Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in the Company’s prior period consolidated financial statements and notes to the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This analysis includes consideration of who has the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the variable interest entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. The Company continuously reassesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity.

The Company has consolidated one entity for which it is the primary beneficiary. Total net assets and results of operations of the entity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are not significant.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company’s operations are affected by numerous factors, including changes in audience acceptance (i.e. ratings), priorities of advertisers, new laws and governmental regulations and policies and technological advances. The Company cannot predict if any of these factors might have a significant impact on the television, radio, and digital advertising industries in the future, nor can it predict what impact, if any, the occurrence of these or other events might have on the Company’s operations and cash flows. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, the estimated useful lives of long-lived and intangible assets, the recoverability of such assets by their estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the fair value of reporting units and indefinite life intangible assets, fair values of derivative instruments, disclosure of the fair value of debt, deferred income taxes and the purchase price allocations used in the Company’s acquisitions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of funds held in general checking accounts, money market accounts and commercial paper. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. The Company had $53.7 million and $34.5 million in cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Restricted Cash

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s balance sheet includes $0.7 million in restricted cash as temporary collateral for the Company’s letters of credit.

The Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, was as follows (in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2021		2020		2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	185,094	$	119,162	$	33,123
Restricted cash		749		749		734
Total as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	185,843	$	119,911	$	33,857

Investments

As of December 31, 2021, all of the Company's available for sale debt securities have matured. The Company’s available for sale debt securities totaled $28.0 million as of December 31, 2020, and were comprised of certificates of deposit and bonds, which were recorded at their fair market value within “Marketable securities” in the consolidated balance sheet” (see Note 10). All certificates of deposit are within the current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and all corporate bonds are investment grade.

Long-lived Assets, Other Assets and Intangibles Subject to Amortization

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (see Note 6). The Company periodically evaluates assets to be held and used and long-lived assets held for sale, when events and circumstances warrant such review.

Syndication contracts are recorded at cost. Syndication amortization is provided using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (see Note 5). Favorable leasehold interests and pre-sold advertising contracts are amortized over the term of the underlying contracts. Deferred debt issuance costs are amortized over the life of the related indebtedness using the effective interest method.

Changes in circumstances, such as the passage of new laws or changes in regulations, technological advances or changes to the Company’s business strategy, could result in the actual useful lives differing from initial estimates. Factors such as changes in the planned use of equipment, customer attrition, contractual amendments or mandated regulatory requirements could result in shortened useful lives. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of a long-lived asset should be revised, the Company will amortize or depreciate the net book value in excess of the estimated residual value over its revised remaining useful life.

Long-lived assets and asset groups are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The estimated future cash flows are based upon, among other things, assumptions about expected future operating performance, and may differ from actual cash flows. Long-lived assets evaluated for impairment are grouped with other assets to the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest) is less than the carrying value of the assets, the assets will be written down to the estimated fair value in the period in which the determination is made.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in each business combination. The Company tests its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually on the first day of its fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently if certain events or certain changes in circumstances indicate they may be impaired. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets, the Company must make a series of assumptions about such things as the estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of these assets.

In testing the goodwill of its reporting units for impairment, the Company first determines, based on a qualitative assessment, whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of each of its reporting units is less than their respective carrying amounts. The Company has determined that each of its operating segments is a reporting unit.

If it is deemed more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value based on this initial assessment, the next step is a quantitative comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If a reporting unit’s estimated fair value is equal to or greater than that reporting unit’s carrying value, no impairment of goodwill exists and the testing is complete. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount is greater than the estimated fair value, then an impairment loss is recorded for the amount of the difference.

When a quantitative analysis is performed, the estimated fair value of goodwill is determined by using a combination of a market approach and an income approach. The market approach estimates fair value by applying sales, earnings and cash flow multiples to each reporting unit’s operating performance. The multiples are derived from comparable publicly-traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics to the Company’s reporting units. The market approach requires the Company to make a series of assumptions, such as selecting comparable companies and comparable transactions and transaction premiums. In recent years, there has been a decrease in the number of comparable transactions, which makes the market approach of comparable transactions and transaction premiums more difficult to estimate than in previous years.

The income approach estimates fair value based on the Company’s estimated future cash flows of each reporting unit, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions, which reflect the overall level of inherent risk of that reporting unit. The income approach also requires the Company to make a series of assumptions, such as discount rates, revenue projections, profit margin projections and terminal value multiples. The Company estimated discount rates on a blended rate of return considering both debt and equity for comparable publicly-traded companies in the television, radio and digital media industries. These comparable publicly-traded companies have similar size, operating characteristics and/or financial profiles to the Company. The Company also estimated the terminal value multiple based on comparable publicly-traded companies. The Company estimated revenue projections and profit margin projections based on internal forecasts about future performance.

Indefinite Life Intangible Assets

The Company believes that its broadcast licenses are indefinite life intangible assets. An intangible asset is determined to have an indefinite useful life when there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or any other factors that may limit the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future cash flows. The evaluation of impairment for indefinite life intangible assets is performed by a comparison of the asset’s carrying value to the asset’s fair value. When the carrying value exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount of the difference. The unit of accounting used to test broadcast licenses represents all licenses owned and operated within an individual market cluster, because such licenses are used together, are complimentary to each other and are representative of the best use of those assets. The Company’s individual market clusters consist of cities or nearby cities. The Company tests its broadcasting licenses for impairment based on certain assumptions about these market clusters.

The estimated fair value of indefinite life intangible assets is determined by using an income approach. The income approach estimates fair value based on the estimated future cash flows of each market cluster that a hypothetical buyer would expect to generate, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions, which reflect the overall level of inherent risk. The income approach requires the Company to make a series of assumptions, such as discount rates, revenue projections, profit margin projections and terminal value multiples. The Company estimates the discount rates on a blended rate of return considering both debt and equity for comparable publicly-traded companies. These comparable publicly-traded companies have similar size, operating characteristics and/or financial profiles to the Company. The Company also estimated the terminal value multiple based on comparable publicly-traded companies in the television, radio and digital media industries. The Company estimated the revenue projections and profit margin projections based on various market clusters signal coverage of the markets and industry information for an average station within a given market. The information for each market cluster includes such things as estimated market share, estimated capital start-up costs, population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures. Alternatively, some stations under evaluation have had limited relevant cash flow history due to planned or actual conversion of format or upgrade of station signal. The assumptions the Company makes about cash flows after conversion are based on the performance of similar stations in similar markets and potential proceeds from the sale of the assets.

Concentrations of Credit Risk and Trade Receivables

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company from time to time may have bank deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. As of December 31, 2021, the majority of all deposits are maintained in two financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

The Company’s credit risk is spread across a large number of customers in the U.S., Latin America, Asia, and various other countries, therefore spreading the trade receivable credit risk. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and, as a consequence, believes that its trade receivable credit risk exposure is limited. Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. A valuation allowance is provided for known and anticipated credit losses, as determined by management in the course of regularly evaluating individual customer receivables. This evaluation takes into consideration of a customer’s financial condition and credit history, as well as current economic conditions. Trade receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. No interest is charged on customer accounts.

Aggregate receivables from the largest five advertisers represented 3% and 10% of total trade receivables as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No single advertiser represents more than 5% of the total trade receivables.

Revenue from the largest advertiser represented 13% and 3% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No other advertiser represented more than 5% of the total revenue.

Estimated losses for bad debts are provided for in the consolidated financial statements through a charge to expense that aggregated $3.5 million, $2.5 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net charge off of bad debts aggregated $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Dependence on Global Media Companies

The Company is dependent on the continued financial and business strength of the global media companies for which the Company acts as a commercial partner in the digital segment, as well as the companies from which it obtains programming in the television and audio segments. The Company could be at risk should any of these entities fail to perform their respective obligations to the Company. This in turn could materially adversely affect the Company’s own business, results of operations and financial condition.

Revenue related to a single media company for which the Company acts as a commercial partner represented 55% and 24% of the Company's total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $209.1 million and $210.5 million, respectively, based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently.

The Company’s available for sale debt securities are valued using quoted prices for similar attributes in active markets. Since these investments are classified as available for sale, they are recorded at their fair market value within “Marketable securities” in the consolidated balance sheets and their unrealized gains or losses are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”.

The carrying values of receivables, payables and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Off-Balance Sheet Financings and Liabilities

Other than legal contingencies incurred in the normal course of business and employment contracts for key employees (see Notes 12 and 17), the Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements or liabilities. The Company does not have any majority-owned subsidiaries or any interests in, or relationships with, any material variable-interest entities that are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is determined to be more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

In evaluating the Company’s ability to realize net deferred tax assets, the Company considers all reasonably available evidence including past operating results, tax strategies and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these factors, the Company makes certain assumptions and judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage the business.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Value Added Taxes

Value added taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis, and are therefore excluded from revenues.

Advertising Costs

Amounts incurred for advertising costs with third parties are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense totaled approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Legal Costs

Amounts incurred for legal costs that pertain to loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Repairs and Maintenance

All costs associated with repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Business Combinations

The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP and use estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price paid for acquisitions to the fair value of the assets, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired. Such estimates may be based on significant unobservable inputs and assumptions such as, but not limited to, revenue projections, gross margin projections, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, discount rates and terminal growth rate assumptions. The Company uses established valuation techniques and may engage reputable valuation specialists to assist with the valuations. The Company’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of an acquisition, as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue related to the Company's digital segment is recognized when display or other digital advertisements record impressions on the websites and mobile and Internet-connected television apps of media companies on whose digital platforms the advertisements are placed or as the advertiser’s previously agreed-upon performance criteria are satisfied. In the Company’s arrangements with media companies for which it acts as commercial partner, the Company has concluded that it is the principal in the transaction and therefore recognizes revenue on a gross basis, primarily because it is responsible for fulfillment of the contract, including customer support, resolving customer complaints and accepting responsibility for the quality or suitability of the product or service. Additionally, the Company has pricing discretion over the transaction and the Company carries inventory risk and is required to pay the media companies for which it acts as commercial partner for all inventory purchased regardless of whether the Company is able to collect on a transaction with the advertiser.

Revenue related to the sale of advertising in the television and audio segments is recognized at the time of broadcast. Revenue for contracts with advertising agencies is recorded at an amount that is net of the commission retained by the agency. Revenue from contracts directly with the advertisers is recorded as gross revenue and the related commission or national representation fee is recorded in operating expense. Cash payments received prior to services rendered result in deferred revenue, which is then recognized as revenue when the advertising time or space is actually provided.

The Company generates revenue under arrangements in which services are sold on a stand-alone basis within a specific segment, and those that are sold on a combined basis across multiple segments. The Company has determined that in such revenue arrangements which contain multiple products and services, revenues are allocated based on the relative fair value of each item and recognized in accordance with the applicable revenue recognition criteria for the specific unit of accounting.

Under the Company’s current proxy agreement with TelevisaUnivision, the Company grants TelevisaUnivision the right to negotiate the terms of retransmission consent agreements for its Univision- and UniMás-affiliated television station signals. Among other things, the proxy agreement provides terms relating to compensation to be paid to the Company by TelevisaUnivision with respect to retransmission consent agreements entered into with multichannel video programming distributors, or MVPDs. The term of the proxy agreement extends with respect to any MVPD for the length of the term of any retransmission consent agreement in effect before the expiration of the proxy agreement. The Company recognizes retransmission consent revenue earned as the television signal is delivered to the MVPD.

The Company also generates revenue under two current marketing and sales agreements with TelevisaUnivision, which give the Company the right to manage the marketing and sales operations of TelevisaUnivision-owned Univision affiliates in six markets – Albuquerque, Boston, Denver, Orlando, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

The Company also generates revenue from agreements associated with its television stations’ spectrum usage rights from a variety of sources, including but not limited to entering into agreements with third parties to utilize excess spectrum for the broadcast of their multicast networks, charging fees to accommodate the operations of third parties, including moving channel positions or accepting interference with broadcasting operations, and modifying and/or relinquishing spectrum usage rights while continuing to broadcast through channel sharing or other arrangements. Revenue from such agreements is recognized over the period of the lease or when the Company has relinquished all or a portion of its spectrum usage rights for a station or have relinquished its rights to operate a station on the existing channel free from interference.

Trade Transactions

The Company exchanges broadcast time for certain merchandise and services. Trade revenue is recognized when commercials air at the fair value of the goods or services received or the fair value of time aired, whichever is more readily determinable. Trade expense is recorded when the goods or services are used or received. Trade revenue was approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Trade costs were approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue related to the Company’s digital segment consists primarily of the costs of online media acquired from third-party media companies.

Direct operating expenses

Direct operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and commissions of sales staff, amounts paid to national representation firms, production and programming expenses, fees for ratings services, and engineering costs.

Corporate expenses

Corporate expenses consist primarily of salaries related to corporate officers and back office functions, third party legal and accounting services, and fees incurred as a result of being a publicly traded company.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation according to the provisions of ASC 718, “Stock Compensation”, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units based on estimated fair values.

The Company granted restricted stock units during each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. The estimated fair value of the restricted stock units granted is based on the Company's share price on the grant date.

The Company did not grant any stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

The Company classifies cash flows from excess tax benefits from exercised options in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock-based compensation costs as operating cash flows.

Earnings Per Share

The following table illustrates the reconciliation of the basic and diluted per share computations (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Year Ended		Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31,		December 31,			December 31,
	2021		2020			2019
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	29,292	$	(3,910	)	$	(19,712	)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		85,301,603		84,231,212			85,107,301
Per share:
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders	$	0.34	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.23	)
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	29,292	$	(3,910	)	$	(19,712	)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		85,301,603		84,231,212			85,107,301
Dilutive securities:
Stock options		298,743		-			-
Restricted stock units		2,310,257		-			-
Diluted shares outstanding		87,910,603		84,231,212			85,107,301
Per share:
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders	$	0.33	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.23	)

Basic earnings per share is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution, if any, that could occur from shares issuable through stock options and restricted stock awards.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of 465,993 shares of dilutive securities were not included in the computation of diluted income per share because the exercise prices of the dilutive securities were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, all dilutive securities have been excluded as their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect on loss per share. The number of securities whose conversion would result in an incremental number of shares that would be included in determining the weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share if their effect was not antidilutive was 892,720.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, all dilutive securities have been excluded as their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect on loss per share. The number of securities whose conversion would result in an incremental number of shares that would be included in determining the weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share if their effect was not antidilutive was 1,117,216.

Comprehensive Income (loss)

For the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company had other comprehensive income, net of tax, of $0.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company had other comprehensive loss, net of tax, of $0.9 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company had other comprehensive income, net of tax, of $1.3 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its Simplification Initiative to reduce the cost and complexity in accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also amends other aspects of the guidance to help simplify and promote consistent application of GAAP. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.