Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Note 14. Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business the Company has engaged in transactions with entities affiliated with the controlling shareholder of the Company. These transactions include the leasing of office space as well as certain investing and financing activities.  At December 31, 2019, two members of the Company’s board of directors, including the Company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, were considered to be affiliates of the majority shareholder.

The Company leases approximately 49,586 square feet of office and covered garage space from one such controlled entity. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid $908 and $781, respectively, under this lease.

Certain financing for the Company has also been provided by this entity in the form of an investment in the Series D Preferred Stock (See Note 11).  During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid this entity $399 in dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock.

Certain members of the Company’s management and board of directors are shareholders and on the board of directors of Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray”). As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company owned 880,272 shares of Gray Class A common stock and 106,000 shares of Gray common stock.  The aggregate carrying value of these investments in Gray at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $19,764 and $13,226, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Gray paid the Company approximately $1,022 and $783, respectively, in insurance premiums related to certain voluntary employee benefit plans.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company transferred its remaining fractional interest in an aircraft arrangement to Gray Television, Inc. for $151.