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Monday, November 09, 2009

Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter 2009 Results

Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter 2009 Results

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saga Communications, Inc. (NYSE Amex: SGA) today reported that 3rd quarter 2009 free cash flow increased 5.1% to $5.8 million compared to $5.5 million for the same period last year. Net operating revenue decreased 13.7% from the comparable period in 2008 to $31.3 million. Operating income was $5.8 million. Net income was $2.5 million ($.58 per fully diluted share) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.1 million ($.65 per fully diluted share) for the comparable period in 2008. For the same period, station operating expense decreased $3.0 million to $23.6 million (station operating expense includes depreciation and amortization attributable to the stations). A large part of the decrease in station operating expense was a result of our cost reduction initiatives. This helped to reduce the impact that the decline in net operating revenue had on our operating results. On a same station basis for the quarter, net operating revenue decreased 14.7% to $30.9 million, operating income was $5.6 million and station operating expense decreased $3.2 million to $23.4 million.

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, free cash flow decreased $373 thousand to $12.7 million. Net operating revenue decreased 15.3% from the comparable period in 2008 to $89.0 million and operating income was $12.1 million. Net income was $4.8 million ($1.14 per fully diluted share) compared to $7.5 million ($1.52 per fully diluted share) for the comparable period in 2008. For the same period, station operating expense decreased $8.5 million to $70.8 million (station operating expense includes depreciation and amortization attributable to the stations). On a same station basis for the nine months, net operating revenue decreased 16.2% to $88.1 million, operating income was $11.6 million and station operating expense decreased $8.9 million to $70.3 million.

All share and per share information has been adjusted for the Company's January 28, 2009 1-for-4 reverse stock split.

The Company has maintained a solid balance sheet even given the current economic volatility with $16.7 million in cash balances as of September 30, 2009. Bank debt outstanding was $130.6 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter the Company paid down $5.0 million of the outstanding bank debt. Adjusted for this pay down the companies trailing 12 month leverage ratio calculated as a multiple of EBITDA and based on actual debt outstanding was 4.6 times. Netting cash against outstanding debt the ratio would be 4.0 times.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2009 were $663 thousand. For the nine months, capital expenditures were $3.2 million. Currently we expect capital expenditures for the year to be approximately $4.0 - $4.2 million.

The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data table discloses "as reported" and "same station" information by segment. The "as reported" amounts reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The "same station" amounts reflect only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period.

Saga Communications utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including but not limited to evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations and as a primary measure for incentive based compensation of executives and other members of management. Saga's management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures tables.

Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. The Company owns or operates broadcast properties in 26 markets, including 61 FM and 30 AM radio stations, 3 state radio networks, 2 farm radio networks, 5 television stations and 4 low-power television stations. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacommunications.com.

Saga's third quarter 2009 results conference call will be on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 2:00 PM EST. The dial in number for domestic and international calls is 612/234-9960. The call can be replayed for 7 days by calling domestically 800/475-6701 or internationally 320/365-3844 and referring to access code 115331. Thereafter, a transcript of the call will be available on our website.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company to please email the inquiry by 1:00 PM EST on November 9, 2009 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing will be discussed during the call.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Key risks, including risks associated with the volatility of the global economy, Saga's debt outstanding, debt service requirements and debt covenants along with Saga's ability to effectively integrate the stations it acquires and the impact of federal regulation on Saga's business, are described in the reports Saga Communications, Inc. periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that these statements may be impacted by several factors, including national and local economic changes and changes in the radio and television broadcast industry in general, as well as Saga's actual performance. Results may vary from those stated herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update the information contained herein.

                            Saga Communications, Inc.                      Selected Consolidated Financial Data                       For The Three and Nine Months Ended                           September 30, 2009 and 2008                    (amounts in 000's except per share data)                                   (Unaudited)                                             Three Months       Nine Months                                               Ended             Ended                                           September 30,     September 30,                                          ---------------   ---------------                                            2009     2008     2009      2008                                            ----     ----     ----      ----   Operating Results   Net operating revenue                 $31,253  $36,192  $89,014  $105,066   Station operating expense              23,556   26,588   70,791    79,255   Corporate general and administrative    1,906    2,485    6,131     7,611   Gain on asset exchange                      -     (282)       -      (506)   Operating income                        5,791    7,401   12,092    18,706   Interest expense                        1,386    1,889    3,589     5,760   Other expense (income), net                43        -       11        27                                             ---      ---      ---       ---   Income before income tax                4,362    5,512    8,492    12,919   Income tax expense                      1,892    2,415    3,710     5,452                                           -----    -----    -----     -----   Net income                             $2,470   $3,097   $4,782    $7,467                                          ======   ======   ======    ======   Earnings per share     Basic                                 $0.58    $0.65    $1.14     $1.52                                           =====    =====    =====     =====     Diluted                               $0.58    $0.65    $1.14     $1.52                                           =====    =====    =====     =====   Weighted average common shares          4,227    4,735    4,202     4,898   Weighted average common shares and     common shares equivalents             4,227    4,738    4,203     4,902    Free Cash Flow   Net income                             $2,470   $3,097   $4,782    $7,467   Plus: Depreciation and amortization:            Station                        1,974    2,238    6,351     6,391            Corporate                         57       54      166       160           Deferred tax provision          1,528    1,640    3,566     3,566        Non-cash compensation                348      338    1,018     1,059           Gain on asset exchange              -     (282)       -      (506)           Other expense (income), net        43        -       11        27   Less: Capital expenditures               (663)  (1,609)  (3,237)   (5,134)                                            ----   ------   ------    ------   Free cash flow                         $5,757   $5,476  $12,657   $13,030                                          ======   ======  =======   =======    Balance Sheet Data     Working capital                                        $7,428   $19,311     Net fixed assets                                       70,204    73,889     Net intangible assets and other assets                113,635   230,484     Total assets                                          224,740   339,815     Long-term debt (including current      portion of $20,578 and $1,061, respectively)         130,578   134,411     Stockholders' equity                                   71,107   146,066                              Saga Communications, Inc.                      Selected Supplemental Financial Data                           For the Three Months Ended                          September 30, 2009 and 2008                    (amounts in 000's except per share data)                                  (Unaudited)                                           As-Reported     Same Station                                         Three Months     Three Months                                             Ended            Ended                                         September 30,    September 30,                                          2009    2008     2009    2008                                          ----    ----     ----    ----     Consolidated     Net operating revenue             $31,253 $36,192  $30,865 $36,192     Station operating expense          23,556  26,588   23,403  26,588     Corporate general and      administrative                     1,906   2,485    1,906   2,485     Gain on asset exchange                  -    (282)       -    (282)                                           ---    ----      ---    ----     Operating income                    5,791   7,401   $5,556  $7,401     Interest expense                    1,386   1,889     Other expense (income), net            43       -     Income tax expense                  1,892   2,415                                         -----   -----     Net income                         $2,470  $3,097                                        ======  ======     Earnings per share:       Basic                             $0.58   $0.65                                         =====   =====       Diluted                           $0.58   $0.65                                         =====   =====                                           As-Reported     Same Station                                         Three Months     Three Months                                             Ended            Ended                                         September 30,    September 30,                                          2009    2008     2009    2008                                          ----    ----     ----    ----     Radio Segment     Net operating revenue             $26,992 $31,306  $26,604 $31,306     Station operating expense          20,046  22,717   19,893  22,717                                        ------  ------   ------  ------     Operating income                   $6,946  $8,589   $6,711  $8,589                                        ======  ======   ======  ======                                            As-Reported     Same Station                                         Three Months     Three Months                                             Ended            Ended                                         September 30,    September 30,                                          2009    2008     2009    2008                                          ----    ----     ----    ----     Television Segment     Net operating revenue              $4,261  $4,886   $4,261  $4,886     Station operating expense           3,510   3,871    3,510   3,871     Gain on asset exchange                  -    (282)       -    (282)                                           ---    ----      ---    ----     Operating income                     $751  $1,297     $751  $1,297                                          ====  ======     ====  ======                                            As-Reported     Same Station                                         Three Months     Three Months                                             Ended            Ended                                         September 30,    September 30,                                          2009    2008     2009    2008                                          ----    ----     ----    ----     Depreciation and amortization       by segment     Radio Segment                      $1,521  $1,618   $1,515  $1,618     Television Segment                    453     620      453     620     Corporate and Other                    57      54       57      54                                           ---     ---      ---     ---                                        $2,031  $2,292   $2,025  $2,292                                        ======  ======   ======  ======                          Saga Communications, Inc.                 Selected Supplemental Financial Data                       For the Nine Months Ended                      September 30, 2009 and 2008               (amounts in 000's except per share data)                              (Unaudited)                                    As-Reported       Same Station                                Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,     September 30,                                   2009     2008     2009     2008                                   ----     ----     ----     ----   Consolidated   Net operating revenue        $89,014 $105,066  $88,054 $105,066   Station operating expense     70,791   79,255   70,317   79,255   Corporate general and    administrative                6,131    7,611    6,131    7,611   Gain on asset exchange             -     (506)       -     (506)                                    ---     ----      ---     ----   Operating income              12,092   18,706  $11,606  $18,706   Interest expense               3,589    5,760   Other expense (income), net       11       27   Income tax expense             3,710    5,452                                  -----    -----   Net income                    $4,782   $7,467                                 ======   ======   Earnings per share:     Basic                        $1.14    $1.52                                  =====    =====     Diluted                      $1.14    $1.52                                  =====    =====                                    As-Reported       Same Station                                Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,     September 30,                                   2009     2008     2009     2008                                   ----     ----     ----     ----   Radio Segment   Net operating revenue        $77,219  $91,316  $76,259  $91,316   Station operating expense     60,057   68,028   59,583   68,028                                 ------   ------   ------   ------   Operating income             $17,162  $23,288  $16,676  $23,288                                =======  =======  =======  =======                                     As-Reported       Same Station                                Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,     September 30,                                   2009     2008     2009     2008                                   ----     ----     ----     ----   Television Segment   Net operating revenue        $11,795  $13,750  $11,795  $13,750   Station operating expense     10,734   11,227   10,734   11,227   Gain on asset exchange             -     (506)       -     (506)                                    ---     ----      ---     ----   Operating income              $1,061   $3,029   $1,061   $3,029                                 ======   ======   ======   ======                                     As-Reported       Same Station                                Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended                                  September 30,     September 30,                                   2009     2008     2009     2008                                   ----     ----     ----     ----   Depreciation and amortization     by segment   Radio Segment                 $4,568   $4,771   $4,549   $4,771   Television Segment             1,783    1,620    1,783    1,620   Corporate and Other              166      160      166      160                                    ---      ---      ---      ---                                 $6,517   $6,551   $6,498   $6,551                                 ======   ======   ======   ======                              Saga Communications, Inc.                  Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures                           For the Three Months Ended                           September 30, 2009 and 2008                               (amounts in 000's)                                  (Unaudited)     Reconciliation of As-Reported (historical) information to Same Station    Operating Income   ----------------------------------------------------------------------                                                 Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2009            Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Consolidated   Net operating revenue           $31,253              $(388)       $30,865   Station operating expense        23,556               (153)        23,403   Corporate general and    administrative                   1,906                  -          1,906   Gain on asset exchange                -                  -              -                                       ---                ---            ---   Operating income                 $5,791              $(235)        $5,556                                    ======              =====         ======                                                  Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2008            Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Consolidated   Net operating revenue           $36,192                  -        $36,192   Station operating expense        26,588                  -         26,588   Corporate general and    administrative                   2,485                  -          2,485   Gain on asset exchange             (282)                 -           (282)                                      ----                ---           ----   Operating income                 $7,401                  -         $7,401                                    ======                ===         ======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2009            Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Radio Segment   Net operating revenue           $26,992             $(388)       $26,604   Station operating expense        20,046              (153)        19,893                                    ------              ----         ------   Operating income                 $6,946             $(235)        $6,711                                    ======             =====         ======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2008            Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Radio Segment   Net operating revenue           $31,306                 -        $31,306   Station operating expense        22,717                 -         22,717                                    ------               ---         ------   Operating income                 $8,589                 -         $8,589                                    ======               ===         ======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2009            Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Television Segment   Net operating revenue            $4,261                  -        $4,261   Station operating expense         3,510                  -         3,510   Gain on asset exchange                -                  -             -                                      ----                ---          ----   Operating income                   $751                  -          $751                                      ====                ===          ====                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Three Months   and Dispositions   Three Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                  2008            Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Television Segment   Net operating revenue            $4,886                  -        $4,886   Station operating expense         3,871                  -         3,871   Gain on asset exchange             (282)                 -          (282)                                      ----                ---          ----   Operating income                 $1,297                  -        $1,297                                    ======                ===        ======                                Saga Communications, Inc.                   Selected Financial Data Non-GAAP Disclosures                             For the Nine Months Ended                            September 30, 2009 and 2008                                 (amounts in 000's)                                    (Unaudited)     Reconciliation of As-Reported (historical) information to Same Station    Operating Income   ----------------------------------------------------------------------                                                 Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2009             Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Consolidated   Net operating revenue           $89,014              $(960)       $88,054   Station operating expense        70,791               (474)        70,317   Corporate general and    administrative                   6,131                  -          6,131   Gain on asset exchange                -                  -              -                                       ---                ---            ---   Operating income                $12,092              $(486)       $11,606                                   =======              =====        =======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2008             Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Consolidated   Net operating revenue          $105,066                  -       $105,066   Station operating expense        79,255                  -         79,255   Corporate general and    administrative                   7,611                  -          7,611   Gain on asset exchange             (506)                 -           (506)                                      ----                ---           ----   Operating income                $18,706                  -        $18,706                                   =======                ===        =======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2009             Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Radio Segment   Net operating revenue           $77,219             $(960)       $76,259   Station operating expense        60,057              (474)        59,583                                    ------              ----         ------   Operating income                $17,162             $(486)       $16,676                                   =======             =====        =======                                                  Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2008             Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Radio Segment   Net operating revenue           $91,316                 -        $91,316   Station operating expense        68,028                 -         68,028                                    ------               ---         ------   Operating income                $23,288                 -        $23,288                                   =======               ===        =======                                                   Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2009             Period            2009                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Television Segment   Net operating revenue           $11,795                  -       $11,795   Station operating expense        10,734                  -        10,734   Gain on asset exchange                -                  -             -                                       ---                ---           ---   Operating income                 $1,061                  -        $1,061                                    ======                ===        ======                                                  Adjustment                              As-Reported    For Acquisitions   Same Station                              Nine Months    and Dispositions   Nine Months                                 Ended       Not Included in       Ended                             September 30,   Entire Comparable  September 30,                                 2008             Period            2008                             -------------   -----------------  -------------   Television Segment   Net operating revenue           $13,750                  -       $13,750   Station operating expense        11,227                  -        11,227   Gain on asset exchange             (506)                 -          (506)                                      ----                ---          ----   Operating income                 $3,029                  -        $3,029                                    ======                ===        ======                               Saga Communications, Inc.                         Selected Supplemental Financial Data               Trailing Twelve Month Consolidated EBITDA and Leverage Ratio                                As of September 30, 2009                          (amounts in 000's, except ratios)                                    (Unaudited)                                       Less:          Plus:         Trailing                    Twelve Months   Nine Months   Nine Months   Twelve Months                       Ended          Ended          Ended           Ended                      December 31, September 30, September 30, September 30,                         2008           2008          2009            2009                         ----           ----          ----            ----   Trailing Twelve Month    Consolidated EBITDA   Net income         $(66,492)        $7,467         $4,782        $(69,177)   Less: Loss on    sale of assets         (76)           (27)           (47)            (96)     Gain on exchange      of assets            506            506              -               -     Impairment of      intangible      assets          (116,443)             -              -        (116,443)     Interest      income               136            111              5              30     Net barter      transactions         (24)            35            247             188   Total exclusions   (115,901)           625            205        (116,321)                      --------            ---           ---         --------   Consolidated    Adjusted Net   Income               49,409          6,842          4,577          47,144   Plus: Interest    expense              7,173          5,760          3,589           5,002     Income tax      (benefit)       expense         (32,522)         5,452          3,710         (34,264)     Depreciation &      amortization      expense            8,963          6,551          6,517           8,929     Amortization of      television      syndicated     programming      contracts            673            488            530             715     Non-cash stock      based      compensation      expense            1,433          1,059          1,018           1,392   Less: Cash    television   programming    payments               663            482            549             730                       -------        -------        -------         -------   Trailing twelve    month   consolidated    EBITDA             $34,466        $25,670        $19,392         $28,188                       =======        =======        =======         =======                                                                      September                                                                      30,                                                                     2009                                                                     ----   Total long-term debt,   including current    maturities                                                     $130,578   Divided by trailing twelve    month consolidated EBITDA                                        28,188                                                                     ------   Leverage ratio                                                      4.6                                                                       ===   Total long-term debt,    including current    maturities                                                    $130,578   Less: Cash and cash    equivalents as of September    30, 2009                                                       (16,649)                                                                   -------   Long-term debt, including    current maturities less    cash and cash equivalents as of    September 30, 2009                                             113,929   Divided by trailing twelve    month consolidated EBITDA                                       28,188                                                                    ------   Leverage ratio                                                      4.0                                                                       ===  

First Call Analyst: Bush, Samuel D.
FCMN Contact: aparks@sagacom.com

Source: Saga Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Samuel D. Bush, Saga Communications, Inc., +1-313-886-7070

Web Site: http://www.sagacommunications.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

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