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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 9, 2023

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Florida

 

1-11588

 

38-3042953

 (State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

73 Kercheval Avenue

 

 

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

 

48236

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (313) 886-7070

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

SGA

NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 2.02.Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 9, 2023, Saga Communications, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The press release, dated March 9, 2023, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.

99.1

Press Release dated March 9, 2023.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.

Description

99.1

Press Release dated March 9, 2023.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ugust

 

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: March 9, 2023

By:

/s/ Samuel D. Bush

 

 

 

Samuel D. Bush

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief

 

 

 

Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 99.1

Graphic

Saga Communications, Inc.

Reports 4th Quarter and Year End 2022 Results

Contact:

Samuel D. Bush

(313) 886-7070

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI – March 9, 2023 – Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the “Company” or “Saga”) reported today that net revenue increased 6.0% to $114.9 million for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022 compared to $108.3 million for the same period last year.   Despite strong underlying performance the results were impacted by one-time payments during the 3rd Quarter related to the passing in August of our founder Ed Christian.  The actual results as well as the results adjusted for the impact of his passing are reported in this financial results release.  Station operating expense increased 5.2% for the twelve-month period to $87.5 million compared to the same period last year.  For the twelve-month period, station operating income increased 5.7% to $32.3 million and operating income was $13.1 million compared to $15.1 million for the same period last year.  Free cash flow was $10.5 million for the twelve-month period compared to $13.8 million for the same period last year.  Capital expenditures for the twelve months were $6.0 million compared to $4.0 million for the same period last year.  Net income was $9.2 million for the twelve-month period compared to $11.2 million for the same period last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $1.52 for the twelve month period.  

As a result of Ed Christian’s passing, the Company was required to make several payments to his estate as outlined in his employment agreement.  Without these expenses operating income would have increased 12.3% to $16.9 million, free cash flow would have been approximately flat with last year at $13.6 million and net income would have increased 16.8% to $13.0 million.  Diluted earnings per share would have been $2.15 per share as compared to $1.85 per share for the same period last year.  

Net revenue increased 3.3% to $30.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022 compared to $29.2 million for the same period last year.   Station operating expense increased 5.9% for the quarter to $22.9 million compared to the same period last year.  For the quarter, station operating income decreased 4.0% to $8.5 million, and operating income was approximately flat with last year at $4.9 million.  Free cash flow was approximately flat with last year at $3.8 million for the quarter.  Capital expenditures for the quarter and the same period last year were $1.3 million.  We had net income of $4.3 million for the quarter compared to net income of $3.7 million for the fourth quarter last year.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.70 in the fourth quarter of 2022.      

The Company declared a $0.25 per share quarterly cash dividend on March 1, 2023 to be paid on April 7, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 20, 2023.  The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend will be approximately $1.5 million.  The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and a special dividend of $2.00 per share on January 13, 2023.  Including the dividend declared on March 1, 2023 the Company will have paid $108.3 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012.  The Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends, special dividends, variable dividends and stock buybacks in the future.  

The Company’s balance sheet reflects $46.9 million in cash and short-term investments as of December 31, 2022 and $38.4 million as of March 6, 2023.  The Company expects to spend approximately $5.0 – $5.5 million for capital expenditures during 2023.

Saga’s 2022 Fourth Quarter and Year End conference call will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.  The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008.  Enter conference code 622772.  A recording and transcript of the call will be posted to the Company’s website as soon as it is available after the call.  


The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. on March 9, 2023 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing directions will be discussed during the call.

The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose the Company’s trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA and a reconciliation of operating income to station operating income.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) to assess its financial performance.  Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, free cash flow, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position.  Saga’s management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value.  These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data and Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties.  Words such as “will,” “may,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “guidance,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The material risks facing our business are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in particular Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Readers should note that forward-looking statements may be impacted by several factors, including global, national and local economic changes and changes in the radio broadcast industry in general as well as Saga’s actual performance.  Actual results may vary materially from those described herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update any information contained herein that constitutes a forward-looking statement.

Saga is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties.  Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 27 markets, including 79 FM radio stations, 34 AM radio stations and 80 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

For the Three and Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2022 and 2021

(amounts in 000’s except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Operating Results

Net operating revenue

$

30,125

    

$

29,151

  

$

114,893

$

108,343

Station operating expense

 

22,888

    

21,615

  

 

87,537

 

83,245

Corporate general and administrative

 

2,330

    

2,570

  

 

14,300

 

10,040

Other operating (income) expense, net

(17)

    

32

(14)

7

Operating income

 

4,924

 

4,934

  

 

13,070

 

15,051

Interest expense

 

34

    

66

  

 

130

 

284

Interest income

 

(223)

    

(2)

  

 

(410)

 

(16)

Other income, net

(616)

    

(52)

(652)

(634)

Income before income tax expense

 

5,729

 

4,922

  

 

14,002

 

15,417

Income tax expense

 

1,450

    

1,230

  

 

4,800

 

4,260

Net income

$

4,279

$

3,692

  

$

9,202

$

11,157

  

Earnings per share:

  

Basic

$

0.70

    

$

0.60

  

$

1.52

$

1.85

Diluted

$

0.70

    

$

0.60

  

$

1.52

$

1.85

  

Weighted average common shares

 

6,013

    

5,922

  

 

5,973

 

5,917

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares

 

6,013

    

5,922

  

 

5,973

 

5,917

Free Cash Flow

Net income

$

4,279

$

3,692

$

9,202

$

11,157

Plus: Depreciation and amortization:

Radio Stations

 

1,303

 

1,357

 

4,925

 

5,450

Corporate

 

34

 

91

 

246

 

299

Deferred tax provision

 

(25)

 

(215)

 

935

 

195

Non-cash compensation

 

132

 

287

 

1,858

 

1,335

Other operating (income) expense, net

 

(17)

 

32

 

(14)

 

7

Other income, net

 

(616)

 

(52)

 

(652)

 

(634)

Less: Capital expenditures

 

(1,263)

 

(1,282)

 

(5,994)

 

(3,969)

Free cash flow

$

3,827

$

3,910

$

10,506

$

13,840

 

December 31, 

    

 

2022

    

2021

Balance Sheet Data

 

  

  

Working capital

$

38,482

$

55,253

Net fixed assets

$

53,198

$

53,344

Net intangible assets and other assets

$

119,696

$

120,139

Total assets

$

240,753

$

247,932

Long-term debt

$

$

Stockholders' equity

$

178,529

$

196,919


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

December 31, 2022 and 2021

(amounts in 000's)

(Unaudited)

    

12 Months Ended

December 31, 

2022

2021

Trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (1)

 

  

Net income

$

9,202

$

11,157

Exclusions:

 

  

Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net

 

14

(7)

Gain on insurance proceeds

 

534

589

Other income, net

 

482

63

Total exclusions

 

1,030

645

Consolidated adjusted net income (1)

 

8,172

10,512

Plus:

Interest expense

 

130

284

Income tax expense

 

4,800

4,260

Depreciation & amortization expense

 

5,171

5,749

Non-cash compensation

 

1,858

1,335

Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)

$

20,131

$

22,140


(1)As defined in the Company's credit facility.


Saga Communications, Inc.

Selected Supplemental Financial Data

For the Three and Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2022 and 2021

(amounts in 000’s)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 

 

December 31, 

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Operating income to station operating income reconciliation:

Operating income

$

4,924

    

$

4,934

  

$

13,070

$

15,051

Plus:

 

 

  

 

 

Corporate general and administrative

 

2,330

 

2,570

  

 

14,300

 

10,040

Other operating (income) expense, net

(17)

32

(14)

7

Station depreciation and amortization

1,303

1,357

4,925

5,450

Station operating income

$

8,540

$

8,893

  

$

32,281

$

30,548