Exhibit 99.1
Entercom Communications Corp.
Reports Record Third Quarter 2003 Results
Record Third Quarter Net Revenues, Station Operating Income and Free Cash Flow
(Bala Cynwyd, PA November 6, 2003) Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) today reported record financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Net income was $21.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, as compared to $15.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the prior year, representing an increase of 32% in diluted earnings per share.
For the quarter:
• Same Station Net Revenues increased 3% over the prior year to $107.8 million.
• Same Station Operating Expenses were flat with the prior year.
• Same Station Operating Income increased 6% to $46.6 million.
• Free Cash Flow (“FCF”) grew by 14% to $34.2 million.
• Earnings per Share increased by 32% to $0.41 per diluted share.
The Company’s Net Revenues, Station Operating Income and Free Cash Flow represent record highs for third quarter results.
David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are pleased to announce record-breaking results in the third quarter despite the challenging advertising environment. Same station operating income, free cash flow and earnings per share improved by 6%, 14%, and 32%, respectively, as we continued to improve our operating performance. While fourth quarter business conditions are disappointing, we are optimistic for 2004 and believe that the advertising market will be significantly healthier. We have positioned ourselves for continued success through our substantial investments in our people, our brands, and our proprietary sales initiatives.”
Other Notes of Interest
The Company expects to close on the acquisition of two radio stations in Portland, Oregon (announced May 29, 2003) from Fisher Broadcasting in late November and continues to operate the stations under a Time Brokerage Agreement.
As of September 30, 2003, the Company had $25 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company had outstanding $258 million of Senior Debt and $150 million of Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2014.
Weighted average shares outstanding for the third quarter were 51.4 million basic and 52.0 million diluted. Shares of the Company’s common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ETM.
Effective January 1, 2003 the Company changed its effective tax rate to 37.5% from 40.0% in the prior year as a result of the review of actual and expected federal and state tax expenses.
1
Fourth Quarter Guidance
For the fourth quarter of 2003, based on the current business outlook, the Company expects to report net revenues of $103.0 million to $105.5 million with station operating expenses of $59.5 million to $60.0 million. The Company expects to pay a TBA fee of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter for the period prior to the expected closing on the Portland station acquisitions in the fourth quarter. This guidance would result in reported earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.36 - $0.39.
This guidance equates to same station net revenue performance of approximately flat to down 2%. For the quarter, net revenues will be affected by the absence of $3 million in political and non-traditional revenues (NTR) realized last year. Were it not for these factors, revenue guidance would be up in the low single digits.
For purposes of same station comparisons, last year’s pro forma fourth quarter net revenues were $105.4 million and station operating expenses were $58.6. Prior year pro forma results, adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions of radio stations and significant contracts are available on the Company’s website.
Earnings Conference Call and Company Information
Entercom will hold a conference call regarding the quarterly earnings release on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The public may access the conference call by dialing 877-546-1570. A replay of the conference call will be available through November 13, 2003 by dialing 888-566-0632. A webcast of the conference call will be available beginning 48 hours after the call on the Company’s website for a period of one week. Entercom’s website is located at www.entercom.com.
The Company is one of the nation’s five largest radio broadcasters, operating in Boston, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Sacramento, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Norfolk, New Orleans, Memphis, Buffalo, Greensboro, Rochester, Greenville/Spartanburg, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Wichita, Madison, Gainesville/Ocala and Longview/Kelso, WA.
Certain Definitions
With the adoption of Regulation G by the SEC, Station Operating Income replaces Broadcast Cash Flow as the metric used by management to assess the performance of our stations. Station Operating Income is calculated in the same manner as Broadcast Cash Flow.
It is important to note that Station Operating Income, Same Station Net Revenues, Same Station Operating Expenses, Same Station Operating Income and Free Cash Flow are not measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Management believes that these measures are useful as a way to evaluate the Company and the means for management to evaluate our radio stations’ performance and operations. Management believes that these measures are useful to an investor in evaluating our
2
performance because they are widely used in the broadcast industry to measure a radio company’s operating performance. You should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as substitutes for net income, operating income, or any other measure for determining our operating performance that is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.
Station Operating Income consists of operating income before depreciation and amortization, time brokerage agreement fees, corporate general and administrative expenses and gain or loss on sale of assets.
Free Cash Flow consists of operating income (i) plus depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation expense (which is otherwise included in corporate general and administrative expenses) and (ii) less net interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), gains (loss) on sale of assets, taxes paid (refunded) and capital expenditures.
Same station operating data is computed by comparing the performance of stations operated by the Company throughout the relevant period to the comparable performance in the prior year’s corresponding period. The Company includes in the same station operating data the effects of changes in status of significant contracts that: (i) relate to operations; (ii) have a significant effect on the net revenues and or station operating expenses of a particular market; and (iii) are accounted for as a separate business unit.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this news release is being widely disseminated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation FD.
This news announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and certain unaudited pro forma information that is presented for illustrative purposes only and involves certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Additional information and key risks are described in the Company’s filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should note that these statements might be impacted by several factors including changes in the economic and regulatory climate and the business of radio broadcasting, in general. The unaudited pro forma information and same station operating data reflects adjustments and is presented for comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of what has occurred or indicative of future operating results or financial position. Accordingly, the Company’s actual performance may differ materially from those stated or implied herein. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any unaudited pro forma or forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Steve Fisher
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
610-660-5647
3
Entercom Third Quarter 2003
Earnings Release
ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2003 | | 2002 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | | | | | | | | | |
Net Revenues | | $ | 107,788 | | $ | 106,719 | | $ | 296,415 | | $ | 289,367 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Station Operating Expenses | | 61,171 | | 61,829 | | 172,299 | | 170,651 | |
Corporate General and Administrative Expenses, Including Non-Cash Compensation Expense of: (i)$127 and $131 for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and (ii) $338 and $1,047 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. | | 3,642 | | 3,437 | | 10,905 | | 10,704 | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | 3,681 | | 4,372 | | 10,977 | | 11,698 | |
Time Brokerage Agreement Fees | | 467 | | 1,317 | | 1,169 | | 6,682 | |
Net (Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets | | (9 | ) | (1,136 | ) | 169 | | (1,147 | ) |
Operating Income | | 38,836 | | 36,900 | | 100,896 | | 90,779 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other Expense (Income) Items: | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs of: (i) $244 and $318 for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and (ii) $809 and $887 for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. | | 5,010 | | 6,449 | | 15,605 | | 19,093 | |
Financing Cost of Convertible Preferred Securities | | — | | 1,953 | | 2,020 | | 5,859 | |
Interest Income | | (45 | ) | (595 | ) | (434 | ) | (1,706 | ) |
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt | | — | | — | | 3,795 | | — | |
Equity Loss from Unconsolidated Affiliate | | — | | 1,547 | | — | | 3,352 | |
Net (Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments | | (705 | ) | 1,827 | | (370 | ) | 2,269 | |
Total Other Expense | | 4,260 | | 11,181 | | 20,616 | | 28,867 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Before Income Taxes and Accounting Change | | 34,576 | | 25,719 | | 80,280 | | 61,912 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Taxes | | 13,016 | | 10,334 | | 30,256 | | 24,894 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Before Accounting Change | | 21,560 | | 15,385 | | 50,024 | | 37,018 | |
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of Taxes | | — | | — | | — | | (138,876 | ) |
Net Income (Loss) | | $ | 21,560 | | $ | 15,385 | | $ | 50,024 | | $ | (101,858 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Before Accounting Change Per Share - Basic | | $ | 0.42 | | $ | 0.31 | | $ | 0.98 | | $ | 0.76 | |
Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic | | $ | 0.42 | | $ | 0.31 | | $ | 0.98 | | $ | (2.09 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Income Before Accounting Change Per Share - Diluted | | $ | 0.41 | | $ | 0.31 | | $ | 0.97 | | $ | 0.75 | |
Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted | | $ | 0.41 | | $ | 0.31 | | $ | 0.97 | | $ | (2.06 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Basic | | 51,353 | | 49,784 | | 50,816 | | 48,670 | |
Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted | | 51,976 | | 50,277 | | 51,462 | | 49,493 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Expenditures | | $ | 3,564 | | $ | 2,840 | | $ | 11,992 | | $ | 6,317 | |
Income Taxes Paid | | $ | 195 | | $ | — | | $ | 205 | | $ | — | |
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
| | September 30, | |
| | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 25,076 | | $ | 71,045 | |
Working Capital | | 33,260 | | 98,423 | |
Total Assets | | 1,551,549 | | 1,553,688 | |
Senior Debt (including current portion) | | 258,266 | | 300,938 | |
7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes | | 150,000 | | 150,000 | |
Total Shareholders’ Equity | | 1,004,807 | | 869,094 | |
| | | | | | | |
4
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
| | Three Months Ended
September 30, | |
| | 2003 | | 2002 | |
Same Station Computations: | | | | | |
Net Revenues - Reconciliation of Same Station Net Revenues to GAAP: | | | | | |
Net Revenues as Reported | | $ | 107,788 | | $ | 106,719 | |
Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts | | — | | (1,701 | ) |
Same Station Net Revenues | | $ | 107,788 | | $ | 105,018 | |
| | | | | |
Station Operating Expenses - Reconciliation of Same Station Operating Expenses to GAAP: | | | | | |
Station Operating Expenses as Reported | | $ | 61,171 | | $ | 61,829 | |
Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts | | — | | (771 | ) |
Same Station Operating Expenses | | $ | 61,171 | | $ | 61,058 | |
| | | | | |
Reconciliation of Station Operating Income and Same Station Operating Income to GAAP (Operating Income): | | | | | |
Operating Income as Reported | | $ | 38,836 | | $ | 36,900 | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | 3,681 | | 4,372 | |
Corporate General and Administrative Expenses | | 3,642 | | 3,437 | |
Time Brokerage Agreement Fees | | 467 | | 1,317 | |
Net Gain on Sale of Assets | | (9 | ) | (1,136 | ) |
Station Operating Income | | 46,617 | | 44,890 | |
Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts | | — | | (930 | ) |
Same Station Operating Income | | $ | 46,617 | | $ | 43,960 | |
| | | | | |
Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to GAAP (Net Income): | | | | | |
Net Income as Reported | | $ | 21,560 | | $ | 15,385 | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | 3,681 | | 4,372 | |
Deferred Financing Costs Included in Interest Expense | | 244 | | 318 | |
Non-Cash Compensation Expense | | 127 | | 131 | |
Net Gain on Sale of Assets | | (9 | ) | (1,136 | ) |
Equity Loss from Unconsolidated Affiliate | | — | | 1,547 | |
Net (Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments | | (705 | ) | 1,827 | |
Income Taxes | | 13,016 | | 10,334 | |
Capital Expenditures | | (3,564 | ) | (2,840 | ) |
Taxes (Paid) Refunded | | (195 | ) | 14 | |
Free Cash Flow | | $ | 34,155 | | $ | 29,952 | |
| | | | | |
Calculation of Free Cash Flow from GAAP (Operating Income): | | | | | |
Operating Income as Reported | | $ | 38,836 | | $ | 36,900 | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | 3,681 | | 4,372 | |
Non-Cash Compensation Expense | | 127 | | 131 | |
Interest expense, net of interest income and deferred financing costs | | (4,721 | ) | (7,489 | ) |
Capital Expenditures | | (3,564 | ) | (2,840 | ) |
Net Gain on Sale of Assets | | (9 | ) | (1,136 | ) |
Taxes (Paid) Refunded | | (195 | ) | 14 | |
Free Cash Flow | | $ | 34,155 | | $ | 29,952 | |
Prior Year’s Data For Fourth Quarter | | Three Months
Ended
December 31,
2002 | |
Reconciliation of Prior Year’s Same Station Net Revenues to GAAP (Net Revenues): | | | |
Net Revenues as Reported | | $ | 101,922 | |
Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts | | 3,452 | |
Same Station Net Revenues | | $ | 105,374 | |
| | | |
Reconciliation of Prior Year’s Same Station Operating Expenses to GAAP (Station Operating Expenses): | | | |
Station Operating Expenses as Reported | | $ | 55,382 | |
Net Acquisitions and Divestitures of Radio Stations and Significant Contracts | | 3,166 | |
Same Station Operating Expenses | | $ | 58,548 | |
5
