Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. As of December 31, 2018, we owned or operated seventy-nine FM and thirty-three AM radio stations, serving twenty-seven markets throughout the United States. On September 1, 2017 the Company sold its Joplin, Missouri and Victoria, Texas television stations. The historical results of operations for the television stations are presented in the discontinued operations for all periods presented (see Note 4). As a result of the Company’s television stations being reported as discontinued operations the Company only has one reportable segment at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we do not believe that the ultimate settlement of any amounts reported will materially affect our financial position or results of future operations, actual results may differ from estimates provided.

We sell advertising to local and national companies throughout the United States. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level which we believe is sufficient to cover potential credit losses.

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 December 31, 2018.

A provision for doubtful accounts is recorded based on our judgment of the collectability of receivables. Amounts are written off when determined to be fully uncollectible. Delinquent accounts are based on contractual terms. The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

							Write Off of
	Balance		Charged to		Allowance		Uncollectible			Balance at
	at Beginning		Costs and		From		Accounts, Net of			End of
Year Ended	of Period		Expenses		Acquisitions		Recoveries			Period
	(in thousands)

December 31, 2018	$	727	$	444	$	25	$	(437	)	$	759
December 31, 2017	$	518	$	333	$	181	$	(305	)	$	727
December 31, 2016	$	614	$	195	$	—	$	(291	)	$	518

Our radio and television stations trade air time for goods and services used principally for promotional, sales and other business activities. An asset and a liability are recorded at the fair market value of goods or services received. Barter revenue is recorded when commercials are broadcast, and barter expense is recorded when goods or services received are used.

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the assets. We review our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amounts to future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair market value. We did not record any impairment of property and equipment during 2018, 2017 and 2016.

	Estimated		December 31,
	Useful Life		2018			2017
			(In thousands)

Land and land improvements		—	$	14,402		$	13,594
Buildings		31.5 years		35,812			34,905
Towers and antennae		7-15 years		25,959			24,538
Equipment		3-15 years		53,752			52,534
Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements		7-20 years		6,740			6,822
Vehicles		5 years		3,555			3,463
				140,220			135,856
Accumulated depreciation				(81,117	)		(79,621	)
Net property and equipment			$	59,103		$	56,235

Depreciation expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $5,692,000, $5,391,000 and $5,234,000, respectively. Depreciation expense for discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $0, $445,000 and $1,387,000, respectively.

Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, which include broadcast licenses and goodwill, are not amortized and are subject to impairment tests which are conducted as of October 1 of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

We have 112 broadcast licenses serving 27 markets, which require renewal over the period of 2019-2022. In determining that the Company’s broadcast licenses qualified as indefinite-lived intangible assets, management considered a variety of factors including our broadcast licenses may be renewed indefinitely at little cost; our broadcast licenses are essential to our business and we intend to renew our licenses indefinitely; we have never been denied the renewal of an FCC broadcast license nor do we believe that there will be any compelling challenge to the renewal of our broadcast licenses; and we do not believe that the technology used in broadcasting will be replaced by another technology in the foreseeable future.

Separable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Favorable lease agreements are amortized over the leases length, ranging from five to twenty-six years. Other intangibles are amortized over one to fifteen years. Customer relationships are amortized over three years.

The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt. As a result of the Second Amendment, the Company incurred an additional $120,000 of transaction fees related to the Credit Facility that were capitalized. The cumulative transaction fees are being amortized over the remaining life of the Credit Facility. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs of $51,000, $53,000 and $53,000, respectively.

In March 2013, our board of directors authorized an increase in the amount committed to our Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) from $60 million to $75.8 million. The Buy-Back Program allows us to repurchase our Class A Common Stock. As of December 31, 2018, we had remaining authorization of $20.4 million for future repurchases of our Class A Common Stock.

Repurchases of shares of our Common Stock are recorded as Treasury stock and result in a reduction of Stockholders’ equity. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, we acquired 53,713 shares at an average price of $37.24 per share, 37,141 shares at an average price of $47.72 per share and 18,612 shares at an average price of $40.06 per share, respectively.

Revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast time to advertisers is recognized when commercials are broadcast. Revenue is reported net of advertising agency commissions. Agency commissions, when applicable are based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. All revenue is recognized in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Topic 13,

Revenue Recognition Revised and Updated

and The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBAs”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) 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 its own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. Revenue and expenses related to TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Assets and liabilities related to the TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred. Such costs related to our continuing operations amounted to $2,438,000, $2,441,000 and $2,633,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Advertising and promotion costs related to our discontinued operations amounted to $0, $240,000 and $341,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. 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.

On November 28, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.25 per share on its Classes A and B shares. This dividend totaling approximately $3.3 million was paid on January 4, 2019 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2018 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On August 14, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million was paid on September 14, 2018 to shareholders of record on August 31, 2018 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On May 15, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on June 22, 2018 to shareholders of record on May 31, 2018 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On February 28, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on March 30, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2018 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On December 7, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.80 per share on its Classes A and B shares. This dividend totaling approximately $6.5 million was paid on January 5, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 18, 2017 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On September 13, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million was paid on October 13, 2017 to shareholders of record on September 25, 2017 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On May 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on June 9, 2017 to shareholders of record on May 22, 2017 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On March 3, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on April 14, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 28, 2017 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On November 21, 2016 the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.20 per share on its Classes A and B shares. This dividend totaling $2.9 million was paid on December 23, 2016 to shareholders of record on December 5, 2016 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On August 30, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling $1.8 million was paid on September 30, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 14, 2016 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On June 1, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.25 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling $1.5 million, was paid on July 8, 2016 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2016 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On March 2, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling $1.5 million, was paid on April 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on March 28, 2016 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

Stock-based compensation cost for stock option awards is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed on a straight-line method over the vesting period of the options. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the grant date and is adjusted at each reporting date based on the amount of shares ultimately expected to vest. See Note 8 — Stock-Based Compensation for further details regarding the expense calculated under the fair value based method.

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.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Numerator:
Income from continuing operations	$	13,690	$	22,246	$	12,910
Less: Income allocated to unvested participating securities		256		370		231
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders	$	13,434	$	21,876	$	12,679

Income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	32,471	$	5,276
Less: Income allocated to unvested participating securities		—		541		94
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders	$	—	$	31,930	$	5,182

Net income available to common stockholders	$	13,434	$	53,806	$	17,861

Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares		5,829		5,803		5,761
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		—		4		10
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		5,829		5,807		5,771

Basic earnings per share:
From continuing operations	$	2.30	$	3.77	$	2.20
From discontinued operations		—		5.50		0.90
Basic earnings per share	$	2.30	$	9.27	$	3.10

Diluted earnings per share
From continuing operations	$	2.30	$	3.77	$	2.19
From discontinued operations		—		5.50		0.90
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.30	$	9.27	$	3.09

There were no stock options outstanding that had an antidilutive effect on our earnings per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The actual effect of these shares, if any, on the diluted earnings per share calculation will vary significantly depending on fluctuations in the stock price.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

(“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of revenue resulting from contracts with customers and will supersede virtually all of the current revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The FASB has also issued a number of updates to this standard. This amendment and all updates, which established Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 (the “new revenue standard”) were adopted on January 1, 2018. The Company adopted the new revenue standard using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605. Impacts of the new revenue standard do not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230): Statement of Cash Flows”

(“ASU 2016-15”), which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 was adopted on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)”

(“ASU 2017-04”) which removes step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds it fair value, an entity will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 will be applied prospectively and is effective for fiscal years and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”

(“ASU 2016-13”), which amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02,

“Leases (Topic 842)”

(“ASU 2016-02”) which requires that all leases with a term of more than one year, covering leased assets such as real estate, broadcasting towers and equipment, be reflected on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by these leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. In 2018, the FASB issued several updates to address certain practical expedients, codification improvements, and targeted improvements to the original guidance. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability approximately $7 million to reflect the present value of remaining lease payments under the existing leasing arrangements. While the recognition of such lease assets and liabilities will impact our consolidated balance sheet, we do not expect a material impact on our consolidated statements of income or cash flows.

We have elected to apply the modified retrospective transition approach without restatement of comparative periods financial information, as permitted by the transition guidance.