10-Q


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC. 20549
Form 10-Q
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
OR
[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to           
Commission file number:         
1-6383

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commonwealth of Virginia
46-5188184
(State or other jurisdiction of 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) 
Identification No.)
 
 
333 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA
23219
(Address of principal executive offices) 
(Zip Code)
 
(804) 887-5000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report.)
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          X          No               
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes          X          No               
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 Larger accelerated filer               X       
 Accelerated filer                                      
 Non-accelerated filer                            
 Smaller reporting company                    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes                    No          X     
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of November 3, 2015.
Voting Common shares (no par value):          127,890,165




MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORM 10-Q REPORT
September 30, 2015
 
 
 
Page
Part I.
Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets – September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
Part II.
Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
Other Information
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)     Exhibits
 
 
 
 
Signatures




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except shares)

 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
37,802

 
$
43,920

Restricted cash at qualified intermediary

 
119,903

Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts 2015 - $5,184; 2014 - $5,475)
271,578

 
277,985

Current deferred tax asset
51,629

 
55,754

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
17,482

 
26,282

Total current assets
378,491

 
523,844

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2015 - $124,265; 2014 - $68,141
476,217

 
499,472

Other assets, net
73,315

 
78,999

Definite lived intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 2015 - $115,321; 2014 - $48,485
892,418

 
956,300

Broadcast licenses
1,097,100

 
1,097,100

Goodwill
1,544,624

 
1,597,486

Total assets (a)
$
4,462,165

 
$
4,753,201

 
 
See accompanying notes.
 

(a) Consolidated assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, include total assets of variable interest entities (VIEs) of $145 million and $151 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. See Note 1 and Note 4.

1



Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands except shares)

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
19,945

 
$
36,359

Accrued salaries and wages
26,997

 
36,634

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
134,380

 
104,092

Current installments of long-term debt
3,120

 
11,781

Current installments of obligation under capital leases
876

 
815

Total current liabilities
185,318

 
189,681

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
2,231,694

 
2,400,162

Deferred tax liability and other long-term tax liabilities
354,318

 
364,289

Long-term capital lease obligations
14,205

 
14,869

Retirement and postretirement plans
196,505

 
211,264

Other liabilities
33,284

 
38,034

Total liabilities (b)
3,015,324

 
3,218,299

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests
30,147

 
34,481

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock (no par value): authorized 50,000,000 shares; none outstanding

 

Common stock (no par value):
 
 
 
Voting common stock, authorized 400,000,000 shares; issued 2015 - 127,871,465 and 2014 - 129,931,812
1,293,835

 
1,322,284

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(36,445
)
 
(36,445
)
Retained earnings
159,304

 
214,582

Total stockholders' equity
1,416,694

 
1,500,421

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity
$
4,462,165

 
$
4,753,201

 
 
See accompanying notes.

(b) Consolidated liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, include total liabilities of VIEs of $38 million and $43 million, respectively, for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the Company, except for certain of the debt, which the Company guarantees. See Note 1 and Note 4.


2



Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME        
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)        
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Net operating revenue
$
321,736

 
$
160,224

 
$
938,993

 
$
458,253

Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense
143,492

 
54,679

 
403,537

 
156,112

Selling, general and administrative expenses
78,777

 
39,440

 
238,298

 
123,702

Amortization of program license rights
12,822

 
5,167

 
36,627

 
15,077

Corporate and other expenses
12,598

 
5,567

 
37,615

 
19,778

Depreciation and amortization
40,385

 
15,643

 
123,286

 
48,278

(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net
96

 
676

 
(328
)
 
897

Goodwill impairment
52,862

 

 
52,862

 

Merger-related expenses
10,014

 
3,596

 
18,907

 
13,173

Restructuring expenses
1,132

 
275

 
1,132

 
4,764

Total operating costs
352,178

 
125,043

 
911,936

 
381,781

Operating income (loss)
(30,442
)
 
35,181

 
27,057

 
76,472

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(29,481
)
 
(9,826
)
 
(89,792
)
 
(29,432
)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs
(365
)
 

 
(2,805
)
 
(183
)
Other, net
27

 
19

 
5,939

 
19

Total other expense
(29,819
)
 
(9,807
)
 
(86,658
)
 
(29,596
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(60,261
)
 
25,374

 
(59,601
)
 
46,876

Income tax benefit (expense)
4,374

 
(11,525
)
 
3,915

 
(20,696
)
Net income (loss)
$
(55,887
)
 
$
13,849

 
$
(55,686
)
 
$
26,180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (included above)
(7,394
)
 
454

 
(1,395
)
 
614

Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(48,493
)
 
$
13,395

 
$
(54,291
)
 
$
25,566

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(48,493
)
 
$
13,395

 
$
(54,291
)
 
$
25,566

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share (basic and diluted):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) per common share (basic)
$
(0.38
)
 
$
0.15

 
$
(0.42
)
 
$
0.29

Net earnings (loss) per common share (assuming dilution)
$
(0.38
)
 
$
0.15

 
$
(0.42
)
 
$
0.29

 
See accompanying notes.

3



Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(55,686
)
 
$
26,180

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss):
 
 
 
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
(5,769
)
 
19,922

Depreciation and amortization
123,286

 
48,278

Amortization of program license rights
36,627

 
15,077

Goodwill impairment
52,862

 

Non-cash interest expense
1,404

 
566

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net
(328
)
 
897

Gain on relocation of spectrum
(5,620
)
 

Stock-based compensation
10,292

 
524

Debt modification and extinguishment costs
2,805

 
183

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Program license rights, net of liabilities
(33,123
)
 
(15,271
)
Trade accounts receivable
6,698

 
4,166

Company owned life insurance (cash surrender value less policy loans including repayments)
(275
)
 
(1,151
)
Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
3,224

 
(610
)
Contributions to retirement plans
(1,250
)
 
(49,009
)
Other, net
349

 
(6,390
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
135,496

 
43,362

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(40,583
)
 
(18,621
)
Release of restricted cash at qualified intermediary
119,903

 

Payment for acquisition of station assets

 
(83,185
)
Deferred proceeds related to sale of property

 
24,535

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
1,279

 
1,157

Proceeds from spectrum relocation
3,120

 

Other, net
(78
)
 
980

Net cash provided by investing activities
83,641

 
(75,134
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Principal borrowings under Media General Credit Agreement

 
75,000

Repayment of borrowings under Media General Credit Agreement
(160,000
)
 
(84,000
)
Repayment of 2021 Notes
(15,863
)
 

Repayment of borrowings under Shield Media Credit Agreement
(1,800
)
 
(1,800
)
Repayment of other borrowings
(873
)
 

Principal borrowings under revolving credit facility

 
10,000

Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility

 
(10,000
)
Repurchase of shares
(33,724
)
 

Payment for the acquisition of noncontrolling interest
(10,872
)
 

Cash paid for debt modification
(3,425
)
 
(2,507
)
Other, net
1,302

 
336

Net cash used by financing activities
(225,255
)
 
(12,971
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(6,118
)
 
(44,743
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
43,920

 
71,618

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
37,802

 
$
26,875

Cash paid for interest
$
85,149

 
$
30,476

Cash paid for income taxes, net
$
4,883


$
971

See accompanying notes.

4



MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 

Note 1: Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with applicable quarterly reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of interim financial information have been included.
 
On December 19, 2014 (the "Closing Date"), Media General, Inc., now known as MGOC, Inc. (“Old Media General”), and LIN Media LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LIN Media” or “LIN”) were combined in a business combination transaction (the “LIN Merger”). As a result of the LIN Merger, Media General, Inc., formerly known as Mercury New Holdco, Inc. (“New Media General”, "Media General" or the “Company”) became the parent public reporting company of the combined company; LIN Television Corporation (“LIN Television”) became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of New Media General; and Old Media General became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of New Media General. The merger was accounted for in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), and New Media General was the acquirer.
 
References to Media General, we, us, or the Company in this Item 1 that include any period at and before the effectiveness of the LIN Merger shall be deemed to refer to Old Media General as the predecessor registrant to New Media General.

On September 8, 2015 the Company announced a definitive merger agreement under which the Company will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Meredith Corporation ("Meredith") in a cash and stock transaction. On September 28, 2015 the Company received an unsolicited proposal from Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. ("Nexstar") to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Media General for $14.50 per share in cash and stock, including $10.50 per share in cash and a fixed ratio of 0.0898 Nexstar shares per Media General share. As allowed under an October 14, 2015 agreement with Meredith and following the execution of a non-disclosure agreement with Nexstar, the Company is currently in the process of exchanging information with Nexstar.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE for financial reporting purposes, the Company considers whether it has the power to direct certain activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and whether it has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.  Assets of consolidated VIE’s can only be used to settle the obligations of that VIE.  As discussed in Note 4, the Company consolidates the results of WXXA, WLAJ, WBDT, WYTV, KTKA, KWBQ, KRWB, and KASY pursuant to the VIE accounting guidance. All the liabilities are non-recourse to the Company, except for certain of the debt, which the Company guarantees. The Company is also the primary beneficiary of the VIE that holds the Supplemental 401(k) Plan’s investments and consolidates the plan accordingly.
 
The Company guarantees all of LIN Television's debt and the debt of its consolidated VIEs. LIN Television guarantees all of the debt of its restricted wholly owned subsidiaries and the debt of its consolidated VIEs. All of the consolidated wholly owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee LIN Television's 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) and the 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes") on a joint-and-several basis, subject to customary release provisions.
     
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. As a result the Company expects to reclassify the unamortized balance of the $34 million of debt issuance costs currently included in "Other assets, net" on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet to Long-term debt upon adoption of the guidance in early 2016.


5



In order to conform to the presentation adopted in the third quarter of 2015, $12 million was reclassified from "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" to "Trade accounts receivable" in the 2014 figures presented on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, in the Initial Allocation of Fair Value table in Note 2 and in the Guarantor Financial Information in Note 12.

Note 2: Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions
 
LIN Merger
 
As described in Note 1, Old Media General and LIN were combined under New Media General, a newly formed holding company, that was renamed Media General. In connection with the LIN Merger, the Company issued a total of approximately 41,239,715 shares of voting common stock and paid approximately $763 million in cash to the former LIN Media shareholders. The total purchase price of the LIN Merger was approximately $2.4 billion. The LIN Merger was financed using proceeds from the Company and LIN Television’s borrowings under the credit agreement, as defined and more fully described in Note 5.
 
In connection with the LIN Merger, the Company sold WJAR-TV in Providence, RI, WLUK-TV and WCWF-TV in Green Bay-Appleton, WI, certain assets of WTGS-TV in Savannah, GA, WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA, WVTM-TV in Birmingham, AL and WALA-TV in Mobile, AL for approximately $360 million and purchased KXRM-TV and KXTU-LD in Colorado Springs, CO and WTTA-TV in Tampa, FL for approximately $93 million. The assets of the stations sold included goodwill of approximately $84 million.
 
Following the LIN Merger and the divestitures and acquisitions discussed above, the Company now owns or operates 71 stations across 48 markets. The Company also has a digital media portfolio comprised of five digital offerings: LIN Digital, ONE Mobile (formerly LIN Mobile), Federated Media, Dedicated Media and HYFN.
 
The LIN Merger closed during December 2014. The initial allocated fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of LIN (including the acquisitions of the stations in Colorado Springs and Tampa discussed above) was adjusted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 based on information that became available to management subsequent to the acquisition date. These adjustments were retroactively applied to the December 31, 2014 balances. The fair value of the consideration paid related to the LIN Merger increased by $1.2 million as well. The initial allocated fair value, including adjustments which occurred during the six months of 2015, is presented in the table below.
 
Initial Allocation of Fair Value
(In thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
Adjustments
 
December 31,
2014
Current assets acquired
$
217,816

 
$
(700
)
 
$
218,516

Property and equipment
284,217

 
4,093

 
280,124

Other assets acquired
12,812

 

 
12,812

FCC broadcast licenses
588,042

 
(26,900
)
 
614,942

Definite lived intangible assets
786,705

 
46,640

 
740,065

Goodwill
1,119,957

 
(12,581
)
 
1,132,538

Deferred income tax liabilities recorded in conjunction with the acquisition
(338,535
)
 
(7,888
)
 
(330,647
)
Current liabilities assumed
(112,917
)
 
(1,400
)
 
(111,517
)
Other liabilities assumed
(79,267
)
 
(82
)
 
(79,185
)
Total
$
2,478,830

 
 

 
$
2,477,648

 
Current assets acquired included cash and cash equivalents of $26 million and trade accounts receivable of $166 million.

The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of network affiliations of $497 million, advertiser and publisher relationships of $220 million, $37 million of local marketing agreements (LMA), $16 million of technology and trade names and favorable lease assets of $17 million. These intangible assets will be amortized over their weighted-average estimated remaining useful lives of 15 years for network affiliations, 5-7 years for the advertiser relationships, 20 years for LMA agreements, 5 years for technology and trade names and 10 years for favorable lease assets. Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives.
 

6



None of the goodwill recognized in connection with the LIN Merger is expected to be tax deductible.

The initial allocation presented above is based upon management’s preliminary estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost and market approaches. In estimating the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates and estimated discount rates. Network affiliations and advertiser relationships were valued primarily using an excess earnings income approach. The broadcast licenses represent the estimated fair value of the FCC license using a “Greenfield” income approach. Under this approach, the broadcast license is valued by analyzing the estimated after-tax discounted future cash flows of an average market participant. Property and equipment was primarily valued using a cost approach. Acquired program license rights will be amortized to operating expense over the estimated broadcast period in an amount equal to the relative benefit that is expected to be derived from the airing of the program, or on a straight line basis over the life of the program where the expected useful life is one year or less.

As discussed in Note 5, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $53 million related to the LIN Digital subsidiary during the third quarter of 2015.
 
The Company incurred $0.2 million and $3.8 million of legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses related to the merger with LIN during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to professional fees and expenses of $0.8 million and $7.1 million in the equivalent periods of 2014.


Note 3: Segment Information
 
During 2015, as a result of the LIN Merger discussed in Note 2, the Company began assessing and internally reporting financial information for the broadcast business and the digital business separately. As a result, we now have two reportable operating segments, “Broadcast” and “Digital” that are disclosed separately from our corporate activities. The Broadcast segment includes 71 television stations that are either owned, operated or serviced by the Company in 48 U.S. markets, all of which are engaged principally in the sale of television advertising. The Digital segment includes the operating results of the digital companies (LIN Digital, ONE Mobile, HYFN, Dedicated Media, and Federated Media) as well as the business operations related to the television station companion websites. Unallocated corporate expenses primarily include costs to operate as a public company and to operate corporate locations.
 
The Company identifies operating segments based on how the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) allocates resources, assesses performance and makes decisions. The CODM is the President, and Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating income or loss for the Broadcast and Digital segments, excluding non-segment expenses.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Broadcast
$
277,992

 
$
153,877

 
$
828,846

 
$
441,027

Digital
43,744

 
6,347

 
110,147

 
17,226

Revenues
$
321,736

 
$
160,224

 
$
938,993

 
$
458,253

 
 

7



 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Broadcast
$
85,105

 
$
60,628

 
$
260,032

 
$
161,533

Digital
1,540

 
310

 
499

 
1,829

Segment operating income
86,645

 
60,938

 
260,531

 
163,362

Corporate and other expenses
(12,598
)
 
(5,567
)
 
(37,615
)
 
(19,778
)
Depreciation and amortization
(40,385
)
 
(15,643
)
 
(123,286
)
 
(48,278
)
Gain (loss) related to property and equipment, net
(96
)
 
(676
)
 
328

 
(897
)
Goodwill impairment
(52,862
)
 

 
(52,862
)
 

Merger-related expenses
(10,014
)
 
(3,596
)
 
(18,907
)
 
(13,173
)
Restructuring expenses
(1,132
)
 
(275
)
 
(1,132
)
 
(4,764
)
Operating income (loss)
$
(30,442
)
 
$
35,181

 
$
27,057

 
$
76,472


(in thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Assets
 
 
 
Broadcast
$
3,965,346

 
$
4,062,428

Digital
305,985

 
373,718

Segment assets
4,271,331

 
4,436,146

Corporate
190,834

 
317,055

Total assets
$
4,462,165

 
$
4,753,201

 

Note 4: Variable Interest Entities
 
Certain of the Company's broadcast stations provide services to other station owners within the same market via Joint Sales Agreements ("JSA") and/or Shared Service Agreements ("SSA"). The Company has JSA and/or SSA agreements with 8 stations. Depending on the specific terms of these agreements, the Company may provide a variety of operational and administrative services, assume an obligation to reimburse certain expenses of the stations and guarantee certain external borrowings by the station parent companies (refer to Note 6 for guaranteed borrowings). The Company is compensated for these services through performance based and/or administrative fees. Under certain JSAs, the Company has an option to acquire the related station at any time, subject to FCC consent, until the expiration of the applicable JSA. The Company has determined that the stations with which it has JSAs and/or SSAs, and certain of their parent companies, are VIEs as a result of the terms of the agreements.

The Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs, because (a) subject to the ultimate control of the broadcast licensees, the Company has the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs through the services the Company provides and (b) the Company absorbs returns and losses which would be considered significant to the VIEs. Therefore, the financial results and financial position of these entities have been consolidated by the Company in accordance with the VIE accounting guidance.

8




The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIE entities described above, which have been included in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:
 
(In thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,727

 
$
3,846

Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts 2015 - $102; 2014 - $99)
9,010

 
10,442

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
886

 
1,050

Total current assets
13,623

 
15,338

Property and equipment, net
1,890

 
5,402

Other assets, net
3,498

 
2,011

Definite lived intangible assets, net
33,011

 
34,885

Broadcast licenses
71,300

 
71,300

Goodwill
21,859

 
21,859

Total assets
$
145,181

 
$
150,795

Liabilities
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
119

 
$
56

Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities
2,414

 
6,839

Current installments of long-term debt
3,120

 
3,562

Total current liabilities
5,653

 
10,457

Long-term debt
25,920

 
28,150

Other liabilities
6,802

 
3,914

Total liabilities
$
38,375

 
$
42,521


The December 31, 2014 balances included above were adjusted to reflect the purchase price adjustment discussed in Note 2.

The assets of the Company’s 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. At September 30, 2015, the Company has an option to acquire the assets or member's interest of the VIE entities that it may exercise if the FCC attribution rules change to permit the Company to acquire such interest. The option exercise price is of nominal value and significantly less than the carrying value of their tangible and intangible net assets. The options are carried at zero on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, as any value attributable to the options is eliminated in the consolidation of the VIEs. In an order adopted in March 2014, the FCC concluded that JSAs should be “attributable” for purposes of the media ownership rules if they permit a television licensee to sell more than 15% of the commercial inventory of a television station owned by a third party in the same market. Stations with JSAs that would put them in violation of the new rules have until December 19, 2016 to amend or terminate those arrangements, unless they are able to obtain a waiver of such rules. Accordingly, absent further developments, or the grant of waivers, the Company will be required to modify or terminate its existing JSAs no later than December 19, 2016. The Company continues to monitor regulatory developments and evaluate potential changes to its JSA and SSA arrangements.

In July 2015 the Company received bonus payments of $9 million from its consolidated VIEs and these funds became available to settle the obligations of the Company.


9



Note 5: Goodwill Impairment
 
Due to a projected decrease in operating results of the Company's digital businesses, the Company performed an interim impairment assessment as of September 30, 2015 on three digital reporting units acquired as part of the LIN Merger. The turnover of key sales personnel and the industry-wide shift to software enabled automated buying and placement of digital advertising led to a decrease in projected operating results for the Company's historical arbitrage media placement businesses.  As a result of the impairment review, two of the three reporting units passed the first step of the evaluation as their fair values exceeded their carrying values by more than 10%.  The fair value of the third reporting unit, LIN Digital, did not exceed its carrying value.  As a result, the Company performed the second step of the impairment test and recorded a non-cash pretax goodwill impairment charge at its LIN Digital reporting unit of $53 million in the third quarter of 2015. After recording the impairment charge, the goodwill allocated to the LIN Digital reporting unit was $80 million at September 30, 2015. The total goodwill allocated to the Digital segment at September 30, 2015 was $195 million.

The estimated fair value of each reporting unit was determined using a combination of an income approach and a market comparable method. The income approach utilizes the estimated discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the reporting unit assets. The market comparable method employs comparable company information, and where available, recent transaction information for similar assets. The determination of fair value requires the use of significant judgment and estimates that management believes are appropriate in the circumstances although it is reasonably possible that actual performance will differ from these estimates and the effect of any differences could be material. These estimates include those relating to revenue growth, compensation levels, digital advertising placement prices, capital expenditures, discount rates and market trading multiples for digital advertising assets.

Note 6: Debt and Other Financial Instruments
 
Long-term debt at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, was as follows:
 
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
Media General Credit Agreement
$
1,541,000

 
$
1,701,000

2022 Notes
400,000

 
400,000

2021 Notes
275,000

 
290,000

Shield Media Credit Agreement
27,800

 
29,600

Other borrowings
1,240

 
2,111

Total debt
2,245,040

 
2,422,711

Less: net unamortized discount
(10,226
)
 
(10,768
)
Less: scheduled current maturities
(3,120
)
 
(11,781
)
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt excluding current maturities
$
2,231,694

 
$
2,400,162

 
Media General Credit Agreement
 
In July 2013, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders to provide the Company with a term loan and access to a revolving credit facility. The funds borrowed under the credit agreement and subsequent amendments (together the "Credit Agreement") have been used by the Company to facilitate acquisitions and mergers. The term loan under the Credit Agreement matures in July 2020 and bears interest at LIBOR (with a floor of 1%) plus a margin of 3%.
 
The Company repaid $25 million and $160 million of principal on the term loan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The early repayments of debt resulted in debt extinguishment costs of $0.4 million and $2.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, due to the accelerated recognition of deferred debt-related items. As of September 30, 2015, there was $1.541 billion outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
 
The revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement also includes revolving credit commitments of $150 million. The revolving credit facility matures in October 2019, bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% and is subject to a 0.5% commitment fee per annum with respect to the undrawn portion of the facility. The Company has $147 million of availability under the revolving credit facility (giving effect to $3 million of letters of credit which have been issued but are undrawn).
 

10



Shield Media Credit Agreement
 
Shield Media LLC (and its subsidiary WXXA) and Shield Media Lansing LLC (and its subsidiary WLAJ) (collectively, “Shield Media”), companies that control subsidiaries with which the Company has joint sales and shared services arrangements for 2 stations as described in Note 4, entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders, dated July 31, 2013. The term loans outstanding under this agreement mature in July 2018 and bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%. The Shield Media term loans are guaranteed by the Company and are secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company, on a pari passu basis with the Credit Agreement. The Company repaid $0.6 million and $1.8 million of principal on the term loan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

2022 Notes
 
On November 5, 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary of Old Media General completed the issuance of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) in connection with the financing of the LIN Merger. The net proceeds from offering of the 2022 Notes were used to repay certain indebtedness of LIN Media in connection with the LIN Merger, including the satisfaction and discharge of LIN Television’s $200 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2018 and the payment of related fees and expenses. The 2022 Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of November 5, 2014 (the “2022 Notes Indenture”). New Media General, as the new direct parent of LIN Television, and certain of the wholly owned subsidiaries of LIN Television provide full and unconditional guarantees to the 2022 Notes, on a senior basis.
 
2021 Notes
 
LIN Television’s previously issued 6.375% Senior Notes due 2021 remained outstanding as of the Closing Date (the “2021 Notes”). Following the consummation of the LIN Merger, New Media General, as the new direct parent of LIN Television, and certain of the wholly owned subsidiaries of LIN Television provide full and unconditional guarantees of the 2021 Notes, on a senior basis. The Company received an unsolicited offer and repaid $16 million of principal and unamortized premium on the 2021 Notes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2021 Notes was $275 million.
 
Fair Value
 
The following table includes information about the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
(In thousands)
Amount
 
Value
 
Amount
 
Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
232

 
$
232

 
$
449

 
$
449

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Media General Credit Agreement
1,532,129

 
1,519,513

 
1,690,753

 
1,686,000

2022 Notes
398,225

 
398,659

 
398,038

 
397,000

2021 Notes
275,420

 
286,000

 
291,442

 
289,000

Shield Media Credit Agreement
27,800

 
27,800

 
29,600

 
29,600

Other borrowings
1,240

 
1,240

 
2,111

 
2,111

 
Trading securities held by the Supplemental 401(k) Plan are carried at fair value and are determined by reference to quoted market prices.
 
The fair value of the 2021 Notes was determined by reference to the most recent trading prices. The fair value of all other debt instruments were determined using discounted cash flow analysis' and an estimate of the current borrowing rate.
 

11



Under the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s trading securities fall under Level 1 (quoted prices in active markets), the 2021 Notes fall under Level 2 (other observable inputs) and the Media General Credit Agreement, 2022 Notes, Shield Media Credit Agreement and the Other Borrowings fall under Level 3 (unobservable inputs).

Note 7: Taxes on Income
 
The effective tax rate was 7.3% in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to 45.4% in the third quarter of 2014 and 6.6% in the first nine months of 2015 as compared 44.2% in the equivalent prior-year period.  The low tax rates in the current periods were due primarily to the Goodwill impairment and other permanent book-tax differences not deductible for tax purposes as compared to much higher levels of pre-tax loss.  The tax expense in both years was predominantly non-cash due to the Company’s significant net operating loss carryover.  Current tax expense was approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 respectively and was approximately $1.9 million and $0.8 million in the first nine months of 2015, and 2014, respectively; it was attributable primarily to state income taxes.

 
Note 8: Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(In thousands, except
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
per share amounts)
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
 
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(48,493
)
 
 

 
 

 
$
13,395

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities

 
 

 
 

 
(75
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(48,493
)
 
127,903

 
$
(0.38
)
 
$
13,320

 
88,535

 
$
0.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options and warrants


 

 


 
 
 
492

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(48,493
)
 
127,903

 
$
(0.38
)
 
$
13,320

 
89,027

 
$
0.15

 

12



 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(In thousands, except
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
per share amounts)
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
 
(Numerator)
 
(Denominator)
 
Amount
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(54,291
)
 
 

 
 

 
$
25,566

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities

 
 

 
 

 
(165
)
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(54,291
)
 
128,844

 
$
(0.42
)
 
$
25,401

 
88,444

 
$
0.29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options and warrants
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
499

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
$
(54,291
)
 
128,844

 
$
(0.42
)
 
$
25,401

 
88,943

 
$
0.29


We have excluded 1.5 million and 1.3 million of common shares issuable for share options and restricted shares from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, because the net loss causes these shares to be anti-dilutive.

Note 9: Retirement and Postretirement Plans
 
The Company has a funded, qualified non-contributory defined benefit retirement plan which covers substantially all Legacy Media General employees hired before 2007 and IBEW Local 45 employees of KRON-TV with benefits which vested prior to 2006, as well as a non-contributory unfunded supplemental executive retirement and ERISA excess plans which supplement the coverage available to certain executives. These retirement plans are frozen.
 
In conjunction with the LIN Merger, the Company assumed liability for an additional defined benefit retirement plan as well as a supplemental retirement plan. Both plans are frozen. The Company is required to make contributions to the supplemental retirement plan for the then eligible employees and certain other employees based on 5% of each participant’s eligible compensation.
 
The Company also has a retiree medical savings account plan which reimburses eligible employees who retire for certain medical expenses. In addition, the Company has an unfunded plan that provides certain health and life insurance benefits to retired employees who were hired prior to 1992.
 
The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the Company’s benefit plans for the third quarters and first nine months of 2015 and 2014:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
(In thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Service cost
$

 
$
43

 
$
25

 
$
20

Interest cost
5,729

 
5,530

 
250

 
269

Expected return on plan assets
(7,727
)
 
(6,717
)
 

 

Amortization of net loss
200

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit (income) cost
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(1,144
)
 
$
275

 
$
289



13



 
Nine Months Ended
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
(In thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
Service cost
$

 
$
128

 
$
75

 
$
60

Interest cost
17,185

 
16,590

 
750

 
807

Expected return on plan assets
(23,180
)
 
(20,150
)
 

 

Amortization of net loss
600

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit (income) cost
$
(5,395
)
 
$
(3,432
)
 
$
825

 
$
867



Note 10: Stockholders’ Equity
 
The following table shows the components of the Company’s stockholders’ equity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Total
 
Common Stock
 
Comprehensive
 
Retained
 
Stockholders'
(In thousands)
Voting
 
Non-Voting
 
Loss
 
Earnings
 
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
1,322,284

 
$

 
$
(36,445
)
 
$
214,582

 
$
1,500,421

Net loss attributable to Media General

 

 

 
(54,291
)
 
(54,291
)
Exercise of stock options
1,848

 

 

 

 
1,848

Stock-based compensation
10,292

 

 

 

 
10,292

Revaluation of redeemable noncontrolling interest
(6,920
)
 

 

 
(987
)
 
(7,907
)
Repurchases of voting common stock
(33,724
)
 

 

 

 
(33,724
)
Other
55

 

 

 

 
55

Balance at September 30, 2015
$
1,293,835

 
$

 
$
(36,445
)
 
$
159,304

 
$
1,416,694


The following table shows the components of the Company’s stockholders’ equity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Total
 
Common Stock
 
Comprehensive
 
Retained
 
Stockholders'
(In thousands)
Voting
 
Non-Voting
 
Income
 
Earnings
 
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
557,754

 
$
12,483

 
$
5,668

 
$
161,076

 
$
736,981

Net income attributable to Media General

 

 

 
25,566

 
25,566

Conversion of non-voting to voting common stock
6,305

 
(6,305
)
 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
483

 

 

 

 
483

Stock-based compensation
2,431

 

 

 

 
2,431

Director deferred stock units
7,361

 

 

 

 
7,361

Other
(65
)
 

 

 

 
(65
)
Balance at September 30, 2014
$
574,269

 
$
6,178

 
$
5,668

 
$
186,642

 
$
772,757

 

14




Note 11: Other
 
The Company repurchased 0.9 million and 2.1 million shares of its outstanding voting common stock at an average price of $15.80, and $16.16 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, under the share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. The total cost of the repurchases was $15 million and $34 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The share repurchase program expires on December 31, 2015.

In September 2015 the Company adopted a plan to restructure certain digital segment operations which is expected to save the Company $5 million in operating costs annually. The Company recorded severance expense of $1.1 million related to the plan in the third quarter of 2015. Accrued severance costs related to the digital operations restructuring are included in the "Accrued salaries and wages" line item on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. No severance payments related to the digital segment restructuring were made during the third quarter of 2015. In April of 2014, the Company adopted a plan to restructure certain corporate and shared service operations intended to save $10 million in operating costs annually. The Company recorded severance expense of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2014. Accrued severance costs related to the corporate and shared service operations restructuring are included in the “Accrued salaries and wages” line item on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Following severance payments of $0.1 million, the remaining severance liability related to the corporate restructuring was approximately $3.7 million as of September 30, 3014.

At September 30, 2015, the Company held a 50.1% ownership position in its consolidated HYFN subsidiary. Due to higher than initially projected revenue and other metrics impacting the purchase price of the outstanding interest in HYFN, the Company increased the value of noncontrolling interest in HYFN by $6.9 million during the third quarter of 2015.

The Company received $120 million of restricted cash in a qualified intermediary (a consolidated entity) from the 2014 sale of the WJAR-TV station discussed in Note 2. In June of 2015, the restricted cash was released from the qualified intermediary and remitted to the Company.

In April 2015, the Company acquired the remaining noncontrolling interest in the Dedicated Media subsidiary for a purchase price of $11 million. As a result of the transaction, Dedicated Media was 100% owned by the Company during the second and third quarters of 2015.

The Company also recorded $5.6 million of non-operating gains in the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 related to the relocation of broadcast channels in the Lansing, Michigan and Austin, Texas markets.
 

Note 12: Guarantor Financial Information
 
LIN Television, a 100% owned subsidiary of New Media General, is the primary obligor of the 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes. New Media General fully and unconditionally guarantees all of LIN Television’s obligations under the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes on a joint and several basis. Additionally, all of the consolidated 100% owned subsidiaries of LIN Television fully and unconditionally guarantee LIN Television’s obligations under the 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes on a joint and several basis. There are certain limitations in the ability of the subsidiaries to pay dividends to New Media General. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows for New Media General, LIN Television (as the issuer), the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations.


15



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
September 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
9,028

 
$
23,927

 
$
4,847

 
$

 
$
37,802

Trade accounts receivable, net

 
59,699

 
181,081

 
30,798

 

 
271,578

Current deferred tax asset

 

 
51,589

 
40

 

 
51,629

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 
4,662

 
10,990

 
1,830

 

 
17,482

Total current assets

 
73,389

 
267,587

 
37,515

 

 
378,491

Property and equipment, net

 
175,712

 
298,199

 
2,306

 

 
476,217

Other assets, net

 
13,209

 
56,362

 
3,744

 

 
73,315

Definite lived intangible assets, net

 
376,323

 
471,328

 
44,767

 

 
892,418

Broadcast licenses

 

 
1,025,800

 
71,300

 

 
1,097,100

Goodwill

 
527,077

 
924,708

 
92,839

 

 
1,544,624

Advances to consolidated subsidiaries

 
(196,301
)
 
216,231

 
(19,930
)
 

 

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
1,416,694

 
1,283,894

 

 

 
(2,700,588
)
 

Total assets
$
1,416,694

 
$
2,253,303

 
$
3,260,215

 
$
232,541

 
$
(2,700,588
)
 
$
4,462,165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$

 
$
1,726

 
$
17,080

 
$
1,139

 
$

 
$
19,945

Accrued salaries and wages

 
4,593

 
21,923

 
481

 

 
26,997

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 
34,319

 
93,260

 
6,801

 

 
134,380

Current installments of long-term debt

 

 

 
3,120

 

 
3,120

Current installments of obligation under capital leases

 
561

 
279

 
36

 

 
876

Total current liabilities

 
41,199

 
132,542

 
11,577

 

 
185,318

Long-term debt

 
673,645

 
1,532,129

 
25,920

 

 
2,231,694

Deferred tax liability and other long-term tax liabilities

 
71,216

 
283,315

 
(213
)
 

 
354,318

Long-term capital lease obligations

 
13,096

 
1,106

 
3

 

 
14,205

Retirement and postretirement plans

 
30,039

 
166,466

 

 

 
196,505

Other liabilities

 
7,414

 
24,071

 
1,799

 

 
33,284

Total liabilities

 
836,609

 
2,139,629

 
39,086

 

 
3,015,324

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
30,147

 

 
30,147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders (deficit) equity
1,416,694

 
1,416,694

 
1,120,586

 
163,308

 
(2,700,588
)
 
1,416,694

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity (deficit)
$
1,416,694

 
$
2,253,303

 
$
3,260,215

 
$
232,541

 
$
(2,700,588
)
 
$
4,462,165



16



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,388

 
$
9,658

 
$
27,371

 
$
4,503

 
$

 
$
43,920

Restricted cash at qualified intermediary

 

 
119,903

 

 

 
119,903

Trade accounts receivable, net

 
84,355

 
172,574

 
21,056

 

 
277,985

Current deferred tax asset

 
3,492

 
52,222

 
40

 

 
55,754

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 
17,278

 
7,684

 
1,320

 

 
26,282

Total current assets
2,388

 
114,783

 
379,754

 
26,919

 

 
523,844

Property and equipment, net

 
179,057

 
314,534

 
5,881

 

 
499,472

Other assets, net

 
8,565

 
67,961

 
2,473

 

 
78,999

Definite lived intangible assets, net

 
403,866

 
506,619

 
45,815

 

 
956,300

Broadcast licenses

 

 
1,025,800

 
71,300

 

 
1,097,100

Goodwill

 
527,077

 
977,570

 
92,839

 

 
1,597,486

Advances to consolidated subsidiaries
2,021

 
(456,741
)
 
456,359

 
(1,639
)
 


 

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries
1,496,012

 
1,319,033

 

 

 
(2,815,045
)
 

Total assets
$
1,500,421

 
$
2,095,640

 
$
3,728,597

 
$
243,588

 
$
(2,815,045
)
 
$
4,753,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$

 
$
4,014

 
$
31,794

 
$
551

 
$

 
$
36,359

Accrued salaries and wages

 
9,384

 
26,536

 
714

 

 
36,634

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 
43,901

 
53,042

 
7,149

 

 
104,092

Current installments of long-term debt

 

 
8,218

 
3,563

 

 
11,781

Current installments of obligation under capital leases

 
441

 
303

 
71

 

 
815

Total current liabilities

 
57,740

 
119,893

 
12,048

 

 
189,681

Long-term debt

 
291,442

 
2,080,570

 
28,150

 

 
2,400,162

Deferred tax liability and other long-term tax liabilities

 
193,293

 
168,171

 
2,825

 

 
364,289

Long-term capital lease obligations

 
13,529

 
1,312

 
28

 

 
14,869

Retirement and postretirement plans

 
33,031

 
178,233

 

 

 
211,264

Other liabilities

 
10,593

 
22,037

 
5,404

 

 
38,034

Total liabilities

 
599,628

 
2,570,216

 
48,455

 

 
3,218,299

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interests

 

 
10,981

 
23,500

 

 
34,481

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders (deficit) equity
1,500,421

 
1,496,012

 
1,147,400

 
171,633

 
(2,815,045
)
 
1,500,421

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity (deficit)
$
1,500,421

 
$
2,095,640

 
$
3,728,597

 
$
243,588

 
$
(2,815,045
)
 
$
4,753,201


17



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net operating revenue
$

 
$
91,179

 
$
215,524

 
$
22,405

 
$
(7,372
)
 
$
321,736

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense

 
40,149

 
93,562

 
14,360

 
(4,579
)
 
143,492

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
22,960

 
43,340

 
12,631

 
(154
)
 
78,777

Amortization of program licenses rights

 
4,494

 
7,781

 
547

 

 
12,822

Corporate and other expenses

 
3,111

 
9,511

 
(24
)
 

 
12,598

Depreciation and amortization

 
15,055

 
24,732

 
598

 

 
40,385

(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net

 
15

 
81

 

 

 
96

Goodwill impairment

 

 
52,862

 

 

 
52,862

Merger-related expenses

 
704

 
9,310

 

 

 
10,014

Restructuring expenses

 

 
1,132

 

 

 
1,132

Operating income (loss)

 
4,691

 
(26,787
)
 
(5,707
)
 
(2,639
)
 
(30,442
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net

 
(11,174
)
 
(18,113
)
 
(194
)
 

 
(29,481
)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs

 

 
(365
)
 

 

 
(365
)
Intercompany income and (expenses)

 
(22,965
)
 
23,289

 
(324
)
 

 

Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries
(48,493
)
 
(14,587
)
 

 

 
63,080

 

Other, net

 
(13
)
 
40

 

 

 
27

Total other income (expense)
(48,493
)
 
(48,739
)
 
4,851

 
(518
)
 
63,080

 
(29,819
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(48,493
)
 
(44,048
)
 
(21,936
)
 
(6,225
)
 
60,441

 
(60,261
)
Income tax benefit (expense)

 
(4,445
)
 
9,424

 
(605
)
 

 
4,374

Net income (loss)
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(12,512
)
 
$
(6,830
)
 
$
60,441

 
$
(55,887
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
(7,394
)
 

 
(7,394
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(12,512
)
 
$
564

 
$
60,441

 
$
(48,493
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(48,493
)
 
$
(12,512
)
 
$
564

 
$
60,441

 
$
(48,493
)


18



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net operating revenue
$

 
$
273,655

 
$
632,024

 
$
53,088

 
$
(19,774
)
 
$
938,993

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense

 
118,042

 
265,731

 
31,758

 
(11,994
)
 
403,537

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
68,677

 
149,567

 
20,920

 
(866
)
 
238,298

Amortization of program licenses rights

 
13,035

 
22,132

 
1,460

 

 
36,627

Corporate and other expenses

 
8,973

 
28,672

 
(30
)
 

 
37,615

Depreciation and amortization

 
44,713

 
73,966

 
4,607

 

 
123,286

(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net

 
144

 
(472
)
 

 

 
(328
)
Goodwill impairment

 

 
52,862

 

 

 
52,862

Merger-related expenses

 
3,028

 
15,879

 

 

 
18,907

Restructuring expenses

 

 
1,132

 

 

 
1,132

Operating income (loss)

 
17,043

 
22,555

 
(5,627
)
 
(6,914
)
 
27,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net

 
(31,379
)
 
(57,525
)
 
(888
)
 

 
(89,792
)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs

 

 
(2,805
)
 

 

 
(2,805
)
Intercompany income and (expenses)

 
(29,263
)
 
30,005

 
(742
)
 

 

Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries
(54,291
)
 
(12,510
)
 

 

 
66,801

 

Other, net

 
75

 
864

 
5,000

 

 
5,939

Total other income (expense)
(54,291
)
 
(73,077
)
 
(29,461
)
 
3,370

 
66,801

 
(86,658
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(54,291
)
 
(56,034
)
 
(6,906
)
 
(2,257
)
 
59,887

 
(59,601
)
Income tax benefit

 
1,743

 
1,551

 
621

 

 
3,915

Net income (loss)
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(5,355
)
 
$
(1,636
)
 
$
59,887

 
$
(55,686
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 
(178
)
 
(1,217
)
 

 
(1,395
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(5,177
)
 
$
(419
)
 
$
59,887

 
$
(54,291
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(54,291
)
 
$
(5,177
)
 
$
(419
)
 
$
59,887

 
$
(54,291
)


19



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Media General Consolidated
Net operating revenue
$

 
$

 
$
155,558

 
$
4,666

 
$

 
$
160,224

Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense

 

 
53,090

 
1,589

 

 
54,679

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
37,532

 
1,908

 

 
39,440

Amortization of program license rights

 

 
4,942

 
225

 

 
5,167

Corporate and other expenses

 

 
5,820

 
(253
)
 

 
5,567

Depreciation and amortization

 

 
15,458

 
185

 

 
15,643

Gain related to property and equipment, net

 

 
676

 

 

 
676

Merger-related expenses

 

 
3,596

 

 

 
3,596

Restructuring expenses

 

 
275

 

 

 
275

Operating income

 

 
34,169

 
1,012

 

 
35,181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense

 

 
(9,522
)
 
(304
)
 

 
(9,826
)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 
19

 

 

 
19

Total other income (expense)

 

 
(9,503
)
 
(304
)
 

 
(9,807
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes

 

 
24,666

 
708

 

 
25,374

Income tax expense

 

 
(11,525
)
 

 

 
(11,525
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
$

 
$

 
$
13,141

 
$
708

 
$

 
$
13,849

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
454

 

 
454

Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$

 
$

 
$
13,141

 
$
254

 
$

 
$
13,395

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General
$

 
$

 
$
13,141

 
$
254

 
$

 
$
13,395



20



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Media General Consolidated
Net operating revenue
$

 
$

 
$
444,636

 
$
13,617

 
$

 
$
458,253

Operating costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation expense

 

 
151,404

 
4,708

 

 
156,112

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
117,654

 
6,048

 

 
123,702

Amortization of program license rights

 

 
14,299

 
778

 

 
15,077

Corporate and other expenses

 

 
20,089

 
(311
)
 

 
19,778

Depreciation and amortization

 

 
47,710

 
568

 

 
48,278

Gain related to property and equipment, net

 

 
897

 

 

 
897

Merger-related expenses

 

 
13,173

 

 

 
13,173

Restructuring expenses

 

 
4,764

 

 

 
4,764

Operating income

 

 
74,646

 
1,826

 

 
76,472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense

 

 
(28,511
)
 
(921
)
 

 
(29,432
)
Debt modification and extinguishment costs

 

 
(183
)
 

 

 
(183
)
Equity in income (loss) from operations of consolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 
(1
)
 
20

 

 
19

Total other income (expense)

 

 
(28,695
)
 
(901
)
 

 
(29,596
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes

 

 
45,951

 
925

 

 
46,876

Income tax expense

 

 
(20,696
)
 

 

 
(20,696
)
Net income
$

 
$

 
$
25,255

 
$
925

 
$

 
$
26,180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
614

 

 
614

Net income (loss) attributable to Media General
$

 
$

 
$
25,255

 
$
311

 
$

 
$
25,566

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Media General
$

 
$

 
$
25,255

 
$
311

 
$

 
$
25,566



21



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Year to date through September 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Media General Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
(1,402
)
 
$
18,085

 
$
115,243

 
$
3,570

 
$

 
$
135,496

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 
(14,845
)
 
(22,833
)
 
(2,905
)
 

 
(40,583
)
Release of restricted cash at qualified intermediary

 

 
119,903

 

 

 
119,903

Proceeds from the sale of PP&E

 
71

 
1,208

 

 

 
1,279

Proceeds from spectrum sale

 

 
620

 
2,500

 

 
3,120

Receipt of dividend

 
58,507

 

 

 
(58,507
)
 

Payments from intercompany borrowings
2,025

 

 
36,387

 

 
(38,412
)
 

Payment of capital contributions
(3,011
)
 

 

 

 
3,011

 

Other, net

 

 

 
(78
)
 

 
(78
)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
(986
)
 
43,733

 
135,285

 
(483
)
 
(93,908
)
 
83,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of borrowings under Media General Credit Agreement

 

 
(160,000
)
 

 

 
(160,000
)
Repayment of 2021 Notes

 
(15,863
)
 

 

 

 
(15,863
)
Repayment of borrowings under Shield Media Credit Agreement

 

 

 
(1,800
)
 

 
(1,800
)
Repayment of other borrowings

 

 

 
(873
)
 

 
(873
)
Payment for share repurchases

 

 
(33,724
)
 

 

 
(33,724
)
Payment for the acquisition of noncontrolling interest

 
(10,872
)
 

 

 

 
(10,872
)
Cash paid for debt modification

 

 
(3,425
)
 

 

 
(3,425
)
Payment of dividend

 

 
(58,507
)
 

 
58,507

 

Payments on intercompany borrowing

 
(38,412
)
 

 

 
38,412

 

Receipt of capital contributions

 
3,011

 

 

 
(3,011
)
 

Other, net

 
(312
)
 
1,684

 
(70
)
 

 
1,302

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 
(62,448
)
 
(253,972
)
 
(2,743
)
 
93,908

 
(225,255
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(2,388
)
 
(630
)
 
(3,444
)
 
344

 

 
(6,118
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,388

 
9,658

 
27,371

 
4,503

 

 
43,920

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$

 
$
9,028

 
$
23,927

 
$
4,847

 
$

 
$
37,802



22



Media General, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Year to date through September 30, 2014
(in thousands)
 
 
New Media General
 
LIN Television Corporation
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Media General Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$

 
$

 
$
44,621

 
$
(1,259
)
 
$

 
$
43,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures

 

 
(18,617
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(18,621
)
Payment for acquisition of station assets

 

 
(83,185
)
 

 

 
(83,185
)
Deferred proceeds related to sale of property

 

 
24,535

 

 

 
24,535

Proceeds from sale the of PP&E

 

 
1,157

 

 

 
1,157

Collateral refunds related to letters of credit

 

 
980

 

 

 
980

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 
(75,130
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(75,134
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal borrowings under Media General Credit Agreement

 

 
75,000

 

 

 
75,000

Repayment of borrowings under Media General Credit Agreement

 

 
(84,000
)
 

 

 
(84,000
)
Repayment of borrowings under Shield Media Credit Agreement

 

 

 
(1,800
)
 

 
(1,800
)
Principal borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 
10,000

 

 

 
10,000

Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 
(10,000
)
 

 

 
(10,000
)
Debt issuance costs

 

 
(2,507
)
 

 

 
(2,507
)
Other, net

 

 
336

 

 

 
336

Net cash used by financing activities

 

 
(11,171
)
 
(1,800
)
 

 
(12,971
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 
(41,680
)
 
(3,063
)
 

 
(44,743
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 
67,508

 
4,110

 

 
71,618

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$

 
$

 
$
25,828

 
$
1,047

 
$

 
$
26,875


23



Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
OVERVIEW
 
Media General is one of the U.S.’s largest connected-screen multimedia companies, providing top-rated news, information and entertainment in attractive markets. Media General first entered the local television business in 1955 when it launched WFLA in Tampa, Florida as an NBC affiliate.
 
On December 19, 2014, Media General, Inc., now known as MGOC, Inc. (“Old Media General”) and LIN Media LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“LIN Media”) were combined in a business combination transaction (the “LIN Merger”). As a result of this merger, Media General, Inc., formerly known as Mercury New Holdco, Inc. (“New Media General,” “Media General” or the “Company”) became the parent public reporting company of the combined company; LIN Television Corporation (“LIN Television”) became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of New Media General; and Old Media General became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of LIN Television and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of New Media General. References to Media General or the Company that include any period at and before effectiveness of the LIN Merger shall be deemed to refer to Old Media General as the predecessor registrant to New Media General. On September 2, 2014, the Company acquired a television station located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
 
Concurrently with the closing of the LIN Merger, the Company acquired television stations in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Tampa, Florida, and sold television stations in Providence, Rhode Island; Green Bay-Appleton, Wisconsin; Savannah, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Mobile, Alabama (collectively, the “LIN Related Transactions”).
 
Media General, Inc. now owns or operates 71 network-affiliated broadcast television stations (twenty-two with CBS, fourteen with NBC, twelve with ABC, eight with FOX, eight with CW and seven with MyNetworkTV) and their associated digital media and mobile platforms, in 48 markets. These stations reach approximately 23% of U.S. TV households, and the Company reaches approximately two-thirds of the U.S. Internet audience. Fifty-one of the 71 stations are located in the top 100 designated market areas as grouped by Nielsen (“DMAs”), while 27 of the 71 stations are located in the top 50 markets.
 
The Company also has one of the largest and most diverse digital media businesses in the U.S. television broadcasting industry, with a portfolio that includes LIN Digital, ONE Mobile, Federated Media, HYFN and Dedicated Media.

On September 8, 2015 the Company announced a definitive merger agreement under which the Company will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Meredith Corporation ("Meredith") in a cash and stock transaction. On September 28, 2015 the Company received an unsolicited proposal from Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. ("Nexstar") to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Media General for $14.50 per share in cash and stock, including $10.50 per share in cash and a fixed ratio of 0.0898 Nexstar shares per Media General share. As allowed under an October 14, 2015 agreement with Meredith and following the execution of a non-disclosure agreement with Nexstar, the Company is currently in the process of exchanging information with Nexstar.

The FCC continues to plan to recapture spectrum from broadcasters as part of a reverse auction in the Spring of 2016.  The Company continues to evaluate its options on a market-by-market basis.  These options may include relinquishment of spectrum, channel sharing, relocation of channel, and/or doing nothing depending on the market and how the reverse auction evolves.  As this process is unique and there are thousands of participants, the Company’s proceeds from auction transactions could range from zero to hundreds of millions.  The process itself is subject to change and the Company has not yet finalized its level of participation.

  

24



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Media General of $48 million and $54 million (($0.38) and ($0.42) per diluted share) during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively, compared to net income attributable to Old Media General of $13 million and $26 million ($0.15 and $0.29 per diluted share) in the equivalent periods of 2014. Net loss attributable to Media General for the third quarter of 2015 included a non-cash $53 million pretax goodwill impairment charge, a significant portion for which there is no benefit for tax purposes. The Company's results during the first nine months of 2015 included merger-related expenses of $19 million, non-operating gains of $5.6 million (in Other, net) on the relocation of broadcast channels in Lansing, Michigan and Austin, Texas and a $2.5 million reduction in Operating expenses for settlement proceeds related to overcharges by a music licensing agency.
 
The net loss recorded by the Company in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was $56 million and included net losses attributable to noncontrolling interests of $7.4 million and $1.4 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively. The losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the aggregate income of certain stations operated by the Company through JSA/SSA arrangements as well as the investment in HYFN Inc., a digital media operation. The remaining noncontrolling interest in Dedicated Media (also acquired in the LIN Merger) was acquired by the Company on April 1, 2015.
 
The Company generated $85 million and $260 million of operating income from its Broadcast segment in the third quarter and first nine month periods of 2015, respectively. Its Digital segment recorded operating income of $1.5 million and $0.5 million in the third quarter and first nine month period of 2015, respectively.

As described earlier, the Company completed the LIN Merger during the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result, the financial statements reflect only Old Media General's results of operations during the 2014 quarter and year-to-date periods while the results of operations for the 2015 periods are reflective of the combined company.

REVENUES
 
Revenues were $322 million and $939 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively, compared to $160 million and $458 million in the same prior-year periods. The increase in 2015 revenues is due overwhelmingly to the net acquisition activity discussed above. To allow investors to compare the revenue generated by the combined company’s 71 stations and digital companies during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, to revenue generated by those stations and digital companies in the aggregate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company has provided a non-GAAP comparison of the adjusted net operating revenue for the combined company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, along with the year-to-year percentage change. These combined company numbers presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, were derived by making the following adjustments to the revenues reported on the statement of comprehensive income for the same periods:
 
adding LIN’s revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and excluding the stations sold in Providence, Rhode Island (WJAR); Green Bay-Appleton, Wisconsin (WLUK and WCWF); Savannah, Georgia (WJCL and certain assets of WTGS); Birmingham, Alabama (WVTM); and Mobile, Alabama (WALA) as part of the business combination transaction;
adding revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 of the acquired stations in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (WHTM); Colorado Springs, Colorado (KXRM and KXTU); and Tampa, Florida (WTTA);
including adjustments as though the BiteSize TV and Federated Media entities had been owned for the full three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014;
excluding activity attributable to the Nami entity, which was disposed of by LIN prior to the LIN Merger; and
including adjustments to reflect the change from a CBS to a CW affiliation for the Indianapolis, Indiana station as of January 1, 2014. The station converted to a CW affiliation on January 1, 2015.
 

25



The Company provides these non-GAAP financial results for the combined company because the Company believes these metrics will better allow investors, financial analysts and others to evaluate period-over-period changes in the financial results of the Company’s existing operations.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
(As Reported)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
September 30,
2015
% of Total
 
September 30,
2014
 
Adjustments
 
September 30,
2014
 
Percent Change
Local
$
211,643

65.8
%
 
$
101,957

 
$
88,745

 
$
190,702

 
11.0
 %
National
52,352

16.3
%
 
27,525

 
24,455

 
51,980

 
0.7
 %
Political
4,566

1.4
%
 
17,116

 
14,544

 
31,660

 
(85.6
)%
Digital
43,744

13.6
%
 
6,347

 
36,056

 
42,403

 
3.2
 %
Other
9,431

2.9
%
 
7,279

 
2,717

 
9,996

 
(5.7
)%
Net operating revenue, as adjusted
$
321,736

 
 
$
160,224

 
$
166,517

 
$
326,741

 
(1.5
)%

 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
(As Reported)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
September 30,
2015
% of Total
 
September 30,
2014
 
Adjustments
 
September 30,
2014
 
Percent Change
Local
$
638,669

68.0
%
 
$
308,112

 
$
272,222

 
$
580,334

 
10.1
 %
National
154,601

16.5
%
 
81,366

 
75,915

 
157,281

 
(1.7
)%
Political
8,131

0.9
%
 
29,805

 
19,518

 
49,323

 
(83.5
)%
Digital
110,147

11.7
%
 
17,226

 
99,080

 
116,306

 
(5.3
)%
Other
27,445

2.9
%
 
21,744

 
6,554

 
28,298

 
(3.0
)%
Net operating revenue, as adjusted
$
938,993

 
 
$
458,253

 
$
473,289

 
$
931,542

 
0.8
 %

Local revenue for the combined company was up $21 million and $58 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as a result of increased retransmission revenue and, to a lesser extent, an increase in core local advertising. National advertising revenue decreased $2.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the prior-year equivalent period primarily due to revenues from the Sochi Winter Olympic games on the Company’s NBC affiliates during February 2014. During the third quarter of 2015 national advertising revenue increased by $0.4 million from the equivalent prior year period primarily due to increased advertising spending by the automotive sector. Political revenue for the combined company declined by more than 80% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the prior-year equivalent periods due to the fact that 2015 is not a national election year. The increase of $1.3 million in Digital revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily the result of increased activity in social media advertising and content marketing services and the initial results of the automated buying strategy implemented during the 2nd quarter of 2015. The increases in Digital revenue during the third quarter of 2015 were partially offset by decreases in arbitrage media placement services.


26




OPERATING COSTS
 
Operating costs as reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income increased $227 million and $530 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively, from the prior-year equivalent periods overwhelmingly due to the merger with LIN Media, as previously described. Also contributing to the increase in operating costs were higher network programming payments driven, in part, by the increase in retransmission revenue and higher compensation and healthcare costs. The Company believes that a comparison of operating costs on an as adjusted basis (making similar adjustments as described for revenue above) better allows investors, financial analysts and others to evaluate year-over-year changes in the financial results of the Company’s existing stations. On an as adjusted basis, operating costs increased $94 million and $135 million to $352 million and $912 million during the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively, from the equivalent prior-year periods. The increases during both the quarter and year-to-date periods are due in large part to the $53 million goodwill impairment charge recorded during the third quarter of 2015 and increased network programming payments, which rose $15 million and $49 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Higher depreciation and amortization expense during the quarter and year-to-date 2015 periods also contributed to the increase. Absent the higher network payments, total operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses, operating costs decreased $4.7 million from the equivalent prior year-to-date period, reflecting merger related synergies and effective expense management.
 
Corporate and other expenses as reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income increased by $7.0 million and $18 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, primarily due to the impact of stock-based compensation, which rose $3.4 million and $12 million, respectively.
 
Depreciation and amortization expense as reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income was $40 million and $123 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $16 million and $48 million in the corresponding prior-year periods. The increase was primarily the result of additional assets acquired resulting from the mergers, although new capital investments contributed to a lesser extent.
 
The Company also recorded $10 million and $3.6 million of merger-related costs in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, as shown on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income primarily for employee severance, investment banking and professional fees related to the LIN Merger and the merger with Young Broadcasting (reflected in 2014 only). The 2015 costs also included fees to outside legal and advisory consultants related to the merger agreement with Meredith and the unsolicited Nexstar proposal discussed above.

In September 2015 the Company adopted a plan to restructure certain digital segment operations. The Company recorded a severance expense of $1.1 million related to the plan in the third quarter of 2015.
 

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
Interest expense of almost $90 million in the first nine months of 2015 tripled interest expense in the corresponding period of 2014 due to additional debt related to the LIN Merger. The Company’s effective interest rate increased from 4.2% in the third quarter and 4.4% in the first nine months of 2014 (based on $919 million and $902 million of average outstanding debt, respectively) to 5.2% and 5.1% during the equivalent periods of 2015, respectively (based on $2.3 billion of average outstanding debt in both periods). The increase is due to the higher interest rates on the 2021 Notes assumed as part of LIN Merger and 2022 Notes issued related to the LIN Merger transaction.
 
During the first nine months of 2015, the Company repaid $160 million and $16 million of principal and premium on the Media General term loan and 2021 Notes, respectively (as well as $1.8 million and $0.9 million on the Shield loans and Other borrowings, respectively). The Company was only required to make aggregate principal payments of $9 million during the first nine months of 2015.

27




INCOME TAXES
 
The effective tax rate was 7.3% in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to 45.4% in the third quarter of 2014 and 6.6% in the first nine months of 2015 as compared 44.2% in the equivalent prior-year period.  The low tax rates in the current periods were due primarily to the Goodwill impairment and other permanent book-tax differences not deductible for tax purposes as compared to much higher levels of pre-tax loss.  The tax expense in both years was predominantly non-cash due to the Company’s significant net operating loss carryover.  Current tax expense was approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 respectively and was approximately $1.9 million and $0.8 million in the first nine months of 2015, and 2014, respectively; it was attributable primarily to state income taxes.

The Company records income tax expense using the liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the differing treatments of various items for financial reporting versus tax reporting purposes. The Company evaluates the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Included in that analysis is the fact that the Company has carried forward $615 million of net operating losses (NOLs) as of September 30, 2015. The analysis shows that, although there are limitations in future years, the Company anticipates being able to use the NOLs recorded before they expire over the course of the next 20 years.
 

OTHER
 
In September 2015 the Company adopted a plan to restructure certain digital segment operations which is expected to save the Company $5 million in operating costs annually. The Company recorded a severance expense of $1.1 million related to the plan in the third quarter of 2015. Accrued severance costs are included in the "Accrued salaries and wages" line item on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. No severance payments related to the digital segment restructuring were made during the third quarter of 2015. In April of 2014, the Company adopted a plan to restructure certain corporate and shared service operations intended to save $10 million in operating costs annually. The Company recorded severance expense of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2014. Accrued severance costs are included in the “Accrued salaries and wages” line item on the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Following severance payments of $0.1 million, the remaining severance liability related to the corporate restructuring was approximately $3.7 million as of September 30, 3014.

The turnover of key sales personnel and the industry-wide shift to use software to automate the buying and placement of digital advertising led to a decrease in projected operating results for the Company's historical arbitrage media placement businesses. This resulted in the Company recording a pretax goodwill impairment charge at its LIN Digital reporting unit of $53 million in the third quarter of 2015. After recording the impairment charge, the goodwill allocated to the LIN Digital reporting unit was $80 million at September 30, 2015. The calculation of impairment involves the use of significant judgment and estimates that management believes are appropriate in the circumstances although it is reasonably possible that actual performance will differ from these estimates. These estimates include those relating to revenue growth, compensation levels, digital advertising placement prices, capital expenditures, discount rates and market trading multiples for digital advertising assets.

The Company received $120 million of restricted cash in a qualified intermediary (a consolidated entity) from the 2014 sale of the WJAR-TV station. In June of 2015, the restricted cash was released from the qualified intermediary and remitted to the Company as suitable replacement property was not identified and purchased.

In March of 2015, the Company received $2.5 million in settlement proceeds as a party to an industry-wide lawsuit alleging overcharges by a music licensing agency. The settlement proceeds were recorded as a reduction in Operating expenses.
 
The Company also recorded $5.6 million of non-operating gains in the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 related to the relocation of broadcast channels in the Lansing, Michigan and Austin, Texas markets. In July 2015 the Company received a performance payment from Shield Media related to its channel relocation in Lansing, Michigan. The performance payment was included in a $9 million dividend discussed in Note 4.
 

28




LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
The Company’s primary source of liquidity is its cash flow from operations, but it also has access to the $150 million revolving credit facility and cash on its balance sheet. The Company has $147 million of availability under the revolving credit facility (giving effect to $3 million of letters of credit which have been issued but are undrawn) and $38 million of cash on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2015. There is $3.7 million of cash in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015 which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs as discussed in Note 4. The LIN Merger has enhanced the Company’s ability to generate cash, particularly in even-numbered years when Political and Olympic revenues are most prominent. The Company has used its cash flows for debt repayment, stock repurchase, further investment in its operations and other corporate initiatives.
 
On March 31, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program expiring December 31, 2015, which authorizes the Company to purchase up to $120 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. The Company purchased 0.9 million shares of common stock at an average price of $15.80 per share under the program for $15 million during the third quarter of 2015. The Company has purchased 2.1 million shares at an average price of $16.16 for $34 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
 
The Company generated $135 million of cash from operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This compared to $43 million of net cash generated by operating activities in the year-ago period. The increase from the year-ago period is primarily the result of the addition of cash flows from the merger in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and significantly lower retirement plan contributions during the first nine months of 2015. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company made voluntary cash contributions of $49 million to its retirement plans. While retirement plan contributions and changes in balance sheet accounts such as trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (including payment of accrued interest) and accounts receivable can and did have an impact on the cash flows from operating activities, as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the key component is the underlying operating performance of the Company's stations. 

The Company internally, and analysts in the Broadcast industry, use a non-GAAP Broadcast Cash Flow (BCF) metric as a key performance measure. BCF is defined as operating income plus corporate and other expenses, depreciation and amortization, net gains related to property and equipment, program license rights amortization less payments for program license rights and merger-related expenses. As shown in the table that follows, as adjusted BCF (reflecting the combined company numbers as described in "Revenues") decreased from $115 million to $90 million in the third quarter of 2015 primarily due to absence of advertising revenues related to the national elections during 2014:

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
(As Reported)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
(Unaudited, in thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
Adjustments
 
September 30,
2014
Net Operating Revenue
$
321,736

 
$
160,224

 
$
166,517

 
$
326,741

Less: Operating Costs
(352,178
)
 
(125,043
)
 
(132,787
)
 
(257,830
)
Operating Income
(30,442
)
 
35,181

 
33,730

 
68,911

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
40,385

 
15,643

 
14,376

 
30,019

Corporate and other expenses
12,598

 
5,567

 
5,735

 
11,302

Loss related to property and equipment, net
96

 
676

 
42

 
718

Program license rights, net
3,457

 
162

 
(285
)
 
(123
)
Goodwill impairment
52,862

 

 

 

Merger-related expenses
10,014

 
3,596

 
 
 
3,596

Restructuring expenses
1,132

 
275

 

 
275

Broadcast cash flow
$
90,102

 
$
61,100

 
$
53,598

 
$
114,698



29



During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, BCF decreased from $300 million to $264 million, as shown in the table that follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
(As Reported)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
(Unaudited, in thousands)
September 30,
2015
 
September 30,
2014
 
Adjustments
 
September 30,
2014
Net Operating Revenue
$
938,993

 
$
458,253

 
$
473,289

 
$
931,542

Less: Operating Costs
(911,936
)
 
(381,781
)
 
(395,234
)
 
(777,015
)
Operating Income
27,057

 
76,472

 
78,055

 
154,527

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
123,286

 
48,278

 
41,769

 
90,047

Corporate and other expenses
37,615

 
19,778

 
17,901

 
37,679

(Gain) loss related to property and equipment, net
(328
)
 
897

 
141

 
1,038

Program license rights, net
3,504

 
(127
)
 
(905
)
 
(1,032
)
Goodwill impairment
52,862

 

 

 

Merger-related expenses
18,907

 
13,173

 

 
13,173

Restructuring expenses
1,132

 
4,764

 

 
4,764

Broadcast cash flow
$
264,035

 
$
163,235

 
$
136,961

 
$
300,196


 
Investing activities of the Company provided cash of $84 million during the first nine months of 2015 primarily due to the release from a qualified intermediary of $120 million in restricted cash related to the 2014 sale of WJAR-TV, as discussed above. This cash inflow was partially offset by $41 million in capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2015. The Company also had cash inflows of $3.1 million during 2015 related to the relocation of broadcast channels in Lansing, Michigan and Austin, Texas.
 
Cash used by financing activities of $225 million and $13 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, primarily resulted from principal payments of $178 on outstanding debt during the year-to-date 2015 period as compared to net debt repayments of $11 million in the comparable prior year period. The Company also had a $11 million cash outflow related to the acquisition of the remaining noncontrolling interest in Dedicated Media and, as discussed above, cash payments of $34 million for share repurchases under the share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors during 2015.
 
Debt Agreements
 
At September 30, 2015, the Company had the following debt instruments (presented with maturity dates):
 
Term Loan (7/31/2020)
$1,541 million
LIBOR + 3.00% w/ 1% LIBOR floor
 
 
 
Revolver (10/28/2019)
$147 million available; None drawn
LIBOR + 2.50%; 0.5% commitment fee
 
 
 
2022 Notes (11/15/2022)
$400 million
5.875% fixed
 
 
 
2021 Notes (1/15/2021)
$275 million
6.375% fixed
 
 
 
Shield Media Term Loans (7/31/2018)
$28 million
LIBOR + 3.00%
 
 
 
Other Borrowings (through 2017)
$1.2 million
LIBOR + 3.00%
 
 

30



The borrowings described above were primarily used to finance merger/acquisition activity. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company and its restricted wholly owned subsidiaries, and the Company (with each of such subsidiaries) has pledged substantially all of its assets as collateral for the loans. The Shield Media Term Loans are guaranteed by the Company and its restricted wholly owned subsidiaries, and the Company (with each of such subsidiaries) has pledged substantially all of its assets as collateral for the loans, on a pari passu basis with the Credit Agreement. The 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes are issued by LIN Television, and are guaranteed by the Company and certain of LIN Television’s subsidiaries on a full and unconditional basis.

On June 22, 2015, the Company re-priced the existing Term Loan. At the option of the Company, the re-priced interest rate on the Term Loan is adjusted LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00%. The maturity date for the Term Loan remains July 31, 2020. Repayments on the Term Loan made by the Company during 2015 cover all principal amortization payments required under the agreement through the end of 2019.

The Credit Agreement contains a leverage ratio covenant which is tested for purposes of the Revolving Credit Facility, if and when, the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and non-collateralized letters of credit exceed $45 million at a quarter-end. At other times, there is not a required maximum leverage ratio that the Company must operate within. The leverage ratio involves debt levels and a rolling eight-quarter calculation of EBITDA, as defined in the agreement. For the second and third quarters of 2015, the maximum ratio was 5.75 times, for the fourth quarter it would be 5.50 times, for the first quarter of 2016 it would be 5.25 times, and it would be 5.00 times thereafter. Additionally, the agreement has restrictions on certain transactions that are operational regardless of borrowing level under the Revolving Credit Facility, including the incurrence and existence of additional debt, capital leases, investments, fundamental changes (including additional acquisitions, mergers or consolidations), limitation on liens, prepayment or amendment of certain debt, transactions with affiliates, changes in the nature of the business, asset sales and restricted payments (including dividends and share repurchases) as defined in the Credit Agreement.
 
The Shield Media Term Loans have a fixed charge coverage ratio (a ratio of fixed charges (interest, debt payments, capital expenditures and taxes) to EBITDA, calculated on a rolling eight-quarter basis, as defined in the agreement). The Shield Media Term Loans also have restrictions on transactions similar in nature to those in the Credit Agreement, but scaled to Shield Media’s smaller size. Additionally, the Shield Media Term Loans have more specific covenants regarding the operation of the Shield Media business and requires that each Shield Media holding company that controls a Shield Media station limit its activities to the performance of its obligations under the Shield Media credit documents, and activities incidental thereto, including owning a Shield Media station and the performance of its obligations under and activities related to the shared services agreement.
 
The Indentures governing the 2021 Notes and the 2022 Notes do not contain financial maintenance covenants but do include restrictive covenants with respect to the ability to incur additional debt and issue disqualified stock; pay dividends or make other restricted payments; prepay, redeem or repurchase capital stock or subordinated debt; transfer or sell assets; make investments; enter into transactions with affiliates; create or incur liens; and merge or consolidate with any other person.
 
The Credit Agreement, Shield Media Credit Agreements along with the Indentures governing the 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes all contain cross-default provisions.
 
Consolidated net leverage, as defined in the Credit Agreement governing the Revolving Credit Facility, was 5.07x as of September 30, 2015. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants at September 30, 2015.
 
In connection with and in order to finance the proposed Meredith transaction which is expected to include the repayment of our 2021 Notes and the repayment of all material third party indebtedness of Meredith, in the third quarter of 2015 the Company received a financing commitment from a group of financial institutions totaling $2.8 billion, which consists of an incremental term loan B under the Company’s existing senior secured credit facilities and an additional unsecured loan. In addition, the Company may seek to obtain an additional $200 million of revolving credit commitments in connection with this committed financing, all in connection with, and at or prior to the closing of, the proposed Meredith transaction.


31



OUTLOOK
 
The Company owns or operates 71 stations across 48 markets covering 23% of U.S. TV households. The Company’s scale has already delivered significant operating synergies and facilitated increased cash flow generation which enabled the Company to pay down debt. Although national elections and Olympic games will not be held in 2015, strength in retransmission revenues, an active primary season and an improving economy is helping to enable the Company to recoup much of the political and Olympic revenues from which the Company benefited in 2014. For 2016, many experts are projecting strong spending in political advertising, and having the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil should enable more “live” events on the Company’s NBC stations. The Company expects to generate strong free cash flow as a combined entity and to create liquidity available for share repurchases and debt reduction. As discussed earlier the Company continues to evaluate its options for the spectrum auction that is currently slated for the spring of 2016. The Company outlook above is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which could individually or collectively cause actual results to differ materially from those projected above.
* * * * * * * *
 
Certain statements in this quarterly report, particularly those in the section with the heading “Outlook” are not historical facts and are “forward-looking” statements, as that term is defined by the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements related to accounting estimates and assumptions, expectations regarding the pending merger, regulatory approvals and debt levels, interest rates, the impact of technological advances including consumer acceptance of mobile television and expectations regarding the effects of retransmission fees, network affiliate fees, pension and postretirement plans, capital spending, general advertising levels and political advertising levels, the effects of changes to FCC regulations and FCC approval of license applications. Forward-looking statements, including those which use words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “may” and similar words, including “outlook”, are made as of the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could potentially cause actual results to differ materially from those results expressed in or implied by such statements. The reader should understand that it is not possible to foresee or identify all risk factors. Consequently, any such list should not be considered a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties.
 
 
Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s forward looking statements, estimates or projections including, without limitation:  failure to complete the merger transaction, the impact of various business combinations and integration efforts of the Company, changes in advertising demand, the economic climate for and efficacy of debt refinancing, emergence of new digital advertising platforms, changes to pending accounting standards, changes in consumer preferences for programming and delivery method, changes in relationships with broadcast networks and advertisers, the performance of pension plan assets, regulatory rulings including those related to ERISA and tax law, natural disasters, and the ability to renew retransmission agreements. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements for a number of reasons including those described in Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
.

32



Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, provides disclosures about market risk. As of September 30, 2015, there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk from December 31, 2014.
 

Item 4.          Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.
 
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The LIN Merger was completed on December 19, 2014, and represented a change in internal control over financial reporting. The Company is well into the process of evaluating and harmonizing its existing controls and procedures as part of its ongoing integration activities following the LIN Merger. During the first quarter of 2015 the Company began reporting from a single accounting system. The Company also began a conversion of Old Media General’s traffic and billing system to the system used by LIN Media. This conversion was completed in the third quarter of 2015 resulting in all stations residing on the same traffic and billing system. The Company also converted to a single payroll system during the third quarter of 2015.

33



PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 2.          Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On March 31, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a share repurchase program expiring December 31, 2015, which authorizes the Company to purchase up to $120 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. The Company completed the following purchases under this program during the three months ended September 30, 2015:

Period
Shares purchased during the period
Average price paid per share
Aggregate number of share purchased under the program
Dollar value available for future purchases
July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015
632,114

16.37

1,771,621

90,929,614

August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015
315,885

14.66

2,087,506

86,299,756

September 1, 2015 to September 31, 2015


2,087,506

86,299,756

Total
947,999

$
16.16

2,087,506

86,299,756

 
Item 5.          Other Information

On November 4, 2015, the Company and Timothy Mulvaney, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller, entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”).  The Employment Agreement is for two years and provides for a base salary of Two Hundred Sixty-Nine Thousand Dollars ($269,000) and a target bonus opportunity of 35% of base salary.  The Employment Agreement also provides that upon termination by the Company, other than for cause or disability, or by Mr. Mulvaney for good reason as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement, Mr. Mulvaney’s cash severance entitlement shall be one and one-half (1½) times the sum of his base salary and the amount of the Annual Bonus, if any, most recently awarded to Mr. Mulvaney.  The Employment Agreement also includes noncompetition, non-solicitation, and nondisclosure provisions.  Contemporaneously with the execution of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Mulvaney and the Company entered into a separate retention agreement “Retention Agreement,” which provides him with an additional six months of base compensation at his current salary,  the payment of which is contingent upon Mr. Mulvaney remaining with the Company through the closing of the merger with Meredith.


34



Item 6.          Exhibits
 
(a)      Exhibits
 
 
 
4.1
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 4, 2015, among Media General, Inc., Dedicated Media, Inc., the other guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, amending the Indenture dated as of November 5, 2014, as supplemented

 
 
10.1
Amended and restated employment agreement between the Company and the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, dated as of August 6, 2015 agreement effective as of June 5, 2013
 
 
31.1
Section 302 Chief Executive Officer Certification
 
 
31.2
Section 302 Chief Financial Officer Certification
 
 
32
Section 906 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification
 
 
101
The following financial information from the Media General, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, (iii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

35



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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 6, 2015
By:
/s/ Vincent L. Sadusky
 
 
 Vincent L. Sadusky
 
 
 President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 6, 2015
By:
/s/ James F. Woodward
 
 
 James F. Woodward
 
 
 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer


36