UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
_X_ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1999
OR
___ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________ to ____________.
Commission File Number: 333-44177
BRILL MEDIA COMPANY, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia 52-2071822
(State of Formation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
(812) 423-6200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
_X_ YES ___ NO
STATE THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY
NON-AFFILIATES OF THE REGISTRANT
None
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
================================================================================
Part No Item No Description Page No
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I 1 Business 3
2 Properties 20
3 Legal Proceedings 20
4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 20
II 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 21
6 Selected Consolidated Financial Data 21
7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 23
7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk 33
8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 34
9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 54
III 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 54
11 Executive Compensation 56
12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 57
Management
13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 58
IV 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports 59
on Form 8-K
================================================================================
2
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Brill Media Company, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (BMC),
collectively with its direct and indirect subsidiaries (Subsidiaries), is
referred to herein as the "Company." The Company is a diversified media
enterprise that acquires, develops, manages, and operates radio stations,
newspapers and related businesses in middle markets. The Company presently owns,
operates, or manages fifteen radio stations (Stations) serving five markets
located in Pennsylvania, Kentucky/Indiana, Colorado, Minnesota/Wisconsin, and
Missouri. The Company's newspaper businesses (Newspapers) operate integrated
newspaper publishing, printing and print advertising distribution operations,
providing total-market print advertising coverage throughout a thirty-six county
area in the central and northern portions of the lower peninsula of Michigan.
This operation offers a three-edition daily newspaper, twenty-six weekly
publications, web offset printing operations for Newspapers' publications and
outside customers, and private distribution systems.
The Company is wholly owned indirectly by Alan R. Brill (Mr. Brill), who
founded the business and began its operations in 1981. The Company's overall
operations, including its sales and marketing strategy, long-range planning, and
management support services are managed by Brill Media Company, L.P. (BMCLP), a
limited partnership indirectly owned by Mr. Brill. See "Item 13. Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" beginning on page 58.
The Company generally considers radio "middle markets" to be markets ranked
80 to 200 by the Arbitron Company (Arbitron). The Company considers "middle
markets" for purposes of its newspaper operations to be generally comparable to
the smaller markets in such range.
Recently Completed Transactions
In November 1998, the Company acquired three weekly shopping guide
publications and a print distribution operation reaching approximately 66,000
households in the northwestern portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan. In
February 1999, the Company completed the purchase of radio station KTRR-FM,
located in Loveland, Colorado, which it had been operating pursuant to a TBA
since August 5, 1996. These transactions are more fully described in Note 3 to
the financial statements included in this report.
Pending Transactions
Subsidiaries of the Company have entered into agreements to sell three
radio stations in central Missouri (Missouri Properties). These transactions are
described in
3
<PAGE>
Note 3 to the financial statements included in this report and are referred to
herein as the "Pending Transactions."
Radio Stations Overview
Unless otherwise indicated herein, ratings and Metro rank for the Company's
markets have been obtained from Arbitron's RADIO MARKET REPORT issued during the
fall of 1998. Revenue rankings in the Company's radio markets have been derived
by comparing the Company's revenues in each market to the revenues for the
Company's competitors (utilizing the estimated revenues for each competing radio
station as provided by BIA Publications, Inc.). No published market revenues or
revenue rankings on the Fort Collins market are available, and market revenues
and revenue ranking in the market have been estimated by the Company, without
the benefit of any independent investigation or confirmation, on the basis of
its knowledge of such market and published retail sales statistics. The Missouri
Properties have operated pursuant to TBAs (as defined below) since November 1,
1997 and, therefore, no audience ratings or market advertising revenues are
provided.
The terms local marketing agreement (LMA), time brokerage agreement (TBA)
and joint sales agreement (JSA) are referred to in various places in this
Report. An LMA or TBA refers to an agreement, although it may take various
forms, under which one party agrees in consideration of a fee paid to provide,
on a cooperative basis, the programming, sales, marketing and similar services
for a separately owned radio station located in the same radio market and
realize the financial benefit of such activities. A JSA refers to an agreement,
similar to an LMA or TBA, under which a radio station agrees to provide the
sales and marketing services for another station while the owner of such other
radio station provides the programming for such other radio station. LMAs, TBAs
and JSAs are more fully described in "Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting"
beginning on page 11.
4
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Set forth below is a list of the Stations, specifying their broadcasting
frequency, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) class, format, control,
market, Arbitron market rank and station group rank by Metro ratings and
revenues in the respective market coverage area.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Station Group Rank
--------------------
Arbitron
FCC Owned/ Market
Station Frequency Class Format Managed Market(s) Rank Rating Revenues
-------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------ --------------- ---------- -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WIOV-FM 105.1(1) FM-B Country Owned Lancaster, 110 1 1
PA(1)
Reading, PA(1) 131 2
WBKR-FM 92.5 FM-C Country Owned Evansville, IN 125(2) 1(2) 1
WKDQ-FM 99.5 FM-C Country Managed (3) and Owensboro/ 2(2)
WSTO-FM 96.1 FM-C Adult Hits Managed (3) Henderson, KY 3(2)
WOMI-AM 1490 AM-C News/Talk Owned
WVJS-AM 1420 AM-B News/Talk Managed (3)
KTRR-FM 102.5 FM-C2 Adult Hits Owned Fort Collins/ 133 1 1
KUAD-FM 99.1 FM-C1 Country Owned Greeley/ 2
Loveland, CO
KKCB-FM 105.1 FM-C1 Country Owned Duluth, MN/ and 213 1 1
KLDJ-FM 101.7 FM-C2 Oldies Owned Superior, WI 2
WEBC-AM 560 AM-B News/Talk Owned
KATI-FM 94.3 FM-C2 Country Owned (4) Jefferson City/ N/A (5) N/A (5) N/A (5)
KTXY-FM 106.9 FM-C Adult Hits Owned (4) Columbia/
KLIK-AM 950 AM-B Country Owned (4) Lake of the
Ozarks, MO
</TABLE>
(1) WIOV-FM serves both Lancaster and Reading. The Company also owns and
operates WIOV-AM, an AM-C station in Reading. Ratings and revenue ranks for
WIOV-FM include WIOV-AM.
(2) The Company estimates that on a combined basis the
Evansville/Owensboro/Henderson market would have an Arbitron rank of 125 based
on separate rankings of 151 and 259 for Evansville and Owensboro, respectively.
Station Group Rank - Rating for the Evansville/Owensboro/Henderson market is
provided on the FM station's primary Metro area and includes the associated AM.
WBKR-FMs Metro area is that of Owensboro with WKDQ-FM and WSTO-FM covering
Evansville.
(3) WKDQ-FM, WSTO-FM and WVJS-AM are operated by the Company and owned by
entities (Managed Affiliates) which are indirectly owned by Mr. Brill but are
not Subsidiaries.
5
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(4) The Missouri Properties (KATI-FM, KTXY-FM and KLIK-AM) are under contract
for sale. See Note 3 of the financial statements included in this report.
(5) The Missouri Properties servicing Jefferson City/Columbia/Lake of the
Ozarks, Missouri have operated pursuant to TBAs with their proposed buyers since
November 1, 1997 and accordingly, no rankings are provided for the Missouri
Properties.
Radio Industry Overview
Radio stations generate the majority of their revenue from the sale of
advertising time to local and national spot advertisers and national network
advertisers. Radio is considered an efficient means of reaching specifically
identified demographic groups. Radio stations are typically classified by their
on-air format, such as country, adult contemporary, oldies or news/talk. A radio
station's format and style of presentation enable it to target certain
demographic and geographic groups. By capturing a specific listening audience
share of a market's radio audience, with particular concentration in a targeted
demographic group, a radio station is able to market its broadcasting time to
advertisers seeking to reach a specific audience. Advertisers and radio stations
utilize data published by audience measuring services, such as Arbitron, to
estimate how many people within particular geographic markets and demographic
groups listen to specific radio stations.
A radio station's local sales staff generates the majority of its local and
regional advertising sales through direct solicitations of local advertising
agencies and businesses. To generate national advertising sales, a radio station
will engage a firm that specializes in soliciting radio advertising sales on a
national level. National sales representatives obtain advertising principally
from advertising agencies located outside the radio station's market and receive
commissions based on the revenue from the advertising obtained.
The Company believes that the radio business in middle markets differs
significantly from that of the major markets. This distinction is characterized
by the lesser number of radio stations in smaller markets, the lesser number of
advertising alternatives, the greater relevance of any single business (or radio
station) to the market's life, the greater proportion of advertising that is
sold locally as opposed to national accounts and the much smaller proportion of
advertising that is controlled by agencies. For these reasons, in middle markets
a radio station has greater flexibility in competitive and sales strategy and
has greater control, through its own direct marketing efforts, on its own
success, as compared to major markets.
With fewer competitors in a middle market, a radio station can pursue
listeners on a broader basis and serve a broader spectrum of advertisers, be
less subject to competitive changes of competitors and, most importantly, deal
directly with customers and around agencies if necessary to demonstrate and
convince advertisers of the effectiveness of advertising on the station. A radio
station does not have to wait for programming to be successful to draw customers
when it can deal with potential clients directly on the basis of its
effectiveness.
6
<PAGE>
As a result of ownership deregulation (see "Federal Regulation of Radio
Broadcasting", beginning on page 11), middle market owners also can achieve the
mass and efficiencies of major market operations through multiple radio station
ownership. Such deregulation has greatly increased opportunities for ownership
of radio stations in middle markets and has greatly increased the liquidity of
radio station trading in the marketplace and, therefore, the liquidity that the
financing markets are willing to offer.
Newspapers Overview
Set forth below is a list of the Newspapers' publications in the state
of Michigan and their respective circulation.
Newspaper Location Circulation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Sun Mt. Pleasant 12,700
Isabella County Herald Mt. Pleasant 16,200
Mt. Pleasant Buyers Guide Mt. Pleasant 28,600
Clare County Buyers Guide Clare 14,900
Alma Reminder Alma 20,600
Cadillac Buyers Guide Cadillac 22,200
Carson City Reminder Carson City 11,000
Edmore Advertiser Edmore 16,200
Hemlock Shoppers Guide Hemlock 12,400
Gladwin Buyers Guide Gladwin 17,200
Midland Buyers Guide Midland 28,000
St. Johns Reminder St. Johns 17,600
The Northeaster Shopper (North Edition) Tawas City 23,400
The Northeastern Shopper (South Edition) Tawas City 15,700
Northern Star Alpena 18,500
Alpena Star Alpena 19,400
Presque Isle Star Alpena 7,500
Petoskey Star Ad-Vertiser Petoskey 13,200
Charlevoix County Star Petoskey 10,100
Star Ad-Vertiser Kalkaska 14,700
Star Buyer's Guide West Branch 30,300
Roscommon County Star Prudenville 13,200
Straits Area Star Cheboygan 15,800
Preview Community Weekly Traverse City 35,000
AdVisor Community Weekly Traverse City 8,000
Green Sheets Traverse City 25,000
----------
467,400
==========
The Newspapers serve a thirty-six county area of small communities in the
central and northern portions of the lower peninsula of Michigan, where there
are few other newspapers, one local television station, and few radio stations.
The Company has central offices and production facilities in Mt. Pleasant,
Michigan and Gaylord, Michigan and leads the central and northern Michigan
markets in media billings.
7
<PAGE>
The Company's three edition daily newspaper, the MORNING SUN, has a paid
circulation averaging 12,700 readers and is the only daily newspaper published
in Gratiot, Isabella and Clare counties. The Company's weekly newspaper and
twenty-six weekly shopping guides are delivered free to more than 400,000
households in the central and northern portions of the lower peninsula of
Michigan. The Company's multiple products and private delivery systems permit
advertisers to buy customized advertising coverage for the portion of the local
market that best reaches their potential customers. The Company also publishes
numerous niche publications such as vacation guides and a monthly business
report. The Newspapers have a widely diversified base of advertising and
printing customers and during the year ended February 28, 1999, no one customer
represented more than 2% of the Company's revenues.
The Newspapers' market covers an area approximately 120 miles by 240 miles,
containing a total population in excess of 900,000 people. The area's relatively
low population density makes print the only medium to serve the market
efficiently. The Newspapers' market coverage includes the Michigan counties of
Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Benzie, Clare, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clinton,
Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella,
Kalkaska, Leelanau, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Oscoda,
Ogemaw, Osceola, Ostego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Wexford
and parts of Bay, Lake and MacKinac counties.
DISTRIBUTION. In addition to delivering its publications, the Newspapers
also deliver over 122.5 million advertising insert pieces per year to residents
in the central and northern portions of the lower peninsula of Michigan.
Customized delivery to a particular zone can be specifically created for an
advertiser to reach as few as 150 households or more than 400,000 households on
a given day at less than half the cost charged by the post office. Newspapers'
distribution systems include approximately 720 independent contractor delivery
personnel and enable an advertiser to buy any part of the Company's distribution
area that best serves the advertiser's needs.
Newspaper Industry Overview
Newspaper publishing is one of the oldest and largest segments of the media
industry. Newspapers are an important medium for local advertising. The
newspaper industry in the United States is comprised of the following segments:
national and major metropolitan dailies; small metropolitan suburban dailies;
suburban and community non-dailies; and free circulation "total market coverage"
publications and shoppers (Shoppers).
In many communities, the local newspapers provide a combination of social
and economic connections which make it attractive for readers and advertisers
alike. The Company believes that small metropolitan and suburban dailies as well
as suburban and community non-dailies and Shoppers are generally effective in
addressing the needs of local readers and advertisers under widely varying
economic conditions. The Company believes that because small metropolitan and
suburban daily newspapers rely on a broad
8
<PAGE>
base of local retail and local classified advertising rather than more volatile
national and major account advertising, their advertising revenues tend to be
relatively stable. In addition, the Company believes such newspapers tend to
publish information which is of particular interest to the local reader and
which national and major metropolitan newspapers, television and radio generally
do not report to the same extent. Most small metropolitan and suburban daily
newspapers are the only daily local newspaper in the communities they serve. The
Company believes that relatively few daily newspapers have been established in
recent years due to the high cost of starting a daily newspaper operation and
building a franchise identity.
Shoppers provide nearly 100% penetration in their areas of distribution and
generally derive revenues solely from advertising. These publications have
limited or no news or editorial content. The Shoppers are delivered by carriers
and are free to the consumer.
The newspaper industry, as represented by larger markets at one end and
smaller markets on the other, is composed of two distinct sub-industries. They
differ particularly because of the influences of size, alternative claims on
readers' attention, alternative advertising vehicles, alternative newspaper
competitors, methods and costs of distribution, labor costs and flexibility,
other cost structures, and significance of the product to its readers and
customers. In all of these parameters the Company believes that in middle
markets, these factors are more favorable to the financial results and stability
of a newspaper business. These factors also create a more vital product for the
readers in a middle market than newspapers may be in a major market, which
typically has numerous and diverse information and entertainment sources.
Acquisition Strategy
The Company seeks to acquire underperforming middle market media businesses
whose acquisition costs are low relative to potential revenues and cashflow. The
Company focuses on developing significant long-term franchises in middle
markets. The Company then seeks to improve revenues and cashflow, using its
particular promotional, marketing, sales, programming and editorial approaches.
The Company targets businesses that it believes operate in underdeveloped market
segments with a low level of competition and a strong economic base, as well as
radio stations with competitive technical facilities and businesses that are
located in areas deemed desirable for relocation in terms of personnel
recruitment.
The Company believes that its acquisition strategy, properly implemented,
has a number of specific benefits, including (i) diversification of revenues and
cashflow across a broader base of industries, properties and markets, (ii)
geographic clustering which has allowed improved cashflow margins through the
consolidation of facilities, centralized newsgathering, cross-selling of
advertising and elimination of redundant expenses, (iii) improved access to
consultants and other industry resources, (iv) greater appeal to qualified
industry management talent and (v) efficiencies from economies of scale.
9
<PAGE>
If and when achieved, new acquisitions may adversely affect near-term
operating results due to increased capital requirements, transitional management
and operating adjustments, increased interest costs associated with acquisiton
debt, and other factors. Any future acquisitions may be highly-leveraged, and
such acquisitions well may increase the Company's overall leveraged position.
There can be no assurance that debt or equity financing for such acquisitions
will be available on acceptable terms, or that the Company will be able to
identify or consummate any new acquisitions. Any failure to make necessary
acquisitions, or the making of unsuccessful acquisitions, could have a material,
adverse effect on the future financial condition and operating results of the
Company.
Advertising Sales
Virtually all of the Company's revenue is generated from local, regional
and national advertising for its Stations and Newspapers. During the year ended
February 28, 1999, approximately 97% of the Company's revenues were generated
from the sale of local and regional advertising. Additional revenue is generated
from the sale of national advertising, network compensation payments and other
miscellaneous transactions. The major categories of the Company's advertisers
include retailers, restaurants, fast food, automotive and grocery. Each local
sales staff solicits advertising either directly from the local advertiser or
indirectly through an advertising agency with emphasis placed on direct contact.
In so doing, the Company seeks to address individual advertiser needs and more
effectively design an advertising campaign to help the advertiser sell its
product. The Company employs personnel in each of its markets to produce
advertisements for the customers. National sales are obtained via outside firms
specializing in advertising on a national level. The firms are paid a commission
based on a percentage of gross revenue from national advertising. Local and
regional sales are predominantly generated by the Company's local sales staff.
Competition
GENERAL. Each of the Company's Stations and Newspapers competes in varying
degrees with other newspapers, magazines, direct mail, free shoppers, outdoor
advertising, other FM and AM radio stations, television and cable television
stations, and other media present within their respective markets. Radio
broadcasting and newspaper distribution also are exposed to competition from
developing media technologies, such as the delivery of audio programming through
cable television or telephone wires, the introduction of digital radio
broadcasting, which may provide a medium for the delivery by satellite or
terrestrial means of multiple audio programming formats to local and national
audiences, the increasing development and use of direct mail advertising, the
growth of wireless communications and fiber optic delivery systems, the
development of televised shopping programs, the potential for televised
"newspapers," and the increasing growth of the Internet. The Stations and
Newspapers also may encounter competition from future, unforeseen developments
in technology that subsequently may be commercialized, and at all times they
will face potential, additional competition from
10
<PAGE>
new or expanding market entrants. The Company cannot predict what effect, if
any, these or other new technologies or competitors may have on the Company.
RADIO. The radio broadcasting industry is highly competitive. The success
of each of the Company's Stations in its middle markets depends largely upon the
effectiveness of its direct marketing and sales efforts and its share of the
overall advertising revenue within its market supported by its audience ratings.
The Company's audience ratings and advertising revenues are subject to change,
and any adverse change in a particular market affecting advertising expenditures
or in the relative market positions of the radio stations located in that market
could have a material adverse effect on the revenue of the Company's Stations
located in that market. There can be no assurance that any one of the Company's
Stations will be able to maintain or increase its current audience ratings or
advertising revenue market share.
Past changes in the FCC's policies and rules permit increased ownership and
operation of multiple local radio stations. Management believes that radio
stations that operate under common management or elect to take advantage of
joint arrangements such as LMAs or JSAs may in certain circumstances have lower
operating costs and may be able to offer advertisers more attractive rates and
services. Although the Company currently operates multiple Stations in each of
its markets and intends to pursue the creation of additional multiple radio
station groups, the Company's competitors in certain markets include operators
of multiple radio stations or operators who already have entered into LMAs or
JSAs. The Company also competes with other radio station groups to purchase
additional radio stations. Some of these groups are owned or operated by
companies that have substantially greater financial and other resources than the
Company.
NEWSPAPERS. The Company's Newspapers compete primarily with other daily and
weekly newspapers, shoppers, shared mail packages and other local advertising
media. The Newspapers also compete in varying degrees for advertisers and
readers with magazines, other radio stations, broadcast television, telephone
book directories and other communications media that operate in their markets.
The Company believes that its production systems and technologies, which enable
it to publish separate editions in narrowly targeted zones, allow it to compete
effectively in its markets.
Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting
GENERAL. The ownership, operation and sale of broadcast stations, including
those licensed to the Company, are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC, which
acts under authority derived from the Communications Act of 1934, as amended
(Communications Act). Among other things, the FCC assigns frequency bands for
broadcasting; issues broadcast station licenses; determines whether to approve
changes in ownership or control of broadcast station licenses; regulates certain
equipment used by broadcast stations; adopts and implements regulations and
policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation and
employment practices of broadcast stations, although the enforcement of the FCCs
employment regulations have been suspended by
11
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the FCC pending the adoption of new anti-discrimination employment regulations
that are constitutional; and has the power to impose penalties for violations of
its rules under the Communications Act.
The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the
Communications Act and of specific FCC regulations and policies. Failure to
observe these or other rules and policies can result in the imposition of
various sanctions, including monetary forfeitures, the grant of "short" (less
than the maximum) license renewal terms or, for particularly egregious
violations, the denial of a license renewal application, the revocation of a
license or the denial of FCC consent to acquire additional broadcast properties
or to sell presently-owned broadcast properties unconditionally. Reference
should be made to the Communications Act, FCC rules and the public notices and
rulings of the FCC for further information concerning the nature and extent of
federal regulation of broadcast stations.
LICENSE GRANT AND RENEWAL. Radio broadcast licenses are granted for maximum
terms of eight years. Licenses may be renewed through an application to the FCC.
The FCC may not consider competing applications for the frequency being used by
the renewal applicant if the FCC finds that the broadcast station has served the
public interest, convenience and necessity, that there have been no serious
violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the rules and
regulations of the FCC, and that there have been no other violations by the
licensee of the Communications Act or the rules and regulations of the FCC that,
when taken together, would constitute a pattern of abuse.
Petitions to deny license renewals can be filed by interested parties,
including members of the public. Such petitions may raise various issues before
the FCC. The FCC is required to hold hearings on renewal applications if the FCC
is unable to determine that renewal of a license would serve the public
interest, convenience and necessity, or if a petition to deny raises a
"substantial and material question of fact" as to whether the grant of the
renewal application would be prima facie inconsistent with the public interest,
convenience and necessity. Also, during certain periods when a renewal
application is pending, the transferability of the applicant's license is
restricted. No such petitions are currently pending against any of the Company's
Stations.
A local market competitor has objected to the transfer of the licenses for
the Missouri Properties and on December 12, 1997, filed with the FCC a Petition
to Deny the license transfers and to terminate the TBAs. The Attorney General of
the State of Missouri on January 9, 1998 filed a civil investigative demand on
the Company to provide documents in order to consider whether the proposed
transaction would violate federal or Missouri antitrust laws. The Company
complied with the demand. The Attorney General has since filed comments with the
FCC objecting to the proposed transfers. No action has been taken on the
Petition to Deny by the FCC, and the Company believes that even if the Petition
to Deny were granted, the consequences would not be material to the Company.
12
<PAGE>
The FCC classifies each AM and FM station. An AM station operates on either
a clear channel, regional channel or local channel. A clear channel is one on
which AM stations are assigned to serve wide areas. Clear channel AM stations
are classified as either: Class A stations, which operate on an unlimited time
basis and are designated to render primary and secondary service over an
extended area; Class B stations, which operate on an unlimited time basis and
are designed to render service only over a primary service area; and Class D
stations, which operate either during daytime hours only, during limited times
only or on an unlimited time basis with low nighttime power. A regional channel
is one on which Class B and Class D AM stations may operate and serve primarily
a principal center of population and the rural areas contiguous to it. A local
channel is one on which AM stations operate on an unlimited time basis and serve
primarily a community and the suburban and rural areas immediately contiguous
thereto. Class C AM stations operate on a local channel and are designed to
render service only over a primary service area that may be reduced as a
consequence of interference.
The minimum and maximum facilities requirements for an FM station are
determined by its class. FM class designations depend upon the geographic zone
in which the transmitter of the FM station is located. In general, commercial FM
stations are classified as follows, in order of increasing power and antenna
height: Class A, B1, B, C3, C2, C1 and C. The parameters for each classification
are as follows:
Class Maximum Power Maximum Antenna Height (HAAT)* in Meters
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A 6 kw 100
B1 25 kw 100
B 50 kw 150
C3 25 kw 100
C2 50 kw 150
C1 100 kw 299
C 100 kw 600
* Height Above Average Terrain
The following table sets forth the market, call letters, FCC license
classification, HAAT, power and frequency of each of the Stations owned,
operated or managed by the
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Company, assuming the consummation of the Pending Transactions, and the date on
which each Station's FCC license expires.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FCC HAAT in Power in Date of FCC
Market Station Class Meters Kilowatts Frequency License
----------------------- ------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lancaster/Reading, PA WIOV-FM B 212 25 105.1 mhz 8/1/06
WIOV-AM C NA 1 1240 khz 8/1/06
Evansville, IN and WBKR-FM C 320 100 92.5 mhz 8/1/04
Owensboro/Henderson, WOMI-AM C NA 1 1490 khz 8/1/04
KY WVJS-AM B NA 5 1420 khz 8/1/04
WSTO-FM C 303 100 96.1 mhz 8/1/04
WKDQ-FM C 300 100 99.5 mhz 8/1/04
Fort Collins/Greeley/ KUAD-FM C1 200 100 99.1 mhz 4/1/05
Loveland, CO KTRR-FM C2 150 50 102.5 mhz 4/1/05
Duluth, MN and KKCB-FM C1 240 100 105.1 mhz 4/1/05
Superior, WI KLDJ-FM C2 251 25 101.7 mhz 4/1/05
WEBC-AM B NA 5 560 khz 4/1/05
</TABLE>
OWNERSHIP MATTERS. The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a
broadcast license or the transfer of control of a broadcast licensee without the
prior approval of the FCC. In determining whether to assign, transfer, grant or
renew a broadcast license, the FCC considers a number of factors pertaining to
the licensee, including compliance with various rules limiting common ownership
of media properties, the "character" of the licensee and those persons holding
"attributable" interests therein, compliance with the Communications Act,
including the limitation on alien ownership, as well as compliance with other
FCC rules and policies. As part of the license renewal and transfer application
process, notice of the filing of such application is made and third parties are
provided with opportunities to file informal objections or formal petitions to
deny the application. Interested parties also may seek review of the grant of an
application by the full FCC and by federal courts.
The Communications Act and FCC rules also generally restrict the common
ownership, operation or control of radio broadcast stations serving the same
local market, of a radio broadcast station and a television broadcast station
serving the same local market, and of a radio broadcast station and a daily
newspaper serving the same local market. Under these "cross-ownership" rules,
absent waivers, the Company would not be permitted to acquire any daily
newspaper or television broadcast station (other than low power television) in a
local market where it already owned any radio broadcast station.
In response to changes in the Communications Act adopted in 1996, the FCC
amended its multiple ownership rules to eliminate the national limits on
ownership of AM and FM stations. The FCC's broadcast multiple ownership rules
restrict the number of radio stations one person or entity may own, operate or
control on a local level. These limits are:
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(i) in a market with 45 or more commercial radio stations, a person or
entity may own, operate or control up to eight commercial radio stations,
not more than five of which are in the same service (FM or AM);
(ii) in a market with between 30 and 44 (inclusive) commercial radio
stations, a person or entity may own, operate or control up to seven
commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same
service;
(iii) in a market with between 15 and 29 (inclusive) commercial radio
stations, a person or entity may own, operate or control up to six
commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same
service;
(iv) in a market with 14 or fewer commercial radio stations, a person or
entity may own, operate or control up to five commercial radio stations,
not more than three of which are in the same service, except that a person
or entity may not own, operate or control more than 50% of the radio
stations in such market.
None of these multiple ownership rules requires any change in the Company's
current ownership of radio stations. However, these rules will limit the number
of additional stations which the Company may acquire in the future in its
markets.
The FCC generally applies its television/radio/newspaper cross-ownership
rules and its broadcast multiple ownership rules by considering the
"attributable," or cognizable interests held by a person or entity. A person or
entity can have an attributable interest in a radio station, television station
or daily newspaper by being an officer, director, partner, member or shareholder
of a company that owns that station or newspaper. Whether that interest is
cognizable under the FCC's ownership rules is determined by the FCC's
attribution rules. If an interest is attributable, the FCC treats the person or
entity who holds that interest as the "owner" of the radio station, television
station or daily newspaper in question for purposes of applying the FCC's
ownership rules.
With respect to a corporation, officers and directors and persons or
entities that directly or indirectly can vote 5% or more of the corporation's
stock (10% or more of such stock in the case of insurance companies, investment
companies, bank trust departments and certain other "passive investors" that
hold such stock for investment purposes only) generally are attributed with
ownership of whatever radio stations, television stations and daily newspapers
the corporation owns.
With respect to a partnership, the interest of a general partner is
attributable, as is the interest of any limited partner who is "materially
involved" in the media-related activities of the partnership. Debt instruments,
nonvoting stock, options and warrants for voting stock that have not yet been
exercised, limited partnership interests where the limited partner is not
"materially involved" in the media-related activities of the partnership, and
minority (under 5%) voting stock, generally do not subject their holders
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to attribution. However, the FCC is currently reviewing its rules on attribution
of broadcast interests, and it may modify its criteria. See "Proposed Changes"
below.
With respect to limited liability companies ("LLC"), the FCC has not
adopted final rules with respect to the attribution rules and LLCs. In a rule
making proceeding commenced in 1994, the FCC tentatively concluded to treat LLCs
like limited partnerships, but said it would address attribution of LLCs on a
case-by-case basis until the matter is resolved; no decision has been released
in that proceeding. Thus, if members are insulated from material involvement in
the media-related activities of the LLC, their interests would not be
attributable.
Since under the doctrine of attributed ownership, all of the Company's
Stations are deemed to be owned by Mr. Brill, the FCC multiple ownership rules
could serve to limit to some extent the ability of the Company to acquire
additional broadcast stations in some markets.
PROGRAMMING AND OPERATION. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to
serve the "public interest." Since 1981, the FCC gradually has relaxed or
eliminated many of the more formalized procedures it developed to promote the
broadcast of certain types of programming responsive to the needs of a broadcast
station's community of license. However, licensees continue to be required to
determine community problems, needs and interests, to broadcast programming that
is responsive to such problems, needs and interest, and to maintain records
demonstrating such responsiveness. Complaints from listeners concerning a
broadcast station's programming will be considered by the FCC when it evaluates
the licensee's renewal application, but such complaints also may be filed and
considered at any time.
Broadcast stations also must pay regulatory and application fees and follow
various FCC rules that regulate, among other things, political advertising, the
broadcast of obscene or indecent programming, sponsorship identification and
technical operations (including limits on radio frequency radiation). The
broadcast of contests and lotteries is regulated by FCC rules. In the past, the
FCC has required licensees to develop and implement programs designed to promote
equal employment opportunities for women and minorities and submit reports to
the FCC on these matters annually and in connection with a renewal application.
These rules were declared unconstitutional by the federal courts and are no
longer in effect; however, the FCC has under consideration proposed new
employment discrimination rules, which, if adopted, would reimpose employment
discrimination regulations on broadcast stations.
Failure to observe these or other rules and policies can result in the
imposition of various sanctions, including monetary forfeitures, the grant of
"short" (less than the maximum) renewal terms or, for particularly egregious
violations, the denial of a license renewal application or the revocation of a
license.
FCC rules regarding human exposures to levels of radio frequency radiation
require applicants for new broadcast stations, renewals of broadcast licenses or
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<PAGE>
modifications of existing licenses to inform the FCC at the time of filing such
applications whether a new or existing broadcast facility would expose people to
radio frequency radiation in excess of certain guidelines. More restrictive
radiation limits became effective on October 15, 1997. To date, such regulations
have not had a material effect on the Company's business and the Company
anticipates that such regulations will not have a material effect on its
business in the future.
LOCAL MARKETING AGREEMENTS. Since the early 1990s, a number of radio
stations, including certain of the Company's Stations, have entered into LMAs
and TBAs. These agreements take various forms. Separately-owned and licensed
radio stations may agree to function cooperatively in terms of programming,
advertising sales and other matters, subject to compliance with the antitrust
laws and the FCC's rules and policies, including the requirement that the
licensee of each radio station maintain independent control over the programming
and other operations of its own radio station. The FCC has held that such
agreements do not violate the Communications Act as long as the licensee of the
radio station that is being substantially programmed by another entity maintains
responsibility for, and control over, operations of its radio station and
otherwise ensures compliance with applicable FCC rules and policies and that the
entity providing the programming is in compliance with the FCC local ownership
rules.
A radio station that brokers substantial time on another radio station in
its market or engages in an LMA with a radio station in the same market will be
considered to have an attributable ownership interest in the brokered radio
station for purposes of the FCC's ownership rules, discussed above. As a result,
a radio station may not enter into an LMA that allows it to program more than
15% of the broadcast time, on a weekly basis, of another local radio station
that it could not own under the FCC's local multiple ownership rules. FCC rules
also prohibit the broadcast licensee from simulcasting more than 25% of its
programming on another radio station in the same broadcast service (i.e., AM-AM
or FM-FM) where the two radio stations serve substantially the same geographic
area, whether the licensee owns the radio stations or owns one and programs the
other through an LMA arrangement.
Another example of a cooperative agreement between independently owned
radio stations in the same market is a JSA, whereby one radio station sells
advertising time both on itself and on a radio station under separate ownership.
In the past, the FCC has determined that issues of joint advertising sales
should be left to antitrust enforcement. Currently, JSAs are not deemed by the
FCC to be attributable for the purpose of its multiple ownership rules. However,
the FCC has outstanding a notice of proposed rulemaking, which, if implemented,
could require certain radio station operators to terminate any JSA it might have
with a radio station with which such operator could not have an LMA.
ANTITRUST CONSIDERATIONS. The Company is aware that the U.S. Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ), which evaluate transactions to determine whether those transactions
should be challenged under the federal antitrust laws, have been increasingly
active recently in their
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<PAGE>
review of radio station acquisitions, particularly where an operator proposes to
acquire additional radio stations in its existing markets.
For an acquisition meeting certain size thresholds, the Hart-Scott-Radio
Act (HSR Act) and the rules promulgated thereunder require the parties to file
Notification and Report Forms with the FTC and the DOJ and to observe specified
waiting period requirements before consummating the acquisition. At any time
before or after the consummation of a proposed acquisition, the FTC or the DOJ
could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the acquisition or
seeking divestiture of the business acquired or other assets of the acquiring
company. Acquisitions that are not required to be reported under the HSR Act may
be investigated by the FTC or the DOJ under the antitrust laws before or after
consummation. In addition, private parties may under certain circumstances bring
legal action to challenge an acquisition under the antitrust laws.
As part of its increased scrutiny of radio station acquisitions, the DOJ
has stated publicly that it believes that LMAs, JSAs and other similar
agreements customarily entered into in connection with radio station transfers
prior to the expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act could violate
the HSR Act because they may constitute acquisitions or joint ventures subject
to the filing and waiting period provisions of the HSR Act.
If the Company should grow in size, whether through acquisitions or
otherwise, it will become increasingly vulnerable to scrutiny under various
antitrust and similar regulatory laws administered by various federal and state
authorities, laws and regulations in which considerations of absolute or
relative size or market share may be relevant if not controlling. Such laws and
regulations are quite complex and subject to amendment and to frequent
variations in interpretation or enforcement. As a result of such increased
scrutiny, the Company could experience delays, increased costs, and compelled
changes in connection with future transactions. If it were to be determined that
one or more of the Company or its Subsidiaries had violated or were violating
one or more of such laws or regulations, in addition to liability for resulting
damages, any affected entity could face potential regulatory or court-ordered
divestiture of one or more properties. Any such result could have a material,
adverse effect upon the Company.
PROPOSED CHANGES. In December 1994, the FCC initiated a proceeding to
solicit comment on whether it should revise its radio and television ownership
"attribution" rules by among other proposals (i) raising the basic benchmark for
attributing ownership in a corporate licensee from 5% to 10% of the licensee's
voting stock, (ii) increasing from 10% to 20% of the licensee's voting stock the
attribution benchmark for "passive investors" in corporate licensees, (iii)
restricting the availability of the attribution exemption when a single party
controls more than 50% of the voting stock; and (iv) considering LMAs, JSAs,
debt and non-voting stock interests to be attributable under certain
circumstances. No decision has been made by the FCC in these matters. At this
time, no determination can be made as to what effect, if any, this proposed
rulemaking will have on the Company.
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<PAGE>
From time to time, the Congress and the FCC have considered, and in the
future may consider and adopt, new or revised laws, regulations, and policies
regarding a wide variety of matters that, directly or indirectly, could affect
the operation, ownership, and profitability of the Stations, result in the loss
of audience share and advertising revenues for the Stations, or affect the
Company's ability to acquire additional radio stations or to finance such
acquisitions. Such matters include: proposals to impose spectrum use or other
fees on FCC licensees; the FCC's equal employment opportunity rules and matters
relating to political broadcasting; technical and frequency allocation matters;
proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of beer, wine, and other
alcoholic beverages on radio; changes in the FCC's cross-interest, multiple
ownership, and cross-ownership policies; proposals to create a new low power FM
radio service that could result in additional radio station competition in the
Company's markets; changes to broadcast technical requirements; proposals to
allow telephone or cable television companies to deliver audio and video
programming to the home through existing phone lines; proposals to limit the tax
deductibility of advertising expenses by advertisers; and proposals to auction
the right to use the radio broadcast spectrum to the highest bidder, instead of
granting FCC licenses without such bidding.
The Company cannot predict whether any proposed changes will be adopted or
what other matters might be considered in the future, nor can it judge in
advance what impact, if any, the implementation of any of these proposals or
changes might have on the Company.
The foregoing brief description does not purport to be comprehensive and
reference should be made to the Communications Act, the Telecommunications Act
of 1996, the FCC's rules, and the public notices and rulings of the FCC for
further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of
radio broadcast stations.
Employees
At February 28, 1999, the Company employed approximately 465 persons
full-time and 90 persons part-time. None of such employees is covered by
collective bargaining agreements, and the Company considers its relations with
its employees to be good. Approximately 720 independent contractor delivery
personnel distribute the Newspapers' publications.
The Company employs several on-air personalities with large loyal audiences
in their respective markets. The loss of one of these personalities could result
in a short-term loss of audience share, but the Company does not believe that
any such loss would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.
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<PAGE>
Operating Segments
Revenues and other information for the Company's radio and newspaper
operating segments are provided in Note 10 of the financial statements included
in this report.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The types of properties required to support the Stations include offices,
studios, transmitter sites and antenna sites. A Station's studios are generally
housed with its offices in business districts, while transmitter sites and
antenna sites are generally located so as to provide maximum market coverage.
After giving effect to the Pending Transactions, the Company will own
studio facilities in Ephrata, Pennsylvania; Owensboro, Kentucky; Windsor,
Colorado; and Duluth, Minnesota; and own transmitter and antenna sites in
Reading, Pennsylvania; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Duluth, Minnesota. The Company
leases its remaining studio and office facilities, and leases certain
transmitter and antenna sites. The Company does not anticipate any difficulties
in renewing any facility leases or in leasing alternative or additional space,
if required. The Company owns substantially all of its other station equipment,
consisting principally of transmitting antennae, transmitters, studio equipment
and general office equipment.
The Newspapers' facilities for administration, printing and distribution
are leased. The Company does not anticipate any difficulties in renewing any
facility leases or in leasing alternative or additional space, if required. The
Company owns a late model Goss Community press line and other various modern
editorial, classified, composing and camera equipment.
No one property is material to the Company's operations. The Company
believes that its properties are generally in good condition and suitable for
its operations; however, it continually looks for opportunities to upgrade its
properties and intends to upgrade studios, office space, and transmission
facilities in certain markets.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Currently and from time to time the Company is involved in litigation
incidental to the conduct of its business, but it is not a party to any lawsuit
or proceeding that, in the opinion of the Company, is likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The operating agreement of BMC provides that its business shall be managed
by its manager, which presently is Brill Media Management, Inc. (Media). Media
also is a Subsidiary of BMC. In lieu of an annual meeting, the current directors
of Media were appointed by written consent as of February 9, 1999.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The common equity of BMC is comprised of membership interests (Membership
Interests), all of which are indirectly owned by Mr. Brill.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Brill Media Company,
LLC and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
beginning on page 23. The selected consolidated financial data (except for the
other financial and operating data) of Brill Media Company, LLC (i) as of and
for the year ended February 28, 1995 and as of February 29, 1996 have been
derived from the audited combined financial statements of The Radio and
Newspaper Businesses of Alan R. Brill and (ii) for the year ended February 29,
1996 and as of and for the years ended February 28, 1997, 1998, and 1999
21
<PAGE>
have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Brill
Media Company, LLC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended February 28 or 29,
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
Statement of Operations Data (dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Radio $ 14,922 $ 15,038 $ 13,596 $ 13,096 $ 12,650
Newspapers 25,511 14,529 13,440 12,217 10,537
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 40,433 29,567 27,036 25,313 23,187
Operating expenses:
Operating departments 29,764 20,806 19,043 18,640 17,530
Incentive plan (614) (620) 628 1,467 634
Other 293 291 86 37 --
Management fees 2,583 2,075 1,945 1,833 1,679
Depreciation and amortization 2,865 1,863 1,395 1,312 1,111
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating expenses 34,891 24,415 23,097 23,289 20,954
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income 5,542 5,152 3,939 2,024 2,233
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net (11,744) (9,470) (7,432) (7,130) (5,842)
Other, net (171) (101) 1,007 (80) (144)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total other income (expense) (11,915) (9,571) (6,425) (7,210) (5,986)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss before income taxes and
extraordinary (6,373) (4,419) (2,486) (5,186) (3,753)
items
Income tax provision (benefit) 229 149 286 (39) 68
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Loss before extraordinary items (6,602) (4,568) (2,772) (5,147) (3,821)
Extraordinary items (a) -- (4,124) -- 6,915 --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ (6,602) $ (8,692) $ (2,772) $ 1,768 $ (3,821)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Other Financial and Operating Data:
Net cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities $ 2,066 $ 2,201 $ (513) $ 37 $ 920
Investing activities (8,052) (22,387) 59 (1,167) (120)
Financing activities (2,191) 30,328 (845) 2,654 (452)
Cash dividends declared -- 12,210 520 -- --
Media Cashflow (b) 13,099 10,740 8,010 6,673 5,657
EBITDA (b) 8,407 7,015 5,334 3,336 3,334
Capital expenditures excluding 1,502 959 1,269 977 974
acquisitions
Statement of Financial Position Data:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,740 $ 10,918 $ 775 $ 2,075 $ 550
Working capital (deficit) (90) 11,374 1,014 2,398 (334)
Intangible and other assets 23,459 22,012 7,855 7,411 5,171
Total assets 66,825 66,149 26,442 26,011 21,784
Total debt (c) 116,167 110,057 50,475 61,636 58,715
Members' deficiency (54,097) (47,510) (26,610) (38,354) (40,123)
</TABLE>
(a) The extraordinary item in fiscal 1998 reflects a $1.3 million write-off of
previously deferred financing costs along with a prepayment penalty of $2.8
million related to the early extinguishment of senior debt. In fiscal 1996,
the extraordinary item reflects an adjustment of accrued interest in the
amount of $7.0 million related to subordinated debt for which contingent
interest had been accrued at the maximum rate but was reduced at maturity
pursuant to terms of an alternative valuation formula, as defined in the
agreement. The gain was offset by the write-off of certain previously
deferred financing fees of $.1 million.
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(b) Media Cashflow represents EBITDA plus incentive plan expense, management
fees, time brokerage fees paid, acquisition related consulting expense,
income from temporary cash investments and interest income from loans made
by the Company to Managed Affiliates. EBITDA is generally defined as net
income (loss) plus the income tax provision, consolidated interest expense,
depreciation expense, amortization expense and extraordinary items. Media
Cashflow and EBITDA as used above include the results of operations of
unrestricted subsidiaries and therefore differ from the same terms as
defined in the indenture (Indenture) under which the Company's Senior Notes
(as defined below) were issued. Management fees payable to BMCLP are
subordinated, to the extent provided in the Senior Notes indenture, to the
prior payment of the Senior Notes. Although Media Cashflow and EBITDA are
not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, management
believes that these measures are useful to an investor in evaluating the
Company because these measures are widely used in the media industry to
evaluate a media company's operating performance. However, Media Cashflow
and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for net
income, cash flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow
statements prepared in accordance with GAAP as measures of liquidity or
profitability. In addition, EBITDA and Media Cashflow as determined by the
Company may not be comparable to related or similar measures as reported by
other companies and do not represent funds available for discretionary use.
(c) Total long-term debt including due to affiliates includes the Senior Notes,
secured obligations, mortgage obligations, obligations under capital
leases, secured subordinated obligations, appreciation notes, unsecured
obligations and performance incentive plan liabilities.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
General
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements of Brill Media Company, LLC and notes thereto
included elsewhere in this report.
Brill Media Company, LLC was organized in 1997. The Subsidiaries, all of
which are wholly-owned, include various radio, newspaper and related businesses.
The Stations own and operate FM and AM radio stations in Pennsylvania, Colorado,
Indiana/Kentucky, Minnesota/Wisconsin, and Missouri. The Newspapers own and
operate integrated newspaper publishing, printing and print advertising
distribution operations, providing total-market print advertising coverage
throughout a thirty-six county area in the central and northern portions of the
lower peninsula of Michigan. The historical financial statements of Brill Media
Company, LLC included elsewhere in this report include the financial position
and results of operations on a consolidated basis.
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<PAGE>
The Stations' revenues are derived primarily from advertising revenues. In
general, each Station receives revenues for advertising sold for placement
within the Station's programming. Advertising is sold in time increments and is
priced primarily based on a Station's program's popularity within the
demographic group an advertiser desires to reach, as well as quality of service
provided to the customer, creativity in marketing the client's products and
services, the personal relationship between the Station's account executive and
the client, and the client's view of the popularity of the Station among its
target customer base. In addition, advertising rates are affected by the number
of advertisers competing for available time, the size and demographic make-up of
the markets served by the Stations and the availability of alternative
advertising media in the market area. Rates are highest during the most
desirable listening hours, with corresponding reductions during other hours.
During the year ended February 28, 1999, over 90% of the Stations' revenues
were generated from local and regional advertising, which is sold primarily by a
Station's sales staff. The remainder of the advertising revenues represents
national advertising and network compensation payments. In addition to any
commissions paid to its sales staff, the Stations generally pay commissions to
advertising agencies on local and regional advertising and to sales
representation firms on national advertising. The advertising revenues of a
Station generally are highest in the second and fourth calendar quarters of each
year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail
advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. During
the year ended February 28, 1999, no single customer in any of the Stations'
markets provided more than 2% of the Company's revenues.
In the broadcasting industry, radio stations often utilize trade (or
barter) agreements to exchange advertising time for goods or services (such as
other media advertising, travel or lodging), in lieu of cash. In order to
preserve most of its on-air inventory for cash advertising, the Company
generally enters into trade agreements only if the goods or services bartered to
the Company will be used in the Company's business. The Company has minimized
its use of trade agreements and has sold over 90% of its radio advertising time
for cash for the year ended February 28, 1999. In addition, it is the Company's
general policy not to pre-empt radio advertising spots paid for in cash with
radio advertising spots paid for in trade.
Each Station's financial results depend on a number of factors, including
the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, the
ability to provide popular programming, local market and regional competition,
the relative efficiency of radio broadcasting compared to other advertising
media, signal strength, development of competitive technologies and government
regulation and policies.
The Newspapers' revenues are derived primarily from advertising and
subscription revenues and to a lesser extent, from printing and print
distribution revenues. In general, newspaper publications receive revenue for
advertising sold to reach readership within its geographical distribution area
and its customers' marketing areas.
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<PAGE>
The combined coverage and timing of the numerous weekly publications and the
daily publications provide the Newspapers with flexibility and efficiencies to
create a competitive advantage in attracting advertisers. As an inducement to
its customers, the Newspapers offer advertisers more efficient buys when they
purchase ad placement in multiple publications. The Newspapers have a widely
diversified customer base, and for the year ended February 28, 1999, no single
customer of the Newspapers represented more than 2% of the Company's revenues.
The Newspapers' financial results are dependent on a number of factors,
particularly those that impact local retail sales, including the general
strength of the local and national economies, population growth, local and
regional market competition and the perceived relative efficiency of newspapers
compared to other advertising media.
The following table sets forth the percentage of revenues generated by the
Company's Stations and Newspapers.
Years Ended February 28 or 29
Revenues 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stations 37% 51% 50% 52% 55%
Newspapers 63% 49% 50% 48% 45%
--- --- --- --- ---
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
=== === === === ===
The primary operating expenses incurred in the ownership and operation of
the Stations include employee salaries and commissions, programming, advertising
and promotion expenses. For the Newspapers, the primary operating expenses are
employee salaries and commissions, newsprint and delivery charges. Newsprint
represents the Newspapers' single largest raw material expense, the cost of
which is cyclical and may vary widely from period to period.
The Company also incurs and will continue to incur significant depreciation
and amortization expense as a result of completed and future acquisitions of
radio stations and newspapers as well as interest expense due to existing
borrowings and future borrowings. The consolidated financial statements of Brill
Media Company, LLC tend not to be directly comparable from period to period due
to the Company's acquisition and disposition activity.
Results of Operations
Year Ended February 28, 1999 Compared to Year Ended February 28, 1998
Revenues for the year ended February 28, 1999 were $40.4 million, a $10.9
million or 36.8% increase from $29.5 million for the prior fiscal year. The
Stations' revenues were $14.9 million, down less than 1% from $15.0 million for
the prior fiscal year and Newspapers' revenues were $25.5 million, up 75.6% from
$14.5 million for the prior fiscal year.
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Stations' revenues, excluding the Missouri Properties, increased $1.0
million or 7.3% from the prior fiscal year. This increase is due to
continuing operations growth within each market.
The Newspapers' revenues increased $11.0 million or 75.6% from the prior
fiscal year. Fiscal 1999 and 1998 acquisitions accounted for $10.2 million
of the increase.
Operating expenses for the year ended February 28, 1999 were $34.9 million,
an increase of $10.5 million or 42.9% from the prior fiscal year.
The Stations' operating expenses, excluding the Missouri Properties,
increased $1.3 million or 11.6% from the prior fiscal year primarily as a
result of salary and promotional related expenditures incurred to expand
existing markets. Total operating expenses of the Stations decreased $.2
million from the prior fiscal year.
The Newspapers' operating expenses increased $10.7 million over the prior
fiscal year. Of this increase, $9.5 million was attributable to the 1999
and 1998 acquisitions.
As a result of the above, operating income for the year ended February 28,
1999 was $5.5 million, an increase of $.4 million or 7.6% from the prior fiscal
year.
Other income (expense) for the year ended February 28, 1999 was $11.9
million of net expense, an increase of $2.3 million or 24.5% over the prior
comparative period. This is primarily due to an increase in interest expense
associated with the additional borrowing and financing activities for the
acquisitions referenced above.
Year Ended February 28, 1998 Compared to Year Ended February 28, 1997
Revenues for the year ended February 28, 1998 were $29.5 million, a $2.5
million or 9.4% increase from $27.0 million for the prior fiscal year. The
Stations' revenues were $15.0 million, a 10.6% increase from $13.6 million for
the prior fiscal year. Newspapers' revenues were $14.5 million, an 8.1% increase
from $13.4 million for the prior fiscal year.
The $1.4 million or 10.6% increase in Stations' revenues was due to
continuing operations growth, the further development of the Colorado and
Minnesota Stations, and additional time brokerage agreement fees, offset by
lost revenue due to the operations of the Missouri Stations being operated
by the prospective buyers pursuant to TBAs effective November 1, 1997.
The Newspapers' revenues increase of $1.1 million or 8.1% was due to fiscal
1998 third and fourth quarter acquisitions of eleven weekly shoppers, a
printing business and two print distribution operations and the acquisition
of a weekly shopper in the second quarter of fiscal 1997.
26
<PAGE>
Operating expenses for the year ended February 28, 1998 were $24.4 million,
an increase of $1.3 million or 5.7% from $23.1 million for the year ended
February 28, 1997.
The Stations' operating expenses increased due to the development of the
Colorado and Minnesota Stations and expansion in the Indiana/Kentucky
market.
Newspapers' operating expenses decreased slightly due to decreases in
incentive plan expense and operating departments from existing operations,
offset by increases related to current and prior fiscal year acquisitions.
Operating income for the year ended February 28, 1998 was $5.1 million, an
increase of $1.2 million or 30.8% from $3.9 million for the year ended February
28, 1997. This increase was due primarily to increased operating revenues and
decreased charges for incentive plan expense as noted previously.
Other income (expense) for the year ended February 28, 1998 was $9.6
million of net expense, an increase of $3.2 million or 49% over $6.4 million for
the year ended February 28, 1997. The increase is due to increased net interest
expense and deferred financing cost amortization of $2.0 million in fiscal 1998
and a $1.1 million gain on the sale of the Fargo/Moorhead stations in the year
ended February 28, 1997. The increase of net interest expense in fiscal 1998 is
due to additional borrowings for acquisitions offset by $1.8 million of managed
affiliate interest income.
The extraordinary item in fiscal 1998 totaled $4.1 million and reflected
the costs related to the early extinguishment of debt which included a $1.3
million write-off of previously deferred financing costs and a $2.8 million
prepayment premium.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Generally, the Company's operating expenses are paid before its advertising
revenues are collected. As a result, working capital requirements have increased
as the Company has grown and will likely increase in the future.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $2.1 million, $2.2
million and ($0.5) million for the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1999 from
fiscal 1998 is attributable to the increased payment of interest and
management fees, along with the timing related to the collection of
receivables and the payment of operating expenses.
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 1998 from
fiscal 1997 is attributable to decreased payments for management fees and
interest.
27
<PAGE>
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was ($8.1) million,
($22.4) million and $.06 million for the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
The cash used in investing activities for fiscal 1999 is primarily
attributable to the additional loans to Managed Affiliates and related
parties; a newspaper and a radio acquisition and the purchase of property
and equipment. The decrease of $14.3 million in cash used in investing
activities from the prior fiscal 1998 is related primarily to decreased:
loans to Managed Affiliates, newspaper acquisitions and a non-compete
agreement payment; offset by current year increased: purchases of property
and equipment and loans to related parties, and the prior fiscal year
receipt of amounts due from related parties.
The cash used in investing activities for fiscal 1998 is primarily
attributable to the loans to Managed Affiliates and the acquisitions of
newspapers. The increase of $22.4 million in cash used in investing
activities from prior fiscal 1998 is related primarily to increased: loans
to Managed Affiliates, news acquisitions and a non-compete agreement
payment; offset by current year receipt of amounts due from related parties
and the prior fiscal year receipt of proceeds from sale of a radio station.
The cash generated in fiscal 1997 was due to the $1.9 million of proceeds
on the sale of radio stations offset by increased capital expenditures and
loans to Managed Affiliates.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was ($2.2) million,
$30.3 million and ($.9) million for the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively.
The use of cash for financing activities for the current year is
attributable primarily to payments of amounts due to related parties and
the proceeds from long-term debt, net of repayments. The increase in cash
used for financing activities of $32.5 million from the prior fiscal year
is related primarily to decreased proceeds, net of repayments from
long-term debt, payments of deferred financing fees and dividends.
The cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 1998, as well as the
increase from the prior fiscal year, is attributable primarily to the
proceeds from long-term debt, net of repayments and payments of deferred
financing fees and dividends.
For fiscal 1997, the net cash used in financing activities resulted from
the larger receipt of capital contributions which was more than offset by
payment of long-term debt, associated financing costs and dividends.
28
<PAGE>
EBITDA was $8.4 million, $7.0 million and $5.3 million for the years ended
February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Media Cashflow was $13.1
million, $10.7 million and $8.0 million for the years ended February 28, 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Media Cashflow represents EBITDA plus incentive
plan expense, management fees, time brokerage fees paid, acquisition related
consulting expense, income from temporary cash investments and interest income
from loans made by the Company to Managed Affiliates. EBITDA is generally
defined as net income (loss) plus the income tax provision, consolidated
interest expense, depreciation expense, amortization expense and extraordinary
items. Media Cashflow and EBITDA as used above include the results of operations
from unrestricted subsidiaries and therefore differ from the same terms as
defined in the Indenture under which the Company's Senior Notes were issued.
Although EBITDA and Media Cashflow are not measures of performance
calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that these measures are
useful in evaluating the Company and are widely used in the media industry to
evaluate a media company's performance. However, EBITDA and Media Cashflow
should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for net income, cash
flows from operating activities and other income or cash flow statements
prepared in accordance with GAAP as measures of liquidity or profitability. In
addition, EBITDA and Media Cashflow as determined by the Company may not be
comparable to related or similar measures as reported by other companies and do
not represent funds available for discretionary use.
The Company has loaned approximately $18.3 million to Managed Affiliates
and received in return the Managed Affiliate Notes which are unsecured, mature
on January 1, 2001 and bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. The proceeds of
such loans have been used by the Managed Affiliates to purchase property,
equipment, and intangibles and provide working capital. It is anticipated that
similar relationships may be initiated with other affiliates in the future. The
aggregate amount of Managed Affiliate Notes may not exceed $20 million unless
the Company meets certain conditions as described below in "Certain Relationship
and Related Transactions". For the year ended February 28, 1999, the Managed
Affiliates reported combined revenues of $4.7 million, net loss of $2.5 million
and Media Cashflow of $.8 million.
Long-term obligations include the Company's 12% senior notes due 2007
(Senior Notes) and appreciation notes due 2007 (Appreciation Notes). The Senior
Notes require semi-annual cash interest payments on each June 15 and December 15
of $3.9 million through December 15, 1999 and $6.3 million from June 15, 2000
until maturity. The Company has given notice to the Trustee and intends, subject
to its rights under the Indenture, to redeem the Appreciation Notes on June 15,
1999 at a redemption price of $3 million. The Company anticipates Mr. Brill will
make an additional equity contribution of $3 million which will be utilized to
redeem the Appreciation Notes. However, there can be no assurances that Mr.
Brill will have sufficient resources to make an additional equity contribution.
If the Appreciation Notes are not redeemed on June 15, 1999, the Company will
incur additional interest expense on a prospective basis, based on the optional
and
29
<PAGE>
mandatory repurchase options as set forth in the Indenture under which the
Appreciation Notes were issued.
The Company's ability to pay interest on the Senior Notes when due, redeem
the Appreciation Notes and to satisfy its other obligations depends upon its
future operating performance, and will be affected by financial, business,
market, technological, competitive and other conditions, developments,
pressures, and factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The
Company is highly leveraged, and many of its competitors are believed to operate
with much less leverage and to have significantly greater operating and
financial flexibility and resources.
Historically, the Company has achieved significant growth through
acquisitions. In order for the Company to achieve needed future growth in
revenues and earnings and to replace the revenues and earnings of properties
that may be sold by one or more of the Subsidiaries from time to time,
additional acquisitions may be necessary. Meeting this need for acquisitions
will depend upon several factors, including the continued availability of
suitable financing. There can be no assurance that the Company can or will
successfully acquire and integrate future operations. In connection with future
acquisition opportunities, the Company, or one or more of its subsidiaries, may
need to incur additional indebtedness or issue additional equity or debt
instruments. There can be no assurance that debt or equity financing for such
acquisitions will be available on acceptable terms, or that the Company will be
able to identify or consummate any new acquisitions.
The Indenture limits the Company's ability to incur additional
indebtedness. In addition to certain other permitted indebtedness, the Indenture
permits the Company to incur indebtedness under revolving credit facilities.
Limitations in the Indenture on the Company's ability to incur additional
indebtedness, together with the highly leveraged nature of the Company, could
limit operating activities, including the Company's ability to respond to market
conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments and to take
advantage of business opportunities.
The Company's primary liquidity needs are to fund capital expenditures,
provide working capital, meet debt service requirements and make acquisitions.
The Company's principal sources of liquidity are expected to be cashflow from
operations, cash on hand, consummation of the sale of the Missouri Properties
and indebtedness permitted under the Indenture. The Company believes that
liquidity from such sources should be sufficient to permit the Company to meet
its debt service obligations, capital expenditures and working capital needs for
the next 12 months, although additional capital resources may be required in
connection with the further implementation of the Company's acquisition strategy
and the anticipated redemption of the Appreciation Notes on June 15, 1999.
In the past, depreciation, amortization, and interest charges have
contributed significantly to net losses incurred by the Company, and it is
expected that such net losses will continue in the future. On a combined basis,
the Company and its predecessors
30
<PAGE>
reported a net loss in four of the last five fiscal years. In the fiscal year
ended February 28, 1999, the Company reported a net loss of $6.6 million. While
the Company expects that the Subsidiaries' cashflow will improve, the Company
nonetheless expects that the Subsidiaries will continue to incur substantial net
losses. There can be no assurance that the Company will not continue to generate
net losses in the future.
Capital expenditures in fiscal 1999 were $1.5 million of which $.9 million
related to Station operations and $.6 related to Newspaper operations. The
Company anticipates that capital expenditures in fiscal 2000 will approximate
$1.0 million for existing properties.
Seasonality
Seasonal revenue fluctuations are common in the newspaper and radio
broadcasting industries, caused by localized fluctuations in advertising
expenditures. Accordingly, the Stations' and Newspapers' quarterly operating
results have fluctuated in the past and will fluctuate in the future as a result
of various factors, including seasonal demands of retailers and the timing and
size of advertising purchases. Generally, in each calendar year the lowest level
of advertising revenues occurs in the first quarter and the highest levels occur
in the second and fourth quarters.
Inflation
The Company believes that inflation affects its business no more than it
generally affects other similar businesses.
Income Taxes
The taxable income or loss of the Company's "S" corporation and limited
liability company subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes is passed through
to Mr. Brill. Accordingly, the financial statements include no provision for
federal income taxes of the Company's "S" corporation or limited liability
company subsidiaries. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries are "C"
corporations. The "C" corporations are in loss carryforward positions at
February 28, 1999 for income tax purposes. As a result of net operating loss
carryforwards and temporary differences, the "C" corporations have net deferred
tax assets at February 28, 1999 and 1998 of $8,604,433 and $7,831,991,
respectively and have established equivalent valuation allowances.
Impact of Year 2000
The Company has commenced a process to ensure year 2000 compliance of all
hardware, software, the Stations' broadcast systems, the Newspapers' publishing,
production and distribution systems, business office systems and ancillary
equipment that are date dependent. The process involves three phases:
31
<PAGE>
Phase I - Inventory and Data Collection. This phase involves inventorying
the above categories at each of the Company's locations to identify date
dependent items. This phase was commenced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998
and has been substantially completed as of the date hereof.
Phase II - Remediation. This phase involves requests to information and
non-information technology system vendors for verification that the items
identified in Phase I as being date dependent are in fact year 2000 compliant.
This portion of the phase was commenced in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 and
has been substantially completed as of the date hereof. This phase also includes
implementing the steps necessary to upgrade and/or replace necessary items, for
which a projected completion date is identified below.
o The Company has concluded, through written confirmations and manufacturer
website notices, that essentially all local area network (LAN) hardware and
software, business office software and systems, and production, on-air and
broadcast systems for the Stations are year 2000 compliant.
0 The Company has determined that, for the Stations, a minor number of
personal computers at various locations will require replacement. It is
expected that these actions will be completed by the end of the third
quarter of fiscal 2000.
o The Company has concluded, through written confirmations and manufacturer
website notices, that essentially all LAN hardware and software along with
publishing and production systems for the Newspapers are year 2000
compliant.
o The Company has determined that, for the Newspapers, one distribution
software package will require replacement, the accounting software at two
locations will require upgrading and a minor number of personal computers
at various locations will require replacement. It is expected that these
actions will be completed by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2000.
Phase III - Verification. This phase involves reviewing all manufacturer
websites on a quarterly basis for any change in status and testing all items
that are date dependent. It is expected testing will be completed during the
third quarter of fiscal 2000.
Summation. To date, the Company believes that its major systems and
equipment are year 2000 compliant. The Company is not aware of any
non-compliance that would be material to repair or replace or that would have a
material effect on operations if compliance were not achieved, and accordingly
the Company has not developed a detailed contingency plan. The Company does not
believe that non-compliance in any systems that have not yet been reviewed would
result in material costs or disruption. The total cost of the year 2000 project
is estimated at approximately $.3 million of which substantially all will be
incurred in calendar 1999. All expenditures are for capital projects and are
anticipated to be funded through operating cash flows. The
32
<PAGE>
Company is not aware of any non-compliance by its customers or suppliers that
would have a material impact on operations. The Company has and will continue to
correspond with customers and suppliers through the coming months with a view to
eliminating or limiting interruptions to operations. However, given the
uncertainties associated with the scope of the year 2000 issue, there can be no
assurances that year 2000 related deficiencies and required corrective measures
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
conditions or results of operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's market risk sensitive instruments do not subject the Company
to material risk exposures, except for such risks related to interest rate
fluctuations. As of February 28, 1999, the Company has debt outstanding of
approximately $116.2 million. Senior Notes and Appreciation Notes with a
carrying value of $102.3 million have an estimated fair value of approximately
$88.2 million. The fair market value of the Company's remaining debt of $13.9
million approximates its carrying value.
Fixed interest rate debt totals approximately $115.9 million as of February
28, 1999 and includes: the Senior Notes which bear cash interest, payable
semiannually, at a rate of 7 1/2 % through December 15, 1999 and at 12% after
such date until maturity on December 15, 2007; the Appreciation Notes which were
issued at a discount which is being amortized to yield an effective interest
rate of 17% through June 15, 1999, based on management's expectation that the
Company will redeem at such time; and other debt, the majority of which have
stated rates of 7% to 8% (all of which are described in the notes to the
financial statements included in Item 8 below).
Long-term debt matures as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
============================================================================================================================
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Thereafter Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Senior Notes, net
of unamortized
discount of
$5,538,868 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 99,461,132 $ 99,461,132
Appreciation Notes,
net of
unamortized
discount of
$148,882 2,851,118 -- -- -- -- -- 2,851,118
Other 1,109,317 1,286,306 1,227,603 1,201,196 3,081,096 5,949,086 13,854,604
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
$ 3,960,435 $ 1,286,306 $ 1,227,603 $ 1,201,196 $ 3,081,096 $105,410,218 $116,166,854
============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
33
<PAGE>
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Contents
Report of Independent Auditors..............................................35
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position...............................36
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Members' Deficiency...............37
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.......................................38
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................40
34
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Auditors
The Members of Brill Media Company, LLC
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position
of Brill Media Company, LLC as of February 28, 1999 and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of operations and members' deficiency and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 1999. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Brill
Media Company, LLC at February 28, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated results
of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended February 28, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 23, 1999
35
<PAGE>
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
February 28
1999 1998
------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,740,244 $ 10,917,613
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts in
1999 - $211,697 and 1998 - $174,685 5,021,759 3,544,246
Interest receivable on notes from managed affiliates -- 324,357
Inventories 495,377 628,711
Other current assets 368,183 567,632
------------------------------------
Total current assets 8,625,563 15,982,559
Notes receivable from managed affiliates 18,263,747 16,315,747
Property and equipment 23,118,587 20,713,615
Less: Accumulated depreciation 10,295,485 8,874,995
------------------------------------
Net property and equipment 12,823,102 11,838,620
Goodwill and FCC licenses, net of accumulated amortization in 1999
- $2,308,780 and 1998 - $1,891,192 13,808,957 12,056,591
Covenants not to compete, net of accumulated amortization in 1999
- $1,594,930 and 1998 - $696,973 3,977,407 3,884,427
Other assets, net 5,672,201 6,071,047
Amounts due from related parties 3,654,279 --
------------------------------------
$ 66,825,256 $ 66,148,991
====================================
Liabilities and members' deficiency Current liabilities:
Amounts payable to related parties $ 637,141 $ 724,587
Accounts payable 1,288,100 745,210
Accrued payroll and related expenses 750,334 595,762
Accrued interest 1,642,244 1,341,390
Other accrued expenses 437,185 195,378
Current maturities of long-term obligations 3,960,435 1,005,875
------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 8,715,439 4,608,202
Long-term notes and other obligations 112,206,419 109,050,787
Members' deficiency (54,096,602) (47,509,998)
------------------------------------
$ 66,825,256 $ 66,148,991
====================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
36
<PAGE>
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Members' Deficiency
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended February 28
1999 1998 1997
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 40,433,447 $ 29,566,647 $ 27,036,215
Operating expenses:
Operating departments 29,763,933 20,805,920 19,042,885
Incentive plan (614,300) (620,000) 627,966
Management fees 2,583,381 2,074,834 1,944,699
Time brokerage agreement fees, net 46,429 48,000 (54,500)
Consulting 246,135 242,992 140,992
Depreciation 1,479,401 1,086,846 1,025,543
Amortization 1,386,268 776,064 369,484
-----------------------------------------------------------
34,891,247 24,414,656 23,097,069
-----------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 5,542,200 5,151,991 3,939,146
Other income (expense):
Interest - managed affiliates 2,090,933 1,759,329 16,653
Interest - related parties, net 107,807 165,167 230,256
Interest - other, net (13,341,049) (10,683,620) (7,190,504)
Amortization of deferred financing costs (602,149) (710,893) (488,712)
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net 2,700 (6,909) 1,076,181
Other, net (173,636) (93,853) (68,689)
-----------------------------------------------------------
(11,915,394) (9,570,779) (6,424,815)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Loss before income taxes and
extraordinary item (6,373,194) (4,418,788) (2,485,669)
Income tax provision 229,390 148,868 286,504
-----------------------------------------------------------
Loss before extraordinary item (6,602,584) (4,567,656) (2,772,173)
Extraordinary item -- (4,124,209) --
-----------------------------------------------------------
Net loss (6,602,584) (8,691,865) (2,772,173)
Members' deficiency, beginning of year (47,509,998) (26,609,973) (38,354,467)
Capital contributions 15,980 1,840 15,036,667
Dividends -- (12,210,000) (520,000)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Members' deficiency, end of year $(54,096,602) $(47,509,998) $(26,609,973)
===========================================================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
37
<PAGE>
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended February 28
1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net loss $ (6,602,584) $ (8,691,865) $ (2,772,173)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,865,669 1,862,910 1,395,027
Amortization of deferred financing costs and
original issue discount 5,315,364 1,502,729 488,712
Management fees accrual 598,891 670,833 (620,451)
Related parties interest accrual 207,216 (24,444) 1,842
Additional interest accrual -- 2,874,964 1,817,674
Incentive plan accrual (614,300) (620,000) 627,966
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net (2,700) 6,909 (1,076,181)
Extraordinary item -- 4,124,209 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of the effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (1,250,180) (238,368) (135,593)
Other current assets 337,783 (371,229) 109,418
Accounts payable 513,748 (22,866) (440,686)
Other accrued expenses 697,233 1,126,733 91,521
------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,066,140 2,200,515 (512,924)
Investing activities
Insurance proceeds on destroyed assets -- -- 244,293
Purchase of property and equipment (1,502,408) (959,409) (1,268,847)
Purchase of newspapers, net of cash acquired (557,640) (6,574,233) (17,222)
Purchase of radio station (583,707) -- --
Proceeds from sale of radio station -- -- 1,917,544
Proceeds from sale of assets 92,929 30,915 44,003
Loans to managed affiliates (1,948,000) (15,907,346) (408,401)
Payment for noncompetition agreement -- (3,000,000) --
Increase in other assets (53,235) (134,059) (452,554)
Loans to related parties (3,500,000) -- --
Decrease in amounts due from related parties
-- 4,157,453 --
------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(8,052,061) (22,386,679) 58,816
</TABLE>
38
<PAGE>
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended February 28
1999 1998 1997
---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) in amounts due to related
parties $ (735,455) $ 353,944 $ (79,309)
Payment of deferred financing costs and other
(503,420) (8,902,305) (491,168)
Principal payments on long-term obligations
(2,409,503) (70,890,441) (742,698)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 1,440,950 122,475,376 142,697
Payment of short-term obligation -- (500,000) --
Capital contributions 15,980 1,840 845,210
Dividends -- (12,210,000) (520,000)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (2,191,448) 30,328,414 (845,268)
---------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (8,177,369) 10,142,250 (1,299,376)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 10,917,613 775,363 2,074,739
---------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 2,740,244 $ 10,917,613 $ 775,363
=========================================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 8,666,871 $ 5,977,788 $ 6,116,898
Income taxes paid 132,051 157,432 216,046
See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>
39
<PAGE>
Brill Media Company, LLC
(A Limited Liability Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1. Basis of Presentation and Business
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brill Media
Company, LLC and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned (collectively
the Company or BMC). BMC's members are directly owned by Alan R. Brill (Mr.
Brill). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Effective December 30, 1997, various radio and newspaper businesses owned by Mr.
Brill were contributed, at historical cost, to a newly formed limited liability
company, BMC Holdings, LLC (Holdings), a wholly owned subsidiary of BMC. BMC and
Holdings were formed in 1997 with minimal capital contributions and had no
operations prior to the contribution of the radio and newspaper businesses. This
reorganization of entities under common control has been presented in these
consolidated financial statements similar to a pooling of interest. Accordingly,
all prior periods have been restated to reflect the reorganization.
BMC was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the state of
Virginia and has a term of 50 years.
Business
The Company is a diversified media enterprise that acquires, develops, manages,
and operates radio stations, newspapers and related businesses in middle
markets. The Company presently owns or operates twelve radio stations serving
five markets located in Pennsylvania, Kentucky/Indiana, Colorado,
Minnesota/Wisconsin, and Missouri (collectively referred to herein as Radio),
and additionally, manages three radio stations located in the Kentucky/Indiana
market that are owned by affiliates of the Company - see Note 9. The Company
operates integrated newspaper publishing, printing and print advertising
distribution operations, providing total-market print advertising coverage
throughout a thirty-six-county area in the central and northern portions of the
lower peninsula of Michigan (collectively referred to herein as News). These
operations offer a three-edition daily newspaper, twenty-six weekly
publications, two web offset printing operations for newspaper publications and
outside customers, and three private distribution companies.
40
<PAGE>
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories, consisting primarily of newsprint, are stated at the lower of cost
(first in, first out) or market.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided under the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various assets as
follows:
Buildings and improvements 10 to 40 years
Towers and antennae 13 to 20 years
Machinery and equipment 3 to 25 years
Broadcast equipment 3 to 13 years
Furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 years
Intangible Assets
Goodwill and FCC licenses are being amortized as required by generally accepted
accounting principles. Amortization is calculated on the straight-line basis
over a period of 40 years.
Covenants not to compete are being amortized on the straight-line basis over the
agreements' terms of five to six years.
Deferred financing costs and favorable leasehold rights are being amortized on
the straight-line basis over the terms of the underlying debt (10 years) or
leases (3-20 years).
Long-Lived Assets
The Company annually considers whether indicators of impairment of long-lived
assets held for use (including intangibles) are present. If such indicators are
present, the Company determines whether the sum of the estimated undiscounted
future cash flows is less than their carrying amounts. The Company recognizes
any impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the assets
over their fair value. No impairment loss has been recognized during the three
years ended February 28, 1999.
41
<PAGE>
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when advertising is aired by Radio or a
publication is distributed by News. Radio also receives fees under time
brokerage agreements, which are recognized based on a stated amount per month.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $1,138,000, $1,089,000
and $839,000 for the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997 respectively.
Comprehensive Income
In fiscal 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
(SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." Net loss for the three years
in the period ended February 28, 1999 is the same as comprehensive loss defined
pursuant to SFAS No. 130.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard
In April 1998, the AcSEC issued Statement of Position 98-5 "Reporting on the
Costs of Start-Up Activities" (SOP), which requires all start-up costs to be
expensed as incurred. Companies will be required to write-off previously
capitalized start-up or organization costs upon adoption of the SOP. The Company
is required to adopt the SOP in the first quarter of fiscal 2000 and expects to
write-off approximately $150,000 of unamortized start-up costs.
42
<PAGE>
3. Acquisitions and Dispositions
On July 9, 1996, the Company acquired the common stock of Clinton Distribution,
Inc., which owned and operated a weekly newspaper located in Michigan and paid
cash of $50,000 and entered into a note payable with the seller of $340,704. The
Company also entered into a covenant not to compete with the seller valued at
$127,430.
In February 1996, the Company entered into a contract to sell all operating
assets of its radio stations located in Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead,
Minnesota, for $2,000,000 in cash. The pretax gain was approximately $1,065,000,
net of related expenses. The Company further contracted to lease the programming
of the radio stations to the buyer under a time brokerage agreement (TBA)
beginning March 1, 1996, for $15,000 per month, until transfer of the FCC
license on August 13, 1996. Accordingly, other than pursuant to the TBA, no
broadcast revenue or operating expenses were recorded for these stations
subsequent to February 29, 1996.
On July 25, 1997, the Company paid $3,000,000 for a noncompetition agreement
among the Company, one of the managed affiliates (see Note 9), and the former
owner of the related radio stations.
On October 24, 1997, the Company entered into contracts to sell the operating
assets of its Missouri radio stations (collectively, the Missouri Properties),
for a net cash price of $7,419,000, plus assumed liabilities of $256,000. The
expected pretax gain will be approximately $5 million, net of related expenses,
which will be recognized upon transfer of the FCC licenses. The Company further
contracted to permit the buyer to provide certain programming on the combined
radio stations under TBAs beginning November 1, 1997, for $50,000 per month,
until transfer of the FCC licenses is complete. Accordingly, other than pursuant
to the TBAs, no broadcast revenue or operating expenses were recorded for the
Missouri Properties subsequent to October 31, 1997. Applications for transfer of
the broadcast licenses of the Missouri Properties have been filed with the FCC.
A local market competitor has objected to the transfer of the licenses and on
December 12, 1997, filed with the FCC a Petition to Deny the license transfers
and to terminate the TBAs. The Attorney General of the State of Missouri on
January 9, 1998 filed a civil investigative demand on the Company to provide
documents in order to consider whether the proposed transactions would violate
federal or Missouri antitrust laws. The Company complied with the demand. The
Attorney General of the State of Missouri has since filed comments with the FCC
objecting to the proposed transfers. The FCC has taken no further action on the
Petition to Deny. The Company believes that, even if the Petition to Deny were
granted, any adverse consequences to the Company would not be material.
43
<PAGE>
3. Acquisitions and Dispositions (continued)
During the year ended February 28, 1998, the Company acquired eleven weekly
shopping guide publications, a printing business and two print distribution
operations reaching approximately 164,000 households in the north-central
portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan (the 1998 News acquisitions) for an
aggregate purchase price of $10,305,757. The Company paid cash in the aggregate
of $6,574,233 and entered into notes payable with the sellers valued at
$3,731,524. The Company also secured covenants not to compete from the various
sellers valued at $1,115,528. Two weekly shopping guide publications and one
print distribution operation were acquired on October 1, 1997 and nine weekly
shopping guide publications, the printing business and one distribution
operation were acquired on February 23, 1998.
The purchase price for the 1998 News acquisitions has been allocated as follows:
Property and equipment $ 3,300,000
Intangibles 6,713,082
Inventory 251,634
Other assets, net of current liabilities 41,041
-----------
$10,305,757
===========
In November 1998, the Company acquired three weekly shopping guide publications
and a print distribution operation reaching approximately 66,000 households in
the north-western portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan (the 1999 News
acquisition). Total consideration was $1,408,644, which consisted of $557,640
cash and a secured seller note valued at $851,004. The Company also entered into
a six-year covenant not to compete valued at $405,890.
In February, 1999 the Company purchased radio station KTRR-FM, located in
Loveland, Colorado, which it had been operating pursuant to a TBA since August
5, 1996. The purchase price of $2,133,707 included $583,707 in cash, a note
payable of $1,350,000 and a $200,000 nonrefundable payment made in fiscal 1997.
The Company also entered into a five-year covenant not to compete valued at
$179,850.
The above acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases, and the financial
statements include the results of operations from the acquisition dates. The
1999 proforma consolidated operating results reflecting the 1999 acquisitions
for the full year would not have been materially different from reported
amounts.
44
<PAGE>
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of the following:
February 28
1999 1998
----------------------------
Land $ 611,304 $ 611,304
Buildings and improvements 3,221,159 3,156,680
Towers and antennae 2,698,636 2,193,671
Machinery and equipment 8,581,513 7,317,037
Broadcast equipment 4,474,479 4,243,808
Furniture and fixtures 3,031,496 2,691,115
Construction in progress 500,000 500,000
----------------------------
$23,118,587 $20,713,615
============================
Property and equipment includes the following assets under capital leases:
February 28
1999 1998
----------------------------
Buildings and improvements $ 828,337 $ 828,337
Towers and antennae 700,000 700,000
Machinery and equipment 227,838 262,991
Broadcast equipment 487,956 508,514
Furniture and fixtures 272,554 246,115
----------------------------
$2,516,685 $2,545,957
============================
5. Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following:
February 28
1999 1998
----------------------------
Deferred financing costs $6,090,493 $5,581,835
Favorable leasehold rights 391,587 384,728
Other 479,816 691,072
----------------------------
6,961,896 6,657,635
Less: Accumulated amortization 1,289,695 586,588
----------------------------
$5,672,201 $6,071,047
============================
45
<PAGE>
6. Income Taxes
The taxable income or loss of the Company's "S" corporation or limited liability
company subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes is ultimately passed
through to Mr. Brill. Accordingly, the financial statements include no provision
for federal income taxes of the Company's "S" corporation or limited liability
company subsidiaries. Certain of the Company's subsidiaries are "C"
corporations. The Company calculates its current and deferred income tax
provisions for the "C" corporations using the liability method. Under the
liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on
differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities
and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.
At February 28, 1999, the "C" corporations had net operating loss carryforwards
of approximately $20.0 million for federal income tax purposes which expire in
fiscal years 2000 through 2019.
As a result of net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences, the
"C" corporations have net deferred tax assets and have established a valuation
allowance as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
February 28
1999 1998
--------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gross deferred tax assets:
Incentive plan expense $ 1,136,280 $ 1,416,417
Net operating loss carryforwards 7,991,492 7,048,013
Other 467,623 415,028
--------------------------
9,595,395 8,879,458
Gross deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred gain on replacement assets (894,881) (943,306)
Other (96,081) (104,161)
--------------------------
(990,962) (1,047,467)
--------------------------
Net deferred tax asset 8,604,433 7,831,991
Valuation allowance (8,604,433) (7,831,991)
--------------------------
Net deferred tax asset recognized in the balance
sheet $ -- $ --
==========================
</TABLE>
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
46
<PAGE>
6. Income Taxes (continued)
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
Year ended February 28
1999 1998 1997
----------------------------------------
Current federal tax $ -- $ 22,954 $ 80,000
Current state tax 229,390 125,914 206,504
----------------------------------------
$229,390 $148,868 $286,504
========================================
The provision for income taxes for the "C" corporations differs from the amount
of income tax benefit computed by applying the United States federal income tax
rate to loss before income taxes and extraordinary items. A reconciliation of
the differences is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended February 28
1999 1998 1997
-----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
"C" corporations income tax benefit at statutory
federal tax rate $ (912,424) $(1,584,605) $ (870,606)
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State income taxes of "C" corporations, net
of federal benefit (19,516) (171,636) 46,840
Change in valuation allowance 1,073,440 1,864,242 1,024,242
Non-"C" corporations income tax provision
and other, net 87,890 40,867 86,028
-----------------------------------------
Income tax provision $ 229,390 $ 148,868 $ 286,504
=========================================
</TABLE>
47
<PAGE>
7. Long-Term Notes and Other Obligations
Long-term obligations consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
February 28
1998 1997
---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Senior unsecured notes (net of unamortized discount of
$5,538,868 and $9,817,227, respectively) $ 99,461,132 $ 95,182,773
Senior secured obligations, payable either monthly or
quarterly 4,950,911 3,832,715
Mortgage obligations, payable monthly 1,004,990 1,143,912
Capital leases, payable monthly 690,318 782,802
Subordinated secured obligations, payable monthly 2,633,451 1,533,578
Appreciation notes, unsecured and subordinated, (net of
unamortized discount of $148,882 and $581,383,
respectively) 2,851,118 2,418,617
Unsecured obligations, payable monthly 1,654,234 1,627,265
Performance incentive plans 2,920,700 3,535,000
---------------------------
116,166,854 110,056,662
Less: Current maturities 3,960,435 1,005,875
---------------------------
$112,206,419 $109,050,787
===========================
</TABLE>
On December 30, 1997, the Company issued $105,000,000 of 12% senior unsecured
notes (the Senior Notes) and $3,000,000 of appreciation notes (the Appreciation
Notes), both due in 2007. The Company received net proceeds of approximately
$96.8 million. The proceeds were used, in part, to pay off the Company's
existing senior note of $70 million plus accrued interest of $1.9 million and a
prepayment penalty of $2.8 million. The Company also wrote off previously
deferred financing costs of $1,324,209 related to the senior note. This expense,
plus the prepayment penalty, has been reflected as an extraordinary loss on the
early extinguishment of debt in the accompanying 1998 statement of operations
and members' deficiency.
The Senior Notes bear cash interest, payable semiannually, at a rate of 7 1/2%
through December 15, 1999, and at 12% after such date through December 2007. The
Senior Notes were issued at a discount of approximately $10,539,000, which is
being amortized to yield an effective interest rate of 12.2% over the term of
the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are only redeemable at the Company's option
in the event of an initial public offering or beginning December 15, 2002, at
the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued and unpaid interest:
Redemption
Periods Beginning December 15, Price
-------------------------------------------------------
2002 106%
2003 104%
2004 102%
2005 and thereafter 100%
48
<PAGE>
7. Long-Term Notes and Other Obligations (continued)
Following one or more public offerings of the Company's capital stock with
aggregate proceeds of at least $25 million, the Company may redeem up to 25% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at 112% of the Accreted
Value, as defined, plus accrued and unpaid interest, prior to December 15, 1999,
and at 112% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
subsequent to December 15, 1999, provided the principal amount outstanding after
any such redemption is at least $79 million.
Upon the occurrence of a change in control, as defined, each holder of the
Senior Notes has the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part of
such holder's notes, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the Accreted Value
prior to December 15, 1999, and thereafter at 101% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Senior secured obligations include approximately $2.9 million of obligations
payable in quarterly installments including interest at the stated rate of 7%
with the final installments of approximately $1.9 million due February 2004 and
a $1.35 million obligation payable monthly in interest only installments at the
stated rate of 7.75% until August 2001, then in quarterly payments of principal
and interest until February 2009.
Subordinated secured obligations include approximately $1.8 million of
obligations payable in monthly installments including interest, at varying
interest rates until July 2006 and an $850,000 obligation payable monthly in
interest only installments at a stated rate of 7% until November 1999, then
monthly payments of principal and interest until October 2008 with a final
installment of $153,000 due November 2008.
The senior secured obligations, mortgage obligations and subordinated secured
obligations are secured by the respective property for which the loan was
initiated, and are effectively senior in right of payment to the Senior Notes.
The Appreciation Notes are non-interest bearing and were issued at a discount of
$651,000, which is being amortized to yield an effective interest rate of 17%
through June 15, 1999, based on management's expectation that the Company will
redeem, subject to certain defined limitations, the Appreciation Notes on such
date for an aggregate price of $3.0 million.
Should the Company not redeem the Appreciation Notes on June 15, 1999, as
expected by management, additional interest expense will be accrued on a
prospective basis, based on the optional and mandatory repurchase options as
defined in the indenture.
The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and the
Appreciation Notes are subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Senior Notes and Appreciation Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, fully,
jointly, and severally, by each of the Company's subsidiaries (the Guarantors)
all of which are wholly owned. BMC is a holding company and has no operations,
assets, or cash flows separate from its
49
<PAGE>
7. Long-Term Notes and Other Obligations (continued)
investments in its subsidiaries. Accordingly, separate financial statements and
other disclosures concerning the Guarantors have not been presented because
management has determined that they would not be material to investors.
Brill Media Management, Inc., the co-issuer of the Senior Notes and Appreciation
Notes, has minimal assets and liabilities ($50 cash, $50 due from related
parties and $100 capital at February 28, 1999; and $100 cash and $100 capital at
February 28, 1998) and no income or expenses since its formation in October
1997.
The Senior Notes restrict the Company from the following in excess of defined
limitations: incurring additional indebtedness; making restricted payments to
subsidiaries; creating or permitting any liens to exist; making distributions
from restricted subsidiaries; selling assets and subsidiary stock; transactions
with affiliates; completing sale/leaseback transactions; creating new
subsidiaries or designating unrestricted subsidiaries; engaging in other than
permitted business activities; and completing mergers and acquisitions.
In addition to the obligations described above, the Company has approximately
$1.45 million of unsecured obligations which are stated net of imputed interest
and are payable through 2007.
During fiscal years 1999 and 1998, the Company entered into new capital leases
totaling approximately $195,000 and $109,000 respectively. The present value of
obligations under capital leases at February 28, 1999 includes $391,750 of
amounts due to related parties of the Company.
The Company has performance incentive plans with certain executives which are
recorded as long-term obligations. Such plans accumulate value based on certain
defined performance factors. The executives were fully vested at February 28,
1999 and 1998. Payments under the terms of the plans would commence only upon
the death, disability, retirement, or termination of employment of an executive,
and can be made at the discretion of the Company in amounts and on terms no less
favorable to the executive than quarterly payments of 2.5% of the vested amount.
Aggregate maturities of long-term obligations during the next five years,
assuming the Appreciation Notes are paid June 15, 1999, are as follows:
Fiscal Year Amount
------------------------------------
2000 $3,960,435
2001 1,286,306
2002 1,227,603
2003 1,201,196
2004 3,081,096
50
<PAGE>
7. Long-Term Notes and Other Obligations (continued)
The estimated fair market value of the Company's Senior Notes and Appreciation
Notes was approximately $88,200,000 at February 28, 1999, based on the average
trading price at that date. The fair market value of the Company's remaining
long-term debt approximates its carrying value.
8. Commitments
The Company leases certain land, buildings, and equipment. Rent expense for
fiscal years 1999, 1998, and 1997 was $419,000, $279,000, and $247,000,
respectively. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have
initial or remaining noncancelable terms in excess of one year as of February
28, 1999, are as follows:
Fiscal Year Amount
----------------------------------------------------
2000 $ 245,459
2001 236,834
2002 63,042
2003 55,911
2004 34,703
Thereafter 10,550
Certain litigation and claims arising in the normal course of business are
pending against the Company and its subsidiaries. While it is not possible to
predict the results of these matters, the Company is of the opinion that the
ultimate disposition of all such matters, after taking into account the
liabilities accrued with respect thereto and possible recoveries under insurance
liability policies, will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated
financial position.
9. Transactions With Related Parties
Brill Media Company, LP (BMCLP), owned indirectly by Mr. Brill, is a group
executive management operation which provides supervisory activities and certain
corporate-wide administrative services to the Company. BMCLP earns a fee, paid
monthly as permitted, based on a percentage of revenue under standard
contractual arrangements. The Company incurred management fees to BMCLP in
fiscal years 1999, 1998, and 1997 of $2,583,000, $2,075,000, and $1,945,000,
respectively. The payment of management fees is subordinated to the payment of
the Company's obligations under the Senior Notes.
The Company has management agreements and loans with affiliates, owned by Mr.
Brill, which operate radio stations in the same markets as the Company. In
accordance with the management agreements, the managed affiliates pay fixed
management fees plus a variable fee based on performance, as defined. The
Company earned management fees from these managed affiliates of $240,000 in
fiscal years 1999 and 1998.
51
<PAGE>
9. Transactions With Related Parties (continued)
At February 28, 1999 and 1998, notes receivable from managed affiliates totaled
$18,263,747 and $16,315,747, respectively, plus accrued interest of $324,357 at
February 28, 1998. In connection with the Company's issuance of the Senior Notes
and Appreciation Notes - see Note 7, the Company refinanced the outstanding
17.5% notes receivable from managed affiliates during fiscal 1998. The current
notes receivable bear interest at 12%, payable semi-annually. Principal and any
outstanding accrued interest is due January 2001. The Senior Notes indenture
generally limits the Company to $20 million of outstanding loans to managed
affiliates.
At February 28, 1999, amounts due from related parties includes a $3,000,000
note receivable plus accrued interest of $126,779 from an affiliate which
operates a radio station in one of the Company's markets. This note bears
interest at the prime rate payable annually until maturity on December 31, 2003.
Also included in amounts due from related parties are notes receivable from
officers of $500,000 plus accrued interest of $27,500. The five year notes bear
interest at 6%, payable annually, with principal due at maturity.
At February 28, 1999, amounts payable to related parties include accrued
management fees of $783,237 and accrued interest payable of $37,221, net of
other operating receivables of $183,317.
At February 28, 1998, amounts payable to related parties include accrued
management fees of $184,346, other operating payables of $40,241 and a $500,000
demand note payable which bears interest at the prime rate plus 1% (effectively,
9.5% at February 28, 1998).
An affiliate of the Company has acquired a facility that is currently partially
occupied by the Company. The Company has a lease with and has advanced to this
affiliate $500,000 for the Company's share of the "build out" costs to renovate
and occupy additional space in this facility to consolidate certain of its
operations. Additionally, two other affiliates of the Company acquired
buildings, that upon completion of planned renovations, will be leased to and
occupied by the Company and the managed affiliates. Each of these leases will be
at prevailing market rental rates.
10. Operating Segments
Effective February 28, 1999, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 131
"Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" which
established standards for reporting information about operating segments.
Operating segments are defined as components of the Company for which separate
financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the
chief operating decision maker in determining how to allocate resources to, and
access performance of, individual segments. The Company has two operating
segments: operation of AM and FM radio stations and publication of daily and
weekly newspapers and shoppers.
52
<PAGE>
10. Operating Segments (continued)
Information for the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998, and 1997, regarding the
Company's major operating segments is presented in the following table:
Radio News Total
---------------------------------------
Revenues:
1999 $14,922,266 $25,511,181 $40,433,447
1998 15,038,174 14,528,473 29,566,647
1997 13,595,820 13,440,395 27,036,215
Operating income:
1999 1,643,332 3,898,868 5,542,200
1998 1,743,993 3,407,998 5,151,991
1997 1,897,712 2,041,434 3,939,146
Total assets:
1999 41,673,635 25,151,621 66,825,256
1998 35,740,717 30,408,274 66,148,991
1997 11,074,545 15,367,692 26,442,237
Depreciation and amortization expense:
1999 1,543,812 1,321,857 2,865,669
1998 1,271,684 591,226 1,862,910
1997 917,438 477,589 1,395,027
Capital expenditures:
1999 887,824 614,584 1,502,408
1998 590,527 368,882 959,409
1997 336,952 931,895 1,268,847
53
<PAGE>
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
The Company has not made any changes in, nor has it had any disagreements
with its accountants, on accounting and financial disclosure.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Directors of Media are elected annually by its sole shareholder, BMC.
Executive officers of Media are elected by, and serve at the pleasure of,
Media's board of directors.
The following table sets forth certain information with regard to Media's
principal executive officers and directors as of February 28, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Alan R. Brill 56 Director, President and CEO
Robert M. Leich 56 Director
Philip C. Fisher 60 Director
Clifton E. Forrest 50 Director, Vice President (Newspapers) and Assistant Secretary
Charles W. Laughlin 70 Director
Alan L. Beck 47 Vice President (Radio)
Donald C. TenBarge 41 Vice President, CFO, Secretary and Treasurer
</TABLE>
Information concerning the experience and affiliations of the directors and
executive officers of Media is as set forth below.
ALAN R. BRILL, DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. Mr. Brill
founded the Company's predecessor beginning in 1981 and has worked in the media
industry for 26 years. Prior to starting the Company, after Peace Corps service
in Ecuador, Mr. Brill joined Arthur Young & Co. in New York City where he
practiced as a CPA with a diversified clientele. In 1972, he joined a new,
publicly-traded real estate investment trust in Atlanta as a senior financial
and administrative executive. The trust was involved in short and long-term real
estate loans, primarily to proprietary hospitals. In 1973, he was recruited by
Worrell Newspapers, Inc., a large, privately-owned newspaper group headquartered
in Charlottesville, Virginia, as its chief financial officer and named to the
company's Board of Directors. As a senior executive in the company, Mr. Brill
was involved in or responsible for all the company's numerous acquisitions and
financings, had a role in most significant operating matters and built a small
television group for the company. Soon after the founder transferred his
ownership interest to his son and withdrew from the business, Mr. Brill left
Worrell to form the Company's predecessor in 1981. Mr. Brill earned a B.A. in
economics and mathematics from DePauw University and an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School. Mr. Brill is a Certified Public Accountant.
54
<PAGE>
ROBERT M. LEICH, DIRECTOR. Mr. Leich is President of Diversified
Healthcare, Inc., successor to Charles Leich & Co., one of the country's largest
independent drug distributors. He is a director of Old National Bank,
Evansville, Indiana and of the National Wholesale Druggists Association. He has
served on the board of numerous civic and business organizations. Mr. Leich
graduated from Yale University and received his M.B.A. degree from Indiana
University at Bloomington.
PHILIP C. FISHER, DIRECTOR. Dr. Fisher is Dean of Business, University of
Southern Indiana and has published extensively on the case study method for
entrepreneurial businesses. He has held numerous civic and business posts,
including the board of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce and the executive
committee of the Indiana Council for Economic Education. He received his
undergraduate degree from Wayne State College, an M.B.A. from the University of
South Dakota, and a Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Business of Stanford
University.
CLIFTON E. FORREST, DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT (NEWSPAPERS) AND ASSISTANT
SECRETARY. Mr. Forrest joined the Company's predecessors in 1981 as publisher of
CMN. In 1987, he moved to Evansville to become a senior officer of BMCLP. His
responsibilities consist of managing the publishing, printing and distribution
areas and overseeing employee benefit plans, risk management programs, personnel
issues, and certain other matters. Mr. Forrest has 33 years of industry
experience including 10 years at Worrell Newspapers, Inc. where he served in
various roles publishing daily and weekly newspapers in five different states.
Mr. Forrest earned a B.A. degree with an emphasis in journalism, marketing,
advertising and industrial sociology from Wichita State University.
CHARLES W. LAUGHLIN, DIRECTOR. Mr. Laughlin is a lawyer and presently of
counsel to Thompson & McMullan, P.C., a law firm in Richmond, Virginia. Mr.
Laughlin received his undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary
and his J.D. from the University of Virginia. After completing a clerkship with
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, he has practiced law
in Richmond, Virginia since 1956 and has served as counsel to the Company since
its inception.
ALAN L. BECK, VICE PRESIDENT (RADIO). Mr. Beck joined the Company's
predecessor in 1985 as President/General Manager of the Pennsylvania Stations.
After two years, he moved to the BMCLP where he became Vice President-Radio
Group Operations. Currently, his major responsibilities include supervising the
Stations and promotional companies through the general managers, and acting as a
resource for other operations. Mr. Beck has 22 years of experience in all facets
of the radio and television industries. Mr. Beck earned a B.A. degree in
marketing from Southern Illinois University.
DONALD C. TENBARGE, VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, SECRETARY AND
TREASURER. Mr. TenBarge joined BMCLP in 1988. He is responsible for the
financial management and reporting of all operations and companies. In addition
to managing the information systems, Mr. TenBarge also
55
<PAGE>
participates in financing activities and acquisitions. Prior to joining BMCLP,
Mr. TenBarge was a manager in a regional CPA firm where he spent nine years
engaged in many aspects of audit, tax, systems, and financial planning. Mr.
TenBarge earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Evansville and is a
Certified Public Accountant.
The Company's businesses depend to a significant extent upon the efforts,
abilities, and expertise of Messrs. Brill, TenBarge, Beck, and Forrest. The loss
of any of these executives of BMCLP potentially would have an adverse effect on
the Company. Neither BMCLP nor the Company has any long-term employment contract
with Mr. Brill or any other executive officer.
Mr. Brill has procured key man insurance on his life in the face amount of
$5.0 million for the Company's benefit.
To the full extent permitted by applicable Virginia law, Media is obligated
to indemnify its officers and directors for liabilities and expenses incurred by
them because of their status as officers or directors of Media.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company to Mr.
Brill, as its President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, in all
capacities during the periods indicated. The Company did not pay any of its
executive officers salary and bonus in excess of $100,000 in fiscal 1999.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation
Other Annual All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Compensation
------------------------------ ---- ------ ----- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alan R. Brill, President, 1999 $0 $0 $0 $0
CEO, Treasurer and Director
1998 $0 $0 $0 $0
</TABLE>
Mr. Brill received no compensation from the Company, and the other executive
officers of the Company received no significant compensation from the Company.
All such persons also serve as officers of, and receive compensation from,
BMCLP. BMCLP provides management services to the Company and also to affiliated
and unaffiliated entities other than the Company pursuant to administrative
management agreements. During fiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997, BMCLP
earned approximately $2.6 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively,
for such services to the Company. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
56
<PAGE>
Options/SAR Grants in Fiscal 1999
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
option grants made to Mr. Brill for the fiscal year ended February 28, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE
PERCENT OF VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES OPTIONS/SARS STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS/ SARS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION OPTION TERM
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5% 10%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alan R. Brill N/A N/A N/A $0 $0
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 1999 AND 1998
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SHARES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISABLE IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/
ACQUIRED ON OPTIONS/SARS AT FISCAL SARS AT FISCAL YEAR-
EXERCISE VALUE YEAR-END, EXERCISABLE/ END, EXERCISABLE/
NAME (#)(1) REALIZED ($) UNEXERCISABLE (#) UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alan R. Brill 0 $0 0 $0
</TABLE>
The Company made no grants to Mr. Brill of options or stock appreciation
rights, and Mr. Brill did not exercise any stock or appreciation rights, in the
fiscal year ended February 28, 1999. Mr. Brill held no options or SARs of the
Company as of February 28, 1999.
Incentive Plan Agreements and Compensation of Directors
The Company has entered into performance incentive plan agreements (Plans)
with Clifton E. Forrest with respect to the Newspapers business and Alan L. Beck
with respect to the Stations' business (the Executives) in their capacities as
executives of the Company. The Plans accumulate increments annually based on
certain defined performance criteria. As of February 28, 1999, vested interests
of the Executives in the Plans totaled $1,216,500 for Mr. Forrest, and
$1,473,000 for Mr. Beck. Payments under the Plans will commence only upon
fulfillment of certain contingencies, including the Executive's death,
disability, retirement, or employment termination and can be paid, at the
Company's option, in amounts not to exceed quarterly payments of 2.5% of the
Executive's vested amount. The Company also participates in a defined
contribution profit sharing plan to which all Company employees may make
voluntary contributions.
In the year ended February 28, 1999, Thompson & McMullan, P.C. (to which
Mr. Laughlin is of counsel) received approximately $240,000 in fees from the
Company.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brill is the ultimate owner of all of the equity of the Company.
57
<PAGE>
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Since their organization or acquisition, each Subsidiary or affiliate owner
of a Newspaper or Station has paid management fees to Brill Media Company, L.P.
(BMCLP) pursuant to management agreements (Administrative Management
Agreements). BMCLP is a limited partnership whose limited partners are Alan R.
Brill and Northwest Radio, Inc., an affiliate owned indirectly by Mr. Brill, and
whose general partner is Brill Media Company, Inc., also an affiliate of the
Company also owned by Mr. Brill. Acting pursuant to such Administrative
Management Agreements, BMCLP is responsible for and provides to the Stations and
Newspapers long-range strategic planning, management support and oversight,
establishment of primary policies and procedures, resource allocation,
accounting and auditing, regulatory and legal compliance and support, license
renewals and the evaluation of potential acquisitions. In addition, executives
of BMCLP visit the Company's Stations and Newspapers on a frequent basis to
review performance, to assist local management with programming, production,
sales, and recruiting efforts, to develop, implement, and verify overall Station
and Newspaper operating and marketing strategies, and, most importantly, to
remain aware of developments in each market. The executives of BMCLP are the
same persons that are executives of BMC (see "Directors and Executive Officers
of the Registrant"), for which they presently receive no compensation from the
Company.
Pursuant to such Administrative Management Agreements, BMCLP earns an
annual fee, paid monthly as permitted, equal to ten percent of each Station's
net cash revenues and five percent of each of the Newspapers' net cash revenues.
Non-operating Subsidiaries and affiliates pay a nominal flat fee for any such
service received. For the years ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997 the
aggregate amount of such Administrative Management Agreement fees charged to
Subsidiaries was approximately $2.6 million, $2.1 million, $1.9 million,
respectively.
Pursuant to reimbursement agreements, from time to time third-party
services or products (such as insurance coverage) may be provided to one or more
of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or their affiliates, in which case such costs
are reimbursed on a ratable basis to the provider, which may be BMCLP, the
Company, or another Subsidiary or affiliate.
From time to time one or more of the Subsidiaries may provide management
services to a Managed Affiliate on an agreed fee basis for services rendered.
Such fees generally consist of a nominal fixed fee plus a variable additional
fee based upon the Managed Affiliate's performance. One of the Company's
Subsidiaries, Tri-State Broadcasting, Inc. (Tri-State) has entered into such
agreements (Tri-State Agreements) with two Managed Affiliates, TSB III, LLC, the
owner and operator of Stations WSTO-FM and WVJS-AM licensed to Owensboro,
Kentucky and TSB IV, LLC, the owner and operator of Station WKDQ-FM, licensed to
Henderson, Kentucky, each an entity wholly owned indirectly by Mr. Brill.
Pursuant to the Tri-State Agreements, Tri-State will receive from each of the
Managed Affiliates a monthly fee of $10,000 and an additional annual fee based
upon such Managed Affiliate's financial performance. The Company
58
<PAGE>
charged the Managed Affiliates $240,000 for the year ended February 28, 1999,
for such services.
Central Michigan Newspapers, Inc. (CMN), presently leases space from CMR
Investments, L.P. (CMR) a limited partnership affiliate of the Company (in which
BMCLP's and the Company's executives, Messrs. Brill, Forrest, and Beck each has
an interest as a limited partner). CMN has advanced to CMR the sum of $500,000
(a portion of the insurance proceeds resulting from a fire loss at CMNs prior
production facilities) for CMNs share of the "build out" costs of new quarters
that CMN will lease from CMR and will occupy after CMR has renovated the
property. After the renovations are complete, CMR and CMN will effect the
long-term lease for occupancy of the improved property for use as the
Newspapers' main office and production facility, all at a cost no greater than
that required for comparable space elsewhere in that market, if available.
Renovations are expected to be substantially completed during fiscal 2000.
DRI, LLC, an affiliate owned indirectly by Mr. Brill, is entering into a
lease on market rental terms with the Subsidiary Northland Broadcasting, LLC for
use of a portion of the Duluth Building as a studio facility for the Duluth,
Minnesota/Superior, Wisconsin Stations.
An affiliate of the Company has acquired a facility, that upon completion
of planned renovations, will be leased to and occupied by the Company and the
Managed Affiliates. Each of these leases will be at prevailing market rental
rates.
From time to time various Company Subsidiaries and affiliates have entered
into loan transactions between themselves, which transactions are duly recorded
in the appropriate Company books and records and the annual effects of which are
fully reflected in the Company's financial statements.
During fiscal 1999, the Company advanced $3.0 million to an affiliate which
operates a radio station in one of the Company's markets. The note bears
interest at the prime rate, payable annually until maturity on December 31,
2003. Also during fiscal 1999, the Company advanced $.5 million to officers. The
five year notes bear interest at 6%, payable annually, with principal due at
maturity.
The Company has loaned approximately $18.3 million to Managed Affiliates
and received in return therefor Managed Affiliate Notes which are unsecured,
mature on January 1, 2001 and bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. The
proceeds of such loans have been used by the Managed Affiliates to purchase
property, equipment, and intangibles and to provide working capital. Total
interest income earned by the Company on these loans totaled $2.1 million for
the year ended February 28, 1999. It is anticipated that similar relationships
may be initiated with other affiliates in the future. No transaction may cause
the aggregate principal amount of Managed Affiliate Notes then outstanding to
exceed $20.0 million unless: (i) the Board of Directors, including a majority of
the disinterested members of the Board, determines that the terms of the
transaction are no less favorable than those that could be obtained at the time
of such
59
<PAGE>
transaction in arms-length dealings with a person who is not an "Affiliate";
(ii) the Company obtains a written opinion of an independent investment bank of
nationally recognized standing that the transaction is fair to the Company from
a financial point of view; and (iii) the Company at the time of the transaction
is able to make a "Restricted Payment" (as such terms are defined in the
Indenture) in an amount equal to such excess amount.
BMCLP will provide management services to certain of the Subsidiaries and
may provide such services to other affiliates. Mr. Brill owns and controls,
directly or indirectly, all of such entities, which also may enter into other
contractual relationships from time to time. Such relationships may present a
conflict between Mr. Brill's interests, as the ultimate owner of all parties to
such relationships, and the interest of the holders of the Securities.
The Company is subject to provisions of Virginia law that restrict
transactions between the Company and its directors and officers, but the Company
does not additionally have a conflicts policy.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A)(1) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company are attached
hereto (located under Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data):
Report of Independent Auditors
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at February 28, 1999 and 1998
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Members' Deficiency for the Years
Ended February 28, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended February 28,
1999, 1998 and 1997
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(A)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following financial statement schedule is set forth herein: Schedule II
- - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves.
60
<PAGE>
All other statements and schedules have been omitted because they are not
required under related instructions, are inapplicable or are immaterial, or the
information is shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Company or
the notes thereto.
Brill Media Company, LLC
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Deductions -
Balance at Charged to Amounts
Beginning of Costs and Written Off Balance at
Description Period Expenses Net of End of Period
Recoveries
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended February 28, 1999:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 174,685 $ 413,954 $(376,942) $ 211,697
Year ended February 28, 1998:
Allowance for doubtful accounts 112,192 402,803 (340,310) 174,685
Year ended February 28, 1997:
Allowance for doubtful accounts 184,902 289,363 (362,073) 112,192
</TABLE>
(A)(3) EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are furnished with this report:
Exhibit 27 -- Financial Data Schedule
Exhibit 99 -- Press Release
61
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BRILL MEDIA COMPANY, LLC
By: BRILL MEDIA MANAGEMENT, INC.,
Manager
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Alan R. Brill
----------------------------------
Alan R. Brill
DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Donald C. TenBarge
----------------------------------
Donald C. TenBarge
VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
(PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL
AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Robert M. Leich
----------------------------------
Robert M. Leich
DIRECTOR
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Philip C. Fisher
----------------------------------
Philip C. Fisher
DIRECTOR
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Clifton E. Forrest
----------------------------------
Clifton E. Forrest
Director, Vice President,
and Assistant Secretary
June 01, 1999 By /s/ Charles W. Laughlin
----------------------------------
Charles W. Laughlin
DIRECTOR
62
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
financial statements in the Form 10-K of Brill Media Company, LLC for the year
ended February 28, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> FEB-28-1999
<PERIOD-START> MAR-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> FEB-28-1999
<CASH> 2,740,000
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 5,234,000
<ALLOWANCES> (212,000)
<INVENTORY> 495,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 8,625,000
<PP&E> 23,119,000
<DEPRECIATION> 10,295,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 66,825,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 8,715,000
<BONDS> 112,206,000
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> (54,097,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 66,825,000
<SALES> 40,433,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 40,433,000
<CGS> 34,891,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 34,891,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 171,000
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,744,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> (6,373,000)
<INCOME-TAX> 229,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (6,602,000)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (6,602,000)
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Don TenBarge
Brill Media Company, LLC
812-423-6200
William W. Galvin
The Galvin Partnership
212-838-5454
Brill Media Company, LLC Reports Fiscal 1999 Results:
Revenues Up 37%, Media Cashflow Ahead 22%
Evansville, IN, May 27, 1999 u Brill Media Company, LLC and Brill Media
Management, Inc., (together referred to as the oCompanyo), operator of radio
stations, newspapers and related businesses in middle markets, today reported
increased revenue and media cash flow for the fourth quarter and fiscal year
ended February 28, 1999.
For the year ended February 28, 1999, revenues increased 37% to $40.4 million
from $29.5 million for the prior year while media cashflow was ahead 22% to
$13.1 million compared with $10.7 million reported for the prior year. Increased
revenue and media cashflow resulted largely from the acquisition of newspapers
in 1998.
Revenues from newspaper operations were up 76% compared with the prior year with
media cashflow up approximately 38%. Radio station revenues, excluding revenues
from the Missouri stations which are being sold, were up 7% as was media
cashflow.
The Company had a net loss of $6.6 million for the year just ended as compared
to a $8.7 million loss for fiscal 1998. The reduced loss reflects primarily the
cost of financing arrangements in fiscal 1998 and a related extraordinary
write-off.
For the quarter ended February 28, 1999, revenues increased 36% to $8.9 million
from $6.6 million for the same quarter in fiscal 1998 while media cashflow was
ahead 3% to $2.3 million compared with $2.2 million. Increased revenue resulted
primarily from the newspaper acquisitions made in 1998 while the radio group
produced most of the increase in media cashflow.
<PAGE>
Revenues from newspaper operations were up 66% compared with the same quarter in
fiscal 1998 with media cashflow down approximately 13%. Temporary cash
investment income was down from the prior comparative period as a result of the
acquisitions that occurred at the end of fiscal 1998. The investment of
managerial and financial resources in the newspaper acquisitions continued in
the fourth quarter, while the increased revenues have not converted to media
cashflow as rapidly as expected. Radio station revenues, excluding the effect of
the Missouri stations which are being sold, were up 4% and media cashflow was
ahead 5%. As reported in the third quarter, the investments in operating
structure made to bolster the radio market franchise positions are declining,
resulting in margin improvement.
The Company had a net loss of $2.1 million for the quarter just ended as
compared to a $5.7 million loss for the prior comparative period. This
difference in loss is primarily due to the extraordinary write-off which
occurred at the end of fiscal 1998.
Alan R. Brill, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, owhile the Company
believes quarter-to-quarter results have little meaning, nonetheless revenue and
media cashflow in the fiscal fourth quarter were up 36% and 3%, respectively,
over the same quarter last year. The challenges seen in the third quarter
continue, as our most recent newspaper acquisitions continue to require
significant managerial time to assimilate them into our operating style, and
this has impacted the growth and performance of our existing properties. In
planning for fiscal 2000, we have committed additional top management personnel
to the newspaper groups.
"In fiscal 1999, we experienced significant growth from the newspaper
acquisitions made in 1998. Combined with our existing Central Michigan
Newspapers, these operations give us extensive market coverage. This enables us
to offer existing and potential customers truly effective buying power
opportunities with the ability to reach as many as 400,000 households in any
desired route combination. The coming year provides added opportunity to exploit
our marketing tools more completely in the vast market. Nonetheless, our real
task at this time is to improve the operating efficiency and effectiveness of
the newspapers so the margins of our existing newspapers return to their
traditional level and the new properties rise significantly toward our normal
margins.
"During the year we experienced revenue growth in each of our radio station
markets and overall cashflow gains. Our long term strategy is to continue
building revenues in all of our markets through higher rates and greater ad
volume. In fiscal 2000 we will realize operational efficiencies and savings from
having multiple properties in the same markets. We plan to make acquisitions to
expand these and similar markets.
<PAGE>
"Brill Media continues to invest time, effort and money to develop our markets
and position the Company for the long-term and to balance sales growth
expectations and market positioning of our existing properties. We have also
recently completed the relocation of our offices in Duluth to a new building
which we constructed and are presently beginning the long-planned major
construction of new operating facilities in Mt. Pleasant and Traverse City,
Michigan and Evansville. Since these four original facilities were clearly
unsatisfactory, the new structures should significantly improve our operating
efficiency and managerial effectiveness. As always, we remain open to
acquisition opportunities and in early April 1999, the Company acquired a small
monthly real estate guide with a distribution of 20,000 households serving the
Grand Traverse and Gaylord areas of central Michigan.
"We are currently working with prospective lenders to secure additional
acquisition capital as permitted by the indenture under which the CompanyAEs
Senior Notes and Appreciation Notes were issued,o Mr. Brill concluded.
On April 29, 1999 the Company, pursuant to the indenture, provided to the
Trustee of its Senior Notes and Appreciation Notes written intention to redeem
the Appreciation Notes on June 15, 1999 for the aggregate sum of $3.0 million.
Brill Media is a diversified media enterprise that currently owns or operates
fifteen radio stations in five markets and 28 publications in a large Michigan
marketplace. All of the capital stock of the Company is owned by the President,
Alan R. Brill.
- Table Follows -
<PAGE>
BRILL MFDIA COMPANY, LLC
BRILL MEDIA MANAGEMENT, INC.
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended February 28 Year Ended February 28
------------------------------ ----------------------
Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 1998 % Change Fiscal 1999 Fiscal 1998 %Change
----------- ----------- -------- ----------- ----------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues 8,949 6,592 35.8 40,433 29,567 36.8
Media Cashflow 2,274 2,210 2.9 13,099 10,741 22.0
EBITDA 1,709 2,086 (18.1) 8,408 7,015 19.9
Operating Income 939 1,520 (38.2) 5,542 5,152 7.6
Net Loss (2,116) (5,651) (6,603) (8,692) 0
</TABLE>
The term "media cashflow" represents EBITDA plus incentive plan expense,
management fees, time brokerage fee expense, consulting expense, income from
temporary cash investments and interest income from loans made by the Company to
managed affiliates. As used above "media cashflow" and EBITDA include the
results of unrestricted subsidiaries and therefore differ from the same terms as
defined in the Indenture for the Company's Senior Notes.
The matters discussed in this press release include forward-looking statements.
In addition, when used in this press release, the words ointends to,o
obelieves,o oanticipates,o oexpects,o and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially
and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result
of various important factors, including the impact of changes in national and
regional economies, successful integration of acquired radio stations and
newspapers (including achievement of synergies and cost reductions), pricing
fluctuations in local and national advertising, volatility in programming costs,
the availability of suitable acquisitions on acceptable terms and the risk
factors set forth in the CompanyAEs Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements
that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances.
