Gray Reports Operating Results For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

Gray Reports Operating Results For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

ATLANTA, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray" or the "Company") (NYSE:GTN) today announced results from operations for the three months ("first quarter") ended March 31, 2006 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005.

Significant items to note for the three months ended March 31, 2006:

Three Months Ended Change from Same Period
March 31, 2006 of Prior Year

Net local broadcast Increased 19% or $7.4 million
advertising revenue,
excluding political
advertising revenue, of
$46.5 million

Net political advertising Increased $1.5 million
revenue of $1.8 million reflecting the "on-year" of
the political election cycle

As of
March 31, 2006 December 31, 2005
Cash on Hand $7.0 million $9.3 million

Total Debt(1) $867.3 million $792.5 million

Comments on Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006:

Revenues.

- Total broadcasting revenues increased 17% to $68.2 million reflecting,
in part, the acquisition of television stations KKCO, Grand Junction,
CO on January 31, 2005, WSWG, Albany GA on November 10, 2005, WSAZ,
Charleston - Huntington, WV on November 30, 2005 and WNDU, South Bend,
IN on March 3, 2006. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to
the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU total broadcasting
net revenue increased 6% to $70.8 million.

- Local broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding political
advertising revenues, increased $7.4 million, or 19%, to $46.5 million
from $39.1 million.

- Since January 1, 2005, the Company has launched eight digital second
channels in its existing television markets and acquired the
television stations discussed above. Collectively, these
transactions account for approximately 65%, or $4.8 million of the
Company's overall increase in local broadcasting advertising
revenues, excluding political advertising revenues.

- For the stations and digital second channels continuously operated
since January 1, 2005, local broadcasting advertising revenues,
excluding political advertising revenues, increased 7% or $2.6
million due to increased demand for commercial time by local
advertisers.

- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of
television stations WSAZ and WNDU discussed above, local
broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding political advertising
revenues, increased 9% or $4.0 million due to increased demand for
commercial time by local advertisers.

- National broadcasting advertising revenues increased 13% or $1.9
million to $17.2 million from $15.3 million.

- The station acquisitions and launch of the digital second channels
discussed above collectively account for approximately $2.1 million
of this increase.

- National advertising revenues, excluding political advertising
revenues, for the stations and digital second channels continuously
operated since January 1, 2005 were essentially consistent with the
same period of the prior year.

- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of
television stations WSAZ and WNDU discussed above, national
broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding political advertising
revenues, of $17.8 million were essentially consistent with the same
period of the prior year.

- Political advertising revenues increased to $1.8 million from $0.3
million reflecting the cyclical influence of the 2006 elections.

- During the first quarter of 2006, the Company earned an aggregate total
of approximately $2.9 million of revenue from the broadcast of the
Winter Olympic Games. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to
the acquisition of the television station WNDU discussed above, the
aggregate total revenue attributable to the broadcast of the Winter
Olympic Games approximated $3.4 million. No Olympic Games were
broadcast in the first quarter of 2005.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 22% to $57.2 million from $47.1 million in the same period of the prior year primarily as the result of the station acquisitions discussed above.

- Broadcasting expenses, before depreciation, amortization and loss on
disposal of assets increased $6.4 million, or 16%, to $45.1 million
from $38.7 million.

- The station acquisitions and launch of the digital second channels
discussed above collectively account for approximately $4.3 million
of this increase.

- For the stations and second channels continuously operated since
January 1, 2005 broadcast expenses increased approximately 6%, or
$2.1 million. This increase was due to increased payroll costs of
$1.4 million, including a non-cash charge of $144,000 for increased
vacation liabilities. Other non-payroll related expenses, including
program costs, increased $681,000.

- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of
television stations WSAZ and WNDU discussed above, broadcast
expenses increased approximately 7% to $47.2 million generally
reflecting routine increases in payroll related expenses and modest
increases in other non-payroll related expenses including program
costs.

- Corporate and administrative expenses, before depreciation,
amortization and loss on disposal of assets increased 36% to $3.7
million in the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to $2.7
million for the same period in 2005. The 2006 period includes an
aggregate of approximately $198,000 of non-cash expenses recorded in
connection with the Company's adoption on January 1, 2006 of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, (revised 2005) which relates
to the new accounting rules for expensing stock based compensation.
The corresponding period of 2005 contains $98,000 of non-cash expenses
associated with restricted stock awards. Excluding non-cash stock
based compensation, payroll and benefit costs increased $197,000. In
addition, professional service fees including legal and audit fees
increased approximately $338,000 over the first quarter of 2005.

Balance Sheet:

Gray's cash balance was $7.0 million at March 31, 2006 compared to $9.3 million at December 31, 2005. The decrease in cash reflects $18.9 million of net cash generated by Gray's operations during the first quarter of 2005 compared to $18.8 million for the prior year. The 2006 net cash generated from operations was offset in part by the return of capital to Gray's common and preferred shareholders through the payment of $2.3 million of dividends. Gray also used a total of $1.2 million to purchase and retire a portion of Gray's 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes. Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $867.3 million and $792.5 million(2), respectively.

Changes in the classification of certain items:

Prior year operating results of the publishing and wireless segments in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation which reflects the results of those operations in income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes.

Gray Television, Inc.
(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)

As Reported
Three Months Ended
Selected operating data: March 31,
%
2006 2005 Change

Revenues (less agency commissions) $68,234 $58,309 17 %

Expenses:
Operating expenses before
depreciation, amortization and
loss on disposal of assets, net 45,064 38,694 16 %
Corporate and administrative 3,743 2,744 36 %
Depreciation and amortization of
intangible assets 8,329 5,621 48 %
Loss on disposal of assets, net 82 33 148 %
Total expenses 57,218 47,092 22 %
Operating income 11,016 11,217 (2)%
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income (expense), net 346 295 17 %
Interest expense (15,466) (11,113) 39 %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (110) 0 NA
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income
tax expense (4,214) 399 (1156)%
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,660) 150 (1207)%
Income (loss) from continuing
operations (2,554) 249 (1126)%
Income from operations of discontinued
publishing and wireless operations net
of income tax expense of $0, $1,195,
$0, and $1,195, respectively 0 1,826 (100)%
Net income (loss) (2,554) 2,075 (223)%
Preferred dividends 815 815 0 %

Net income (loss) available to common
stockholders $(3,369) $1,260 (367)%

Diluted per share information:
Loss from continuing operations
available to common stockholders $(0.07) $(0.01)
Income from discontinued operations,
net of tax 0 0.04
Net income (loss) available to
common stockholders $(0.07) $0.03
Weighted average shares outstanding 48,741 49,045 (1)%

Political revenue (less agency
commission) $1,776 $293 506 %

Revenue related to Olympic broadcast
(less agency commission) $2,880 $0 NA

Gray Television, Inc.
(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)

Pro Forma
Three Months Ended
Selected operating data: March 31,
%
2006 2005 Change

Revenues (less agency commissions) $70,819 $66,631 6 %

Expenses:
Operating expenses before
depreciation, amortization and
loss on disposal of assets, net 47,201 44,257 7 %
Corporate and administrative 3,743 2,744 36 %
Depreciation and amortization of
intangible assets 8,997 7,579 19 %
Loss on disposal of assets, net 82 33 148 %
Total expenses 60,023 54,613 10 %
Operating income 10,796 12,018 (10)%
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income (expense), net 346 295 17 %
Interest expense (15,891) (14,030) 13 %
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (110) 0 NA
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income
tax expense (4,859) (1,717) 183 %
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,895) (670) 183 %
Income (loss) from continuing
operations (2,964) (1,047) 183 %
Income from operations of discontinued
publishing and wireless operations net
of income tax expense of $0, $1,195, $0,
and $1,195, respectively 0 1,826 (100)%
Net income (loss) (2,964) 779 (480)%
Preferred dividends 815 815 0 %

Net income (loss) available to common
stockholders $(3,779) $(36) 10397 %

Diluted per share information:
Loss from continuing operations
available to common stockholders $(0.08) $(0.04)
Income from discontinued operations,
net of tax 0 0.04
Net income (loss) available to
common stockholders $(0.08) $0
Weighted average shares outstanding 48,741 48,599 0 %

Political revenue (less agency
commission) $1,856 $370 402 %

Revenue related to Olympic broadcast
(less agency commission) $3,390 $0 NA

Guidance for the Second Quarter of 2006

We currently anticipate that Gray's broadcasting results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2006 will approximate the ranges presented in the table below. The guidance below for corporate expense for the three months ended June 30, 2006 includes an estimated $200,000 of non-cash expense currently anticipated in connection with the Company's adoption on January 1, 2006 of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, (revised 2005) which relates to new accounting rules for expensing stock based compensation.

% % % %
2006 Change Change 2006 Change Change
Guidance From From Guidance From From
Selected Low Actual Pro High Actual Pro Forma
operating data: Range 2005 Forma Range 2005 2005
Dollars in millions
OPERATING REVENUES
Revenues
(less agency
commissions) $80.5 +18% +3% $81.5 +20% +5%

OPERATING EXPENSES
before depreciation,
amortization and other
expenses:
Broadcasting
operating
expenses $47.7 +20% +6% $48.0 +21% +6%

Corporate
expense $3.3 +10% +10% $3.4 +13% +13%

Other Selected Data:
Broadcast
political
revenues
(less agency
commissions) $3.0 329% 173% $3.5 400% 218%

Selected Actual Pro Forma
operating data: 2005 2005
Dollars in millions
OPERATING
REVENUES
Revenues
(less agency
commissions) $68.0 $77.9

OPERATING EXPENSES
before depreciation,
amortization and other
expenses:
Broadcasting
operating expenses $39.6 $45.1

Corporate expense $ 3.0 $ 3.0

Other
Selected Data:
Broadcast political
revenues (less agency
commissions) $ 0.7 $ 1.1

Pro Forma information presents certain operating results of WSAZ and WNDU as if each station had been acquired on January 1, 2005.

Comments on Guidance

The above guidance for broadcasting revenue reflects the cyclical impact of political advertising spending.

The above second quarter 2006 guidance for broadcasting revenue also includes the impact of Gray's launch or planned launch of a total of eleven digital second channels in its existing television markets since April 1, 2005 and the acquisition of television stations WSWG, Albany GA on November 10, 2005, WSAZ, Charleston - Huntington, WV on November 30, 2005 and WNDU, South Bend, IN on March 3, 2006. Collectively these transactions account for approximately $10.7 million of the overall increase in second quarter broadcast revenue in comparison to the second quarter of 2005 on an "as reported" basis. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU total broadcasting net revenue is expected to increase between 3% and 5%.

For television stations and digital secondary channels continuously operated since April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that its local revenue, excluding political revenue, will increase approximately 5% over the second quarter of 2005. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU local revenue, excluding political revenue, is expected to increase approximately 6% over the pro forma results for the second quarter of 2005.

For television stations and digital secondary channels continuously operated since April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that its national revenue, excluding political revenue, will be approximately equal to the results from the second quarter of 2005 for those same stations. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU national revenue, excluding political revenue, is expected to approximate the pro forma results for the second quarter of 2005.

The above second quarter 2006 guidance for broadcasting operating expense before depreciation, amortization, and other expenses also includes the current period impact of Gray's launch of digital second channels and the acquisition of several television stations as discussed above. Collectively these transactions account for approximately $6.6 million of the overall increase in second quarter broadcast operating expense before depreciation, amortization and other expenses in comparison to the second quarter of 2005 on an "as reported" basis. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU total broadcasting operating expense before depreciation, amortization and other expenses is expected to increase approximately 6%. The launch or planned launch of digital second channels is anticipated to produce approximately $1.1 million of incremental expense during the second quarter of 2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005.

For television stations and secondary channels continuously operated since April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and other expenses will increase approximately 4% from the second quarter of 2005. This expense increase generally reflects routine increases in payroll and benefit costs.

Also included within the broadcast operating expense estimates presented above, Gray currently estimates that the non-cash 401(k) plan expense will approximate $450,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared with $535,000 for the same period of 2005.

Conference Call Information

Gray Television, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter operating results on May 9, 2006. The call will begin at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-800-406-5356 and the confirmation code is 5591884. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1-888-203-1112, Confirmation Code: 5591884 until June 9, 2006.

Reconciliations:

Reconciliation of Net Income to the Non-GAAP term "Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow" (in thousands):

As Reported Pro Forma(1)
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
March 31, March 31,
2006 2005 2006 2005
Net income (loss) $ (2,554) $2,075 $(2,964) $779
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted
Broadcast Cash Flow:
Depreciation and amortization of
intangible assets 8,329 5,621 8,997 7,579
Amortization of stock options
and restricted stock awards 198 98 198 98
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net 82 33 82 33
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net (346) (295) (346) (295)
Interest expense 15,466 11,113 15,891 14,030
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 110 0 110 0
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,660) 150 (1,895) (670)
(Income) loss from discontinued
operations, net 0 (1,826) 0 (1,826)
Amortization of program
broadcast rights 3,304 2,815 3,304 2,815
Common Stock contributed to 401(k)
Plan excluding corporate 401(k)
contributions 573 504 573 504
Network compensation revenue
recognized (220) (1,643) (220) (1,643)
Network compensation per network
affiliation agreement 524 2,102 524 2,102
Payments on program broadcast
obligations (3,286) (2,815) (3,286) (2,815)
Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow $20,520 $17,932 $20,968 $20,691

Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is non-GAAP term the Company uses as a measure of performance. Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is used by the Company to approximate the amount used to calculate key financial performance covenants including, but not limited to, limitations on debt, interest coverage, and fixed charge coverage ratios as defined in the Company's senior credit facility and/or subordinated note indenture. Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is defined as operating income, plus depreciation and amortization (including amortization of program broadcast rights), non-cash compensation and (gain) loss on disposal of assets and cash payments received or receivable under network affiliation agreements less payments for program broadcast obligations, less network compensation revenue and less income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow to net income (loss).

Notes

(1) The pro forma presentation gives effect to the results of operations for the acquisition of television stations WSAZ, Charleston - Huntington, WV on November 30, 2005 and WNDU, South Bend, IN on March 3, 2006 as if each station had been acquired on January 1, 2005. Due to the relative size of the acquisition of KKCO, Grand Junction CO and WSWG, Albany Georgia, the results of operations for KKCO and WSWG are included as of their respective acquisition date in both the "As Reported" and "Pro Forma" results.

(2) Total debt as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 does not include $762,000 and $811,000, respectively, of unamortized debt discount on Gray's 9-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2011.

The Company

Gray Television, Inc. is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Gray operates 36 television stations serving 30 markets. Each of the stations are affiliated with either CBS (17 stations), NBC (10 stations), ABC (8 stations), or Fox (1 station). In addition, Gray currently operates eleven digital multi-cast television channels which are currently affiliated with either UPN or Fox in certain of its existing markets.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

The following comments on Gray's current expectations of operating results for the second quarter of 2006 are "forward looking" for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results of operations are subject to a number of risks and may differ materially from the current expectations discussed in this press release. See Gray's Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of risk factors that may affect its ability to achieve the results contemplated by such forward looking statements.

Source: Gray Television, Inc.

CONTACT: Bob Prather, President and Chief Operating Officer,
+1-404-266-8333, or Jim Ryan, Senior V. P. and Chief Financial Officer,
+1-404-504-9828, both of Gray Television, Inc.

Web site: http://www.gray.tv/

-------
Profile: intent