Westwood One, Inc. Reports Results for the Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2007

Westwood One, Inc. Reports Results for the Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2007

Revenue - $451.4 Million

Adjusted EBITDA - $97.4 Million

Net Income - $24.4 Million

Earnings per Share - $0.28

NEW YORK, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Westwood One, Inc. (NYSE:WON) a provider of analog and digital content, including news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information, to the radio, TV and on-line industries, today reported its operating results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007.

Revenue for 2007 decreased 11.9% to $451.4 million compared with $512.1 million in 2006. The decrease in revenue is primarily attributable to lower audience and inventory levels, a reduction in the size of our sales force and increased competition. For 2007, we experienced revenue declines in both the National and Local/regional areas of our business. In 2007, National revenue declined 11.1% and Local/regional revenue decreased 12.5%. National revenue in 2006 benefited from the Company's exclusive broadcast of the Winter Olympic games, excluding that non-recurring revenue from 2006's amounts, National revenue would have declined approximately 9% in 2007. The decrease in National revenue was principally attributable to a reduction in RADAR rated network inventory resulting from our affiliates experiencing audience declines, lower compliance by certain affiliated stations and planned reductions in affiliate compensation, and the cancellation of certain programs, partially offset by revenue generated from new program launches. The decrease in Local/regional revenue was principally related to a reduction in our sales force from 2006, a reduction in :10 second inventory units to sell and from increased competition from radio stations.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2007, defined as operating income plus depreciation and amortization, special charges, and non-cash stock-based compensation and goodwill impairment, was $97.4 million compared with $114.6 million in 2006, a decrease of $17.2 million, or 15.0%. The decrease was principally attributable to lower revenue, partially offset by a reduction in operating costs.

Westwood One's President and CEO, Tom Beusse, stated, "We completed the year poised to stem the decline in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA we have experienced over the last several years." Mr. Beusse added, "The recently completed long-term agreement with CBS and the capital infusion and commitment we just received from Gores will allow us to make targeted investments in our business which will fuel revenue growth in the second half of 2008 and beyond. These investments will put us in a position to compete more effectively in all our businesses, some of which are in growing segments of media."

Free cash flow, defined as net income plus depreciation and amortization, special charges, stock-based compensation, and amortization of deferred financing costs less capital expenditures, in 2007 decreased approximately $22.5 million to $53.1 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared with $75.5 million, or $0.88 per diluted share in 2006. Capital expenditures were approximately $5.9 million in both periods.

Operating income in 2007 was $63.3 million compared with an operating loss of $436.0 million in 2006. In 2006 the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $515.9 million. 2006 operating income before the goodwill impairment charge was $79.9 million.

Interest expense in 2007 decreased $2.0 million, or 7.7%, to $23.6 million from $25.6 million in 2006, due to a reduction in debt levels, partially offset by an increase in interest rates.

Income tax expense increased $6.9 million to $15.7 million in 2007 from $8.8 million in 2006. The Company's effective income tax rate for 2007 was 39.2%.

Net income for the year was $24.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted common share, compared with a 2006 net loss of $469.5 million, or $5.46 per diluted common share.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2007

Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2007 decreased $15.8 million, or 11.8%, to $118.3 million from $134.1 million in the same period of 2006. The decrease is principally attributable to reduced audience and inventory levels, a reduction in our sales force and increased competition. Revenue declined in the National and Local/regional areas of our business in the quarter. National revenue declined 6.3% and Local/regional revenue decreased 16.9%.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $27.2 million compared with $37.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. The decrease is principally attributable to lower revenue, partially offset by a reduction in operating costs.

Free cash flow for the 2007 fourth quarter was $14.1 million compared with $34.9 million in the comparable 2006 quarter, a decrease of $20.8 million. Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $1.8 million compared with $0.6 million in 2006. The decrease in free cash flow is principally attributable to lower adjusted EBITDA, higher income tax expense, and higher capital expenditures.

Interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased $0.6 million, or 9.1%, to $5.9 million from $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 increased $9.6 million to $5.8 million from $(3.7) million in the same period of 2006.

For the fourth quarter of 2007, net income was $8.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared with a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2006 of $488.6 million, or $5.68 per diluted share. The 2006 net loss was principally attributable to the goodwill impairment charge that was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2006.

2008 Outlook

The Company expects 2008 revenue to increase low single digits and Adjusted EBITDA to decrease 15% - 20% as a result of making strategic investments in our core business. These investments will focus on increasing the audience we deliver to our advertisers and expanding our program offerings. We will also improve and expand our sales force. While improving these core elements of our business, we will increase our efforts in developing content for use across all media platforms.

About Westwood One

Westwood One (NYSE:WON) is a platform-agnostic content company providing over 150 news, sports, music, talk, entertainment programs, features and live events to numerous media partners. Through its subsidiaries, Metro Networks/Shadow Broadcast Services, Westwood One provides local content to the radio and TV industries and to the Web. This content includes news, sports, weather, traffic, video news services and other information. SmartRoute Systems manages traffic information centers for state and local departments of transportation, and markets traffic and travel content to wireless, Internet, in-vehicle navigation systems and voice portal customers. Westwood One serves more than 5,000 radio stations. For more information please visit www.westwoodone.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. The words or phrases "guidance," "expect," "anticipate," "estimates" and "forecast" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition any statements that refer to expectations or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Various risks that could cause future results to differ from those expressed by the forward-looking statements included in this release include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions in the U.S. and in other countries in which Westwood One, Inc. currently does business (both generally and relative to the broadcasting industry); advertiser spending patterns, including the notion that orders are being placed in close proximity to air, limiting visibility of demand; changes in the level of competition for advertising dollars; technological changes and innovations; fluctuations in programming costs; shifts in population and other demographics; changes in labor conditions; and changes in governmental regulations and policies and actions of federal and state regulatory bodies. Other key risks are described in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. Except as otherwise stated in this news announcement, Westwood One, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

   WESTWOOD ONE, INC.   SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION    Adjusted EBITDA  

The following tables set forth the Company's Adjusted EBITDA for the three month period and year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" as operating income (loss) from its Statement of Operations adjusted to exclude the following items: depreciation and amortization, stock-based stock compensation, special charges and goodwill impairment. Adjusted EBITDA is not a performance measure calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").

Adjusted EBITDA is used by the Company to, among other things, evaluate its operating performance, forecast and plan for future periods, value prospective acquisitions, and as one of several components of incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. This measure is an important indicator of the Company's operational strength and performance of its business because it provides a link between profitability and operating cash flow. The Company believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company's management, helps improve their ability to understand the Company's operating performance and makes it easier to compare the Company's results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. In addition, this measure is also among the primary measures used externally by the Company's investors, analysts and peers in its industry for purposes of valuation and comparing the operating performance of the Company to other companies in its industry. Adjusted EBITDA is also used to determine compliance with its debt covenants.

Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income as an indicator of operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA as the Company calculates it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, this measure does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use, and is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs. As Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain financial information compared with operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded. As required by the SEC, the Company provides below a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, the most directly comparable amount reported under GAAP.

   (In millions)                                        Three Months                                          Ended              Year Ended                                       December 31,          December 31,                                     2007        2006      2007        2006    Adjusted EBITDA                  $27.2       $37.6     $97.4      $114.6    Less:     Depreciation and amortization    5.1         5.3      19.9        20.8     Stock-based compensation         1.8         2.7       9.6        12.3     Special charges                  0.6         0.1       4.6         1.6     Goodwill impairment              0.0       515.9       0.0       515.9    Operating Income (Loss)          $19.7     ($486.4)    $63.3     ($436.0)      Free Cash Flow  

Free cash flow is defined by the Company as net income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, special charges and goodwill impairment less capital expenditures. The Company uses free cash flow, among other measures, to evaluate its operating performance. Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the Company's cash available to service debt and the Company's ability to make strategic acquisitions and investments, maintain its capital assets, repurchase its common stock and fund ongoing operations. As a result, free cash flow is a significant measure of the Company's ability to generate long term value. The Company believes the presentation of free cash flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by management. In addition, free cash flow is also a primary measure used externally by the Company's investors, analysts and peers in its industry for purposes of valuation and comparing the operating performance of the Company to other companies in its industry. Free cash flow per fully diluted weighted average Common shares outstanding is defined by the Company as free cash flow divided by the fully diluted weighted average Common shares outstanding.

As free cash flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, free cash flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income as an indicator of operating performance or net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free cash flow, as the Company calculates it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, free cash flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its cash needs. In arriving at free cash flow, the Company adjusts net cash provided by operating activities to remove the impact of cash flow timing differences to arrive at a measure which the Company believes more accurately reflects funds available for discretionary use. Specifically, the Company adjusts net cash provided by operating activities (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure) for capital expenditures, special charges, and deferred taxes, in addition to removing the impact of sources and or uses of cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities. Accordingly, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are not reflected. The Company provides below a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most directly comparable amount reported under GAAP, net cash provided by operating activities.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company's net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow:

   (In millions except per share amounts)                                         Three Months                                           Ended             Year Ended                                         December 31,        December 31,                                       2007       2006      2007       2006   Net Cash Provided by   Operating Activities                $7.3      $42.1     $27.8     $104.3   Plus     Changes in assets and      liabilities                       6.7      (22.7)     20.1      (45.0)     Special charges                    0.6        0.1       4.6        1.6     Deferred taxes                     1.3       16.0       6.4       20.5   Less Capital expenditures           (1.8)      (0.6)     (5.8)      (5.9)   Free Cash Flow                     $14.1      $34.9     $53.1      $75.5    Diluted weighted-average    shares outstanding                 86.4       86.0      86.4       86.0    Free Cash Flow per Share           $0.16      $0.41     $0.61      $0.88                                WESTWOOD ONE, INC.                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                  Three Months Ended       Year Ended                                    December 31,         December 31,                                   2007      2006       2007      2006      NET REVENUE                 $118,317   $134,112  $451,384   $512,085      Operating Costs               90,021     96,091   350,440    395,196     Depreciation and      Amortization                  5,100      5,332    19,840     20,756     Goodwill Impairment              -      515,916       -      515,916     Corporate General and      Administrative Expenses       2,853      3,056    13,171     14,618     Special Charges                  601        110     4,626      1,579                                   98,575    620,505   388,077    948,065      OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME       19,742   (486,393)   63,307   (435,980)     Interest Expense               5,887      6,473    23,626     25,590     Other Income                    (257)      (537)     (411)      (926)      (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME      TAXES                        14,112   (492,329)   40,092   (460,644)     INCOME TAXES                   5,807     (3,749)   15,724      8,809      NET (LOSS) INCOME             $8,305  $(488,580)  $24,368  $(469,453)      EARNINGS PER SHARE, common      only:        BASIC                       $0.10     $(5.68)    $0.28     $(5.46)        DILUTED                     $0.10     $(5.68)    $0.28     $(5.46)      WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES      OUTSTANDING:        BASIC                      86,142     85,967    86,112     86,013        DILUTED                    86,440     85,967    86,426     86,013                                WESTWOOD ONE, INC.                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)                                                 December 31,     December 31,                                                   2007              2006                 ASSETS      CURRENT ASSETS:       Cash and cash equivalents                   $6,187           $11,528       Accounts receivable, net of        allowance for doubtful accounts        of $3,602 (2007) and $4,387 (2006)        108,271           115,505       Warrants, current portion                    9,706             9,706       Prepaid and other assets                    13,990            12,483          Total Current Assets                     138,154           149,222      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                   33,012            37,353     GOODWILL                                     464,114           464,114     INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET                         3,443             4,225     OTHER ASSETS                                  31,034            41,787           TOTAL ASSETS                          $669,757          $696,701     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      CURRENT LIABILITIES:       Accounts payable                           $17,378            $35,425       Amounts payable to related parties          30,859             26,344       Deferred revenue                             5,815              8,150       Income taxes payable                         7,246              6,149       Accrued expenses and other liabilities      29,562             43,841         Total Current Liabilities                 90,860            119,909      LONG-TERM DEBT                               345,244            366,860     OTHER LIABILITIES                              6,022              7,001           TOTAL LIABILITIES                      442,126            493,770      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES     SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY       Preferred stock: authorized        10,000 shares, none outstanding               -                  -       Common stock, $.01 par value:        authorized,  300,000 shares;        issued and outstanding, 87,105        (2007) and 86,311 (2006)                      872                860       Class B stock, $.01 par value:        authorized,  3,000 shares;        issued and outstanding, 292        (2007 and 2006)                                 3                  3       Additional paid-in capital                 290,786            291,851       Unrealized gain on available for        sale securities                             5,955              4,570       Accumulated deficit                        (69,985)           (94,353)           TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY             227,631            202,931            TOTAL LIABILITIES AND            SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                 $669,757           $696,701                                WESTWOOD ONE, INC.                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                               (In thousands)                                                        Year Ended                                                       December 31,                                                    2007         2006    CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     Net income                                  $24,368     $(469,453)     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net      cash provided by operating activities:        Depreciation and amortization             19,840        20,756        Goodwill Impairment                            -       515,916        Deferred taxes                            (6,480)      (20,546)        Non-cash stock compensation                9,606        12,269        Gain on sale of property                       -             -        Amortization of deferred         financing costs and other                   481           359                                                  47,815        59,301     Changes in assets and liabilities:        Accounts receivable                        7,234        17,278        Prepaid and other assets                    (990)        6,367        Deferred revenue                          (2,335)         (936)        Income taxes payable and prepaid         income taxes                              1,097       (15,724)        Accounts payable and accrued         expenses and other liabilities          (29,435)       32,813        Amounts payable to related parties         4,515         5,152          Net Cash Provided By Operating           Activities                             27,901       104,251    CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        Capital expenditures                      (5,849)       (5,880)        Proceeds from sale of property                 -             -        Purchase of loan receivable                    -             -        Collection of loan receivable                  -         2,000        Acquisition of companies and other             -            75          Net Cash Used In Investing Activities   (5,849)       (3,805)    CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        Issuance of common stock under         equity based compensation plans               -           392        Borrowings under bank and other         long-term obligations                         -             -        Debt repayments and payments of         capital lease obligations               (25,730)      (60,685)        Dividend payments                         (1,663)      (27,640)        Repurchase of common stock                     -       (11,044)        Deferred financing costs                       -          (352)        Excess windfall tax benefits from stock         option exercises                              -            12          Net Cash Used in Financing Activities  (27,393)      (99,317)    NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS      (5,341)        1,129    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING    OF PERIOD                                     11,528        10,399    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD     $6,187       $11,528  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Westwood One, Inc.

CONTACT: Gary Yusko of Westwood One, Inc., +1-212-373-5311

Web site: http://www.westwoodone.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment