STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

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. On May 5, 2018, the Company authorized repurchases of up to $5.0 million through December 31, 2018. 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 September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 3,928 shares of Class A common stock in the amount of $9,000 at an average price of $2.26 per share and repurchased 702,282 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.5 million at an average price of $2.15 per share.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 4,160 shares of Class A common stock in the amount of $9,000 at an average price of $2.26 per share and repurchased 2,463,350 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $5.1 million at an average price of $2.05 per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not repurchase any Class A common stock and repurchased 672,366 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.3 million at an average price of $1.92 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not repurchase any Class A common stock and repurchased 1,726,656 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $3.4 million at an average price of $1.96 per share.

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 (as defined below) 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 September 30, 2018, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 20,787 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of $44,000 at an average price of $2.10 per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 35,370 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of $67,000 at an average price of $1.90 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 599,224 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $1.1 million at an average price of $1.82 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 360,172 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $1.0 million at an average price of $2.80 per share.

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan

Our stock option and restricted stock plan currently in effect was originally approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting on December 16, 2009 (“the 2009 Stock Plan”).  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.  Most recently, 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.  As of September 30, 2018, 2,829,529 shares of Class D common stock were available for grant under the Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan.

On October 26, 2015, the Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company awarded David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer, Radio Division, 100,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective November 5, 2015, and will vest in approximately equal 1/3 tranches on each of November 5, 2016, November 5, 2017, and November 5, 2018.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 449,630 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 199,836 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 474,609 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 210,937 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vest on January 5, 2019.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 749,383 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 333,059 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 791,015 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 351,562 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vest on January 5, 2019.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 256,579 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 114,035 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 270,833 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 120,370 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vest on January 5, 2019.

Also 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 will vest in three installments, with the first installment of 33% vesting on January 5, 2018, and the second installment vesting on January 5, 2019, and the remaining installment vesting on January 5, 2020. 105,262 shares of restricted stock vested on August 7, 2017.

Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan, 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.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was approximately $1.1 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was approximately $3.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

The Company did not grant stock options during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and granted 732,869 stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The Company granted 1,166,930 stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Transactions and other information relating to stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are summarized below:

	Number of Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		4,804,000	$	1.89		4.90	$	795,000
Grants		733,000	$	1.81
Exercised		58,000	$	1.41
Forfeited/cancelled/expired/settled		1,905,000	$	1.43
Balance as of September 30, 2018		3,574,000	$	2.12		7.44	$	464,000
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2018		3,457,000	$	2.13		7.40	$	449,000
Unvested at September 30, 2018		1,149,000	$	1.85		8.96	$	173,000
Exercisable at September 30, 2018		2,425,000	$	2.25		6.72	$	291,000

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 nine months ended September 30, 2018, 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 September 30, 2018. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.

There were 58,190 options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. There were no options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2018. No options vested during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 831,937 options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. There were no options exercised and no options vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, $551,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of five months. The weighted-average fair value per share of shares underlying stock options was $1.59 at September 30, 2018.

The Company did not grant restricted stock during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and granted 1,758,428 shares of restricted stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Each of the four non-executive directors received 23,256 shares of restricted stock or $50,000 worth of restricted stock based upon the closing price of the Company’s Class D common stock on June 15, 2018. The Company granted 2,080,854 shares and 2,173,878 shares of restricted stock during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Each of the four non-executive directors received 23,256 shares of restricted stock or $50,000 worth of restricted stock based upon the closing price of the Company’s Class D common stock on June 16, 2017. All of the restricted stock grants vest over a two-year period in equal 50% installments.

Transactions and other information relating to restricted stock grants for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, are summarized below:

	Shares			Average Fair Value at Grant Date
Unvested at December 31, 2017		2,303,000		$	1.94
Grants		1,758,000		$	1.83
Vested		(1,832,000	)	$	1.92
Forfeited/cancelled/expired		(33,000	)	$	1.90
Unvested at September 30, 2018		2,196,000		$	1.87

Restricted stock grants were and are included in the Company’s outstanding share numbers on the effective date of grant. As of September 30, 2018, approximately $1.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of five months.