Workflow
Urban One(UONE) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated net revenue was approximately $92.2 million, down 11.7% year over year [10] - Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $12.9 million, down 42.2% [15] - Net loss was approximately $11.7 million or $0.26 per share, compared to net income of $7.5 million or $0.15 per share for the same quarter last year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Radio Broadcasting segment net revenue was $32.6 million, a decrease of 10.3% year over year [10] - Media segment net revenue was $5.9 million, down 30.9% from the prior year, with an adjusted EBITDA loss of $600,000 [12] - Cable Television segment revenue was $44.2 million, a decrease of 7.9%, with advertising revenue down 6.3% [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Local ad sales were down 12.8% against markets that were down 13.2% [10] - National ad sales were down 14.6% against markets being down 11.6% [10] - Cable subscribers for TV One decreased to 35.6 million from 37.2 million at the end of Q4 [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost controls, managing leverage, and maintaining a strong liquidity position [6][8] - Plans to invest in new distribution opportunities in the FAST and AVOD environment rather than just increasing content spending [81] - The company aims to improve local digital efforts, which currently contribute low single digits to revenue compared to competitors [58] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management indicated that radio pacing has weakened, down about 9% [5] - The expectation is that the majority of EBITDA will come in the second half of 2025, with Q2 expected to be similarly weak as Q1 [28][31] - Management does not foresee a positive rebound in advertising this year due to ongoing uncertainties [45] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $28.2 million of its 2028 notes at an average price of 58% of par [16] - Total gross debt was approximately $556.3 million, with unrestricted cash of $115.1 million, resulting in a net debt of approximately $441.3 million [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What other levers can be pulled to control costs? - Management mentioned ongoing cost-cutting measures and plans to identify further opportunities by mid-year [23][24] Question: Is the majority of EBITDA expected in the second half of 2025? - Yes, more than half is expected to come in the second half of the year [28][29] Question: Should further debt repurchases be expected? - Management indicated a deliberate and opportunistic approach to debt repurchases, suggesting that they will continue as conditions allow [32][34] Question: How is the local SMB advertising environment compared to national? - Local advertising is down low single digits, which is better than national advertising, which is experiencing more significant declines [51][53] Question: Can you break out cable TV revenue between carriage fees and advertising? - Management confirmed that this information is available in the press release [65] Question: What is the renewal schedule with large cable and MVPDs? - Charter, Verizon, and NCTC contracts are up this year, with Comcast and AT&T renewals next year [68][70] Question: How are TV One ratings performing? - Ratings have stabilized and are exceeding budgeted numbers year to date [73] Question: Is programming spend steady or growing? - Programming spend is down about 10%, with no major plans to increase it significantly [75][79]