WASHINGTON, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban One, Inc. (NASDAQ: UONEK and UONE) today reported its results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Net revenue was approximately $112.3 million, an increase of 22.9% from the same period in 2021. The Company reported operating income of approximately $36.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to approximately $23.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Broadcast and digital operating income¹ was approximately $48.4 million, an increase of 33.0% from the same period in 2021. Net income was approximately $16.4 million or $0.32 per share (basic) compared to $7,000 or $0.00 per share (basic) for the same period in 2021. Adjusted EBITDA² was approximately $42.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to approximately $30.2 million for the same period in 2021.

Alfred C. Liggins, III, Urban One's CEO and President stated, "We had extremely strong first quarter performance across the platform, with advertising revenues up double-digit percentages in all of our operating segments. Digital revenues were up 49.5%, Cable TV advertising revenues were up 46.9%, and radio advertising, excluding political and digital, was up 17.4%. This enabled us to grow Adjusted EBITDA by 38.9% year-over-year, and by $14.3 million or 51.6% vs. Q1 2019. Looking back at pre-pandemic revenues, when we aggregate our radio broadcasting, syndication, events and digital operations, net revenues were up 11.5% compared to Q1 2019. Second quarter core radio advertising is pacing up mid-single digits, as we start to lap the tougher comps from 2021. Our balance sheet continues to strengthen, with $166.4 million of cash and net leverage down to 4.07x."

 

 

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, that 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-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.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have an impact on certain of our revenue and alternative revenue sources on a going forward basis.  While parts of the country are recovering, other parts could see a resurgence of the pandemic and this could impact our results of operations, particularly in our larger markets such as Dallas, Houston and Atlanta. During the early portion of the pandemic, a number of advertisers across a variety of significant advertising categories reduced advertising spend due to the pandemic. This has been particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers, including in areas such as Texas, Ohio and Georgia. The economies in these areas were hit particularly hard due to social distancing and other government interventions. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift in the way people work and commute, which in some instances has altered demand for our broadcasting radio advertising. Finally, the COVID-19 outbreak caused the postponement or cancellation of certain of our tent pole special events or otherwise impaired or limited ticket sales for such events. A resurgence could have a similar future impact. We do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses and such losses may continue to occur as a result of the ongoing and fluctuating nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. New outbreaks or surges in new cases due to variants in the markets in which we operate could have material impacts on our liquidity, operations including potential impairment of assets, and our financial results.  Likewise, our income from our investment in MGM National Harbor Casino has at times been negatively impacted by closures and limitations on occupancy imposed by state and local governmental authorities.

Net revenue consists of gross revenue, net of local and national agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing.

Net revenue increased to approximately $112.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, from approximately $91.4 million for the same period in 2021. Net revenues from our radio broadcasting segment increased 13.3% compared to the same period in 2021. Net revenue excluding political, from our radio broadcasting segment increased 13.9% compared to the same period in 2021. Reach Media's net revenues increased 28.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, due primarily to increased demand. We recognized approximately $56.4 million and $46.2 million of revenue from our cable television segment during the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively, due primarily to both increased advertising and affiliate sales. Net revenue for our digital segment increased approximately $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021 primarily from higher direct revenues.

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and impairment of long-lived assets, increased to approximately $73.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, up 12.5% from the approximately $65.2 million incurred for the comparable quarter in 2021. The overall operating expense increase was driven by higher programming and technical expenses and higher selling, general and administrative expenses which were partially offset by lower corporate selling, general and administrative expenses.

As a result of the continued reopening of the economy and corresponding increases in revenue, we've incurred an increase in the following expenses: increase of $933,000 in employee compensation expenses, approximately $2.2 million in higher program content amortization expense at our cable television segment, $2.0 million in marketing spend, $2.1 million in contract labor, talent costs and consulting fees and $1.9 million in variable expenses. Finally, the decrease in corporate selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021 is primarily due to a decrease in expenses related to corporate development activities in connection with potential gaming and other similar business activities.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased to approximately $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to approximately $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Interest expense decreased to approximately $15.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to approximately $18.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The Company made cash interest payments of approximately $30.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to cash interest payments of approximately $13.9 million on its outstanding debt for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. As previously announced, on January 25, 2021, the Company closed on new senior secured notes (the "2028 Notes"). The proceeds from the 2028 Notes were used to prepay in full: (1) the 2017 Credit Facility; (2) the 2018 Credit Facility; (3) the MGM National Harbor Loan; (4) the remaining amounts of our 7.375% Notes; and (5) our 8.75% Notes that were issued in the November 2020 Exchange Offer. 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $5.6 million compared to a benefit from income taxes of $10,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in the provision for income taxes was primarily due to the application of the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year to date and pre-tax income of approximately $22.7 million during the quarter. The tax provision resulted in an effective tax rate of 24.7% and (2.2)% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company paid $2,000 of cash taxes, net of refunds for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and the Company received a refund of taxes of $32,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Other income, net, was approximately $2.0 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We recognized other income in the amount of approximately $2.0 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to our MGM investment.

Other pertinent financial information includes capital expenditures of approximately $1.6 million and $804,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A or Class D common stock.

The Company, in connection with its prior 2009 stock option and restricted stock plan and its current 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the "2019 Plan"), is authorized to purchase shares of Class D common stock to satisfy employee tax obligations in connection with the vesting of share grants under the plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 2,649 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of $10,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 495,296 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of $872,000.

Supplemental Financial Information:
For comparative purposes, the following more detailed, unaudited statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are included.

 

Urban One, Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss its results for the first fiscal quarter of 2022. The conference call is scheduled for Thursday, May 05, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To participate on this call, U.S. callers may dial toll-free 1-877-226-8215; international callers may dial direct (+1) 409-207-6982.  The Access Code is 4339423.

A replay of the conference call will be available from 2:00 p.m. EDT May 05, 2022 until 12:00 a.m. EDT May 09, 2022. 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 7445259.

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 March 31, 2022, we owned and/or operated 64 independently formatted, revenue producing broadcast stations (including 54 FM or AM stations, 8 HD stations, and the 2 low power television stations we operate) 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. We also have invested in a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George's County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American and urban audiences.

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SOURCE Urban One, Inc.

Peter D. Thompson, EVP and CFO, (301) 429-4638