GRAY EXHIBIT 99
TELEVISION, INC.
NEWS RELEASE
GRAY REPORTS OPERATING RESULTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 9, 2006 . . . GRAY TELEVISION, INC. ("GRAY" OR THE
"COMPANY") (NYSE: GTN) today announced results from operations for the three
months ("first quarter") ended March 31, 2006 as compared to the three months
ended March 31, 2005.
SIGNIFICANT ITEMS TO NOTE FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006:
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 CHANGE FROM SAME PERIOD OF PRIOR YEAR
Net local broadcast advertising revenue, excluding
political advertising revenue, of $46.5 million Increased 19% or $7.4 million
Net political advertising revenue of $1.8 million Increased $1.5 million reflecting the "on-year" of the
political election cycle
AS OF
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MARCH 31, 2006 DECEMBER 31, 2005
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Cash on Hand $ 7.0 million $ 9.3 million
Total Debt(1) $867.3 million $792.5 million
COMMENTS ON RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006:
Revenues.
- Total broadcasting revenues increased 17% to $68.2 million
reflecting, in part, the acquisition of television stations KKCO,
Grand Junction, CO on January 31, 2005, WSWG, Albany GA on November
10, 2005, WSAZ, Charleston - Huntington, WV on November 30, 2005 and
WNDU, South Bend, IN on March 3, 2006. On a pro forma(1) basis,
after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ
and WNDU total broadcasting net revenue increased 6% to $70.8
million.
- Local broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding political
advertising revenues, increased $7.4 million, or 19%, to $46.5
million from $39.1 million.
- Since January 1, 2005, the Company has launched eight digital
second channels in its existing television markets and
acquired the television stations discussed above.
Collectively, these transactions account for approximately
65%, or $4.8 million of the Company's overall increase in
local broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding political
advertising revenues.
4370 Peachtree Road, NE * Atlanta, GA 30319
(404) 504-9828 * Fax (404) 261-9607
- For the stations and digital second channels continuously
operated since January 1, 2005, local broadcasting advertising
revenues, excluding political advertising revenues, increased
7% or $2.6 million due to increased demand for commercial time
by local advertisers.
- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the
acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU discussed
above, local broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding
political advertising revenues, increased 9% or $4.0 million
due to increased demand for commercial time by local
advertisers.
- National broadcasting advertising revenues increased 13% or $1.9
million to $17.2 million from $15.3 million.
- The station acquisitions and launch of the digital second
channels discussed above collectively account for
approximately $2.1 million of this increase.
- National advertising revenues, excluding political advertising
revenues, for the stations and digital second channels
continuously operated since January 1, 2005 were essentially
consistent with the same period of the prior year.
- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the
acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU discussed
above, national broadcasting advertising revenues, excluding
political advertising revenues, of $17.8 million were
essentially consistent with the same period of the prior year.
- Political advertising revenues increased to $1.8 million from $0.3
million reflecting the cyclical influence of the 2006 elections.
- During the first quarter of 2006, the Company earned an aggregate
total of approximately $2.9 million of revenue from the broadcast of
the Winter Olympic Games. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving
effect to the acquisition of the television station WNDU discussed
above, the aggregate total revenue attributable to the broadcast of
the Winter Olympic Games approximated $3.4 million. No Olympic Games
were broadcast in the first quarter of 2005.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 22% to $57.2 million from
$47.1 million in the same period of the prior year primarily as the result of
the station acquisitions discussed above.
- Broadcasting expenses, before depreciation, amortization and loss on
disposal of assets increased $6.4 million, or 16%, to $45.1 million
from $38.7 million.
- The station acquisitions and launch of the digital second
channels discussed above collectively account for
approximately $4.3 million of this increase.
- For the stations and second channels continuously operated
since January 1, 2005 broadcast expenses increased
approximately 6%, or $2.1 million. This increase was due to
increased payroll costs of $1.4 million, including a non-cash
charge of
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 2 of 8
$144,000 for increased vacation liabilities. Other non-payroll
related expenses, including program costs, increased $681,000.
- On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the
acquisition of television stations WSAZ and WNDU
discussed above, broadcast expenses increased
approximately 7% to $47.2 million generally reflecting
routine increases in payroll related expenses and modest
increases in other non-payroll related expenses
including program costs.
- Corporate and administrative expenses, before depreciation,
amortization and loss on disposal of assets increased 36% to $3.7
million in the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to $2.7
million for the same period in 2005. The 2006 period includes an
aggregate of approximately $198,000 of non-cash expenses recorded in
connection with the Company's adoption on January 1, 2006 of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, (revised 2005)
which relates to the new accounting rules for expensing stock based
compensation. The corresponding period of 2005 contains $98,000 of
non-cash expenses associated with restricted stock awards. Excluding
non-cash stock based compensation, payroll and benefit costs
increased $197,000. In addition, professional service fees including
legal and audit fees increased approximately $338,000 over the first
quarter of 2005.
BALANCE SHEET:
Gray's cash balance was $7.0 million at March 31, 2006 compared to $9.3
million at December 31, 2005. The decrease in cash reflects $18.9 million of net
cash generated by Gray's operations during the first quarter of 2005 compared to
$18.8 million for the prior year. The 2006 net cash generated from operations
was offset in part by the return of capital to Gray's common and preferred
shareholders through the payment of $2.3 million of dividends. Gray also used a
total of $1.2 million to purchase and retire a portion of Gray's 9.25% Senior
Subordinated Notes. Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005 was $867.3 million and $792.5 million(2), respectively.
CHANGES IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN ITEMS:
Prior year operating results of the publishing and wireless segments in
the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation which reflects the results of
those operations in income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes.
A DETAILED TABLE OF OPERATING RESULTS FOLLOWS ON THE NEXT PAGE.
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 3 of 8
GRAY TELEVISION, INC.
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND PERCENTAGES)
AS REPORTED PRO FORMA
THREE MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED
SELECTED OPERATING DATA: MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
--------------------------------- -------------------------------------
% %
2006 2005 CHANGE 2006 2005 CHANGE
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Revenues (less agency commissions) $ 68,234 $58,309 17% $ 70,819 $66,631 6%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Expenses:
Operating expenses before depreciation,
amortization and loss on disposal of
assets, net 45,064 38,694 16% 47,201 44,257 7%
Corporate and administrative 3,743 2,744 36% 3,743 2,744 36%
Depreciation and amortization of intangible
assets 8,329 5,621 48% 8,997 7,579 19%
Loss on disposal of assets, net 82 33 148% 82 33 148%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Total expenses 57,218 47,092 22% 60,023 54,613 10%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Operating income 11,016 11,217 (2)% 10,796 12,018 (10)%
Other income (expense):
Miscellaneous income (expense), net 346 295 17% 346 295 17%
Interest expense (15,466) (11,113) 39% (15,891) (14,030) 13%
Losson early extinguishment of debt (110) -0- NA (110) -0- NA
-------- ------- -------- -------
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income tax expense (4,214) 399 (1156)% (4,859) (1,717) 183%
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,660) 150 (1207)% (1,895) (670) 183%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Income (loss) from continuing operations (2,554) 249 (1126)% (2,964) (1,047) 183%
Income from operations of discontinued publishing
and wire less operations net of income
tax expense of $-0-, $1, 195, $-0-, and
$1,195, respectively -0- 1,826 (100)% -0- 1,826 (100)%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Net income (loss) (2,554) 2,075 (223)% (2,964) 779 (480)%
Preferred dividends 815 815 0 % 815 815 0%
-------- ------- -------- -------
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (3,369) $ 1,260 (367)% $ (3,779) $ (36) 10397%
======== ======= ======== =======
DILUTED PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Loss from continuing operations available to
common stockholders $ (0.07) $ (0.01) $ (0.08) $ (0.04)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax -0- 0.04 -0- 0.04
-------- ------- -------- -------
Net income (loss) available to common
stockholders $ (0.07) $ 0.03 $ (0.08) $ -0-
======== ======= ======== =======
Weighted average shares outstanding 48,741 49,045 (1)% 48,741 48,599 0%
======== ======= ======== =======
POLITICAL REVENUE (LESS AGENCY COMMISSION) $ 1,776 $ 293 506% $ 1,856 $ 370 402%
REVENUE RELATED TO OLYMPIC BROADCAST (LESS
AGENCY COMMISSION) $ 2,880 $ -0- NA $ 3,390 $ -0- NA
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 4 of 8
GUIDANCE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2006
We currently anticipate that Gray's broadcasting results of operations for
the three months ended June 30, 2006 will approximate the ranges presented in
the table below. The guidance below for corporate expense for the three months
ended June 30, 2006 includes an estimated $200,000 of non-cash expense currently
anticipated in connection with the Company's adoption on January 1, 2006 of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, (revised 2005) which relates
to new accounting rules for expensing stock based compensation.
% % % %
2006 Change Change 2006 Change Change
Guidance From From Guidance From From
Selected Low Actual Pro Forma High Actual Pro Forma Actual Pro Form
operating data: Range 2005 2005 Range 2005 2005 2005 2005
--------------- -------- ------ --------- -------- ------ --------- ----- --------
Dollars in millions
OPERATING REVENUES
Revenues (less agency
commissions) $80.5 +18% +3% $81.5 +20% +5% $68.0 $77.9
OPERATING REVENUES
before depreciation,
amortization and other
expenses:
Broadcasting operating
expenses $47.7 +20% +6% $48.0 +21% +6% $39.6 $45.1
Corporate expense $ 3.3 +10% +10% $ 3.4 +13% +13% $ 3.0 $ 3.0
Other Selected Data:
Broadcast political
revenues (less agency
commissions) $ 3.0 329% 173% $ 3.5 400% 218% $ 0.7 $ 1.1
Pro Forma information presents certain operating results of WSAZ and WNDU as if
each station had been acquired on January 1, 2005.
COMMENTS ON GUIDANCE
The above guidance for broadcasting revenue reflects the cyclical impact
of political advertising spending.
The above second quarter 2006 guidance for broadcasting revenue also
includes the impact of Gray's launch or planned launch of a total of eleven
digital second channels in its existing television markets since April 1, 2005
and the acquisition of television stations WSWG, Albany GA on November 10, 2005,
WSAZ, Charleston - Huntington, WV on November 30, 2005 and WNDU, South Bend, IN
on March 3, 2006. Collectively these transactions account for approximately
$10.7 million of the overall increase in second quarter broadcast revenue in
comparison to the second quarter of 2005 on an "as reported" basis. On a pro
forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations
WSAZ and WNDU total broadcasting net revenue is expected to increase between 3%
and 5%.
For television stations and digital secondary channels continuously
operated since April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that its local revenue,
excluding political revenue, will increase approximately 5% over the second
quarter of 2005. On a pro forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition
of television stations WSAZ and WNDU local revenue, excluding political
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 5 of 8
revenue, is expected to increase approximately 6% over the pro forma results for
the second quarter of 2005.
For television stations and digital secondary channels continuously
operated since April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that its national
revenue, excluding political revenue, will be approximately equal to the results
from the second quarter of 2005 for those same stations. On a pro forma(1)
basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations WSAZ and
WNDU national revenue, excluding political revenue, is expected to approximate
the pro forma results for the second quarter of 2005.
The above second quarter 2006 guidance for broadcasting operating expense
before depreciation, amortization, and other expenses also includes the current
period impact of Gray's launch of digital second channels and the acquisition of
several television stations as discussed above. Collectively these transactions
account for approximately $6.6 million of the overall increase in second quarter
broadcast operating expense before depreciation, amortization and other expenses
in comparison to the second quarter of 2005 on an "as reported" basis. On a pro
forma(1) basis, after giving effect to the acquisition of television stations
WSAZ and WNDU total broadcasting operating expense before depreciation,
amortization and other expenses is expected to increase approximately 6%. The
launch or planned launch of digital second channels is anticipated to produce
approximately $1.1 million of incremental expense during the second quarter of
2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005.
For television stations and secondary channels continuously operated since
April 1, 2005, Gray currently anticipates that operating expenses before
depreciation, amortization and other expenses will increase approximately 4%
from the second quarter of 2005. This expense increase generally reflects
routine increases in payroll and benefit costs.
Also included within the broadcast operating expense estimates presented
above, Gray currently estimates that the non-cash 401(k) plan expense will
approximate $450,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared with
$535,000 for the same period of 2005.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Gray Television, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its first
quarter operating results on May 9, 2006. The call will begin at 10:00 AM
Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-800-406-5356 and the confirmation
code is 5591884. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at
www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at
1-888-203-1112, Confirmation Code: 5591884 until June 9, 2006.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: WEB SITE: www.gray.tv
BOB PRATHER JIM RYAN
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SENIOR V. P. AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(404) 266-8333 (404) 504-9828
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 6 of 8
RECONCILIATIONS:
Reconciliation of Net Income to the Non-GAAP term "Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow"
(in thousands):
AS REPORTED PRO FORMA(1)
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
MARCH 31, MARCH 31,
---------------- ----------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
---- ---- ---- ----
Net income (loss) $ (2,554) $ 2,075 $ (2,964) $ 779
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow:
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets 8,329 5,621 8,997 7,579
Amortization of stock options and restricted stock awards 198 98 198 98
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net 82 33 82 33
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net (346) (295) (346) (295)
Interest expense 15,466 11,113 15,891 14,030
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 110 -0- 110 -0-
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,660) 150 (1,895) (670)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net -0- (1,826) -0- (1,826)
Amortization of program broadcast rights 3,304 2,815 3,304 2,815
Common Stock contributed to 401(k) Plan excluding corporate
401(k) contributions 573 504 573 504
Network compensation revenue recognized (220) (1,643) (220) (1,643)
Network compensation per network affiliation agreement 524 2,102 524 2,102
Payments on program broadcast obligations (3,286) (2,815) (3,286) (2,815)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow $ 20,520 $ 17,932 $ 20,968 $ 20,691
======== ======== ======== ========
Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is non-GAAP term the Company uses as a measure of
performance. Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is used by the Company to approximate
the amount used to calculate key financial performance covenants including, but
not limited to, limitations on debt, interest coverage, and fixed charge
coverage ratios as defined in the Company's senior credit facility and/or
subordinated note indenture. Adjusted Broadcast Cash Flow is defined as
operating income, plus depreciation and amortization (including amortization of
program broadcast rights), non-cash compensation and (gain) loss on disposal of
assets and cash payments received or receivable under network affiliation
agreements less payments for program broadcast obligations, less network
compensation revenue and less income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of
income taxes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a reconciliation of Adjusted
Broadcast Cash Flow to net income (loss).
NOTES
(1) The pro forma presentation gives effect to the results of operations for
the acquisition of television stations WSAZ, Charleston - Huntington, WV
on November 30, 2005 and WNDU, South Bend, IN on March 3, 2006 as if each
station had been acquired on January 1, 2005. Due to the relative size of
the acquisition of KKCO, Grand Junction CO and WSWG, Albany Georgia, the
results of operations for KKCO and WSWG are included as of their
respective acquisition date in both the "As Reported" and "Pro Forma"
results.
(2) Total debt as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 does not include
$762,000 and $811,000, respectively, of unamortized debt discount on
Gray's 9-1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2011.
THE COMPANY
Gray Television, Inc. is a television broadcast company headquartered in
Atlanta, GA. Gray operates 36 television stations serving 30 markets. Each
of the stations are affiliated with either CBS (17 stations), NBC (10
stations), ABC (8 stations), or Fox (1 station). In addition, Gray
currently operates eleven digital multi-cast television channels which are
currently affiliated with either UPN or Fox in certain of its existing
markets.
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 7 of 8
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
The following comments on Gray's current expectations of operating results for
the second quarter of 2006 are "forward looking" for purposes of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results of operations are
subject to a number of risks and may differ materially from the current
expectations discussed in this press release. See Gray's Annual Report on Form
10-K for a discussion of risk factors that may affect its ability to achieve the
results contemplated by such forward looking statements.
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months ended March 31, 2006 Page 8 of 8