statements. In general, our spot advertising (both radio and cable television) as well as our digital advertising continues to be recognized when aired and delivered. For our cable television affiliate revenue, the Company grants a license to the affiliate to access its television programming content through the license period, and the Company earns a usage based royalty when the usage occurs, consistent with our previous revenue recognition policy. Finally, for event advertising, the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time when the activity associated with the event is completed.

 

 Within our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments, the Company recognizes revenue for broadcast advertising at a point in time when a commercial spot runs. The revenue is reported net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. Generally, clients remit the gross billing amount to the agency or outside sales representative, and the agency or outside sales representative remits the gross billing, less their commission, to the Company. For our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments, agency and outside sales representative commissions were approximately $3.5 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

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Within our digital segment, including Interactive One, which generates the majority of the Company’s digital revenue, revenue is principally derived from advertising services on non-radio station branded but Company-owned websites. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements.  Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations, in which it provides third-party clients with publishing services including digital platforms and related expertise.  In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.

 

Our cable television segment derives advertising revenue from the sale of television air time to advertisers and recognizes revenue when the advertisements are run. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time when the individual spots run. To the extent there is a shortfall in contracts where the ratings were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until the shortfall is settled, typically by providing additional advertising units generally within one year of the original airing. Our cable television segment also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various multi-year affiliation agreements based on a per subscriber fee multiplied by the most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate. The Company recognizes the affiliate fee revenue at a point in time as its performance obligation to provide the programming is met. The Company has a right of payment each month as the programming services and related obligations have been satisfied. For our cable television segment, agency and outside sales representative commissions were approximately $3.8 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

   

Revenue by Contract Type

 

The following chart shows our net revenue (and sources) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2021     2020  
             
   

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 
Net Revenue:                
Radio Advertising   $ 33,340     $ 38,417  
Political Advertising     780       2,404  
Digital Advertising     10,353       6,289  
Cable Television Advertising     20,702       21,033  
Cable Television Affiliate Fees     25,486       26,207  
Event Revenues & Other     779       525  
Net Revenue (as reported)   $ 91,440     $ 94,875  

   

Contract assets and liabilities

 

Contract assets (unbilled receivables) and contract liabilities (customer advances and unearned income and unearned event income) that are not separately stated in our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    March 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
    March 31,
2020
 
    (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)  
      (In thousands)  
Contract assets:                        
Unbilled receivables   $ 4,557     $ 5,798     $ 5,799  
                         
Contract liabilities:                        
Customer advances and unearned income   $ 5,979      $ 4,955     $ 2,667  
Unearned event income     5,735        5,921       11,194  

 

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Unbilled receivables consists of earned revenue on behalf of customers that have not yet been billed. Customer advances and unearned income represents advance payments by customers for future services under contract that are generally incurred in the near term. Unearned event income represents payments by customers for upcoming events.

  

For customer advances and unearned income as of January 1, 2021, approximately $2.0 million was recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2021. For unearned event income, no revenue was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021. For customer advances and unearned income as of January 1, 2020, approximately $1.7 million was recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2020. For unearned event income, no revenue was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020. 

 

Practical expedients and exemptions

 

We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.

  

We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less or (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.

 

  (e) Launch Support

 

The cable television segment has entered into certain affiliate agreements requiring various payments for launch support. Launch support assets are used to initiate carriage under affiliation agreements and are amortized over the term of the respective contracts. The Company did not pay any launch support for carriage initiation during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The weighted-average amortization period for launch support is approximately 7.4 years as of March 31, 2021, and approximately 7.4 years as of December 31, 2020. The remaining weighted-average amortization period for launch support is 4.2 years and 4.5 years as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Amortization is recorded as a reduction to revenue to the extent that revenue is recognized from the vendor, and any excess amortization is recorded as launch support amortization expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, launch support asset amortization of $105,000 and $105,000, respectively, was recorded as a reduction of revenue, and $229,000 and $151,000, respectively, was recorded as an operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses. Launch assets are included in other intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets, except for the portion of the unamortized balance that is expected to be amortized within one year which is included in other current assets.

 

  (f) Barter Transactions

 

For barter transactions, the Company provides broadcast advertising time in exchange for programming content and certain services. The Company includes the value of such exchanges in both broadcasting net revenue and operating expenses. The valuation of barter time is based upon the fair value of the network advertising time provided for the programming content and services received. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, barter transaction revenues were $449,000 and $515,000 respectively. Additionally, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, barter transaction costs were reflected in programming and technical expenses of $311,000 and $371,000, respectively, and selling, general and administrative expenses of $138,000 and $144,000, respectively.

 

  (g) Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock (Classes A, B, C and D) outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.  The Company’s potentially dilutive securities include stock options and unvested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a net loss, as the inclusion of the potentially dilutive common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect. 

 

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The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in thousands, except share and per share data): 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands) 
Numerator:          
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $7   $(23,187)
Denominator:          
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share – weighted-average outstanding shares   48,463,289    45,228,164 
Effect of dilutive securities:          
Stock options and restricted stock   590,361     
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share – weighted-average outstanding shares   49,053,650    45,228,164 
           
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share – basic and diluted  $0.00   $(0.51)

 

All stock options and restricted stock awards were excluded from the diluted calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation. 

 

   Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   2020 
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands) 
Stock options   4,173 
Restricted stock awards   379 

 

  (h) Fair Value Measurements

 

We report our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis under the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

  

The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows: 

 

Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date.

 

Level 2: Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1 (i.e., quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets).

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

 

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A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value instrument.

 

As of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:

  

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
                 
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands) 
As of March 31, 2021                    
Liabilities subject to fair value measurement:                    
Contingent consideration (a)  $455           $455 
Employment agreement award (b)   26,200            26,200 
Total  $26,655   $   $   $26,655 
                     
Mezzanine equity subject to fair value measurement:                    
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (c)  $12,735   $   $   $12,735 
                     
As of December 31, 2020                    
Liabilities subject to fair value measurement:                    
Contingent consideration (a)  $780           $780 
Employment agreement award (b)   25,603            25,603 
Total  $26,383   $   $   $26,383 
                     
Mezzanine equity subject to fair value measurement:                    
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (c)  $12,701   $   $   $12,701 

     

(a)   This balance is measured based on the income approach to valuation in the form of a Monte Carlo simulation. The Monte Carlo simulation method is suited to instances such as this where there is non-diversifiable risk. It is also well-suited to multi-year, path dependent scenarios. Significant inputs to the Monte Carlo method include forecasted net revenues, discount rate and expected volatility. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating the contingent consideration.

 

(b)   Each quarter, pursuant to an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) executed in April 2008, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is eligible to receive an award (the “Employment Agreement Award”) amount equal to approximately 4% of any proceeds from distributions or other liquidity events in excess of the return of the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The Company reviews the factors underlying this award at the end of each quarter including the valuation of TV One (based on the estimated enterprise fair value of TV One as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis). The Company’s obligation to pay the award was triggered after the Company recovered the aggregate amount of capital contributions in TV One, and payment is required only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to such invested amount. The long-term portion of the award is recorded in other long-term liabilities and the current portion is recorded in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the Employment Agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company or is terminated for cause. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating TV One’s fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis. Significant inputs to the discounted cash flow analysis include forecasted operating results, discount rate and a terminal value. In September 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior Employment Agreement.

 

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(c)   The redeemable noncontrolling interest in Reach Media is measured at fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating the fair value. Significant inputs to the discounted cash flow analysis include forecasted operating results, discount rate and a terminal value.

 

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The following table presents the changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021:

 

   Contingent
Consideration
   Employment
Agreement
Award
   Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
   (In thousands) 
Balance at December 31, 2020  $780   $25,603   $12,701 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests           454 
Distribution   (365)        
Change in fair value   40    597    (420)
Balance at March 31, 2021  $455   $26,200   $12,735 
                
The amount of total (losses)/income for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses/income relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date  $(40)  $(597)  $ 

 

Losses and income included in earnings were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as corporate selling, general and administrative expenses for the employment agreement award for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Losses included in earnings were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as selling, general and administrative expenses for contingent consideration for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.   

  

            As of 
March 31,
2021
    As of 
December 31,
2020
 
Level 3 liabilities   Valuation Technique   Significant
Unobservable Inputs
  Significant Unobservable
Input Value
 
Contingent consideration   Monte Carlo Simulation   Expected volatility     13.4 %     29.5 %
Contingent consideration   Monte Carlo Simulation   Discount Rate     16.5 %     16.5 %
Employment agreement award   Discounted Cash Flow   Discount Rate     10.5 %     10.5 %
Employment agreement award   Discounted Cash Flow   Long-term Growth Rate     1.0 %     1.0 %
Redeemable noncontrolling interest   Discounted Cash Flow   Discount Rate     11.5 %     11.0 %
Redeemable noncontrolling interest   Discounted Cash Flow   Long-term Growth Rate     1.0 %     1.0 %

 

Any significant increases or decreases in discount rate or long-term growth rate inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

 

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in ASC 820.  These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances.  Included in this category are goodwill, radio broadcasting licenses and other intangible assets, net, that are written down to fair value when they are determined to be impaired, as well as content assets that are periodically written down to net realizable value.  The Company concluded these assets were not impaired during the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $5.9 million related to its Atlanta market and Indianapolis goodwill balances and also an impairment charge of approximately $47.7 million associated with our Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond and St. Louis market radio broadcasting licenses.

  

  (i) Leases

 

As of January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), using the modification retrospective transition method. Prior comparative periods will be not be restated under this new standard and therefore those amounts are not presented below. The Company adopted a package of practical expedients as allowed by the transition guidance which permits the Company to carry forward the historical assessment of whether contracts contain or are leases, classification of leases and the remaining lease terms. The Company has also made an accounting policy election to exclude leases with an initial term of twelve months or less from recognition on the consolidated balance sheet. Short-term leases will be expensed over the lease term. The Company also elected to separate the consideration in the lease contracts between the lease and non-lease components. All variable non-lease components are expensed as incurred. 

 

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ASC 842 results in significant changes to the balance sheets of lessees, most significantly by requiring the recognition of right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Upon adoption of ASC 842, deferred rent balances, which were historically presented separately, were combined and presented net within the ROU asset.

 

Many of the Company's leases provide for renewal terms and escalation clauses, which are factored into calculating the lease liabilities when appropriate. The implicit rate within the Company's lease agreements is generally not determinable and as such the Company’s collateralized borrowing rate is used. 

 

The following table sets forth the components of lease expense and the weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases:

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2021     2020  
             
    (Unaudited)  
    (Dollars In thousands)  
Operating Lease Cost (Cost resulting from lease payments)   $ 3,274     $ 3,151  
Variable Lease Cost (Cost excluded from lease payments)     34       40  
Total Lease Cost   $ 3,308     $ 3,191  
                 
Operating Lease - Operating Cash Flows (Fixed Payments)   $ 3,366     $ 3,406  
Operating Lease - Operating Cash Flows (Liability Reduction)   $ 2,193     $ 2,134  
                 
Weighted Average Lease Term - Operating Leases     5.16 years       5.59 years  
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating Leases     11.00 %     11.00 %

 

As of March 31, 2021, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

 

For the Year Ended December 31,   (Dollars in
thousands)
 
For the remaining nine months ending December 31, 2021   $ 9,969  
2022     12,821  
2023     11,205  
2024     10,052  
2025     5,373  
Thereafter     10,101  
Total future lease payments     59,521  
Imputed interest     (14,281 )
Total   $ 45,240  

 

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  (j) Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

  

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates.” ASU 2019-10 defers the effective date of credit loss standard ASU 2016-13 by two years for smaller reporting companies and permits early adoption. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2020, and adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

  (k) Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests are interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable outside of the Company’s control either for cash or other assets. These interests are classified as mezzanine equity and measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the historical cost basis of the noncontrolling interests adjusted for cumulative earnings allocations.  The resulting increases or decreases in the estimated redemption amount are affected by corresponding charges against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in-capital. 

 

  (l) Investments – Cost Method

 

On April 10, 2015, the Company made a $5 million investment in MGM’s world-class casino property, MGM National Harbor, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, which has a predominately African-American demographic profile. On November 30, 2016, the Company contributed an additional $35 million to complete its investment. This investment further diversified our platform in the entertainment industry while still focusing on our core demographic. We account for this investment on a cost basis. Our MGM National Harbor investment entitles us to an annual cash distribution based on net gaming revenue. The value of our MGM investment is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and its distribution income in the amount of approximately $x.x million and $1.5 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, is recorded in other income on the consolidated statements of operations. The cost method investment is subject to a periodic impairment review in the normal course. The Company reviewed the investment and concluded that no impairment to the carrying value was required. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino secured the MGM National Harbor Loan (as defined in Note 4 – Long-Term Debt.) As of March 31, 2021, upon settlement of the 2028 Notes, the Company’s subsidiaries of Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC and Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC became guarantors under the 2028 Notes along with the Company’s other subsidiaries.

 

  (m) Content Assets

 

Our cable television segment has entered into contracts to acquire entertainment programming rights and programs from distributors and producers. The license periods granted in these contracts generally run from one year to ten years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally shorter than the contract period. Each contract is recorded as an asset and a liability at an amount equal to its gross contractual commitment when the license period begins and the program is available for its first airing. Acquired content is generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license which reflects the estimated usage. For certain content for which the pattern of usage is accelerated, amortization is based upon the actual usage. Amortization of content assets is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as programming and technical expenses.

 

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The Company also has programming for which the Company has engaged third parties to develop and produce, and it owns most or all rights (commissioned programming). In accordance with ASC 926, content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated advertising and affiliate revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues as of the beginning of the current period.  Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its total revenue estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization and/or a write-down of the asset to fair value.

  

Commissioned programming is recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. Estimated net realizable values are based on the estimated revenues associated with the program materials and related expenses. The Company did not record any additional amortization expense as a result of evaluating its contracts for recoverability for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. All produced and licensed content is classified as a long-term asset, except for the portion of the unamortized content balance that is expected to be amortized within one year which is classified as a current asset.

 

Tax incentives that state and local governments offer that are directly measured based on production activities are recorded as reductions in production costs.

 

  (n) Derivatives

 

The Company recognizes all derivatives at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.

 

The Company accounts for the Employment Agreement Award as a derivative instrument in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company estimated the fair value of the award at March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, to be approximately $26.2 million and $25.6 million, respectively, and accordingly adjusted its liability to this amount. The long-term portion is recorded in other long-term liabilities and the current portion is recorded in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The expense associated with the Employment Agreement Award was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as corporate selling, general and administrative expenses and was $597,000 and approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

 

The Company’s obligation to pay the Employment Agreement Award was triggered after the Company recovered the aggregate amount of its capital contribution in TV One and only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the employment agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company, or is terminated for cause. In September 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior employment agreement. Prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, there were probability factors included in the calculation of the award related to the likelihood that the award will be realized.

 

  (o) Related Party Transactions

 

Reach Media operates the Tom Joyner Foundation’s Fantastic Voyage® (the “Fantastic Voyage®”), a fund-raising event, on behalf of the Tom Joyner Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a 501(c)(3) entity. The agreement under which the Fantastic Voyage® operates provides that Reach Media provide all necessary operations of the cruise and that Reach Media will be reimbursed its expenditures and receive a fee plus a performance bonus. Distributions from operating revenues are in the following order until the funds are depleted: up to $250,000 to the Foundation, reimbursement of Reach’s expenditures, up to a $1.0 million fee to Reach, a performance bonus of up to 50% of remaining operating revenues to Reach Media, with the balance remaining to the Foundation. For 2021 and 2022, $250,000 to the Foundation is guaranteed. Reach Media’s earnings for the Fantastic Voyage® in any given year may not exceed $1.75 million. The Foundation’s remittances to Reach Media under the agreements are limited to its Fantastic Voyage® related cash collections. Reach Media bears the risk should the Fantastic Voyage® sustain a loss and bears all credit risk associated with the related passenger cruise package sales. The agreement between Reach and the Foundation automatically renews annually unless termination is mutually agreed or unless a party’s financial requirements are not met, in which case the party not in breach of their obligations has the right, but not the obligation, to terminate unilaterally. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 cruise has been rescheduled to November 2021 and passengers have been given the option to have the majority of their payments refunded. As of March 31, 2021, the Foundation owed Reach Media approximately $77,000 under the agreements for the operation of the cruises and as of December 31, 2020, Reach Media owed the Foundation $244,000 due to passengers’ refunds pending.

 

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Reach Media provides office facilities (including office space, telecommunications facilities, and office equipment) to the Foundation. Such services are provided to the Foundation on a pass-through basis at cost. Additionally, from time to time, the Foundation reimburses Reach Media for expenditures paid on its behalf at Reach Media-related events. Under these arrangements, as of each of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Foundation owed $6,000 to Reach Media.

 

Due to the aforementioned rescheduling of the Fantastic Voyage resulting from impacts of the COVID pandemic, no cruise was operated in 2020.

 

  (p) Going Concern Assessment

 

As part of its internal control framework, the Company routinely performs a going concern assessment. We have concluded that the Company has sufficient capacity to meet its financing obligations, that cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet the liquidity needs and/or has sufficient capacity to access asset-backed facility funds to finance working capital needs should the need arise.

 

2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:

 

On October 20, 2011, we entered into a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) with WGPR, Inc. (“WGPR”). Pursuant to the TBA, on October 24, 2011, we began to broadcast programs produced, owned or acquired by the Company on WGPR’s Detroit radio station, WGPR-FM. We paid a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WGPR-FM, and in exchange we retained all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming we provided. The original term of the TBA was through December 31, 2014; however, in September 2014, we entered into an amendment to the TBA to extend the term of the TBA through December 31, 2019 on which date we ceased operation of the station on our behalf. While we ceased operations of the station on December 31, 2019, the Company continues to provide certain limited management services to the current owner and operator of WGPR.

 

On December 19, 2019, we entered into both an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) and a TBA with Guardian Enterprise Group, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “GEG”) with respect to the acquisition and interim operation of low power television station WQMC-LD in Columbus, Ohio. Pursuant to the TBA, in January 2020, we began to operate WQMC-LD until such time as the purchase transaction can close under the APA. Under the terms of the TBA, we pay a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WQMC-LD, and, in exchange, we will retain all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming. After receipt of FCC approval, we closed the transactions under the APA and took ownership of WQMC-LD on February 24, 2020 for total consideration of $475,000.

 

On October 30, 2020, we entered into a local marketing agreement (“LMA”) with Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting System for the operation of station WWCD-FM in Columbus, Ohio beginning November 2020. Under the terms of the LMA, we will pay a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs, and, in exchange, we will retain all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming.

 

On November 6, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive asset exchange agreement with Entercom Communications Corp. whereby the Company would receive Charlotte stations: WLNK-FM (Adult Contemporary); WBT-AM & FM (News Talk Radio); and WFNZ-AM & 102.5 FM Translator (Sports Radio). In exchange, Urban One would transfer three radio stations to Entercom: St. Louis, WHHL-FM (Urban Contemporary); Philadelphia, WPHI-FM (Urban Contemporary); and Washington, DC, WTEM-AM (Sports); as well as the intellectual property to its St. Louis radio station, WFUN-FM (Adult Urban Contemporary). The Company and Entercom began operation of the exchanged stations on or about November 23, 2020 under LMAs until FCC approval was obtained. The deal was subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions and closed on April 20, 2021. In addition, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Gateway Creative Broadcasting, Inc. for the remaining assets of our WFUN station in a separate transaction which also closed on April 20, 2021. The identified assets, with a combined carrying value of approximately $32.9 million and $32.7 million, have been classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The major categories of the assets held for sale include the following:

 

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    As of March 31,
2021
    As of December 31,
2020
 
    (Unaudited)        
    (In thousands)  
Property and equipment, net   $ 2,112     $ 2,144  
Goodwill     470       470  
Radio broadcasting licenses     30,606       30,606  
Right of use assets     851       1,071  
Lease liabilities     (1,107 )     (1,630 )
Assets held for sale, net   $ 32,932     $ 32,661   

  

3. GOODWILL AND RADIO BROADCASTING LICENSES:

 

Impairment Testing

 

In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we do not amortize our indefinite-lived radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Instead, we perform a test for impairment annually across all reporting units, or on an interim basis when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred in any given reporting unit. Other intangible assets continue to be amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. We perform our annual impairment test as of October 1 of each year. We evaluate all events and circumstances on an interim basis to determine if an interim indicator is present.

 

Valuation of Broadcasting Licenses

 

Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home orders were dramatically impacting certain of the Company’s revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down in the markets in which we operate.  This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. As a result of COVID-19, the total market revenue growth for certain markets in which we operate was below that assumed in our annual impairment testing. We deemed that to be an impairment indicator that warranted interim impairment testing of certain markets’ radio broadcasting licenses, which we performed as of March 31, 2020.

 

As a result of the testing, for the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $47.7 million associated with our Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond and St. Louis radio market broadcasting licenses.  Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating broadcasting licenses fair values for the interim impairment assessment for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.  We did not identify any impairment indicators at any of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and, therefore, no interim impairment testing was performed as of March 31, 2021.

 

Radio Broadcasting   March 31,  
Licenses   2020 (a)  
Pre-tax impairment charge (in millions)   $ 47.7  
Discount Rate     9.5 %
Year 1 Market Revenue Growth Rate Range     (13.3) %
Long-term Market Revenue Growth Rate Range (Years 6 – 10)     0.7% – 1.1 %
Mature Market Share Range     6.9% – 25.0 %
Operating Profit Margin Range     27.6% –39.7 %

 

  (a) Reflects changes only to the key assumptions used in the interim testing for certain units of accounting.

  

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Valuation of Goodwill

 

As noted above, we did not identify any impairment indicators at any of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Also as noted above, during the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we identified impairment indicators at certain of our radio markets, and, as such, we performed an interim analysis for certain radio market goodwill. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $5.9 million to reduce the carrying value of our Atlanta and Indianapolis market goodwill balances. Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating reporting unit fair values for the interim impairment assessments for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

  

Goodwill (Radio Market   March 31,  
Reporting Units)   2020 (a)  
Pre-tax impairment charge (in millions)   $ 5.9  
Discount Rate     9.5 %
Year 1 Market Revenue Growth Rate Range     (14.5)% – (12.9) %
Long-term Market Revenue Growth Rate Range (Years 6 – 10)     0.9% – 1.1 %
Mature Market Share Range     11.1% – 13.0 %
Operating Profit Margin Range     29.4% – 39.0 %

  

(a) Reflects the key assumptions for testing only those radio markets with remaining goodwill.

 

Goodwill Valuation Results

 

The table below presents the changes in the Company’s goodwill carrying values for its four reportable segments.

 

   Radio
Broadcasting
Segment
   Reach
Media
Segment
   Digital
Segment
   Cable
Television
Segment
   Total 
                     
   (In thousands) 
Gross goodwill  $155,000   $30,468   $27,567   $165,044   $378,079 
Additions                    
Impairments                    
Accumulated impairment losses   (117,748)   (16,114)   (20,345)       (154,207)
Assets held for sale   (470)               (470)
Net goodwill at March 31, 2021  $36,782   $14,354   $7,222   $165,044   $223,402 

  

4. LONG-TERM DEBT:

 

Long-term debt consists of the following: 

 

   March 31,
2021
   December 31,
2020
 
   (Unaudited)     
   (In thousands) 
7.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 2028  $825,000   $ 
2018 Credit Facility       129,935 
MGM National Harbor Loan       57,889 
2017 Credit Facility       317,332 
8.75% Senior Secured Notes due December 2022       347,016 
7.375% Senior Secured Notes due April 2022       2,984 
Total debt   825,000    855,156 
Less: current portion of long-term debt       23,362 
Less: original issue discount and issuance costs   15,143    12,870 
Long-term debt, net  $809,857   $818,924 

 

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2028 Notes

 

On January 7, 2021, the Company launched an offering (the “2028 Notes Offering”) of $825 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.375% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The 2028 Notes are general senior secured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain of the Company’s direct and indirect restricted subsidiaries.  The 2028 Notes mature on February 1, 2028 and interest on the Notes accrues and is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2021 at the rate of 7.375% per annum. On January 8, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with respect to the 2028 Notes at an issue price of 100% and the 2028 Notes Offering closed on January 25, 2021.

 

The Company used the net proceeds from the 2028 Notes Offering, together with cash on hand, to repay or redeem (1) the 2017 Credit Facility, (2) the 2018 Credit Facility, (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes, and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer (all as defined below).  Upon settlement of the 2028 Notes Offering, the 2017 Credit Facility, the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were terminated and the indentures governing the 7.375% Notes and the 8.75% Notes were satisfied and discharged. There was a net loss on retirement of debt of approximately $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 associated with the settlement of the 2028 Notes.

  

The 2028 Notes are the Company’s general senior obligations and are guaranteed by each of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries (other than excluded subsidiaries). The 2028 Notes and the guarantees are secured, subject to permitted liens and except for certain excluded assets (i) on a first priority basis by substantially all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ current and future property and assets (other than accounts receivable, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts, securities accounts, inventory and related assets that secure our asset-backed revolving credit facility on a first priority basis (the “ABL Priority Collateral”)), including the capital stock of each guarantor (collectively, the “Notes Priority Collateral”) and (ii) on a second priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral.

 

The associated debt issuance costs in the amount of $15.4 million is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligations and amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.

 

The amount of deferred financing costs included in interest expense for all instruments, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, was $824,000 and approximately $1.1 million, respectively.

 

8.75% Notes

 

In October 2020, the Company announced an offer to eligible holders of its 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “7.375 Notes”) to exchange any and all of their 7.375 Notes for newly issued 8.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “8.75 Notes”). The exchange offer closed on November 9, 2020 and, therefore, is referred to as the “November 2020 Exchange Offer”. Until their satisfaction and discharge on settlement of the 2028 Notes, the 8.75% Notes were governed by an indenture, dated November 9, 2020 (the “8.75% Notes Indenture”), by and between the Company, the guarantors therein (the “Guarantors”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “8.75% Notes Trustee”) and as notes collateral agent (in such capacity, “the 8.75% Notes Collateral Agent”). Interest on the 8.75% Notes accrued at the rate per annum equal to 8.75% and was payable, in cash, quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2021, to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, respectively.

 

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The 8.75% Notes were general senior obligations and were guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by the Guarantors. The 8.75% Notes and the Guarantees: (i) ranked equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness, (ii) were secured on a first-priority basis by the Notes Priority Collateral (as defined below) and on a second-priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral (defined below) owned by the Company and the applicable Guarantor, in each case subject to certain liens permitted under the 8.75% Notes Indenture, (iii) were equal in priority to the collateral owned by the Company and the Guarantor with respect to obligations under the credit agreement, dated as of April 18, 2017, by and among the Company, various lenders therein and Guggenheim Securities Credit Partners, LLC, as administrative agent and any other Parity Lien Debt (as described in the 8.75% Notes Indenture), if an, incurred after the date the 8.75% Notes were issued, (iv)  ranked senior in right of payment to any existing or future subordinated indebtedness of the Company or Guarantors, (v) were initially guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (other than certain immaterial subsidiaries, unrestricted subsidiaries, and other certain exceptions), (vi) were effectively senior to all of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral owned by the Company or applicable Guarantors and effectively senior to all existing and future ABL Debt Obligations (as defined in the 8.75% Notes Indenture) to the extent of the value of the Notes Priority Collateral (as defined below) owned by the Company or applicable Guarantor, (vii) were effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s existing and future indebtedness that was secured by liens on assets that do not secure the Notes or the Guarantee to the extent of the value of such assets, (viii) were structurally subordinated to all of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s existing and future indebtedness and other claims and liabilities, including preferred stock, of subsidiaries of the Company that are not guarantors, and (ix) were effectively senior to any 7.375% Notes that remain outstanding after the November 2020 Exchange Offer with respect to any collateral proceeds.

  

The 8.75% Notes and the guarantees were secured, subject to permitted liens and except for certain excluded assets (i) on a first priority basis by substantially all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ current and future property and assets (other than accounts receivable, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts, securities accounts, inventory and related assets that secure our asset-backed revolving credit facility on a first priority basis (the “ABL Priority Collateral”), including the capital stock of each Guarantor (which, in the case of foreign subsidiaries, is limited to 65% of the voting stock and 100% of the non-voting stock of each first-tier foreign subsidiary) (collectively, the “Notes Priority Collateral”) and (ii) on a second priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral.

 

In connection with the November 2020 Exchange Offer, the 8.75% Notes were subject to a new intercreditor agreement, pursuant to which proceeds received by the 7.375% Notes Trustee with respect to collateral proceeds received by the 7.375% Notes Trustee for the 7.375% Notes under an existing parity lien intercreditor agreement were to be paid over to the 8.75% Notes Trustee for the 8.75% Notes to the extent of the amounts owed to the holders of the 8.75% Notes then outstanding.

 

The Company could redeem the 8.75% Notes in whole or in part, at its option, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such 8.75% Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

 

Within 90 days following the completion of the November 2020 Exchange Offer, the Company was required to repurchase, repay or redeem $15 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.75% Notes. Separately, within five business days after each Excess Cash Flow Calculation Date (as defined in the 8.75% Notes Indenture), the Company was to redeem an aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Notes equal to 50% of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the 8.75% Notes Indenture), provided that repurchases, repayments or redemption of 8.75% Notes with internally generated funds during the applicable calculation period would reduce on a dollar-for-dollar basis the amount of such redemption otherwise required on the applicable calculation date. Any such mandatory redemptions were to be at par (plus accrued and unpaid interest).

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of debt of approximately $2.9 million associated with the November 2020 Exchange Offer. The premium paid to the bondholders in the amount of approximately $3.5 million is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligation and amortized to interest expense over the term of the obligation using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.

 

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2018 Credit Facility

 

On December 4, 2018, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement (“2018 Credit Facility”), among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and TCG Senior Funding L.L.C, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. The 2018 Credit Facility provided $192.0 million in term loan borrowings, which was funded on December 20, 2018. The net proceeds of term loan borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility were used to refinance, repurchase, redeem or otherwise repay the Company's then outstanding 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020.

 

Until its termination on settlement of the 2028 Notes, borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility were subject to customary conditions precedent, as well as a requirement under the 2018 Credit Facility that (i) the Company's total gross leverage ratio on a pro forma basis be not greater than 8:00 to 1:00 (this total gross leverage ratio test steps down as described below), (ii) neither of the administrative agents under the Company's existing credit facilities nor the trustee under the Company's existing senior secured notes due 2022 have objected to the terms of the new credit documents and (iii) certification by the Company that the terms and conditions of the 2018 Credit Facility satisfied the requirements of the definition of “Permitted Refinancing” (as defined in the agreements governing the Company's existing credit facilities) and neither of the administrative agents under the Company's existing credit facilities notified the Company within five (5) business days prior to funding the borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility that it disagreed with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees).

 

The 2018 Credit Facility was scheduled to mature on December 31, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”). In connection with the November 2020 Exchange Offer, we also entered into an amendment to certain terms of our 2018 Credit Facility including the extension of the maturity date to March 31, 2023. Interest rates on borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility were either (i) from the Funding Date to the Maturity Date, 12.875% per annum, (ii) 11.875% per annum, once 50% of the term loan borrowings had been repaid or (iii) 10.875% per annum, once 75% of the term loan borrowings had been repaid. Interest payments began on the last day of the 3-month period commencing on the Funding Date. Within 90 days following the completion of the November 2020 Exchange Offer, the Company was required to repay $10 million of the 2018 Credit Facility. The amendment was accounted for as a modification in accordance with the provisions of ASC 470, “Debt.

 

The Company's obligations under the 2018 Credit Facility were not secured. The 2018 Credit Facility was guaranteed on an unsecured basis by each entity that guarantees the Company's outstanding $350.0 million 2017 Credit Facility (as defined below).

 

The term loans could be voluntarily prepaid prior to February 15, 2020 subject to payment of a prepayment premium. The Company was required to repay principal to the extent then outstanding on each quarterly interest payment date, commencing on the last business day in March 2019, equal to one quarter of 7.5% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2019, commencing on the last business day in March 2020, one quarter of 10.0% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2021, and, commencing on the last business day in March 2021, one quarter of 12.5% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2022. The Company was also required to use 75% of excess cash flow (“ECF payment”) as defined in the 2018 Credit Facility, which excluded any distributions to the Company or its restricted subsidiaries in respect of its interests in the MGM National Harbor, to repay outstanding term loans at par, paid semiannually and to use 100% of all distributions to the Company or its restricted subsidiaries received in respect of its interest in the MGM National Harbor to repay outstanding terms loans at par. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company repaid approximately $11.9 million under the 2018 Credit Facility. Included in the repayments made during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was approximately $3.8 million in ECF payments in accordance with the agreement.

 

The 2018 Credit Facility contained customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications). The 2018 Credit Facility, as amended, also contained certain financial covenants, including a maintenance covenant requiring the Company's total gross leverage ratio to be not greater than 8.0 to 1.00 in 2019, 7.5 to 1.00 in 2020, 7.25 to 1.00 in 2021, 6.75 to 1.00 in 2022 and 6.25 to 1.00 in 2023.

  

The original issue discount in the amount of approximately $3.8 million and associated debt issuance costs in the amount of $875,000 were reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligation and amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.

 

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MGM National Harbor Loan

 

Concurrently, on December 4, 2018, Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC (“UONESPV”) and its immediate parent, Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC (“ROEH”), each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement, providing $50.0 million in term loan borrowings (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”) which was funded on December 20, 2018. On June 25, 2020, the Company borrowed an incremental $3.6 million on the MGM National Harbor Loan and used the proceeds to pay down the higher coupon 2018 Credit Facility by the same amount.

 

Until its termination on settlement of the 2028 Notes, the MGM National Harbor Loan was scheduled to mature on December 31, 2022 and bore interest at 7.0% per annum in cash plus 4.0% per annum paid-in kind. The loan had limited ability to be prepaid in the first two years. The loan was secured on a first priority basis by the assets of UONESPV and ROEH, including all of UONESPV's shares held by ROEH, all of UONESPV's interests in MGM National Harbor, its rights under the joint venture operating agreement governing the MGM National Harbor and UONESPV's obligation to exercise its put right under the joint venture operating agreement in the event of a UONESPV payment default or bankruptcy event, in each case, subject to applicable Maryland gaming laws and approvals. Exercise by UONESPV of its put right under the joint venture operating agreement was subject to required lender consent unless the proceeds are used to retire the MGM National Harbor Loan and any remaining excess is used to repay borrowings, if any, under the 2018 Credit Facility. The MGM National Harbor Loan also contained customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications).

 

The original issue discount in the amount of approximately $1.0 million and associated debt issuance costs in the amount of approximately $1.7 million was being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligation and amortized to interest expense over the term of the obligation using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.

 

2017 Credit Facilities

 

On April 18, 2017, the Company closed on a senior secured credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility”). The 2017 Credit Facility was governed by a credit agreement by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Guggenheim Securities Credit Partners, LLC, as administrative agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as collateral agent, and Guggenheim Securities, LLC as sole lead arranger and sole book running manager. The 2017 Credit Facility provided for $350 million in term loan borrowings, all of which was advanced and outstanding on the date of the closing of the transaction.

 

Until its termination on settlement of the 2028 Notes, the 2017 Credit Facility matured on the earlier of (i) April 18, 2023, or (ii) in the event such debt is not repaid or refinanced, 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s 7.375% Notes (as defined below). At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the 2017 Credit Facility are based on either (i) the then applicable base rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Facility) as, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (b) 1/2 of 1% in excess rate of the overnight Federal Funds Rate at any given time, (c) the one-month LIBOR rate commencing on such day plus 1.00%) and (d) 2%, or (ii) the then applicable LIBOR rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Facility). The average interest rate was approximately 5.0% for 2021 and 5.62% for 2020.

 

The 2017 Credit Facility was (i) guaranteed by each entity that guarantees the Company’s 7.375% Notes on a pari passu basis with the guarantees of the 7.375% Notes and (ii) secured on a pari passu basis with the Company’s 7.375% Notes. The Company’s obligations under the 2017 Credit Facility were secured, subject to permitted liens and except for certain excluded assets (i) on a first priority basis by certain notes priority collateral, and (ii) on a second priority basis by collateral for the Company’s asset-backed line of credit.

 

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In addition to any mandatory or optional prepayments, the Company was required to pay interest on the term loans (i) quarterly in arrears for the base rate loans, and (ii) on the last day of each interest period for LIBOR loans. Certain voluntary prepayments of the term loans during the first six months required an additional prepayment premium. Beginning with the interest payment date occurring in June 2017 and ending in March 2023, the Company was required to repay principal, to the extent then outstanding, equal to 1∕4 of 1% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the effective date of the 2017 Credit Facility. On December 19, 2018, upon drawing under the 2018 Credit Facility and MGM National Harbor Loan, the Company voluntarily prepaid approximately $20.0 million in principal on the 2017 Credit Facility. During the three month periods in March 31, 2020, the Company repaid $824,000 under the 2017 Credit Facility.

 

The 2017 Credit Facility contained customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications) which may be more restrictive than those governing the 7.375% Notes. The 2017 Credit Facility also contained certain financial covenants, including a maintenance covenant requiring the Company’s interest expense coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) to be greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00 and its total senior secured leverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated net senior secured indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA) to be less than or equal to 5.85 to 1.00.

 

The net proceeds from the 2017 Credit Facility were used to prepay in full the Company’s previous senior secured credit facility and the agreement governing such credit facility.

 

The 2017 Credit Facility contained affirmative and negative covenants that the Company was required to comply with, including:

 

  (a) maintaining an interest coverage ratio of no less than:

 

  § 1.25 to 1.00 on June 30, 2017 and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.

 

  (b) maintaining a senior leverage ratio of no greater than:

 

  § 5.85 to 1.00 on June 30, 2017 and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.

 

  (c) limitations on:

 

  § liens;
  § sale of assets;
  § payment of dividends; and
  § mergers.

 

The original issue discount is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligations and amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.

 

7.375% Notes

 

On April 17, 2015, the Company closed a private offering of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.375% senior secured notes due 2022 (the “7.375% Notes”). The 7.375% Notes were offered at an original issue price of 100.0% plus accrued interest from April 17, 2015, and matured on April 15, 2022. Interest on the 7.375% Notes accrued at the rate of 7.375% per annum and was payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, which commenced on October 15, 2015. The 7.375% Notes were guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, including TV One. 

 

The Company used the net proceeds from the 7.375% Notes, to refinance a previous credit agreement, refinance certain TV One indebtedness, and finance the buyout of membership interests of Comcast in TV One and pay the related accrued interest, premiums, fees and expenses associated therewith.

 

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Until their satisfaction and discharge on settlement of the 2028 Notes, the 7.375% Notes were the Company’s senior secured obligations and ranked equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, including obligations under the 2017 Credit Facility and the Company’s previously existing senior subordinated notes .  The 7.375% Notes and related guarantees were equally and ratably secured by the same collateral securing the 2017 Credit Facility and any other parity lien debt issued after the issue date of the 7.375% Notes, including any additional notes issued under the Indenture, but were effectively subordinated to the Company’s and the guarantors’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness that does not also secure the 7.375% Notes. Collateral included substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ current and future property and assets for accounts receivable, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts, securities accounts, inventory and related assets including the capital stock of each subsidiary guarantor.

 

On November 9, 2020, we completed the November 2020 Exchange Offer of 99.15% of our outstanding 7.375% Notes for $347 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Notes.

 

Asset-Backed Credit Facilities

 

On April 21, 2016, the Company entered into a senior credit agreement governing an asset-backed credit facility (the “2016 ABL Facility”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”). The 2016 ABL Facility originally provided for $25 million in revolving loan borrowings in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company. On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to the 2016 ABL Facility, (the “2016 ABL Amendment”), which increased the borrowing capacity from $25 million in revolving loan borrowings to $37.5 million in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company and provides for a letter of credit facility up to $7.5 million as a part of the overall $37.5 million in capacity. The 2016 ABL Amendment also redefined the “Maturity Date” to be “the earlier to occur of (a) April 21, 2021 and (b) the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement), and (ii) the Stated Maturity (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement)) of the Notes (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of the Senior Secured Notes Indenture).”

        

At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the 2016 ABL Facility were based on either (i) the then applicable margin relative to Base Rate Loans (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility) or (ii) the then applicable margin relative to LIBOR Loans (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility) corresponding to the average availability of the Company for the most recently completed fiscal quarter.

 

Advances under the 2016 ABL Facility were limited to (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of Eligible Accounts (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility), less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility), minus (b) the sum of (i) the Bank Product Reserve (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all other reserves, if any, established by Administrative Agent.

 

All obligations under the 2016 ABL Facility were secured by first priority lien on all (i) deposit accounts (related to accounts receivable), (ii) accounts receivable, (iii) all other property which constitutes ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility).  The obligations were also secured by all material subsidiaries of the Company.

 

The 2016 ABL Facility was subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the 2016 ABL Facility) by and among the Administrative Agent, the administrative agent for the secured parties under the Company’s term loan and the trustee and collateral trustee under the senior secured notes indenture.

 

In connection with the offering of the 2028 Notes, the Company entered into an amendment of its 2016 ABL Facility to facilitate the issuance of the 2028 Notes. The amendments to the 2016 ABL Facility, include, among other things, a consent to the issuance of the 2028 Notes, revisions to terms and exclusions of collateral and addition of certain subsidiaries as guarantors.

 

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On February 19, 2021, the Company closed on a new asset backed credit facility (the “Current 2021 ABL Facility”). The Current 2021 ABL Facility is governed by a credit agreement by and among the Company, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. The Current 2021 ABL Facility provides for up to $50 million revolving loan borrowings in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company. The Current 2021 ABL Facility also provides for a letter of credit facility up to $5 million as a part of the overall $50 million in capacity. On closing of the Current 2021 ABL Facility, the 2016 ABL Facility was terminated on February 19, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, there is no balance outstanding on the Current 2021 ABL Facility.

 

At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are based on either (i) the then applicable margin relative to Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) or (ii) the then applicable margin relative to LIBOR Loans (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) corresponding to the average availability of the Company for the most recently completed fiscal quarter.

 

Advances under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are limited to (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of Eligible Accounts (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), minus (b) the sum of (i) the Bank Product Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), plus (ii) the AP and Deferred Revenue Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), plus (iii) without duplication, the aggregate amount of all other reserves, if any, established by Administrative Agent.

 

All obligations under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are secured by first priority lien on all (i) deposit accounts (related to accounts receivable), (ii) accounts receivable, and (iii) all other property which constitutes ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility). The obligations are also guaranteed by all material restricted subsidiaries of the Company.

 

The Current 2021 ABL Facility matures on the earliest of: the earlier to occur of (a) the date that is five (5) years from the effective date of the Current 2021 ABL Facility and (b) 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s 2028 Notes.

 

Finally, the Current 2021 ABL Facility is subject to the terms of the Revolver Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) by and among the Administrative Agent and Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

Letter of Credit Facility

 

On February 24, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement. On October 8, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to its letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement and extended the term to October 8, 2024. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had letters of credit totaling $871,000 under the agreement. Letters of credit issued under the agreement are required to be collateralized with cash.  

 

The Company conducts a portion of its business through its subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s 2028 Notes.

 

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Future Minimum Principal Payments

 

Future scheduled minimum principal payments of debt as of March 31, 2021, are as follows:  

 

    7.375% Senior
Secured Notes due
February 2028
 
    (In thousands)  
April - December 2021   $  
2022      
2023      
2024      
2025      
2026 and thereafter     825,000  
Total Debt   $ 825,000  

 

5. INCOME TAXES:

 

The Company uses the estimated annual effective tax rate method under ASC 740-270, “Interim Reporting” to calculate the provision for income taxes. The Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $10,000 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $451,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which results in a tax rate of approximately -2.2%. This tax rate is based on an estimated annual effective rate of 24.7%. The Company recorded discrete tax benefit of $125,000 for excess tax benefits related to restricted stock units.

 

In accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, the Company continues to evaluate the realizability of its net DTAs by assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns, tax planning strategies, and future profitability. As of March 31, 2021, the Company believes it is more likely than not that these DTAs will be realized.  

 

The Company is subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other domestic tax authorities. We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to approximately $1.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to state tax exposures may be necessary within the next twelve months.

 

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

On June 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an amendment (the “Potential Amendment”) of Urban One's certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split across all classes of common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-fifty at any time prior to December 31, 2021, with the exact ratio to be set at a whole number within this range as determined by our board of directors in its discretion. The Company’s shareholders approved the Potential Amendment at the annual meeting of the shareholders June 16, 2020. The Company has not acted on the Potential Amendment but may do so as determined by our board of directors in its discretion.

 

On August 18, 2020, the Company entered into an Open Market Sales Agreement with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) under which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Shares”) up to an aggregate offering price of $25 million (the “2020 ATM Program”). Jefferies is acting as sales agent for the Current ATM Program. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 2,859,276 shares of its Class A Shares at a weighted average price of $5.39 for approximately $14.7 million of net proceeds after associated fees and expenses.  

 

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On January 19, 2021, the Company completed its 2020 ATM Program, sold an aggregate of 4,325,102 Class A shares and received gross proceeds of approximately $25.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $24.0 million for the program. On January 27, 2021, the Company entered into a new 2021 Open Market Sale Agreement (the “2021 Sale Agreement”) with Jefferies under which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Shares”), through Jefferies as its sales agent. The Company has filed a prospectus supplement pursuant to the 2021 Sale Agreement for the offer and sale of its Class A Shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $25 million (the “2021 ATM Program”). As of March 31, 2021, the Company has issued and sold an aggregate of 420,439 Class A Shares pursuant to the 2021 Sale Agreement and received gross proceeds of approximately $3.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $2.8 million, after deducting commissions to Jefferies and other offering expenses. While the Company still has Class A Shares available for issuance under the 2021 ATM Program, the Company may also enter into new additional ATM programs and issue additional common stock from time to time under those programs.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized repurchases of shares of the Company’s Class A and Class D common stock. As of March 13, 2020, the Company’s Board authorized a new repurchase plan of up to $2.6 million of the Company’s Class A and Class D shares through December 31, 2020. In addition, on June 11, 2020, the Company’s Board authorized a repurchase of $2.4 million of the Company’s Class D shares. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no capacity remaining under the authorizations as the capacity under the June authorization was used and the March authorization lapsed by its terms on December 31, 2020. Under open authorizations, repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Shares are retired when repurchased. The timing and extent of any repurchases will depend upon prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s Class A and/or Class D common stock and other factors, and subject to restrictions under applicable law. When in effect, the Company executes upon stock repurchase programs in a manner consistent with market conditions and the interests of the stockholders, including maximizing stockholder value. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock or Class D common stock. 

 

In addition, the Company has limited but ongoing authority to purchase shares of Class D common stock (in one or more transactions at any time there remain outstanding grants) under the Company’s 2009 Stock Plan and 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (both as defined below). As of May 21, 2019, the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan will be used to satisfy any employee or other recipient tax obligations in connection with the exercise of an option or a share grant under the 2009 Stock Plan, to the extent that the Company has capacity under its financing agreements (i.e., its current credit facilities and indentures) (each a “Stock Vest Tax Repurchase”). During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 495,296 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of $872,000 at an average price of $1.76 per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 547,801 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $1.0 million at an average price of $1.85 per share.

 

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan

 

Our 2009 stock option and restricted stock plan (the “2009 Stock Plan”) was originally approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting on December 16, 2009.  The Company had the authority to issue up to 8,250,000 shares of Class D Common Stock under the 2009 Stock Plan.  Since its original approval, from time to time, the Board of Directors adopted and, as required, our stockholders approved certain amendments to and restatement of the 2009 Stock Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan”). The amendments under the Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan primarily affected (i) the number of shares with respect to which options and restricted stock grants may be granted under the 2009 Stock Plan and (ii) the maximum number of shares that can be awarded to any individual in any one calendar year. On April 13, 2015, the Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders approved on June 2, 2015, an amendment that replenished the authorized plan shares, increasing the number of shares of Class D common stock available for grant back up to 8,250,000 shares. Our new stock option and restricted stock plan (“2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan”), currently in effect was approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting on May 21, 2019.  The Board of Directors adopted, and on May 21, 2019, our stockholders approved, the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan which is funded with 5,500,000 shares of Class D Common Stock. The Company uses an average life for all option awards. The Company settles stock options upon exercise by issuing stock. As of March 31, 2021, 480,425 shares of Class D common stock were available for grant under the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.

 

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On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 393,685 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 174,971 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 427,148 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 189,843 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective June 5, 2020 and vested on January 6, 2021. 

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 656,142 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 291,619 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 711,914 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 316,406 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective June 5, 2020 and vested on January 6, 2021. 

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 224,654 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 99,846 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 243,750 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 108,333 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective June 5, 2020 and vested on January 6, 2021.

 

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded 575,262 shares of restricted stock and 470,000 stock options to certain employees pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plan. The grants were effective August 7, 2017. 470,000 shares of restricted stock and 470,000 stock options have vested or will vest in three installments, with the first installment of 33% having vested on January 5, 2018, and the second installment having vested on January 5, 2019, and the final installment vested on January 5, 2020.

 

On October 2, 2017, Karen Wishart, our current Chief Administrative Officer, as part of her employment agreement, received an equity grant of 37,500 shares of the Company's Class D common stock as well as a grant of options to purchase 37,500 shares of the Company's Class D common stock.  The grants have vested in equal increments on each of October 2, 2018, October 2, 2019 and October 2, 2020.

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer – Radio Division, 195,242 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 86,774 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.

 

On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer – Radio Division, 211,838 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 94,150 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective June 5, 2020 and vested on January 6, 2021. 

 

Pursuant to the terms of each of our stock plans and subject to the Company’s insider trading policy, a portion of each recipient’s vested shares may be sold in the open market for tax purposes on or about the vesting dates.

 

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Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, was $253,000 and $393,000, respectively

 

The Company granted 20,000 stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and did not grant any stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2020. 

 

Transactions and other information relating to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2021, are summarized below:

 

   Number of
Options
   Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
 (In Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2020   4,019,000   $2.11    6.48   $41,000 
Grants   20,000   $1.25           
Exercised      $           
Forfeited/cancelled/expired/settled   46,000   $1.09           
Balance as of March 31, 2021   3,993,,000   $2.12    6.33   $198,000 
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2021   3,989,000   $2.12    6.32   $196,000 
Unvested at March 31, 2021   71,000   $1.13    9.51   $44,000 
Exercisable at March 31, 2021   3,922,000   $2.14    6.27   $155,000 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the Company’s stock closing price on the last day of trading during the three months ended March 31, 2021, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares that would have been received by the holders of in-the-money options had all the option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2021. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.

 

No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. There were 832,847 options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 804,876 options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

As of March 31, 2021, $20,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of three months. The weighted-average fair value per share of shares underlying stock options was $1.41 at March 31, 2021.

 

The Company granted 20,000 shares of restricted stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and did not grant any restricted shares of stock during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Transactions and other information relating to restricted stock grants for the three months ended March 31, 2021, are summarized below:  

 

   Shares  

Average

Fair Value

at Grant

Date

 
Unvested at December 31, 2020   1,724,000   $0.83 
Grants   20,000   $1.25 
Vested   (1,623,000)  $0.72 
Forfeited/cancelled/expired      $ 
Unvested at March 31, 2021   121,000   $2.38 

 

Restricted stock grants were and are included in the Company’s outstanding share numbers on the effective date of grant. As of March 31, 2021, $163,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of seven months.  

 

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7. SEGMENT INFORMATION:

 

The Company has four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) Reach Media; (iii) digital; and (iv) cable television. These segments operate in the United States and are consistently aligned with the Company’s management of its businesses and its financial reporting structure.

 

The radio broadcasting segment consists of all broadcast results of operations. The Reach Media segment consists of the results of operations for the related activities and operations of our syndicated shows. The digital segment includes the results of our online business, including the operations of Interactive One, as well as the digital components of our other reportable segments. The cable television segment consists of the Company’s cable TV operation, including TV One’s and CLEO TV’s results of operations. Corporate/Eliminations represents financial activity associated with our corporate staff and offices and intercompany activity among the four segments.

 

Operating loss or income represents total revenues less operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and impairment of long-lived assets. Intercompany revenue earned and expenses charged between segments are recorded at estimated fair value and eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accounting policies described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 – Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies are applied consistently across the segments.  

 

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Detailed segment data for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, is presented in the following tables:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2021   2020 
         
   (Unaudited) 
   (In thousands) 
Net Revenue:          
Radio Broadcasting  $27,788   $34,916 
Reach Media   7,816    6,689 
Digital   10,355    6,289 
Cable Television   46,241    47,497 
Corporate/Eliminations*   (760)   (516)
Consolidated  $91,440   $94,875 
           
Operating Expenses (including stock-based compensation and excluding depreciation and amortization and impairment of long-lived assets):          
Radio Broadcasting  $23,329   $26,391 
Reach Media   5,174    5,895 
Digital   8,053    7,195 
Cable Television   21,521    20,400 
Corporate/Eliminations   7,342    6,083 
Consolidated  $65,419   $65,964 
           
Depreciation and Amortization:          
Radio Broadcasting  $729   $741 
Reach Media   58    59 
Digital   324    488 
Cable Television   929    943 
Corporate/Eliminations   224    317 
Consolidated  $2,264   $2,548 
           
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:          
Radio Broadcasting  $   $53,650 
Reach Media        
Digital        
Cable Television        
Corporate/Eliminations        
Consolidated  $   $53,650 
           
Operating income (loss):          
Radio Broadcasting  $3,730   $(45,866)
Reach Media   2,584    735 
Digital   1,978    (1,394)
Cable Television   23,791    26,154 
Corporate/Eliminations   (8,326)   (6,916)
Consolidated  $23,757   $(27,287)

 

* Intercompany revenue included in net revenue above is as follows:

 

Radio Broadcasting  $(760)  $(516)

 

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Capital expenditures by segment are as follows:

 

Radio Broadcasting  $261   $963 
Reach Media   1    57 
Digital   326    197 
Cable Television   38    41 
Corporate/Eliminations   178    172 
Consolidated  $804   $1,430 

 

   March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
   (Unaudited)     
   (In thousands) 
Total Assets:          
Radio Broadcasting  $621,405   $630,174 
Reach Media   39,159    38,235 
Digital   23,185    23,168 
Cable Television   380,896    374,046 
Corporate/Eliminations   104,106    129,864 
Consolidated  $1,168,751   $1,195,487 

  

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

Royalty Agreements

 

Musical works rights holders, generally songwriters and music publishers, have been traditionally represented by performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) and SESAC, Inc. (“SESAC”).  The market for rights relating to musical works is changing rapidly. Songwriters and music publishers have withdrawn from the traditional performing rights organizations, particularly ASCAP and BMI, and new entities, such as Global Music Rights, Inc. (“GMR”), have been formed to represent rights holders. These organizations negotiate fees with copyright users, collect royalties and distribute them to the rights holders.  We currently have arrangements with ASCAP, SESAC and GMR. On April 22, 2020, the Radio Music License Committee (“RMLC”), an industry group which the Company is a part of, and BMI have reached agreement on the terms of a new license agreement that covers the period January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021. Upon approval of the court of the BMI/RMLC agreement, the Company automatically became a party to the agreement and a license through December 31, 2021.

 

Other Contingencies

 

The Company has been named as a defendant in several legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management’s opinion, after consultation with its legal counsel, that the outcome of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Current 2021 ABL Facility provides for letter of credit capacity of up to $5 million subject to certain limitations on availability. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had letters of credit totaling $871,000 under the Current 2021 ABL Facility for certain operating leases and certain insurance policies. Letters of credit issued under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are required to be collateralized with cash.

 

Noncontrolling Interest Shareholders’ Put Rights

 

Beginning on January 1, 2018, the noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media have had an annual right to require Reach Media to purchase all or a portion of their shares at the then current fair market value for such shares (the “Put Right”).  This annual right is exercisable for a 30-day period beginning January 1 of each year. The purchase price for such shares may be paid in cash and/or registered Class D common stock of Urban One, at the discretion of Urban One. The noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media did not exercise their Put Right for the 30-day period ending January 31, 2021. Management, at this time, cannot reasonably determine the period when and if the put right will be exercised by the noncontrolling interest shareholders.

 

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9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

 

On November 6, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive asset exchange agreement with Entercom Communications Corp. whereby the Company would receive Charlotte stations: WLNK-FM (Adult Contemporary); WBT-AM & FM (News Talk Radio); and WFNZ-AM & 102.5 FM Translator (Sports Radio). In exchange, Urban One would transfer three radio stations to Entercom: St. Louis, WHHL-FM (Urban Contemporary); Philadelphia, WPHI-FM (Urban Contemporary); and Washington, DC, WTEM-AM (Sports); as well as the intellectual property to its St. Louis radio station, WFUN-FM (Adult Urban Contemporary). The Company and Entercom began operation of the exchanged stations on or about November 23, 2020 under LMAs until FCC approval was obtained. The deal was subject to FCC approval and other customary closing conditions and closed on April 20, 2021. In addition, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Gateway Creative Broadcasting, Inc. for the remaining assets of our WFUN station in a separate transaction which also closed on April 20, 2021.

  

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

 

The following information should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and the audited financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Introduction

 

Revenue

 

Within our core radio business, we primarily derive revenue from the sale of advertising time and program sponsorships to local and national advertisers on our radio stations. Advertising revenue is affected primarily by the advertising rates our radio stations are able to charge, as well as the overall demand for radio advertising time in a market. These rates are largely based upon a radio station’s audience share in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers, the number of radio stations in the related market, and the supply of, and demand for, radio advertising time. Advertising rates are generally highest during morning and afternoon commuting hours.

 

Net revenue consists of gross revenue, net of local and national agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing.

 

The following chart shows the percentage of consolidated net revenue generated by each reporting segment.

 

   For The Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   2021   2020 
Radio broadcasting segment   30.4%   36.8%
           
Reach Media segment   8.5%   7.0%
           
Digital segment   11.3%   6.6%
           
Cable television segment   50.6%   50.1%
           
Corporate/eliminations   (0.8)%   (0.5)%

 

The following chart shows the percentages generated from local and national advertising as a subset of net revenue from our core radio business.

 

   For The Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
   2021   2020 
Percentage of core radio business generated from local advertising   60.5%   60.7%
           
Percentage of core radio business generated from national advertising, including network advertising   37.6%   38.0%

 

National and local advertising also includes advertising revenue generated from our digital segment. The balance of net revenue from our radio segment was generated from tower rental income, ticket sales and revenue related to our sponsored events, management fees and other revenue.

 

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The following chart show our net revenue (and sources) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
         
   2021   2020   $ Change   % Change 
                 
  

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

         
Net Revenue:                    
Radio Advertising  $33,340   $38,417   $(5,077)   (13.2)%
Political Advertising   780    2,404    (1,624)   (67.6)
Digital Advertising   10,353    6,289    4,064    64.6 
Cable Television Advertising   20,702    21,033    (331)   (1.6)
Cable Television Affiliate Fees   25,486    26,207    (721)   (2.8)
Event Revenues & Other   779    525    254    48.4 
Net Revenue (as reported)  $91,440   $94,875   $(3,435)   (3.6)%

 

In the broadcasting industry, radio stations and television stations often utilize trade or barter agreements to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. In order to maximize cash revenue for our spot inventory, we closely manage the use of trade and barter agreements.

 

Within our digital segment, including Interactive One which generates the majority of the Company’s digital revenue, revenue is principally derived from advertising services on non-radio station branded, but Company-owned websites. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements. Advertising revenue is recognized either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations, in which it provides third-party clients with publishing services including digital platforms and related expertise.  In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.

 

Our cable television segment generates the Company’s cable television revenue, and derives its revenue principally from advertising and affiliate revenue. Advertising revenue is derived from the sale of television air time to advertisers and is recognized when the advertisements are run. Our cable television segment also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various affiliation agreements based upon a per subscriber fee multiplied by most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate.

 

Reach Media primarily derives its revenue from the sale of advertising in connection with its syndicated radio shows, including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show. Reach Media also operates www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, an African-American targeted news and entertainment website.  Additionally, Reach Media operates various other event-related activities.

 

Expenses

 

Our significant expenses are: (i) employee salaries and commissions; (ii) programming expenses; (iii) marketing and promotional expenses; (iv) rental of premises for office facilities and studios; (v) rental of transmission tower space; (vi) music license royalty fees; and (vii) content amortization. We strive to control these expenses by centralizing certain functions such as finance, accounting, legal, human resources and management information systems and, in certain markets, the programming management function. We also use our multiple stations, market presence and purchasing power to negotiate favorable rates with certain vendors and national representative selling agencies. In addition to salaries and commissions, major expenses for our internet business include membership traffic acquisition costs, software product design, post-application software development and maintenance, database and server support costs, the help desk function, data center expenses connected with internet service provider (“ISP”) hosting services and other internet content delivery expenses. Major expenses for our cable television business include content acquisition and amortization, sales and marketing.

 

We generally incur marketing and promotional expenses to increase and maintain our audiences. However, because Nielsen reports ratings either monthly or quarterly, depending on the particular market, any changed ratings and the effect on advertising revenue tends to lag behind both the reporting of the ratings and the incurrence of advertising and promotional expenditures.

  

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Measurement of Performance

 

We monitor and evaluate the growth and operational performance of our business using net income and the following key metrics:

 

(a)  Net revenue:  The performance of an individual radio station or group of radio stations in a particular market is customarily measured by its ability to generate net revenue. Net revenue consists of gross revenue, net of local and national agency and outside sales representative commissions consistent with industry practice. Net revenue is recognized in the period in which advertisements are broadcast. Net revenue also includes advertising aired in exchange for goods and services, which is recorded at fair value, revenue from sponsored events and other revenue. Net revenue is recognized for our online business as impressions are delivered, as “click throughs” are made or ratably over contract periods, where applicable. Net revenue is recognized for our cable television business as advertisements are run, and during the term of the affiliation agreements at levels appropriate for the most recent subscriber counts reported by the affiliate, net of launch support.

 

(b)  Broadcast and digital operating income:  Net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, income taxes, interest expense, interest income, noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries, other (income) expense, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, stock-based compensation, impairment of long-lived assets, (gain) loss on retirement of debt and gain on sale-leaseback, is commonly referred to in the radio broadcasting industry as “station operating income.” However, given the diverse nature of our business, station operating income is not truly reflective of our multi-media operation and, therefore, we now use the term broadcast and digital operating income. Broadcast and digital operating income is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Nevertheless, broadcast and digital operating income is a significant measure used by our management to evaluate the operating performance of our core operating segments. Broadcast and digital operating income provides helpful information about our results of operations, apart from expenses associated with our fixed and long-lived intangible assets, income taxes, investments, impairment charges, debt financings and retirements, corporate overhead and stock-based compensation. Our measure of broadcast and digital operating income is similar to industry use of station operating income; however, it reflects our more diverse business and therefore is not completely analogous to “station operating income” or other similarly titled measures as used by other companies. Broadcast and digital operating income does not represent operating loss or cash flow from operating activities, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to those measurements as an indicator of our performance.

 

(c)  Broadcast and digital operating income margin:  Broadcast and digital operating income margin represents broadcast and digital operating income as a percentage of net revenue. Broadcast and digital operating income margin is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Nevertheless, we believe that broadcast and digital operating income margin is a useful measure of our performance because it provides helpful information about our profitability as a percentage of our net revenue. Broadcast and digital operating margin includes results from all four segments (radio broadcasting, Reach Media, digital and cable television).

 

(d) Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA consists of net (loss) income plus (1) depreciation and amortization, income taxes, interest expense, noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, (gain) loss on retirement of debt, gain on sale-leaseback, employment agreement, incentive plan award expenses and other compensation, contingent consideration from acquisition, severance-related costs, cost method investment income, less (2) other income and interest income. Net income before interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization is commonly referred to in our business as “EBITDA.” Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is often a useful measure of a company’s operating performance and is a significant measure used by our management to evaluate the operating performance of our business because Adjusted EBITDA excludes charges for depreciation, amortization and interest expense that have resulted from our acquisitions and debt financing, our taxes, impairment charges, and gain on retirements of debt. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information about the operating performance of our business, apart from the expenses associated with our fixed assets and long-lived intangible assets, capital structure or the results of our affiliated company. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used as one of the measures for comparing businesses in the broadcasting industry, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including, but not limited to the fact that our definition includes the results of all four of our operating segments (radio broadcasting, Reach Media, digital and cable television). Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA do not purport to represent operating income or cash flow from operating activities, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to those measurements as an indicator of our performance.

  

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Summary of Performance 

 

The tables below provide a summary of our performance based on the metrics described above: 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
         
   (In thousands, except margin data) 
Net revenue  $91,440   $94,875 
Broadcast and digital operating income   36,394    37,636 
Broadcast and digital operating income margin   39.8%   39.7%
Consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $7   $(23,187)

 

The reconciliation of net income (loss) to broadcast and digital operating income is as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2021   2020 
   (In thousands) 
Consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $7   $(23,187)
Add back non-broadcast and digital operating income items included in consolidated net income (loss):          
Interest income   (4)   (8)
Interest expense   18,045    19,138 
Benefit from income taxes   (10)   (21,855)
Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation   10,120    8,332 
Stock-based compensation   253    393 
Loss on retirement of debt   6,949     
Other income, net   (1,684)   (1,504)
Depreciation and amortization   2,264    2,548 
Noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries   454    129 
Impairment of long-lived assets       53,650 
Broadcast and digital operating income  $36,394   $37,636 

 

The reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2021   2020 
   (In thousands) 
Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation:          
Consolidated net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, as reported  $7   $(23,187)
Add back non-broadcast and digital operating income items included in consolidated net income (loss):          
Interest income   (4)   (8)
Interest expense   18,045    19,138 
Benefit from income taxes   (10)   (21,855)
Depreciation and amortization   2,264    2,548 
EBITDA  $20,302   $(23,364)
Stock-based compensation   253    393 
Loss on retirement of debt   6,949     
Other income, net   (1,684)   (1,504)
Noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries   454    129 
Impairment of long-lived assets       53,650 
Employment Agreement Award, incentive plan award expenses and other compensation   597    1,212 
Contingent consideration from acquisition   40    (72)
Severance-related costs   263    326 
Cost method investment income   1,671    1,490 
Adjusted EBITDA  $28,845   $32,260 

 

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URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table summarizes our historical consolidated results of operations:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (In thousands)

 

   Three Months
Ended March 31,
     
   2021   2020   Increase/(Decrease) 
   (Unaudited)         
Statements of Operations:                    
Net revenue  $91,440   $94,875   $(3,435)   (3.6)%
Operating expenses:                    
Programming and technical, excluding stock-based compensation   25,090    27,862    (2,772)   (9.9)
Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation   29,956    29,377    579    2.0 
Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation   10,120    8,332    1,788    21.5 
Stock-based compensation   253    393    (140)   (35.6)
Depreciation and amortization   2,264    2,548    (284)   (11.1)
Impairment of long-lived assets       53,650    (53,650)   (100.0)
   Total operating expenses   67,683    122,162    (54,479)   (44.6)
   Operating income (loss)   23,757    (27,287)   51,044    187.1 
Interest income   4    8    (4)   (50.0)
Interest expense   18,045    19,138    (1,093)   (5.7)
Loss on retirement of debt   6,949        6,949    100.0 
Other income, net   (1,684)   (1,504)   180    12.0 
Income (loss) before benefit from income taxes and noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries   451    (44,913)   45,364    101.0 
Benefit from income taxes   (10)   (21,855)   (21,845)   (100.0)
   Consolidated net income (loss)   461    (23,058)   23,519    102.0 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   454    129    325    251.9 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders  $7   $(23,187)  $23,194    100.0%

 

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Net revenue

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$91,440   $94,875   $(3,435)   (3.6)%

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized approximately $91.4 million in net revenue compared to approximately $94.9 million during the same period in 2020. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. Net revenues from our radio broadcasting segment decreased 20.4% compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in net revenue in our radio broadcasting segment was due primarily to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which began in March 2020, thus impacting only a part of the three month ended March 31, 2020, but impacting the entire comparable period in 2021. Based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), the markets we operate in (excluding Richmond and Raleigh, both of which no longer participate in Miller Kaplan) decreased 13.4% in total revenues. With the exception of our Charlotte market, we experienced net revenue declines in all of our radio markets, primarily due to lower advertising sales. The increase in Charlotte was driven by the previously announced asset swap with Entercom and operation of additional stations in that market under the LMA providing for the operation of the stations prior to closing under the asset exchange agreement. Net revenue excluding political, from our radio broadcasting segment decreased 17.7% compared to the same period in 2020. We recognized approximately $46.2 million of revenue from our cable television segment during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $47.5 million for the same period in 2020. Net revenue from our Reach Media segment increased 16.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Finally, net revenues for our digital segment increased approximately $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in direct revenues.

  

Operating Expenses

 

Programming and technical, excluding stock-based compensation

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$25,090   $27,862   $(2,772)   (9.9)%

 

Programming and technical expenses include expenses associated with on-air talent and the management and maintenance of the systems, tower facilities, and studios used in the creation, distribution and broadcast of programming content on our radio stations. Programming and technical expenses for the radio segment also include expenses associated with our programming research activities and music royalties. For our digital segment, programming and technical expenses include software product design, post-application software development and maintenance, database and server support costs, the help desk function, data center expenses connected with ISP hosting services and other internet content delivery expenses. For our cable television segment, programming and technical expenses include expenses associated with technical, programming, production, and content management. The decrease in programming and technical expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily to lower expenses in our radio broadcasting and cable television segments. Expenses in our radio broadcasting segment decreased approximately $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 due primarily due to lower compensation costs and lower music royalties. Expenses in our cable television segment decreased approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 20201 compared to the same period in 2020 due primarily to lower content amortization expense.

 

Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$29,956   $29,377   $579    2.0%

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses include expenses associated with our sales departments, offices and facilities and personnel (outside of our corporate headquarters), marketing and promotional expenses, special events and sponsorships and back office expenses. Expenses to secure ratings data for our radio stations and visitors’ data for our websites are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses for the radio broadcasting segment and digital segment include expenses related to the advertising traffic (scheduling and insertion) functions. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include membership traffic acquisition costs for our online business. The increase in expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to higher expenses at our digital and cable television segments, partially offset by lower expenses at our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments. 

 

Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$10,120   $8,332   $1,788    21.5 

 

Corporate expenses consist of expenses associated with our corporate headquarters and facilities, including personnel as well as other corporate overhead functions. The increase in expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to an increase in professional fees related to corporate development activities related to potential gaming and other similar business activities.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$253   $393   $(140)   (35.6)%

 

The decrease in stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, was primarily due to timing of grants and vesting of stock awards for certain executive officers and other management personnel.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$2,264   $2,548   $(284)   (11.1)%

 

The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was due to the mix of assets approaching or near the end of their useful lives.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$   $53,650   $(53,650)   (100.0)%

 

The impairment of long-lived assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020, was related to a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $5.9 million recorded to reduce the carrying value of our Atlanta and Indianapolis market goodwill balances and a charge of approximately $47.7 million associated with our Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond and St. Louis radio market broadcasting licenses. 

 

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Interest expense

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$18,045   $19,138   $(1,093)   (5.7)%

 

Interest expense decreased to approximately $18.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $19.1 million for the same period in 2020, due to lower overall debt balances outstanding and lower average interest rates. As discussed above, on January 25, 2021, the Company closed on a new financing in the form of the 2028 Notes. The proceeds from the 2028 Notes were used to repay in full each of: (1) the 2017 Credit Facility, (2) the 2018 Credit Facility, (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes, and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer.

 

Loss on retirement of debt

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020         
$6,949   $   $6,949    100.0%

 

As discussed above, upon settlement of the 2028 Notes Offering, the 2017 Credit Facility, the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were terminated and the indentures governing the 7.375% Notes and the 8.75% Notes were satisfied and discharged. There was a net loss on retirement of debt of approximately $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 associated with the settlement of the 2028 Notes.

 

Other income, net

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$(1,684)  $(1,504)  $180    12.0%

 

Other income, net, was approximately $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We recognized other income in the amount of approximately $1.7 million and $1.5 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to our MGM investment.

 

Benefit from income taxes

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$(10)  $(21,855)  $(21,845)   (100.0)%

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $10,000 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $451,000 which results in an effective tax rate of -2.2%. This rate includes (26.8)% of tax related to excess tax benefits from restricted stock units. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of approximately $21.9 million on a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of approximately $44.9 million based on the actual effective tax rate for the year to date, which results in an effective tax rate of 48.7%. This rate includes 27.9% of tax benefit primarily related to the reduction of valuation allowance against certain of our net operating loss deferred tax assets, and -13.1% of non-tax deductible impairments. 

 

Noncontrolling interests in (loss) income of subsidiaries

 

Three Months Ended March 31,   Increase/(Decrease) 
2021   2020     
$454   $129   $325    251.9%

 

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The increase in noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries was due primarily to higher net income recognized by Reach Media during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Other Data

 

Broadcast and digital operating income

 

Broadcast and digital operating income decreased to approximately $36.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $37.6 million for the comparable period in 2020, a decrease of approximately $1.2 million or 3.3%. The decrease was primarily due to lower broadcast and digital operating income at our radio broadcasting and cable television segments, which was partially offset by higher broadcast and digital operating income at our Reach Media and digital segments. Our radio broadcasting segment generated approximately $4.5 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to approximately $8.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of approximately $4.1 million, primarily due to lower net revenues resulting from the pandemic. Reach Media generated approximately $3.3 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, with the increase primarily due to higher net revenues and overall lower selling, general and administrative expenses. Our digital segment generated approximately $2.3 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to broadcast and digital operating loss of $900,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in the digital segment’s broadcast and digital operating income is primarily from higher revenues. Finally, TV One generated approximately $26.3 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $28.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, with the decrease primarily due to lower net revenues and higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Broadcast and digital operating income margin

 

Broadcast and digital operating income margin increased to 39.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, from 39.7% for the comparable period in 2020. The margin increase was primarily attributable to higher broadcast and digital operating income at our Reach Media and digital segments. 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operations and, to the extent necessary, borrowings available under our asset-backed credit facility.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on certain of our revenue and alternative revenue sources. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories reduced their advertising spend due to the outbreak, particularly within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers, including in areas such as Texas, Ohio and Georgia, who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. Further, the COVID-19 outbreak caused the postponement of our 2020 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise and impaired ticket sales of other tent pole special events, some of which we had to cancel. We do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that occurred and these losses may continue to occur as a result of the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued or new outbreaks or surges in new cases due to variants in the markets in which we operate could have material impacts on our liquidity, operations including potential impairment of assets, and our financial results. Likewise, our income from our investment in MGM National Harbor Casino has been negatively affected by closures and limitations on occupancy imposed by state and local governmental authorities.

 

We anticipate continued decreases in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possibility that variants could emerge and cause continued social distancing impacts on the economy.  As such, we assessed our operations considering a variety of factors, including but not limited to, media industry financial reforecasts, expected operating results, estimated net cash flows from operations, future obligations and liquidity, capital expenditure commitments and projected debt covenant compliance.  If the Company had been unable to meet financial covenants under certain of our debt covenants outstanding in 2020, an event of default could have occurred and our debt could have been required to be classified as current, which we could have been unable to repay if lenders were to call the debt.  We concluded that the potential that the Company could incur considerable decreases in operating profits and the resulting impact on the Company’s ability to meet its debt service obligations and debt covenants were probable conditions giving rise to a need to assess whether substantial doubt existed over the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

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To address the matter, we proactively implemented certain cost-cutting measures including furloughs, layoffs, salary reductions, other expense reduction (including eliminating travel and entertainment expenses), eliminating merit raises, decreasing or deferring marketing spend, deferring programming/production costs, reducing special events costs, and implementing a hiring freeze on open positions. The Company performed a complete reforecast of its anticipated results extending through one year from the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements. Further, out of an abundance of caution and to provide for further liquidity given the uncertainty around the pandemic, we drew approximately $27.5 million on our asset-backed credit facility on March 19, 2020. As operating conditions improved throughout the year, we were able to accumulate cash and all amounts outstanding under our asset-backed credit facility were repaid on December 22, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, no amounts were outstanding. Further, as we refinanced our debt structure in January 2021, we anticipate meeting our debt service requirements and obligations for the foreseeable future, including through one year from the date of issuance of our most recent consolidated financial statements. Our estimates however, remain subject to substantial uncertainty, in particular due to the unpredictable extent and duration of the impact of COVID-19 on our business and the economy generally, the possibility of new variants of the coronavirus and the concentration of certain of our revenues in areas that could be deemed “hotspots” for the pandemic.

 

 On August 18, 2020, the Company entered into an Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the “ATM Sale Agreement”) with Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) under which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Shares”) up to an aggregate offering price of $25 million (the “2020 ATM Program”). Jefferies is acting as sales agent for the Current ATM Program. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 2,859,276 shares of its Class A Shares at a weighted average price of $5.39 for approximately $14.7 million of net proceeds after associated fees and expenses.  

 

On January 19, 2021, the Company completed its 2020 ATM Program, sold an aggregate of 4,325,102 Class A shares and received gross proceeds of approximately $25.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $24.0 million for the program. On January 27, 2021, the Company entered into a new 2021 Open Market Sale AgreementSM (the “2021 Sale Agreement”) with Jefferies under which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time at its sole discretion, shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A Shares”), through Jefferies as its sales agent. The Company has filed a prospectus supplement pursuant to the 2021 Sale Agreement for the offer and sale of its Class A Shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $25 million (the “2021 ATM Program”). As of March 31, 2021, the Company has issued and sold an aggregate of 420,439 Class A Shares pursuant to the 2021 Sale Agreement and received gross proceeds of approximately $3.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $2.8 million, after deducting commissions to Jefferies and other offering expenses. While the Company still has Class A Shares available for issuance under the 2021 ATM Program, the Company may also enter into new additional ATM programs and issue additional common stock from time to time under those programs.

 

On January 25, 2021, the Company closed on an offering (the “2028 Notes Offering”) of $825 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The 2028 Notes are general senior secured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain of the Company’s direct and indirect restricted subsidiaries.  The 2028 Notes mature on February 1, 2028 and interest on the Notes accrues and is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2021 at the rate of 7.375% per annum.

 

The Company used the net proceeds from the 2028 Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay or redeem (1) the 2017 Credit Facility, (2) the 2018 Credit Facility, (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes, and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer.  Upon settlement of the 2028 Notes Offering, the 2017 Credit Facility, the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were terminated and the indentures governing the 7.375% Notes and the 8.75% Notes were satisfied and discharged.

 

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The 2028 Notes are the Company’s general senior obligations and are guaranteed by each of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries (other than excluded subsidiaries). The 2028 Notes and the guarantees are secured, subject to permitted liens and except for certain excluded assets (i) on a first priority basis by substantially all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ current and future property and assets (other than accounts receivable, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts, securities accounts, inventory and related assets that secure our asset-backed revolving credit facility on a first priority basis (the “ABL Priority Collateral”)), including the capital stock of each guarantor (collectively, the “Notes Priority Collateral”) and (ii) on a second priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral.

 

On February 19, 2021, the Company closed on a new asset backed credit facility (the “Current 2021 ABL Facility”). The Current 2021 ABL Facility is governed by a credit agreement by and among the Company, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. The Current 2021 ABL Facility provides for up to $50 million revolving loan borrowings in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company. The New ABL also provides for a letter of credit facility up to $5 million as a part of the overall $50 million in capacity. The Asset Backed Senior Credit Facility entered into on April 21, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent, was terminated on February 19, 2021.

 

At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are based on either (i) the then applicable margin relative to Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) or (ii) the then applicable margin relative to LIBOR Loans (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) corresponding to the average availability of the Company for the most recently completed fiscal quarter.

 

Advances under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are limited to (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of Eligible Accounts (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), minus (b) the sum of (i) the Bank Product Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), plus (ii) the AP and Deferred Revenue Reserve (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility), plus (iii) without duplication, the aggregate amount of all other reserves, if any, established by Administrative Agent.

 

All obligations under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are secured by first priority lien on all (i) deposit accounts (related to accounts receivable), (ii) accounts receivable, and (iii) all other property which constitutes ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility). The obligations are also guaranteed by all material restricted subsidiaries of the Company.

 

The Current 2021 ABL Facility matures on the earliest of: the earlier to occur of (a) the date that is five (5) years from the effective date of the Current 2021 ABL Facility and (b) 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s 2028 Notes.

 

Finally, the Current 2021 ABL Facility is subject to the terms of the Revolver Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Current 2021 ABL Facility) by and among the Administrative Agent and Wilmington Trust, National Association.

 

 See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements – Long-Term Debt for further information on liquidity and capital resources in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. 

 

The following table summarizes the interest rates in effect with respect to our debt as of March 31, 2021:

 

Type of Debt  Amount Outstanding   Applicable
Interest
Rate
 
   (In millions)     
7.375% Senior Secured Notes, net of issuance costs (fixed rate)  $809.9    7.375%
Asset-backed credit facility (variable rate)(1)       %

 

(1) Subject to variable LIBOR or base rate plus a spread as defined in the agreement.

 

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The following table provides a comparison of our statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively: 

 

    2021     2020  
    (In thousands)  
Net cash flows provided by operating activities   $ 14,293     $ 22,035  
Net cash flows used in investing activities   $ (804 )   $ (1,905 )
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities   $ (30,060 )   $ 12,714  

  

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $14.3 million and $22.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021, decreased from the prior year primarily due to payments of accrued compensation and higher payments for content assets. Cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and other sources of liquidity are expected to be available and sufficient to meet foreseeable cash requirements.

 

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $804,000 and approximately $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Capital expenditures, including digital tower and transmitter upgrades and deposits for station equipment and purchases were $804,000 and approximately $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We took ownership of WQMC-LD on February 24, 2020 for total consideration of $475,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $30.1 million compared to net cash flows provided by financing activities of approximately $12.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we repaid approximately $855.2 million and $12.8 million in outstanding debt, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we borrowed approximately $825.0 million on our 2028 Notes. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we paid approximately $11.2 million in debt refinancing costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we borrowed approximately $27.5 million on our asset-backed credit facility. We repurchased $872,000 and approximately $1.0 million of our Class D Common Stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively. Finally, the Company received proceeds of approximately $12.1 million from the issuance of Class A Common Stock, net of fees paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

 

Credit Rating Agencies

 

Our corporate credit ratings by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service are speculative-grade and have been downgraded and upgraded at various times during the last several years. Any reductions in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs, reduce the availability of financing to us or increase our cost of doing business or otherwise negatively impact our business operations.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In Management’s Discussion and Analysis contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, we summarized the policies and estimates that we believe to be most critical in understanding the judgments involved in preparing our consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. There have been no material changes to our existing accounting policies or estimates since we filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

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Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses

 

Impairment Testing

 

We have made several acquisitions in the past for which a significant portion of the purchase price was allocated to radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Goodwill exists whenever the purchase price exceeds the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired in business combinations. As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $484.1 million in broadcast licenses and $223.4 million in goodwill, which totaled $707.5 million, and represented approximately 60.5% of our total assets. Therefore, we believe estimating the fair value of goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses is a critical accounting estimate because of the significance of their carrying values in relation to our total assets.

  

There was no impairment recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $5.9 million related to its Atlanta market and Indianapolis goodwill balances and also a charge of approximately $47.7 million associated with our Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond and St. Louis market radio broadcasting licenses. 

  

We test for impairment annually across all reporting units, or when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred in any given reporting unit. Our annual impairment testing is performed as of October 1 of each year. Impairment exists when the carrying value of these assets exceeds its respective fair value. When the carrying value exceeds fair value, an impairment amount is charged to operations for the excess.

 

Valuation of Broadcasting Licenses

 

Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home orders were dramatically impacting certain of the Company’s revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down in the markets in which we operate.  This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. As a result of COVID-19, the total market revenue growth for certain markets in which we operate was below that assumed in our annual impairment testing. We deemed that to be an impairment indicator that warranted interim impairment testing of certain markets’ radio broadcasting licenses, which we performed as of March 31, 2020.

 

As a result of the testing, for the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $47.7 million associated with our Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond and St. Louis radio market broadcasting licenses.  Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating broadcasting licenses fair values for the interim impairment assessment for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. We did not identify any impairment indicators for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and, therefore, no interim impairment testing was performed as of March 31, 2021.

 

Radio Broadcasting  March 31, 
Licenses  2020 (a) 
Pre-tax impairment charge (in millions)  $47.7 
      
Discount Rate   9.5%
Year 1 Market Revenue Growth Rate Range   (13.3)%
Long-term Market Revenue Growth Rate Range (Years 6 – 10)   0.7% – 1.1%
Mature Market Share Range   6.9% – 25.0%
Operating Profit Margin Range   27.6% –39.7 %

 

  (a) Reflects changes only to the key assumptions used in the interim testing for certain units of accounting.

 

Valuation of Goodwill

 

As noted above, we did not identify any impairment indicators at any of our reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Also as noted above, during the first quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we identified impairment indicators at certain of our radio markets, and, as such, we performed an interim analysis for certain radio market goodwill. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $5.9 million to reduce the carrying value of our Atlanta and Indianapolis market goodwill balances. Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating reporting unit fair values for the interim impairment assessments for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

  

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Goodwill (Radio Market  March 31, 
Reporting Units)  2020 (a) 
Pre-tax impairment charge (in millions)  $5.9 
      
Discount Rate   9.5%
Year 1 Market Revenue Growth Rate Range   (14.5)% – (12.9)%
Long-term Market Revenue Growth Rate Range (Years 6 – 10)   0.9% – 1.1%
Mature Market Share Range   11.1% – 13.0%
Operating Profit Margin Range   29.4% – 39.0%

  

(a) Reflects the key assumptions for testing only those radio markets with remaining goodwill.

 

As part of our annual testing, when arriving at the estimated fair values for radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, we also performed an analysis by comparing our overall average implied multiple based on our cash flow projections and fair values to recently completed sales transactions, and by comparing our fair value estimates to the market capitalization of the Company. The results of these comparisons confirmed that the fair value estimates resulting from our annual assessment for 2020 were reasonable.

 

Several of the licenses in our units of accounting have limited or no excess of fair values over their respective carrying values. Should our estimates, assumptions, or events or circumstances for any upcoming valuations worsen in the units with no or limited fair value cushion, additional license impairments may be needed in the future.

 

Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets

 

As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its conclusions regarding the future realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets (“DTAs”). During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, management continues to believe that there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not the DTAs are realizable. The assessment to determine the value of the DTAs to be realized under ASC 740 is highly judgmental and requires the consideration of all available positive and negative evidence in evaluating the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit of the DTAs in a future period. Circumstances may change over time such that previous negative evidence no longer exists, and new conditions should be evaluated as positive or negative evidence that could affect the realization of the DTAs. Since the evaluation requires consideration of events that may occur some years into the future, significant judgment is required, and our conclusion could be materially different if certain expectations do not materialize.

 

In the assessment of all available evidence, an important piece of objectively verifiable evidence is evaluating a cumulative income or loss position over the most recent three-year period. Historically, the Company maintained a full valuation against the net DTAs, principally due to overwhelming objectively verifiable negative evidence in the form of a cumulative loss over the most recent three-year period. However, during the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company achieved three years of cumulative income, which removed the most heavily weighted piece of objectively verifiable negative evidence from our evaluation of the realizability of DTAs. Moreover, in combination with the three years of cumulative income and other objectively verifiable positive evidence that existed as of the quarter ended December 31, 2018, management believed that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it was more likely than not that a material portion of its net DTAs were realizable. Consequently, the Company reduced its valuation allowance during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

 

As of the quarter ended March 31, 2021, management continues to weigh the objectively verifiable evidence associated with its cumulative income or loss position over the most recent three-year period. The Company continues to have three years of rolling cumulative income. Management also considered the cumulative income includes non-deductible pre-tax expenditures that, while included in pre-tax earnings, are not a component of taxable income and therefore are not expected to negatively impact the Company's ability to realize the tax benefit of the DTAs in current or future years.

 

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As part of the 2017 Tax Act, IRC Section 163(j) limits the timing of the tax deduction for interest expense. In conjunction with evaluating and weighing the aforementioned negative and positive evidence from the Company’s historical cumulative income or loss position, management also evaluated the impact that interest expense has had on our cumulative income or loss position over the most recent three-year period. A material component of the Company’s expenses is interest and has been the primary driver of historical pre-tax losses. As part of our evaluation of positive evidence, management is adjusting for the IRC Section 163(j) interest expense limitation on projected taxable income as part of developing forecasts of taxable income sufficient to utilize the Company’s federal and state net operating losses that are not subject to annual limitation resulting from the 2009 ownership shift as defined under IRC Section 382.

 

Realization of the Company’s DTAs is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods, and although management believes it is more likely than not future taxable income will be sufficient to realize the DTAs, realization is not assured and future events may cause a change to the judgment of the realizability of the DTAs. If a future event causes management to re-evaluate and conclude that it is not more likely than not, that all or a portion of the DTAs are realizable, the Company would be required to establish a valuation allowance against the assets at that time, which would result in a charge to income tax expense and a decrease to net income in the period which the change of judgment is concluded.

 

The Company continues to assess potential tax strategies, which if successful, may reduce the impact of the annual limitations and potentially recover NOLs that otherwise would expire before being applied to reduce future income tax liabilities. If successful, the Company may be able to recover additional federal and state NOLs in future periods, which could be material. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize additional federal and state NOLs, the tax benefit could materially impact future quarterly and annual periods. The federal and state NOLs expire in various years from 2021 to 2039.

  

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

See Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements – Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a summary of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

CAPITAL AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS:

 

Radio Broadcasting Licenses

 

Each of the Company’s radio stations operates pursuant to one or more licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission that have a maximum term of eight years prior to renewal. The Company’s radio broadcasting licenses expire at various times beginning in August 2021 through February 1, 2029. Although the Company may apply to renew its radio broadcasting licenses, third parties may challenge the Company’s renewal applications. The Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances that would prevent the Company from having its current licenses renewed.

 

Indebtedness

 

As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $825 million of our 2028 Notes outstanding within our corporate structure. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2028 Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay or redeem (1) the 2017 Credit Facility, (2) the 2018 Credit Facility, (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes, and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer.  Upon settlement of the 2028 Notes, the 2017 Credit Facility, the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were terminated and the indentures governing the 7.375% Notes and the 8.75% Notes were satisfied and discharged. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

Royalty Agreements

 

Musical works rights holders, generally songwriters and music publishers, have been traditionally represented by performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) and SESAC, Inc. (“SESAC”).  The market for rights relating to musical works is changing rapidly. Songwriters and music publishers have withdrawn from the traditional performing rights organizations, particularly ASCAP and BMI, and new entities, such as Global Music Rights, Inc. (“GMR”), have been formed to represent rights holders. These organizations negotiate fees with copyright users, collect royalties and distribute them to the rights holders.  We currently have arrangements with ASCAP, SESAC and GMR. On April 22, 2020, the Radio Music License Committee (“RMLC”), an industry group which the Company is a part of, and BMI have reached agreement on the terms of a new license agreement that covers the period January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021. Upon approval of the court of the BMI/RMLC agreement, the Company automatically became a party to the agreement and to a license with BMI through December 31, 2021.

 

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Lease obligations

 

We have non-cancelable operating leases for office space, studio space, broadcast towers and transmitter facilities that expire over the next 10 years.

 

Operating Contracts and Agreements

 

We have other operating contracts and agreements including employment contracts, on-air talent contracts, severance obligations, retention bonuses, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, and other general operating agreements that expire over the next five years.

 

Reach Media Noncontrolling Interest Shareholders’ Put Rights

 

Beginning on January 1, 2018, the noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media have had an annual right to require Reach Media to purchase all or a portion of their shares at the then current fair market value for such shares (the “Put Right”).  This annual right is exercisable for a 30-day period beginning January 1 of each year. The purchase price for such shares may be paid in cash and/or registered Class D common stock of Urban One, at the discretion of Urban One. The noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media did not exercise their Put Right for the 30-day period ending January 31, 2021. Management, at this time, cannot reasonably determine the period when and if the put right will be exercised by the noncontrolling interest shareholders.

 

Contractual Obligations Schedule

 

The following table represents our scheduled contractual obligations as of March 31, 2021:

 

   Payments Due by Period 
Contractual Obligations  Remainder
of 2021
   2022   2023   2024   2025   2026 and
Beyond
   Total 
                             
   (In thousands) 
7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes (1)  $45,633   $60,844   $60,844   $60,844   $60,844   $951,758   $1,240,767 
Other operating contracts/agreements (2)   47,584    28,562    16,612    13,471    13,308    9,494    129,031 
Operating lease obligations   9,527    11,973    10,557    9,428    4,933    7,740    54,158 
Total  $102,744   $101,379   $88,013   $83,743   $79,085   $968,992   $1,423,956 

 

(1)   Includes interest obligations based on interest rates on senior secured notes outstanding as of March 31, 2021.

 

(2)   Includes employment contracts (including the Employment Agreement Award), severance obligations, on-air talent contracts, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, asset-backed credit facility and other general operating agreements. Also includes contracts that our cable television segment has entered into to acquire entertainment programming rights and programs from distributors and producers.  These contracts relate to their content assets as well as prepaid programming related agreements.

  

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Of the total amount of other operating contracts and agreements included in the table above, approximately $75.8 million has not been recorded on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, as it does not meet recognition criteria. Approximately $4.8 million relates to certain commitments for content agreements for our cable television segment, approximately $14.8 million relates to employment agreements, and the remainder relates to other agreements.

 

Other Contingencies

 

The Company has been named as a defendant in several legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management’s opinion, after consultation with its legal counsel, that the outcome of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Current 2021 ABL Facility provides for letter of credit capacity of up to $5 million subject to certain limitations on availability. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had letters of credit totaling $871,000 under the Current 2021 ABL Facility for certain operating leases and certain insurance policies. Letters of credit issued under the Current 2021 ABL Facility are required to be collateralized with cash.

 

Item 3:  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk affecting Urban One, see Item 7A: “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.  Our exposure related to market risk has not changed materially since December 31, 2020.

  

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching our desired disclosure controls objectives. Our management, including our CEO and CFO, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in reaching that level of reasonable assurance.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Urban One is involved from time to time in various routine legal and administrative proceedings and threatened legal and administrative proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of our business. Urban One believes the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Annual Report”), which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our 2020 Annual Report, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, are not the only risks facing our Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

  

Item 5.  Other Information

 

None.

   

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
     
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101     Financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in XBRL.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

  URBAN ONE, INC.
   
  /s/ PETER D. THOMPSON
  Peter D. Thompson
  Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

May 14, 2021

 

57

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

I, Alfred C. Liggins, III, Chief Executive Officer and President of Urban One, Inc., certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Urban One, Inc.;

 

  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 officer 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 15d-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 first quarter in the case of this 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 officer 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 the 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.

 

  By: /s/ Alfred C. Liggins, III
    Alfred C. Liggins, III
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 14, 2021    

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

I, Peter D. Thompson, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer of Urban One, Inc., certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Urban One, Inc.;

 

  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 officer 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 15d-15(i) 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 first quarter in the case of this 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 the 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.

 

  By: /s/ Peter D. Thompson
    Peter D. Thompson
    Executive Vice President,
    Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
Date: May 14, 2021    

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Urban One, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

  (i) the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

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

 

  By: /s/ Alfred C. Liggins, III
    Name: Alfred C. Liggins, III
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 14, 2021    

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Urban One, Inc. and will be retained by Urban One, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned officer of Urban One, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

  (i) The accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2021  (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

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

 

  By: /s/ Peter D. Thompson
    Name: Peter D. Thompson
    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 14, 2021    

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Urban One, Inc. and will be retained by Urban One, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 



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