Cumulus Media Reports Drop In 3Q Revenue...Ad Future 'Uncertain'

Cumulus Media Inc. today announced operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus Media, said, "During the third quarter, we delivered revenue and EBITDA in-line with pacing commentary and analyst estimates. Given the market challenges, we maintained our focus on what we can control. Specifically, we continued investing to drive growth in our digital businesses, including in digital marketing services which increased revenue nearly 40% in the quarter; capitalizing on areas of improvement in national and political ad spending; maximizing operating cash flow; and improving operating leverage through ongoing expense reductions."

Mary Berner

Berner continued, "Looking forward, the advertising environment remains uncertain. Nonetheless, Cumulus has a valuable set of assets with which to navigate that uncertainty including: profitable and fast-growing digital businesses; a vast national platform that can reach audiences whenever and wherever they choose to listen; extensive feet-on-the-street local sales capabilities which allow us to walk product through the door; premium programming with particular strength in sports and news/talk; an extensive untapped audio library; and a leadership team with a strong track record of expense management and disciplined stewardship of capital. As we continue to execute against our priorities, we see many paths for leveraging these assets to maximize the value they produce for our shareholders."

Q3 Key Highlights:

• Posted total net revenue of $203.6 million, a decline of 1.8% year-over-year:
• Generated digital revenue of $40.0 million, up 7.5% year-over-year Grew digital marketing services by 38% driven by an increase in new customers, improved customer retention and higher average order size
• Increased number of radio-only customers who also bought digital marketing services by 32% year-over-year
• Increased digital revenue to 20% of total company revenueRecorded net loss of $10.3 million compared to net income of $2.7 million in Q3 2023 and Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $24.1 million compared to $26.9 million in Q3 2023
• Generated $3.9 million of cash from operations
• Reported total debt(2)(3) of $673.0 million, total debt at maturity(1)(2)(3) of $642.1 million, and net debt less total unamortized discount(1)(2)(3) of $590.0 million at September 30, 2024, including total debt due in 2026(3) of $23.9 million

(1) Adjusted EBITDA, total debt at maturity and net debt less total unamortized discount are not financial measures calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For additional information, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

(2) The exchange offer was accounted for as a debt modification resulting in a prospective yield adjustment and the carrying value was not changed. The $33.1 million difference between the principal amounts exchanged and the resulting principal amounts will be amortized to interest expense (thereby reducing interest expense) over the life of the debt. As of September 30, 2024, $15.4 million and $15.5 million of unamortized difference for the Term Loan due 2029 and the Senior Notes due 2029, respectively, remain.

(3) Excludes any debt issuance costs.