Gray Reports Operating Results for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2009

Gray Reports Operating Results for the Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2009

ATLANTA, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray," "we" or "us") (NYSE:GTN) today announced results from operations for the three-month period (the "third quarter") and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008.

   Highlights:                                                       Three Months Ended                                                         September 30,                                                  --------------------------                                                  2009       2008   % Change                                                  ----       ----   --------                                                    (in thousands, except                                                       for percentages)    Revenues (less agency commissions)            $66,446    $82,631   (20)%    Broadcast expenses (before depreciation,    amortization and gain on disposal of assets) $46,173    $49,907    (7)%    Corporate expenses (before depreciation,    amortization and gain on disposal of assets)  $3,308     $3,754   (12)%    

Our stations and the television broadcast industry as a whole continued to deal with the challenges of the current economic recession and increased competition from internet advertising through the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. We remain committed to operating our stations in a manner that generates maximum revenue while minimizing operating expenses during these difficult times.

Our results for the third quarter were positively impacted by our entry into an agreement with Young Broadcasting Inc. This agreement was effective August 10, 2009. Under its terms we will provide consulting services and receive an annual payment of $2.2 million. We expect to provide these consulting services through December 31, 2012.

Earlier this year we renegotiated many of our cable distribution contracts, which has resulted in increased retransmission consent revenue through the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009. We continue to integrate new strategies into our stations' websites to generate revenue. We continue to experiment with new technologies such as mobile television in order to lay the ground work for new revenue streams in the future. Although our operating results are down compared to the prior year, we believe that our recent operating results compare favorably to other television broadcast companies.

Comments on Results of Operations for the Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2009:

Revenue.

Total net revenue decreased $16.2 million, or 20%, to $66.4 million due primarily to decreased local, national and political advertising revenue and decreased production and other revenue. These decreases were partially offset by increased retransmission consent revenue and increased consulting revenue in the third quarter. Retransmission consent revenue reflects the more profitable terms of our recently renewed contracts. Consulting revenue increased to $0.3 million due to the agreement with Young Broadcasting Inc. Local and national advertising revenue decreased due to reduced spending by advertisers as a result of the current economic recession. Historically, our industry's largest advertiser category has been the automotive industry. The recession has significantly reduced the automotive industry's advertising expenditures. Our third quarter automotive advertising revenue decreased approximately 33% compared to the prior year. In addition, during the 2008 three-month period we earned a total of $3.4 million of net revenue from local and national advertisers during the broadcast of the 2008 Summer Olympics on our ten NBC stations. There are no Olympic Game broadcasts during 2009. Political advertising revenue decreased, reflecting decreased advertising from political candidates during the "off year" of the two-year political advertising cycle.

Local advertising revenue decreased $5.1 million, or 11%, to $41.1 million.

National advertising revenue decreased $4.8 million, or 27%, to $12.8 million.

Internet advertising revenue remained relatively stable at $2.9 million.

Political advertising revenue decreased $10.0 million, or 76%, to $3.1 million.

Retransmission consent revenue increased $3.6 million, or 466%, to $4.3 million.

Production and other revenue decreased $0.1 million, or 6%, to $1.7 million.

Consulting revenue resulting from the Young Broadcasting, Inc. agreement was $0.3 million in the third quarter.

Operating expenses.

Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) decreased $3.7 million, or 7%, to $46.2 million due primarily to a reduction in compensation expense of $1.3 million, professional service expenses of $1.1 million, facility fees of $0.4 million and syndicated programming of $0.3 million. Payroll expense decreased primarily due to a reduction in the number of employees. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, we employed 2,202 and 2,313 full and part-time employees, respectively, in our broadcast operations. Professional service expenses decreased primarily due to lower national representation fees, which are paid based upon a percentage of our national revenue. Facility fees decreased primarily due to lower electricity expense resulting from the discontinuance of our analog broadcasts.

Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) decreased $0.4 million, or 12%, to $3.3 million due primarily to a decrease in market research consulting of $0.4 million. We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Comments on Results of Operations for the Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 2009:

Revenue.

Total net revenue decreased $39.5 million, or 17%, to $192.9 million due primarily to decreased local, national, political and internet advertising revenue, decreased network compensation revenue and decreased production and other revenue. These decreases were partially offset by increased retransmission consent revenue and consulting revenue in the 2009 nine-month period. Retransmission consent revenue reflects the more profitable terms of our recently renewed contracts. Consulting revenue increased to $0.3 million for the 2009 nine-month period due to a new agreement for consulting services with Young Broadcasting, Inc. Local and national advertising revenue for the 2009 nine-month period decreased due to reduced spending by advertisers in the current economic recession. Historically, our industry's largest advertiser category has been the automotive industry. The current recession has significantly reduced the automotive industry's advertising expenditures. Our automotive advertising revenue decreased approximately 41% compared to the prior year. In addition, during the 2008 nine-month period we earned a total of $3.4 million of net revenue from local and national advertisers during the broadcast of the 2008 Summer Olympics on our ten NBC stations. There are no Olympic Game broadcasts during 2009. The negative effects of the recession were partially offset by increased advertising during the 2009 Super Bowl. Net advertising revenue associated with the broadcast of the 2009 Super Bowl on our ten NBC affiliated stations approximated $750,000, which was an increase from the approximate $130,000 of Super Bowl revenue earned in 2008 on our then six Fox affiliated channels. Internet advertising revenue decreased during the 2009 nine-month period due to the same factors that affected our local and national advertising revenue but to a lesser extent. Political advertising revenue decreased in this period due to reduced advertising from political candidates during the "off year" of the two-year political advertising cycle.

Local advertising revenue decreased $17.8 million, or 13%, to $123.7 million.

National advertising revenue decreased $14.3 million, or 27%, to $38.0 million.

Internet advertising revenue decreased $0.4 million, or 5%, to $8.2 million.

Political advertising revenue decreased $16.1 million, or 76%, to $5.0 million.

Retransmission consent revenue increased $9.7 million, or 439%, to $11.9 million.

Production and other revenue decreased $0.8 million, or 14%, to $5.2 million.

Consulting revenue resulting from the Young Broadcasting agreement was $0.3 million for the 2009 nine-month period.

Operating expenses.

Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) decreased $11.4 million, or 8%, to $137.0 million due primarily to a reduction in compensation expense of $5.8 million, professional services expense of $1.8 million, facility fees of $0.7 million, supply fees of $0.6 million and syndicated programming expense of $0.4 million. Compensation expense decreased primarily due to a reduction in the number of employees. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, we employed 2,202 and 2,313 full and part-time employees, respectively, in our broadcast operations. Professional services expense decreased primarily due to lower national representation fees which are paid based upon a percentage of our national revenue. Facility fees decreased primarily due to lower electricity expense resulting from the discontinuance of our analog broadcasts. Supply fees decreased due to lower gasoline costs and improved controls on supply purchases.

Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) increased $0.9 million, or 9%, to $10.9 million during the 2009 nine-month period. The increase was due primarily to an increase in relocation expense of $0.6 million, an increase in legal expense of $0.5 million and an increase in severance expense of $0.1 million. We currently believe the relocation cost incurred in 2009 will not recur in future years to the same extent as 2009. Also, approximately $0.4 million of the increased legal costs were attributable to the negotiation and documentation of our new retransmission consent agreements, and such costs are currently not anticipated to recur in future periods to the same extent. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in market research of $0.4 million. We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 of $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Internet Initiatives:

We are currently undertaking internet-based initiatives in each of our markets. These initiatives include web, mobile and desktop applications. Our focus has been to expand the applicable local content on our websites and to drive increased traffic. The increased traffic is illustrated below by the aggregate page views reported by our websites in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008.

                         Gray Websites - Aggregate Page Views                                                       Three Months Ended                                                         September 30,                                                   -------------------------                                                                        %                                                   2009       2008    Change                                                   ----       ----    ------                                                  (views in millions)   Total aggregate page views (including    video plays and cell phone page views)         189.3      149.3     27%                                                         Nine Months Ended                                                         September 30,                                                   -------------------------                                                                        %                                                   2009       2008    Change                                                   ----       ----    ------                                                  (views in millions)   Total aggregate page views (including    video plays and cell phone page views)         557.2      461.8     21%    

We attribute the increase in our website traffic to increased posting of local content and public awareness of our websites resulting from our on-air promotion of our websites.

The aggregate internet revenues are derived from two sources. The first source is advertising or sponsorship opportunities directly on our websites. We call this "direct internet revenue." The other revenue source is television advertising time purchased by our clients to directly promote their involvement in our websites. We refer to this internet revenue source as "internet related commercial time sales."

In the future we anticipate our direct internet revenue will grow at a faster pace relative to our internet related commercial time sales.

   Detailed table of operating results:                               Gray Television, Inc.                      Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)            (in thousands except for per share data and percentages)                                                          Three Months Ended                                                          September 30,                                                     -----------------------                                                                        %                                                     2009      2008   Change                                                     ----      ----   ------    Revenues (less agency commissions)               $66,446   $82,631   (20)%   Operating expenses  before depreciation,    amortization and gain on disposal of    assets, net:     Broadcast                                       46,173    49,907    (7)%     Corporate and administrative                     3,308     3,754   (12)%   Depreciation and amortization of intangible    assets                                            8,170     8,797    (7)%   Gain on disposals of assets, net                  (1,835)     (338)  443%                                                     ------      ----                                                     55,816    62,120   (10)%                                                     ------    ------   Operating income                                  10,630    20,511   (48)%   Other income (expense):     Miscellaneous income, net                           13        36   (64)%     Interest expense                               (19,400)  (12,626)   54%                                                    -------   -------   (Loss) income before income tax                   (8,757)    7,921   Income tax (benefit) expense                      (3,237)    3,277                                                     ------     -----   Net (loss) income                                 (5,520)    4,644   Preferred dividends (includes accretion of    issuance cost of $301 and $275, respectively)     4,468     3,167    41%                                                      -----     -----   Net (loss) income available to common    stockholders                                    $(9,988)   $1,477                                                    =======    ======    Basic per share information:     Net (loss) income available to common      stockholders                                   $(0.21)    $0.03                                                     ======     =====     Weighted-average shares outstanding             48,519    48,370     0%                                                     ======    ======    Diluted per share information:     Net (loss) income available to common      stockholders                                   $(0.21)    $0.03                                                     ======     =====     Weighted-average shares outstanding             48,519    48,413     0%                                                     ======    ======    Political revenue (less agency commissions)       $3,071   $13,065   (76)%                                 Gray Television, Inc.                       Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)            (in thousands except for per share data and percentages)                                                        Nine Months Ended                                                         September 30,                                                     -----------------------                                                                        %                                                     2009      2008   Change                                                     ----      ----   ------    Revenues (less agency commissions)              $192,857  $232,373   (17)%   Operating expenses  before depreciation,    amortization and gain on disposal of    assets, net:     Broadcast                                      136,994   148,383    (8)%     Corporate and administrative                    10,946    10,015     9%   Depreciation and amortization of intangible    assets                                           24,978    26,788    (7)%   Gain on disposals of assets, net                  (4,455)   (1,343)  232%                                                     ------    ------                                                    168,463   183,843    (8)%                                                    -------   -------   Operating income                                  24,394    48,530   (50)%   Other income (expense):     Miscellaneous income, net                           26       126   (79)%     Interest expense                               (49,520)  (41,827)   18%     Loss on early extinguishment of debt            (8,352)        -                                                     ------       ---   (Loss) income before income tax benefit          (33,452)    6,829   Income tax (benefit) expense                     (12,364)    2,820                                                    -------     -----   Net (loss) income                                (21,088)    4,009   Preferred dividends (includes accretion of issuance     cost of $903 and $275, respectively)            12,569     3,292   282%                                                     ------     -----   Net (loss) income available to common    stockholders                                   $(33,657)     $717                                                   ========      ====    Basic per share information:     Net (loss) income available to common      stockholders                                   $(0.69)    $0.01                                                     ======     =====     Weighted-average shares outstanding             48,505    48,253     1%                                                     ======    ======    Diluted per share information:     Net (loss) income available to common      stockholders                                   $(0.69)    $0.01                                                     ======     =====     Weighted-average shares outstanding             48,505    48,293     0%                                                     ======    ======    Political revenue (less agency commissions)       $5,022   $21,089   (76)%      Other Financial Data:                                        September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008                                       ------------------  -----------------                                                   (in thousands)                                           (unaudited)    Cash                                         $8,200            $30,649   Long-term debt, including current    portion                                   $793,829           $800,380   Preferred stock                             $93,085            $92,183   Borrowing availability under our    senior credit facility                     $29,191            $12,262                                                Nine Months Ended September 30,                                            -------------------------------                                                2009               2008                                                ----               ----                                              (unaudited and in thousands)    Net cash provided by operating    activities                                  $5,438            $36,692   Net cash used in investing activities       (13,946)           (12,144)   Net cash used in financing activities       (13,941)            (7,311)                                               -------             ------   Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash    equivalents                               $(22,449)           $17,237                                              ========            =======      Guidance for the Fourth Quarter of 2009   

We currently anticipate that our broadcast results of operations for the three months ending December 31, 2009 (the "fourth quarter of 2009") will approximate the ranges presented in the table below.

                                            %                 %                                 2009     Change   2009     Change                                Guidance   From   Guidance   From                                  Low     Actual   High     Actual  Actual   Selected operating data:      Range     2008    Range     2008    2008   ------------------------      -----     ----    -----     ----    ----                                           (dollars in thousands)   OPERATING REVENUE:     Revenue (less agency      commissions)              $70,000   (26)%   $71,500    (25)%  $94,803    OPERATING EXPENSES:   (before depreciation,    amortization and other    expenses)     Broadcast                  $48,000    (6)%   $48,500     (5)%  $51,189     Corporate and      administrative             $3,400   (17)%    $3,600    (12)%   $4,082    OTHER SELECTED DATA:     Broadcast political      revenues (less agency      commissions)               $2,000            $2,500           $27,366      Expense for corporate      non-cash stock-based      compensation                 $325              $350              $362      Comments on Guidance:    Net Revenue:   

The current national economic recession has severely impacted our short-term revenue generation and has made revenue forecasting more difficult than in prior periods. Based on advertising orders received to date, pending advertising orders and advertising orders expected to be received in the future, we currently believe our fourth quarter 2009 local revenue, excluding political revenue, will increase from 2008 results by approximately 1%. We currently believe our fourth quarter 2009 national revenue, excluding political revenue, will decrease from our 2008 results by approximately 9%. Expected decreases in political revenues as forecast reflect the off-year of the political cycle.

We estimate our consulting revenue to increase to $0.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2009.

We anticipate that our retransmission consent revenues during the fourth quarter of 2009 will increase approximately $2.9 million, to a total of approximately $3.7 million, reflecting the successful retransmission negotiations concluded in December 2008. For the full year 2009, we currently anticipate retransmission consent revenues will be approximately $15.7 million compared to $3.0 million for full year 2008.

Broadcast Operating Expense (before depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets)

The anticipated decline in fourth quarter 2009 broadcast expense reflects our ongoing expense reduction initiatives and lower national representation fees, which are paid based on a percentage of our national revenue.

For the full year 2009, we currently anticipate that our broadcast operating expenses will decrease by approximately $14.5 million, or 7.3%, compared to 2008.

Corporate Expense (before depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets)

The anticipated decrease in corporate expense for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 is due primarily to an expected decrease in relocation, market research and legal expenses.

Net Revenue By Category:

The table below presents our net revenue by type for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively (dollars in thousands):

                                   Three Months Ended September 30,                               ---------------------------------------                                      2009                  2008                               -----------------     -----------------                                         Percent               Percent                               Amount   of Total     Amount   of Total                               ------   --------     ------   --------   Broadcasting net revenues:     Local                     $41,135     61.9%    $46,279       56.0%     National                   12,783     19.2%     17,546      21.2%     Internet                    2,925      4.4%      2,954       3.6%     Political                   3,071      4.6%     13,065      15.8%     Retransmission consent      4,312      6.5%        762       0.9%     Production and other        1,735      2.6%      1,841       2.2%     Network compensation          172      0.3%        184       0.3%     Consulting revenue            313      0.5%          -       0.0%                                   ---      ---         ---       ---       Total                   $66,446    100.0%    $82,631     100.0%                               =======    =====     =======     =====                                      Nine Months Ended September 30,                               ---------------------------------------                                      2009                 2008                               -----------------     -----------------                                        Percent               Percent                               Amount  of Total      Amount  of Total                               ------   --------     ------  --------   Broadcasting net revenues:     Local                    $123,693     64.1%   $141,493      60.9%     National                   38,031     19.7%     52,362      22.5%     Internet                    8,200      4.3%      8,631       3.7%     Political                   5,022      2.6%     21,089       9.1%     Retransmission consent     11,911      6.2%      2,209       1.0%     Production and other        5,205      2.7%      6,025       2.6%     Network compensation          482      0.2%        564       0.2%     Consulting revenue            313      0.2%          -       0.0%                                   ---      ---         ---       ---       Total                  $192,857    100.0%   $232,373     100.0%                              ========    =====    ========     =====    

The aggregate internet revenues presented above are derived from two sources: (i) direct internet revenue and (ii) internet related commercial time sales, as described above.

Conference Call Information

We will host a publicly accessible conference call to discuss our third quarter operating results on November 9, 2009. The call will begin at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1 (800) 723-6751 and the confirmation code is 8794660. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1 (888) 203-1112, Confirmation Code: 8794660 until December 8, 2009.

   Reconciliations:   Reconciliation of net income (loss) to the non-GAAP terms (in thousands):                                                              As Reported                                                           Three Months                                                               Ended                                                           September 30,                                                           -------------                                                           2009     2008                                                           ----     ----   Net (loss) income                                     $(5,520)  $4,644     Adjustments to reconcile to Broadcast Cash Flow      Less Cash Corporate Expenses:       Depreciation and amortization of intangible        assets                                             8,170    8,797       Amortization of non-cash stock based        compensation                                         346      399       Gain on disposals of assets, net                   (1,835)    (338)       Miscellaneous (income) expense, net                   (13)     (36)       Interest expense                                   19,400   12,626       Income tax (benefit) expense                       (3,237)   3,277       Amortization of program broadcast rights            3,822    3,926       Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan        excluding corporate 401(k) contributions               8      553       Network compensation revenue recognized              (172)    (184)       Network compensation per network affiliation        agreement                                             30       30       Payments for program broadcast rights              (3,827)  (3,708)                                                          ------   ------   Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses       17,172   29,986       Corporate and administrative expenses excluding        amortization of non-cash stock-based        compensation                                       2,962    3,355                                                           -----    -----   Broadcast Cash Flow                                   $20,134  $33,341                                                         =======  =======                                                               As Reported                                                         Nine Months Ended                                                           September 30,                                                           -------------                                                           2009     2008                                                           ----     ----   Net loss                                             $(21,088)  $4,009     Adjustments to reconcile to Broadcast Cash Flow      Less Cash Corporate Expenses:       Depreciation and amortization of intangible        assets                                            24,978   26,788       Amortization of non-cash stock based        compensation                                       1,044    1,088       Gain on disposals of assets, net                   (4,455)  (1,343)       Miscellaneous (income) expense, net                   (26)    (126)       Interest expense                                   49,520   41,827       Loss on early extinguishment of debt                8,352        -       Income tax (benefit) expense                      (12,364)   2,820       Amortization of program broadcast rights           11,353   11,598       Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan        excluding corporate 401(k) contributions             (26)   1,751       Network compensation revenue recognized              (482)    (564)       Network compensation per network        affiliation agreement                                 30       90       Payments for program broadcast rights             (11,483) (10,149)                                                         -------  -------   Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses       45,353   77,789       Corporate and administrative expenses excluding        amortization of non-cash stock-based        compensation                                       9,902    8,927                                                           -----    -----   Broadcast Cash Flow                                   $55,255  $86,716                                                         =======  =======    See the next page for the definition of Non-GAAP terms.     Non-GAAP Terms   

This press release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of Broadcast Cash Flow and Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate the amount used to calculate a key financial performance covenant as defined in our senior credit facility. Broadcast Cash Flow is defined as operating income plus corporate expense, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of program broadcast rights), impairment, non-cash compensation and (gain) loss on disposal of assets and cash payments received or receivable under network affiliation agreements, less payments for program broadcast obligations and less network compensation revenue, net of income taxes. Corporate expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and non-cash stock-based compensation) are deducted from Broadcast Cash Flow to calculate "Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses." These non-GAAP terms are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net loss calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Gray Television, Inc.

Gray Television, Inc. is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. We currently operate 36 television stations serving 30 markets. Each of the stations are affiliated with either CBS (17 stations), NBC (10 stations), ABC (8 stations) or FOX (1 station). In addition, we currently operate 38 digital second channels including 1 ABC, 4 Fox, 7 CW, 16 MyNetworkTV and 1 Universal Sports Network affiliates plus 8 local news/weather channels and 1 "independent" channel in certain of our existing markets.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

The comments contained in this press release that are not statements of historical facts, including statements on our current expectations of operating results for the fourth quarter of 2009, internet strategies, future expenses and other future events are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the federal securities laws. Actual results of operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release and its attachments is as of November 9, 2009. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are included under the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and in subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are on file with the SEC and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Web site: www.gray.tv

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: dottie@gray.tv

Source: Gray Television, Inc.

CONTACT: Bob Prather, President and Chief Operating Officer,
+1-404-266-8333, or Jim Ryan, Senior V. P. and Chief Financial Officer,
+1-404-504-9828

Web Site: http://www.gray.tv/

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