Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for annual financial statements.

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position as of September 30, 2017 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

We own or operate broadcast properties in 26 markets, including 75 FM and 33 AM radio stations.

On May 9, 2017 the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Joplin, Missouri and Victoria, Texas television stations. The disposition closed on September 1, 2017. The historical results of operations for the television stations are presented in discontinued operations for all periods presented (see Note 5). Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the notes to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations. As a result of the Company’s television stations sale, the Company only has one reportable segment at September 30, 2017.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Saga Communications, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of September 30, 2017, for items that should potentially be recognized in these financial statements or discussed within the notes to the financial statements.

Earnings Per Share Information

Earnings Per Share Information

Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security. The Company has participating securities related to restricted stock units, granted under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan, that earn dividends on an equal basis with common shares. In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	2,965	$	3,903	$	7,387	$	9,561
Less: Income allocated to unvested participating securities		51		72		126		176
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$	2,914	$	3,831	$	7,261	$	9,385
Income from discontinued operations	$	30,451	$	1,511	$	32,501	$	3,688
Less: Income allocated to unvested participating securities		520		28		556		68
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	29,931	$	1,483	$	31,945	$	3,620
Net income available to common stockholders	$	32,845	$	5,314	$	39,206	$	13,005
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares		5,807		5,755		5,800		5,753
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents		—		9		4		9
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		5,807		5,764		5,804		5,762
Basic earnings per share:
From continuing operations	$	.50	$	.66	$	1.25	$	1.63
From discontinued operations		5.16		.26		5.51		.63
Basic earnings per share	$	5.66	$	.92	$	6.76	$	2.26
Diluted earnings per share
From continuing operations	$	.50	$	.66	$	1.25	$	1.62
From discontinued operations		5.16		.26		5.51		.63
Diluted earnings per share	$	5.66	$	.92	$	6.76	$	2.25

The number of stock options outstanding that had an antidilutive effect on our earnings per share calculation, and therefore have been excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation, was 0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. All stock options were exercised during the second quarter of 2017 and there were no stock options outstanding at September 30, 2017.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value as it carries interest rates that either fluctuate with the euro-dollar rate, prime rate or have been reset at the prevailing market rate at September 30, 2017.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory rate as a result of the inclusion of state taxes in the income tax amount.

Time Brokerage Agreements/Local Marketing Agreements

Time Brokerage Agreements/Local Marketing Agreements

We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBA’s”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMA’s”) in certain markets. In a typical TBA/LMA, the FCC licensee of a station makes available, for a fee, blocks of air time on its station to another party that supplies programming to be broadcast during that air time and sells their own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. Revenue and expenses related to TBA’s/LMA’s are included in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 30, 2017 we had no TBA’s/LMA’s in place.