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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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 Songwriters and music publishers have withdrawn from the traditional performing rights organizations, particularly ASCAP and BMI, and new entities, such as Global Music Rights LLC (“GMR”), have been formed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 have arrangements with ASCAP, SESAC and GMR, and are in negotiations with BMI for a new agreement. If we are unable to reach an agreement with BMI, a court will determine the royalty we will be required to pay BMI. The changing market for musical works may have an adverse effect on us, including increasing our costs or limiting the musical works available to us.

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

On February 24, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement. As of March 31, 2019, the Company had letters of credit totaling $788,000 under the agreement for certain operating leases and certain insurance policies. Letters of credit issued under the agreement 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 30, 2019. Management, at this time, cannot reasonably determine the period when and if, the put right will be exercised by the noncontrolling interest shareholders.