Emmis Reports Q2 Radio Net Revenues Down 3.3%

Soft Quarter

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS has released results for its second fiscal quarter, ending AUGUST 31st. Radio net revenues for the second fiscal quarter were down 3.3%, from $47.6 million to $46.0 million. Per MILLER KAPLAN reporting, which excludes barter and syndication revenues, EMMIS radio revenues were down 3.8% in markets up 1%. 

For the second fiscal quarter, operating income declined to $4.9 million from $9.9 million in the same quarter of the prior year, "partially due to a $3.0 million noncash impairment charge related to DIGONEX intangibles," the company said. 

Publishing net revenues were down 13.5% in the second fiscal quarter, from $14.6 million to $12.6 million. On AUGUST 18th, the Company announced that it was exploring strategic alternatives for its publishing division, excluding INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY magazine.  The Company also announced it was exploring strategic alternatives for its TERRE HAUTE radio stations and WLIB-A/NEW YORK.

"Across the board, this was a difficult quarter," said Chairman/CEO JEFF SMULYAN. "Third-quarter radio revenues are currently pacing flat to the prior year. We are hopeful that we will see political advertising tailwinds strengthen as we move through OCTOBER. We are increasing marketing spend at some of our largest brands to boost ratings and to give us a competitive advantage."

"NEXTRADIO continues to make progress on multiple fronts," SMULYAN continued. "NEXTRADIO-compatible SAMSUNG GALAXY S7, S7 EDGE and NOTE 7 smartphones are now available across all carriers, and an industry marketing campaign has begun to promote this to consumers. NEXTRADIO continues to grow its geographic footprint and is now available in MEXICO, CANADA and PERU. Lastly, there is marked and deserved interest in our magazines, and while it is early in the process, I'm optimistic about the reaction to these marquee brands," SMULYAN concluded.

The 10-Q filing also disclosed that the appeal by former WLIB talk host BOB LAW, NEW YORK City Councilman CHARLES BARRON, COMMITTEE TO ELIMINATE MEDIA OFFENSIVE TO AFRICAN PEOPLE (CEMOTAP) member BETTY DOPSON, and MICHAEL D. NORTH of the denial of their lawsuit challenging the sale of Urban AC WBLS and Gospel WLIB-A/NEW YORK by INNER CITY's URBAN RADIO I, LLC, as debtor-in-possession, to YMF MEDIA, NEW YORK LICENSEE LLC, which then sold the stations to EMMIS in 2014, was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NEW YORK on SEPTEMBER 14th of this year.

« see more Net News