UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 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 MARCH 31, 2016
[ ] 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
001-09645
iHeartCommunications, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
200 East Basse Road, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78209
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(210) 822-2828
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 [ ]
(Explanatory Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer and is therefore not subject to the filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. However, during the preceding 12 months, and pursuant to the bond indentures of iHeartCommunications, Inc., the registrant has filed all reports that it would have been required to file by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if the registrant was subject to the filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during such timeframe.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X] 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 the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at May 2, 2016
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Common Stock, $.001 par value 500,000,000
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form in a reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H(2).
IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
INDEX
|
Page No. |
Part I – Financial Information |
|
Item 1. Financial Statements |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 |
|
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
|
Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
|
Part II – Other Information |
|
Item 1. Legal Proceedings |
|
Item 1A. Risk Factors |
|
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures |
|
Item 5. Other Information |
|
Item 6. Exhibits |
|
(In thousands, except share data) |
March 31, |
|
|
|
||
|
|
2016 |
|
December 31, |
||
|
(Unaudited) |
|
2015 |
|||
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
978,536 |
|
$ |
772,678 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $39,156 in 2016 and $34,889 in 2015 |
|
1,274,294 |
|
|
1,442,038 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
239,336 |
|
|
189,055 |
|
Assets held for sale |
|
55,159 |
|
|
295,075 |
|
Other current assets |
|
71,068 |
|
|
79,269 |
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
2,618,393 |
|
|
2,778,115 |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structures, net |
|
1,350,399 |
|
|
1,391,880 |
|
Other property, plant and equipment, net |
|
794,041 |
|
|
820,676 |
|
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indefinite-lived intangibles - licenses |
|
2,413,790 |
|
|
2,413,483 |
|
Indefinite-lived intangibles - permits |
|
961,540 |
|
|
971,327 |
|
Other intangibles, net |
|
899,118 |
|
|
953,660 |
|
Goodwill |
|
4,120,240 |
|
|
4,128,887 |
|
OTHER ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
225,149 |
|
|
215,087 |
|
Total Assets |
$ |
13,382,670 |
|
$ |
13,673,115 |
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
117,171 |
|
$ |
153,276 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
702,667 |
|
|
834,416 |
|
Accrued interest |
|
157,777 |
|
|
279,100 |
|
Deferred income |
|
246,309 |
|
|
210,924 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
185,549 |
|
|
181,512 |
|
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
1,409,473 |
|
|
1,659,228 |
Long-term debt |
|
20,568,863 |
|
|
20,539,099 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
1,553,018 |
|
|
1,554,898 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
541,161 |
|
|
526,571 |
|
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDER'S DEFICIT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interest |
|
160,823 |
|
|
177,615 |
|
Common stock, par value $.001 per share, authorized and issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000,000 shares in 2016 and 2015, respectively |
|
500 |
|
|
500 |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
2,066,105 |
|
|
2,066,622 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(12,525,526) |
|
|
(12,437,011) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
(391,747) |
|
|
(414,407) |
|
|
Total Shareholder's Deficit |
|
(10,689,845) |
|
|
(10,606,681) |
Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Deficit |
$ |
13,382,670 |
|
$ |
13,673,115 |
1
iHeartCommunications,
Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,363,505 |
|
$ |
1,344,564 |
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
568,371 |
|
|
577,692 |
||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
425,568 |
|
|
416,881 |
||||||
|
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
77,879 |
|
|
77,422 |
||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155,456 |
|
|
170,453 |
|
|
Other operating income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284,463 |
|
|
(8,974) |
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
420,694 |
|
|
93,142 |
||
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
463,950 |
|
|
441,771 |
||
Gain on investments, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
579 |
||
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(433) |
|
|
331 |
||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
(2,201) |
||
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,712) |
|
|
19,891 |
||
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49,401) |
|
|
(330,029) |
||
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,493) |
|
|
(56,605) |
||
Consolidated net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(58,894) |
|
|
(386,634) |
||
|
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,621 |
|
|
(1,668) |
|
Net loss attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(88,515) |
|
$ |
(384,966) |
||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,577 |
|
|
(82,159) |
|
|
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(36) |
|
|
822 |
|
|
Other adjustments to comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,154) |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,541 |
|
|
(82,491) |
||
Comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(60,974) |
|
|
(467,457) |
||
|
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,881 |
|
|
(6,353) |
|
Comprehensive loss attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(65,855) |
|
$ |
(461,104) |
2
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Consolidated net loss |
|
|
|
$ |
(58,894) |
|
$ |
(386,634) |
|
Reconciling items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
155,456 |
|
|
170,453 |
|
|
Deferred taxes |
|
|
|
|
(1,256) |
|
|
16,220 |
|
|
Provision for doubtful accounts |
|
|
|
|
5,824 |
|
|
6,448 |
|
|
Amortization of deferred financing charges and note discounts, net |
|
|
|
|
17,098 |
|
|
15,602 |
|
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
3,094 |
|
|
2,524 |
|
|
(Gain) loss on disposal of operating and other assets |
|
|
|
|
(285,857) |
|
|
552 |
|
|
Gain on investments, net |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
(579) |
|
|
Equity in (earnings) loss of nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
|
|
433 |
|
|
(331) |
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
2,201 |
|
|
Other reconciling items, net |
|
|
|
|
(6,630) |
|
|
(20,033) |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
172,023 |
|
|
114,083 |
|
|
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
|
|
(35,061) |
|
|
(80,416) |
|
|
Decrease in accrued expenses |
|
|
|
|
(125,163) |
|
|
(63,457) |
|
|
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
(37,933) |
|
|
6,284 |
|
|
Decrease in accrued interest |
|
|
|
|
(104,364) |
|
|
(73,316) |
|
|
Increase in deferred income |
|
|
|
|
47,720 |
|
|
48,623 |
|
|
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
13,018 |
|
|
5,564 |
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
|
|
(240,492) |
|
|
(236,212) |
||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Proceeds from sale of other investments |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
579 |
|
|
Purchases of businesses |
|
|
|
|
(500) |
|
|
- |
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
(56,779) |
|
|
(56,455) |
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of assets |
|
|
|
|
592,590 |
|
|
32,603 |
|
|
Purchases of other operating assets |
|
|
|
|
(1,573) |
|
|
(1,964) |
|
|
Change in other, net |
|
|
|
|
(16,897) |
|
|
(5,331) |
|
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities |
|
|
|
|
516,841 |
|
|
(30,568) |
||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Draws on credit facilities |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
Payments on credit facilities |
|
|
|
|
(577) |
|
|
(1,859) |
|
|
Proceeds from long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
950,000 |
|
|
Payments on long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
(551) |
|
|
(931,274) |
|
|
Payments to purchase noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
(20,400) |
|
|
Dividends and other payments to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
(72,182) |
|
|
(2,119) |
|
|
Change in other, net |
|
|
|
|
(1,080) |
|
|
(9,367) |
|
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities |
|
|
|
|
(74,390) |
|
|
104,981 |
||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
|
|
3,899 |
|
|
(6,211) |
||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
205,858 |
|
|
(168,010) |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
772,678 |
|
|
457,024 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
|
|
$ |
978,536 |
|
$ |
289,014 |
||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash paid for interest |
|
|
|
$ |
549,437 |
|
$ |
495,007 |
||
Cash paid for taxes |
|
|
|
|
15,441 |
|
|
9,858 |
3
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
|
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Preparation of Interim Financial Statements
All references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to iHeartCommunications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company’s reportable segments are iHeartMedia (“iHM”), Americas outdoor advertising (“Americas outdoor” or “Americas outdoor advertising”) and International outdoor advertising (“International outdoor” or “International outdoor advertising”).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and, in the opinion of management, include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods shown. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results for the interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year. The financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We are a holding company and have no significant assets other than the ownership interests in our subsidiaries. All of our operations and all of our operating assets are held by our subsidiaries. Certain of our outstanding indebtedness is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by our parent, iHeartMedia Capital I, LLC (“Capital I”), and certain of our direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. Not all of our subsidiaries guarantee our obligations under such outstanding indebtedness. For a presentation of the allocation of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses attributable to the guarantors of our indebtedness in conformity with the SEC’s Regulation S-X Rule 3-10(d), please refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements of Capital I as of and for the period ending March 31, 2016.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Also included in the consolidated financial statements are entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest or is the primary beneficiary. Investments in companies in which the Company owns 20% to 50% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies of the company are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company reevaluated its segment reporting and determined that its iHeartMedia Revenue Platform (iHMRP) business, an information technology group dedicated to system development, implementation and maintenance of the Company’s radio revenue platforms, should be managed by its Corporate leadership team. As a result, the operations of the iHMRP business are no longer reflected within the Other segment and are included in the results of its Corporate segment. Accordingly, the Company has recast the corresponding prior year segment disclosures to reflect the current year presentation.
The Company is a Texas corporation with all of its common stock being held by Capital I. All of Capital I’s interests are held by iHeartMedia Capital II, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of iHeartMedia, Inc. (“Parent”). Parent was formed in May 2007 by private equity funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (together, the “Sponsors”) for the purpose of acquiring the business of the Company.
Omission of Per Share Information
Net loss per share information is not presented as Capital I owns 100% of the Company’s common stock. The Company does not have any publicly traded common stock.
During the first quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. This new standard eliminates the deferral of FAS 167, which has allowed entities with interest in certain investment funds to follow the previous consolidation guidance in FIN 46(R) and makes other changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
During the second quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying
4
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs as a deduction from the carrying value of the outstanding debt balance rather than showing the debt issuance costs as an asset. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The retrospective adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of debt issuance costs of $140.0 million and $148.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are now reflected as “Long-term debt fees” in Note 3.
During the third quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This update provides a one-year deferral of the effective date for ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU No. 2014-09 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of revenue resulting from contracts with customers and will supersede virtually all of the current revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on its financial position and results of operations.
During the third quarter of 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. This update eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
During the first quarter of 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new leasing standard presents significant changes to the balance sheets of lessees. Lessor accounting is updated to align with certain changes in the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard which was issued in the third quarter of 2015. The standard is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on its financial position and results of operations.
NOTE 2 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
On January 15, 2016, Parent and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries completed the final closing for the sale of six of the Company’s broadcast communication tower sites and related assets for approximately $5.5 million. Simultaneous with the sale, the Company entered into lease agreements for the continued use of space on all six of the towers sold. The Company realized a net gain of $2.7 million, of which $1.9 million was deferred and will be recognized over the lease term.
During the first quarter of 2016, Americas outdoor sold nine non-strategic outdoor markets including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, Reno, Nevada, Seattle, Washington and Wichita, Kansas for net proceeds, which included cash and certain advertising assets in Florida, totaling $596.6 million. The Company recognized a net gain of $281.7 million related to the sale, which is included within Other operating income (expense), net.
During the first quarter of 2016, Americas outdoor also entered into an agreement to sell its Indianapolis, Indiana market in exchange for certain assets in Atlanta, Georgia, plus approximately $41.2 million in cash. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in 2016. This transaction has met the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale and as such, the related assets are separately presented on the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
5
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Property, Plant and Equipment |
|||||
The Company’s property, plant and equipment consisted of the following classes of assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively: |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
||
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||
Land, buildings and improvements |
$ |
600,582 |
|
$ |
603,234 |
Structures |
|
2,799,699 |
|
|
2,824,794 |
Towers, transmitters and studio equipment |
|
345,240 |
|
|
347,877 |
Furniture and other equipment |
|
600,067 |
|
|
591,149 |
Construction in progress |
|
66,110 |
|
|
69,042 |
|
|
4,411,698 |
|
|
4,436,096 |
Less: accumulated depreciation |
|
2,267,258 |
|
|
2,223,540 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$ |
2,144,440 |
|
$ |
2,212,556 |
The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) broadcast licenses in its iHM segment and billboard permits in its Americas outdoor advertising segment. Due to significant differences in both business practices and regulations, billboards in the International outdoor segment are subject to long-term, finite contracts unlike the Company’s permits in the United States and Canada. Accordingly, there are no indefinite-lived intangible assets in the International outdoor segment.
Other intangible assets include definite-lived intangible assets and permanent easements. The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets primarily include transit and street furniture contracts, talent and representation contracts, customer and advertiser relationships, and site-leases and other contractual rights, all of which are amortized over the shorter of either the respective lives of the agreements or over the period of time the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Company’s future cash flows. Permanent easements are indefinite-lived intangible assets which include certain rights to use real property not owned by the Company. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of the amortization periods related to its definite-lived intangible assets. These assets are recorded at cost.
The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major class of other intangible assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively: |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
March 31, 2016 |
|
December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
|
Gross Carrying Amount |
|
Accumulated Amortization |
|
Gross Carrying Amount |
|
Accumulated Amortization |
|||||
Transit, street furniture and other outdoor contractual rights |
$ |
631,943 |
|
$ |
(458,829) |
|
$ |
635,772 |
|
$ |
(457,060) |
|
Customer / advertiser relationships |
|
1,222,518 |
|
|
(921,759) |
|
|
1,222,518 |
|
|
(891,488) |
|
Talent contracts |
|
319,384 |
|
|
(259,674) |
|
|
319,384 |
|
|
(252,526) |
|
Representation contracts |
|
239,142 |
|
|
(220,109) |
|
|
239,142 |
|
|
(217,770) |
|
Permanent easements |
|
157,314 |
|
|
- |
|
|
156,349 |
|
|
- |
|
Other |
|
390,379 |
|
|
(201,191) |
|
|
394,983 |
|
|
(195,644) |
|
|
Total |
$ |
2,960,680 |
|
$ |
(2,061,562) |
|
$ |
2,968,148 |
|
$ |
(2,014,488) |
Total amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $55.3 million and $62.9 million, respectively.
6
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future, amortization expense may vary. The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for definite-lived intangible assets: |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
2017 |
$ |
197,498 |
|
|
2018 |
|
127,246 |
|
|
2019 |
|
43,476 |
|
|
2020 |
|
36,735 |
|
|
2021 |
|
33,333 |
|
7
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s reportable segments: |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
iHM |
|
Americas Outdoor Advertising |
|
International Outdoor Advertising |
|
Other |
|
Consolidated |
||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2014 |
$ |
3,288,481 |
|
$ |
584,574 |
|
$ |
232,538 |
|
$ |
81,831 |
|
$ |
4,187,424 |
|
|
Acquisitions |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
10,998 |
|
|
- |
|
|
10,998 |
|
Foreign currency |
|
- |
|
|
(709) |
|
|
(19,644) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(20,353) |
|
Assets held for sale |
|
- |
|
|
(49,182) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(49,182) |
Balance as of December 31, 2015 |
$ |
3,288,481 |
|
$ |
534,683 |
|
$ |
223,892 |
|
$ |
81,831 |
|
$ |
4,128,887 |
|
|
Dispositions |
|
- |
|
|
(6,934) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(6,934) |
|
Foreign currency |
|
- |
|
|
(1,210) |
|
|
9,834 |
|
|
- |
|
|
8,624 |
|
Assets held for sale |
|
- |
|
|
(10,337) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(10,337) |
Balance as of March 31, 2016 |
$ |
3,288,481 |
|
$ |
516,202 |
|
$ |
233,726 |
|
$ |
81,831 |
|
$ |
4,120,240 |
8
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 3 – LONG-TERM DEBT |
||||||
Long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
|||
|
|
2016 |
2015 |
|||
Senior Secured Credit Facilities(1) |
|
$6,300,000 |
|
|
$6,300,000 |
|
Receivables Based Credit Facility Due 2017(2) |
|
230,000 |
|
|
230,000 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2019 |
|
1,999,815 |
|
|
1,999,815 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2021 |
|
1,750,000 |
|
|
1,750,000 |
|
11.25% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2021 |
|
575,000 |
|
|
575,000 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2022 |
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
10.625% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2023 |
|
950,000 |
|
|
950,000 |
|
Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility Due 2018(3) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Other secured subsidiary debt(4) |
|
25,111 |
|
|
25,228 |
|
Total consolidated secured debt |
|
12,829,926 |
|
|
12,830,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.0% Senior Notes Due 2021(5) |
|
1,712,048 |
|
|
1,695,097 |
|
The Company's Legacy Notes(6) |
|
667,900 |
|
|
667,900 |
|
10.0% Senior Notes Due 2018 |
|
730,000 |
|
|
730,000 |
|
Subsidiary Senior Notes due 2022 |
|
2,725,000 |
|
|
2,725,000 |
|
Subsidiary Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 |
|
2,200,000 |
|
|
2,200,000 |
|
Clear Channel International B.V. Senior Notes due 2020 |
|
225,000 |
|
|
225,000 |
|
Other subsidiary debt |
|
154 |
|
|
165 |
|
Purchase accounting adjustments and original issue discount |
|
(195,677) |
|
|
(204,611) |
|
Long-term debt fees |
|
(139,939) |
|
|
(147,983) |
|
Total debt |
|
20,754,412 |
|
|
20,720,611 |
|
Less: current portion |
|
185,549 |
|
|
181,512 |
|
Total long-term debt |
$ |
20,568,863 |
|
$ |
20,539,099 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Term Loan D and Term Loan E mature in 2019. |
|||||
(2) |
The Receivables Based Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to the lesser of $535.0 million (the revolving credit commitment) or the borrowing base, subject to certain limitations contained in the Company’s material financing agreements. |
|||||
(3) |
The Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to $75.0 million (the revolving credit commitment). |
|||||
(4) |
Other secured subsidiary debt matures at various dates from 2016 through 2045. |
|||||
(5) |
The 14.0% Senior Notes due 2021 are subject to required payments at various dates from 2018 through 2021. 2.0% per annum of the interest is paid through the issuance of payment-in-kind notes in the first and third quarters. |
|||||
(6) |
The Company’s Legacy Notes, all of which were issued prior to the acquisition of the Company by Parent in 2008, consist of Senior Notes maturing at various dates in 2016, 2018 and 2027. |
The Company’s weighted average interest rates as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were 8.5% at both dates. The aggregate market value of the Company’s debt based on market prices for which quotes were available was approximately $14.9 billion and $15.2 billion as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Under the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820-10-35, the market value of the Company’s debt is classified as either Level 1 or Level 2.
Surety Bonds, Letters of Credit and Guarantees
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding surety bonds, commercial standby letters of credit and bank guarantees of $62.6 million, $94.1 million and $59.3 million, respectively. Bank guarantees of $24.1 million were backed by cash collateral. These
9
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
surety bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees relate to various operational matters including insurance, bid, concession and performance bonds as well as other items.
NOTE 4 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, as required, have accrued an estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions or the effectiveness of the Company’s strategies related to these proceedings. Additionally, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Although the Company is involved in a variety of legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, a large portion of the Company’s litigation arises in the following contexts: commercial disputes; defamation matters; employment and benefits related claims; governmental fines; intellectual property claims; and tax disputes.
International Outdoor Investigation
On April 21, 2015, inspections were conducted at the premises of Clear Channel in Denmark and Sweden as part of an investigation by Danish competition authorities. Additionally, on the same day, Clear Channel UK received a communication from the UK competition authorities, also in connection with the investigation by Danish competition authorities. Clear Channel and its affiliates are cooperating with the national competition authorities.
NOTE 5 – INCOME TAXES |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Tax Expense |
|||||||||||
The Company’s income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, consisted of the following components: |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||||
Current tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(10,749) |
|
$ |
(40,385) |
Deferred tax benefit (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,256 |
|
|
(16,220) |
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(9,493) |
|
$ |
(56,605) |
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was (19.2)% and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was (17.2)%. The 2016 and 2015 effective tax rates were primarily impacted by the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets resulting from current period net operating losses in U.S. federal, state and certain foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of the ability to utilize those assets in future periods.
10
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDER’S DEFICIT |
|||||||||
The Company reports its noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries as a component of equity separate from the Company’s equity. The following table shows the changes in shareholder’s deficit attributable to the Company and the noncontrolling interests of subsidiaries in which the Company has a majority, but not total, ownership interest: |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
The Company |
|
Noncontrolling Interests |
|
Consolidated |
||||
Balances as of January 1, 2016 |
$ |
(10,784,296) |
|
$ |
177,615 |
|
$ |
(10,606,681) |
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
(88,515) |
|
|
29,621 |
|
|
(58,894) |
|
Dividends and other payments to noncontrolling interests |
|
- |
|
|
(54,267) |
|
|
(54,267) |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
709 |
|
|
2,385 |
|
|
3,094 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
22,692 |
|
|
4,885 |
|
|
27,577 |
|
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities |
|
(32) |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
(36) |
|
Other, net |
|
(1,226) |
|
|
588 |
|
|
(638) |
Balances as of March 31, 2016 |
$ |
(10,850,668) |
|
$ |
160,823 |
|
$ |
(10,689,845) |
(In thousands) |
The Company |
|
Noncontrolling Interests |
|
Consolidated |
||||
Balances as of January 1, 2015 |
$ |
(9,889,348) |
|
$ |
224,140 |
|
$ |
(9,665,208) |
|
|
Net loss |
|
(384,966) |
|
|
(1,668) |
|
|
(386,634) |
|
Dividends and other payments to noncontrolling interests |
|
- |
|
|
(2,119) |
|
|
(2,119) |
|
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests |
|
(19,264) |
|
|
(1,136) |
|
|
(20,400) |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
599 |
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
2,524 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
(75,840) |
|
|
(6,319) |
|
|
(82,159) |
|
Unrealized holding gain on marketable securities |
|
738 |
|
|
84 |
|
|
822 |
|
Other adjustments to comprehensive loss |
|
(1,036) |
|
|
(118) |
|
|
(1,154) |
|
Other, net |
|
(6) |
|
|
651 |
|
|
645 |
Balances as of March 31, 2015 |
$ |
(10,369,123) |
|
$ |
215,440 |
|
$ |
(10,153,683) |
The Company does not have any compensation plans under which it grants awards to employees. Parent and CCOH have granted restricted stock, restricted stock units and options to purchase shares of their Class A common stock to certain key individuals.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The total (decrease) increase in deferred income tax liabilities of other comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign currency translation adjustments and other for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $0.0 million and ($0.6) million respectively.
Barter and trade revenues and expenses from continuing operations are included in consolidated revenue and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. Barter and trade revenues were $46.3 million and $32.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Barter and trade expenses were $34.3 million and $28.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Barter and trade revenues include $11.7 million of revenue recognized in connection with advertising provided in the three months ended March 31, 2016 in exchange for equity interests in certain non-public companies. There is no offsetting barter expense associated with these non-cash transactions.
11
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 8 – SEGMENT DATA
The Company’s reportable segments, which it believes best reflect how the Company is currently managed, are iHM, Americas outdoor advertising and International outdoor advertising. Revenue and expenses earned and charged between segments are recorded at estimated fair value and eliminated in consolidation. The iHM segment provides media and entertainment services via broadcast and digital delivery and also includes the Company’s events and national syndication businesses. The Americas outdoor advertising segment consists of operations primarily in the United States, Canada and Latin America. The International outdoor advertising segment primarily includes operations in Europe, Asia and Australia. The Other category includes the Company’s media representation business as well as other general support services and initiatives that are ancillary to the Company’s other businesses. Corporate includes infrastructure and support, including information technology, human resources, legal, finance and administrative functions for each of the Company’s reportable segments, as well as overall executive, administrative and support functions. Share-based payments are recorded in corporate expense.
During the first quarter of 2016, the Company revised its segment reporting as discussed in Note 1. The following table presents the Company's reportable segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015: |
||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
iHM |
|
Americas Outdoor Advertising |
|
International Outdoor Advertising |
|
Other |
|
Corporate and other reconciling items |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
738,886 |
|
$ |
282,528 |
|
$ |
308,193 |
|
$ |
34,183 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
(285) |
|
$ |
1,363,505 |
Direct operating expenses |
|
224,062 |
|
|
138,012 |
|
|
205,682 |
|
|
615 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
568,371 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
272,013 |
|
|
55,329 |
|
|
71,472 |
|
|
27,039 |
|
|
- |
|
|
(285) |
|
|
425,568 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
58,817 |
|
|
46,116 |
|
|
37,880 |
|
|
3,616 |
|
|
9,027 |
|
|
- |
|
|
155,456 |
Corporate expenses |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
77,879 |
|
|
- |
|
|
77,879 |
Other operating income, net |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
284,463 |
|
|
- |
|
|
284,463 |
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
183,994 |
|
$ |
43,071 |
|
$ |
(6,841) |
|
$ |
2,913 |
|
$ |
197,557 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
420,694 |
Intersegment revenues |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
285 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
285 |
Capital expenditures |
$ |
8,790 |
|
$ |
11,292 |
|
$ |
34,913 |
|
$ |
65 |
|
$ |
1,719 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
56,779 |
Share-based compensation expense |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
3,094 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
3,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ |
697,801 |
|
$ |
295,863 |
|
$ |
319,180 |
|
$ |
32,821 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
(1,101) |
|
$ |
1,344,564 |
Direct operating expenses |
|
213,829 |
|
|
146,234 |
|
|
216,737 |
|
|
892 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
577,692 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
261,080 |
|
|
55,637 |
|
|
71,493 |
|
|
29,772 |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,101) |
|
|
416,881 |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
60,735 |
|
|
50,340 |
|
|
42,441 |
|
|
6,323 |
|
|
10,614 |
|
|
- |
|
|
170,453 |
Corporate expenses |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
77,422 |
|
|
- |
|
|
77,422 |
Other operating expense, net |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(8,974) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(8,974) |
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
162,157 |
|
$ |
43,652 |
|
$ |
(11,491) |
|
$ |
(4,166) |
|
$ |
(97,010) |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
93,142 |
Intersegment revenues |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
1,101 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
1,101 |
Capital expenditures |
$ |
12,818 |
|
$ |
16,695 |
|
$ |
25,105 |
|
$ |
146 |
|
$ |
1,691 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
56,455 |
Share-based compensation expense |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
2,524 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
2,524 |
NOTE 9 – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Parent is a party to a management agreement with certain affiliates of the Sponsors and certain other parties pursuant to which such affiliates of the Sponsors will provide management and financial advisory services until 2018. These agreements require management fees to be paid to such affiliates of the Sponsors for such services at a rate not greater than $15.0 million per year, plus reimbursable
12
iHeartCommunications, Inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized management fees and reimbursable expenses of $3.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
On December 3, 2015, Clear Channel Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, contributed 100,000,000 shares of CCOH’s Class B Common Stock to Broader Media, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as a capital contribution, to provide greater flexibility in support of future financing transactions, share dispositions and other similar transactions.
13
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Format of Presentation
Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our discussion is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis. Our reportable segments are iHeartMedia (“iHM”), Americas outdoor advertising (“Americas outdoor” or “Americas outdoor advertising”) and International outdoor advertising (“International outdoor” or “International outdoor advertising”). Our iHM segment provides media and entertainment services via live broadcast and digital delivery, and also includes our national syndication business. Our Americas outdoor and International outdoor segments provide outdoor advertising services in their respective geographic regions using various digital and traditional display types. Included in the “Other” category are our media representation business, Katz Media Group, as well as other general support services and initiatives, which are ancillary to our other businesses.
We manage our operating segments primarily focusing on their operating income, while Corporate expenses, Other operating income (expense), net, Interest expense, Gain on marketable securities, Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates, Loss on extinguishment of debt, Other income, net and Income tax benefit are managed on a total company basis and are, therefore, included only in our discussion of consolidated results.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
Our iHM strategy centers on delivering entertaining and informative content across multiple platforms, including broadcast, mobile and digital, as well as events. Our primary source of revenue is derived from selling local and national advertising time on our radio stations, with contracts typically less than one year in duration. The programming formats of our radio stations are designed to reach audiences with targeted demographic characteristics. We are working closely with our advertising and marketing partners to develop tools and leverage data to enable advertisers to effectively reach their desired audiences. We continue to expand the choices for listeners and we deliver our content and sell advertising across multiple distribution channels including digitally via our iHeartRadio mobile application and other digital platforms which reach national, regional and local audiences. We also generate revenues from network syndication, our nationally recognized live events, our station websites and other miscellaneous transactions.
Our outdoor advertising revenue is derived from selling advertising space on the displays we own or operate in key markets worldwide, consisting primarily of billboards, street furniture and transit displays. Part of our long-term strategy for our outdoor advertising businesses is to pursue the technology of digital displays, including flat screens, LCDs and LEDs, as additions to traditional methods of displaying our clients’ advertisements. We are currently installing these technologies in certain markets, both domestically and internationally. Management typically monitors our outdoor advertising business by reviewing the average rates, average revenue per display, occupancy and inventory levels of each of our display types by market.
Our advertising revenue for all of our segments is highly correlated to changes in gross domestic product (“GDP”) as advertising spending has historically trended in line with GDP, both domestically and internationally. Internationally, our results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates as well as the economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations.
Executive Summary
The key developments in our business for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are summarized below:
· Consolidated revenue increased $18.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $15.1 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenue increased $34.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015.
· We sold nine non-strategic U.S. outdoor markets for net proceeds of $596.6 million in cash and certain advertising assets in Florida. These markets generated revenue of $2.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $22.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015. We recognized a net gain of $281.7 million related to the sales.
· We spent $6.5 million on strategic revenue and efficiency initiatives during 2016 to realign and improve our on-going business operations—a decrease of $3.6 million compared to the same period of 2015.
Revenues and expenses “excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements” in this Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is presented because management believes that viewing certain financial results without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency rates facilitates period to period comparisons of business performance and provides useful information to investors. Revenues and expenses “excluding the impact of foreign exchange movements” are
14
calculated by converting the current period’s revenues and expenses in local currency to U.S. dollars using average foreign exchange rates for the prior period.
Consolidated Results of Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
The comparison of our historical results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows: |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
% |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
Change |
||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,363,505 |
|
$ |
1,344,564 |
|
1.4% |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct operating expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
568,371 |
|
|
577,692 |
|
(1.6%) |
|||||||
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
425,568 |
|
|
416,881 |
|
2.1% |
|||||||
|
Corporate expenses (excludes depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
77,879 |
|
|
77,422 |
|
0.6% |
|||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155,456 |
|
|
170,453 |
|
(8.8%) |
|
Other operating income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284,463 |
|
|
(8,974) |
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
420,694 |
|
|
93,142 |
|
351.7% |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
463,950 |
|
|
441,771 |
|
|
|
Gain on marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
579 |
|
|
|
Equity in earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
|
(433) |
|
|
331 |
|
|
||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
(2,201) |
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,712) |
|
|
19,891 |
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(49,401) |
|
|
(330,029) |
|
|
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,493) |
|
|
(56,605) |
|
|
|
Consolidated net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(58,894) |
|
|
(386,634) |
|
|
|
|
Less amount attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
|
29,621 |
|
|
(1,668) |
|
|
|||||||
Net loss attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(88,515) |
|
$ |
(384,966) |
|
|
Consolidated Revenue
Consolidated revenue increased $18.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $15.1 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenue increased $34.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. iHM revenue increased $41.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, driven primarily by increases in our core radio business, including the impact of trade and barter and political advertising revenues, as well as increases in our traffic and weather business. Primarily due to the $19.8 million impact of the sale of nine non-strategic U.S. markets in the first quarter of 2016, Americas outdoor revenue decreased $13.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $5.0 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor revenue decreased $8.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. International outdoor revenue decreased $11.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $10.1 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor revenue decreased $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Revenue growth in certain countries including Australia, China and France was offset by decreases in other countries including the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Other revenues increased $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily as a result of higher political advertising revenues in our media representation business.
Consolidated Direct Operating Expenses
Consolidated direct operating expenses decreased $9.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $10.4 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, consolidated direct operating
15
expenses increased $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. iHM direct operating expenses increased $10.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher lease expense as a result of the sale and subsequent leaseback of broadcast communications tower sites, higher programming costs and higher live event expenses, including the new iHeart80s Party. Americas outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $8.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $2.6 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $5.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily driven by a $7.7 million decrease in direct expenses resulting from the sale of the nine non-strategic markets at the beginning of the year, partially offset by higher variable site lease expenses related to the increase in revenues from remaining markets. International outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $11.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $7.8 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $3.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily as a result of lower rent expense due to lower revenue in the United Kingdom, partially offset by higher variable site lease and maintenance expenses in countries experiencing revenue growth.
Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
Consolidated SG&A expenses increased $8.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $3.9 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, consolidated SG&A expenses increased $12.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. iHM SG&A expenses increased $10.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher barter and trade expenses and higher variable compensation related to higher revenue. Americas outdoor SG&A expenses decreased $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $1.3 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor SG&A expenses increased $1.0 million, net of a $4.5 million decrease in expenses resulting from the sale of the nine non-strategic markets at the beginning of the year, during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher variable compensation expense related to higher revenues, and higher expenses in Latin America. International outdoor SG&A expenses were flat during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $2.6 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor SG&A expenses increased $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to increased expenses in the United Kingdom.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses increased $0.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $0.4 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, corporate expenses increased $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to an increase in employee benefits costs, partially offset by lower professional fees related to the negotiation of digital royalty rates before the Copyright Royalty Board.
Revenue and Efficiency Initiatives
Included in the amounts for direct operating expenses, SG&A and corporate expenses discussed above are expenses of $6.5 million incurred in connection with our strategic revenue and efficiency initiatives during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Of these expenses, $3.5 million was incurred by our iHM segment, $1.1 million was incurred by our Americas outdoor segment, $0.9 million was incurred by our International outdoor segment, $0.3 million was incurred by our Other category and $0.7 million was incurred by Corporate. The costs were incurred to improve revenue growth, enhance yield, reduce costs and organize each business to maximize performance and profitability. These costs consist primarily of consolidation of locations and positions, severance related to workforce initiatives, consulting expenses, and other costs incurred in connection with streamlining our businesses. These costs are expected to provide benefits in future periods as the initiative results are realized.
Of the strategic revenue and efficiency costs of $6.5 million during the first quarter of 2016, $2.8 million are reported within direct operating expenses, $3.0 million are reported within SG&A and $0.7 million are reported within corporate expense. In the first quarter of 2015, such costs totaled $1.1 million, $4.8 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization decreased $15.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated or fully amortized and the disposal of assets, including the sales of the broadcast communication towers and the non-strategic outdoor markets, as well as the impact of movements in foreign exchange rates.
16
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net
Other operating income was $284.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which primarily related to the sale of nine non-strategic outdoor markets at the beginning of the year. In the first quarter of 2016, Americas outdoor sold nine non-strategic outdoor markets including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, Reno, Nevada, Seattle, Washington and Wichita, Kansas for net proceeds of $596.6 million in cash and certain advertising assets in Florida. The Company recognized a net gain of $281.7 million. These markets generated revenue of $2.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016, and $22.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Other operating expense was $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which primarily related to costs incurred in connection with transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions of assets.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $22.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, due to higher interest rates on new debt issuances and the increase in average outstanding debt.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
In connection with the prepayment of our term loan facilities due 2016, during the first quarter of 2015, we recognized a loss of $2.2 million.
Other Income (Expense), net
Other expense, net was $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which primarily related to foreign exchange gains recognized in connection with intercompany notes denominated in foreign currencies.
Other income, net was $19.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which primarily related to foreign exchange gains recognized in connection with intercompany notes denominated in foreign currencies.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was (19.2)% and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was (17.2)%. The effective tax rates were primarily impacted by the deferred tax valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets originating in the period from net operating losses in U.S. federal, state and certain foreign jurisdictions.
iHM Results of Operations |
|||||||||||||||
Our iHM operating results were as follows: |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
% |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
Change |
||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
738,886 |
|
$ |
697,801 |
|
6% |
Direct operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224,062 |
|
|
213,829 |
|
5% |
SG&A expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
272,013 |
|
|
261,080 |
|
4% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,817 |
|
|
60,735 |
|
(3%) |
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
183,994 |
|
$ |
162,157 |
|
13% |
iHM revenue increased $41.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015, driven primarily by increases in our core radio business, both broadcast and digital, including the impact of trade and barter and political advertising revenues, driven in part by our live events, as well as increases in our traffic and weather business. Revenue also increased in our syndication business driven by growth in our news/talk format. Trade and barter includes the impact of marketing partnerships with our advertisers on live events, as well as revenue recognized in connection with advertising services provided during the quarter in connection with investments made in the fourth quarter of 2015 in certain non-public companies.
17
iHM direct operating expenses increased $10.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher lease expense as a result of the sale and subsequent leaseback of broadcast communications tower sites, higher programming costs and higher live event expenses, including the new iHeart80s Party. iHM SG&A expenses increased $10.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher barter and trade expenses, higher variable compensation related to higher revenue and investments in national and digital sales capabilities.
Americas Outdoor Advertising Results of Operations |
|||||||||||||||
Our Americas outdoor operating results were as follows: |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
% |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
Change |
||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
282,528 |
|
$ |
295,863 |
|
(5%) |
Direct operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
138,012 |
|
|
146,234 |
|
(6%) |
SG&A expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,329 |
|
|
55,637 |
|
(1%) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,116 |
|
|
50,340 |
|
(8%) |
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43,071 |
|
$ |
43,652 |
|
(1%) |
Americas outdoor revenue decreased $13.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $5.0 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor revenue decreased $8.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. In the first quarter of 2016, we sold nine non-strategic markets for net proceeds of $596.6 million in cash and certain assets in Florida. These non-strategic markets generated revenues of $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $22.3 million in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease resulting from the disposal of the nine non-strategic markets was partially offset by increased revenues from digital billboards as a result of new deployments, organic growth and higher occupancy, as well as higher revenues from static bulletins as a result of higher occupancy.
Americas outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $8.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $2.6 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $5.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily driven by a $7.7 million decrease in direct expenses resulting from the sale of the nine non-strategic markets at the beginning of the year, partially offset by higher variable site lease expenses related to the increase in revenues from remaining markets. Americas outdoor SG&A expenses decreased $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $1.3 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, Americas outdoor SG&A expenses increased $1.0 million, net of a $4.5 million decrease in expenses resulting from the sale of the nine non-strategic markets at the beginning of the year, during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to higher variable compensation expense related to higher revenues, and higher expenses in Latin America.
International Outdoor Advertising Results of Operations |
|||||||||||||||
Our International outdoor operating results were as follows: |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
% |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
Change |
||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
308,193 |
|
$ |
319,180 |
|
(3%) |
Direct operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
205,682 |
|
|
216,737 |
|
(5%) |
SG&A expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,472 |
|
|
71,493 |
|
(0%) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,880 |
|
|
42,441 |
|
(11%) |
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(6,841) |
|
$ |
(11,491) |
|
(40%) |
18
International outdoor revenue decreased $11.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $10.1 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor revenue decreased $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily driven by lower revenue in the United Kingdom as a result of the London bus shelter contract not being renewed, and decreases in Switzerland, almost entirely offset by revenue growth from new digital assets in Australia and new contracts and higher occupancy in China and across several European countries including France and Belgium.
International outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $11.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $7.8 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor direct operating expenses decreased $3.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily as a result of lower rent expense due to lower revenue in the United Kingdom as a result of the London bus shelter contract not being renewed, partially offset by higher variable site lease and maintenance expenses in countries experiencing revenue growth. International outdoor SG&A expenses were flat during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015. Excluding the $2.6 million impact from movements in foreign exchange rates, International outdoor SG&A expenses increased $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period of 2015 primarily due to increased expenses in the United Kingdom.
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Consolidated Operating Income |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||||
|
|
|
March 31, |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
||||
iHM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
183,994 |
|
$ |
162,157 |
Americas outdoor advertising |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,071 |
|
|
43,652 |
International outdoor advertising |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,841) |
|
|
(11,491) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,913 |
|
|
(4,166) |
Other operating income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284,463 |
|
|
(8,974) |
Corporate expense (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86,906) |
|
|
(88,036) |
Consolidated operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
420,694 |
|
$ |
93,142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Corporate expenses include expenses related to iHM, Americas outdoor, International outdoor and our Other category, as well as overall executive, administrative and support functions. |
Share-Based Compensation Expense
We do not have any compensation plans under which we grant stock awards to employees. Certain employees receive equity awards from Parent’s and CCOH’s equity incentive plans.
Share-based compensation expenses are recorded in corporate expenses and were $3.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
As of March 31, 2016, there was $23.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements that will vest based on service conditions. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years. In addition, as of March 31, 2016, there was $25.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements that will vest based on market, performance and service conditions. This cost will be recognized when it becomes probable that the performance condition will be satisfied.
19
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
|||||||||
Cash Flows |
|||||||||
The following discussion highlights cash flow activities during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively: |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|||
Cash provided by (used for): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
$ |
(240,492) |
|
$ |
(236,212) |
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
$ |
516,841 |
|
$ |
(30,568) |
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
$ |
(74,390) |
|
$ |
104,981 |
Operating Activities
Cash used for operating activities was $240.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $236.2 million of cash used during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Our consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 included non-cash items of ($111.8) million and $193.1 million, respectively. Non-cash items affecting our net loss include depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, provision for doubtful accounts, amortization of deferred financing charges and note discounts, net, share-based compensation, gain on disposal of operating and fixed assets, gain on marketable securities, equity in (earnings) loss of nonconsolidated affiliates, loss on extinguishment of debt, and other reconciling items, net as presented on the face of the consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash paid for interest during the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $549.4 million as compared to $495.0 million paid during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Investing Activities
Cash provided by investing activities of $516.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 reflected net cash proceeds from the sale of nine non-strategic outdoor markets including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, Reno, Nevada, Seattle, Washington and Wichita, Kansas of $596.6 million in cash and certain advertising assets in Florida. Those sale proceeds were partially offset by $56.8 million used for capital expenditures. We spent $8.8 million for capital expenditures in our iHM segment primarily related to leasehold improvements and IT infrastructure, $11.3 million in our Americas outdoor segment primarily related to the construction of new advertising structures, such as digital displays, $34.9 million in our International outdoor segment primarily related to billboard and street furniture advertising structures, $0.1 million in our Other category and $1.7 million in Corporate primarily related to equipment and software purchases.
Cash used for investing activities of $30.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $56.5 million, partially offset by proceeds of $32.6 million from the sale of various operating assets, including our San Antonio office buildings, which we are partially leasing back under long-term operating leases. We spent $12.8 million for capital expenditures in our iHM segment primarily related to leasehold improvements and IT infrastructure, $16.7 million in our Americas outdoor segment primarily related to the construction of new advertising structures such as digital displays, $25.1 million in our International outdoor segment primarily related to billboard and street furniture advertising structures, $0.2 million in our Other category and $1.7 million by Corporate primarily related to equipment and software.
Financing Activities
Cash used for financing activities of $74.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily resulted from dividends paid to non-controlling interests, which represents the portion of the dividends paid by CCOH in January 2016 and February 2016 to parties other than our subsidiaries that own CCOH common stock.
Cash provided by financing activities of $105.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily reflected the borrowing of $120.0 million under our receivables based credit facility, as well as the net effect of the proceeds from the issuance of $950 million of 10.625% Priority Guarantee Notes due 2023 and the use of the net proceeds primarily to prepay at par $916.1 million of the loans outstanding under our Term Loan B facility and $15.2 million of the loans outstanding under our Term Loan C asset sale facility.
20
Anticipated Cash Requirements
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash flow from operations and borrowing capacity under our domestic receivables based credit facility, subject to certain limitations contained in our material financing agreements. As of March 31, 2016, we had $978.5 million of cash on our balance sheet, including $162.8 million of cash held outside the U.S. by our subsidiaries, a portion of which is held by non-wholly owned subsidiaries or is otherwise subject to certain restrictions and not readily accessible to us. It is our policy to permanently reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries as these earnings are generally redeployed in those jurisdictions for operating needs and continued functioning of their businesses. We have the ability and intent to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries based outside of the United States. If any excess cash held by our foreign subsidiaries were needed to fund operations in the United States, we could presently repatriate available funds without a requirement to accrue or pay U.S. taxes. This is a result of significant deficits, as calculated for tax law purposes, in our foreign earnings and profits, which gives us flexibility to make future cash distributions as non-taxable returns of capital. As of March 31, 2016, we had a borrowing base of $363.6 million under our receivables based credit facility, had $230.0 million of outstanding borrowings and had $43.9 million of outstanding letters of credit, resulting in $89.7 million of excess availability. However, any incremental borrowings under our receivables based credit facility may be further limited by the terms contained in our material financing agreements.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, Clear Channel International B.V. (“CCIBV”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company and of CCOH, issued $225.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020, the proceeds of which were used to fund a dividend by CCOH paid on January 7, 2016. We received $196.3 million of the dividend through three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. In the first quarter of 2016, CCOH sold its outdoor business in nine non-strategic outdoor markets for a net purchase price, including cash and certain advertising assets in Florida of $596.6 million (the “Outdoor Transactions”). A portion of the proceeds of the Outdoor Transactions, together with the proceeds of a concurrent $300.0 million repayment under the revolving promissory note issued by us to CCOH, were used to fund a dividend by CCOH of $540.0 million paid on February 4, 2016. We received $486.5 million of the dividend proceeds ($186.5 million net of our repayment of the Revolving Promissory Note) through three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. We have used, and intend to use, the proceeds of these transactions to fund working capital needs, interest payment obligations and other general corporate purposes. These transactions improved our liquidity position, but our annual cash interest payment obligations increased as a result.
Our primary uses of liquidity are to fund our working capital, debt service, capital expenditures and other obligations. Our ability to fund our working capital, debt service, capital expenditures and other obligations, and to comply with the financial covenants under our financing agreements, depends on our future operating performance, cash flows from operations and our ability to continue to refinance our debt obligations and generate cash from additional liquidity-generating transactions, which are in turn subject to prevailing economic conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. At March 31, 2016, we had debt maturities totaling $197.0 million, $238.3 million and $939.3 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. A significant amount of our cash requirements are for debt service obligations. We anticipate having approximately $1.8 billion of cash interest payment obligations in 2016, compared to $1.7 billion of cash interest payments in 2015. Our increased interest payment obligations will reduce our liquidity over time, which could in turn reduce our financial flexibility and make us more vulnerable to changes in operating performance and economic downturns generally, and could negatively affect our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. Our future success will depend on our ability to improve our operating performance, address our significant annual cash interest obligations and continue to refinance our outstanding debt.
An important aspect of our business strategy is to continue to refinance our outstanding debt in advance of upcoming maturities. If our future operating performance does not meet our expectations or our plans materially change in an adverse manner or prove to be materially inaccurate, we may not be able to refinance our outstanding debt as currently contemplated. Our ability to refinance our outstanding debt will depend on the conditions of the capital markets and our financial condition at the time. There can be no assurance that refinancing alternatives will be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. Even if refinancing alternatives are available to us, we may not find them suitable or at comparable interest rates to the indebtedness being refinanced, and our annual cash interest payment obligations could increase further. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from securing a refinancing on terms that are available to us at that time. If we are unable to continue to obtain sources of refinancing or generate sufficient cash through liquidity-generating transactions, we could face substantial liquidity problems, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and on our ability to meet our obligations.
On December 3, 2015, Clear Channel Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, contributed 100,000,000 shares of CCOH’s Class B Common Stock to Broader Media, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as a capital contribution, to provide greater flexibility in support of future financing transactions, share dispositions and other similar transactions. In addition, we frequently evaluate strategic opportunities both within and outside our existing lines of business. We expect from time to time to pursue acquisitions or dispositions, which could be material. Our and our subsidiaries’ significant amount of indebtedness
21
may limit our ability to pursue acquisitions or dispositions. The terms of our existing or future debt agreements may also restrict our ability to engage in these transactions.
Based on our current and anticipated levels of operations and conditions in our markets, we believe that cash on hand, cash flow from operations and borrowing capacity under our receivables based credit facility will enable us to meet our working capital, capital expenditure, debt service and other funding requirements for at least the next 12 months. Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that we will continue to be successful in implementing our business strategy and that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. We cannot assure you that this will be the case. If our future cash flows from operations and other financing sources are insufficient to pay our debt obligations as they mature or to fund our liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures, sell material assets, seek additional capital or refinance our and our subsidiaries’ debt. We cannot assure you that we would be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, if at all.
We were in compliance with the covenants contained in our material financing agreements as of March 31, 2016, including the maximum consolidated senior secured net debt to consolidated EBITDA limitation contained in our senior secured credit facilities. For a description of the litigation relating to the claims made by certain of our bondholders, please see Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings.” We believe our long-term plans, which include promoting spending in our industries and capitalizing on our diverse geographic and product opportunities, including the continued investment in our media and entertainment initiatives and continued deployment of digital displays, will enable us to generate cash flows from operations, together with cash on hand, sufficient to meet our liquidity and funding requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, our anticipated results are subject to significant uncertainty and there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants. In addition, our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. The breach of any covenants set forth in our financing agreements would result in a default thereunder. An event of default would permit the lenders under a defaulted financing agreement to declare all indebtedness thereunder to be due and payable prior to maturity. Moreover, the lenders under the receivables based credit facility under our senior secured credit facilities would have the option to terminate their commitments to make further extensions of credit thereunder. If we are unable to repay our obligations under any secured credit facility, the lenders could proceed against any assets that were pledged to secure such facility. In addition, a default or acceleration under any of our material financing agreements could cause a default under other of our obligations that are subject to cross-default and cross-acceleration provisions. The threshold amount for a cross-default under the senior secured credit facilities is $100.0 million.
22
Sources of Capital |
||||||
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had the following debt outstanding, net of cash and cash equivalents: |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
March 31, 2016 |
|
December 31, 2015 |
|||
Senior Secured Credit Facilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Loan D Facility Due 2019 |
|
5,000.0 |
|
|
5,000.0 |
|
Term Loan E Facility Due 2019 |
|
1,300.0 |
|
|
1,300.0 |
Receivables Based Credit Facility Due 2017 (1) |
|
230.0 |
|
|
230.0 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2019 |
|
1,999.8 |
|
|
1,999.8 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2021 |
|
1,750.0 |
|
|
1,750.0 |
|
11.25% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2021 |
|
575.0 |
|
|
575.0 |
|
9.0% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2022 |
|
1,000.0 |
|
|
1,000.0 |
|
10.625% Priority Guarantee Notes Due 2023 |
|
950.0 |
|
|
950.0 |
|
Subsidiary Revolving Credit Facility due 2018(2) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Other secured subsidiary debt |
|
25.1 |
|
|
25.2 |
|
Total secured debt |
|
12,829.9 |
|
|
12,830.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.0% Senior Notes Due 2021 |
|
1,712.0 |
|
|
1,695.1 |
|
Legacy Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.5% Senior Notes Due 2016 |
|
192.9 |
|
|
192.9 |
|
6.875% Senior Notes Due 2018 |
|
175.0 |
|
|
175.0 |
|
7.25% Senior Notes Due 2027 |
|
300.0 |
|
|
300.0 |
10.0% Senior Notes Due 2018 |
|
730.0 |
|
|
730.0 |
|
Subsidiary Senior Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.5% Series A Senior Notes Due 2022 |
|
735.8 |
|
|
735.8 |
|
6.5% Series B Senior Notes Due 2022 |
|
1,989.2 |
|
|
1,989.2 |
Subsidiary Senior Subordinated Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.625% Series A Senior Notes Due 2020 |
|
275.0 |
|
|
275.0 |
|
7.625% Series B Senior Notes Due 2020 |
|
1,925.0 |
|
|
1,925.0 |
Subsidiary 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020 |
|
225.0 |
|
|
225.0 |
|
Other subsidiary debt |
|
0.2 |
|
|
0.2 |
|
Purchase accounting adjustments and original issue discount |
|
(195.7) |
|
|
(204.6) |
|
Long-term debt fees |
|
(139.9) |
|
|
(148.0) |
|
Total debt |
|
20,754.4 |
|
|
20,720.6 |
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
|
978.5 |
|
|
772.7 |
|
|
|
$ |
19,775.9 |
|
$ |
19,947.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The receivables based credit facility provides for borrowings of up to the lesser of $535.0 million (the revolving credit commitment) or the borrowing base amount, as defined under the receivables based credit facility, subject to certain limitations contained in our material financing agreements. |
|||||
(2) |
The subsidiary revolving credit facility provides for borrowings of up to $75.0 million (the revolving credit commitment). |
Our subsidiaries have from time to time repurchased certain debt obligations of ours and equity securities of Parent and CCOH, and may in the future, as part of various financing and investment strategies, purchase additional outstanding indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries or equity securities of Parent and CCOH, in tender offers, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. We or our subsidiaries may also sell certain assets, securities or properties. These purchases or sales, if any, could have a material positive or negative impact on our liquidity available to repay outstanding debt obligations or on our consolidated results of operations. These transactions could also require or result in amendments to the agreements governing outstanding debt obligations or changes in our leverage or other financial ratios, which could have a material positive or negative impact on our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements. These transactions, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
23
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
The senior secured credit facilities require us to comply on a quarterly basis with a financial covenant limiting the ratio of consolidated secured debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, to consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our senior secured credit facilities) for the preceding four quarters. Our secured debt consists of the senior secured credit facilities, the receivables based credit facility, the priority guarantee notes and certain other secured subsidiary debt. As required by the definition of consolidated EBITDA in our senior secured credit facilities, our consolidated EBITDA for the preceding four quarters of $1.8 billion is calculated as operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization, impairment charges and other operating income (expense), net plus share-based compensation and is further adjusted for the following items: (i) costs incurred in connection with the closure and/or consolidation of facilities, retention charges, consulting fees and other permitted activities; (ii) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses or expenses and severance; (iii) non-cash charges; (iv) cash received from nonconsolidated affiliates; and (v) various other items.
The following table reflects a reconciliation of consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our senior secured credit facilities) to operating income and net cash provided by operating activities for the four quarters ended March 31, 2016: |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Four Quarters Ended |
|
(In Millions) |
March 31, 2016 |
||
Consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our senior secured credit facilities) |
$ |
1,823.7 |
|
Less adjustments to consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our senior secured credit facilities): |
|||
|
Costs incurred in connection with the closure and/or consolidation of facilities, retention charges, consulting fees and other permitted activities |
|
(42.2) |
|
Extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses or expenses and severance (as referenced in the definition of consolidated EBITDA in our senior secured credit facilities) |
|
(24.0) |
|
Non-cash charges |
|
(27.5) |
|
Cash received from nonconsolidated affiliates |
|
- |
|
Other items |
|
49.1 |
Less: Depreciation and amortization, Impairment charges, Other operating income (expense), net, and Share-based compensation expense |
|
(302.1) |
|
Operating income |
|
1,477.0 |
|
Plus: Depreciation and amortization, Impairment charges, Gain (loss) on disposal of operating and fixed assets, and Share-based compensation expense |
|
298.5 |
|
Less: Interest expense |
|
(1,827.7) |
|
Less: Current income tax expense |
|
(29.5) |
|
Plus: Other income (expense), net |
|
(12.5) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net loss to net cash provided by operating activities (including Provision for doubtful accounts, Amortization of deferred financing charges and note discounts, net and Other reconciling items, net) |
|
80.2 |
|
Change in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed |
|
(67.6) |
|
Net cash used for operating activities |
$ |
(81.6) |
The maximum ratio permitted under this financial covenant was 8.75:1 for the four quarters ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, our ratio was 6.6:1.
Debt Issuance
On February 26, 2015, we issued at par $950.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.625% Priority Guarantee Notes due 2023 and used the net proceeds from the offering primarily to prepay our Term Loans B and C due 2016.
24
Sale-Leasebacks
During the second and third quarters of 2015, Parent and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into sale-leaseback arrangements, in which the Company’s subsidiaries sold 376 of its broadcast communication tower sites and related assets for $369.9 million. Simultaneous with the sales, Parent entered into lease agreements for the continued use of space on 367 of the towers sold.
On January 15, 2016, Parent and certain of our subsidiaries completed the final closing for the sale of six of the Company’s broadcast communication tower sites and related assets for approximately $5.5 million. Simultaneous with the sales, the Company entered into lease agreements for the continued use of tower space. The leases entered into as a part of these transactions are for a term of fifteen years and include three optional five-year renewal periods.
Disposals
In the first quarter of 2016, Americas outdoor sold nine non-strategic outdoor markets including Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, Portland, Oregon, Reno, Nevada, Seattle, Washington and Wichita, Kansas for net proceeds of $596.6 million in cash and certain advertising assets in Florida.
Uses of Capital
Debt Repayments, Maturities and Other
On February 26, 2015, we prepaid at par $916.1 million of loans outstanding under our Term Loan B facility and $15.2 million of loans outstanding under our Term Loan C asset sale facility, using a portion of the net proceeds of the Priority Guarantee Notes due 2023 issued on such date.
Certain Relationships with the Sponsors
We are party to a management agreement with certain affiliates of the Sponsors and certain other parties pursuant to which such affiliates of the Sponsors will provide management and financial advisory services until 2018. These arrangements require management fees to be paid to such affiliates of the Sponsors for such services at a rate not greater than $15.0 million per year, plus reimbursable expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we recognized management fees and reimbursable expenses of $3.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
CCOH Dividends
In connection with the cash management arrangements for CCOH, we maintain an intercompany revolving promissory note payable by us to CCOH (the “Note”), which consists of the net activities resulting from day-to-day cash management services provided by us to CCOH. As of March 31, 2016, the balance of the Note was $640.1 million, all of which is payable on demand. The Note is eliminated in consolidation in our consolidated financial statements.
The Note previously was the subject of litigation. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement of that litigation, CCOH’s board of directors established a committee for the specific purpose of monitoring the Note. That committee has the non-exclusive authority, pursuant to the terms of its charter, to demand payments under the Note under certain specified circumstances tied to the Company’s liquidity or the amount outstanding under the Due from Note as long as CCOH makes a simultaneous dividend equal to the amount so demanded.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, CCIBV, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and of CCOH, issued $225.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% Senior Notes due 2020, the proceeds of which were used to fund a dividend by CCOH, which was paid on January 7, 2016. We received $196.3 million of the dividend through three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and approximately $21.5 million was paid to the public stockholders of CCOH.
In the first quarter of 2016, CCOH sold its business in nine non-strategic Americas outdoor markets for a net purchase price of $596.6 million in cash and certain advertising assets in Florida (the “Outdoor Transactions”). Following the completion of the Outdoor Transactions on February 4, 2016, the board of directors of CCOH made a demand for the repayment of $300.0 million outstanding on the Note and paid a special cash dividend in an aggregate amount of $540.0 million. A portion of the proceeds of the Outdoor Transactions, together with the proceeds from the concurrent $300.0 million repayment of the Note, were used to fund the dividends. We received $486.5 million of the dividend proceeds ($186.5 million net of our repayment of the Note) through three of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and approximately $53.5 million was paid to the public stockholders of CCOH.
25
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, as required, have accrued our estimate of the probable costs for resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings. Please refer to “Legal Proceedings” in Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Seasonality
Typically, the iHM, Americas outdoor and International outdoor segments experience their lowest financial performance in the first quarter of the calendar year, with International outdoor historically experiencing a loss from operations in that period. Our International outdoor segment typically experiences its strongest performance in the second and fourth quarters of the calendar year. We expect this trend to continue in the future. In addition, the majority of interest payments made in relation to long-term debt are paid in the first and third quarters of each calendar year. Due to this seasonality and certain other factors, the results for the interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year.
Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and inflation.
Interest Rate Risk
A significant amount of our long-term debt bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, our earnings will be affected by changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 31% of our aggregate principal amount of long-term debt bears interest at floating rates. Assuming the current level of borrowings and assuming a 100% change in LIBOR, it is estimated that our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 would have changed by $7.1 million.
In the event of an adverse change in interest rates, management may take actions to mitigate our exposure. However, due to the uncertainty of the actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the preceding interest rate sensitivity analysis assumes no such actions. Further, the analysis does not consider the effects of the change in the level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We have operations in countries throughout the world. Foreign operations are measured in their local currencies. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations. We believe we mitigate a small portion of our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations with a natural hedge through borrowings in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Our foreign operations reported net loss of $30.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2016. We estimate a 10% increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies would have increased our net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 by $3.0 million. A 10% decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2016 would have decreased our net loss by a corresponding amount.
This analysis does not consider the implications that such currency fluctuations could have on the overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment in the U.S. or the foreign countries or on the results of operations of these foreign entities.
Inflation
Inflation is a factor in the economies in which we do business and we continue to seek ways to mitigate its effect. Inflation has affected our performance in terms of higher costs for wages, salaries and equipment. Although the exact impact of inflation is indeterminable, we believe we have offset these higher costs by increasing the effective advertising rates of most of our broadcasting stations and outdoor display faces in our iHM, Americas outdoor and International outdoor operations.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Except for the historical information, this report contains various forward-looking statements which represent our
26
expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including, without limitation, our future operating and financial performance, our ability to comply with the covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness and the availability of capital and the terms thereof. Statements expressing expectations and projections with respect to future matters are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to many variables which could impact our future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions, as of the time the statements are made, regarding future events and performance. There can be no assurance, however, that management’s expectations will necessarily come to pass. Actual future events and performance may differ materially from the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements. We do not intend, nor do we undertake any duty, to update any forward-looking statements.
A wide range of factors could materially affect future developments and performance, including but not limited to:
· the impact of our substantial indebtedness, including the effect of our leverage on our financial position and earnings;
· our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations or other liquidity-generating transactions and our need to allocate significant amounts of our cash to make payments on our indebtedness, which in turn could reduce our financial flexibility and ability to fund other activities;
· risks associated with weak or uncertain global economic conditions and their impact on the capital markets;
· other general economic and political conditions in the United States and in other countries in which we currently do business, including those resulting from recessions, political events and acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts;
· industry conditions, including competition;
· the level of expenditures on advertising;
· legislative or regulatory requirements;
· fluctuations in operating costs;
· technological changes and innovations;
· changes in labor conditions, including programming, program hosts and management;
· capital expenditure requirements;
· risks of doing business in foreign countries;
· fluctuations in exchange rates and currency values;
· the outcome of pending and future litigation;
· taxes and tax disputes;
· changes in interest rates;
· shifts in population and other demographics;
· access to capital markets and borrowed indebtedness;
· our ability to implement our business strategies;
· the risk that we may not be able to integrate the operations of acquired businesses successfully;
· the risk that our strategic revenue and efficiency initiatives may not be entirely successful or that any cost savings achieved from such strategic revenue and efficiency initiatives may not persist; and
· certain other factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC.
This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative and is not intended to be exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Required information is presented under “Market Risk” within Item 2 of this Part I.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
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within the time periods specified by the SEC. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016 at the reasonable assurance level.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We currently are involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and, as required, have accrued an estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of those claims for which the occurrence of loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings. Additionally, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Although we are involved in a variety of legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, a large portion of our litigation arises in the following contexts: commercial disputes; defamation matters; employment and benefits related claims; governmental fines; intellectual property claims; and tax disputes.
International Outdoor Investigation
On April 21, 2015, inspections were conducted at the premises of Clear Channel in Denmark and Sweden as part of an investigation by Danish competition authorities. Additionally, on the same day, Clear Channel UK received a communication from the UK competition authorities, also in connection with the investigation by Danish competition authorities. Clear Channel and its affiliates are cooperating with the national competition authorities.
Noteholder Litigation
On March 7, 2016, we received Notices of Default (the “Notices of Default”) from certain holders holding more than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of four of our outstanding series of Priority Guarantee Notes (the “Holders”). The Notices of Default alleged that we violated certain covenants under the indentures governing the Priority Guarantee Notes (the “Indentures”) when, as previously disclosed, on December 3, 2015, Clear Channel Holdings, Inc., one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that is a “restricted subsidiary” under the Indentures, contributed 100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (the “Shares”) to Broader Media, LLC, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that is an “unrestricted subsidiary” under the Indentures (the “Contribution”). As we have communicated to the Holders on multiple occasions, we believe the Contribution was made in full compliance with all of the provisions of the Indentures and the Holders had no basis to issue the Notices of Default. The Notices of Default asserted that the alleged defaults will become an “Event of Default” under the Indentures following the expiration of 60 days. An Event of Default, if it were to occur, would entitle the Holders to accelerate the underlying indebtedness, which would trigger events of default under our other material indebtedness.
On March 7, 2016, we initiated an action against the Holders, and on March 8, 2016, after receiving the Notices of Default, we filed an amended petition. Defendants include, among others, Benefit Street Partners LLC, and certain related entities (collectively, “Benefit Street Partners”), Canyon Capital Advisors LLC (“Canyon Capital”), D. E. Shaw Galvanic Portfolios, LLC (“D. E. Shaw”), Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”), Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (“Franklin Mutual”), OZ Management LP and OZ Management II LP (collectively, “Och-Ziff”), and the indenture trustees under the Indentures (collectively with the Holders, the “Defendants”). The action is styled iHeartCommunications, Inc., f/k/a Clear Channel Communications, Inc. v. Benefit Street Partners LLC, et al., and is pending in the 285th Judicial District, Bexar County, Texas (the “Texas Court”), as Cause No. 2016 CI 04006 (the “Texas Litigation”), seeking, among other things, a ruling by the Texas Court through declaratory judgment that we are not in default or in violation of any covenant or provision of the Indentures. We also sought a temporary restraining order from the Texas Court preventing, among other things, the Defendants from taking any actions in reliance on the Notices of Default and preventing them from declaring any of our indebtedness immediately due and payable. Finally, we also sought temporary and permanent injunctions from the Texas Court to fully protect our rights. Only Franklin Advisers, Benefit Street Partners, Och-Ziff, and the indenture trustees have appeared in the Texas Litigation. Canyon Capital, D. E. Shaw, Franklin Mutual, and other Holders filed special appearances challenging the Texas Court’s jurisdiction over them.
On March 9, 2016, we obtained a temporary restraining order from the Texas Court (i) rescinding the Notices of Default until the temporary restraining order expires pursuant to its terms or until further order of the Texas Court, and (ii) restraining and enjoining the Defendants from issuing additional notices of default on the Priority Guarantee Notes or any other indebtedness of ours, based upon the Contribution. As a condition to obtaining the temporary restraining order from the Texas Court, we agreed not to sell, transfer, encumber, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any interest in, or proceeds of, the Shares until such time as a hearing may be held for a temporary injunction.
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On April 4 and 5, 2016, the Texas Court held a hearing on our application for a temporary injunction. On April 6, 2016, the Texas Court ordered, on the agreement of the appearing parties, to extend the temporary restraining order until the conclusion of a trial on the merits, which the Texas Court scheduled to begin on May 16, 2016. The parties have also agreed to participate in a mediation to try to resolve the dispute.
We strongly object to the allegations contained in the Notices of Default, and intend to vigorously contest the issuance and the validity of the Notices of Default. We strongly believe that the Contribution did not cause a default under any of the Indentures or under the terms of any of our other indebtedness. If, however, we are unable to obtain the permanent relief we are requesting from the Texas Court or are otherwise unable to successfully contest the validity of the Notices of Default and any subsequent acceleration of a material portion of our indebtedness, then we would need to pursue other available alternatives to address the claimed defaults.
For information regarding our risk factors, please refer to Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. There have not been any material changes in the risk factors disclosed in the Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
Intentionally omitted in accordance with General Instruction H(2)(b) of Form 10-Q. |
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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Intentionally omitted in accordance with General Instruction H(2)(b) of Form 10-Q.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS |
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Exhibit Number |
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Description |
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3.1 |
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Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of iHeartCommunications, Inc.(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the iHeartCommunications, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-158279) filed on March 30, 2009). |
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3.2 |
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Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended of iHeartCommunications, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the iHeartCommunications, Inc. Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ending December 31, 2007. |
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31.1* |
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Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2* |
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Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.1** |
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Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.2** |
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Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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101* |
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Interactive Data Files. |
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* |
Filed herewith. |
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** |
Furnished herewith. |
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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.
IHEARTCOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
May 4, 2016
/s/ SCOTT D. HAMILTON
Scott D. Hamilton
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary
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