TEGNA Revenues, Income Up In First Quarter 2019

Revs Up

TEGNA INC. total company revenue rose 3% year-to-year to $517 million in first quarter 2019; Adjusted total company revenue, excluding political and estimated incremental OLYMPICS and SUPER BOWL-related revenue, rose 8%. Adjusted EBITDA fell 3% to $153 million, anticipated with the loss of political, OLYMPICS, and SUPER BOWL revenues. Net income increased 34% to $74 million, boosted by a $12 million gain from the sale of CAPTIVATE, a $3 million real estate sale gain, and $4 million in FCC repacking reimbursements. The company does not break out results for its only radio properties, News-Talk KFMB-A and Rock KFMB-F/SAN DIEGO.

“2019 is off to a good start, and we are executing on both the organic and inorganic components of our strategy. Our subscription revenues posted an 18 percent year-over-year increase and our key operating metrics all performed at the high-end of our expectations,” said Pres./CEO DAVE LOUGEE. “Our paid subscriber counts are extremely stable, and we expect to continue to outperform the industry on this metric due to our geographic footprint in growing markets with attractive demographics.

“On the M&A front, we announced the purchase of the NEXSTAR divestitures, our largest acquisition since becoming a pure play broadcaster in JUNE 2017. These 11 local television stations complement our existing portfolio of top affiliates and add four key markets to our political footprint, putting us in an even stronger position to benefit from the expected record spending around the 2020 presidential election. This week, we also announced the acquisition of multicast channels JUSTICE NETWORK and QUEST, two fast-growing networks that leverage the tailwinds of the increasing numbers of over-the-air viewers. As previously announced, we also closed on the acquisitions of WTOL in TOLEDO, OH and KWES in MIDLAND-ODESSA, TX in JANUARY.

“To date in 2019, we have announced or closed on more than $900 million of attractive assets that fit our strategic profile and will be immediately accretive to free cash flow. We will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities that align with our strategy and meet our financial criteria. Leveraging the strength of our balance sheet, we will continue to execute on our plan and create value for shareholders.”

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