Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter Results

Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter Results

Net Revenue Increases 2.6%

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Saga Communications, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SGA) today reported that net operating revenue increased 2.6% for the period ending June 30, 2013. Station operating expense was $23.5 million this quarter compared to $22.0 million for the same period last year. $851 thousand of the increase was the result of the credits received for music licensing fees during the 2(nd) quarter of 2012 that are not recurring in 2013. Station operating expense increased 7.0% compared to the same period last year, but only 3.0% when adjusted for such credits. Operating income decreased 8.0% to $8.4 million compared to $9.1 million for the same period last year. Adjusted for the music licensing fee credits, operating income would have increased 1.5%. Net income for the quarter decreased 6.4% to $4.8 million ($0.84 per fully diluted share) compared to net income of $5.1 million ($0.91 per fully diluted share) for the same period last year.

Net operating revenue increased 0.8% for the six month period ending June 30, 2013. Station operating expense increased 2.9% to $45.6 million. Adjusted for the $851 thousand music licensing credits received in the 2(nd) quarter of 2012, station operating expense would have increased 0.9%. Operating income decreased 5.8% to $13.3 million compared to $14.1 million for the same period last year. Adjusted for the music licensing fee credits, operating income would have increased 0.2%. Net income for the six month period decreased 1.1% to $7.8 million ($1.35 per fully diluted share compared to $1.38 per fully diluted share for the same period last year).

Capital expenditures in the 2nd quarter of 2013 and 2012 were $1.3 million. The Company currently expects to spend approximately $5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2013.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. Such non-GAAP measures include free cash flow, trailing 12 month consolidated EBITDA, and leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including but not limited to evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position. Saga's management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated and Supplemental Financial Data tables.

Saga is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 25 markets, including 61 FM and 30 AM radio stations, 3 state radio networks, 2 farm radio networks, 4 television stations and 4 low-power television stations. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacommunications.com.

Saga's 2nd Quarter 2013 conference call will be on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The dial-in number for all calls is (612) 234-9960. A transcript of the call will be posted to the Company's website.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company to please email the inquiry by 1:00 p.m. EDT on August 6, 2013 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing will be discussed during the call.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Key risks, including risks associated with Saga's ability to effectively integrate the stations it acquires and the impact of federal regulation on Saga's business, are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that these statements may be impacted by several factors, including national and local economic changes and changes in the radio and television broadcast industry in general, as well as Saga's actual performance. Results may vary from those stated herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update the information contained here.




Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For The Three and Six Months Ended

June 30, 2013 and 2012

(amounts in 000's except per share data)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended Six Months Ended

June 30, June 30,

2013 2012 2013 2012
---- ---- ---- ----

Operating Results

Net operating revenue $33,832 $32,986 $62,789 $62,309

Station operating expense 23,493 21,959 45,581 44,319

Corporate general and administrative 1,982 1,940 3,930 3,889

Operating income from continuing operations 8,357 9,087 13,278 14,101

Interest expense 357 458 715 986

Other expense (income), net 66 (8) 91 (10)
--- --- --- ---

Income from continuing operations before income tax 7,934 8,637 12,472 13,125

Income tax expense 3,130 3,438 4,942 5,223
----- ----- ----- -----

Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes 4,804 5,199 7,530 7,902

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes - (67) 223 (65)
--- --- --- ---

Net income $4,804 $5,132 $7,753 $7,837
====== ====== ====== ======

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

From continuing operations $0.85 $0.92 $1.33 $1.40

From discontinued operations - (0.01) 0.04 (0.01)
--- ----- ----

Earnings per share $0.85 $0.91 $1.37 $1.39
===== ===== =====

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

From continuing operations $0.84 $0.92 $1.31 $1.39

From discontinued operations - (0.01) 0.04 (0.01)
--- ----- ----

Earnings per share $0.84 $0.91 $1.35 $1.38
===== ===== =====

Weighted average common shares 5,683 5,661 5,677 5,658

Weighted average common and common

equivalent shares 5,745 5,663 5,740 5,667


Free Cash Flow

Net income $4,804 $5,132 $7,753 $7,837

Plus: Depreciation and amortization:

Station 1,599 1,620 3,183 3,256

Corporate 56 56 113 113

Discontinued operations - 97 - 194

Deferred tax provision 985 1,163 1,600 1,773

Non-cash compensation - 25 16 82

Gain on disposal of television station - - (223) -

Other expense (income), net 66 (8) 91 (10)

Less: Capital expenditures (1,288) (1,313) (2,465) (2,502)

Free cash flow $6,222 $6,772 $10,068 $10,743
====== ====== ======= =======


Balance Sheet Data

Working capital $30,985 $19,731

Net fixed assets $57,656 $59,734

Net intangible assets and other assets $95,932 $98,443

Total assets $197,983 $191,844

Long-term debt (including current

portion of $1,078 and $0, respectively) $51,078 $58,828

Stockholders' equity $112,272 $100,815





Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Six Months Ended

June 30, 2013 and 2012

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)


Corporate

Radio Television and Other Consolidated
----- ---------- --------- ------------

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:

Net operating revenue $28,674 $5,158 $ - $33,832

Station operating expense 20,215 3,278 - 23,493

Corporate G&A - - 1,982 1,982

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $8,459 $1,880 $(1,982) $8,357
====== ====== ======= ======

Depreciation and amortization $1,249 $350 $56 $1,655
====== ==== === ======


Corporate

Radio Television and Other Consolidated
----- ---------- --------- ------------

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

Net operating revenue $28,482 $4,504 $ - $32,986

Station operating expense 18,921 3,038 - 21,959

Corporate G&A - - 1,940 1,940

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $9,561 $1,466 $(1,940) $9,087
====== ====== ======= ======

Depreciation and amortization $1,274 $346 $56 $1,676
====== ==== === ======


Corporate

Radio Television and Other Consolidated
----- ---------- --------- ------------

Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:

Net operating revenue $53,136 $9,653 $ - $62,789

Station operating expense 39,222 6,359 - 45,581

Corporate G&A - - 3,930 3,930

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $13,914 $3,294 $(3,930) $13,278
======= ====== ======= =======

Depreciation and amortization $2,491 $692 $113 $3,296
====== ==== ==== ======


Corporate

Radio Television and Other Consolidated
----- ---------- --------- ------------

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

Net operating revenue $53,682 $8,627 $ - $62,309

Station operating expense 38,276 6,043 - 44,319

Corporate G&A - - 3,889 3,889

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations $15,406 $2,584 $(3,889) $14,101
======= ====== ======= =======

Depreciation and amortization $2,571 $685 $113 $3,369
====== ==== ==== ======






Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

June 30, 2013

(amounts in 000's except ratios)

(Unaudited)




Less: Plus: Trailing

12 Mos Ended 6 Mos Ended 6 Mos Ended 12 Mos Ended

December 31, June 30, June 30, June 30,

2012 2012 2013 2013
---- ---- ---- ----

Trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest

Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (1)

Net income $17,925 $7,837 $7,753 $17,841

Exclusions:

(Loss) gain on sale of assets (213) 15 (15) (243)

Gain on sale of television station - - 223 223

Other 302 188 (37) 77

Total exclusions 89 203 171 57
--- --- --- ---


Consolidated adjusted net income (1) 17,836 7,634 7,582 17,784

Plus: Interest expense 1,733 986 715 1,462

Income tax expense 11,850 5,180 4,942 11,612

Depreciation & amortization expense 7,051 3,563 3,296 6,784

Amortization of television syndicated programming contracts 700 344 320 676

Non-cash stock based compensation expense 132 82 16 66

Less: Cash television programming payments (712) (353) (317) (676)

Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1) $38,590 $17,436 $16,554 $37,708
======= ======= ======= =======


Total long-term debt, including current maturities $51,078

Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1) 37,708

Leverage ratio 1.35
====



(1) As defined in the Company's credit facility.






Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Six Months Ended

June 30, 2013 and 2012

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)


Reconciliation of Station Operating Expense and Operating Income
----------------------------------------------------------------

$ Increase % Increase

2013 2012 (Decrease) (Decrease)
---- ---- --------- ---------

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:

Station operating expense $23,493 $21,959 $1,534 7.0%

Add: Music licensing fee credits received in the quarter - 851 (851) -100.0%

Station operating expense before licensing credits $23,493 $22,810 $683 3.0%
=======


Operating income $8,357 $9,087 $(730) -8.0%

Less: Music licensing fee credits received in the quarter - (851) 851 -100.0%

Operating income before licensing credits $8,357 $8,236 $121 1.5%
======



$ Increase % Increase

2013 2012 (Decrease) (Decrease)
---- ---- --------- ---------

Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:

Station operating expense $45,581 $44,319 $1,262 2.8%

Add: Music licensing fee credits received for the six months - 851 (851) -100.0%

Station operating expense before licensing credits $45,581 $45,170 $411 0.9%
=======


Operating income $13,278 $14,101 $(823) -5.8%

Less: Music licensing fee credits received for the six months - (851) 851 -100.0%

Operating income before licensing credits $13,278 $13,250 $28 0.2%
=======




SOURCE Saga Communications, Inc.

Saga Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Samuel D. Bush, 313/886-7070

Web Site: http://www.sagacommunications.com


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