10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-26497

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

DELAWARE	77-0121400
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)	(I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
4880 SANTA ROSA ROAD CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA	93012
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)	(ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (805) 987-0400

Title of each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	SALM	NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files.)     Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller Reporting Company	☒
		Emerging Growth Company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class A	Outstanding at May 2, 2019
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	20,632,416 shares

Class B	Outstanding at May 2, 2019
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	5,553,696 shares

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

INDEX

	PAGE NO.
COVER PAGE
INDEX
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS		2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.		3
Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.		36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.		59
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.		59
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		60
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.		60
Item 1A. Risk Factors.		60
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.		60
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.		60
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.		60
Item 5. Other Information.		60
Item 6. Exhibits.		60
EXHIBIT INDEX		61
SIGNATURES		62

1

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this report to “Salem” or the “company,” including references to Salem by “we” “us” “our” and “its” refer to Salem Media Group, Inc. and our subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Salem Media Group, Inc. (“Salem” or the “company,” including references to Salem by “we,” “us” and “our”) makes “forward-looking statements” from time to time in both written reports (including this report) and oral statements, within the meaning of federal and state securities laws. Disclosures that use words such as the company “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “may,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “seeks,” “predicts,” or “plans” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our expectations based upon data available to the company as of the date of this report. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. These risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are detailed in Salem’s reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this report. Any such forward-looking statements, whether made in this report or elsewhere, should be considered in context with the various disclosures made by Salem about its business. These projections and other forward-looking statements fall under the safe harbors of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

3

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

	December 31, 2018 (Note 1)			March 31, 2019 (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	117		$	4
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances of $9,732 in 2018 and $8,858 in 2019)		33,020			30,405
Unbilled revenue		2,513			2,107
Other receivables (net of allowances of $158 in 2018 and $9 in 2019 )		806			916
Inventories (net of reserves of $994 in 2018 and $1,079 in 2019)		677			533
Prepaid expenses		6,504			5,117
Assets held for sale		—			750
Total current assets		43,637			39,832
Notes receivable (net of allowance of $733 in 2018 and $1,016 in 2019)		218			998
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $170,756 in 2018 and $173,055 in 2019)		96,344			95,546
Operating lease right-of-use assets		—			63,120
Financing lease right-of-use assets		164			219
Broadcast licenses		376,316			372,025
Goodwill		26,789			26,445
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		277			277
Amortizable intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $53,180 in 2018 and $52,279 in 2019)		11,264			9,639
Deferred financing costs		381			338
Other assets		3,638			3,828
Total assets	$	559,028		$	612,267
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,187		$	5,211
Accrued expenses		10,104			9,140
Accrued compensation and related expenses		7,582			9,227
Accrued interest		1,375			5,238
Contract liabilities		11,537			11,581
Deferred rent income		108			108
Income taxes payable		267			397
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		—			9,464
Current portion of financing (capital) lease liabilities		58			74
Current portion of long-term debt		19,660			16,000
Total current liabilities		52,878			66,440
Long-term debt, less current portion		234,030			227,683
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion		—			61,847
Financing (capital) lease liabilities, less current portion		105			156
Deferred income taxes		35,272			29,968
Deferred rent expense, long term		9,382			—
Contract liabilities, long-term		1,379			1,418
Deferred rent income, less current		4,049			4,026
Other long-term liabilities		64			64
Total liabilities		337,159			391,602
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 80,000,000 shares; 22,950,066 issued and 20,632,416 outstanding at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019		227			227
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; 5,553,696 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019		56			56
Additional paid-in capital		245,220			245,396
Accumulated earnings		10,372			8,992
Treasury stock, at cost (2,317,650 shares at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019)		(34,006	)		(34,006	)
Total stockholders’ equity		221,869			220,665
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	559,028		$	612,267

See accompanying notes

4

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2019
Net broadcast revenue	$	48,050		$	46,093
Net digital media revenue		10,394			10,240
Net publishing revenue		5,351			4,136
Total net revenue		63,795			60,469
Operating expenses:
Broadcast operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below (including $561 and $436 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, paid to related parties)		35,750			36,449
Digital media operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below		8,374			8,058
Publishing operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below		5,587			4,822
Unallocated corporate expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below (including $63 and $7 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, paid to related parties)		3,921			3,871
Depreciation		3,009			2,933
Amortization		1,478			1,296
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5			4,024
Total operating expenses		58,124			61,453
Operating income (loss)		5,671			(984	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		2			1
Interest expense		(4,518	)		(4,425	)
Gain on early retirement of long-term debt		—			426
Net miscellaneous income and expenses		75			1
Net income (loss) before income taxes		1,230			(4,981	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		402			(5,303	)
Net income	$	828		$	322
Basic earnings per share data:
Basic earnings per share Class A and Class B common stock	$	0.03		$	0.01
Diluted earnings per share data:
Diluted earnings per share Class A and Class B common stock	$	0.03		$	0.01
Basic weighted average Class A and Class B shares outstanding		26,171,539			26,186,112
Diluted weighted average Class A and Class B shares outstanding		26,304,891			26,193,307

See accompanying notes

5

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Class A Common Stock				Class B Common Stock				Additional Paid-In		Retained			Treasury
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings			Stock			Total
Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2018		22,950,066	$	227		5,553,696	$	56	$	245,220	$	10,372		$	(34,006	)	$	221,869
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—		—		176		—			—			176
Cash distributions		—		—		—		—		—		(1,702	)		—			(1,702	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—		322			—			322
Stockholders’ equity, March 31, 2019		22,950,066	$	227		5,553,696	$	56	$	245,396	$	8,992		$	(34,006	)	$	220,665
Distributions per share	$	0.065			$	0.065
	Class A Common Stock				Class B Common Stock				Additional Paid-In		Retained			Treasury
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings			Stock			Total
Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2017		22,932,451	$	227		5,553,696	$	56	$	244,634	$	20,370		$	(34,006	)	$	231,281
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—		—		46		—			—			46
Options exercised		8,125		—		—		—		19		—			—			19
Cash distributions		—		—		—		—		—		(1,701	)		—			(1,701	)
Net income		—		—		—		—		—		828			—			828
Stockholders’ equity, March 31, 2018		22,940,576	$	227		5,553,696	$	56	$	244,699	$	19,497		$	(34,006	)	$	230,473
Distributions per share	$	0.065			$	0.065

6

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2019
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	828		$	322
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash stock-based compensation		46			176
Depreciation and amortization		4,487			4,229
Amortization of deferred financing costs		270			258
Non-cash lease expense		—			2,267
Accretion of acquisition-related deferred payments and contingent consideration		16			1
Provision for bad debts		146			320
Deferred income taxes		382			(5,304	)
Gain on early retirement of long-term debt		—			(426	)
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5			4,024
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue		1,176			1,758
Inventories		(78	)		(256	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(69	)		1,387
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		6,629			3,449
Deferred rent expense		(119	)		—
Operating lease liabilities		—			(3,458	)
Contract liabilities		(938	)		133
Deferred rent income		(23	)		(43	)
Income taxes payable		115			130
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,873			8,967
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash paid for capital expenditures net of tenant improvement allowances		(2,472	)		(2,404	)
Capital expenditures reimbursable under tenant improvement allowances and trade agreements		(4	)		—
Escrow deposits paid related to acquisitions		(240	)		—
Escrow deposits received related to radio station sale		500			—
Purchases of digital media businesses and assets		—			(100	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		1			1,255
Other		(170	)		(139	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,385	)		(1,388	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments to repurchase 6.75% Senior Secured Notes		—			(6,123	)
Proceeds from borrowings under ABL Facility		10,334			22,189
Payments on ABL Facility		(19,334	)		(25,849	)
Refund (payments) of debt issuance costs		41			(13	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		19			—
Payments on financing lease liabilities		(31	)		(21	)
Payment of cash distribution on common stock		(1,701	)		(1,702	)
Book overdraft		187			3,827
Net cash used in financing activities		(10,485	)		(7,692	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		3			(113	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		3			117
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	6		$	4

See accompanying notes

7

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	73		$	302
Cash paid for interest on finance lease liabilities	$	—		$	2
Cash (received) paid for income taxes	$	(95	)	$	130
Other supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Barter revenue	$	1,737		$	1,310
Barter expense	$	1,266		$	1,356
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures reimbursable under tenant improvement allowances	$	4		$	—
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases	$	—		$	288
Non-cash capital expenditures for property & equipment acquired under trade agreements	$	9		$	—

See accompanying notes

8

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Salem Media Group, Inc. (“Salem” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “company”) is a domestic multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content. Our media properties include radio broadcasting, digital media, and publishing entities. We have three operating segments: (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which are discussed in Note 21 – Segment Data.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of Salem include the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Information with respect to the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is unaudited. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the company. The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report for Salem filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our results are subject to seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, the results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 included in this report has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant areas for which management uses estimates include:

• revenue recognition,

• asset impairments, including broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets;

• probabilities associated with the potential for contingent earn-out consideration;

• fair value measurements;

• contingency reserves;

• allowance for doubtful accounts;

• sales returns and allowances;

• barter transactions;

• inventory reserves;

• reserves for royalty advances;

• fair value of equity awards;

• self-insurance reserves;

• estimated lives for tangible and intangible assets;

• assessment of contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors to determine the lease term impacting Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities,

• determining the Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”) for calculating ROU assets and lease liabilities,

• income tax valuation allowances; and

• uncertain tax positions

These estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The estimates will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and we may consult outside experts to assist as considered necessary.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications include the accounting for finance lease obligations under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) issued under ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019.

9

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Except for our accounting policies for leases a result of adopting ASC 842, there have been no changes to our significant accounting policies described in Note 2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2019, that have had a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

Leases

We adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective basis and did not restate comparative periods as permitted under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-11. ASC 842 supersedes nearly all existing lease accounting guidance under GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) including ASC Topic 840, Leases. ASC 842 requires that lessees recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities calculated based on the present value of lease payments for all lease agreements with terms that are greater than twelve months. ASC 842 distinguishes leases as either a finance lease or an operating lease that affects how the leases are measured and presented in the statement of operations and statement of cash flows.

For operating leases, we calculated ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the remaining lease payments as of the date of adoption using the IBR as of that date. There were no changes in our capital lease portfolio, which are now titled “finance leases” under ASC 842, other than the reclassification of the assets acquired under capital leases from their respective property and equipment category and long-term debt to ROU assets and lease liabilities.

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recording a non-cash transitional adjustment to operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of $65.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The difference between the operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities at transition represented existing deferred rent expense and prepaid rent that was derecognized. The adoption of ASC 842 did not materially impact our results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Refer to Note 8 for more information.

The FASB issued practical expedients and accounting policy elections that we have applied as described below.

Practical Expedients

ASC 842 provides a package of three practical expedients that must be adopted together and applied to all lease agreements. We elected the package of practical expedients as follows for all leases:

Whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease.

Because the accounting for operating leases and service contracts was similar under ASC 840, there was no accounting reason to separate lease agreements from service contracts in order to account for them correctly. We reviewed existing service contracts to determine if the agreement contained an embedded lease to be accounted for on the balance sheet under ASC 842.

Lease classification for expired or existing leases.

Leases that were capital leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as financing leases under ASC 842 while leases that were operating leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 842.

Whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would meet the definition of initial direct costs under the new standard guidance.

The definition of initial direct costs is more restrictive under ASC 842 than under ASC 840. Entities that do not elect the practical expedient are required to reassess capitalized initial direct costs under ASC 840 and record an equity adjustment for those that are not capitalizable under ASC 842.

Land Easement Practical Expedient

We elected the practical expedient that permits us to continue applying our current policy of accounting for land easements that existed as of, or expired before, the effective date of ASC 842. We have applied this policy to all of our existing land easements that were not previously accounted for under ASC 840.

Accounting Policy Elections

Lease Term

We calculate the term for each lease agreement to include the noncancellable period specified in the agreement together with (1) the periods covered by options to extend the lease if we are reasonably certain to exercise that option, (2) periods covered by an option to terminate if we are reasonably certain not to exercise that option and (3) period covered by an option to extend (or not terminate) if controlled by the lessor.

The assessment of whether we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease requires significant judgement surrounding contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors. These factors are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Lease Payments

Lease payments consist of the following payments (as applicable) related to the use of the underlying asset during the lease term:

10

• Fixed payments, including in substance fixed payments, less any lease incentives paid or payable to the lessee

• Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, such as the Consumer Price Index or a market interest rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date of January 1, 2019.

• The exercise price of an option to purchase the underlying asset if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option.

• Payments for penalties for terminating the lease if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

• Fees paid by the lessee to the owners of a special-purpose entity for structuring the transaction

• For a lessee only, amounts probable of being owed by the lessee under residual value guarantees

Short-Term Lease Exemption

We elected to exclude short-term leases, or leases with a term of twelve months or less that do not contain a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise, from our ROU asset and lease liability calculations.

We considered the applicability of the short-term exception on month-to-month leases with perpetual or rolling renewals as we are “reasonably certain” to continue the lease. For example, we lease various storage facilities under agreements with month-to-month terms that have continued over several years. The standard terms and conditions for a majority of these agreements allow either party to terminate within a notice period ranging from 10 to 30 days. There are no cancellation penalties other than the potential loss of a one-month rent or a security deposit if the termination terms are not adhered to.

We believe that these month-to-month leases qualify for the short-term exception to ASC 842 because either party can terminate the agreement without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty, therefore, the arrangements do not create enforceable rights and obligations. Additionally, the cost to move to a new location or find comparable facilities is low as there are no unique features of the storage facilities that impact our business or operations.    We considered termination clauses, costs associated with moving and costs associated with finding alternative facilities to exclude month-to-month leases that have perpetually renewed.

Service Agreements with an Embedded Lease Component

We elected to exclude certain service agreements that contain embedded leases for equipment based on the immaterial impact of these agreements. Our analysis included cable and satellite television service agreements for which our monthly payment may include equipment rentals, coffee and water service at certain facilities that may include equipment rentals (we often meet minimum requirements and just pay for product used), security services that include a monthly fee for cameras or equipment, and other similar arrangements. Based on the insignificant amount of the monthly lease costs, we elected to exclude these agreements from our ROU asset and liability calculations due to the immaterial impact to our financial statements.

Index or Rate Applicable to Operating Lease Liabilities

We elected to measure lease liabilities for variable lease payments using the current rate or index in effect at the time of transition on January 1, 2019. Using the current index or rate is consistent with how we calculated and presented future minimum lease payments under ASC 840. Therefore, there is no change in accounting policy applicable to this election.

Incremental Borrowing Rate

The ROU asset and related lease liabilities recorded under ASC 842 are calculated based on the present value of the lease payments using (1) the rate implicit in the lease or (2) the lessee’s IBR, defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We performed an analysis as of January 1, 2019 to estimate the IBR applicable to Salem upon transition to ASC 842. Our analysis required the use of significant judgement and estimates, including the estimated value of the underlying leased asset, as described in are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Portfolio Approach

We elected to use a portfolio approach by applying a single IBR to leases with reasonably similar characteristics, including the remaining lease term, the underlying assets and the economic environment. We believe that applying the portfolio approach is acceptable because the results do not materially differ from the application of the leases model to the individual leases in that portfolio.

Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes

We elected not to evaluate whether sales taxes or other similar taxes imposed by a governmental authority on a specific lease revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the lessor from the lessee are the primary obligation of the lessor as owner of the underlying leased asset. A lessor that makes this election will exclude these taxes from the measurement of lease revenue and the associated expense. Taxes assessed on a lessor’s total gross receipts or on the lessor as owner of the underlying asset (e.g., property taxes) are excluded from the scope of the policy election. A lessor must apply the election to all taxes in the scope of the policy election and would provide certain disclosures.

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Separating Consideration between Lease and Non-Lease Components

We elected to include the lease and non-lease components (or the fixed and variable consideration) as a single component accounted for as a lease. This practical expedient is elected by class of underlying assets as an accounting policy election, and applies to all arrangements in that class of underlying assets that qualify for the expedient. ASC 842 provides this expedient to alleviate concerns that the costs and administrative burden of allocating consideration to the separate lease and non-lease components may not justify the benefit of more precisely reflecting the ROU asset and the lease liability.

Contracts that include lease and non-lease components that are accounted for under the election not to separate require that all components that qualify for the practical expedient be combined. The components that do not qualify, such as those for which the timing and pattern of transfer of the lease and associated non-lease components are not the same, are accounted for separately.

Accounting for a lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component results in an allocation of the total contract consideration to the lease component. Therefore, the initial and subsequent measurement of the lease liability and ROU asset is greater than if the policy election was not applied. The greater ROU asset value is considered in our impairment analysis.

Impairment of ROU Assets

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities.

After a careful analysis of the guidance, we concluded that the appropriate unit of accounting for testing ROU assets for impairment is the broadcast market cluster level for radio station operations and the entity or division level for digital media entities, publishing entities and networks. Corporate ROU assets are tested on a consolidated level with consideration given to all cash flows of the company as corporate functions do not generate cash flows and are funded by revenue-producing activities at lower levels of the entity.

ASC 360 requires three steps to identify, recognize and measure the impairment of a long-lived asset (asset group) to be held and used:

Step 1 – Consider whether Indicators of Impairment are Present

As detailed in ASC 360-10-35-21, the following are examples of impairment indicators:

• A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset (asset group) is being used or in its physical condition

• A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group), including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator

• An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50 percent.

Other indicators should be considered if we believes that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable.

Step 2—Test for Recoverability

If indicators of impairment are present, we are required to perform a recoverability test comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the long-lived asset or asset group in question to the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group.

ASC 360 does not specifically address how operating lease liabilities and future cash outflows for lease payments should be considered in the recoverability test. Under ASC 360, financial liabilities, or long-term debt, generally are excluded from an asset group while operating liabilities, such as accounts payable, generally are included. ASC 842 characterizes operating lease liabilities as operating liabilities. Because operating lease liabilities may be viewed as having attributes of finance liabilities as well as operating liabilities, it is generally acceptable for a lessee to either include or exclude operating lease liabilities from an asset group when testing whether the carrying amount of an asset group is recoverable provided the approach is applied consistently for all operating leases and when performing Steps 2 and 3 of the impairment model in ASC 360.

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In cases where we have received lease incentives, including operating lease liabilities in an asset group may result in the long-lived asset or asset group having a zero or negative carrying amount because the incentives reduce our ROU assets. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the carrying amount of the asset group such that we test ROU assets for operating leases in the same manner that we test ROU assets for financing leases.

Undiscounted Future Cash Flows

The undiscounted future cash flows in Step 2 are based on our own assumptions rather than a market participant. If an election is made to exclude operating lease liabilities from the asset or asset group, all future cash lease payments for the lease should also be excluded. The standard requires lessees to exclude certain variable lease payments from lease payments and, therefore, from the measurement of a lessee’s lease liabilities. Because these variable payments do not reduce the lease liability, we include the variable payments we expect to make in our estimate of the undiscounted cash flows in the recoverability test (Step 2) using a probability-weighted approach.

Step 3—Measurement of an Impairment Loss

If the undiscounted cash flows used in the recoverability test are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset (asset group), we are required to estimate the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group and recognize an impairment loss when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group exceeds the estimated fair value. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the estimated fair value, consistent with the recoverability test. Any impairment loss for an asset group must reduce only the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset or assets of the group, including the ROU assets. The loss must be allocated to the long-lived assets of the group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts of those assets, except that the loss allocated to an individual long-lived asset of the group must not reduce the carrying amount of that asset below its fair value whenever the fair value is determinable without undue cost and effort. ASC 360 prohibits the subsequent reversal of an impairment loss for an asset held and used.

Fair Value Considerations

When determining the fair value of a ROU asset, we must estimate what market participants would pay to lease the asset or what a market participant would pay up front in one payment for the ROU asset, assuming no additional lease payments would be due. The ROU asset must be valued assuming its highest and best use, in its current form, even if that use differs from the current or intended use. If no market exists for an asset in its current form, but there is a market for a transformed asset, the costs to transform the asset are considered in the fair value estimate. Refer to Note 15, Fair Value Measurements.

There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to accounting principles are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Described below are ASUs that are not yet effective, but may be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to not be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Tope 818): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies when transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement are within the scope of the FASB’s revenue standard, Topic 606. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, that changes the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee paid to a decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

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In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 removes or modifies certain disclosures and in certain instances requires additional disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. ASU 2018-09 provides minor corrections and clarifications that affect a variety of topics in the Codification. Several updates are effective upon issuance of the update while others have transition guidance for effective dates in the future. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. Subsequent to issuing ASU 2016-13, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, for the purpose of clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2018-19 has the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which is effective with the ASU 2016-13. We plan to adopt this ASU on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

NOTE 3. RECENT TRANSACTIONS

During the three month period ended March 31, 2019, we completed or entered into the following transactions:

Debt Transactions

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of the Notes at amounts less than face value as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2019:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
	$	6,670	$	6,123

Equity Transactions

On March 7, 2019, we announced a quarterly equity distribution in the amount of $0.0650 per share on Class A and Class B common stock. The equity distribution of $1.7 million was paid on March 29, 2019 to all Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of March 19, 2019.

Acquisition

On March 18, 2019, we acquired the pjmedia.com website for $0.1 million in cash.

Under the acquisition method of accounting as specified in FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, the total acquisition consideration of a business is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of the transaction. Transactions that do not meet the definition of a business in ASU 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business are recorded as asset purchases. Asset purchases are recognized based on their cost to acquire, including transaction costs. The cost to acquire an asset group is allocated to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair value with no goodwill recognized.

Estimates of the fair value include discounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets and their expected useful lives based on historical experience, market trends and any synergies believed to be achieved from the acquisition. Acquisitions may include contingent consideration, the fair value of which is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the payment amounts.

We may retain a third-party appraiser to estimate the fair value of the acquired net assets as of the acquisition date. As part of the valuation and appraisal process, the third-party appraiser prepares a report assigning estimated fair values to the various assets acquired. These fair value estimates are subjective in nature and require careful consideration and judgment. Management reviews the third-party reports for reasonableness of the assigned values. We believe that these valuations and analysis provide appropriate estimates of the fair value for the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date.

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The initial valuations for business acquisitions are subject to refinement during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. During this measurement period, we may record adjustments to the net assets acquired based on additional information obtained for items that existed as of the acquisition date. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any adjustments are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. To date, we have not recorded adjustments to the estimated fair values used in our business acquisition consideration during or after the measurement period.

Property and equipment are recorded at the estimated fair value and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill, which represents the organizational systems and procedures in place to ensure the effective operation of the entity, may also be recorded and tested for impairment. Costs associated with business acquisitions, such as consulting and legal fees, are expensed as incurred. We recognized costs associated with acquisitions of $1,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to $14,000 during the same period of the prior year, which are included in unallocated corporate expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The total acquisition consideration is equal to the sum of all cash payments, the fair value of any deferred payments and promissory notes, and the present value of any estimated contingent earn-out consideration. We estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in Note 15—Fair Value Measurements.

The following table summarizes the total acquisition consideration for the three month period ended March 31, 2019:

Description	Total Consideration
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash payments made upon closing	$	100
Total purchase price consideration	$	100

The fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated as follows:

	Net Digital
	Assets Acquired
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Subscriber base and lists		100
	$	100

Divestitures

On March 21, 2019, we sold Newport Natural Health, an e-commerce website operated by Eagle Wellness for $0.9 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

On February 28, 2019, we sold Mike Turner’s line of investment products, including TurnerTrends.com and other domain names and related assets. We received no cash from the buyer, who assumed all deferred subscription liabilities for Mike Turner’s investment products. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

On February 27, 2019, we sold HumanEvents.com, a conservative opinion website for $0.3 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

Other Transactions

On April 30, 2018, we ceased programming radio station KHTE-FM, in Little Rock, Arkansas. We programmed the station under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”) beginning on April 1, 2015. We had the option to acquire the station for $1.2 million in cash during the TBA period. We paid the licensee a $0.1 million fee for not exercising our purchase option for the station. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations reflect the operating results of this station during the three months ended March 31, 2018 within the broadcast operating segment.

On January 2, 2018, we began programming radio stations KPAM-AM and KKOV-AM in Portland, Oregon under Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) entered on December 29, 2017, with original terms of up to 12 months. The LMAs terminated on March 30, 2018 when the radio stations were sold to another party. We entered a second LMA with the new owner as of the closing date under which we continue to program radio station KPAM-AM. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations reflects the operating results of these stations during the LMA terms.

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Pending Transactions

On March 19, 2019, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station WSPZ-AM (previously WWRC-AM) in Washington D.C. for $0.8 million. We recognized an estimated pre-tax loss of $3.8 million as of March 31, 2019, based on the probability of the sale, which reflects the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the radio station assets and the estimated closing costs. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.    

On April 26, 2018, we entered an agreement to exchange radio station KKOL-AM, in Seattle, Washington for KPAM-AM in Portland, Oregon. We are currently operating radio station KPAM-AM under an LMA as described above. The exchange transaction is subject to the approval of the FCC and is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

On January 3, 2017, Word Broadcasting began operating our Louisville radio stations (WFIA-AM; WFIA-FM; WGTK-AM) under a twenty-four month TBA. We received $0.5 million in cash associated with an option for Word Broadcasting Network to acquire the radio stations during the term. In December 2018, Word Broadcasting notified us of their intent to purchase our Louisville radio stations. The TBA contains an extension clause to allow them to continue operating the station until the purchase agreement is executed and the transaction closes.

NOTE 4. CONTINGENT EARN-OUT CONSIDERATION

Our acquisitions may include contingent earn-out consideration as part of the purchase price under which we will make future payments to the seller upon the achievement of certain benchmarks. The fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date at the present value of the expected contingent payments to be made using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model for probabilities of possible future payments. The present value of the expected future payouts is accreted to interest expense over the earn-out period. The fair value estimates use unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions as to the ability of the acquired business to meet the targeted benchmarks and discount rates used in the calculations. The unobservable inputs are defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, as Level 3 inputs discussed in detail in Note 15.

We review the probabilities of possible future payments to the estimated fair value of any contingent earn-out consideration on a quarterly basis over the earn-out period. Actual results are compared to the estimates and probabilities of achievement used in our forecasts. Should actual results of the acquired business increase or decrease as compared to our estimates and assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration liability will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration are reflected in our results of operations in the period in which they are identified. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration may materially impact and cause volatility in our operating results.

Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters

We acquired the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters and related assets on August 9, 2018. We paid $0.4 million in cash upon closing and may pay up to an additional $0.1 million in contingent earn-out consideration over the next two years upon the achievement of income benchmarks as part of the purchase agreement. Using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model based on our own assumptions as to the ability of Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters to achieve the income targets at the time of closing, we estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration to be $40,617, which was recorded at the discounted present value of $39,360. The discount will be accreted to interest expense over the two year earn-out period.

We review the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration quarterly over the earn-out period to compare actual revenues achieved and projected to the estimated revenues used in our forecasts. Any changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration will be reflected in our results of operations in the period they are identified, up to the maximum future value outstanding under the contract of $0.1 million. There were no changes in our estimates of the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration as of the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

Just1Word Mobile Application

We acquired the Just1Word mobile application and related assets on August 7, 2018. We paid $0.3 million in cash upon closing and may pay up to an additional $0.1 million in contingent earn-out consideration over the next two years upon the achievement of income benchmarks as part of the purchase agreement. Using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model based on our own assumptions as to the ability of Just1Word to achieve the income targets at the time of closing, we estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration to be $12,750, which was recorded at the discounted present value of $12,212. The discount will be accreted to interest expense over the two year earn-out period.

We review the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration quarterly over the earn-out period to compare actual revenues achieved and projected to the estimated revenues used in our forecasts. Any changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration will be reflected in our results of operations in the period they are identified, up to the maximum future value outstanding under the contract of $0.1 million. We recorded an increase of $4,000 in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration that is reflected in our results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2018. There were no changes in our estimates of the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration as of the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

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NOTE 5. REVENUE RECOGNITION

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”). ASC Topic 606 is a comprehensive revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers at an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive. The application of ASC Topic 606 requires us to use significant judgment and estimates. Application of ASC Topic 606 requires a five-step model applicable to all revenue streams as follows:

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

A contract with a customer exists when (i) we enter into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods or services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance and, (iii) we determine that collection of substantially all consideration for goods or services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration.

We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience or, in the case of a new customer, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

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Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.

When a contract includes multiple promised goods or services, we apply judgment to determine whether the promised goods or services are capable of being distinct and are distinct within the context of the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised goods or services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation.

Determination of the transaction price

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled to receive in exchange for transferring goods or services to our customer. We estimate any variable consideration included in the transaction price using the expected value method that requires the use of significant estimates for discounts, cancellation periods, refunds and returns. Variable consideration is described in detail below.

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative Stand-Alone Selling Price (“SSP,”) basis. We determine SSP based on the price at which the performance obligation would be sold separately. If the SSP is not observable, we estimate the SSP based on available information, including market conditions and any applicable internally approved pricing guidelines.

Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation

We recognize revenue at the point in time that the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the promised goods or services to our customer.

Principal versus Agent Considerations

When another party is involved in providing goods or services to our customer, we apply the principal versus agent guidance in ASC Topic 606 to determine if we are the principal or an agent to the transaction. When we control the specified goods or services before they are transferred to our customer, we report revenue gross, as principal. If we do not control the goods or services before they are transferred to our customer, revenue is reported net of the fees paid to the other party, as agent. Our evaluation to determine if we control the goods or services within ASC Topic 606 includes the following indicators:

We are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service.

When we are primarily responsible for providing the goods and services, such as when the other party is acting on our behalf, we have indication that we are the principal to the transaction. We consider if we may terminate our relationship with the other party at any time without penalty or without permission from our customer.

We have inventory risk before the specified good or service has been transferred to a customer or after transfer of control to the customer.

We may commit to obtaining the services of another party with or without an existing contract with our customer. In these situations, we have risk of loss as principal for any amount due to the other party regardless of the amount(s) we earn as revenue from our customer.    

The entity has discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service.

We have discretion in establishing the price our customer pays for the specified goods or services.

Contract Assets

Contract Assets—Costs to Obtain a Contract: We capitalize commissions paid to sales personnel in our self-publishing business when customer contracts are signed and advance payment is received. These capitalized costs are recorded as prepaid commission expense in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount capitalized is incremental to the contract and would not have been incurred absent the execution of the customer contract. Commissions paid upon the initial acquisition of a contract are expensed at the point in time that related revenue is recognized. Prepaid commission expenses are periodically reviewed for impairment. At March 31, 2019, our prepaid commission expense was $0.7 million.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities consist of customer advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. We may receive payments from our customers in advance of completing our performance obligations. Additionally, new customers, existing customers without approved credit terms and authors purchasing specific self-publishing services, are required to make payments in advance of the delivery of the products or performance of the services. We record contract liabilities equal to the amount of payments received in excess of revenue recognized, including payments that are refundable if the customer cancels the contract according to the contract terms. Contract liabilities were historically recorded under the caption “deferred revenue” and are reported as current liabilities on our consolidated financial statements when the time to fulfill the performance obligations under terms of our contracts is less than

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one year. Long-term contract liabilities represent the amount of payments received in excess of revenue earned, including those that are refundable, when the time to fulfill the performance obligation is greater than one year. Our long-term liabilities consist of subscriptions with a term of two-years for which some customers have purchased and paid for multiple years.

Significant changes in our contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows:

	Short-Term			Long-Term
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period January 1, 2019	$	11,537		$	1,379
Revenue recognized during the period that was included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities		(3,259	)		—
Additional amounts recognized during the period		5,524			347
Revenue recognized during the period that was recorded during the period		(2,529	)		—
Transfers		308			(308	)
Balance, end of period March 31, 2019	$	11,581		$	1,418
Amount refundable at beginning of period	$	11,410		$	1,379
Amount refundable at end of period	$	11,491		$	1,418

We expect to satisfy these performance obligations as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	11,581
2021		514
2022		426
2023		210
2024		99
Thereafter		169
	$	12,999

Significant Financing Component

The length of our typical sales agreement is less than 12 months, however, we may sell subscriptions with a two-year term. The balance of our long-term contract liabilities represent the unsatisfied performance obligations for subscriptions with a remaining term in excess of one year. We review long-term contract liabilities that are expected to be completed in excess of one year to assess whether the contract contains a significant financing component. The balance includes subscriptions that will be satisfied at various dates between April 1, 2020 and March 30, 2024. The difference between the promised consideration and the cash selling price of the publications is not significant. Therefore, we have concluded that subscriptions do not contain a significant financing component under ASC Topic 606.    

Our self-publishing contracts may exceed a one year term due to the length of time for an author to submit and approve a manuscript for publication. The author may pay for publishing services in installments over the production time line with payments due in advance of performance. The timing of the transfer of goods and services under self-publishing arrangements are at the discretion of the author and based on future events that are not substantially within our control. We require advance payments to provide us with protection from incurring costs for products that are unique and only sellable to the author. Based on these considerations, we have concluded that our self-publishing contracts do not contain a significant financing component under ASC Topic 606.    

Variable Consideration

We enter into agreements under which the amount of revenue we earn is contingent upon the amount of money raised by our customer over the contract term. Our customer is typically a charity or programmer that purchases blocks of programming time or spots to generate revenue from our audience members. Contract terms can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending the charity or programmer. If the campaign does not generate a pre-determined level of donations or revenue to our customer, the consideration that we expect to be entitled to may vary above a minimum base level per the contract. Historically, under ASC Topic 605, we reported variable consideration as revenue when the amount was fixed and determinable. Under ASC Topic 606, variable consideration is to be estimated using the expected value or the most likely amount to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Based on the constraints for using estimates of variable consideration within ASC Topic 606, and our historical experience with these campaigns, we continue to recognize revenue at the base amount of the campaign with variable consideration recognized when the uncertainty of each campaign is resolved. These constraints include: (1) the amount of consideration received is highly susceptible to factors outside of our influence, specifically the extent to which our audience donates or contributes to our customer or programmer, (2) the length of time in which the uncertainty about the amount of consideration expected is to be resolved, and (3) our experience has shown these contracts have a large number and broad range of possible outcomes.

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Trade and Barter Transactions

In broadcasting, trade or barter agreements are commonly used to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. We may enter barter agreements to exchange air time or digital advertising for goods or services that can be used in our business or that can be sold to our audience under Listener Purchase Programs. The terms of these barter agreements permit us to preempt the barter air time or digital campaign in favor of customers who purchase the air time or digital campaign for cash. The value of these non-cash exchanges is included in revenue in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the goods or services we receive. Each transaction is reviewed to determine that the products, supplies and/or services we receive have economic substance, or value to us. We record barter operating expenses upon receipt and usage of the products, supplies and services, as applicable. We record barter revenue as advertising spots or digital campaigns are delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Barter revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Trade and barter revenues and expenses were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2019
Net broadcast barter revenue	$	1,691	$	1,299
Net digital media barter revenue		45		11
Net publishing barter revenue		1		—
Net broadcast barter expense	$	1,266	$	1,356
Net digital media barter expense		—		—
Net publishing barter expense		—		—

We elected the following policies permitted under ASC Topic 606:

• We adopted the practical expedient related to not adjusting the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the period between transfer of product and customer payment is expected to be less than one year at the time of contract inception;

• We made the accounting policy election to not assess promised goods or services as performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer;

• We made the accounting policy election to exclude sales and similar taxes from the transaction price;

• We made the accounting policy election to treat shipping and handling costs that occur after control transfers as fulfillment activities instead of assessing such activities as separate performance obligations; and

• We adopted the practical expedient not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue source for each of our three operating segments:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Consolidated
	(dollars in thousands)
By Source of Revenue:
Block Programming - National	$	12,233	$	—	$	—	$	12,233
Block Programming - Local		7,910		—		—		7,910
Spot Advertising - National		3,900		—		—		3,900
Spot Advertising - Local		12,062		—		—		12,062
Infomercials		390		—		—		390
Network		4,306		—		—		4,306
Digital Advertising		2,352		5,317		85		7,754
Digital Streaming		161		1,011		—		1,172
Digital Downloads and eBooks		—		1,275		162		1,437
Subscriptions		274		2,084		201		2,559
Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances		37		410		1,841		2,288
Self-Publishing Fees		—		—		1,477		1,477
Print Advertising		2		—		135		137
Other Revenues		2,466		143		235		2,844
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Point in Time	$	45,472	$	10,225	$	4,136	$	59,833
Rental Income (1)		621		15		—		636
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469

(1) Rental income is not applicable to ASC Topic 606, but shown for the purpose of identifying each revenue source presented in total revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements within this report on Form 10-Q.

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A summary of each of our revenue streams under ASC Topic 606 is as follows:

Block Programming. We recognize revenue from the sale of blocks of air time to program producers that typically range from 12¹/₂, 25 or 50-minutes of time. We separate block program revenue into three categories, National, Local and Infomercial revenue. Our stations are classified by format, including Christian Teaching and Talk, News Talk, Contemporary Christian Music, Spanish Language Christian Teaching and Talk and Business. National and local programming content is complementary to our station format while infomercials are closely associated with long-form advertisements. Block Programming revenue may include variable consideration for charities and programmers that purchase blocks of air time to generate donations and contributions from our audience. Block programming revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Programming revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Spot Advertising. We recognize revenue from the sale of air time to local and national advertisers who purchase spot commercials of varying lengths. Spot Advertising may include variable consideration for charities and programmers that purchase spots to generate donations and contributions from our audience. Advertising revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Advertising revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the advertiser, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Network Revenue. Network revenue includes the sale of advertising time on our national network and fees earned from the syndication of programming on our national network. Network revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Network revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Digital Advertising. We recognize revenue from the sale of banner advertising on our owned and operated websites and on our own and operated mobile applications. Each of our radio stations, our digital media entities and certain publishing entities have custom websites and mobile applications that generate digital advertising revenue. Digital advertising revenue is recognized at the time that the banner display is delivered, or the number of impressions delivered meets the advertiser’s previously agreed-upon performance criteria, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Digital advertising revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Broadcast digital advertising revenue consists of local digital advertising, such as the sale of banner advertisements on our owned and operated websites, the sale of advertisements on our own and operated mobile applications, and advertisements in digital newsletters that we produce, as well an national digital advertising, or the sale of custom digital advertising solutions, such as web pages and social media campaigns, that we offer to our customers. Advertising revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the advertiser, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Salem Surround. During 2018, we launched a national multimedia advertising agency with locations in 35 markets across the United States. Salem Surround offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to develop and execute audience-based marketing strategies for clients on both the national and local level. Salem Surround specializes in digital marketing services for each of our radio stations and websites as well as provides a full-service digital marketing strategy for each of our clients. In our role as a digital agency, our sales team provides our customers with integrated digital advertising solutions that optimize the performance of their campaign, which we view as one performance obligation. Our advertising campaigns are designed to be “white label” agreements between Salem and our advertiser, meaning we provide special care and attention to the details of the campaign. We provide custom digital product offerings, including tools for metasearch, retargeting, website design, reputation management, online listing services, and social media marketing. Digital advertising solutions may include third-party websites, such as Google or Facebook, which can be included in a digital advertising social media campaign. We manage all aspects of the digital campaign, including social media placements, review and approval of target audiences, and the monitoring of actual results to make modifications as needed. We may contract directly with a third-party, however, we are responsible for delivering the campaign results to our customer with or without the third-party. We are responsible for any payments due to the third-party regardless of the campaign results and without regard to the status of payment from our customer. We have discretion in setting the price to our customer without input or approval from the third-party. Accordingly, revenue is reported gross, as principal, as the performance obligation is delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation.

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Digital Streaming. We recognize revenue from the sale of advertisements and from the placement of ministry content that is streamed on our owned and operated websites and on our owned and operated mobile applications. Each of our radio stations, our digital media entities and certain publishing entities have custom websites and mobile applications that generate streaming revenue. Digital streaming revenue is recognized at the time that the content is delivered, or when the number of impressions delivered meets our customer’s previously agreed-upon performance criteria. Delivery of the content represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Streaming revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Digital Downloads and e-books. We recognize revenue from sale of downloaded materials, including videos, song tracks, sermons, content archives and e-books. Payments for downloaded materials are due in advance of the download, however, the download is often instant upon confirmation of payment. Digital download revenue is recognized at the time of download, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the gross amount due from the customer. All sales are final with no allowances made for returns.

Subscriptions. We recognize revenue from the sale of subscriptions for financial publication digital newsletters, digital magazines, podcast subscriptions for on-air content, and subscriptions to our print magazine. Subscription terms typically range from three months to two years, with a money-back guarantee for the first 30 days. Refunds after the first 30 day period are considered on a pro-rata basis based on the number of publications issued and delivered. Payments are due in advance of delivery and can be made in full upon subscribing or in quarterly installments. Cash received in advance of the subscription term, including amounts that are refundable, is recorded in contract labilities. Revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription term at the point in time that each publication is transmitted or shipped, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of estimated cancellations, which are based on our experience and historical cancellation rates during the cancellable period.

Book Sales. We recognize revenue from the sale of books upon shipment, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing the performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the gross amount due from the customer, net of estimated sales returns and allowances based on our historical experience. Major new title releases represent a significant portion of the revenue in the current period. Print-based consumer books are sold on a fully-returnable basis. We do not record assets or inventory for the value of returned books as they are considered used regardless of the condition returned. Our experience with unsold or returned books is that their resale value is insignificant and they are often destroyed or disposed of.

e-Commerce. We recognize revenue from the sale of products sold through our digital platform, including wellness products through Newport Natural Health. Payments for products are due in advance shipping. We record a contract liability when we receive customer payments in advance of shipment. The time frame from receipt of payment to shipment is typically one business day based on the time that an order is placed as compared to fulfillment. E-Commerce revenue is recognized at the time of shipment, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of estimated returns, which are based on our experience and historical return rates. Returned products are recorded in inventory if they are unopened and re-saleable with a corresponding reduction in the cost of goods sold.

Self-Publishing Fees. We recognize revenue from self-publishing services through Salem Author Services (“SAS”), including book publishing and support services to independent authors. Services include book cover design, interior layout, printing, distribution, marketing services and editing for print books and eBooks. As each book and related support services are unique to each author, authors must make payments in advance of the performance. Payments are typically made in installments over the expected production time line for each publication. We record contract liabilities equal to the amount of payments received, including those amounts that are fully or partially refundable. Contract liabilities were historically recorded under the caption “deferred revenue” and are reported as current liabilities or long term liabilities on our consolidated financial statements based on the time to fulfill the performance obligations under terms of the contract. Refunds are limited based on the percentage completion of each publishing project.

Revenue is recognized upon completion of each performance obligation, which represents the point in time that control of the product is transferred to the author, thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the net amount due from the author, including discounts based on the service package.

Advertising—Print. We recognize revenue from the sale of print magazine advertisements. Revenue is recognized upon delivery of the print magazine which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing the performance obligation. Revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Other Revenues. Other revenues include various sources, such as event revenue, listener purchase programs, talent fees for on-air hosts, rental income for studios and towers, production services, and shipping and handling fees. We recognize event revenue, including fees earned for ticket sales and sponsorships, when the event occurs, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue for all other products and services is recorded as the products or services are delivered or performed, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Other revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.    

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NOTE 6. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of finished goods including books from Regnery^® Publishing and for the prior year wellness products. All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value as determined on a First-In First-Out cost method and reported net of estimated reserves for obsolescence.

The following table provides details of inventory on hand by segment:

	December 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Regnery® Publishing book inventories	$	1,317		$	1,612
Reserve for obsolescence – Regnery® Publishing		(930	)		(1,079	)
Inventory, net - Regnery® Publishing		387			533
Newport Natural Health Wellness products	$	354		$	—
Reserve for obsolescence –Wellness products		(64	)		—
Inventory, net –Wellness products		290			—
Consolidated inventories, net	$	677		$	533

NOTE 7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

We account for property and equipment in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a summary of the categories of our property and equipment:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land	$	31,822		$	31,830
Buildings		30,104			30,121
Office furnishings and equipment		36,756			37,019
Antennae, towers and transmitting equipment		85,998			85,827
Studio, production and mobile equipment		29,040			29,261
Computer software and website development costs		27,603			27,845
Record and tape libraries		17			17
Automobiles		1,570			1,570
Leasehold improvements		19,357			19,359
Construction-in-progress		4,833			5,752
	$	267,100		$	268,601
Less accumulated depreciation		(170,756	)		(173,055	)
	$	96,344		$	95,546

Depreciation expense was approximately $2.9 million and $3.0 million for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We periodically review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Our review requires us to estimate the fair value of assets when events or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. The fair value measurements for our long-lived assets use significant observable inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value including assumptions about risk. If actual future results are less favorable than the assumptions and estimates we used, we are subject to future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

NOTE 8. OPERATING AND FINANCE LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Leasing Transactions

Our leased assets include offices and studios, transmitter locations, antenna sites, tower and tower sites or land. Our current lease portfolio has remaining terms from less than one-year up to twenty years. Many of these leases contain options under which we can extend the term for five to twenty years. Renewal options are excluded from our calculation of lease liabilities unless we are reasonably assured to exercise the renewal option. Our lease agreements do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. We lease certain property from our principal stockholders or trusts and partnerships created for the benefit of the principal stockholders and their families. These leases are designated as Related Party leases in the details provided.

Operating leases are reflected on our balance sheet within operating lease ROU assets and the related current and non-current operating lease liabilities. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from lease agreement. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date, or the date on which the lessor makes the underlying asset available for use, based upon the present value of the lease payments over the respective lease term. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, subject to any changes in the lease or expectation regarding the terms. Variable lease costs such as common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance are expensed as incurred.

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Balance Sheet

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recording a non-cash transitional adjustment to operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of $65.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The difference between the operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities at transition represented existing deferred rent expense and prepaid rent that was derecognized upon adoption. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019, we recorded an additional ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $0.3 million.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

	March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Related Party		Other		Total
Operating Leases
Operating leases ROU assets	$	9,163	$	53,957	$	63,120
Operating lease liabilities (current)		903		8,561		9,464
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)		8,633		53,214		61,847
Total operating lease liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases	8.7 years
Finance leases	3.8 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	8.05	%
Finance leases	4.28	%

Lease Expense

The components of lease expense were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of ROU Assets	$	33
Interest on finance lease liabilities		2
Finance lease expense		35
Operating lease expense		3,497
Variable lease expense		252
Short-term lease expense		225
Total lease expense	$	4,009

Supplemental Cash Flow

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,267
Operating cash flows from finance leases		33
Financing cash flows from finance leases		21
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	2,321
ROU assets acquired in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		288

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Maturities

Future minimum lease payments required under leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of March 31, 2019, are as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Parties		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr-Dec)	$	1,227	$	9,349	$	10,576	$	64	$	10,640
2020		1,665		12,785		14,450		66		14,516
2021		1,669		11,660		13,329		51		13,380
2022		1,647		10,081		11,728		43		11,771
2023		1,207		8,925		10,132		22		10,154
Thereafter		7,510		40,120		47,630		3		47,633
Undiscounted Cash Flows	$	14,925	$	92,920	$	107,845	$	249	$	108,094
Less: imputed interest		5,389		31,145		36,534		19		36,553
Total	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	$	903	$	8,561	$	9,464	$	74	$	9,538
Lease liabilities - long-term		8,633		53,214		61,847		156		62,003
Total Lease Liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541

Future minimum lease payments under leases that had initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018, based on the former accounting guidance for leases, were as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Party		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	1,730	$	11,633	$	13,363	$	58	$	13,421
2020		1,763		11,592		13,355		39		13,394
2021		1,767		10,596		12,363		31		12,394
2022		1,730		9,490		11,220		27		11,247
2023		1,234		8,584		9,818		8		9,826
Thereafter		13,364		48,109		61,473		—		61,473
	$	21,588	$	100,004	$	121,592	$	163	$	121,755

NOTE 9. BROADCAST LICENSES

We account for broadcast licenses in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize broadcast licenses, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value may be impaired. In the case of our broadcast radio stations, we would not be able to operate the properties without the related broadcast license for each property. Broadcast licenses are renewed with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) every eight years for a nominal fee that is expensed as incurred. We continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements that are necessary for the FCC renewal and all of our broadcast licenses have been renewed at the end of their respective periods. We expect all of our broadcast licenses to be renewed in the future and therefore, we consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets. We are not aware of any legal, competitive, economic or other factors that materially limit the useful life of our broadcast licenses. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses that include acquisitions and divestitures of radio stations and FM translators.

Broadcast Licenses	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	486,455		$	484,691
Accumulated loss on impairment		(105,541	)		(108,375	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		380,914			376,316
Acquisitions of radio stations		6,270			—
Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits		19			—
Abandoned capital projects		(40	)		—
Dispositions of radio stations		(8,013	)		(4,291	)
Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses		(2,834	)		—
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		484,691			480,400
Accumulated loss on impairment		(108,375	)		(108,375	)
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment	$	376,316		$	372,025

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NOTE 10. GOODWILL

We account for goodwill in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize goodwill, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. We perform our annual impairment testing during the fourth quarter of each year, which coincides with our budget and planning process for the upcoming year. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

The following table presents the changes in goodwill including business acquisitions and dispositions as discussed in Note 3 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	28,453		$	28,818
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		26,424			26,789
Acquisitions of radio stations		7			—
Acquisitions of digital media entities		986			—
Dispositions of radio stations		(628	)		(3	)
Dispositions of digital media entities		—			(341	)
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		28,818			28,474
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Ending period balance	$	26,789		$	26,445

NOTE 11. OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other indefinite-lived intangible consists of mastheads, or the graphic elements that identify our publications to readers and advertisers. These include customized typeset page headers, section headers, and column graphics as well as other name and identity stylized elements within the body of each publication. We are not aware of any legal, competitive, economic or other factors that materially limit the useful life of our mastheads. We account for mastheads in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize mastheads, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

NOTE 12. AMORTIZABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following tables provide a summary of our significant classes of amortizable intangible assets:

	As of March 31, 2019
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	23,456	$	(20,896	)	$	2,560
Domain and brand names		20,236		(16,434	)		3,802
Favorable and assigned leases		2,188		(1,894	)		294
Subscriber base and lists		9,570		(7,477	)		2,093
Author relationships		2,771		(2,493	)		278
Non-compete agreements		2,031		(1,679	)		352
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,406	)		260
	$	61,918	$	(52,279	)	$	9,639
	As of December 31, 2018
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	24,673	$	(21,798	)	$	2,875
Domain and brand names		21,358		(16,758	)		4,600
Favorable and assigned leases		2,256		(1,953	)		303
Subscriber base and lists		9,672		(7,198	)		2,474
Author relationships		2,771		(2,454	)		317
Non-compete agreements		2,048		(1,641	)		407
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,378	)		288
	$	64,444	$	(53,180	)	$	11,264

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Amortization expense was approximately $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Based on the amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2019, we estimate amortization expense for the next five years to be as follows:

Year Ended December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr – Dec)	$	3,250
2020		3,094
2021		1,614
2022		989
2023		479
Thereafter		213
Total	$	9,639

NOTE 13. LONG-TERM DEBT

Salem Media Group, Inc. has no independent assets or operations, the subsidiary guarantees relating to certain debt are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of Salem Media Group, Inc. other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

6.75% Senior Secured Notes

On May 19, 2017, we issued in a private placement the Notes, which are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by our existing subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year and mature on June 1, 2024, unless they are earlier redeemed or repurchased. Interest initially accrued on the Notes from May 19, 2017 and is payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2017.

The Notes and the ABL Facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ assets, other than certain excluded assets. The ABL Facility has a first-priority lien on our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, deposit and securities accounts, certain real estate and related assets (the “ABL Priority Collateral”). The Notes are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all other assets of ours and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Notes Priority Collateral”). There is no direct lien on our FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation.

We may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or before June 1, 2020 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus a “make-whole” premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. At any time on or after June 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the Notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth in the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes before June 1, 2020 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. We may also redeem up to 10% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes per twelve-month period before June 1, 2020 at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.

The indenture relating to the Notes (the “Indenture”) contains covenants that, among other things and subject in each case to certain specified exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) declare or pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders; (iii) make investments; (iv) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (v) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of our assets; (vi) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (vii) sell or transfer assets.

The Indenture provides for the following events of default (each, an “Event of Default”): (i) default in payment of principal or premium on the Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise; (ii) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (iii) the failure by us or certain restricted subsidiaries to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) the failure of any guarantee by certain significant Subsidiary Guarantors to be in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to notice and lapse of time; (v) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period) of other indebtedness of ours or any restricted subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) is at least $15 million; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money in excess of $15 million; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any significant subsidiary; and (vii) certain defaults with respect to any collateral having a fair market value in excess of $15 million. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately, subject to remedy or cure in certain cases. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

Based on the balance of the Notes currently outstanding, we are required to pay $15.7 million per year in interest on the Notes. As of March 31, 2019, accrued interest on the Notes was $5.2 million.

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We incurred debt issuance costs of $6.3 million that were recorded as a reduction of the debt proceeds that are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense.

We may from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, seek to repurchase the Notes in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, as market conditions warrant.

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes at amounts less than face value as follows:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
December 21, 2018		2,000		1,835		91.75	%		38		127
December 21, 2018		1,850		1,702		92.00	%		35		113
December 21, 2018		1,080		999		92.50	%		21		60
November 17, 2018		1,500		1,357		90.50	%		29		114
May 4, 2018		4,000		3,770		94.25	%		86		144
April 10, 2018		4,000		3,850		96.25	%		87		63
April 9, 2018		2,000		1,930		96.50	%		43		27
	$	23,100	$	21,566

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

On May 19, 2017, the Company entered into the ABL Facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among us and our subsidiaries party thereto as borrowers, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lead arranger, and the lenders that are parties thereto. We used the proceeds of the ABL Facility, together with the net proceeds from the Notes offering, to repay outstanding borrowings under our previously existing senior credit facilities, and related fees and expenses. Current proceeds from the ABL Facility are used to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions.

The ABL Facility is a five-year $30.0 million revolving credit facility due May 19, 2022, which includes a $5.0 million subfacility for standby letters of credit and a $7.5 million subfacility for swingline loans. All borrowings under the ABL Facility accrue at a rate equal to a base rate or LIBOR rate plus a spread. The spread, which is based on an availability-based measure, ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings. If an event of default occurs, the interest rate may increase by 2.00% per annum. Amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility may be paid and then reborrowed at our discretion without penalty or premium. Additionally, we pay a commitment fee on the unused balance from 0.25% to 0.375% per year based on the level of borrowings.

The ABL Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on the ABL Priority Collateral and by a second-priority lien on the Notes Priority Collateral. There is no direct lien on the Company’s FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation (other than the economic value and proceeds thereof).

The Credit Agreement includes a springing fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, which is tested during the period commencing on the last day of the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the date on which Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than the greater of 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and $4.5 million and continuing for a period of 60 consecutive days after the first day on which Availability exceeds such threshold amount. The Credit Agreement also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the Credit Agreement, restrict the ability of the borrowers and their subsidiaries (i) to incur additional indebtedness; (ii) to make investments; (iii) to make distributions, loans or transfers of assets; (iv) to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens, (v) to sell assets; (vi) to enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) to merge or consolidate with, or dispose of all assets to a third party, except as permitted thereby; (viii) to prepay indebtedness; and (ix) to pay dividends.

The Credit Agreement provides for the following events of default: (i) default for non-payment of any principal or letter of credit reimbursement when due or any interest, fees or other amounts within five days of the due date; (ii) the failure by any borrower or any subsidiary to comply with any covenant or agreement contained in the Credit Agreement or any other loan document, in certain cases subject to applicable notice and lapse of time; (iii) any representation or warranty made pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other loan document is incorrect in any material respect when made; (iv) certain defaults of other indebtedness of any borrower

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or any subsidiary of indebtedness of at least $10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any borrower or any subsidiary; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money of $10 million or more; (vii) a change of control; and (viii) certain defaults relating to the loss of FCC licenses, cessation of broadcasting and termination of material station contracts. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may accelerate the amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility and may exercise remedies in respect of the collateral.

We incurred debt issue costs of $0.7 million that were recorded as an asset and are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the term of the ABL Facility using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $51,000 and $46,000, respectively, of debt issue costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense. At March 31, 2019, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility was 4.24%.

We report outstanding balances on the ABL Facility as short-term regardless of the maturity date based on use of the ABL Facility to fund ordinary and customary operating cash needs with frequent repayments. We believe that our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Summary of long-term debt obligations

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes	$	238,570		$	231,900
Less unamortized debt issuance costs based on imputed interest rate of 7.08%		(4,540	)		(4,217	)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes net carrying value		234,030			227,683
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility principal outstanding		19,660			16,000
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		253,690			243,683
Less current portion		(19,660	)		(16,000	)
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs, net of current portion	$	234,030		$	227,683

In addition to the outstanding amounts listed above, we also have interest payments related to our long-term debt as follows as of March 31, 2019:

• $16.0 million under the ABL Facility, with interest spread ranging from Base Rate plus 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings;

• $231.9 million aggregate principal amount of Notes with semi-annual interest payments at an annual rate of 6.75%; and

• Commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the ABL Facility.

Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at March 31, 2019 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	16,000
2021		—
2022		—
2023		—
2024		—
Thereafter		231,900
	$	247,900

NOTE 14. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. We actively monitor these fluctuations and may use derivative instruments primarily for the purpose of reducing the impact of changing interest rates on our variable rate debt and to reduce the impact of changing fair market values on our fixed rate debt. In accordance with our risk management strategy, we may use derivative instruments only for the purpose of managing risk associated with an asset, liability, committed transaction, or probable forecasted transaction that is identified by management. Our use of derivative instruments may result in short-term gains or losses that may increase the volatility of our earnings.

Under FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument shall be reported as a component of other comprehensive income (outside earnings) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, shall be recognized currently in earnings.

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As of March 31, 2019, we did not have any outstanding derivative instruments.

NOTE 15. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring fair value. This framework defines three levels of inputs to the fair value measurement process and requires that each fair value measurement be assigned to a level corresponding to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three broad levels of inputs defined by the FASB ASC Topic 820 hierarchy are as follows:

• Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;

• Level 2 Inputs—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

• Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (which might include the reporting entity’s own data).

Under ASC 820, a fair value measurement of a nonfinancial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use. Therefore, fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement. It is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The exit price objective of a fair value measurement applies regardless of the reporting entity’s intent and/or ability to sell the asset or transfer the liability at the measurement date.

As of March 31, 2019, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued interest approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Notes at March 31, 2019 was $231.9 million compared to the estimated fair value of $212.8 million, based on the prevailing interest rates and trading activity of our Notes.

We have certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values exceed the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered Level 3 due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used when estimating the fair value.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:

	March 31, 2019
	Carrying Value on Balance Sheet		Fair Value Measurement Category
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	277		—		—	$	277
Liabilities:
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration included in accrued expenses		55		—		—		55
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		243,683		—		224,551		—

NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between our consolidated financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We measure these deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to reverse. We recognize the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the date of the change. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We calculated the impact of the Act in our year ending December 31, 2018 income tax provision in accordance with our understanding of the Act and guidance available as of the date of our Form 10-K filing.

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At December 31, 2018, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $148.1 million that expire in 2021 through 2038 and for state income tax purposes of approximately $783.8 million that expire in years 2019 through 2038. For financial reporting purposes at December 31, 2018, we had a valuation allowance of $5.4 million, net of federal benefit, to offset the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards. Our evaluation was performed for tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions, which range from 2014 through 2017.

The amortization of our indefinite-lived intangible assets for tax purposes, but not for book purposes, creates deferred tax liabilities. A reversal of deferred tax liabilities may occur when indefinite-lived intangibles: (1) become impaired; or (2) are sold, which would typically only occur in connection with the sale of the assets of a station or groups of stations or the entire company in a taxable transaction. Due to the amortization for tax purposes and not book purposes of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we expect to continue to generate deferred tax liabilities in future periods exclusive of any impairment losses in future periods. These deferred tax liabilities and net operating loss carryforwards result in differences between our provision for income tax and cash paid for taxes.

Valuation Allowance (Deferred Taxes)

For financial reporting purposes, we recorded a valuation allowance of $5.4 million as of March 31, 2019 to offset the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards. We regularly review our financial forecasts in an effort to determine our ability to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes. Accordingly, the valuation allowance is adjusted periodically based on our estimate of the benefit the company will receive from such carryforwards.

NOTE 17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company enters into various agreements in the normal course of business that contain minimum guarantees. Minimum guarantees are typically tied to future events, such as future revenue earned in excess of the contractual level. Accordingly, the fair value of these arrangements is zero.

The Company also records contingent earn-out consideration representing the estimated fair value of future liabilities associated with acquisitions that may have additional payments due upon the achievement of certain performance targets. The fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the expected payment amounts. We review the probabilities of possible future payments to estimate the fair value of any contingent earn-out consideration on a quarterly basis over the earn-out period. Actual results are compared to the estimates and probabilities of achievement used in our forecasts. Should actual results of the acquired business increase or decrease as compared to our estimates and assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration liability will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration are reflected in our results of operations in the period in which they are identified. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration may materially impact and cause volatility in our operating results.

The Company and its subsidiaries, incident to its business activities, are parties to a number of legal proceedings, lawsuits, arbitration and other claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. The company evaluates claims based on what we believe to be both probable and reasonably estimable. The company maintains insurance that may provide coverage for such matters. Consequently, the company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. The Company believes, at this time, that the final resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 18. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Our Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for grants of equity-based awards to employees, non-employee directors and officers, and advisors of the company (“Eligible Persons”). The Plan is designed to promote the interests of the company using equity investment interests to attract, motivate, and retain individuals.

At March 31, 2019, a maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock were authorized under the Plan. At the annual meeting of the company held on May 8, 2019, the company’s stockholders approved a revision to the Plan increasing the number of shares authorized by 3,000,000. As a result, a maximum of 8,000,000 shares are authorized under the Plan. All awards have restriction periods tied primarily to employment and/or service. The Plan allows for accelerated or continued vesting in certain circumstances as defined in the Plan including death, disability, a change in control, and termination or retirement. The Board of Directors, or a committee appointed by the Board, has discretion subject to limits defined in the Plan, to modify the terms of any outstanding award.

Under the Plan, the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, may impose restrictions on the exercise of awards during pre-defined blackout periods. Insiders may participate in plans established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that allow them to exercise awards subject to pre-established criteria.

We recognize non-cash stock-based compensation expense based on the estimated fair value of awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense fluctuates over time as a result of the vesting periods for outstanding awards and the number of awards that actually vest. The following table reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

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	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Stock option compensation expense included in corporate expenses	$	24		$	107
Stock option compensation expense included in broadcast operating expenses		13			39
Stock option compensation expense included in digital media operating expenses		5			26
Stock option compensation expense included in publishing operating expenses		4			4
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$	46		$	176
Tax benefit (expense) for stock-based compensation expense		(12	)		(46	)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	34		$	130

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants

Eligible employees may receive stock option awards annually with the number of shares and type of instrument generally determined by the employee’s salary grade and performance level. Incentive and non-qualified stock option awards allow the recipient to purchase shares of our common stock at a set price, not to be less than the closing market price on the date of award, for no consideration payable by the recipient. The related number of shares underlying the stock option is fixed at the time of the grant. Options generally vest over a four-year period with a maximum term of five years from the vesting date. In addition, certain management and professional level employees may receive stock option awards upon the commencement of employment.

The Plan also allows for awards of restricted stock, which have been granted periodically to non-employee directors of the company. Awards granted to non-employee directors are made in exchange for their services to the company as directors and therefore, the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 505-50 Equity Based Payments to Non Employees is not applicable. Restricted stock awards contain transfer restrictions under which they cannot be sold, pledged, transferred or assigned until the period specified in the award, generally from one to five years. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are granted at no cost to the recipient other than applicable taxes owed by the recipient. The awards are considered issued and outstanding from the vest date of grant.

The fair value of each award is estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected volatility reflects the consideration of the historical volatility of our common stock as determined by the closing price over a six to ten year term commensurate with the expected term of the award. Expected dividends reflect the amount of quarterly distributions authorized and declared on our Class A and Class B common stock as of the grant date. The expected term of the awards are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected term of the award are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect during the period the options were granted. We have used historical data to estimate future forfeiture rates to apply against the gross amount of compensation expense determined using the valuation model. These estimates have approximated our actual forfeiture rates.

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model were as follows for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
Expected volatility		41.99	%		47.54	%
Expected dividends		6.93	%		9.22	%
Expected term (in years)		7.5			7.5
Risk-free interest rate		2.75	%		2.61	%

Activity with respect to the company’s option awards during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in thousands, except weighted average exercise price and weighted average grant date fair value)
Outstanding at January 1, 2019		1,980,972		$	4.63	$	2.61		4.1 years	$	—
Granted		5,000			2.82		1.43				—
Exercised		—			—		—				—
Forfeited or expired		(155,750	)		6.43		4.53				2
Outstanding at March 31, 2019		1,830,222		$	4.49	$	2.46		4.1 years	$	10
Exercisable at March 31, 2019		1,112,844		$	5.13	$	2.89		2.7 years	$	10
Expected to Vest		681,150		$	4.51	$	2.47		4.1 years	$	10

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on March 31, 2019 of $2.56 and the option exercise price of the shares for stock options that were in the money, multiplied by the number of shares underlying such options. The total fair value of options vested during the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $0.3 million.

As of March 31, 2019, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

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There were no restricted stock awards granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

NOTE 19. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

We account for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. As a result, $0.2 million and $46,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense has been recorded to additional paid-in capital for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

While we intend to pay regular quarterly distributions, the actual declaration of such future distributions and the establishment of the per share amount, record dates, and payment dates are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors and dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements, and other factors. Any future distributions are likely to be comparable to prior declarations unless there are changes in expected future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements.

The following table shows distributions that have been declared and paid since January 1, 2018:

Announcement Date	Payment Date	Amount Per Share		Cash Distributed (in thousands)
March 7, 2019	March 29, 2019	$	0.0650	$	1,702
November 26, 2018	December 21, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
September 5, 2018	September 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
May 31, 2018	June 29, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701
February 28, 2018	March 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701

Based on the number of shares of Class A and Class B currently outstanding, we expect to pay total annual distributions of approximately $6.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

NOTE 20. BASIC AND DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic net earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effects of stock options.

Options to purchase 1,830,222 and 1,443,087 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding exclude outstanding stock options whose exercise price is in excess of the average price of the company’s stock price. These options are excluded from the respective computations of diluted net income or loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. As of March 31, 2019 and 2018 there were 7,195 and 133,352 dilutive shares, respectively.    

NOTE 21. SEGMENT DATA

FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, requires companies to provide certain information about their operating segments. We have three operating segments: (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which also qualify as reportable segments. Our operating segments reflect how our chief operating decision makers, which we define as a collective group of senior executives, assesses the performance of each operating segment and determines the appropriate allocations of resources to each segment. We continually review our operating segment classifications to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.

We measure and evaluate our operating segments based on operating income and operating expenses that do not include allocations of costs related to corporate functions, such as accounting and finance, human resources, legal, tax and treasury, which are reported as unallocated corporate expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We also exclude costs such as amortization, depreciation, taxes and interest expense.

Segment performance, as defined by Salem, is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies.

Broadcasting

Our foundational business is radio broadcasting, which includes the ownership and operation of radio stations in large metropolitan markets. Our broadcasting segment includes our national networks and national sales firms. National companies often prefer to advertise across the United States as an efficient and cost effective way to reach their target audiences. Our national platform under which we offer radio airtime, digital campaigns and print advertisements can benefit national companies by reaching audiences throughout the United States.

Salem Radio Network^TM (“SRN^TM”), based in Dallas, Texas, develops, produces and syndicates a broad range of programming specifically targeted to Christian and family-themed talk stations, music stations and News Talk stations. SRN^TM delivers programming via satellite to approximately 3,200 affiliated radio stations throughout the United States, including several of our Salem-owned stations. SRN^TM operates five divisions, SRN^TM Talk, SRN^TM News, SRN^TM Websites, SRN^TM Satellite Services and Salem Music Network that includes Today’s Christian Music (“TCM”) and Singing News^® Radio.

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Salem Media Representatives (“SMR”) is our national advertising sales firm with offices in 13 U.S. cities. SMR specializes in placing national advertising on Christian and talk formatted radio stations as well as other commercial radio station formats. SMR sells commercial airtime to national advertisers on our radio stations and through our networks, as well as for independent radio station affiliates. SMR also contracts with independent radio stations to create custom advertising campaigns for national advertisers to reach multiple markets.

During 2018, we launched Salem Surround, a national multimedia advertising agency with locations in 35 markets across the United States. Salem Surround offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to develop and execute audience-based marketing strategies for clients on both the national and local level. Salem Surround specializes in digital marketing services for each of our radio stations and websites as well as provides a full-service digital marketing strategy for each of our clients.

Digital Media

Our digital media based businesses provide Christian, conservative, investing and health-themed content, e-commerce, audio and video streaming, and other resources digitally through the web. Salem Web Network (“SWN”) websites include Christian content websites; BibleStudyTools.com, Crosswalk.com^®, GodVine.com, iBelieve.com, GodTube^®.com, OnePlace^™.com, Christianity.com, GodUpdates.com, CrossCards^™.com, ChristianHeadlines.com, LightSource.com, AllCreated.com, ChristianRadio.com, CCMmagazine.com, SingingNews^®.com and SouthernGospel.com and our conservative opinion websites; collectively known as Townhall Media, include Townhall.com^®, HotAir^™.com, Twitchy^®.com, RedState^®.com, BearingArms.com, and ConservativeRadio.com. We also publish digital newsletters through Eagle Financial Publications, which provide market analysis and non-individualized investment strategies from financial commentators on a subscription basis.

Our church e-commerce websites, including SermonSearch^™.com, ChurchStaffing.com, WorshipHouseMedia.com, SermonSpice^™.com, WorshipHouseKids.com, Preaching.com, ChristianJobs.com and Youthworker.com, offer a variety of digital resources including videos, song tracks, sermon archives and job listings to pastors and Church leaders. E-commerce also included Newport Natural Health, a seller of nutritional supplements through the date of sale on March 21, 2019.

Our web content is accessible through all of our radio station websites that feature content of interest to local audiences throughout the United States.

Publishing

Our publishing operating segment includes three businesses: (1) Regnery^® Publishing, a traditional book publisher that has published dozens of bestselling books by leading conservative authors and personalities, including Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, David Limbaugh, Ed Klein, Mark Steyn and Dinesh D’Souza; (2) Salem Author Services, a self-publishing service for authors through Xulon Press and Mill City Press; and (3) Singing News^®, which produces and distributes a print magazine.

The table below presents financial information for each operating segment as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 based on the composition of our operating segments:

	Broadcast		Digital Media			Publishing			Unallocated Corporate Expenses			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Net revenue	$	46,093	$	10,240		$	4,136		$	—		$	60,469
Operating expenses		36,449		8,058			4,822			3,871			53,200
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	9,644	$	2,182		$	(686	)	$	(3,871	)	$	7,269
Depreciation		1,860		774			116			183			2,933
Amortization		9		1,075			212			—			1,296
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		3,783		239			—			2			4,024
Net operating income (loss)	$	3,992	$	94		$	(1,014	)	$	(4,056	)	$	(984	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net revenue	$	48,050	$	10,394		$	5,351		$	—		$	63,795
Operating expenses		35,750		8,374			5,587			3,921			53,632
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	12,300	$	2,020		$	(236	)	$	(3,921	)	$	10,163
Depreciation		1,858		802			131			218			3,009
Amortization		10		1,225			243			—			1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5		—			—			—			5
Net operating income (loss)	$	10,427	$	(7	)	$	(610	)	$	(4,139	)	$	5,671

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	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Unallocated Corporate		Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2019
Inventories, net	$	—	$	—	$	533	$	—	$	533
Property and equipment, net		80,505		6,093		866		8,082		95,546
Broadcast licenses		372,025		—		—		—		372,025
Goodwill		2,957		21,592		1,888		8		26,445
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		295		7,533		1,809		2		9,639
As of December 31, 2018
Inventories, net	$	—	$	290	$	387	$	—	$	677
Property and equipment, net		81,269		6,184		933		7,958		96,344
Broadcast licenses		376,316		—		—		—		376,316
Goodwill		2,960		21,933		1,888		8		26,789
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		303		8,937		2,021		3		11,264

NOTE 22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

At the annual meeting of the Company held on May 8, 2019, the company’s stockholders approved a revision to the Plan increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan by 3,000,000. As a result, a maximum of 8,000,000 shares are authorized under the Plan.

On April 29, 2019, we entered an agreement to exchange FM Translator W276CR, in Bradenton, FL with FM Translator W262CP in Bayonet Point, FL. No cash will be exchanged for the assets.

On April 3, 2019, we entered a TBA effective April 12, 2019, under which radio station WSPZ-AM in Washington DC, is operated by the buyer pending the closing of the sale of the station.

Subsequent events reflect all applicable transactions through the date of the filing.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

General

Salem Media Group, Inc. (“Salem”) is a domestic multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio broadcasting, digital media, and publishing. Our content is intended for audiences interested in Christian and family-themed programming and conservative news talk. We maintain a website at www.salemmedia.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information on our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference into this or any other report of the company filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are not directly comparable from period to period due to acquisitions and dispositions. Refer to Note 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements on Form 10-Q for details of each of these transactions.

Historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Actual future results may differ from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the need for additional funds to service our debt and to execute our business strategy, our ability to access borrowings under our ABL Facility, reductions in revenue forecasts, our ability to renew our broadcast licenses, changes in interest rates, the timing of, our ability to complete any acquisitions or dispositions, costs and synergies resulting from the integration of any completed acquisitions, our ability to effectively manage costs, our ability to drive and manage growth, the popularity of radio as a broadcasting and advertising medium, changes in consumer tastes, the impact of general economic conditions in the United States or in specific markets in which we do business, industry conditions, including existing competition and future competitive technologies and cancellation, disruptions or postponements of advertising schedules in response to national or world events, our ability to generate revenues from new sources, including local commerce and technology-based initiatives, the impact of regulatory rules or proceedings that may affect our business from time to time, and the future write off of any material portion of the fair value of our FCC broadcast licenses and goodwill,

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

Overview

We have three operating segments: (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which also qualify as reportable segments. Our operating segments reflect how our chief operating decision makers, which we define as a collective group of senior executives, assess the performance of each operating segment and determine the appropriate allocations of resources to each segment. We continually review our operating segment classifications to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.

We measure and evaluate our operating segments based on operating income and operating expenses that exclude costs related to corporate functions, such as accounting and finance, human resources, legal, tax and treasury. We also exclude costs such as amortization, depreciation, taxes and interest expense when evaluating the performance of our operating segments.

Our principal sources of broadcast revenue include:

• the sale of block program time to national and local program producers;

• the sale of advertising time on our radio stations to national and local advertisers;

• the sale of banner advertisements on our station websites or on our mobile applications;

• the sale of digital streaming advertisements on our station websites or on our mobile applications;

• the sale of advertisements included in digital newsletters;

• fees earned for the creation of custom web pages and custom digital media campaigns for our advertisers through Salem Surround;

• the sale of advertising time on our national network;

• the syndication of programming on our national network;

• product sales and royalties for on-air host materials, including podcasts and programs; and

• other revenue such as events, including ticket sales and sponsorships, listener purchase programs, where revenue is generated from special discounts and incentives offered to our listeners from our advertisers; talent fees for voice-overs or custom endorsements from our on-air personalities and production services, and rental income for studios, towers or office space.

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Our principal sources of digital media revenue include:

• the sale of digital banner advertisements on our websites and mobile applications;

• the sale of digital streaming advertisements on websites and mobile applications;

• the support and promotion to stream third-party content on our websites;

• the sale of advertisements included in digital newsletters;

• the digital delivery of newsletters to subscribers;

• the number of video and graphic downloads; and

• the sale and delivery of wellness products.

Our principal sources of publishing revenue include:

• the sale of books and e-books;

• publishing fees from authors;

• the sale of digital advertising on our magazine websites and digital newsletters;

• subscription fees for our print magazine; and

• the sale of print magazine advertising.

In each of our operating segments, the rates we are able to charge for air-time, advertising and other products and services are dependent upon several factors, including:

• audience share;

• how well our programs and advertisements perform for our clients;

• the size of the market and audience reached;

• the number of impressions delivered;

• the number of advertisements and programs streamed;

• the number of page views achieved;

• the number of downloads completed;

• the number of events held, the number of event sponsorships sold and the attendance at each event;

• demand for books and publications;

• general economic conditions; and

• supply and demand for air-time on a local and national level.

Broadcasting

Our foundational business is radio broadcasting, which includes the ownership and operation of radio stations in large metropolitan markets, our national networks and our national sales firms including Salem Surround. Revenues generated from our radio stations, networks and sales firms are reported as broadcast media revenue in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Advertising revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the advertiser, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Broadcast revenues are impacted by the rates radio stations can charge for programming and advertising time, the level of airtime sold to programmers and advertisers, the number of impressions delivered or downloads made, and the number of events held, including the size of the event and the number of attendees. Block programming rates are based upon our stations’ ability to attract audiences that will support the program producers through contributions and purchases of their products. Advertising rates are based upon the demand for advertising time, which in turn is based on our stations and networks’ ability to produce results for their advertisers. We market ourselves to advertisers based on the responsiveness of our audiences. We do not subscribe to traditional audience measuring services for most of our radio stations. In select markets, we subscribe to Nielsen Audio, which develops monthly reports measuring a radio station’s audience share in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers. Each of our radio stations and our networks has a pre-determined level of time available for block programming and/or advertising, which may vary at different times of the day.

Nielsen Audio uses the Portable People Meter ^TM (“PPM^”) technology to collect data for its ratings service. PPM is a small device that is capable of automatically measuring radio, television, Internet, satellite radio and satellite television signals encoded by the broadcaster. The PPM offers a number of advantages over traditional diary ratings collection systems, including ease of use, more reliable ratings data, shorter time periods between when advertising runs and actual listening data, and little manipulation of data by users. A disadvantage of the PPM includes data fluctuations from changes to the “panel” (a group of individuals holding PPM devices). This makes all stations susceptible to some inconsistencies in ratings that may or may not accurately reflect the actual number of listeners at any given time.

As is typical in the radio broadcasting industry, our second and fourth quarter advertising revenue generally exceeds our first and third quarter advertising revenue. This seasonal fluctuation in advertising revenue corresponds with quarterly fluctuations in the retail advertising industry. Additionally, we experience increased demand for advertising during election years by way of political advertisements. During election years, or even numbered years, we benefit from a significant increase in political advertising revenue over non-election or odd numbered years. Political advertising revenue varies based on the number and type of candidates as well as the number and type of debated issues. Quarterly block programming revenue tends not to vary significantly because program rates are generally set annually and recognized on a per program basis.

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Our cash flows from broadcasting are affected by transitional periods experienced by radio stations when, based on the nature of the radio station, our plans for the market and other circumstances, we find it beneficial to change the station format. During this transitional period, when we develop a radio station’s listener and customer base, the station may generate negative or insignificant cash flow.

In broadcasting, trade or barter agreements are commonly used to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. We may enter barter agreements to exchange air time or digital advertising for goods or services that can be used in our business or that can be sold to our audience under Listener Purchase Programs. The terms of these barter agreements permit us to preempt the barter air time or digital campaign in favor of customers who purchase the air time or digital campaign for cash. The value of these non-cash exchanges is included in revenue in an amount equal to the fair value of the goods or services we receive. Each transaction is reviewed to determine that the products, supplies and/or services we receive have economic substance, or value to us. We record barter operating expenses upon receipt and usage of the products, supplies and services, as applicable. We record barter revenue as advertising spots or digital campaigns are delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Barter revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, 97% of our broadcast revenue was sold for cash as compared to 96% during the same period of the prior year.

Broadcast operating expenses include: (i) employee salaries, commissions and related employee benefits and taxes, (ii) facility expenses such as lease cost and utilities, (iii) marketing and promotional expenses, (iv) production and programming expenses, and (v) music license fees. In addition to these expenses, our network incurs programming costs and lease expenses for satellite communication facilities.

Digital Media

Web-based and digital content continues to be a focus of future development. Our digital media based businesses provide Christian, conservative, investing and health-themed content, e-commerce, audio and video streaming, and other resources digitally through the web. Revenues generated this segment are reported as digital media revenue in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Digital media revenues are impacted by the rates our sites can charge for advertising time, the level of advertisements sold, the number of impressions delivered or the number of products sold and the number of digital subscriptions sold. Like our broadcasting segment, our second and fourth quarter advertising revenue generally exceeds our first and third quarter advertising revenue. This seasonal fluctuation in advertising revenue corresponds with quarterly fluctuations in the retail advertising industry. We also experience fluctuations in quarter-over-quarter comparisons based on the date on which the Easter holiday is observed, as this holiday generates a higher volume of product downloads from our church product sites. Additionally, we experience increased demand for advertising time and placement during election years for political advertisements.

Digital media operating expenses include: (i) employee salaries, commissions and related employee benefits and taxes, (ii) facility expenses such as lease costs and utilities, (iii) marketing and promotional expenses, (iv) royalties, (v) streaming costs, and (vi) cost of goods sold associated with e-commerce sites.

Publishing

Our publishing operations include book publishing through Regnery^® Publishing, a print magazine and our self-publishing services. Revenues generated from this segment are reported as publishing revenue in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Publishing revenue is impacted by the retail price of books and e-books sold, the number of books and e-books sold, the number and rate of print magazine subscriptions sold, the rate and number of pages of advertisements sold in each print magazine, and the number and rate at which self-published books are published. Regnery^® Publishing revenue is impacted by elections as it generates higher levels of interest and demand for publications containing conservative and political based opinions.

Publishing operating expenses include: (i) employee salaries, commissions and related employee benefits and taxes, (ii) facility expenses such as lease costs and utilities, (iii) marketing and promotional expenses; and (iv) cost of goods sold that includes printing and production costs, fulfillment costs, author royalties and inventory reserves.

Known Trends and Uncertainties

We believe that broadcast revenue growth remains challenged due to several factors, including increasing competition from other forms of content distribution and time spent listening by audio streaming services, podcasts and satellite radio. This increase in competition and mix of radio listening time may lead advertisers to conclude that the effectiveness of radio has diminished. To minimize the impact of these factors, we continue to enhance our digital assets to complement our broadcast content. The increase use of voice activated platforms, or smart speakers, that provide audiences with the ability to access AM and FM radio stations show increased potential for broadcasters to reach audiences.

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Our broadcast revenues are particularly dependent on advertising from our Los Angeles and Dallas markets, which generated 14.3% and 20.4%, respectively, of our net broadcast advertising revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

Revenues from print magazines, including advertising revenue and subscription revenues, are challenged due to lower demand from the audiences that increasingly use other mediums that deliver comparable information. Book sales are contingent upon overall economic conditions and our ability to attract and retain authors. Because digital media has been a growth area for us, decreases in digital revenue streams could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and results of operations. Digital revenue is impacted by the nature and delivery of page views. We have experienced a shift in the number of page views from desktop devices to mobile devices. While mobile page views have increased dramatically, they carry a lower number of advertisements per page which are generally sold at lower rates. Digital media revenue is impacted by page views and the number of advertisements per page. Declines in desktop page views negatively impact revenue as mobile devices carry lower rates and less advertisement per page. To minimize the impact that any one of these areas could have, we continue to explore opportunities to cross-promote our brands and our content, and to strategically monitor costs.

We may from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, seek to renew or renegotiate lease terms under a “blend and extend” option that we believe provides us with favorable lease terms over an extended period from five to twenty years. As lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term, we expect our lease expense to increase by approximately $0.6 million per annum as compared to prior periods. Actual cash payments for leased properties are expected to remain consistent with annual increases of generally up to 3% or a percentage of the Consumer Price Index.

Key Financial Performance Indicators – Same-Station Definition

In the discussion of our results of operations below, we compare our broadcast operating results between periods on an as-reported basis, which includes the operating results of all radio stations and networks owned or operated at any time during either period and on a Same Station basis. Same Station is a Non-GAAP financial measure used both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community as well as in our internal evaluations and management of the business. We believe that Same Station Operating Income provides a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of our core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations we no longer own or operate, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. Our presentation of Same Station Operating Income is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Our definition of Same Station Operating Income is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Refer to “NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES” below for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP performance measures to the most comparable GAAP measures.

We define Same Station net broadcast revenue as net broadcast revenue from our radio stations and networks that we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. We define Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from our radio stations and networks that we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station Operating Income includes those stations we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station Operating Income for a full calendar year is calculated as the sum of the Same Station results for each of the four quarters of that year.    

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures defined below in communications with investors, analysts, rating agencies, banks and others to assist such parties in understanding the impact of various items on our financial statements. We use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial results, develop budgets, manage expenditures and as a measure of performance under compensation programs.

Our presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable financial measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Item 101 of Regulation S-K defines and prescribes the conditions under which certain non-GAAP financial information may be presented in this report. We closely monitor EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Station Operating Income (“SOI”), Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses, Same Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income, and Publishing Operating Income, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about our core operating results, and thus, are appropriate to enhance the overall understanding of our financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide management and investors a more complete understanding of our underlying operational results, trends and performance.

The performance of a radio broadcasting company is customarily measured by the ability of its stations to generate SOI. We define SOI as net broadcast revenue less broadcast operating expenses. Accordingly, changes in net broadcast revenue and broadcast operating expenses, as explained above, have a direct impact on changes in SOI. SOI is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. SOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for our results of operations presented on the basis of GAAP. We believe that SOI is a useful non-GAAP financial measure to investors when considered in conjunction with operating income (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to SOI), because it is generally recognized by the radio

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broadcasting industry as a tool in measuring performance and in applying valuation methodologies for companies in the media, entertainment and communications industries. SOI is commonly used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide comparisons between broadcasting groups. We use SOI as one of the key measures of operating efficiency and profitability, including our internal reviews associated with impairment analysis of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. SOI does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities. Our statement of cash flows presents our cash activity in accordance with GAAP and our income statement presents our financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our definition of SOI is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We define Same Station net broadcast revenue as net broadcast revenue from our radio stations and networks that we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. We define Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from our radio stations and networks that we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station Operating Income includes those stations we own or operate in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station Operating Income for a full calendar year is calculated as the sum of the Same Station-results for each of the four quarters of that year. We use Same Station Operating Income, a non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting our results to stockholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluations and management of the business. We believe that Same Station Operating Income provides a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of our core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations we no longer own or operate, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. Our presentation of Same Station Operating Income is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Our definition of Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses and Same Station Operating Income is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We apply a similar methodology to our digital media and publishing group. Digital Media Operating Income is defined as net digital media revenue less digital media operating expenses. Publishing Operating Income (Loss) is defined as net publishing revenue less publishing operating expenses. Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income (Loss) are not measures of performance in accordance with GAAP. Our presentations of these non-GAAP financial performance measures are not to be considered a substitute for or superior to our operating results reported in accordance with GAAP. We believe that Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income are useful non-GAAP financial measures to investors, when considered in conjunction with operating income (the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure), because they are comparable to those used to measure performance of our broadcasting entities. We use this analysis as one of the key measures of operating efficiency, profitability and in our internal review. This measurement does not purport to represent cash provided by operating activities. Our statement of cash flows presents our cash activity in accordance with GAAP and our income statement presents our financial performance in accordance with GAAP. Our definitions of Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

We define EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before gains or losses on the sale or disposition of assets, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before gains on bargain purchases, before the change in fair value of interest rate swaps, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before (gain) loss on early retirement of debt, before (gain) loss from discontinued operations and before non-cash compensation expense. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasters. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to our results of operations and financial condition presented in accordance with GAAP. Our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

For all non-GAAP financial measures, investors should consider the limitations associated with these metrics, including the potential lack of comparability of these measures from one company to another.

We use non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance, develop budgets, manage expenditures, and determine employee compensation. Our presentation of this additional information is not to be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

In the tables below, we present a reconciliation of net broadcast revenue, the most comparable GAAP measure, to Same Station net broadcast revenue, and broadcast operating expenses, the most comparable GAAP measure to Same Station broadcast operating expense. We show our calculation of Station Operating Income and Same Station Operating Income, which is reconciled from net income, the most comparable GAAP measure in the table following our calculation of Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income (Loss). Our presentation of these non-GAAP measures are not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

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	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Broadcast Revenue to Same Station Net Broadcast Revenue
Net broadcast revenue	$	48,050		$	46,093
Net broadcast revenue – acquisitions		(162	)		(173	)
Net broadcast revenue – dispositions		(656	)		(25	)
Net broadcast revenue – format change		(388	)		(419	)
Same Station net broadcast revenue	$	46,844		$	45,476
Reconciliation of Broadcast Operating Expenses To Same Station Broadcast Operating Expenses
Broadcast operating expenses	$	35,750		$	36,449
Broadcast operating expenses – acquisitions		(271	)		(269	)
Broadcast operating expenses – dispositions		(756	)		6
Broadcast operating expenses – format change		(647	)		(582	)
Same Station broadcast operating expenses	$	34,076		$	35,604
Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Same Station Operating Income
Station Operating Income	$	12,300		$	9,644
Station operating loss –acquisitions		109			96
Station operating (income) loss – dispositions		100			(31	)
Station operating loss – format change		259			163
Same Station – Station Operating Income	$	12,768		$	9,872

In the table below, we present our calculations of Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Loss. Our presentation of these non-GAAP performance indicators are not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Calculation of Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Loss
Net broadcast revenue	$	48,050		$	46,093
Less broadcast operating expenses		(35,750	)		(36,449	)
Station Operating Income	$	12,300		$	9,644
Net digital media revenue	$	10,394		$	10,240
Less digital media operating expenses		(8,374	)		(8,058	)
Digital Media Operating Income	$	2,020		$	2,182
Net publishing revenue	$	5,351		$	4,136
Less publishing operating expenses		(5,587	)		(4,822	)
Publishing Operating Loss	$	(236	)	$	(686	)

In the table below, we present a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income (Loss). Our presentation of these non-GAAP performance indicators are not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income and Station  Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income (Loss)
Net income	$	828		$	322
Plus provision for (benefit from) income taxes		402			(5,303	)
Plus net miscellaneous income and (expenses)		(75	)		(1	)
Plus gain on early retirement of long-term debt		—			(426	)
Plus interest expense, net of capitalized interest		4,518			4,425
Less interest income		(2	)		(1	)
Net operating income (loss)	$	5,671		$	(984	)
Plus net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5			4,024
Plus depreciation and amortization		4,487			4,229

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Plus unallocated corporate expenses		3,921			3,871
Combined Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Loss	$	14,084		$	11,140
Station Operating Income	$	12,300		$	9,644
Digital Media Operating Income		2,020			2,182
Publishing Operating Loss		(236	)		(686	)
	$	14,084		$	11,140

In the table below, we present a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA to Net Income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial performance measures that are not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA to Net Income
Net income	$	828		$	322
Plus interest expense, net of capitalized interest		4,518			4,425
Plus provision for (benefit from) income taxes		402			(5,303	)
Plus depreciation and amortization		4,487			4,229
Less interest income		(2	)		(1	)
EBITDA	$	10,233		$	3,672
Plus net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5			4,024
Plus net miscellaneous (income) and expenses		(75	)		(1	)
Plus gain on early retirement of long-term debt		—			(426	)
Plus non-cash stock-based compensation		46			176
Plus ASC 842 lease adoption		—			171
Adjusted EBITDA	$	10,209		$	7,616

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018

The following factors affected our results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period of the prior year:

Financing

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of the Notes at amounts less than face value as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2019:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
	$	6,670	$	6,123

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Other Transactions

• On March 21, 2019, we sold Newport Natural Health for $0.9 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

• On March 18, 2019, we acquired the pjmedia.com website for $0.1 million in cash.

• On March 19, 2019, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station WSPZ-AM (previously WWRC-AM) in Washington D.C. for $0.8 million. We recognized an estimated pre-tax loss of $3.8 million as of March 31, 2019, based on the probability of the sale, which reflects the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the radio station assets and the estimated closing costs. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.

• On February 28, 2019, we sold Mike Turner’s line of investment products, including TurnerTrends.com and other domain names and related assets. We received no cash from the buyer who assumed all deferred subscription liabilities for Mike Turner’s investment products. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

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• On February 27, 2019, we sold HumanEvents.com, for $0.3 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

Net Broadcast Revenue

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Net Broadcast Revenue	$	48,050	$	46,093	$	(1,957	)		(4.1	)%		75.3	%		76.2	%
Same Station Net Broadcast Revenue	$	46,844	$	45,476	$	(1,368	)		(2.9	)%

The following table shows the dollar amount and percentage of net broadcast revenue for each broadcast revenue source.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018				2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Block Programming:
National	$	12,406	25.8	%	$	12,233	26.5	%
Local		8,374	17.4	%		7,910	17.2	%
		20,780	43.2	%		20,143	43.7	%
Broadcast Advertising:
National		4,133	8.6	%		3,900	8.5	%
Local		13,235	27.5	%		12,062	26.2	%
		17,368	36.1	%		15,962	34.7	%
Station Digital (local)		1,846	3.9	%		2,824	6.1	%
Infomercials		499	1.0	%		390	0.8	%
Network		4,610	9.6	%		4,306	9.3	%
Other Revenue		2,947	6.2	%		2,468	5.4	%
Net Broadcast Revenue	$	48,050	100.0	%	$	46,093	100.0	%

The net decline in block programming revenue of $0.6 million reflects a $0.4 million decline in local programming revenue and a $0.2 million decrease in national programming revenue. Declines in local programming revenue include $0.1 million previously generated from stations we no longer operate (KCRO-AM and KOTK-AM, in Omaha, Nebraska and KHTE-FM, in Little Rock, Arkansas) and the remainder due to cancellations that we believe are due to increased competition from other broadcasters. The decrease in national programming revenue includes a $0.1 million decrease from our Christian Teaching and Talk format radio stations impacted by the sale of KCRO-AM in Omaha, Nebraska and a $0.1 million decrease from our Business format radio stations that have increased restrictions on content to ensure compliance with securities rules and regulation.

Total advertising revenue, net of agency commissions, declined by $1.4 million, which includes a $0.4 million decrease in political advertising. Excluding political, net advertising revenue declined by $1.0 million due to declines in local advertising. Declines in local advertising, net of political, include a $0.4 million decline from our CCM format radio stations that were largely attributable to lower spot rates charged due to competition from other broadcasters that offer lower rates primarily in the Dallas and Los Angeles markets, a $0.3 million decline from our News Talk format radio stations and a $0.2 million decline from our Christian Teaching and Talk format radio stations. Additionally, $0.1 million of the decline resulted from the sale of radio station KGBI-FM in Omaha, Nebraska.

Station digital revenue, or digital revenue generated locally from our radio stations and networks, increased $1.0 million over the prior year due to the launch of Salem Surround during 2018. Salem Surround is our national multimedia digital advertising agency that offers digital marketing services to our customers. We continue to expand our digital product offerings to include social media campaigns, search engine optimization, retargeted advertising and other services to address the move of advertising dollars from broadcast to digital. There were no significant changes in rates as compared to the same period of the prior year.

Declines in infomercial revenue were due to a reduction in the number of infomercials aired with no significant changes in rates as compared to the same period of the prior year. The placement of infomercials can vary significantly from one period to another due to the number of time slots available and the degree to which the infomercial content is considered to be of interest to our audience.

Network revenue declined by $0.3 million due to declines in national advertising revenue attributable to a change in network hosts effective January 1 of this year. The number of affiliates carrying network programming initially declined upon this change, but we have been growing the number of affiliates. With fewer affiliates, the rate we can charge advertisers is reduced.

Other revenue declined by $0.5 million due to a $0.3 million decrease in listener purchase program revenue due to lower demand from listeners to participate in sales incentives and discounts offered under vendor discount programs, a $0.2 million decrease in event revenue due to a reduction in the number of events held and a $0.1 million decrease in LMA fees associated with radio station WQVN-AM, Miami, Florida offset by a $0.1 million increase in broadcast tower lease revenue. Event revenue varies from period to period based on the nature and timing of the events, audience demand, and in some cases, the weather that can affect attendance.

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On a Same Station basis, net broadcast revenue decreased $1.4 million, which reflects these items net of the impact of stations with acquisitions, dispositions and format changes.

Net Digital Media Revenue

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Net Digital Media Revenue	$	10,394	$	10,240	$	(154	)		(1.5	)%		16.3	%		16.9	%

The following table shows the dollar amount and percentage of net digital media revenue for each digital media revenue source.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018				2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Digital Advertising, net	$	5,440	52.3	%	$	5,317	51.9	%
Digital Streaming		1,142	11.0			1,011	9.9
Digital Subscriptions		1,885	18.1			2,084	20.4
Digital Downloads		1,298	12.5			1,275	12.4
e-commerce		538	5.2			410	4.0
Other Revenues		91	0.9			143	1.4
Net Digital Media Revenue	$	10,394	100.0	%	$	10,240	100.0	%

Digital advertising revenue, net of agency commissions, decreased $0.1 million on a consolidated basis including a $0.3 million decline from our conservative opinion websites within Townhall Media that were offset by a $0.1 million increase from Salem Web Network and a net increase of $26,000 from Eagle Financial Publications due to a $46,000 increase from Traders Crux that was offset by a $20,000 decrease from Investing Channel. The decline at Townhall Media was largely attributable to loss of advertisers who moved spending to digital programmatic advertisers, specifically Facebook and Google, and an increase in advertisers deciding to cut or eliminate advertising on political content websites. We continue to acquire, develop and promote the use of mobile applications, particularly for our Christian mobile applications, to reduce our dependency on page views from digital programmatic advertisers. Acquisitions of mobile applications and digital media assets are discussed in Note 3 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Mobile page views carry fewer advertisements and tend to have shorter site visits as compared to desktop. As a result, our growth in mobile page views exceeds our growth in revenue from the mobile applications.

Digital streaming revenue decreased $0.1 million as compared to the same period of the prior year based on lower usage of content available on our Christian websites. There were no significant changes in sales volume or rates as compared to the prior year.

Digital subscription revenue increased by $0.2 million on a consolidated basis reflecting a $0.4 million increase from our August 2018 acquisition of Hilary Kramer financial newsletter which was offset by a $0.2 million decline in revenue from a reduction in the number of subscribers to other digital publications, including a 18% decline in the number of subscribers to Dr. Mark Skousen and a 33% decline in the number of subscribers James Woods.

Digital download revenue increased by $0.4 million due to our July 2018 acquisition of Childrens-Ministry-Deals.com which was offset by a $0.4 million decline in revenue generated from our church product websites, WorshipHouseMedia.com and SermonSpice^TM.com. Revenue from our church product websites is impacted by the timing of the Easter holiday, which falls in the second quarter of 2019 as compared to generating $0.3 million of revenue in the first quarter of 2018. There were no significant changes in rates as compared to the same period of the prior year.

E-commerce revenue decreased by $0.1 million due to a 32% decrease in volume which was partially offset by a 2% increase in average price per unit sold. The decrease in the number of products sold was due to a reduction in the discounts offered during the period and a lower volume of new customers as compared to the prior year. On March 21, 2019, we sold Newport Natural Health, an e-commerce website operated by Eagle Wellness.

Other revenue includes revenue sharing arrangements for mobile applications and mail list rentals. We recognized revenue of $31,000 related to transfer services provided to the buyer of Newport Natural Health. SWN revenues increased $24,000 due to the acquisition of the Just1Word mobile application in August 2018. There were no changes in volume or rates as compared to the same period of the prior year.

Net Publishing Revenue

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Net Publishing Revenue	$	5,351	$	4,136	$	(1,215	)		(22.7	)%		8.4	%		6.8	%

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The following table shows the dollar amount and percentage of net publishing revenue for each publishing revenue source.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018					2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Book Sales	$	3,916		73.2	%	$	2,762		66.8	%
Estimated Sales Returns & Allowances		(1,024	)	(19.1	)		(921	)	(22.3	)
E-Book Sales		344		6.4			162		3.9
Self-Publishing Fees		1,427		26.6			1,477		35.7
Print Magazine Subscriptions		251		4.7			201		4.9
Print Magazine Advertisements		135		2.5			135		3.3
Digital Advertising		110		2.1			85		2.0
Other Revenue		192		3.6			235		5.7
Net Publishing Revenue	$	5,351		100.0	%	$	4,136		100.0	%

On a consolidated basis, book sales declined by $1.2 million of which $0.9 million was from Regnery^® Publishing and $0.2 million was from Salem Author Services. The $0.2 million decrease in Salem Author Service book sales was due to a reduction in the number of new authors obtained, the number of books sold and the phase-out of operations for BookPrinting.com, a small printing-only division of Hillcrest Media, for which our operating margins did not meet our expectations. Regnery^® Publishing book sales decreased 34% in volume with no change in the average price per unit sold. We recognized a decrease of $0.1 million or 10% in the estimated sales returns and allowances based on the lower volume of print book sales. Book sales through Regnery^® Publishing are directly attributable to the number of titles released each period and the composite mix of titles. Revenues can vary significantly based on the book release date and the number of titles that achieve bestseller lists, which can increase awareness and demand for the book.

Regnery^® Publishing e-book sales decreased $0.2 million due to a decrease of 14% in the average price per unit sold due to sales incentives offered and 20% decrease in sales volume. E-book sales can also vary based on the composite mix of titles released and available in each period. Revenues can vary significantly based on the book release date and the number of titles that achieve bestseller lists, which can increase awareness and demand for the book.

Self-publishing fees increased $0.1 million due to an increase in sales volume from Xulon Press^™. Self-publishing fees charged to authors were comparable with the same period of the prior year.    

Declines in print magazine subscription declined due to lower demand and distribution levels resulted in corresponding declines in advertising revenues.    

Print magazine advertisements was consistent with the same period of the prior year with no notable changes in volume or rates.

Declines in digital adverting revenue were primarily due to the discontinuation of the Conservative Book Club website operated by Regnery^® Publishing which was partially offset by increases in digital advertising from the History on the Net website. Sales volume and rates were comparable to the same period of the prior year.

Other revenue includes change fees, video trailers, public-relation services and website revenues. Regnery^® Publishing recognized an increase of $61,000 in other revenues from royalties. There were no changes in volume or rates as comparted to the same period of the prior year.

Broadcast Operating Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $		Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)									% of Total Net Revenue
Broadcast Operating Expenses	$	35,750	$	36,449	$	699		2.0	%		56.0	%		60.3	%
Same Station Broadcast Operating Expenses	$	34,076	$	35,604	$	1,528		4.5	%

Broadcast operating expenses increased by $0.7 million including a $0.4 million increase in costs associated with Salem Surround, a $0.4 million increase in lease expense including a $0.2 million increase from lease renewals, a $0.2 million increase in bad debt expense, a $0.1 million increase in employee-related expenses from higher per-employee costs of salary, hourly wages and benefits, and a $0.1 million increase in production and programming expenses, that was offset by a $0.2 million decline in non-lease facility related costs, a $0.1 million decrease in acquisition-related expenses, a $0.1 million decrease in professional services and a $0.1 million decrease in advertising expenses.

On a same-station basis, broadcast operating expenses increased by $1.5 million. This increase reflects these expenses net of the impact of start-up costs associated with acquisitions, station dispositions and format changes.

Digital Media Operating Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Digital Media Operating Expenses	$	8,374	$	8,058	$	(316	)		(3.8	)%		13.1	%		13.3	%

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Digital media operating expense declined by $0.3 million due to a $0.2 million decrease in costs of sales consistent with lower revenues, a $0.1 million decrease in streaming and hosting fees, a $0.1 million decrease in royalties and a $0.1 million decrease in facility-related expenses, that was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in software fees, a $0.1 million increase sales-based commissions and incentives and a $0.1 million increase in professional services.

Publishing Operating Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Publishing Operating Expenses	$	5,587	$	4,822	$	(765	)		(13.7	)%		8.8	%		8.0	%

Publishing operating expenses declined by $0.8 million of which $0.6 million was due to a reduction in the consolidated cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold includes a $0.5 million decrease from a lower sales volume for Regnery^® Publishing and a $0.1 million decrease from a lower sales volume for Salem Author Services. The gross profit margin for Regnery^® Publishing was 59% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to 53% for the same period of the prior year as declines in sales volume resulted in comparable savings in material costs. Regnery^® Publishing margins are impacted by the volume of e-book sales, which have higher margins due to the nature of delivery and lack of sales returns and allowances. The gross profit margin for our self-publishing entities was 68% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 66% for the same period of the prior year due to lower print costs based on sales volume. Additionally, there was a $0.1 million decline in payroll-related expenses due to reductions in headcount and a $36,000 decline in advertising and promotion expenses.

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Unallocated Corporate Expenses	$	3,921	$	3,871	$	(50	)		(1.3	)%		6.1	%		6.4	%

Unallocated corporate expenses include shared services, such as accounting and finance, human resources, legal, tax and treasury, that are not directly attributable to any one of our operating segments. The decrease of $0.1 million includes a $0.2 million decrease in professional services offset by a $0.1 million increase in non-cash stock-based compensation.

Depreciation Expense

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Depreciation Expense	$	3,009	$	2,933	$	(76	)		(2.5	)%		4.7	%		4.9	%

Depreciation expense decreased $0.1 million compared to the same period of the prior year. The decrease reflects the higher depreciation expense recognized in 2018 related to data processing equipment and computer software that are depreciated over a shorter estimated useful lives than other assets and fully depreciated at the end of 2018. There were no changes in our depreciation methods or in the estimated useful lives of our asset groups.

Amortization Expense    

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Amortization Expense	$	1,478	$	1,296	$	(182	)		(12.3	)%		2.3	%		2.1	%

Amortization expense decreased by $0.2 million compared to the same period of the prior year. Decreases in amortization expense reflect fully amortized domain names, customer lists and contracts and subscriber base lists that have estimated useful lives of from one to five years. These items were fully amortized at or near the beginning of the 2019 calendar year resulting in lower amortization expense for this year. This was offset by acquisitions, including Childrens-Ministry-Deals.com in July 2018 and Hilary Kramer in August 2018. There were no changes in our amortization methods or the estimated useful lives of our intangible asset groups.    

Net (Gain) Loss on the Disposition of Assets

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $		Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)									% of Total Net Revenue
Net (Gain) Loss on the Disposition of assets	$	5	$	4,024	$	4,019		80,380.0	%		—	%		6.7	%

The net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets of $4.0 million for the three month period ending March 31, 2019 includes a $3.8 million estimated loss on the sale of radio station WSPZ-AM in Washington, D.C., a $0.2 million pre-tax loss on the sale Mike Turner’s line of investment products, a $0.2 million pre-tax loss on the sale of HumanEvents.com offset by a $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Newport Natural Health.

The net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets for the three month period ending March 31, 2018, represents various fixed asset disposals.

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Other Income (Expense)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $		Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)									% of Total Net Revenue
Interest Income	$	2	$	1	$	(1)		(50.0)	%		—	%		—	%
Interest Expense		(4,518)		(4,425)		93		(2.1)	%		(7.1)	%		(7.3)	%
Gain on Early Retirement of Long-Term Debt		—		426		426		100.0	%		—	%		0.7	%
Net Miscellaneous Income and (Expenses)		75		1		(74)		(98.7)	%		0.1	%		—	%

Interest income represents earnings on excess cash and interest due under promissory notes.

Interest expense includes interest due on outstanding debt balances, and non-cash accretion associated with deferred installments and contingent earn-out consideration from certain acquisitions. The increase of $0.1 million reflects the balance of the Notes, ABL and finance lease obligations outstanding during the period ending March 31, 2019. Future changes in interest rates will not impact our fixed rate Notes, but an increase in interest rates may impact the variable rate at which we can borrow under our ABL Facility and result in higher interest charges.

The gain on the early retirement of long-term debt reflects $6.7 million of repurchases of the Notes at prices below face value resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.4 million.

Net miscellaneous income and expenses includes miscellaneous receipts including usage fees for real estate properties.

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019			Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)											% of Total Net Revenue
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes	$	402	$	(5,303	)	$	(5,705	)		(1,419.2	)%		0.6	%		(8.8	)%

We recognized a tax benefit of $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.4 million for the same period of the prior year. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes, or the effective tax rate was 106.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 32.7% for the same period of the prior year. The effective tax rate for each period differs from the federal statutory income rate of 21.0% due to the effect of the sale of business assets in various states, state income taxes, certain expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes, and changes in the valuation allowance from the utilization of certain state net operating loss carryforwards. State income tax provision is an accumulation of applicable state income taxes calculated in accordance with each state tax laws; and it amounts to 62.4% of the effective tax rate of 106.5%. Additionally, certain expenses are not deductible for income tax purposes; and they represent 25.5% of the effective tax rate of 106.5%

Net Income

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2019		Change $			Change %			2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)										% of Total Net Revenue
Net Income	$	828	$	322	$	(506	)		(61.1	)%		1.3	%		0.5	%

Net income decreased by $0.5 million to $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0.8 million during the same period of the prior year as described above.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES, JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Significant areas for which management uses estimates include:

• revenue recognition,

• asset impairments, including broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets;

• probabilities associated with the potential for contingent earn-out consideration;

• fair value measurements;

• contingency reserves;

• allowance for doubtful accounts;

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• sales returns and allowances;

• barter transactions;

• inventory reserves;

• reserves for royalty advances;

• fair value of equity awards;

• self-insurance reserves;

• estimated lives for tangible and intangible assets;

• assessment of contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors to determine the lease term impacting Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities,

• determining the Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”) for calculating ROU assets and lease liabilities

• income tax valuation allowances; and

• uncertain tax positions

These estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The estimates will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and we may consult outside experts to assist as considered necessary.

We believe the following accounting policies and the related judgments and estimates are critical accounting policies that affect the preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition

Significant management judgments and estimates must be made in connection with determining the amount of revenue to be recognized in any accounting period. We must assesses the promises within each sales contract to determine if they are distinct performance obligations. Once the performance obligation(s) are determined, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligation(s) based on a relative standalone selling price basis. If a sales contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price. If the stand-alone selling price is not determinable, an estimate is used.

We make significant estimates related to variable consideration at the point of sale, including estimates for refunds and product returns. Under ASC Topic 606, estimates of variable consideration are to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances, including when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of any estimated cumulative revenue will not occur.

A growing source of revenue is generated from digital product offerings, which allow for enhanced audience interaction and participation, and integrated digital advertising solutions. When offering digital products, another party may be involved in providing the goods or services that make up a performance obligation to the customer. These include the use of third-party websites for social media campaigns. We must evaluate if we are the principal or agent in order to determine if revenue should be reported gross as principal or net as agent. In this evaluation, we consider if we obtain control of the specified goods or services before they are transferred to our customer, as well as other indicators such as the party primarily responsible for fulfillment, inventory risk, and discretion in establishing price. The determination of whether we control a specified good or service immediately prior to the good or service being transferred requires us to make reasonable judgments on the nature of each agreement. We have determined that we are acting as principal when we manage all aspects of a social media campaign, including reviewing and approving target audiences, monitoring actual results and making modifications as needed and when we are responsible for delivering campaign results to our customers regardless of the use of a third-party or parties.

Trade and Barter Transactions

In broadcasting, trade or barter agreements are commonly used to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. We may enter barter agreements to exchange air time or digital advertising for goods or services that can be used in our business or that can be sold to our audience under Listener Purchase Programs. The terms of these barter agreements permit us to preempt the barter air time or digital campaign in favor of customers who purchase the air time or digital campaign for cash. The value of these non-cash exchanges is included in revenue in an amount equal to the fair value of the goods or services we receive. Each transaction must be reviewed to determine that the products, supplies and/or services we receive have economic substance, or value to us. We record barter operating expenses upon receipt and usage of the products, supplies and services, as applicable. We record barter revenue as advertising spots or digital campaigns are delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Barter revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Broadcast Licenses, Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Approximately 65% of our total assets at March 31, 2019 consisted of indefinite-lived intangible assets including broadcast licenses, goodwill and mastheads. These indefinite-lived intangible assets originated from acquisitions in which a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to broadcast licenses and goodwill. We do not amortize indefinite-lived intangible assets, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. We perform our annual impairment testing during the fourth quarter of each year, which coincides with our budget and planning process for the upcoming year.

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Impairment testing requires an estimate of the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. We believe that these estimates of fair value are critical accounting estimates as the value is significant in relation to our total assets and the estimates incorporate variables and assumptions based on our experiences and judgment about our future operating performance. Fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value, including assumptions about risk. If actual future results are less favorable than the assumptions and estimates used in our estimates, we are subject to future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material. The unobservable inputs are defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures as Level 3 inputs discussed in Note 15 of our Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The first step of our impairment testing is to perform a qualitative assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This qualitative assessment requires significant judgment when considering the events and circumstances that may affect the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. These events and circumstances are not all-inclusive and are not by themselves indicators of impairment. We consider external and internal factors when reviewing the following events and circumstances, which are presented in the order of what we believe to be the strongest to weakest indicators of impairment:

(1) the difference between any recent fair value calculations and the carrying value;

(2) financial performance, such as station operating income, including performance as compared to projected results used in prior estimates of fair value;

(3) macroeconomic economic conditions, including limitations on accessing capital that could affect the discount rates used in prior estimates of fair value;

(4) industry and market considerations such as a declines in market-dependent multiples or metrics, a change in demand, competition, or other economic factors;

(5) operating cost factors, such as increases in labor, that could have a negative effect on future expected earnings and cash flows;

(6) legal, regulatory, contractual, political, business, or other factors;

(7) other relevant entity-specific events such as changes in management or customers; and

(8) any changes to the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset.

If it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, we are required to perform a second step to preparing a quantitative analysis to estimate the fair or enterprise value of the assets. We did not find reconciliation to our current market capitalization meaningful in the determination of our enterprise value given current factors that impact our market capitalization, including but not limited to: limited trading volume, the impact of our publishing segment operating losses and the significant voting control of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We engage an independent third-party appraisal and valuation firm to assist us with determining the enterprise value as part of our quantitative review.

If the results of our quantitative analysis indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment is recorded equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value.

We believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, however, these estimates and assumptions are highly judgmental in nature. Actual results can be materially different from estimates and assumptions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the industry or by us, or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the estimated fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets below the amounts reflected on our balance sheet, we may recognize future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material.

Business Acquisitions

We account for business acquisitions in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting as specified in FASB ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations. The total acquisition consideration is allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of the transaction. Estimates of the fair value include discounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets and their expected useful lives based on historical experience, market trends and any synergies believed to be achieved from the acquisition. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill and any excess of fair value of the net assets acquired over the consideration paid is recorded as a gain on bargain purchase. Prior to recording a gain, the acquiring entity must reassess whether all acquired assets and assumed liabilities have been identified and recognized and perform re-measurements to verify that the consideration paid, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed have been properly valued.

Acquisitions may include contingent earn-out consideration, the fair value of which is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the payment amounts.

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A majority of our radio station acquisitions have consisted primarily of the FCC licenses to broadcast in a particular market. We often do not acquire the existing format, or we change the format upon acquisition when we find it beneficial. As a result, a substantial portion of the purchase price for the assets of a radio station is allocated to the broadcast license. Under ASU 2017-01, that was effective on January 1, 2018, a fewer number of our radio station acquisitions will qualify as business acquisitions and instead be accounted for as asset purchases. Asset purchases are recognized based on their cost to acquire, including transaction costs. The cost to acquire an asset group is allocated to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair value with no goodwill recognized.

We may retain a third-party appraiser to estimate the fair value of the acquired net assets as of the acquisition date. As part of the valuation and appraisal process, the third-party appraiser prepares a report assigning estimated fair values to the various asset categories in our financial statements. These fair value estimates are subjective in nature and require careful consideration and judgment. Management reviews the third-party reports for reasonableness of the assigned values. We believe that the purchase price allocations represent the appropriate estimated fair value of the assets acquired and we have not had to modify our purchase price allocations.

We estimate the economic life of each tangible and intangible asset acquired to determine the period of time in which the asset should be depreciated or amortized. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the economic life of each asset. We consider our own experience with similar assets, industry trends, market conditions and the age of the property at the time of our acquisition to estimate the economic life of each asset. If the financial condition of the assets were to deteriorate, the resulting change in life or impairment of the asset could cause a material impact and volatility in our operating results. To date, we have not experienced changes in the economic life established for each major category of our assets.

Contingent Earn-Out Consideration

Our acquisitions often include contingent earn-out consideration as part of the purchase price. The fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date based on the present value of the contingent payments expected to be made using a weighted probability of possible payments. The unobservable inputs used in the determination of the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration include our own assumptions about the likelihood of payment based on the established benchmarks and discount rates based on our internal rate of return analysis. The fair value measurements includes inputs that are Level 3 measurement as discussed in Note 15 in the notes of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part 1 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

We review the probabilities of possible future payments to the estimated fair value of any contingent earn-out consideration on a quarterly basis over the earn-out period. Actual results are compared to the estimates and probabilities of achievement used in our forecasts. Should actual results increase or decrease as compared to the assumption used in our analysis, the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration obligations will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration could cause a material impact and volatility in our operating results. There were no changes in our estimates during the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The changes in our estimates reflect volatility from variables, such as revenue growth, page views and session time as discussed in Note 4 – Contingent Earn-Out Consideration in the notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

We believe that we have used reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the estimated fair value of all remaining contingent earn-out consideration however, these estimates and assumptions are highly judgmental in nature. Actual results can be materially different from estimates and assumptions.

Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures established a single definition of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and requires expanded disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. The provision applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. This includes applying the fair value concept to (i) nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in business combinations; (ii) reporting units or nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in conjunction with goodwill impairment testing; (iii) other nonfinancial assets measured at fair value in conjunction with impairment assessments; and (iv) asset retirement obligations initially measured at fair value.

The fair value provisions include guidance on how to estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities in the current economic environment and reemphasize that the objective of a fair value measurement remains an exit price. If we were to conclude that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity of the asset or liability in relation to normal market activities, quoted market values may not be representative of fair value and we may conclude that a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate.

The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of financial instruments generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Pricing observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, whether the financial instrument is new to the market, and the characteristics specific to the transaction. Financial instruments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of pricing observability and a lesser degree of judgment utilized in measuring fair value. Conversely, financial instruments rarely traded or not quoted will generally have less (or no) pricing observability and a higher degree of judgment utilized in measuring fair value.

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FASB ASC Topic 820 established a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring fair value. This framework defined three levels of inputs to the fair value measurement process and requires that each fair value measurement be assigned to a level corresponding to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three broad levels of inputs defined by the FASB ASC Topic 820 hierarchy are as follows:

• Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;

• Level 2 Inputs—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

• Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (which might include the reporting entity’s own data).

We believe that we have used reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the estimated fair value of our financial assets as discussed in Note 15 in the notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.    

Contingency Reserves

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits, arbitration and other claims that are complex in nature and have outcomes that are difficult to predict. Consequently, we are unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. Certain of these proceedings are discussed in Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, contained in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We record contingency reserves to the extent we conclude that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the related loss can be reasonably estimated. The establishment of the reserve is based on a review of all relevant factors, the advice of legal counsel, and the subjective judgment of management. The reserves we have recorded to date have not been material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our reserves are accurately reflected.

While we believe that the final resolution of any known maters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, it is possible that we could incur additional losses. We maintain insurance that may provide coverage for such matters. Future claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could have a material adverse effect upon our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including losses due to costly litigation and losses due to matters that require significant amounts of management time that can result in the diversion of significant operational resources.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We evaluate the balance reserved in our allowance for doubtful accounts on a quarterly basis based on our historical collection experience, the age of the receivables, specific customer information and current economic conditions. Past due balances are generally not written-off until all of our collection efforts have been unsuccessful, including use of a collections agency. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the likelihood of ultimate realization of these receivables, including the current creditworthiness of each customer. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. We have not modified our estimate methodology and we have not historically recognized significant losses from changes in our estimates. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our reserves are accurately reflected.

Sales Returns and Allowances

We provide for estimated returns for products sold with the right of return, primarily book sales associated with Regnery^® Publishing and nutritional products sold through our wellness division. We record an estimate of these product returns as a reduction of revenue in the period of the sale. Our estimates are based upon historical sales returns, the amount of current period sales, economic trends and any changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products. We regularly monitor actual performance to estimated return rates and make adjustments as necessary. Estimated return rates utilized for establishing estimated returns reserves have approximated actual returns experience. However, actual returns may differ significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from these estimates if factors such as the historical data we used to calculate these estimates do not properly reflect future returns or as a result of changes in economic conditions of the customer and/or the market. We have not modified our estimate methodology and we have not historically recognized significant losses from changes in our estimates. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our reserves are accurately reflected.

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Inventory Reserves

Inventories consist of finished goods, including published books and wellness products. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value as determined on a First-In First-Out cost method. We reviewed historical data associated with book and wellness product inventories held by Regnery^® Publishing and our e-commerce wellness entities, as well as our own experiences to estimate the fair value of inventory on hand. Our analysis includes a review of actual sales returns, our allowances, royalty reserves, overall economic conditions and product demand. We record a provision to expense the balance of unsold inventory that we believe to be unrecoverable. We regularly monitor actual performance to our estimates and make adjustments as necessary. Estimated inventory reserves may be adjusted, either favorably or unfavorably, if factors such as the historical data we used to calculate these estimates do not properly reflect future returns or as a result of changes in economic conditions of the customer and/or the market. We have not modified our estimate methodology and we have not historically recognized significant losses from changes in our estimates. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our reserves are accurately reflected.

Reserves for Royalty Advances

Royalties due to book authors are paid in advance and capitalized. Royalties are expensed as the related book revenues are earned or when we determine that future recovery of the royalty is not likely. We reviewed historical data associated with royalty advances, earnings and recoverability based on actual results of Regnery^® Publishing. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of an advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that we will recover the advance through the sale of the book. We apply this historical experience to outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recovery. A provision was established to expense the balance of any unearned advance which we believe is not recoverable. Our analysis also considers other discrete factors, such as death of an author, any decision to not pursue publication of a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors. We have not modified our estimate methodology and we have not historically recognized significant losses from changes in our estimates. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our reserves are accurately reflected.

Fair Value of Equity Awards

We account for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. We record equity awards with stock-based compensation measured at the fair value of the award as of the grant date. We determine the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes valuation model that requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility and expected term of the award granted. The exercise price for each award is equal to or greater than the closing market price of Salem Media Group, Inc. common stock as of the date of the award.    We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize share-based compensation costs over the expected service period of the award. Upon exercise, cancellation, forfeiture, or expiration of the award, deferred tax assets for awards with multiple vesting dates are eliminated for each vesting period on a first-in, first-out basis as if each vesting period was a separate award. We have not modified our estimates or assumptions used in our valuation model. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and that our stock based compensation is accurately reflected in our results of operations.

Partial Self-Insurance on Employee Health Plan

We provide health insurance benefits to eligible employees under a self-insured plan whereby we pay actual medical claims subject to certain stop loss limits. We record self-insurance liabilities based on actual claims filed and an estimate of those claims incurred but not reported. Our estimates are based on historical data and probabilities. Any projection of losses concerning our liability is subject to a high degree of variability. Among the causes of this variability are unpredictable external factors such as future inflation rates, changes in severity, benefit level changes, medical costs and claim settlement patterns. Should the actual amount of claims increase or decrease beyond what was anticipated, we may adjust our future reserves. Our self-insurance liability was $0.7 million and $0.8 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. We have not modified our estimate methodology and we have not historically recognized significant losses from changes in our estimates.

Lease

We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) issued under ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019. Under ASC 842, we consider all relevant facts and circumstances, to determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception. Our analysis includes whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. This consideration involves judgment with respect to whether we have the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the identified asset and whether we have has the right to direct the use of the identified asset.

Lease Term – Impact on Right-of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities

The lease term can materially impact the value of the Right-of-Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities recorded on our balance sheet as required under ASC 842. We calculate the term for each lease agreement to include the noncancellable period specified in the agreement together with (1) the periods covered by options to extend the lease if we are reasonably certain to exercise that option, (2) periods covered by an option to terminate if we are reasonably certain not to exercise that option and (3) period covered by an option to extend (or not terminate) if controlled by the lessor. The assessment of whether we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease requires significant judgement surrounding contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors. These factors, detailed below, are evaluated based on the facts and circumstances at the time we enter a lease agreement.

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Contract-Based Factors:

• The existence of a bargain renewal option

• The existence of contingent or variable payments

• The nature and terms of renewal or termination options

• The costs the lessee would incur to restore the asset before returning it to the lessor

Asset-Based Factors:

• The existence of significant lessee-installed leasehold improvements that would still have economic value when the option becomes exercisable

• The physical location of the asset

• The costs that would be incurred to replace or find an alternative asset

Entity-Based Factors:

• Historical practice

• Management’s intent

• Common industry practice

• The financial impact on the entity of extending or terminating the lease

• The importance of the leased asset to the entity’s operations

Market-Based Factors:

• Market rental or purchase rates for comparable assets

• Potential implications of local regulations and statutory requirements

We have not modified our estimate methodology since adopting ASC 842 on January 1, 2019.

Incremental Borrowing Rate

The ROU asset and related lease liabilities recorded under ASC 842 are calculated based on the present value of the lease payments using (1) the rate implicit in the lease or (2) the lessee’s Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”). IBR is defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

We performed an analysis as of January 1, 2019 to estimate the IBR applicable to Salem upon transition to ASC 842. Our analysis required the use of significant judgement and estimates, including the estimated value of the underlying leased asset, and the following available evidence:

The credit history of Salem Media Group

Our most recent credit facility consisted of 6.75% Senior Secured Notes and an ABL revolver. As of each month end, the weighted average interest rate on outstanding debt was calculated. The weighted average interest rate on the outstanding debt ranged from a low of 2.97% for the ABL to a high of 6.75% for the Notes. On a combined basis, the weighted average interest rate for the ABL and the Notes ranged from 99 to 257 basis points above prime.

Based on market conditions and prevailing interest rates in 2018 that were higher than our Notes, we completed various open-market repurchases of the Notes at prices below face value. At December 31, 2018, the Notes were trading at 91.5% of the face value.

The credit worthiness of Salem Media Group

At January 1, 2019, our Moody’s rating was “B2,” consistent with the last ten years. A B2 credit rating is considered speculative in nature and subject to high credit risk.

Class of the underlying asset and the remaining term of the arrangement

We elected to use a portfolio approach applying a single IBR to leases with reasonably similar characteristics, including the remaining lease term, the underlying assets and the economic environment. As of the date of adoption, we grouped each lease according to the nature of leased asset and further grouped the items by the remaining lease term as of the date of adoption.

We have six main categories of leases:

Building

Equipment

Land

Other (Parking Facilities)

Tower

Vehicle

We considered vehicles to have a higher risk for collateral that is mitigated by the shorter term of the lease that would typically range from three to five years. We considered building and towers to have a higher risk based on (1) the longer lease term of up to thirty years and (2) a higher outstanding balance that is mitigated by the lower risk that the collateralized asset would lose significant value.

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The debt incurred under the lease liability as compared to amounts that would be borrowed

We reviewed the cost to finance comparable amounts under our ABL and based on the current market environment as derived from available economic data.

We referred to the Bloomberg Single B Rated Communications Yield Curve (unsecured) and considered adjustments for industry risk factors and the estimated value of the underlying leased asset to be collateral for the debt incurred.

From this analysis, we developed a matrix to estimate the IBR for each major category of leases. We will review our IBR estimates on a quarterly basis and update as necessary. We have not modified our estimate methodology since adopting ASC 842 on January 1, 2019.

Income Tax Valuation Allowances (Deferred Taxes)

In preparing our condensed consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income tax liability in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate by estimating our actual current tax exposure and assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and financial statement purposes. Our judgments, assumptions and estimates relative to the current provision for income tax take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of audits conducted by tax authorities. Reserves for income taxes to address potential exposures involving tax positions that could be challenged by tax authorities are established if necessary. Although we believe our judgments, assumptions and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of any future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.

We calculate our current and deferred tax provisions based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. Adjustments based on filed returns are generally recorded in the period when the tax returns are filed and the tax implications are known. Tax law and rate changes are reflected in the income tax provision in the period in which such changes are enacted.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to earnings in the period in which we make such a determination. Likewise, if we later determine that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets would be realized, we would reverse the applicable portion of the previously provided valuation allowance.

For financial reporting purposes, we recorded a valuation allowance of $5.4 million as of March 31, 2019 to offset the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards.

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions

We are subject to audit and review by various taxing jurisdictions. We may recognize liabilities on our financial statements for positions taken on uncertain tax positions. When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others may be subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. Such positions are deemed to be unrecognized tax benefits and a corresponding liability is established on the balance sheet. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to make estimates based on the various possible outcomes. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any.

We review and reevaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in assumptions may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we did not recognize liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we have no liabilities for uncertain tax positions recorded at March 31, 2019. Our evaluation was performed for all tax years that remain subject to examination, which range from 2014 through 2017. There is currently one tax examination in process. The City of New York began their audit of Salem’s 2013 and 2014 tax filings. We do not anticipate any material or significant results from the audit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal sources of funds have been operating cash flow, borrowings under credit facilities and proceeds from the sale of selected assets or businesses. We have historically funded, and will continue to fund, expenditures for operations, administrative expenses, and capital expenditures from these sources. We have historically financed acquisitions through borrowings, including borrowings under credit facilities and, to a lesser extent, from operating cash flow and from proceeds on selected asset dispositions. We expect to fund future acquisitions from cash on hand, borrowings under our credit facilities, operating cash flow and possibly through the sale of income-producing assets or proceeds from debt and equity offerings. We have assessed the current and expected economic outlook and our current and expected needs for funds and we believe that the borrowing capacity under our current credit facilities allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months, including our working capital deficit at March 31, 2019.

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Generally, we keep the balance of cash and cash equivalents low in order to reduce the balance of outstanding debt. Our ABL Facility automatically covers any shortfalls in operating cash flows such that we are not required to hold excess cash balances on hand. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased to $4,000 as of March 31, 2019 as compared to $0.1 million at December 31, 2018. Working capital decreased $17.4 million to $(26.6 million) at March 31, 2019 compared to ($9.2 million) at December 31, 2018 due to the recognition of ROU assets of $9.5 million, the derecognition of prepaid rent of $1.1 million, a decrease in trade account receivables of $2.6 million, an increase in accounts payable of $3.0 million and a $3.8 million increase in accrued interest associated with the bi-annual payments due on the Notes, that was partially offset with a $3.7 million decrease in the outstanding balance on the ABL.

Operating Cash Flows

Our largest source of operating cash inflows are receipts from customers in exchange for advertising and programming. Other sources of operating cash inflows include receipts from customers for digital downloads and streaming, book sales, subscriptions, self-publishing fees, ticket sales, sponsorships, and vendor promotions. A majority of our operating cash outflows consist of payments to employees, such as salaries and benefits, and vendor payments under facility and tower leases, talent agreements, inventory purchases and recurring services such as utilities and music license fees. Our operating cash flows are subject to factors such as fluctuations in preferred advertising media and changes in demand caused by shifts in population, station listenership, demographics, and audience tastes. In addition, our operating cash flows may be affected if our customers are unable to pay, delay payment of amounts owed to us, or if we experience reductions in revenue, or increases in costs and expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 decreased by $3.9 million to $9.0 million compared to $12.9 million during the same period of the prior year. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities includes the impact of the following items:

• Total net revenue declined by $3.3 million,

• Operating expenses exclusive of depreciation, amortization and net gain (loss) on the disposition of assets, decreased by $0.4 million;

• Trade accounts receivables, net of allowances, decreased by $2.6 million;

• Unbilled revenue decreased $0.4 million;

• Our Day’s Sales Outstanding, or the average number of days to collect cash from the date of sale, remained consistent at 59 days at March 31, 2019 and 2018;

• Net accounts payable and accrued expenses increased $3.7 million to $23.6 million from $19.9 million as of the prior year including a $1.5 million increase in accrued compensation; and

• Net inventories on hand decreased $0.1 million to $0.5 million at March 31, 2019 compared to an increase of $0.1 million to $0.8 million for the same period of the prior year.

Investing Cash Flows

Our primary source of investing cash inflows includes proceeds from the sale of assets or businesses. Investing cash outflows include cash payments made to acquire businesses, to acquire property and equipment and to acquire intangible assets such as domain names. While our focus continues to be on deleveraging the company, we remain committed to explore and pursue strategic acquisitions.    

In recent years, we entered acquisition agreements that contain contingent earn-out arrangements that are payable in the future based on the achievement of predefined operating results. We believe that these contingent earn-out arrangements provide some degree of protection with regard to our cash outflows should these acquisitions not meet our operational expectations.

We undertake projects from time to time to upgrade our radio station technical facilities and/or FCC broadcast licenses, expand our digital and web-based offerings, improve our facilities and upgrade our computer infrastructures. The nature and timing of these upgrades and expenditures can be delayed or scaled back at the discretion of management. Based on our current plans, we expect to incur additional capital expenditures of approximately $5.7 million during the remainder of 2019.

We plan to fund future purchases and any acquisitions from cash on hand, operating cash flow or our credit facilities.    

Net cash used in investing activities decreased from $2.4 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2018 to $1.4 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in cash used for investing activities was the result of:

• We received $1.3 million in cash from asset sales during the current period compared to a $0.5 million escrow receipt for the sale of radio station WQVN-AM (formerly WKAT-AM) in Miami, Florida during the prior year;

• We paid $0.1 million for acquisitions compared to no acquisition activity during the same period of the prior year; and

• Cash paid for capital expenditures decreased $0.1 million to $2.4 million compared to $2.5 million during the same period of the prior year.

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Financing Cash Flows

Financing cash inflows include borrowings under our credit facilities and any proceeds from the exercise of stock options issued under our stock incentive plan. Financing cash outflows include repayments of our credit facilities, the payment of equity distributions and payments of amounts due under deferred installments and contingency earn-out consideration associated with acquisition activity.

During the three month period ending March 31, 2019, the principal balances outstanding under the Notes and ABL Facility ranged from $244.4 million to $258.2 million. These outstanding balances were ordinary and customary based on our operating and investing cash needs during this time.

Any future equity distributions are likely to be comparable to prior declarations unless there are changes in expected future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements. Based on the number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock currently outstanding we expect to pay total annual equity distributions of approximately $6.8 million in 2019. However, the actual declaration of dividends and equity distributions, as well as the establishment of per share amounts, dates of record, and payment dates are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors and depend upon future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements, and other factors.

Our sole source of cash available for making any future equity distributions is our operating cash flow, subject to our credit facilities and Notes, which contain covenants that restrict the payment of dividends and equity distributions unless certain specified conditions are satisfied.

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $2.8 million to $7.7 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 from $10.5 million during the same period of the prior year. The decrease in cash used for financing activities includes:

• A $3.6 million increase in the book overdraft to $3.8 million from $0.2 million of the prior year;

• We used $6.1 million of cash to repurchase $6.7 million in face value of the 6.75% Senior Secured Notes; and

• Net repayments on our ABL Facility were $3.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $9.0 million during the same period of the prior year.

Salem Media Group, Inc. has no independent assets or operations, the subsidiary guarantees relating to certain debt are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of Salem Media Group, Inc. other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

6.75% Senior Secured Notes

On May 19, 2017, we issued in a private placement the Notes, which are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by our existing subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year and mature on June 1, 2024, unless they are earlier redeemed or repurchased. Interest initially accrued on the Notes from May 19, 2017 and is payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2017.

The Notes and the ABL Facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ assets, other than certain excluded assets. The ABL Facility has a first-priority lien on our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, deposit and securities accounts, certain real estate and related assets (the “ABL Priority Collateral”). The Notes are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all other assets of ours and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Notes Priority Collateral”). There is no direct lien on our FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation.

We may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or before June 1, 2020 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus a “make-whole” premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. At any time on or after June 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the Notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth in the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes before June 1, 2020 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. We may also redeem up to 10% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes per twelve-month period before June 1, 2020 at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.

The indenture relating to the Notes (the “Indenture”) contains covenants that, among other things and subject in each case to certain specified exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) declare or pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders; (iii) make investments; (iv) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (v) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of our assets; (vi) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (vii) sell or transfer assets.

The Indenture provides for the following events of default (each, an “Event of Default”): (i) default in payment of principal or premium on the Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise; (ii) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (iii) the failure by us or certain restricted subsidiaries to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) the failure of any guarantee by certain significant Subsidiary Guarantors to be in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to notice and lapse of time;

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(v) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period) of other indebtedness of ours or any restricted subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) is at least $15 million; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money in excess of $15 million; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any significant subsidiary; and (vii) certain defaults with respect to any collateral having a fair market value in excess of $15 million. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately, subject to remedy or cure in certain cases. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

Based on the balance of the Notes currently outstanding, we are required to pay $15.7 million per year in interest on the Notes. As of March 31, 2019, accrued interest on the Notes was $5.2 million.

We incurred debt issuance costs of $6.3 million that were recorded as a reduction of the debt proceeds that are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense.

We may from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, seek to repurchase the Notes in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, as market conditions warrant.

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes at amounts less than face value as follows:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
December 21, 2018		2,000		1,835		91.75	%		38		127
December 21, 2018		1,850		1,702		92.00	%		35		113
December 21, 2018		1,080		999		92.50	%		21		60
November 17, 2018		1,500		1,357		90.50	%		29		114
May 4, 2018		4,000		3,770		94.25	%		86		144
April 10, 2018		4,000		3,850		96.25	%		87		63
April 9, 2018		2,000		1,930		96.50	%		43		27
	$	23,100	$	21,566

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

On May 19, 2017, the Company entered into the ABL Facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among us and our subsidiaries party thereto as borrowers, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lead arranger, and the lenders that are parties thereto. We used the proceeds of the ABL Facility, together with the net proceeds from the Notes offering, to repay outstanding borrowings under our previously existing senior credit facilities, and related fees and expenses. Current proceeds from the ABL Facility are used to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions.

The ABL Facility is a five-year $30.0 million revolving credit facility due May 19, 2022, which includes a $5.0 million subfacility for standby letters of credit and a $7.5 million subfacility for swingline loans. All borrowings under the ABL Facility accrue at a rate equal to a base rate or LIBOR rate plus a spread. The spread, which is based on an availability-based measure, ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings. If an event of default occurs, the interest rate may increase by 2.00% per annum. Amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility may be paid and then reborrowed at our discretion without penalty or premium. Additionally, we pay a commitment fee on the unused balance from 0.25% to 0.375% per year based on the level of borrowings.

The ABL Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on the ABL Priority Collateral and by a second-priority lien on the Notes Priority Collateral. There is no direct lien on the Company’s FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation (other than the economic value and proceeds thereof).

The Credit Agreement includes a springing fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, which is tested during the period commencing on the last day of the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the date on which Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than the greater of 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and $4.5 million and continuing for a period of 60 consecutive days after the first day on which Availability exceeds such threshold amount. The Credit Agreement

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also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the Credit Agreement, restrict the ability of the borrowers and their subsidiaries (i) to incur additional indebtedness; (ii) to make investments; (iii) to make distributions, loans or transfers of assets; (iv) to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens, (v) to sell assets; (vi) to enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) to merge or consolidate with, or dispose of all assets to a third party, except as permitted thereby; (viii) to prepay indebtedness; and (ix) to pay dividends.

The Credit Agreement provides for the following events of default: (i) default for non-payment of any principal or letter of credit reimbursement when due or any interest, fees or other amounts within five days of the due date; (ii) the failure by any borrower or any subsidiary to comply with any covenant or agreement contained in the Credit Agreement or any other loan document, in certain cases subject to applicable notice and lapse of time; (iii) any representation or warranty made pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other loan document is incorrect in any material respect when made; (iv) certain defaults of other indebtedness of any borrower or any subsidiary of indebtedness of at least $10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any borrower or any subsidiary; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money of $10 million or more; (vii) a change of control; and (viii) certain defaults relating to the loss of FCC licenses, cessation of broadcasting and termination of material station contracts. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may accelerate the amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility and may exercise remedies in respect of the collateral.

We incurred debt issue costs of $0.7 million that were recorded as an asset and are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the term of the ABL Facility using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $51,000 and $46,000, respectively, of debt issue costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense. At March 31, 2019, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility was 4.2%.

We report outstanding balances on the ABL Facility as short-term regardless of the maturity date based on use of the ABL Facility to fund ordinary and customary operating cash needs with frequent repayments. We believe that our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Summary of long-term debt obligations

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes	$	238,570		$	231,900
Less unamortized debt issuance costs based on imputed interest  rate of 7.08%		(4,540	)		(4,217	)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes net carrying value		234,030			227,683
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility principal outstanding		19,660			16,000
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		253,690			243,683
Less current portion		(19,660	)		(16,000	)
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs, net of  current portion	$	234,030		$	227,683

In addition to the outstanding amounts listed above, we also have interest payments related to our long-term debt as follows as of March 31, 2019:

• $16.0 million under the ABL Facility, with interest spread ranging from Base Rate plus 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings;

• $231.9 million aggregate principal amount of Notes with semi-annual interest payments at an annual rate of 6.75%; and

• Commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the ABL Facility.

In anticipation of the expected phase-out of LIBOR in 2021, we are monitoring alternative indexes that may apply to our ABL Facility. The ABL Facility matures on May 19, 2022, providing the opportunity to enter a new credit arrangement with terms that are tied to alternative indexes.

Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at March 31, 2019 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	16,000
2021		—
2022		—
2023		—
2024		—
Thereafter		231,900
	$247,900

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Impairment Losses on Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Under FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, indefinite-lived intangibles, including broadcast licenses, goodwill and mastheads are not amortized but instead are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment. Impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset over its fair value. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their useful lives and are measured for impairment if events or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. Impairment losses are recorded as operating expenses. We have incurred significant impairment losses in prior years with regard to our indefinite-lived intangible assets.

We believe that our estimate of the value of our broadcast licenses, mastheads, and goodwill is a critical accounting estimate as the value is significant in relation to our total assets, and our estimates incorporate variables and assumptions that are based on past experiences and judgment about future operating performance of our markets and business segments. If actual future results are less favorable than the assumptions and estimates we used, we are subject to future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material. The fair value measurements for our indefinite-lived intangible assets use significant unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value including assumptions about risk. The unobservable inputs are defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, as Level 3 inputs discussed in detail in Note 15.

The valuation of intangible assets is subjective and based on estimates rather than precise calculations. The fair value measurements of our indefinite-lived intangible assets use significant unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value including assumptions about risk. If actual future results are less favorable than the assumptions and estimates we used, we are subject to future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material. Given the current economic environment and uncertainties that can negatively impact our business, there can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions made for the purpose of our indefinite-lived intangible fair value estimates will prove to be accurate.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

At March 31, 2019, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not required for smaller reporting companies

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting On January 1, 2019, we adopted the lease accounting guidance in ASC 842 described elsewhere in this report. The implementation of this guidance had a material impact on our balance sheet as of March 31, 2019. The impact on our results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was not material.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, we implemented changes to our internal controls related to the implementation ASC 842 to provide reasonable assurance that we have properly applied the guidance in our financial statements. These changes included: (i) monitoring the adoption process and developing new disclosures required under the standard; (ii) performing an analysis of our leases; (iii) establishing policies and procedures to determine the incremental borrowing rate when an implicit rate cannot be readily determined and (iv) establishing internal controls surrounding the implementation and use of a new lease accounting system.to calculate Right-of-Use assets and lease liabilities.

As the implementation process continues, there may be additional changes in internal control over financial reporting. We will continue to evaluate the impact of any related changes to our internal control over financial reporting. Other than any changes in our internal control over financial reporting related to the implementation of the amended accounting guidance for leases, there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We and our subsidiaries, incident to our business activities, are parties to a number of legal proceedings, lawsuits, arbitration and other claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. We maintain insurance that may provide coverage for such matters. Consequently, we are unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. We believe, at this time, that the final resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon our annual consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not Applicable

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

See “Exhibit Index” below

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Form		File No.		Date of First Filing		Exhibit Number		Filed Herewith
31.1	Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.		—		—		—		—		X
31.2	Certification of Evan D. Masyr Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Exchange Act.		—		—		—		—		X
32.1	Certification of Edward G. Atsinger III Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.		—		—		—		—		X
32.2	Certification of Evan D. Masyr Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.		—		—		—		—		X
101	The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (iv) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.		—		—		—		—		X

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Salem Media Group, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC.
May 10, 2019
	By: /s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III
	Edward G. Atsinger III
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
May 10, 2019
	By: /s/ EVAN D. MASYR
	Evan D. Masyr
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

62

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

I, Edward G. Atsinger III, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Salem Media Group, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2019

/s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III

Edward G. Atsinger III

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

I, Evan D. Masyr, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Salem Media Group, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2019

/s/ EVAN D. MASYR

Evan D. Masyr

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of Salem Media Group, Inc. (the “Company”), for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based on his knowledge:

• the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

• the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 10, 2019

By:	/s/ EDWARD G. ATSINGER III
	Edward G. Atsinger III
	President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Salem Media Group, Inc. (the “Company”), for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that based on his knowledge:

• the Quarterly report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

• the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: May 10, 2019

By:	/s/ EVAN D. MASYR
	Evan D. Masyr
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	May 02, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SALM
Entity Registrant Name	SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0001050606
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,632,416
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,553,696

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4	$ 117
Trade accounts receivable (net of allowances of $9,732 in 2018 and $8,858 in 2019)	30,405	33,020
Unbilled revenue	2,107	2,513
Other receivables (net of allowances of $158 in 2018 and $9 in 2019 )	916	806
Inventories (net of reserves of $994 in 2018 and $1,079 in 2019)	533	677
Prepaid expenses	5,117	6,504
Assets held for sale	750
Total current assets	39,832	43,637
Notes receivable (net of allowance of $733 in 2018 and $1,016 in 2019)	998	218
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $170,756 in 2018 and $173,055 in 2019)	95,546	96,344
Operating lease right-of-use assets	63,120
Financing lease right-of-use assets	219	164
Broadcast licenses	372,025	376,316
Goodwill	26,445	26,789
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277	277
Amortizable intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $53,180 in 2018 and $52,279 in 2019)	9,639	11,264
Deferred financing costs	338	381
Other assets	3,828	3,638
Total assets	612,267	559,028
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,211	2,187
Accrued expenses	9,140	10,104
Accrued compensation and related expenses	9,227	7,582
Accrued interest	5,238	1,375
Contract liabilities	11,581	11,537
Deferred rent income	108	108
Income taxes payable	397	267
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	9,464
Current portion of financing (capital) lease liabilities	74	58
Current portion of long-term debt	16,000	19,660
Total current liabilities	66,440	52,878
Long-term debt, less current portion	227,683	234,030
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	61,847
Financing (capital) lease liabilities, less current portion	156	105
Deferred income taxes	29,968	35,272
Deferred rent expense, long term		9,382
Contract liabilities, long-term	1,418	1,379
Deferred rent income, less current	4,026	4,049
Other long-term liabilities	64	64
Total liabilities	391,602	337,159
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Stockholders' Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	245,396	245,220
Accumulated earnings	8,992	10,372
Treasury stock, at cost (2,317,650 shares at December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019)	(34,006)	(34,006)
Total stockholders' equity	220,665	221,869
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	612,267	559,028
Common Class A [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	227	227
Total stockholders' equity	227	227
Common Class B [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	56	56
Total stockholders' equity	$ 56	$ 56

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Trade accounts receivable, allowances	$ 8,858	$ 9,732
Allowance for Doubtful Other Receivables, Current	9	158
Inventories, reserves	1,079	994
Notes receivable, allowance	1,016	733
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	173,055	170,756
Amortizable intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 52,279	$ 53,180
Treasury stock, shares	2,317,650	2,317,650
Common Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, issued	22,950,066	22,950,066
Common stock, outstanding	20,632,416	20,632,416
Common Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, issued	5,553,696	5,553,696
Common stock, outstanding	5,553,696	5,553,696

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Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Total revenue	$ 60,469	$ 63,795
Operating expenses:
Unallocated corporate expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below (including $63 and $7 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, paid to related parties)	3,871	3,921
Depreciation	2,933	3,009
Amortization	1,296	1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	4,024	5
Operating expenses	61,453	58,124
Operating income (loss)	(984)	5,671
Other income (expense):
Interest income	1	2
Interest expense	(4,425)	(4,518)
Gain on early retirement of long-term debt	426
Net miscellaneous income and expenses	1	75
Net income (loss) before income taxes	(4,981)	1,230
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(5,303)	402
Net income	$ 322	$ 828
Basic earnings per share data:
Basic earnings per share Class A and Class B common stock	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Diluted earnings per share data:
Diluted earnings per share Class A and Class B common stock	$ 0.01	$ 0.03
Basic weighted average Class A and Class B shares outstanding	26,186,112	26,171,539
Diluted weighted average Class A and Class B shares outstanding	26,193,307	26,304,891
Broadcast [Member]
Total revenue	$ 46,093	$ 48,050
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses	36,449	35,750
Digital Media [Member]
Total revenue	10,240	10,394
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses	8,058	8,374
Publishing [Member]
Total revenue	4,136	5,351
Operating expenses:
Operating expenses	$ 4,822	$ 5,587

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Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating expenses	$ 61,453	$ 58,124
Unallocated corporate expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization	3,871	3,921
Related Party [Member]
Unallocated corporate expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization	7	63
Broadcast [Member]
Operating expenses	36,449	35,750
Broadcast [Member] | Related Party [Member]
Operating expenses	$ 436	$ 561

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017					22,932,451	5,553,696
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 231,281	$ 244,634	$ 20,370	$ (34,006)	$ 227	$ 56
Stock-based compensation	46	46
Options exercised	19	19
Options exercised (in shares)					8,125
Cash distributions	(1,701)		(1,701)
Net income	828		828
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	230,473	244,699	19,497	(34,006)	$ 227	$ 56
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018					22,940,576	5,553,696
Distributions per share					$ 0.065	$ 0.065
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018					22,950,066	5,553,696
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	221,869	245,220	10,372	(34,006)	$ 227	$ 56
Stock-based compensation	176	176
Cash distributions	(1,702)		(1,702)
Net income	322		322
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 220,665	$ 245,396	$ 8,992	$ (34,006)	$ 227	$ 56
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019					22,950,066	5,553,696
Distributions per share					$ 0.065	$ 0.065

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 322	$ 828
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash stock-based compensation	176	46
Depreciation and amortization	4,229	4,487
Amortization of deferred financing costs	258	270
Non-cash lease expense	2,267
Accretion of acquisition-related deferred payments and contingent consideration	1	16
Provision for bad debts	320	146
Deferred income taxes	(5,304)	382
Gain on early retirement of long-term debt	(426)
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	4,024	5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue	1,758	1,176
Inventories	(256)	(78)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,387	(69)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,449	6,629
Deferred rent expense		(119)
Operating lease liabilities	(3,458)
Contract liabilities	133	(938)
Deferred rent income	(43)	(23)
Income taxes payable	130	115
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,967	12,873
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash paid for capital expenditures net of tenant improvement allowances	(2,404)	(2,472)
Capital expenditures reimbursable under tenant improvement allowances and trade agreements		(4)
Escrow deposits paid related to acquisitions		(240)
Escrow deposits received related to radio station sale		500
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,255	1
Other	(139)	(170)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,388)	(2,385)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Payments to repurchase 6.75% Senior Secured Notes	(6,123)
Refund (payments) of debt issuance costs	(13)	41
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		19
Payments on financing lease liabilities	(21)	(31)
Payment of cash distribution on common stock	(1,702)	(1,701)
Book overdraft	3,827	187
Net cash used in financing activities	(7,692)	(10,485)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(113)	3
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	117	3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4	6
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	302	73
Cash paid for interest on finance lease liabilities	2
Cash (received) paid for income taxes	130	(95)
Other supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Barter revenue	1,310	1,737
Barter expense	1,356	1,266
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures reimbursable under tenant improvement allowances		4
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases	288
Non-cash capital expenditures for property & equipment acquired under trade agreements		9
Abl Facility [Member]
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from borrowings under ABL Facility	22,189	10,334
Debt repayment	(25,849)	$ (19,334)
Digital Media [Member]
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of digital media businesses,publishing businesses and assets	$ (100)

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Salem Media Group, Inc. (“Salem” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “company”) is a domestic multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content. Our media properties include radio broadcasting, digital media, and publishing entities. We have three operating segments: (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which are discussed in Note 21 – Segment Data.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of Salem include the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Information with respect to the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is unaudited. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the company. The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report for Salem filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Our results are subject to seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, the results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 included in this report has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant areas for which management uses estimates include:

• revenue recognition,

• asset impairments, including broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets;

• probabilities associated with the potential for contingent earn-out consideration;

• fair value measurements;

• contingency reserves;

• allowance for doubtful accounts;

• sales returns and allowances;

• barter transactions;

• inventory reserves;

• reserves for royalty advances;

• fair value of equity awards;

• self-insurance reserves;

• estimated lives for tangible and intangible assets;

• assessment of contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors to determine the lease term impacting Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities,

• determining the Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”) for calculating ROU assets and lease liabilities,

• income tax valuation allowances; and

• uncertain tax positions

These estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The estimates will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and we may consult outside experts to assist as considered necessary.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications include the accounting for finance lease obligations under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) issued under ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Except for our accounting policies for leases a result of adopting ASC 842, there have been no changes to our significant accounting policies described in Note 2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2019, that have had a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

Leases

We adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective basis and did not restate comparative periods as permitted under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-11. ASC 842 supersedes nearly all existing lease accounting guidance under GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) including ASC Topic 840, Leases. ASC 842 requires that lessees recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities calculated based on the present value of lease payments for all lease agreements with terms that are greater than twelve months. ASC 842 distinguishes leases as either a finance lease or an operating lease that affects how the leases are measured and presented in the statement of operations and statement of cash flows.

For operating leases, we calculated ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the remaining lease payments as of the date of adoption using the IBR as of that date. There were no changes in our capital lease portfolio, which are now titled “finance leases” under ASC 842, other than the reclassification of the assets acquired under capital leases from their respective property and equipment category and long-term debt to ROU assets and lease liabilities.

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recording a non-cash transitional adjustment to operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of $65.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The difference between the operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities at transition represented existing deferred rent expense and prepaid rent that was derecognized. The adoption of ASC 842 did not materially impact our results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Refer to Note 8 for more information.

The FASB issued practical expedients and accounting policy elections that we have applied as described below.

Practical Expedients

ASC 842 provides a package of three practical expedients that must be adopted together and applied to all lease agreements. We elected the package of practical expedients as follows for all leases:

Whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease.

Because the accounting for operating leases and service contracts was similar under ASC 840, there was no accounting reason to separate lease agreements from service contracts in order to account for them correctly. We reviewed existing service contracts to determine if the agreement contained an embedded lease to be accounted for on the balance sheet under ASC 842.

Lease classification for expired or existing leases.

Leases that were capital leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as financing leases under ASC 842 while leases that were operating leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 842.

Whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would meet the definition of initial direct costs under the new standard guidance.

The definition of initial direct costs is more restrictive under ASC 842 than under ASC 840. Entities that do not elect the practical expedient are required to reassess capitalized initial direct costs under ASC 840 and record an equity adjustment for those that are not capitalizable under ASC 842.

Land Easement Practical Expedient

We elected the practical expedient that permits us to continue applying our current policy of accounting for land easements that existed as of, or expired before, the effective date of ASC 842. We have applied this policy to all of our existing land easements that were not previously accounted for under ASC 840.

Accounting Policy Elections

Lease Term

We calculate the term for each lease agreement to include the noncancellable period specified in the agreement together with (1) the periods covered by options to extend the lease if we are reasonably certain to exercise that option, (2) periods covered by an option to terminate if we are reasonably certain not to exercise that option and (3) period covered by an option to extend (or not terminate) if controlled by the lessor.

The assessment of whether we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease requires significant judgement surrounding contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors. These factors are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Lease Payments

Lease payments consist of the following payments (as applicable) related to the use of the underlying asset during the lease term:

• Fixed payments, including in substance fixed payments, less any lease incentives paid or payable to the lessee

• Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, such as the Consumer Price Index or a market interest rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date of January 1, 2019.

• The exercise price of an option to purchase the underlying asset if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option.

• Payments for penalties for terminating the lease if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

• Fees paid by the lessee to the owners of a special-purpose entity for structuring the transaction

• For a lessee only, amounts probable of being owed by the lessee under residual value guarantees

Short-Term Lease Exemption

We elected to exclude short-term leases, or leases with a term of twelve months or less that do not contain a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise, from our ROU asset and lease liability calculations.

We considered the applicability of the short-term exception on month-to-month leases with perpetual or rolling renewals as we are “reasonably certain” to continue the lease. For example, we lease various storage facilities under agreements with month-to-month terms that have continued over several years. The standard terms and conditions for a majority of these agreements allow either party to terminate within a notice period ranging from 10 to 30 days. There are no cancellation penalties other than the potential loss of a one-month rent or a security deposit if the termination terms are not adhered to.

We believe that these month-to-month leases qualify for the short-term exception to ASC 842 because either party can terminate the agreement without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty, therefore, the arrangements do not create enforceable rights and obligations. Additionally, the cost to move to a new location or find comparable facilities is low as there are no unique features of the storage facilities that impact our business or operations.    We considered termination clauses, costs associated with moving and costs associated with finding alternative facilities to exclude month-to-month leases that have perpetually renewed.

Service Agreements with an Embedded Lease Component

We elected to exclude certain service agreements that contain embedded leases for equipment based on the immaterial impact of these agreements. Our analysis included cable and satellite television service agreements for which our monthly payment may include equipment rentals, coffee and water service at certain facilities that may include equipment rentals (we often meet minimum requirements and just pay for product used), security services that include a monthly fee for cameras or equipment, and other similar arrangements. Based on the insignificant amount of the monthly lease costs, we elected to exclude these agreements from our ROU asset and liability calculations due to the immaterial impact to our financial statements.

Index or Rate Applicable to Operating Lease Liabilities

We elected to measure lease liabilities for variable lease payments using the current rate or index in effect at the time of transition on January 1, 2019. Using the current index or rate is consistent with how we calculated and presented future minimum lease payments under ASC 840. Therefore, there is no change in accounting policy applicable to this election.

Incremental Borrowing Rate

The ROU asset and related lease liabilities recorded under ASC 842 are calculated based on the present value of the lease payments using (1) the rate implicit in the lease or (2) the lessee’s IBR, defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We performed an analysis as of January 1, 2019 to estimate the IBR applicable to Salem upon transition to ASC 842. Our analysis required the use of significant judgement and estimates, including the estimated value of the underlying leased asset, as described in are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Portfolio Approach

We elected to use a portfolio approach by applying a single IBR to leases with reasonably similar characteristics, including the remaining lease term, the underlying assets and the economic environment. We believe that applying the portfolio approach is acceptable because the results do not materially differ from the application of the leases model to the individual leases in that portfolio.

Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes

We elected not to evaluate whether sales taxes or other similar taxes imposed by a governmental authority on a specific lease revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the lessor from the lessee are the primary obligation of the lessor as owner of the underlying leased asset. A lessor that makes this election will exclude these taxes from the measurement of lease revenue and the associated expense. Taxes assessed on a lessor’s total gross receipts or on the lessor as owner of the underlying asset (e.g., property taxes) are excluded from the scope of the policy election. A lessor must apply the election to all taxes in the scope of the policy election and would provide certain disclosures.

Separating Consideration between Lease and Non-Lease Components

We elected to include the lease and non-lease components (or the fixed and variable consideration) as a single component accounted for as a lease. This practical expedient is elected by class of underlying assets as an accounting policy election, and applies to all arrangements in that class of underlying assets that qualify for the expedient. ASC 842 provides this expedient to alleviate concerns that the costs and administrative burden of allocating consideration to the separate lease and non-lease components may not justify the benefit of more precisely reflecting the ROU asset and the lease liability.

Contracts that include lease and non-lease components that are accounted for under the election not to separate require that all components that qualify for the practical expedient be combined. The components that do not qualify, such as those for which the timing and pattern of transfer of the lease and associated non-lease components are not the same, are accounted for separately.

Accounting for a lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component results in an allocation of the total contract consideration to the lease component. Therefore, the initial and subsequent measurement of the lease liability and ROU asset is greater than if the policy election was not applied. The greater ROU asset value is considered in our impairment analysis.

Impairment of ROU Assets

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities.

After a careful analysis of the guidance, we concluded that the appropriate unit of accounting for testing ROU assets for impairment is the broadcast market cluster level for radio station operations and the entity or division level for digital media entities, publishing entities and networks. Corporate ROU assets are tested on a consolidated level with consideration given to all cash flows of the company as corporate functions do not generate cash flows and are funded by revenue-producing activities at lower levels of the entity.

ASC 360 requires three steps to identify, recognize and measure the impairment of a long-lived asset (asset group) to be held and used:

Step 1 – Consider whether Indicators of Impairment are Present

As detailed in ASC 360-10-35-21, the following are examples of impairment indicators:

• A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset (asset group) is being used or in its physical condition

• A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group), including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator

• An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50 percent.

Other indicators should be considered if we believes that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable.

Step 2—Test for Recoverability

If indicators of impairment are present, we are required to perform a recoverability test comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the long-lived asset or asset group in question to the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group.

ASC 360 does not specifically address how operating lease liabilities and future cash outflows for lease payments should be considered in the recoverability test. Under ASC 360, financial liabilities, or long-term debt, generally are excluded from an asset group while operating liabilities, such as accounts payable, generally are included. ASC 842 characterizes operating lease liabilities as operating liabilities. Because operating lease liabilities may be viewed as having attributes of finance liabilities as well as operating liabilities, it is generally acceptable for a lessee to either include or exclude operating lease liabilities from an asset group when testing whether the carrying amount of an asset group is recoverable provided the approach is applied consistently for all operating leases and when performing Steps 2 and 3 of the impairment model in ASC 360.

In cases where we have received lease incentives, including operating lease liabilities in an asset group may result in the long-lived asset or asset group having a zero or negative carrying amount because the incentives reduce our ROU assets. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the carrying amount of the asset group such that we test ROU assets for operating leases in the same manner that we test ROU assets for financing leases.

Undiscounted Future Cash Flows

The undiscounted future cash flows in Step 2 are based on our own assumptions rather than a market participant. If an election is made to exclude operating lease liabilities from the asset or asset group, all future cash lease payments for the lease should also be excluded. The standard requires lessees to exclude certain variable lease payments from lease payments and, therefore, from the measurement of a lessee’s lease liabilities. Because these variable payments do not reduce the lease liability, we include the variable payments we expect to make in our estimate of the undiscounted cash flows in the recoverability test (Step 2) using a probability-weighted approach.

Step 3—Measurement of an Impairment Loss

If the undiscounted cash flows used in the recoverability test are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset (asset group), we are required to estimate the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group and recognize an impairment loss when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group exceeds the estimated fair value. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the estimated fair value, consistent with the recoverability test. Any impairment loss for an asset group must reduce only the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset or assets of the group, including the ROU assets. The loss must be allocated to the long-lived assets of the group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts of those assets, except that the loss allocated to an individual long-lived asset of the group must not reduce the carrying amount of that asset below its fair value whenever the fair value is determinable without undue cost and effort. ASC 360 prohibits the subsequent reversal of an impairment loss for an asset held and used.

Fair Value Considerations

When determining the fair value of a ROU asset, we must estimate what market participants would pay to lease the asset or what a market participant would pay up front in one payment for the ROU asset, assuming no additional lease payments would be due. The ROU asset must be valued assuming its highest and best use, in its current form, even if that use differs from the current or intended use. If no market exists for an asset in its current form, but there is a market for a transformed asset, the costs to transform the asset are considered in the fair value estimate. Refer to Note 15, Fair Value Measurements.

There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to accounting principles are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Described below are ASUs that are not yet effective, but may be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to not be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Tope 818): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies when transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement are within the scope of the FASB’s revenue standard, Topic 606. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, that changes the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee paid to a decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 removes or modifies certain disclosures and in certain instances requires additional disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. ASU 2018-09 provides minor corrections and clarifications that affect a variety of topics in the Codification. Several updates are effective upon issuance of the update while others have transition guidance for effective dates in the future. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. Subsequent to issuing ASU 2016-13, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, for the purpose of clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2018-19 has the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which is effective with the ASU 2016-13. We plan to adopt this ASU on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

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Recent Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Recent Transactions

NOTE 3. RECENT TRANSACTIONS

During the three month period ended March 31, 2019, we completed or entered into the following transactions:

Debt Transactions

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of the Notes at amounts less than face value as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2019:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
	$	6,670	$	6,123

Equity Transactions

On March 7, 2019, we announced a quarterly equity distribution in the amount of $0.0650 per share on Class A and Class B common stock. The equity distribution of $1.7 million was paid on March 29, 2019 to all Class A and Class B common stockholders of record as of March 19, 2019.

Acquisition

On March 18, 2019, we acquired the pjmedia.com website for $0.1 million in cash.

Under the acquisition method of accounting as specified in FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, the total acquisition consideration of a business is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of the transaction. Transactions that do not meet the definition of a business in ASU 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business are recorded as asset purchases. Asset purchases are recognized based on their cost to acquire, including transaction costs. The cost to acquire an asset group is allocated to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair value with no goodwill recognized.

Estimates of the fair value include discounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets and their expected useful lives based on historical experience, market trends and any synergies believed to be achieved from the acquisition. Acquisitions may include contingent consideration, the fair value of which is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the payment amounts.

We may retain a third-party appraiser to estimate the fair value of the acquired net assets as of the acquisition date. As part of the valuation and appraisal process, the third-party appraiser prepares a report assigning estimated fair values to the various assets acquired. These fair value estimates are subjective in nature and require careful consideration and judgment. Management reviews the third-party reports for reasonableness of the assigned values. We believe that these valuations and analysis provide appropriate estimates of the fair value for the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date.

The initial valuations for business acquisitions are subject to refinement during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date. During this measurement period, we may record adjustments to the net assets acquired based on additional information obtained for items that existed as of the acquisition date. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any adjustments are reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. To date, we have not recorded adjustments to the estimated fair values used in our business acquisition consideration during or after the measurement period.

Property and equipment are recorded at the estimated fair value and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair value and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill, which represents the organizational systems and procedures in place to ensure the effective operation of the entity, may also be recorded and tested for impairment. Costs associated with business acquisitions, such as consulting and legal fees, are expensed as incurred. We recognized costs associated with acquisitions of $1,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 compared to $14,000 during the same period of the prior year, which are included in unallocated corporate expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The total acquisition consideration is equal to the sum of all cash payments, the fair value of any deferred payments and promissory notes, and the present value of any estimated contingent earn-out consideration. We estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in Note 15—Fair Value Measurements.

The following table summarizes the total acquisition consideration for the three month period ended March 31, 2019:

Description	Total Consideration
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash payments made upon closing	$	100
Total purchase price consideration	$	100

The fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated as follows:

	Net Digital
	Assets Acquired
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Subscriber base and lists		100
	$	100

Divestitures

On March 21, 2019, we sold Newport Natural Health, an e-commerce website operated by Eagle Wellness for $0.9 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $0.1 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

On February 28, 2019, we sold Mike Turner’s line of investment products, including TurnerTrends.com and other domain names and related assets. We received no cash from the buyer, who assumed all deferred subscription liabilities for Mike Turner’s investment products. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

On February 27, 2019, we sold HumanEvents.com, a conservative opinion website for $0.3 million in cash. We recognized a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million associated with the sale reflecting the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the closing costs.

Other Transactions

On April 30, 2018, we ceased programming radio station KHTE-FM, in Little Rock, Arkansas. We programmed the station under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”) beginning on April 1, 2015. We had the option to acquire the station for $1.2 million in cash during the TBA period. We paid the licensee a $0.1 million fee for not exercising our purchase option for the station. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations reflect the operating results of this station during the three months ended March 31, 2018 within the broadcast operating segment.

On January 2, 2018, we began programming radio stations KPAM-AM and KKOV-AM in Portland, Oregon under Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) entered on December 29, 2017, with original terms of up to 12 months. The LMAs terminated on March 30, 2018 when the radio stations were sold to another party. We entered a second LMA with the new owner as of the closing date under which we continue to program radio station KPAM-AM. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations reflects the operating results of these stations during the LMA terms.

Pending Transactions

On March 19, 2019, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station WSPZ-AM (previously WWRC-AM) in Washington D.C. for $0.8 million. We recognized an estimated pre-tax loss of $3.8 million as of March 31, 2019, based on the probability of the sale, which reflects the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the radio station assets and the estimated closing costs. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.    

On April 26, 2018, we entered an agreement to exchange radio station KKOL-AM, in Seattle, Washington for KPAM-AM in Portland, Oregon. We are currently operating radio station KPAM-AM under an LMA as described above. The exchange transaction is subject to the approval of the FCC and is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

On January 3, 2017, Word Broadcasting began operating our Louisville radio stations (WFIA-AM; WFIA-FM; WGTK-AM) under a twenty-four month TBA. We received $0.5 million in cash associated with an option for Word Broadcasting Network to acquire the radio stations during the term. In December 2018, Word Broadcasting notified us of their intent to purchase our Louisville radio stations. The TBA contains an extension clause to allow them to continue operating the station until the purchase agreement is executed and the transaction closes.

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Contingent Earn-Out Consideration

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Contingent Earn-Out Consideration

NOTE 4. CONTINGENT EARN-OUT CONSIDERATION

Our acquisitions may include contingent earn-out consideration as part of the purchase price under which we will make future payments to the seller upon the achievement of certain benchmarks. The fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date at the present value of the expected contingent payments to be made using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model for probabilities of possible future payments. The present value of the expected future payouts is accreted to interest expense over the earn-out period. The fair value estimates use unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions as to the ability of the acquired business to meet the targeted benchmarks and discount rates used in the calculations. The unobservable inputs are defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, as Level 3 inputs discussed in detail in Note 15.

We review the probabilities of possible future payments to the estimated fair value of any contingent earn-out consideration on a quarterly basis over the earn-out period. Actual results are compared to the estimates and probabilities of achievement used in our forecasts. Should actual results of the acquired business increase or decrease as compared to our estimates and assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration liability will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration are reflected in our results of operations in the period in which they are identified. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration may materially impact and cause volatility in our operating results.

Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters

We acquired the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters and related assets on August 9, 2018. We paid $0.4 million in cash upon closing and may pay up to an additional $0.1 million in contingent earn-out consideration over the next two years upon the achievement of income benchmarks as part of the purchase agreement. Using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model based on our own assumptions as to the ability of Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters to achieve the income targets at the time of closing, we estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration to be $40,617, which was recorded at the discounted present value of $39,360. The discount will be accreted to interest expense over the two year earn-out period.

We review the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration quarterly over the earn-out period to compare actual revenues achieved and projected to the estimated revenues used in our forecasts. Any changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration will be reflected in our results of operations in the period they are identified, up to the maximum future value outstanding under the contract of $0.1 million. There were no changes in our estimates of the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration as of the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

Just1Word Mobile Application

We acquired the Just1Word mobile application and related assets on August 7, 2018. We paid $0.3 million in cash upon closing and may pay up to an additional $0.1 million in contingent earn-out consideration over the next two years upon the achievement of income benchmarks as part of the purchase agreement. Using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model based on our own assumptions as to the ability of Just1Word to achieve the income targets at the time of closing, we estimated the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration to be $12,750, which was recorded at the discounted present value of $12,212. The discount will be accreted to interest expense over the two year earn-out period.

We review the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration quarterly over the earn-out period to compare actual revenues achieved and projected to the estimated revenues used in our forecasts. Any changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration will be reflected in our results of operations in the period they are identified, up to the maximum future value outstanding under the contract of $0.1 million. We recorded an increase of $4,000 in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration that is reflected in our results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2018. There were no changes in our estimates of the fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration as of the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

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Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

NOTE 5. REVENUE RECOGNITION

We recognize revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”). ASC Topic 606 is a comprehensive revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers at an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive. The application of ASC Topic 606 requires us to use significant judgment and estimates. Application of ASC Topic 606 requires a five-step model applicable to all revenue streams as follows:

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

A contract with a customer exists when (i) we enter into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these goods or services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance and, (iii) we determine that collection of substantially all consideration for goods or services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration.

We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience or, in the case of a new customer, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the goods or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.

When a contract includes multiple promised goods or services, we apply judgment to determine whether the promised goods or services are capable of being distinct and are distinct within the context of the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised goods or services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation.

Determination of the transaction price

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled to receive in exchange for transferring goods or services to our customer. We estimate any variable consideration included in the transaction price using the expected value method that requires the use of significant estimates for discounts, cancellation periods, refunds and returns. Variable consideration is described in detail below.

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation based on a relative Stand-Alone Selling Price (“SSP,”) basis. We determine SSP based on the price at which the performance obligation would be sold separately. If the SSP is not observable, we estimate the SSP based on available information, including market conditions and any applicable internally approved pricing guidelines.

Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation

We recognize revenue at the point in time that the related performance obligation is satisfied by transferring the promised goods or services to our customer.

Principal versus Agent Considerations

When another party is involved in providing goods or services to our customer, we apply the principal versus agent guidance in ASC Topic 606 to determine if we are the principal or an agent to the transaction. When we control the specified goods or services before they are transferred to our customer, we report revenue gross, as principal. If we do not control the goods or services before they are transferred to our customer, revenue is reported net of the fees paid to the other party, as agent. Our evaluation to determine if we control the goods or services within ASC Topic 606 includes the following indicators:

We are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service.

When we are primarily responsible for providing the goods and services, such as when the other party is acting on our behalf, we have indication that we are the principal to the transaction. We consider if we may terminate our relationship with the other party at any time without penalty or without permission from our customer.

We have inventory risk before the specified good or service has been transferred to a customer or after transfer of control to the customer.

We may commit to obtaining the services of another party with or without an existing contract with our customer. In these situations, we have risk of loss as principal for any amount due to the other party regardless of the amount(s) we earn as revenue from our customer.    

The entity has discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service.

We have discretion in establishing the price our customer pays for the specified goods or services.

Contract Assets

Contract Assets—Costs to Obtain a Contract: We capitalize commissions paid to sales personnel in our self-publishing business when customer contracts are signed and advance payment is received. These capitalized costs are recorded as prepaid commission expense in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount capitalized is incremental to the contract and would not have been incurred absent the execution of the customer contract. Commissions paid upon the initial acquisition of a contract are expensed at the point in time that related revenue is recognized. Prepaid commission expenses are periodically reviewed for impairment. At March 31, 2019, our prepaid commission expense was $0.7 million.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities consist of customer advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. We may receive payments from our customers in advance of completing our performance obligations. Additionally, new customers, existing customers without approved credit terms and authors purchasing specific self-publishing services, are required to make payments in advance of the delivery of the products or performance of the services. We record contract liabilities equal to the amount of payments received in excess of revenue recognized, including payments that are refundable if the customer cancels the contract according to the contract terms. Contract liabilities were historically recorded under the caption “deferred revenue” and are reported as current liabilities on our consolidated financial statements when the time to fulfill the performance obligations under terms of our contracts is less than one year. Long-term contract liabilities represent the amount of payments received in excess of revenue earned, including those that are refundable, when the time to fulfill the performance obligation is greater than one year. Our long-term liabilities consist of subscriptions with a term of two-years for which some customers have purchased and paid for multiple years.

Significant changes in our contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows:

	Short-Term			Long-Term
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period January 1, 2019	$	11,537		$	1,379
Revenue recognized during the period that was included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities		(3,259	)		—
Additional amounts recognized during the period		5,524			347
Revenue recognized during the period that was recorded during the period		(2,529	)		—
Transfers		308			(308	)
Balance, end of period March 31, 2019	$	11,581		$	1,418
Amount refundable at beginning of period	$	11,410		$	1,379
Amount refundable at end of period	$	11,491		$	1,418

We expect to satisfy these performance obligations as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	11,581
2021		514
2022		426
2023		210
2024		99
Thereafter		169
	$	12,999

Significant Financing Component

The length of our typical sales agreement is less than 12 months, however, we may sell subscriptions with a two-year term. The balance of our long-term contract liabilities represent the unsatisfied performance obligations for subscriptions with a remaining term in excess of one year. We review long-term contract liabilities that are expected to be completed in excess of one year to assess whether the contract contains a significant financing component. The balance includes subscriptions that will be satisfied at various dates between April 1, 2020 and March 30, 2024. The difference between the promised consideration and the cash selling price of the publications is not significant. Therefore, we have concluded that subscriptions do not contain a significant financing component under ASC Topic 606.    

Our self-publishing contracts may exceed a one year term due to the length of time for an author to submit and approve a manuscript for publication. The author may pay for publishing services in installments over the production time line with payments due in advance of performance. The timing of the transfer of goods and services under self-publishing arrangements are at the discretion of the author and based on future events that are not substantially within our control. We require advance payments to provide us with protection from incurring costs for products that are unique and only sellable to the author. Based on these considerations, we have concluded that our self-publishing contracts do not contain a significant financing component under ASC Topic 606.    

Variable Consideration

We enter into agreements under which the amount of revenue we earn is contingent upon the amount of money raised by our customer over the contract term. Our customer is typically a charity or programmer that purchases blocks of programming time or spots to generate revenue from our audience members. Contract terms can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending the charity or programmer. If the campaign does not generate a pre-determinedlevel of donations or revenue to our customer, the consideration that we expect to be entitled to may vary above a minimum base level per the contract. Historically, under ASC Topic 605, we reported variable consideration as revenue when the amount was fixed and determinable. Under ASC Topic 606, variable consideration is to be estimated using the expected value or the most likely amount to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Based on the constraints for using estimates of variable consideration within ASC Topic 606, and our historical experience with these campaigns, we continue to recognize revenue at the base amount of the campaign with variable consideration recognized when the uncertainty of each campaign is resolved. These constraints include: (1) the amount of consideration received is highly susceptible to factors outside of our influence, specifically the extent to which our audience donates or contributes to our customer or programmer, (2) the length of time in which the uncertainty about the amount of consideration expected is to be resolved, and (3) our experience has shown these contracts have a large number and broad range of possible outcomes.

Trade and Barter Transactions

In broadcasting, trade or barter agreements are commonly used to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. We may enter barter agreements to exchange air time or digital advertising for goods or services that can be used in our business or that can be sold to our audience under Listener Purchase Programs. The terms of these barter agreements permit us to preempt the barter air time or digital campaign in favor of customers who purchase the air time or digital campaign for cash. The value of these non-cash exchanges is included in revenue in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the goods or services we receive. Each transaction is reviewed to determine that the products, supplies and/or services we receive have economic substance, or value to us. We record barter operating expenses upon receipt and usage of the products, supplies and services, as applicable. We record barter revenue as advertising spots or digital campaigns are delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Barter revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Trade and barter revenues and expenses were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2019
Net broadcast barter revenue	$	1,691	$	1,299
Net digital media barter revenue		45		11
Net publishing barter revenue		1		—
Net broadcast barter expense	$	1,266	$	1,356
Net digital media barter expense		—		—
Net publishing barter expense		—		—

We elected the following policies permitted under ASC Topic 606:

• We adopted the practical expedient related to not adjusting the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the period between transfer of product and customer payment is expected to be less than one year at the time of contract inception;

• We made the accounting policy election to not assess promised goods or services as performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer;

• We made the accounting policy election to exclude sales and similar taxes from the transaction price;

• We made the accounting policy election to treat shipping and handling costs that occur after control transfers as fulfillment activities instead of assessing such activities as separate performance obligations; and

• We adopted the practical expedient not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue source for each of our three operating segments:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Consolidated
	(dollars in thousands)
By Source of Revenue:
Block Programming - National	$	12,233	$	—	$	—	$	12,233
Block Programming - Local		7,910		—		—		7,910
Spot Advertising - National		3,900		—		—		3,900
Spot Advertising - Local		12,062		—		—		12,062
Infomercials		390		—		—		390
Network		4,306		—		—		4,306
Digital Advertising		2,352		5,317		85		7,754
Digital Streaming		161		1,011		—		1,172
Digital Downloads and eBooks		—		1,275		162		1,437
Subscriptions		274		2,084		201		2,559
Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances		37		410		1,841		2,288
Self-Publishing Fees		—		—		1,477		1,477
Print Advertising		2		—		135		137
Other Revenues		2,466		143		235		2,844
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Point in Time	$	45,472	$	10,225	$	4,136	$	59,833
Rental Income (1)		621		15		—		636
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469

(1) Rental income is not applicable to ASC Topic 606, but shown for the purpose of identifying each revenue source presented in total revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements within this report on Form 10-Q.

A summary of each of our revenue streams under ASC Topic 606 is as follows:

Block Programming. We recognize revenue from the sale of blocks of air time to program producers that typically range from 12¹/₂, 25 or 50-minutes of time. We separate block program revenue into three categories, National, Local and Infomercial revenue. Our stations are classified by format, including Christian Teaching and Talk, News Talk, Contemporary Christian Music, Spanish Language Christian Teaching and Talk and Business. National and local programming content is complementary to our station format while infomercials are closely associated with long-form advertisements. Block Programming revenue may include variable consideration for charities and programmers that purchase blocks of air time to generate donations and contributions from our audience. Block programming revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Programming revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the programmer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Spot Advertising. We recognize revenue from the sale of air time to local and national advertisers who purchase spot commercials of varying lengths. Spot Advertising may include variable consideration for charities and programmers that purchase spots to generate donations and contributions from our audience. Advertising revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Advertising revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the advertiser, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Network Revenue. Network revenue includes the sale of advertising time on our national network and fees earned from the syndication of programming on our national network. Network revenue is recognized at the time of broadcast, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Network revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Digital Advertising. We recognize revenue from the sale of banner advertising on our owned and operated websites and on our own and operated mobile applications. Each of our radio stations, our digital media entities and certain publishing entities have custom websites and mobile applications that generate digital advertising revenue. Digital advertising revenue is recognized at the time that the banner display is delivered, or the number of impressions delivered meets the advertiser’s previously agreed-upon performance criteria, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Digital advertising revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Broadcast digital advertising revenue consists of local digital advertising, such as the sale of banner advertisements on our owned and operated websites, the sale of advertisements on our own and operated mobile applications, and advertisements in digital newsletters that we produce, as well an national digital advertising, or the sale of custom digital advertising solutions, such as web pages and social media campaigns, that we offer to our customers. Advertising revenue is recorded on a gross basis unless an agency represents the advertiser, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Salem Surround. During 2018, we launched a national multimedia advertising agency with locations in 35 markets across the United States. Salem Surround offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to develop and execute audience-based marketing strategies for clients on both the national and local level. Salem Surround specializes in digital marketing services for each of our radio stations and websites as well as provides a full-service digital marketing strategy for each of our clients. In our role as a digital agency, our sales team provides our customers with integrated digital advertising solutions that optimize the performance of their campaign, which we view as one performance obligation. Our advertising campaigns are designed to be “white label” agreements between Salem and our advertiser, meaning we provide special care and attention to the details of the campaign. We provide custom digital product offerings, including tools for metasearch, retargeting, website design, reputation management, online listing services, and social media marketing. Digital advertising solutions may include third-party websites, such as Google or Facebook, which can be included in a digital advertising social media campaign. We manage all aspects of the digital campaign, including social media placements, review and approval of target audiences, and the monitoring of actual results to make modifications as needed. We may contract directly with a third-party, however, we are responsible for delivering the campaign results to our customer with or without the third-party. We are responsible for any payments due to the third-party regardless of the campaign results and without regard to the status of payment from our customer. We have discretion in setting the price to our customer without input or approval from the third-party. Accordingly, revenue is reported gross, as principal, as the performance obligation is delivered, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation.

Digital Streaming. We recognize revenue from the sale of advertisements and from the placement of ministry content that is streamed on our owned and operated websites and on our owned and operated mobile applications. Each of our radio stations, our digital media entities and certain publishing entities have custom websites and mobile applications that generate streaming revenue. Digital streaming revenue is recognized at the time that the content is delivered, or when the number of impressions delivered meets our customer’s previously agreed-upon performance criteria. Delivery of the content represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Streaming revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Digital Downloads and e-books. We recognize revenue from sale of downloaded materials, including videos, song tracks, sermons, content archives and e-books. Payments for downloaded materials are due in advance of the download, however, the download is often instant upon confirmation of payment. Digital download revenue is recognized at the time of download, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the gross amount due from the customer. All sales are final with no allowances made for returns.

Subscriptions. We recognize revenue from the sale of subscriptions for financial publication digital newsletters, digital magazines, podcast subscriptions for on-air content, and subscriptions to our print magazine. Subscription terms typically range from three months to two years, with a money-back guarantee for the first 30 days. Refunds after the first 30 day period are considered on a pro-rata basis based on the number of publications issued and delivered. Payments are due in advance of delivery and can be made in full upon subscribing or in quarterly installments. Cash received in advance of the subscription term, including amounts that are refundable, is recorded in contract labilities. Revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription term at the point in time that each publication is transmitted or shipped, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of estimated cancellations, which are based on our experience and historical cancellation rates during the cancellable period.

Book Sales. We recognize revenue from the sale of books upon shipment, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing the performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the gross amount due from the customer, net of estimated sales returns and allowances based on our historical experience. Major new title releases represent a significant portion of the revenue in the current period. Print-based consumer books are sold on a fully-returnable basis. We do not record assets or inventory for the value of returned books as they are considered used regardless of the condition returned. Our experience with unsold or returned books is that their resale value is insignificant and they are often destroyed or disposed of.

e-Commerce. We recognize revenue from the sale of products sold through our digital platform, including wellness products through Newport Natural Health. Payments for products are due in advance shipping. We record a contract liability when we receive customer payments in advance of shipment. The time frame from receipt of payment to shipment is typically one business day based on the time that an order is placed as compared to fulfillment. E-Commerce revenue is recognized at the time of shipment, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is reported net of estimated returns, which are based on our experience and historical return rates. Returned products are recorded in inventory if they are unopened and re-saleable with a corresponding reduction in the cost of goods sold.

Self-Publishing Fees. We recognize revenue from self-publishing services through Salem Author Services (“SAS”), including book publishing and support services to independent authors. Services include book cover design, interior layout, printing, distribution, marketing services and editing for print books and eBooks. As each book and related support services are unique to each author, authors must make payments in advance of the performance. Payments are typically made in installments over the expected production time line for each publication. We record contract liabilities equal to the amount of payments received, including those amounts that are fully or partially refundable. Contract liabilities were historically recorded under the caption “deferred revenue” and are reported as current liabilities or long term liabilities on our consolidated financial statements based on the time to fulfill the performance obligations under terms of the contract. Refunds are limited based on the percentage completion of each publishing project.

Revenue is recognized upon completion of each performance obligation, which represents the point in time that control of the product is transferred to the author, thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue is recorded at the net amount due from the author, including discounts based on the service package.

Advertising—Print. We recognize revenue from the sale of print magazine advertisements. Revenue is recognized upon delivery of the print magazine which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing the performance obligation. Revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

Other Revenues. Other revenues include various sources, such as event revenue, listener purchase programs, talent fees for on-air hosts, rental income for studios and towers, production services, and shipping and handling fees. We recognize event revenue, including fees earned for ticket sales and sponsorships, when the event occurs, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Revenue for all other products and services is recorded as the products or services are delivered or performed, which represents the point in time that control is transferred to the customer thereby completing our performance obligation. Other revenue is reported on a gross basis unless an agency represents the customer, in which case, revenue is reported net of the commission retained by the agency.

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

NOTE 6. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of finished goods including books from Regnery^® Publishing and for the prior year wellness products. All inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value as determined on a First-In First-Out cost method and reported net of estimated reserves for obsolescence.

The following table provides details of inventory on hand by segment:

	December 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Regnery® Publishing book inventories	$	1,317		$	1,612
Reserve for obsolescence – Regnery® Publishing		(930	)		(1,079	)
Inventory, net - Regnery® Publishing		387			533
Newport Natural Health Wellness products	$	354		$	—
Reserve for obsolescence –Wellness products		(64	)		—
Inventory, net –Wellness products		290			—
Consolidated inventories, net	$	677		$	533

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Property and Equipment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

NOTE 7. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

We account for property and equipment in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment.

The following is a summary of the categories of our property and equipment:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land	$	31,822		$	31,830
Buildings		30,104			30,121
Office furnishings and equipment		36,756			37,019
Antennae, towers and transmitting equipment		85,998			85,827
Studio, production and mobile equipment		29,040			29,261
Computer software and website development costs		27,603			27,845
Record and tape libraries		17			17
Automobiles		1,570			1,570
Leasehold improvements		19,357			19,359
Construction-in-progress		4,833			5,752
	$	267,100		$	268,601
Less accumulated depreciation		(170,756	)		(173,055	)
	$	96,344		$	95,546

Depreciation expense was approximately $2.9 million and $3.0 million for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We periodically review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Our review requires us to estimate the fair value of assets when events or circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. The fair value measurements for our long-lived assets use significant observable inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value including assumptions about risk. If actual future results are less favorable than the assumptions and estimates we used, we are subject to future impairment charges, the amount of which may be material. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

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Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets

NOTE 8. OPERATING AND FINANCE LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

Leasing Transactions

Our leased assets include offices and studios, transmitter locations, antenna sites, tower and tower sites or land. Our current lease portfolio has remaining terms from less than one-year up to twenty years. Many of these leases contain options under which we can extend the term for five to twenty years. Renewal options are excluded from our calculation of lease liabilities unless we are reasonably assured to exercise the renewal option. Our lease agreements do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. We lease certain property from our principal stockholders or trusts and partnerships created for the benefit of the principal stockholders and their families. These leases are designated as Related Party leases in the details provided.

Operating leases are reflected on our balance sheet within operating lease ROU assets and the related current and non-current operating lease liabilities. ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from lease agreement. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date, or the date on which the lessor makes the underlying asset available for use, based upon the present value of the lease payments over the respective lease term. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, subject to any changes in the lease or expectation regarding the terms. Variable lease costs such as common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance are expensed as incurred.

Balance Sheet

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recording a non-cash transitional adjustment to operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of $65.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The difference between the operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities at transition represented existing deferred rent expense and prepaid rent that was derecognized upon adoption. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019, we recorded an additional ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $0.3 million.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

	March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Related Party		Other		Total
Operating Leases
Operating leases ROU assets	$	9,163	$	53,957	$	63,120
Operating lease liabilities (current)		903		8,561		9,464
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)		8,633		53,214		61,847
Total operating lease liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases	8.7 years
Finance leases	3.8 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	8.05	%
Finance leases	4.28	%

Lease Expense

The components of lease expense were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of ROU Assets	$	33
Interest on finance lease liabilities		2
Finance lease expense		35
Operating lease expense		3,497
Variable lease expense		252
Short-term lease expense		225
Total lease expense	$	4,009

Supplemental Cash Flow

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,267
Operating cash flows from finance leases		33
Financing cash flows from finance leases		21
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	2,321
ROU assets acquired in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		288

Maturities

Future minimum lease payments required under leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of March 31, 2019, are as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Parties		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr-Dec)	$	1,227	$	9,349	$	10,576	$	64	$	10,640
2020		1,665		12,785		14,450		66		14,516
2021		1,669		11,660		13,329		51		13,380
2022		1,647		10,081		11,728		43		11,771
2023		1,207		8,925		10,132		22		10,154
Thereafter		7,510		40,120		47,630		3		47,633
Undiscounted Cash Flows	$	14,925	$	92,920	$	107,845	$	249	$	108,094
Less: imputed interest		5,389		31,145		36,534		19		36,553
Total	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	$	903	$	8,561	$	9,464	$	74	$	9,538
Lease liabilities - long-term		8,633		53,214		61,847		156		62,003
Total Lease Liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541

Future minimum lease payments under leases that had initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018, based on the former accounting guidance for leases, were as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Party		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	1,730	$	11,633	$	13,363	$	58	$	13,421
2020		1,763		11,592		13,355		39		13,394
2021		1,767		10,596		12,363		31		12,394
2022		1,730		9,490		11,220		27		11,247
2023		1,234		8,584		9,818		8		9,826
Thereafter		13,364		48,109		61,473		—		61,473
	$	21,588	$	100,004	$	121,592	$	163	$	121,755

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Broadcast Licenses

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Broadcast Licenses

NOTE 9. BROADCAST LICENSES

We account for broadcast licenses in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize broadcast licenses, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value may be impaired. In the case of our broadcast radio stations, we would not be able to operate the properties without the related broadcast license for each property. Broadcast licenses are renewed with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) every eight years for a nominal fee that is expensed as incurred. We continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements that are necessary for the FCC renewal and all of our broadcast licenses have been renewed at the end of their respective periods. We expect all of our broadcast licenses to be renewed in the future and therefore, we consider our broadcast licenses to be indefinite-lived intangible assets. We are not aware of any legal, competitive, economic or other factors that materially limit the useful life of our broadcast licenses. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses that include acquisitions and divestitures of radio stations and FM translators.

Broadcast Licenses	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	486,455		$	484,691
Accumulated loss on impairment		(105,541	)		(108,375	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		380,914			376,316
Acquisitions of radio stations		6,270			—
Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits		19			—
Abandoned capital projects		(40	)		—
Dispositions of radio stations		(8,013	)		(4,291	)
Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses		(2,834	)		—
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		484,691			480,400
Accumulated loss on impairment		(108,375	)		(108,375	)
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment	$	376,316		$	372,025

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Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

NOTE 10. GOODWILL

We account for goodwill in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize goodwill, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. We perform our annual impairment testing during the fourth quarter of each year, which coincides with our budget and planning process for the upcoming year. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

The following table presents the changes in goodwill including business acquisitions and dispositions as discussed in Note 3 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	28,453		$	28,818
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		26,424			26,789
Acquisitions of radio stations		7			—
Acquisitions of digital media entities		986			—
Dispositions of radio stations		(628	)		(3	)
Dispositions of digital media entities		—			(341	)
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		28,818			28,474
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Ending period balance	$	26,789		$	26,445

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Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

NOTE 11. OTHER INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other indefinite-lived intangible consists of mastheads, or the graphic elements that identify our publications to readers and advertisers. These include customized typeset page headers, section headers, and column graphics as well as other name and identity stylized elements within the body of each publication. We are not aware of any legal, competitive, economic or other factors that materially limit the useful life of our mastheads. We account for mastheads in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. We do not amortize mastheads, but rather test for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

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Amortizable Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Amortizable Intangible Assets

NOTE 12. AMORTIZABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following tables provide a summary of our significant classes of amortizable intangible assets:

	As of March 31, 2019
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	23,456	$	(20,896	)	$	2,560
Domain and brand names		20,236		(16,434	)		3,802
Favorable and assigned leases		2,188		(1,894	)		294
Subscriber base and lists		9,570		(7,477	)		2,093
Author relationships		2,771		(2,493	)		278
Non-compete agreements		2,031		(1,679	)		352
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,406	)		260
	$	61,918	$	(52,279	)	$	9,639
	As of December 31, 2018
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	24,673	$	(21,798	)	$	2,875
Domain and brand names		21,358		(16,758	)		4,600
Favorable and assigned leases		2,256		(1,953	)		303
Subscriber base and lists		9,672		(7,198	)		2,474
Author relationships		2,771		(2,454	)		317
Non-compete agreements		2,048		(1,641	)		407
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,378	)		288
	$	64,444	$	(53,180	)	$	11,264

Amortization expense was approximately $1.3 million and $1.5 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Based on the amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2019, we estimate amortization expense for the next five years to be as follows:

Year Ended December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr – Dec)	$	3,250
2020		3,094
2021		1,614
2022		989
2023		479
Thereafter		213
Total	$	9,639

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Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

NOTE 13. LONG-TERM DEBT

Salem Media Group, Inc. has no independent assets or operations, the subsidiary guarantees relating to certain debt are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of Salem Media Group, Inc. other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

6.75% Senior Secured Notes

On May 19, 2017, we issued in a private placement the Notes, which are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by our existing subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.75% per year and mature on June 1, 2024, unless they are earlier redeemed or repurchased. Interest initially accrued on the Notes from May 19, 2017 and is payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2017.

The Notes and the ABL Facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ assets, other than certain excluded assets. The ABL Facility has a first-priority lien on our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, deposit and securities accounts, certain real estate and related assets (the “ABL Priority Collateral”). The Notes are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all other assets of ours and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Notes Priority Collateral”). There is no direct lien on our FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation.

We may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or before June 1, 2020 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus a “make-whole” premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. At any time on or after June 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the Notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth in the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In addition, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes before June 1, 2020 with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. We may also redeem up to 10% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes per twelve-month period before June 1, 2020 at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.

The indenture relating to the Notes (the “Indenture”) contains covenants that, among other things and subject in each case to certain specified exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) declare or pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders; (iii) make investments; (iv) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (v) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of our assets; (vi) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (vii) sell or transfer assets.

The Indenture provides for the following events of default (each, an “Event of Default”): (i) default in payment of principal or premium on the Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise; (ii) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (iii) the failure by us or certain restricted subsidiaries to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) the failure of any guarantee by certain significant Subsidiary Guarantors to be in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to notice and lapse of time; (v) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period) of other indebtedness of ours or any restricted subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) is at least $15 million; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money in excess of $15 million; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any significant subsidiary; and (vii) certain defaults with respect to any collateral having a fair market value in excess of $15 million. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately, subject to remedy or cure in certain cases. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

Based on the balance of the Notes currently outstanding, we are required to pay $15.7 million per year in interest on the Notes. As of March 31, 2019, accrued interest on the Notes was $5.2 million.

We incurred debt issuance costs of $6.3 million that were recorded as a reduction of the debt proceeds that are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.2 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense.

We may from time to time, depending on market conditions and prices, contractual restrictions, our financial liquidity and other factors, seek to repurchase the Notes in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, by tender offer or otherwise, as market conditions warrant.

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes at amounts less than face value as follows:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
December 21, 2018		2,000		1,835		91.75	%		38		127
December 21, 2018		1,850		1,702		92.00	%		35		113
December 21, 2018		1,080		999		92.50	%		21		60
November 17, 2018		1,500		1,357		90.50	%		29		114
May 4, 2018		4,000		3,770		94.25	%		86		144
April 10, 2018		4,000		3,850		96.25	%		87		63
April 9, 2018		2,000		1,930		96.50	%		43		27
	$	23,100	$	21,566

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

On May 19, 2017, the Company entered into the ABL Facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among us and our subsidiaries party thereto as borrowers, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lead arranger, and the lenders that are parties thereto. We used the proceeds of the ABL Facility, together with the net proceeds from the Notes offering, to repay outstanding borrowings under our previously existing senior credit facilities, and related fees and expenses. Current proceeds from the ABL Facility are used to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions.

The ABL Facility is a five-year $30.0 million revolving credit facility due May 19, 2022, which includes a $5.0 million subfacility for standby letters of credit and a $7.5 million subfacility for swingline loans. All borrowings under the ABL Facility accrue at a rate equal to a base rate or LIBOR rate plus a spread. The spread, which is based on an availability-based measure, ranges from 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings. If an event of default occurs, the interest rate may increase by 2.00% per annum. Amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility may be paid and then reborrowed at our discretion without penalty or premium. Additionally, we pay a commitment fee on the unused balance from 0.25% to 0.375% per year based on the level of borrowings.

The ABL Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on the ABL Priority Collateral and by a second-priority lien on the Notes Priority Collateral. There is no direct lien on the Company’s FCC licenses to the extent prohibited by law or regulation (other than the economic value and proceeds thereof).

The Credit Agreement includes a springing fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, which is tested during the period commencing on the last day of the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the date on which Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than the greater of 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and $4.5 million and continuing for a period of 60 consecutive days after the first day on which Availability exceeds such threshold amount. The Credit Agreement also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the Credit Agreement, restrict the ability of the borrowers and their subsidiaries (i) to incur additional indebtedness; (ii) to make investments; (iii) to make distributions, loans or transfers of assets; (iv) to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens, (v) to sell assets; (vi) to enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) to merge or consolidate with, or dispose of all assets to a third party, except as permitted thereby; (viii) to prepay indebtedness; and (ix) to pay dividends.

The Credit Agreement provides for the following events of default: (i) default for non-payment of any principal or letter of credit reimbursement when due or any interest, fees or other amounts within five days of the due date; (ii) the failure by any borrower or any subsidiary to comply with any covenant or agreement contained in the Credit Agreement or any other loan document, in certain cases subject to applicable notice and lapse of time; (iii) any representation or warranty made pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other loan document is incorrect in any material respect when made; (iv) certain defaults of other indebtedness of any borrower or any subsidiary of indebtedness of at least $10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any borrower or any subsidiary; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money of $10 million or more; (vii) a change of control; and (viii) certain defaults relating to the loss of FCC licenses, cessation of broadcasting and termination of material station contracts. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may accelerate the amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility and may exercise remedies in respect of the collateral.

We incurred debt issue costs of $0.7 million that were recorded as an asset and are being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the term of the ABL Facility using the effective interest method. During the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, $51,000 and $46,000, respectively, of debt issue costs associated with the Notes was amortized to interest expense. At March 31, 2019, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the ABL Facility was 4.24%.

We report outstanding balances on the ABL Facility as short-term regardless of the maturity date based on use of the ABL Facility to fund ordinary and customary operating cash needs with frequent repayments. We believe that our borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Summary of long-term debt obligations

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes	$	238,570		$	231,900
Less unamortized debt issuance costs based on imputed interest rate of 7.08%		(4,540	)		(4,217	)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes net carrying value		234,030			227,683
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility principal outstanding		19,660			16,000
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		253,690			243,683
Less current portion		(19,660	)		(16,000	)
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs, net of current portion	$	234,030		$	227,683

In addition to the outstanding amounts listed above, we also have interest payments related to our long-term debt as follows as of March 31, 2019:

• $16.0 million under the ABL Facility, with interest spread ranging from Base Rate plus 0.50% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.00% for LIBOR rate borrowings;

• $231.9 million aggregate principal amount of Notes with semi-annual interest payments at an annual rate of 6.75%; and

• Commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.375% per annum on the unused portion of the ABL Facility.

Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at March 31, 2019 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	16,000
2021		—
2022		—
2023		—
2024		—
Thereafter		231,900
	$	247,900

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Derivative Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

NOTE 14. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. We actively monitor these fluctuations and may use derivative instruments primarily for the purpose of reducing the impact of changing interest rates on our variable rate debt and to reduce the impact of changing fair market values on our fixed rate debt. In accordance with our risk management strategy, we may use derivative instruments only for the purpose of managing risk associated with an asset, liability, committed transaction, or probable forecasted transaction that is identified by management. Our use of derivative instruments may result in short-term gains or losses that may increase the volatility of our earnings.

Under FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument shall be reported as a component of other comprehensive income (outside earnings) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, shall be recognized currently in earnings.

As of March 31, 2019, we did not have any outstanding derivative instruments.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

NOTE 15. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” FASB ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring fair value. This framework defines three levels of inputs to the fair value measurement process and requires that each fair value measurement be assigned to a level corresponding to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three broad levels of inputs defined by the FASB ASC Topic 820 hierarchy are as follows:

• Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;

• Level 2 Inputs—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

• Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. These unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (which might include the reporting entity’s own data).

Under ASC 820, a fair value measurement of a nonfinancial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use. Therefore, fair value is a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific measurement. It is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The exit price objective of a fair value measurement applies regardless of the reporting entity’s intent and/or ability to sell the asset or transfer the liability at the measurement date.

As of March 31, 2019, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued interest approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Notes at March 31, 2019 was $231.9 million compared to the estimated fair value of $212.8 million, based on the prevailing interest rates and trading activity of our Notes.

We have certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values exceed the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered Level 3 due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used when estimating the fair value.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:

	March 31, 2019
	Carrying Value on Balance Sheet		Fair Value Measurement Category
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	277		—		—	$	277
Liabilities:
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration included in accrued expenses		55		—		—		55
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		243,683		—		224,551		—

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between our consolidated financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We measure these deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to reverse. We recognize the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the date of the change. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We calculated the impact of the Act in our year ending December 31, 2018 income tax provision in accordance with our understanding of the Act and guidance available as of the date of our Form 10-K filing.

At December 31, 2018, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $148.1 million that expire in 2021 through 2038 and for state income tax purposes of approximately $783.8 million that expire in years 2019 through 2038. For financial reporting purposes at December 31, 2018, we had a valuation allowance of $5.4 million, net of federal benefit, to offset the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards. Our evaluation was performed for tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions, which range from 2014 through 2017.

The amortization of our indefinite-lived intangible assets for tax purposes, but not for book purposes, creates deferred tax liabilities. A reversal of deferred tax liabilities may occur when indefinite-lived intangibles: (1) become impaired; or (2) are sold, which would typically only occur in connection with the sale of the assets of a station or groups of stations or the entire company in a taxable transaction. Due to the amortization for tax purposes and not book purposes of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we expect to continue to generate deferred tax liabilities in future periods exclusive of any impairment losses in future periods. These deferred tax liabilities and net operating loss carryforwards result in differences between our provision for income tax and cash paid for taxes.

Valuation Allowance (Deferred Taxes)

For financial reporting purposes, we recorded a valuation allowance of $5.4 million as of March 31, 2019 to offset the deferred tax assets related to the state net operating loss carryforwards. We regularly review our financial forecasts in an effort to determine our ability to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes. Accordingly, the valuation allowance is adjusted periodically based on our estimate of the benefit the company will receive from such carryforwards.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

NOTE 17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company enters into various agreements in the normal course of business that contain minimum guarantees. Minimum guarantees are typically tied to future events, such as future revenue earned in excess of the contractual level. Accordingly, the fair value of these arrangements is zero.

The Company also records contingent earn-out consideration representing the estimated fair value of future liabilities associated with acquisitions that may have additional payments due upon the achievement of certain performance targets. The fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the expected payment amounts. We review the probabilities of possible future payments to estimate the fair value of any contingent earn-out consideration on a quarterly basis over the earn-out period. Actual results are compared to the estimates and probabilities of achievement used in our forecasts. Should actual results of the acquired business increase or decrease as compared to our estimates and assumptions, the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration liability will increase or decrease, up to the contracted limit, as applicable. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration are reflected in our results of operations in the period in which they are identified. Changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration may materially impact and cause volatility in our operating results.

The Company and its subsidiaries, incident to its business activities, are parties to a number of legal proceedings, lawsuits, arbitration and other claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. The company evaluates claims based on what we believe to be both probable and reasonably estimable. The company maintains insurance that may provide coverage for such matters. Consequently, the company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or the financial impact with respect to these matters. The Company believes, at this time, that the final resolution of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Stock Incentive Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock Incentive Plan

NOTE 18. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Our Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for grants of equity-based awards to employees, non-employee directors and officers, and advisors of the company (“Eligible Persons”). The Plan is designed to promote the interests of the company using equity investment interests to attract, motivate, and retain individuals.

At March 31, 2019, a maximum of 5,000,000 shares of common stock were authorized under the Plan. At the annual meeting of the company held on May 8, 2019, the company’s stockholders approved a revision to the Plan increasing the number of shares authorized by 3,000,000. As a result, a maximum of 8,000,000 shares are authorized under the Plan. All awards have restriction periods tied primarily to employment and/or service. The Plan allows for accelerated or continued vesting in certain circumstances as defined in the Plan including death, disability, a change in control, and termination or retirement. The Board of Directors, or a committee appointed by the Board, has discretion subject to limits defined in the Plan, to modify the terms of any outstanding award.

Under the Plan, the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, may impose restrictions on the exercise of awards during pre-defined blackout periods. Insiders may participate in plans established pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that allow them to exercise awards subject to pre-established criteria.

We recognize non-cash stock-based compensation expense based on the estimated fair value of awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense fluctuates over time as a result of the vesting periods for outstanding awards and the number of awards that actually vest. The following table reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Stock option compensation expense included in corporate expenses	$	24		$	107
Stock option compensation expense included in broadcast operating expenses		13			39
Stock option compensation expense included in digital media operating expenses		5			26
Stock option compensation expense included in publishing operating expenses		4			4
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$	46		$	176
Tax benefit (expense) for stock-based compensation expense		(12	)		(46	)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	34		$	130

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants

Eligible employees may receive stock option awards annually with the number of shares and type of instrument generally determined by the employee’s salary grade and performance level. Incentive and non-qualified stock option awards allow the recipient to purchase shares of our common stock at a set price, not to be less than the closing market price on the date of award, for no consideration payable by the recipient. The related number of shares underlying the stock option is fixed at the time of the grant. Options generally vest over a four-year period with a maximum term of five years from the vesting date. In addition, certain management and professional level employees may receive stock option awards upon the commencement of employment.

The Plan also allows for awards of restricted stock, which have been granted periodically to non-employee directors of the company. Awards granted to non-employee directors are made in exchange for their services to the company as directors and therefore, the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 505-50 Equity Based Payments to Non Employees is not applicable. Restricted stock awards contain transfer restrictions under which they cannot be sold, pledged, transferred or assigned until the period specified in the award, generally from one to five years. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are granted at no cost to the recipient other than applicable taxes owed by the recipient. The awards are considered issued and outstanding from the vest date of grant.

The fair value of each award is estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected volatility reflects the consideration of the historical volatility of our common stock as determined by the closing price over a six to ten year term commensurate with the expected term of the award. Expected dividends reflect the amount of quarterly distributions authorized and declared on our Class A and Class B common stock as of the grant date. The expected term of the awards are based on evaluations of historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. The risk-free interest rates for periods within the expected term of the award are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect during the period the options were granted. We have used historical data to estimate future forfeiture rates to apply against the gross amount of compensation expense determined using the valuation model. These estimates have approximated our actual forfeiture rates.

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model were as follows for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
Expected volatility		41.99	%		47.54	%
Expected dividends		6.93	%		9.22	%
Expected term (in years)		7.5			7.5
Risk-free interest rate		2.75	%		2.61	%

Activity with respect to the company’s option awards during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in thousands, except weighted average exercise price and weighted average grant date fair value)
Outstanding at January 1, 2019		1,980,972		$	4.63	$	2.61		4.1 years	$	—
Granted		5,000			2.82		1.43				—
Exercised		—			—		—				—
Forfeited or expired		(155,750	)		6.43		4.53				2
Outstanding at March 31, 2019		1,830,222		$	4.49	$	2.46		4.1 years	$	10
Exercisable at March 31, 2019		1,112,844		$	5.13	$	2.89		2.7 years	$	10
Expected to Vest		681,150		$	4.51	$	2.47		4.1 years	$	10

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on March 31, 2019 of $2.56 and the option exercise price of the shares for stock options that were in the money, multiplied by the number of shares underlying such options. The total fair value of options vested during the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $0.3 million.

As of March 31, 2019, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

There were no restricted stock awards granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

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Equity Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Federal Home Loan Banks [Abstract]

Equity Transactions

NOTE 19. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

We account for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. As a result, $0.2 million and $46,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense has been recorded to additional paid-in capital for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

While we intend to pay regular quarterly distributions, the actual declaration of such future distributions and the establishment of the per share amount, record dates, and payment dates are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors and dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements, and other factors. Any future distributions are likely to be comparable to prior declarations unless there are changes in expected future earnings, cash flows, financial and legal requirements.

The following table shows distributions that have been declared and paid since January 1, 2018:

Announcement Date	Payment Date	Amount Per Share		Cash Distributed (in thousands)
March 7, 2019	March 29, 2019	$	0.0650	$	1,702
November 26, 2018	December 21, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
September 5, 2018	September 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
May 31, 2018	June 29, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701
February 28, 2018	March 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701

Based on the number of shares of Class A and Class B currently outstanding, we expect to pay total annual distributions of approximately $6.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.

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Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share

NOTE 20. BASIC AND DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic net earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effects of stock options.

Options to purchase 1,830,222 and 1,443,087 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding exclude outstanding stock options whose exercise price is in excess of the average price of the company’s stock price. These options are excluded from the respective computations of diluted net income or loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. As of March 31, 2019 and 2018 there were 7,195 and 133,352 dilutive shares, respectively.

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Segment Data

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Data

NOTE 21. SEGMENT DATA

FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, requires companies to provide certain information about their operating segments. We have three operating segments: (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which also qualify as reportable segments. Our operating segments reflect how our chief operating decision makers, which we define as a collective group of senior executives, assesses the performance of each operating segment and determines the appropriate allocations of resources to each segment. We continually review our operating segment classifications to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.

We measure and evaluate our operating segments based on operating income and operating expenses that do not include allocations of costs related to corporate functions, such as accounting and finance, human resources, legal, tax and treasury, which are reported as unallocated corporate expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We also exclude costs such as amortization, depreciation, taxes and interest expense.

Segment performance, as defined by Salem, is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies.

Broadcasting

Our foundational business is radio broadcasting, which includes the ownership and operation of radio stations in large metropolitan markets. Our broadcasting segment includes our national networks and national sales firms. National companies often prefer to advertise across the United States as an efficient and cost effective way to reach their target audiences. Our national platform under which we offer radio airtime, digital campaigns and print advertisements can benefit national companies by reaching audiences throughout the United States.

Salem Radio Network^TM (“SRN^TM”), based in Dallas, Texas, develops, produces and syndicates a broad range of programming specifically targeted to Christian and family-themed talk stations, music stations and News Talk stations. SRN^TM delivers programming via satellite to approximately 3,200 affiliated radio stations throughout the United States, including several of our Salem-owned stations. SRN^TM operates five divisions, SRN^TM Talk, SRN^TM News, SRN^TM Websites, SRN^TM Satellite Services and Salem Music Network that includes Today’s Christian Music (“TCM”) and Singing News^® Radio.

Salem Media Representatives (“SMR”) is our national advertising sales firm with offices in 13 U.S. cities. SMR specializes in placing national advertising on Christian and talk formatted radio stations as well as other commercial radio station formats. SMR sells commercial airtime to national advertisers on our radio stations and through our networks, as well as for independent radio station affiliates. SMR also contracts with independent radio stations to create custom advertising campaigns for national advertisers to reach multiple markets.

During 2018, we launched Salem Surround, a national multimedia advertising agency with locations in 35 markets across the United States. Salem Surround offers a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services to develop and execute audience-based marketing strategies for clients on both the national and local level. Salem Surround specializes in digital marketing services for each of our radio stations and websites as well as provides a full-service digital marketing strategy for each of our clients.

Digital Media

Our digital media based businesses provide Christian, conservative, investing and health-themed content, e-commerce, audio and video streaming, and other resources digitally through the web. Salem Web Network (“SWN”) websites include Christian content websites; BibleStudyTools.com, Crosswalk.com^®, GodVine.com, iBelieve.com, GodTube^®.com, OnePlace^™.com, Christianity.com, GodUpdates.com, CrossCards^™.com, ChristianHeadlines.com, LightSource.com, AllCreated.com, ChristianRadio.com, CCMmagazine.com, SingingNews^®.com and SouthernGospel.com and our conservative opinion websites; collectively known as Townhall Media, include Townhall.com^®, HotAir^™.com, Twitchy^®.com, RedState^®.com, BearingArms.com, and ConservativeRadio.com. We also publish digital newsletters through Eagle Financial Publications, which provide market analysis and non-individualized investment strategies from financial commentators on a subscription basis.

Our church e-commerce websites, including SermonSearch^™.com, ChurchStaffing.com, WorshipHouseMedia.com, SermonSpice^™.com, WorshipHouseKids.com, Preaching.com, ChristianJobs.com and Youthworker.com, offer a variety of digital resources including videos, song tracks, sermon archives and job listings to pastors and Church leaders. E-commerce also included Newport Natural Health, a seller of nutritional supplements through the date of sale on March 21, 2019.

Our web content is accessible through all of our radio station websites that feature content of interest to local audiences throughout the United States.

Publishing

Our publishing operating segment includes three businesses: (1) Regnery^® Publishing, a traditional book publisher that has published dozens of bestselling books by leading conservative authors and personalities, including Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, David Limbaugh, Ed Klein, Mark Steyn and Dinesh D’Souza; (2) Salem Author Services, a self-publishing service for authors through Xulon Press and Mill City Press; and (3) Singing News^®, which produces and distributes a print magazine.

The table below presents financial information for each operating segment as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 based on the composition of our operating segments:

	Broadcast		Digital Media			Publishing			Unallocated Corporate Expenses			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Net revenue	$	46,093	$	10,240		$	4,136		$	—		$	60,469
Operating expenses		36,449		8,058			4,822			3,871			53,200
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	9,644	$	2,182		$	(686	)	$	(3,871	)	$	7,269
Depreciation		1,860		774			116			183			2,933
Amortization		9		1,075			212			—			1,296
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		3,783		239			—			2			4,024
Net operating income (loss)	$	3,992	$	94		$	(1,014	)	$	(4,056	)	$	(984	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net revenue	$	48,050	$	10,394		$	5,351		$	—		$	63,795
Operating expenses		35,750		8,374			5,587			3,921			53,632
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	12,300	$	2,020		$	(236	)	$	(3,921	)	$	10,163
Depreciation		1,858		802			131			218			3,009
Amortization		10		1,225			243			—			1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5		—			—			—			5
Net operating income (loss)	$	10,427	$	(7	)	$	(610	)	$	(4,139	)	$	5,671

	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Unallocated Corporate		Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2019
Inventories, net	$	—	$	—	$	533	$	—	$	533
Property and equipment, net		80,505		6,093		866		8,082		95,546
Broadcast licenses		372,025		—		—		—		372,025
Goodwill		2,957		21,592		1,888		8		26,445
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		295		7,533		1,809		2		9,639
As of December 31, 2018
Inventories, net	$	—	$	290	$	387	$	—	$	677
Property and equipment, net		81,269		6,184		933		7,958		96,344
Broadcast licenses		376,316		—		—		—		376,316
Goodwill		2,960		21,933		1,888		8		26,789
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		303		8,937		2,021		3		11,264

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

NOTE 22. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

At the annual meeting of the Company held on May 8, 2019, the company’s stockholders approved a revision to the Plan increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan by 3,000,000. As a result, a maximum of 8,000,000 shares are authorized under the Plan.

On April 29, 2019, we entered an agreement to exchange FM Translator W276CR, in Bradenton, FL with FM Translator W262CP in Bayonet Point, FL. No cash will be exchanged for the assets.

On April 3, 2019, we entered a TBA effective April 12, 2019, under which radio station WSPZ-AM in Washington DC, is operated by the buyer pending the closing of the sale of the station.

Subsequent events reflect all applicable transactions through the date of the filing.

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant areas for which management uses estimates include:

• revenue recognition,

• asset impairments, including broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets;

• probabilities associated with the potential for contingent earn-out consideration;

• fair value measurements;

• contingency reserves;

• allowance for doubtful accounts;

• sales returns and allowances;

• barter transactions;

• inventory reserves;

• reserves for royalty advances;

• fair value of equity awards;

• self-insurance reserves;

• estimated lives for tangible and intangible assets;

• assessment of contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors to determine the lease term impacting Right-Of-Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities,

• determining the Incremental Borrowing Rate (“IBR”) for calculating ROU assets and lease liabilities,

• income tax valuation allowances; and

• uncertain tax positions

These estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The estimates will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and we may consult outside experts to assist as considered necessary.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications include the accounting for finance lease obligations under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) issued under ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019.

Leases

Leases

We adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective basis and did not restate comparative periods as permitted under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-11. ASC 842 supersedes nearly all existing lease accounting guidance under GAAP issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) including ASC Topic 840, Leases. ASC 842 requires that lessees recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities calculated based on the present value of lease payments for all lease agreements with terms that are greater than twelve months. ASC 842 distinguishes leases as either a finance lease or an operating lease that affects how the leases are measured and presented in the statement of operations and statement of cash flows.

For operating leases, we calculated ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the remaining lease payments as of the date of adoption using the IBR as of that date. There were no changes in our capital lease portfolio, which are now titled “finance leases” under ASC 842, other than the reclassification of the assets acquired under capital leases from their respective property and equipment category and long-term debt to ROU assets and lease liabilities.

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in recording a non-cash transitional adjustment to operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of $65.0 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The difference between the operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities at transition represented existing deferred rent expense and prepaid rent that was derecognized. The adoption of ASC 842 did not materially impact our results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Refer to Note 8 for more information.

The FASB issued practical expedients and accounting policy elections that we have applied as described below.

Practical Expedients

ASC 842 provides a package of three practical expedients that must be adopted together and applied to all lease agreements. We elected the package of practical expedients as follows for all leases:

Whether expired or existing contracts contain leases under the new definition of a lease.

Because the accounting for operating leases and service contracts was similar under ASC 840, there was no accounting reason to separate lease agreements from service contracts in order to account for them correctly. We reviewed existing service contracts to determine if the agreement contained an embedded lease to be accounted for on the balance sheet under ASC 842.

Lease classification for expired or existing leases.

Leases that were capital leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as financing leases under ASC 842 while leases that were operating leases under ASC 840 are accounted for as operating leases under ASC 842.

Whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would meet the definition of initial direct costs under the new standard guidance.

The definition of initial direct costs is more restrictive under ASC 842 than under ASC 840. Entities that do not elect the practical expedient are required to reassess capitalized initial direct costs under ASC 840 and record an equity adjustment for those that are not capitalizable under ASC 842.

Land Easement Practical Expedient

We elected the practical expedient that permits us to continue applying our current policy of accounting for land easements that existed as of, or expired before, the effective date of ASC 842. We have applied this policy to all of our existing land easements that were not previously accounted for under ASC 840.

Accounting Policy Elections

Lease Term

We calculate the term for each lease agreement to include the noncancellable period specified in the agreement together with (1) the periods covered by options to extend the lease if we are reasonably certain to exercise that option, (2) periods covered by an option to terminate if we are reasonably certain not to exercise that option and (3) period covered by an option to extend (or not terminate) if controlled by the lessor.

The assessment of whether we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease requires significant judgement surrounding contract-based factors, asset-based factors, entity-based factors and market-based factors. These factors are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Lease Payments

Lease payments consist of the following payments (as applicable) related to the use of the underlying asset during the lease term:

• Fixed payments, including in substance fixed payments, less any lease incentives paid or payable to the lessee

• Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, such as the Consumer Price Index or a market interest rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date of January 1, 2019.

• The exercise price of an option to purchase the underlying asset if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option.

• Payments for penalties for terminating the lease if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising an option to terminate the lease.

• Fees paid by the lessee to the owners of a special-purpose entity for structuring the transaction

• For a lessee only, amounts probable of being owed by the lessee under residual value guarantees

Short-Term Lease Exemption

We elected to exclude short-term leases, or leases with a term of twelve months or less that do not contain a purchase option that we are reasonably certain to exercise, from our ROU asset and lease liability calculations.

We considered the applicability of the short-term exception on month-to-month leases with perpetual or rolling renewals as we are “reasonably certain” to continue the lease. For example, we lease various storage facilities under agreements with month-to-month terms that have continued over several years. The standard terms and conditions for a majority of these agreements allow either party to terminate within a notice period ranging from 10 to 30 days. There are no cancellation penalties other than the potential loss of a one-month rent or a security deposit if the termination terms are not adhered to.

We believe that these month-to-month leases qualify for the short-term exception to ASC 842 because either party can terminate the agreement without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty, therefore, the arrangements do not create enforceable rights and obligations. Additionally, the cost to move to a new location or find comparable facilities is low as there are no unique features of the storage facilities that impact our business or operations.    We considered termination clauses, costs associated with moving and costs associated with finding alternative facilities to exclude month-to-month leases that have perpetually renewed.

Service Agreements with an Embedded Lease Component

We elected to exclude certain service agreements that contain embedded leases for equipment based on the immaterial impact of these agreements. Our analysis included cable and satellite television service agreements for which our monthly payment may include equipment rentals, coffee and water service at certain facilities that may include equipment rentals (we often meet minimum requirements and just pay for product used), security services that include a monthly fee for cameras or equipment, and other similar arrangements. Based on the insignificant amount of the monthly lease costs, we elected to exclude these agreements from our ROU asset and liability calculations due to the immaterial impact to our financial statements.

Index or Rate Applicable to Operating Lease Liabilities

We elected to measure lease liabilities for variable lease payments using the current rate or index in effect at the time of transition on January 1, 2019. Using the current index or rate is consistent with how we calculated and presented future minimum lease payments under ASC 840. Therefore, there is no change in accounting policy applicable to this election.

Incremental Borrowing Rate

The ROU asset and related lease liabilities recorded under ASC 842 are calculated based on the present value of the lease payments using (1) the rate implicit in the lease or (2) the lessee’s IBR, defined as the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We performed an analysis as of January 1, 2019 to estimate the IBR applicable to Salem upon transition to ASC 842. Our analysis required the use of significant judgement and estimates, including the estimated value of the underlying leased asset, as described in are described in our Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates in Item 2 in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Portfolio Approach

We elected to use a portfolio approach by applying a single IBR to leases with reasonably similar characteristics, including the remaining lease term, the underlying assets and the economic environment. We believe that applying the portfolio approach is acceptable because the results do not materially differ from the application of the leases model to the individual leases in that portfolio.

Sales Taxes and Other Similar Taxes

We elected not to evaluate whether sales taxes or other similar taxes imposed by a governmental authority on a specific lease revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the lessor from the lessee are the primary obligation of the lessor as owner of the underlying leased asset. A lessor that makes this election will exclude these taxes from the measurement of lease revenue and the associated expense. Taxes assessed on a lessor’s total gross receipts or on the lessor as owner of the underlying asset (e.g., property taxes) are excluded from the scope of the policy election. A lessor must apply the election to all taxes in the scope of the policy election and would provide certain disclosures.

Separating Consideration between Lease and Non-Lease Components

We elected to include the lease and non-lease components (or the fixed and variable consideration) as a single component accounted for as a lease. This practical expedient is elected by class of underlying assets as an accounting policy election, and applies to all arrangements in that class of underlying assets that qualify for the expedient. ASC 842 provides this expedient to alleviate concerns that the costs and administrative burden of allocating consideration to the separate lease and non-lease components may not justify the benefit of more precisely reflecting the ROU asset and the lease liability.

Contracts that include lease and non-lease components that are accounted for under the election not to separate require that all components that qualify for the practical expedient be combined. The components that do not qualify, such as those for which the timing and pattern of transfer of the lease and associated non-lease components are not the same, are accounted for separately.

Accounting for a lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component results in an allocation of the total contract consideration to the lease component. Therefore, the initial and subsequent measurement of the lease liability and ROU asset is greater than if the policy election was not applied. The greater ROU asset value is considered in our impairment analysis.

Impairment of ROU Assets

ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. ROU assets from operating and finance leases are subject to the impairment guidance in ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, as ROU assets are long-lived nonfinancial assets.

ROU assets are tested for impairment individually or as part of an asset group if the cash flows related to the ROU asset are not independent from the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An asset group is the unit of accounting for long-lived assets to be held and used, which represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities.

After a careful analysis of the guidance, we concluded that the appropriate unit of accounting for testing ROU assets for impairment is the broadcast market cluster level for radio station operations and the entity or division level for digital media entities, publishing entities and networks. Corporate ROU assets are tested on a consolidated level with consideration given to all cash flows of the company as corporate functions do not generate cash flows and are funded by revenue-producing activities at lower levels of the entity.

ASC 360 requires three steps to identify, recognize and measure the impairment of a long-lived asset (asset group) to be held and used:

Step 1 – Consider whether Indicators of Impairment are Present

As detailed in ASC 360-10-35-21, the following are examples of impairment indicators:

• A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset (asset group) is being used or in its physical condition

• A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group), including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator

• An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group)

• A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50 percent.

Other indicators should be considered if we believes that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable.

Step 2—Test for Recoverability

If indicators of impairment are present, we are required to perform a recoverability test comparing the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the long-lived asset or asset group in question to the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group.

ASC 360 does not specifically address how operating lease liabilities and future cash outflows for lease payments should be considered in the recoverability test. Under ASC 360, financial liabilities, or long-term debt, generally are excluded from an asset group while operating liabilities, such as accounts payable, generally are included. ASC 842 characterizes operating lease liabilities as operating liabilities. Because operating lease liabilities may be viewed as having attributes of finance liabilities as well as operating liabilities, it is generally acceptable for a lessee to either include or exclude operating lease liabilities from an asset group when testing whether the carrying amount of an asset group is recoverable provided the approach is applied consistently for all operating leases and when performing Steps 2 and 3 of the impairment model in ASC 360.

In cases where we have received lease incentives, including operating lease liabilities in an asset group may result in the long-lived asset or asset group having a zero or negative carrying amount because the incentives reduce our ROU assets. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the carrying amount of the asset group such that we test ROU assets for operating leases in the same manner that we test ROU assets for financing leases.

Undiscounted Future Cash Flows

The undiscounted future cash flows in Step 2 are based on our own assumptions rather than a market participant. If an election is made to exclude operating lease liabilities from the asset or asset group, all future cash lease payments for the lease should also be excluded. The standard requires lessees to exclude certain variable lease payments from lease payments and, therefore, from the measurement of a lessee’s lease liabilities. Because these variable payments do not reduce the lease liability, we include the variable payments we expect to make in our estimate of the undiscounted cash flows in the recoverability test (Step 2) using a probability-weighted approach.

Step 3—Measurement of an Impairment Loss

If the undiscounted cash flows used in the recoverability test are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset (asset group), we are required to estimate the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group and recognize an impairment loss when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group exceeds the estimated fair value. We elected to exclude operating lease liabilities from the estimated fair value, consistent with the recoverability test. Any impairment loss for an asset group must reduce only the carrying amounts of a long-lived asset or assets of the group, including the ROU assets. The loss must be allocated to the long-lived assets of the group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts of those assets, except that the loss allocated to an individual long-lived asset of the group must not reduce the carrying amount of that asset below its fair value whenever the fair value is determinable without undue cost and effort. ASC 360 prohibits the subsequent reversal of an impairment loss for an asset held and used.

Fair Value Considerations

When determining the fair value of a ROU asset, we must estimate what market participants would pay to lease the asset or what a market participant would pay up front in one payment for the ROU asset, assuming no additional lease payments would be due. The ROU asset must be valued assuming its highest and best use, in its current form, even if that use differs from the current or intended use. If no market exists for an asset in its current form, but there is a market for a transformed asset, the costs to transform the asset are considered in the fair value estimate. Refer to Note 15, Fair Value Measurements.

There were no indications of impairment during the period ended March 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to accounting principles are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Described below are ASUs that are not yet effective, but may be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to not be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Tope 818): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606, which clarifies when transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement are within the scope of the FASB’s revenue standard, Topic 606. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, that changes the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee paid to a decision makers and service providers are variable interests. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 removes or modifies certain disclosures and in certain instances requires additional disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. ASU 2018-09 provides minor corrections and clarifications that affect a variety of topics in the Codification. Several updates are effective upon issuance of the update while others have transition guidance for effective dates in the future. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. Subsequent to issuing ASU 2016-13, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, for the purpose of clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2016-13. ASU 2018-19 has the same effective date and transition requirements as ASU 2016-13. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which is effective with the ASU 2016-13. We plan to adopt this ASU on its effective date of January 1, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

Business Combinations

Under the acquisition method of accounting as specified in FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, the total acquisition consideration of a business is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of the transaction. Transactions that do not meet the definition of a business in ASU 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business are recorded as asset purchases. Asset purchases are recognized based on their cost to acquire, including transaction costs. The cost to acquire an asset group is allocated to the individual assets acquired based on their relative fair value with no goodwill recognized.

Estimates of the fair value include discounted estimated cash flows to be generated by the assets and their expected useful lives based on historical experience, market trends and any synergies believed to be achieved from the acquisition. Acquisitions may include contingent consideration, the fair value of which is estimated as of the acquisition date as the present value of the expected contingent payments as determined using weighted probabilities of the payment amounts.

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Schedule of Debt Instruments Senior Secured Note

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes at amounts less than face value as follows:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
December 21, 2018		2,000		1,835		91.75	%		38		127
December 21, 2018		1,850		1,702		92.00	%		35		113
December 21, 2018		1,080		999		92.50	%		21		60
November 17, 2018		1,500		1,357		90.50	%		29		114
May 4, 2018		4,000		3,770		94.25	%		86		144
April 10, 2018		4,000		3,850		96.25	%		87		63
April 9, 2018		2,000		1,930		96.50	%		43		27
	$	23,100	$	21,566

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes	$	238,570		$	231,900
Less unamortized debt issuance costs based on imputed interest rate of 7.08%		(4,540	)		(4,217	)
6.75% Senior Secured Notes net carrying value		234,030			227,683
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility principal outstanding		19,660			16,000
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		253,690			243,683
Less current portion		(19,660	)		(16,000	)
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs, net of current portion	$	234,030		$	227,683

Principle Repayment Requirements Under Long Term Agreements Outstanding

Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at March 31, 2019 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	16,000
2021		—
2022		—
2023		—
2024		—
Thereafter		231,900
	$	247,900

Debt Transactions [Member]

Schedule of Debt Instruments Senior Secured Note

Based on the then existing market conditions, we completed repurchases of the Notes at amounts less than face value as follows during the three months ended March 31, 2019:

Date	Principal Repurchased		Cash Paid		% of Face Value			Bond Issue Costs		Net Gain
	(Dollars in thousands)
March 28, 2019	$	2,000	$	1,830		91.50	%	$	37	$	134
March 28, 2019		2,300		2,125		92.38	%		42		133
February 20, 2019		125		114		91.25	%		2		9
February 19, 2019		350		319		91.25	%		7		24
February 12, 2019		1,325		1,209		91.25	%		25		91
January 10, 2019		570		526		92.25	%		9		35
	$	6,670	$	6,123

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Recent Transactions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Summary of Total Acquisition Consideration

The following table summarizes the total acquisition consideration for the three month period ended March 31, 2019:

Description	Total Consideration
	(Dollars in thousands)
Cash payments made upon closing	$	100
Total purchase price consideration	$	100

Total Acquisition Consideration Allocated

The fair value of the net assets acquired was allocated as follows:

	Net Digital
	Assets Acquired
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Subscriber base and lists		100
	$	100

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Significant Changes in Our Contract Liabilities

Significant changes in our contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows:

	Short-Term			Long-Term
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period January 1, 2019	$	11,537		$	1,379
Revenue recognized during the period that was included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities		(3,259	)		—
Additional amounts recognized during the period		5,524			347
Revenue recognized during the period that was recorded during the period		(2,529	)		—
Transfers		308			(308	)
Balance, end of period March 31, 2019	$	11,581		$	1,418
Amount refundable at beginning of period	$	11,410		$	1,379
Amount refundable at end of period	$	11,491		$	1,418

Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction

We expect to satisfy these performance obligations as follows:

	Amount
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31,	(Dollars in thousands)
2020	$	11,581
2021		514
2022		426
2023		210
2024		99
Thereafter		169
	$	12,999

Trade and Barter Transactions Expenses

Trade and barter revenues and expenses were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2019
Net broadcast barter revenue	$	1,691	$	1,299
Net digital media barter revenue		45		11
Net publishing barter revenue		1		—
Net broadcast barter expense	$	1,266	$	1,356
Net digital media barter expense		—		—
Net publishing barter expense		—		—

Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue source for each of our three operating segments:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Consolidated
	(dollars in thousands)
By Source of Revenue:
Block Programming - National	$	12,233	$	—	$	—	$	12,233
Block Programming - Local		7,910		—		—		7,910
Spot Advertising - National		3,900		—		—		3,900
Spot Advertising - Local		12,062		—		—		12,062
Infomercials		390		—		—		390
Network		4,306		—		—		4,306
Digital Advertising		2,352		5,317		85		7,754
Digital Streaming		161		1,011		—		1,172
Digital Downloads and eBooks		—		1,275		162		1,437
Subscriptions		274		2,084		201		2,559
Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances		37		410		1,841		2,288
Self-Publishing Fees		—		—		1,477		1,477
Print Advertising		2		—		135		137
Other Revenues		2,466		143		235		2,844
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Point in Time	$	45,472	$	10,225	$	4,136	$	59,833
Rental Income (1)		621		15		—		636
	$	46,093	$	10,240	$	4,136	$	60,469

(1) Rental income is not applicable to ASC Topic 606, but shown for the purpose of identifying each revenue source presented in total revenue on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements within this report on Form 10-Q.

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory on Hand by Segment

The following table provides details of inventory on hand by segment:

	December 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Regnery® Publishing book inventories	$	1,317		$	1,612
Reserve for obsolescence – Regnery® Publishing		(930	)		(1,079	)
Inventory, net - Regnery® Publishing		387			533
Newport Natural Health Wellness products	$	354		$	—
Reserve for obsolescence –Wellness products		(64	)		—
Inventory, net –Wellness products		290			—
Consolidated inventories, net	$	677		$	533

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Property and Equipment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Summary of Categories of Property and Equipment

The following is a summary of the categories of our property and equipment:

	As of December 31, 2018			As of March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Land	$	31,822		$	31,830
Buildings		30,104			30,121
Office furnishings and equipment		36,756			37,019
Antennae, towers and transmitting equipment		85,998			85,827
Studio, production and mobile equipment		29,040			29,261
Computer software and website development costs		27,603			27,845
Record and tape libraries		17			17
Automobiles		1,570			1,570
Leasehold improvements		19,357			19,359
Construction-in-progress		4,833			5,752
	$	267,100		$	268,601
Less accumulated depreciation		(170,756	)		(173,055	)
	$	96,344		$	95,546

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Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

	March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Related Party		Other		Total
Operating Leases
Operating leases ROU assets	$	9,163	$	53,957	$	63,120
Operating lease liabilities (current)		903		8,561		9,464
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)		8,633		53,214		61,847
Total operating lease liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases	8.7 years
Finance leases	3.8 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases	8.05	%
Finance leases	4.28	%

Components of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of ROU Assets	$	33
Interest on finance lease liabilities		2
Finance lease expense		35
Operating lease expense		3,497
Variable lease expense		252
Short-term lease expense		225
Total lease expense	$	4,009

Schedule of other information related to leases

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	2,267
Operating cash flows from finance leases		33
Financing cash flows from finance leases		21
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	2,321
ROU assets acquired in exchange for new operating lease liabilities		288

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments

Future minimum lease payments required under leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of March 31, 2019, are as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Parties		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr-Dec)	$	1,227	$	9,349	$	10,576	$	64	$	10,640
2020		1,665		12,785		14,450		66		14,516
2021		1,669		11,660		13,329		51		13,380
2022		1,647		10,081		11,728		43		11,771
2023		1,207		8,925		10,132		22		10,154
Thereafter		7,510		40,120		47,630		3		47,633
Undiscounted Cash Flows	$	14,925	$	92,920	$	107,845	$	249	$	108,094
Less: imputed interest		5,389		31,145		36,534		19		36,553
Total	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	$	903	$	8,561	$	9,464	$	74	$	9,538
Lease liabilities - long-term		8,633		53,214		61,847		156		62,003
Total Lease Liabilities	$	9,536	$	61,775	$	71,311	$	230	$	71,541

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Based on Former Accounting Guidance

Future minimum lease payments under leases that had initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018, based on the former accounting guidance for leases, were as follows:

	Operating Leases
	Related Party		Other		Total		Finance Leases		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019	$	1,730	$	11,633	$	13,363	$	58	$	13,421
2020		1,763		11,592		13,355		39		13,394
2021		1,767		10,596		12,363		31		12,394
2022		1,730		9,490		11,220		27		11,247
2023		1,234		8,584		9,818		8		9,826
Thereafter		13,364		48,109		61,473		—		61,473
	$	21,588	$	100,004	$	121,592	$	163	$	121,755

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Broadcast Licenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Broadcasting Licenses

The following table presents the changes in broadcasting licenses that include acquisitions and divestitures of radio stations and FM translators.

Broadcast Licenses	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	486,455		$	484,691
Accumulated loss on impairment		(105,541	)		(108,375	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		380,914			376,316
Acquisitions of radio stations		6,270			—
Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits		19			—
Abandoned capital projects		(40	)		—
Dispositions of radio stations		(8,013	)		(4,291	)
Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses		(2,834	)		—
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		484,691			480,400
Accumulated loss on impairment		(108,375	)		(108,375	)
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment	$	376,316		$	372,025

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Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in goodwill including business acquisitions and dispositions as discussed in Note 3 of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018			Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$	28,453		$	28,818
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment		26,424			26,789
Acquisitions of radio stations		7			—
Acquisitions of digital media entities		986			—
Dispositions of radio stations		(628	)		(3	)
Dispositions of digital media entities		—			(341	)
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment		28,818			28,474
Accumulated loss on impairment		(2,029	)		(2,029	)
Ending period balance	$	26,789		$	26,445

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Amortizable Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Classes of Amortizable Intangible Assets

The following tables provide a summary of our significant classes of amortizable intangible assets:

	As of March 31, 2019
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	23,456	$	(20,896	)	$	2,560
Domain and brand names		20,236		(16,434	)		3,802
Favorable and assigned leases		2,188		(1,894	)		294
Subscriber base and lists		9,570		(7,477	)		2,093
Author relationships		2,771		(2,493	)		278
Non-compete agreements		2,031		(1,679	)		352
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,406	)		260
	$	61,918	$	(52,279	)	$	9,639
	As of December 31, 2018
			Accumulated
	Cost		Amortization			Net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists and contracts	$	24,673	$	(21,798	)	$	2,875
Domain and brand names		21,358		(16,758	)		4,600
Favorable and assigned leases		2,256		(1,953	)		303
Subscriber base and lists		9,672		(7,198	)		2,474
Author relationships		2,771		(2,454	)		317
Non-compete agreements		2,048		(1,641	)		407
Other amortizable intangible assets		1,666		(1,378	)		288
	$	64,444	$	(53,180	)	$	11,264

Amortizable Intangible Assets, Estimate Amortization Expense

Based on the amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2019, we estimate amortization expense for the next five years to be as follows:

Year Ended December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(Dollars in thousands)
2019 (Apr – Dec)	$	3,250
2020		3,094
2021		1,614
2022		989
2023		479
Thereafter		213
Total	$	9,639

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:

	March 31, 2019
	Carrying Value on Balance Sheet		Fair Value Measurement Category
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	277		—		—	$	277
Liabilities:
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration included in accrued expenses		55		—		—		55
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs		243,683		—		224,551		—

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Stock Incentive Plan (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized

The following table reflects the components of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Stock option compensation expense included in corporate expenses	$	24		$	107
Stock option compensation expense included in broadcast operating expenses		13			39
Stock option compensation expense included in digital media operating expenses		5			26
Stock option compensation expense included in publishing operating expenses		4			4
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$	46		$	176
Tax benefit (expense) for stock-based compensation expense		(12	)		(46	)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	34		$	130

Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards using Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model

The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model were as follows for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2019
Expected volatility		41.99	%		47.54	%
Expected dividends		6.93	%		9.22	%
Expected term (in years)		7.5			7.5
Risk-free interest rate		2.75	%		2.61	%

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

Activity with respect to the company’s option awards during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 is as follows:

Options	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(Dollars in thousands, except weighted average exercise price and weighted average grant date fair value)
Outstanding at January 1, 2019		1,980,972		$	4.63	$	2.61		4.1 years	$	—
Granted		5,000			2.82		1.43				—
Exercised		—			—		—				—
Forfeited or expired		(155,750	)		6.43		4.53				2
Outstanding at March 31, 2019		1,830,222		$	4.49	$	2.46		4.1 years	$	10
Exercisable at March 31, 2019		1,112,844		$	5.13	$	2.89		2.7 years	$	10
Expected to Vest		681,150		$	4.51	$	2.47		4.1 years	$	10

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Equity Transactions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Federal Home Loan Banks [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Distributions Declared and Paid

The following table shows distributions that have been declared and paid since January 1, 2018:

Announcement Date	Payment Date	Amount Per Share		Cash Distributed (in thousands)
March 7, 2019	March 29, 2019	$	0.0650	$	1,702
November 26, 2018	December 21, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
September 5, 2018	September 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,702
May 31, 2018	June 29, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701
February 28, 2018	March 28, 2018	$	0.0650		1,701

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Segment Data (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Data

The table below presents financial information for each operating segment as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 based on the composition of our operating segments:

	Broadcast		Digital Media			Publishing			Unallocated Corporate Expenses			Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Net revenue	$	46,093	$	10,240		$	4,136		$	—		$	60,469
Operating expenses		36,449		8,058			4,822			3,871			53,200
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	9,644	$	2,182		$	(686	)	$	(3,871	)	$	7,269
Depreciation		1,860		774			116			183			2,933
Amortization		9		1,075			212			—			1,296
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		3,783		239			—			2			4,024
Net operating income (loss)	$	3,992	$	94		$	(1,014	)	$	(4,056	)	$	(984	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net revenue	$	48,050	$	10,394		$	5,351		$	—		$	63,795
Operating expenses		35,750		8,374			5,587			3,921			53,632
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	$	12,300	$	2,020		$	(236	)	$	(3,921	)	$	10,163
Depreciation		1,858		802			131			218			3,009
Amortization		10		1,225			243			—			1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		5		—			—			—			5
Net operating income (loss)	$	10,427	$	(7	)	$	(610	)	$	(4,139	)	$	5,671

	Broadcast		Digital Media		Publishing		Unallocated Corporate		Consolidated
	(Dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2019
Inventories, net	$	—	$	—	$	533	$	—	$	533
Property and equipment, net		80,505		6,093		866		8,082		95,546
Broadcast licenses		372,025		—		—		—		372,025
Goodwill		2,957		21,592		1,888		8		26,445
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		295		7,533		1,809		2		9,639
As of December 31, 2018
Inventories, net	$	—	$	290	$	387	$	—	$	677
Property and equipment, net		81,269		6,184		933		7,958		96,344
Broadcast licenses		376,316		—		—		—		376,316
Goodwill		2,960		21,933		1,888		8		26,789
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets		—		—		277		—		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net		303		8,937		2,021		3		11,264

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Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 Segments
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Operating lease right of use asset	$ 63,120	$ 65,000
Operating lease liability	$ 71,311	$ 74,400

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Recent Transactions - Debt Transactions - Schedule of Debt Instruments Senior Secured Note (Detail) - Debt Transactions [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt [Line Items]
Principal Repurchased	$ 6,670
Cash Paid	$ 6,123
Senior Secured Note Period One [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Mar. 28, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,000
Cash Paid	$ 1,830
Percent face value	91.50%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 37
Net Gain	$ 134
Senior Secured Note Period Two [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Mar. 28, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,300
Cash Paid	$ 2,125
Percent face value	92.38%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 42
Net Gain	$ 133
Senior Secured Note Period Three [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 20, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 125
Cash Paid	$ 114
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 2
Net Gain	$ 9
Senior Secured Note Period Four [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 19, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 350
Cash Paid	$ 319
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 7
Net Gain	$ 24
Senior Secured Note Period Five [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 12, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 1,325
Cash Paid	$ 1,209
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 25
Net Gain	$ 91
Senior Secured Note Period Six [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Jan. 10, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 570
Cash Paid	$ 526
Percent face value	92.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 9
Net Gain	$ 35

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Recent Transactions - Equity Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2019	Mar. 07, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-15, Insurance Companies, Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties [Abstract]
Common stock, equity distributions, per share, declared		$ 0.0650
Payments of equity distributions, common stock	$ 1,700,000		$ 1,702,000	$ 1,701,000
Business combination acquisition related costs			$ 1,000	$ 14,000

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Recent Transactions - Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Mar. 18, 2019 USD ($)
Pjmedia.com website [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 0.1

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Recent Transactions - Summary of Total Acquisition Consideration (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred [Abstract]
Cash payments made upon closing	$ 100
Total purchase price consideration	$ 100

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Recent Transactions - Total Acquisition Consideration Allocated (Detail) - Digital Media [Member] $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Assets
Subscriber base and lists	$ 100
Net assets acquired	$ 100

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Recent Transactions - Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 21, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 27, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Other assets	$ 900,000
Gain (loss) on disposition of other assets	$ 100,000
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets					$ 1,255,000	$ 1,000
Time Brokerage Agreement [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Payments to acquire businesses, gross				$ 1,200,000
Fee for not exercising purchase option				$ 100,000
HumanEvents.Com [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets			$ 300,000
Gain (loss) on disposition of intangible assets			$ (200,000)
Turner Investment Products [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets		$ 0
Gain (loss) on disposition of intangible assets		$ (200,000)

XML

Recent Transactions - Pending Transactions -Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 19, 2019	Mar. 01, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Business combination, liabilities arising from contingencies, amount recognized		$ 0.5
Term of time brokerage agreement		24 months
Wspz Am Tower Site [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 0.8
Business Gross Estimated Gain Loss On Sale assets			$ 3.8

XML

Contingent Earn-Out Consideration - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Aug. 09, 2018	Aug. 07, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 01, 2017
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Business combination, liabilities arising from contingencies, amount recognized					$ 500,000
Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletters [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity cash paid net		$ 400,000
Business combination, contingent consideration maximum payment		100,000
Business combination, liabilities arising from contingencies, amount recognized		40,617		$ 0
Business combination liabilities arising from contingencies amount recognized discounted present value		39,360
Business acquisition contingent earn out consideration payable		$ 100,000
Just1Word Mobile Application [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Business acquisition cost of acquired entity cash paid net			$ 300,000
Business combination, contingent consideration maximum payment			100,000
Business combination, liabilities arising from contingencies, amount recognized			12,750	$ 0
Business combination liabilities arising from contingencies amount recognized discounted present value			12,212
Business acquisition contingent earn out consideration payable			$ 100,000
Business combination, increase (decrease) in contingent liability	$ 4,000

XML

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 Markets
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Prepaid commission expense | $	$ 0.7
Number of market locations | Markets		35

XML

Revenue Recognition - Significant Changes in Our Contract Liabilities (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Short Term, Balance, beginning of period	$ 11,537
Short Term, Revenue recognized during the period that was included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities	(3,259)
Short Term, Additional amounts recognized during the period	5,524
Short Term, Revenue recognized during the period that was recorded during the period	(2,529)
Short Term, Transfers	308
Short Term, Balance, end of period	11,581
Short Term, Amount refundable at beginning of period	11,410
Short Term, Amount refundable at end of period	11,491
Long-Term, Balance, beginning of period	1,379
Long-Term, Revenue recognized during the period that was included in the beginning balance of contract liabilities	0
Long-Term, Additional amounts recognized during the period	347
Long-Term, Revenue recognized during the period that was recorded during the period	0
Long-Term, Transfers	(308)
Long-Term, Balance, end of period	1,418
Long-Term, Amount refundable at beginning of period	1,379
Long-Term, Amount refundable at end of period	$ 1,418

XML

Revenue Recognition - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 12,999
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 11,581
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 514
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 426
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 210
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 99
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-01-01
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation	$ 169
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction	1 year

XML

Revenue Recognition - Trade and Barter Transactions Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 60,469	$ 63,795
Broadcast [Member] | Advertising Barter Transactions [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue	1,299	1,691
Cost	1,356	1,266
Digital Media [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue	10,240
Digital Media [Member] | Advertising Barter Transactions [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue	11	45
Publishing [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 4,136
Publishing [Member] | Advertising Barter Transactions [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 1

XML

Revenue Recognition - Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 60,469	$ 63,795
Block Programming National [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	12,233
Block Programming Local [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	7,910
Spot Advertising - National [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	3,900
Spot Advertising - Local [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	12,062
Infomercials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	390
Network [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	4,306
Digital Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	7,754
Digital Streaming [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,172
Digital Downloads and eBooks [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,437
Subscriptions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,559
Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,288
Self-Publishing Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,477
Print Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	137
Other Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,844
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	59,833
Rental Income [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	636
Broadcast [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	46,093
Broadcast [Member] | Block Programming National [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	12,233
Broadcast [Member] | Block Programming Local [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	7,910
Broadcast [Member] | Spot Advertising - National [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	3,900
Broadcast [Member] | Spot Advertising - Local [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	12,062
Broadcast [Member] | Infomercials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	390
Broadcast [Member] | Network [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	4,306
Broadcast [Member] | Digital Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,352
Broadcast [Member] | Digital Streaming [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	161
Broadcast [Member] | Subscriptions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	274
Broadcast [Member] | Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	37
Broadcast [Member] | Print Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2
Broadcast [Member] | Other Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,466
Broadcast [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	45,472
Broadcast [Member] | Rental Income [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	621
Digital Media [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	10,240
Digital Media [Member] | Digital Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	5,317
Digital Media [Member] | Digital Streaming [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,011
Digital Media [Member] | Digital Downloads and eBooks [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,275
Digital Media [Member] | Subscriptions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	2,084
Digital Media [Member] | Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	410
Digital Media [Member] | Other Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	143
Digital Media [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	10,225
Digital Media [Member] | Rental Income [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	15
Publishing [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	4,136
Publishing [Member] | Digital Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	85
Publishing [Member] | Digital Downloads and eBooks [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	162
Publishing [Member] | Subscriptions [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	201
Publishing [Member] | Book Sales and e-commerce, net of estimated sales returns and allowances [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,841
Publishing [Member] | Self-Publishing Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	1,477
Publishing [Member] | Print Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	135
Publishing [Member] | Other Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	235
Publishing [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 4,136

XML

Inventories - Schedule of Inventory on Hand by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Inventory [Line Items]
Reserve for obsolescence	$ (1,079)	$ (994)
Inventories, net	533	677
Regnery Publishing [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories, gross	1,612	1,317
Reserve for obsolescence	(1,079)	(930)
Inventories, net	$ 533	387
Newport Natural Health Wellness products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Inventories, gross		354
Reserve for obsolescence		(64)
Inventories, net		$ 290

XML

Property and Equipment - Summary of Categories of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	$ 268,601	$ 267,100
Less accumulated depreciation	(173,055)	(170,756)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	95,546	96,344
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	31,830	31,822
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	30,121	30,104
Office Furnishings and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	37,019	36,756
Antennae, Towers and Transmitting Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	85,827	85,998
Studio, Production and Mobile Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	29,261	29,040
Computer Software and Website Development Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	27,845	27,603
Record and Tape Libraries [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	17	17
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	1,570	1,570
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	19,359	19,357
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	$ 5,752	$ 4,833

XML

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation, total	$ 2.9	$ 3.0

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets	$ 63,120	$ 65,000
Operating lease liabilities	71,311	$ 74,400
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Operating lease ROU assets	300
Operating lease liabilities	$ 300

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating leases ROU assets	$ 63,120	$ 65,000
Operating lease liabilities (current)	9,464
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)	61,847
Total operating lease liabilities	$ 71,311	$ 74,400
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term, Operating leases	8 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term, Finance leases	3 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Discount Rate, Operating leases	8.05%
Weighted Average Discount Rate, Finance leases	4.28%
Related Party Lease [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating leases ROU assets	$ 9,163
Operating lease liabilities (current)	903
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)	8,633
Total operating lease liabilities	9,536
Other Operating Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating leases ROU assets	53,957
Operating lease liabilities (current)	8,561
Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)	53,214
Total operating lease liabilities	$ 61,775

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Components of Lease Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Amortization of ROU Assets	$ 33
Interest on finance lease liabilities	2
Finance lease expense	35
Operating lease expense	3,497
Variable lease expense	252
Short-term lease expense	225
Total lease expense	$ 4,009

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Schedule of Impact to Financial Statements of the Adoption of ASU 842 (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 2,267
Operating cash flows from finance leases	33
Financing cash flows from finance leases	21
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	2,321
ROU assets acquired in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 288

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Summary of Future Lease Payments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases, 2019 (Apr-Dec)	$ 10,576
Operating Leases, 2020	14,450
Operating Leases, 2021	13,329
Operating Leases, 2022	11,728
Operating Leases, 2023	10,132
Operating Leases, Thereafter	47,630
Undiscounted Cash Flows	107,845
Less: imputed interest	36,534
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	9,464
Lease liabilities - long-term	61,847
Total Lease Liabilities	71,311	$ 74,400
Finance Leases, 2019 (Apr-Dec)	64
Finance Leases, 2020	66
Finance Leases, 2021	51
Finance Leases, 2022	43
Finance Leases, 2023	22
Finance Leases, Thereafter	3
Finance Leases, Undiscounted Cash Flows	249
Less: Finance Leases, imputed interest	19
Finance Leases, Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Finance Leases, Lease liabilities - current	74		$ 58
Finance Leases, Lease liabilities - long-term	156		105
Total Finance Lease Liabilities	230
Contractual Obligations, 2019 (Apr-Dec)	10,640
Contractual Obligations, 2020	14,516		13,394
Contractual Obligations, 2021	13,380		12,394
Contractual Obligations, 2022	11,771		11,247
Contractual Obligations, 2023	10,154		9,826
Contractual Obligations, Thereafter	47,633		61,473
Contractual Obligations, Undiscounted Cash Flows	108,094		$ 121,755
Less: Contractual Obligations, imputed interest	36,553
Contractual Obligations, Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Contractual Obligations, Lease liabilities - current	9,538
Contractual Obligations, Lease liabilities - long-term	62,003
Total Contractual Obligations, Lease Liabilities	71,541
Related Party Lease [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases, 2019 (Apr-Dec)	1,227
Operating Leases, 2020	1,665
Operating Leases, 2021	1,669
Operating Leases, 2022	1,647
Operating Leases, 2023	1,207
Operating Leases, Thereafter	7,510
Undiscounted Cash Flows	14,925
Less: imputed interest	5,389
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	903
Lease liabilities - long-term	8,633
Total Lease Liabilities	9,536
Other Operating Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases, 2019 (Apr-Dec)	9,349
Operating Leases, 2020	12,785
Operating Leases, 2021	11,660
Operating Leases, 2022	10,081
Operating Leases, 2023	8,925
Operating Leases, Thereafter	40,120
Undiscounted Cash Flows	92,920
Less: imputed interest	31,145
Reconciliation to lease liabilities:
Lease liabilities - current	8,561
Lease liabilities - long-term	53,214
Total Lease Liabilities	$ 61,775

XML

Operating and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Based on Former Accounting Guidance (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2019		$ 13,363
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2020		13,355
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2021		12,363
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2022		11,220
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2023		9,818
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, Thereafter		61,473
Total Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due,		121,592
Finance Leases, 2019		58
Finance Leases, 2020		39
Finance Leases, 2021		31
Finance Leases, 2022		27
Finance Leases, 2023		8
Finance Leases, Thereafter		0
Total Finance Leases Future Minimum Payments Due		163
Contractual Obligation Due, 2019		13,421
Contractual Obligation Due, 2020	$ 14,516	13,394
Contractual Obligation Due, 2021	13,380	12,394
Contractual Obligation Due, 2022	11,771	11,247
Contractual Obligation Due, 2023	10,154	9,826
Contractual Obligation Due, Thereafter	47,633	61,473
Contractual Obligations, Undiscounted Cash Flows	$ 108,094	121,755
Related Party Lease [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2019		1,730
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2020		1,763
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2021		1,767
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2022		1,730
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2023		1,234
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, Thereafter		13,364
Total Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due,		21,588
Other Operating Leases [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2019		11,633
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2020		11,592
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2021		10,596
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2022		9,490
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, 2023		8,584
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due, Thereafter		48,109
Total Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due,		$ 100,004

XML

Broadcast Licenses - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Broadcast Licenses [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
License renewable term	8 years

XML

Broadcast Licenses - Schedule of Changes in Broadcasting Licenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$ 484,691	$ 486,455
Accumulated loss on impairment, Beginning Balance	(108,375)	(105,541)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment	376,316	380,914
Abandoned capital projects		(40)
Impairments based on the estimated fair value of broadcast licenses		(2,834)
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment	480,400	484,691
Accumulated loss on impairment, Ending Balance	(108,375)	(108,375)
Balance, end of period after cumulative loss on impairment	372,025	376,316
Radio Stations [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits		6,270
Dispositions of radio stations	$ (4,291)	(8,013)
FM Translators [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquisitions of FM translators and construction permits		$ 19

XML

Goodwill - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period before cumulative loss on impairment	$ 28,818	$ 28,453
Beginning Balance, Accumulated loss on impairment	(2,029)	(2,029)
Balance, beginning of period after cumulative loss on impairment	26,789	26,424
Balance, end of period before cumulative loss on impairment	28,474	28,818
Ending Balance, Accumulated loss on impairment	(2,029)	(2,029)
Ending period balance	26,445	26,789
Radio Stations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisitions		7
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(3)	(628)
Digital Media [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisitions		$ 986
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	$ (341)

XML

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Summary of Significant Classes of Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 61,918	$ 64,444
Accumulated Amortization	(52,279)	(53,180)
Net	9,639	11,264
Customer Lists and Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	23,456	24,673
Accumulated Amortization	(20,896)	(21,798)
Net	2,560	2,875
Domain and Brand Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	20,236	21,358
Accumulated Amortization	(16,434)	(16,758)
Net	3,802	4,600
Favorable and Assigned Leases [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,188	2,256
Accumulated Amortization	(1,894)	(1,953)
Net	294	303
Subscriber Base and Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	9,570	9,672
Accumulated Amortization	(7,477)	(7,198)
Net	2,093	2,474
Author Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,771	2,771
Accumulated Amortization	(2,493)	(2,454)
Net	278	317
Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,031	2,048
Accumulated Amortization	(1,679)	(1,641)
Net	352	407
Other Amortizable Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1,666	1,666
Accumulated Amortization	(1,406)	(1,378)
Net	$ 260	$ 288

XML

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 1.3	$ 1.5

XML

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Amortizable Intangible Assets, Estimate Amortization Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2019 (Apr - Dec)	$ 3,250
2020	3,094
2021	1,614
2022	989
2023	479
Thereafter	213
Net	$ 9,639	$ 11,264

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Long-Term Debt - 6.75% Senior Secured Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	May 19, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest payable, current	$ 5,238			$ 1,375
Debt related commitment fees and debt issuance costs	$ 6,300
Debt Instrument Redemption Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption, percentage of aggregate principal amount	35.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	106.75%
Debt Instrument Redemption Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption, percentage of aggregate principal amount	10.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	103.00%
Debt Instrument Redemption Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	100.00%
6.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%				6.75%
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default			The Indenture provides for the following events of default (each, an “Event of Default”): (i) default in payment of principal or premium on the Notes at maturity, upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise; (ii) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; (iii) the failure by us or certain restricted subsidiaries to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) the failure of any guarantee by certain significant Subsidiary Guarantors to be in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to notice and lapse of time; (v) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period) of other indebtedness of ours or any restricted subsidiary if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) is at least $15 million; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money in excess of $15 million; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us or any significant subsidiary; and (vii) certain defaults with respect to any collateral having a fair market value in excess of $15 million.
Debt instrument debt default percentage			25.00%
Interest expense, debt	$ 15,700
Interest payable, current	5,200
Debt related commitment fees and debt issuance costs	$ 200	$ 200

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Long - term Debt - Summary of Repurchase of Senior Secured Note (Detail) - Senior Secured Note [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Repurchased	$ 23,100
Cash Paid	$ 21,566
Senior Secured Note Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Mar. 28, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,000
Cash Paid	$ 1,830
Percent face value	91.50%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 37
Net Gain	$ 134
Senior Secured Note Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Mar. 28, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,300
Cash Paid	$ 2,125
Percent face value	92.38%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 42
Net Gain	$ 133
Senior Secured Note Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 20, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 125
Cash Paid	$ 114
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 2
Net Gain	$ 9
Senior Secured Note Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 19, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 350
Cash Paid	$ 319
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 7
Net Gain	$ 24
Senior Secured Note Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Feb. 12, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 1,325
Cash Paid	$ 1,209
Percent face value	91.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 25
Net Gain	$ 91
Senior Secured Note Period Six [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Jan. 10, 2019
Principal Repurchased	$ 570
Cash Paid	$ 526
Percent face value	92.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 9
Net Gain	$ 35
Senior Secured Note Period Seven [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Dec. 21, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,000
Cash Paid	$ 1,835
Percent face value	91.75%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 38
Net Gain	$ 127
Senior Secured Note Period Eight [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Dec. 21, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 1,850
Cash Paid	$ 1,702
Percent face value	92.00%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 35
Net Gain	$ 113
Senior Secured Note Period Nine [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Dec. 21, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 1,080
Cash Paid	$ 999
Percent face value	92.50%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 21
Net Gain	$ 60
Senior Secured Note Period Ten [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Nov. 17, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 1,500
Cash Paid	$ 1,357
Percent face value	90.50%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 29
Net Gain	$ 114
Senior Secured Note Period Eleven [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	May 04, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 4,000
Cash Paid	$ 3,770
Percent face value	94.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 86
Net Gain	$ 144
Senior Secured Note Period Twelve [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Apr. 10, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 4,000
Cash Paid	$ 3,850
Percent face value	96.25%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 87
Net Gain	$ 63
Senior Secured Note Period Thirteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase date	Apr. 09, 2018
Principal Repurchased	$ 2,000
Cash Paid	$ 1,930
Percent face value	96.50%
Bond Issue Costs	$ 43
Net Gain	$ 27

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Long-Term Debt - Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail)		3 Months Ended
	May 19, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default		$ 231,900,000
Amortization of financing costs		258,000	$ 270,000
Debt related commitment fees and debt issuance costs		$ 6,300,000
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, covenant terms		The Credit Agreement includes a springing fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0, which is tested during the period commencing on the last day of the fiscal month most recently ended prior to the date on which Availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is less than the greater of 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and $4.5 million and continuing for a period of 60 consecutive days after the first day on which Availability exceeds such threshold amount.
Fixed charge coverage ratio		1.0
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default		The Credit Agreement provides for the following events of default: (i) default for non-payment of any principal or letter of credit reimbursement when due or any interest, fees or other amounts within five days of the due date; (ii) the failure by any borrower or any subsidiary to comply with any covenant or agreement contained in the Credit Agreement or any other loan document, in certain cases subject to applicable notice and lapse of time; (iii) any representation or warranty made pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other loan document is incorrect in any material respect when made; (iv) certain defaults of other indebtedness of any borrower or any subsidiary of indebtedness of at least $10 million; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any borrower or any subsidiary; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money of $10 million or more; (vii) a change of control; and (viii) certain defaults relating to the loss of FCC licenses, cessation of broadcasting and termination of material station contracts.
Aggregate indebtedness		$ 10,000,000
Amortization of financing costs		$ 700,000
Debt instrument blended interest rate		4.24%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default	$ 30,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, increase (decrease)	2.00%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default	$ 5,000,000
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Swingline Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default	$ 7,500,000
Abl Facility [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt related commitment fees and debt issuance costs		$ 51,000	$ 46,000
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		0.50%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.50%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.25%	0.25%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		2.00%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.375%	0.375%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%

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Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 243,683	$ 253,690
Less current portion	16,000	19,660
Long-term Debt	227,683	234,030
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less current portion	16,000	19,660
6.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt and capital lease obligations current and noncurrent	231,900	238,570
Less unamortized debt issuance costs based on imputed interest rate of 7.08%	(4,217)	(4,540)
Long-term Debt	$ 227,683	$ 234,030

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Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2019
6.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Debt Issuance Costs [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Imputed interest rate percentage	7.08%

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Long-Term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
	May 19, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		$ 247,900,000
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 231,900,000
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 30,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.25%	0.25%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Minimum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.375%	0.375%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		$ 16,000,000
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		0.50%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.50%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.00%
Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		2.00%
6.75% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Shares Issued And Outstanding [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%	6.75%

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Long-Term Debt - Principle Repayment Requirements Under Long Term Agreements Outstanding (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2020	$ 16,000
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	231,900
Total	$ 247,900

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Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying value of notes	$ 231,900,000
Debt instrument, estimated fair value	$ 212,800,000

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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Liabilities:
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration included in accrued expenses	$ 55
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs	243,683
Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Assets
Estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Liabilities:
Long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs	224,551
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Assets
Estimated fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277
Liabilities:
Estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration included in accrued expenses	$ 55

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective corporate income tax rate	21.00%	35.00%
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$ 5.4
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purpose	$ 148.1
Beginning year of expiry for net operating loss carry forwards	2021
Ending year of expiry for net operating loss carryforwards	2038
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purpose	$ 783.8
Beginning year of expiry for net operating loss carry forwards	2019
Ending year of expiry for net operating loss carryforwards	2038

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Stock Incentive Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
	May 08, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, compensation not yet recognized, stock options		$ 0.1
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition		2 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		0	0
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized		5,000,000
Share price		$ 2.56
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, vested in period, fair value		$ 0.3	$ 0.3
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized	8,000,000
Number of additional shares authorized	3,000,000

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Stock Incentive Plan - Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense, pre-tax	$ 176	$ 46
Tax benefit (expense) for stock-based compensation expense	(46)	(12)
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	130	34
Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock option compensation expense	107	24
Broadcast [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock option compensation expense	39	13
Digital Media [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock option compensation expense	26	5
Publishing [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock option compensation expense	$ 4	$ 4

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Stock Incentive Plan - Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards using Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Expected volatility	47.54%	41.99%
Expected dividends	9.22%	6.93%
Expected term (in years)	7 years 6 months	7 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate	2.61%	2.75%

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Stock Incentive Plan - Schedule of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Shares
Ending Balance	1,830,222	1,443,087
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Shares
Beginning Balance	1,980,972
Granted	5,000
Exercised	0
Forfeited or expired	(155,750)
Ending Balance	1,830,222
Exercisable at end of period	1,112,844
Expected to Vest	681,150
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Beginning Balance	$ 4.63
Granted	2.82
Exercised	0
Forfeited or expired	6.43
Ending Balance	4.49
Exercisable at end of period	5.13
Expected to Vest	4.51
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair value
Beginning Balance	2.61
Granted	1.43
Exercised	0
Forfeited or expired	4.53
Ending Balance	2.46
Exercisable at end of period	2.89
Expected to Vest	$ 2.47
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Contractual term	4 years 1 month 6 days
Contractual term	4 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable at end of period	2 years 8 months 12 days
Expected to Vest	4 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Exercised	$ 0
Forfeited or expired	2
Ending Balance	10
Exercisable at end of period	10
Expected to Vest	$ 10

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Equity Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to additional paid-in capital	$ 176	$ 46
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Expected dividend payments			$ 6,800

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Equity Transactions - Schedule of Cash Distributions Declared and Paid (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares
Dividend Payment One [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Announcement Date	Mar. 07, 2019
Payment Date	Mar. 29, 2019
Amount Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.0650
Cash Distributed | $	$ 1,702
Dividend Payment Two [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Announcement Date	Nov. 26, 2018
Payment Date	Dec. 21, 2018
Amount Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.0650
Cash Distributed | $	$ 1,702
Dividend Payment Three [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Announcement Date	Sep. 05, 2018
Payment Date	Sep. 28, 2018
Amount Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.0650
Cash Distributed | $	$ 1,702
Dividend Payment Four [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Announcement Date	May 31, 2018
Payment Date	Jun. 29, 2018
Amount Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.0650
Cash Distributed | $	$ 1,701
Dividend Payment Five [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Announcement Date	Feb. 28, 2018
Payment Date	Mar. 28, 2018
Amount Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.0650
Cash Distributed | $	$ 1,701

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Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Option to purchase shares of common stock outstanding	1,830,222	1,443,087
Options excluded from computation of diluted net income or loss per share	7,195	133,352

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Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 Segments
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3

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Segment Data - Schedule of Segment Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 2,933	$ 3,009
Amortization	1,296	1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	(4,024)	(5)
Net operating income (loss)	(984)	5,671
Inventories, net	533		$ 677
Property and equipment, net	95,546		96,344
Broadcast licenses	372,025		376,316	$ 380,914
Goodwill	26,445		26,789	$ 26,424
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277		277
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	60,469	63,795
Operating expenses	53,200	53,632
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	7,269	10,163
Depreciation	2,933	3,009
Amortization	1,296	1,478
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	4,024	5
Net operating income (loss)	(984)	5,671
Inventories, net	533		677
Property and equipment, net	95,546		96,344
Broadcast licenses	372,025		376,316
Goodwill	26,445		26,789
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net	9,639		11,264
Operating Segments [Member] | Broadcast [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	46,093	48,050
Operating expenses	36,449	35,750
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	9,644	12,300
Depreciation	1,860	1,858
Amortization	9	10
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	3,783	5
Net operating income (loss)	3,992	10,427
Property and equipment, net	80,505		81,269
Broadcast licenses	372,025		376,316
Goodwill	2,957		2,960
Amortizable intangible assets, net	295		303
Operating Segments [Member] | Digital Media [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	10,240	10,394
Operating expenses	8,058	8,374
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	2,182	2,020
Depreciation	774	802
Amortization	1,075	1,225
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	239
Net operating income (loss)	94	(7)
Inventories, net			290
Property and equipment, net	6,093		6,184
Goodwill	21,592		21,933
Amortizable intangible assets, net	7,533		8,937
Operating Segments [Member] | Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	4,136	5,351
Operating expenses	4,822	5,587
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	(686)	(236)
Depreciation	116	131
Amortization	212	243
Net operating income (loss)	(1,014)	(610)
Inventories, net	533		387
Property and equipment, net	866		933
Goodwill	1,888		1,888
Other indefinite-lived intangible assets	277		277
Amortizable intangible assets, net	1,809		2,021
Operating Segments [Member] | Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Operating expenses	3,871	3,921
Net operating income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	(3,871)	(3,921)
Depreciation	183	218
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets	2
Net operating income (loss)	(4,056)	$ (4,139)
Property and equipment, net	8,082		7,958
Goodwill	8		8
Amortizable intangible assets, net	$ 2		$ 3

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Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - shares	May 08, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized		5,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional shares authorized	3,000,000
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized	8,000,000