UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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Form 10-K |
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ý | | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 |
or |
o | | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to |
LIN Media LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 001-36032
LIN Television Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 000-25206
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Delaware | | Delaware |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
05-0501252 | | 13-3581627 |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
701 Brazos Street, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701
(Address of principal executive offices)
(512) 380-4400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
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Title of each class | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A common shares | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted to its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated Filer o | | Non-accelerated filer ý (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (based on the last reported sale price of the registrant's class A common shares on June 30, 2013 on the New York Stock Exchange) was approximately $794 million.
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Document Description | | Form 10-K |
Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement on Schedule14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 6, 2014 | | Part III |
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCENOTE:
This combined Form 10-K is separately filed by LIN Media LLC and LIN Television Corporation. LIN Television Corporation meets the conditions set forth in general instruction I(1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is, therefore, filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by such instruction.
LIN Media LLC Class A common shares, issued and outstanding as of February 27, 2014 : 34,495,067 shares.
LIN Media LLC Class B common shares, issued and outstanding as of February 27, 2014: 20,901,726 shares.
LIN Media LLC Class C common shares, issued and outstanding as of February 27, 2014: 2 shares.
LIN Television Corporation common shares, issued and outstanding as of February 27, 2014: 1,000 shares.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV Corp., a Delaware corporation (“LIN TV”), completed its merger with and into LIN Media LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of LIN TV (“LIN LLC”), with LIN LLC as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 12, 2013, by and between LIN TV and LIN LLC (the “Merger Agreement”). Entry into the Merger Agreement had previously been reported by LIN TV on its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013.
LIN LLC filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 (the “Form 8-K”) for the purpose of establishing LIN LLC as the successor registrant to LIN TV pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and to disclose certain related matters, including the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the filing of the Form 8-K, the class A common shares representing limited liability interests in LIN LLC, as the successor issuer to LIN TV, were deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. References to LIN LLC, we, us, or the Company in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the Merger shall be deemed to refer to LIN TV as the predecessor registrant to LIN LLC. For more information concerning the effects of the Merger and the succession of LIN LLC to LIN TV upon its effectiveness, please see the above referenced Form 8-K.
Table of Contents
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21 | | Subsidiaries of the Registrant | | |
10.23 | | Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 27, 2014, between LIN Digital Media LLC and FMPL Holdings, Inc. | | |
23.1 | | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | | |
23.2 | | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | | |
31.1 | | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the CEO of LIN Media LLC | | |
31.2 | | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the CFO of LIN Media LLC | | |
31.3 | | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the CEO of LIN Television Corporation | | |
31.4 | | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the CFO of LIN Television Corporation | | |
32.1 | | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the CEO and CFO of LIN Media LLC | | |
32.2 | | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the CEO and CFO of LIN Television Corporation |
101.INS** | | XBRL Instance Document | | |
101.SCH** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | | |
101.CAL** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | | |
101.LAB** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | | |
101.PRE** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | | |
101.DEF** | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | | |
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to our financial condition, results of operations and business, including statements under the captions Item 1. "Business" and Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management, which, although we believe them to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance upon such estimates or statements. We cannot assure you that any of such estimates or statements will be realized and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include those discussed under the caption Item 1A. "Risk Factors", as well as the following:
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• | volatility and periodic changes in our advertising revenues; |
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• | economic conditions, including adverse changes in the national and local economies in which our stations operate and volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets; |
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• | effects of complying with accounting standards, including with respect to the treatment of our intangible assets; |
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• | inability or unavailability of additional debt or equity capital; |
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• | restrictions on our operations due to, and the effect of, our significant indebtedness; |
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• | our ability to continue to comply with financial debt covenants dependent on cash flows; |
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• | increased competition, including from newer forms of entertainment and entertainment media, changes in distribution methods or changes in the popularity or availability of programming; |
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• | increased costs, including increased news and syndicated programming costs and increased capital expenditures as a result of acquisitions or necessary technological enhancements; |
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• | effects of our control relationships, including the control that Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. ("HMC") and its affiliates have with respect to corporate transactions and activities we undertake; |
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• | adverse state or federal legislation or regulation or adverse determinations by regulators, including adverse changes in, or interpretations of, the exceptions to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") duopoly rule and the allocation of broadcast spectrum; |
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• | declines in the domestic advertising market; |
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• | further consolidation of national and local advertisers; |
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• | global or local events that could disrupt television broadcasting; |
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• | risks associated with acquisitions including integration of acquired businesses; |
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• | changes in television viewing patterns, ratings and commercial viewing measurement; |
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• | changes in our television network affiliation agreements; |
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• | changes in our retransmission consent agreements; and |
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• | seasonality of the broadcast business due primarily to political advertising revenues in even years. |
Many of these factors are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except to the extent required by applicable law.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
LIN Media LLC ("LIN LLC") is a local multimedia company that currently owns, operates or services 43 television stations and seven digital channels in 23 U.S. markets, along with a diverse portfolio of websites, apps and mobile products that make it more convenient to access our unique and relevant content on multiple screens. Our highly-rated television stations deliver superior local news, community service, and popular sports and entertainment programming to viewers, reaching 10.5% of U.S. television homes. All of our television stations are affiliated with a national broadcast network and are primarily located in the top 75 Designated Market Areas ("DMAs") as measured by Nielsen Media Research ("Nielsen"). Our digital media division operates from 31 markets across the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Washington D.C., and delivers measurable results to some of the nation's most respected agencies and companies. In this report, the terms "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean LIN LLC and all subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements. Our class A common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "LIN".
We provide free, over-the-air broadcasts of our programming 24 hours per day to the communities we are licensed to serve. We are committed to serving the public interest by making advertising time available to political candidates, by providing free daily local news coverage, making public service announcements and broadcasting children's programming.
We seek to have the largest local media presence in each of our local markets by combining strong network and syndicated programming with leading local news, and by pursuing our multi-channel strategy. We also deliver our content online and on mobile applications, which we believe could provide a significant revenue stream to the television broadcasting industry. Mobile digital broadcast television enables consumers to watch live television on their laptops, smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. We expect over-the-air television delivered to mobile and out-of-home devices in our local markets to meet the growing demand of on-the-go consumers. Additionally, we invest in companies that focus on emerging media and interactive technologies to expand our local multi-platform and digital product offerings.
Development of Our Business
Ownership and organizational structure
Our Company (including its predecessors) has owned and operated television stations since 1966. LIN Television Corporation ("LIN Television"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated on June 18, 1990. LIN TV Corp., a Delaware corporation ("LIN TV") was incorporated on February 11, 1998 and on May 3, 2002, completed its initial public offering and shares of LIN TV class A common stock began trading on the NYSE. On July 30, 2013, LIN TV merged with and into LIN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of LIN TV, with LIN LLC as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 12, 2013, by and between LIN TV and LIN LLC (the “Merger Agreement”).
LIN LLC filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 (the “Form 8-K”) for the purpose of establishing LIN LLC as the successor registrant to LIN TV pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and to disclose certain related matters, including the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the filing of the Form 8-K, the class A common shares representing limited liability interests in LIN LLC, as the successor registrant to LIN TV, were deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. References to "LIN LLC," "we," "us," or the "Company" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the Merger shall be deemed to refer to LIN TV as the predecessor registrant to LIN LLC. For more information concerning the effects of the Merger and the succession of LIN LLC to LIN TV upon its effectiveness, please see the Form 8-K.
Our corporate offices are located at 701 Brazos Street, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701.
We have three classes of common shares. The class A common shares and the class C common shares are both voting common shares, with the class C common shares having 70% of the aggregate voting power. The class B common shares are held by current and former affiliates of HMC and have no voting rights, except that without the consent of a majority of the class B common shares, we cannot enter into a wide range of corporate transactions.
This capital structure allowed us to issue voting shares while preserving the pre-existing ownership structure in which the class B shareholders did not have an attributable ownership interest in our television broadcast licenses pursuant to the rules of the FCC.
The following diagram summarizes our corporate structure as of February 27, 2014:
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Class A Common Shares | | Class B Common Shares | | Class C Common Shares |
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34,495,067 shares outstanding listed on the NYSE under the symbol "LIN" | | 20,901,726 shares outstanding, all of which are currently held by affiliates or former affiliates of HMC | | 2 shares outstanding, 1 of which is held by affiliates of Mr. Royal W. Carson III, a director, and the other by HMC |
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30% voting power | | Non-voting | | 70% voting power |
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| LIN Media LLC | |
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| LIN Television Corporation | |
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| Television Stations and Digital Operations | |
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All of the shares of our class B common shares are held by affiliates of HMC or former affiliates of HMC. The class B common shares are convertible into class A common shares or class C common shares in various circumstances. The class C common shares are also convertible into class A common shares in certain circumstances. If affiliates of HMC converted their shares of class B common shares into shares of class A common shares and the shares of class C common shares were converted into shares of class A common shares as of February 27, 2014, the holders of the converted shares of class C common shares would own less than .01% of the total outstanding shares of class A common shares and resulting voting power, and the affiliates of HMC would own 37.7% of the total outstanding shares of class A common shares and resulting voting power.
Our television stations
We own, operate or service 43 television stations and seven digital channels in 23 U.S. markets, including two affiliates and one digital channel pursuant to local marketing agreements, six affiliates pursuant to joint sales and shared services agreements, two affiliates pursuant to shared services agreements, and three low-power stations, which are affiliated with a national network and operate as a stand-alone affiliate. The following table lists the stations and digital channels that we own, operate or service:
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Market (1) | DMA Rank (2) | | Station | | Affiliation(s) | | Channel | | Status (3) | | FCC license expiration | |
Portland, OR | 22 | | KOIN-TV(4) | | CBS | | 40 | | | | 2/1/2015 | |
Indianapolis, IN | 26 | | WISH-TV(4) | | CBS | | 9 | | | | 8/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WNDY-TV | | MNTV | | 32 | | | | 8/1/2021 | |
Hartford-New Haven, CT | 30 | | WTNH-TV | | ABC | | 10 | | | | 4/1/2015 | |
| | | WCTX-TV | | MNTV | | 39 | | | | 4/1/2015 | |
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI | 39 | | WOOD-TV(4) | | NBC | | 7 | | | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WOTV-TV | | ABC | | 20 | | | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WXSP-CD | | MNTV | | Various | | | | 10/1/2021 | |
Austin, TX | 40 | | KXAN-TV | | NBC | | 21 | | | | 8/1/2014 | |
| | | KNVA-TV(4) | | CW | | 49 | | LMA | | 8/1/2014 | |
| | | KBVO-TV(5) | | MNTV | | 27 | | | | 8/1/2014 | |
Birmingham, AL | 44 | | WIAT-TV | | CBS | | 30 | | | | 4/1/2013 | (6) |
Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, VA | 45 | | WAVY-TV(4) | | NBC | | 31 | | | | 10/1/2012 | (6) |
| | | WVBT-TV | | FOX | | 29 | | | | 10/1/2012 | (6) |
Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM | 47 | | KRQE-TV(4) | | CBS | | 13 | | | | 10/1/2014 | |
| | | KASA-TV(4) | | FOX | | 27 | | | | 10/1/2014 | |
| | | KWBQ-TV(4) | | CW | | 29 | | SSA | | 10/1/2014 | |
| | | KASY-TV | | MNTV | | 45 | | SSA | | 10/1/2014 | |
Buffalo, NY | 52 | | WIVB-TV | | CBS | | 39 | | | | 6/1/2015 | |
| | | WNLO-TV | | CW | | 32 | | | | 6/1/2015 | |
Providence, RI-New Bedford, MA | 53 | | WPRI-TV | | CBS | | 13 | | | | 4/1/2015 | |
| | | WNAC-TV | | FOX | | 12 | | LMA | | 4/1/2007 | (6) |
| | | WNAC-TV-D2 | | MNTV | | 12.2 | | LMA | | 4/1/2007 | (6) |
Mobile, AL/Pensacola, FL | 59 | | WALA-TV | | FOX | | 9 | | | | 4/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WFNA-TV | | CW | | 25 | | | | 4/1/2013 | (6) |
Dayton, OH | 64 | | WDTN-TV | | NBC | | 50 | | | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WBDT-TV | | CW | | 26 | | SSA/JSA | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
Wichita-Hutchinson, KS | 67 | | KSNW-TV(4) | | NBC | | 45 | | | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
| | | KSNG-TV-D2 | | TEL | | 11.2 | | | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
Honolulu, HI | 69 | | KHON-TV(4) | | FOX | | 8 | | | | 2/1/2015 | |
| | | KHON-TV-D2 | | CW | | 8 | | | | 2/1/2015 | |
Green Bay-Appleton, WI | 70 | | WLUK-TV(4) | | FOX | | 11 | | | | 12/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WCWF-TV | | CW | | 21 | | | | 12/1/2021 | |
Savannah, GA | 92 | | WJCL-TV | | ABC | | 22 | | | | 12/31/2018 | |
| | | WTGS-TV | | FOX | | 28 | | SSA/JSA | | 12/1/2012 | (6) |
Fort Wayne, IN | 109 | | WANE-TV | | CBS | | 31 | | | | 8/1/2013 | (6) |
Youngstown, OH | 113 | | WYTV-DT | | ABC | | 36 | | SSA/JSA | | 8/31/2013 | (6) |
| | | WKBN-TV | | CBS | | 41 | | | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WYFX-LD | | FOX | | 19 | | | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WYTV-DT2 | | MNTV | | 36.2 | | SSA/JSA | | 10/1/2013 | (6) |
Springfield-Holyoke, MA | 114 | | WWLP-TV(4) | | NBC | | 11 | | | | 4/1/2015 | |
Topeka, KS | 134 | | KTKA-TV | | ABC | | 49 | | SSA/JSA | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
| | | KTKA-TV-D3 | | CW | | 49.3 | | SSA/JSA | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
| | | KSNT-TV(4) | | NBC | | 27 | | | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
| | | KTMJ-CD | | FOX | | 43 | | | | 6/1/2014 | (6) |
Mason City, IA | 153 | | KIMT-TV | | CBS | | 42 | | | | 2/1/2022 | |
| | | KIMT-TV-DT2 | | MNTV | | 42.2 | | | | 2/1/2022 | |
Terre Haute, IN | 155 | | WTHI-TV(4) | | CBS | | 10 | | | | 8/1/2013 | (6) |
| | | WTHI-TV-D2 | | FOX | | 10.2 | | | | 8/1/2013 | (6) |
Lafayette, IN | 189 | | WLFI-TV | | CBS | | 11 | | | | 8/1/2021 | |
_______________________________________________________________________________
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(1) | On February 12, 2013, we sold our equity interest in a joint venture with NBCUniversal Media, LLC ("NBC"). The joint venture was a limited partner in a business that owns television stations KXAS-TV, an NBC affiliate in Dallas, and KNSD-TV, an NBC affiliate in San Diego. For further information, see "Joint Venture Sale Transaction." |
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(2) | DMA estimates and rankings are taken from Nielsen Local Universe Estimates for the 2013-2014 Broadcast Season, effective September 28, 2013. There are 210 DMAs in the United States. All Nielsen data included in this report represents Nielsen's estimates, and Nielsen has neither reviewed nor approved the data included in this report. |
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(3) | We own and operate all of our stations and digital channels except for those (i) noted as "LMA" which indicates stations to which we provide services under a local marketing agreement (see "Distribution of Programming-Full-power television stations" for a description of these agreements), (ii) noted as "SSA" which indicates stations to which we provide technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services under a shared services agreement (see "Distribution of Programming-Full-power television stations" for a description of these agreements), and (iii) noted as "JSA" which indicates stations to which we provide advertising sales services under a joint sales agreement (see "Principal Sources of Revenue-Other revenues" for a description of these agreements). |
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(4) | WISH-TV includes a low-power station, WIIH-CD. WOOD-TV, WAVY-TV, KNVA-TV, KRQE-TV, KASA-TV, KOIN-TV, KSNT-TV, WLUK-TV and WWLP-TV each includes a group of low-power stations. KRQE-TV includes two satellite stations, KBIM-TV and KREZ-TV. KWBQ-TV includes one satellite station KRWB-TV. KHON-TV includes two satellite stations, KHAW-TV and KAII-TV. KSNW-TV includes KSNC(TV), KSNG(TV) and KSNK(TV) as satellite stations and KSNL-LD as a translator. We own, operate or service all of these satellite stations and low-power stations, which broadcast either identical programming as the primary station or programming specific to such channel. |
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(5) | KBVO-TV is a full power satellite station of KXAN-TV and its primary affiliate is MyNetworkTV. |
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(6) | License renewal applications have been filed with the FCC and are currently pending. For further information on license renewals, see "Federal Regulation of Television Broadcasting-License Renewals". |
Joint Venture Sale Transaction and Merger
On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries LIN Television and LIN Television of Texas, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LIN Texas”), entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with NBC Telemundo License LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBC”), NBCU New LLC I, a Delaware limited liability company, NBCU New LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company, General Electric Company, a New York corporation (“GE”), General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“GECC” and together with GE, the “GE Parties”), National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Comcast”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBCUniversal”), Lone Star SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Station Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SVH”). SVH held a 99.75% interest in Station Venture Operations, LP (“SVO”), which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture. The Transaction Agreement effected a series of transactions related to the ownership and sale of LIN Texas’s 20.38% equity interest in SVH, a joint venture in which NBC, an affiliate of NBCUniversal, held the remaining 79.62% equity interest (collectively, the “JV Sale Transaction”).
SVH was a limited partner in a business that operated an NBC affiliate in Dallas and an NBC affiliate in San Diego pursuant to a management agreement. At the time of LIN Texas’s acquisition of its interest in SVH in 1998, GECC provided secured debt financing to SVH in the form of a $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 to GECC (the “GECC Note”), and, in connection with SVH’s assumption of the GECC Note, LIN TV guaranteed the payment of the full amount of principal and interest on the GECC Note (the “GECC Guarantee”).
In addition, during 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, LIN Television entered into agreements with SVH, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal pursuant to which LIN Television, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal caused to be provided to SVH certain unsecured shortfall funding loans (the “Shortfall Funding Loans”) on the basis of each party’s percentage of equity interest in SVH in order to fund interest payments on the GECC Note.
Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction, and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million incremental term loan facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available federal net operating loss carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had an approximate $162.8 million income tax payable associated with this transaction remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement further described below.
Concurrent with the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV entered into the Merger Agreement with LIN LLC as described above. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and the
change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes and LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million, which represented the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of such stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Recent Acquisitions
On April 4, 2013, LIN Television acquired a 50.1% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in HYFN, Inc. ("HYFN"), a full service digital advertising agency specializing in the planning, development, deployment and support for websites, mobile sites, interactive banners, games and various applications for multiple devices, for $7.2 million. Additionally, on April 9, 2013, LIN Television acquired a 60% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Dedicated Media, Inc. ("Dedicated Media"), a multi-channel advertisement buying and optimization company, for $5.8 million. Dedicated Media employs new technologies to create, plan and execute digital marketing campaigns on behalf of its clients.
On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television, acquired 100% of the capital stock of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"), a digital content and conversational marketing company. The purchase price totaled $22.4 million plus an adjustment for working capital delivered at closing, and was funded from cash on hand and amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility.
For additional information on these acquisitions, see Note 2, "Acquisitions" to our consolidated financial statements.
Description of Our Business
We own, operate or service 43 television stations, seven digital channels, websites and mobile apps in 23 U.S. markets, with multiple network affiliated channels in 18 markets. Our growing digital media portfolio helps agencies and brands effectively and efficiently reach their target audiences at scale by utilizing our comScore, Inc. rated Top 15 Video market share(1) and the latest in conversational marketing, video, display, mobile, social intelligence and monetization, as well as reporting across all screens. Our vision is to be the market-leading multimedia company and consumers' and advertisers' preferred choice for unique, innovative and relevant content on all screens.
The principal components of our strategy include:
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• | Sustain our Local News Leadership & Extend the Reach of Our Brands. The strength of our local news brands is a result of our ability to embrace changing media habits, focus on superior multiscreen content production and distribution, invest in localism, and commit to training and sharing best practices throughout our organization. In 2013, we launched high definition newscasts at five stations, which completes the transition of all of our television stations to high definition and enhances our competitive positions in our local markets. In addition, 11 of our television stations launched or expanded their local news products in 2013. Finally, in 2013, we launched live streaming of our local newscasts on all of our television station websites. We capitalized on our duopoly strategy and added or expanded morning news on several of our secondary stations when the big three networks are all airing network morning shows. Delivering the best and most relevant local content to viewers on multiple screens is an important part of our strategy. Regardless of the screen, viewers have instant and easy access to our unique local content, 24/7, and on any device. For example, we provide groundbreaking, in-depth investigative journalism that informs our viewers through on-air stories, interactive features and online special sections. We are focused on extending the reach of our local brands, which drives brand loyalty, and in turn, attracts advertising dollars. As a result of our strategy and efforts, the majority of our television, website and mobile screens consistently rank at the top of our local markets compared to our broadcast competitors. |
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(1) comScore Video Metrix data; December 2013. LIN Digital Video, Video Type; Ads, Media; Video Advertising Networks - Actual Reach.
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• | Build Scale, Synergies & Efficiencies. In 2013, we successfully integrated the largest acquired group of TV stations in our company’s history. We transitioned and trained employees on our news, sales and digital platforms; created more multiscreen, cross-selling opportunities; built a digital culture from the ground up; launched high definition in every market; and improved the quality of the stations’ newscasts and programming. The newly acquired or serviced television stations are providing significant opportunities to grow our digital business, increase our bargaining power with multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"), networks and syndicators, and add greater scale to amortize digital media and technology investments, including our shared services capabilities. Also in 2013, we opened our third regional technology center, which provides engineering, operations, financial and administrative functions for several of our television stations in order to maximize operating synergies and reduced capital costs. We also continued to achieve company-wide operating efficiencies through economies of scale in the purchase of programming, ratings services, research services, national sales representation, capital equipment and other vendor services. Finally, in 2013, we continued to advance our "Accelerate" sales strategy in order to create cross-selling multiplatform opportunities; enhance the technical capabilities of our sales teams; improve synergies and streamline and standardize all sales support functions and operations to benefit our advertisers. |
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• | Grow and Differentiate Our Digital Media Business. We are committed to building our digital media business in a smart and strategic way. In 2013, we expanded our portfolio with two companies that greatly enhance our digital marketing capabilities, increase our scale, deliver important synergies and differentiate us from the competition. HYFN is a full service digital agency that develops and implements award-winning mobile, social and web experiences for some of the world’s largest brands. In 2013, HYFN unveiled its new social media management platform called HYFN8 that allows marketers to listen and react to online consumer behavior in real-time. We also invested in Dedicated Media, an innovator in performance-based marketing, data targeting and analytics. Dedicated Media enables us to further optimize our clients’ digital marketing campaigns and deliver even greater return on investment. We remained ahead of the curve in 2013 through our continuous multiscreen product innovation and advertising solutions that reach target audiences and generate results. For example, LIN Mobile unveiled ONETM, its new suite of mobile marketing solutions that enable brands to truly become “mobile-first”; engaging consumers on the devices they use most frequently, with the intelligence required to effectively deliver unified brand messaging across screens. In 2013, we continued to build our national digital sales force, while, at the same time, leveraging the strong relationships we have in each of our markets to sell more multiscreen campaigns to large, local advertisers. Our portfolio of video, display, mobile and social platforms, including our recently launched Video Insights Platform (“VIP”), helps agencies and brands efficiently and effectively reach our targeted audiences at scale, leveraging the latest in conversational marketing, digital solutions and reporting across all platforms. As a result of our strategy, digital revenues have increased from 1% of total revenues in 2007, when our digital media business was launched, to 14% of total revenues in 2013.(2) |
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• | Secure Subscriber Fees from Pay-Television Operators. According to Nielsen, cable, satellite television and telecommunications companies currently provide video program services to approximately 90% of total U.S. television households.(3) The surge of competition from satellite and telecommunications companies, combined with our strong local and national programming, provides us with compelling negotiating positions to obtain compensation for our channels. It is of critical importance to the broadcast industry that pay-television operators pay subscriber fees that are commensurate with the superior ratings our channels achieve relative to cable channels. In 2013, we successfully renewed agreements with pay television providers that account for nearly 20% of the subscribers in our markets, and over the next two years, we will work to negotiate renewals that represent more than 75% of the subscribers in our markets. This is an important revenue stream for broadcasters and we are focused on closing the gap between our highest-rated content the fees we receive. |
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• | Continue to Explore New Uses for our Spectrum. We believe our spectrum has value beyond traditional television channels, and digital technology enables us to separate a portion of that spectrum for incremental services. We currently own or service seven digital sub-channels that utilize spectrum shared with another national network affiliate. In 2013, we launched Bounce TV, the nation’s first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network designed for African-American audiences, on our digital sub-channels in nine of our local markets in order to better serve minority communities. Our multi-channel strategy helps us appeal to a wider audience and market of advertisers while providing economies of scale to provide these additional programming services at a low incremental cost. |
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(2) Digital revenues include revenues generated from our television websites, LIN Digital, LIN Mobile, Nami, as well as HYFN and Dedicated Media.
(3) Nielsen DMA Media Related TV Households as of 12/31/2013. All Nielsen data included in this report represents Nielsen's estimates, and Nielsen has neither reviewed nor approved the data included in this report.
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• | Provide Superior Community Service. Our model of community service exemplifies broadcasting's great value and responsibility to the local community. We believe it is critically important to ensure the dynamic future of our industry, which is why we have been awarding two-year scholarships to ambitious students interested in a wide spectrum of fields in or relating to broadcast television since 1998, and digital media since 2011. In addition, we provide programming that is responsive to community needs, such as emergency alerts, closed captioning for hearing impaired viewers and childrens’ programming. We also support numerous non-profit organizations, programs, telethons and events that help make the communities we serve better, stronger and more vibrant places to live, work and do business. |
Principal Sources of Revenue
Local, national and political advertising revenues
We generate local, national and political advertising revenues principally from advertising time sold in our local news, network and syndicated programming. In general, advertising rates are based upon a variety of factors, including:
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• | size and demographic makeup of the market served by the television station; |
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• | a program's popularity among television viewers; |
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• | number of advertisers competing for the available time; |
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• | availability of alternative advertising media in the station's market area; |
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• | our overall ability to attract viewers; |
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• | our ability to attract viewers among particular demographic groups that an advertiser may be targeting; and |
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• | effectiveness of our advertising sales force. |
Retransmission consent fees
We have retransmission consent agreements with cable, satellite and telecommunications providers from which we earn retransmission consent fees for the right to carry our signals in their pay-television services to consumers.
Television station website revenues
We generate revenues through advertisements on our television stations' websites and mobile applications.
Interactive revenues
We generate interactive revenues primarily by providing online advertising and media services through our online advertising and media services business, LIN Digital, Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media.
Other revenues
Other revenues include barter of unsold advertising inventory for goods and services that are required to operate our television stations or are used in sales and marketing efforts. We also acquire certain syndicated programming by providing a portion of the available advertising inventory within the program, in lieu of cash payments.
Additionally, we receive other revenues from sources such as renting space on our television towers, renting our production facilities, copyright royalties and providing television production services. Finally, we earn fee income through shared services agreements for two stations located in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe market, under which we provide technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services from our stations that we own and operate within the market. We also have shared services agreements and joint sales agreements for stations in the Dayton, Ohio, Savannah, Georgia, Topeka, Kansas and Youngstown, Ohio markets, pursuant to which we also provide advertising sales services.
Sources and Availability of Programming
We program our television stations from the following program sources:
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• | News and general entertainment programming that is produced by our local television stations; |
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• | Network programming such as "CSI" or "Modern Family"; |
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• | Syndicated programming: off-network programs, such as "Criminal Minds" or "How I Met Your Mother" and first-run programs, such as "Jeopardy", "Entertainment Tonight" or "Wheel of Fortune"; |
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• | Paid programming: arrangements where a third party pays our stations for a block of time, generally in one-half hour or one hour time periods to air long-form advertising or "infomercials"; and |
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• | Digital subchannel content affiliations or agreements such as "Bounce TV" and "Antenna TV." |
Locally produced news and general entertainment programming
Our television stations and digital channels produce an aggregate of approximately 882 hours of local news programming per week that we broadcast on all but seven of our stations. Local news programming also allows us greater control over our programming costs.
The number of weekly hours of network, local news and other local programming produced by our television stations and digital channels are as follows:
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Network | DMA | | DMA Rank | | Station | | Weekly Hours of Network Programming | | Weekly Hours of Local News Programming | | Weekly Hours of Other Local Programming | | Network Affiliation End Date |
ABC | Hartford-New Haven, CT | | 30 | | WTNH-TV | | 81 | | 29 | | 3 | | 8/31/2017 |
| Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI | | 39 | | WOTV-TV | | 80 | | 8 | | 3 | | 8/31/2017 |
| Savannah, GA | | 92 | | WJCL-TV | | 79 | | 17 | | — | | 12/31/2018 |
| Youngstown, OH | | 113 | | WYTV-DT | | 78 | | 20 | | — | | 8/31/2017 |
| Topeka, KS | | 134 | | KTKA-TV | | 78 | | 19 | | — | | 12/31/2015 |
CBS | Portland, OR | | 22 | | KOIN-TV | | 95 | | 31 | | 1 | | 9/18/2016 |
| Indianapolis, IN | | 26 | | WISH-TV | | 91 | | 35 | | 6 | | 12/31/2014 |
| Birmingham, AL | | 44 | | WIAT-TV | | 96 | | 22 | | 1 | | 12/31/2014 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM | | 47 | | KRQE-TV | | 95 | | 34 | | — | | 12/31/2014 |
| Buffalo, NY | | 52 | | WIVB-TV | | 87 | | 30 | | 1 | | 12/31/2014 |
| Providence, RI-New Bedford, MA | | 53 | | WPRI-TV | | 92 | | 32 | | 6 | | 12/31/2014 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | | 109 | | WANE-TV | | 96 | | 24 | | — | | 12/31/2014 |
| Youngstown, OH | | 113 | | WKBN-TV | | 91 | | 22 | | — | | 1/31/2017 |
| Mason City, IA | | 153 | | KIMT-TV | | 94 | | 24 | | — | | 6/30/2015 |
| Terre Haute, IN | | 155 | | WTHI-TV | | 97 | | 20 | | 3 | | 12/31/2014 |
| Lafayette, IN | | 189 | | WLFI-TV | | 95 | | 23 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
NBC | Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI | | 39 | | WOOD-TV | | 96 | | 34 | | 6 | | 1/1/2017 |
| Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, VA | | 45 | | WAVY-TV | | 95 | | 35 | | 5 | | 1/1/2017 |
| Austin, TX | | 40 | | KXAN-TV | | 92 | | 32 | | 1 | | 1/1/2017 |
| Dayton, OH | | 64 | | WDTN-TV | | 97 | | 28 | | 5 | | 1/1/2017 |
| Wichita-Hutchinson, KS | | 67 | | KSNW-TV | | 96 | | 30 | | — | | 1/1/2017 |
| Springfield-Holyoke, MA | | 114 | | WWLP-TV | | 95 | | 34 | | 6 | | 1/1/2017 |
| Topeka, KS | | 134 | | KSNT-TV | | 96 | | 24 | | — | | 1/1/2017 |
FOX | Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, VA | | 45 | | WVBT-TV | | 26 | | 14 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM | | 47 | | KASA-TV | | 26 | | 19 | | 5 | | 12/31/2017 |
| Providence, RI-New Bedford, MA | | 53 | | WNAC-TV | | 26 | | 16 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Mobile, AL/Pensacola, FL | | 59 | | WALA-TV | | 26 | | 34 | | 5 | | 12/31/2017 |
| Green Bay-Appleton, WI | | 70 | | WLUK-TV | | 26 | | 43 | | 7 | | 12/31/2017 |
| Honolulu, HI | | 69 | | KHON-TV | | 27 | | 27 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Savannah, GA | | 92 | | WTGS-TV | | 26 | | 7 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Youngstown, OH | | 113 | | WYFX-LD | | 26 | | 16 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Topeka, KS | | 134 | | KTMJ-CD | | 26 | | 15 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
| Terre Haute, IN | | 155 | | WTHI-TV-D2 | | 37 | | 3 | | — | | 12/31/2017 |
CW | Austin, TX | | 40 | | KNVA-TV | | 20 | | 14 | | — | | 9/17/2016 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM | | 47 | | KWBQ-TV | | 20 | | — | | — | | 9/17/2016 |
| Buffalo, NY | | 52 | | WNLO-TV | | 33 | | 13 | | 5 | | 9/17/2016 |
| Mobile, AL/Pensacola, FL | | 59 | | WFNA-TV | | 20 | | — | | 3 | | 9/17/2016 |
| Dayton, OH | | 64 | | WBDT-TV | | 20 | | 14 | | — | | 9/17/2016 |
| Green Bay-Appleton, WI | | 70 | | WCWF-TV | | 20 | | — | | 1 | | 9/17/2016 |
| Honolulu, HI | | 69 | | KHON-TV-D2 | | 20 | | — | | — | | 9/17/2020 |
| Topeka, KS | | 134 | | KTKA-TV-D2 | | 20 | | — | | — | | 9/17/2019 |
MyNetworkTV | Indianapolis, IN | | 26 | | WNDY-TV | | 13 | | 9 | | 1 | | 9/28/2014 |
| Hartford-New Haven, CT | | 30 | | WCTX-TV | | 10 | | 9 | | 3 | | 9/28/2014 |
| Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI | | 39 | | WXSP-CD | | 10 | | 4 | | — | | 9/28/2014 |
| Austin, TX | | 40 | | KBVO-TV | | 10 | | 1 | | — | | 9/28/2014 |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM | | 47 | | KASY-TV | | 10 | | — | | — | | 9/28/2014 |
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Network | DMA | | DMA Rank | | Station | | Weekly Hours of Network Programming | | Weekly Hours of Local News Programming | | Weekly Hours of Other Local Programming | | Network Affiliation End Date |
| Providence, RI-New Bedford, MA | | 53 |
| | WNAC-TV-D2 | | 11 |
| | 1 |
| | 6 |
| | 9/28/2014 |
| Youngstown, OH | | 113 |
| | WYTV-DT-D2 | | 10 |
| | 10 |
| | 4 |
| | 9/28/2014 |
| Mason City, IA | | 153 |
| | KIMT-TV-D2 | | 10 |
| | 6 |
| | — |
| | 9/28/2014 |
Telemundo | Wichita-Hutchinson, KS | | 67 |
| | KSNG-TV-D2 | | 168 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 12/31/2014 |
| | | |
| | | | 2,789 |
| | 882 |
| | 87 |
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Network programming
All of our stations are affiliated with one of the national television networks. Our network affiliation agreements provide a local station certain exclusive rights and an obligation, subject to certain limited preemption rights, to carry the network programming. While the networks retain most of the advertising time within their programs for their own use, the local station also has the right to sell a limited amount of advertising time within the network programs. Other time periods, which are not programmed by the networks, are programmed by the local station, for which the local station retains substantially all of the advertising revenues. Networks also share certain of their programming with cable networks and make certain of their programming available through their website or on websites such as hulu.com, Netflix and Amazon Prime. These outlets compete with us for viewers in the communities served by our stations.
The programming strength of a particular national television network may affect a local station's competitive position. Our stations, however, are diversified among the various networks, reducing the potential impact of any one network's performance. We believe that national television network affiliations remain an efficient means of obtaining competitive programming, both for established stations with strong local news franchises and for newer stations with greater programming needs. Our affiliation agreements have terms with scheduled expiration dates ranging through September 17, 2020. These agreements are subject to earlier termination by the networks under specified circumstances, including a change of control of our Company, which would generally result from the acquisition of shares having 50% or more of the voting power of our Company.
Syndicated programming
We acquire the rights to programs for time periods in which we do not air our local news or network programs. These programs generally include first-run syndicated programs, such as "Jeopardy", "Entertainment Tonight" or "Wheel of Fortune", or reruns of current or former network programs, such as "Criminal Minds" or "How I Met Your Mother". We pay cash for these programs or exchange advertising time within the program for the cost of the program rights. We compete with other local television stations to acquire these programs. In addition, a television viewer can now choose to watch many of these programs on national cable networks or purchase these programs on DVDs or via downloads to computers, mobile video devices or web-based video players, which increases fragmentation of our local television audience.
Distribution of Programming
The programming that airs on our television stations can reach the television audience by one or more of the following distribution systems:
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• | Full-power television stations, including digital subchannels and stations we operate or service under local marketing agreements ("LMAs"), joint sales agreements ("JSAs"), shared services arrangements ("SSAs") or similar arrangements; |
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• | Cable television systems; |
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• | Satellite television systems; |
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• | Telecommunications systems; |
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• | Internet, mobile and other digital services; and |
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• | Low-power television stations. |
Full-power television stations
We own, operate or service 40 full-power television stations that operate on over-the-air channels 7 through 50. Our full-power television stations include two full-power stations for which we provide programming, sales and other related services under grandfathered LMAs, six full-power stations and two digital channels for which we provide technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services under SSAs (for four of these stations and the two digital channels we also provide advertising sales services under a JSA). See "Our television stations" for a listing of our full-power television stations.
The FCC television licenses for the two full-power television stations for which we provide programming, sales and other related services under LMAs are not owned by us. Revenues generated by these stations contributed 4% to our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. We incur programming costs, operating costs and capital expenditures related to the operation of these stations, and retain all advertising revenues. In Providence and Austin, the two local markets where these stations are located, we own and operate at least one other station. These LMA stations are an important part of our multi-channel strategy. We have purchase options to acquire the FCC licenses for the LMA stations in Providence and Austin, which are exercisable if the legal requirements limiting ownership of these stations change.
The FCC television licenses for the six full-power television stations for which we provide technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services under SSAs and other arrangements are also not owned by us. Revenues generated by these stations contributed 3% to our net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013. In each of the five markets where these stations are located, we own and operate at least one other station. These SSA stations are also an important part of our multi-channel strategy. We have purchase options to acquire the FCC licenses for the SSA stations in Albuquerque, Dayton, Savannah, Youngstown, and Topeka, which are exercisable if the legal requirements limiting ownership of these stations change.
Cable, satellite television and telecommunications systems
According to Nielsen, cable, satellite television and telecommunications companies currently provide video program services to approximately 90% of total U.S. television households, with cable and telecommunications companies serving 59% of U.S. households and direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") providers serving 30%. As a result, cable, satellite television and telecommunications companies are not only primary competitors, but the primary means by which our television audience views our television stations. Most of our stations are distributed pursuant to retransmission consent agreements with MVPDs that operate in markets we serve. As of December 31, 2013, we had retransmission consent agreements with 159 distributors, including 154 Multiple System Operators ("MSOs") and regional telecommunications companies, the two major satellite television providers, and two national telecommunications providers. For an overview of FCC regulations governing carriage of television broadcast signals by MVPDs, see "Federal Regulation of Television Broadcasting-Cable and Satellite Carriage of Local Television Signals."
Internet, mobile and other digital services
We operate television station websites in 23 U.S. markets and offer a growing portfolio of Internet-based products and services that provide traditional and new audiences around-the-clock access to our trusted local news and information. We launched our mobile business in 2009 with iPhone and BlackBerry smartphone applications and we have since launched Android and iPad applications. In addition, we launched SMS/text messaging, video blogging and other advanced interactive features that further extend the distribution of our content.
Low-power television stations
We own and operate a number of low-power television stations. We operate these stations either as stand-alone or satellite stations. These low-power broadcast television stations are licensed by the FCC to provide service to substantially smaller areas than those of full-power stations.
In ten of our markets, Albuquerque, Austin, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Springfield, Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Portland, Wichita and Topeka, we use our low power stations to extend the geographic reach of our primary stations in these markets. In Grand Rapids, we affiliated WXSP-CD, a group of low-power television stations, with MyNetworkTV, to cover substantially all of the local market. In Topeka and Youngstown, we have also affiliated the low power stations, KTMJ-CD and WYFX-LD, with the FOX network.
Seasonality of Our Business
Our advertising revenues are generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each calendar year, due to higher advertising in the Spring season and in the period leading up to and including the end-of-year holiday season. Our operating results are also significantly affected by annual cycles, as advertising revenues are generally higher in even-numbered years due to additional revenues associated with political advertising related to local and national elections, and incremental advertising revenues associated with Olympic broadcasts.
Our industry is cyclical in nature and affected by prevailing economic conditions. Since we rely on sales of advertising for a substantial majority of our revenues, our operating results are sensitive to general economic and regional conditions in each local market where we operate.
Competitive Conditions in the Television Industry
The television broadcast industry has become highly competitive as a result of new technologies and new program distribution systems. In most of our local markets, we compete directly against other local broadcast stations and cable networks carried on cable, satellite television and telecommunication systems for audience. We also compete with online video services, including local news websites and websites such as hulu.com, Netflix and Amazon Prime, which provide access to some of the same programming, including network programming that we provide, and other emerging technologies. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater financing, marketing, programming and broadcasting resources than we do. Technological innovation and the resulting proliferation of television entertainment alternatives, such as cable, satellite television and telecommunications video services, Internet, wireless, pay-per-view and video-on-demand, digital video recorders, DVDs and mobile video devices have fragmented television viewing audiences and have subjected free over-the-air television broadcast stations to new types of competition. As a result, we are experiencing increased competition for viewing audience and advertisers.
Federal Regulation of Television Broadcasting
Overview of Regulatory Issues. Our television operations are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). The Communications Act prohibits the operation of broadcast stations except pursuant to licenses issued by the FCC and empowers the FCC, among other things, to issue, renew, revoke and modify broadcasting licenses; assign frequency bands; determine stations' frequencies, locations and power; regulate the equipment used by stations; and to impose penalties including monetary forfeitures, short-term renewal of licenses and, in especially egregious cases, license revocation or denial of license renewals for violations of its regulations.
The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a broadcast license or the transfer of control of a licensee without the FCC's prior approval. The FCC also regulates certain aspects of the operation of cable television systems, DBS systems and other electronic media that compete with broadcast stations. In addition, the FCC regulates matters such as television station ownership, affiliate relations with the networks, cable and DBS systems' carriage of television station signals, carriage of syndicated and network programming on distant stations, political advertising practices, children's programming and obscene and indecent programming.
Spectrum Allocation. Pursuant to the Communications Act, the FCC bears responsibility for the allocation and licensing of all non-federal government spectrum. Subject to certain procedural, congressional, and judicial constraints, the FCC has the ability to reallocate entire spectrum bands to a new use or to modify individual licenses to a new use. An FCC license holder is entitled to a bundle of rights related to that license; however ownership of the underlying spectrum is retained by the federal government. As a part of its National Broadband Plan, the FCC requested additional authority from Congress to hold incentive spectrum auctions, whereby current users of particular bands or licenses would receive compensation for voluntarily relinquishing some or all rights to spectrum they are licensed to use. On February 17, 2012, Congress approved legislation authorizing the FCC to conduct voluntary incentive spectrum auctions. The legislation, which the President subsequently signed into law, includes some safeguards for broadcasters. In particular, the legislation requires the FCC to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that stations retain their existing coverage areas, prevents the FCC from forcing a broadcaster to move from a UHF to a VHF channel, and establishes a fund to reimburse broadcasters for reasonable relocation expenses relating to the spectrum repacking. On October 2, 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to implement the incentive auction statute. That proceeding remains pending. The FCC Chairman has indicated that he anticipates that the FCC will adopt rules for the incentive auction in the first half of 2014 and that he believes that the FCC will conduct the incentive auction by the middle of 2015. We cannot predict the precise timing or scope of the incentive spectrum auctions, nor the impact, if any, that the reallocation of spectrum will have on our business.
License Renewals. Under the Communications Act, the FCC generally may grant and renew broadcast licenses for terms of eight years, although licenses may be renewed for a shorter period under certain circumstances. The Communications Act requires the FCC to renew a broadcast license if the FCC finds that (i) the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity; (ii) there have been no serious violations of either the Communications Act or the FCC's rules and regulations by the licensee; and (iii) there have been no other serious violations that taken together constitute a pattern of abuse. In making its determination, the FCC may consider petitions to deny but cannot consider whether the public interest would be better served by issuing the license to a person other than the renewal applicant. We are in good standing with respect to each of our FCC licenses. The table on pages 7 and 8 includes the expiration date of the primary broadcasting licenses for the stations that we own, as well as for the stations to which we provide services. As indicated in the table, the licenses for these stations have expiration dates ranging between 2007 and 2022. License renewal applications were timely filed for each of the stations for which the license is now expired. Once an application for renewal is filed, each station remains licensed while its application is pending, even after its license expiration date has passed. Action on many license renewal applications may have been delayed for reasons, such as, the pendency of complaints that programming provided by the various networks contained indecent material and complaints regarding alleged violations of sponsorship identification rules. We cannot predict when the FCC will act on pending renewal applications. We expect the FCC to renew each of these licenses but we make no assurance that it will do so.
Ownership Regulation. The Communications Act and FCC rules limit the ability of individuals and entities to have ownership or other attributable interests in certain combinations of broadcast stations and other media. The Communications Act also requires the FCC to review its broadcast ownership rules every four years to determine whether they remain necessary in the public interest. In 1999, the FCC modified its local television ownership rules. In 2003, the FCC issued an order that would have liberalized most of the ownership rules, permitting us to acquire television stations in certain markets where we are currently prohibited from acquiring additional stations. In 2004, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals stayed and remanded several of the FCC's 2003 ownership rule changes. In 2006, as part of the FCC's statutorily required quadrennial review of its media ownership rules, the FCC sought comment on how to address the issues raised by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals' decision. In 2008, the FCC released an order that re-adopted its 1999 local television ownership rules, and those rules are currently in effect. Several parties appealed the FCC's 2008 decision, and in 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit mostly denied those petitions. In 2011, the FCC issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as part of its 2010 Quadrennial Review of the media ownership rules (the “2010 Quadrennial Review NPRM”). The 2010 Quadrennial Review NPRM indicates that the FCC intends to maintain the current local television ownership rules with only minor modifications. Despite the pending status of the 2010 Quadrennial Review, the FCC under the Communications Act, must commence a new quadrennial review proceeding in 2014. We cannot predict the effect that the commencement of the 2014 Quadrennial Review proceeding might have on the pending 2010 Quadrennial Review, nor can we predict whether either review proceeding may ultimately result in changes to the FCC’s broadcast ownership rules. The FCC's current ownership rules that are material to our operations are summarized below.
Local Television Ownership. Under the FCC's current local television ownership (or "duopoly") rule, a party may own multiple television stations without regard to signal contour overlap provided they are located in separate Nielsen DMAs. In addition, the rules permit parties to own up to two TV stations in the same DMA so long as (i) at least one of the two stations is not among the top four-ranked stations in the market based on audience share at the time an application for approval of the acquisition is filed with the FCC, and (ii) at least eight independently owned and operating full-power commercial and non-commercial television stations would remain in the market after the acquisition. In addition, without regard to the number of remaining or independently owned television stations, the FCC currently permits television duopolies within the same DMA so long as the commonly owned stations' signal contours do not overlap, although the FCC proposed to remove this exception in the 2010 Quadrennial Review NPRM. Stations designated by the FCC as "satellite" stations are exempt from the local television ownership rule. Also, the FCC may grant a waiver of the local television ownership rule if one of the two television stations is a "failed" or "failing" station or if the proposed transaction would result in the construction of a new television station (an unbuilt-station waiver). We believe that we are currently in compliance with the local television ownership rule.
The FCC's 1999 ownership order established a rule attributing LMAs for ownership purposes. The FCC grandfathered LMAs that were entered into prior to November 5, 1996, permitting those stations to continue operations pursuant to such LMAs. The FCC, which retains the authority to review the status of grandfathered LMAs, stated it would conduct a case-by-case review of grandfathered LMAs and assess the appropriateness of extending the grandfathering periods. We do not know when, or if, the FCC will conduct any such review of grandfathered LMAs. Grandfathered LMAs can be freely transferred during the grandfather period, but duopolies may be transferred only where the two-station combination continues to qualify under the duopoly rule. We currently have grandfathered LMAs pursuant to which we provide programming to stations in Providence, Rhode Island and Austin, Texas.
From 2010 through 2012, we entered into SSAs and certain other arrangements for stations in Dayton, Ohio, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Savannah, Georgia, Topeka, Kansas, and Youngstown, Ohio. SSAs are currently permitted under the FCC's local television ownership rule and allow for technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services. SSAs are different from LMAs in various respects, for example, only a limited amount of programming is permitted under an SSA. JSAs further permit us to sell advertising time on these stations. The FCC included in the 2010 Quadrennial Review NPRM a review of SSAs, JSAs and similar arrangements and seeks comment whether they should be attributable for purposes of the media ownership rules. If the FCC decides these arrangements are attributable, we may be required to restructure operations in these markets. We cannot predict whether the pending 2010 Quadrennial Review proceeding or the upcoming 2014 Quadrennial Review proceeding may ultimately result in changes to the FCC's rules regarding SSAs or JSAs.
National Television Ownership Cap. The Communications Act, as amended in 2004, limits the number of television stations one entity may own nationally. Under the rule, no entity may have an attributable interest in television stations that reach, in the aggregate, more than 39% of all U.S. television households. The FCC currently discounts the audience reach of a station operating on an ultra-high frequency (“UHF”) channel by 50% when computing the national television ownership cap (the “UHF Discount”). Our stations reach is approximately 10.5% of U.S. households.
On September 26, 2013, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (“UHF Discount NPRM”) proposing to eliminate the UHF Discount while grandfathering those existing station combinations that would exceed the 39% national ownership cap solely as a result of the elimination of the UHF Discount. The FCC also proposed, as of the date of the UHF Discount NPRM, to grandfather pending transactions that proposed station combinations that would exceed the 39% national ownership cap following
the elimination of the UHF Discount. Further, and in recognition of the technical difficulties that certain television stations assigned to very-high frequency (“VHF”) channels encountered following the DTV transition, the FCC has also proposed to replace the UHF Discount with a similarly structured discounting of VHF television stations under which such stations would receive a discount of 50% of their audience reach for purposes of calculating compliance with the national ownership cap. We cannot predict whether the pending UHF Discount NPRM may ultimately result in changes to the FCC's national television ownership rule.
Attribution of Ownership. Under the FCC's attribution policies, the following relationships and interests generally are attributable for purposes of the FCC's broadcast ownership restrictions:
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• | holders of 5% or more of the licensee's voting stock, unless the holder is a qualified passive investor, in which case the threshold is a 20% or greater voting stock interest; |
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• | all officers and directors of a licensee and its direct or indirect parent(s); |
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• | any equity interest in a limited partnership or limited liability company, unless properly "insulated" from management activities; and |
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• | equity and/or debt interests which in the aggregate exceed 33% of a licensee's total assets, if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of the station's total weekly programming, or is a same-market broadcast company, cable operator or newspaper (the "equity/debt plus" standard). |
Under the single majority shareholder exception to the FCC's attribution policies, otherwise attributable interests under 50% are not attributable if a corporate licensee is controlled by a single majority shareholder and the minority interest holder is not otherwise attributable under the "equity/debt plus" standard.
Because of these multiple ownership and cross-ownership rules, any person or entity that acquires an attributable interest in us may violate the FCC's rules if that purchaser also has an attributable interest in other television or radio stations, or in daily newspapers, depending on the number and location of those radio or television stations or daily newspapers. Such person or entity also may be restricted in the companies in which it may invest to the extent that those investments give rise to an attributable interest. If the holder of an attributable interest violates any of these ownership rules or if a proposed acquisition by us would cause such a violation, we may be unable to obtain from the FCC one or more authorizations needed to conduct our television station business and may be unable to obtain the FCC's consents for certain future acquisitions.
Foreign Ownership. Under the Communications Act, foreign interests (defined to include foreign governments, representatives of foreign governments, aliens, representatives of aliens, and corporations or partnerships organized under the laws of a foreign nation) are prohibited from directly holding broadcast licenses. In addition, the Communications Act limits the aggregate investment of foreign interests in broadcast license holders and their corporate parents. Foreign interests may not own or vote more than 20% of the capital stock of a broadcast license holder or own or vote more than 25% of the capital stock of an entity that directly or indirectly controls a broadcast license holder (a “broadcast holding company”). Although the 20% limit may not be waived, the Communications Act permits the FCC to authorize aggregate foreign investment in a broadcast holding company to exceed the 25% threshold if the increased foreign ownership would be consistent with the public interest. On November 14, 2013, the FCC issued a declaratory ruling clarifying its foreign ownership policy by implementing a procedural framework to enable broadcasters to seek the FCC’s permission to exceed the 25% aggregate foreign ownership threshold. The 2013 declaratory ruling did not, however, establish specific criteria under which the FCC will review such requests. Although the declaratory ruling could permit us to seek FCC approval to issue shares to foreign interests in excess of 25% of our total outstanding shares, our LLC agreement does not currently permit us to issue shares to foreign interests in excess of 25%.
Digital Television. We terminated all analog broadcasts on our full power stations on or before June 12, 2009 in connection with the national transition to digital television. Following the transition, each of our full power stations broadcasts a 19.4 megabit-per-second (Mbps) data stream, rather than a single analog program stream. FCC regulations permit substantial flexibility in how we use that data stream. For example, we are permitted to provide a mix of high definition and standard television program streams free-to-air, additional program-related data, subscription video or audio streams, and non-broadcast services. A new technical standard permits digital stations to provide video and data streams that can be more readily received on mobile devices (such as computers and smartphones), if those devices incorporate the technology. These digital channels remain subject to specific FCC regulations. For example, we are required to carry additional children's educational programming if we transmit multiple program streams, and we must pay the U.S. Treasury 5% of gross revenues for any non-broadcast services we provide using our digital signals. The FCC is evaluating whether to impose further public interest programming requirements on digital channels. The FCC's digital transition implementation plan maintained the secondary status of low-power television ("LPTV") stations but did not set a deadline for such stations to convert to digital operations. In 2011, the FCC set a firm deadline, and by September 1, 2015 LPTV stations must cease analog broadcasts and convert to digital operations.
Cable and Satellite Carriage of Local Television Signals. Pursuant to FCC rules, full power television stations can obtain carriage of their primary channel signals by multi-channel video program distributors in one of two ways: via mandatory carriage or via "retransmission consent." Once every three years each station must formally elect either mandatory carriage ("must-carry")
or retransmission consent. The current elections were effective January 1, 2012 and extend through December 31, 2014. A mandatory carriage election invokes FCC rules that require the distributor to carry a single program stream designated by the station and that program stream's related data in the station's local market. Distributors may decline carriage for certain reasons specified in the rules, including a lack of channel capacity, the station's failure to deliver a good quality signal, the presence of a nearby affiliate of the same network or, in the case of satellite distributors, if the distributor does not carry any other local broadcast station in the electing station's market. Distributors do not pay a fee to stations that elect mandatory carriage.
A station that elects retransmission consent waives its mandatory carriage rights, and the station and the distributor must negotiate in good faith for carriage of the station's signal. Negotiated terms may include channel position, service tier carriage, carriage of multiple program streams, compensation and other consideration. If a station elects to negotiate retransmission terms, it is possible that the station and the distributor will not reach agreement and that the distributor will not carry the station's signal.
FCC rules govern which local television signals a satellite subscriber may receive. Congress has also imposed certain requirements relating to satellite distribution of local television signals to "unserved" households that do not receive a usable signal from a local station or that reside in a market without a local affiliate of the pertinent network. The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 ("STELA") updated the blanket license scheme previously enacted under the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 ("SHVERA") by, among other things, extending for five years, until December 31, 2014, statutory licenses that allow satellite television companies to retransmit broadcast signals from distant markets to eligible customers. A satellite provider also is permitted to import the signal of an out-of-market station, with that station's consent, to the specific counties and communities within a local market in which the out-of-market station is deemed to be "significantly viewed," subject to certain conditions. Such carriage previously was governed by the distant signal provisions. Under STELA, it is now treated as a retransmission into the station's local market, which means that the statutory copyright for such carriage will not sunset at the end of 2014. STELA also eliminated the requirement that DBS operators carry the local affiliate of a particular network before they could import an out-of-market station deemed to be significantly viewed in a given county or community. At this time, we are monitoring developments in this area but cannot determine whether this new legislation will result in significant changes to the satellite distribution scheme or whether or how any of the other changes in STELA will impact our broadcast business.
Several cable system and DBS operators have jointly petitioned the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider amending its retransmission consent rules. The FCC solicited public comment on the petition and subsequently released a notice of proposed rule making in 2011 seeking public comment on whether it should amend its rules to (i) modify its standards for "good faith" negotiations of retransmission consent agreements, (ii) enhance consumer notice obligations; and (iii) eliminate the FCC's network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules. The proceeding is currently pending, and we cannot predict its outcome.
On January 10, 2014, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case captioned American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., et al. v. Aereo, which involves a challenge by several broadcasters of the Aereo service, which transmits its subscribers’ broadcast television programs over the Internet for a monthly subscription fee. At issue is whether Aereo’s service violates copyright law and whether Aereo must obtain permission to retransmit broadcasters’ programming. Should Aereo and its competitors prevail in the pending litigation, and certain online video distributors and over-the-top video distributors become eligible for a statutory license that would enable them to stream broadcast programming over the Internet, it could have a negative impact on our retransmission consent negotiations with MVPDs, and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this proceeding.
Programming and Station Operations. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the public interest. Broadcast station licensees are required to present programming that is responsive to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain records demonstrating such responsiveness. Stations must follow various rules that regulate, among other things, children's television programming and advertising, political advertising, sponsorship identification, closed captioning, and contest and lottery advertising. The FCC has also adopted requirements to require stations affiliated with certain networks and serving the nation's largest television markets to provide aural descriptions of video content for the benefit of visually impaired viewers. The FCC has proposed to re-establish a number of formalized procedures that it believes will improve television broadcasters' service to their local communities. These proposals include the establishment of community advisory boards, quantitative programming guidelines and maintenance of a main studio in a station's community of license. If the FCC adopts such proposals, the burden of complying with such requirements could impose additional costs on our stations.
The FCC is also charged with enforcing restrictions or prohibitions on the broadcast of obscene and indecent programs. In 2007, Congress increased the maximum monetary penalty for carriage of indecent programming tenfold to $325,000 per station per violation with a cap of $3 million for any "single act," and put the licenses of repeat offenders in jeopardy. At approximately the same time, the FCC increased its broadcast indecency enforcement activity and issued large fines against radio and television stations found to have carried indecent programming (even if originated by a third-party program supplier, such as a network). In 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found that the FCC's enforcement policy for broadcast indecency was unconstitutionally vague. The FCC successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court to grant certiorari, and, on June 21, 2012, the Supreme Court set aside the specific FCC decisions at issue, finding that a lack of notice of a change to the FCC's
enforcement of its broadcast indecency rules violated the broadcasters' due process rights. The Supreme Court did not reach the broadcasters' First Amendment challenge of the FCC's broadcast indecency regime. On April 1, 2013, the FCC’s Office of General Counsel and its Enforcement Bureau released a joint public notice in which they announced an interim policy directive to reduce the backlog of pending broadcast indecency complaints by focusing enforcement resources in egregious cases. The April 2013 public notice also sought public comment on whether the full Commission should alter or retain its existing broadcast indecency policies. The FCC has not taken further action related to the comments received in response to its April 1, 2013 public notice. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision not to address broadcasters’ First Amendment challenges of the FCC’s broadcast indecency policies, the FCC’s announcement of an interim “egregious case” policy, and the FCC’s request for public comment on the future of broadcast indecency regulation, we are unable to predict the extent to which future enforcement of the FCC's broadcast indecency rules may have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide competitive programming.
Recent Regulatory Developments, Proposed Legislation and Regulation. Congress and the FCC currently have under consideration, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could affect, directly or indirectly, the operation and ownership of our stations. The foregoing discussion summarizes the federal statutes and regulations material to our operations, but does not purport to be a complete summary of all the provisions of the Communications Act or of other current or proposed statutes, regulations, and policies affecting our business. The summaries should be read in conjunction with the text of the statutes, rules, regulations, orders, and decisions described herein. We are unable at this time to predict the outcome of any of the pending FCC rule-making proceedings referenced above, the outcome of any reconsideration or appellate proceedings concerning any changes in FCC rules or policies noted above, the possible outcome of any proposed or pending Congressional legislation, or the impact of any of those changes on our stations.
Employees
As of December 31, 2013, we employed 2,786 full time employees, 331 of which were represented by labor unions. We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Exchange Act. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including our filings, which we file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
We make available free-of-charge through our Internet website (at http://www.linmedia.com) copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. We will also provide a physical copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K free of charge upon the written request of any shareholder.
We also make available on our website our corporate governance guidelines, the charters for our audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee, our code of business conduct and ethics, and our code of ethics for senior financial officers. This information is available on our website to any stockholder who is interested in reviewing this information. In addition, we intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, our code of business conduct and ethics that are required to be publicly disclosed pursuant to rules of the SEC and the NYSE.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Associated with Our Business Activities
Our operating results are primarily dependent on advertising revenues, which can vary substantially from period-to-period based on many factors beyond our control, including economic downturns and viewer preferences.
Our operations and performance are dependent on advertising revenues, which can be materially affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including economic conditions and viewer preferences. Volatility in advertising revenue impacts our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Decreases in advertising revenues caused by economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, which could impair our ability to comply with the covenants in our debt instruments, as more fully described below.
In addition to economic conditions, our ability to generate advertising revenues depends on factors such as:
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• | the relative popularity of the programming on our stations; |
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• | the demographic characteristics of our markets; and |
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• | the activities of our competitors. |
Our programming may not attract sufficient targeted viewership or we may not achieve favorable ratings. Our ratings depend partly upon unpredictable and volatile factors beyond our control, such as viewer preferences, competing programming and the availability of other entertainment activities. A shift in viewer preferences could cause our programming not to gain popularity or to decline in popularity, which could cause our advertising revenues to decline. We, and those on whom we rely for programming, may not be able to anticipate and react effectively to shifts in viewer tastes and interests of our local markets. In addition, political advertising revenue from elections and advertising revenues from Olympic Games, which generally occur in even-numbered years, create large fluctuations in our operating results on a year-to-year basis. For example, during 2012, we had net political advertising revenues of $76.5 million, compared to $7.6 million in 2013.
We depend on automotive advertising to a significant degree.
Approximately 26%, 26% and 24% of our local and national advertising revenues for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, consisted of automotive advertising. A significant decrease in these revenues in the future could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows, which could affect our ability to fund operations and service our debt obligations and affect the value of our common shares.
We have a substantial amount of debt, which could adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, reduce our operating flexibility and put us at greater risk for default and acceleration of our debt.
As of December 31, 2013, we had approximately $932.2 million of consolidated net debt, which is equal to the difference between total debt and unrestricted cash, and $89.1 million of total LIN LLC shareholders' equity. The outstanding revolving credit loans and term loans under our senior secured credit facility, which were $30 million and $118.4 million, respectively, as of March 3, 2014, and are due October 26, 2017 and the outstanding incremental term loans under our senior secured credit facility were $312.5 million as of March 3, 2014 and are due on December 21, 2018. The outstanding Senior Notes (as defined in "Description of Indebtedness"), which were $200 million and $290 million as of March 3, 2014 are due on April 15, 2018 and January 15, 2021, respectively. Subject to the limitations in our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing our Senior Notes, we may incur additional material indebtedness in the future, and we may become more leveraged. Accordingly, we now have and will continue to have significant debt service obligations. Our large amount of indebtedness could, for example:
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• | require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest and principal on indebtedness and reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities; |
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• | require us to dispose of television stations or other assets at times or on terms that may be less advantageous than those we might otherwise be able to obtain; |
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• | limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future; |
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• | expose us to greater interest rate risk, because the interest rates on our senior secured credit facility vary; and |
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• | impair our ability to successfully withstand a sustained downturn in our business or the economy in general and place us at a disadvantage relative to our less leveraged competitors. |
The indentures governing our Senior Notes also contain change of control provisions which may require us to purchase all or a portion of our Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest.
Any of these consequences relating to such debt could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations.
We could fail to comply with our financial covenants, which would adversely affect our financial condition.
Our debt instruments require us to comply with financial covenants, including, among others, leverage ratios. These covenants restrict the manner in which we conduct our business and may impact our operating results. Weak results of operations due to reduced advertising revenues may make it harder for us to comply with such covenants. Our failure to comply with these covenants could result in events of default, which, if not cured or waived, would permit acceleration of our indebtedness under our debt agreements or under other instruments that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
Our debt instruments also contain certain other restrictions on our business and operations, including, for example, covenants that restrict our ability to dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, make investments, make acquisitions and engage in mergers or consolidations. These restrictions could affect our ability to implement strategic initiatives, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may not be able to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms.
The outstanding revolving credit loans and term loans under our secured credit facility are due October 26, 2017 and the outstanding incremental term loans under our senior secured credit facility are due December 21, 2018. Our outstanding Senior Notes are due on April 15, 2018 and January 15, 2021, respectively. If we do not refinance, redeem or discharge our 83/8% Senior Notes on or prior to January 15, 2018, then, in such event, the maturity of the incremental term loan facility will be accelerated from December 21, 2018 to January 15, 2018. While we expect to refinance, redeem, or discharge all of the outstanding 83/8% Senior Notes prior to January 15, 2018, we can provide no assurances that this will occur. Our inability to refinance our 83/8% Senior Notes prior to January 15, 2018, and the resulting acceleration of the incremental term loans would have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations.
Economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our industry, business, results of operations or financial condition.
Economic conditions have been challenging and the continuation or worsening of such conditions could further reduce consumer confidence and have an adverse effect on the fundamentals of our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Poor economic conditions could have a negative impact on our industry or the industry of those customers who advertise on our stations, including, among others, the automotive industry, which is a significant source of our advertising revenue. Additionally, financial institutions, capital providers, or other consumers may be adversely affected. Potential consequences of any economic decline, among others, include:
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• | the financial condition of those companies that advertise on our stations may be adversely affected and could result in a significant decline in our advertising revenue; |
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• | our ability to pursue the acquisition of attractive television and non-television assets may be limited if we are unable to obtain any necessary additional capital on favorable terms, if at all; |
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• | our ability to pursue the divestiture of certain television and non-television assets at attractive values may be limited; |
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• | our ability to refinance our existing debt on terms and at interest rates we find attractive, if at all, may be impaired; |
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• | impairment charges to our intangible assets and/or goodwill; and |
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• | our ability to make certain capital expenditures may be significantly impaired. |
We have a material amount of intangible assets and we have recorded substantial impairments of these assets. Future write-downs of intangible assets would reduce net income or increase net loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of our class A common shares.
Future impairment charges could have a significant adverse effect on our reported results of operations. Approximately $740 million, or 61% of our total assets as of December 31, 2013 consisted of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets principally include broadcast licenses and goodwill, which are required to be tested for impairment at least annually, with impairment being measured as the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill or the intangible asset over its fair value. In addition, goodwill and other intangible assets will be tested more often for impairment as circumstances warrant.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a $1.6 million impairment charge to a broadcast license recorded within discontinued operations.
If we determine in a future period, as part of our testing for impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, that the carrying amount of our intangible assets exceeds the fair value of these assets, we may incur an impairment charge that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of our class A common shares.
Our strategy has historically included growth through acquisitions, which could pose various risks and increase our leverage.
We have pursued and intend to selectively continue to pursue strategic acquisitions, subject to market conditions, our liquidity, and the availability of attractive acquisition candidates, with the goal of improving our business. We may not be successful in identifying attractive acquisition targets nor have the financial capacity to complete future acquisitions. Acquisitions involve inherent risks, such as increasing leverage, debt service requirements, future performance-based purchase obligations and combining company cultures and facilities, and we may not be able to successfully expand our digital operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, particularly during the period immediately following any acquisition. We may not be able to successfully implement effective cost controls or increase revenues as a result of any acquisition. In addition, future acquisitions may result in our assumption of unexpected liabilities and may result in the diversion of management's attention from the operation of our core business.
Certain acquisitions, such as television stations, are subject to the approval of the FCC and, potentially, other regulatory authorities. The need for FCC and other regulatory approvals could restrict our ability to consummate future transactions and potentially require us to divest some television stations if the FCC believes that a proposed acquisition would result in excessive concentration in a market, even if the proposed combinations may otherwise comply with FCC ownership limitations.
If we are unable to compete effectively, our revenue could decline.
The entertainment industry, and particularly the television industry, is highly competitive and is undergoing a period of consolidation and significant change. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater financial, marketing, programming and broadcasting resources than we do. Technological innovation and the resulting proliferation of television entertainment alternatives, such as cable, satellite television and telecommunications video services, Internet, wireless, pay-per-view and video-on-demand, digital video recorders, DVDs and mobile video devices have fragmented television viewing audiences and have subjected free over-the-air television broadcast stations to new types of competition. As a result, we are experiencing increased competition for viewing audience and advertisers. Significant declines in viewership and advertising revenues could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
New technologies may affect our broadcasting operations.
The television broadcasting business is subject to technological change, evolving industry standards, and the emergence of new technologies. We cannot predict the effect such technologies will have on our broadcast operations. In addition, the capital expenditures necessary to implement these new technologies could be substantial and other companies employing such technologies before we are able to do so could aggressively compete with our business.
The loss of network affiliation agreements or changes in network affiliations could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
The non-renewal or termination of a network affiliation agreement or a change in network affiliations could have a material adverse effect on us. Each of the networks generally provides our affiliated stations with up to 22 hours of prime time programming per week. In return, our stations broadcast network-inserted commercials during that programming. In some cases, we make cash payments to certain networks.
Some of our network affiliation agreements are subject to early termination by the networks under specified circumstances, including as a result of a change of control of our Company, which would generally result upon the acquisition of shares having 50% or more of our voting power. In the event that affiliates of HMC elect to convert our class B common shares held by them into shares of either class A common shares or class C common shares, such conversion may result in a change of control of our Company causing an early termination of some or all of our network affiliation agreements. The majority of the networks with which our stations are affiliated have required us, upon renewal of affiliation agreements, to make cash payments to the network and to accept other material modifications of existing affiliation agreements. Consequently, our affiliation agreements may not all remain in place and each network may not continue to provide programming to us on the same basis as it currently provides programming. If any of our stations cease to maintain affiliation agreements with networks for any reason, we would need to find alternative sources of programming, which may be less attractive and more expensive.
A change in network affiliation in a given television market may have many short-term and long-term consequences, depending upon the circumstances surrounding the change. Potential short-term consequences include: (i) increased marketing costs and increased internal operating costs, which can vary widely depending on the amount of marketing required to educate the audience regarding the change and to maintain the station's viewing audience; (ii) short term loss of market share or slower market growth due to advertiser uncertainty about the switch; (iii) costs of building a new or larger news operation; (iv) other increases in station programming costs, if necessary; and (v) the cost of equipment needed to conform the station's programming, equipment and logos to the new network affiliation. Long-term consequences are more difficult to assess, due to the cyclical nature of each of the major network's share of the audience that changes from year-to-year with programs coming to the end of their
production cycle, the audience acceptance of new programs in the future and the fact that national network audience ratings are not necessarily indicative of how a network's programming is accepted in an individual market. How well a particular network fares in an affiliation switch depends largely on the value of the broadcast license, which is influenced by the length of time the television station has been broadcasting, the quality and location of the license, the audience acceptance of the local news programming and community involvement of the local television station and the quality of the station non-network programming. In addition, the majority of the revenue earned by television stations is attributable to locally produced news and syndicated programming, rather than advertising sales related to network programming. The circumstances that may surround a network affiliation switch cause uncertainty as to the actual costs that will be incurred by us and, if these costs are significant, the switch could have a material adverse impact on the income we derive from the affected station.
Changes by the national broadcast television networks in their respective business models and practices could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In recent years, the national broadcast networks have streamed their programming on the Internet and other distribution platforms in close proximity to network programming broadcast on local television stations, including those we own. These and other practices by the networks dilute the exclusivity and value of network programming originally broadcast by the local stations and could adversely affect the business, financial conditions and results of operations of our stations.
We depend on key personnel, and we may not be able to operate and grow our businesses effectively if we lose the services of our management or are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future.
We depend on the efforts of our management and other key employees. The success of our business depends heavily on our ability to develop and retain management and to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future. Competition for senior management personnel is intense and we may not be able to retain our key personnel. If we are unable to do so, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our defined benefit pension plan obligations are currently underfunded, and we may have to make significant cash payments to this plan, which would reduce the cash available for our business.
We have unfunded obligations under our defined benefit pension plan. The funded status of the defined benefit pension plan depends on such factors as asset returns, market interest rates, legislative changes and funding regulations. Our future required cash contributions and pension costs to the plan could increase if: (i) the returns on the assets of our plan were to decline in future periods; (ii) market interest rates were to decline; (iii) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (referred to as the "PBGC") were to require additional contributions to the plan as a result of acquisitions; or (iv) other actuarial assumptions were to be modified. Any such increases could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The need to make contributions, which may be substantial, to such plan may reduce the cash available to meet our other obligations, including our debt obligations with respect to our senior secured credit facility and our Senior Notes to meet the needs of our business. In addition, the PBGC may terminate our defined benefit pension plan under limited circumstances, including in the event the PBGC concludes that the risk may increase unreasonably if such plan continues. In the event a defined benefit pension plan is terminated for any reason while it is underfunded, we could be required to make an immediate payment to the PBGC of all or a substantial portion of such plan's underfunding, as calculated by the PBGC based on its own assumptions (which might result in a larger obligation than that based on the assumptions we have used to fund such plan).
Risks Related to Our Governance and Capital Structure
HMC and its affiliates, whose interests may differ from the interests of the holders of our Class A common shares, have approval rights with respect to significant transactions and could convert their equity interests in our Company into a block of substantial voting power, thereby reducing the voting power of other holders of our common shares.
HMC and its affiliates own one share of our class C common shares, which represents 35% of our outstanding voting power, and also have the ability to convert shares of our non-voting class B common shares into class A common shares, which may be subject to FCC approval. Upon the conversion of the majority of the non-voting class B common shares into class A common shares, the class C common shares will automatically convert into an equal number of shares of class A common shares. If this occurs, affiliates of HMC would own approximately 37.7% of our voting equity interests and will effectively have the ability to elect the entire board of directors and to approve or disapprove any corporate transaction or other matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the approval of mergers or other significant corporate transactions. The interests of HMC and its affiliates may differ from the interests of our other shareholders and HMC and its affiliates could take actions or make decisions that are not in the best interests of our other shareholders.
For example, HMC may from time-to-time acquire and hold controlling or non-controlling interests in television broadcast assets that may directly or indirectly compete with our company for advertising revenues. In addition, HMC and its affiliates may
from time-to-time identify, pursue and consummate acquisitions of television stations or other broadcast related businesses that may be complementary to our business and therefore such acquisition opportunities may not be available to us.
Moreover, Royal W. Carson, III, a director, and HMC, combined beneficially own all of our class C common shares and therefore possess 70% of the combined voting power. Accordingly, Mr. Carson and HMC together have the power to elect our entire board of directors and, through this control, to approve or disapprove any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the approval of mergers or other significant corporate transactions. Mr. Carson has prior business relations with HMC. Mr. Carson is the President of Carson Private Capital Incorporated, an investment firm that sponsors funds-of-funds and dedicated funds that have invested substantially all of the net capital of these funds in private equity investment funds sponsored by firms like HMC or its affiliates. Mr. Carson also serves on an advisory board representing the interests of limited partners of Sector Performance Fund, L.P., which was sponsored by an affiliate of HMC. The fund does not have an investment in us.
It would be difficult to take us over, which could adversely affect the trading price of our class A common shares.
Affiliates of HMC effectively have the ability to determine whether a change of control will occur through their ownership of one of the two outstanding shares of our class C common shares and all of the shares of our class B common shares. Provisions of Delaware corporate law and our bylaws and certificate of incorporation, including the 70% voting power of our class C common shares held by affiliates of Mr. Carson and HMC and the voting power that affiliates of HMC would hold upon conversion of their shares of class B shares into class A shares or class C shares, make it difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control would benefit the holders of our class A common shares. These provisions and controlling ownership by affiliates of HMC could also adversely affect the public trading price of our class A common shares.
We may issue additional debt and equity securities which are senior to our common shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of our class A common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financings that are secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of secured liquidity notes, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to holders of our common shares. Any preferred securities may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing. Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Accordingly, holders of our Class A common shares will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of our common shares and diluting their interest in us. In addition, we can change our leverage strategy from time to time without approval of holders of our common shares, which could adversely affect the market price of our class A common shares.
The board of directors of LIN LLC will have the authority to adopt amendments to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement") that change many of the terms of the LIN LLC common shares in ways with which the holders of our Class A common shares may disagree without approval of holders of our common shares.
Owners of our common shares may disagree with amendments to the LLC Agreement adopted by the board of directors of LIN LLC that change the terms of such shares, and may disagree with the decision made by the LIN LLC board of directors that the changes made to the terms of our common shares are not adverse to holders of our common shares or that such changes do not alter the characterization of LIN LLC. The recourse of holders of our common shares, if they disagree, will be limited because the LLC Agreement gives broad authority and discretion to the board of directors of LIN LLC to adopt certain amendments to the LLC Agreement without the consent of shareholders of LIN LLC.
While we do not currently anticipate making regular cash distributions to holders of our common shares, the board of directors of LIN LLC has full authority and discretion over any distributions and it may decide to change or eliminate distributions at any time, which may adversely affect the market price for our shares.
We do not currently anticipate making regular cash distributions to holders of LIN LLC common shares. However, our board of directors will have full authority and discretion to determine whether or not a distribution by LIN LLC should be declared and paid to holders of our common shares, as well as the amount and timing of any distribution. Our board of directors may, based on its review of our financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, determine to change or eliminate distributions, which, if distributions are then being paid to holders of our common shares, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common shares. In addition, in computing U.S. federal income tax liability for a taxable year, each holder of our common shares will be required to take into account its allocable share of items of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for the taxable year of LIN LLC ending within or with such holder's taxable year, regardless of whether such holder has received any distributions. As a result, it is possible that a holder's U.S. federal income tax liability with respect to its allocable share of the earnings of
LIN LLC in a particular taxable year could exceed the cash distributions to it, thus requiring an out-of-pocket tax payment by such holder.
Tax Risks to Holders of LIN LLC Common Shares
Our structure involves complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. Our structure also is subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative change and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. Holders of our common shares should be aware that the U.S. federal income tax rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, frequently resulting in revised interpretations of established concepts, statutory changes, revisions to regulations and other modifications and interpretations. The IRS pays close attention to the proper application of tax laws to partnerships. The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in LIN LLC common shares may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is not taxable as a corporation (referred to as the "Qualifying Income Exception"), affect the tax considerations of an investment in us, change the character or treatment of portions of our income and adversely affect an investment in our common shares.
Our LLC Agreement will permit our board of directors to amend our LLC Agreement from time to time, without the consent of the holders, to address certain changes in U.S. federal income tax regulations, legislation or interpretation. In some circumstances, such revisions could have a material adverse impact on some or all holders. In addition, although our board of directors has no plan or intention to do so, it could elect at some point to treat us as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal (and applicable state) income tax purposes, in which event the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning our common shares would differ. If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at the applicable tax rates. In addition, we would likely be liable for state and local income and/or franchise tax on all our income. Distributions to holders of our common shares would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would otherwise flow through to them.
Moreover, we will apply certain assumptions and conventions in an attempt to comply with applicable rules and to report income, gain, deduction, loss and credit to holders in a manner that reflects such holders' beneficial ownership of partnership items, taking into account variation in ownership interests during each taxable year because of trading activity. As a result, a holder transferring common shares may be allocated income, gain, loss and deductions realized after the date of transfer. However, those assumptions and conventions may not be in compliance with all aspects of applicable tax requirements. It is possible that the IRS will assert successfully that the conventions and assumptions used by us do not satisfy the technical requirements of the Code and/or Treasury regulations and could require that items of income, gain, loss, deductions or credit, including interest deductions, be adjusted, reallocated or disallowed in a manner that adversely affects holders.
Holders of our common shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their share of our taxable income, regardless of whether they receive any cash distributions from us.
As long as 90% of our gross income for each taxable year constitutes qualifying income as defined in Section 7704 of the Code and we are not required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and assuming there is no change in law, we will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as a partnership and not as an association or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation. Accordingly, holders of our common shares will be required to take into account their allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. Distributions to holders of our common shares generally will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes only to the extent the amount distributed exceeds their tax basis in LIN LLC common shares. This treatment contrasts with the treatment of a shareholder in a corporation. For example, a shareholder in a corporation who receives a distribution of earnings from the corporation generally will report the distribution as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In contrast, a holder of our common shares who receives a distribution of earnings from us will not report the distribution as dividend income (and will treat the distribution as taxable only to the extent the amount distributed exceeds the holder's tax basis in the common shares), but will instead report the holder's allocable share of items of our income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, holders of our common shares may be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxation on their allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit (including our allocable share of those items of any entity in which we invest that is treated as a partnership or is otherwise subject to tax on a flow through basis) for each of our taxable years ending with or within their taxable years, regardless of whether or not holders of our common shares receive cash distributions from us.
Tax gain or loss on disposition of LIN LLC common shares could be more or less than expected.
If holders of our common shares sell their common shares, they will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the adjusted tax basis in those common shares. Prior distributions to them in excess of the total net taxable income allocated to them, which decreased the tax basis in their common shares, will in effect become taxable income to them if the common shares are sold at a price greater than their tax basis in those common shares, even if the price is less than the original cost.
Non-U.S. persons face unique U.S. tax issues from owning LIN LLC common shares that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
In light of our activities as a holding company owning only the common stock of LIN Television, we generally do not expect to generate significant amounts of income treated as effectively connected income with respect to non-U.S. holders of our common shares ("ECI"). However, there can be no assurance that we will not generate ECI currently or in the future and, subject to the qualifying income rules described above, we are under no obligation to minimize ECI. To the extent our income is treated as ECI, non-U.S. holders generally would be subject to withholding tax on their allocable shares of such income, would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return for such year reporting their allocable shares of income effectively connected with such trade or business and any other income treated as ECI, and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular U.S. tax rates on any such income (state and local income taxes and filings may also apply in that event). In addition, certain income of non-U.S. holders from U.S. sources not connected to any such U.S. trade or business conducted by us could be treated as ECI. Non-U.S. holders that are corporations may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax on their allocable share of such income. In addition, certain income from U.S. sources that is not ECI allocable to non-U.S. holders will be reduced by withholding taxes imposed at the highest effective applicable tax rate. A portion of any gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder on the sale or exchange of common shares could also be treated as ECI.
Tax-exempt entities face unique tax issues from owning LIN LLC common shares that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
In light of our activities as a holding company owning only the common stock of LIN Television, we generally do not expect to directly hold operating businesses that generate unrelated business taxable income for tax-exempt holders of our common shares ("UBTI") other than through corporations. However, certain of our activities may be treated as debt-financed, which may give rise to debt-financed UBTI. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we will not generate UBTI currently or in the future and, subject to the qualifying income rules, we are under no obligation to minimize UBTI. Consequently, a holder of common shares that is a tax-exempt organization may be subject to "unrelated business income tax" to the extent that its allocable share of our income consists of UBTI. A tax-exempt partner of a partnership could be treated as earning UBTI if the partnership regularly engages in a trade or business that is unrelated to the exempt function of the tax-exempt partner, if the partnership derives income from debt-financed property or if the partnership interest itself is debt-financed.
We cannot match transferors and transferees of the LIN LLC class A common shares, and we will therefore adopt certain income tax accounting positions that may not conform with all aspects of applicable tax requirements. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of our common shares.
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common shares, we will adopt tax accounting positions that may not conform with all aspects of existing Treasury regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to our holders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain on the sale of common shares and could have a negative impact on the value of our common shares or result in audits of and adjustments to our holders' tax returns.
In addition, our taxable income and losses will be determined and apportioned among holders using conventions we regard as consistent with applicable law. As a result, if holders of our common shares transfer their common shares, they may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized by us after the date of transfer. Similarly, a transferee may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized by us prior to the date of the transferee's acquisition of our common shares. A transferee may also bear the cost of withholding tax imposed with respect to income allocated to a transferor through a reduction in the cash distributed to the transferee.
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profit interests within a twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all holders.
Holders may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements as a result of holding LIN LLC common shares.
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, our holders may be subject to other taxes, including state and local taxes,
unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property now or in the future, even if our holders do not reside in any of those jurisdictions. Our holders may also be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these jurisdictions. Further, holders may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. It is the responsibility of each holder to file all U.S. federal, state and local tax returns that may be required of such holder.
It is possible that holders may be required to file amended income tax returns.
It is possible that a holder will be required to file amended income tax returns as a result of adjustments to items on the corresponding income tax returns of the partnership. Any obligation for a holder to file amended income tax returns for that or any other reason, including any costs incurred in the preparation or filing of such returns, is the responsibility of each holder.
Due to uncertainty in the proper application of applicable law, we may over-withhold or under-withhold on distributions to holders.
For each calendar year, we will report to holders and the IRS the amount of distributions we made to holders and the amount of U.S. federal income tax (if any) that we withheld on those distributions. The proper application to us of rules for withholding under Section 1441 of the Code (applicable to certain dividends, interest and similar items) is unclear. Because the documentation we receive may not properly reflect the identities of holders at any particular time (in light of possible sales of common shares), we may over-withhold or under-withhold with respect to a particular holder of common shares. For example, we may impose withholding, remit that amount to the IRS and thus reduce the amount of a distribution paid to a non-U.S. holder. It may turn out, however, that the corresponding amount of our income was not properly allocable to such holder, and the withholding should have been less than the actual withholding. Such holder would be entitled to a credit against the holder's U.S. tax liability for all withholding, including any such excess withholding, but if the withholding exceeded the holder's U.S. tax liability, the holder would have to apply for a refund to obtain the benefit of the excess withholding. Similarly, we may fail to withhold on a distribution, and it may turn out that the corresponding income was properly allocable to a non-U.S. holder and withholding should have been imposed. In that event, we intend to pay the under-withheld amount to the IRS, and we may treat such under-withholding as an expense that will be borne by all holders of common shares on a pro rata basis (since we may be unable to allocate any such excess withholding tax cost to the relevant non-U.S. holder).
Risks Related to Our Industry
The FCC's spectrum incentive auctions proceeding could result in the reallocation of broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband use, which could materially impair our ability to provide competitive services.
Pursuant to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, on March 16, 2010, the FCC delivered to Congress a staff report titled, "Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan" (the "NBP"). Among the many far-reaching recommendations contained in the 375-page NBP is that the FCC reallocate 120 MHz of spectrum currently occupied by television broadcast stations to mobile wireless broadband services by means of, among other things, amending the FCC's technical rules to reduce television station service areas and distance separations, permitting channel sharing, conducting voluntary "incentive" auctions for the return of television broadcast spectrum, and certain other voluntary and involuntary mechanisms. The NBP also recommended spectrum "repacking," pursuant to which certain stations would be required to move to new channels, and suggested the imposition of spectrum usage fees, which may require Congressional authorization. None of the NBP's recommendations related to television spectrum are self-effectuating; consequently, implementation of the recommendations would appear to require further action by the FCC or Congress, or both.
In 2010, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to consider proposals to, among other things, implement rule changes that could facilitate channel sharing by television stations and shared use of current television broadcast spectrum by wireless broadband providers. In that proceeding, the FCC also sought comment on ways to improve VHF spectrum band television operations (VHF stations have experienced reception difficulties following the DTV transition), to encourage stations on UHF channels to move to VHF channels. On April 27, 2012, the FCC adopted rules establishing a framework for multiple full-service and Class A television stations operating within the same market to share a single 6 MHz television channel while retaining distinct station licenses and MVPD carriage rights. Under the FCC's new rules, only those stations participating in the future incentive auction will be eligible to enter into channel sharing arrangements of this type. Because the FCC has not yet implemented rules for the incentive auction, stations are not yet able to enter into channel sharing arrangements of this type. Accordingly, we cannot predict the impact that channel sharing among television stations will have on either the industry or our operations. This proceeding remains pending with respect to proposals to improve VHF band television operations and to enable shared use of television band spectrum with wireless broadband providers; we cannot predict its outcome or its impact on the industry or our operations.
On February 17, 2012, Congress adopted legislation authorizing the FCC to direct a portion of auction proceeds to commercial users, including broadcasters, that voluntarily surrender some or all of their allotted spectrum for auction. The legislation, which the President subsequently signed into law, includes safeguards for broadcasters. In particular, in the context of an involuntary
repacking of the TV bands, the legislation requires the FCC to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that stations retain their existing coverage areas, prevents the FCC from forcing a broadcaster to move from a UHF to a VHF channel, and establishes a fund to reimburse broadcasters for reasonable relocation expenses. On October 2, 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to implement the incentive auction statute. That proceeding remains pending. If the FCC requires some or all of our television stations to make involuntary changes to their operations, such as through frequency changes, reductions of service areas, and/or reduction of interference protection, our stations could suffer material adverse effects, including, but not limited to, substantial conversion costs, and reduction or loss of over-the-air signal coverage. The FCC Chairman has indicated that he anticipates that the FCC will adopt rules for the incentive auction in the first half of 2014 and that he believes that the FCC will conduct the incentive auction by the middle of 2015. We cannot predict the precise timing or scope of the incentive spectrum auctions, nor the impact, if any, that the reallocation of spectrum will have on our business.
We may be unable to successfully negotiate future retransmission consent agreements and these negotiations may be further hindered by consolidation in that industry and the interests of networks with whom we are affiliated or by statutory or regulatory developments.
We may be unable to successfully negotiate retransmission consent agreements with MVPDs when the current terms of these agreements expire for various reasons, including consolidation within that industry. In addition, our affiliation agreements with some broadcast networks include certain terms that may affect our ability to permit MVPDs to retransmit our stations' signals containing network programming, and in some cases, we may lose the right to grant retransmission consent to such providers. If the broadcast networks withhold their consent to the retransmission of those portions of our stations' signals containing network programming we may be unable to successfully complete negotiations for new retransmission consent agreements. Certain networks require us to pay them compensation in exchange for permitting redistribution of network programming by MVPDs. Escalating payments to networks in connection with signal retransmission may adversely affect our operating results. If we lose the right to grant retransmission consent, we may be unable to satisfy certain obligations under our existing retransmission consent agreements with MVPDs and there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Several cable system and DBS operators jointly petitioned the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider amending its retransmission consent rules. The FCC solicited public comment on the petition and subsequently released a notice of proposed rule making seeking public comment on whether it should amend its rules to: (i) modify its standards for "good faith" negotiations of retransmission consent agreements; (ii) enhance consumer notice obligations; and (iii) eliminate the FCC's network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules. The proceeding is currently pending, and we cannot predict its outcome.
On January 10, 2014, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case captioned American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., et al. v. Aereo, Inc., which involves a challenge from several broadcasters of the Aereo service, which transmits to its subscribers broadcast television programs over the Internet for a monthly subscription fee. At issue is whether Aereo’s service violates copyright law and whether Aereo must obtain permission to retransmit broadcasters’ programming. Should Aereo and its competitors prevail in the pending litigation, and certain online video distributors and over-the-top video distributors become eligible for a statutory license that would enable them to stream broadcast programming over the Internet, it could have a negative impact on our retransmission consent negotiations with MVPDs, and our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this proceeding.
Our industry is subject to significant syndicated and other programming costs, and increased programming costs could adversely affect our operating results.
Our industry is subject to significant syndicated and other programming costs. We often acquire program rights two or three years in advance, making it difficult for us to accurately predict how a program will perform. In some instances, we may have to replace programs before their costs have been fully amortized, resulting in impairments and write-offs that increase station operating costs. We may be exposed to future programming cost increases, which may adversely affect our operating results.
Federal regulation of the broadcasting industry limits our operating flexibility, which may affect our ability to generate revenue or reduce our costs.
The FCC regulates our business, just as it does all other companies in the broadcasting industry. We must ask the FCC's approval whenever we need a new license, seek to renew, assign or modify a license, purchase a new station, sell an existing station or transfer the control of one of our subsidiaries that holds a license. Our FCC licenses and those of the stations that we service via sharing arrangements are critical to our operations; we cannot operate without them. We cannot be certain that the FCC will renew these licenses in the future or approve new acquisitions in a timely manner, if at all. If licenses are not renewed or acquisitions approved, we may lose revenue that we otherwise could have earned.
In addition, Congress and the FCC may, in the future, adopt new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters (including retransmission consent, spectrum allocation, media ownership and technological changes) that could, directly
or indirectly, materially and adversely affect the operation and ownership of our broadcast properties. (See Item 1. Business-"Federal Regulation of Television Broadcasting").
Changes in FCC ownership rules through FCC action, judicial review or federal legislation may limit our ability to continue providing services to stations under sharing arrangements (such as LMAs, JSAs, SSAs and other similar agreements) may prevent us from obtaining ownership of the stations we currently provide services to under sharing arrangements, may require us to amend or terminate certain agreements and/or may preclude us from obtaining the full economic value of one or more of our duopoly, or two-station operations upon a sale, merger or other similar transaction transferring ownership of such station or stations.
FCC ownership rules currently impose significant limitations on the ability of broadcast licensees to have attributable interests in multiple media properties. Federal law prohibits one company from owning broadcast television stations that collectively have service areas encompassing more than an aggregate 39% share of national television households. Ownership restrictions under FCC rules also include a variety of local limits on media ownership. The restrictions include an ownership limit of one television station in most medium and smaller television markets and two stations in most larger markets, known as the television duopoly rule. The regulations also include limits on the common ownership of a newspaper and television station in the same market (newspaper-television cross-ownership), limits on common ownership of radio and television stations in the same market (radio-television station ownership) and limits on radio ownership of four to eight radio stations in a local market.
Should the FCC modify its media ownership rules, attractive opportunities may arise for additional television station and other media acquisitions. But these changes also create additional competition for us from other entities, such as national broadcast networks, large station groups, newspaper chains and cable operators, which may be better positioned to take advantage of such changes and benefit from the resulting operating synergies both nationally and in specific markets.
Should the television duopoly rule be relaxed, we may be able to acquire the ownership of one or more of the stations in Austin, TX, Dayton, OH, Providence, RI, Albuquerque, NM, Savannah, GA, Topeka, KS and Youngstown, OH for which we currently provide programming, sales and/or other related services under sharing arrangements, as the case may be, and for which we have purchase option agreements to purchase these stations.
Should we be unable to acquire the ownership of the stations currently serviced by LMAs, there is no assurance that the grandfathering of our LMAs will be permitted beyond conclusion of the FCC's current review of the ownership rules.
Should the FCC conclude, as part of a periodic review of its ownership rules, that SSAs, JSAs, and similar arrangements should be attributable for purposes of the media ownership rules, there is no assurance that the FCC would grandfather the non-attributable status of our existing agreements, and, as a result, we may be required to terminate these agreements.
Any potential hostilities, natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, breaches of information technology security, terrorist attacks or other disruptions may affect our revenues and results of operations.
If the U.S. becomes engaged in new, large scale foreign hostilities, is impacted by any significant natural disasters or if there is a terrorist attack against the U.S., we may lose advertising revenue and incur increased broadcasting expenses due to pre-emption, delay or cancellation of advertising campaigns and increased costs of providing news coverage of such events. In light of the increased dependence on digital technologies by public companies and the increasing frequency and severity of cyber incidents, we may be subject to cybersecurity risks or other breaches of information technology security. A breach of our cyber/data security measures could disrupt our normal business operations and affect our ability to control our assets, access information and limit communication with third parties. We cannot predict the extent and duration of any future disruption to our programming schedule, the amount of advertising revenue that would be lost or delayed or the amount by which our expenses would increase as a result. Consequently, any related future loss of revenue and increased expenses could negatively affect our results of operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We maintain our corporate headquarters in Austin, TX under an operating lease that expires on May 31, 2018.
Each of our stations has facilities consisting of offices, studios, sales offices and tower and transmitter sites. Tower and transmitter sites are located in areas that provide optimal coverage to each of our markets. We own substantially all of the offices and studios where our stations are located and generally own the property where our towers and primary transmitters are located. We lease the remaining properties, consisting primarily of office locations and microwave transmitter sites. While none of the station properties owned or leased by us are individually material to our operations, if we were required to relocate any of our
towers, the cost could be significant. This is because the number of sites in any geographic area that permit a tower of reasonable height to provide good coverage of the market is limited, and zoning and other land use restrictions, as well as Federal Aviation Administration and FCC regulations, limit the number of alternative locations or increase the cost of acquiring them for tower sites.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various claims and lawsuits that are generally incidental to our business. We are vigorously contesting all of these matters. The outcome of any current or future litigation cannot be accurately predicted. We record accruals for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made at this time because the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings may be exacerbated by various factors, including: (i) the damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; (ii) discovery is not complete; (iii) the proceeding is in its early stages; (iv) the matters present legal uncertainties; (v) there are significant facts in dispute; or (vi) there is a wide range of potential outcomes. Although the outcome of these and other legal proceedings cannot be predicted, we believe that their ultimate resolution will not have a material adverse effect on us.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our class A common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "LIN." There is no established trading market for our class B common shares or our class C common shares.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our class A common shares for the periods indicated, as reported by the NYSE:
|
| | | | | | | |
| High | | Low |
2013 | | | |
1st Quarter | $ | 13.40 |
| | $ | 7.69 |
|
2nd Quarter | 16.64 |
| | 10.01 |
|
3rd Quarter | 20.55 |
| | 14.25 |
|
4th Quarter | 29.24 |
| | 20.24 |
|
2012 | | | |
1st Quarter | $ | 5.00 |
| | $ | 3.88 |
|
2nd Quarter | 4.15 |
| | 2.64 |
|
3rd Quarter | 4.54 |
| | 2.94 |
|
4th Quarter | 7.80 |
| | 4.35 |
|
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our class A common shares and the terms of our indebtedness limit the payment of such dividends.
As of December 31, 2013, there were approximately 30 shareholders of record of our class A common shares, 18 shareholders of record of our class B common shares and two shareholders of record of our class C common shares.
The common stock of our wholly-owned subsidiary, LIN Television, all of which is held directly by us, has not been registered under the Exchange Act and is not listed on any national securities exchange.
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
On November 14, 2012, we publicly announced that our Board of Directors extended our authorization to repurchase up to $25 million of our class A common shares in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan. This authorization expired on the earlier of the completion of all purchases contemplated by the plan or November 14, 2013; however, on February 12, 2013, as a result of entering into the Merger Agreement, we terminated the stock repurchase program. We did not repurchase any shares during 2013.
Comparative share performance graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return performance of our class A common shares for the five years ended December 31, 2013 versus the performance of: (i) the NYSE Composite Index; and (ii) a peer index consisting of the following broadcast television companies: Gray Communications Systems, Inc.; Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc.; and Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (the "Television Index"). The graph assumes the investment of $100 in our class A common shares and in each of the indices on December 31, 2008. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12/31/2008 | 12/31/2009 | | 12/31/2010 | | 12/31/2011 | | 12/31/2012 | | 12/31/2013 |
LIN Media LLC (LIN) | $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 409.17 |
| | $ | 486.24 |
| | $ | 388.07 |
| | $ | 690.83 |
| | $ | 2,633.94 |
|
NYSE Composite Index | $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 124.80 |
| | $ | 138.34 |
| | $ | 129.88 |
| | $ | 146.66 |
| | $ | 180.65 |
|
Television Index | $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 314.80 |
| | $ | 447.79 |
| | $ | 582.37 |
| | $ | 786.98 |
| | $ | 4,278.06 |
|
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Set forth below is our selected consolidated financial data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2013. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this report. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. All financial information shown reflect the operations of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. The sale of WWHO-TV was completed on February 16, 2012 and the sale of WUPW-TV was completed on April 21, 2012.
The selected consolidated financial data of LIN LLC for 2009 through 2013 is presented below. Prior to the Merger, LIN LLC had no operations or assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. Subsequent to the Merger and consistent with its classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, LIN LLC has separate operations relating to the administration of the limited liability company. The consolidated financial statements of LIN LLC represent its own operations and the consolidated operations of LIN Television, which remains a corporation after the Merger. Accordingly, the consolidated financial data of LIN Television and LIN LLC is identical for the years 2012 through 2009 with the exception of basic and diluted loss per common share, which is not presented for LIN Television. The consolidated financial data of LIN Television is substantially similar to that of LIN LLC for 2013, with the exception of the separate assets, liabilities and operations related to administration of the limited liability company.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2010 | | 2009 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 652,363 |
| | $ | 553,462 |
| | $ | 400,003 |
| | $ | 408,190 |
| | $ | 327,842 |
|
Impairment of goodwill, broadcast licenses | | | | | | | | | |
and broadcast equipment | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 39,487 |
|
Operating income | 89,944 |
| | 171,061 |
| | 89,104 |
| | 111,839 |
| | 22,294 |
|
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 3,341 |
| | 1,694 |
| | 2,749 |
| | (50,149 | ) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations(1) | 156,601 |
| | (17,972 | ) | | 49,701 |
| | 36,181 |
| | 9,704 |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | (1,018 | ) | | (920 | ) | | 317 |
| | (591 | ) |
Gain from the sale of discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 11,389 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) | 156,601 |
| | (7,601 | ) | | 48,781 |
| | 36,498 |
| | 9,113 |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN LLC | 158,113 |
|
| (7,045 | ) |
| 48,577 |
|
| 36,498 |
|
| 9,113 |
|
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN LLC: | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN LLC | 3.02 |
| | (0.32 | ) | | 0.89 |
| | 0.67 |
| | 0.19 |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | (0.02 | ) | | (0.02 | ) | | 0.01 |
| | (0.01 | ) |
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 0.21 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN LLC | $ | 3.02 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.87 |
| | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | 0.18 |
|
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding | 52,439 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 55,768 |
| | 53,978 |
| | 51,464 |
|
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN LLC: | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN LLC | $ | 2.84 |
| | $ | (0.32 | ) | | $ | 0.87 |
| | $ | 0.65 |
| | $ | 0.19 |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | (0.02 | ) | | (0.02 | ) | | 0.01 |
| | (0.01 | ) |
Gain from the sale of discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 0.21 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN LLC | $ | 2.84 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.85 |
| | $ | 0.66 |
| | $ | 0.18 |
|
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding | 55,639 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 57,079 |
| | 55,489 |
| | 51,499 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at period end): | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,525 |
| | $ | 46,307 |
| | $ | 18,057 |
| | $ | 11,648 |
| | $ | 11,105 |
|
Restricted cash | — |
| | — |
| | 255,159 |
| | — |
| | 2,000 |
|
Broadcast licenses, intangible assets, net and goodwill | 787,092 |
| | 788,583 |
| | 522,150 |
| | 504,512 |
| | 506,061 |
|
Total assets | 1,216,850 |
| | 1,241,414 |
| | 1,081,944 |
| | 790,469 |
| | 790,503 |
|
Total debt | 944,692 |
| | 890,227 |
| | 868,717 |
| | 623,260 |
| | 682,954 |
|
Consolidated net debt(2) | 932,167 |
| | 843,920 |
| | 595,501 |
| | 611,612 |
| | 671,849 |
|
Total LIN LLC shareholders' equity (deficit) | 89,127 |
| | (91,564 | ) | | (84,632 | ) | | (131,432 | ) | | (173,561 | ) |
Other Data: | | | | | | | | | |
Program payments | $ | 31,677 |
| | $ | 24,258 |
| | $ | 24,622 |
| | $ | 25,066 |
| | $ | 23,081 |
|
___________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | Income from continuing operations during the year ended December 31, 2013 includes a $124.3 million tax benefit recognized as a result of the Merger as well as an $18.2 million tax benefit recognized as a result of the reversal of our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. For additional information, refer to Note 14 - "Income Taxes" to our consolidated financial statements. |
| |
(2) | Consolidated net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure, and is equal to total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Solely for the purpose of computing consolidated net debt as of December 31, 2011, our senior secured credit facility permitted restricted cash to be offset against total debt. Beginning in 2012, for the purpose of our debt covenant calculations, our senior credit facility permitted a maximum of $45 million to be offset against total debt in arriving at consolidated net debt. For purposes of the consolidated balance sheet data above, we have subtracted the |
total balance of our cash and cash equivalents in arriving at consolidated net debt. Consolidated net debt provides investors with useful information about our financial position, and is one of the financial measures used to evaluate compliance with our debt covenants.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Summary
We own, operate or service 43 television stations and seven digital channels in 23 U.S. markets, with multiple network affiliated channels in 18 markets. Our growing digital media portfolio helps agencies and brands effectively and efficiently reach their target audiences at scale by utilizing our comScore, Inc. rated Top 15 Video market share and the latest in conversational marketing, video, display, mobile, social intelligence and monetization, as well as reporting across all screens. Our operating revenues are primarily derived from the sale of advertising time to local, national and political advertisers. Less significant revenues are generated from our television station websites, retransmission consent fees, interactive revenues and other revenues. We recorded net income (loss) of $156.6 million, $(7.6) million and $48.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Our operating highlights for 2013 include the following:
| |
• | Net revenues increased $98.9 million, or 18%, compared to 2012 primarily as a result of a $111.3 million, or 35%, increase in local revenues, which include net local advertising sales, retransmission consent fees and television station website revenues, as well as an increase of $35 million, or 85%, in interactive revenues, which include revenues from LIN Digital, Nami Media, HYFN, and Dedicated Media. Also contributing to the increase in net revenues was an increase in net national revenues of $23.6 million, or 22%. Excluding the impact of the television stations acquired in 2012 and the 2013 acquisitions of majority interests in HYFN and Dedicated Media, net revenues decreased approximately $31.8 million, or 6%, primarily the result of a decrease in political advertising revenues. |
| |
• | On February 12, 2013, we entered into and closed the JV Sale Transaction whereby in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN Texas sold its interest in SVH, a joint venture with NBC, and LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to the shortfall funding agreements. The $100 million capital contribution was financed by a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under LIN Television's revolving credit facility, and a new $60 million incremental term facility under LIN Television's existing senior secured credit facility. The JV Sale Transaction resulted in a $100 million charge recognized in the fourth quarter of 2012 to accrue for our obligations related to the JV Sale Transaction, and the recognition of taxable gains from the JV Sale Transaction resulting in a $162.8 million short-term deferred federal and state tax liability. For further information, see Item 1. "Business—Joint Venture Sale Transaction," Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements. |
| |
• | On July 30, 2013, we completed the merger of LIN TV with and into LIN LLC, with LIN LLC continuing as the surviving entity. As a result of the Merger, we realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013. For further information, see Item 1. "Business—Joint Venture Sale Transaction," Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements. |
| |
• | On April 4, 2013, we acquired a 50.1% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in HYFN, a full service digital advertising agency specializing in the planning, development, deployment and support for websites, mobile sites, interactive banners, games and various applications for multiple devices, for $7.2 million. |
| |
• | On April 9, 2013, we acquired a 60% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Dedicated Media, a multi-channel advertisement buying and optimization company, for $5.8 million. Dedicated Media employs new technologies to create, plan and execute digital marketing campaigns on behalf of its clients. |
Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Certain of our accounting policies, as well as estimates we make, are critical to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations since they are particularly sensitive to our judgment. Some of these policies and estimates relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. The estimates and judgments we make affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those used for allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, amortization and impairment of program rights and intangible assets, share-based compensation and other long-term incentive compensation arrangements, pension costs, barter transactions, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment, contingencies,
litigation and net assets of businesses acquired. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and it is possible that such differences could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
We believe the following critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the presentation of our consolidated financial statements, affect our more significant estimates and assumptions, and require the most subjective or complex judgments by management. We have discussed each of these critical accounting policies and related estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. For additional information about these and other accounting policies, see Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Valuation of long-lived assets and intangible assets
Approximately $740 million, or 61% of our total assets as of December 31, 2013, consisted of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets principally include broadcast licenses and goodwill. If the fair value of these assets is less than the carrying value, we may be required to record an impairment charge.
We test the impairment of our broadcast licenses annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of broadcast licenses with their carrying amount on a market-by-market basis using a discounted cash flow valuation method, assuming a hypothetical startup scenario. The future value of our broadcast licenses could be significantly impaired by the loss of the corresponding network affiliation agreements. Accordingly, such an event could trigger an assessment of the carrying value of a broadcast license.
We test the impairment of our goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Our reporting units are comprised of the markets in which our television stations operate, LIN Digital, Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined through the use of a discounted cash flow analysis. The valuation assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model reflect historical and projected performance of the reporting unit and prevailing rates in the markets for broadcasters. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit's fair value (as determined in the first step described above) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not more than the carrying value of the goodwill. An impairment assessment could be triggered by a significant reduction, or a forecast of such reduction, in operating results or cash flows at one or more of our reporting units, a significant adverse change in the national or local advertising marketplaces in which our television stations operate, or by adverse changes to FCC ownership rules, among other factors.
The assumptions used in the valuation testing have certain subjective components including anticipated future operating results and cash flows based on our own internal business plans as well as future expectations about general economic and local market conditions. The changes in the discount rate used for our broadcast licenses and goodwill reflected in the table below are primarily driven by changes in the average beta for the public equity of companies in the television and media sector and the average cost of capital in each of the periods. The changes in the market growth rates and operating profit margins for both our broadcast licenses and goodwill reflect changes in the outlook for advertising revenues in certain markets where our stations operate in each of the periods.
We based the valuation of broadcast licenses on the following average industry-based assumptions:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
Market revenue growth | 2.7 | % | | 0.87 | % | | 1.2 | % |
Operating cash flow margins | 32.4 | % | | 30.9 | % | | 30.6 | % |
Discount rate | 11.0 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 10.5 | % |
Tax rate | 38.9 | % | | 38.3 | % | | 38.3 | % |
Long-term growth rate | 2.0 | % | | 1.8 | % | | 1.8 | % |
As of December 31, 2013, we would incur an impairment charge of $1 million and $7.7 million if we were to decrease the market revenue growth rate by 1% and 2%, respectively. A 5% and 10% decrease in operating cash flow margins would result in an impairment charge of approximately $10.4 million and $88.7 million, respectively. An increase of 1% in the discount rate would result in an impairment charge of approximately $1.8 million and an increase of 2% would result in an impairment charge of approximately $10.8 million.
The valuation of goodwill for our television stations is based on the following assumptions, which take into account our internal projections and industry assumptions related to market revenue growth, operating cash flows and prevailing discount rates:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
Market revenue growth | 2.7 | % | | 1.2 | % | | 1.8 | % |
Operating cash flow margins | 41.5 | % | | 48.2 | % | | 42.3 | % |
Discount rate | 12.5 | % | | 12.0 | % | | 12.0 | % |
Tax rate | 39.0 | % | | 38.4 | % | | 38.4 | % |
Long-term growth rate | 2.0 | % | | 1.8 | % | | 1.8 | % |
As of December 31, 2013, if we were to decrease the market revenue growth by 1% and 2% of the projected growth rate, the enterprise value of our stations with goodwill would decrease by $41.2 million and $76.8 million, respectively. If we were to decrease the operating cash flow margins by 5% and 10% from the projected operating cash flow margins, the enterprise value of our stations with goodwill would decrease by $178.3 million and $355.8 million, respectively. If we were to increase the discount rate used in the valuation calculation by 1% and 2%, the enterprise value of our stations with goodwill would decrease by $103.6 million and $196.7 million, respectively.
Network affiliations
Other broadcast companies may use different assumptions in valuing acquired broadcast licenses and their related network affiliations than those that we use. These different assumptions may result in the use of valuation methods that can result in significant variances in the amount of purchase price allocated to these assets by these broadcast companies.
We believe that the value of a television station is derived primarily from the attributes of its broadcast license. These attributes have a significant impact on the audience for network programming in a local television market compared to the national viewing patterns of the same network programming. These attributes and their impact on audiences can include:
| |
• | the scarcity of broadcast licenses assigned by the FCC to a particular market determines how many television networks and other program sources are viewed in a particular market; |
| |
• | the length of time the broadcast license has been broadcasting. Television stations that have been broadcasting since the late 1940s are viewed more often than newer television stations; |
| |
• | the quality of the broadcast signal and location of the broadcast station within a market (i.e. being licensed in the smallest city within a tri-city market has less value than being licensed in the largest city); |
| |
• | the audience acceptance of the local news programming and community involvement of the local television station. The local television station's news programming that attracts the largest audience in a market generally will provide a larger audience for its network programming; and |
| |
• | the quality of the other non-network programming carried by the television station. A local television station's syndicated programming that attracts the largest audience in a market generally will provide larger audience lead-ins to its network programming. |
A local television station can be the top-rated station in a market, regardless of the national ranking of its affiliated network, depending on the factors or attributes listed above. ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, each have affiliations with local television stations that have the largest primetime audience in the local market in which the station operates regardless of the network's primetime rating.
Some broadcasting companies believe that network affiliations are the most important component of the value of a station. These companies generally believe that television stations with network affiliations have the most successful local news programming and the network affiliation relationship enhances the audience for local syndicated programming. As a result, these broadcasting companies allocate a significant portion of the purchase price for any station that they may acquire to the network affiliation relationship.
We generally have acquired broadcast licenses in markets with a number of commercial television stations equal to or less than the number of television networks seeking affiliates. The methodology we used in connection with the valuation of the stations acquired is based on our evaluation of the broadcast licenses and the characteristics of the markets in which they operated. We believe that in substantially all our markets we would be able to replace a network affiliation agreement with little or no economic loss to our television station. As a result of this assumption, we ascribed no incremental value to the incumbent network affiliation in substantially all our markets in which we operate beyond the cost of negotiating a new agreement with another network and the value of any terms that were more favorable or unfavorable than those generally prevailing in the market. Other broadcasting companies have valued network affiliations on the basis that it is the affiliation and not the other attributes of the station, including its broadcast license, which contributes to the operating performance of that station. As a result, we believe that these broadcasting companies include in their network affiliation valuation amounts related to attributes that we believe are more appropriately reflected in the value of the broadcast license or goodwill.
In future acquisitions, the valuation of the broadcast licenses and network affiliations may differ from those attributable to our existing stations due to different facts and circumstances for each station and market being evaluated.
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
We consider future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for establishing or removing a valuation allowance. We record or subsequently remove a valuation allowance to reflect our deferred tax assets at an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In the event that our determination changes regarding the realization of all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is recorded to our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such a determination is made.
As of December 31, 2012, we had a valuation allowance of $18.2 million offsetting certain state net operating loss carryforwards and other state deferred tax assets. During the third quarter of 2013, after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we determined that we will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets. As a result, we reversed the valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit of $18.2 million.
Revenue recognition
We recognize local, national and political advertising sales, net of agency commissions, during the period in which the advertisements or programs are aired on our television stations, and when payment is reasonably assured. Internet and mobile advertisement sales are recognized when the advertisement is displayed on our websites or the websites, mobile applications, or those of our advertising network. We recognize retransmission consent fees in the period in which our service is delivered. Revenue generated by our digital companies is recognized over the service delivery period when necessary provisions of the contracts have been met. In addition, for the sale of third-party products and services by our digital companies, we evaluate whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to the customer or the net amount retained by us.
Share-based compensation
We estimate the fair value of share option awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the option's expected term, the price volatility of the underlying shares and the number of share option awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and our historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical trends for our class A common shares over the expected term. Expected forfeitures are estimated using our historical experience. If future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, our future share-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.
Retirement plans
We have historically provided defined benefit retirement plans to our employees who did not receive matching contributions from our Company to their 401(k) Plan accounts. Our pension benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using actuarial concepts. Our defined benefit plan is a non-contributory plan under which we made contributions either to: a) traditional plan participants based on periodic actuarial valuations, which are expensed over the expected average remaining service lives of current employees through the LIN Television Corporation Retirement Plan ('Retirement Plan"); or b) cash balance plan participants based on 5% of each participant's eligible compensation through the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation ("SERP"). Effective April 1, 2009, these plans were frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to these plans, however we continue to fund our existing vested obligations.
We contributed $5.4 million, $7.4 million and $5.4 million to our pension plans during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We anticipate contributing $5.7 million to our pension plans in 2014.
Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate our pension benefit obligations and to determine our net periodic pension benefit cost are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan |
Discount rate used to estimate our pension benefit obligation | 4.70% | | 5.00% | | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90 | % | | 4.20 | % |
Discount rate used to determine net periodic pension benefit | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90% | | 4.20% | | 5.25 | % | | 5.25 | % |
Rate of compensation increase | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
| | N/A |
|
Expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A |
| | 7.00 | % |
The discount rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was determined using a custom bond modeler that develops a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds, rated AA- and above by Standard & Poor's, that could be purchased to settle the obligations of the plan. The yield on this hypothetical portfolio represents a reasonable rate to value our plan liability.
We considered the current levels of expected returns on a risk-free investment, the historical levels of risk premium associated with each of our pension asset classes, the expected future returns for each of our pension asset classes and then weighted each asset class based on our pension plan asset allocation to derive an expected long-term return on pension plan assets. During the year ended December 31, 2013, our actual rate of return on plan assets was 12%.
As a result of the plan freeze during 2009, we have no further service cost or amortization of prior service cost related to the plans. In addition, because the plans are now frozen and participants became inactive during 2009, the net losses related to the plans included in accumulated other comprehensive income are now amortized over the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants instead of the average remaining service period. We expect to record a pension expense of approximately $0.2 million in 2014. For every 0.25% change in the actual return compared to the expected long-term return on pension plan assets and for every 0.25% change in the actual discount rate compared to the discount rate assumption for 2014, our 2014 pension expense would change by less than $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.
Our investment objective is to achieve a consistent total rate-of-return that will equal or exceed our actuarial assumptions and to equal or exceed the benchmarks that we use for each of our pension plan asset classes. The following asset allocation is designed to create a diversified portfolio of pension plan assets that is consistent with our target asset allocation and risk policy:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Target Allocation | | Percentage of Plan Assets as of December 31, |
Asset Category | 2013 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
Equity securities | 60 | % | | 60 | % | | 55 | % |
Debt securities | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | 45 | % |
| 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
For a discussion of new accounting standards please read Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Results of Operations
Set forth below are the key operating areas that contributed to our results for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of WWHO-TV, in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. As a result, reported financial results may not be comparable to certain historical financial information.
Our results of operations are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | | |
| | | | |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2013 vs. 2012 | | 2012 vs. 2011 |
Local revenues | $ | 427,819 |
| | $ | 316,471 |
| | $ | 255,478 |
| | $ | 111,348 |
| | 35 | % | | $ | 60,993 |
| | 24 | % |
National advertising sales | 130,935 |
| | 107,325 |
| | 95,734 |
| | 23,610 |
| | 22 | % | | 11,591 |
| | 12 | % |
Political advertising sales | 7,600 |
| | 76,458 |
| | 8,132 |
| | (68,858 | ) | | (90 | )% | | 68,326 |
| | 840 | % |
Interactive revenues | 75,853 |
| | 41,095 |
| | 27,220 |
| | 34,758 |
| | 85 | % | | 13,875 |
| | 51 | % |
Other revenues | 10,156 |
| | 12,113 |
| | 13,439 |
| | (1,957 | ) | | (16 | )% | | (1,326 | ) | | (10 | )% |
Net revenues | 652,363 |
| | 553,462 |
| | 400,003 |
| | 98,901 |
| | 18 | % | | 153,459 |
| | 38 | % |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Direct operating | 251,078 |
| | 160,222 |
| | 130,618 |
| | 90,856 |
| | 57 | % | | 29,604 |
| | 23 | % |
Selling, general and administrative | 162,550 |
| | 125,267 |
| | 103,770 |
| | 37,283 |
| | 30 | % | | 21,497 |
| | 21 | % |
Amortization of program rights | 29,242 |
| | 23,048 |
| | 21,406 |
| | 6,194 |
| | 27 | % | | 1,642 |
| | 8 | % |
Corporate | 41,377 |
| | 34,246 |
| | 26,481 |
| | 7,131 |
| | 21 | % | | 7,765 |
| | 29 | % |
Depreciation | 46,854 |
| | 32,149 |
| | 26,246 |
| | 14,705 |
| | 46 | % | | 5,903 |
| | 22 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | 22,826 |
| | 6,364 |
| | 1,199 |
| | 16,462 |
| | 259 | % | | 5,165 |
| | 431 | % |
Restructuring | 3,895 |
| | 1,009 |
| | 707 |
| | 2,886 |
| | 286 | % | | 302 |
| | 43 | % |
Contract termination costs | 3,887 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,887 |
| | 100 | % | | — |
| | — | % |
Loss from asset dispositions | 710 |
| | 96 |
| | 472 |
| | 614 |
| | 640 | % | | (376 | ) | | (80 | )% |
Total operating costs | 562,419 |
| | 382,401 |
| | 310,899 |
| | 180,018 |
| | 47 | % | | 71,502 |
| | 23 | % |
Operating income | $ | 89,944 |
| | $ | 171,061 |
| | $ | 89,104 |
| | $ | (81,117 | ) | | (47 | )% | | $ | 81,957 |
| | 92 | % |
Three-Year Comparison
Net revenues consist primarily of local, national, and political advertising sales, net of sales adjustments and agency commissions. Additional revenues are generated from advertising on our television station websites, mobile applications, and those of our advertising networks, retransmission consent fees, interactive revenues, barter revenues, network compensation, production revenues, tower rental income and station copyright royalties.
Net revenues during the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $98.9 million when compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of the television stations acquired during 2012 and of the acquisition of a majority interest in HYFN and Dedicated Media, net revenues decreased $31.8 million, or 6%, primarily due to a $61.5 million decrease in political revenues. This decrease was partially offset by a $23.2 million increase in local revenues, primarily due to a growth in retransmission consent fee revenues as a result of contractual rate increases and renewals, and a $9.4 million increase in interactive revenues as a result of growth in the volume of advertising delivered through our network.
Historically, our revenues related to political advertising are stronger during federal election years, typically years ending in an even number. In addition to federal elections, most state and local elections also occur on the same election cycle. Consequently, political advertising sales during the year ended December 31, 2012 were higher than political advertising sales during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2013. We expect this trend of stronger political advertising sales during election years to continue in the future.
The automotive category represented 26% of our local and national advertising sales during each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Net revenues during the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $153.5 million when compared with the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $68.3 million increase in political advertising sales, a $61 million increase in local revenues, and a $13.9 million increase in interactive revenues, primarily as a result of a growth in customer base and new product offerings. Also contributing to the increase was an $11.6 million increase in national advertising sales. Net revenues for the year ending December 31, 2012 include $40.5 million that is attributable to television stations acquired during the fourth quarter of 2012.
The automotive category, which represented 26% of our local and national advertising sales during the year ended December 31, 2012, was up 15% as compared to 2011, during which the automotive category represented 24% of our local and national advertising sales.
Direct operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization of intangible assets), which consist primarily of news, engineering, and programming expenses, increased $90.9 million, or 57%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year and $29.6 million, or 23%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of the stations acquired during the fourth quarter of 2012 and the 2013 acquisitions of majority interests in HYFN and Dedicated Media, direct operating expenses increased $28.1 million, or 19% for the year ending December 31, 2013 and $20.2 million, or 15% for the year ending December 31, 2012 as compared to their respective prior years. The increase for both years is primarily the result of an increase in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements, growth in employee compensation expense, and higher costs of sales related to our digital operations.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee salaries, sales commissions, employee benefit costs, advertising, promotional expenses and research. These costs increased $37.3 million, or 30%, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of our 2012 television station acquisitions as well as the 2013 acquisition of majority interests in HYFN and Dedicated Media.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $21.5 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the prior year. Television stations acquired during 2012 accounted for $9.7 million of the increase. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to higher variable costs attributable to the growth in revenue compared to the prior year.
Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues were 6.8%, 6.6% and 7.4% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Amortization of program rights represents the recognition of expense associated with syndicated programming, features and specials, and these costs increased $6.2 million, or 27%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and increased $1.6 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to their respective prior years. The increases in both periods as compared to their respective prior periods were attributable to the amortization of programming rights associated with the television stations acquired during the fourth quarter of 2012.
Corporate expenses represent corporate executive management, accounting, legal and other costs associated with the centralized management of our stations, and these costs increased $7.1 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to $5.7 million of expenses incurred related to the JV Sale Transaction and the Merger with LIN LLC, as well as an increase in employee compensation expense compared to the prior year. Corporate expenses increased $7.8 million, or 29%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to increases in employee compensation and acquisition related expenses compared to the prior year.
Depreciation expense increased $14.7 million, or 46%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $5.9 million, or 22%, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to their respective prior years. The increase in both periods was primarily attributable to the property and equipment associated with our acquisitions of television stations in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the acquisition of majority interests in HYFN and Dedicated Media in 2013.
Amortization of intangible assets increased $16.5 million, or 259%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $5.2 million, or 431% for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to their respective prior years. The increases in both periods was primarily attributable to the increase in finite-lived intangible assets from our television stations acquired in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the 2013 acquisitions of the majority interest in HYFN and Dedicated Media.
Impairment of goodwill and broadcast licenses related to discontinued operations in the amount of $1.6 million were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2011. For further information, see Note 6—"Intangible Assets" to our consolidated financial statements.
Restructuring charges of $3.9 million, $1.0 million and, $0.7 million were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Restructuring charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2013 were primarily due
to severance and related costs as a result of the integration of the television stations acquired during 2012. Restructuring charges incurred during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 primarily relate to the consolidation of certain activities at our stations and our corporate headquarters.
Contract termination costs of $3.9 million in 2013 were due to costs incurred in 2013 to terminate our contract with a service provider that previously provided national sales representation. For further information, see Note 12 - "Restructuring and Contract Termination Costs" to our consolidated financial statements.
Other Expense
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Components of other expense: | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | $ | 56,607 |
| | $ | 46,683 |
| | $ | 50,706 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | 56 |
| | 98,309 |
| | 4,957 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 3,341 |
| | 1,694 |
|
Other expense, net | 2,100 |
| | 237 |
| | 51 |
|
Total other expense, net | $ | 58,763 |
| | $ | 148,570 |
| | $ | 55,448 |
|
Interest expense, net increased $9.9 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the interest incurred on our 63/8% Senior Notes, which were issued during the fourth quarter of 2012 to finance a portion of the consideration paid to acquire the former New Vision television stations. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in interest expense due to the redemption of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes during the first quarter of 2012 as well as reductions in interest expense under our senior secured credit facility, primarily attributable to reductions in outstanding principal.
Interest expense, net decreased $4.0 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the redemption of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes during the first quarter of 2012. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in borrowings under our senior secured credit facility compared to the same period last year as well as new debt issued in connection with the acquisition of the former New Vision stations.
The following table summarizes our total interest expense, net (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Components of interest expense: | | | | | |
Senior secured credit facility | $ | 18,751 |
| | $ | 19,651 |
| | $ | 2,389 |
|
83/8% Senior Notes | 17,387 |
| | 17,389 |
| | 17,389 |
|
63/8% Senior Notes | 19,396 |
| | 4,401 |
| | — |
|
61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes | — |
| | 595 |
| | 18,002 |
|
61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes—Class B | — |
| | 306 |
| | 10,505 |
|
Other | 1,073 |
| | 4,341 |
| | 2,421 |
|
Total interest expense, net | $ | 56,607 |
| | $ | 46,683 |
| | $ | 50,706 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments decreased $98.3 million as compared to the prior year primarily due to a $100 million accrual recorded in 2012 related to the capital contribution made to SVH in connection with the JV Sale Transaction and corresponding release from the GECC Guarantee. That accrual was partially offset by the reversal of accrued shortfall funding liabilities that were extinguished pursuant to the terms of the JV Sale Agreement, as further described in Item 1. "Business—Joint Venture Sale Transaction" and in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements.
Other expense, net increased $1.9 million as compared to the prior year primarily as a result of an impairment recorded during the third quarter of 2013 of a minority interest that we held in a website platform service provider.
Gain on derivative instruments during 2011 was approximately $2 million, which represented the change in fair value of our interest rate hedge. The interest rate hedge was entered into during the second quarter of 2006 (the "2006 interest rate hedge") in order to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with a notional amount of the declining balances of our term loans under our previous senior secured credit facility. The 2006 interest rate hedge expired on November 4, 2011. Consequently, there is no impact to our statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012. For additional information, refer to Note 8 - "Derivative Financial Instruments" to our consolidated financial statements.
Loss on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2012 was primarily a result of the redemption of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes during January 2012 and the December 2012 amendment to our existing $75 million revolving credit loans. The loss on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2011 included a write down of deferred financing fees as a result of the payment of principal on our revolving credit facility and term loans as further described in "Description of Indebtedness." Additionally, the loss on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2011 included a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount due to the redemption of $109.1 million of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, and $55.9 million of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes—Class B.
Income taxes reflected a (benefit from) provision for income tax of $(125.4) million, $40.5 million and $(16.0) million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Our effective tax rate on pre-tax income was (402.2)%, 179.9% and (47.7)% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Our effective tax rate fluctuates from year to year. The factors that most impact our effective tax rate are changes to our valuation allowance, changes in tax laws, allocation of income to the various state jurisdictions in which we operate, and acquisition and divestiture transactions, including the JV Sale Transaction and the Merger.
Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased from 2012 primarily due to a $124.3 million tax benefit recognized as a result of the Merger as well as an $18.2 million tax benefit recognized as a result of the reversal of state valuation allowances. These valuation allowances were reversed after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, as it was determined that we will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets.
The combined $142.5 million tax benefit described above was offset in part by a $12.8 million income tax provision as a result of generating income from continuing operations, as well as a $2.2 million tax provision relating to state net operating loss adjustments from apportionment changes and a $1.6 million tax provision for non-deductible acquisition related costs incurred during 2013.
Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased from 2011, primarily due to the recognition of $28.4 million of income tax expense related to the recognition of a taxable gain associated with the JV Sale Transaction, as further described in Item 1. "Business—Joint Venture Sale Transaction."
The 2011 tax benefit is primarily a result of the 2011 reversal of $35.1 million of our federal valuation allowance relating to 1999 to 2002 net operating losses and the 2011 reversal of $1.0 million of our state valuation allowance relating to 2002 to 2010 net operating losses. These valuation allowances were reversed primarily due to our recent history of taxable income, and our projected ability to generate sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of those net operating loss carryforwards. Upon the reversal of the federal and state valuation allowances, as of December 31, 2011, we had a remaining valuation allowance of $23.4 million placed against our deferred tax assets primarily related to state net operating loss carryforwards.
The combined 2011 $36.1 million income tax benefit described above was offset in part by a $5.1 million discrete deferred income tax expense recognized in the second quarter of 2011, which resulted from state tax legislation enacted in Michigan in May 2011, which repealed the Michigan business tax ("MBT"), and implemented a corporate income tax instead, effective January 2012. As a result of the elimination of the MBT, certain future tax deductions that were available to be utilized beginning in 2015, and had been recognized as deferred tax assets in our financial statements, were no longer deductible. Therefore, during the year ended December 31, 2011, we recognized incremental deferred income tax expense of $5.1 million, net of federal benefit, for the reversal of these previously established deferred tax assets.
Results of Discontinued Operations
Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations, assets and liabilities of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH, as discontinued for all periods presented. The sale of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH was completed on February 16, 2012. The sale of WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH was completed on April 21, 2012. As a result, loss from discontinued operations was $1.0 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For further information see Note 3—"Discontinued Operations" to our consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity position depends on our ability to generate cash from operations and to utilize borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and/or obtain financing from other sources. Our ability to make use of the revolving credit facility and to access the capital markets is contingent on our compliance with certain financial covenants, which are measured, in part, by the level of EBITDA we generate from our operations. As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants under our senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $12.5 million, and a $75 million revolving credit facility, of which $70 million and $45 million were available as of December 31, 2013 and as of the date of this report, respectively.
Joint Venture Sale Transaction
On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries LIN Television and LIN Texas entered into and closed the JV Sale Transaction with Comcast Corporation, affiliates of NBCUniversal, the GE Parties and SVH, a joint venture with NBCUniversal whereby LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH for $1.00. In addition, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we issued a $60 million incremental term loan, and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution.
As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had an approximate $162.8 million income tax payable remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the Merger as described below.
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV was merged with and into LIN LLC with LIN LLC continuing as the surviving entity. The Merger enabled LIN TV to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and that change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes, with the result that LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million, which represents the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of such stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and, as a result, we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
We incurred approximately $5.7 million in transaction costs related to the JV Sale Transaction and the Merger during the year ended December 31, 2013. These costs are classified as corporate expense in our consolidated statement of operations.
Below is a discussion of other significant sources and uses of cash and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by our net revenues and changes in working capital as a result of the timing of collections and payments. Our total net revenues have primarily been, and will primarily be affected by, among other things, the following:
| |
• | Continued growth in local and interactive revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, our local revenues, which include net local advertising sales, retransmission consent fees and revenues from our television station websites and mobile applications, increased 35% and 24%, respectively, compared to their respective prior years. Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, our interactive revenues, which are generated by LIN Digital, Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media, increased 85% and 51%, respectively. We expect further growth in our local revenues and interactive revenues, however, there can be no assurance that this will occur. |
| |
• | Cyclical fluctuations. We experience significant fluctuations in our political advertising revenues since advertising revenues are generally higher in even-numbered years due to additional revenues associated with political advertising related to local and national elections. Political advertising revenues were $7.6 million, $76.5 million, and $8.1 |
million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We also experience incremental advertising revenues associated with Olympic broadcasts during even-numbered years. We experienced a significant decrease in advertising revenues during 2013 and expect an increase in advertising revenues during 2014 as a result of these cyclical fluctuations.
| |
• | Employee benefit contributions. Our employee benefit plan contributions include contributions to our pension plan and our 401(k) Plan. Volatility in the debt and equity markets impacts the fair value of our pension plan assets and ultimately the cash funding requirements of our pension plan. We contributed $5.4 million, $7.4 million and $5.4 million to our pension plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and anticipate contributing $5.7 million to our pension plan during 2014. We contributed approximately $4.8 million, $3.9 million, and $3.6 million to our 401(k) Plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and expect to contribute approximately $4.3 million to the plan during 2014. |
| |
• | Payments related to certain restructuring activities. We made cash payments related to certain restructuring initiatives of $4.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For further details on these restructuring initiatives see Note 12—"Restructuring and Contract Termination Costs" to our consolidated financial statements. |
| |
• | Cash requirements related to the acquisition of Red McCombs Media, LP. On October 2, 2009, LIN Television acquired Red McCombs Media, LP, an online advertising and media services company based in Austin, TX, which was rebranded as “LIN Digital” in the first quarter of 2013. In connection with the acquisition, we entered into an incentive compensation arrangement with certain key members of management. The arrangement provided payments to those employees based on a computation of EBITDA generated by LIN Digital during 2012. During the second quarter of 2013, we paid $8.9 million related to this incentive compensation arrangement. |
| |
• | Contract termination costs. In December 2013, we terminated an agreement with a service provider that provided national sales representation and made a payment of $5.4 million to exit our agreement prior to its expiration. Concurrent with the termination of the agreement, we released $1.5 million of deferred credits associated with the terminated contract. The amount of the one-time termination payment, offset by the release of the deferred credits has been reflected as contract termination costs in our consolidated statement of operations for 2013. |
Investing activities
Cash used in investing activities has primarily been, and will primarily be affected by, among other things, the following:
| |
• | Acquisition of majority interest in Dedicated Media and HYFN. In April 2013, LIN Television acquired a 60% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Dedicated Media for $5.8 million and a 50.1% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in HYFN for $7.2 million. In connection with these acquisitions, we may be required to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media and HYFN in 2015 and 2016, respectively, if certain financial targets as defined in each applicable purchase agreement are met. Our maximum potential obligation under the Dedicated Media and HYFN agreements is $26 million, and $62.4 million, respectively. However, we estimate that our total obligation will not exceed $45 million in the aggregate between 2015 and 2016. For further information see Note 2 — “Acquisitions” to our consolidated financial statements. |
| |
• | Capital expenditures. Capital expenditures increased $1.1 million to $29.4 million, and increased $8.2 million to $28.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, compared to the respective prior year. We anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, which we expect to fund using cash flows from operations. |
| |
• | Acquisition of Federated Media. On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television, acquired 100% of the capital stock of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"). Federated Media is a digital content and conversational marketing company that leverages the relationships and content from its publishing network to deliver contextually relevant advertising and conversational and engagement tools that reach agencies’ and brands’ targeted audiences across digital and social media platforms. The purchase price totaled $22.4 million plus an adjustment for working capital delivered at closing and was funded from cash on hand and amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility. For further information see Note 2 — “Acquisitions” to our consolidated financial statements. |
Financing activities
Cash used in financing activities was primarily affected by, among other things, the following:
| |
• | Incremental Facility. On February 12, 2013, we entered into a $60 million, 5 year incremental term loan pursuant to the Credit Agreement governing LIN Television's senior secured credit facility. The proceeds of the incremental facility, as well as cash on hand and cash from revolving borrowings, were used to fund the $100 million transferred to SVH in the JV Sale Transaction. |
We believe that our cash flows from current operations, together with available borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months, and beyond. These cash requirements include working capital, state and federal income taxes, capital expenditures, and scheduled interest and principal payments. For our long-term liquidity needs, in addition to the sources described above, we may rely upon, among other things, the issuance of long-term debt, the issuance of equity, or other financing sources available to us. Volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets could impact our ability to access such sources. Anticipated cash payments for our debt and related interest are described below.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our estimated future contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands)(1):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2014 | | 2015-2016 | | 2017-2018 | | 2019 and thereafter | | Total |
Principal payments and mandatory redemptions on debt(2) | $ | 17,364 |
| | $ | 53,484 |
| | $ | 574,105 |
| | $ | 301,768 |
| | $ | 946,721 |
|
Cash interest on debt(3) | 53,079 |
| | 104,231 |
| | 87,119 |
| | 50,617 |
| | 295,046 |
|
Program payments(4) | 27,119 |
| | 44,062 |
| | 3,286 |
| | 214 |
| | 74,681 |
|
Operating leases(5) | 3,860 |
| | 6,076 |
| | 4,284 |
| | 7,062 |
| | 21,282 |
|
Operating agreements(6) | 41,216 |
| | 43,994 |
| | 9,473 |
| | 77 |
| | 94,760 |
|
Deferred compensation payments(7) | 130 |
| | 317 |
| | 115 |
| | 453 |
| | 1,015 |
|
Total | $ | 142,768 |
| | $ | 252,164 |
| | $ | 678,382 |
| | $ | 360,191 |
| | $ | 1,433,505 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | The amounts included in the table above do not include contingent payments for the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media and HYFN. For additional information regarding these contingent payments, see Note 2 - "Acquisitions." |
| |
(2) | An additional $25 million was outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of the date of this report and is not reflected in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. We are obligated to make mandatory quarterly principal payments and to use proceeds of asset sales not reinvested to pay-down the term loans under our senior secured credit facility. We are also obligated to repay in full our Senior Notes at maturity as described in Item 1A. "Risk Factors—We may not be able to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms." |
| |
(3) | We have contractual obligations to pay cash interest on our senior secured credit facility and on our Senior Notes through April 15, 2018 and January 15, 2021, as well as commitment fees of 0.375% on our revolving credit facility, as described in "Description of Indebtedness". |
| |
(4) | We have entered into commitments for future syndicated news, entertainment, and sports programming. We have recorded $6.3 million of program obligations as of December 31, 2013 and have unrecorded commitments of $68.4 million for programming that is not available to air as of December 31, 2013. |
| |
(5) | We lease land, buildings, vehicles and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. |
| |
(6) | We have entered into a variety of agreements for services used in the operation of our stations including ratings services, consulting and research services, news video services, news weather services, marketing services and other contracts under non-cancelable operating agreements. |
| |
(7) | Includes scheduled payments to certain employees covered under our deferred compensation plans. |
The above table excludes future payments for our defined benefit retirement plans, deferred taxes, uncertain tax positions, and executive compensation, with the exception of scheduled deferred compensation payments detailed above, because their future cash outflows are uncertain. For additional information regarding our financial commitments as of December 31, 2013 see Note 7—"Debt", Note 10 —"Retirement Plans" and Note 13 —"Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements.
Summary of Cash Flows
The following table presents summarized cash flow information (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | | |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2013 vs. 2012 | | 2012 vs. 2011 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 48,967 |
| | $ | 146,699 |
| | $ | 62,660 |
| | $ | (97,732 | ) | | $ | 84,039 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | (139,370 | ) | | (104,259 | ) | | (289,180 | ) | | (35,111 | ) | | 184,921 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 56,621 |
| | (14,190 | ) | | 232,929 |
| | 70,811 |
| | (247,119 | ) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (33,782 | ) | | $ | 28,250 |
| | $ | 6,409 |
| | $ | (62,032 | ) | | $ | 21,841 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $97.7 million to $49 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $146.7 million for the prior year. The decrease is primarily attributable to an $81.1 million decrease in operating income as well as an increase in cash outflows related to working capital of $9.2 million and an increase in cash interest expense of approximately $8.9 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $84.0 million to $146.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $62.7 million for the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to an $82 million increase in operating income as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $35.1 million to $139.4 million for year ended December 31, 2013, compared to cash used in investing activities of $104.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2013 was comprised primarily of the $100 million capital contribution made to the joint venture in February 2013 in connection with the JV Sale Transaction as well as capital expenditures of $29.4 million and payments made for the acquisitions of HYFN and Dedicated Media of $10.1 million (net of cash acquired).
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased $184.9 million to $104.3 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in restricted cash that had been placed on irrevocable deposit as of December 31, 2011 and was subsequently used to fund the aggregate redemption price of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes in January 2012. The decrease in restricted cash was partially offset by payments of $358.5 million (net of cash acquired) for the acquisition of the New Vision and ACME television stations in 2012.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $56.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $14.2 million for the prior year. The difference is primarily attributable to an increase of $47.7 million in proceeds from long term debt, net of cash payments, as well as a decrease in cash outflows of $9.6 million and $11.4 million related to debt financing costs and the purchase of treasury stock, respectively, which occurred during the year ended December 31, 2012.
Net cash used in financing activities was $14.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $232.9 million for the prior year. The increase is primarily attributable to the redemption of $252 million of our Senior Subordinated Notes during 2012, partially offset by a decrease in proceeds from borrowings under our senior secured credit facility as further described in "Description of Indebtedness".
Description of Indebtedness
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
|
$118,750 and $125,000 Term loans, net of discount of $345 and $435 as December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 118,405 |
| | 124,565 |
|
$314,200 and $257,400 Incremental term loans, net of discount of $1,684 and $2,020 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 312,516 |
| | 255,380 |
|
8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2018 | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
6 3/8% Senior Notes due 2021 | 290,000 |
| | 290,000 |
|
Capital lease obligations | 14,604 |
| | 14,881 |
|
Other debt | 4,167 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total debt | 944,692 |
| | 890,227 |
|
Less current portion | 17,364 |
| | 10,756 |
|
Total long-term debt | $ | 927,328 |
| | $ | 879,471 |
|
Total debt | $ | 944,692 |
| | $ | 890,227 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | (12,525 | ) | | (46,307 | ) |
Consolidated net debt(1) | $ | 932,167 |
| | $ | 843,920 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | Consolidated net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure, and is equal to total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Beginning in 2012, for the purpose of our debt covenant calculations, our senior credit facility permits a maximum of $45 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to be offset against total debt in arriving at consolidated net debt. For purposes of the table above, we have subtracted the total balance of our cash and cash equivalents in arriving at consolidated net debt. Consolidated net debt provides investors with useful information about our financial position, and is one of the financial measures used to evaluate compliance with our debt covenants. |
Senior Secured Credit Facility
Our senior secured credit facility is comprised of a six-year, $125 million tranche A term loan and a five-year, $75 million revolving credit facility, and bears interest at a rate based on, at our option, either a) the LIBOR interest rate, or b) the ABR rate, which is an interest rate that is equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1 percent, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1%. In addition, the rate we select also bears an applicable margin based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 2.75% and 1.75% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014, these rates will be 3% and 2% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Lastly, the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is subject to a commitment fee based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 0.375% and will increase to 0.50% following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014 for both LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans.
Our senior secured credit facility also includes a seven-year, $260 million tranche B incremental term loan facility and a $60 million tranche B-2 incremental term facility that was funded on February 12, 2013 in connection with the JV Sale Transaction, each of which is subject to the terms of our Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility were used (i) to pay the call price for our redemption of all of our remaining 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, as described below, and (ii) to pay accrued interest, fees and expenses associated with the redemption. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility bear interest at a rate based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin of 3%; or an adjusted Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 2%; provided that the adjusted LIBOR rate and the adjusted Base Rate shall at no time be less than 1% and 2%, respectively.
On December 24, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement which (1) replaced our $257.4 million tranche B term loan maturing in December 2018 with a new tranche B term loan of the same maturity which bears interest at a reduced rate and (2) made certain other changes to the Credit Agreement, including changes to the financial covenants therein that are favorable to LIN Television and its affiliates and (3) extended the maturity for a $60 million tranche of our revolving credit
facility to October 2017 and on May 9, 2013, we extended the maturity date of the remaining $15 million tranche of our revolving credit facility to October 2017. We paid customary fees and expenses in connection with the closing of these amendments. As a result of these amendments, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations during the three months ended December 31, 2012.
The terms of the Credit Agreement provide for customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants), and events of default. The Credit Agreement also provides for the payment of customary fees and expenses by us. The senior secured credit facility can be accelerated upon events of default and require the term loans to be prepaid under certain circumstances with amounts determined by reference to the proceeds from certain asset sales (subject to reinvestment rights), the incurrence of certain indebtedness and a percentage of annual excess cash flow.
The senior secured credit facility ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. LIN LLC and certain of our existing, or hereafter created or acquired, domestic subsidiaries guarantee the credit facilities on a senior basis. LIN Television and each of our subsidiary guarantors have granted a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets to secure the obligations under the senior secured credit facility, and LIN LLC has granted a security interest in its capital stock of LIN Television to secure such obligations.
Our senior secured credit facility permits us to prepay loans and to permanently reduce the revolving credit commitments, in whole or in part, at any time. We are also obligated to make mandatory quarterly principal payments. In addition, our senior secured credit facility restricts the use of proceeds from asset sales not reinvested in our business and the use of proceeds from the issuance of debt (subject to certain exceptions), which must be used for mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans.
The Credit Agreement governing our senior secured credit facility also requires on an annual basis, following the delivery of our year-end financial statements, and commencing after the year ended December 31, 2012, mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans based on a computation of excess cash flow for the preceding fiscal year, as more fully described in the Credit Agreement. However, based on the excess cash flow computation for the year ended December 31, 2013, we will not be required to make such prepayments during the year ending December 31, 2014.
The incremental term loan facility is a senior secured obligation and ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The incremental term loan facility is guaranteed and secured on the same basis as the other credit facilities under the Credit Agreement. If we do not refinance, redeem or discharge our 83/8% Senior Notes on or prior to January 15, 2018, then, in such event, the maturity of the incremental term loan facility will be accelerated from December 21, 2018 to January 15, 2018.
The following table summarizes certain key terms including the LIBOR-based borrowing rates of our senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Facility |
| Revolving Facility | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
|
Available balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 70,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Interest rates as of December 31, 2013: | | | | | |
Interest rate | 0.17 | % | | 0.17 | % | | 1.00 | % |
Applicable margin | 2.75 | % | | 2.75 | % | | 3.00 | % |
Total | 2.92 | % | | 2.92 | % | | 4.00 | % |
2009 Senior Secured Credit Facility
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million consisting of a write-down of deferred financing fees related to the revolving credit facility and term loans under our 2009 senior secured credit facility.
83/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 83/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 4/15/2018 |
Annual interest rate | 8.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | April 15th |
| October 15th |
Our 83/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
The indenture governing our 83/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
63/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 63/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 1/15/2021 |
Annual interest rate | 6.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | January 15th |
| July 15th |
On October 12, 2012, we completed the issuance and sale of $290 million in aggregate principal amount of our 63/8% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of our 63/8% Senior Notes were used to fund the remaining purchase price for the acquisition of the New Vision stations as further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions" to our consolidated financial statements.
Our 63/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
The indenture governing our 63/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes and 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes—Class B
During the year ended December 31, 2012, we redeemed $252 million of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. The redemption of these notes, at par, was funded in part by proceeds from the term loan, incremental term loan, the revolving credit facility and cash on hand. As a result of these redemptions, during the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.1 million associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations.
Capital Lease Obligations
As part of the transactions further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions," to our consolidated financial statements we assumed $15.1 million in capital lease obligations related to land, buildings, vehicles and equipment. These leases mature over a period of four to nineteen years and are payable in monthly installments. The amortization related to the capital lease obligations is recorded within depreciation. The total outstanding balance of these capital lease obligations was $14.6 million as of December 31, 2013. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees these lease obligations.
Other Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2012, Vaughan, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $4.6 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the television stations from PBC that were acquired by Vaughan. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through October 2017. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, KASY, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $1.7 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of KASY-TV, KRWB-TV, and KWBQ-TV. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through December 2017. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, WBDT, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $0.9 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of WBDT-TV. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through May 2016. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
Repayment of Principal
The following table summarizes scheduled future principal repayments on our debt agreements (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revolving Facilities | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans | | 83/8% Senior Notes | | 63/8% Senior Notes | | Capital Leases | | Other Debt | | Total |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
| | 4/15/2018 |
| | 1/15/2021 |
| | Various |
| | Various |
| | |
|
2014 | $ | — |
| | $ | 12,500 |
| | $ | 3,200 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 502 |
| | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 17,364 |
|
2015 | — |
| | 18,750 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 528 |
| | 1,162 |
| | 23,640 |
|
2016 | — |
| | 25,000 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 620 |
| | 1,024 |
| | 29,844 |
|
2017 | 5,000 |
| (1) | 62,500 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 577 |
| | 819 |
| | 72,096 |
|
2018 | — |
| | — |
| | 301,400 |
| | 200,000 |
| | — |
| | 609 |
| | — |
| | 502,009 |
|
2019 and thereafter | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 290,000 |
| | 11,768 |
| | — |
| | 301,768 |
|
Total | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 118,750 |
| | $ | 314,200 |
| | $ | 200,000 |
| | $ | 290,000 |
| | $ | 14,604 |
| | $ | 4,167 |
| | $ | 946,721 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | An additional $25 million was drawn on our revolving credit facility during January and February 2014 and is not reflected in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. |
The fair values of our long-term debt are estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). The carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 |
| Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Term loans | 430,921 |
| | 432,105 |
| | 379,945 |
| | 380,599 |
|
Senior notes | 490,000 |
| | 512,983 |
| | 490,000 |
| | 524,500 |
|
Other debt | 4,167 |
| | 4,167 |
| | 5,401 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total | $ | 930,088 |
| | $ | 954,255 |
| | $ | 875,346 |
| | $ | 910,500 |
|
Future Program Rights Agreements
We record program rights agreements on our balance sheet on the first broadcast date the programs are available for air. As a result, we have commitments for future program rights agreements not recorded on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 of $68.4 million, as detailed in Note 13 —"Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk related to interest rates on our senior secured credit facility debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
Our total debt as of December 31, 2013 was $944.7 million, including the current portion of $17.4 million, of which our 83/8% Senior Notes and 63/8% Senior Notes bear a fixed interest rate and the credit facility bears an interest rate based on, either a) the LIBOR interest rate, or b) the ABR rate, which is an interest rate that is equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1 percent, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1%. In addition, the rate we select also bears an applicable margin based upon our consolidated senior secured leverage ratio, set at 2.75% and 1.75% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively, as of the date of this report. Following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014, these rates will be 3% and 2% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Additionally, borrowings under the incremental term loan facility bear interest at a rate based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin of 3%; or an adjusted Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 2%; provided, that the adjusted LIBOR rate and the adjusted Base Rate shall at no time be less than 1% and 2%, respectively.
Accordingly, we are exposed to potential losses related to increases in interest rates. The outstanding balance on our senior secured credit facility was $435.9 million as of December 31, 2013. Therefore, a hypothetical 1% increase in the floating rate used as the basis for the interest charged on our senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2013 would increase our annualized interest expense by $4.4 million, assuming such amounts remain outstanding under the facility.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See index on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company
in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policy or procedures may deteriorate. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As permitted by the SEC, we have excluded the acquisitions of Dedicated Media and HYFN from our evaluation as of December 31, 2013 because those companies were acquired by us in purchase business combinations in April 2013. Dedicated Media and HYFN assets each represent 1% of consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2013 and net revenues from Dedicated Media and HYFN represent 3% and less than 1%, respectively, of consolidated net revenue for the year ending December 31, 2013. Based on this evaluation, which excludes Dedicated Media and HYFN, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
c) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information regarding members of our Board of Directors is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders under the caption "Directors and Executive Officers" and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our executive officers is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders under the caption "Executive Officers" and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding Section 16(a) compliance is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding our Audit Committee and our Audit Committee Financial Expert is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders under the caption "Report of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors" and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the captions "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Director Compensation," "Report of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors," and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation," which is incorporated by reference in this report.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
Equity compensation plans
The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under our share-based compensation plans, including our Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Option Plan, Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, as of December 31, 2013:
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| | | | | | | | | |
Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options warrants and rights | | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options warrants and rights | | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the stock-based compensation plans(1) |
Share-based compensation plans approved by security holders | 4,412,352 |
| | $ | 3.58 |
| | 2,375,605 |
|
Share-based compensation plans not approved by security holders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
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(1) | Includes 1,027,267 shares available for future issuance under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan, and excludes 1,552,983 shares under plans in effect prior to 2002 from which we do not intend to re-grant and consider unavailable for future grant, and 1,348,338 shares available for future issuance under the Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. Both the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and the Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, in addition to the future grant of share options, permit the grant of "share awards" that may take the form of restricted or unrestricted shares, with or without payment for such share awards. |
Other Information
All other information required by this item is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management", which is incorporated by reference in this report.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The response to this item is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions", which is incorporated by reference in this report.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The response to this item is contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Other Matters", which is incorporated by reference in this report.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
| |
(a) | See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1. |
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| | | |
No. | | Description |
2.1 |
| | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 12, 2013, among LIN TV Corp. and LIN Media LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to LIN TV Corp.'s and LIN Television Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K on February 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
3.1 |
| | Certificate of Formation of LIN Media LLC, dated as of February 11, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 Annex B to the proxy statement/prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of LIN Media LLC (File No. 333-188297))and incorporated by reference herein). |
3.2 |
| | Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated July 30, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to LIN Media LLC's Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
3.3 |
| | Form of specimen share certificate for class A common shares representing limited liability company interests in LIN Media LLC (included as Exhibit A to Annex B to the proxy statement/prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of LIN Media LLC (File No. 333-188297)) and incorporated by reference herein.
|
3.4 |
| | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of LIN Television Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of LIN TV Corp. and LIN Television Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference). |
3.5 |
| | Restated Bylaws of LIN Television Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of LIN Television Corporation and LIN Holding Corp. (Registration No. 333-54003 and incorporated herein by reference)) |
4.1 |
| | Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2010, among LIN Television Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, for the 83/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to LIN TV Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference) |
4.2 |
| | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Digital Media LLC, LIN Digital LLC, LIN Television Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, amending the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to LIN Media LLC's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
4.3 |
| | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2013, among LIN Mobile, LLC, LIN Television Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee amending the Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to LIN TV Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
4.4 |
| | Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2012, among LIN Television Corporation, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, for the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to LIN TV Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed as of October 17, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference). |
4.5 |
| | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Digital Media LLC, LIN Digital LLC, LIN Television Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, amending the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to LIN Media LLC's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
4.6 |
| | Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2013, among LIN Mobile, LLC, LIN Television Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee amending the Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 4.5 to LIN TV Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.1 |
| * | LIN Media LLC 1998 Stock Option Plan (as amended and restated effective as of July 30, 2013) (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.2 |
| * | LIN Media LLC 2002 Stock Plan (as amended and restated effective as of July 30, 2013) (filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.3 |
| * | LIN Media LLC amended and restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (as amended and restated effective as of July 30, 2013) (filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on July 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
|
| | | |
No. | | Description |
10.4 |
| * | Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation and Subsidiary Companies (as amended and restated effective December 21, 2004) (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the LIN TV Corp. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference) filed March 16, 2005. |
10.5 |
| * | Second Amendment to the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation and Subsidiary Companies, dated as of December 23, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the LIN TV Corp. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.6 |
| * | LIN Television Corporation Supplemental Income Deferral Plan Effective July 1, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the LIN TV Corp. Form 10-Q filed as of July 29, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference herein). |
10.7 |
| * | Form of Employee Grant Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to LIN TV Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.8 |
| * | Form of Non-Employee Director Grant Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to LIN TV Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed as of March 15, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.9 |
| * | Form of a Non-Qualified Stock Option Letter Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to LIN TV Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed as of July 6, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.10 |
| * | Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed as of August 16, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.11 |
| * | Clarification of the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation and Subsidiary Companies, dated October 29, 2009. (Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 10-Q filed as of November 3, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.12 |
| * | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Television Corporation and Vincent L. Sadusky (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.13 |
| * | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Television Corporation and Richard J. Schmaeling (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.14 |
| * | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Television Corporation and Robert Richter (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.15 |
| * | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated September 27, 2013, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Television Corporation and Denise M. Parent (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed on September 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.16 |
| * | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated January 6, 2014, among LIN Media LLC, LIN Television Corporation and John A. Howell IV (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to LIN Media LLC's Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). |
|
| | | |
10.17 |
| | Credit Agreement dated as of October 26, 2011, among LIN Television Corporation, as the Borrower, the Lenders Party therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, as an Issuing Lender and as Swingline Lender, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, Suntrust Bank, Bank of America, N.A., and U.S. Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other parties thereto (the "Credit Agreement") (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 10-Q filed as of November 8, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.18 |
| | First Amendment, dated as of December 19, 2011, to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2011, among LIN Television Corporation, the several Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, an Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, Suntrust Bank, Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to LIN Television Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed as of December 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference). |
|
| | | |
No. | | Description |
10.19 |
| | Second Amendment, dated as of December 24, 2012, to Credit Agreement, Exhibit 99.1 dated as of October 26, 2011, among LIN Television Corporation, the several Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent, an Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Syndication Agents, Suntrust Bank, Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other parties thereto (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to our Form 8-K filed as of December 27, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.20 |
| | Incremental Term Loan Activation Notice, Tranche B Term Facility, dated December 21, 2011, by and among LIN Television Corporation, the several Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. as Administrative Agent, and the Incremental Lenders signatory thereto. (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to LIN Television Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed as of December 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.21 |
| | Incremental Term Loan Activation Notice Tranche B-2 Term Facility, dated as of February 12, 2013, by and between LIN Television Corporation and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed as of February 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.22 |
| | Transaction Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2013, by and among LIN TV Corp., LIN Television Corporation, LIN Television of Texas, L.P., NBC Telemundo License LLC, NBCU New LLC I, NBCU New LLC II, General Electric Company, General Electric Capital Corporation, National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc. Comcast Corporation, Lone Star SPV, LLC, Station Venture Holdings, LLC and NBCUniversal Media,LLC (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to LIN Television Corporation's Form 8-K filed as of February 15, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference). |
10.23 |
| | Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 27, 2014, between LIN Digital Media LLC and FMPL Holdings, Inc., the sole stockholder of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. filed as Exhibit 10.23 herein. |
21 |
| | Subsidiaries of the Registrant |
23.1 |
| | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
23.2 |
| | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
31.1 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer of LIN Media LLC |
31.2 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial Officer of LIN Media LLC |
31.3 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer of LIN Television Corporation |
31.4 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial Officer of LIN Television Corporation |
32.1 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of LIN Media LLC |
32.2 |
| | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of LIN Television Corporation |
101.INS |
| ** | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
| ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL |
| ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.LAB |
| ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
|
| | |
101.PRE | ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | ** | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
* | Management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K. |
| |
** | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability. |
(c) Financial Statement Schedule
The following financial statement schedule is filed herewith:
Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of LIN Media LLC and LIN Television Corporation, has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
| |
| LIN Media LLC LIN Television Corporation |
| |
Date: March 3, 2014 | /s/ VINCENT L. SADUSKY |
| Vincent L. Sadusky President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of each of LIN Media LLC and LIN Television Corporation in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
/s/ VINCENT L. SADUSKY | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | | March 3, 2014 |
Vincent L. Sadusky | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ RICHARD J. SCHMAELING | | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | | March 3, 2014 |
Richard J. Schmaeling | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ NICHOLAS N. MOHAMED | | Vice President, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | | March 3, 2014 |
Nicholas N. Mohamed | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ WILLIAM S. BANOWSKY, JR. | | | | |
William S. Banowsky, Jr. | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ PETER S. BRODSKY | | | | |
Peter S. Brodsky | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ ROYAL W. CARSON, III | | | | |
Royal W. Carson, III | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ DR. WILLIAM H. CUNNINGHAM | | | | |
Dr. William H. Cunningham | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ DOUGLAS W. MCCORMICK | | | | |
Douglas W. McCormick | | Chairman of the Board | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ JOHN R. MUSE | | | | |
John R. Muse | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
| | | | |
/s/ MICHAEL A. PAUSIC | | | | |
Michael A. Pausic | | Director | | March 3, 2014 |
Index to Financial Statements
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LIN Media LLC | |
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LIN Television Corporation | |
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Financial Statement Schedule | |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of LIN Media LLC:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LIN Media LLC and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As described in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Dedicated Media, Inc. (“Dedicated Media”) and HYFN, Inc. (“HYFN”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 because they were acquired by the Company in purchase business combinations in April 2013. We have also excluded Dedicated Media and HYFN from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Dedicated Media and HYFN’s assets each represent 1% of consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2013 and net revenues from Dedicated Media and HYFN represent 3% and less than 1%, respectively, of consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
March 3, 2014
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
| (in thousands, except share data) |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,525 |
| | $ | 46,307 |
|
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2013—$3,188; 2012—$3,599) | 145,309 |
| | 126,150 |
|
Deferred income tax assets | 6,898 |
| | — |
|
Other current assets | 15,201 |
| | 6,863 |
|
Total current assets | 179,933 |
| | 179,320 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 221,078 |
| | 241,491 |
|
Deferred financing costs | 16,448 |
| | 19,135 |
|
Goodwill | 203,528 |
| | 192,514 |
|
Broadcast licenses | 536,515 |
| | 536,515 |
|
Other intangible assets, net | 47,049 |
| | 59,554 |
|
Other assets | 12,299 |
| | 12,885 |
|
Total assets (a) | $ | 1,216,850 |
| | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 17,364 |
| | $ | 10,756 |
|
Accounts payable | 14,002 |
| | 18,955 |
|
Income taxes payable | 1,420 |
| | 766 |
|
Accrued expenses | 51,696 |
| | 153,246 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | — |
| | 168,219 |
|
Program obligations | 7,027 |
| | 10,770 |
|
Total current liabilities | 91,509 |
| | 362,712 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | 927,328 |
| | 879,471 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | 64,686 |
| | 40,556 |
|
Program obligations | 4,146 |
| | 4,281 |
|
Other liabilities | 27,209 |
| | 42,716 |
|
Total liabilities (a) | 1,114,878 |
| | 1,329,736 |
|
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13) |
|
| |
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 12,845 |
| | 3,242 |
|
LIN Media LLC shareholders' equity (deficit): | | | |
Class A common shares, 100,000,000 shares authorized, Issued: 39,013,005 and 35,672,528 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, Outstanding: 34,065,346 and 30,724,869 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (b) | 624,564 |
| | 313 |
|
Class B common shares, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 20,901,726 and 23,401,726 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, issued and outstanding; convertible into an equal number of shares of class A or class C common shares (b) | 518,395 |
| | 235 |
|
Class C common shares, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 2 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, issued and outstanding; convertible into an equal number of shares of class A common shares | — |
| | — |
|
Treasury shares, 4,947,659 of class A common shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, at cost (b) | (21,984 | ) | | (21,984 | ) |
Additional paid-in capital (b) | — |
| | 1,129,691 |
|
Accumulated deficit | (1,006,322 | ) | | (1,164,435 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (25,526 | ) | | (35,384 | ) |
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) | 89,127 |
| | (91,564 | ) |
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders' equity (deficit) | $ | 1,216,850 |
| | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
_____________________________________________________________________ | |
(a) | Our consolidated assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include total assets of $56,056 and $60,380, respectively, of variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. These assets include broadcast licenses and other intangible assets of $44,677 and $46,604 and program rights of $2,186 and $2,060 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our consolidated liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $4,126 and $4,577, respectively, of total liabilities of the VIEs for which the VIE's creditors have no recourse to the Company, including $2,727 and $4,152, respectively, of program obligations. See further description in Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." |
| |
(b) | In conjunction with the Merger of LIN TV with and into LIN LLC on July 30, 2013, LIN LLC was deemed the successor reporting entity to LIN TV. As such, the additional paid-in capital amount within LIN LLC's shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2013 has been allocated to the Class A and B share balances to conform to LIN LLC's basis of presentation as a limited liability company. For purposes of LIN TV's shareholders' deficit balance as of December 31, 2012, LIN TV's class A, B and C common shares had a par value of $0.01 per share that is not reflected as of December 31, 2013, as each share represents a limited liability interest in LIN LLC. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Net revenues | $ | 652,363 |
| | $ | 553,462 |
| | $ | 400,003 |
|
Operating expenses: | | | | | |
Direct operating | 251,078 |
| | 160,222 |
| | 130,618 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | 162,550 |
| | 125,267 |
| | 103,770 |
|
Amortization of program rights | 29,242 |
| | 23,048 |
| | 21,406 |
|
Corporate | 41,377 |
| | 34,246 |
| | 26,481 |
|
Depreciation | 46,854 |
| | 32,149 |
| | 26,246 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | 22,826 |
| | 6,364 |
| | 1,199 |
|
Restructuring | 3,895 |
| | 1,009 |
| | 707 |
|
Contract termination costs (Note 12) | 3,887 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | 710 |
| | 96 |
| | 472 |
|
Operating income | 89,944 |
| | 171,061 |
| | 89,104 |
|
Other expense: | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | 56,607 |
| | 46,683 |
| | 50,706 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | 56 |
| | 98,309 |
| | 4,957 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 3,341 |
| | 1,694 |
|
Other expense, net | 2,100 |
| | 237 |
| | 51 |
|
Total other expense, net | 58,763 |
| | 148,570 |
| | 55,448 |
|
Income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes | 31,181 |
| | 22,491 |
| | 33,656 |
|
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | (125,420 | ) | | 40,463 |
| | (16,045 | ) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | 156,601 |
| | (17,972 | ) | | 49,701 |
|
Discontinued operations: | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of a benefit from income taxes of $541 and $595 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively | — |
| | (1,018 | ) | | (920 | ) |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of a provision for income taxes of $6,223 for the year ended December 31, 2012 | — |
| | 11,389 |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) | 156,601 |
| | (7,601 | ) | | 48,781 |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC: | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 3.02 |
| | $ | (0.32 | ) | | $ | 0.89 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | (0.02 | ) | | (0.02 | ) |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 0.21 |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 3.02 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.87 |
|
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating basic income (loss) per common share | 52,439 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 55,768 |
|
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC: | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 2.84 |
| | $ | (0.32 | ) | | $ | 0.87 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | (0.02 | ) | | (0.02 | ) |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 0.21 |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 2.84 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.85 |
|
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating diluted income (loss) per common share | 55,639 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 57,079 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Net income (loss) | $ | 156,601 |
| | $ | (7,601 | ) | | $ | 48,781 |
|
Pension net gain (loss), net of tax of $5,705, $1,523 and $(7,291) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively | 8,738 |
| | 2,424 |
| | (11,212 | ) |
Amortization of pension net losses, net of tax of $734, $609 and $379 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, reclassified | 1,120 |
| | 969 |
| | 374 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) | 166,459 |
| | (4,208 | ) | | 37,943 |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 167,971 |
| | $ | (3,652 | ) | | $ | 37,739 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Treasury Shares (at cost) | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Shareholders' Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 35,672,528 |
| | $ | 313 |
| | 23,401,726 |
| | $ | 235 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | 1,129,691 |
| | $ | (1,164,435 | ) | | $ | (35,384 | ) | | $ | (91,564 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $6,439 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,858 |
| | 9,858 |
|
Issuance of class A common shares | 840,477 |
| | 395 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,450 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,845 |
|
Conversion of class B common shares to class A common shares | 2,500,000 |
| | 25 |
| | (2,500,000 | ) | | (25 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Tax benefit from exercise of share options | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,591 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,591 |
|
Share-based compensation | — |
| | 2,593 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,691 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,284 |
|
Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 158,113 |
| | — |
| | 158,113 |
|
Effect of the Merger | — |
| | 621,238 |
| | — |
| | 518,185 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,139,423 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 39,013,005 |
| | $ | 624,564 |
| | 20,901,726 |
| | $ | 518,395 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | ��� |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (1,006,322 | ) | | $ | (25,526 | ) | | $ | 89,127 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Deficit
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Shares | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Treasury Shares (at cost) | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders' Deficit |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 34,650,169 |
| | $ | 309 |
| | 23,401,726 |
| | $ | 235 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (10,598 | ) | | $ | 1,121,589 |
| | $ | (1,157,390 | ) | | $ | (38,777 | ) | | $ | (84,632 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $2,132 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,393 |
| | 3,393 |
|
Issuance of class A common stock | 1,022,359 |
| | 4 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,310 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,314 |
|
Stock-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,792 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,792 |
|
Purchase of LIN TV class A common stock | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (11,386 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (11,386 | ) |
Net loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (7,045 | ) | | — |
| | (7,045 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 35,672,528 |
| | $ | 313 |
| | 23,401,726 |
| | $ | 235 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | 1,129,691 |
| | $ | (1,164,435 | ) | | $ | (35,384 | ) | | $ | (91,564 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Deficit
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | Class B | | Class C | | Treasury Stock (at cost) | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders' Deficit |
| Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2010 | 32,509,759 |
| | $ | 294 |
| | 23,502,059 |
| | $ | 235 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (7,869 | ) | | $ | 1,109,814 |
| | $ | (1,205,967 | ) | | $ | (27,939 | ) | | $ | (131,432 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $(6,912) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10,838 | ) | | (10,838 | ) |
Issuance of LIN TV Corp. class A common stock | 1,150,000 |
| | 12 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,761 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,773 |
|
Purchase of LIN TV Corp. class A common stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | (2,729 | ) | | | | | | | | (2,729 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | 890,077 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,014 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,017 |
|
Conversion of class B common stock to class A common stock | 100,333 |
| | — |
| | (100,333 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 48,577 |
| | — |
| | 48,577 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 34,650,169 |
| | $ | 309 |
| | 23,401,726 |
| | $ | 235 |
| | 2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (10,598 | ) | | $ | 1,121,589 |
| | $ | (1,157,390 | ) | | $ | (38,777 | ) | | $ | (84,632 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | 156,601 |
| | $ | (7,601 | ) | | $ | 48,781 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations | — |
| | 1,018 |
| | 920 |
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operations | — |
| | (11,389 | ) | | — |
|
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation | 46,854 |
| | 32,149 |
| | 26,246 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | 22,826 |
| | 6,364 |
| | 1,199 |
|
Amortization of financing costs and note discounts | 3,638 |
| | 2,589 |
| | 3,755 |
|
Amortization of program rights | 29,242 |
| | 23,048 |
| | 21,406 |
|
Cash payments for programming | (31,677 | ) | | (24,258 | ) | | (24,622 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 1,830 |
| | 1,694 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Share of loss in equity investments | 56 |
| | 98,309 |
| | 4,957 |
|
Deferred income taxes, net | (27,222 | ) | | 38,263 |
| | (16,586 | ) |
Extinguishment of income tax liability related to the Merger | (131,481 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Share-based compensation | 9,374 |
| | 6,857 |
| | 6,176 |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | 710 |
| | 96 |
| | 472 |
|
Other, net | (1,155 | ) | | 1,724 |
| | 754 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | (10,958 | ) | | (33,403 | ) | | (8,825 | ) |
Other assets | (4,254 | ) | | (2,146 | ) | | (138 | ) |
Accounts payable | (8,679 | ) | | 7,983 |
| | 3,318 |
|
Income taxes payable | 654 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Accrued interest expense | 4,327 |
| | 1,746 |
| | (851 | ) |
Other liabilities and accrued expenses | (9,889 | ) | | 6,256 |
| | (3,634 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations | 48,967 |
| | 149,435 |
| | 63,062 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | (2,736 | ) | | (402 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 48,967 |
| | 146,699 |
| | 62,660 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | (29,374 | ) | | (28,230 | ) | | (20,069 | ) |
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | 255,159 |
| | (255,159 | ) |
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired | (10,082 | ) | | (358,495 | ) | | (9,033 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets | 86 |
| | 79 |
| | 74 |
|
Payments on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (2,020 | ) |
Shortfall loans to joint venture with NBCUniversal | — |
| | (2,292 | ) | | (2,483 | ) |
Capital contribution to joint venture with NBCUniversal | (100,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Other investments, net | — |
| | — |
| | (375 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities, continuing operations | (139,370 | ) | | (133,779 | ) | | (289,065 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | 29,520 |
| | (115 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (139,370 | ) | | (104,259 | ) | | (289,180 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net proceeds on exercises of employee and director share-based compensation | 1,845 |
| | 1,314 |
| | 841 |
|
Tax benefit from exercises of share options | 1,591 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt | 139,000 |
| | 328,333 |
| | 417,695 |
|
Principal payments on long-term debt | (85,160 | ) | | (322,179 | ) | | (175,216 | ) |
Payment of long-term debt issue costs | (655 | ) | | (10,272 | ) | | (7,662 | ) |
Treasury shares purchased | — |
| | (11,386 | ) | | (2,729 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 56,621 |
| | (14,190 | ) | | 232,929 |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (33,782 | ) | | 28,250 |
| | 6,409 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 46,307 |
| | 18,057 |
| | 11,648 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | 12,525 |
| | $ | 46,307 |
| | $ | 18,057 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
LIN Media LLC ("LIN LLC"), together with its subsidiaries, including LIN Television Corporation ("LIN Television"), is a local multimedia company operating in the United States. LIN LLC and its subsidiaries are affiliates of Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. ("HMC"). In these notes, the terms "Company," "we," "us" or "our" mean LIN LLC and all subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements.
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV Corp., a Delaware corporation (“LIN TV”), completed its merger with and into LIN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of LIN TV, with LIN LLC as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 12, 2013, by and between LIN TV and LIN LLC (the “Merger Agreement”). Entry into the Merger Agreement had previously been announced by LIN TV on its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013.
LIN LLC filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 (the “Form 8-K”) for the purpose of establishing LIN LLC as the successor registrant to LIN TV pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and to disclose certain related matters, including the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the filing of the Form 8-K, the class A common shares representing limited liability interests in LIN LLC, as the successor registrant to LIN TV, were deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. References to "LIN LLC," "we," "us," or the "Company" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the Merger shall be deemed to refer to LIN TV as the predecessor registrant to LIN LLC. For more information concerning the effects of the Merger and the succession of LIN LLC to LIN TV upon its effectiveness, please see the Form 8-K.
We conduct our business through LIN Television and its subsidiaries. Prior to the Merger, LIN TV had no operations or assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. Subsequent to the Merger and consistent with its classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, LIN LLC has separate operations relating to the administration of the partnership. The consolidated financial statements of LIN LLC represent its own operations and the consolidated operations of LIN Television, which remains a corporation after the Merger.
We guarantee all of LIN Television's debt. All of the consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee LIN Television's Senior Secured Credit Facility, 83/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "83/8% Senior Notes") and 63/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "63/8% Senior Notes") on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions.
Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. See Note 3—"Discontinued Operations" for further discussion of our discontinued operations.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Certain changes in classifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Our significant accounting policies are described below.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company, our wholly-owned and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which we are the primary beneficiary. We review all local marketing agreements ("LMAs"), shared services agreements ("SSAs") or joint sales agreements ("JSAs"), to evaluate whether consolidation of entities party to such arrangements is required. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We conduct our business through our subsidiaries and have no operations or assets other than our investment in our subsidiaries and equity-method investments. We operate in one reportable segment.
Joint Venture Sale Transaction
On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries LIN Television and LIN Television of Texas, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LIN Texas”), entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with NBC Telemundo License LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBC”), NBCU New LLC I, a Delaware limited liability company, NBCU New LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company, General Electric Company, a New York corporation (“GE”), General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“GECC” and together with GE, the “GE Parties”), National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Comcast”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBCUniversal”), Lone Star SPV,
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Station Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SVH”). SVH held a 99.75% interest in Station Venture Operations, LP (“SVO”), which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture. The Transaction Agreement effected a series of transactions related to the ownership and sale of LIN Texas's 20.38% equity interest in SVH, a joint venture in which NBC, an affiliate of NBCUniversal, held the remaining 79.62% equity interest (collectively, the “JV Sale Transaction”).
SVH was a limited partner in a business that operated an NBC affiliate in Dallas and an NBC affiliate in San Diego pursuant to a management agreement. At the time of LIN Texas’s acquisition of its interest in SVH in 1998, GECC provided secured debt financing to SVH in the form of a $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 to GECC (the “GECC Note”), and, in connection with SVH’s assumption of the GECC Note, LIN TV guaranteed the payment of the full amount of principal and interest on the GECC Note (the “GECC Guarantee”).
In addition, during 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, LIN Television entered into agreements with SVH, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal pursuant to which LIN Television, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal caused to be provided to SVH certain unsecured shortfall funding loans (the “Shortfall Funding Loans”) on the basis of each party’s percentage of equity interest in SVH in order to fund interest payments on the GECC Note.
Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million incremental term loan facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available federal net operating loss carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had a $162.8 million income tax payable associated with this transaction remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement further described below.
Concurrent with the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV entered into the Merger Agreement with LIN LLC as described above. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and the change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes, and LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million, which represented the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of such stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and, we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Variable Interest Entities
In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.
We have a JSA and an SSA with WBDT Television, LLC (“WBDT”), a third party licensee, for WBDT-TV in the Dayton, OH market. We also have JSAs and SSAs with affiliates of Vaughan Acquisition LLC (“Vaughan”), a third party licensee, for WTGS-TV in the Savannah, GA market, WYTV-TV in the Youngstown, OH market and KTKA-TV in the Topeka, KS market and SSAs with KASY-TV Licensee, LLC (“KASY”), a third-party licensee, for KWBQ-TV in the Santa Fe, NM market, KRWB-TV in the Roswell, NM market and KASY-TV in the Albuquerque, NM market. Under these agreements, we provide administrative services to these stations, have an obligation to reimburse certain of the stations' expenses, and we are compensated through a performance-based fee structure that provides us the benefit of certain returns from the operation of these stations.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
We determined that WBDT, Vaughan and KASY are VIEs and as a result of the JSAs and/or SSAs, we have variable interests in these entities. We are the primary beneficiary of these entities, and therefore, we consolidate these entities within our consolidated financial statements.
The carrying amounts and classifications of the assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities described above, which have been included in our consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 278 |
| | $ | 418 |
|
Accounts receivable, net | 6,345 |
| | 6,021 |
|
Other assets | 927 |
| | 2,092 |
|
Total current assets | 7,550 |
| | 8,531 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 2,469 |
| | 3,190 |
|
Broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, net | 44,677 |
| | 46,604 |
|
Other assets | 1,360 |
| | 2,055 |
|
Total assets | $ | 56,056 |
| | $ | 60,380 |
|
LIABILITIES | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 1,451 |
|
Accounts payable | 63 |
| | — |
|
Accrued expenses | 1,336 |
| | 425 |
|
Program obligations | 1,303 |
| | 2,185 |
|
Total current liabilities | 3,864 |
| | 4,061 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | 3,005 |
| | 3,950 |
|
Program obligations | 1,424 |
| | 1,967 |
|
Other liabilities | 47,763 |
| | 50,402 |
|
Total liabilities | $ | 56,056 |
| | $ | 60,380 |
|
The assets of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. Other liabilities of $47.8 million and $50.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, serve to reduce the carrying value of the entities, and are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, LIN Television has an option that it may exercise if the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") attribution rules change. The option would allow LIN Television to acquire the assets or member's interest of the VIE entities for a nominal exercise price, which is significantly less than the carrying value of their tangible and intangible net assets.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used for the allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, assumptions used to determine fair value of financial instruments, amortization and impairment of program rights and intangible assets, share-based compensation and other long-term incentive compensation arrangements, pension costs, barter transactions, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment, contingencies, litigation and net assets of businesses acquired.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid, short-term investments that have an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. All of our available cash is on deposit with banking institutions that we believe to be financially sound. We had no material losses on our cash or cash equivalents during 2013.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are an average of 30 to 40 years for buildings and fixtures, and 3 to 15 years for broadcast and other equipment. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in consolidated net income or loss. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, including expenditures for planned major maintenance activities, are expensed as incurred. We review our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Equity investments
Equity investments that we do not have a controlling interest in are accounted for using the equity method. Our share of the net income or loss for these investments, including any equity investment impairments or payments under related guarantees, is included in share of loss from equity investments on our consolidated statement of operations. We review our interest in our equity investments for impairment if there is a series of operating losses or other factors that may indicate that there is a decrease in the value of our investment that is other than temporary.
Revenue recognition
We recognize local, national and political advertising sales, net of agency commissions, during the period in which the advertisements or programs are aired on our television stations, and when payment is reasonably assured. Internet and mobile advertisement sales are recognized when the advertisement is displayed on our websites or the websites of our advertising network. We recognize retransmission consent fees in the period in which our service is delivered. Revenue generated by our digital companies is recognized over the service delivery period when necessary provisions of the contracts have been met. In addition, for the sale of third-party products and services by our digital companies, we evaluate whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to the customer or the net amount retained by us.
Barter transactions
We account for barter transactions at the fair value of the goods or services we receive from our customers, or the advertising time provided, whichever is more clearly indicative of fair value based on the judgment of our management. We record barter advertising revenue at the time the advertisement is aired and barter expense at the time the goods or services are used. We account for barter programs at fair value based on a calculation using the actual cash advertisements we sell within barter programs multiplied by one minus the program profit margin for similar syndicated programs where we pay cash to acquire the program rights. We record barter program revenue and expense when we air the barter program. We do not record barter revenue or expenses related to network programs. Barter revenue and expense included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Barter revenue | $ | 5,552 |
| | $ | 4,220 |
| | $ | 4,071 |
|
Barter expense | (5,455 | ) | | (4,176 | ) | | (3,967 | ) |
Advertising expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. We incurred advertising costs in the amounts of $3.9 million, $3.1 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets primarily include broadcast licenses, network affiliations, customer relationships, completed technology, non-compete agreements and goodwill.
We consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets and as a result, we test the impairment of our broadcast licenses annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The use of an indefinite life for our broadcast licenses is based on our ability to renew the licenses and that such renewals generally may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost and that the technology used in broadcasting is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Therefore, cash flows derived from the broadcast licenses are expected to continue indefinitely. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. The
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of broadcast licenses with their carrying amount on a station-by-station basis using a discounted cash-flow valuation method, assuming a hypothetical start-up scenario. The future value of our broadcast licenses could be significantly impaired by the loss of the corresponding network affiliation agreements. Accordingly, such an event could trigger an assessment of the carrying value of a broadcast license.
We test the impairment of goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. Our reporting units are comprised of each of the markets in which our television stations operate, LIN Digital, Nami Media, Dedicated Media, Inc. ("Dedicated Media") and HYFN, Inc. ("HYFN"). The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined through the use of a discounted cash flow analysis. The valuation assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model reflect historical and projected performance of the reporting unit and prevailing values in the markets for similar assets. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit's fair value (as determined in step one) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not more than the carrying value of the goodwill. An impairment assessment could be triggered by a significant reduction, or a forecast of such reductions, in operating results or cash flows at one or more of our reporting units, a significant adverse change in the national or local advertising marketplaces in which our television stations operate, or by adverse changes to FCC ownership rules, among other factors. We recorded an impairment charge during 2011, which is more fully described in Note 6—"Intangible Assets."
Long-lived assets
We periodically evaluate the net realizable value of long-lived assets, including tangible and intangible assets, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. When evaluating assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset group (undiscounted and without interest charges). If the estimated future cash flows used in this analysis are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss calculation is prepared. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the asset group's estimated future cash flows (discounted and with interest charges). If required, an impairment loss is recorded for the portion of the asset group's carrying value that exceeds the asset group's estimated future cash flows.
Program rights
Program rights are recorded as assets when the license period begins and the programs are delivered to our stations for broadcasting, at the gross amount of the related obligations. Costs incurred in connection with the purchase of programs to be broadcast within one year are classified as other current assets, while costs of those programs to be broadcast subsequently are considered non-current. Program costs are charged to operations over their estimated broadcast periods in a manner consistent with actual usage.
If the estimated net realizable value of acquired programming rights is less than unamortized cost (i.e. due to poor ratings), we would recognize an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the program rights to their net realizable value.
Program obligations are classified as current or non-current in accordance with the payment terms of the license agreement.
Share-based compensation
As of December 31, 2013, we have several share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 9—"Share-Based Compensation." We estimate the fair value of share option awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the option's expected term, the expected volatility of the underlying shares and the number of share option awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and our historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical trends for our class A common shares over the expected term. Expected forfeitures are estimated using our historical experience. If future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, our future share-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Direct operating | $ | 320 |
| | $ | 270 |
| | $ | 256 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | 1,460 |
| | 1,019 |
| | 1,266 |
|
Corporate | 7,594 |
| | 5,568 |
| | 4,654 |
|
Total share-based compensation | $ | 9,374 |
| | $ | 6,857 |
| | $ | 6,176 |
|
Our accounting policy is to follow the tax law ordering approach regarding net operating losses and determining when tax benefits are realized related to excess share option deductions and credited to equity.
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We consider future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for establishing or removing a valuation allowance. We record or subsequently remove a valuation allowance to reflect our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event that our determination changes regarding the realization of all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is recorded to our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such a determination is made. Due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we reversed an $18.2 million valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit during 2013. For further discussion regarding this reversal, see Note 14 - "Income Taxes."
When accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we follow the prescribed recognition threshold and measurement methodology for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and investments are limited as we maintain primary banking relationships with only large nationally recognized institutions. We evaluated the viability of these institutions as of December 31, 2013 and we believe our risk is minimal. Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited, as our trade receivables are primarily related to advertising revenues generated from a large diversified group of local and nationally recognized advertisers and advertising agencies. We do not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances, however, we do maintain reserves for potential bad debt losses, which are based on historical bad debt experience and an assessment of specific risks, and such reserves and bad debts have been within management's expectations for all years presented.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing income attributable to common shareholders by the number of weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of share options and vesting of restricted shares only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted income (loss) per common share (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Numerator for earnings per common share calculation: | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 156,601 |
| | $ | (17,972 | ) | | $ | 49,701 |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in continuing operations | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to LIN LLC | 158,113 |
| | (17,416 | ) | | 49,497 |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, including gain on sale | — |
| | 10,371 |
| | (920 | ) |
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN LLC | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
Denominator for earnings per common share calculation: | | | | | |
Weighted-average common shares, basic | 52,439 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 55,768 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | |
Share options and restricted shares | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | 1,311 |
|
Weighted-average common shares, diluted | 55,639 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 57,079 |
|
We apply the treasury stock method to measure the dilutive effect of our outstanding share options and restricted share awards and include the respective common share equivalents in the denominator of our diluted income per common share calculation. Potentially dilutive securities representing 0.1 million, 1.2 million, and 0.4 million weighted shares of common shares issuable for share options and restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for these periods because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The net income (loss) per share amounts are the same for our class A, class B and class C common shares because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share amounts whether through distributions or in liquidation.
Fair value of financial instruments
Certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value. For certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Derivative financial instruments
Derivatives are required to be recorded as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair values of derivatives are recognized immediately or deferred, depending on the use of the derivative and whether or not it qualifies as a hedge. We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the management of our interest rate exposure for our long-term debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative financial instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Retirement plans
We have a defined benefit retirement plan covering certain of our employees. Our pension benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using prescribed actuarial concepts. Additionally, we record the unfunded status of our plan on our consolidated balance sheets. Effective April 1, 2009, this plan was frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to this plan, however, we continue to fund our existing vested obligations.
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
The following table presents the activity of the redeemable noncontrolling interest included in our consolidated balance sheets related to Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media, which represents third parties’ proportionate share of our consolidated net assets (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | |
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest |
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest | $ | 3,503 |
|
Net loss | (556 | ) |
Share-based compensation | 295 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | 3,242 |
|
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest | 11,025 |
|
Net loss | (1,512 | ) |
Share-based compensation | 90 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 12,845 |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In July 2013 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” to eliminate diversity in practice. This ASU requires that companies net their unrecognized tax benefits against all same-jurisdiction net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. This new guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and interim periods therein. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-2, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amendments require an entity to disclose the impact of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income, by the respective line items of net income, if the amounts reclassified are reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The disclosure is required either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In July 2012, there were revisions to the accounting standard for impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. Under the revised standard a company can first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets is necessary. A company can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its indefinite-lived intangible assets, and can also bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the quantitative impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible in any period. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Note 2—Acquisitions
Federated Media Publishing, Inc.
On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television, acquired 100% of the capital stock of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"), which we subsequently converted into a Delaware limited liability company. Federated Media is a digital content and conversational marketing company that leverages the relationships and content from its publishing network to deliver contextually relevant advertising and conversational and engagement tools that reach agencies’ and brands’ targeted audiences across digital and social media platforms. The purchase price totaled $22.4 million plus an adjustment for working capital delivered at closing and was funded from cash on hand and amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility.
We are in the process of making preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Federated Media, utilizing information available at the time of this report and these estimates are subject to refinement until all pertinent information has been obtained. We expect to complete the process of finalizing the purchase accounting and final estimates of fair value of assets and liabilities during the twelve months following the acquisition.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Dedicated Media, Inc.
On April 9, 2013, LIN Television acquired a 60% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Dedicated Media, a multi-channel advertisement buying and optimization company. Dedicated Media employs new technologies to create, plan and execute digital marketing campaigns on behalf of its clients. The purchase price totaled $5.8 million, which was funded from cash on hand at the time of the acquisition.
Under the terms of our agreement with Dedicated Media, we agreed to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media by no later than February 15, 2015 if Dedicated Media achieves both (i) a target earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and (ii) a target gross profit in 2014, as outlined in the purchase agreement. The purchase price of these shares is based on multiples of Dedicated Media’s 2014 EBITDA and gross profit. Our maximum potential obligation under the purchase agreement is $26 million. If Dedicated Media does not meet the target EBITDA or target gross profit in 2014, we have the option to purchase the remaining outstanding shares using the same purchase price multiple.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by us in the acquisition (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 7,315 |
|
Equipment | 99 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 4,620 |
|
Goodwill | 1,854 |
|
Current liabilities | (4,302 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | (3,834 | ) |
Total | $ | 5,752 |
|
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of customer relationships of $3.9 million, completed technology of $0.5 million, and trademarks of $0.2 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of approximately 8 years for customer relationships, 4 years for completed technology and 2 years for trademarks.
HYFN, Inc.
On April 4, 2013, LIN Television acquired a 50.1% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in HYFN, a full service digital advertising agency specializing in the planning, development, deployment and support for websites, mobile sites, interactive banners, games and various applications for multiple devices. The purchase price totaled $7.2 million, $6.9 million of which was funded from cash on hand and $0.3 million was accrued at the time of the acquisition and was subsequently paid in accordance with the provisions of the purchase agreement during the first quarter of 2014.
Under the terms of our agreement with HYFN, we agreed to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of HYFN by no later than February 15, 2016 if HYFN achieves both (i) a target EBITDA and (ii) target net revenues in 2015, as outlined in the transaction agreements. The purchase price of these shares is based on multiples of HYFN’s 2015 net revenue and EBITDA. Our maximum potential obligation under the terms of our agreement is approximately $62.4 million. If HYFN does not meet the target EBITDA or target net revenues in 2015, we have the option to purchase the remaining outstanding shares using the same purchase price multiple.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by us in the acquisition (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 3,759 |
|
Non-current assets | 13 |
|
Equipment | 179 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 3,580 |
|
Goodwill | 9,160 |
|
Current liabilities | (920 | ) |
Non-current liabilities | (1,361 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | (7,191 | ) |
Total | $ | 7,219 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of customer relationships of $2.4 million, completed technology of $1.1 million, and trademarks of $0.1 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of approximately 8 years for customer relationships, 3 years for completed technology and 3 years for trademarks.
Goodwill of $1.9 million and $9.2 million is the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, and primarily represents the benefits of the incremental revenue we expect to generate from the acquisitions of Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively. None of the goodwill recognized in connection with the acquisitions of Dedicated Media and HYFN is deductible for tax purposes.
Our obligations to purchase the noncontrolling interest holders’ shares of both Dedicated Media and HYFN are outside of our control, because they are based on the achievement of certain financial targets described above. Therefore, the noncontrolling interest related to Dedicated Media and HYFN as of December 31, 2013 has been reported as redeemable noncontrolling interest and classified as temporary equity on our consolidated balance sheets. As of the acquisition dates, the fair values of the noncontrolling interests were $3.8 million and $7.2 million for Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively, and were measured based on the purchase prices for our 60% and 50.1% ownership interest in Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively, and the net assets acquired as of the acquisition dates. As of December 31, 2013, we believe that achievement of the financial targets is not yet probable and therefore, have not reflected these obligations in our consolidated financial statements.
If we do not purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media or HYFN by the dates set forth in the respective purchase agreements, the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to purchase our interest. The purchase price of these shares is based on the same purchase price multiple described above and is exercisable only if the applicable financial targets are not met and we do not elect to purchase the remaining interest. The fair value of our elective purchase options, and the fair value of the options held by the noncontrolling interest holders is zero and no amounts related to these options are included in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2013.
Net revenues and operating loss of HYFN and Dedicated Media included in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $24.2 million and $(2.8) million, respectively.
New Vision Acquisition
On October 12, 2012, LIN Television completed its acquisition of television stations in eight markets that were previously owned by affiliates of New Vision Television, LLC ("New Vision") for $334.9 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, and including the assumption of $14.3 million of finance lease obligations. Concurrent with the acquisition, Vaughan, a third-party licensee, completed its acquisition of separately owned television stations (the "Vaughan Acquired Stations") in three markets for $4.6 million from PBC Broadcasting, LLC ("PBC").
LIN Television also agreed to provide certain services to the Vaughan Acquired Stations pursuant to SSAs with Vaughan. Under the SSAs with Vaughan, we provide sales, administrative and technical services, supporting the business and operation of the Vaughan Acquired Stations in exchange for commissions and fees that provide us the benefit of certain returns from the business of the Vaughan Acquired Stations.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by both us and Vaughan in the acquisition (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Program rights assets | $ | 2,040 |
|
Property and equipment | 100,124 |
|
Broadcast licenses | 133,120 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 55,837 |
|
Goodwill | 65,024 |
|
Current liabilities | (417 | ) |
Non-current liabilities | (2,239 | ) |
Long-term debt assumed | (13,989 | ) |
Total | $ | 339,500 |
|
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of network affiliations of $30.8 million, favorable leases of $8.6 million, advertiser relationships of $6.1 million, retransmission consent agreements of $7 million, and other intangible assets of $3.3 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
approximately 2 years for network affiliations, 32 years for favorable leases, 10 years for advertiser relationships, 5 years for retransmission consent agreements, and a weighted average life of 6 years for other intangible assets.
The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 include the results of the New Vision stations since October 12, 2012. Net revenues and operating income of the television stations acquired during 2012 included in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $40 million and $11.2 million, respectively.
Pro Forma Information
The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that the acquisition of the television stations from New Vision, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred on January 1, 2011 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| 2012 | | 2011 |
Net revenue | $ | 658,163 |
| | $ | 514,340 |
|
Net (loss) income | $ | (11,720 | ) | | $ | 23,950 |
|
Basic (loss) income per common share attributable to LIN LLC | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | 0.43 |
|
Diluted (loss) income per common share attributable to LIN LLC | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | 0.42 |
|
This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2011. The pro forma adjustments reflect depreciation expense, amortization of intangibles and amortization of program contract costs related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transactions, exclusion of nonrecurring financing and transaction related costs and the related tax effects of the adjustments.
In connection with the acquisition of television stations from New Vision, we and New Vision incurred a combined total of $7.3 million of transaction related costs primarily related to legal and other professional services. These costs were not included in the 2012 pro forma amounts. The 2011 pro forma net income was adjusted to include these costs, as they are directly attributable to the acquisition.
ACME Television Acquisition
On December 10, 2012, LIN Television acquired certain assets of the ACME Television, LLC ("ACME") television stations KWBQ-TV, KRWB-TV and KASY-TV (collectively the "Acquired Stations"), each of which serves the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM market. KASY-TV Licensee, LLC ("KASY"), an unrelated third party, acquired the remaining assets of the Acquired Stations, including the FCC license. The aggregate purchase price for the Acquired Stations was $19 million, of which we paid approximately $17.3 million and KASY paid approximately $1.7 million.
LIN Television also agreed to provide certain services to the Acquired Stations pursuant to shared services arrangements with KASY. Under the shared services arrangements with KASY, we provide sales, administrative and technical services, supporting the business and operation of the Acquired Stations in exchange for commissions and fees that provide us the benefit of certain returns from the business of the Acquired Stations.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by both us and KASY in the acquisitions (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 1,656 |
|
Non-current assets | 1,968 |
|
Other intangible assets | 12,898 |
|
Goodwill | 5,331 |
|
Non-current liabilities | (2,858 | ) |
Total | $ | 18,995 |
|
Goodwill of $65 million and $5.3 million is the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, and primarily represents the benefits of synergies and economies of scale we expect to realize from the
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
acquisitions of the television stations from New Vision and ACME, respectively. All of the goodwill recognized in connection with the acquisitions of New Vision and ACME is deductible for tax purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, certain measurement period adjustments were made to the initial allocation performed in the fourth quarter of 2012 for the New Vision and ACME acquisitions, which were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Nami Media, Inc.
On November 22, 2011, LIN Television acquired a 57.6% interest (a 50.1% interest calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Nami Media Inc. ("Nami Media"), a digital advertising management and technology company. During 2013, Nami Media did not achieve the minimum threshold of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") required to obligate LIN LLC to acquire the remaining outstanding shares. As of the date of this report, we have not exercised our option to acquire the remaining outstanding shares.
Note 3—Discontinued Operations
WWHO-TV
On February 16, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of WWHO-TV, our CW affiliate serving Columbus, OH. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a loss on the sale of WWHO-TV of $0.4 million ($0.3 million, net of tax).
WUPW-TV
On April 21, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of WUPW-TV to WUPW, LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a gain on the sale of WUPW-TV of $18 million ($11.7 million, net of tax).
The following presents summarized information for the discontinued operations as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | 2012 | | 2011 |
| | WWHO- TV | | WUPW- TV | | Total | | WWHO- TV | | WUPW- TV | | Total |
Net revenues | | $ | 440 |
| | $ | 2,193 |
| | $ | 2,633 |
| | $ | 4,236 |
| | $ | 7,585 |
| | $ | 11,821 |
|
Operating (loss) income | | (393 | ) | | (1,166 | ) | | (1,559 | ) | | (699 | ) | | 1,079 |
| | 380 |
|
Net (loss) income | | (252 | ) | | (766 | ) | | (1,018 | ) | | (1,427 | ) | | 507 |
| | (920 | ) |
Note 4—Investments
Joint Venture with NBCUniversal
As of December 31, 2012, we held a 20.38% interest in SVH, a joint venture with NBCUniversal, and accounted for our interest using the equity method, as we did not have a controlling interest. SVH held a 99.75% interest in SVO, which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture.
As further described in Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies," on February 12, 2013, LIN TV, LIN Television, and LIN Texas entered into and simultaneously closed the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement among subsidiaries of NBCUniversal, Comcast, the GE Parties, and SVH.
Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table presents summarized financial information of SVH and SVO for the period from January 1, 2013 through February 12, 2013 and the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| January 1 - February 12, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
SVO: | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 11,951 |
| | $ | 143,474 |
| | $ | 118,833 |
|
Operating expenses | (9,148 | ) | | (79,124 | ) | | (71,350 | ) |
Net income before taxes | 2,805 |
| | 64,653 |
| | 47,791 |
|
Net income after taxes | 2,793 |
| | 64,515 |
| | 47,743 |
|
SVH: | | | | | |
Equity in income from limited partnership in SVO | $ | 2,786 |
| | $ | 64,354 |
| | $ | 47,624 |
|
Interest and other expense | (8,039 | ) | | (69,365 | ) | | (68,003 | ) |
Net loss | (5,253 | ) | | (5,011 | ) | | (20,379 | ) |
| | | | | |
Cash distributions to SVH from SVO | 6,905 |
| | 55,025 |
| | 53,846 |
|
Shortfall loans from LIN Television to SVH | — |
| | 2,292 |
| | 2,483 |
|
Shortfall loans from General Electric Company ("GE") to SVH | — |
| | 8,954 |
| | 9,701 |
|
| | | | | |
| February 12, | | December 31, | | |
| 2013 (2) | | 2012 | | |
SVH: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,905 |
| | $ | — |
| | |
Non-current assets | 205,433 |
| | 209,552 |
| | |
Current liabilities | 8,155 |
| | 544 |
| | |
Non-current liabilities(1) | 865,354 |
| | 864,927 |
| | |
Shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to LIN Television from SVH | 10,159 |
| | 10,080 |
| | |
Shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to NBCUniversal and General Electric from SVH | 39,695 |
| | 39,382 |
| | |
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | See Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" for further description of the GECC Note. Non-current liabilities includes shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to the joint venture partners. |
| |
(2) | Represents balances prior to the effect of the JV Sale Transaction. |
In 2008, we recorded an impairment charge that reduced the carrying value of our investment in SVH to $0. Subsequent to the reduction of the SVH carrying value to $0, and as a result of our guarantee of the GECC Note as further described in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies", we suspended recognition of equity method losses in our consolidated financial statements.
During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, based on our estimate of our probable shortfall obligations to the joint venture, we recognized contingent liabilities of $4.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the amounts that LIN Television expected to loan to SVH pursuant to the shortfall funding agreements with the GE Parties and NBCUniversal, as further described in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies." Because of uncertainty surrounding the joint venture's ability to repay shortfall loans, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the amounts recognized for accrued shortfall loans would not be recovered within a reasonable period of time, and concurrently recognized charges of $4.2 million and $4.7 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the shortfall loans, which were classified within Share of loss in equity investments in our consolidated statement of operations. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, as of February 12, 2013, we had no further shortfall funding obligations. Therefore, as of December 31, 2012, the remaining accrued shortfall funding liability of $6 million was also reversed and reflected in the Share of loss in equity investments line of our consolidated statement of operations.
Note 5—Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Land and land improvements | $ | 21,152 |
| | $ | 21,147 |
|
Buildings and fixtures | 179,209 |
| | 176,940 |
|
Broadcast equipment and other | 319,912 |
| | 311,907 |
|
Total property and equipment | 520,273 |
| | 509,994 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation | (299,195 | ) | | (268,503 | ) |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 221,078 |
| | $ | 241,491 |
|
We recorded depreciation expense of $46.9 million, $32.1 million and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Note 6—Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the carrying amount of each major class of intangible assets (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-Average Remaining Useful Life (in years) | | December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Network affiliations | 1 | | $ | 32,996 |
| | $ | 32,996 |
|
Customer relationships | 9 | | 14,941 |
| | 8,631 |
|
Non-compete agreements | 1 | | 1,588 |
| | 1,588 |
|
Completed technology | 3 | | 10,191 |
| | 6,370 |
|
Favorable leases | 31 | | 8,573 |
| | 8,573 |
|
Retransmission consent agreements | 4 | | 7,860 |
| | 7,859 |
|
Other intangible assets | 19 | | 9,817 |
| | 9,609 |
|
Accumulated amortization | | | (38,917 | ) | | (16,072 | ) |
Net finite-lived intangible assets | | | $ | 47,049 |
| | $ | 59,554 |
|
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Broadcast licenses | | | $ | 536,515 |
| | $ | 536,515 |
|
Summary: | | | | | |
Goodwill | | | $ | 203,528 |
| | $ | 192,514 |
|
Broadcast licenses and finite-lived intangible assets, net | | | 583,564 |
| | 596,069 |
|
Total intangible assets | | | $ | 787,092 |
| | $ | 788,583 |
|
We recorded amortization expense of $22.8 million, $6.4 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following table summarizes the projected aggregate amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | |
| Projected Aggregate Amortization Expense |
For the years ended December 31, | |
2014 | $ | 15,971 |
|
2015 | 5,783 |
|
2016 | 4,980 |
|
2017 | 3,266 |
|
2018 | 2,042 |
|
Thereafter | 15,007 |
|
Total | $ | 47,049 |
|
There were no events during 2013, 2012 and 2011 to warrant the performance of an interim impairment test of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. We recorded a $1.6 million impairment charge related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Balance as of January 1, 2013 and 2012, respectively | $ | 192,514 |
| | $ | 122,069 |
|
Acquisitions | 11,014 |
| | 70,445 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively | $ | 203,528 |
| | $ | 192,514 |
|
Note 7—Debt
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
|
$118,750 and $125,000 Term loans, net of discount of $345 and $435 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 118,405 |
| | 124,565 |
|
$314,200 and $257,400 Incremental term loans, net of discount of $1,684 and $2,020 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 312,516 |
| | 255,380 |
|
83/8% Senior Notes due 2018 | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
63/8% Senior Notes due 2021 | 290,000 |
| | 290,000 |
|
Capital lease obligations | 14,604 |
| | 14,881 |
|
Other debt | 4,167 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total debt | 944,692 |
| | 890,227 |
|
Less current portion | 17,364 |
| | 10,756 |
|
Total long-term debt | $ | 927,328 |
| | $ | 879,471 |
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our senior secured credit facility is comprised of a six-year, $125 million tranche A term loan and a five-year, $75 million revolving credit facility, and bears interest at a rate based on, at our option, either a) the LIBOR interest rate, or b) the ABR rate, which is an interest rate that is equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1 percent, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1%. In addition, the rate we select also bears an applicable margin based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 2.75% and 1.75% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014, these rates will be 3% and 2% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Lastly, the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is subject to a commitment fee based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 0.375% for both LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans and will increase to 0.5% following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014 for both LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans.
Our senior secured credit facility also includes a seven-year, $260 million tranche B incremental term loan facility and a $60 million tranche B-2 incremental term facility that was funded on February 12, 2013 in connection with the JV Sale Transaction, each of which is subject to the terms of our Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility were used (i) to pay the call price for our redemption of all of our remaining 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, as described below, and (ii) to pay accrued interest, fees and expenses associated with the redemption. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility bear interest at a rate based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin of 3%; or an adjusted Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 2%; provided that the adjusted LIBOR rate and the adjusted Base Rate shall at no time be less than 1% and 2%, respectively.
On December 24, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of October 26, 2011, as amended on December 19, 2011, by and among LIN Television, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the banks and other financial institutions party thereto, which (1) replaced our $257.4 million tranche B term loan maturing in December 2018 with a new tranche B term loan of the same maturity which bears interest at a reduced rate and (2) made certain other changes to the Credit Agreement, including changes to the financial covenants therein that are favorable to LIN Television and its affiliates and (3) extended the maturity for a $60 million tranche of our revolving credit facility to October 2017 and on May 9, 2013, we extended the maturity date of the remaining $15 million tranche of our revolving credit facility to October 2017. We paid customary fees and expenses in connection with the closing of these amendments of $1.7 million. As a result of these amendments, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The terms of the Credit Agreement provide for customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants), and events of default. The Credit Agreement also provides for the payment of customary fees and expenses by us. The senior secured credit facility can be accelerated upon events of default and require the term loans to be prepaid under certain circumstances with amounts determined by reference to the proceeds from certain asset sales (subject to reinvestment rights), the incurrence of certain indebtedness and a percentage of annual excess cash flow.
The senior secured credit facility ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. LIN LLC and certain of our existing, or hereafter created or acquired, domestic subsidiaries guarantee the credit facilities on a senior basis. LIN Television and each of our subsidiary guarantors have granted a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets to secure the obligations under senior secured credit facility, and LIN LLC has granted a security interest in its capital stock of LIN Television to secure such obligations.
Our senior secured credit facility permits us to prepay loans and to permanently reduce the revolving credit commitments, in whole or in part, at any time. We are also obligated to make mandatory quarterly principal payments. In addition, our senior secured credit facility restricts the use of proceeds from asset sales not reinvested in our business and the use of proceeds from the issuance of debt (subject to certain exceptions), which must be used for mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans.
The Credit Agreement governing our senior secured credit facility also requires on an annual basis, following the delivery of our year-end financial statements, and commencing after the year ended December 31, 2012, mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans based on a computation of excess cash flow for the preceding fiscal year, as more fully described in the Credit Agreement. However, based on the excess cash flow computation for the year ended December 31, 2013, we will not be required to make such prepayments during the year ending December 31, 2014.
The incremental term loan facility is a senior secured obligation and ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The incremental term loan facility is guaranteed and secured on the same basis as the other credit facilities under the Credit Agreement. If we do not refinance, redeem or discharge our 83/8% Senior Notes on or prior to January 15,
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
2018, then, in such event, the maturity of the incremental term loan facility will be accelerated from December 21, 2018 to January 15, 2018.
The following table summarizes certain key terms including the LIBOR-based borrowing rates of our senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Facility |
| Revolving Facility | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
|
Available balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 70,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Interest rates as of December 31, 2013: | | | | | |
Interest rate | 0.17 | % | | 0.17 | % | | 1.00 | % |
Applicable margin | 2.75 | % | | 2.75 | % | | 3.00 | % |
Total | 2.92 | % | | 2.92 | % | | 4.00 | % |
2009 Senior Secured Credit Facility
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million consisting of a write-down of deferred financing fees related to the revolving credit facility and term loans under our 2009 senior secured credit facility.
83/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 83/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 4/15/2018 |
Annual interest rate | 8.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | April 15th |
| October 15th |
Our 83/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
The indenture governing our 83/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
63/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 63/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 1/15/2021 |
Annual interest rate | 6.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | January 15th |
| July 15th |
On October 12, 2012, we completed the issuance and sale of $290 million in aggregate principal amount of our 63/8% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of our 63/8% Senior Notes were used to fund the remaining purchase price for the Acquisition as further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions."
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Our 63/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
The indenture governing our 63/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes and 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes—Class B
During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we redeemed $252 million and $165 million, respectively, of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. The redemption of these notes, at par, was funded in part by proceeds from the term loan, incremental term loan, the revolving credit facility and cash on hand. As a result of these redemptions, during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations.
Capital Lease Obligations
As part of the transactions further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions," we assumed $15.1 million in capital lease obligations related to buildings and equipment. These leases mature over a period of 4 to 19 years and are payable in monthly installments. The total outstanding balance of these capital lease obligations was $14.6 million as of December 31, 2013. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees these lease obligations.
Other Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2012, Vaughan, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $4.6 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of PBC. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through October 2017. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, KASY, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $1.7 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of ACME. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through December 2017. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, WBDT, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $0.9 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of WBDT-TV. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through May 2016. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees this loan.
Repayment of Principal
The following table summarizes scheduled future principal repayments on our debt agreements and capital leases (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revolving Facilities | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans | | 83/8% Senior Notes | | 63/8% Senior Notes | | Capital Leases | | Other Debt | | Total |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
| | 4/15/2018 |
| | 1/15/2021 |
| | Various |
| | Various |
| | |
|
2014 | $ | — |
| | $ | 12,500 |
| | $ | 3,200 |
|
| $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 502 |
| | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 17,364 |
|
2015 | — |
| | 18,750 |
| | 3,200 |
|
| — |
| | — |
| | 528 |
| | 1,162 |
| | 23,640 |
|
2016 | — |
| | 25,000 |
| | 3,200 |
|
| — |
| | — |
| | 620 |
| | 1,024 |
| | 29,844 |
|
2017 | 5,000 |
| (1) | 62,500 |
| | 3,200 |
|
| — |
| | — |
| | 577 |
| | 819 |
| | 72,096 |
|
2018 | — |
| | — |
| | 301,400 |
|
| 200,000 |
| | — |
| | 609 |
| | — |
| | 502,009 |
|
2019 and thereafter | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 290,000 |
| | 11,768 |
| | — |
| | 301,768 |
|
Total | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 118,750 |
| | $ | 314,200 |
|
| $ | 200,000 |
| | $ | 290,000 |
| | $ | 14,604 |
| | $ | 4,167 |
| | $ | 946,721 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | An additional $25 million was outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of the date of this report and is not reflected in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. |
The fair values of our long-term debt are estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2 inputs of the three-level fair value hierarchy). The carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 |
| Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Term loans | 430,921 |
| �� | 432,105 |
| | 379,945 |
| | 380,599 |
|
Senior notes | 490,000 |
| | 512,983 |
| | 490,000 |
| | 524,500 |
|
Other debt | 4,167 |
| | 4,167 |
| | 5,401 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total | $ | 930,088 |
| | $ | 954,255 |
| | $ | 875,346 |
| | $ | 910,500 |
|
Note 8—Derivative Financial Instruments
We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the management of our interest rate exposure for our long-term debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
During the second quarter of 2006, we entered into a contract to hedge a notional amount of the declining balances of our term loans under our prior senior secured credit facility (the "2006 interest rate hedge") to mitigate changes in our cash flows resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. The 2006 interest rate hedge was historically designated as a cash flow hedge, however, as a result of a repayment of $45.9 million of principal on our term loans under our 2009 senior secured credit facility during 2010, the 2006 interest rate hedge ceased to be highly effective in hedging the variable rate cash flows. As a result, all changes in fair value were recorded in our consolidated statement of operations, including a gain of approximately $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The 2006 interest rate hedge expired on November 4, 2011. Accordingly, there are no amounts related to the 2006 interest rate hedge included in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, we have no derivative contracts outstanding.
Note 9—Share-Based Compensation
We have several share-based compensation plans, including our 1998 Option Plan, the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and the Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (collectively, the "Stock Plans"), that permit us to grant non-qualified options in our class A common shares or restricted share awards, to certain directors, officers and key employees of our Company.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Options granted under the Stock Plans vest over a four-year service period, unless otherwise designated by the Compensation Committee upon grant. Options expire ten years from the date of grant. We issue new shares of our class A common shares when options are exercised or from shares that we repurchased pursuant to our Board authorized share repurchase program as further described in Note 11—"Shareholders' Equity." Restricted share awards vest over a service period designated by the Compensation Committee upon grant. There were 6,787,940 shares authorized for grant under the various Stock Plans and 2,375,605 shares available for future grant as of December 31, 2013. Both the shares authorized and shares available exclude 1,552,983 shares under plans in effect prior to 2002 from which we do not intend to re-grant and consider unavailable for future grants.
The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Employee share options | $ | 2,933 |
| | $ | 1,868 |
| | $ | 1,492 |
|
Restricted share awards | 6,348 |
| | 4,896 |
| | 4,320 |
|
Modifications to share option agreements | 93 |
| | 93 |
| | 364 |
|
Total share-based compensation | $ | 9,374 |
| | $ | 6,857 |
| | $ | 6,176 |
|
We did not capitalize any share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
We have not yet recognized compensation expense relating to unvested employee share options and restricted share awards of $2.6 million and $14 million, respectively, which will be recognized over a weighted-average future period of approximately 1.3 years and 1.7 years, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we received $1.4 million from the exercise of share options and $0.4 million from the purchase of our class A common stock pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"), which terminated upon consummation of the Merger.
Share Options
The following table provides additional information regarding our share options for the year ended December 31, 2013 as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
|
| | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share |
Outstanding at the beginning of the year | 4,894 |
| | $ | 3.42 |
|
Granted during the year | 110 |
| | 12.29 |
|
Exercised or converted during the year | (420 | ) | | 3.23 |
|
Forfeited during the year | (163 | ) | | 5.43 |
|
Expired during the year | (9 | ) | | 3.57 |
|
Outstanding at the end of the year | 4,412 |
| | 3.58 |
|
Exercisable or convertible at the end of the year | 3,304 |
| | 2.79 |
|
As of December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and the options exercisable was 6.1 years and 5.3 years, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding and the options exercisable was $110.7 million and $85.5 million, respectively. The intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value based on our closing price as of December 31, 2013, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options and immediately sold their shares on that date.
The fair value of each share option grant or modification is estimated on the date of grant or modification using a Black-Scholes valuation model, which incorporates the following assumptions:
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Expected term(1) | 5 to 6 years | | 5 to 6 years | | 5 to 6 years |
Expected volatility(2) | 95% to 96% | | 98% to 99% | | 97% to 99% |
Expected dividends | $— | | $— | | $— |
Risk-free rate(3) | 0.8% to 1.2% | | 0.6% to 1.1% | | 0.9% to 2.6% |
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | The expected term was estimated using our historical experience. |
| |
(2) | Expected volatility is based on historical trends for our class A common shares over the expected term. |
| |
(3) | The risk-free interest rate for each grant is equal to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar expected life. |
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized share-based compensation expense for a modification to our share option agreements of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as a result of an exchange offer we completed in 2009.
Restricted Share Awards
The following table provides additional information regarding the restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
|
| | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Price Per Share |
Unvested at the beginning of the year | 2,294 |
| | $ | 5.98 |
|
Granted during the year | 582 |
| | 18.89 |
|
Vested during the year | (960 | ) | | 6.00 |
|
Forfeited during the year | (205 | ) | | 5.87 |
|
Unvested at the end of the year | 1,711 |
| | 10.37 |
|
The following table provides further information for both our restricted share awards and share option awards (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Total fair value of options and awards granted | $ | 12,349 |
| | $ | 10,347 |
| | $ | 4,983 |
|
Total intrinsic value of options exercised | 5,136 |
| | 865 |
| | 225 |
|
Total fair value of awards vested | 18,050 |
| | 7,718 |
| | 7,522 |
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
As a result of the Merger, the ESPP was terminated, effective July 30, 2013. Prior to this, under the terms of our ESPP, our eligible employees could elect to have up to 10% of eligible compensation deducted from their pay to purchase our class A common stock. The purchase price of each share was 85% of the average of the high and low per share trading price of our class A common stock on the NYSE on the last trading day of each month during the offering period. During the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, employees purchased 42,734, 173,244 and 187,350 shares, respectively, at a weighted-average price of $10.05, $3.55 and $3.38, respectively.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 10—Retirement Plans
401(k) Plan
We provide a defined contribution plan ("401(k) Plan") for eligible employees. Effective January 1, 2010, we began making a 3% non-elective contribution for all eligible employees, which vests 100% after two years of service. We contributed $4.8 million, $3.9 million and $3.6 million to the 401(k) Plan in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Supplemental Income Deferral Plan
Effective July 1, 2010, we also made available to certain employees, including our executive officers, the LIN Television Corporation Supplemental Income Deferral Plan ("SIDP"). This plan provides benefits to highly compensated employees in circumstances in which the maximum limits established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and the Internal Revenue Code prevent them from receiving Company contributions. We contributed $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.2 million to this plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The SIDP also allows eligible executive officers to defer 5%- 80% of their base salaries and 5%- 100% of their annual non-equity incentive awards on a tax-deferred basis and receive tax-deferred market-based growth. During 2013, the Company made contributions to the SIDP for each of the named executive officers in amounts equal to 5% of their base salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation.
Retirement Plans
We have historically provided defined benefit retirement plans to our employees who did not receive matching contributions from our Company to their 401(k) Plan accounts. Our defined benefit plans were non-contributory plans under which we made contributions either to: a) traditional plan participants based on periodic actuarial valuations, which are expensed over the expected average remaining service lives of current employees through the LIN Television Corporation Retirement Plan ("Retirement Plan"); or b) cash balance plan participants based on 5% of each participant's eligible compensation through the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation ("SERP").
Effective April 1, 2009, these plan were frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to these plans, however we continue to fund our existing vested obligations. We contributed $5.4 million, $7.4 million and $5.4 million to our pension plans during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We anticipate contributing $5.7 million to the plans in 2014.
We record the unfunded status of our defined benefit plans as a liability. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, each plan was underfunded. The plan assets and benefit obligations of our defined benefit plans are recorded at fair value. Information regarding the change in the projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the change in the fair value of plan assets for our traditional defined benefit plan and our cash balance plan are as follows (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Change in projected benefit obligation | | | |
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period | $ | 134,969 |
| | $ | 133,047 |
|
Service cost | — |
| | — |
|
Interest cost | 5,259 |
| | 5,379 |
|
Actuarial (gain) loss | (10,282 | ) | | 1,485 |
|
Benefits paid | (4,943 | ) | | (4,942 | ) |
Curtailment | — |
| | — |
|
Projected benefit obligation, end of period | $ | 125,003 |
| | $ | 134,969 |
|
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 125,003 |
| | $ | 134,969 |
|
Change in plan assets | | | |
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period | $ | 96,412 |
| | $ | 82,314 |
|
Actual return on plan assets | 10,611 |
| | 11,621 |
|
Employer contributions | 5,359 |
| | 7,419 |
|
Benefits paid | (4,943 | ) | | (4,942 | ) |
Fair value of plan assets, end of period | $ | 107,439 |
| | $ | 96,412 |
|
Unfunded status of the plan | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
Total amount recognized as accrued benefit liability | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
The following table includes the pension related accounts recognized on our consolidated balance sheets and the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net periodic pension benefit costs (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Other accrued expenses (current) | $ | (695 | ) | | $ | (373 | ) |
Other liabilities (long-term) | (16,869 | ) | | (38,184 | ) |
Total amount recognized as accrued pension benefit liability | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: | | | |
Net loss | $ | 32,681 |
| | $ | 48,978 |
|
Tax benefit | 12,915 |
| | 19,354 |
|
Net loss, net of tax benefit | 19,766 |
| | 29,624 |
|
Pension tax liability | 5,760 |
| | 5,760 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net periodic pension benefit cost | $ | 25,526 |
| | $ | 35,384 |
|
The total net loss of $32.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2013 relates to deferred actuarial losses from changes in discount rates, differences between actual and assumed asset returns, and differences between actual and assumed demographic experience (rates of turnover, retirement rates, mortality rates and prior to the plan freeze, rates of compensation increases). During 2014, we expect to amortize net losses of $1.3 million, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2013.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table includes other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Net gain (loss) | $ | 14,443 |
| | $ | 3,947 |
| | $ | (18,503 | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 1,854 |
| | 1,578 |
| | 753 |
|
Net gain (loss) | $ | 16,297 |
| | $ | 5,525 |
| | $ | (17,750 | ) |
Tax benefit (provision) | 6,439 |
| | 2,132 |
| | (6,912 | ) |
Total amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 9,858 |
| | $ | 3,393 |
| | $ | (10,838 | ) |
Components of net periodic pension benefit cost were (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Service cost | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Interest cost | 5,259 |
| | 5,379 |
| | 5,872 |
|
Expected return on plan assets | (6,450 | ) | | (6,190 | ) | | (6,824 | ) |
Amortization of prior service cost | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Amortization of net loss | 1,854 |
| | 1,579 |
| | 754 |
|
Net periodic benefit cost (gain) | $ | 663 |
| | $ | 768 |
| | $ | (198 | ) |
Our expected future pension benefit payments for the next 10 years are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| Expected Future Pension Benefit Payments |
For Years Ended December 31, | |
2014 | $ | 7,914 |
|
2015 | 5,879 |
|
2016 | 5,955 |
|
2017 | 5,966 |
|
2018 | 6,281 |
|
2019 through 2023 | 38,156 |
|
Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate our pension benefit obligations and to determine our net periodic pension benefit cost are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan |
Discount rate used to estimate our pension benefit obligation | 4.70% | | 5.00% | | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90 | % | | 4.20 | % |
Discount rate used to determine net periodic pension benefit | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90% | | 4.20% | | 5.25 | % | | 5.25 | % |
Rate of compensation increase | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
| | N/A |
|
Expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A |
| | 7.00 | % |
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
For the discount rate for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we used a custom bond modeler that develops a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds, rated AA- and above by Standard & Poor's, that could be purchased to settle the obligations of the plan. The yield on this hypothetical portfolio represents a reasonable rate to value our plan liability.
We considered the current levels of expected returns on a risk-free investment, the historical levels of risk premium associated with each of our pension asset classes, the expected future returns for each of our pension asset classes and then weighted each asset class based on our pension plan asset allocation to derive an expected long-term return on pension plan assets. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our actual rate of return on plan assets was 12.0%, 15.4% and 4.0%.
Our investment objective is to achieve a consistent total rate-of-return that will equal or exceed our actuarial assumptions and to equal or exceed the benchmarks that we use for each of our pension plan asset classes. The following asset allocation is designed to create a diversified portfolio of pension plan assets that is consistent with our target asset allocation and risk policy:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Target Allocation | | Percentage of Plan Assets as of December 31, |
Asset Category | 2013 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
Equity securities | 60 | % | | 60 | % | | 55 | % |
Debt securities | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | 45 | % |
| 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
The following table summarizes our pension plan assets measured at fair value using the prescribed three-level fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | Significant Observable Inputs | | |
| (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | Total |
December 31, 2013: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 690 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 690 |
|
Money market fund | — |
| | 762 |
| | 762 |
|
Commingled pools: | | | | |
|
|
U.S. equity | — |
| | 37,645 |
| | 37,645 |
|
International equity | — |
| | 18,884 |
| | 18,884 |
|
REIT | — |
| | 3,213 |
| | 3,213 |
|
High yield bond | — |
| | 4,101 |
| | 4,101 |
|
Emerging markets | — |
| | 5,994 |
| | 5,994 |
|
Investment grade fixed income | — |
| | 36,150 |
| | 36,150 |
|
Total | $ | 690 |
| | $ | 106,749 |
| | $ | 107,439 |
|
December 31, 2012: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 573 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 573 |
|
Money market fund | — |
| | 519 |
| | 519 |
|
Commingled pools: | | | | |
|
|
U.S. equity | — |
| | 30,034 |
| | 30,034 |
|
International equity | — |
| | 15,241 |
| | 15,241 |
|
REIT | — |
| | 3,875 |
| | 3,875 |
|
High yield bond | — |
| | 2,916 |
| | 2,916 |
|
Emerging markets | — |
| | 6,374 |
| | 6,374 |
|
Investment grade fixed income | — |
| | 36,880 |
| | 36,880 |
|
Total | $ | 573 |
| | $ | 95,839 |
| | $ | 96,412 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The commingled pools, U.S. and International stock funds and U.S. bond funds consist of various funds that are valued at the net asset value of units held by the plan at year-end as determined by the custodian, based on fair value of the underlying securities. These methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future values. Furthermore, while we believe these valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in different fair value measurement as of the reporting date.
Note 11—Shareholders' Equity
During the year ended December 31, 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized us to repurchase up to $25 million of our class A common shares over a 12 month period. This program was extended by our Board of Directors in November 2012 and was scheduled to expire on the earlier of the completion of all purchases contemplated by the plan or November 14, 2013; however, on February 12, 2013, as a result of entering into the Merger Agreement, we terminated the share repurchase program. Prior to the termination, during the year ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares of our class A common shares on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $11.4 million. We did not repurchase any shares during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Our class B common shares are convertible into an equal number of shares of our class A or class C common shares in various circumstances. During the year ended December 31, 2013, 2.5 million shares of our class B common shares were converted into class A common shares. During the year ended December 31, 2012, none of our class B common shares were converted into class A common shares.
Note 12—Restructuring and Contract Termination Costs
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded restructuring charges of $3.9 million primarily related to severance and related costs associated with the integration of the television stations acquired during 2012. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, as a result of severance and related costs as well as the consolidation of certain activities at our stations and our corporate headquarters. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we made cash payments of $4.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million related to these restructuring actions. We expect to make cash payments of $0.4 million related to these restructuring actions during 2014.
The activity for these restructuring charges relating to severance and related costs is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| Severance and Related |
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 515 |
|
Charges | 1,009 |
|
Payments | (807 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | $ | 717 |
|
Charges | 3,895 |
|
Payments | (4,189 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 423 |
|
In December 2013, we terminated an agreement with a service provider that provided national sales representation and made a payment of $5.4 million to exit our agreement prior to its expiration. Concurrent with the termination of the agreement, we released $1.5 million of deferred credits associated with the terminated contract. The amount of the one-time termination payment, offset by the release of the deferred credits, has been reflected as Contract termination costs in our consolidated statement of operations for 2013.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 13—Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
We lease land, buildings, vehicles and equipment pursuant to non-cancelable operating lease agreements and we contract for general services pursuant to non-cancelable operating agreements that expire at various dates through 2036. In addition, we have entered into commitments for future syndicated entertainment and sports programming. Future payments for these non-cancelable operating leases and agreements, and future payments associated with syndicated television programs as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating Leases and Agreements | | Syndicated Television Programming(1) | | Total |
Year | | | | | |
2014 | $ | 45,076 |
| | $ | 27,119 |
| | $ | 72,195 |
|
2015 | 33,930 |
| | 26,675 |
| | 60,605 |
|
2016 | 16,140 |
| | 17,387 |
| | 33,527 |
|
2017 | 12,146 |
| | 3,133 |
| | 15,279 |
|
2018 | 1,611 |
| | 153 |
| | 1,764 |
|
Thereafter | 7,139 |
| | 214 |
| | 7,353 |
|
Total obligations | $ | 116,042 |
| | $ | 74,681 |
| | $ | 190,723 |
|
_____________________________________________
(1)Includes $6.3 million of program obligations recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.
Rent expense, resulting from operating leases, was $5.8 million, $2.5 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Contingencies
GECC Guarantee and the Merger
GECC provided secured debt financing for the joint venture between NBCUniversal and us, in the form of an $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 bearing interest at an initial rate of 8% per annum until March 1, 2013 and 9% per annum thereafter. The GECC Note was an obligation of the joint venture. As of December 31, 2012, we had a 20.38% equity interest in the joint venture and NBCUniversal had the remaining 79.62% equity interest, in which we and NBCUniversal each had a 50% voting interest. NBCUniversal operated two television stations, KXAS-TV, an NBC affiliate in Dallas, and KNSD-TV, an NBC affiliate in San Diego, pursuant to a management agreement. LIN TV had previously guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on the GECC Note.
On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries, LIN Television and LIN Texas, entered into, and simultaneously closed the JV Sale Transaction with subsidiaries of NBCUniversal, the GE Parties, Comcast, and SVH whereby in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations relating to the shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the guarantee and recorded the related tax effects in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012, because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million Incremental Facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million payment. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, we had an approximate $162.8 million income tax payable remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the Merger described below.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV was merged with and into LIN LLC with LIN LLC continuing as the surviving entity. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and that change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes with the result that LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss of approximately $343 million, which represents the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of this stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and as a result, we realized tax savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
Litigation
We are involved in various claims and lawsuits that are generally incidental to our business. We are vigorously contesting all of these matters. The outcome of any current or future litigation cannot be accurately predicted. We record accruals for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made at this time because the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings may be exacerbated by various factors, including: (i) the damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; (ii) discovery is not complete; (iii) the proceeding is in its early stages; (iv) the matters present legal uncertainties; (v) there are significant facts in dispute; or (vi) there is a wide range of potential outcomes. Although the outcome of these and other legal proceedings cannot be predicted, we believe that their ultimate resolution will not have a material adverse effect on us.
Note 14—Income Taxes
Our income before income taxes is solely from domestic operations. The (benefit from) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Current: | | | | | |
Federal | $ | 26,056 |
| | $ | 21 |
| | $ | 543 |
|
State | 5,636 |
| | 1,571 |
| | 652 |
|
Foreign | — |
| | 633 |
| | — |
|
Total current | $ | 31,692 |
| | $ | 2,225 |
| | $ | 1,195 |
|
Deferred: | | | | | |
Federal | $ | (124,201 | ) | | $ | 33,865 |
| | $ | (25,907 | ) |
State | (32,911 | ) | | 4,373 |
| | 8,667 |
|
Total deferred | (157,112 | ) | | 38,238 |
| | (17,240 | ) |
Total current and deferred | $ | (125,420 | ) | | $ | 40,463 |
| | $ | (16,045 | ) |
The following table reconciles the amount that would be calculated by applying the 35% federal statutory rate to income before income taxes to the actual (benefit from) provision for income taxes (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Provision assuming federal statutory rate | $ | 10,913 |
| | $ | 7,871 |
| | $ | 11,780 |
|
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 3,863 |
| | 5,723 |
| | 1,790 |
|
State tax law/rate changes, net of federal tax benefit | — |
| | 1,883 |
| | 5,703 |
|
Change in valuation allowance | (18,157 | ) | | (4,622 | ) | | (36,541 | ) |
Share compensation | (53 | ) | | (17 | ) | | 601 |
|
Reserve for tax contingencies | 124 |
| | 633 |
| | — |
|
Impact of JV Sale Transaction | — |
| | 28,435 |
| | — |
|
Impact of the Merger | (124,306 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Non-deductible acquisition and Merger related transaction costs | 1,645 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other | 551 |
| | 557 |
| | 622 |
|
| $ | (125,420 | ) | | $ | 40,463 |
| | $ | (16,045 | ) |
Effective income tax rate on continuing operations | (402.2 | )% | | 179.9 | % | | (47.7 | )% |
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a $124.3 million tax benefit as a result of the Merger as well as an $18.2 million tax benefit as a result of the reversal of state valuation allowances. These valuation allowances were reversed after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, as we concluded the Company will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets.
The impact of the JV Sale Transaction is a result of entering into and consummating the transactions contemplated by the JV Transaction Agreement on February 12, 2013, as described further in Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies." The JV Sale Transaction resulted in the recognition of $27.5 million and $0.9 million of incremental short-term deferred federal and state tax liabilities, respectively, in excess of those which were previously established. The financial impact of the JV Sale Transaction and corresponding tax expense of $28.4 million are reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, approximately $162.8 million of short term deferred liabilities were reclassified to income taxes payable upon the consummation of the JV Sale Transaction. As a result of the close of the Merger on July 30, 2013, $131.5 million of this tax liability was extinguished, resulting in a remaining tax liability of approximately $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
The 2011 state tax law/rate change, net of federal tax benefit, of $5.7 million is primarily a result of state tax legislation enacted in Michigan in May 2011, which repealed the Michigan business tax ("MBT"), and implemented a corporate income tax instead, effective January 2012. As a result of the elimination of the MBT, certain future tax deductions that were available to be utilized beginning in 2015, and had been recognized as deferred tax assets in our financial statements, will not be deductible. Therefore, during the year ended December 31, 2011, we recognized incremental deferred income tax expense of $5.1 million, net of federal benefit, for the reversal of these previously established deferred tax assets. In addition, the 2012 state tax law/rate change, net of federal tax benefit, of $1.9 million is a result of a change in the effective tax rate used to value our deferred tax assets/liabilities.
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows (in thousands):
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | |
Deferred gain related to equity investment in NBC joint venture | $ | — |
| | $ | 259,049 |
|
Property and equipment | 11,816 |
| | 12,822 |
|
Intangible assets | 54,859 |
| | 36,761 |
|
Deferred gain on debt repurchase | 18,140 |
| | 18,309 |
|
Noncontrolling interest | 849 |
| | 549 |
|
Other | 7,629 |
| | 7,476 |
|
Total | $ | 93,293 |
| | $ | 334,966 |
|
Deferred tax assets: | | | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | (17,707 | ) | | $ | (110,169 | ) |
Equity investments | (2,372 | ) | | (1,554 | ) |
Other | (15,426 | ) | | (32,625 | ) |
Valuation allowance | — |
| | 18,157 |
|
Total | (35,505 | ) | | (126,191 | ) |
Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | 57,788 |
| | $ | 208,775 |
|
We maintain a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax asset position when management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future. As of December 31, 2012, we had a valuation allowance of $18.2 million offsetting certain state net operating loss carryforwards and other state deferred tax assets. During the third quarter of 2013, after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we determined that we will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets. As a result, we reversed the valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit of $18.2 million.
As of December 31, 2013, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards (tax effected) of approximately $4.6 million that begin to expire in 2034. Additionally, we had state net operating loss carryforwards that vary by jurisdiction (tax effected, net of federal benefit) of $13.1 million, expiring through 2033. Included in the total federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (tax effected) is $4.9 million that would be recorded in equity when realized.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits.
The Company's uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are limited to certain unrecognized state and foreign benefits totaling $24.5 million, $26.6 million and $26.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there are $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that if recognized would reduce the effective tax rate from continuing operations.
We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not recognize or accrue any amounts related to interest and penalties.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Balance at beginning of year | $ | 26,559 |
| | $ | 26,381 |
| | $ | 26,610 |
|
Additions for tax positions of current year | 733 |
| | 1,798 |
| | 2,386 |
|
Additions for tax positions of prior years | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (2,084 | ) | | (1,133 | ) | | (2,128 | ) |
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Reductions related to expiration of the statute of limitations | (730 | ) | | (487 | ) | | (487 | ) |
Balance at end of year | $ | 24,478 |
| | $ | 26,559 |
| | $ | 26,381 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
We file a consolidated federal income tax return and we file numerous other consolidated and separate income tax returns in U.S. state jurisdictions. Tax years 2009-2012 remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions.
Note 15—Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Accrued compensation | $ | 11,817 |
| | $ | 11,275 |
|
Accrued contract costs | 3,394 |
| | 4,163 |
|
Accrued interest | 12,168 |
| | 7,841 |
|
Accrued capital contribution to joint venture | — |
| | 100,000 |
|
Other accrued expenses | 24,317 |
| | 29,967 |
|
Total | $ | 51,696 |
| | $ | 153,246 |
|
Note 16—Subsequent Events
On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, completed its acquisition of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"), which was subsequently converted into a Delaware limited liability company. Federated Media is an industry-leading digital content and conversational marketing company. For further information on this acquisition, see Note 2 — “Acquisitions.”
Note 17—Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
LIN Television, a 100% owned subsidiary of LIN LLC, is the primary obligor of our senior secured credit facility, our 83/8% Senior Notes and our 63/8% Senior Notes, which are further described in Note 7 — “ Debt”. LIN LLC fully and unconditionally guarantees all of LIN Television’s debt on a joint-and-several basis. Additionally, all of the consolidated 100% owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee LIN Television’s senior secured credit facility, our 83/8% Senior Notes and our 63/8% Senior Notes on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions. There are certain contractual restrictions on LIN Television’s ability to obtain funds in the form of dividends or loans from the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows of LIN LLC, LIN Television, as the issuer, the guarantor subsidiaries, and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of LIN Television and the elimination entries necessary to consolidate or combine the issuer with the guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries. These statements are presented in accordance with the disclosure requirements under SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10.
The condensed consolidating balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, has been revised to correct certain immaterial errors relating to intercompany balances. The revisions comprise a $4.3 million decrease in advances to subsidiaries lines in the LIN Television and the Guarantor Subsidiaries columns, a $4.3 million decrease in intercompany liabilities in the LIN Television and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries columns, a $4.3 million decrease in the Total Shareholders’ (deficit) equity line of the Guarantor column, and a $4.3 million increase in the Total Shareholders’ (deficit) equity line of the Non-Guarantor column.
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
ASSETS | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Current assets: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — |
| | $ | 10,313 |
| | $ | 3 |
| | $ | 2,209 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 12,525 |
|
Accounts receivable, net | — |
| | 88,905 |
| | 39,416 |
| | 16,988 |
| | — |
| | 145,309 |
|
Deferred income tax assets | — |
| | 5,818 |
| | 1,080 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,898 |
|
Other current assets | — |
| | 12,264 |
| | 1,049 |
| | 1,888 |
| | — |
| | 15,201 |
|
Total current assets | — |
| | 117,300 |
| | 41,548 |
| | 21,085 |
| | — |
| | 179,933 |
|
Property and equipment, net | — |
| | 180,480 |
| | 35,752 |
| | 4,846 |
| | — |
| | 221,078 |
|
Deferred financing costs | — |
| | 16,357 |
| | — |
| | 91 |
| | — |
| | 16,448 |
|
Goodwill | — |
| | 169,492 |
| | 18,518 |
| | 15,518 |
| | — |
| | 203,528 |
|
Broadcast licenses, net | — |
| | — |
| | 493,814 |
| | 42,701 |
| | — |
| | 536,515 |
|
Other intangible assets, net | — |
| | 31,303 |
| | 1,840 |
| | 13,906 |
| | — |
| | 47,049 |
|
Advances to consolidated subsidiaries | 1,900 |
| | 7,764 |
| | 968,728 |
| | — |
| | (978,392 | ) | | — |
|
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries | 87,227 |
| | 1,534,600 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,621,827 | ) | | — |
|
Other assets | — |
| | 52,778 |
| | 2,688 |
| | 1,276 |
| | (44,443 | ) | | 12,299 |
|
Total assets | $ | 89,127 |
| | $ | 2,110,074 |
| | $ | 1,562,888 |
| | $ | 99,423 |
| | $ | (2,644,662 | ) | | $ | 1,216,850 |
|
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Current liabilities: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — |
| | $ | 16,112 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,252 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 17,364 |
|
Accounts payable | — |
| | 4,185 |
| | 5,339 |
| | 4,478 |
| | — |
| | 14,002 |
|
Income taxes payable | — |
| | 749 |
| | 671 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,420 |
|
Accrued expenses | — |
| | 42,570 |
| | 6,254 |
| | 2,872 |
| | — |
| | 51,696 |
|
Program obligations | — |
| | 4,711 |
| | 1,013 |
| | 1,303 |
| | — |
| | 7,027 |
|
Total current liabilities | — |
| | 68,327 |
| | 13,277 |
| | 9,905 |
| | — |
| | 91,509 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | — |
| | 924,223 |
| | — |
| | 3,105 |
| | — |
| | 927,328 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | — |
| | 30,013 |
| | 33,824 |
| | 849 |
| | — |
| | 64,686 |
|
Program obligations | — |
| | 2,505 |
| | 217 |
| | 1,424 |
| | — |
| | 4,146 |
|
Intercompany liabilities | — |
| | 970,628 |
| | — |
| | 7,764 |
| | (978,392 | ) | | — |
|
Other liabilities | — |
| | 27,151 |
| | 58 |
| | 44,443 |
| | (44,443 | ) | | 27,209 |
|
Total liabilities | — |
| | 2,022,847 |
| | 47,376 |
| | 67,490 |
| | (1,022,835 | ) | | 1,114,878 |
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 12,845 |
| | — |
| | 12,845 |
|
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) | 89,127 |
| | 87,227 |
| | 1,515,512 |
| | 19,088 |
| | (1,621,827 | ) | | 89,127 |
|
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders' equity (deficit) | $ | 89,127 |
| | $ | 2,110,074 |
| | $ | 1,562,888 |
| | $ | 99,423 |
| | $ | (2,644,662 | ) | | $ | 1,216,850 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — |
| | $ | 44,625 |
| | $ | 573 |
| | $ | 1,109 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 46,307 |
|
Accounts receivable, net | — |
| | 87,103 |
| | 31,144 |
| | 7,903 |
| | — |
| | 126,150 |
|
Deferred income tax assets | — |
| | 67,412 |
| | — |
| | 97 |
| | (67,509 | ) | | — |
|
Other current assets | — |
| | 4,850 |
| | 554 |
| | 1,459 |
| | — |
| | 6,863 |
|
Total current assets | — |
| | 203,990 |
| | 32,271 |
| | 10,568 |
| | (67,509 | ) | | 179,320 |
|
Property and equipment, net | — |
| | 197,125 |
| | 39,534 |
| | 4,832 |
| | — |
| | 241,491 |
|
Deferred financing costs | — |
| | 19,020 |
| | — |
| | 115 |
| | — |
| | 19,135 |
|
Goodwill | — |
| | 169,492 |
| | 18,518 |
| | 4,504 |
| | — |
| | 192,514 |
|
Broadcast licenses, net | — |
| | — |
| | 493,814 |
| | 42,701 |
| | — |
| | 536,515 |
|
Other intangible assets, net | — |
| | 48,897 |
| | 2,775 |
| | 7,882 |
| | — |
| | 59,554 |
|
Advances to consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | 6,746 |
| | 1,345,971 |
| | — |
| | (1,352,717 | ) | | — |
|
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | 1,554,903 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,554,903 | ) | | — |
|
Other assets | — |
| | 53,987 |
| | 2,552 |
| | 1,626 |
| | (45,280 | ) | | 12,885 |
|
Total assets | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,254,160 |
| | $ | 1,935,435 |
| | $ | 72,228 |
| | $ | (3,020,409 | ) | | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — |
| | $ | 9,243 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,513 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 10,756 |
|
Accounts payable | — |
| | 14,335 |
| | 3,385 |
| | 1,235 |
| | — |
| | 18,955 |
|
Income taxes payable | — |
| | 372 |
| | 394 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 766 |
|
Accrued expenses | — |
| | 37,020 |
| | 115,605 |
| | 621 |
| | — |
| | 153,246 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | — |
| | — |
| | 235,728 |
| | — |
| | (67,509 | ) | | 168,219 |
|
Program obligations | — |
| | 7,479 |
| | 1,106 |
| | 2,185 |
| | — |
| | 10,770 |
|
Total current liabilities | — |
| | 68,449 |
| | 356,218 |
| | 5,554 |
| | (67,509 | ) | | 362,712 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | — |
| | 875,512 |
| | — |
| | 3,959 |
| | — |
| | 879,471 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | — |
| | 10,910 |
| | 29,000 |
| | 646 |
| | — |
| | 40,556 |
|
Program obligations | — |
| | 2,222 |
| | 92 |
| | 1,967 |
| | — |
| | 4,281 |
|
Intercompany liabilities | — |
| | 1,345,971 |
| | 3,842 |
| | 2,904 |
| | (1,352,717 | ) | | — |
|
Accumulated losses in excess of investment in consolidated subsidiaries | 91,564 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (91,564 | ) | | — |
|
Other liabilities | — |
| | 42,660 |
| | 56 |
| | 45,280 |
| | (45,280 | ) | | 42,716 |
|
Total liabilities | 91,564 |
| | 2,345,724 |
| | 389,208 |
| | 60,310 |
| | (1,557,070 | ) | | 1,329,736 |
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,242 |
| | — |
| | 3,242 |
|
Total shareholders' (deficit) equity | (91,564 | ) | | (91,564 | ) | | 1,546,227 |
| | 8,676 |
| | (1,463,339 | ) | | (91,564 | ) |
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders' equity (deficit) | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,254,160 |
| | $ | 1,935,435 |
| | $ | 72,228 |
| | $ | (3,020,409 | ) | | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net revenues | $ | — |
| | $ | 428,806 |
| | $ | 181,678 |
| | $ | 55,850 |
| | $ | (13,971 | ) | | $ | 652,363 |
|
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct operating | — |
| | 145,176 |
| | 76,275 |
| | 37,295 |
| | (7,668 | ) | | 251,078 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | — |
| | 109,679 |
| | 40,934 |
| | 12,516 |
| | (579 | ) | | 162,550 |
|
Amortization of program rights | — |
| | 21,452 |
| | 5,690 |
| | 2,100 |
| | — |
| | 29,242 |
|
Corporate | 709 |
| | 40,668 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 41,377 |
|
Depreciation | — |
| | 38,306 |
| | 7,256 |
| | 1,292 |
| | — |
| | 46,854 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | — |
| | 17,594 |
| | 935 |
| | 4,297 |
| | — |
| | 22,826 |
|
Restructuring | — |
| | 3,633 |
| | — |
| | 262 |
| | — |
| | 3,895 |
|
Contract termination costs | — |
| | 3,887 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,887 |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | — |
| | 705 |
| | 5 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 710 |
|
Operating (loss) income | (709 | ) | | 47,706 |
| | 50,583 |
| | (1,912 | ) | | (5,724 | ) | | 89,944 |
|
Other (income) expense: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | — |
| | 56,386 |
| | — |
| | 221 |
| | — |
| | 56,607 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | — |
| | 56 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 56 |
|
Intercompany (income) expense | (20 | ) | | 27,947 |
| | (28,243 | ) | | 316 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other, net |
|
| | 2,097 |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | 2,100 |
|
Total other (income) expense, net | (20 | ) | | 86,486 |
| | (28,243 | ) | | 540 |
| | — |
| | 58,763 |
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in (loss) income from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | (689 | ) | | (38,780 | ) | | 78,826 |
| | (2,452 | ) | | (5,724 | ) | | 31,181 |
|
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | — |
| | (155,975 | ) | | 31,530 |
| | (975 | ) | | — |
| | (125,420 | ) |
Net (loss) income from continuing operations | (689 | ) | | 117,195 |
| | 47,296 |
| | (1,477 | ) | | (5,724 | ) | | 156,601 |
|
Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | 158,802 |
| | 41,607 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (200,409 | ) | | — |
|
Net income (loss) | 158,113 |
| | 158,802 |
| | 47,296 |
| | (1,477 | ) | | (206,133 | ) | | 156,601 |
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,512 | ) | | — |
| | (1,512 | ) |
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | 158,802 |
| | $ | 47,296 |
| | $ | 35 |
| | $ | (206,133 | ) | | $ | 158,113 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net income (loss) | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | 158,802 |
| | $ | 47,296 |
| | $ | (1,477 | ) | | $ | (206,133 | ) | | $ | 156,601 |
|
Pension net gain, net of tax of $5,705 | 8,738 |
| | 8,738 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (8,738 | ) | | 8,738 |
|
Amortization of pension net losses, net of tax of $734 | 1,120 |
| | 1,120 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,120 | ) | | 1,120 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) | 167,971 |
| | 168,660 |
| | 47,296 |
| | (1,477 | ) | | (215,991 | ) | | 166,459 |
|
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,512 | ) | | — |
| | (1,512 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 167,971 |
| | $ | 168,660 |
| | $ | 47,296 |
| | $ | 35 |
| | $ | (215,991 | ) | | $ | 167,971 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net revenues | $ | — |
| | $ | 369,779 |
| | $ | 181,458 |
| | $ | 9,571 |
| | $ | (7,346 | ) | | $ | 553,462 |
|
Operating expenses: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Direct operating | — |
| | 96,504 |
| | 62,352 |
| | 5,201 |
| | (3,835 | ) | | 160,222 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | — |
| | 85,638 |
| | 37,917 |
| | 2,152 |
| | (440 | ) | | 125,267 |
|
Amortization of program rights | — |
| | 16,644 |
| | 5,437 |
| | 967 |
| | — |
| | 23,048 |
|
Corporate | — |
| | 30,357 |
| | 3,889 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 34,246 |
|
Depreciation | — |
| | 24,061 |
| | 7,635 |
| | 453 |
| | — |
| | 32,149 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | — |
| | 4,139 |
| | 935 |
| | 1,290 |
| | — |
| | 6,364 |
|
Restructuring | — |
| | 1,009 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,009 |
|
Loss (gain) from asset dispositions | — |
| | 111 |
| | (15 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 96 |
|
Operating income (loss) | — |
| | 111,316 |
| | 63,308 |
| | (492 | ) | | (3,071 | ) | | 171,061 |
|
Other expense (income): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | — |
| | 46,625 |
| | — |
| | 156 |
| | (98 | ) | | 46,683 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | — |
| | 153 |
| | 98,156 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 98,309 |
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 3,341 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,341 |
|
Intercompany fees and expenses | — |
| | 26,549 |
| | (26,548 | ) | | (1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Other, net | — |
| | 237 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 237 |
|
Total other expense (income), net | — |
| | 76,905 |
| | 71,608 |
| | 155 |
| | (98 | ) | | 148,570 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and equity in (loss) income from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | 34,411 |
| | (8,300 | ) | | (647 | ) | | (2,973 | ) | | 22,491 |
|
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | — |
| | 44,298 |
| | (3,320 | ) | | (515 | ) | | — |
| | 40,463 |
|
Net loss from continuing operations | — |
| | (9,887 | ) | | (4,980 | ) | | (132 | ) | | (2,973 | ) | | (17,972 | ) |
Loss from discontinued operations, net | — |
| | (251 | ) | | (744 | ) | | — |
| | (23 | ) | | (1,018 | ) |
(Loss) gain on the sale of discontinued operations, net | — |
| | (289 | ) | | 11,678 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 11,389 |
|
Equity in (loss) income from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | (7,045 | ) | | 3,382 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,663 |
| | — |
|
Net (loss) income | (7,045 | ) | | (7,045 | ) | | 5,954 |
| | (132 | ) | | 667 |
| | (7,601 | ) |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (556 | ) | | — |
| | (556 | ) |
Net (loss) income attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 5,954 |
| | $ | 424 |
| | $ | 667 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) |
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net (loss) income | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 5,954 |
| | $ | (132 | ) | | $ | 667 |
| | $ | (7,601 | ) |
Pension net gain, net of tax of $1,523 | 2,424 |
| | 2,424 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,424 | ) | | 2,424 |
|
Amortization of pension net losses, net of tax of $609 | 969 |
| | 969 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (969 | ) | | 969 |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income | (3,652 | ) |
| (3,652 | ) |
| 5,954 |
|
| (132 | ) |
| (2,726 | ) |
| (4,208 | ) |
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (556 | ) | | — |
| | (556 | ) |
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (3,652 | ) | | $ | (3,652 | ) | | $ | 5,954 |
| | $ | 424 |
| | $ | (2,726 | ) | | $ | (3,652 | ) |
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net revenues | $ | — |
| | $ | 263,958 |
| | $ | 136,891 |
| | $ | 1,745 |
| | $ | (2,591 | ) | | $ | 400,003 |
|
Operating expenses: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Direct operating | — |
| | 78,492 |
| | 53,877 |
| | 604 |
| | (2,355 | ) | | 130,618 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | — |
| | 69,018 |
| | 34,825 |
| | 491 |
| | (564 | ) | | 103,770 |
|
Amortization of program rights | — |
| | 15,535 |
| | 5,438 |
| | 433 |
| | — |
| | 21,406 |
|
Corporate | — |
| | 24,838 |
| | 1,643 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 26,481 |
|
Depreciation | — |
| | 19,169 |
| | 7,030 |
| | 47 |
| | — |
| | 26,246 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | — |
| | 264 |
| | 868 |
| | 67 |
| | — |
| | 1,199 |
|
Restructuring | — |
| | 707 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 707 |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | — |
| | 351 |
| | 121 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 472 |
|
Operating income | — |
| | 55,584 |
| | 33,089 |
| | 103 |
| | 328 |
| | 89,104 |
|
Other expense (income): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | — |
| | 50,688 |
| | — |
| | 21 |
| | (3 | ) | | 50,706 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | — |
| | 260 |
| | 4,697 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,957 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | (1,960 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 1,694 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,694 |
|
Intercompany fees and expenses | — |
| | 57,931 |
| | (57,945 | ) | | 14 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other, net | — |
| | 68 |
| | (4 | ) | | (13 | ) | | — |
| | 51 |
|
Total other expense (income), net | — |
| | 108,681 |
| | (53,252 | ) | | 22 |
| | (3 | ) | | 55,448 |
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations before taxes and equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | (53,097 | ) | | 86,341 |
| | 81 |
| | 331 |
| | 33,656 |
|
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | — |
| | (50,521 | ) | | 34,536 |
| | (60 | ) | | — |
| | (16,045 | ) |
Net (loss) income from continuing operations | — |
| | (2,576 | ) | | 51,805 |
| | 141 |
| | 331 |
| | 49,701 |
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net | — |
| | (1,316 | ) | | 544 |
| | — |
| | (148 | ) | | (920 | ) |
Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | 48,577 |
| | 52,469 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (101,046 | ) | | — |
|
Net income (loss) | 48,577 |
| | 48,577 |
| | 52,349 |
| | 141 |
| | (100,863 | ) | | 48,781 |
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 204 |
| | — |
| | 204 |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 48,577 |
| | $ | 48,577 |
| | $ | 52,349 |
| | $ | (63 | ) | | $ | (100,863 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
Net income (loss) | $ | 48,577 |
| | $ | 48,577 |
| | $ | 52,349 |
| | $ | 141 |
| | $ | (100,863 | ) | | $ | 48,781 |
|
Pension net loss, net of tax of $(7,291) | (11,212 | ) | | (11,212 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 11,212 |
| | (11,212 | ) |
Amortization of pension net loss, net of tax of $379 | 374 |
| | 374 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (374 | ) | | 374 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) | 37,739 |
| | 37,739 |
| | 52,349 |
| | 141 |
| | (90,025 | ) | | 37,943 |
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 204 |
| | 204 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 37,739 |
|
| $ | 37,739 |
|
| $ | 52,349 |
|
| $ | 141 |
|
| $ | (90,229 | ) |
| $ | 37,739 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, continuing operations | $ | (589 | ) | | $ | (1,986 | ) | | $ | 50,612 |
| | $ | 930 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 48,967 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Capital expenditures | — |
| | (22,768 | ) | | (3,540 | ) | | (3,066 | ) | | — |
| | (29,374 | ) |
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired | — |
| | (10,082 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10,082 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets | — |
| | 66 |
| | 20 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 86 |
|
Capital contribution to joint venture with NBCUniversal | — |
| | — |
| | (100,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (100,000 | ) |
Receipt of dividend | 2,000 |
| | 78,011 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (80,011 | ) | | — |
|
Advances on intercompany borrowings | (2,000 | ) | | (4,550 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 6,550 |
| | — |
|
Payments from intercompany borrowings | — |
| | 15,009 |
| | 145,358 |
| | — |
| | (160,367 | ) | | — |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities, continuing operations | — |
| | 55,686 |
| | 41,838 |
| | (3,066 | ) | | (233,828 | ) | | (139,370 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds on exercises of employee and director stock-based compensation | 589 |
| | 1,256 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,845 |
|
Tax benefit from exercises of share options | — |
| | 1,591 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,591 |
|
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt | — |
| | 139,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 139,000 |
|
Principal payments on long-term debt | — |
| | (83,846 | ) | | — |
| | (1,314 | ) | | — |
| | (85,160 | ) |
Payment of long-term debt issue costs | — |
| | (655 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (655 | ) |
Payment of dividend | — |
| | (2,000 | ) | | (78,011 | ) | | — |
| | 80,011 |
| | — |
|
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings | — |
| | 2,000 |
| | — |
| | 4,550 |
| | (6,550 | ) | | — |
|
Payments on intercompany borrowings | — |
| | (145,358 | ) | | (15,009 | ) | | — |
| | 160,367 |
| | — |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 589 |
| | (88,012 | ) | | (93,020 | ) | | 3,236 |
| | 233,828 |
| | 56,621 |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | — |
| | (34,312 | ) | | (570 | ) | | 1,100 |
| | — |
| | (33,782 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | — |
| | 44,625 |
| | 573 |
| | 1,109 |
| | — |
| | 46,307 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | — |
| | $ | 10,313 |
| | $ | 3 |
| | $ | 2,209 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 12,525 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations | $ | — |
| | $ | 142,255 |
| | $ | 4,998 |
| | $ | 2,159 |
| | $ | 23 |
| | $ | 149,435 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | (471 | ) | | (2,242 | ) | | — |
| | (23 | ) | | (2,736 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | — |
| | 141,784 |
| | 2,756 |
| | 2,159 |
| | — |
| | 146,699 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | — |
| | (20,158 | ) | | (5,709 | ) | | (2,363 | ) | | — |
| | (28,230 | ) |
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | 255,159 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 255,159 |
|
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired | — |
| | (352,162 | ) | | — |
| | (6,333 | ) | | — |
| | (358,495 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets | — |
| | 30 |
| | 49 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 79 |
|
Shortfall loan to joint venture with NBCUniversal | — |
| | (2,292 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,292 | ) |
Advances on intercompany borrowings | — |
| | (2,400 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 2,400 |
| | — |
|
Payments from intercompany borrowings | — |
| | 20,382 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (20,382 | ) | | — |
|
Net cash used in investing activities, continuing operations | — |
| | (101,441 | ) | | (5,660 | ) | | (8,696 | ) | | (17,982 | ) | | (133,779 | ) |
Net cash provided by investing activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | 6,314 |
| | 23,206 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29,520 |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | — |
| | (95,127 | ) | | 17,546 |
| | (8,696 | ) | | (17,982 | ) | | (104,259 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Net proceeds on exercises of employee and director stock-based compensation | — |
| | 1,314 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,314 |
|
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt | — |
| | 322,000 |
| | — |
| | 6,333 |
| | — |
| | 328,333 |
|
Principal payments on long-term debt | — |
| | (320,374 | ) | | — |
| | (1,805 | ) | | — |
| | (322,179 | ) |
Payment of long-term debt issue costs | — |
| | (10,157 | ) | | — |
| | (115 | ) | | — |
| | (10,272 | ) |
Treasury stock purchased | — |
| | (11,386 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (11,386 | ) |
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,400 |
| | (2,400 | ) | | — |
|
Payments on intercompany borrowings | — |
| | — |
| | (20,382 | ) | | — |
| | 20,382 |
| | — |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | — |
| | (18,603 | ) | | (20,382 | ) | | 6,813 |
| | 17,982 |
| | (14,190 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | — |
| | 28,054 |
| | (80 | ) | | 276 |
| | — |
| | 28,250 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | — |
| | 16,571 |
| | 653 |
| | 833 |
| | — |
| | 18,057 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | — |
| | $ | 44,625 |
| | $ | 573 |
| | $ | 1,109 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 46,307 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIN Media LLC | | LIN Television Corporation | | Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | | Consolidating/ Eliminating Adjustments | | LIN Media LLC Consolidated |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations | $ | — |
| | $ | 52,012 |
| | $ | 10,799 |
| | $ | 103 |
| | $ | 148 |
| | $ | 63,062 |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | (1,180 | ) | | 926 |
| | — |
| | (148 | ) | | (402 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | — |
| | 50,832 |
| | 11,725 |
| | 103 |
| | — |
| | 62,660 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | — |
| | (12,266 | ) | | (7,763 | ) | | (40 | ) | | — |
| | (20,069 | ) |
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | (255,159 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (255,159 | ) |
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired | — |
| | (10,046 | ) | | — |
| | 1,013 |
| | — |
| | (9,033 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets | — |
| | 72 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 74 |
|
Payments on derivative instruments | — |
| | (2,020 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,020 | ) |
Shortfall loan to joint venture with NBCUniversal | — |
| | (2,483 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,483 | ) |
Other investments, net | — |
| | (375 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (375 | ) |
Advances to consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | (400 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 400 |
| | — |
|
Payments from consolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | 3,750 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,750 | ) | | — |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities, continuing operations | — |
|
| (278,927 | ) |
| (7,761 | ) |
| 973 |
|
| (3,350 | ) | | (289,065 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | (106 | ) | | (9 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (115 | ) |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | — |
|
| (279,033 | ) |
| (7,770 | ) |
| 973 |
|
| (3,350 | ) | | (289,180 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | |
|
| | | | | | | |
|
|
Net proceeds on exercises of employee and director stock-based compensation | — |
| | 841 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 841 |
|
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt | — |
| | 417,695 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 417,695 |
|
Principal payments on long-term debt | — |
| | (174,573 | ) | | — |
| | (643 | ) | | — |
| | (175,216 | ) |
Payment of long-term debt issue costs | — |
| | (7,662 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (7,662 | ) |
Treasury stock purchased | — |
| | (2,729 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,729 | ) |
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 400 |
| | (400 | ) | | — |
|
Payments on intercompany borrowings | — |
| | — |
| | (3,750 | ) | | — |
| | 3,750 |
| | — |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, continuing operations | — |
| | 233,572 |
| | (3,750 | ) | | (243 | ) | | 3,350 |
| | 232,929 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | — |
| | $ | 233,572 |
| | $ | (3,750 | ) | | $ | (243 | ) | | $ | 3,350 |
| | $ | 232,929 |
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | — |
|
| 5,371 |
|
| 205 |
|
| 833 |
|
| — |
|
| 6,409 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | — |
| | 11,200 |
| | 448 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 11,648 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | — |
| | 16,571 |
| | 653 |
| | 833 |
| | — |
| | 18,057 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 18—Unaudited Quarterly Data
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quarter Ended |
| March 31, 2013 | | June 30, 2013 | | September 30, 2013 | | December 31, 2013 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Net revenues | $ | 140,992 |
| | $ | 164,346 |
| | $ | 163,110 |
| | $ | 183,915 |
|
Operating income | $ | 11,776 |
| | $ | 26,916 |
| | $ | 23,226 |
| | $ | 28,026 |
|
(Loss) income from continuing operations | $ | (1,020 | ) | | $ | 7,169 |
| | $ | 146,508 |
| (1) | $ | 3,944 |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (856 | ) | | $ | 7,475 |
| | $ | 146,938 |
| | $ | 4,556 |
|
Basic (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | 0.14 |
| | $ | 2.78 |
| | $ | 0.09 |
|
Basic (loss) earnings per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | 0.14 |
| | $ | 2.78 |
| | $ | 0.09 |
|
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 2.63 |
| | $ | 0.08 |
|
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 2.63 |
| | $ | 0.08 |
|
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating income per common share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | 51,910 |
| | 52,278 |
| | 52,791 |
| | 52,879 |
|
Diluted | 51,910 |
| | 55,595 |
| | 55,855 |
| | 56,240 |
|
| | | | | | | |
________________________________________
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a $124.3 million tax benefit as a result of the Merger as well as an $18.2 million tax benefit as a result of the reversal of state valuation allowances. For further discussion, see Note 14 - "Income Taxes."
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quarter Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | June 30, 2012 | | September 30, 2012 | | December 31, 2012 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Net revenues | $ | 103,200 |
| | $ | 121,016 |
| | $ | 133,076 |
| | $ | 196,170 |
|
Operating income | $ | 20,460 |
| | $ | 34,995 |
| | $ | 44,367 |
| | $ | 71,239 |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 5,115 |
| | $ | 15,457 |
| | $ | 19,619 |
| | $ | (58,163 | ) |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations | $ | (1,231 | ) | | $ | 11,602 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 4,266 |
| | $ | 27,118 |
| | $ | 19,659 |
| | $ | (58,088 | ) |
Basic earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 0.10 |
| | $ | 0.28 |
| | $ | 0.37 |
| | $ | (1.09 | ) |
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 0.08 |
| | $ | 0.49 |
| | $ | 0.37 |
| | $ | (1.09 | ) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 0.10 |
| | $ | 0.27 |
| | $ | 0.36 |
| | $ | (1.09 | ) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 0.08 |
| | $ | 0.48 |
| | $ | 0.36 |
| | $ | (1.09 | ) |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating income per common share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | 56,184 |
| | 55,174 |
| | 53,066 |
| | 53,169 |
|
Diluted | 57,512 |
| | 56,300 |
| | 54,353 |
| | 53,169 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 19—Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash paid for interest expense | $ | 48,646 |
| | $ | 42,348 |
| | $ | 47,801 |
|
Cash paid for income taxes—continuing operations | $ | 32,937 |
| | $ | 1,103 |
| | $ | 559 |
|
Non-cash investing activities: | | | | | |
Accrual for estimated shortfall loans to SVH | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,697 |
|
Non-cash financing activities: | | | | | |
Capital leases assumed in acquisitions | $ | 179 |
| | $ | 14,896 |
| | $ | — |
|
Note 20—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at Beginning of Period | | Charged(Released) to Operations | | Deductions | | Balance at End of Period |
| (in thousands) |
Allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, | | | | | | | |
2013 | $ | 3,599 |
| | $ | 1,608 |
| | $ | (2,019 | ) | | $ | 3,188 |
|
2012 | $ | 2,310 |
| | $ | 2,047 |
| | $ | (758 | ) | | $ | 3,599 |
|
2011 | $ | 2,194 |
| | $ | 760 |
| | $ | (644 | ) | | $ | 2,310 |
|
Valuation allowance for state and federal deferred tax assets as of December 31, | | | | | | |
|
|
2013 | $ | 18,157 |
| | $ | (18,157 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
2012 | $ | 23,422 |
| | $ | (5,265 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 18,157 |
|
2011 | $ | 59,990 |
| | $ | (36,568 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 23,422 |
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of LIN Television Corporation:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LIN Television Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As described in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Dedicated Media, Inc. (“Dedicated Media”) and HYFN, Inc. (“HYFN”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 because they were acquired by the Company in purchase business combinations in April 2013. We have also excluded Dedicated Media and HYFN from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Dedicated Media and HYFN’s assets each represent 1% of consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2013, and net revenues from Dedicated Media and HYFN represent 3% and less than 1%, respectively, of consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
March 3, 2014
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
| (in thousands, except share data) |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,525 |
| | $ | 46,307 |
|
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2013—$3,188; 2012—$3,599) | 145,409 |
| | 126,150 |
|
Deferred income tax assets | 6,898 |
| | — |
|
Other current assets | 15,201 |
| | 6,863 |
|
Total current assets | 180,033 |
| | 179,320 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 221,078 |
| | 241,491 |
|
Deferred financing costs | 16,448 |
| | 19,135 |
|
Goodwill | 203,528 |
| | 192,514 |
|
Broadcast licenses | 536,515 |
| | 536,515 |
|
Other intangible assets, net | 47,049 |
| | 59,554 |
|
Other assets | 12,299 |
| | 12,885 |
|
Total assets (a) | $ | 1,216,950 |
| | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT) | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 17,364 |
| | $ | 10,756 |
|
Accounts payable | 14,002 |
| | 18,955 |
|
Income taxes payable | 1,420 |
| | 766 |
|
Accrued expenses | 51,696 |
| | 153,246 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | — |
| | 168,219 |
|
Program obligations | 7,027 |
| | 10,770 |
|
Total current liabilities | 91,509 |
| | 362,712 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | 929,328 |
| | 879,471 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities | 64,686 |
| | 40,556 |
|
Program obligations | 4,146 |
| | 4,281 |
|
Other liabilities | 27,209 |
| | 42,716 |
|
Total liabilities (a) | 1,116,878 |
| | 1,329,736 |
|
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13) |
|
| |
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 12,845 |
| | 3,242 |
|
LIN Television Corporation stockholder's deficit: | | | |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares | — |
| | — |
|
Investment in parent company's stock, at cost | (21,984 | ) | | (21,984 | ) |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,140,370 |
| | 1,130,239 |
|
Accumulated deficit | (1,005,633 | ) | | (1,164,435 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (25,526 | ) | | (35,384 | ) |
Total stockholder's equity (deficit) | 87,227 |
| | (91,564 | ) |
Total liabilities and deficit | $ | 1,216,950 |
| | $ | 1,241,414 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(a) | Our consolidated assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include total assets of $56,056 and $60,380, respectively, of variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. These assets include broadcast licenses and other intangible assets of $44,677 and $46,604 and program rights of $2,186 and $2,060 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our consolidated liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $4,126 and $4,577, respectively, of total liabilities of the VIEs for which the VIE's creditors have no recourse to the Company, including $2,727 and $4,152, respectively, of program obligations. See further description in Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Net revenues | $ | 652,363 |
| | $ | 553,462 |
| | $ | 400,003 |
|
Operating expenses: | | | | | |
Direct operating | 251,078 |
| | 160,222 |
| | 130,618 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | 162,550 |
| | 125,267 |
| | 103,770 |
|
Amortization of program rights | 29,242 |
| | 23,048 |
| | 21,406 |
|
Corporate | 40,668 |
| | 34,246 |
| | 26,481 |
|
Depreciation | 46,854 |
| | 32,149 |
| | 26,246 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | 22,826 |
| | 6,364 |
| | 1,199 |
|
Restructuring | 3,895 |
| | 1,009 |
| | 707 |
|
Contract termination costs (Note 12) | 3,887 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | 710 |
| | 96 |
| | 472 |
|
Operating income | 90,653 |
| | 171,061 |
| | 89,104 |
|
Other expense: | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | 56,627 |
| | 46,683 |
| | 50,706 |
|
Share of loss in equity investments | 56 |
| | 98,309 |
| | 4,957 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 3,341 |
| | 1,694 |
|
Other expense, net | 2,100 |
| | 237 |
| | 51 |
|
Total other expense, net | 58,783 |
| | 148,570 |
| | 55,448 |
|
Income before (benefit from) provision for income taxes
| 31,870 |
| | 22,491 |
| | 33,656 |
|
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes | (125,420 | ) | | 40,463 |
| | (16,045 | ) |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | 157,290 |
| | (17,972 | ) | | 49,701 |
|
Discontinued operations: | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of a benefit from income taxes of $541 and $595 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively | — |
| | (1,018 | ) | | (920 | ) |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of a provision for income taxes of $6,223 for the year ended December 31, 2012 | — |
| | 11,389 |
| | — |
|
Net income (loss) | 157,290 |
| | (7,601 | ) | | 48,781 |
|
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Television Corporation | $ | 158,802 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Net income (loss) | $ | 157,290 |
| | $ | (7,601 | ) | | $ | 48,781 |
|
Pension net gain (loss), net of tax of $5,705, $1,523 and $(7,291) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively | 8,738 |
| | 2,424 |
| | (11,212 | ) |
Amortization of pension net losses, net of tax of $734, $609 and $379 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, reclassified | 1,120 |
| | 969 |
| | 374 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) | 167,148 |
| | (4,208 | ) | | 37,943 |
|
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1,512 | ) | | (556 | ) | | 204 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LIN Television Corporation | $ | 168,660 |
| | $ | (3,652 | ) | | $ | 37,739 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Equity
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Investment in Parent Company's Common Shares (at cost) | | | | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total Stockholder's Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | 1,130,239 |
| | $ | (1,164,435 | ) | | $ | (35,384 | ) | | $ | (91,564 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $6,439 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,858 |
| | 9,858 |
|
Issuance of LIN Media LLC class A common shares | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,256 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,256 |
|
Tax benefit from exercise of share options | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,591 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,591 |
|
Share-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,284 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,284 |
|
Dividend declared | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (2,000 | ) |
Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 158,802 |
| | — |
| | 158,802 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | 1,140,370 |
| | $ | (1,005,633 | ) | | $ | (25,526 | ) | | $ | 87,227 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Deficit
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Investment in Parent Company's Common Stock (at cost) | | | | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total Stockholder's Deficit |
| Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (10,598 | ) | | $ | 1,122,133 |
| | $ | (1,157,390 | ) | | $ | (38,777 | ) | | $ | (84,632 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $2,132 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,393 |
| | 3,393 |
|
Stock-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,106 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,106 |
|
Purchase of LIN TV Corp. class A common shares | — |
| | — |
| | (11,386 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (11,386 | ) |
Net loss | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (7,045 | ) | | — |
| | (7,045 | ) |
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,984 | ) | | $ | 1,130,239 |
| | $ | (1,164,435 | ) | | $ | (35,384 | ) | | $ | (91,564 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Deficit
(in thousands, except share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Common Stock | | Investment in Parent Company's Common Stock (at cost) | | | | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total Stockholder's Deficit |
| Shares | | Amount | |
Balance at December 31, 2010 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (7,869 | ) | | $ | 1,110,343 |
| | $ | (1,205,967 | ) | | $ | (27,939 | ) | | $ | (131,432 | ) |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $(6,912) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10,838 | ) | | (10,838 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,017 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,017 |
|
Issuance of LIN TV Corp. class A common stock | | | | | — |
| | 4,773 |
| | | | | | 4,773 |
|
Purchase of LIN TV Corp. class A common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (2,729 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,729 | ) |
Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 48,577 |
| | — |
| | 48,577 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (10,598 | ) | | $ | 1,122,133 |
| | $ | (1,157,390 | ) | | $ | (38,777 | ) | | $ | (84,632 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | 157,290 |
| | $ | (7,601 | ) | | $ | 48,781 |
|
Loss from discontinued operations | — |
| | 1,018 |
| | 920 |
|
Gain on sale of discontinued operations | — |
| | (11,389 | ) | | — |
|
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation | 46,854 |
| | 32,149 |
| | 26,246 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets | 22,826 |
| | 6,364 |
| | 1,199 |
|
Amortization of financing costs and note discounts | 3,638 |
| | 2,589 |
| | 3,755 |
|
Amortization of program rights | 29,242 |
| | 23,048 |
| | 21,406 |
|
Cash payments for programming | (31,677 | ) | | (24,258 | ) | | (24,622 | ) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | — |
| | 1,830 |
| | 1,694 |
|
Gain on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (1,960 | ) |
Share of loss in equity investments | 56 |
| | 98,309 |
| | 4,957 |
|
Deferred income taxes, net | (27,222 | ) | | 38,263 |
| | (16,586 | ) |
Extinguishment of income tax liability related to the Merger | (131,481 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Share-based compensation | 9,374 |
| | 6,857 |
| | 6,176 |
|
Loss from asset dispositions | 710 |
| | 96 |
| | 472 |
|
Other, net | (1,155 | ) | | 1,724 |
| | 754 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | (11,058 | ) | | (33,403 | ) | | (8,825 | ) |
Other assets | (4,254 | ) | | (2,146 | ) | | (138 | ) |
Accounts payable | (8,679 | ) | | 7,983 |
| | 3,318 |
|
Income taxes payable | 654 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Accrued interest expense | 4,327 |
| | 1,746 |
| | (851 | ) |
Other liabilities and accrued expenses | (9,889 | ) | | 6,256 |
| | (3,634 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations | 49,556 |
| | 149,435 |
| | 63,062 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | (2,736 | ) | | (402 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 49,556 |
| | 146,699 |
| | 62,660 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | (29,374 | ) | | (28,230 | ) | | (20,069 | ) |
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | 255,159 |
| | (255,159 | ) |
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired | (10,082 | ) | | (358,495 | ) | | (9,033 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets | 86 |
| | 79 |
| | 74 |
|
Payments on derivative instruments | — |
| | — |
| | (2,020 | ) |
Shortfall loans to joint venture with NBCUniversal | — |
| | (2,292 | ) | | (2,483 | ) |
Capital contribution to joint venture with NBCUniversal | (100,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Other investments, net | — |
| | — |
| | (375 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities, continuing operations | (139,370 | ) | | (133,779 | ) | | (289,065 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, discontinued operations | — |
| | 29,520 |
| | (115 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (139,370 | ) | | (104,259 | ) | | (289,180 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net proceeds on exercises of employee and director share-based compensation | 1,256 |
| | 1,314 |
| | 841 |
|
Tax benefit from exercises of share options | 1,591 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt | 141,000 |
| | 328,333 |
| | 417,695 |
|
Payment of dividend | (2,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Principal payments on long-term debt | (85,160 | ) | | (322,179 | ) | | (175,216 | ) |
Payment of long-term debt issue costs | (655 | ) | | (10,272 | ) | | (7,662 | ) |
Treasury shares purchased | — |
| | (11,386 | ) | | (2,729 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 56,032 |
| | (14,190 | ) | | 232,929 |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (33,782 | ) | | 28,250 |
| | 6,409 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 46,307 |
| | 18,057 |
| | 11,648 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | 12,525 |
| | $ | 46,307 |
| | $ | 18,057 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
LIN Television Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“LIN Television”), together with its subsidiaries, is a local multimedia company operating in the United States. LIN Television and its subsidiaries are affiliates of Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. (“HMC”). In these notes, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean LIN Television and all subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements. LIN Television is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LIN Media LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LIN LLC”).
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV Corp., a Delaware corporation (“LIN TV”), completed its merger with and into LIN LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of LIN TV, with LIN LLC as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 12, 2013, by and between LIN TV and LIN LLC (the “Merger Agreement”). Entry into the Merger Agreement had previously been announced by LIN TV on its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2013.
LIN LLC filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 31, 2013 (the “Form 8-K”) for the purpose of establishing LIN LLC as the successor registrant to LIN TV pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and to disclose certain related matters, including the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and in accordance with the filing of the Form 8-K, the class A common shares representing limited liability interests in LIN LLC, as the successor registrant to LIN TV, were deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. References to "LIN LLC," "we," "us," or the "Company" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the Merger shall be deemed to refer to LIN TV as the predecessor registrant to LIN LLC. For more information concerning the effects of the Merger and the succession of LIN LLC to LIN TV upon its effectiveness, please see the Form 8-K.
LIN LLC's assets, liabilities, and operations relate solely to the administration of the LIN LLC partnership. LIN LLC guarantees all of our debt. All of the consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee our Senior Secured Credit Facility, 83/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “83/8% Senior Notes”) and 63/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “63/8% Senior Notes”) on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions.
Our consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of WWHO-TV in Columbus, OH and WUPW-TV in Toledo, OH as discontinued for all periods presented. See Note 3—“Discontinued Operations” for further discussion of our discontinued operations.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain changes in classifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Our significant accounting policies are described below.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our Company, our wholly-owned and majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which we are the primary beneficiary. We review all local marketing agreements (“LMAs”), shared services agreements (“SSAs”) or joint sales agreements (“JSAs”), to evaluate whether consolidation of entities party to such arrangements is required. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We conduct our business through our subsidiaries and have no operations or assets other than our investment in our subsidiaries and equity-method investments. We operate in one reportable segment.
Joint Venture Sale Transaction
On February 12, 2013, we, along with LIN TV and our wholly-owned subsidiary, LIN Television of Texas, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“LIN Texas”) entered into and closed the transactions contemplated by a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with NBC Telemundo License LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBC”), NBCU New LLC I, a Delaware limited liability company, NBCU New LLC II, a Delaware limited liability company, General Electric Company, a New York corporation (“GE”), General Electric Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“GECC” and together with GE, the “GE Parties”), National Broadcasting Company Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Comcast Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“Comcast”), NBCUniversal Media, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NBCUniversal”), Lone Star SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Station Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SVH”). SVH held a 99.75% interest in Station Venture Operations, LP (“SVO”), which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture. The Transaction Agreement effected a series of transactions related to the ownership and sale of LIN Texas’s 20.38% equity interest in SVH, a joint venture in which NBC, an affiliate of NBCUniversal, held the remaining 79.62% equity interest (collectively, the “JV Sale Transaction”).
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
SVH was a limited partner in a business that operated an NBC affiliate in Dallas and an NBC affiliate in San Diego pursuant to a management agreement. At the time of LIN Texas’s acquisition of its interest in SVH in 1998, GECC provided secured debt financing to SVH in the form of a $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 to GECC (the “GECC Note”), and, in connection with SVH’s assumption of the GECC Note, LIN TV guaranteed the payment of the full amount of principal and interest on the GECC Note (the “GECC Guarantee”).
In addition, during 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we entered into agreements with SVH, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal pursuant to which LIN Television, the GE Parties and NBCUniversal caused to be provided to SVH certain unsecured shortfall funding loans (the “Shortfall Funding Loans”) on the basis of each party’s percentage of equity interest in SVH in order to fund interest payments on the GECC Note.
Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the GECC Guarantee and recorded the related tax effects of the JV Sale Transaction and the capital contribution in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million incremental term loan facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million capital contribution. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV, after utilizing all of its available federal net operating loss carryforwards to offset the taxable gain recognized in such transaction, we had a $162.8 million income tax payable associated with this transaction remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement further described below.
Concurrent with the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, LIN TV entered into the Merger Agreement with LIN LLC as described above. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and the change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes, and LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss in the amount of approximately $343 million, which represented the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of such stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and, we realized cash savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Variable Interest Entities
In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.
We have a JSA and an SSA with WBDT Television, LLC ("WBDT"), a third party licensee, for WBDT-TV in the Dayton, OH market. We also have JSAs and SSAs with affiliates of Vaughan Acquisition LLC ("Vaughan"), a third party licensee, for WTGS-TV in the Savannah, GA market, WYTV-TV in the Youngstown, OH market and KTKA-TV in the Topeka, KS market and SSAs with KASY-TV Licensee, LLC ("KASY"), a third-party licensee, for KWBQ-TV in the Santa Fe, NM market, KRWB-TV in the Roswell, NM market and KASY-TV in the Albuquerque, NM market. Under these agreements, we provide administrative services to these stations, have an obligation to reimburse certain of the stations' expenses, and we are compensated through a performance-based fee structure that provides us the benefit of certain returns from the operation of these stations.
We determined that WBDT, Vaughan and KASY are VIEs and as a result of the JSAs and/or SSAs, we have variable interests in these entities. We are the primary beneficiary of these entities, and therefore, we consolidate these entities within our consolidated financial statements.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The carrying amounts and classifications of the assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities described above, which have been included in our consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 278 |
| | $ | 418 |
|
Accounts receivable, net | 6,345 |
| | 6,021 |
|
Other assets | 927 |
| | 2,092 |
|
Total current assets | 7,550 |
| | 8,531 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 2,469 |
| | 3,190 |
|
Broadcast licenses and other intangible assets, net | 44,677 |
| | 46,604 |
|
Other assets | 1,360 |
| | 2,055 |
|
Total assets | $ | 56,056 |
| | $ | 60,380 |
|
LIABILITIES | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 1,451 |
|
Accounts payable | 63 |
| | — |
|
Accrued expenses | 1,336 |
| | 425 |
|
Program obligations | 1,303 |
| | 2,185 |
|
Total current liabilities | 3,864 |
| | 4,061 |
|
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | 3,005 |
| | 3,950 |
|
Program obligations | 1,424 |
| | 1,967 |
|
Other liabilities | 47,763 |
| | 50,402 |
|
Total liabilities | $ | 56,056 |
| | $ | 60,380 |
|
The assets of our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs, and may not be sold, or otherwise disposed of, except for assets sold or replaced with others of like kind or value. Other liabilities of $47.8 million and $50.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, serve to reduce the carrying value of the entities and are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, LIN Television has an option that it may exercise if the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") attribution rules change. The option would allow LIN Television to acquire the assets or member's interest of the VIE entities for a nominal exercise price, which is significantly less than the carrying value of their tangible and intangible net assets.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used for the allowance for doubtful accounts in receivables, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, assumptions used to determine fair value of financial instruments, amortization and impairment of program rights and intangible assets, share-based compensation and other long-term incentive compensation arrangements, pension costs, barter transactions, income taxes, employee medical insurance claims, useful lives of property and equipment, contingencies, litigation and net assets of businesses acquired.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid, short-term investments that have an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. All of our available cash is on deposit with banking institutions that we believe to be financially sound. We had no material losses on our cash or cash equivalents during 2013.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are an average of 30 to 40 years for buildings and fixtures, and 3 to 15 years for broadcast and other equipment. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in consolidated net income or loss. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, including expenditures for planned major maintenance activities, are expensed as incurred. We review our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Equity investments
Equity investments that we do not have a controlling interest in are accounted for using the equity method. Our share of the net income or loss for these investments, including any equity investment impairments or payments under related guarantees, is included in share of loss from equity investments on our consolidated statement of operations. We review our interest in our equity investments for impairment if there is a series of operating losses or other factors that may indicate that there is a decrease in the value of our investment that is other than temporary.
Revenue recognition
We recognize local, national and political advertising sales, net of agency commissions, during the period in which the advertisements or programs are aired on our television stations, and when payment is reasonably assured. Internet and mobile advertisement sales are recognized when the advertisement is displayed on our websites or the websites of our advertising network. We recognize retransmission consent fees in the period in which our service is delivered. Revenue generated by our digital companies is recognized over the service delivery period when necessary provisions of the contracts have been met. In addition, for the sale of third-party products and services by our digital companies, we evaluate whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue based on the gross amount billed to the customer or the net amount retained by us.
Barter transactions
We account for barter transactions at the fair value of the goods or services we receive from our customers, or the advertising time provided, whichever is more clearly indicative of fair value based on the judgment of our management. We record barter advertising revenue at the time the advertisement is aired and barter expense at the time the goods or services are used. We account for barter programs at fair value based on a calculation using the actual cash advertisements we sell within barter programs multiplied by one minus the program profit margin for similar syndicated programs where we pay cash to acquire the program rights. We record barter program revenue and expense when we air the barter program. We do not record barter revenue or expenses related to network programs. Barter revenue and expense included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Barter revenue | $ | 5,552 |
| | $ | 4,220 |
| | $ | 4,071 |
|
Barter expense | (5,455 | ) | | (4,176 | ) | | (3,967 | ) |
Advertising expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. We incurred advertising costs in the amounts of $3.9 million, $3.1 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets primarily include broadcast licenses, network affiliations, customer relationships, completed technology, non-compete agreements and goodwill.
We consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets and as a result, we test the impairment of our broadcast licenses annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The use of an indefinite life for our broadcast licenses is based on our ability to renew the licenses and that such renewals generally may be obtained indefinitely and at little cost and that the technology used in broadcasting is not expected to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Therefore, cash flows derived from the broadcast licenses are expected to continue indefinitely. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. The
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of broadcast licenses with their carrying amount on a station-by-station basis using a discounted cash-flow valuation method, assuming a hypothetical start-up scenario. The future value of our broadcast licenses could be significantly impaired by the loss of the corresponding network affiliation agreements. Accordingly, such an event could trigger an assessment of the carrying value of a broadcast license.
We test the impairment of goodwill annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. We proceed directly to the first step of the impairment test without attempting to qualitatively assess whether an impairment was more likely than not. Our reporting units are comprised of each of the markets in which our television stations operate, LIN Digital, Nami Media, Dedicated Media, Inc. ("Dedicated Media") and HYFN, Inc. ("HYFN"). The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined through the use of a discounted cash flow analysis. The valuation assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model reflect historical and projected performance of the reporting unit and prevailing values in the markets for similar assets. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, using the reporting unit's fair value (as determined in step one) as the purchase price. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not more than the carrying value of the goodwill. An impairment assessment could be triggered by a significant reduction, or a forecast of such reductions, in operating results or cash flows at one or more of our reporting units, a significant adverse change in the national or local advertising marketplaces in which our television stations operate, or by adverse changes to FCC ownership rules, among other factors. We recorded an impairment charge during 2011, which is more fully described in Note 6 -"Intangible Assets."
Long-lived assets
We periodically evaluate the net realizable value of long-lived assets, including tangible and intangible assets, relying on a number of factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. When evaluating assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset group (undiscounted and without interest charges). If the estimated future cash flows used in this analysis are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss calculation is prepared. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset group to the asset group's estimated future cash flows (discounted and with interest charges). If required, an impairment loss is recorded for the portion of the asset group's carrying value that exceeds the asset group's estimated future cash flows.
Program rights
Program rights are recorded as assets when the license period begins and the programs are delivered to our stations for broadcasting, at the gross amount of the related obligations. Costs incurred in connection with the purchase of programs to be broadcast within one year are classified as other current assets, while costs of those programs to be broadcast subsequently are considered non-current. Program costs are charged to operations over their estimated broadcast periods in a manner consistent with actual usage.
If the estimated net realizable value of acquired programming rights is less than unamortized cost (i.e. due to poor ratings), we would recognize an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the program rights to their net realizable value.
Program obligations are classified as current or non-current in accordance with the payment terms of the license agreement.
Share-based compensation
As of December 31, 2013, we have several share-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 9—"Share-Based Compensation." We estimate the fair value of share option awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes valuation model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation, including the option's expected term, the expected volatility of the underlying shares and the number of share option awards that are expected to be forfeited. The expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and our historical exercise patterns. Expected volatility is based on historical trends for LIN LLC's class A common shares over the expected term. Expected forfeitures are estimated using our historical experience. If future changes in estimates differ significantly from our current estimates, our future share-based compensation expense and results of operations could be materially impacted.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Direct operating | $ | 320 |
| | $ | 270 |
| | $ | 256 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | 1,460 |
| | 1,019 |
| | 1,266 |
|
Corporate | 7,594 |
| | 5,568 |
| | 4,654 |
|
Total share-based compensation | $ | 9,374 |
| | $ | 6,857 |
| | $ | 6,176 |
|
Our accounting policy is to follow the tax law ordering approach regarding net operating losses and determining when tax benefits are realized related to excess share option deductions and credited to paid-in capital.
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using statutory tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We consider future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for establishing or removing a valuation allowance. We record or subsequently remove a valuation allowance to reflect our deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event that our determination changes regarding the realization of all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset is recorded to our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which such a determination is made. Due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we reversed an$18.2 million valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit during 2013. For further discussion regarding this reversal, see Note 14 - "Income Taxes."
When accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we follow the prescribed recognition threshold and measurement methodology for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. Concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and investments are limited as we maintain primary banking relationships with only large nationally recognized institutions. We evaluated the viability of these institutions as of December 31, 2013 and we believe our risk is minimal. Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited, as our trade receivables are primarily related to advertising revenues generated from a large diversified group of local and nationally recognized advertisers and advertising agencies. We do not require collateral or other security against trade receivable balances, however, we do maintain reserves for potential bad debt losses, which are based on historical bad debt experience and an assessment of specific risks, and such reserves and bad debts have been within management's expectations for all years presented.
Fair value of financial instruments
Certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried in the consolidated financial statements at amounts that approximate fair value. For certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Derivative financial instruments
Derivatives are required to be recorded as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair values of derivatives are recognized immediately or deferred, depending on the use of the derivative and whether or not it qualifies as a hedge. We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the management of our interest rate exposure for our long-term debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative financial instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Retirement plans
We have a defined benefit retirement plan covering certain of our employees. Our pension benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using prescribed actuarial concepts. Additionally, we record the unfunded status of our plan on our consolidated balance sheets. Effective April 1, 2009, this plan was frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to this plan, however, we continue to fund our existing vested obligations.
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
The following table presents the activity of the redeemable noncontrolling interest included in our consolidated balance sheets related to Nami Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media, which represents third parties’ proportionate share of our consolidated net assets (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest |
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest | $ | 3,503 |
|
Net loss | (556 | ) |
Share-based compensation | 295 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | 3,242 |
|
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest | 11,025 |
|
Net loss | (1,512 | ) |
Share-based compensation | 90 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 12,845 |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In July 2013 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” to eliminate diversity in practice. This ASU requires that companies net their unrecognized tax benefits against all same-jurisdiction net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that would be used to settle the position with a tax authority. This new guidance is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and interim periods therein. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-2, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amendments require an entity to disclose the impact of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income, by the respective line items of net income, if the amounts reclassified are reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The disclosure is required either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes. For amounts that are not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. We prospectively adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and it did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In July 2012, there were revisions to the accounting standard for impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. Under the revised standard a company can first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets is necessary. A company can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its indefinite-lived intangible assets, and can also bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the quantitative impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible in any period. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Note 2—Acquisitions
Federated Media Publishing, Inc.
On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television, acquired 100% of the capital stock of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"). Federated Media is a digital content and conversational marketing company that leverages the relationships and content from its publishing network to deliver contextually relevant advertising and
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
conversational and engagement tools that reach agencies’ and brands’ targeted audiences across digital and social media platforms. The purchase price totaled $22.4 million plus an adjustment for working capital delivered at closing and was funded from cash on hand and amounts drawn on our revolving credit facility.
We are in the process of making preliminary estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Federated Media, utilizing information available at the time of this report and these estimates are subject to refinement until all pertinent information has been obtained. We expect to complete the process of finalizing the purchase accounting and final estimates of fair value of assets and liabilities during the twelve months following the acquisition.
Dedicated Media, Inc.
On April 9, 2013, we acquired a 60% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Dedicated Media, a multi-channel advertisement buying and optimization company. Dedicated Media employs new technologies to create, plan and execute digital marketing campaigns on behalf of its clients. The purchase price totaled $5.8 million, which was funded from cash on hand at the time of the acquisition.
Under the terms of our agreement with Dedicated Media, we agreed to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media by no later than February 15, 2015 if Dedicated Media achieves both (i) a target earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and (ii) a target gross profit in 2014, as outlined in the purchase agreement. The purchase price of these shares is based on multiples of Dedicated Media’s 2014 EBITDA and gross profit. Our maximum potential obligation under the purchase agreement is $26 million. If Dedicated Media does not meet the target EBITDA or target gross profit in 2014, we have the option to purchase the remaining outstanding shares using the same purchase price multiple.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by us in the acquisition (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 7,315 |
|
Equipment | 99 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 4,620 |
|
Goodwill | 1,854 |
|
Current liabilities | (4,302 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | (3,834 | ) |
Total | $ | 5,752 |
|
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of customer relationships of $3.9 million, completed technology of $0.5 million, and trademarks of $0.2 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of approximately 8 years for customer relationships, 4 years for completed technology and 2 years for trademarks.
HYFN, Inc.
On April 4, 2013, we acquired a 50.1% interest (calculated on a fully diluted basis) in HYFN, a full service digital advertising agency specializing in the planning, development, deployment and support for websites, mobile sites, interactive banners, games and various applications for multiple devices. The purchase price totaled $7.2 million, $6.9 million of which was funded from cash on hand and $0.3 million was accrued at the time of the acquisition and was subsequently paid in accordance with the provisions of the purchase agreement during the first quarter of 2014.
Under the terms of our agreement with HYFN, we agreed to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of HYFN by no later than February 15, 2016 if HYFN achieves both (i) a target EBITDA and (ii) target net revenues in 2015, as outlined in the transaction agreements. The purchase price of these shares is based on multiples of HYFN’s 2015 net revenue and EBITDA. Our maximum potential obligation under the terms of our agreement is approximately $62.4 million. If HYFN does not meet the target EBITDA or target net revenues in 2015, we have the option to purchase the remaining outstanding shares using the same purchase price multiple.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by us in the acquisition (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 3,759 |
|
Non-current assets | 13 |
|
Equipment | 179 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 3,580 |
|
Goodwill | 9,160 |
|
Current liabilities | (920 | ) |
Non-current liabilities | (1,361 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | (7,191 | ) |
Total | $ | 7,219 |
|
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of customer relationships of $2.4 million, completed technology of $1.1 million, and trademarks of $0.1 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of approximately 8 years for customer relationships, 3 years for completed technology and 3 years for trademarks.
Goodwill of $1.9 million and $9.2 million is the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, and primarily represents the benefits of the incremental revenue we expect to generate from the acquisitions of Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively. None of the goodwill recognized in connection with the acquisitions of Dedicated Media and HYFN is deductible for tax purposes.
Our obligations to purchase the noncontrolling interest holders’ shares of both Dedicated Media and HYFN are outside of our control, because they are based on the achievement of certain financial targets described above. Therefore, the noncontrolling interest related to Dedicated Media and HYFN as of December 31, 2013 has been reported as redeemable noncontrolling interest and classified as temporary equity on our consolidated balance sheets. As of the acquisition dates, the fair values of the noncontrolling interests were $3.8 million and $7.2 million for Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively, and were measured based on the purchase prices for our 60% and 50.1% ownership interest in Dedicated Media and HYFN, respectively, and the net assets acquired as of the acquisition dates. As of December 31, 2013, we believe that achievement of the financial targets is not yet probable and therefore, have not reflected these obligations in our consolidated financial statements.
If we do not purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Dedicated Media or HYFN by the dates set forth in the respective purchase agreements, the noncontrolling interest holders have the right to purchase our interest. The purchase price of these shares is based on the same purchase price multiple described above and is exercisable only if the applicable financial targets are not met and we do not elect to purchase the remaining interest. The fair value of our elective purchase options, and the fair value of the options held by the noncontrolling interest holders is zero and no amounts related to these options are included in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2013.
Net revenues and operating loss of HYFN and Dedicated Media included in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $24.2 million and $(2.8) million, respectively.
New Vision Acquisition
On October 12, 2012, we completed our acquisition of television stations in eight markets that were previously owned by affiliates of New Vision Television, LLC ("New Vision") for $334.9 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, and including the assumption of $14.3 million of finance lease obligations. Concurrent with the acquisition, Vaughan, a third-party licensee, completed its acquisition of separately owned television stations (the "Vaughan Acquired Stations") in three markets for $4.6 million from PBC Broadcasting, LLC ("PBC").
We also agreed to provide certain services to the Vaughan Acquired Stations pursuant to SSAs with Vaughan. Under the SSAs with Vaughan, we provide sales, administrative and technical services, supporting the business and operation of the Vaughan Acquired Stations in exchange for commissions and fees that provide us the benefit of certain returns from the business of the Vaughan Acquired Stations.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by both us and Vaughan in the acquisition (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | |
Program rights assets | $ | 2,040 |
|
Property and equipment | 100,124 |
|
Broadcast licenses | 133,120 |
|
Definite-lived intangible assets | 55,837 |
|
Goodwill | 65,024 |
|
Current liabilities | (417 | ) |
Non-current liabilities | (2,239 | ) |
Long-term debt assumed | (13,989 | ) |
Total | $ | 339,500 |
|
The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of network affiliations of $30.8 million, favorable leases of $8.6 million, advertiser relationships of $6.1 million, retransmission consent agreements of $7 million, and other intangible assets of $3.3 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of approximately 2 years for network affiliations, 32 years for favorable leases, 10 years for advertiser relationships, 5 years for retransmission consent agreements, and a weighted average life of 6 years for other intangible assets.
The results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 include the results of the New Vision stations since October 12, 2012. Net revenues and operating income of the television stations acquired during 2012 included in our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $40 million and $11.2 million, respectively.
Pro Forma Information
The following table sets forth unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that the acquisition of the television stations from New Vision, along with transactions necessary to finance the acquisition, occurred on January 1, 2011 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| 2012 | | 2011 |
Net revenue | $ | 658,163 |
| | $ | 514,340 |
|
Net (loss) income | $ | (11,720 | ) | | $ | 23,950 |
|
Basic (loss) income per common share attributable to LIN LLC | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | 0.43 |
|
Diluted (loss) income per common share attributable to LIN LLC | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | 0.42 |
|
This pro forma financial information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments, and is not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2011. The pro forma adjustments reflect depreciation expense, amortization of intangibles and amortization of program contract costs related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired, additional interest expense related to the financing of the transactions, exclusion of nonrecurring financing and transaction related costs and the related tax effects of the adjustments.
In connection with the acquisition of television stations from New Vision, we and New Vision incurred a combined total of $7.3 million of transaction related costs primarily related to legal and other professional services. These costs were not included in the 2012 pro forma amounts. The 2011 pro forma net income was adjusted to include these costs, as they are directly attributable to the acquisition.
ACME Television Acquisition
On December 10, 2012, we acquired certain assets of the ACME Television, LLC ("ACME") television stations KWBQ-TV, KRWB-TV and KASY-TV (collectively the "Acquired Stations"), each of which serves the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM market. KASY-TV Licensee, LLC ("KASY"), an unrelated third party, acquired the remaining assets of the Acquired Stations, including the FCC license. The aggregate purchase price for the Acquired Stations was $19 million, of which we paid approximately $17.3 million and KASY paid approximately $1.7 million.
We also agreed to provide certain services to the Acquired Stations pursuant to shared services arrangements with KASY. Under the shared services arrangements with KASY, we provide sales, administrative and technical services, supporting the business and operation of the Acquired Stations in exchange for commissions and fees that provide us the benefit of certain returns from the business of the Acquired Stations.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by both us and KASY in the acquisitions (in thousands):
|
| | | |
Current assets | $ | 1,656 |
|
Non-current assets | 1,968 |
|
Other intangible assets | 12,898 |
|
Goodwill | 5,331 |
|
Non-current liabilities | (2,858 | ) |
Total | $ | 18,995 |
|
Goodwill of $65 million and $5.3 million is the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, and primarily represents the benefits of synergies and economies of scale we expect to realize from the acquisitions of the television stations from New Vision and ACME, respectively. All of the goodwill recognized in connection with the acquisitions of New Vision and ACME is deductible for tax purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, certain measurement period adjustments were made to the initial allocation performed in the fourth quarter of 2012 for the New Vision and ACME acquisitions, which were not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Nami Media, Inc.
On November 22, 2011, we acquired a 57.6% interest (a 50.1% interest calculated on a fully diluted basis) in Nami Media Inc. ("Nami Media"), a digital advertising management and technology company. During 2013, Nami Media did not achieve the minimum threshold of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") required to obligate us to acquire the remaining outstanding shares. As of the date of this report, we have not exercised our option to acquire the remaining outstanding shares.
Note 3—Discontinued Operations
WWHO-TV
On February 16, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of WWHO-TV, our CW affiliate serving Columbus, OH. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a loss on the sale of WWHO-TV of $0.4 million ($0.3 million, net of tax).
WUPW-TV
On April 21, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of WUPW-TV to WUPW, LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a gain on the sale of WUPW-TV of $18 million ($11.7 million, net of tax).
The following presents summarized information for the discontinued operations as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | 2012 | | 2011 |
| | WWHO- TV | | WUPW- TV | | Total | | WWHO- TV | | WUPW- TV | | Total |
Net revenues | | $ | 440 |
| | $ | 2,193 |
| | $ | 2,633 |
| | $ | 4,236 |
| | $ | 7,585 |
| | $ | 11,821 |
|
Operating (loss) income | | (393 | ) | | (1,166 | ) | | (1,559 | ) | | (699 | ) | | 1,079 |
| | 380 |
|
Net (loss) income | | (252 | ) | | (766 | ) | | (1,018 | ) | | (1,427 | ) | | 507 |
| | (920 | ) |
Note 4—Investments
Joint Venture with NBCUniversal
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
As of December 31, 2012, we held a 20.38% interest in SVH, a joint venture with NBCUniversal, and accounted for our interest using the equity method, as we did not have a controlling interest. SVH held a 99.75% interest in SVO, which is the operating company that managed KXAS-TV and KNSD-TV, the television stations that comprised the joint venture.
As further described in Note 1 - "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies," on February 12, 2013, LIN TV, LIN Television, and LIN Texas entered into and simultaneously closed the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement among subsidiaries of NBCUniversal, Comcast, the GE Parties, and SVH.
Pursuant to the JV Sale Transaction, in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations related to any shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal , and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
The following table presents summarized financial information of SVH and SVO for the period from January 1, 2013 through February 12, 2013 and the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| January1 - February 12, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
SVO: | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 11,951 |
| | $ | 143,474 |
| | $ | 118,833 |
|
Operating expenses | (9,148 | ) | | (79,124 | ) | | (71,350 | ) |
Net income before taxes | 2,805 |
| | 64,653 |
| | 47,791 |
|
Net income after taxes | 2,793 |
| | 64,515 |
| | 47,743 |
|
SVH: | | | | | |
Equity in income from limited partnership in SVO | $ | 2,786 |
| | $ | 64,354 |
| | $ | 47,624 |
|
Interest and other expense | (8,039 | ) | | (69,365 | ) | | (68,003 | ) |
Net loss | (5,253 | ) | | (5,011 | ) | | (20,379 | ) |
| | | | | |
Cash distributions to SVH from SVO | 6,905 |
| | 55,025 |
| | 53,846 |
|
Shortfall loans from LIN Television to SVH | — |
| | 2,292 |
| | 2,483 |
|
Shortfall loans from General Electric Company ("GE") to SVH | — |
| | 8,954 |
| | 9,701 |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| February 12, | | December 31, |
| 2013 (2) | | 2012 |
SVH: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,905 |
| | $ | — |
|
Non-current assets | 205,433 |
| | 209,552 |
|
Current liabilities | 8,155 |
| | 544 |
|
Non-current liabilities(1) | 865,354 |
| | 864,927 |
|
Shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to LIN Television from SVH | 10,159 |
| | 10,080 |
|
Shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to NBCUniversal and General Electric from SVH | 39,695 |
| | 39,382 |
|
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
In 2008, we recorded an impairment charge that reduced the carrying value of our investment in SVH to $0. Subsequent to the reduction of the SVH carrying value to $0, and as a result of our guarantee of the GECC Note as further described in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies", we suspended recognition of equity method losses in our consolidated financial statements.
During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, based on our estimate of our probable shortfall obligations to the joint venture, we recognized contingent liabilities of $4.2 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the amounts that we expected to loan to SVH pursuant to the shortfall funding agreements with the GE Parties and NBCUniversal, as further described in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies." Because of uncertainty surrounding the joint venture's ability to repay shortfall loans, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the amounts recognized for accrued shortfall loans would not be recovered within a reasonable period of time, and concurrently recognized charges of $4.2 million and $4.7 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, to reflect the impairment of the shortfall loans, which were classified within Share of loss in equity investments in our consolidated statement of operations. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, as of February 12, 2013, we had no further shortfall funding obligations. Therefore, as of December 31, 2012, the remaining accrued shortfall funding liability of $6 million was also reversed and reflected in the Share of loss in equity investments line of our consolidated statement of operations.
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | See Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies" for further description of the GECC Note. Non-current liabilities includes shortfall loans outstanding and accrued interest payable to the joint venture partners. |
| |
(2) | Represents balances prior to the effect of the JV Sale Transaction. |
Note 5—Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Land and land improvements | $ | 21,152 |
| | $ | 21,147 |
|
Buildings and fixtures | 179,209 |
| | 176,940 |
|
Broadcast equipment and other | 319,912 |
| | 311,907 |
|
Total property and equipment | 520,273 |
| | 509,994 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation | (299,195 | ) | | (268,503 | ) |
Property and equipment, net | $ | 221,078 |
| | $ | 241,491 |
|
We recorded depreciation expense of $46.9 million, $32.1 million and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Note 6—Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes the carrying amount of each major class of intangible assets (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-Average Remaining Useful Life (in years) | | December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Network affiliations | 1 | | $ | 32,996 |
| | $ | 32,996 |
|
Customer relationships | 9 | | 14,941 |
| | 8,631 |
|
Non-compete agreements | 1 | | 1,588 |
| | 1,588 |
|
Completed technology | 3 | | 10,191 |
| | 6,370 |
|
Favorable leases | 31 | | 8,573 |
| | 8,573 |
|
Retransmission consent agreements | 4 | | 7,860 |
| | 7,859 |
|
Other intangible assets | 19 | | 9,817 |
| | 9,609 |
|
Accumulated amortization | | | (38,917 | ) | | (16,072 | ) |
Net finite-lived intangible assets | | | $ | 47,049 |
| | $ | 59,554 |
|
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Broadcast licenses | | | $ | 536,515 |
| | $ | 536,515 |
|
Summary: | | | | | |
Goodwill | | | $ | 203,528 |
| | $ | 192,514 |
|
Broadcast licenses and finite-lived intangible assets, net | | | 583,564 |
| | 596,069 |
|
Total intangible assets | | | $ | 787,092 |
| | $ | 788,583 |
|
We recorded amortization expense of $22.8 million , $6.4 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following table summarizes the projected aggregate amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| Projected Aggregate Amortization Expense |
For the years ended December 31, | |
2014 | $ | 15,971 |
|
2015 | 5,783 |
|
2016 | 4,980 |
|
2017 | 3,266 |
|
2018 | 2,042 |
|
Thereafter | 15,007 |
|
Total | $ | 47,049 |
|
There were no events during 2013, 2012 and 2011 to warrant the performance of an interim impairment test of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. We recorded a $1.6 million impairment charge related to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Balance as of January 1, 2013 and 2012, respectively | $ | 192,514 |
| | $ | 122,069 |
|
Acquisitions | 11,014 |
| | 70,445 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively | $ | 203,528 |
| | $ | 192,514 |
|
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 7—Debt
Debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Senior Secured Credit Facility: | | | |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
|
$118,750 and $125,000 Term loans, net of discount of $345 and $435 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 118,405 |
| | 124,565 |
|
$314,200 and $257,400 Incremental term loans, net of discount of $1,684 and $2,020 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | 312,516 |
| | 255,380 |
|
83/8% Senior Notes due 2018 | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
63/8% Senior Notes due 2021 | 290,000 |
| | 290,000 |
|
Capital lease obligations | 14,604 |
| | 14,881 |
|
Other debt | 6,167 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total debt | 946,692 |
| | 890,227 |
|
Less current portion | 17,364 |
| | 10,756 |
|
Total long-term debt | $ | 929,328 |
| | $ | 879,471 |
|
Senior Secured Credit Facility
Our senior secured credit facility is comprised of a six-year, $125 million tranche A term loan and a five-year, $75 million revolving credit facility, and bears interest at a rate based on, at our option, either a) the LIBOR interest rate, or b) the ABR rate, which is an interest rate that is equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1 percent, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1%. In addition, the rate we select also bears an applicable margin based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 2.75% and 1.75% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014, these rates will be 3% and 2% for LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans, respectively. Lastly, the unused portion of the revolving credit facility is subject to a commitment fee based upon our Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, currently set at 0.375% for both LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans and will increase to 0.5% following the issuance of this report during the first quarter of 2014 for both LIBOR based loans and ABR rate loans.
Our senior secured credit facility also includes a seven-year, $260 million tranche B incremental term loan facility and a $60 million tranche B-2 incremental term facility that was funded on February 12, 2013 in connection with the JV Sale Transaction, each of which is subject to the terms of our Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility were used (i) to pay the call price for our redemption of all of our remaining 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes, as described below, and (ii) to pay accrued interest, fees and expenses associated with the redemption. Borrowings under the incremental term loan facility bear interest at a rate based, at our option, on an adjusted LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin of 3%; or an adjusted Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 2%; provided that the adjusted LIBOR rate and the adjusted Base Rate shall at no time be less than 1% and 2%, respectively.
On December 24, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of October 26, 2011, as amended on December 19, 2011, by and among LIN Television, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the banks and other financial institutions party thereto, which (1) replaced our $257.4 million tranche B term loan maturing in December 2018 with a new tranche B term loan of the same maturity which bears interest at a reduced rate and (2) made certain other changes to the Credit Agreement, including changes to the financial covenants therein that are favorable to LIN Television and its affiliates and (3) extended the maturity for a $60 million tranche of our revolving credit facility to October 2017 and on May 9, 2013, we extended the maturity date of the remaining $15 million tranche of our revolving credit facility to October 2017. We paid customary fees and expenses in connection with the closing of these amendments of $1.7 million. As a result of these amendments, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The terms of the Credit Agreement provide for customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants), and events of default. The Credit Agreement also provides for the payment of customary fees and
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
expenses by us. The senior secured credit facility can be accelerated upon events of default and require the term loans to be prepaid under certain circumstances with amounts determined by reference to the proceeds from certain asset sales (subject to reinvestment rights), the incurrence of certain indebtedness and a percentage of annual excess cash flow.
The senior secured credit facility ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. LIN LLC and certain of our existing, or hereafter created or acquired, domestic subsidiaries guarantee the credit facilities on a senior basis. We and each of our subsidiary guarantors have granted a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets to secure the obligations under senior secured credit facility, and LIN LLC has granted a security interest in its capital stock of LIN Television to secure such obligations.
Our senior secured credit facility permits us to prepay loans and to permanently reduce the revolving credit commitments, in whole or in part, at any time. We are also obligated to make mandatory quarterly principal payments. In addition, our senior secured credit facility restricts the use of proceeds from asset sales not reinvested in our business and the use of proceeds from the issuance of debt (subject to certain exceptions), which must be used for mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans.
The Credit Agreement governing our senior secured credit facility also requires on an annual basis, following the delivery of our year-end financial statements, and commencing after the year ended December 31, 2012, mandatory prepayments of principal of the term loans based on a computation of excess cash flow for the preceding fiscal year, as more fully described in the Credit Agreement. However, based on the excess cash flow computation for the year ended December 31, 2013, we will not be required to make such prepayments during the year ending December 31, 2014.
The incremental term loan facility is a senior secured obligation and ranks senior in right of payment to our existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The incremental term loan facility is guaranteed and secured on the same basis as the other credit facilities under the Credit Agreement. If we do not refinance, redeem or discharge our 83/8% Senior Notes on or prior to January 15, 2018, then, in such event, the maturity of the incremental term loan facility will be accelerated from December 21, 2018 to January 15, 2018.
The following table summarizes certain key terms including the LIBOR-based borrowing rates of our senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Credit Facility |
| Revolving Facility | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
|
Available balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 70,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Interest rates as of December 31, 2013: | | | | | |
Interest rate | 0.17 | % | | 0.17 | % | | 1.00 | % |
Applicable margin | 2.75 | % | | 2.75 | % | | 3.00 | % |
Total | 2.92 | % | | 2.92 | % | | 4.00 | % |
2009 Senior Secured Credit Facility
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million consisting of a write-down of deferred financing fees related to the revolving credit facility and term loans under our 2009 senior secured credit facility.
83/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 83/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 4/15/2018 |
Annual interest rate | 8.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | April 15th |
| October 15th |
Our 83/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The indenture governing our 83/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 83/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
63/8% Senior Notes
|
| |
| 63/8% Senior Notes |
Final maturity date | 1/15/2021 |
Annual interest rate | 6.375% |
Payable semi-annually in arrears | January 15th |
| July 15th |
On October 12, 2012, we completed the issuance and sale of $290 million in aggregate principal amount of our 63/8% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of our 63/8% Senior Notes were used to fund the remaining purchase price for the Acquisition as further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions."
Our 63/8% Senior Notes are unsecured but rank equally in right of payment with all senior secured indebtedness and senior to all subordinated indebtedness.
The indenture governing our 63/8% Senior Notes contains covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred shares; make certain dividends, distributions, investments and other restricted payments; sell certain assets; agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us; create certain liens; merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. The indenture also has change of control provisions which may require our Company to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Additionally, if we sell assets under certain circumstances, we will be required to make an offer to purchase our 63/8% Senior Notes at their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, through the purchase date.
61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes and 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes—Class B
During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we redeemed $252 million and $165 million, respectively, of our 61/2% Senior Subordinated Notes. The redemption of these notes, at par, was funded in part by proceeds from the term loan, incremental term loan, the revolving credit facility and cash on hand. As a result of these redemptions, during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively, associated with a write-down of deferred financing fees and unamortized discount to our consolidated statement of operations.
Capital Lease Obligations
As part of the transactions further described in Note 2—"Acquisitions," we assumed $15.1 million in capital lease obligations related to buildings and equipment. These leases mature over a period of 4 to 19 years and are payable in monthly installments. The total outstanding balance of these capital lease obligations was $14.6 million as of December 31, 2013. LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantees these lease obligations.
Other Debt
During the year ended December 31, 2012, Vaughan, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $4.6 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of PBC. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through October 2017. We fully and unconditionally guarantee this loan.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2012, KASY, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $1.7 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of ACME. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through December 2017. We fully and unconditionally guarantee this loan.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, WBDT, a consolidated VIE, entered into a term loan with an unrelated third party in an original principal amount of $0.9 million to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of certain assets of WBDT-TV. This term loan matures in equal quarterly installments through May 2016. We fully and unconditionally guarantee this loan.
Repayment of Principal
The following table summarizes scheduled future principal repayments on our debt agreements and capital leases (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revolving Facilities | | Term Loans | | Incremental Term Loans | | 83/8% Senior Notes | | 63/8% Senior Notes | | Capital Leases | | Other Debt | | Total |
Final maturity date | 10/26/2017 |
| | 10/26/2017 |
| | 12/21/2018 |
| | 4/15/2018 |
| | 1/15/2021 |
| | Various |
| | Various |
| | |
|
2014 | $ | — |
| | $ | 12,500 |
| | $ | 3,200 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 502 |
| | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 17,364 |
|
2015 | — |
| | 18,750 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 528 |
| | 1,162 |
| | 23,640 |
|
2016 | — |
| | 25,000 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 620 |
| | 1,024 |
| | 29,844 |
|
2017 | 5,000 |
| (1) | 62,500 |
| | 3,200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 577 |
| | 819 |
| | 72,096 |
|
2018 | — |
| | — |
| | 301,400 |
| | 200,000 |
| | — |
| | 609 |
| | 2,000 |
| | 504,009 |
|
2019 and thereafter | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 290,000 |
| | 11,768 |
| | — |
| | 301,768 |
|
Total | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 118,750 |
| | $ | 314,200 |
| | $ | 200,000 |
| | $ | 290,000 |
| | $ | 14,604 |
| | $ | 6,167 |
| | $ | 948,721 |
|
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | An additional $25 million was outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of the date of this report and is not reflected in our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. |
The fair values of our long-term debt are estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2 inputs of the three-level fair value hierarchy). The carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 |
| Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Estimated Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Revolving credit loans | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | 5,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Term loans | 430,921 |
| | 432,105 |
| | 379,945 |
| | 380,599 |
|
Senior notes | 490,000 |
| | 512,983 |
| | 490,000 |
| | 524,500 |
|
Other debt | 6,167 |
| | 6,167 |
| | 5,401 |
| | 5,401 |
|
Total | $ | 932,088 |
| | $ | 956,255 |
| | $ | 875,346 |
| | $ | 910,500 |
|
Note 8—Derivative Financial Instruments
We have historically used derivative financial instruments in the management of our interest rate exposure for our long-term debt. In accordance with our interest rate risk management policy, we do not enter into derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure, and we do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
During the second quarter of 2006, we entered into a contract to hedge a notional amount of the declining balances of our term loans under our prior senior secured credit facility (the "2006 interest rate hedge") to mitigate changes in our cash flows resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. The 2006 interest rate hedge was historically designated as a cash flow hedge, however, as a result of a repayment of $45.9 million of principal on our term loans under our 2009 senior secured credit facility during 2010,
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
the 2006 interest rate hedge ceased to be highly effective in hedging the variable rate cash flows. As a result, all changes in fair value were recorded in our consolidated statement of operations, including a gain of approximately $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The 2006 interest rate hedge expired on November 4, 2011. Accordingly, there are no amounts related to the 2006 interest rate hedge included in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
As of December 31, 2013, we have no derivative contracts outstanding.
Note 9—Share-Based Compensation
We have several share-based compensation plans, including the 1998 Option Plan, the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan and the Amended and Restated 2002 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (collectively, the "Stock Plans"), that permit us to grant non-qualified options in LIN LLC's class A common shares or restricted share awards, to certain directors, officers and key employees of our Company.
Options granted under the Stock Plans vest over a four-year service period, unless otherwise designated by the Compensation Committee upon grant. Options expire ten years from the date of grant. We issue new shares of LIN LLC's class A common shares when options are exercised or from shares that we repurchased pursuant to our Board authorized share repurchase program as further described in Note 11—"Shareholders' Equity." Restricted share awards vest over a service period designated by the Compensation Committee upon grant. There were 6,787,940 shares authorized for grant under the various Stock Plans and 2,375,605 shares available for future grant as of December 31, 2013. Both the shares authorized and shares available exclude 1,552,983 shares under plans in effect prior to 2002 from which we do not intend to re-grant and consider unavailable for future grants.
The following table presents the share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 | | 2011 |
Employee share options | $ | 2,933 |
| | $ | 1,868 |
| | $ | 1,492 |
|
Restricted share awards | 6,348 |
| | 4,896 |
| | 4,320 |
|
Modifications to share option agreements | 93 |
| | 93 |
| | 364 |
|
Total share-based compensation | $ | 9,374 |
| | $ | 6,857 |
| | $ | 6,176 |
|
We did not capitalize any share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
We have not yet recognized compensation expense relating to unvested employee share options and restricted share awards of $2.6 million and $14 million, respectively, which will be recognized over a weighted-average future period of approximately 1.3 years and 1.7 years, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we received $1.4 million from the exercise of share options and $0.4 million from the purchase of LIN TV's class A common stock pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"), which terminated upon consummation of the Merger.
Share Options
The following table provides additional information regarding our share options for the year ended December 31, 2013 as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share |
Outstanding at the beginning of the year | 4,894 |
| | $ | 3.42 |
|
Granted during the year | 110 |
| | 12.29 |
|
Exercised or converted during the year | (420 | ) | | 3.23 |
|
Forfeited during the year | (163 | ) | | 5.43 |
|
Expired during the year | (9 | ) | | 3.57 |
|
Outstanding at the end of the year | 4,412 |
| | 3.58 |
|
Exercisable or convertible at the end of the year | 3,304 |
| | 2.79 |
|
As of December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and the options exercisable was 6.1 years and 5.3 years, respectively. Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding and the options exercisable was $110.7 million and $85.5 million, respectively. The intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value based on our closing price as of December 31, 2013, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options and immediately sold their shares on that date.
The fair value of each share option grant or modification is estimated on the date of grant or modification using a Black-Scholes valuation model, which incorporates the following assumptions:
|
| | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Expected term(1) | 5 to 6 years | | 5 to 6 years | | 5 to 6 years |
Expected volatility(2) | 95% to 96% | | 98% to 99% | | 97% to 99% |
Expected dividends | $— | | $— | | $— |
Risk-free rate(3) | 0.8% to 1.2% | | 0.6% to 1.1% | | 0.9% to 2.6% |
_______________________________________________________________________________
| |
(1) | The expected term was estimated using our historical experience. |
| |
(2) | Expected volatility is based on historical trends for LIN LLC class A common shares over the expected term. |
| |
(3) | The risk-free interest rate for each grant is equal to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar expected life. |
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized share-based compensation expense for a modification to our share option agreements of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as a result of an exchange offer we completed in 2009.
Restricted Share Awards
The following table provides additional information regarding the restricted share awards for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
|
| | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Price Per Share |
Unvested at the beginning of the year | 2,294 |
| | $ | 5.98 |
|
Granted during the year | 582 |
| | 18.89 |
|
Vested during the year | (960 | ) | | 6.00 |
|
Forfeited during the year | (205 | ) | | 5.87 |
|
Unvested at the end of the year | 1,711 |
| | 10.37 |
|
The following table provides further information for both our restricted share awards and share option awards (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Total fair value of options and awards granted | $ | 12,349 |
| | $ | 10,347 |
| | $ | 4,983 |
|
Total intrinsic value of options exercised | 5,136 |
| | 865 |
| | 225 |
|
Total fair value of awards vested | 18,050 |
| | 7,718 |
| | 7,522 |
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
As a result of the Merger, the ESPP was terminated, effective July 30, 2013. Prior to this, under the terms of our ESPP, our eligible employees could elect to have up to 10% of eligible compensation deducted from their pay to purchase shares of LIN TV's class A common stock. The purchase price of each share was 85% of the average of the high and low per share trading price of LIN TV's class A common stock on the NYSE on the last trading day of each month during the offering period. During the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, employees purchased 42,734, 173,244 and 187,350 shares, respectively, at a weighted-average price of $10.05, $3.55 and $3.38, respectively.
Note 10—Retirement Plans
401(k) Plan
We provide a defined contribution plan ("401(k) Plan") for eligible employees. Effective January 1, 2010, we began making a 3% non-elective contribution for all eligible employees, which vests 100% after two years of service. We contributed $4.8 million, $3.9 million and $3.6 million to the 401(k) Plan in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Supplemental Income Deferral Plan
Effective July 1, 2010, we also made available to certain employees, including our executive officers, the LIN Television Corporation Supplemental Income Deferral Plan ("SIDP"). This plan provides benefits to highly compensated employees in circumstances in which the maximum limits established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and the Internal Revenue Code prevent them from receiving Company contributions. We contributed $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.2 million to this plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The SIDP also allows eligible executive officers to defer 5% - 80% of their base salaries and 5% - 100% of their annual non-equity incentive awards on a tax-deferred basis and receive tax-deferred market-based growth. During 2013, the Company made contributions to the SIDP for each of the named executive officers in amounts equal to 5% of their base salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation.
Retirement Plans
We have historically provided defined benefit retirement plans to our employees who did not receive matching contributions from our Company to their 401(k) Plan accounts. Our defined benefit plans were non-contributory plans under which we made contributions either to: a) traditional plan participants based on periodic actuarial valuations, which are expensed over the expected average remaining service lives of current employees through the LIN Television Corporation Retirement Plan ("Retirement Plan"); or b) cash balance plan participants based on 5% of each participant's eligible compensation through the Supplemental Benefit Retirement Plan of LIN Television Corporation ("SERP").
Effective April 1, 2009, these plans were frozen and we do not expect to make additional benefit accruals to these plans, however we continue to fund our existing vested obligations. We contributed $5.4 million, $7.4 million and $5.4 million to our pension plans during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We anticipate contributing $5.7 million to the plans in 2014.
We record the unfunded status of our defined benefit plans as a liability. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, each plan was underfunded. The plan assets and benefit obligations of our defined benefit plans are recorded at fair value. Information regarding the change in the projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the change in the fair value of plan assets for our traditional defined benefit plan and our cash balance plan are as follows (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
Change in projected benefit obligation | | | |
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period | $ | 134,969 |
| | $ | 133,047 |
|
Service cost | — |
| | — |
|
Interest cost | 5,259 |
| | 5,379 |
|
Actuarial (gain) loss | (10,282 | ) | | 1,485 |
|
Benefits paid | (4,943 | ) | | (4,942 | ) |
Curtailment | — |
| | — |
|
Projected benefit obligation, end of period | $ | 125,003 |
| | $ | 134,969 |
|
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 125,003 |
| | $ | 134,969 |
|
Change in plan assets | | | |
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period | $ | 96,412 |
| | $ | 82,314 |
|
Actual return on plan assets | 10,611 |
| | 11,621 |
|
Employer contributions | 5,359 |
| | 7,419 |
|
Benefits paid | (4,943 | ) | | (4,942 | ) |
Fair value of plan assets, end of period | $ | 107,439 |
| | $ | 96,412 |
|
Unfunded status of the plan | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
Total amount recognized as accrued benefit liability | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
The following table includes the pension related accounts recognized on our consolidated balance sheets and the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net periodic pension benefit costs (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
Other accrued expenses (current) | $ | (695 | ) | | $ | (373 | ) |
Other liabilities (long-term) | (16,869 | ) | | (38,184 | ) |
Total amount recognized as accrued pension benefit liability | $ | (17,564 | ) | | $ | (38,557 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: | | | |
Net loss | $ | 32,681 |
| | $ | 48,978 |
|
Tax benefit | 12,915 |
| | 19,354 |
|
Net loss, net of tax benefit | 19,766 |
| | 29,624 |
|
Pension tax liability | 5,760 |
| | 5,760 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to net periodic pension benefit cost | $ | 25,526 |
| | $ | 35,384 |
|
The total net loss of $32.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2013 relates to deferred actuarial losses from changes in discount rates, differences between actual and assumed asset returns, and differences between actual and assumed demographic experience (rates of turnover, retirement rates, mortality rates and prior to the plan freeze, rates of compensation increases). During 2014, we expect to amortize net losses of $1.3 million, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2013.
The following table includes other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
Net gain (loss) | $ | 14,443 |
| | $ | 3,947 |
| | $ | (18,503 | ) |
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 1,854 |
| | 1,578 |
| | 753 |
|
Net gain (loss) | $ | 16,297 |
|
| $ | 5,525 |
|
| $ | (17,750 | ) |
Tax benefit (provision) | 6,439 |
| | 2,132 |
| | (6,912 | ) |
Total amount recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 9,858 |
|
| $ | 3,393 |
|
| $ | (10,838 | ) |
Components of net periodic pension benefit cost were (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
Service cost | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Interest cost | 5,259 |
| | 5,379 |
| | 5,872 |
|
Expected return on plan assets | (6,450 | ) | | (6,190 | ) | | (6,824 | ) |
Amortization of prior service cost | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Amortization of net loss | 1,854 |
| | 1,579 |
| | 754 |
|
Net periodic benefit cost (gain) | $ | 663 |
| | $ | 768 |
| | $ | (198 | ) |
Our expected future pension benefit payments for the next 10 years are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | |
For Years Ended December 31, | Expected Future Pension Benefit Payments |
2014 | $ | 7,914 |
|
2015 | 5,879 |
|
2016 | 5,955 |
|
2017 | 5,966 |
|
2018 | 6,281 |
|
2019 through 2023 | 38,156 |
|
Weighted-average assumptions used to estimate our pension benefit obligations and to determine our net periodic pension benefit cost are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan | | SERP | | Retirement Plan |
Discount rate used to estimate our pension benefit obligation | 4.70% | | 5.00% | | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90% | | 4.20% |
Discount rate used to determine net periodic pension benefit | 3.60% | | 4.00% | | 3.90% | | 4.20% | | 5.25% | | 5.25% |
Rate of compensation increase | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
Expected long-term rate-of-return on plan assets | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A | | 7.00% | | N/A | | 7.00% |
For the discount rate for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we used a custom bond modeler that develops a hypothetical portfolio of high quality corporate bonds, rated AA- and above by Standard & Poor's, that could be purchased to settle the obligations of the plan. The yield on this hypothetical portfolio represents a reasonable rate to value our plan liability.
We considered the current levels of expected returns on a risk-free investment, the historical levels of risk premium associated with each of our pension asset classes, the expected future returns for each of our pension asset classes and then weighted each
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
asset class based on our pension plan asset allocation to derive an expected long-term return on pension plan assets. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, our actual rate of return on plan assets was 12.0%, 15.4% and 4.0%.
Our investment objective is to achieve a consistent total rate-of-return that will equal or exceed our actuarial assumptions and to equal or exceed the benchmarks that we use for each of our pension plan asset classes. The following asset allocation is designed to create a diversified portfolio of pension plan assets that is consistent with our target asset allocation and risk policy:
|
| | | | | |
| Target Allocation | | Percentage of Plan Assets as of December 31, |
Asset Category | 2013 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
Equity securities | 60% | | 60% | | 55% |
Debt securities | 40% | | 40% | | 45% |
| 100% | | 100% | | 100% |
The following table summarizes our pension plan assets measured at fair value using the prescribed three-level fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | | Significant Observable Inputs | | |
| (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | Total |
December 31, 2013: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 690 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 690 |
|
Money market fund | — |
| | 762 |
| | 762 |
|
Commingled pools: | | | | | — |
|
U.S. equity | — |
| | 37,645 |
| | 37,645 |
|
International equity | — |
| | 18,884 |
| | 18,884 |
|
REIT | — |
| | 3,213 |
| | 3,213 |
|
High yield bond | — |
| | 4,101 |
| | 4,101 |
|
Emerging markets | — |
| | 5,994 |
| | 5,994 |
|
Investment grade fixed income | — |
| | 36,150 |
| | 36,150 |
|
Total | $ | 690 |
| | $ | 106,749 |
| | $ | 107,439 |
|
December 31, 2012: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 573 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 573 |
|
Money market fund | — |
| | 519 |
| | 519 |
|
Commingled pools: | | | | | — |
|
U.S. equity | — |
| | 30,034 |
| | 30,034 |
|
International equity | — |
| | 15,241 |
| | 15,241 |
|
REIT | — |
| | 3,875 |
| | 3,875 |
|
High yield bond | — |
| | 2,916 |
| | 2,916 |
|
Emerging markets | — |
| | 6,374 |
| | 6,374 |
|
Investment grade fixed income | — |
| | 36,880 |
| | 36,880 |
|
Total | $ | 573 |
| | $ | 95,839 |
| | $ | 96,412 |
|
The commingled pools, U.S. and International stock funds and U.S. bond funds consist of various funds that are valued at the net asset value of units held by the plan at year-end as determined by the custodian, based on fair value of the underlying securities. These methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future values. Furthermore, while we believe these valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could result in different fair value measurement as of the reporting date.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 11—Shareholders' Equity
During the year ended December 31, 2011, LIN TV's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized LIN TV to repurchase up to $25 million of LIN TV's class A common stock over a 12 month period. This program was extended by LIN TV's Board of Directors in November 2012 and was scheduled to expire on the earlier of the completion of all purchases contemplated by the plan or November 14, 2013; however, on February 12, 2013, as a result of entering into the Merger Agreement, LIN TV terminated the share repurchase program. Prior to the termination, during the year ended December 31, 2012, LIN TV repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares of LIN TV's class A common stock on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $11.4 million. There were no shares repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2013.
LIN LLC's class B common shares are convertible into an equal number of shares of LIN LLC's class A or class C common shares in various circumstances. During the year ended December 31, 2013, prior to the Merger, 2.5 million shares of LIN TV's class B common stock were converted into shares of class A common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2012, none of LIN TV's class B common stock was converted into class A common stock.
Note 12—Restructuring and Contract Termination Costs
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded restructuring charges of $3.9 million primarily related to severance and related costs associated with the integration of the television stations acquired during 2012. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded restructuring charges of $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, as a result of severance and related costs as well as the consolidation of certain activities at our stations and our corporate headquarters. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we made cash payments of $4.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.1 million related to these restructuring actions. We expect to make cash payments of $0.4 million related to these restructuring actions during 2014.
The activity for these restructuring charges relating to severance and related costs is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| Severance and Related |
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | $ | 515 |
|
Charges | 1,009 |
|
Payments | (807 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | $ | 717 |
|
Charges | 3,895 |
|
Payments | (4,189 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | 423 |
|
In December 2013, we terminated an agreement with a service provider that provided national sales representation and made a payment of $5.4 million to exit our agreement prior to its expiration. Concurrent with the termination of the agreement, we released $1.5 million of deferred credits associated with the terminated contract. The amount of the one-time termination payment, offset by the release of the deferred credits, has been reflected as Contract termination costs in our consolidated statement of operations for 2013.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 13—Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
We lease land, buildings, vehicles and equipment pursuant to non-cancelable operating lease agreements and we contract for general services pursuant to non-cancelable operating agreements that expire at various dates through 2036. In addition, we have entered into commitments for future syndicated entertainment and sports programming. Future payments for these non-cancelable operating leases and agreements, and future payments associated with syndicated television programs as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating Leases and Agreements | | Syndicated Television Programming(1) | | Total |
Year | | | | | |
2014 | $ | 45,076 |
| | $ | 27,119 |
| | $ | 72,195 |
|
2015 | 33,930 |
| | 26,675 |
| | 60,605 |
|
2016 | 16,140 |
| | 17,387 |
| | 33,527 |
|
2017 | 12,146 |
| | 3,133 |
| | 15,279 |
|
2018 | 1,611 |
| | 153 |
| | 1,764 |
|
Thereafter | 7,139 |
| | 214 |
| | 7,353 |
|
Total obligations | $ | 116,042 |
| | $ | 74,681 |
| | $ | 190,723 |
|
(1)Includes $6.3 million of program obligations recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013
Rent expense, resulting from operating leases, was $5.8 million, $2.5 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Contingencies
GECC Guarantee and the Merger
GECC provided secured debt financing for the joint venture between NBCUniversal and us, in the form of an $815.5 million non-amortizing senior secured note due 2023 bearing interest at an initial rate of 8% per annum until March 1, 2013 and 9% per annum thereafter. The GECC Note was an obligation of the joint venture. As of December 31, 2012, we had a 20.38% equity interest in the joint venture and NBCUniversal had the remaining 79.62% equity interest, in which we and NBCUniversal each had a 50% voting interest. NBCUniversal operated two television stations, KXAS-TV, an NBC affiliate in Dallas, and KNSD-TV, an NBC affiliate in San Diego, pursuant to a management agreement. LIN TV had previously guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on the GECC Note.
On February 12, 2013, we, along with our wholly-owned subsidiaries, LIN Television and LIN Texas, entered into, and simultaneously closed the JV Sale Transaction with subsidiaries of NBCUniversal, the GE Parties, Comcast and SVH whereby in exchange for LIN Television causing a $100 million capital contribution to be made to SVH (which was used to prepay a portion of the GECC Note), LIN TV was released from the GECC Guarantee and any further obligations relating to the shortfall funding agreements. Further, LIN Texas sold its 20.38% equity interest in SVH to affiliates of NBCUniversal, and the LIN parties transferred their rights to receivables related to the Shortfall Funding Loans for $1.00.
We accrued for and expensed the $100 million capital contribution to SVH to secure the release of the guarantee and recorded the related tax effects in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012, because it represented a probable and estimable obligation of the Company. In February 2013, we entered into a $60 million Incremental Facility and utilized $40 million of cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility to fund the $100 million payment. As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, after utilizing all of our available Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, we had an approximate $162.8 million income tax payable remaining, $131.5 million of which was extinguished as a result of the Merger described below.
On July 30, 2013, LIN TV was merged with and into LIN LLC with LIN LLC continuing as the surviving entity. The Merger enabled the surviving entity to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and that change in classification was treated as a liquidation of LIN TV for federal income tax purposes with the result that LIN TV realized a capital loss in its 100% equity interest in LIN Television.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Based on an average of the opening and closing trading prices of LIN TV's class A common stock on the day of the Merger, LIN TV realized a capital loss of approximately $343 million, which represents the difference between its tax basis in the stock of LIN Television, and the fair market value of this stock as of July 30, 2013. The capital loss realized and existing net operating losses were used to offset a portion of the capital gain recognized in the JV Sale Transaction and as a result, we realized tax savings of $131.5 million, resulting in a remaining tax liability of $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
As a result of the JV Sale Transaction, neither we nor any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries have any further investment in or obligations (funding or otherwise) related to SVH, including, without limitation, to make any other unsecured shortfall loans or payments under the GECC Note or the GECC Guarantee.
Litigation
We are involved in various claims and lawsuits that are generally incidental to our business. We are vigorously contesting all of these matters. The outcome of any current or future litigation cannot be accurately predicted. We record accruals for such contingencies to the extent that we conclude it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made at this time because the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings may be exacerbated by various factors, including: (i) the damages sought in the proceedings are unsubstantiated or indeterminate; (ii) discovery is not complete; (iii) the proceeding is in its early stages; (iv) the matters present legal uncertainties; (v) there are significant facts in dispute; or (vi) there is a wide range of potential outcomes. Although the outcome of these and other legal proceedings cannot be predicted, we believe that their ultimate resolution will not have a material adverse effect on us.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 14—Income Taxes
Our income before income taxes is solely from domestic operations. The (benefit from) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
Current: | | | | | |
Federal | $ | 26,056 |
| | $ | 21 |
| | $ | 543 |
|
State | 5,636 |
| | 1,571 |
| | 652 |
|
Foreign | — |
| | 633 |
| | — |
|
Total current | $ | 31,692 |
| | $ | 2,225 |
| | $ | 1,195 |
|
Deferred: | | | | | |
Federal | $ | (124,201 | ) | | $ | 33,865 |
| | $ | (25,907 | ) |
State | (32,911 | ) | | 4,373 |
| | 8,667 |
|
Total deferred | (157,112 | ) | | 38,238 |
| | (17,240 | ) |
Total current and deferred | $ | (125,420 | ) | | $ | 40,463 |
| | $ | (16,045 | ) |
The following table reconciles the amount that would be calculated by applying the 35% federal statutory rate to income before income taxes to the actual (benefit from) provision for income taxes (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
Provision assuming federal statutory rate | $ | 10,913 |
| | $ | 7,871 |
| | $ | 11,780 |
|
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 3,863 |
| | 5,723 |
| | 1,790 |
|
State tax law/rate changes, net of federal tax benefit | — |
| | 1,883 |
| | 5,703 |
|
Change in valuation allowance | (18,157 | ) | | (4,622 | ) | | (36,541 | ) |
Share compensation | (53 | ) | | (17 | ) | | 601 |
|
Reserve for tax contingencies | 124 |
| | 633 |
| | — |
|
Impact of JV Sale Transaction | — |
| | 28,435 |
| | — |
|
Impact of the Merger | (124,306 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Non-deductible acquisition and Merger related transaction costs | 1,645 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other | 551 |
| | 557 |
| | 622 |
|
| $ | (125,420 | ) | | $ | 40,463 |
| | $ | (16,045 | ) |
Effective income tax rate on continuing operations | (402.2 | )% |
| 179.9 | % |
| (47.7 | )% |
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a $124.3 million tax benefit as a result of the Merger as well as an $18.2 million tax benefit as a result of the reversal of state valuation allowances. These valuation allowances were reversed after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, as we concluded the Company will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets.
The impact of the JV Sale Transaction is a result of entering into and consummating the transactions contemplated by the JV Transaction Agreement on February 12, 2013, as described further in Note 1—"Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and in Note 13—"Commitments and Contingencies." The JV Sale Transaction resulted in the recognition of $27.5 million and $0.9 million of incremental short-term deferred federal and state tax liabilities, respectively, in excess of those which were previously established. The financial impact of the JV Sale Transaction and corresponding tax expense of $28.4 million are reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, approximately $162.8 million of short term deferred liabilities were reclassified to income taxes payable upon the consummation of the JV Sale Transaction. As a result of the close of the Merger on July 30, 2013, $131.5 million of this tax liability was extinguished, resulting in a remaining tax liability of approximately $31.3 million associated with the JV Sale Transaction. We made state and federal tax payments to settle this tax liability during the fourth quarter of 2013.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The 2011 state tax law/rate change, net of federal tax benefit, of $5.7 million is primarily a result of state tax legislation enacted in Michigan in May 2011, which repealed the Michigan business tax ("MBT"), and implemented a corporate income tax instead, effective January 2012. As a result of the elimination of the MBT, certain future tax deductions that were available to be utilized beginning in 2015, and had been recognized as deferred tax assets in our financial statements, will not be deductible. Therefore, during the year ended December 31, 2011, we recognized incremental deferred income tax expense of $5.1 million, net of federal benefit, for the reversal of these previously established deferred tax assets. In addition, the 2012 state tax law/rate change, net of federal tax benefit, of $1.9 million is a result of a change in the effective tax rate used to value our deferred tax assets/liabilities.
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | |
Deferred gain related to equity investment in NBC joint venture | $ | — |
| | $ | 259,049 |
|
Property and equipment | 11,816 |
| | 12,822 |
|
Intangible assets | 54,859 |
| | 36,761 |
|
Deferred gain on debt repurchase | 18,140 |
| | 18,309 |
|
Noncontrolling interest | 849 |
| | 549 |
|
Other | 7,629 |
| | 7,476 |
|
Total | $ | 93,293 |
| | $ | 334,966 |
|
Deferred tax assets: | | | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | (17,707 | ) | | $ | (110,169 | ) |
Equity investments | (2,372 | ) | | (1,554 | ) |
Other | (15,426 | ) | | (32,625 | ) |
Valuation allowance | — |
| | 18,157 |
|
Total | (35,505 | ) | | (126,191 | ) |
Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | 57,788 |
| | $ | 208,775 |
|
We maintain a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax asset position when management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized in the future. As of December 31, 2012, we had a valuation allowance of $18.2 million offsetting certain state net operating loss carryforwards and other state deferred tax assets. During the third quarter of 2013, after evaluating our ability to recover certain net operating loss carryforwards due to the change in tax structure as a result of the Merger, we determined that we will more likely than not be able to realize these deferred tax assets. As a result, we reversed the valuation allowance and recognized a corresponding tax benefit of $18.2 million.
As of December 31, 2013, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards (tax effected) of approximately $4.6 million that begin to expire in 2034. Additionally, we had state net operating loss carryforwards that vary by jurisdiction (tax effected, net of federal benefit) of $13.1 million, expiring through 2033. Included in the total federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (tax effected) is $4.9 million that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when realized.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits.
The Company's uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are limited to certain unrecognized state and foreign benefits totaling $24.5 million, $26.6 million and $26.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there are $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that if recognized would reduce the effective tax rate from continuing operations.
We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we did not recognize or accrue any amounts related to interest and penalties.
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
Balance at beginning of year | $ | 26,559 |
| | $ | 26,381 |
| | $ | 26,610 |
|
Additions for tax positions of current year | 733 |
| | 1,798 |
| | 2,386 |
|
Additions for tax positions of prior years | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (2,084 | ) | | (1,133 | ) | | (2,128 | ) |
Reductions related to settlements with taxing authorities | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Reductions related to expiration of the statute of limitations | (730 | ) | | (487 | ) | | (487 | ) |
Balance at end of year | $ | 24,478 |
| | $ | 26,559 |
| | $ | 26,381 |
|
We file a consolidated federal income tax return and we file numerous other consolidated and separate income tax returns in U.S. state jurisdictions. Tax years 2009-2012 remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions.
Note 15—Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
Accrued compensation | $ | 11,817 |
| | $ | 11,275 |
|
Accrued contract costs | 3,394 |
| | 4,163 |
|
Accrued interest | 12,168 |
| | 7,841 |
|
Accrued capital contribution to joint venture | — |
| | 100,000 |
|
Other accrued expenses | 24,317 |
| | 29,967 |
|
Total | $ | 51,696 |
| | $ | 153,246 |
|
Note 16—Subsequent Events
On February 3, 2014, LIN Digital Media LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, completed its acquisition of Federated Media Publishing, Inc. ("Federated Media"). Federated Media is an industry-leading digital content and conversational marketing company. For further information on this acquisition, see Note 2 — “Acquisitions.”
Note 17—Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash paid for interest expense | $ | 48,646 |
| | $ | 42,348 |
| | $ | 47,801 |
|
Cash paid for income taxes—continuing operations | $ | 32,937 |
| | $ | 1,103 |
| | $ | 559 |
|
Non-cash investing activities: | | | | | |
Accrual for estimated shortfall loans to SVH | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,697 |
|
Non-cash financing activities: | | | | | |
Capital leases assumed in acquisitions | $ | 179 |
| | $ | 14,896 |
| | $ | — |
|
LIN Television Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 18—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at Beginning of Period | | Charged (Released) to Operations | | Deductions | | Balance at End of Period |
| (in thousands) |
Allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, | | | | | | | |
2013 | $ | 3,599 |
| | $ | 1,608 |
| | $ | (2,019 | ) | | $ | 3,188 |
|
2012 | $ | 2,310 |
| | $ | 2,047 |
| | $ | (758 | ) | | $ | 3,599 |
|
2011 | $ | 2,194 |
| | $ | 760 |
| | $ | (644 | ) | | $ | 2,310 |
|
Valuation allowance for state and federal deferred tax assets as of December 31, | | | | | | | |
2013 | $ | 18,157 |
| | $ | (18,157 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
2012 | $ | 23,422 |
| | $ | (5,265 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 18,157 |
|
2011 | $ | 59,990 |
| | $ | (36,568 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 23,422 |
|
Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
LIN Media LLC
Condensed Balance Sheets
|
| | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 |
| (in thousands, except share data) |
ASSETS | | | |
Advances to consolidated subsidiaries | $ | 1,900 |
| | $ | — |
|
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries | 87,227 |
| | — |
|
Total assets | $ | 89,127 |
| | $ | — |
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | | | |
Liabilities: | | | |
Accumulated losses in excess of investment in consolidated subsidiaries | $ | — |
| | $ | 91,564 |
|
Shareholders' equity (deficit): | | | |
Class A common shares, 100,000,000 shares authorized, Issued: 39,013,005 and 35,672,528 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, Outstanding: 34,065,346 and 30,724,869 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (a) | 624,564 |
| | 313 |
|
Class B common shares, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 20,901,726 and 23,401,726 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, issued and outstanding; convertible into an equal number of shares of class A or class C common shares (a) | 518,395 |
| | 235 |
|
Class C common shares, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 2 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, issued and outstanding; convertible into an equal number of shares of class A common shares | — |
| | — |
|
Treasury shares, 4,947,659 of class A common shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, at cost | (21,984 | ) | | (21,984 | ) |
Additional paid-in capital (a) | — |
| | 1,129,691 |
|
Accumulated deficit | (1,006,322 | ) | | (1,164,435 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (25,526 | ) | | (35,384 | ) |
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) | 89,127 |
| | (91,564 | ) |
Total liabilities and LIN Media LLC shareholders' equity | $ | 89,127 |
| | $ | — |
|
____________________________________________________
(a) In conjunction with the Merger of LIN TV with and into LIN LLC on July 30, 2013, LIN Media LLC was deemed the successor reporting entity to LIN TV. As such, the additional paid-in capital amount within LIN LLC's shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2013 has been allocated to the Class A and B share balances to conform to LIN LLC's basis of presentation as a limited liability company. For purposes of LIN TV's shareholders' deficit balance as of December 31, 2012, LIN TV's class A, B and C common shares had a par value of $0.01 per share that is not reflected as of December 31, 2013, as each share represents a limited liability interest in LIN Media LLC.
LIN Media LLC
Condensed Statements of Operations
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Net Revenues | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Operating expenses: | | | | | |
Corporate | 709 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Operating loss | (709 | ) |
| — |
|
| — |
|
Other income: | | | | | |
Intercompany income | (20 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Total other income | (20 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Loss from continuing operations before taxes and equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | (689 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Net loss from continuing operations | (689 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries | 158,802 |
| | (7,045 | ) | | 48,577 |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 3.02 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.87 |
|
Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 2.84 |
| | $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | 0.85 |
|
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating basic income per common share | 52,439 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 55,768 |
|
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating diluted income per common share | 55,639 |
| | 54,130 |
| | 57,079 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Net income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 158,113 |
| | $ | (7,045 | ) | | $ | 48,577 |
|
Pension net gain, net of tax of $5,705, $1,523 and $(7,291) for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively | 8,738 |
| | 2,424 |
| | (11,212 | ) |
Amortization of pension net losses, net of tax of $734, $609 and $379 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively | 1,120 |
| | 969 |
| | 374 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to LIN Media LLC | $ | 167,971 |
| | $ | (3,652 | ) | | $ | 37,739 |
|
LIN Media LLC
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (589 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Receipt of dividend | 2,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Advances to consolidated subsidiaries | (2,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Net cash provided by investing activities | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
Net proceeds from exercises of employee and director stock-based compensation | 589 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities | 589 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
1. Background and Basis of Presentation
LIN Media LLC (“LIN LLC”) has no material assets or operations other than its ownership in LIN Television Corporation (“LIN Television”) and its subsidiaries. Certain covenants within LIN Television's Senior Secured Credit Facility limit its ability to distribute funds to LIN LLC in the form of dividends, loans or advances. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements of LIN LLC have been presented on a "Parent Only" basis. The condensed parent company financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of LIN LLC included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.