UONE Urban One Inc

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban One, Inc. (NASDAQ: UONEK and UONE) today reported its results for the year ended December 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2023 net revenue was approximately $477.7 million, a decrease of 1.4% from the same period in 2022. The Company reported operating loss of approximately $31.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to operating income of approximately $91.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Broadcast and digital operating income¹ was approximately $168.4 million, a decrease of 16.5% from the same period in 2022. Net income was approximately $2.1 million or $0.04 per share (basic) compared to $34.3 million or $0.70 per share (basic) for the same period in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA² was approximately $128.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $165.2 million for the same period in 2022.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023 net revenue was approximately $120.3 million, a decrease of 9.2% from the same period in 2022. The Company reported operating income of approximately $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to operating income of approximately $11.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. Broadcast and digital operating income¹ was approximately $38.0 million, a decrease of 19.6% from the same period in 2022. Net loss was approximately $11.0 million or $0.23 per share (basic) compared to a loss of $1.9 million or $0.04 per share (basic) for the same period in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA² was approximately $26.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $31.3 million for the same period in 2022.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 net revenue was approximately $104.4 million, a decrease of 5.0% from the same period in 2023. The Company reported operating income of approximately $12.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to operating income of approximately $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Broadcast and digital operating income¹ was approximately $32.0 million, a decrease of 18.5% from the same period in 2023. Net income was approximately $7.5 million or $0.15 per share (basic) compared to a loss of $2.9 million or $0.06 per share (basic) for the same period in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA² was approximately $21.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately $30.3 million for the same period in 2023.

Alfred C. Liggins, III, Urban One's CEO and President stated, "our Adjusted EBITDA for FY23 came in just above the high-end of our previous guidance at $128.4m. As expected, we suffered a drop in radio division broadcast cash flow as a result of reduced political advertising compared to Q4 2022. Other divisions performed broadly in line with expectations, although the continuing churn in cable television subscribers remains an industry-wide concern. For Q1 our national radio revenues were hit by tough comparatives on a handful of large clients plus a general softness in the market. Second quarter radio pacing's are sequentially better, with same station core revenues down mid-single-digits and low-single digits including political. Cable television affiliate fees continue to be a drag, with Q1 down 12.8% year over year. Demand for some of our digital products was soft in Q1, with net digital segment revenue down 7.3%. National direct digital revenue was down double digits, partially offset by growth in VOD, streaming audio and podcast. We are optimistic about political advertising revenues for the remainder of the year, which should benefit both our radio and digital divisions. During Q1 we repurchased $75.0 million of our 2028 notes at 88.3%, and we ended the quarter with approximately $155.7 million of cash."

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements represent management's current expectations and are based upon information available to Urban One at the time of this release. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Urban One's control, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are described in Urban One's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q, 10-Q/A, 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Urban One does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized approximately $477.7 million in net revenue compared to approximately $484.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. We recognized approximately $156.2 million of revenue from our radio broadcasting segment during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $156.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.5 million, primarily due to lower political revenue offset by new stations in the Indianapolis and Houston markets. Based on reports prepared by Miller Kaplan, the markets we operate in decreased 5.5% in total revenues. We experienced net revenue reduction in all of our existing radio markets, with the exception of Cleveland and Columbus. We recognized approximately $52.9 million of revenue from our Reach Media segment during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $43.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of approximately $9.8 million. The increase was primarily driven by the addition of the Fantastic Voyage cruise during the second quarter of 2023. We recognized approximately $75.5 million of revenue from our digital segment during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $78.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $3.0 million. This decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in direct revenue. We recognized approximately $196.2 million of revenue from our cable television segment during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $209.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $13.7 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in affiliate fees due to subscriber churn, lower ratings and decreased advertising sales.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recognized approximately $104.4 million in net revenue compared to approximately $109.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. We recognized approximately $36.4 million of revenue from our radio broadcasting segment during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately $35.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, an increase of approximately $1.2 million. This increase was primarily due to the Houston station acquisition, which was completed in August 2023, offset by a decrease in national advertising. We recognized approximately $8.5 million of revenue from our Reach Media segment during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $2.4 million. The decrease was primarily driven by the decrease in overall demand and attrition of advertisers. We recognized approximately $14.0 million of revenue from our digital segment during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately $15.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $1.1 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in national markets digital sales and lower demand from the Company's advertisers. We recognized approximately $46.2 million of revenue from our cable television segment during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to approximately $49.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $3.5 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in audience viewership affecting advertising sales and the consistent churn in subscribers.

The following charts indicates the sources of our net revenue for the year end December 31, 2023 and three months ended March 31, 2024:

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and impairment of long-lived assets, increased to approximately $362.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, up 9.0% from the approximately $332.9 million incurred for the comparable period in 2022. The overall operating expense increase was driven by higher programming and technical expenses and higher selling, general and administrative expenses and higher corporate selling, general and administrative expenses. There was an increase of approximately $12.4 million in Radio broadcasting's programming and technical expenses and selling and general expenses primarily related to acquisitions in our Indianapolis and Houston markets. There was an increase in Cable television's programming and technical expenses due to higher content amortization expense and increased payroll expenses. Reach Media's selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.2 million primarily due to the Fantastic Voyage cruise. There was an increase of approximately $3.7 million in corporate selling, general and administrative expenses relating to higher third-party consulting fees.

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and impairment of long-lived assets, increased to approximately $88.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, up 11.6% from the approximately $79.1 million incurred for the comparable period in 2023. The overall increase in operating expense was due to an uptick in third-party consulting fees and an increase in expenses resulting from the Houston station acquisition.

Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $10.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $2.9 million. This decrease is due to capitalized assets becoming fully depreciated.

Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to approximately $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $0.7 million due to capitalized assets becoming fully depreciated.

Impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets was approximately $129.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $40.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of approximately $88.6 million. The impairment loss of $129.3 million in 2023 was entirely associated with the impairment of broadcasting licenses within the radio broadcasting segment. The primary factors leading to the impairments were a decline in projected gross market revenues throughout 2023 and an increase in discount rate during the first three quarters in 2023.

There was no impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was driven by an impairment loss associated with the sale of the KROI-FM radio broadcasting license.

Interest income was approximately $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to approximately $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of approximately $6.0 million. The increase was primarily due to higher cash and cash equivalents balances during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Interest income was approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase was driven by higher cash and cash equivalents balances in the three months ended March 31, 2024 than in the corresponding period in 2023.

Interest expense decreased to approximately $56.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $61.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $5.6 million. The decrease is due to lower overall debt balances outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately $25.0 million of its $825.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2028 ("2028 Notes") at an average price of approximately 89.1% of par.

Interest expense was approximately $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to approximately $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of approximately $1.1 million. The decrease was due to lower overall debt balances outstanding. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased approximately $75.0 million of its 2028 Notes at an average price of approximately 88.3% of par.

Other income, net increased $80.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to the gain on sale of the Company's MGM Investment, which was recognized in other income, net, during the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized income related to the MGM investment as well as the Paycheck Protection Program loan program ("PPP") and related accrued interest that was forgiven in other income, net.

Other income, net, was approximately $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to other expense, net of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized income related to the sale of its equity interest in Broadcast Music Inc.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $7.9 million on the pre-tax income of $17.6 million resulting with an annual effective tax rate of 45.0%. The difference between the effective rate and the Company's statutory rate relates primarily to the effect of state taxes, uncertain tax positions, Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 382 adjustments, and permanent differences associated with non-deductible officer compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $16.4 million on pre-tax income of $53.1 million resulting with an annual effective tax rate of 30.9%. This rate primarily reflects taxes at statutory tax rates, and the impact of permanent differences associated with non-deductible officer compensation, and non-taxable PPP Loan income forgiveness. In general, permanent book to tax differences have a greater impact on pre-tax income when the income is lower in the given period.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $2.5 million. This amount is based on the actual effective tax rate of 23.5%. This rate includes $0.3 million of discrete tax benefits primarily related to deferred rate changes. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of approximately $1.2 million on pre-tax loss from consolidated operations of approximately $3.6 million which results in an effective tax rate of 32.5%. This rate includes $0.1 million of discrete tax benefits primarily related to statutory state tax rate changes.

Other pertinent financial information includes capital expenditures of approximately $9.1 million and $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Other pertinent financial information includes capital expenditures of approximately $1.8 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 313,272 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 5,124,671 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $26.5 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 396,052 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.4 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 256,442 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.3 million.

Supplemental Financial Information:

For comparative purposes, the following more detailed, unaudited statements of operations for the year end December 31, 2023 and the three months ended March 31, 2024 are included.