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As Of Filer Filing As/For/On Docs:Pgs Issuer Agent 3/15/05 Entravision Communications Corp 10-K 12/31/04 10:199 1193125
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size
1: 10-K Annual Report HTML 1,308K
2: EX-10.2 Form of Notice of Stock Option Grant HTML 30K
3: EX-10.17 Form of Stock Option Award HTML 24K
4: EX-10.18 Letter Agreement HTML 20K
5: EX-10.19 Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation HTML 6K
6: EX-21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant HTML 9K
7: EX-23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants HTML 8K
8: EX-31.1 Certification by the Ceo Pursuant to Section 302 HTML 15K
9: EX-31.2 Certification by the Cfo Pursuant to Section 302 HTML 15K
10: EX-32 Certification by the Ceo and Cfo Pursuant to HTML 9K
Section 906
|
| Form 10-K |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
OR
| ¨ | 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 1-15997
ENTRAVISION COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of |
95-4783236 (I.R.S. Employer |
2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 6000 West
Santa Monica, California 90404
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 447-3870
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
| Class A Common Stock | The New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes x No ¨
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2004 was approximately $430,268,006 (based upon the closing price for shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock as reported by The New York Stock Exchange for the last trading date prior to that date).
As of March 9, 2005, there were 59,648,663 shares, $0.0001 par value per share, of the registrant’s Class A common stock outstanding, 27,678,533 shares, $0.0001 par value per share, of the registrant’s Class B common stock outstanding and 36,926,600 shares, $0.0001 par value per share, of the registrant’s Class U common stock outstanding.
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on May 26, 2005 are incorporated by a reference in Part III hereof.
ENTRAVISION COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
PART I
| Page | ||||
| ITEM 1. | 1 | |||
| ITEM 2. | 34 | |||
| ITEM 3. | 34 | |||
| ITEM 4. | 34 | |||
| PART II | ||||
| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
35 | ||
| ITEM 6. | 37 | |||
| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
38 | ||
| ITEM 7A. | 59 | |||
| ITEM 8. | 60 | |||
| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
60 | ||
| ITEM 9A. | 60 | |||
| ITEM 9B. | 62 | |||
| PART III | ||||
| ITEM 10. | 63 | |||
| ITEM 11. | 63 | |||
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
63 | ||
| ITEM 13. | 63 | |||
| ITEM 14. | 63 | |||
| PART IV | ||||
| ITEM 15. | 64 | |||
| SIGNATURES | 67 | |||
| POWER OF ATTORNEY | 67 | |||
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.
Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this annual report. Except for our ongoing obligation to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties. Some of the key factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
| • | risks related to our history of operating losses, our substantial indebtedness or our ability to raise capital; |
| • | provisions of the agreements governing our debt instruments that may restrict the operation of our business; |
| • | cancellations or reductions of advertising, whether due to a general economic downturn or otherwise; |
| • | our relationship with Univision Communications Inc., including uncertainties relating to Univision’s obligation to reduce its percentage ownership of our company on or before March 26, 2006 and March 26, 2009; |
| • | the overall success of our acquisition strategy, which includes developing media clusters in key U.S. Hispanic markets, and the integration of any acquired assets with our existing business; |
| • | the impact of rigorous competition in Spanish-language media and in the advertising industry generally; and |
| • | industry-wide market factors and regulatory and other developments affecting our operations. |
For a detailed description of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see “Risk Factors,” beginning at page 29 below.
The discussion of our business is as of the date of filing this report, unless otherwise indicated.
Overview
Entravision Communications Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, or Entravision, is a diversified Spanish-language media company with a unique portfolio of television, radio and outdoor advertising assets, reaching approximately 75% of all Hispanics in the United States. We own and/or operate 47 primary television stations, a majority of which is located in the southwestern United States, including several key U.S./Mexican border markets. Our television stations consist primarily of affiliates of the two television networks of Univision,
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serving 20 of the top 50 Hispanic markets in the United States. We are the largest Univision-affiliated television group in the United States. Univision is a key source of programming for our television broadcasting business and we consider it to be a valuable strategic partner of ours.
We own and operate one of the largest groups of Spanish-language radio stations in the United States. We own and operate 54 radio stations in 21 U.S. markets. Our radio stations consist of 41 FM and 13 AM stations located primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.
Our outdoor advertising operations consist of approximately 10,900 advertising faces located primarily in high-density urban areas in Los Angeles and New York.
We generate revenue from sales of national and local advertising time on television and radio stations and advertising on our billboards. Advertising rates are, in large part, based on each medium’s ability to attract audiences in demographic groups targeted by advertisers. We recognize advertising revenue when commercials are broadcast and when outdoor advertising services are provided. We do not obtain long-term commitments from our advertisers and, consequently, they may cancel, reduce or postpone orders without penalties. We pay commissions to agencies for local, regional and national advertising. For contracts directly with agencies, we record commissions as deductions from gross revenue.
Our net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 was approximately $259 million. Of that amount, revenue generated by our television segment accounted for 52%, revenue generated by our radio segment accounted for 36% and revenue generated by our outdoor segment accounted for 12%.
Our primary expenses are employee compensation, including commissions paid to our sales staffs and commissions paid to our national representative firms, as well as expenses for marketing, promotion and selling, technical, local programming, engineering and general and administrative. Our local programming costs for television consist principally of costs related to producing a local newscast in most of our markets.
Until July 3, 2003, we also operated a publishing segment consisting of the Spanish-language newspaper El Diario/la Prensa. On that date, we sold substantially all of the assets and certain specified liabilities related to that segment to CPK NYC, LLC.
About Our Company
Our principal executive offices are located at 2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 6000 West, Santa Monica, California 90404, and our telephone number is (310) 447-3870. Our corporate website is www.entravision.com.
We were organized as a Delaware limited liability company in January 1996 to combine the operations of our predecessor entities. On August 2, 2000, we completed a reorganization from a limited liability company to a Delaware corporation. On August 2, 2000, we also completed an initial public offering of our Class A common stock, which is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “EVC.”
Univision currently owns approximately 30% of our common stock on a fully-converted basis. In connection with its merger with Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation in September 2003, Univision entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, pursuant to which Univision agreed, among other things, to ensure that its percentage ownership of our company will not exceed 15% by March 26, 2006 and 10% by March 26, 2009.
Also pursuant to Univision’s agreement with DOJ, in September 2003 Univision exchanged all of its shares of our Class A and Class C common stock that it previously owned for shares of our Series U preferred stock. The Series U preferred stock was mandatorily convertible into common stock when and if we created a new class of common stock that generally had the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as the Series U
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preferred stock (other than the nominal liquidation preference). Our stockholders approved the creation of such a new class of common stock, our Class U common stock, during the second quarter of 2004, and the shares of our Series U preferred stock held by Univision were converted into shares of our Class U common stock in July 2004. Neither the original exchange of Univision’s Class A and Class C common for Series U preferred stock, nor the subsequent conversion of such Series U preferred stock into Class U common stock, changed Univision’s overall equity interest in our company, nor did either have any impact on our existing television station affiliation agreements with Univision.
The Class U common stock has limited voting rights, does not include the right to elect directors and is automatically convertible into shares of our Class A common stock in connection with any transfer to a third party that is not an affiliate of Univision. As the holder of all of our issued and outstanding Class U common stock, Univision currently has the right to approve any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving our company, any dissolution of our company and any assignment of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, licenses for any of our Univision-affiliated television stations. For a discussion of various risks related to our relationship with Univision, please see “Risk Factors,” beginning at page 29 below.
The Hispanic Market Opportunity
Our media assets target densely-populated and fast-growing Hispanic markets in the United States. We operate media properties in 12 of the 15 highest-density Hispanic markets in the United States. In addition, among the top 25 Hispanic markets in the United States, we operate media properties in 12 of the 15 fastest-growing markets. We believe that targeting the U.S. Hispanic market will translate into strong revenue growth for the foreseeable future for the following reasons:
Hispanic Population Growth. Our audience consists primarily of Hispanics, one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population and, by current U.S. Census Bureau estimates, now the largest minority group in the United States. According to a July 2003 update from the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 40 million Hispanics live in the United States, accounting for approximately 14% of the total U.S. population. The overall Hispanic population is growing at approximately seven times the rate of the non-Hispanic population in the United States and is expected to grow to 66.1 million, or 19.5% of the total U.S. population, by 2022. Approximately 54% of the total future growth in the U.S. population through 2022 is expected to come from the Hispanic community.
Spanish-Language Use. Approximately 71% of all Hispanics in the United States speak some Spanish at home. The number of Hispanics that speak some Spanish at home is expected to grow from 29.5 million in 2004 to 43.3 million in 2022. We believe that the strong Spanish-language use among Hispanics indicates that Spanish-language media will continue to be an important source of news, sports and entertainment for Hispanics and an important vehicle for marketing and advertising.
Increasing Hispanic Buying Power. The Hispanic population in the United States is estimated to have accounted for total consumer expenditures of approximately $622 billion in 2004, an increase of 190% since 1990. Hispanics are expected to account for approximately $1 trillion in consumer expenditures by 2010, and by 2022 Hispanics are expected to account for approximately $2.8 trillion in consumer expenditures, or 14% of total U.S. consumer spending. Hispanic buying power is expected to grow at approximately six times the rate of the Hispanic population growth by 2022. We believe that these factors make Hispanics an attractive target audience for many major U.S. advertisers.
Attractive Profile of Hispanic Consumers. We believe that the demographic profile of the Hispanic audience makes it attractive to advertisers. We believe that the larger size and younger age of Hispanic households (averaging 3.5 persons and 26.4 years of age as compared to the non-Hispanic averages of 2.4 persons and 37.9 years of age) lead Hispanics to spend more per household on many categories of goods and services. Although the average U.S. Hispanic household has less disposable income than the average U.S. household, the average U.S. Hispanic household spends 15% more per year than the average U.S. household on food at home, 75% more
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on children’s clothing, 38% more on footwear and 35% more on laundry and household cleaning products. We expect Hispanics to continue to account for a disproportionate share of growth in spending nationwide in many important consumer categories as the U.S. Hispanic population and its disposable income continue to grow.
Spanish-Language Advertising. Nearly $3.1 billion of total advertising expenditures in the United States were placed in Spanish-language media in 2004, of which approximately 86% was placed in Spanish-language television and radio advertising. We believe that major advertisers have found that Spanish-language media is a more cost-effective means to target the growing Hispanic audience than English-language media.
Business Strategy
We seek to increase our advertising revenue through the following strategies:
Effectively Use Our Networks and Media Brands. We are the largest Univision television affiliate group for both Univision’s primary network and its TeleFutura network. Univision’s primary network is the most watched television network (English- or Spanish-language) among U.S. Hispanic households. Univision’s primary network, together with its TeleFutura Network, represent an approximately 80% share of the U.S. Spanish-language network television prime time audience as of December 2004. Univision makes its networks’ Spanish-language programming available to our television stations 24-hours a day, including a prime time schedule on its primary network of substantially all first-run programming throughout the year.
We believe that the breadth and diversity of Univision’s programming, combined with our local news and community-oriented segments, provide us with an advantage over other Spanish-language and English-language broadcasters in reaching Hispanic viewers. Our local content is designed to brand each of our stations as the best source for relevant community information that accurately reflects local interests and needs.
We operate our radio network using two formats designed to appeal to different listener tastes. We format the programming of our network and radio stations in an effort to capture a substantial share of the Hispanic audience in each of our radio markets. In markets where competing stations already offer programming similar to our two network formats, or where we otherwise identify an available niche in the marketplace, we run alternative programming that we believe will appeal to local listeners.
Invest in Media Research and Sales. We believe that continued use of industry-accepted ratings and surveys will allow us further to increase our advertising rates. We use industry ratings and surveys, including Nielsen Media Research, Arbitron and the Traffic Audit Bureau, to provide a more accurate measure of consumers. We believe that our focused research and sales efforts will enable us to continue to achieve significant revenue and cash flow growth.
Continue to Benefit from Strong Management. We believe that we have one of the most experienced management teams in the industry. Walter Ulloa, our co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Philip Wilkinson, our co-founder, President and Chief Operating Officer, John DeLorenzo, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Jeffery Liberman, the President of our Radio Division, and Chris Young, the President of our Outdoor Division, have an average of more than 20 years of media experience. We intend to continue to build and retain our key management personnel and to capitalize on their knowledge and experience in the Spanish-language markets.
Emphasize Local Content, Programming and Community Involvement. We believe that local content and service to the community in each of our markets is an important part of building our brand identity within those markets. By combining our local news, local content and quality network programming, we believe that we have a significant competitive advantage. We also believe that our active community involvement, including station remote broadcasting appearances at client events, concerts and tie-ins to major events, helps to build station awareness and identity as well as viewer and listener loyalty.
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Take Advantage of Market Cross-Selling and Cross-Promotion. We believe that our uniquely diversified media asset portfolio provides us with a competitive advantage in targeting the Hispanic consumer. In many of our markets, we offer advertisers the ability to reach potential customers through a combination of television, radio and outdoor advertising. Currently, we operate some combination of television, radio and outdoor advertising in 11 markets. Where possible, we also combine our television and radio operations and management to create synergies and achieve cost savings.
Target Other Attractive Hispanic Markets and Fill-In Acquisitions. We believe that our knowledge of, and experience with, the Hispanic marketplace will enable us to continue to identify acquisitions in the television, radio and outdoor advertising markets. Since our inception, we have used our management expertise, programming, local involvement and brand identity to improve our acquired media properties. Please see “Acquisition and Disposition Strategies” below.
Acquisition and Disposition Strategies
Our acquisition strategy focuses on increasing our presence in those markets in which we already compete, as well as expanding our operations into U.S. Hispanic markets where we do not own properties. We target fast-growing and high-density U.S. Hispanic markets. These include many markets in the southwestern United States, including Texas, California and various other markets along the U.S./Mexican border. In addition, we pursue other acquisition opportunities in key strategic markets, or those which otherwise support our long-term growth plans.
One of our goals is to continue to create and grow media “clusters” within these target markets, featuring both Univision and TeleFutura television stations, together with a strong radio presence. We believe that these clusters provide unique cross-selling and cross-promotional opportunities, making Entravision an attractive option for advertisers wishing to reach the U.S. Hispanic consumer. Accordingly, in addition to targeting stations in U.S. Hispanic markets where we do not own properties, we focus on potential acquisitions of additional stations in our existing markets, particularly radio stations in those markets where we currently have only television stations.
In the past year, we made several acquisitions in furtherance of the strategy outlined above. These acquisitions demonstrate our continued efforts to target strategic U.S. Hispanic markets and to fill out our existing media clusters with additional quality assets:
| • | in September 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Diamond Radio, Inc., the owner and operator of radio station KBMB-FM in the Sacramento, California market for an aggregate of approximately $17.6 million, giving us four FM radio stations in the Sacramento market; |
| • | in October 2004, in combination with certain of our Mexican affiliates and subsidiaries, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of the licensee of television station XHRIO-TV in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, serving the McAllen, Texas market, as well as substantially all of the assets related to such station, for an aggregate purchase price of $13 million; |
| • | in February 2005, we acquired television stations KVTF-CA and KTFV-CA in the McAllen, Texas market and television station KETF-CA in the Laredo, Texas market, for an aggregate of approximately $3.8 million, giving us both a Univision affiliate and a TeleFutura affiliate in each of those markets, as well as four FM radio stations in the McAllen market; and |
| • | also in February 2005, we acquired radio station KAIQ-FM in the Lubbock, Texas market for approximately $1.7 million, giving us one FM and one AM radio station in the Lubbock market in addition to our Univision affiliate. |
In a strategic effort to focus our resources on strengthening existing clusters and expanding into new U.S. Hispanic markets, we regularly review our portfolio of media properties and seek to divest non-core assets in
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markets where we do not see the opportunity to grow to scale and build out full clusters. We made several dispositions in the past year in radio markets where we were limited in our ability to grow or otherwise determined that a media property was not core to our business:
| • | in February 2004, we sold the assets of radio station KZFO-FM in the Fresno, California market to Univision for approximately $8 million; |
| • | in May 2004, we sold the assets of radio stations WNDZ-AM, WRZA-FM and WZCH-FM in the Chicago, Illinois market for an aggregate of approximately $28.8 million; and |
| • | in August 2004, we sold radio station KRVA-AM in the Dallas, Texas market for approximately $3.5 million. |
We have a history of net losses that may impact, among other things, our ability to implement our growth strategies. Although we had a net profit for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had a net loss of approximately $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. Please see “Risk Factors,” beginning at page 29.
Television
Overview
We own and/or operate Univision-affiliated television stations in 20 of the top 50 Hispanic markets in the United States. Our television operations are the largest affiliate group of the Univision networks. Univision’s primary network is the leading Spanish-language network in the United States, reaching 98% of all Hispanic households. Univision’s primary network is the most watched television network (English- or Spanish-language) among U.S. Hispanic households. Univision’s primary network, together with its TeleFutura Network, represent an approximately 80% share of the U.S. Spanish-language network television prime time audience as of December 2004. We operate both Univision and TeleFutura affiliates in 18 of our 23 television markets. Univision’s networks make their Spanish-language programming available to our Univision-affiliated stations 24-hours a day. Univision’s prime time schedule on its primary network consists of substantially all first-run programming throughout the year.
Television Programming
Univision Primary Network Programming. Univision directs its programming primarily toward a young, family-oriented audience. It begins daily with Despierta America and another talk show, Monday through Friday, followed by novelas. In the late afternoon and early evening, Univision offers an entertainment magazine, a news magazine and national news, in addition to local news produced by our television stations. During prime time, Univision airs novelas, variety shows, a talk show, comedies, news magazines and reality shows, as well as specials. Prime time is followed by late news and a late night comedy show. Overnight programming consists primarily of repeats of programming aired previously on the network. Weekend daytime programming begins with children’s programming, followed by sports, reality, teen lifestyle shows and movies.
Approximately eight to ten hours of programming per weekday, including a substantial portion of weekday prime time, are currently programmed with novelas supplied primarily by Grupo Televisa, S.A. de C.V., or Televisa, and Corporacion Venezolana de Television, C.A., or Venevision. Although novelas have been compared to daytime soap operas on ABC, NBC or CBS, the differences are significant. Novelas, originally developed as serialized books, have a beginning, middle and end, generally run five days per week and conclude four to eight months after they begin. Novelas also have a much broader audience appeal than soap operas, delivering audiences that contain large numbers of men, children and teens, in addition to women.
TeleFutura Network Programming. Univision’s other 24-hour general-interest Spanish-language broadcast network, TeleFutura, is programmed to meet the diverse preferences of the multi-faceted U.S. Hispanic
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community. TeleFutura’s programming includes sports (including boxing, soccer and a nightly wrap-up at 11 p.m. similar to ESPN’s programming), movies (including a mix of English-language movies translated into Spanish) and novelas not run on Univision’s primary network, as well as reruns of popular novelas broadcast on Univision’s primary network. TeleFutura offers U.S. Hispanics an alternative to traditional Spanish-language broadcast networks and targets younger U.S. Hispanics who currently watch both English-language and Spanish-language programming.
Entravision Local Programming. We believe that our local news brands our stations in our television markets. We shape our local news to relate to and inform our target audiences. In ten of our television markets, our local news is ranked first or second regardless of language in its designated time slot among viewers 18-34 years of age. We have made substantial investments in people and equipment in order to provide our local communities with quality newscasts. Our local newscasts have won numerous awards, and we strive to be the most important community voice in each of our local markets. In several of our markets, we believe that our local news is the only significant source of Spanish-language daily news for the Hispanic community.
Network Affiliation Agreements. Substantially all of our television stations are Univision- or TeleFutura-affiliated television stations. Our network affiliation agreements with Univision provide certain of our stations with the exclusive right to broadcast Univision’s primary network and TeleFutura programming in their respective markets. These long-term affiliation agreements each expire in 2021, and can be renewed for multiple, successive two-year terms at Univision’s option, subject to our consent. Under the affiliation agreements, we generally retain the right to sell approximately six minutes per hour of the available advertising time on Univision’s primary network, and approximately four and a half minutes per hour of the available advertising time on the TeleFutura network. Those allocations are subject to adjustment from time to time by Univision.
Our network affiliation agreement with the United Paramount Network, or UPN, gives us the right to provide UPN network programming for a ten-year period expiring in October 2009 on XUPN-TV serving the Tecate/San Diego market. A related participation agreement grants UPN a 20% interest in the appreciation of XUPN-TV above $35 million upon certain liquidity events as defined in the agreement.
XHAS-TV broadcasts Telemundo Network Group LLC, or Telemundo, network programming serving the Tijuana/San Diego market pursuant to a network affiliation agreement. Our network affiliation agreement with Telemundo gives us the right to provide Telemundo network programming on XHAS-TV for a six-year period expiring in July 2007. The affiliation agreement grants Telemundo a 20% interest in the appreciation of XHAS-TV above $31 million, plus capital expenditures and certain other adjustments, upon certain liquidity events as defined in the agreement. We also granted Telemundo an option to purchase our ownership interest in KTCD-LP at a purchase price equal to our cost for such interest.
We cannot guarantee that our current network affiliation agreements will be renewed in the future under their current terms or at all.
Marketing Agreements. Our marketing and sales agreement with Univision gives us the right through 2021 to manage the marketing and sales operations of Univision-owned TeleFutura affiliates in six markets—Albuquerque, Boston, Denver, Orlando, Tampa and Washington, D.C.—where we currently own and operate a Univision affiliate.
Our joint marketing and programming agreement with Televisa and certain of its affiliates gives us the right through December 2005 to manage the programming, advertising, sales and certain operational functions of XETV-TV, Channel 6, the Fox network affiliate serving the Tijuana/San Diego market.
Long-Term Time Brokerage Agreements. We operate both XUPN-TV, Channel 49, the UPN network affiliate serving the Tecate/San Diego market, and XHAS-TV, Channel 33, the Telemundo network affiliate serving the Tijuana/San Diego market, under long-term time brokerage agreements. Under those agreements, in
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combination with certain of our Mexican affiliates and subsidiaries, we provide the programming and related services available on these stations, but the stations retain absolute control of the content and other broadcast issues. These long-term time brokerage agreements expire in 2008 and 2030, respectively, and each provides for automatic, perpetual 30-year renewals unless both parties consent to termination. Each of these agreements provides for substantial financial penalties should the other party attempt to terminate prior to its expiration without our consent, and they do not limit the availability of specific performance as a remedy for any such attempted early termination.
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Our Television Station Portfolio
The following table lists information concerning each of our owned and/or operated television stations and its respective market:
| Market | Market Rank (by Hispanic Households) |
Total Households |
Hispanic Households |
% Hispanic Households |
Call Letters, Channel(1) | Programming | |||||||
| Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas |
10 | 312,300 | 256,840 | 82.2 | % | KNVO-TV, Channel 48 KVTF-CA, Channel 20 (2) KTFV-CA, Channel 35 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura TeleFutura | ||||||
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico |
11 | 649,680 | 222,670 | 34.3 | % | KLUZ-TV, Channel 41 KTFQ-TV, Channel 14 (3) KTFA-LP, Channel 48 |
Univision TeleFutura Home Shopping Network | ||||||
| San Diego, California |
13 | 1,025,730 | 215,980 | 21.1 | % | KBNT-CA, Channel 17 (2) KHAX-LP, Channel 49 KDTF-LP, Channel 36 KTCD-LP, Channel 46 |
Univision Univision TeleFutura Telemundo | ||||||
| El Paso, Texas |
14 | 288,440 | 207,260 | 71.9 | % | KINT-TV, Channel 26 KTFN-TV, Channel 65 |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Denver-Boulder, Colorado |
16 | 1,401,760 | 194,300 | 13.9 | % | KCEC-TV, Channel 50 K43FN, Channel 43 KTFD-TV, Channel 14 (3) KDVT-LP, Channel 36 |
Univision Univision TeleFutura TeleFutura | ||||||
| Washington, D.C. |
17 | 2,241,610 | 148,390 | 6.6 | % | WMDO-CA, Channel 47 (2) WFDC-TV, Channel 14 (3) WJAL-TV, Channel 68 |
Univision TeleFutura English-Language | ||||||
| Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Florida |
19 | 1,303,150 | 142,830 | 11.0 | % | WVEN-TV, Channel 26 WVCI-LP, Channel 16 W46DB, Channel 46 WOTF-TV, Channel 43 (3) |
Univision Univision Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota), Florida |
20 | 1,671,040 | 137,750 | 8.2 | % | WVEA-TV, Channel 62 WFTT-TV, Channel 50 (3) WVEA-LP, Channel 46 |
Univision TeleFutura Home Shopping Network | ||||||
| Boston, Massachusetts |
22 | 2,391,840 | 115,250 | 4.8 | % | WUNI-TV, Channel 27 WUTF-TV, Channel 66 (3) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Las Vegas, Nevada |
25 | 614,150 | 107,330 | 17.5 | % | KINC-TV, Channel 15 KNTL-LP, Channel 47 KWWB-LP, Channel 45 KELV-LP, Channel 27 |
Univision Univision Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Corpus Christi, Texas |
26 | 193,290 | 100,960 | 52.2 | % | KORO-TV, Channel 28 KCRP-CA, Channel 41 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut |
28 | 1,017,530 | 72,580 | 7.1 | % | WUVN-TV, Channel 18 WUTH-CA, Channel 47 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz, California |
32 | 218,450 | 62,020 | 28.4 | % | KSMS-TV, Channel 67 KDJT-CA, Channel 33 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Laredo, Texas |
34 | 62,720 | 58,130 | 92.7 | % | KLDO-TV, Channel 27 KETF-CA, Channel 25 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Yuma, Arizona-El Centro, California |
35 | 99,490 | 52,680 | 53.0 | % | KVYE-TV, Channel 7 KAJB-TV, Channel 54 (3) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colorado |
36 | 313,170 | 47,640 | 15.2 | % | KGHB-CA, Channel 27 (2) | Univision | ||||||
| Odessa-Midland, Texas |
37 | 135,450 | 47,550 | 35.1 | % | KUPB-TV, Channel 18 | Univision | ||||||
| Palm Springs, California |
41 | 135,190 | 44,250 | 32.7 | % | KVER-CA, Channel 4 (2) KVES-LP, Channel 28 KEVC-CA, Channel 5 (2) |
Univision Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Lubbock, Texas |
43 | 152,620 | 43,350 | 28.4 | % | KBZO-LP, Channel 51 | Univision | ||||||
| Santa Barbara-Santa Maria- |
44 | 224,710 | 43,210 | 19.2 | % | KPMR-TV, Channel 38 K10OG, Channel 10 K17GD, Channel 17 K28FK, Channel 28 K35ER, Channel 35 KTSB-LP, Channel 43 |
Univision TeleFutura TeleFutura TeleFutura TeleFutura TeleFutura | ||||||
| Reno, Nevada |
55 | 246,700 | 27,150 | 11.0 | % | KNVV-LP, Channel 41 KNCV-LP, Channel 48 |
Univision Univision | ||||||
| Springfield-Holyoke, Massachusetts |
58 | 267,500 | 26,160 | 9.8 | % | WHTX-LP, Channel 43 | Univision | ||||||
| San Angelo, Texas |
78 | 53,530 | 14,820 | 27.7 | % | KEUS-LP, Channel 31 KANG-CA, Channel 41 (2) |
Univision TeleFutura | ||||||
| Tecate, Baja California, Mexico (San Diego) |
— | — | — | — | XUPN-TV, Channel 49 (4) | UPN | |||||||
| Tijuana, Mexico (San Diego) |
— | — | — | — | XHAS-TV, Channel 33 (4) XETV-TV, Channel 6 (3) | Telemundo Fox |
(footnotes on next page)
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(footnotes from preceding page)
Source: Nielsen Media Research 2005 universe estimates.
| (1) | With the exception of KUPB-TV, Odessa-Midland, Texas, the FCC has granted to each of our owned full-service analog television stations a paired channel to deliver our programming on a digital basis. These paired channel authorizations will remain in place until such time as we are required to operate solely on a digital basis. With the exception of WJAL-TV, Hagerstown, Maryland, we are currently broadcasting on all of the paired digital stations pursuant to FCC authorizations that allow us to do so using facilities at lower power levels than our FCC permits otherwise call for. We expect to commence digital operations in Hagerstown on or before August 4, 2005, unless the FCC permits a later commencement date. |
| (2) | “CA” in call letters indicates station is under Class A television service. |
| (3) | We run the sales and marketing operations of this station under a marketing and sales arrangement. |
| (4) | We hold a minority, limited voting interest (neutral investment) in the entity that directly or indirectly holds the broadcast license for this station. Through that entity, we provide the programming and related services available on this station under a time brokerage arrangement. The station retains control of the contents and other broadcast issues. |
Television Advertising
Substantially all of the revenue from our television operations is derived from local and national advertising and, in two markets, network compensation.
Local. Local advertising revenue is generated from commercial airtime and is sold directly by the station to an in-market advertiser or its agency. In 2004, local advertising accounted for approximately 50% of our total television revenue.
National. National advertising revenue represents commercial time sold to a national advertiser within a specific market by Univision, our national representative firm. For these sales, Univision is paid a 15% commission on the net revenue from each sale (gross revenue less agency commission). We target the largest national Spanish-language advertisers that collectively purchase the greatest share of national advertisements through Univision. The Univision representative works closely with each station’s national sales manager. This has enabled us to secure major national advertisers, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Nissan, Verizon, Dodge, SBC, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Toyota and Bank of America. We also added significant new national advertising accounts in 2004, including Ashley Furniture, Circuit City, the National Pork Board, Long’s Drugs and Loreal. We have a similar national advertising representative arrangement with Telemundo. XUPN/XETV are represented by Blair Television Inc. In 2004, national advertising accounted for approximately 49% of our total television revenue.
Network. Network compensation represents compensation for broadcasting network programming in two television markets. In 2004, network advertising accounted for approximately 1% of our total television revenue.
Television Marketing/Audience Research
We derive our revenue primarily from selling advertising time. The relative advertising rates charged by competing stations within a market depend primarily on five factors:
| • | the station’s ratings (households or people viewing its programs as a percentage of total television households or people in the viewing area); |
| • | audience share (households or people viewing its programs as a percentage of households or people actually watching television at a specific time); |
| • | the time of day the advertising will run; |
| • | the demographic qualities of a program’s viewers (primarily age and gender); and |
| • | competitive conditions in the station’s market, including the availability of other advertising media. |
Nielsen ratings provide advertisers with the industry-accepted measure of television viewing. Nielsen offers a general market service measuring all television household viewing, as well as a separate service to specifically measure Hispanic household viewing. In recent years, Nielsen has modified the methodology of its general market service in an effort to more accurately measure Hispanic viewing by using language spoken in the home in its metered market sample. Nielsen has also added weighting by language as part of its metered market methodology. Of the metered markets in which we operate, to date only Albuquerque, Denver and San Diego have qualified for this weighting, although we believe that others may qualify in future years. We believe that
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this new methodology ultimately will result in ratings gains for us in those markets, allowing us further to increase our advertising rates and narrow any disparities that have historically existed between English-language and Spanish-language advertising rates. We have made significant investments in experienced sales managers and account executives and have provided our sales professionals with research tools to continue to attract major advertisers.
The Nielsen rating services that we use are described below:
| • | Nielsen Hispanic Station Index. This service measures Hispanic household viewing information at the local market level. Each sample also reflects the varying levels of language usage by Hispanics in each market in order to reflect more accurately the Hispanic household population in the relevant market. Nielsen Hispanic Station Index only measures the audience viewing of Hispanic households, that is, households where the head of the household is of Hispanic descent or origin. Although this offers improvements over previous measurement indices, we believe that it still under-reports the number of viewers watching our programming because we have viewers who do not live in Hispanic households. |
| • | Nielsen Station Index. This service measures local station viewing of all households in a specific market. This ratings service, however, is not language-stratified and we believe that it generally under-represents Spanish-speaking households. As a result, we believe that this typically under-reports viewing of Spanish-language television. Despite this limitation, the Nielsen Station Index demonstrates that many of our full-power broadcast stations achieve total market ratings that are fully comparable with their English-language counterparts, with nine of our full-power television stations ranking either first or second in their respective markets in prime time among viewers 18-34 years of age. |
Television Competition
We face intense competition in the broadcasting business. In each local television market, we compete for viewers and revenue with other local television stations, which are typically the local affiliates of the four principal English-language television networks, NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox and, in certain cities, UPN and the WB. In certain markets (other than San Diego), we also compete with the local affiliates or owned and operated stations of Telemundo, the Spanish-language television network that was acquired by NBC in 2002, as well as TV Azteca, the second largest producer of Spanish-language programming in the world.
We also directly or indirectly compete for viewers and revenue with both English- and Spanish-language independent television stations, other video media, suppliers of cable television programs, direct broadcast systems, newspapers, magazines, radio and other forms of entertainment and advertising. In addition, in certain markets we operate radio stations that indirectly compete for local and national advertising revenue with our television business.
We believe that our primary competitive advantage is the quality of the programming we receive through our affiliation with Univision. Over the past five years, Univision’s programming has consistently ranked first in prime time television among all U.S. Hispanic adults. In addition, Univision’s primary network and the TeleFutura Network together have maintained superior audience ratings among all U.S. Hispanic households when compared to both Spanish-language and English-language broadcast networks, as shown by the historical Nielsen ratings below:
| Network |
1999-2000 |
2000-2001 |
2001-2002 |
2002-2003 |
2003-2004 | |||||
| Univision |
20.4 | 19.6 | 19.4 | 18.1 | 17.1 | |||||
| TeleFutura |
— | — | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.4 | |||||
| ABC |
5.1 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.2 | |||||
| CBS |
3.4 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 1.1 | |||||
| NBC |
4.7 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | |||||
| Fox |
5.2 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | |||||
| Telemundo |
4.0 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 4.4 | 5.4 |
Source: Nielsen Hispanic Television Index (NHTI) (full broadcast seasons)
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Because of the strength of the programming supplied to us by Univision, each of our stations broadcasting Univision’s primary network is ranked number one in its market among Hispanic adults.
NBC-owned Telemundo is the second-largest Spanish-language television network in the United States. As of December 31, 2004, Telemundo had total coverage reaching approximately 92% of all Hispanic households in its markets.
We also benefit from operating in three different media: television, radio and outdoor advertising. While we have not engaged in any significant cross-selling program, we do take advantage of opportunities for cross-promotion of our stations and other media outlets.
The quality and experience of our management team is a significant strength of our company. However, our growth strategy may place significant demands on our management, working capital and financial resources. We may be unable to identify or complete acquisitions due to strong competition among buyers, the high valuations of media properties and the need to raise additional financing and/or equity. Some of our competitors have more stations than we have, and may have greater resources than we do. While we compete for acquisitions effectively within many markets and within a broad price range, our larger competitors nevertheless may price us out of certain acquisition opportunities.
Radio
Overview
We own and operate 54 radio stations, 53 of which are located in the top 50 Hispanic markets in the United States. Our radio stations broadcast into markets with an aggregate of approximately 48% of the Hispanic population in the United States. Our radio operations combine network and local programming with local time slots available for advertising, news, traffic, weather, promotions and community events. This strategy allows us to provide quality programming with significantly lower costs of operations than we could otherwise deliver solely with independent programming.
Radio Programming
Radio Network. We broadcast into markets with an aggregate of approximately 18 million U.S. Hispanics. Our radio network broadcasts into 16 of the 21 markets that we serve. Our network allows advertisers with national product distribution to deliver a uniform advertising message to the growing Hispanic market around the country in an efficient manner and at a cost that is generally lower than our English-language counterparts. During the first quarter of 2004, we completed the move of our radio network facility from the San Jose, California area to Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Hispanic market.
Although our network has a broad geographic reach, technology allows our stations to offer the necessary local feel and to be responsive to local clients and community needs. Designated time slots are used for local advertising, news, traffic, weather, promotions and community events. The audience gets the benefit of a national radio sound along with local content. To further enhance this effect, our on-air personalities frequently travel to participate in local promotional events. For example, in selected key markets our on-air personalities appear at special events and client locations. We promote these events as “remotes” to bond the national personalities to local listeners. Furthermore, all of our stations can disconnect from the networks and operate independently in the case of a local emergency or a problem with our central satellite transmission.
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Radio Formats. Our radio network produces two music formats that are simultaneously distributed via satellite with a digital CD-quality sound to our stations. These two formats each appeal to different listener preferences:
| • | Super Estrella is a music-driven, pop and alternative Spanish-rock format, targeting primarily Hispanic listeners 18-34 years of age; and |
| • | Radio Tricolor is a personality-driven format which now includes Renan Alemendarez Coello’s “El Cucuy De La Mañana” and Mexican country-style music, targeting primarily male Hispanic listeners 18-49 years of age. |
In addition, in markets where competing stations already offer programming similar to our two primary network formats, or where we otherwise identify an available niche in the marketplace, we run alternative programming that we believe will appeal to local listeners, including the following:
| • | in the Los Angeles, Dallas-Ft. Worth and San Francisco markets, we offer a Cumbia format—a country-style Mexican/Central American dance music performed by groups—targeting primarily male Hispanic listeners 18-34 years of age; |
| • | also in the Los Angeles market, we program Alternative Gold, an English-language alternative rock format targeting primarily male listeners 25-54 years of age; |
| • | in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market, we program an English-language rhythmic contemporary hits format that targets English-dominant Hispanic listeners primarily 18-34 years of age; |
| • | in the McAllen, Texas market, our bilingual Tejano format—a musical blend from the northern Mexican border states with influences from Texan country music—targets primarily Hispanic listeners 18-34 years of age; |
| • | also in the McAllen market, we program two English-language formats, a traditional rock-oriented format that targets primarily males 18-49 years of age and a 1980s and 1990s hit-based adult contemporary format targeting primarily adults 25-54 years of age; |
| • | in the Sacramento market, we offer two English-language formats, a hip hop format targeting primarily adults 18-34 years of age and an oldies format targeting primarily listeners 25 years of age and older; and |
| • | on five of our AM stations and one of our FM stations in a total of five different markets—Phoenix, Albuquerque-Santa Fe, Stockton-Modesto, El Paso and Denver—we program a Spanish-language talk format which is provided to us by a third party pursuant to a network affiliation agreement. |
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Our Radio Station Portfolio
The following table lists information concerning each of our owned and operated radio stations and its respective market:
| Market | Market Rank (by Hispanic Households) |
Station | Frequency | Format | ||||||
| Los Angeles-San Diego-Ventura, California |
1 | KLYY-FM KDLD-FM KDLE-FM KSSC-FM KSSD-FM KSSE-FM |
97.5 103.1 103.1 107.1 107.1 107.1 |
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz |
Cumbia Alternative Rock (English) (1)(2) Alternative Rock (English) (1)(2) Super Estrella (1) Super Estrella (1) Super Estrella (1) | |||||
| Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, Florida |
3 | WLQY-AM | 1320 | kHz | Time Brokered (3) | |||||
| Houston-Galveston, Texas |
4 | KGOL-AM | 1180 | kHz | Time Brokered (3) | |||||
| Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas |
6 | KTCY-FM KZMP-FM KZZA-FM |
101.7 104.9 106.7 |
MHz MHz MHz |
Super Estrella Cumbia Rhythmic Contemporary Hits (English) | |||||
| KZMP-AM | 1540 | kHz | Time Brokered (3) | |||||||
| San Francisco-San Jose, California |
8 | KBRG-FM KLOK-AM |
100.3 1170 |
MHz kHz |
Radio Romantica Cumbia | |||||
| Phoenix, Arizona |
9 | KLNZ-FM KDVA-FM KVVA-FM KMIA-AM |
103.5 106.9 107.1 710 |
MHz MHz MHz kHz |
Radio Tricolor Super Estrella (1) Super Estrella (1) Spanish Talk | |||||
| Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas |
10 | KFRQ-FM KKPS-FM KNVO-FM KVLY-FM |
94.5 99.5 101.1 107.9 |
MHz MHz MHz MHz |
Classic Rock (English) Tejano Latin Adult Contemporary Adult Contemporary (English) | |||||
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico |
11 | KRZY-FM KRZY-AM |
105.9 1450 |
MHz kHz |
Super Estrella Spanish Talk | |||||
| Sacramento, California
Stockton, California
Modesto, California |
12 | KRCX-FM KCCL-FM KBMB-FM KXSE-FM KMIX-FM KCVR-AM KTSE-FM KCVR-FM |
99.9 101.9 103.5 104.3 100.9 1570 97.1 98.9 |
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz kHz MHz MHz |
Radio Tricolor Oldies (English) Hip Hop (English) Super Estrella Radio Tricolor Spanish Talk Super Estrella Spanish Talk | |||||
| El Paso, Texas |
14 | KOFX-FM KINT-FM KYSE-FM KSVE-AM KHRO-AM |
92.3 93.9 94.7 1150 1650 |
MHz MHz MHz kHz kHz |
Oldies (English) Mexican Regional Super Estrella Spanish Talk Alternative Rock (English) | |||||
| Denver-Boulder, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado |
16 | KJMN-FM KXPK-FM KMXA-AM KPVW-FM |
92.1 96.5 1090 107.1 |
MHz MHz kHz MHz |
Super Estrella Radio Tricolor Spanish Talk Radio Tricolor | |||||
| Tucson, Arizona |
24 | KZLZ-FM | 105.3 | MHz | Radio Tricolor | |||||
| Las Vegas, Nevada |
25 | KRRN-FM KQRT-FM |
92.7 105.1 |
MHz MHz |
Super Estrella Radio Tricolor | |||||
| Monterey-Salinas-Santa Cruz, California |
32 | KLOK-FM KSES-FM KMBX-AM |
99.5 107.1 700 |
MHz MHz kHz |
Radio Tricolor Super Estrella (1) Super Estrella (1) | |||||
| Yuma, Arizona-El Centro, California |
35 | KSEH-FM KMXX-FM KWST-AM |
94.5 99.3 1430 |
MHz MHz kHz |
Super Estrella Radio Tricolor Country (English) | |||||
| Palm Springs, California |
41 | KLOB-FM | 94.7 | MHz | Super Estrella | |||||
| Lubbock, Texas |
43 | KAIQ-FM KBZO-AM |
95.5 1460 |
MHz kHz |
Super Estrella Radio Tricolor | |||||
| Reno, Nevada |
55 | KRNV-FM | 102.1 | MHz | Radio Tricolor | |||||
Market rank source: Nielsen Media Research 2005 universe estimates.
(footnotes on next page)
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| (footnotes | from preceding page) |
| (1) | Simulcast station. |
| (2) | Operated pursuant to a joint sales agreement under which we grant to a third party the right to sell advertising time on the station but we retain control over the station’s operations and programming. This arrangement will terminate effective April 1, 2005. |
| (3) | Operated pursuant to a time brokerage arrangement under which we grant to third parties the right to program the station. |
Radio Advertising
Substantially all of the revenue from our radio operations is derived from local, national and network advertising.
Local. This form of revenue refers to advertising usually purchased by a local client or agency directly from the station’s sales force. In 2004, local radio revenue accounted for approximately 75% of our total radio revenue.
National. This form of revenue refers to advertising purchased by a national client targeting a specific market. Usually this business is placed by a national advertising agency or media buying services and ordered through one of the offices of our national sales representative, Lotus/Entravision Reps LLC. Lotus/Entravision is a joint venture we entered into in August 2001 with Lotus Hispanic Reps Corp. The national accounts are handled locally by the station’s general sales manager and/or national sales manager. In 2004, national radio advertising accounted for approximately 24% of our total radio revenue.
Network. This form of revenue refers to advertising that is placed on one or all of our network formats. This business is placed as a single order and is broadcast from our network’s central location in Los Angeles, California. Network advertising can be placed by a local account executive that has a client in its market that wants national exposure. Network inventory can also be sold by corporate executives and/or by our national representative. In 2004, network radio revenue accounted for approximately 1% of our total radio revenue.
Radio Marketing/Audience Research
We believe that radio is an efficient means for advertisers to reach targeted demographic groups. Advertising rates charged by our radio stations are based primarily on the following factors:
| • | the station’s ability to attract listeners in a given market; |
| • | the demand for available air time; |
| • | the attractiveness of the demographic qualities of the listeners (primarily age and purchasing power); |
| • | the time of day that the advertising runs; |
| • | the program’s popularity with listeners; and |
| • | the availability of alternative media in the market. |
Arbitron provides advertisers with the industry-accepted measure of listening audience classified by demographic segment and time of day that the listeners spend on particular radio stations. Radio advertising rates generally are highest during the morning and afternoon drive-time hours that are the peak times for radio audience listening.
Historically, advertising rates for Spanish-language radio stations have been lower than those of English-language stations with similar audience levels. We believe that we will continue to be able to increase our rates as new and existing advertisers recognize the growing desirability of targeting the Hispanic population in the United States. We also believe that having multiple stations in a market enables us to provide listeners with alternatives, to secure a higher overall percentage of a market’s available advertising dollars and to obtain greater percentages of individual customers’ advertising budgets.
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Each station broadcasts an optimal number of advertisements each hour, depending upon its format, in order to maximize the station’s revenue without jeopardizing its audience listenership. Our non-network stations have up to 14 minutes per hour for commercial inventory and local content. Our network stations have up to one additional minute of commercial inventory per hour. The pricing is based on a rate card and negotiations subject to the supply and demand for the inventory in each particular market and the network.
Radio Competition
Radio broadcasting is a highly competitive business. The financial success of each of our radio stations and markets depends in large part on our audience ratings, our ability to increase our market share of overall radio advertising revenue and the economic health of the market. In addition, our advertising revenue depends upon the desire of advertisers to reach our audience demographic. Each of our radio stations competes for audience share and advertising revenue directly with both Spanish-language and English-language radio stations in its market, and with other media, such as newspapers, broadcast and cable television, magazines, billboard advertising, transit advertising, satellite-delivered radio services and direct mail advertising. In addition, in certain markets we operate television stations that indirectly compete for local and national advertising revenue with our radio business. Our primary competitors in our markets in Spanish-language radio are Univision (which merged with Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation in September 2003), Clear Channel Communications Inc. and Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. Several of the companies with which we compete are large national or regional companies that have significantly greater resources and longer operating histories than we do.
Factors that are material to our competitive position include management experience, a station’s rank in its market, signal strength and audience demographics. If a competing station within a market converts to a format similar to that of one of our stations, or if one of our competitors upgrades its stations, we could suffer a reduction in ratings and advertising revenue in that market. The audience ratings and advertising revenue of our individual stations are subject to fluctuation and any adverse change in certain of our key radio markets could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
The radio industry is subject to competition from new media technologies that are being developed or introduced, such as:
| • | audio programming by cable television systems, broadcast satellite-delivered radio services, cellular telephones, Internet content providers and other digital audio broadcast formats and playback mechanisms; |
| • | satellite-delivered digital audio services with CD-quality sound—with both commercial-free and lower commercial load channels—which have expanded their subscriber base and recently have introduced dedicated Spanish-language channels (for example, XM Satellite Radio now provides five Spanish-language channels, all commercial-free, and Sirius Satellite Radio provides three Spanish-language channels); and |
| • | In-Band On-Channel™ digital radio, which could provide multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services. |
While ultimately we believe that none of these new technologies can replace local broadcast radio stations, the challenges from new technologies will continue to require attention from management.
Outdoor
Our outdoor advertising operations complement our television and radio businesses and allow for cross-promotional opportunities with our radio business. Because of its repetitive impact and relatively low cost, outdoor advertising attracts both national and local advertisers. We offer the ability to target specific demographic groups on a cost-effective basis as compared to other advertising media. In addition, we provide businesses with advertising opportunities in locations near their stores or outlets.
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Our outdoor portfolio complements our broadcast operations by providing local advertisers with significant coverage of the Los Angeles, New York and Fresno markets. Our outdoor advertising strategy is designed to complement our existing television and radio businesses by allowing us to capitalize on our Hispanic market expertise. The primary components of our strategy are to maximize the strengths of our inventory, continue to focus on ethnic communities and increase market penetration.
Outdoor Advertising Markets
We own and/or operate approximately 10,900 outdoor advertising faces located primarily in high-density urban areas in Los Angeles and New York, the two largest Hispanic markets in the United States. We also maintain the exclusive rights to market advertising on public buses in Fresno, California. We believe that our outdoor advertising appeals to both large and small businesses.
Los Angeles. The greater Los Angeles market has a population of approximately 16.3 million, of which 6.8 million, or 42%, is Hispanic. As such, Los Angeles ranks as the largest Hispanic advertising market in the United States. We believe that we own all of the 8-sheet advertising faces in Los Angeles. Substantially all of our billboard inventory in Los Angeles is located in neighborhoods where Hispanics represent a significant percentage of the local population. We believe that this coverage of the Hispanic population will continue to increase as the Hispanic community continues to grow. The Los Angeles metropolitan area has an extensive network of freeways and surface streets where the average commuter spends approximately 84 minutes per day in the car.
New York. The greater New York City area has a population of approximately 19.6 million, of which approximately 3.9 million, or 20%, is Hispanic. As such, New York ranks as the second largest Hispanic advertising market in the United States. We believe that we own substantially all of the 8-sheet and 30-sheet outdoor advertising faces in New York. We also own bulletins and larger outdoor faces in Times Square and along major highways and thoroughfares in New York’s boroughs.
Outdoor Advertising Inventory
Our inventory consists of the following types of advertising faces that are typically located on sites for which we have leases or permanent easements:
| Inventory Type |
Los Angeles |
New York |
Fresno | |||
| 8-sheet posters |
5,733 | 3,212 | 193 | |||
| 30-sheet posters |
— | 1,070 | — | |||
| City-Lights |
251 | — | — | |||
| Wall-Scapes |
— | 151 | — | |||
| Bulletins |
14 | 153 | — | |||
| Transit Vehicles |
— | — | 107 | |||
| Total |
5,998 | 4,586 | 300 | |||
8-sheet posters are generally six feet high by 12 feet wide. Due to the smaller size of this type of billboard, 8-sheet posters are often located in densely populated or fast growing areas where larger signs do not fit or are not permitted, such as parking lots and other tight areas. Accordingly, most of our 8-sheet posters are concentrated on city streets, targeting both pedestrian and vehicular traffic and typically are sold to advertisers for periods of four weeks.
30-sheet posters are generally 12 feet high by 25 feet wide and are the most common type of billboard. Lithographed or silk-screened paper sheets, supplied by the advertiser, are pre-pasted and packaged in airtight bags by the outdoor advertising company and applied, like wallpaper, to the face of the display. Like the 8-sheets, our 30-sheet posters are concentrated on city streets, targeting both pedestrian and vehicular traffic and typically are sold to advertisers for periods of four weeks.
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City-Lights is a product that our predecessor created in 1998 to serve national advertisers with a new advertising format visible during both the day and night. The format is typically used by national fashion, entertainment and consumer products companies desiring to target consumers within proximity of local malls or retail outlets. A City-Lights structure is approximately seven feet wide by 10 feet high, set vertically on a single pole structure. The advertisement is usually housed in an illuminated glass casing for greater visibility at night and is sold to advertisers for periods of four weeks.
Wall-Scapes generally consist of advertisements ranging in a variety of sizes (from 120 to 800 square feet) that are displayed on the sides of buildings in densely populated locations. Advertising formats can include either vinyl prints or painted artwork. Because of a Wall-Scape’s greater impact and higher cost relative to other types of billboards, space is usually sold to advertisers for periods of six to 12 months.
Bulletins are generally 14 feet high by 48 feet wide and consist of panels or a single sheet of vinyl that are hand painted at the facilities of the outdoor advertising company or computer painted in accordance with design specifications supplied by the advertiser and mounted to the face of the display. Because of painted bulletins’ greater impact and higher cost relative to other types of billboards, they are usually located near major highways and are sold for periods of six to 12 months.
Transit Advertising is our newest form of outdoor advertising inventory and consists of advertising panels placed directly on public buses. We market this type of advertising product only in Fresno, California, where we maintain exclusive rights through a franchise agreement to sell advertising space on nearly all of Fresno’s public buses until December 31, 2005.
Outdoor Advertising Revenue
Advertisers usually contract for outdoor displays through advertising agencies, which are responsible for the artistic design and written content of the advertising. Advertising contracts are negotiated on the basis of monthly rates published in our “rate card.” These rates are based on a particular display’s exposure (or number of “impressions” delivered) in relation to the demographics of the particular market and its location within that market. The number of impressions delivered by a display (measured by the number of vehicles passing the site during a defined period and weighted to give effect to such factors as its proximity to other displays and the speed and viewing angle of approaching traffic) is determined by surveys that are verified by the Traffic Audit Bureau, an independent agency which is the outdoor advertising industry’s equivalent of television’s Nielsen ratings and radio’s Arbitron ratings.
In each of our markets, we employ salespeople who sell both local and national advertising. Our 2004 outdoor advertising revenue mix consisted of approximately 69% national advertisers and 31% local advertisers. We believe that our local sales force is crucial to maintaining relationships with key advertisers and agencies and identifying new advertisers.
Outdoor Advertising Competition
We compete in each of our outdoor markets with other outdoor advertisers including Viacom, Clear Channel, Regency Outdoor Advertising and Van Wagner Communications. Many of these competitors have a larger national network and greater total resources than we have. In addition, we also compete with a wide variety of out-of-home media, including advertising in shopping centers, airports, stadiums, movie theaters and supermarkets, as well as on taxis, trains and buses. In competing with other media, outdoor advertising relies on its relative cost efficiency and its ability to reach a segment of the population with a particular set of demographic characteristics within that market.
Seasonality
Seasonal net broadcast revenue fluctuations are common in the television and radio broadcasting industry and the outdoor advertising industry and are due primarily to fluctuations in advertising expenditures by local and national advertisers. Our first fiscal quarter generally produces the lowest net revenue for the year.
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Material Trademarks, Trade Names and Service Marks
In the course of our business, we use various trademarks, trade names and service marks, including our logos and FCC call letters, in our advertising and promotions. We believe that the strength of our trademarks, trade names and service marks are important to our business and we intend to protect and promote them as appropriate. We do not hold or depend upon any material patent, government license, franchise or concession, except our broadcast licenses granted by the FCC. In addition, the majority of our outdoor advertising structures are subject to various state and local permitting requirements.
Employees
As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately 1,102 full-time employees, including 678 full-time employees in television, 351 full-time employees in radio and 73 full-time employees in outdoor advertising. As of December 31, 2004, five of our full-time television employees and seven of our full-time outdoor employees were represented by labor unions that have entered into collective bargaining agreements with us. We believe that our relations with those unions and with our employees generally are good.
Regulation of Television and Radio Broadcasting
General. The FCC regulates television and radio broadcast stations pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934. Among other things, the FCC:
| • | determines the particular frequencies, locations and operating power of stations; |
| • | issues, renews, revokes and modifies station licenses; |
| • | regulates equipment used by stations; and |
| • | adopts and implements regulations and policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, changes in ownership, control, operation and employment practices of stations. |
A licensee’s failure to observe the requirements of the Communications Act or FCC rules and policies may result in the imposition of various sanctions, including admonishment, fines, the grant of renewal terms of less than eight years, the grant of a license renewal with conditions or, in the case of particularly egregious violations, the denial of a license renewal application, the revocation of an FCC license or the denial of FCC consent to acquire additional broadcast properties.
Congress and the FCC have had under consideration or reconsideration, and may in the future consider and adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operation, ownership and profitability of our television and radio stations, result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenue for our television and radio broadcast stations or affect our ability to acquire additional television and radio broadcast stations or finance such acquisitions. Such matters may include:
| • | changes to the license authorization process; |
| • | proposals to impose spectrum use or other fees on FCC licensees; |
| • | proposals to change rules relating to political broadcasting including proposals to grant free airtime to candidates; |
| • | proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages; |
| • | proposals dealing with the broadcast of profane, indecent or obscene language and the consequences to a broadcaster for permitting such speech; |
| • | technical and frequency allocation matters; |
| • | the implementation of digital television and radio broadcasting rules on both satellite and terrestrial bases; |
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| • | the implementation of rules governing the carriage of local analog and/or digital television signals by direct broadcast satellite services and cable television systems; |
| • | changes in broadcast multiple ownership, foreign ownership, cross-ownership and ownership attribution rules; and |
| • | proposals to alter provisions of the tax laws affecting broadcast operations and acquisitions. |
We cannot predict what changes, if any, might be adopted, nor can we predict what other matters might be considered in the future, nor can we judge in advance what impact, if any, the implementation of any particular proposal or change might have on our business.
FCC Licenses. Television and radio stations operate pursuant to licenses that are granted by the FCC for a term of eight years, subject to renewal upon application to the FCC. During the periods when renewal applications are pending, petitions to deny license renewal applications may be filed by interested parties, including members of the public. The FCC may hold hearings on renewal applications if it is unable to determine that renewal of a license would serve the public interest, convenience and necessity, or if a petition to deny raises a “substantial and material question of fact” as to whether the grant of the renewal applications would be inconsistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity. However, the FCC is prohibited from considering competing applications for a renewal applicant’s frequency, and is required to grant the renewal application if it finds:
| • | that the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity; |
| • | that there have been no serious violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the rules and regulations of the FCC; and |
| • | that there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the rules and regulations of the FCC that, when taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse. |
If as a result of an evidentiary hearing the FCC determines that the licensee has failed to meet the requirements for renewal and that no mitigating factors justify the imposition of a lesser sanction, the FCC may deny a license renewal application. Historically, FCC licenses have generally been renewed. We have no reason to believe that our licenses will not be renewed in the ordinary course, although there can be no assurance to that effect. The non-renewal of one or more of our stations’ licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Ownership Matters. The Communications Act requires prior consent of the FCC for the assignment of a broadcast license or the transfer of control of a corporation or other entity holding a license. In determining whether to approve an assignment of a television or radio broadcast license or a transfer of control of a broadcast licensee, the FCC considers a number of factors pertaining to the licensee including compliance with various rules limiting common ownership of media properties, the “character” of the licensee and those persons holding “attributable” interests therein, and the Communications Act’s limitations on foreign ownership and compliance with the FCC rules and regulations.
To obtain the FCC’s prior consent to assign or transfer a broadcast license, appropriate applications must be filed with the FCC. If the application to assign or transfer the license involves a substantial change in ownership or control of the licensee, for example, the transfer or acquisition of more than 50% of the voting equity, the application must be placed on public notice for a period of 30 days during which petitions to deny the application may be filed by interested parties, including members of the public. If an assignment application does not involve new parties, or if a transfer of control application does not involve a “substantial” change in ownership or control, it is a pro forma application, which is not subject to the public notice and 30-day petition to deny procedure. The regular and pro forma applications are nevertheless subject to informal objections that may be filed any time until the FCC acts on the application. If the FCC grants an assignment or transfer application, interested parties have 30 days from public notice of the grant to seek reconsideration of that grant. The FCC has an additional ten days to set aside such grant on its own motion. When ruling on an assignment or transfer
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application, the FCC is prohibited from considering whether the public interest might be served by an assignment or transfer to any party other than the assignee or transferee specified in the application.
Under the Communications Act, a broadcast license may not be granted to or held by persons who are not U.S. citizens, by any corporation that has more than 20% of its capital stock owned or voted by non-U.S. citizens or entities or their representatives, by foreign governments or their representatives or by non-U.S. corporations. Furthermore, the Communications Act provides that no FCC broadcast license may be granted to or held by any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than 25% of its capital stock is owned of record or voted by non-U.S. citizens or entities or their representatives, or foreign governments or their representatives or by non-U.S. corporations. Thus, the licenses for our stations could be revoked if our outstanding capital stock is issued to or for the benefit of non-U.S. citizens in excess of these limitations. Our first restated certificate of incorporation restricts the ownership and voting of our capital stock to comply with these requirements.
The FCC generally applies its other broadcast ownership limits to “attributable” interests held by an individual, corporation or other association or entity. In the case of a corporation holding broadcast licenses, the interests of officers, directors and those who, directly or indirectly, have the right to vote 5% or more of the stock of a licensee corporation are generally deemed attributable interests, as are positions as an officer or director of a corporate parent of a broadcast licensee.
Stock interests held by insurance companies, mutual funds, bank trust departments and certain other passive investors that hold stock for investment purposes only become attributable with the ownership of 20% or more of the voting stock of the corporation holding broadcast licenses.
A time brokerage agreement with another television or radio station in the same market creates an attributable interest in the brokered television or radio station as well for purposes of the FCC’s local television or radio station ownership rules, if the agreement affects more than 15% of the brokered television or radio station’s weekly broadcast hours. Likewise, a joint sales agreement involving radio stations creates a similar attributable interest for the broadcast station that is undertaking the sales function.
Debt instruments, non-voting stock, options and warrants for voting stock that have not yet been exercised, insulated limited partnership interests where the limited partner is not “materially involved” in the media-related activities of the partnership and minority voting stock interests in corporations where there is a single holder of more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock whose vote is sufficient to affirmatively direct the affairs of the corporation generally do not subject their holders to attribution.
However, the FCC also applies a rule, known as the equity-debt-plus rule, which causes certain creditors or investors to be attributable owners of a station, regardless of whether there is a single majority stockholder or other applicable exception to the FCC’s attribution rules. Under this rule, a major programming supplier (any programming supplier that provides more than 15% of the station’s weekly programming hours) or a same-market media entity will be an attributable owner of a station if the supplier or same-market media entity holds debt or equity, or both, in the station that is greater than 33% of the value of the station’s total debt plus equity. For purposes of the equity-debt-plus rule, equity includes all stock, whether voting or nonvoting, and equity held by insulated limited partners in limited partnerships. Debt includes all liabilities, whether long-term or short-term.
Under the ownership rules currently in place, the FCC generally permits an owner to have only one television station per market. A single owner is permitted to have two stations with overlapping signals so long as they are assigned to different markets. The FCC’s rules regarding ownership permit, however, an owner to operate two television stations assigned to the same market so long as either:
| • | the television stations do not have overlapping broadcast signals; or |
| • | there will remain after the transaction eight independently owned, full power noncommercial or commercial operating television stations in the market and one of the two commonly-owned stations is not ranked in the top four based upon audience share. |
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The FCC will consider waiving these ownership restrictions in certain cases involving failing or failed stations or stations which are not yet built.
The FCC permits a television station owner to own one radio station in the same market as its television station. In addition, a television station owner is permitted to own additional radio stations, not to exceed the local radio ownership limits for the market, as follows:
| • | in markets where 20 media voices will remain, a television station owner may own an additional five radio stations, or, if the owner only has one television station, an additional six radio stations; and |
| • | in markets where ten media voices will remain, a television station owner may own an additional three radio stations. |
A “media voice” includes each independently-owned and operated full-power television and radio station and each daily newspaper that has a circulation exceeding 5% of the households in the market, plus one voice for all cable television systems operating in the market.
The FCC rules impose a limit on the number of television stations a single individual or entity may own nationwide.
The number of radio stations an entity or individual may own in a radio market is as follows:
| • | In a radio market with 45 or more commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to eight commercial radio stations, not more than five of which are in the same service (AM or FM). |
| • | In a radio market with between 30 and 44 (inclusive) commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to seven commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM). |
| • | In a radio market with between 15 and 29 (inclusive) commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to six commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM). |
| • | In a radio market with 14 or fewer commercial radio stations, a party may own, operate or control up to five commercial radio stations, not more than three of which are in the same service (AM or FM), except that a party may not own, operate, or control more than 50% of the radio stations in such market. |
The FCC generally will conduct additional analysis for transactions that comply with these numerical ownership limits but that might involve undue concentration of market share.
Because of these multiple and cross-ownership rules, if a stockholder, officer or director of Entravision holds an “attributable” interest in Entravision, such stockholder, officer or director may violate the FCC’s rules if such person or entity also holds or acquires an attributable interest in other television or radio stations or daily newspapers, depending on their number and location. If an attributable stockholder, officer or director of Entravision violates any of these ownership rules, we may be unable to obtain from the FCC one or more authorizations needed to conduct our broadcast business and may be unable to obtain FCC consents for certain future acquisitions.
On June 2, 2003, the FCC concluded a nearly two-year review of its media ownership rules. The FCC revised its national ownership policy, modified television and cross-ownership restrictions in a given market, and changed its methodology for defining radio markets. A number of parties appealed the FCC’s June 2, 2003 decision. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in a decision reached on June 24, 2004, upheld certain of the Commission’s actions while remanding others for further review by the FCC. In taking that action, the Court stayed the effectiveness of all of the FCC’s actions but, in a subsequent decision, the Court permitted the FCC to implement the local radio multiple ownership rule changes that the Court had upheld. Certain of the petitioners in the case, but not the FCC or the U.S. Department of Justice, have requested that the
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Supreme Court review the action of the Court. Accordingly, the ultimate impact of changes in the FCC’s restrictions on how many stations a party may own, operate and/or control and on our future acquisitions and competition from other companies is difficult to predict at this time.
The new rules that have gone into effect amend the FCC’s methodology for defining a radio market for the purpose of ownership caps. The FCC replaced its signal contour method of defining local radio markets in favor of a geographic market assigned by Arbitron, the private audience measurement service for radio broadcasters. For non-Arbitron markets, the FCC is conducting a rulemaking in order to define markets in a manner comparable to Arbitron’s method. In the interim, the FCC will apply a “modified contour approach,” to non-Arbitron markets. This modified approach will exclude any radio station whose transmitter site is more than 58 miles from the perimeter of the mutual overlap area.
With regard to television service, the FCC’s proposed rules, which remain stayed, state:
| • | In markets with five or more television stations, a licensee may own two stations, but only one of these stations may be among the top four in ratings. |
| • | In markets with eighteen or more television stations, a licensee may own up to three television stations, but only one of these may be among the top four in ratings. |
| • | Both commercial and non-commercial stations are counted in determining the number of stations in a market. |
| • | For markets with eleven or fewer television stations, a waiver may be sought for the merger of two top-four stations. The FCC’s decision to grant a waiver will be based on whether local communities will be better served by the merger. |
With regard to the national television ownership limit, the FCC increased the national television ownership limit to 45% from 35%. Congress subsequently enacted legislation that reduced the nationwide cap to 39%. Accordingly, a company can now own television stations collectively reaching up to a 39% share of U.S. television households. Limits on ownership of multiple local television stations still apply, even if the 39% limit is not reached on a national level.
In establishing a national cap by statute, Congress did not make mention of the FCC’s UHF discount policy, whereby UHF stations are deemed to serve only one-half of the population in their television markets. The FCC has commenced a proceeding to determine if Congress intended to alter this UHF discount policy. As the licensee of UHF television stations, the elimination or modification of the UHF discount policy could have an impact on the ability of Entravision to acquire television stations in additional markets.
With regard to cross-ownership caps, radio-television cross-ownership rules would have been significantly relaxed if the June 2003 rules were permitted to go into effect. Under that decision, no cross-ownership is permitted in markets with three or fewer television stations. A waiver may be available if it can be shown that the television station does not serve the area served by the cross-owned radio station. In markets with between four and eight television stations, combinations are limited to one of the following:
| • | a daily newspaper, one television station and up to half of the radio station limit for that market; |
| • | a daily newspaper and up to the entire radio station limit for that market; and |
| • | two television stations (subject to the local television ownership rule) and up to the entire radio station limit for that market. |
For markets with nine or more television stations, the radio-television cross-ownership ban would be completely rescinded.
The future of the FCC’s new rules is made uncertain not only by the Third Circuit’s decision but also by the response of Congress to the FCC’s relaxation of existing ownership limits. As discussed above, Congress has
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already modified the nationwide television ownership cap and has considered legislation that would roll back the FCC’s proposed changes. Congress is expected to engage in a review of the communications laws in 2005 and could decide to make further substantive changes to the broadcast ownership rules.
The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest.” The FCC has relaxed or eliminated many of the more formalized procedures it developed to promote the broadcast of certain types of programming responsive to the needs of a broadcast station’s community of license. Nevertheless, a broadcast licensee continues to be required to present programming in response to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain certain records demonstrating its responsiveness. The FCC will consider complaints from the public about a broadcast station’s programming when it evaluates the licensee’s renewal application, but complaints also may be filed and considered at any time. Stations also must follow various FCC rules that regulate, among other things, political broadcasting, the broadcast of profane, obscene or indecent programming, sponsorship identification, the broadcast of contests and lotteries and technical operations.
The FCC requires that licensees must not discriminate in hiring practices. It has recently released new rules that will require us to adhere to certain outreach practices when hiring personnel for our stations and to keep records of our compliance with these requirements. On March 10, 2003, the FCC’s new Equal Employment Opportunity rules went into effect. The rules set forth a three-pronged recruitment and outreach program for companies with five or more full-time employees that requires the wide dissemination of information regarding full-time vacancies, notification to requesting recruitment organizations of such vacancies, and a number of non-vacancy related outreach efforts such as job fairs and internships. Stations are required to collect various information concerning vacancies, such as the number filled, recruitment sources used to fill each vacancy, and the number of persons interviewed for each vacancy. While stations are not required to routinely submit information to the FCC, stations must place an EEO report containing vacancy-related information and a description of outreach efforts in their public file annually. Stations must submit the annual EEO public file report as part of their renewal applications, and television stations with five or more full-time employees and radio stations with more than ten employees also must submit the report midway through their license term for FCC review. Stations also must place their EEO public file report on their Internet websites, if they have one. Beyond our compliance efforts, the new EEO rules should not materially affect our operations. Failure to comply with the FCC’s EEO rules could result in sanctions or the revocation of station licenses.
The FCC rules also prohibit a broadcast licensee from simulcasting more than 25% of its programming on another radio station in the same broadcast service (that is, AM/AM or FM/FM). The simulcasting restriction applies if the licensee owns both radio broadcast stations or owns one and programs the other through a local marketing agreement, provided that the contours of the radio stations overlap in a certain manner.
“Must Carry” Rules. FCC regulations implementing the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 require each full-service television broadcaster to elect, at three-year intervals beginning October 1, 1993, to either:
| • | require carriage of its signal by cable systems in the station’s market, which is referred to as “must carry” rules; or |
| • | negotiate the terms on which such broadcast station would permit transmission of its signal by the cable systems within its market which is referred to as “retransmission consent.” |
For the most part, we have elected “must carry” with respect to each of our full-power stations for the most-recent three-year period that commenced January 1, 2003.
Under the FCC’s rules currently in effect, cable systems are only required to carry one signal from each local broadcast television station. As our stations begin broadcasting digital signals, the cable systems that carry our stations’ analog signals will not be required to carry such digital signal until we discontinue our analog broadcasting. The FCC has considered rules to govern the obligations of cable systems to carry local stations’ signals during and following the transition from analog to digital television broadcasting. It has decided that there
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will be no “dual carriage” requirement obligating cable systems to carry a broadcaster’s paired analog and digital channels. It has also decided that that cable systems will be required to carry only one channel of digital signal from each of our stations, despite the fact that operating in the digital mode we will be able to broadcast multiple digital services. While adoption of a multicast must-carry requirement might have enabled us to take advantage of this new technology with the guarantee that our multiple programming efforts would be entitled to cable carriage, such a requirement might also have subjected us to increased competition from other stations seeking to add programming that competes with our programming as one or more of their additional program streams. It also could have subjected the “must carry” regime to further judicial review that could have resulted in the elimination of “must carry” treatment which could have had detrimental consequences for us.
Time Brokerage and Joint Sales Agreements. We have, from time to time, entered into time brokerage and joint sales agreements, generally in connection with pending station acquisitions, under which we are given the right to broker time on stations owned by third parties, or agree that other parties may broker time on our stations, or we or other parties sell broadcast time on a station, as the case may be. By using these agreements, we can provide programming and other services to a station proposed to be acquired before we receive all applicable FCC and other governmental approvals, or receive such programming and other services where a third party is better able to undertake programming and/or sales efforts.
FCC rules and policies generally permit time brokerage agreements if the station licensee retains ultimate responsibility for and control of the applicable station. We cannot be sure that we will be able to air all of our scheduled programming on a station with which we have time brokerage agreements or that we will receive the anticipated revenue from the sale of advertising for such programming.
Under the typical joint sales agreement, a station licensee obtains, for a fee, the right to sell substantially all of the commercial advertising on a separately owned and licensed station in the same market. It also involves the provision by the selling party of certain sales, accounting and services to the station whose advertising is being sold. Unlike a time brokerage agreement, the typical joint sales agreement does not involve operating the station’s program format.
As part of its increased scrutiny of television and radio station acquisitions, the Department of Justice has stated publicly that it believes that time brokerage agreements and joint sales agreements could violate the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, if such agreements take effect prior to the expiration of the waiting period under such Act. Furthermore, the Department of Justice has noted that joint sales agreements may raise antitrust concerns under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act and has challenged them in certain locations. The Department of Justice also has stated publicly that it has established certain revenue and audience share concentration benchmarks with respect to television and radio station acquisitions, above which a transaction may receive additional antitrust scrutiny. See “Risk Factors” below.
Digital Television Services. The FCC has adopted rules for implementing digital television service in the United States. Implementation of digital television will improve the technical quality of television signals and provide broadcasters the flexibility to offer new services, including high-definition television and broadband data transmission.
The FCC has established service rules and adopted a table of allotments for digital television. Under the table, certain eligible broadcasters with a full-service television station have been allocated a separate channel for digital television operation. Stations are permitted to phase in their digital television operations over a period of years after which they will be required to surrender their licenses to broadcast the analog, or non-digital, television signal to the government by the end of 2006, except that this deadline may be extended until digital television receivers reach an 85% market penetration. For a discussion of our stations’ compliance with the digital television broadcasting requirements, please see “Risk Factors,” below.
Equipment and other costs associated with the transition to digital television, including the necessity of temporary dual-mode operations and the relocation of stations from one channel to another, have imposed some
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near-term financial costs on our television stations providing the services. The potential also exists for new sources of revenue to be derived from digital television. We cannot predict the overall effect the transition to digital television might have on our business.
Digital Radio Services. The FCC has adopted standards for authorizing and implementing terrestrial digital audio broadcasting technology, known as In-Band On-Channel™ or HD Radio, for radio stations. Digital audio broadcasting’s advantages over traditional analog broadcasting technology include improved sound quality and the ability to offer a greater variety of auxiliary services. This technology permits FM and, at present, daytime AM stations to transmit radio programming in both analog and digital formats, or in digital only formats, using the bandwidth that the radio station is currently licensed to use. We have not yet elected to acquire this technology owing to the absence of receivers equipped to receive such signals and are considering its merits as well as its costs. It is unclear what effect such technology will have on our business or the operations of our radio stations, whether we engage in HD Radio or not.
Radio Frequency Radiation. The FCC has adopted rules limiting human exposure to levels of radio frequency radiation. These rules require applicants for renewal of broadcast licenses or modification of existing licenses to inform the FCC whether the applicant’s broadcast facility would expose people to excessive radio frequency radiation. We currently believe that all of our stations are in compliance with the FCC’s current rules regarding radio frequency radiation exposure.
Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service. The FCC has allocated spectrum to a new technology, satellite digital audio radio service, to deliver satellite-based audio programming to a national or regional audience. The FCC has licensed two entities, XM Radio, Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., to provide this service. The nationwide reach of the satellite digital audio radio service allows niche programming aimed at diverse communities that we are targeting. This technology competes for audience share, but not for local advertising revenue, with conventional terrestrial radio broadcasting. These competitors have both commenced operations and are offering their services nationwide.
Low-Power Radio Broadcast Service. The FCC has created a low-power FM radio service and has granted a limited number of construction permits for such stations. The low-power FM service consists of two classes of radio stations, with maximum power levels of either 10 watts or 100 watts. The 10-watt stations will reach an area with a radius of between one and two miles, and the 100-watt stations reach an area with a radius of approximately three and one-half miles. The low-power FM stations are required to protect other existing FM stations, as currently required of full-powered FM stations.
The low-power FM service is exclusively non-commercial. It is difficult to predict what impact, if any, the low-power FM service will have on technical interference with our stations’ signals or competition for our stations’ audiences. Due to current technical restrictions and the non-commercial ownership requirement for low-power FM stations, we expect that low-power FM service will cause little or no signal interference with our stations.
Other Proceedings. The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999, or SHVIA, allows satellite carriers to deliver broadcast programming to subscribers who are unable to obtain television network programming over the air from local television stations. Congress in 1999 enacted legislation to amend the SHVIA to facilitate the ability of satellite carriers to provide subscribers with programming from local television stations. Any satellite company that has chosen to provide local-into-local service must provide subscribers with all of the local broadcast television signals that are assigned to the market and where television licensees ask to be carried on the satellite system. We have taken advantage of this law to secure carriage of our full-service stations in those markets where the satellite operators have implemented local-into-local service, although one of the satellite carriers, EchoStar/Dish Network, attempted to require its customers to install a second dish in order to receive our stations’ signals. The FCC has told this satellite carrier that it cannot utilize this second dish method of delivering our local broadcast signal to its customers, but an appeal is pending. The SHVIA expired in
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2004 and Congress adopted the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (SHVERA). SHVERA extended the ability of satellite operators to implement local-into-local service and, among its other provisions, required that the use of second dishes by satellite operators be ended on or before June 8, 2006. Please see “Risk Factors,” below.
Regulation of Outdoor Advertising
Outdoor advertising is subject to extensive governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Federal law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, regulates outdoor advertising on federally aided primary and interstate highways. As a condition to federal highway assistance, the Highway Beautification Act requires states to restrict billboards on such highways to commercial and industrial areas and imposes certain additional size, spacing and other limitations. All states have passed state billboard control statutes and regulations at least as restrictive as the federal requirements, including removal of any illegal signs on such highways at the owner’s expense and without compensation. We believe that the number of our billboards that may be subject to removal as illegal is immaterial. No state in which we operate has banned billboards, but some have adopted standards more restrictive than the federal requirements.
Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws. Some local governments prohibit construction of new billboards and some allow new construction only to replace existing structures, although most allow construction of billboards subject to restrictions on zones, size, spacing and height. The cities of Los Angeles and New York, our two major outdoor advertising markets, have each implemented or initiated billboard controls imposing taxes, fees and/or registration requirements in an effort to decrease or restrict the type or number of outdoor signs.
In Los Angeles, a moratorium on the construction of new billboards remains in place. In 2002, the city enacted an ordinance requiring the payment of an annual fee in connection with a new billboard inspection program, and we joined with other outdoor advertising companies in litigation challenging the validity of that ordinance and the amount of the fee. In December 2004, we entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Los Angeles pursuant to which we agreed to remove 500 8-sheet faces and pay a periodic inspection fee in exchange for the ability to maintain certain other 8-sheet faces that do not conform with their existing permits in one or more ways, as well as the ability to upgrade additional 8-sheets into City-Lights. We believe that neither the loss of the 8-sheets that we will remove nor the fee that we have agreed to pay under this settlement will have a material adverse effect on our business. The settlement has been challenged by other outdoor advertising companies operating in the Los Angeles market and implementation of the settlement agreement remains pending subject to resolution of that challenge.
In New York, billboards are regulated primarily by both provisions of the New York City Zoning Resolution and a local municipal law titled Local Law 14. Recently there have been public hearings contemplating changes to this law that could further regulate outdoor advertising within the city. At this time we cannot predict what changes, if any, will ultimately be made to this law, nor can we estimate the impact these changes will have on our New York inventory.
Federal law does not require the removal of existing lawful billboards, but does require payment of compensation if a state or political subdivision compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a federally aided primary or interstate highway. State governments have purchased and removed legal billboards for beautification in the past, using federal funding for transportation enhancement programs, and may do so in the future. Governmental authorities from time to time use the power of eminent domain to remove billboards. Thus far, we have been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for any of our billboards purchased or removed as a result of governmental action, although there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future. Local governments do not generally purchase billboards for beautification, but some have attempted to force the removal of legal but nonconforming billboards (billboards which conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations) after a period of years under a concept called “amortization,” by which the governmental body asserts that just compensation is earned by continued operation
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over time. Although there is some question as to the legality of amortization under federal and many state laws, amortization has been upheld in some instances. We generally have been successful in negotiating settlements with municipalities for billboards required to be removed. Restrictive regulations also limit our ability to rebuild or replace nonconforming billboards. In addition, we are unable to predict what additional regulations may be imposed on outdoor advertising in the future. The outdoor advertising industry is heavily regulated and at various times and in various markets can be expected to be subject to varying degrees of regulatory pressure affecting the operation of advertising displays. The outdoor industry also is protected to varying degrees by state and federal legal, including constitutional, protections on expression.
State and local governments from time to time also regulate the outdoor advertising of alcohol products. Alcohol-related advertising represented approximately 17% of the total revenue of our outdoor advertising business in 2004. As a matter of both company policy and industry practice (on a voluntary basis), we do not post any alcohol advertisements within a 500 square foot radius of any school, church or hospital. Any significant reduction in alcohol-related advertising due to content-related restrictions could cause a reduction in our direct revenue from such advertisements and a simultaneous increase in the available space on the existing inventory of billboards in the outdoor advertising industry.
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Risk Factors
We have a history of losses that, if continued, could adversely affect the market price of our securities and our ability to raise capital.
Although we had a net profit for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had a net loss of approximately $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. In addition, we had net losses applicable to common stockholders of $9.7 million, $9.1 million and $20.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. If we cannot generate profits in the future, our failure to do so could adversely affect the market price of our securities, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to raise additional equity capital or to incur additional debt.
If we cannot raise required capital, we may have to curtail existing operations and our future growth through acquisitions.
We may require significant additional capital for future acquisitions and general working capital and debt service needs. If our cash flow and existing working capital are not sufficient to fund future acquisitions and our general working capital and debt service requirements, we will have to raise additional funds by selling equity, refinancing some or all of our existing debt or selling assets or subsidiaries. None of these alternatives for raising additional funds may be available on acceptable terms to us or in amounts sufficient for us to meet our requirements. In addition, our ability to raise additional funds is limited by the terms of the credit agreement governing our bank credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes. Our failure to obtain any required new financing may, if needed, prevent future acquisitions.
Our substantial level of debt could limit our ability to grow and compete.
As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately $250 million of debt outstanding under our bank credit facility, and $225 million principal amount of our senior subordinated notes. A significant portion of our cash flow from operations will be dedicated to servicing our debt obligations, and our ability to obtain additional financing may be limited. We may not have sufficient future cash flow to meet our debt payments, or we may not be able to refinance any of our debt at maturity. We have pledged substantially all of our assets to our lenders as collateral. Our lenders could proceed against the collateral to repay outstanding indebtedness if we are unable to meet our debt service obligations. If the amounts outstanding under our bank credit facility are accelerated, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full the money owed to such lenders.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to our business, such as:
| • | limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our growth strategy or other purposes; and |
| • | placing us at a disadvantage compared to those of our competitors who have less debt. |
The indenture for our senior subordinated notes and the credit agreement governing our bank credit facility contain various covenants that limit management’s discretion in the operation of our business and could limit our ability to grow and compete.
The indenture governing our senior subordinated notes and the credit agreement governing our bank credit facility contain various provisions that limit our ability to:
| • | incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; |
| • | pay dividends and make other distributions; |
| • | make investments and other restricted payments; |
| • | create liens; |
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| • | sell assets; and |
| • | enter into certain transactions with affiliates. |
These provisions restrict management’s ability to operate our business in accordance with management’s discretion and could limit our ability to grow and compete.
If we fail to comply with any of our financial covenants or ratios under our financing agreements, our lenders could:
| • | elect to declare all amounts borrowed to be immediately due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest; and/or |
| • | terminate their commitments, if any, to make further extensions of credit. |
In addition, a breach of some of the restrictions or covenants under the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes, or an acceleration by our senior secured lenders of our obligations to them, would cause a default under our senior subordinated notes. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make accelerated payments, including payments on our senior subordinated notes, or to repay our senior subordinated notes in full after we pay our senior secured lenders to the extent of their collateral.
Any failure to maintain our FCC broadcast licenses could cause a default under our bank credit facility and cause an acceleration of our indebtedness.
Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain our FCC licenses. If the FCC were to revoke any of our material licenses, our lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the bank credit facility to be immediately due and payable. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the amounts owed.
Cancellations or reductions of advertising could adversely affect our results of operations.
We do not obtain long-term commitments from our advertisers, and advertisers may cancel, reduce or postpone orders without penalty. Cancellations, reductions or delays in purchases of advertising could adversely affect our revenue, especially if we are unable to replace such purchases. Our expense levels are based, in part, on expected future revenue and are relatively fixed once set. Therefore, unforeseen fluctuations in advertising sales could adversely impact our operating results.
Univision’s ownership of our Class U common stock may make some transactions difficult or impossible to complete without Univision’s support.
Univision is the holder of all of our issued and outstanding Class U common stock. Although the Class U common stock has limited voting rights and does not include the right to elect directors, Univision does have the right to approve any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving our company, any dissolution of our company and any assignment of the FCC licenses for any of our Univision-affiliated television stations. Univision’s ownership interest may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our company and may make some transactions more difficult or impossible to complete without Univision’s support.
Univision’s future divestiture of a portion of its equity interest in our company could adversely affect the market price of our securities.
Univision currently owns approximately 30% of our common stock on a fully-converted basis. In connection with Univision’s merger with Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation in September 2003, Univision entered into an agreement with DOJ pursuant to which Univision agreed, among other things, to ensure that its
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percentage ownership of our company will not exceed 15% by March 26, 2006 and 10% by March 26, 2009. Univision’s required divestiture of a significant portion of its equity interest in our company over the next several years, whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions, could depress the market value of our Class A common stock.
Our television ratings and revenue could decline significantly if our affiliation relationship with Univision or Univision’s programming success changes in an adverse manner.
If our affiliation relationship with Univision changes in an adverse manner, or if Univision’s programming success diminishes, our ability to generate television advertising revenue on which our television business depends could be negatively affected. Univision’s ratings might decline or Univision might not continue to provide programming, marketing, available advertising time and other support to its affiliates on the same basis as currently provided. Additionally, by aligning ourselves closely with Univision, we might forego other opportunities that could diversify our television programming and avoid dependence on Univision’s television networks. Univision’s relationships with Televisa and Venevision are important to Univision’s, and consequently our, continued success.
Because three of our directors and officers, and stockholders affiliated with them, hold the majority of our voting power, they can ensure the outcome of most matters on which our stockholders vote.
As of December 31, 2004, Walter F. Ulloa, Philip C. Wilkinson and Paul Zevnik together hold approximately 82% of the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock. Each of Messrs. Ulloa, Wilkinson and Zevnik is a member of our board of directors, and Messrs. Ulloa and Wilkinson also serve as executive officers of our company. In addition to their shares of our Class A common stock, collectively they own all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock, which have ten votes per share on any matter subject to a vote of the stockholders. Accordingly, Messrs. Ulloa, Wilkinson and Zevnik have the ability to elect each of the members of our board of directors. Messrs. Ulloa, Wilkinson and Zevnik have agreed contractually to vote their shares to elect themselves as directors of our company. Messrs. Ulloa, Wilkinson and Zevnik, acting in concert, also have the ability to control the outcome of most matters requiring stockholder approval. This control may discourage certain types of transactions involving an actual or potential change of control of our company, such as a merger or sale of the company.
Stockholders who desire to change control of our company may be prevented from doing so by provisions of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the credit agreement governing our bank credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes. In addition, other agreements contain provisions that could discourage a takeover.
Our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. The provisions of our certificate of incorporation could diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to participate in tender offers. In addition, under our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors may issue preferred stock on terms that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company. The issuance of preferred stock could also negatively affect the voting power of holders of our common stock. The provisions of our certificate of incorporation may have the effect of discouraging or preventing an acquisition or sale of our business.
In addition, the agreements governing our indebtedness and our senior subordinated notes contain limitations on our ability to enter into a change of control transaction. Under these agreements, the occurrence of a change of control, in some cases after notice and grace periods, would constitute an event of default permitting acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness.
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Displacement of any of our low-power television stations could cause our ratings and revenue for any such station to decrease.
A significant portion of our television stations is licensed by the FCC for low-power service only. Our low-power television stations operate with far less power and coverage than our full-power stations. The FCC rules under which we operate provide that low-power television stations are treated as a secondary service. If any or all of our low-power stations are found to cause interference to full-power stations, we would be required to eliminate the interference or terminate service. As a result of the FCC’s initiation of digital television service and actions by Congress to reclaim broadcast spectrum, channels 52-69, previously used for broadcasting, will be cleared and put up for auction generally to wireless services or assignment to public safety services. In a few urban markets where we operate, including Washington, D.C. and San Diego, there are a limited number of alternative channels to which our low-power television stations could migrate as they are displaced by full-power digital broadcasters and non-broadcast services. If we are unable to move the signals of our low-power television stations to replacement channels to the extent legally required, or such channels do not permit us to maintain the same level of service, we may be unable to maintain the viewership these stations currently have, which could harm our ratings and advertising revenue or, in the worst case, cause us to discontinue operations at these low-power television stations.
Our conversion to digital television, as required by the FCC, may not result in commercial benefit unless there is sufficient consumer demand.
The FCC required full-power television stations in the United States to begin broadcasting a digital television, or DTV, signal by May 1, 2002. The FCC has allocated an additional television channel to most such station owners so that each full-power television station can broadcast a DTV signal on the additional channel while continuing to broadcast an analog signal on the station’s original channel. As part of the transition from analog to DTV, full-power television station owners may be required to stop broadcasting analog signals and relinquish their analog channels to the FCC by the end of 2006 if the market penetration of DTV receivers reaches certain levels by that time.
FCC rules allowed us initially to satisfy the obligation for our full-power television stations to begin broadcasting a DTV signal by broadcasting a lower-powered signal that serves at least each full-power television station’s applicable community of license. In most instances, this rule permits us to install temporary DTV facilities of a lower power level, which does not require the degree of capital investment that we had anticipated would be necessary to meet the requirements of our stations’ DTV authorizations. Our initial cost of converting our full-power stations to DTV, therefore, has been considerably lower than it would have been if we were required to operate immediately at the full signal strength provided for by our DTV authorizations.
We are currently broadcasting DTV signals for nearly all of our full-power television stations at lower power levels by means of temporary DTV facilities, pursuant to FCC authorization. The FCC has required us to reach full-power operation, in order to protect the service contours we have sought for our full-service stations, on or before July 1, 2006. All on-air digital stations currently must be simulcasting 50% of the video programming of their analog channel or their DTV channel, which requirement will increase to 100% on April 1, 2005. Until commercial demand for digital television services increases, these digital operations may not prove commercially beneficial. Our stations may continue to broadcast analog signals until such time as the FCC or Congress mandates that television stations switch to digital-only operations.
Because our full-power television stations rely on “must carry” rights to obtain cable carriage, new laws or regulations that eliminate or limit the scope of our cable carriage rights could have a material adverse impact on our television operations.
Under the Cable Act, each broadcast station is required to elect, every three years, to exercise the right either to require cable television system operators in its local market to carry its signal, or to prohibit cable carriage or condition it upon payment of a fee or other consideration. Under these “must carry” provisions of the
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Cable Act, a broadcaster may demand carriage on a specific channel on cable systems within its market. These “must carry” rights are not absolute, and under some circumstances, a cable system may be entitled not to carry a given station. Our television stations, for the most part, elected “must carry” on local cable systems for the three-year election period that commenced January 1, 2003, and, except for isolated cases, have obtained the carriage they requested. The required election date for the next three-year election period commencing January 1, 2006 will be October 1, 2005.
Under current FCC rules, once we have relinquished our analog spectrum, cable systems will be required to carry our digital signals. The FCC’s current rules require cable operators to carry only one channel of digital signal from each of our stations, despite the capability of digital broadcasters to broadcast multiple program streams within one station’s digital allotment. The FCC has not yet set any rules for how direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, operators must handle digital station carriage, but we do not expect that they will be materially different from the obligations imposed on cable television systems.
The extent of the “must carry” rights television stations will have after they make the transition to DTV could still be changed as the DTV transition is implemented. New laws or regulations that eliminate or limit the scope of our cable carriage rights could have a material adverse impact on our television operations. We cannot predict what final rules the FCC ultimately will adopt or what effect those rules will have on our business.
Our low-power television stations do not have cable “must carry” rights. Some of our low-power television stations are carried on cable systems as they provide broadcast programming the cable systems desire. We may face future uncertainty with respect to the availability of cable carriage for our stations in seven markets where we currently hold only a low-power license.
The policies of direct broadcast satellite companies may make it more difficult for their customers to receive our local broadcast station signals.
The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act of 1999, or SHVIA, allows DBS television companies, which are currently DirecTV and EchoStar/Dish Network, for the first time to transmit local broadcast television station signals back to their subscribers in local markets. In exchange for this privilege, however, SHVIA requires that in television markets in which a DBS company elects to pick up and retransmit any local broadcast station signals, the DBS provider must also offer to its subscribers signals from all other qualified local broadcast television stations in that market. Our broadcast television stations in markets for which DBS operators have elected to carry local stations have sought to qualify for carriage under this “carry one/carry all” rule.
A controversy has arisen in the manner in which EchoStar/Dish Network has implemented the carry one/carry all rule. In order to get signals from all local stations, including the signals from our stations, EchoStar/Dish Network subscribers were being required to install a second receiving dish to receive all of the local stations in some markets. This was an inconvenience for the typical DBS subscriber and, as a result, limited the size of the viewership for our stations available only on the “second dish” under the carry one/carry all rule. The FCC has determined that EchoStar/Dish Network cannot require use of a second dish for carriage of local signals. EchoStar/Dish Network must implement alternative methods of complying with its SHVIA obligations, which has resulted in EchoStar/Dish Network not delivering certain of our stations to its customers’ primary dish. EchoStar/Dish Network has petitioned the FCC for reconsideration of this decision, and other parties have asked for review as to whether EchoStar/Dish Network was entitled to comply by any means other than by placing all television stations on the same dish. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this dispute or its effect on our stations’ ability to reach viewers who subscribe to EchoStar/Dish Network services.
The SHVIA expired in 2004 and Congress adopted the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004, or SHVERA. The SHVERA legislation requires the elimination of any second dish service by June of 2006. We do not currently expect the FCC to alter this deadline.
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The FCC’s new ownership rules could lead to increased market power for our competitors.
On June 2, 2003, the FCC revised its national ownership policy, modified television and cross-ownership restrictions, and changed its methodology for defining radio markets. The future of the FCC’s ownership rules remains uncertain due to judicial review of the FCC’s actions. Congress has also indicated its concern over the FCC’s new rules and legislation has been considered to restrict the changes. To date, however, only a reduction in the nationwide television cap has been enacted. Accordingly, the impact of changes in the FCC’s restrictions on how many stations a party may own, operate and/or control and on our future acquisitions and competition from other companies is difficult to predict at this time, but could result in our competitors’ ability to increase their presence in the markets in which we operate.
Available Information
We make available free of charge on our corporate website, www.entravision.com, the following reports, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC:
| • | our annual report on Form 10-K; |
| • | our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; |
| • | our current reports on Form 8-K; and |
| • | changes in the stock ownership of our directors and executive officers. |
The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this report or incorporated by reference into this or any other filing we make with the SEC.
Our corporate headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California. We lease approximately 13,000 square feet of space in the building housing our corporate headquarters under a lease expiring in 2007. We also lease approximately 38,000 square feet of space in the building housing our radio network and our outdoor division headquarters in Los Angeles, California, under a lease expiring in 2016. In addition, we lease a back-up radio network facility in Campbell, California, from which we could broadcast our radio network.
The types of properties required to support each of our television and radio stations typically include offices, broadcasting studios and antenna towers where broadcasting transmitters and antenna equipment are located. The majority of our office, studio and tower facilities are leased pursuant to long-term leases. We also own the buildings and/or land used for office, studio and tower facilities at certain of our television and/or radio properties. We own substantially all of the equipment used in our television and radio broadcasting business. Substantially all of our outdoor advertising structures are located on property pursuant to leases that automatically renew unless either the property owner or we opt out upon proper notice. We believe that all of our facilities and equipment are adequate to conduct our present operations. We also lease certain facilities and broadcast equipment in the operation of our business. See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
We currently and from time to time are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business, but we are not currently a party to any lawsuit or proceeding which, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our Class A common stock has been listed and traded on The New York Stock Exchange since August 2, 2000 under the symbol “EVC.” The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices reported by The New York Stock Exchange for our Class A common stock for the periods indicated:
| High |
Low | |||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2003 |
||||||
| First Quarter |
$ | 10.65 | $ | 5.20 | ||
| Second Quarter |
$ | 11.35 | $ | 5.38 | ||
| Third Quarter |
$ | 11.88 | $ | 8.90 | ||
| Fourth Quarter |
$ | 11.48 | $ | 8.99 | ||
| Year Ending December 31, 2004 |
||||||
| First Quarter |
$ | 11.67 | $ | 8.32 | ||
| Second Quarter |
$ | 9.61 | $ | 7.38 | ||
| Third Quarter |
$ | 8.49 | $ | 6.85 | ||
| Fourth Quarter |
$ | 8.57 | $ | 7.06 | ||
As of March 9, 2005, there were approximately 158 holders of record of our Class A common stock. We believe that the number of beneficial owners of our Class A common stock substantially exceeds this number.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on any class of our common stock. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on any class of our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, our bank credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes restrict our ability to pay dividends on any class of our common stock.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004:
| Plan Category |
Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Number of Securities First Column) | ||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: |
|||||||||
| Incentive Stock Plans (1) |
8,910,645 | $ | 11.71 | 11,386,467 | |||||
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
N/A | (2) | N/A | (2) | 2,071,514 | ||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
— | — | — | ||||||
| Total |
8,910,645 | $ | 11.71 | 13,457,981 | |||||
(footnotes on next page)
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(footnotes from preceding page)
| (1) | Represents information with respect to both our 2000 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. No options, warrants or rights have been issued other than pursuant to these plans. |
| (2) | Our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan permits full-time employees to have payroll deductions made to purchase shares of our Class A common stock during specified purchase periods. The purchase price is the lower of 85% of (1) the fair market value per share of our Class A common stock on the last business day before the purchase period begins and (2) the fair market value per share of our Class A common stock on the last business day of the purchase period. Consequently, the price at which shares will be purchased for the purchase period currently in effect is not known. |
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Presented below are our selected financial data for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2004.
The data as of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000 and for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2004 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, our audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction therewith and the notes thereto. We historically have experienced significant growth primarily due to our acquisition strategy. Therefore, we may not experience the same rate of growth in 2005 that we experienced in prior years.
(In thousands, except per share and per membership unit data)
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
||||||||||||||||
| Statements of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue |
$ | 259,053 | $ | 237,956 | $ | 218,450 | $ | 189,049 | $ | 138,851 | ||||||||||
| Direct operating expenses |
112,574 | 106,961 | 100,324 | 86,792 | 51,531 | |||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
49,770 | 50,091 | 45,823 | 39,526 | 34,282 | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate expenses |
16,779 | 14,298 | 15,300 | 14,190 | 11,656 | |||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of assets |
(3,487 | ) | 945 | 707 | (4,975 | ) | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation (1) |
133 | 1,182 | 2,942 | 3,243 | 5,822 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
42,795 | 43,684 | 40,649 | 118,837 | 67,585 | |||||||||||||||
| 218,564 | 217,161 | 205,745 | 257,613 | 170,877 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) |
40,489 | 20,795 | 12,705 | (68,564 | ) | (32,026 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(28,282 | ) | (26,892 | ) | (24,913 | ) | (22,253 | ) | (29,823 | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-cash interest expense relating to related-party beneficial conversion option (2) |
— | — | — | — | (39,677 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest income |
456 | 145 | 150 | 1,281 | 5,918 | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes |
12,663 | (5,952 | ) | (12,058 | ) | (89,536 | ) | (95,608 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) (3) |
(7,044 | ) | (968 | ) | 122 | 22,999 | 3,189 | |||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before equity in net earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
5,619 | (6,920 | ) | (11,936 | ) | (66,537 | ) | (92,419 | ) | |||||||||||
| Equity in net earnings (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates |
24 | 316 | 213 | 27 | (214 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before discontinued operations |
5,643 | (6,604 | ) | (11,723 | ) | (66,510 | ) | (92,633 | ) | |||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of discontinued operations |
521 | 9,346 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
— | (475 | ) | 1,078 | 715 | 393 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) |
6,164 | 2,267 | (10,645 | ) | (65,795 | ) | (92,240 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of preferred stock redemption value |
(15,913 | ) | (11,348 | ) | (10,201 | ) | (10,117 | ) | (2,449 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss applicable to common stockholders |
$ | (9,749 | ) | $ | (9,081 | ) | $ | (20,846 | ) | $ | (75,912 | ) | $ | (94,689 | ) | |||||
| Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders, basic and diluted |
$ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.66 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
105,758 | 112,612 | 119,111 | 115,223 | 115,288 | |||||||||||||||
| Pro forma: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income tax benefit (4) |
$ | 5,904 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss (4) |
$ | (86,336 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Per share data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted (4) |
$ | (1.34 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
66,452 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss per membership unit (5) |
$ | (31.04 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
||||||||||||||||
| Other Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures |
$ | 15,572 | $ | 17,661 | $ | 19,533 | $ | 28,875 | $ | 23,613 | ||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 46,969 | $ | 19,806 | $ | 12,201 | $ | 18,336 | $ | 68,511 | ||||||||||
| Total assets |
1,689,712 | 1,686,968 | 1,573,481 | 1,535,517 | 1,560,493 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, including current portion |
482,976 | 377,615 | 305,878 | 252,703 | 254,849 | |||||||||||||||
| Series A mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock |
— | 112,269 | 100,921 | 90,720 | 80,603 | |||||||||||||||
| Total equity |
1,037,672 | 1,046,001 | 1,015,043 | 987,395 | 1,055,377 | |||||||||||||||
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(footnotes from preceding page)
| (1) | Non-cash stock-based compensation consists primarily of compensation expense relating to stock awards granted to our employees and consultants. |
| (2) | Non-cash interest expense charges relate to the estimated intrinsic value of the conversion options contained in our subordinated note to Univision in the amount of $31.6 million in 2000 and the conversion option feature in our convertible subordinated note in the amount of $8.1 million in 2000. |
| (3) | We reorganized from a limited liability company to a C corporation for federal and state income tax purposes in 2000, effective with our initial public offering on August 2, 2000. Included in the 2000 income tax benefit is a charge of $10.5 million relating to the effect of change in tax status, which resulted from the recording of a net deferred tax liability upon our reorganization. |
| (4) | The December 31, 2000 statement of operations reflects operations and the related income tax benefit as a C corporation for the period subsequent to our reorganization. Pro forma income tax expense is presented for the period from January 1, 2000 through the August 2, 2000 reorganization on the same basis as the preceding years. |
| (5) | Loss per membership unit is computed as net loss of our predecessor divided by the number of membership units as of the last day of each reporting period. For 2000, loss per membership unit is for the period from January 1, 2000 through the August 2, 2000 reorganization. |
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and consolidated financial condition as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this document.
OVERVIEW
We are a diversified Spanish-language media company with a unique portfolio of television, radio and outdoor advertising assets, reaching approximately 75% of all Hispanics in the United States. We operate in three reportable segments: television broadcasting, radio broadcasting and outdoor advertising.
As of the date of filing this report, we own and/or operate 47 primary television stations that are located primarily in the southwestern United States. We own and operate 54 radio stations (41 FM and 13 AM) located primarily in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. Our outdoor advertising segment consists of approximately 10,900 advertising faces located primarily in Los Angeles and New York.
The comparability of our results between 2004, 2003 and 2002 is significantly affected by acquisitions and dispositions in those periods. In those years, we primarily acquired new media properties in markets where we already owned existing media properties. While new media properties contribute to the financial results of their markets, we do not attempt to measure their effect as they typically are integrated into existing operations.
We generate revenue from sales of national and local advertising time on television and radio stations and advertising on our billboards. Advertising rates are, in large part, based on each medium’s ability to attract audiences in demographic groups targeted by advertisers. We recognize advertising revenue when commercials are broadcast and when outdoor advertising services are provided. We do not obtain long-term commitments from our advertisers and, consequently, they may cancel, reduce or postpone orders without penalties. We pay commissions to agencies for local, regional and national advertising. For contracts directly with agencies, we record commissions as deductions from gross revenue. Seasonal revenue fluctuations are common in the broadcasting and outdoor advertising industries and are due primarily to variations in advertising expenditures by both local and national advertisers.
Our primary expenses are employee compensation, including commissions paid to our sales staffs, commissions paid to our national representative firms, as well as expenses for marketing, promotion and selling, technical, local programming, engineering and general and administrative. Our local programming costs for television consist primarily of costs related to producing a local newscast in most of our markets.
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Highlights
Despite a relatively difficult economic environment, we experienced growth for the year ended December 31, 2004, and net revenue of $259.1 million. Of that amount, revenue generated by our television segment accounted for 52%, revenue generated by our radio segment accounted for 36% and revenue generated by our outdoor segment accounted for 12%.
Our television segment led our success again in 2004, generating $135.9 million in net revenue as we continued to sustain solid ratings across our station group. We also launched an aggressive local sales initiative early in the year. As a result, for the first time in our company’s history, local advertising revenue growth exceeded national advertising revenue growth in three of the four quarters of the year. Local advertising now accounts for about half of our total television revenue. Our television results were driven by continued growth in our top advertising categories, including automotive, retail services, fast-food restaurants and political advertising.
We were particularly pleased with the success of our TeleFutura group in 2004. TeleFutura is now vying with Telemundo to be the second-ranked Spanish-language station in several of our markets, behind our top-ranked Univision affiliates in those markets. Revenue from our TeleFutura stations in 2004 increased 42% over 2003. Although this contribution is still relatively small compared to our overall television revenue, we believe that it is an important source of future growth for our company. In the first quarter of 2005, we launched new TeleFutura affiliates in the two important border markets of McAllen and Laredo, Texas, giving us Univision-TeleFutura duopolies in 18 of our 23 television markets.
Our radio segment also had a solid 2004, contributing $92.2 million in net revenue as we strengthened our sales efforts on both the national and local sales fronts. Early in the year we successfully completed the relocation of our radio network headquarters to Los Angeles and consolidated our outdoor division’s corporate offices in that same facility. This move has based our radio division in the nation’s largest Hispanic market, and its proximity to our outdoor division offers increased opportunities for cross-selling and cross-promotion between these two businesses.
In October 2004, we purchased an FM radio station in the Sacramento, California market, which increased our cluster to four stations in this important U.S. Hispanic market. During the year we also completed the divestiture of non-core radio stations in Chicago and Fresno, two markets where we did not see the opportunity to grow to scale and build out full clusters. The sale of these properties, along with the disposition of a non-core AM radio station in Dallas, allowed us to redeploy capital to markets with greater growth and earning potential.
One of our key challenges in 2004 was to replace a popular Spanish-language personality who left our radio network in 2003. Although this has been an ongoing process, we believe that we made great strides this year by restructuring our radio programming department, including the appointment of a new programming director. In total, we changed the formats of 10 of our radio stations, with five of those stations successfully switching to our “Super Estrella” format, a pop and alternative Spanish-rock format that provides a musical home for young Hispanics. We also recently entered into a three-year network affiliation agreement for the broadcast of Renan Alemendarez Coello’s popular “El Cucuy De La Mañana” program on our Radio Tricolor network.
Our outdoor segment rebounded from a challenging 2003, providing $30.9 million of our net revenue in 2004. In addition to benefiting from an overall improvement in the national advertising market in both New York and Los Angeles during the second half of the year, we also attribute the improvement in our outdoor business to several internal factors. During the first half of the year, we replaced the head of the division and sales management in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago in order to execute a more aggressive sales strategy throughout the segment. We also initiated a maintenance program during the first half of 2004 to upgrade the quality of our 8- and 30-sheet poster inventory, which we believe helped to bolster advertisers’ interest in our posters. Looking ahead, we believe that the momentum that our outdoor segment created during the second half of 2004 will continue as we head further into 2005.
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We also took several key steps in 2004 toward strengthening our balance sheet and improving our capital structure. In August, we refinanced our former bank credit facility with a new $400 million senior secured facility. We also repurchased all of our Series A mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock in two separate transactions during the third quarter. Finally, we converted all of our Series U preferred stock held by Univision into shares of our new Class U common stock, so that by the end of 2004 we had no preferred stock outstanding.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
During 2004, we sold the assets of five radio stations—three in Chicago, Illinois, one in Fresno, California and one in Dallas, Texas—for an aggregate of approximately $40.3 million.
In September 2004, we acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Diamond Radio, Inc., the owner and operator of radio station KBMB-FM in the Sacramento, California market for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $17.6 million. We evaluated the transferred set of activities, assets, inputs, outputs and processes associated with this acquisition and determined that it constituted a business. Please see Note 3 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2005, we acquired television stations KVTF-CA and KTFV-CA in the McAllen, Texas market and television station KETF-CA in the Laredo, Texas market, for an aggregate of approximately $3.8 million.
Also in February 2005, we acquired the assets of radio station KAIQ-FM in the Lubbock, Texas market for approximately $1.7 million.
We evaluated the transferred set of activities, assets, inputs, outputs and processes from each of our completed 2005 acquisitions and determined that the items excluded were significant and that each of these acquisitions was not considered a business.
Pending Acquisition
In October 2004, in combination with certain of our Mexican affiliates and subsidiaries, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of the licensee of television station XHRIO- TV in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, serving the McAllen, Texas market, as well as substantially all of the assets related to such station, for an aggregate purchase price of $13 million. We currently expect this acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2005.
Relationship with Univision
Univision currently owns approximately 30% of our common stock on a fully-converted basis. In connection with its merger with Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation in September 2003, Univision entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, pursuant to which Univision agreed, among other things, to ensure that its percentage ownership of our company will not exceed 15% by March 26, 2006 and 10% by March 26, 2009.
Also pursuant to Univision’s agreement with DOJ, in September 2003 Univision exchanged all of its shares of our Class A and Class C common stock that it previously owned for shares of our Series U preferred stock. The Series U preferred stock was mandatorily convertible into common stock when and if we created a new class of common stock that generally had the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as the Series U preferred stock (other than the nominal liquidation preference). Our stockholders approved the creation of such a new class of common stock, our Class U common stock, during the second quarter of 2004, and the shares of our Series U preferred stock held by Univision were converted into 36,926,600 shares of our new Class U common stock effective as of July 1, 2004. Neither the original exchange of Univision’s Class A and Class C
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common for our Series U preferred stock, nor the subsequent conversion of such Series U preferred stock into our new Class U common stock, changed Univision’s overall equity interest in our company, nor did either have any impact on our existing television station affiliation agreements with Univision.
The Class U common stock has limited voting rights and does not include the right to elect directors. However, as the holder of all of our issued and outstanding Class U common stock, Univision currently has the right to approve any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving our company, any dissolution of our company and any assignment of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, licenses for any of our company’s Univision-affiliated television stations. Each share of Class U common stock is automatically convertible into one share (subject to adjustment for stock splits, dividends or combinations) of our Class A common stock in connection with any transfer to a third party that is not an affiliate of Univision.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Separate financial data for each of our operating segments is provided below. Segment operating profit (loss) is defined as operating profit (loss) before corporate expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation. We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on the following:
| Years Ended December 31, |
% Change 2004 to 2003 |
% Change 2003 to 2002 |
||||||||||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||||||||||
| Net Revenue |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
$ | 135,866 | $ | 121,221 | $ | 112,405 | 12 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Radio |
92,239 | 86,526 | 75,720 | 7 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
30,948 | 30,209 | 30,325 | 2 | % | (0 | )% | |||||||||||
| Consolidated |
259,053 | 237,956 | 218,450 | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Direct operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
55,498 | 50,909 | 49,078 | 9 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Radio |
35,182 | 35,160 | 30,657 | 0 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
21,894 | 20,892 | 20,589 | 5 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||
| Consolidated |
112,574 | 106,961 | 100,324 | 5 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
21,195 | 22,903 | 21,104 | (7 | )% | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Radio |
23,615 | 22,693 | 20,582 | 4 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
4,960 | 4,495 | 4,137 | 10 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Consolidated |
49,770 | 50,091 | 45,823 | (1 | )% | 9 | % | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
14,126 | 14,786 | 14,478 | (4 | )% | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Radio |
7,292 | 7,798 | 8,241 | (6 | )% | (5 | )% | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
21,377 | 21,100 | 17,930 | 1 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||
| Consolidated |
42,795 | 43,684 | 40,649 | (2 | )% | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Segment operating profit (loss) |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
45,047 | 32,623 | 27,745 | 38 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||
| Radio |
26,150 | 20,875 | 16,240 | 25 | % | 29 | % | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
(17,283 | ) | (16,278 | ) | (12,331 | ) | 6 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||
| Consolidated |
53,914 | 37,220 | 31,654 | 45 | % | 18 | % | |||||||||||
| Corporate expenses |
16,779 | 14,298 | 15,300 | 17 | % | (7 | )% | |||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of assets |
(3,487 | ) | 945 | 707 | * | 34 | % | |||||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation |
133 | 1,182 | 2,942 | (89 | )% | (60 | )% | |||||||||||
| Operating income |
$ | 40,489 | $ | 20,795 | $ | 12,705 | 95 | % | 64 | % | ||||||||
| Broadcast cash flow (1) |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
$ | 59,173 | $ | 47,409 | $ | 42,223 | 25 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Radio |
33,442 | 28,673 | 24,481 | 17 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||
| Outdoor |
4,094 | 4,822 | 5,599 | (15 | )% | (14 | )% | |||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 96,709 | $ | 80,904 | $ | 72,303 | 20 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA as adjusted (1) |
$ | 79,930 | $ | 66,606 | $ | 57,003 | 20 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| Capital expenditures |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
$ | 10,494 | $ | 8,799 | $ | 13,680 | ||||||||||||
| Radio |
3,311 | 8,362 | 5,207 | |||||||||||||||
| Outdoor |
1,767 | 500 | 646 | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 15,572 | $ | 17,661 | $ | 19,533 | ||||||||||||
| Total assets |
||||||||||||||||||
| Television |
$ | 420,588 | $ | 393,607 | $ | 392,086 | ||||||||||||
| Radio |
1,053,754 | 1,024,911 | 921,430 | |||||||||||||||
| Outdoor |
215,370 | 233,767 | 255,483 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets held for sale |
— | 34,683 | 4,482 | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated |
$ | 1,689,712 | $ | 1,686,968 | $ | 1,573,481 | ||||||||||||
(footnotes on next page)
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(footnotes from preceding page)
| * | Percentage not meaningful. |
| (1) | Broadcast cash flow means operating income before corporate expenses, gain (loss) on sale of assets, depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock-based compensation. EBITDA as adjusted means broadcast cash flow less corporate expenses. We use the term EBITDA as adjusted because that measure does not include non-cash stock-based compensation. We evaluate and project the liquidity and cash flows of our business using several measures, including broadcast cash flow and EBITDA as adjusted. We consider these measures as important indicators of liquidity relating to our operations, as they eliminate the effects of non-cash gain (loss) on sale of assets, non-cash depreciation and amortization and non-cash stock-based compensation awards. We use these measures to evaluate liquidity and cash flow improvement from year to year as they eliminate non-cash expense items. We believe that our investors should use these measures because they may provide a better comparability of our liquidity to that of our competitors. |
Our calculation of EBITDA as adjusted included herein is substantially similar to the measures used in the financial covenants included in our bank credit facility and in the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes. In those instruments, EBITDA as adjusted is referred to as “operating cash flow” and “consolidated cash flow,” respectively. Under our bank credit facility, our ratio of debt to operating cash flow may not exceed 7.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis for the prior full four quarters. Under the indenture, the corresponding ratio of indebtedness to consolidated cash flow cannot exceed 7.1 to 1 on the same basis. The actual ratios of indebtedness to each of operating cash flow and consolidated cash flow were as follows (in each case as of December 31): 2004, 6.0 to 1; 2003, 5.7 to 1; and 2002, 5.4 to 1. We entered into our new bank credit facility in August 2004 and issued our senior subordinated notes in March 2002, so we were not subject to the same calculations and covenants in prior years. For consistency of presentation, however, the foregoing historical ratios assume that our current definitions had been applied for all periods.
While we and many in the financial community consider broadcast cash flow and EBITDA as adjusted to be important, they should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of liquidity and financial performance prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, such as cash flows from operating activities, operating income and net income. In addition, our definitions of broadcast cash flow and EBITDA as adjusted differ from those of many companies reporting similarly named measures.
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Broadcast cash flow and EBITDA as adjusted are non-GAAP measures. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to each of broadcast cash flow and EBITDA as adjusted is net income (loss). A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to net income (loss) follows (unaudited; in thousands):
| 2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
||||||||||
| Broadcast cash flow |
$ | 96,709 | $ | 80,904 | $ | 72,303 | ||||||
| Corporate expenses |
16,779 | 14,298 | 15,300 | |||||||||
| EBITDA as adjusted |
79,930 | 66,606 | 57,003 | |||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of assets |
(3,487 | ) | 945 | 707 | ||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation |
133 | 1,182 | 2,942 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
42,795 | 43,684 | 40,649 | |||||||||
| Operating income |
40,489 | 20,795 | 12,705 | |||||||||
| Interest expense |
(28,282 | ) | (26,892 | ) | (24,913 | ) | ||||||
| Interest income |
456 | 145 | 150 | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes |
12,663 | (5,952 | ) | (12,058 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) |
(7,044 | ) | (968 | ) | 122 | |||||||
| Income (loss) before equity in net earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates |
5,619 | (6,920 | ) | (11,936 | ) | |||||||
| Equity in net earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates |
24 | 316 | 213 | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before discontinued operations |
5,643 | (6,604 | ) | |||||||||