Due to the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic on the U.S. economy, we tested our FCC licenses for impairment during the first quarter of 2020. As a result of the quantitative impairment test, we recorded impairment losses of $6.8 million related to the FCC licenses in our Atlanta, GA, Las Vegas, NV, Middlesex-Monmouth-Morristown, NJ, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL, and Wilmington, DE radio market clusters. The impairment losses were primarily due to a decrease in projected revenue in these markets due to the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic and an increase in the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analyses to estimate the fair value of our FCC licenses due to certain risks specifically associated with the Company and the radio broadcasting industry.
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net.
Other operating income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 includes life insurance proceeds of $3.0 million related to the death of Mr. George Beasley, the Company’s former Chairman, in June 2021, partially offset by certain payments totaling $1.5 million that were paid in accordance with Mr. Beasley’s employment contract, payments of $0.6 million for consulting services related to the
COVID-19
pandemic and expenses of $0.5 million related to the early termination of a programming contract. Other operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes payments of $0.6 million for consulting services related to the
COVID-19
pandemic.
Interest expense increased $7.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The primary factors affecting interest expense were an increase in long-term debt outstanding and the applicable interest rate.
Loss on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt.
We recorded a loss on extinguishment of long-term debt of $5.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, resulting from the issuance of secured notes on February 2, 2021 and the use of proceeds to repay the credit facility. We recorded a loss on modification of long-term debt of $2.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, resulting from an amendment to our credit agreement.
Our effective tax rate was approximately (24)% and (27)% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021, respectively. These rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the effect of state income taxes, certain
non-taxable
income, and certain expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes.
Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $12.1 million compared to net loss of $29.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as a result of the factors described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity is internally generated cash flow. Our primary liquidity needs have been, and for the next twelve months and thereafter are expected to continue to be, for working capital, debt service, and other general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and radio station acquisitions. Historically, our capital expenditures have not been significant. In addition to property and equipment associated with radio station acquisitions, our capital expenditures have generally been, and are expected to continue to be, related to the maintenance of our office and studio space, the maintenance of our radio towers and equipment, and digital products and information technology. We have also purchased or constructed office and studio space in some of our markets to facilitate the consolidation of our operations.
In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, our board of directors has suspended future quarterly dividend payments until it is determined that resumption of dividend payments is in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders. In addition, as discussed in “Secured Notes” below, the Indenture governing our Notes limits our ability to pay dividends.
On February 2, 2021, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior secured notes due on February 1, 2026 (the “Notes”) under an indenture dated February 2, 2021 (the “Indenture”). Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.625% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2021. The Notes are secured on a first-lien priority basis by substantially all assets of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries and are guaranteed jointly and severally by the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. We used the net proceeds from the Notes, to repay the credit facility, the promissory note, and a loan from Mr. George Beasley (see Note 10 to the accompanying financial statements) and to pay related accrued interest, fees and expenses. The Indenture contains restrictive covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, guarantee indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or, in the case of such subsidiaries, preferred stock; pay dividends on, repurchase or make