EX-99.1 3 a04-2848_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

Entercom Communications Corp.
Reports Record Fourth Quarter 2003 Results

 

Record Fourth Quarter Net Revenues, Net Income Per Share and Free Cash Flow

 

(Bala Cynwyd, PA February 23, 2004) Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) today reported record financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2003. Net income was $21.8 million, or $0.42 per share, as compared to $18.8 million, or $0.37 per share in the prior year, representing an increase of 14% in net income per share.

 

For the fourth quarter as compared to the prior year:

 

                                          Net revenues increased 3% to $104.6 million.

                                          Same station net revenues decreased 1% to $104.6 million.

                                          Same station operating expenses increased 2% to $59.8 million.

                                          Same station operating income decreased 4% to $44.8 million.

                                          Free cash flow increased 1% to $31.8 million.

                                          Net income per share increased 14% to $0.42.

 

The Company’s net revenues, net income per share and free cash flow represent record highs for fourth quarter results.

 

For the year 2003 as compared to the prior year:

 

                                          Net revenues increased 3% to $401.1 million.

                                          Station operating income increased 2% to $168.9 million.

                                          Free cash flow increased 10% to $115.6 million.

                                          Income before accounting change increased 29% to $71.8 million.

                                          Income before accounting change per share increased 24% to $1.39.

 

For the year 2003 the Company achieved record annual results for net revenues, station operating income, free cash flow and earnings per share.

 

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased to report record financial results for 2003, particularly under the difficult economic conditions that hindered all advertising-based media subsequent to the commencement of the Iraqi war last year.  We are optimistic on our outlook for 2004 based on positive external and internal factors, led by the recovering economy, growing business confidence, improving station ratings, and continuing enhancements in our operating capabilities and execution.”

 

The Company closed on the acquisition of two radio stations in Portland, Oregon from Fisher Communications on December 18, 2003.  Entercom had operated the two stations under a time brokerage agreement since June 1, 2003.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had $16 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company had outstanding $244 million of Senior Debt and $150 million of Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2014.

 



 

First Quarter Guidance

 

For the first quarter of 2004, based on the current business outlook, the Company expects to report a same station net revenues increase of 3 - 5%, with station operating expenses increasing 3%.  This guidance would result in net income per share of $0.21 - $0.23 vs. $0.18 in the prior year.

 

For purposes of same station comparisons, last year’s same station first quarter net revenues were $82.4 million and station operating expenses were $52.8 million.  Prior year same station results are available on the Company’s website.

 

As of January 1, 2004 the Company changed its effective annual tax rate to 38% as a result of a review of actual and expected federal and state tax expenses.

 

Earnings Conference Call and Company Information

 

Entercom will hold a conference call regarding the quarterly earnings release on Monday, February 23 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.   The public may access the conference call by dialing 888-316-9406.  A replay of the conference call will be available through March 1, 2004 by dialing 800-333-1871.  A webcast of the conference call will be available beginning 48 hours after the call on the Company’s website for a period of one week.  Entercom’s website is located at www.entercom.com.

 

The Company is the nation’s fourth largest radio broadcaster, operating in Boston, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Sacramento, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Norfolk, New Orleans, Memphis, Buffalo, Greensboro, Rochester, Greenville/Spartanburg, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Wichita, Madison, Gainesville/Ocala and Longview/Kelso, WA.

 

Certain Definitions

 

All references to per share data, unless stated otherwise, are presented as per diluted share.

 

With the adoption of Regulation G by the SEC, Station Operating Income replaces Broadcast Cash Flow as the metric used by management to assess the performance of our stations. The Company calculates station operating income in the same manner as broadcast cash flow.

 

It is important to note that Station Operating Income, Same Station Net Revenues, Same Station Operating Expenses, Same Station Operating Income and Free Cash Flow are not measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes that these measures are useful as a way to evaluate the Company and the means for management to evaluate our radio stations’ performance and operations. Management believes that these measures are useful to an investor in evaluating our performance because they are widely used in the broadcast industry to measure a radio company’s operating performance. You should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as substitutes for net income, operating income, or any other measure for determining our operating performance that is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

 

Station Operating Income consists of operating income before depreciation and amortization, time brokerage agreement fees, corporate general and administrative expenses and gain or loss on sale of assets.

 



 

Free Cash Flow consists of operating income (i) plus depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation expense (which is otherwise included in corporate general and administrative expenses) and (ii) less net interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), gains (loss) on sale of assets, taxes paid (refunded) and capital expenditures.

 

Same Station operating data is computed by comparing the performance of stations operated by the Company throughout the relevant period to the comparable performance in the prior year’s corresponding period. The Company includes in the Same Station operating data the effects of changes in status of significant contracts that: (i) relate to operations; (ii) have a significant effect on the net revenues and or station operating expenses of a particular market; and (iii) are accounted for as a separate business unit.

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The information in this news release is being widely disseminated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation FD.

 

This news announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and certain unaudited pro forma information that is presented for illustrative purposes only and involves certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Additional information and key risks are described in the Company’s filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should note that these statements might be impacted by several factors including changes in the economic and regulatory climate and the business of radio broadcasting, in general. The unaudited pro forma information and same station operating data reflects adjustments and is presented for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of what has occurred or indicative of future operating results or financial position.  Accordingly, the Company’s actual performance may differ materially from those stated or implied herein.  The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any unaudited pro forma or forward-looking statements.

 

Contact:
Steve Fisher
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
610-660-5647

 



 

Entercom  Fourth Quarter 2003

Earnings Release

 

ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

104,641

 

$

101,922

 

$

401,056

 

$

391,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station Operating Expenses

 

59,885

 

55,382

 

232,184

 

226,033

 

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses, Including Non-Cash Compensation Expense of: (i) $128 and $132 for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 and (ii) $466 and $1,179 for the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

3,528

 

3,420

 

14,433

 

14,124

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,710

 

3,360

 

14,687

 

15,058

 

Time Brokerage Agreement Fees

 

467

 

750

 

1,636

 

7,432

 

Net Gain on Sale of Assets

 

(2,287

)

(19

)

(2,118

)

(1,166

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

39,338

 

39,029

 

140,234

 

129,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expense (Income) Items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs of: (i) $244 and $325 for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 and (ii) $1,053 and $1,212 for the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

4,910

 

6,001

 

20,515

 

25,094

 

Financing Cost of Convertible Preferred Securities

 

 

1,954

 

2,020

 

7,813

 

Interest Income

 

(71

)

(388

)

(505

)

(2,094

)

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

 

 

 

3,795

 

 

Loss on Investments

 

158

 

 

158

 

 

Equity Loss from Unconsolidated Affiliate

 

 

 

 

3,352

 

Net (Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments

 

(591

)

21

 

(961

)

2,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Other Expense

 

4,406

 

7,588

 

25,022

 

36,455

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes and Accounting Change

 

34,932

 

31,441

 

115,212

 

93,353

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Taxes

 

13,176

 

12,635

 

43,432

 

37,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Accounting Change

 

21,756

 

18,806

 

71,780

 

55,824

 

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of Taxes

 

 

 

 

(138,876

)

Net Income (Loss)

 

$

21,756

 

$

18,806

 

$

71,780

 

$

(83,052

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Accounting Change Per Share - Basic

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.38

 

$

1.41

 

$

1.14

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.38

 

$

1.41

 

$

(1.70

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Before Accounting Change Per Share - Diluted

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.37

 

$

1.39

 

$

1.12

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.37

 

$

1.39

 

$

(1.67

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Basic

 

51,395

 

49,821

 

50,962

 

48,965

 

Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted

 

52,040

 

50,557

 

51,608

 

49,766

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

1,716

 

$

3,819

 

$

13,708

 

$

10,136

 

Income Taxes Paid

 

$

2,780

 

$

 

$

2,985

 

$

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

15,894

 

$

92,593

 

Working Capital

 

13,900

 

114,407

 

Total Assets

 

1,577,052

 

1,568,530

 

Senior Debt

 

244,043

 

286,715

 

7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

1,031,610

 

890,505

 

 



 

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 

Same Station Computations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues - Reconciliation of Same Station Net Revenues to GAAP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues as Reported

 

$

104,641

 

$

101,922

 

 

 

 

 

Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts

 

(52

)

3,301

 

 

 

 

 

Same Station Net Revenues

 

$

104,589

 

$

105,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station Operating Expenses - Reconciliation of Same Station Operating Expenses to GAAP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station Operating Expenses as Reported

 

$

59,885

 

$

55,382

 

 

 

 

 

Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts

 

(75

)

3,065

 

 

 

 

 

Same Station Operating Expenses

 

$

59,810

 

$

58,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Station Operating Income and Same Station Operating Income to GAAP (Operating Income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income as Reported

 

$

39,338

 

$

39,029

 

$

140,234

 

$

129,808

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,710

 

3,360

 

14,687

 

15,058

 

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

 

3,528

 

3,420

 

14,433

 

14,124

 

Time Brokerage Agreement Fees

 

467

 

750

 

1,636

 

7,432

 

Net Gain on Sale of Assets

 

(2,287

)

(19

)

(2,118

)

(1,166

)

Station Operating Income

 

44,756

 

46,540

 

$

168,872

 

$

165,256

 

Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts

 

23

 

236

 

 

 

 

 

Same Station Operating Income

 

$

44,779

 

$

46,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow from GAAP Net Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) as Reported

 

$

21,756

 

$

18,806

 

$

71,780

 

$

(83,052

)

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

 

 

 

 

231,460

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,710

 

3,360

 

14,687

 

15,058

 

Deferred Financing Costs Included in Interest Expense

 

244

 

325

 

1,053

 

1,212

 

Non-Cash Compensation Expense

 

128

 

132

 

466

 

1,179

 

Net Gain on Sale of Assets

 

(2,287

)

(19

)

(2,118

)

(1,166

)

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

 

 

 

3,795

 

 

Equity Loss from Unconsolidated Affiliate

 

 

 

 

3,352

 

Net (Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments

 

(591

)

21

 

(961

)

2,290

 

Loss on Investments

 

158

 

 

158

 

 

Income Taxes (Benefit)

 

13,176

 

12,635

 

43,432

 

(55,055

)

Capital Expenditures

 

(1,716

)

(3,819

)

(13,708

)

(10,136

)

Taxes (Paid) Refunded

 

(2,780

)

24

 

(2,985

)

222

 

Free Cash Flow

 

$

31,798

 

$

31,465

 

$

115,599

 

$

105,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Free Cash Flow from GAAP (Operating Income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income as Reported

 

$

39,338

 

$

39,029

 

$

140,234

 

$

129,808

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

3,710

 

3,360

 

14,687

 

15,058

 

Non-Cash Compensation Expense

 

128

 

132

 

466

 

1,179

 

Interest Expense, Net of Interest Income and Deferred Financing Costs

 

(4,595

)

(7,242

)

(20,977

)

(29,601

)

Capital Expenditures

 

(1,716

)

(3,819

)

(13,708

)

(10,136

)

Net Gain on Sale of Assets

 

(2,287

)

(19

)

(2,118

)

(1,166

)

Taxes (Paid) Refunded

 

(2,780

)

24

 

(2,985

)

222

 

Free Cash Flow

 

$

31,798

 

$

31,465

 

$

115,599

 

$

105,364

 

 

Prior Year’s Data For First Quarter

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Prior Year’s Same Station Net Revenues to GAAP (Net Revenues):

 

 

 

Net Revenues as Reported

 

$

80,995

 

Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts

 

1,360

 

Same Station Net Revenues

 

$

82,355

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Prior Year’s Same Station Operating Expenses to GAAP (Station Operating Expenses):

 

 

 

Station Operating Expenses as Reported

 

$

51,380

 

Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts

 

1,376

 

Same Station Operating Expenses

 

$

52,756