Document
false0000039899 0000039899 2019-11-07 2019-11-07


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
November 7, 2019
TEGNA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
1-6961
16-0442930
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number) 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
 
8350 Broad Street, Suite 2000,
Tysons,
Virginia
 
22102-5151
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
 
 
(703)
873-6600
 
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not Applicable
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
TGNA
New York Stock Exchange

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

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









Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 7, 2019, TEGNA Inc. reported its consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019. A copy of this press release is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
99.1
 
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
























































SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
 
 
TEGNA Inc.
 
 
 
Date: November 7, 2019
By:
 /s/ Clifton A. McClelland III
 
 
Clifton A. McClelland III
 
 
Senior Vice President and Controller
 





Exhibit


https://cdn.kscope.io/f8a7adb658c7bf590cc02c1db94384ef-tegnanewsreleasearta01.jpg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 7, 2019

TEGNA Inc. Reports 2019 Third Quarter Results

Successfully closed acquisitions of stations from Dispatch Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group which provide shareholder value, enhance portfolio of Big Four stations in key markets, further diversify geographic footprint and reinforce disciplined M&A strategy

Provides fourth quarter and full year 2019 outlook

Tysons, VA - TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.1 
    
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
Total company revenue was $552 million, up two percent year-over-year, driven by acquisitions and continued growth in subscription revenue and advertising and marketing services, which more than offset the absence of $60 million of political revenue in the same period last year.
Adjusted total company revenue, excluding political, was up 14 percent year-over-year.
Third quarter subscription revenue of $241 million was up 16 percent due to acquisitions and rate increases.
Net income from continuing operations was $48 million in the third quarter, down $44 million due to the cyclical absence of political revenue, and non-GAAP net income was $58 million.
Free cash flow for the quarter was $105 million, and the Company ended the quarter with total debt of $4.2 billion and net leverage of 4.9x, on track to delever to approximately 4.1x by the end of 2020.
Total company Adjusted EBITDA was $157 million, down 13 percent year-over-year as a result of the cyclical absence of high-margin political advertising revenue relative to last year’s third quarter.
GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.22 in the third quarter and non-GAAP* earnings per diluted share were $0.27.
 
STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL UPDATES:
On August 8, TEGNA announced2 that it completed its acquisition of Dispatch Broadcast Group’s leading television stations WTHR, an NBC affiliate and #1 rated station in Indianapolis, IN, and WBNS, a CBS affiliate and #1 rated station in Columbus, OH, and WBNS radio, the leader in sports radio in Central Ohio.
The transaction represented a compelling purchase price of 7.9x expected average 2018-2019 EBITDA including run rate synergies; expected to be EPS accretive within one year of the close and immediately accretive to free cash flow per share.
 
 
 
 
 
1 Throughout earnings release, “acquisitions” includes (1) the Nexstar/Tribune Acquisitions, (2) the Dispatch Acquisitions, (3) the acquisition of broadcast stations WTOL in Toledo, OH and KWES in Midland Odessa, TX, and (4) multicast networks Justice Network and Quest.

2 http://investors.tegna.com/news-releases/news-release-details/tegna-completes-acquisition-dispatch-broadcast-groups-leading

1





On September 9, TEGNA launched an integrated, in-house national sales organization and go-to-market strategy to serve national clients and expand those relationships. The new organization will provide greater revenue opportunities and a more efficient cost structure.
Further strengthened the Company’s balance sheet and increased financial flexibility.
On September 13, completed $1.1 billion private placement offering of senior notes at a 5.0% interest rate, with net proceeds used in part to repay approximately $290 million of 5.125% notes due July 2020 and borrowings under the revolving credit agreement.
Extended and amended the $1.5 billion revolving credit facility through August 2024 with existing favorable terms and improved financial covenants.
On September 19, TEGNA announced it completed its acquisition of 11 local television stations, including eight Big Four Affiliates, from Nexstar Media Group, bringing the Company’s Big Four portfolio to 55 affiliates.
The transaction represented a compelling purchase price of 6.7x expected average 2018-2019 EBITDA (or 7.7x, prior to tax savings) including run rate synergies and tax savings; expected to be EPS accretive within one year of the close and immediately accretive to free cash flow per share.
On October 5, TEGNA reached a multi-year carriage agreement with Spectrum.
On October 28, announced the renewal of a multi-year affiliation agreement with Fox Corporation for all six of TEGNA’s Fox stations.
* See “Use of Non-GAAP Information” below for more detail

CEO COMMENT
“We continue to execute on opportunities to generate value for our shareholders,” said Dave Lougee, president and chief executive officer. “We successfully completed two significant acquisitions that are expected to be EPS accretive within one year and immediately accretive to free cash flow. These transactions support the growth of shareholder value through significant synergies and demonstrate the benefits of our financial discipline when evaluating M&A opportunities. The Dispatch and Nexstar/Tribune stations also expand our footprint of Big Four stations in key strategic markets, many in battleground states that are expected to drive political advertising for the 2020 election. We are proud of our new stations and have growing conviction, now that we have visibility into their operations, that both revenue and mechanical synergies will be at least as high if not greater than anticipated. With enhanced cash flows and significant room under the cap, we have the flexibility to delever while pursuing additional consolidation opportunities.
“Subscription revenues continue to be a source of growth and increased stability in our financial model. We were pleased to reach a recent agreement with Spectrum, beginning a repricing cycle that will result in 85 percent of our subscribers being repriced by year-end 2020. Advertising and marketing services continued on an improved trajectory, growing for the second quarter in a row. These consistent revenue streams, paired with our recent acquisitions and other strategic initiatives, allow for significant upside in our business as we expect to continue to drive value into 2020 and beyond.
“We updated and increased our full year 2019 guidance in September to reflect the completion of the Dispatch and Nexstar/Tribune acquisitions, including an expectation that subscription revenue will be up by a high-teens percentage and free cash flow will comprise 18-19 percent of our 2018/2019 estimated revenue. We will continue to be thoughtful and disciplined in evaluating potential avenues for growth, and executing our long-term strategy to create value for shareholders.”

 


2



OVERVIEW OF THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
In analyzing third quarter 2019 results, investors should be reminded that TEGNA’s results are disproportionately impacted by cyclical political advertising drivers due to the Company’s footprint in states that tend to see substantial spending. In even numbered years, political spending is usually significantly higher than in odd numbered years due to advertising for local and national elections.
Total company revenues increased two percent in the quarter, driven by acquisitions and continued growth in subscription and advertising and marketing services revenue, which more than offset the cyclical absence of political advertising revenue.
Subscription revenue grew 16 percent year-over-year due to acquisitions and rate increases.
Advertising and marketing services revenue increased 12 percent in the quarter compared to last year, driven mostly by acquisitions, and we continue to see underlying advertising growth for the second quarter in a row. Softness in auto was more than offset by growth in the insurance, banking and media categories, among several others.
GAAP operating expenses were $445 million, up 16 percent, and non-GAAP operating expenses were $425 million, up 12 percent year-over-year, predominantly driven by acquisitions and higher programming expenses related to growth in subscription revenues. Outside of acquisitions and programming expenses, all other expenses were down four percent for the quarter.
GAAP operating income totaled $107 million, down 31 percent, and non-GAAP operating income totaled $127 million in the third quarter, down 20 percent. Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure detailed in Table 3) totaled $157 million in the quarter and Adjusted EBITDA margin equaled 28.5 percent. Adjusted EBITDA excluding corporate expenses was $167 million, which resulted in a margin of 30.3 percent.
Special items for the quarter included acquisition-related fees of $20 million and one-time contract termination and incremental transition costs of $5 million related to bringing our national sales organization in-house. These operating expenses were partially offset by FCC spectrum repacking reimbursements to TEGNA of $5 million. Finally, we had special item tax benefits totaling $6 million primarily related to reversal of two valuation allowances.
Interest expense in the quarter increased to $52 million compared to $48 million in the third quarter of 2018, due to higher average debt balances as a result of the acquisition activity. Total cash at the end of the quarter was $9 million. The tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 is lower than the comparable rate in 2018 primarily as a result of the release of certain tax reserves due to a state audit settlement and the expiration of a statute of limitations, as well as discrete tax benefits realized related to one of the recent acquisitions and a previously-disposed business.

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2019 OUTLOOK
In the fourth quarter of 2019, TEGNA expects to be disproportionately impacted by cyclical even-to-odd year results due to the absence of more than $140 million of political revenue last year. For the fourth quarter, the company expects:
Fourth Quarter 2019 Key Guidance Metrics
 
As Reported1
 
 
 
Total Company GAAP Revenue
 
+ mid single digits
Non-GAAP Revenue (excluding political)
 
+ high 20s
Total Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
 
+ mid-to-high 20s
Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
(excluding programming)
 
+ low-to-mid 20s
1 Compares expected results including all acquisitions completed through the third quarter of 2019 to results as reported in the fourth quarter of 2018.

3



As announced on September 19, 2019, TEGNA updated its full-year 2019 key guidance following the close of the Nexstar/Tribune station acquisitions. Since the September 19, 2019 8-K, TEGNA updated its full-year 2019 guidance for Corporate Expenses and Effective Tax Rate. Now, the Company expects:
Full Year 2019 Key Guidance Metrics
 
Including All Acquisitions
As Reported2
Subscription Revenue
 
+ high-teens percent
Corporate Expenses
 
approx. $43 million3
Depreciation
 
$61 - 63 million
Amortization
 
TBD4
Interest Expense
 
$203 - 205 million5
Total Capital Expenditures
 
$82 - 84 million
Non-Recurring Cap Ex (includes spectrum repack, corporate headquarters and KHOU relocations)
$40 - $45 million
Effective Tax Rate
 
23 - 24%6
Leverage Ratio
 
4.9x
Free Cash Flow as a % of est. 2018/19 Revenue
18 - 19%
Free Cash Flow as a % of est. 2019/20 Revenue
18 - 19%
 
2 Includes legacy TEGNA business and multicast networks Justice and Quest, Dispatch stations and Nexstar/Tribune station acquisitions subsequent to their acquisition dates.
3 Updated from approximately $45 million provided in the September 19, 2019 8-K.
4This will be updated upon completion of appraisals of the assets and liabilities related to the new acquisitions.
5 Includes interest related to our $1.1 billion ten-year 5.0% coupon bond offering completed in September.
6Updated from the 23 - 25% range provided in the September 19, 2019 8-K.
 
 
 
UPDATE ON KEY STRATEGIC, CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES
Renewed Spectrum Retransmission Agreement - In October, reached a multi-year carriage agreement to provide TEGNA stations’ programming to Spectrum customers after a successful negotiation process.
Renewed Multi-Year Fox Affiliation Agreements - In October, announced the renewal of a multi-year affiliation agreement with Fox Corporation for all six of TEGNA’s Fox stations.
VAULT Studios Launched BARDSTOWN Podcast - BARDSTOWN is the fourth production from TEGNA’s VAULT Studios this year. BARDSTOWN reached #2 on Apple’s podcast charts, and reached #1 in Apple’s True Crime category.
Daily Blast Live (DBL) Continued Market and Audience Growth - DBL continued to achieve strong year-over-year growth throughout its markets and target audiences, now spanning 61 markets, including 15 of the top 25, and adding 15 new non-TEGNA markets thus far in 2019.
Stations Recognized for Achievements in News - TEGNA stations received awards for Outstanding Regional News Story (Spot or Breaking News and Investigative Report) at the 40th News & Documentary Emmy Awards. The Company was the only local station group to receive News & Documentary Emmys this year.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION AND M&A
TEGNA’s strong balance sheet and disciplined approach to capital allocation provides opportunities to create shareholder value in any environment by investing in growth through organic initiatives, pursuing accretive M&A, and returning capital to shareholders.


4



TEGNA’s history of financial discipline led to strong market interest in the $1.1 billion private placement offering of senior notes, and the additional revenue and EBITDA acquired through our recently completed transactions supported the amended and extended $1.5 billion revolving credit facility through August 2024.

TEGNA’s M&A strategy is rooted in its flexible capital allocation framework, ample headroom under the FCC cap, our reputation as a partner of choice for independent broadcasters, and a proven, repeatable strategy that continues to improve due to our growing and top of the market retransmission rates. The completed acquisitions of the Dispatch Broadcast Group’s leading television stations and Nexstar divestitures further demonstrate the continued successful execution of our strategy. As a result of our completed acquisitions, leverage has increased and free cash flow will subsequently be used to rapidly reduce debt, decreasing net leverage to approximately 4.1x by the end of 2020.

_________________________

CONFERENCE CALL
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) will host its third quarter 2019 earnings conference call with financial analysts on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. (ET). The call will be accessible live to the media and general public via webcast and through a limited number of dial-in conference lines. TEGNA’s earnings announcement will be released to news outlets and wire services before the market opens on November 7. Materials related to the call will be available at that time through the Investor Relations section of TEGNA’s website, investors.TEGNA.com. The live webcast will be accessible through the company’s website. To listen to the live webcast, access investors.TEGNA.com and click on the link to the webcast. Allow at least 10 minutes to access TEGNA’s home page and complete the links before the webcast begins. To access the conference call, dial 888-204-4368 at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled 8:30 a.m. (ET) start of the call. International callers should dial 323-794-2423. The confirmation code for the conference call is 9336786. A replay of the conference call will be available under “Investor Relations” at www.TEGNA.com from Thursday, November 7 at 12:30 p.m. (ET) to Thursday, November 21 at 12:30 p.m. (ET). To access the replay, dial 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820. The confirmation code for the replay is 9336786. A transcript of the conference call will also be made available on the company’s website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 62 television stations and four radio stations in 51 markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks Justice Network and Quest. TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS) offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.


* * * *
For investor inquiries, contact:
 
For media inquiries, contact:
John Janedis, CFA
 
Anne Bentley
SVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
 
VP, Communications
703-873-6222
 
703-873-6366
jjanedis@TEGNA.com
 
abentley@TEGNA.com

5



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars (except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table No. 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
551,857

 
$
538,976

 
2.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 
306,474

 
271,156

 
13.0

Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
78,439

 
76,639

 
2.3

Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
29,792

 
17,593

 
69.3

Depreciation
 
15,381


14,262

 
7.8

Amortization of intangible assets
 
15,018


8,047

 
86.6

Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(80
)
 
(3,005
)
 
(97.3
)
Total
 
445,024

 
384,692

 
15.7

Operating income
 
106,833

 
154,284

 
(30.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investments, net
 
(491
)
 
771

 
***

Interest expense
 
(52,454
)
 
(48,226
)
 
8.8

Other non-operating items, net
 
(463
)
 
(214
)
 
***

Total
 
(53,408
)
 
(47,669
)
 
12.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
53,425

 
106,615

 
(49.9
)
Provision for income taxes
 
5,079

 
13,789

 
(63.2
)
Net income from continuing operations
 
$
48,346

 
$
92,826

 
(47.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.43

 
(48.8
)
Diluted
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.43

 
(48.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
217,315

 
216,015

 
0.6

Diluted
 
218,310

 
216,348

 
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars (except per share amounts)
Table No. 1 (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
1,605,542

 
$
1,565,146

 
2.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 
873,078

 
793,943

 
10.0

Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
223,845

 
229,193

 
(2.3
)
Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
60,363

 
41,522

 
45.4

Depreciation
 
44,831

 
41,594

 
7.8

Amortization of intangible assets
 
32,530

 
22,791

 
42.7

Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(11,399
)
 
(9,331
)
 
22.2

Total
 
1,223,248

 
1,119,712

 
9.2

Operating income
 
382,294

 
445,434

 
(14.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income in unconsolidated investments, net
 
10,922

 
15,080

 
(27.6
)
Interest expense
 
(145,166
)
 
(145,055
)
 
0.1

Other non-operating items, net
 
6,962

 
(13,005
)
 
***

Total
 
(127,282
)
 
(142,980
)
 
(11.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
255,012

 
302,454

 
(15.7
)
Provision for income taxes
 
52,732

 
61,929

 
(14.9
)
Net Income from continuing operations
 
$
202,280

 
$
240,525

 
(15.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.93

 
$
1.11

 
(16.2
)
Diluted
 
$
0.93

 
$
1.11

 
(16.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
217,040

 
216,210

 
0.4

Diluted
 
217,808

 
216,617

 
0.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 

7


USE OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION

The company uses non-GAAP financial performance measures to supplement the financial information presented on a GAAP basis. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related GAAP measures, nor should they be considered superior to the related GAAP measures, and should be read together with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. Also, our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Management and the company’s Board of Directors use the non-GAAP financial measures for purposes of evaluating company performance. Furthermore, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors uses non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP EPS, free cash flow and Adjusted revenues to evaluate management’s performance. The company, therefore, believes that each of the non-GAAP measures presented provides useful information to investors and other stakeholders by allowing them to view our business through the eyes of management and our Board of Directors, facilitating comparisons of results across historical periods and focus on the underlying ongoing operating performance of our business. The company also believes these non-GAAP measures are frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of our business and other companies in the broadcast industry.

The company discusses in this release non-GAAP financial performance measures that exclude from its reported GAAP results the impact of “special items” consisting of spectrum repacking reimbursements and other, gains on sale of equity method investments, acquisition-related costs, severance costs and certain non-operating expenses (TEGNA foundation donation and pension payment timing related charges). In addition, we have income tax special items associated with the tax impacts related to the Recent Acquisitions (including the 2018 acquisition of KFMB), adjustments related to previously-disposed businesses, and adjustments related to provisional tax impacts of tax reform.

The company believes that such expenses and gains are not indicative of normal, ongoing operations. While these items may be recurring in nature and should not be disregarded in evaluation of our earnings performance, it is useful to exclude such items when analyzing current results and trends compared to other periods as these items can vary significantly from period to period depending on specific underlying transactions or events that may occur. Therefore, while we may incur or recognize these types of expenses and gains in the future, the company believes that removing these items for purposes of calculating the non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with a more focused presentation of our ongoing operating performance.

The company also discusses Adjusted EBITDA (with and without corporate expenses), a non-GAAP financial performance measure that it believes offers a useful view of the overall operation of its businesses. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (1) interest expense, (2) income taxes, (3) equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investments, net, (4) other non-operating items, net, (5) severance expense, (6) acquisition-related costs, (7) spectrum repacking reimbursements and other, (8) depreciation and (9) amortization. The company believes these adjustments facilitate company-to-company operating performance comparisons by removing potential differences caused by variations unrelated to operating performance, such as capital structures (interest expense), income taxes, and the age and book appreciation of property/equipment (and related depreciation expense). The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA is Net income. Users should consider the limitations of using Adjusted EBITDA, including the fact that this measure does not provide a complete measure of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to purport to be an alternate to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. In particular, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of cash flow available for management’s discretionary expenditures, as this measure does not consider certain cash requirements, such as working capital needs, capital expenditures, contractual commitments, interest payments, tax payments and other debt service requirements.

The company also considers adjusted revenues to be an important non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted revenue is calculated by taking total company revenues on a GAAP basis and adjusting it to exclude (1) estimated incremental Olympic and Super Bowl revenue and (2) political revenues. These adjustments are made to our reported revenue on a GAAP basis in order to evaluate and assess our core operations on a comparable basis, and it represents the ongoing operations of our media business.

This earnings release also discusses free cash flow, a non-GAAP performance measure. Beginning in the first quarter of 2019 we began using a new methodology to compute free cash flow. The change in methodology was determined to be preferable as it better reflects how the Board of Directors reviews the performance of the business and it more closely aligns to how other companies in the broadcast industry calculate this non-GAAP performance metric. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to free cash flow is Net income from continuing operations. Free cash flow is now calculated as non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (as defined above), further adjusted by adding back (1) stock-based compensation, (2) non-cash 401(k) company match, (3) syndicated programming amortization, (4) pension reimbursements, (5) dividends received from equity method investments and (6) reimbursements from spectrum repacking. This is further adjusted by deducting payments made for (1) syndicated programming, (2) pension, (3) interest, (4) taxes (net of refunds) and (5) purchases of property and equipment. Like Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow is not intended to be a measure of cash flow available for management’s discretionary use.

8


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars (except per share amounts)
Table No. 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliations of certain line items impacted by special items to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP on the company's Consolidated Statements of Income follow. Amounts presented are on a as reported basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30, 2019
 
GAAP
measure
 
Acquisition-related costs
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
Special tax benefits
 
Non-GAAP measure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
$
29,792

 
$
(19,973
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
9,819

 

 
 
 
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(80
)
 

 
80

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
445,024

 
(19,973
)
 
80

 

 
425,131

 

 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
106,833

 
19,973

 
(80
)
 

 
126,726

 

 
 
 
 
Total non-operating expense
 
(53,408
)
 

 

 

 
(53,408
)
 

 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
53,425

 
19,973

 
(80
)
 

 
73,318

 

 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
5,079

 
3,889

 
(3
)
 
5,992

 
14,957

 

 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations
 
48,346

 
16,084

 
(77
)
 
(5,992
)
 
58,361

 

 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations per share-diluted (a)
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.07

 
$

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) - Per share amounts do not sum due to rounding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Items
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30, 2018
 
GAAP
measure
 
Severance expense
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
Pension payment timing related charge
 
Special tax benefits
 
Non-GAAP measure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 
$
306,474

 
$
(931
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
305,543

 
 
 
 
Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
78,439

 
(875
)
 

 

 

 
77,564

 
 
 
 
Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
17,593

 
(5,481
)
 

 

 

 
12,112

 
 
 
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(3,005
)
 

 
3,005

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
384,692

 
(7,287
)
 
3,005

 

 

 
380,410

 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
154,284

 
7,287

 
(3,005
)
 

 

 
158,566

 
 
 
 
Other non-operating items, net
 
(214
)
 

 

 
1,198

 

 
984

 
 
 
 
Total non-operating expense
 
(47,669
)
 

 

 
1,198

 

 
(46,471
)
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
106,615

 
7,287

 
(3,005
)
 
1,198

 

 
112,095

 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
13,789

 
1,714

 
(800
)
 
301

 
9,657

 
24,661

 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations
 
92,826

 
5,573

 
(2,205
)
 
897

 
(9,657
)
 
87,434

 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations per share-diluted (a)
 
$
0.43

 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) - Per share amounts do not sum due to rounding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars (except per share amounts)
Table No. 2 (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Items
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
 
GAAP
measure
 
Severance expense
 
Acquisition-related costs
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
Gains on equity method investment
 
Other non-operating items
 
Special tax benefits
 
Non-GAAP measure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 
$
873,078

 
$
(875
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
872,203

Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
223,845

 
(376
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
223,469

Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
60,363

 
(201
)
 
(29,092
)
 

 

 

 

 
31,070

Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(11,399
)
 

 

 
11,399

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
1,223,248

 
(1,452
)
 
(29,092
)
 
11,399

 

 

 

 
1,204,103

Operating income
 
382,294

 
1,452

 
29,092

 
(11,399
)
 

 

 

 
401,439

Equity income in unconsolidated investments, net
 
10,922

 

 

 

 
(13,126
)
 

 

 
(2,204
)
Other non-operating items, net
 
6,962

 

 

 

 

 
(6,285
)
 

 
677

Total non-operating expense
 
(127,282
)
 

 

 

 
(13,126
)
 
(6,285
)
 

 
(146,693
)
Income before income taxes
 
255,012

 
1,452

 
29,092

 
(11,399
)
 
(13,126
)
 
(6,285
)
 

 
254,746

Provision for income taxes
 
52,732

 
359

 
5,931

 
(2,850
)
 
(3,169
)
 
(1,574
)
 
5,992

 
57,421

Net income from continuing operations
 
202,280

 
1,093

 
23,161

 
(8,549
)
 
(9,957
)
 
(4,711
)
 
(5,992
)
 
197,325

Net income from continuing operations per share-diluted
 
$
0.93

 
$
0.01

 
$
0.11

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special Items
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
GAAP
measure
 
Severance expense
 
Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
Gain on equity method investment
 
Other non-operating items
 
Pension payment timing related charges
 
Special tax benefits
 
Non-GAAP measure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
 
$
793,943

 
$
(931
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
793,012

Business units - Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
229,193

 
(875
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
228,318

Corporate - General and administrative expenses
 
41,522

 
(5,481
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
36,041

Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
 
(9,331
)
 

 
9,331

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses
 
1,119,712

 
(7,287
)
 
9,331

 

 

 

 

 
1,121,756

Operating income
 
445,434

 
7,287

 
(9,331
)
 

 

 

 

 
443,390

Equity income in unconsolidated investments, net
 
15,080

 

 

 
(16,758
)
 

 

 

 
(1,678
)
Other non-operating items
 
(13,005
)
 

 

 

 
15,184

 
7,498

 

 
9,677

Total non-operating expense
 
(142,980
)
 

 

 
(16,758
)
 
15,184

 
7,498

 

 
(137,056
)
Income before income taxes
 
302,454

 
7,287

 
(9,331
)
 
(16,758
)
 
15,184

 
7,498

 

 
306,334

Provision for income taxes
 
61,929

 
1,714

 
(798
)
 
(4,216
)
 
2,178

 
1,909

 
7,007

 
69,723

Net income from continuing operations
 
240,525

 
5,573

 
(8,533
)
 
(12,542
)
 
13,006

 
5,589

 
(7,007
)
 
236,611

Net income from continuing operations per share-diluted (a)
 
$
1.11

 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.06

 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
1.09

(a) - Per share amounts do not sum due to rounding.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table No. 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income presented in accordance with GAAP on the company's Consolidated Statements of Income are presented below. Amounts presented are on a as reported basis:
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
Net income from continuing operations (GAAP basis)
$
48,346

 
$
92,826

 
(47.9
)
Plus: Provision for income taxes
5,079

 
13,789

 
(63.2
)
Plus: Interest expense
52,454

 
48,226

 
8.8

Plus (Less): Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated investments, net
491

 
(771
)
 
***

Plus: Other non-operating items, net
463

 
214

 
***

Operating income (GAAP basis)
106,833

 
154,284

 
(30.8
)
Plus: Severance expense

 
7,287

 
***

Plus: Acquisition-related costs
19,973

 

 
***

Less: Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
(80
)
 
(3,005
)
 
(97.3
)
Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP basis)
126,726

 
158,566

 
(20.1
)
Plus: Depreciation
15,381

 
14,262

 
7.8

Plus: Amortization of intangible assets
15,018

 
8,047

 
86.6

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP basis)
$
157,125

 
$
180,875

 
(13.1
)
Corporate - General and administrative expense (non-GAAP basis)
9,819

 
12,112

 
(18.9
)
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Corporate (non-GAAP basis)
$
166,944

 
$
192,987

 
(13.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
Net income from continuing operations (GAAP basis)
$
202,280

 
$
240,525

 
(15.9
)
Plus: Provision for income taxes
52,732

 
61,929

 
(14.9
)
Plus: Interest expense
145,166

 
145,055

 
0.1

(Less): Equity (income) in unconsolidated investments, net
(10,922
)
 
(15,080
)
 
(27.6
)
Plus: Other non-operating items, net
(6,962
)
 
13,005

 
***

Operating income (GAAP basis)
382,294

 
445,434

 
(14.2
)
Plus: Severance expense
1,452

 
7,287

 
(80.1
)
Plus: Acquisition-related costs
29,092

 

 
***

Less: Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
(11,399
)
 
(9,331
)
 
22.2

Adjusted operating income (non-GAAP basis)
401,439

 
443,390

 
(9.5
)
Plus: Depreciation
44,831

 
41,594

 
7.8

Plus: Amortization of intangible assets
32,530

 
22,791

 
42.7

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP basis)
$
478,800

 
$
507,775

 
(5.7
)
Corporate - General and administrative expense (non-GAAP basis)
31,070

 
36,041

 
(13.8
)
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding Corporate (non-GAAP basis)
$
509,870

 
$
543,816

 
(6.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 

11


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table No. 4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliations of adjusted revenues to our revenues presented in accordance with GAAP on the company's Consolidated Statements of Income are presented below. Amounts presented are on a as reported basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising and Marketing Services
$
297,333

 
$
264,852

 
12.3

 
$
851,304

 
$
829,638

 
2.6

Subscription
240,735

 
207,463

 
16.0

 
718,472

 
622,382

 
15.4

Political
8,131

 
60,410

 
(86.5
)
 
14,064

 
93,725

 
(85.0
)
Other
5,658

 
6,251

 
(9.5
)
 
21,702

 
19,401

 
11.9

Total revenues (GAAP basis)
$
551,857

 
$
538,976

 
2.4

 
$
1,605,542

 
$
1,565,146

 
2.6

Factors impacting comparisons:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated net incremental Olympic and Super Bowl
$

 
$

 
***

 
$
(8,000
)
 
$
(24,000
)
 
(66.7
)
Political
(8,131
)
 
(60,410
)
 
(86.5
)
 
(14,064
)
 
(93,725
)
 
(85.0
)
Total company adjusted revenues (non-GAAP basis)
$
543,726

 
$
478,566

 
13.6

 
$
1,583,478

 
$
1,447,421

 
9.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



12


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table No. 5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Free cash flow” is a non-GAAP performance measure used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of similar GAAP financial measures. Amounts presented are on a as reported basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations (GAAP Basis)
$
48,346

 
$
92,826

 
(47.9
)
Plus: Provision for income taxes
5,079

 
13,789

 
(63.2
)
Plus: Interest expense
52,454

 
48,226

 
8.8

Plus: Acquisition-related costs
19,973

 

 
***

Plus: Depreciation
15,381

 
14,262

 
7.8

Plus: Amortization
15,018

 
8,047

 
86.6

Plus: Stock-based compensation
4,445

 
4,325

 
2.8

Plus: Company stock 401(k) contribution
3,242

 

 
***

Plus: Syndicated programming amortization
15,516

 
13,423

 
15.6

Plus: Severance expense

 
7,287

 
***

Plus: Cash dividend from Equity Investments for return on capital
751

 

 
***

Plus (Less): Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investments, net
491

 
(771
)
 
***

Plus: Cash reimbursements from spectrum repacking
5,536

 
3,032

 
82.6

(Less) Plus: Other non-operating items, net
463

 
214

 
***

Less: Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
(80
)
 
(3,005
)
 
(97.3
)
Less: Syndicated programming payments
(16,316
)
 
(14,503
)
 
12.5

Less: Pension contributions
(2,460
)
 
(8,791
)
 
(72.0
)
Less: Interest payments
(31,952
)
 
(30,256
)
 
5.6

Less: Tax payments, net of refunds
(17,672
)
 
(14,312
)
 
23.5

Less: Purchases of property and equipment
(13,547
)
 
(14,417
)
 
(6.0
)
Free cash flow (non-GAAP basis)
$
104,668

 
$
119,376

 
(12.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

13


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TEGNA Inc.
Unaudited, in thousands of dollars
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table No. 5 (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Free cash flow” is a non-GAAP performance measure used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow should not be relied upon to the exclusion of similar GAAP financial measures. Amounts presented are on a as reported basis:
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income from continuing operations (GAAP basis)
$
202,280

 
$
240,525

 
(15.9
)
Plus: Provision for income taxes
52,732

 
61,929

 
(14.9
)
Plus: Interest expense
145,166

 
145,055

 
0.1

Plus: Acquisition-related costs
29,092

 

 
***

Plus: Depreciation
44,831

 
41,594

 
7.8

Plus: Amortization
32,530

 
22,791

 
42.7

Plus: Stock-based compensation
13,887

 
12,292

 
13.0

Plus: Company stock 401(k) contribution
6,486

 

 
***

Plus: Syndicated programming amortization
42,510

 
40,235

 
5.7

Plus: Pension reimbursements

 
29,240

 
***

Plus: Severance expense
1,452

 
7,287

 
(80.1
)
Plus: Cash dividend from equity investments for return on capital
751

 
11,295

 
(93.4
)
Plus: Cash reimbursements from spectrum repacking
13,975

 
5,057

 
***

(Less) Plus: Other non-operating items, net
(6,962
)
 
13,005

 
***

Less: Tax payments, net of refunds
(73,457
)
 
(51,325
)
 
43.1

Less: Spectrum repacking reimbursements and other
(11,399
)
 
(9,331
)
 
22.2

Less: Equity income in unconsolidated investments, net
(10,922
)
 
(15,080
)
 
(27.6
)
Less: Syndicated programming payments
(40,038
)
 
(40,523
)
 
(1.2
)
Less: Pension contributions
(8,407
)
 
(44,175
)
 
(81.0
)
Less: Interest payments
(117,913
)
 
(121,616
)
 
(3.0
)
Less: Purchases of property and equipment
(51,231
)
 
(35,281
)
 
45.2

Free cash flow (non-GAAP basis)
$
265,363

 
$
312,974

 
(15.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
*** Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 



14