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Release – Gray Television (GTN) – Reports Record Operating Results

Media and Marketing
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Gray Reports Record Operating Results

 

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020. Despite the impact of the novel coronavirus and its disease (collectively, “COVID-19”) on economic activity, our strong political revenues, prudent cost management, strategic sales initiatives and training, and focused management at every level during the last three quarters of 2020, and especially the fourth quarter of 2020, resulted in record operating results for the fourth quarter and the full-year. Key financial results are as follows:

  • Our revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $792 million, an increase of $213 million, or 37%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. The primary components of revenue were combined local and national broadcast advertising revenue of $284 million, political advertising revenue of $245 million and retransmission revenue of $217 million
  • Net income attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $211 million, or $2.22 per fully diluted share, increasing $130 million, or 160% from the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • Broadcast Cash Flow for the fourth quarter of 2020, was $424 million increasing $195 million, or 85%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. Our Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $404 million, increasing $189 million, or 88%, from the fourth quarter of 2019.
  • In the fourth quarter of 2020, our combined local and national broadcast revenue, excluding political revenue (“Total Core Revenue”), decreased by approximately 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, much of which can be attributed to historically strong political displacement in a large number of markets. In light of returning advertiser demand, the year-over-year declines in Total Core Revenue continued their improvement through the fourth quarter of 2020 as follows: October declined 22%, largely impacted by political displacement, November declined less than 1% and December declined by 2%.
  • As of December 31, 2020, our total leverage ratio, as defined in our senior credit facility, was 3.95 times on a trailing eightquarter basis, netting our total cash balance of $773 million and giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses (as defined below). We have not drawn any amounts from our revolving credit facility, and, as a result, we are not subject to any maintenance covenants in our credit facilities at this time.
  • During the fourth quarter of 2020, we repurchased 972,706 shares of our common stock at an average price of $16.44 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of approximately $16 million. During 2020, we repurchased 5.5 million shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $13.80 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of $75 million. We have not repurchased any shares since the close of the fourth quarter. Currently, we have 88,223,962 common shares and 7,214,838 Class A common shares outstanding. Our total capacity under our share repurchase programs is currently $204 million
  • On February 1, 2021, we announced an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Quincy Media, Inc. for $925 million in cash. Upon completion, and net of divestitures required to meet regulatory requirements, we will own television stations serving 102 television markets that collectively reach over 25 % of US television households, including number-one ranked television stations in 77 markets and the first and/or second ranked television station in 93 markets according to Comscore’s average all-day ratings for calendar year 2020. This transaction is expected to close following receipt of regulatory and other approvals in the second or third quarter of 2021. We expect that the transaction will be immediately accretive to our free cash flow, including expected year-one annualized synergies of approximately $23 million.

Read the full report at: https://graytv.gcs-web.com/node/17986/pdf

Source: Gray Television

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