Sinclair Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results

Sinclair Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results

BALTIMORE, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SBGI), the "Company" or "Sinclair," today reported financial results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Commenting on the quarter, David Smith, President and CEO of Sinclair, stated, "Once again, we have achieved or exceeded the market's expectations for our financial results. We expect to have another banner year for free cash flow generation and will be evaluating how best to deploy the cash to produce higher returns for our shareholders."

Financial Results:

Net broadcast revenues from continuing operations were $152.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of 2.2% versus the prior year period result of $149.0 million. Operating income was $38.1 million in the three-month period as compared to $40.3 million in the prior year period, a decrease of 5.5%. The Company had net income available to common shareholders of $22.6 million in the three-month period versus net income available to common shareholders of $31.2 million in the prior year period, of which $17.5 million related to the gain, net of taxes, on the sale of the licensed assets of KSMO-TV in Kansas City. The Company reported diluted earnings per common share of $0.25 for the quarter versus diluted earnings per common share of $0.36 in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations were $0.26 as compared to $0.15 in the same period last year.

Net broadcast revenues from continuing operations were $464.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, an increase of 1.6% versus the prior year period result of $456.6 million. Operating income was $120.6 million in the nine-month period, a decrease of 3.7% versus the prior year period result of $125.2 million. Net income available to common shareholders was $42.9 million in the nine-month period versus the prior year period net income available to common shareholders of $208.9 million, of which $146.0 million related to the gain, net of taxes, on the sale of broadcast assets. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.50 in the nine-month period versus diluted earnings per common share of $2.31 in the prior year period. Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations were $0.48 in the nine-month period as compared to $0.67 in the same period last year.

Operating Statistics and Income Statement Highlights:

-- The quarter's revenues were positively impacted by increased
advertising spending primarily in the telecommunications and schools
categories, offset by softness in the entertainment, soft drinks, and
services categories. Automotive, which represents 22% of our
revenues, was down 3.2% in the quarter, or $1.0 million, due
primarily to our Rochester station which started operating under a
Joint Sales Agreement in October 2005 and WTXL in Tallahassee whose
Joint Sales Agreement was terminated in February 2006, both stations
of which are not included in this year's times sales. On a same
station basis, auto was down 1.6% primarily due to our Columbus
stations and the amount of political crowding-out that took place
there. Political revenues were $8.0 million in the quarter versus
$0.2 million in the third quarter last year.

-- Local advertising revenues increased 1.1% in the quarter versus the
third quarter 2005, while national advertising revenues increased
8.7%. Excluding political revenues, local advertising revenues were
down 2.0%, while national advertising revenues were down 1.9%. Local
revenues, excluding political revenues, represented 64% of
advertising revenues.

-- Time sales on our FOX stations on a same station basis excluding our
Rochester station were up 8.4% in the quarter, and our ABC stations
were up 8.8% excluding the Joint Sales Agreement with WTXL in
Tallahassee. Stations affiliated with MyNetworkTV, which launched
September 5, 2006, were down 6.2% in September, while stations
affiliated with The CW, which launched September 18, 2006, were down
3.6% in September.

-- With all but four markets reported, market share survey results
reflect that our stations' share of the television advertising market
in the third quarter 2006 decreased to a 17.3% share from an 18.0%
share of the market in the same period last year due to more
political ad dollars flowing to the traditional network affiliates.

-- In August 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with Suddenlink
for the carriage of our ABC and FOX analog and digital signals in
Charleston/Huntington, WV.

-- As a result of not being able to reach an agreement with Mediacom for
the past year, the Company terminated Mediacom's right to carry our
television stations in their markets effective December 1, 2006.
Mediacom's response was to file an anti-trust suit and motion for
injunction, which on October 25, 2006, the Federal Court found in
favor of the Company and denied Mediacom's motion to prohibit us from
pulling our signals from their cable system in lieu of retransmission
consent fees.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights:

-- Debt on the balance sheet, net of $32.5 million in cash, was $1,375.2
million at September 30, 2006 versus net debt of $1,402.5 million at
June 30, 2006.

-- During the quarter, the Company repurchased in the open market $1.8
million face value of its 8% senior subordinated notes due 2012.

-- As of September 30, 2006, 47.4 million Class A common shares and 38.3
million Class B common shares were outstanding, for a total of 85.7
million common shares outstanding.

-- Capital expenditures in the quarter were $4.0 million.

-- Common stock dividends paid in cash in the quarter were $8.5 million.

-- Program contract payments for continuing operations were $19.1
million in the quarter.

Forward-Looking Statements:

The matters discussed in this press release, particularly those in the section labeled "Outlook," include forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, future operating results. When used in this press release, the words "outlook," "intends to," "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "achieves," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including and in addition to the assumptions identified herein this release, the impact of changes in national and regional economies, FCC approval of pending license transfers, successful execution of outsourcing agreements, pricing and demand fluctuations in local and national advertising, volatility in programming costs, the market acceptance of new programming, the CW Television Network and MyNetworkTV programming, our news central and news share strategy, our local sales initiatives, and the other risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurances that the assumptions and other factors referred to in this release will occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.

Outlook:

In accordance with Regulation FD, Sinclair is providing public dissemination through this press release of its expectations for certain of its fourth quarter and full year 2006 financial performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update its expectations. All matters discussed in the "Outlook" section are forward-looking and, as such, persons relying on this information should refer to the "Forward-Looking Statements" section above.

"Political advertising revenues are pacing $8.0 million ahead of our fourth quarter budget," commented David Amy, EVP and CFO. "We are now forecasting our full year political revenues at approximately $29.4 million, an 18% increase over the amount we earned in the 2002 election cycle and $2.7 million less than the 2004 presidential election year. Although this will be a driver for our financial performance in the quarter, the large amount of political buys being placed in such a short period of time will lead to some crowding-out of regular spot buys. In addition, we expect the MyNetworkTV stations to continue to trail our expectations, as ad buyers become comfortable with the new network's program genre. For the quarter, we expect revenue growth, along with another quarter of expected television expense and film payment reductions, to contribute to our free cash flow generation."

-- The Company expects fourth quarter 2006 station net broadcast
revenues, before barter, to be up approximately 7.2% to 8.6% from
fourth quarter 2005 station net broadcast revenues before barter of
$157.9 million, assuming approximately $19.0 million in political
revenues. On a same station basis, excluding WTXL in Tallahassee,
whose Joint Sales Agreement was terminated in February 2006, fourth
quarter net broadcast revenues are forecasted to increase 8.0% to
9.5%.

-- The Company expects barter revenue and barter expense each to be
approximately $14.4 million in the fourth quarter.

-- The Company expects station production expenses and station selling,
general and administrative expenses (together, "television expenses")
before barter expense but including stock-based compensation expense,
in the quarter to be approximately $74.5 million, a 0.4% decrease
from fourth quarter 2005 television expenses of $74.8 million. On a
full year basis, television expenses are expected to be approximately
$289.4 million, or down 0.6%, as compared to 2005 television expenses
of $291.1 million. The 2006 television expense forecast includes
$0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the quarter and
$1.4 million for the year, as compared to the 2005 actuals of $0.4
and $1.3 million for the quarter and year, respectively.

-- The Company expects program contract amortization expense to be
approximately $25.1 million in the quarter and $90.5 million for the
year.

-- The Company expects program contract payments to be approximately
$18.8 million in the quarter and $86.9 million for the year as
compared to $103.4 million in 2005.

-- The Company expects corporate overhead, including stock-based
compensation expense, to be approximately $6.1 million in the quarter
and $23.2 million for the year. The 2006 corporate overhead forecast
includes $0.1 million of stock-based compensation expense for the
quarter and $0.5 million for the year.

-- The Company expects depreciation on property and equipment to be
approximately $11.4 million in the quarter and $47.3 million for the
year, assuming the capital expenditure assumptions below.

-- The Company expects amortization of acquired intangibles to be
approximately $4.4 million in the quarter and $17.6 million for the
year.

-- The Company expects net interest expense to be approximately $29.0
million in the quarter and $114.4 million for the year, assuming no
changes in the current interest rate yield curve, and changes in debt
levels based on the assumptions discussed in this "Outlook" section.

-- The Company expects dividends paid on the Class A and Class B common
shares to be approximately $10.7 million in the fourth quarter and
$36.2 million for the year, assuming current shares outstanding and a
$0.125 per share quarterly dividend rate.

-- The Company expects the fourth quarter effective tax rate for
continuing operations to be approximately 47%, including a current
tax benefit from continuing operations of approximately $1.7 million
in the quarter based on the assumptions discussed in this "Outlook"
section.

-- The Company expects to spend approximately $8.1 million in capital
expenditures in the quarter and approximately $21.6 million for the
year. This includes approximately $6.5 million of 2005 budgeted
capital projects that carried over into 2006.

Sinclair Conference Call:

The senior management of Sinclair will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter results on Wednesday, November 1, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. ET. After the call, an audio replay will be available at http://www.sbgi.net/ under "Investor Information/Conference Call." The press and the public will be welcome on the call in a listen-only mode. The dial-in number is (877) 407- 9205.

About Sinclair:

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies, currently owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 36 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 22% of U.S. television households and is affiliated with all major networks. Sinclair owns a majority equity interest in G1440 Holdings, Inc., an Internet consulting and development company, and Acrodyne Communications, Inc., a manufacturer of transmitters and other television broadcast equipment.

Notes:

"Discontinued Operations" accounting has been adopted in the financial statements for all periods presented in this press release, as a result of the Company's sales of its Kansas City, Sacramento and Tri-Cities television stations. As such, the results from operations, net of related income taxes, have been reclassified from income from operations and reflected as net income from discontinued operations.

Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year GAAP presentation.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2006 2005 2006 2005
REVENUES:
Station broadcast revenues,
net of agency commissions $152,362 $149,027 $464,058 $456,572
Revenues realized from
station barter arrangements 12,772 12,039 38,206 41,551
Other operating divisions'
revenues 3,324 4,724 14,753 15,160
Total revenues 168,458 165,790 517,017 513,283

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Station production expenses 36,148 35,605 111,342 112,596
Station selling, general and
administrative expenses 34,853 34,541 103,633 103,691
Expenses recognized from
station barter arrangements 11,451 11,158 34,779 38,447
Amortization of program
contract costs and net
realizable value
adjustments 24,122 18,587 65,428 52,131
Other operating divisions'
expenses 3,346 3,699 15,108 14,000
Depreciation of property and
equipment 10,907 12,175 35,881 38,337
Corporate general and
administrative expenses 5,141 5,259 17,059 15,345
Amortization of definite-lived
intangible assets and
other assets 4,435 4,475 13,195 13,529
Total operating expenses 130,403 125,499 396,425 388,076
Operating income 38,055 40,291 120,592 125,207

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense and
amortization of debt discount
and deferred financing
costs (28,448) (31,113) (86,783) (88,950)
Interest income 913 187 1,263 416
Gain (loss) from sale of assets 4 (69) (265) (69)
Loss from extinguishment of debt (25) - (904) (1,631)
Unrealized gain from derivative
instruments - 5,761 2,907 17,487
Income (loss) from equity and
cost investees 57 24 6,192 (389)
Other (expense) income, net (34) 206 448 755
Total other expense (27,533) (25,004) (77,142) (72,381)
Income from continuing
operations before income
taxes 10,522 15,287 43,450 52,826

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (PROVISION) 12,318 (2,267) (2,741) (16,008)
Income from continuing
operations 22,840 13,020 40,709 36,818
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
(Loss) income from discontinued
operations, net of related
income tax (provision) benefit
of ($275), ($343), $329 and
($2,413), respectively (275) 701 383 4,841
Gain from discontinued
operations, net of related
income tax (provision) benefit
of $0, ($10,494), $259 and
($80,002), respectively - 17,508 1,774 146,024
NET INCOME 22,565 31,229 42,866 187,683
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS - - - (5,004)
EXCESS OF PREFERRED STOCK
CARRYING VALUE AND REDEMPTION
VALUE - - - 26,201
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON
SHAREHOLDERS $22,565 $31,229 $42,866 $208,880
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER
COMMON SHARE:
Basic earnings per common share
from continuing operations $0.27 $0.15 $0.48 $0.68
Basic earnings per common share
from discontinued operations $- $0.21 $0.03 $1.76
Basic earnings per common share $0.26 $0.36 $0.50 $2.44
Diluted earnings per common share
from continuing operations $0.26 $0.15 $0.48 $0.67
Diluted earnings per common share
from discontinued operations $- $0.21 $0.03 $1.64
Diluted earnings per common share $0.25 $0.36 $0.50 $2.31
Weighted average shares
outstanding 85,719 85,428 85,650 85,353
Weighted average shares and
equivalent shares outstanding 99,149 85,448 85,655 92,065
Dividends declared per share $0.125 $0.075 $0.325 $0.200

Unaudited Consolidated Historical Selected Balance Sheet Data:
(In thousands)
September 30, December 31,
2006 2005
Cash & cash equivalents $32,495 $9,655
Total current assets 253,397 223,022
Total long term assets 2,020,786 2,060,283
Total assets 2,274,183 2,283,305

Current portion of debt 38,086 37,937
Total current liabilities 217,563 224,688
Long term portion of debt 1,369,611 1,412,801
Total long term liabilities 1,788,821 1,807,929
Total liabilities 2,006,384 2,032,617

Minority interest in consolidated
subsidiaries 728 966

Total stockholders' equity 267,071 249,722
Total liabilities & stockholders'
equity 2,274,183 2,283,305

Unaudited Consolidated Historical Selected Statement of Cash Flows Data:
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2006 2006
Net cash flow from operating
activities $47,350 $107,141
Net cash flow used in investing
activities (3,960) (12,563)
Net cash flow used in financing
activities (18,505) (71,738)

Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents 24,885 22,840
Cash & Cash Equivalents,
beginning of period 7,610 9,655
Cash & Cash Equivalents,
end of period $32,495 $32,495

First Call Analyst: Lucy Rutishauser
FCMN Contact:

Source: Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

CONTACT: David Amy, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, or Lucy Rutishauser,
VP-Corporate Finance & Treasurer, both of Sinclair Broadcast Group,
+1-410-568-1500

Web site: http://www.sbgi.net/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110203.html

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