Radio Giant Cumulus Media to Sell Towers for $213M

Staff Report

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020

Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ: CMLS) (the “Company,” "CUMULUS MEDIA," “we,” “us,” or “our”) today announced operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of CUMULUS MEDIA, said, "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s material impact on revenue, the Company generated over $90 million of cash in the quarter through quick and decisive expense actions, strong working capital management and the completion of the sale of land in Bethesda, MD. Ending the quarter with nearly $200 million of cash, we have also entered into an agreement to monetize our tower portfolio for more than $210 million, proceeds which will further add to our liquidity and contribute to significant incremental debt paydown. Our demonstrated ability to rise to a challenge, strong liquidity position and resilient balance sheet are critical assets as we operate through this uncertain environment, and we believe we remain very well-positioned to drive long-term shareholder value through continued aggressive debt reduction and the execution of our growth initiatives."

Key Highlights:

  • Meaningfully mitigated pandemic’s Q2 impacts through significant fixed cost expense reductions

    • Nearly $36 million realized in Q2

    • Total reductions of more than $85 million expected in 2020

  • Delivered sequential monthly revenue and EBITDA improvement through the quarter

    • Continued to deliver profitable growth in digital

    • Posted positive EBITDA in June

  • Substantially increased liquidity and strengthened balance sheet

    • Grew cash balance to $197 million, up $91 million from Q1

    • Achieved net debt reduction of approximately 10% since March

    • Generated $28 million of cash from operations and netted $66 million of additional cash from completion of the sale of land in Bethesda, MD in Q2

    • Maintained balance sheet flexibility with no funded debt maturity prior to 2026 or financial maintenance covenants

  • Executed agreement to monetize tower portfolio and related assets for $213 million

    • Expect funds from deal completion to permit substantial debt paydown and provide additional liquidity

    • Anticipate first closing for 85% or more of proceeds in Q4

Operating Summary (dollars in thousands, except percentages and per share data):

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported net revenue of $146.0 million, a decrease of 47.8% from the three months ended June 30, 2019, net loss of $36.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $(6.4) million.

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported same station net revenue of $146.0 million, a decrease of 46.6% from the three months ended June 30, 2019, and same station Adjusted EBITDA of $(6.3) million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported net revenue of $373.9 million, a decrease of 31.7% from the six months ended June 30, 2019, net loss of $43.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $21.4 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported same station net revenue of $372.5 million, a decrease of 29.5% from the six months ended June 30, 2019, and same station Adjusted EBITDA of $22.2 million, a decrease of 78.3% from the six months ended June 30, 2019.

As Reported Three Months Ended June 30, 2020   Three Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
Net revenue $ 146,022     $ 279,673     (47.8 )%
Net (loss) income $ (36,316 )   $ 42,861     N/A
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ (6,375 )   $ 61,819     N/A
Basic (loss) income per share $ (1.79 )   2.13     N/A
Diluted (loss) income per share $ (1.79 )   2.11     N/A

 

Same Station (2) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020   Three Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
Net revenue $ 146,012     $ 273,451     (46.6 )%
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ (6,274 )   $ 62,496     N/A

 

As Reported Six Months Ended June 30, 2020   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
Net revenue $ 373,936     $ 547,169     (31.7 )%
Net (loss) income $ (43,667 )   $ 43,312     N/A
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 21,350     $ 103,623     (79.4 )%
Basic (loss) income per share $ (2.15 )   2.16     N/A
Diluted (loss) income per share $ (2.15 )   2.14     N/A

 

Same Station (2) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
Net revenue $ 372,485     $ 528,511     (29.5 )%
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 22,155     $ 102,266     (78.3 )%

Revenue Detail Summary (dollars in thousands):

As Reported Three Months Ended June 30, 2020   Three Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
  Broadcast radio revenue:          
      Spot $ 72,437     $ 163,111     (55.6 )%
      Network 41,767     72,877     (42.7 )%
Total broadcast radio revenue 114,204     235,988     (51.6 )%
Digital 20,341     20,208     0.7 %
Other 11,477     23,477     (51.1 )%
 Net revenue $ 146,022     $ 279,673     (47.8 )%

 

Same Station (2) Three Months Ended June 30, 2020   Three Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
  Broadcast radio revenue:          
      Spot $ 72,466     $ 158,741     (54.3 )%
      Network 41,767     72,504     (42.4 )%
Total broadcast radio revenue 114,233     231,245     (50.6 )%
Digital 20,341     19,636     3.6 %
Other 11,438     22,570     (49.3 )%
Net revenue $ 146,012     $ 273,451     (46.6 )%

 

As Reported Six Months Ended June 30, 2020   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
  Broadcast radio revenue:          
      Spot $ 194,380     $ 302,690     (35.8 )%
      Network 107,450     158,041     (32.0 )%
Total broadcast radio revenue 301,830     460,731     (34.5 )%
Digital 42,227     37,049     14.0 %
Other 29,879     49,389     (39.5 )%
 Net revenue $ 373,936     $ 547,169     (31.7 )%

 

Same Station (2) Six Months Ended June 30, 2020   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019   % Change
  Broadcast radio revenue:          
      Spot $ 193,280     $ 289,565     (33.3 )%
      Network 107,450     156,800     (31.5 )%
Total broadcast radio revenue 300,730     446,365     (32.6 )%
Digital 42,156     35,703     18.1 %
Other 29,599     46,443     (36.3 )%
Net revenue $ 372,485     $ 528,511     (29.5 )%

Balance Sheet Summary (dollars in thousands):

    June 30, 2020   December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 196,914     $ 15,142  
Term loan due 2026 (3)   $ 521,063     $ 523,688  
6.75% Senior notes (3)   $ 500,000     $ 500,000  
2020 Revolving credit facility   $ 60,000     $  

 

  Six Months Ended June 30, 2020   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Capital expenditures $ 5,575     $ 10,715  

(1) Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(2) Adjusted for all merger and acquisition activity occurring in 2019 and 2020 as if such activity had occurred as of January 1, 2019. Same Station financial measures are not financial measures calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For additional information, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(3) Excludes unamortized debt issuance costs.