Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue in Q2 2025 was $772 million, a decrease of 7% from 2024, but 1% above the high end of original guidance for the quarter [6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $169 million in Q2 2025, a decrease of 25% from 2024 [7] - The company reported a net loss of $56 million in Q2 2025 compared to a net income of $22 million in 2024 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Political advertising revenue was lower in 2024 but exceeded expectations in Q2 2025, generating $9 million compared to a guidance of $2-3 million [20] - Core advertising revenue was down about 3% versus 2024, with automotive down high single digits, while legal advertising grew double digits [18][19] - Digital revenue increased by 8%, and new local direct business grew over 2% in 2025 [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is entering new markets through acquisitions, including Lafayette, Louisiana, and Lansing, Michigan, which will enhance local news offerings [10][11] - The company expects to leverage new sales and sports strategies in the newly acquired markets [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on M&A activities to strengthen its market presence and create duopolies, with recent transactions expected to be cash flow accretive [11][24] - The company aims to reduce debt and leverage, finishing Q2 2025 with a first lien leverage ratio of 2.99 times and total leverage of 5.6 times [12][23] - Future strategic focus will be on obtaining regulatory approvals for announced transactions and ensuring smooth transitions for stakeholders [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a cautious tone among advertisers, particularly in the automotive sector, but saw stronger core activity than projected [18] - The company anticipates challenges in providing guidance for Q3 due to various market conditions, including the impact of the Olympics on advertising revenue [21] - Management expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the potential for significant cash flow generation from upcoming political cycles [66] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share [13] - Significant progress was made in strengthening the balance sheet, with a reduction of $22 million in outstanding indebtedness during Q2 2025 [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on the balance sheet improvements - Management acknowledged the efforts in improving the balance sheet and expressed pride in the team's work [30][32] Question: Future M&A opportunities - Management indicated that while there are no current plans for additional transactions, they remain open to opportunities that arise [33][36] Question: Impact of CBS affiliation change on retransmission revenue - Management confirmed that the change in CBS affiliation would impact retransmission revenue, but emphasized ongoing efforts to create a sustainable model [90]

Core Viewpoint - Gray Media, Inc. has agreed to acquire Allen Media Group's television stations in ten markets for $171 million, which is expected to enhance Gray's market presence and create new duopolies in several regions [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The acquisition includes local television stations in three new markets: Columbus-Tupelo, Mississippi; Terre Haute, Indiana; and West Lafayette, Indiana, all of which had the highest all-day ratings in 2024 according to Comscore [2]. - The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval and waivers of FCC local ownership rules [4]. Group 2: Market Impact - The acquisition will strengthen Gray's presence in seven other markets by creating new duopolies, allowing for enhanced local news, weather, and sports programming [2]. - Gray Media currently operates in 113 television markets, reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households, with a significant number of top-rated stations [7]. Group 3: Company Background - Gray Media is the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the U.S., with a diverse portfolio that includes video production companies and digital marketing services [7]. - Allen Media Group, founded by Byron Allen, operates 28 network affiliate broadcast television stations and ten 24-hour HD television networks, serving nearly 300 million subscribers [8].

Group 1 - Gray Media, Inc. has agreed to acquire television stations from Block Communications, Inc. for $80 million, aiming to enhance its presence in the Midwest and create a Big Four duopoly in one market [1][3] - The acquisition includes WDRB and WBKI in Louisville, Kentucky, WAND in Springfield-Champaign-Decatur, Illinois, and WLIO in Lima, Ohio, all of which are top-rated local news stations in their respective markets [3][4] - Gray anticipates closing the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions [4] Group 2 - Gray Media is the largest owner of top-rated local television stations in the U.S., serving 113 television markets and reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households [6] - The company operates in 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first or second highest-rated station as of 2024 [6]

Financial Performance & Metrics - Gray reported $3.5 billion in Last Eight Quarters Annualized (L8QA) revenue[13] - The company's L8QA Operating Cash Flow was $1.1 billion, resulting in a 32% margin[13] - Gray's First Lien Leverage Ratio ranged from 2.4x to 2.6x between FY2021 and FY2023[67] - Total Debt was $6.21 billion in FY2023[68] Market Position & Reach - Gray Television is the nation's second-largest television broadcaster[12] - The company reaches 36% of total US television households[14] - Gray has 1 or 2 ranked local TV stations in 89% of its markets[13] - NextGen TV deployments reached nearly 24 million US TV households in early 2024, representing approximately 19% of the total[54] Revenue Streams & Growth - Big Four Network Programming contributed 30% of Gray's 2023 Television Ad Revenue[24] - Political Advertising Revenue increased by 38% in 2022 over the prior mid-term year of 2018[38, 43, 49] - Gray Digital Platforms transmitted 836 million video streams and attracted 10.7 billion page views with 1.25 billion monthly aggregate users in 2023[52] Strategic Initiatives - Gray has completed retransmission renewals representing more than 70% of its traditional MVPD subscriber footprint as of March 1, 2024[29]