Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter 2025 Results

Core Insights - Saga Communications, Inc. reported a net revenue decrease of 1.8% to $28.2 million for Q3 2025 compared to $28.7 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to increased operating expenses related to a music licensing settlement [1][2] - The company experienced an operating loss of $626 thousand in Q3 2025, a significant decline from an operating income of $1.6 million in the same quarter last year [1][2] - For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, net revenue decreased by 3.7% to $80.6 million compared to $83.7 million in the previous year [2][3] Financial Performance - Q3 2025 station operating expenses rose by $2.0 million or 8.7% to $24.7 million, largely due to a retroactive rate adjustment of approximately $2.1 million from music licensing organizations [1][2] - Without the impact of the music licensing settlement, the operating loss would have been an operating income of $1.5 million, and station operating income would have been $5.6 million [1][2] - For the nine-month period, station operating income decreased by 23.0% to $11.7 million, with an operating loss of $1.5 million compared to an operating income of $1.4 million in the previous year [2][3] Capital Expenditures and Dividends - Capital expenditures for Q3 2025 were $600 thousand, unchanged from the same period last year, while total capital expenditures for the nine-month period were $2.6 million, down from $3.2 million [1][2] - The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on September 19, 2025, totaling approximately $1.6 million, and has paid over $140 million in dividends since 2012 [6][7] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of September 30, 2025, the company had $26.3 million in cash and short-term investments, which increased to $34.2 million by November 3, 2025 [7] - The company expects to spend approximately $3.25 to $3.75 million on capital expenditures during 2025 [7] Political Revenue - Gross political revenue for Q3 2025 was $73 thousand, a significant decrease from $677 thousand in the same period last year, and for the nine-month period, it was $395 thousand compared to $1.3 million [4]