Emmis Communications Reports 3rd Quarter Results

Emmis Communications Reports 3rd Quarter Results

Reported net revenue up 11%, Radio division continues to beat its markets

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emmis Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:EMMS) today announced results for its third fiscal quarter ended Nov. 30, 2005.

For the third fiscal quarter, reported net revenue was $100.5 million, compared to $90.2 million for the same quarter of the prior year, an increase of 11%. Reported net revenues for all periods presented exclude the results of Emmis' television stations and WRDA-FM, which have been classified as discontinued operations.

Diluted net income per common share from continuing operations was $0.01, compared to $0.07 for the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease is due to significantly higher interest expense, principally as a result of borrowings to finance the Dutch Auction Tender Offer, completed in June 2005.

"Emmis saw a lot of positive activity this quarter, and the results are still emerging. By the end of the month, we expect to have sold 13 of our 16 television stations, and, as promised, we have continued to build a solid capital structure," said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Chairman and CEO. "And we accomplished all this while remaining focused on operations, beating our radio markets and delivering another strong quarter. Looking ahead, we expect even more success in Chicago due to current investments in talent and promotions."

For the third quarter, reported radio net revenues increased 10%, while pro forma radio net revenues (including WLUP-FM and the Emmis radio networks in Slovakia and Bulgaria) increased 4%. Publishing net revenues increased 18%.

For the third quarter, operating income was $25.5 million, compared to $20.9 million for the same quarter of the prior year. Emmis' station operating income for the third quarter was $38.2 million, compared to $35.2 million for the same quarter of the prior year.

Emmis has included supplemental pro forma net revenues, station operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation, and certain other financial data on its website, http://www.emmis.com/. This information, which includes all consummated station acquisitions and dispositions, can be found under the "Investors" tab.

International radio net revenues and station operating expenses for the quarter ended Nov. 30, 2005 were $5.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

On Nov. 30, 2005, Emmis sold substantially all of the assets of television station WSAZ in Huntington/Charleston, W. Va. to Gray Television for $186.0 million. Also on Nov. 30, 2005, Emmis sold substantially all of the assets of four television stations (plus regional satellite stations) to LIN Television Corporation (LIN) (WALA in Mobile, Ala./Pensacola, Fla.; WTHI in Terre Haute, Ind.; WLUK in Green Bay, Wis.; and KRQE in Albuquerque, N. Mex.) and entered into a Local Programming and Marketing Agreement (LMA) with LIN for WBPG in Mobile, Ala./Pensacola, Fla., receiving gross proceeds of $257 million.

Net proceeds of these transactions, approximately $441.6 million, were used to repay outstanding debt obligations.

On Dec. 5, 2005, Emmis sold substantially all of the assets of television stations WFTX in Ft. Myers, Fla. and KGUN in Tucson, Ariz, and the tangible assets and many of the intangible assets (excluding, principally, the FCC license) of KMTV in Omaha, Neb. to Journal Communications for $225 million of gross proceeds. Emmis plans to use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt obligations, to fund acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes. Also on Dec. 5, 2005, Emmis entered into an LMA with Journal for KMTV.

On Sept. 28, 2005, Emmis signed definitive agreements to sell four television stations (plus regional satellite stations) to SJL Broadcast Group and affiliates of The Blackstone Group (KOIN in Portland, Ore; KHON in Honolulu; KSNW in Wichita, Kan.; and KSNT in Topeka, Kan.) for $259 million. The FCC has approved the license transfers, and Emmis expects the sale to close by Jan. 31, 2006. The Company plans to use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt obligations, to fund acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes.

On Sept. 23, 2005, Emmis signed a definitive agreement to sell radio station WRDA-FM in St. Louis, Mo. to Radio One, Inc. for $20 million. Radio One, Inc. began operation of this station under an LMA effective Oct. 1, 2005. Closing of this sale is subject to customary conditions. Emmis hopes to close this sale by Feb. 28, 2006 and plans to use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt obligations, to fund acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes.

On Dec. 2, 2005, Walter Z. Berger, former Chief Financial Officer of the Company, announced his resignation. That same day David R. Newcomer was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer, and the Company announced that it would conduct a search for a permanent replacement for Berger.

On Dec. 12, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the acceleration of the vesting of certain "out-of-the-money" unvested incentive and non-qualified stock options granted prior to July 1, 2004 with exercise prices equal to or greater than $20.76 per share. Approximately $5.6 million of expense that would have been recognized in the fiscal years ending Feb. 28, 2007 and 2008 (under SFAS No. 123R) will instead be a component of the Company's SFAS No. 123 pro forma footnote expense disclosure in the fiscal year ending Feb. 28, 2006.

On Dec. 23, 2005, Emmis called for redemption $230 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of its Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2012 (the "Notes"), pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, dated June 21, 2005, between the Company and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York, as trustee. The Notes will be redeemed on a pro rata basis on Jan. 23, 2006. The redemption price for the Notes to be redeemed is $1,000.00 per $1,000.00 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed Jan. 23, 2006.

During December 2005, Emmis repaid an aggregate $387.9 million of amounts outstanding under its senior credit facility. Approximately $170.5 million was used to repay amounts outstanding under the credit facility's revolving loan and $217.4 million was used to repay amounts outstanding under the credit facility's term loan.

The following table reconciles reported results to pro forma results (dollars in thousands):

3 months 9 months
ended Nov. 30, % ending Nov. 30, %
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change
Radio
Reported
net revenues $76,017 $69,380 10% $237,500 $213,290 11%
Plus: Revenues
from assets
acquired 401 4,136 2,153 14,738
Less: net
revenues
from assets
disposed - - - -
Pro forma net
revenues $76,418 $73,516 4% $239,653 $228,028 5%

Publishing
Reported net
revenues $24,500 $20,816 18% $65,396 $57,654 13%
Plus: Revenues
from assets
acquired - - - -
Less: net
revenues
from assets
disposed - - - -
Pro forma net
revenues $24,500 $20,816 18% $65,396 $57,654 13%

Total Company
Reported net
revenues $100,517 $90,196 11% $302,896 $270,944 12%
Plus: Revenues
from assets
acquired 401 4,136 2,153 14,738
Less: Revenues
from assets
disposed - - -
Pro forma net
revenues $100,918 $94,332 7% $305,049 $285,682 7%

On a pro forma basis, the Company expects its radio net revenues for its quarter ending Feb. 28, 2006 to be up approximately 1 to 2% and its station operating expenses, excluding noncash compensation, to be up approximately 5 to 7%. This expense growth is higher than normal due to investments in the Company's Chicago turnaround properties. Emmis expects a decline in the profitability of its publishing operations by roughly 50% due to the timing of certain publications and higher paper costs. Corporate expenses are expected to be approximately $6.2 million before the cost of any severance or special TV bonus payments.

Emmis will host a call regarding this information on Monday, January 9 at 9 a.m. Eastern at 1.517.623.4891, with a replay available through Tuesday, January 17 at 1.203.369.9000. Listen online at http://www.emmis.com/.

Emmis generally evaluates the performance of its operating entities based on station operating income. Management believes that station operating income is useful to investors because it provides a meaningful comparison of operating performance between companies in the industry and serves as an indicator of the market value of a group of stations or publishing entities. Station operating income is generally recognized by the broadcast and publishing industries as a measure of performance and is used by analysts who report on the performance of broadcasting and publishing groups. Station operating income does not take into account Emmis' debt service requirements and other commitments, and, accordingly, station operating income is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for dividends, reinvestment in Emmis' business or other discretionary uses.

Station operating income is not a measure of liquidity or of performance, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, our results of operations presented on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Moreover, station operating income is not a standardized measure and may be calculated in a number of ways. Emmis defines station operating income as revenues net of agency commissions and station operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation.

Emmis Communications - Great Media, Great People, Great Service(R)

Emmis is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis owns 23 FM and 2 AM domestic radio stations serving the nation's largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as well as Phoenix, St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, IN. In May 2005, Emmis announced its intent to seek strategic alternatives for its 16 television stations, and the Company has sold or announced signed definitive agreements to sell 13 of them. In September the Company announced it had signed an agreement to sell St. Louis radio station WRDA-FM. Emmis owns a radio network, international radio stations, regional and specialty magazines and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales and book publishing.

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

Note: Certain statements included in this report or in the financial statements contained herein which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words "expect," "will" or "look" are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as "forward- looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such factors include, among others:

* general economic and business conditions;
* fluctuations in the demand for advertising and demand for different
types of advertising media;
* our ability to service our outstanding debt;
* increased competition in our markets and the broadcasting industry;
* our ability to attract and secure programming, on-air talent, writers
and photographers;
* inability to obtain (or to obtain timely) necessary approvals for
* purchase or sale transactions or to complete the transactions for other
reasons generally beyond our control;
* increases in the costs of programming, including on-air talent;
* inability to grow through suitable acquisitions;
* new or changing regulations of the Federal Communications Commission or
other governmental agencies;
* competition from new or different technologies;
* war, terrorist acts or political instability; and
* other factors mentioned in documents filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
DATA
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands,
except per share data)

Three months ended Nine months ended
November 30, November 30,

2005 2004 2005 2004
OPERATING DATA:
Net revenues:
Radio $76,017 $69,380 $237,500 $213,290
Publishing 24,500 20,816 65,396 57,654
Total net revenues 100,517 90,196 302,896 270,944
Operating expenses,
excluding noncash
compensation:
Radio 42,433 38,027 130,343 113,835
Publishing 19,849 16,955 57,861 50,187
Total station operating
expenses, excluding
noncash compensation 62,282 54,982 188,204 164,022
Corporate expenses,
excluding noncash
compensation 5,790 7,318 19,391 23,354
Noncash compensation (a) 2,667 3,068 8,216 8,982
Depreciation and
amortization 4,274 3,924 12,468 12,035

Operating income 25,504 20,904 74,617 62,551
Interest expense (20,487) (8,469) (49,073) (30,122)
Loss on debt extinguishment(b) - - - (97,248)
Other income (expense), net (88) 518 30 872

Income (loss) before income
taxes, minority interest,
discontinued operations and
accounting change 4,929 12,953 25,574 (63,947)
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes 1,303 6,078 10,293 (695)
Minority interest expense,
net of tax 1,092 565 3,511 1,947

Income (loss) from
continuing operations 2,534 6,310 11,770 (65,199)
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations,
net of tax 197,487 13,495 207,059 26,730
Net income (loss) 200,021 19,805 218,829 (38,469)
Preferred stock dividends 2,246 2,246 6,738 6,738
Net income (loss) available
to common shareholders $197,775 $17,559 $212,091 $(45,207)

Basic net income (loss) per
common share:
Continuing operations $0.01 $0.07 $0.11 $(1.28)
Discontinued operations,
net of tax 5.35 0.24 4.63 0.47
Net income (loss)
available to common
shareholders $5.36 $0.31 $4.74 $(0.81)

Diluted net income (loss)
per common share:
Continuing operations $0.01 $0.07 $0.11 $(1.28)
Discontinued operations,
net of tax 5.29 0.24 4.60 0.47
Net income (loss)
available to common
shareholders $5.30 $0.31 $4.71 $(0.81)

Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 36,879 56,214 44,700 56,042
Diluted 37,305 56,307 45,056 56,042

(a) Noncash compensation by
segment:
Radio $869 $1,226 $2,831 $3,815
Publishing 228 534 855 1,679
Corporate 1,570 1,308 4,530 3,488
Total $2,667 $3,068 $8,216 $8,982

(b) Reflects costs associated with our debt recapitalization, which
closed on May 10, 2004 and a subsequent subordinated debt
extinguishment on June 10, 2004.

OTHER DATA:
Station operating income
(See below) 38,235 35,214 114,692 106,922
Cash paid for taxes 6 - 39 271
Capital expenditures 3,452 1,657 8,679 6,294

COMPUTATION OF STATION
OPERATING INCOME:
Operating income $25,504 $20,904 $74,617 $62,551
Plus: Depreciation and
amortization 4,274 3,924 12,468 12,035
Plus: Corporate expenses,
excluding noncash
compensation 5,790 7,318 19,391 23,354
Plus: Noncash compensation 2,667 3,068 8,216 8,982
Station operating income $38,235 $35,214 $114,692 $106,922

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET November 30, February 28,
INFORMATION: 2005 2005

Total Cash and Cash
Equivalents $245,155 $16,054
Restricted Cash 207,889 -

Senior Debt $838,750 $804,313
Senior Subordinated Debt 375,000 375,000
Senior Discount Notes 1,364 1,245
Senior Floating Rate Notes 350,000 -
Total Senior, Senior
Subordinated and Holding
Company Debt $1,565,114 $1,180,558

Source: Emmis Communications Corporation

CONTACT: David Newcomer, Interim EVP & CFO, or Kate Snedeker, Media &
Investor Relations, both of Emmis Communications +1-317-266-0100

Web site: http://www.emmis.com/

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