Merger And Acquisition Costs
There was a significant reduction in the amount of legal, professional, and other advisory services incurred as the Merger closed in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Other Operating (Income) Expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we disposed of: (i) several radio stations in Sacramento, California and San Francisco, California; (ii) land and land improvements in Chicago, Illinois; (iii) a radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; (iv) land and land improvements and buildings in Los Angeles, California; and (v) land and land improvements and buildings in San Diego, California. As a result of this disposal activity, we recorded a gain in net gain/loss on sale or disposal of assets of $9.6 million.
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income in the current period increased primarily due to: (i) an increase in net revenues, net of station operating expenses of $64.4 million; (ii) an increase in other operating (income) expenses of $10.7 million; and (iii) a decrease in merger and acquisition costs of $8.1 million.
Operating income decreased due to: (i) an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $7.7 million; (ii) an increase in corporate, general and administrative expenses of $6.6 million; (iii) an increase in integration costs of $2.8 million; and (iv) an increase in restructuring charges of $0.9 million.
Interest Expense
In connection with the Merger, we assumed CBS Radio’s indebtedness on November 17, 2017. We incurred an additional $19.4 million of interest expense due to a significant increase in our net outstanding indebtedness upon which interest is computed.
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit)
The increase in income before income taxes was largely attributable to: (i) an increase in net revenues, net of station operating expenses; (ii) a net increase in other operating (income) expenses; and (iii) a decrease in merger and acquisition costs. The increase in this activity was partially offset by increases in: (i) depreciation and amortization expenses; (ii) corporate, general and administrative expenses; (iii) integration costs; (iv) restructuring charges; and (v) net interest expense.
Income Taxes (Benefit)
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effective income tax rate was 30.7%, which was determined using a forecasted rate based upon taxable income for the year along with the impact of discrete items for the quarter.
For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the effective income tax rate was 41.5%, which was determined using a forecasted rate based upon taxable income for the year along with the impact of discrete items for the quarter. The effective tax rate for the quarter was primarily impacted by significant,non-deductible merger and acquisition costs related to the Merger.
Net Income (Loss) Available To The Company – Continuing Operations
The change in net income available to the Company from continuing operations was primarily attributable to the reasons described above under Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit), and Income Taxes (Benefit).
Liquidity And Capital Resources
Refinancing – Entercom Indebtedness
Prior to the closing of the CBS Radio Merger Agreement, CBS Radio entered into a commitment letter with a syndicate of lenders (the “Commitment Parties”), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide up to $500 million of senior secured term loans (the “CBS Radio Financing”) as an additional tranche under a credit agreement among CBS Radio, the guarantors named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Facility”).
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