Q1 2024 Entravision Communications Corp Earnings Call
Operator: Greetings and welcome to the Entravision First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. If you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Roy Neer, Vice President, Financial Reporting and Investor Relations. Unite Again.
Greetings and welcome to the Entravision first quarter 2024 earnings conference call.
Operator: All participants will be in a listen only mode.
Operator: Did you need assistance. Please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero.
Operator: As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.
Roy Neer: It is now my pleasure to introduce your host ROI near Vice President financial reporting and Investor Relations you may begin.
Roy Neer: Good afternoon, everyone and welcome to Entravision first quarter 2024 earnings Conference call. Joining me today are Michael <unk>, Chief Executive Officer increase young Chief Financial Officer.
Roy Neer: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Entravision's first quarter 2024 earnings conference call. Joining me today are Michael Christenson, Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Young, Chief Financial Officer.
Roy Neer: Before we begin, I must inform you that this conference call will contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. Please refer to Entravision's SEC filings for a list of risks and uncertainties that could impact actual results. This call will also include non-GAAP financial measures. The company has provided a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP measures in today's press release. The press release is available on the company's investor relations page and was filed with the SEC on Form 8K. I will now turn the call over to Michael Christenson. Thank you, Roy.
Speaker Change: Before we begin I must inform you that this conference call will contain forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ please refer to entravision SEC filings for a list of risks and uncertainties that could impact actual results.
Roy Neer: This call will also include non-GAAP financial measures. The company has provided a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP measures in today's press release.
Roy Neer: The press release is available on the company's Investor Relations page and was filed with the SEC on form 8-K, I will now turn the call over to Michael Christenson.
Michael J. Christenson: Thank you Roy.
Michael J. Christenson: And thank you to all of you for joining us on this call today. The first quarter of 2024 was transformative for Entravision. As you all know, META informed us that they were terminating their authorized sales partner program, with the effective date of July 1.
Michael J. Christenson: And thank you to all of you for joining us on this call today.
Michael J. Christenson: The first quarter of 2024 was transformative for Entravision.
Michael J. Christenson: As you all know.
Michael J. Christenson: <unk> informed us that they were terminating their authorized sales partner program.
Michael J. Christenson: The effective date is July one.
Michael J. Christenson: For this quarter, we are working with META to wind down the business. We are working to provide a smooth transition for advertisers, for META, and for Entravision. In round numbers, for 2023, META was half of our revenue and half of our cash flow. Terminating the meta business will have a significant impact on our strategy and operation, and you'll hear more about this transformation as we progress through 2024. Fortunately, we have a strong balance sheet with substantial cash and modest debt, and our remaining businesses are profitable and generate significant cash flow. So we have the financial capacity to absorb this event and move on.
Michael J. Christenson: So this quarter, we are working with meta to wind down the business.
Michael J. Christenson: We are working to provide a smooth transition for advertisers for matter and for Entravision.
Michael J. Christenson: In round numbers for 2023 Mehta with half of our revenue and half of our cash flow.
Michael J. Christenson: Terminating the meta business will have a significant impact on our strategy and operations and Youll hear more about this transformation as we progressed through 2024.
Michael J. Christenson: Fortunately, we have a strong balance sheet.
Michael J. Christenson: With substantial cash and modest debt.
Michael J. Christenson: And our remaining businesses are profitable and generate significant cash flow.
Michael J. Christenson: So we have the financial capacity to absorb this event and move on.
Michael J. Christenson: Now we are focused on our future, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us. We are certainly more excited about the opportunities ahead of us than the market price of our stock would indicate. We believe broadcasters provide a valuable service to their audience in America. We have served our audience for three decades. One in five of the Latinos in America are in our broadcast market.
Michael J. Christenson: Now we are focused on our future and we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us.
Michael J. Christenson: We are certainly more excited about the opportunities ahead of us than the market price of our stock would indicate.
Michael J. Christenson: We believe broadcasters provide a valuable service to their audiences in America.
Michael J. Christenson: We have served our audience for three decades.
Michael J. Christenson: One in five of the Latinos in America or in our broadcast markets.
Michael J. Christenson: We believe our audience will be critical to determining the outcome of our 2024 elections.
Michael J. Christenson: We believe our audience will be critical to determining the outcome of our 2024 election. So this year, we have invested in expanding our news production capabilities and the amount of news we provide to our audience. We now provide morning, midday, early evening, and late news in all of our markets. And we provide weekend, early evening, and late news in San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, El Paso, and McAllen, Texas.
Michael J. Christenson: So this year, we have invested in expanding our news production capabilities.
Michael J. Christenson: And the amount of news, we provide to our audience.
Michael J. Christenson: We now provide morning midday early evening and late news in all of our markets.
Michael J. Christenson: And we provide weekend early evening and late news in San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, El Paso, and Mcallen, Texas.
Michael J. Christenson: We have also invested in our sales organization that can engage directly with political decision makers.
Michael J. Christenson: We have also invested in a sales organization that can engage directly with political decision-makers, to educate them about our audience and how Entravision can help them reach our audience. As far as our advertising services and technology businesses are concerned, what we present is our digital segment for financial reporting purposes, but it will be dramatically smaller after we wind down Meta. The core of this business is our SMATICS programmatic advertising platform, our DSP.
Michael J. Christenson: To educate them about our audience and how entravision can help them reach our audience.
Michael J. Christenson: As far as our advertising services and technology businesses are concerned.
Michael J. Christenson: What we present is our digital segment for financial reporting purposes.
Michael J. Christenson: It will be dramatically smaller after re wind down matter.
Michael J. Christenson: The core of this business is our smacks programmatic advertising platform our DSP.
Michael J. Christenson: As we said last year, Xmatics continues to work hard building AI capabilities into its platform and building a scalable, customer-focused sales organization. They are making progress, and have now returned to industry growth rates, and they have done it profitably. So we have put meta behind us, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead, and we're looking forward to building value for our company and shareholders in 2024. Now I'll pass the call back to Chris Young, our CFO, to provide the financial review.
Michael J. Christenson: As we said last year schematics continues to work hard building AI capabilities into its platform and.
Christopher T. Young: In building, a scalable customer focused sales organization.
Christopher T. Young: We're making progress.
Christopher T. Young: And have now returned to industry growth rates and they have done it profitably.
Christopher T. Young: So we have put matter behind us.
Christopher T. Young: We are excited about the opportunities ahead.
Christopher T. Young: And we're looking forward to building value for our company and shareholders in 2024.
Michael J. Christenson: Now I'll pass the call back to Chris Young our CFO to provide the financial review.
Christopher T. Young: Thanks, Mike on a consolidated basis, we achieved quarterly revenue of 277 4 million up 16% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: On a consolidated basis, we achieved quarterly revenue of $277.4 million, up 16% compared to Q1 of 2023. The increase in revenue was driven by our digital segment and political advertising revenue, partially offset by decreases in national advertising revenue, spectrum usage rights revenue, and retransmission consent revenue in our TV segment, and decreases in local and national advertising revenue in our audio segment. The net loss attributable to common stockholders in the first quarter was $48.9 million compared to income of $2.0 million in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: The increase in revenue was driven by our digital segment and political advertising revenue, partially offset by decreases in national advertising revenue spectrum usage rights revenue and retransmission consent revenue in our television segment and decreases in local and national advertising revenue in our audio segment.
Christopher T. Young: Net loss attributable to common stockholders in the first quarter was $48 9 million compared to income of 2.0 million in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: The decline was primarily driven by a $49.4 million impairment charge related to the wind-down of META's ASP program and lower margins in our digital segment. EBITDA in the first quarter was $4.5 million, down 65% compared to Q1 of 2023. Pre-cash flow in the first quarter was negative $2.8 million compared to positive $3.9 million in Q1 of 2023. The decline in free cash flow was primarily due to higher cash interest and taxes.
Christopher T. Young: The decline was primarily driven by a $49 4 million impairment charge related to the wind down of <unk> ASP program and lower margins in our digital segment.
Christopher T. Young: EBITDA in the first quarter was $4 5 million down 65% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Free cash flow in the first quarter was negative $2 8 million compared to a positive $3 9 million in Q1 of 2023 the decline in free cash flow was primarily due to higher cash interest and taxes.
Christopher T. Young: Now turning to each of our segments. Digital segment revenue for the first quarter was $237.5 million, up 21% compared to Q1 of 2023. The growth was driven by our digital businesses, Entravision Global Partners, Math, and Mobile Growth Solutions. Digital segment operating profit for the first quarter was $2.3 million, down 34% compared to Q1 of 2023. Digital segment operating margin for the first quarter was 1% compared to 2% in Q1 of
Christopher T. Young: Now turning to each of our segments.
Christopher T. Young: Digital segment revenue for the first quarter with $237 5 million up 21% compared to Q1 of 2023. The growth was driven by our digital businesses Entravision Global partners semantics and mobile growth solutions.
Christopher T. Young: Digital segment operating profit for the first quarter was $2 3 million down 34% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Digital segment operating margin for the first quarter was 1% compared to 2% in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Digital Segment Operating Margin on Net Revenues minus the cost of revenue for the first quarter was 7% compared to 12% in Q1 of 2023. The decline in digital operating margin was attributed to lower margins in our partnership business.
Christopher T. Young: Digital segment operating margin on net revenues minus the cost of revenue for the first quarter was 7% compared to 12% in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: The decline in digital operating margin was attributed to lower margins in our partnership business.
Christopher T. Young: As of today, revenue from our digital segment is pacing at a plump 6% over the prior year period. Turning to our TV segment, TV segment revenue for the first quarter was $28.5 million, down 6% compared to Q1 of 2023. This decrease was driven by decreases in national advertising revenue, spectrum usage rights revenue, and retransmission consent revenue, partially offset by political advertising revenue. Excluding political revenue, core TV revenue for the first quarter was minus 7%.
Christopher T. Young: As of today revenue from our digital segment is pacing at a plus 6% over the prior year period.
Christopher T. Young: Turning to our television segment television segment revenue for the first quarter was $28 5 million down 6% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: This decrease was driven by decreases in national advertising revenue spectrum usage rights revenue and retransmission consent revenue, partially offset by political advertising revenue excluding.
Christopher T. Young: Political revenue core television revenue for the first quarter was a minus 7%.
Christopher T. Young: Operating profit in our TV segment for the first quarter was $2.7 million, down 65% compared to Q1 of 2023. TV operating margin for the first quarter was 9% compared to 25% in Q1 of 2023. The decline in TV operating margins was primarily due to our expansion of our local news operations. We made a strategic decision in the back half of 2023 to expand our news capacity by adding morning news across all of our Univision markets and expanding weekend news in Las Vegas, Denver, and San Diego. This resulted in the hiring of 70 new employees.
Christopher T. Young: Operating profit in our television segment for the first quarter was $2 7 million down 65% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Television operating margin for the first quarter with 9% compared to 25% in Q1 of 2023 the.
Christopher T. Young: The decline in TV operating margins was primarily due to our expansion of our local news operations. We made a strategic decision in the back half of 2023 to expand our newest capacity by adding morning news across all of our Univision markets and expanding weekend news in Las Vegas, Denver, and San Diego. This resulted in hiring 70, new.
Christopher T. Young: <unk>.
Christopher T. Young: Our morning news debuted on January 6th, and in the just-released Nielsen ratings for April in adults 18 to 49, we outperformed Telemundo in 14 out of 18 markets where we compete head-to-head. We were excited to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art news facility and office in February. This milestone underscores our three-decade commitment to empowering the Latino community through our trusted daily newscasts that inform and educate our community.
Christopher T. Young: Our morning News debuted on January six and in the just released Nielsen ratings for April in adults 18 to 49, we outperformed Telemundo in 14 out of 18 markets, where we compete head to head.
Christopher T. Young: We were excited to announce the opening of our new Las Vegas State of the Art News facility and office in February this milestone underscores our three decade commitment of empowering the Latino community through our trusted daily newscasts and that informs and educates our community.
Christopher T. Young: This news expansion will allow our sales operation to generate additional core revenue and provide additional news inventory for political advertisers. Regarding our Q2 pacings, our TV segment is currently pacing minus 1% over the prior year period. Now, let's shift to audio.
Christopher T. Young: This news expansion will allow our sales operation to generate additional core revenue and provide additional news inventory for political advertisers.
Christopher T. Young: Regarding our Q2 pacings our television segment is currently pacing minus 1% over the prior year period.
Christopher T. Young: Now, let's shift to audio.
Christopher T. Young: Audio segment revenue for the first quarter was $11.4 million, down 7% compared to Q1 of 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by decreases in local and national advertising revenue, partially offset by political advertising revenue. Excluding political revenue, our core audio revenue for the first quarter was down 8%. Operating loss in our audio segment for the first quarter was $0.2 million compared to operating profit of $1.0 million in Q1 of 2023. The audio operating margin for the first quarter was negative 2% compared to 8% in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Audio segment revenue for the first quarter was $11 4 million down 7% compared to Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: This decrease was primarily driven by decreases in local and national advertising revenue, partially offset by political advertising revenue.
Christopher T. Young: Excluding political revenue our core audio revenue for the first quarter was down 8%.
Christopher T. Young: Operating loss in our audio segment for the first quarter was <unk> 2 million compared to operating profit of $1.01 million in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: Audio operating margin for the first quarter was negative 2% compared to 8% in Q1 of 2023 the decline in audio operating margins was primarily due to the challenging national spot environment that was down 13% for the quarter, our voter engagement programs and establishing our political team.
Christopher T. Young: The decline in audio operating margins was primarily due to the challenging national spot environment that was down 13% for the quarter, our voter engagement programs, and establishing our political team. On April 15th, we launched Fuego on KFUE-FM 106.7 with an urban Latino format that targets bilingual Latinos 18-34, which is the fastest growing segment of the audience.
Christopher T. Young: On April 15th we launched <unk> on <unk> FM $106 seven with an urban led Tino format that is targeting bilingual Latinos 18 to 34, which is the fastest growing segment of the audience. This is part of a plan that will also include upgrading <unk> FM $107, one and <unk>.
Christopher T. Young: This is part of a plan that will also include upgrading KVV AFM 107.1 and relocating its transmitter to South Mountain, the premier tower location in the Phoenix market. Turning to our Q2 pacings, our audio segment is currently pacing at a minus 1% over the prior year period. Corporate expenses for the quarter totaled $12.2 million, up 17% compared to Q1 of 2023, primarily due to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation and an increase in salaries partially offset by a decrease in audit time.
Christopher T. Young: Okay, it's transmitter to South mountain the Premier tower location in the Phoenix market.
Christopher T. Young: Turning to our Q2 pacings our audio segment is currently pacing at a minus 1% over the prior year period.
Christopher T. Young: Corporate expenses for the quarter totaled $12 2 million up 17% compared to Q1 of 2023, primarily due to an increase in noncash stock based compensation and an increase in salaries, partially offset by decrease in audit fees.
Christopher T. Young: Turning to our balance sheet, cash and marketable securities, as of March 31st, 2024, totaled $132.7 million, while total debt was $199.1 million. We made a prepayment of $10 million on our debt during the first quarter of 2024. As a result, our leverage ratio, as defined in our credit agreement, was 3.1 times net of total cash and marketable securities. Our total net leverage was 1.4 times. Capital Expenditures net of Tenant Improvements Reimbursement was $2.7 million for the quarter, representing 8% of net cash provided by operating activities, compared to 16% in Q1 of 2023. The higher capex last year was driven primarily by the build out of our new office headquarters. Capital expenditures will be approximately $6 million for the year.
Christopher T. Young: Turning to our balance sheet cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2024 totaled $132 7 million total debt was $199 1 million, we made a prepayment of $10 million on our debt during the first quarter of 2024.
Christopher T. Young: Our leverage ratio as defined in our credit agreement was three one times net of total cash and marketable securities. Our total net leverage was one four times.
Christopher T. Young: Capital expenditures net of tenant improvement reimbursement was $2 7 million for the quarter, representing 8% of net cash provided by operating activities compared to 16% in Q1 of 2023.
Christopher T. Young: The higher Capex last year was driven primarily by the Buildout of our new office headquarters.
Christopher T. Young: Capital expenditures will be approximately $6 million for the year.
Christopher T. Young: We paid $4 5 million in dividends or <unk> <unk> per share to our stockholders in the first quarter, representing 13% of our net cash provided by operating activities. Our board of directors also approved a quarterly <unk> dividend per share, which will be payable on June 28, 2024 to stockholders of record as of June 14th.
Operator: We paid $4.5 million in dividends, or $0.05 per share, to our stockholders in the first quarter, representing 13% of our net cash provided by operating activities. Our Board of Directors also approved a quarterly 5-cent dividend per share, which will be payable on June 28, 2024, to stockholders of record as of June 14, 2024. This concludes our call. Thank you for joining us. If you have questions, please connect with us through the Investor Relations page on our website, where you will also have access to the transcript of this call, the press release about our results, and a copy of our Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the SEC. We look forward to hearing from you. Operator?
Operator: 2024.
Operator: This concludes our call. Thank you for joining us if you have questions. Please connect with us through the Investor Relations page on our website, where you will also have access to the transcript of this call. The press release for our results and a copy of our Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the SEC, we look forward to hearing Permian operator.
Operator: The conference is now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.
Speaker Change: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation you may now disconnect.
Operator: [music].