Audacy CEO Says The Rebound Continues

Audacy, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am pleased to report that Audacy continues to rebound from the pandemic, as third quarter revenues grew 23% over the prior year and 8% sequentially over the second quarter, while EBITDA grew 58% year over year. While many ad categories remain highly impacted as a result of the pandemic, it is great to see an increasing number of categories back above 2019 spending levels.

David Field

"During October, we announced the acquisition of WideOrbit’s digital audio streaming and ad tech business, which we have relaunched as AmperWave, enabling us to accelerate our digital product roadmap and enhance our growth potential. We returned to live events with our Stars and Strings show in New York and We Can Survive at the Hollywood Bowl, both sell outs featuring Zak Brown, Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, Maroon 5, Doja Cat, the Black Eyed Peas, and more. And our podcast studios had a strong quarter of creative, premium original content development including the first release from our 2400Sports studio, our first C13 Features ‘movie for your ears’ in partnership with Endeavor, and the Succession companion podcast hosted by Kara Swisher in partnership with HBO Max.

"We continue to rapidly evolve and fundamentally elevate the organization through a series of strategic acquisitions, organic growth initiatives, structural improvements, talent additions and premium content development and are well positioned to accelerate our growth and capitalize on the exciting opportunities in the dynamically growing audio marketplace.”

➤Third Quarter Summary

• Net revenues for the quarter were $329.4 million, up 23% compared to $268.5 million in the third quarter of 2020
• Spot revenues were $220.6 million, up 21% compared to the third quarter of 2020
• Digital revenues were $61.4 million, up 30% compared to the third quarter of 2020
• Total operating expenses for the quarter were $300.2 million, up 12% compared to $268.8 million in the third quarter of 2020
• Operating income for the quarter was $29.2 million, compared to an operating loss of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $49.3 million, up 58% compared to $31.1 million in the third quarter of 2020
• Liquidity at the end of the third quarter was $264.1 million, up from $160.2 million at year end, comprised of $201.3 million of available revolver capacity and $62.8 million of cash on-hand
• The Company tacked-on $45 million in aggregate principal amount to its 6.5% senior secured second-lien notes due 2027 in October, which were issued at a premium of 100.75%. Net proceeds from this offering were used to pay down the Company’s term loan

➤Recent Company Developments

Acquired WideOrbit Streaming. On October 20th, we acquired WideOrbit’s digital audio streaming and ad tech business for approximately $40 million and relaunched it as AmperWave. This acquisition gives us control of our product roadmap to deliver enhanced consumer-facing live and on demand streaming features to our 170 million monthly listeners using the cloud-based distribution and monetization platform. We funded this acquisition through a draw against our revolver.

Return to Live Events. We marked our return to live events with our signature, star-studded “Stars and Strings” and “We Can Survive” events. “Stars and Strings” brought some of country music’s biggest stars to New York City on September 11th, featuring performances by Darius Rucker, Zac Brown, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Tenille Arts, Caroline Jones and Jameson Rodgers. “We Can Survive” returned to the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 23rd and featured performances by Coldplay, Maroon 5, Black Eyed Peas, Doja Cat, Shawn Mendes, The Kid LAROI and Saweetie. Both shows were performed in front of sold-out audiences, demonstrating strong demand for live events.

Movies for Your Ears. C13Features, the new podcast movie studio division of Cadence13, launched its first feature-length podcast movie, Treat, starring actress Kiernan Shipka. Cadence13 partnered with Endeavor Content on Treat, and the initial C13Features slate—which also includes the forthcoming Ghostwriter podcast movie starring Kate Mara and Adam Scott—brings together talent and creative minds across audio, TV and film.

Podcast Launches. As part of its partnership with HBO Max, Pineapple Street Studios launched a Succession podcast companion to the hit show, hosted by journalist Kara Swisher. Cadence13 launched Tell Me with Ellen Pompeo, the award-winning star of ABC’s long-running hit series Grey’s Anatomy, as well as In Good Faith, a weekly podcast exploring universal issues and beliefs with special guests including GRAMMY® Award-Winning Artist Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. Pineapple Street Studios, in partnership with The Meteor, premiered an historic, exclusive first conversation between Professor Anita Hill and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford on the October 11th episode of Because of Anita, a four-part series examining the long-ranging impact of Hill’s testimony against Justice Clarence Thomas.