Urban One Inc UONEK

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban One, Inc. (NASDAQ: UONEK and UONE) today reported its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023 net revenue was approximately $117.8 million, a decrease of 2.8% from the same period in 2022. The Company reported an operating loss of approximately $56.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to an operating loss of approximately $18.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Broadcast and digital operating income¹ was approximately $43.8 million, a decrease of 13.9% from the same period in 2022. Net loss was approximately $54.4 million or $1.14 per share (basic) compared to a net income of approximately $3.5 million or $0.07 per share (basic) for the same period in 2022. Adjusted EBITDA² was approximately $34.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $44.3 million for the same period in 2022.

Alfred C. Liggins, III, Urban One's CEO and President stated, "Third quarter came in right on top of our expectations, as discussed on our December 7^th Earnings call. The softness in our radio markets continued into Q4, where we expect to be down approximately 14% all-in, down 23% same station and down 13% same station ex-political, which is marginally down on our early December pacings. For Q1 radio, we are currently pacing down low-single-digits on a same station basis. Our Reach Media and Digital businesses performed relatively better in Q3, however subscriber churn in the linear TV business continues to be a headwind for the whole industry. Overall, we expect to finish out the year in line with our prior Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $125-128 million".

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 three months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized approximately $117.8 million in net revenue compared to approximately $121.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. We recognized approximately $40.2 million of revenue from our radio broadcasting segment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $40.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.2 million. Same station spot, political and event revenue were down year over year but this decline was offset by an increase in revenue resulting from our Houston stations acquisition on August 1, 2023 of approximately $2.9 million and our Indianapolis stations acquisition in the third quarter 2022 of approximately $2.5 million. Based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP ("Miller Kaplan"), the markets we operate in (excluding Richmond and Raleigh, both of which do not participate in Miller Kaplan) decreased 5.9% in total revenues. We recognized approximately $11.2 million of revenue from our Reach Media segment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $1.1 million The increase was primarily driven by the addition of four new networks and the addition of the U1 podcast network at the end of September 2022. We recognized approximately $20.4 million of revenue from our digital segment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $21.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $0.6 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in local markets digital sales. We recognized approximately $46.8 million of revenue from our cable television segment during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to approximately $50.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $3.8 million. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in advertising sales and the consistent churn in subscribers.

The following chart indicates the sources of our net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and impairment of long-lived assets, increased to approximately $84.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, up 5.3% from the approximately $80.2 million incurred for the comparable period in 2022. The overall operating expense increase was driven by higher programming and technical expenses and higher corporate selling, general and administrative expenses offset by slightly lower selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in programming and technical expenses was due to higher expenses across all segments. Programming and technical expenses in our cable television segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased approximately $1.9 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by higher content amortization expense which increased approximately $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. Total expenses in our radio broadcasting segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased approximately $3.9 million, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. This increase was primarily driven by the Emmis transaction of approximately $2.0 million, the CMG acquisition of approximately $2.2 million offset by reduced costs in events, and sales and marketing costs. Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of approximately $0.6 million. The increase is primarily due to higher third-party consulting and audit expenses. 

Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to approximately $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, 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 $85.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to approximately $15.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $70.0 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $85.4 million for its radio broadcasting licenses associated with 10 markets.

Interest income was approximately $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase was driven by higher cash balances in the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Interest expense was approximately $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to approximately $15.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $1.3 million. The decrease is due to lower overall debt balances outstanding. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased approximately $25.0 million of its 2028 Notes at an average price of approximately 89.1% of par. The Company paid interest expense of approximately $27.0 million and $29.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Other income, net, was approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized income related to its MGM investment.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of approximately $16.8 million. This amount is based on the actual effective tax rate of 23.8%. This rate includes $0.3 million of discrete tax benefits primarily related to deferred rate changes. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $3.2 million on pre-tax income from consolidated operations of approximately $7.0 million which results in an effective tax rate of 46.2%. This rate includes $0.1 million of discrete tax benefits primarily related to statutory state tax rate changes. The Company paid income taxes of approximately $1.6 million and $247,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Other pertinent financial information includes capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 million and $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 38,371 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of $195,000. During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A common stock and repurchased 426,675 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.8 million.

Supplemental Financial Information:

For comparative purposes, the following more detailed, unaudited statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are included.

Urban One, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss its results for the third fiscal quarters of 2023. The conference call is scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. EST. To participate on this call, U.S. callers may dial toll-free 1-844-291-4185; international callers may dial direct (+1) 409-207-6997. The Access Code is 2080185.

A replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 p.m. EST January 11, 2024 until 12:00 a.m. EST January 18, 2024. Callers may access the replay by calling 1-866-207-1041; international callers may dial direct (+1) 402-970-0847. The replay Access Code is 2318685.

Access to live audio and a replay of the conference call will also be available on Urban One's corporate website at www.urban1.com. The replay will be made available on the website for seven days after the call.

Urban One Inc. (urban1.com), together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets Black Americans and urban consumers in the United States. The Company owns TV One, LLC (tvone.tv), a television network serving more than 59 million households, offering a broad range of original programming, classic series and movies designed to entertain, inform, and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. As of January 05, 2024, we owned and/or operated 72 independently formatted, revenue producing broadcast stations (including 57 FM or AM stations, 13 HD stations, and the 2 low power television stations) branded under the tradename "Radio One" in 13 urban markets in the United States. Through its controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), the Company also operates syndicated programming including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning Show, and the DL Hughley Show. In addition to its radio and television broadcast assets, Urban One owns iOne Digital (ionedigital.com), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African American and urban audiences.