Q4 2025 Gray Media Inc Earnings Call

February 26, 2026

Operator: Good day, everyone. Thank you for joining us for this Gray Media Q4 2025 Earnings Release Call. As a reminder, all phone participants are in a listen-only mode, but you are invited to signal for a question by pressing star, followed by 1 on your telephone keypad. Also, today's meeting is being recorded. For opening remarks and introductions, I am pleased to turn the floor over to Chairman and CEO, Mr. Hilton Howell. Welcome, sir.

Speaker #2: Also, today's meeting is being recorded. For opening remarks and introductions, I am pleased to turn the floor over to Chairman and CEO, Mr. Hilton Howell.

Speaker #2: Welcome, sir. Thank you, Operator. Good morning, everyone. As the operator mentioned, this is Hilton Howell. And I'm Chairman and CEO of GRAY MEDIA, and I want to thank all of you for joining our fourth quarter 2025 earnings call.

Hilton Howell: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everyone. As the operator mentioned, this is Hilton Howell. I'm Chairman and CEO of Gray Media, and I want to thank all of you for joining our Q4 2025 earnings call. As usual, all of our executive officers are here with me in Atlanta. Pat LaPlatney, our President and Co-CEO, Sandy Breland, our Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Latek, our Chief Legal and Development Officer, and Jeff Gignac, our Chief Financial Officer. Joining us for the first time is Alan Gould, our newly appointed Vice President of Investor Relations, who many of you know from his prior role as a sell side analyst. Alan joined us in December, and we are thrilled to have him on board and believe his insights will help us better engage with investors at a time when much is changing in our business.

Speaker #2: As usual, all of our executive officers are here with me, in Atlanta, Pat LaPlatney, our President and Co-CEO; Sandy Brelin, our Chief Operating Officer; Kevin Latek, our Chief Legal and Development Officer; and Jeff Gignac, our Chief Financial Officer.

Speaker #2: And joining us for the first time is Alan Gould, our newly appointed Vice President of Investor Relationships, who many of you know from his prior role as a sell-side analyst.

Speaker #2: Alan joined us in December, and we are thrilled to have him on board and believe his insights will help us better engage with investors at a time when much is changing in our business.

Speaker #2: So we will begin with a disclaimer that Alan will provide.

Hilton Howell: We will begin with a disclaimer that Alan will provide.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Hilton. Good morning, everyone. I want to say how thrilled I am to join GRAY and work with this outstanding team. After many years as a sell-side analyst covering the media industry, I have tremendous respect for what GRAY has built and the strategic direction Hilton and the team are charting.

Alan Gould: Thank you, Hilton. Good morning, everyone. I want to say how thrilled I am to join Gray and work with this outstanding team. After many years as a sell-side analyst covering the media industry, I have tremendous respect for what Gray has built and the strategic direction Hilton and the team are charting. Today, we filed with the SEC our Form 8-K, our Q4 earnings release, and updated slides. Later today, we will file with the SEC our annual report on 10-K. These materials are all available on our website, which is www.graymedia.com. Included on the call may be a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, and in particular, Adjusted EBITDA, Leverage Ratio Denominator, Net Retransmission Revenue, and certain leverage ratios. These metrics are not meant to replace GAAP measurements, but are provided as supplements to assist the public in its analysis and valuation of our company.

Speaker #3: Today, we filed with the SEC our Form 8-K, our fourth quarter earnings release, and updated slides, and later today we will file with the SEC our annual report on Form 10-K.

Speaker #3: These materials are all available on our website, which is www.graymedia.com. Included on the call may be a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures and, in particular, adjusted EBITDA, leverage ratio, denominator, net retransmission revenue, and certain leverage ratios.

Speaker #3: These metrics are not meant to replace GAAP measurement, but are provided as supplements to assist the public in its analysis and valuation of our company.

Speaker #3: Further discussions and reconciliations of the company's non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures can be found on our website. All statements and comments made by management during this conference call, other than statements of historical facts, should be deemed forward-looking statements.

Alan Gould: Further discussions and reconciliations of the company's non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures can be found on our website. All statements and comments made by management during this conference call, other than statements of historical fact, should be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors that are contained in our most recent filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. I now return the call to Hilton.

Speaker #3: These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the future could differ from those described in the forward-looking statement as a result of various important factors that are contained in our most recent filings with the SEC.

Speaker #3: We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. I now return the call to Hilton.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Alan. Today, we are very pleased to announce that our results for the fourth quarter of 2025 compared very favorably to our previously issued guidance for both revenues and expenses.

Hilton Howell: Thank you, Alan. Today, we are very pleased to announce that our results for Q4 2025 compared very favorably to our previously issued guidance for both revenues and expenses. Total revenue in Q4 2025 was $792 million, above the high end of our guidance for the quarter. Total operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, impairment, and gain or loss on disposal of assets in Q4 were $618 million, which was $5 million below the low end of our guidance. Notably, within these results, our broadcasting expenses actually declined by $41 million in Q4 as compared to Q4 2024. On a full year basis, broadcasting expenses declined by $78 million, or about 3% in 2025 as compared to 2024.

Speaker #2: Total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2025 was $792 million, above the high end of our guidance for the quarter. Total operating expenses, before depreciation, amortization, impairment, and gain or loss on disposal of assets in the fourth quarter, were $618 million, which was $5 million below the low end of our guidance.

Speaker #2: Notably, within these results, our broadcasting expenses actually declined by $41 million in the fourth quarter as compared to fourth quarter 2024. On a full-year basis, broadcasting expenses declined by $78 million or about 3% in 2025 as compared to 2024.

Speaker #2: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $23 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $179 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Hilton Howell: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $23 million in Q4 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $179 million in Q4 2025. Political advertising revenue of $12 million finished above our expectations for an off-cycle period. There is one particular item I'd like to highlight from our Q4 financial results. Our Net Retransmission Revenue, which is our Retransmission Revenue, less our network affiliation fees, returned to growth in Q4 2025 as compared to Q4 2024. You have heard us talk in prior quarters about the need to create a more sustainable model in light of subscriber trends. Returning to growth in Net Retrans is a clear sign of progress on this multiyear effort.

Speaker #2: Political advertising revenue of $12 million finished above our expectations for an off-cycle period. There is one particular item I'd like to highlight from our fourth quarter financial results.

Speaker #2: Our net retransmission revenue, which is our retransmission revenue, less our net worth affiliation fees, returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

Speaker #2: You have heard us talk in prior quarters about the need to create a more sustainable model in light of subscriber trends. Returning to growth and net retrans is a clear sign of progress on this multi-year effort.

Speaker #2: On a full-year basis, our net retransmission revenue stabilized at $547 million in 2025, similar to 2024. In addition to these operating results, we have now completed our recently announced acquisition of WBBJ TV in Jackson, Tennessee, from Bay Hakel for $25 million.

Hilton Howell: On a full year basis, our net retransmission revenue stabilized at $547 million in 2025, similar to 2024. In addition to these operating results, we have now completed our recently announced acquisition of WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, from Bahakel for $25 million. We are continuing to work towards regulatory approvals and expect to close our other announced transactions in the next several months. We also continued to make progress in strengthening our balance sheet during Q4 2025. We opportunistically issued a $250 million add-on to our second lien notes through a private placement. Now, I'll let Jeff provide additional details on that opportunistic transaction.

Speaker #2: We are continuing to work towards regulatory approvals and expect to close our other announced transactions in the next several months. We also continue to make progress in strengthening our balance sheet during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: We opportunistically issued a $250 million add-on to our second lien notes through a private placement. Now, I'll let Jeff provide additional details on that opportunistic transaction.

Speaker #2: We're entering 2026, poised to close our delivering M&A transactions and we expect to both reduce our debt and leverage ratio through what we believe will be a fantastic 2026 political cycle for GRAY Media.

Hilton Howell: We're entering 2026 poised to close our delevering M&A transactions, we expect to both reduce our debt and leverage ratio through what we believe will be a fantastic 2026 political cycle for Gray Media. Operationally, we continue to enhance our local content offerings in Q4 2025. Our newscasts continue to attract, engage local audiences, and have won prestigious journalistic honors, including a total of 10 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, the most of any media company in the United States. This honor underscores the culture of journalistic excellence that is across our company. We have added a number of local and regional live sports broadcasts throughout our portfolio. InvestigateTV premiered its third season in September and also launched a multi-platform project to educate viewers about AI. Yesterday, we announced a new program called Aging Untold that will launch across our footprint next week.

Speaker #2: Operationally, we continue to enhance our local content offerings in the fourth quarter of 2025. Our newscasts continue to attract engaged local audiences and have won prestigious journalistic honors, including a total of 10 national Edward R.

Speaker #2: Murrow Awards for most of any media company in the United States. This honor underscores the culture of journalistic excellence that is across our company.

Speaker #2: We have added a number of local and regional live sports broadcasts throughout our portfolio. Investigate TV premiered its third season in September and also launched a multi-platform project to educate viewers about AI.

Speaker #2: Yesterday, we announced a new program called Aging Untold that will launch across our footprint next week. This new series features a panel of experienced industry professionals offering insight and solutions for people entering a new chapter of life as well as their families and caregivers.

Hilton Howell: This new series features a panel of experienced industry professionals offering insight and solutions for people entering a new chapter of life, as well as their families and caregivers. We believe the program addresses the most important lifestyle topics that nearly everyone faces now or will soon face, and yet no one is really covering honestly or as in-depth as this new program will do. We have also continued to renew and expand our local professional sports portfolio. We are thrilled to continue our broadcast partnership with the Atlanta Braves. Another example, just yesterday, we reached an agreement to broadcast an additional 5 A's baseball games, and will now broadcast 20 A's games in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, our digital team is now very busily rolling out the transition of all of our digital apps and websites to the QuickPlay platform, powered by Google Cloud.

Speaker #2: We believe the program addresses the most important lifestyle topics that nearly everyone faces now or will soon face, and yet no one is really covering honestly or as in-depth as this new program will do.

Speaker #2: We have also continued to renew and expand our local professional sports portfolio. We are thrilled to continue our broadcast partnership with the Atlanta Braves and another example just yesterday, we reached an agreement to broadcast an additional five A's baseball games and will now broadcast 20 A's games in Las Vegas.

Speaker #2: Meanwhile, our digital team is now very busily rolling out the transition of all of our digital apps and websites to the Quick Play platform powered by Google Cloud.

Hilton Howell: This personalized streaming platform will revolutionize how our viewers find and connect with our content. We are honored and excited to be Google's first broadcast partner for Quickplay. In December, we renewed our affiliation agreement covering our 54 NBC markets for 3 additional years. Earlier this month, we renewed and expanded our Telemundo portfolio to include 47 markets, reaching 1.6 million Spanish-speaking households. This was a good timing with NBC hosting a very successful Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and the NBA All-Star events all this month. With Telemundo providing the only Spanish language broadcast for both the Super Bowl and this summer's FIFA World Cup. Finally, we are continuing our efforts to bring in the right development partners to further monetize our investment at Assembly Atlanta.

Speaker #2: This personalized streaming platform will revolutionize how our viewers find and connect with our content, and we are honored and excited to be Google's first broadcast partner for Quick Play.

Speaker #2: In December, we renewed our affiliation agreement covering our 54 NBC markets for three additional years. Earlier this month, we renewed and expanded our Telemundo portfolio to include 47 markets reaching $1.6 million Spanish-speaking households.

Speaker #2: This was good timing with NBC hosting a very successful Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and the NBA All-Star events all this month, and with Telemundo providing the only Spanish-language broadcast for both the Super Bowl and this summer's FIFA World Cup.

Speaker #2: Finally, we are continuing our efforts to bring in the right development partners to further monetize our investment at Assembly Atlanta. Our next capital investment in Assembly in 2025 was essentially zero.

Hilton Howell: Our next capital investment in Assembly in 2025 was essentially 0. We expect to have more announcements about the next phase of development as we move through 2026. One additional issue I'd like to add is that we have struck a deal with INTENNSE Tennis that will begin actually competing in June, and we will be carrying it here locally in Atlanta and on our Peachtree Sports Network. 2025 was a pivotal year for Gray Media. We're excited about entering 2026 on a firm foundation that will lead to enhanced value for all our stakeholders. At this time, I'll turn the call over to Pat to address our operations.

Speaker #2: But we expect to have more announcements about the next phase of development as we move through 2026. One additional issue I'd like to add is that we have struck a deal with Intense Tennis that will begin actually competing in June and we will be carrying it here locally in Atlanta and on our Peachtree Sports Broadcasting Network.

Speaker #2: 2025 was a pivotal year for Gray. We're excited about entering 2026 on a firm foundation that will lead to enhanced value for all our stakeholders.

Speaker #2: At this time, I'll turn the call over to Pat to address our operations.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Hilton. Fourth quarter poor advertising revenue started strong in October, which was up below double digits versus a comp from '24 that included significant political displacement.

Pat LaPlatney: Thank you, Hilton. Q4 core advertising revenue started strong in October, which was up low double digits versus a comp from 2024 that included significant political displacement. We finished the quarter slightly above the high end of our guidance, up 3% compared to Q4 2024. In terms of our core advertising categories, we saw continued strength in services, including financial, health, and home improvement. legal, again, showed strong growth in Q4, and that trend continues as we look ahead to our guidance for Q1 2026. There was also a nice pickup in gaming and lottery/gambling in Q4 that is also reflected in our Q1 2026 guidance. Automotive finished Q4 down low single digits. For the full year, core finished down 3%.

Speaker #3: We finished the quarter slightly above the high end of our guidance, up 3% compared to the fourth quarter of '24. In terms of our core advertising categories, we saw continued strength in services including financial, health, and home improvement.

Speaker #3: Legal, again, showed strong growth in Q4 and that trend continues as we look ahead to our guidance for Q1 of '26. There was also a nice pickup in gaming and lottery/gambling in the fourth quarter that is also reflected in our Q1 '26 guidance.

Speaker #3: Automotive finished fourth quarter down, low single digits. For the full year, core finished down 3%. Recall that in first quarter of '25, we were down 8% primarily on tariff uncertainty and it's encouraging that the second half of '25 finished in positive territory versus the second half of '24.

Pat LaPlatney: Recall that in Q1 2025, we were down 8%, primarily on tariff uncertainty. It's encouraging that the second half of 2025 finished in positive territory versus the second half of 2024. Digital continued its healthy growth in Q4, up low double digits. Our new local direct business continued to grow low single digits over the same period in 2024. Our sales teams continue to perform admirably in a challenging environment. Political ad revenue exceeded our expectations in Q4 2025. Our guide for Q4 2025 was $7 to 8 million. Our actual results came in at $12 million. Once again, we saw some revenue from issue advertisers supporting the president's legislative priorities. We also saw good results in Virginia from the 2025 state governor and attorney general races.

Speaker #3: Digital continued its healthy growth in the fourth quarter, up low double digits and our new local direct business continued to grow, low single digits over the same period in '24.

Speaker #3: Our sales teams continue to perform admirably in a challenging environment. Political ad revenue exceeded our expectations in fourth quarter '25. Our guide for the fourth quarter of '25 was 7 to 8 million and our actual results came in at 12 million.

Speaker #3: Once again, we saw some revenue from issue advertisers supporting the President's legislative priorities. We also saw good results in Virginia from the 2025 state governor and attorney general races.

Speaker #3: Our first quarter of 2026 guidance is for core ad revenue to be approximately flat with the first quarter of '25. The Super Bowl generated $11 million on our 54 NBC affiliates and 47 Telemundo affiliates in 2026, compared to $9 million on our Fox affiliates in 2025.

Pat LaPlatney: Our Q1 of 2026 guidance is for core ad revenue to be approximately flat with Q1 of 2025. The Super Bowl generated $11 million on our 54 NBC affiliates and 47 Telemundo affiliates in 2026, compared to $9 million on our Fox affiliates in 2025. We will also benefit from the Winter Olympics on NBC in Q1 of 2026. We estimate that our net revenue from the games will contribute $15 million in the quarter, versus $8 million during the 2022 games. Across categories in Q1, as I mentioned before, legal services and lottery/gaming are bright spots. We're also seeing signs of improvement in auto, which is currently flattish. We are excited about the upcoming midterm election season.

Speaker #3: We will also benefit from the Winter Olympics on NBC in Q1 of '26. We estimate that our net revenue from the games will contribute $15 million in the quarter versus $8 million during the 2022 games across categories in the first quarter. As I mentioned before, legal, services, and lottery/gaming are bright spots.

Speaker #3: We're also seeing signs of improvement in auto, which is currently flattish. We're excited about the upcoming midterm election season. Our first quarter '26 guidance for political is to be 25 to 30 million, which compares to 26 million in the first quarter of '22, which is a comparable period for the 26 midterm elections.

Pat LaPlatney: Our first quarter 2026 guidance for political is to be $25 to 30 million, which compares to $26 million in Q1 2022, which is a comparable period for the 2026 midterm elections. The map in 2026 looks to be very favorable for our TV station footprint, with all 10 competitive Senate races, nearly all of the 13 competitive gubernatorial races, and countless other competitive races in markets where we operate top-ranked local news stations. Jeff will now address the key financial developments.

Speaker #3: The map in '26 looks to be very favorable for our TV station footprint with all 10 competitive Senate races nearly all of the 13 competitive gubernatorial races and countless other competitive races in markets where you operate top-ranked local news stations.

Speaker #3: Jeff will now address the key financial developments.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Pat. As Hilton mentioned earlier, we made further progress on our balance sheet during the fourth quarter. We completed a $250 million add-on to our nine and five-day second lien notes at 102 and used a portion of the proceeds to call $125 million of our 10.5% first lien notes at 103.

Jeff Gignac: Thank you, Pat. As Hilton mentioned earlier, we made further progress on our balance sheet during Q4. We completed a $250 million add-on to our 9.625% Second Lien Notes at 102, and used a portion of the proceeds to call $125 million of our 10.5% First Lien Notes at 103. This transaction is another step in our capital structure plan and matches long-term funding with long-term investment for M&A, while also reducing our interest cost. We finished Q4 with over $1.1 billion in liquidity and $232 million in availability under our open market debt repurchase authorization.

Speaker #2: This transaction is another step in our capital structure plan and matches long-term funding with long-term investment for M&A while also reducing our interest cost.

Speaker #2: We finished fourth quarter with over $1.1 billion in liquidity and $232 million in availability under our open market debt repurchase authorization our leverage metrics at year-end 2025 were 2.43 times first lien leverage ratio, 3.65 times secured leverage ratio, and 5.8 times total leverage ratio each using the calculation in our senior credit agreement.

Jeff Gignac: Our leverage metrics at year-end 2025 were 2.43x First Lien Leverage Ratio, 3.65x Secured Leverage Ratio, and 5.8x total leverage ratio, each using the calculation in our Senior Credit Agreement. We expect that our delevering M&A transactions, together with political revenue in 2026, will help us make significant progress on our leverage during 2026. Our expense reductions are once again reflected in our results. In Q4 2025, our broadcasting station operating expenses, excluding network affiliation fees, were down $10 million or 3% compared to Q4 2024. Let me elaborate a little bit more on net retrans, as this is important to understanding our financial picture. Hilton mentioned the return to growth in Q4 2025 versus Q4 2024.

Speaker #2: We expect that our deleveraging M&A transactions together with political revenue in 2026 will help us make significant progress on our leverage during 2026. Our expense reductions are once again reflected in our results in fourth quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: Our broadcasting station operating expenses excluding network affiliation fees were down $10 million, or 3%, compared to fourth quarter 2024. Let me elaborate a little bit more on net retrans as this is important to understanding our financial picture.

Speaker #2: Hilton mentioned the return to growth in fourth quarter 2025 versus fourth quarter 2024. In fourth quarter, our network affiliation expenses declined by 13% while our retransmission consent revenue declined by 7%.

Jeff Gignac: In Q4, our network affiliation expenses declined by 13%, while our retransmission consent revenue declined by 7%. Remember, the WANF moving to an independent station affected both the revenue and expense sides of the net transmission, net retransmission revenue equation starting in Q3 2025. That also means that our results are not comparable to our peers when you look at these numbers in isolation. Q4 2025 is the first quarter where the full impact of that change is reflected in our results. Our Q4 guide was for a slight decline in net retransmission revenue, but we ended up with growth in net retrans of about $4 million, which is largely attributable to better-than-expected subscriber trends.

Speaker #2: Remember, the WANF moving to an independent station affected both the revenue and expense sides of the net transmission net retransmission revenue equation starting in third quarter 2025.

Speaker #2: That also means that our results are not comparable to our peers when you look at these numbers in isolation. Fourth quarter 2025 is the first quarter where the full impact of that change is reflected in our results.

Speaker #2: Our fourth quarter guide was for a slight decline in net retransmission revenue. But we ended up with growth in net retrans of about $4 million which is largely attributable to better-than-expected subscriber trends.

Speaker #2: For the full year, net retransmission revenue finished at $547 million in 2025 versus $550 million in 2024. Which is essentially flat. Our first quarter guide of $148 to $156 $150 million excuse me indicates that we expect continued modest growth in net retransmission revenue.

Jeff Gignac: For the full year, net retransmission revenue finished at $547 million in 2025 versus $550 million in 2024, which is essentially flat. Our Q1 guide of $148 to $150 million, excuse me, indicates that we expect continued modest growth in net retransmission revenue. Without giving a full year guide, our current expectation is that net retransmission revenue will grow slightly for full year 2026 as compared to 2025. You will also notice that we are guiding Q1 broadcasting expenses to be down 3% at the midpoint versus Q1 2025.

Speaker #2: And without giving a full-year guide, our current expectation is that net retransmission revenue will grow slightly for full-year 2026 as compared to 2025. You will also notice that we are guiding Q1 broadcasting expenses to be down 3% at the midpoint versus the first quarter of 2025.

Speaker #2: This would be a similar decline to full-year 2025, but less than the 7% year-over-year decline reported in fourth quarter 2025, which is primarily due to the timing of certain annual expenses as well as normal inflationary adjustments at year-end.

Jeff Gignac: This would be a similar decline to full year 2025, but less than the 7% year-over-year decline reported in Q4 2025, which is primarily due to the timing of certain annual expenses as well as normal inflationary adjustments at year-end. We finished 2025 at $74 million of capital expenditures, excluding Assembly Atlanta, which is in line with our revised guidance. Net of reimbursements related to public infrastructure at Assembly Atlanta, our net capital investment in Assembly Atlanta during 2025 was $1 million. We currently estimate that our 2026 company-wide CapEx will be approximately $140 million. For some context, we've historically invested about $25 million more during political years. For 2026, the increase will be a little more than usual as we take advantage of bonus depreciation under the OBBBA bill.

Speaker #2: We finished 2025 at $74 million of capital expenditures excluding assembly Atlanta. Which is in line with our revised guidance. Net of reimbursements related to public infrastructure at assembly Atlanta our net capital investment in assembly Atlanta during 2025 was $1 million.

Speaker #2: We currently estimate that our 2026 company-wide capex will be approximately $140 million. For some context, we've historically invested about $25 million more during political years.

Speaker #2: For 2026, the increase will be a little more than usual as we take advantage of bonus depreciation under the OBBBA bill. We will also do several building-related construction projects within the TB business that we intentionally scheduled to coincide with our stronger cash position this year.

Jeff Gignac: We will also do several building-related construction projects within the TV business that we intentionally scheduled to coincide with our stronger cash position this year. This concludes my prepared remarks. I'll return the call back to Hilton.

Speaker #2: This concludes my prepared remarks and I'll return the call back to Hilton.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Jeff. And now operator will open up the call to any questions that anyone may have.

Hilton Howell: Thank you, Jeff. Now, operator, we'll open up the call to any questions that anyone may have.

Speaker #4: Thank you, gentlemen. And to our audience listening today, a reminder that it is star in one on your telephone keypad if you would like to join today's question queue.

Operator: Thank you, gentlemen. To our audience listening today, a reminder that it is star and 1 on your telephone keypad, if you would like to join today's question queue. A reminder also, if you're joining today on a speakerphone, please return to your handset prior to pressing star and 1 to be certain that your signal does reach our equipment. Initially, we ask that you limit yourselves to 1 question and 1 follow-up, then if you have additional, you are invited to re-signal using star and 1. Thank you, everyone. We'll hear first today from the line of Dan Kurnos at Benchmark.

Speaker #4: A reminder also: if you're joining today on a speakerphone, please return to your handset prior to pressing star one to be certain that your signal does reach our equipment.

Speaker #4: Initially, we ask that you limit yourselves to one question and one follow-up. And then if you have additional, you are invited to re-signal using star in one.

Speaker #4: Thank you, everyone. We'll hear first today from the line of Dan Kernoss at Benchmark.

Speaker #5: Great. Thanks, good morning. Nice results, guys. Hilton, just first for you, I've been asking everybody this outside of Nexstar. I mean, if Nexstar after the tweet seems pretty confident they're going to get the deal their deal done by the end of the second quarter.

Dan Kurnos: Great, thanks. Good morning. Nice results, guys. Hilton, just first for you, I've been asking everybody this, outside of Nexstar, I mean, if Nexstar, after the tweet, seems pretty confident they're going to get the deal, their deal done by the end of Q2. We'll see a lot of moving pieces there. If it does get done, does that change the way that you guys think assets become available? It takes some of the risk off the table. Does it change how you guys maybe approach anything either larger, more transformative, in addition to all of the accretive stuff you've already done? Jeff, just a quick one for you. Appreciate the color on net, you know, and understand no lack of, or lack of specific guide, on a going-forward basis, I mean, should we expect...

Speaker #5: We'll see. A lot of moving pieces there. But if it does get done, does that change the way that you guys think assets become available?

Speaker #5: It takes some of the risk off the table. Does it change how you guys maybe approach anything either larger or more transformative in addition to all of the accretive stuff you've already done?

Speaker #5: And then Jeff, just a quick one for you. Appreciate the color on net. And understand no lack of specific guide, but going forward basis, I mean, should we expect I know there's going to be timing delta with when you guys have renewals, but is modest growth and net retrans the right way to think about the trajectory from kind of here on out with just some lumpiness in years when you don't have renewals?

Dan Kurnos: I know there's going to be timing delta with when you guys have renewals, is like modest growth and net retrans the right way to think about the trajectory from, you know, kind of here on out with just some lumpiness in years when you don't have renewals? Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Speaker #3: Yeah. I'll tackle the question for me first. So yes, Dan. We've talked about the multi-year effort to get to a sustainable model on the net retrans side, which would start to look maybe more like inflationary growth type of an arrangement.

Jeff Gignac: Yeah, I'll tackle that. I'll tackle the question for me first. Yes, Dan, we've talked about the multiyear effort to get to a sustainable model on the net retrans side, which would, you know, start to look maybe more like inflationary growth type of an arrangement. That's, I think, the right way to think about that.

Speaker #3: So, that is what we're—that's, I think, the right way to think about that. And then, I will say one thing: I'm happy about it.

Hilton Howell: You know, I will say, woman, I'm happy about I can reiterate Nexstar's optimism about our own transactions. We have all smaller than what they're doing with this mega module with TEGNA, but maybe five different transactions before the FCC and the DOJ, and we're very optimistic about having those closed, hopefully very early in 2026. With regard to, you know, if Nexstar, TEGNA closes, you know, sure, that'll present a number of issues competitively, and it may put a little impetus on our company to get larger, but that's something that the whole industry is just going to have to take a look at. I wish Nexstar all the best in getting that closed.

Speaker #3: I can reiterate Nexstar's optimism about our own transactions. We have all smaller than what they're doing with this mega-merger with TEGNA, but maybe five different transactions before the FCC.

Speaker #3: And the DOJ. And we're very optimistic about having those closed. Hopefully very early in 2026. And then with regard to if Nexstar TEGNA closes, sure, that'll present a number of issues competitively.

Speaker #3: And it may put a little impetus on our company to get larger. But that's something that the whole industry is just going to have to take a look at.

Speaker #3: I wish Nexstar all of us in getting that closed they like we believe that consolidation is important for the industry. Because it is critically important that we maintain local news in all of the markets, all the 210 markets across the United States.

Pat LaPlatney: ... They, like we, believe that consolidation is important for the industry because it is critically important that we maintain local news in all of the markets, all the 210 markets across the United States. As our industry faces broader competition from the massive companies, from Google to Meta to all the rest, getting larger is an absolute requirement. You know, we're delighted that they're optimistic. You know, I am personally looking forward to clarity in terms of what the rules are, because, you know, you hate to launch a deal and then not be able to get it to completion. We've got new optimism on that potential.

Speaker #3: And as our industry faces broader competition from the massive companies from Google to Meta to all the rest, getting larger is an absolute requirement.

Speaker #3: So we're delighted that they're optimistic. And I am personally looking forward to clarity in terms of what the rules are. Because you hate to launch a deal and then not be able to get it to completion.

Speaker #3: But we've got new optimism on that potential.

Speaker #5: Great. Thanks, Hilton. Thanks, Jeff.

Alan Gould: Great. Thanks, Hilton. Thanks, Jeff.

Speaker #4: We'll move forward to the line of Stephen Cahill at Wells Fargo.

Operator: We'll move forward to the line of Steven Cahall at Wells Fargo.

Speaker #6: Thanks. So, a couple of questions pertaining to leverage. So Jeff, you said significant progress to leverage in 2026. I think the M&A deals you've announced are about a quarter turn of deleveraging.

Steven Cahall: Thanks. A couple of questions pertaining to leverage. You know, Jeff Gignac, you said significant progress to leverage in 2026. I think the M&A deals you've announced are about a quarter turn of deleveraging. I think about something that sort of rounds to 4x is like the big key to unlocking your equity value. Could you give us any sense of, you know, what significant progress means and if it maybe could get you towards that zip code? Then sort of a bigger picture follow on, you know, you've done a lot to bring down leverage, but it is gradual. You know, an equity merger with synergies could do that in a much shorter amount of time or to a greater extent.

Speaker #6: I think about something that sort of rounds to four times as like the big key to unlocking your equity value. So could you give us any sense of what significant progress means, and if it maybe could get you towards that zip code?

Speaker #6: And then sort of a bigger picture follow-on. You've done a lot to bring down leverage. But it is gradual. An equity merger with Synergies could do that in a much shorter amount of time or to a greater extent.

Speaker #6: I know you're being very patient and deliberate in terms of looking at those types of transactions. But could you just give us an update on the state of industry conversations between maybe yourselves and other lever broadcasters and how we should just think about that continued opportunity?

Steven Cahall: I know you're being very patient and deliberate in terms of looking at those types of transactions, but could you just give us an update on the state of industry conversations between maybe yourselves and other levered broadcasters, and how we should just think about that continued opportunity?

Speaker #3: Yeah, Stephen. We're not going to so we're not going to talk about private conversations. We have consistently said that we are we will look at any transaction that we think makes sense for us and whoever the partner is.

Jeff Gignac: Yeah, Steven, we're not gonna talk about private conversations. You know, we have consistently said that we are, you know, we will look at any transaction that we think makes sense for us and our, and, you know, whoever the partner is. You know, to your question about leverage, yes, about a quarter turn from the announced M&A. There could be more of that out there once we, as Hilton said, once we know what the rules are. That is another avenue to help us accelerate that deleveraging. You know, if you could tell me exactly what the political number is gonna be this year, I could give you a pretty good direction on exactly where we'll land.

Speaker #3: So to your question about leverage, yes, about a quarter turn. From the announced M&A, there could be more of that out there once we as Hilton said, once we know what the rules are.

Speaker #3: So that is another avenue to help us accelerate that deleveraging. And then if you could tell me exactly what the political number is going to be this year, I could give you a pretty good direction on exactly where we'll land.

Speaker #3: But when I say progress, we know it's we know the longer-term objective is to get back towards that four times. So once we know exactly we've been pretty clear in our actions about what we're doing on the leverage side.

Jeff Gignac: When I say progress, we know it's, you know, we know the longer-term objective is to get back towards that four times. You know, once we know exactly what we've been pretty clear in our actions about what we're doing on the leverage side, managing the top of the capital structure, making sure we're proactive in having the runway that we need. Now we have this political cycle plus the next one before our next maturity, so we will continue to be judicious in lowering the quantum of debt outstanding and proactively addressing maturities as we have in the past.

Speaker #3: Managing the top of the capital structure, making sure we're proactive in having the runway that we need. So now we have this political cycle plus the next one before our next maturity.

Speaker #3: So we will continue to be judicious in lowering the quantum of debt outstanding and proactively addressing maturities as we have in the past.

Speaker #6: And if I could squeeze in a quick follow-on. I certainly get the constructive direction of net retrans. Just to help us understand since WANF is in there right now, would it look even better if the WANF noise wasn't in there in the first half of 2026?

Steven Cahall: If I could squeeze in a quick follow-on. I certainly get the constructive direction of net retrans. Just to help us understand, since WANF is in there right now, you know, would it look even better if the WANF noise wasn't in there in the first half of 2026?

Speaker #3: So look, WANF is in there. So I can't speculate about what it would look like if it were it was part of a it was all part of a broader negotiation.

Jeff Gignac: look, WANF is in there, so I can't speculate about what it would look like if it were, you know, it was part of a broader negotiation, and, you know, you're seeing the results of not just that, but a whole bunch of other negotiations that are out there, and importantly, the improving subscriber trends. It's hundreds of contracts, like we've talked about, that all result in that number, and part of the reason we went to giving that number is both, you know, the gross and those sides create a lot of noise for us relative to peers. The point here is that our Net Retransmission Revenue is getting back to growth, which is critically important.

Speaker #3: And you're seeing the results of not just that, but a whole bunch of other negotiations that are out there. And importantly, the improving subscriber trends.

Speaker #3: So it's hundreds of contracts like we've talked about that all result in that number. And part of the reason we went to giving that number is both the gross and those sides create a lot of noise for us relative to peers.

Speaker #3: But the point here is that we're our net retransmission revenue is getting back to growth, which is critically important. Look, on the leverage point too, just to follow up on that piece, part of what we've been doing is chasing the denominator because of the drag from net retrans.

Jeff Gignac: Look, on the leverage point, too, just to follow up on that piece, part of what we've been doing is chasing the denominator because of the drag from net retrans. That's also why we are pointing people to that, because that will also help us as the denominator flattens out and hopefully returns to growing here in the not-too-distant future. All of that will help us get to a better spot from a leverage point of view.

Speaker #3: So that's also why we are pointing people to that. Because that will also help us as the denominator flattens out and hopefully returns to growing here in the not-too-distant future.

Speaker #3: All of that will help us get to a better spot from a leverage point of view.

Speaker #6: Great.

Steven Cahall: Great.

Speaker #4: Our next question today comes from the line of Aaron Watts at Deutsche Bank.

Operator: Our next question today comes from the line of Aaron Watts at Deutsche Bank.

Speaker #7: Hi, everyone. Thanks for having me on. I had two questions, if I may. The first on advertising. Can you just talk a bit more about the health of the core ad backdrop based on what you're seeing so far in the year?

Pat LaPlatney: Hey, everyone. Thanks for having me on. I had 2 questions, if I may. The first on advertising: Can you just talk a bit more about the health of the core ad backdrop based on what you're seeing so far in the year? What optimism do you have that core ads can grow as you move through 2026, acknowledging, you know, your Q1 guide and the robust political that's gonna roll through? Look, I think, Aaron, it's Pat LaPlatney. I think given the large expected political, looking for growth in this kind of year is, you know, can be challenging. In Q1, we're calling it flat. You know, obviously, the month of February for us has been pretty strong.

Aaron Watts: Hey, everyone. Thanks for having me on. I had 2 questions, if I may. The first on advertising: Can you just talk a bit more about the health of the core ad backdrop based on what you're seeing so far in the year? What optimism do you have that core ads can grow as you move through 2026, acknowledging, you know, your Q1 guide and the robust political that's gonna roll through?

Speaker #7: What optimism do you have that core ads can grow as you move through 2026, acknowledging your first-quarter guide and the robust political that's going to roll through?

Pat LaPlatney: Look, I think, Aaron, it's Pat LaPlatney. I think given the large expected political, looking for growth in this kind of year is, you know, can be challenging. In Q1, we're calling it flat. You know, obviously, the month of February for us has been pretty strong.

Speaker #3: Yeah. So look, I think, Aaron, it's Pat LaPlatney. I think given the large expected political looking for growth in this kind of year can be challenging.

Speaker #3: In Q1, we're calling it flat. And obviously, the month of February for us has been pretty strong. We have a lot of NBC affiliates.

Pat LaPlatney: You know, we have a lot of NBC affiliates, you know, with the Olympics and the Super Bowl. You know, that's helpful. You got to remember that we also have non-NBC affiliates, too, so that isn't as beneficial for those guys. You know, we're optimistic about the market, but I, you know, we have to be, you know, fully aware that political is gonna get really, really heavy, you know, once you get into August, September, that's gonna impact the core numbers.

Speaker #3: With the Olympics and the Super Bowl, it's helpful. You got to remember that we also have non-NBC affiliates too, so that isn't as beneficial for those guys.

Speaker #3: But we're optimistic about we're optimistic about the market. But we have to be fully aware that political is going to get really, really heavy.

Speaker #3: Once you get into August, September. And so that's going to impact the core numbers.

Speaker #7: Okay. That makes sense. And then if I could just ask one more. The potential for the NFL to reassess its TV rights this year has raised some concerns around economics and also potential dilution of content to digital platforms.

[Analyst] (Aiera): Okay, that makes sense. Then if I could just ask one more. The potential for the NFL to reassess its TV rights this year has raised some concerns around economics and also potential dilution of content to digital platforms. Do you still view this potential renegotiation as an overall positive for the space and for Gray? I guess specifically on the economic side, you just renewed your affiliation agreement with NBC, who's in the midst of their first season with the NBA. Any learnings from that renewal that can be informative of how sports rights price increases absorbed by the networks might trickle down to the local affiliates like yourselves?

Aaron Watts: Okay, that makes sense. Then if I could just ask one more. The potential for the NFL to reassess its TV rights this year has raised some concerns around economics and also potential dilution of content to digital platforms. Do you still view this potential renegotiation as an overall positive for the space and for Gray? I guess specifically on the economic side, you just renewed your affiliation agreement with NBC, who's in the midst of their first season with the NBA. Any learnings from that renewal that can be informative of how sports rights price increases absorbed by the networks might trickle down to the local affiliates like yourselves?

Speaker #7: Do you still view this potential renegotiation as an overall positive for the space and for GRAY? And I guess specifically on the economic side, you just renewed your affiliation agreement with NBC.

Speaker #7: Who's in the midst of their first season with the NBA? Any learnings from that renewal that can be informative of how sports rights price increases, absorbed by the networks, might trickle down to the local affiliates like yourselves?

Speaker #3: Yeah. Look, it's a negotiation at the end of the day. I mean, there's going to be there's a lot of speculation around the platforms coming in, picking up a package.

Pat LaPlatney: Yeah, look, it's a negotiation at the end of the day. I mean, there's gonna be, you know, there's a lot of speculation around the platforms coming in, picking up a package. You know, I'm not gonna comment on that, but there is a lot of speculation out there. You know, in general, extending the NFL contracts is a big positive for the industry. The NFL is a huge driver of audience for our TV stations, and ultimately there'll be dialogue around who pays for it, but it'll work its way through the ecosystem like it always does. You know, to say that I'm not sure you can compare, you know, the NBC, NBA deal with anything else that's out there.

Speaker #3: I'm not going to comment on that. But there is a lot of speculation out there. In general, extending the NFL contracts is a big, big positive for the industry.

Speaker #3: The NFL is a huge driver of audience for our TV stations. And ultimately, they'll be dialogue around who pays for it. But it'll work its way through the ecosystem like it always does.

Speaker #3: And to say that, I'm not sure you can compare the NBC/NBA deal with anything else that's out there. So we'll just — we'll take it one day at a time.

Pat LaPlatney: We'll just, you know, we'll take it one day at a time. Net-net, to keeping the NFL on broadcast is critical, and we're, you know, we fully believe that'll happen.

Speaker #3: But net-net, keeping the NFL on broadcast is critical. And we fully believe that'll happen.

Speaker #7: Okay. Appreciate the time as always. Thanks.

[Analyst] (Aiera): Okay, appreciate the time, as always. Thanks.

Aaron Watts: Okay, appreciate the time, as always. Thanks.

Operator: Craig Huber with Huber Research Partners. Your line is open for our next question.

Speaker #4: Craig Huber with Huber Research Partners. Your line is open for our next question.

Craig Huber: Great, thank you. Just a housekeeping question. You've said a few times here that your subscriber trends for retrans has improved. Can you just quantify that for us? I mean, how much better was the year-over-year that impact your revenues in Q4 versus how it was trending a year before? How much better is it, please?

Speaker #8: Great. Thank you. Just a housekeeping question. You said a few times here that your subscriber trends for retrans has improved. Can you just quantify that for us?

Speaker #8: I mean, how much better was the year-over-year that impacted your revenues in the fourth quarter versus how it's trending a year before? How much better is it, please?

Kevin Latek: Hi, Craig. This is Kevin. We have not disclosed subscriber numbers, I think ever, but we have said is our trends, given that we are fairly well dispersed from large markets to small markets, are similar to what is reported publicly for the ATV industry. We said in the last call, reiterating here, we are seeing some improvement in the rate of decline. There's still declines in traditional MVPDs. There are still increases in virtual MVPDs. The net result is that there are still declines overall in our pay TV subs, but the rate of decline has slowed. We're not gonna provide more detail on that. I don't think any other company is providing much more clarity than that.

Speaker #3: Hi, Craig. This is Kevin. We have not disclosed subscriber numbers I think ever. But we have said as our trends given that we are fairly well dispersed from large markets to small markets, similar to what is reported publicly for the ATV industry.

Speaker #3: We said in the last call and reiterating here, we are seeing some improvement in the rate of decline. There's still declines in traditional NDPDs.

Speaker #3: There are still increases in virtual NDPDs. The net result is that there's still declines overall in our ATV subs. But the rate of decline has slowed.

Speaker #3: And we're not going to provide more detail on that. And I don't think any of our I'm not sure any other companies are providing much more clarity than that.

Speaker #3: So we'll just again, we have markets from Atlanta, Georgia to North Platte, Nebraska. So we are pretty well dispersed with the U.S. population.

Kevin Latek: Again, we have markets from Atlanta, Georgia, to North Platte, Nebraska, so we are pretty well dispersed with the US population.

Speaker #8: Okay. And then the second question on Atlanta Assembly. Just update us if you would. The overall net cost of that project has cost you so far.

Craig Huber: Okay, the second question: on Atlanta Assembly, just update us, if you would, the overall net cost of that project, has cost you so far? How much money have you put into it on a net basis? As I typically like to ask you, how much further out do you think until you'll start to get a real proper return off that in terms of leasing out the space, et cetera, that you'll be happy with versus that overall cost? How much further out is that, do you think, at this stage?

Speaker #8: How much money have you put into it on a net basis? And then as I typically like to ask you, how much further out do you think until you'll start to get a real proper return off that in terms of leasing out the space, et cetera, that you'll be happy with versus that overall cost?

Speaker #8: How much further out is that that you think at this stage?

Speaker #3: Well, this is Hilton. We actually will have a number of transactions that we will likely be announcing through the course of 2026. And right now, we've got 80-plus or minus acres that are not producing that we purchased when we bought the General Motors plant.

[Analyst] (Aiera): This is Hilton. We actually will have a number of transactions that we will likely be announcing through the course of 2026. Right now, we've got 80 plus or minus acres, that are not producing, you know, that we purchased when we bought the General Motors plant. We've got a lot of potential joint ventures that will be opening up there soon, and we will be announcing. Right now, we can't say too much about that one way or another.

Hilton Howell: This is Hilton. We actually will have a number of transactions that we will likely be announcing through the course of 2026. Right now, we've got 80 plus or minus acres, that are not producing, you know, that we purchased when we bought the General Motors plant. We've got a lot of potential joint ventures that will be opening up there soon, and we will be announcing. Right now, we can't say too much about that one way or another.

Speaker #3: And we've got a lot of potential joint ventures that will be opening up there soon, and we will be announcing. But right now, we can't say too much about that one way or another.

Craig Huber: Okay, thank you.

Pat LaPlatney: Yeah, to answer the other part of your question, Craig, it's around $630 million as of the end of 2025.

Speaker #3: Yeah, to answer the other part of your question, Craig, it's around $630 million as of the end of 2025.

Craig Huber: That's a net number, right?

Speaker #8: That's a net number, right?

Pat LaPlatney: Yeah, net of all of the reimbursements that we received through the end of the year.

Speaker #3: Net of yeah, net of all of the reimbursements that we received through the end of the year.

Pat LaPlatney: Yeah, net of all of the reimbursements that we received through the end of the year.

Speaker #8: Okay. Great. Thank you.

Craig Huber: Okay, great. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Kevin Latek: Thank you.

Speaker #4: And once again, ladies and gentlemen, we'll pause for just another moment to allow everyone in the audience the opportunity to signal for a question with star and one.

Operator: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, we'll pause for just another moment to allow everyone in the audience the opportunity to signal for a question with star and one. All right, Mr. Huber, do you have a follow-up, sir? Your line is open.

Speaker #4: Mr. Huber, do you have a follow-up, sir? Your line is open.

Speaker #8: Yeah, I do have a follow-up. Thank you. On the AI front, can you just give us some examples of how AI is helping you from a cost-efficiency standpoint?

Craig Huber: Yeah, I do have a follow-up. Thank you. On the AI front, can you just give us some examples of how AI is helping you from a cost efficiency standpoint, on the speed of what you guys provide on your services, news, advertising, et cetera? Just what's the benefits of AI so far? What's the examples that you're most excited about, what you're implementing so far?

Speaker #8: The speed of what you guys provide on your services—news, advertising, et cetera. Just, what's the benefit of AI so far? What are the examples that you're most excited about, what you're implementing so far?

Sandy Breland: We're seeing benefits really across the company. We unveiled our own sort of Ask Gray, sort of our own ChatGPT, if you will, and we're really finding it allows us to be much more efficient for time-consuming tasks, things that can be automated. For journalists, for example, you know, helping condensing a broadcast story to a story that will air on other or run on other platforms. Things that previously would take hours can literally be done in a matter of minutes. That allows our journalists to spend more time on their important work of reporting and enterprise reporting. One thing to note, though, I do want to add, is that, you know, our internal policy is any final product is signed off on by a human. That's really important to us.

Speaker #3: So we're seeing benefits really across the company. We unveiled our own sort of Ask GRAY, sort of our own ChatGPT, if you will. And we're really finding it allows us to be much more efficient for time-consuming tasks, things that can be automated for journalists, for example.

Speaker #3: Helping convincing a broadcast story to a story that will air on other or run on other platforms. So things that previously would take hours can literally be done in a matter of minutes.

Speaker #3: That allows our journalists to spend more time on their important work of reporting and enterprise reporting. One thing to note, though, I do want to add is that our internal policy is any final product is signed off on by a human.

Speaker #3: So, that's really important to us. But it's certainly allowed us to be much more efficient. And even in things like sales, right? Prospecting. I mean, the opportunity is there.

Sandy Breland: It's certainly allowed us to be much more efficient. Even in things like, as in sales, right? Prospecting, I mean, the opportunity is there. It's allowed us to really focus on the important core work and free up time for that work.

Speaker #3: It's allowed us to really focus on the important core work and free up time for that work.

Speaker #4: I assume it's too hard to figure out how much potential cost savings that it may have at this stage on an annual basis? AI?

Craig Huber: I assume it's too hard to figure out how much potential cost savings that it may have at this stage on an annual basis? AI.

Hilton Howell: Little early.

Speaker #3: Little early.

Hilton Howell: Little early.

Sandy Breland: Yeah, it is. Quite honestly, we've really been using it at this point, it's more about how to make us more efficient, more productive, more responsive to our communities.

Speaker #9: Yeah. It is. And quite honestly, we've really been using it at this point. It's more about how to make us more efficient, more productive, more responsive to our communities.

Speaker #4: But if it's not replacing human beings or how would you categorize that?

Craig Huber: If it's not, it's not replacing human beings or how would you categorize that?

Speaker #3: Yeah. The way we are using GRAY AI across news, sales, marketing, administration, is like having 1,000 extra interns that we're not paying for. So there are a lot of mechanical tasks like building a sales pitch or converting a story for the web, building adding information databases that people do that takes away from their creative energies.

Kevin Latek: Yeah, listen, the way, the way we are using Gray AI across news, sales, marketing, administration, is like having 1,000 extra interns that we're not paying for. There are a lot of mechanical tasks like building a sales pitch or converting a story for the web, adding information databases that people do that takes away from their creative energies. If we could offload that to an intern or 1,000 interns, we would do that. In just like our intern policy, everything gets reviewed by a Gray employee before it becomes final. This is not if you want to talk about expense savings, it's like saving the cost of 1,000 interns. It's making us more productive, but we're thinking about this as efficiency to provide better, faster, more, and not about saving money.

Speaker #3: And if we could offload that to an intern, or 1,000 interns, we would do that. And just like our intern policy, everything gets reviewed by a GRAY employee before it becomes final.

Speaker #3: So this is not if you want to talk about expense savings, it's like saving the cost of 1,000 interns. It's making us more productive, but we are thinking about this as efficiency to provide better, faster, more and not about saving money.

Speaker #3: But if you want to quantify a cost, it's we would get to this point. It's like saving the money on 1,000 interns.

Kevin Latek: If you want to quantify a cost, it's, you know, we would get to this point. It's like saving the money on a 1,000 interns.

Speaker #4: And we thank each of our audience members who shared their questions and comments today. Mr. Howell, I'm happy to turn the floor back to you, sir, for any additional or closing remarks that you've got.

Operator: We thank each of our audience members who shared their questions and comments today. Mr. Howell, I'm happy to turn the floor back to you, sir, for any additional or closing remarks that you've got.

Hilton Howell: Well, thank you. In closing, like the rest of 2025, our Q4 was very busy, and we accomplished numerous objectives, and that will have long-term benefits for our company. We will continue to take actions to enhance our value for our advertisers, our investors, and for the communities we serve. We thank everyone for joining the call today, and we look forward to our Q1 call coming up soon. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Well, thank you. So in closing, like the rest of 2025, our fourth quarter was very busy, and we accomplished numerous objectives. And that will have long-term benefits for our company.

Speaker #3: We will continue to take actions to enhance our value for our advertisers, our investors, and for the communities we serve. We thank everyone for joining the call today.

Speaker #3: And we look forward to our Q1 call coming up soon. Thank you.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's Gray Media Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call. We thank you all for your participation. You may now disconnect your lines.

Speaker #4: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's GRAY Media Q4 2025 earnings conference call. We thank you all for your participation. You may now disconnect your lines.

Q4 2025 Gray Media Inc Earnings Call

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