Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1. Business and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Saga Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries contained elsewhere herein. The following discussion is presented on a consolidated basis. We serve twenty-eight radio markets (reporting units) that aggregate into one operating segment (Radio), which also qualifies as a reportable segment. We operate under one reportable business segment for which segment disclosure is consistent with the management decision-making process that determines the allocation of resources and the measuring of performance. Corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense, interest income, other (income) expense, and income tax provision are managed on a consolidated basis.
The discussion of our operating performance focuses on station operating income because we manage our stations primarily on station operating income. Operating performance is evaluated for each individual market.
We use certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) to assess our financial performance. For example, we evaluate the performance of our markets based on “station operating income” (operating income plus corporate general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, other operating (income) expenses, impairment of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill) and use “same station” financial information when analyzing year over year variances. Station operating income is generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as a measure of performance, is used by analysts who report on the performance of the broadcasting industry, and it serves as an indicator of the market value of a group of stations. In addition, we use it to evaluate individual stations, market-level performance, overall operations and as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management. Station operating income is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available to us for debt service requirements, other commitments, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. Station operating income is not a measure of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, our results of operations presented on a GAAP basis. Same station financial information excludes stations that we did not own or operate for the entire comparable period.
General
We are a media company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties including opportunities complementary to our core radio business including digital, e-commerce and non-traditional revenue initiatives. We actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties. We review acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis.
Radio Stations and Complementary Digital Marketing Services
Our radio stations’ primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. Depending on the format of a particular radio station, there are a predetermined number of advertisements available to be broadcast each hour.
Most advertising contracts are short-term and generally run for a few weeks only. The majority of our revenue is generated from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each radio market’s sales staff. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately 91% and 88%, respectively, of our radio stations’ gross revenue was from local advertising. To generate national advertising sales, we engage independent advertising sales representative firms that specialize in national sales for each of our broadcast markets.
Our revenue varies throughout the year. Advertising expenditures, our primary source of revenue, generally have been lowest during the winter months, which include the first quarter of each year. Political revenue was significantly lower in 2025 due to the decreased number of national, state, and local elections in most of our markets as compared to 2024. Our gross political revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $650,000 and $3,263,000, respectively. We expect political revenue in 2026 to increase from 2025 levels as a result of more elections in 2026 at the local, state and national levels.
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Our net operating revenue, station operating expense and operating income vary from market to market based upon the market’s rank or size which is based upon population and the available radio advertising revenue in that particular market.
The broadcasting industry and advertising in general is influenced by the state of the overall economy, including unemployment rates, inflation, energy prices and consumer interest rates. Our stations broadcast primarily in small to midsize markets. Historically, these markets have been more stable than major metropolitan markets during downturns in advertising spending, but may not experience increases in such spending as significant as those in major metropolitan markets in periods of economic improvement.
Our financial results are dependent on a number of factors, the most significant of which is our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The rates a station is able to charge are, in large part, based on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by its advertisers. In a number of our markets, this is measured by periodic reports generated by independent national rating services. In the remainder of our markets it is measured by the results advertisers obtain through the actual running of an advertising schedule. Advertisers measure these results based on increased demand for their goods or services and/or actual revenues generated from such demand. Various factors affect the rate a station can charge, including the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, ability to provide popular programming, local market competition, target marketing capability of radio compared to other advertising media, and signal strength.
When we acquire and/or begin to operate a station or group of stations we generally increase programming and advertising and promotion expenses to increase our share of our target demographic audience. Our strategy sometimes requires levels of spending commensurate with the revenue levels we plan on achieving in two to four years. During periods of economic downturns, or when the level of advertising spending is flat or down across the industry, this strategy may result in the appearance that our cost of operations are increasing at a faster rate than our growth in revenues, until such time as we achieve our targeted levels of revenue for the acquired station or group of stations.
The number of advertisements that can be broadcast without jeopardizing listening levels (and the resulting ratings) is limited in part by the format of a particular radio station. Our stations strive to maximize revenue by constantly managing the number of commercials available for sale and by adjusting prices based upon local market conditions and ratings. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of inventory sell out ratios and pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.
Our radio stations employ a variety of programming formats. We periodically perform market research, including music evaluations, focus groups and strategic vulnerability studies. Because reaching a large and demographically attractive audience is crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong listener loyalty. Our stations also employ audience promotions to further develop and secure a loyal following. We believe that the diversification of formats on our radio stations helps to insulate us from the effects of changes in musical tastes of the public on any particular format.
The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating radio stations are employee salaries and related benefit costs, sales commissions, programming expenses, depreciation, and advertising and promotion expenses.
The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of new media technologies and services. These new technologies and media are gaining advertising share against radio and other traditional media.
The advertising industry continues to evolve as businesses increasingly utilize multiple media channels to reach consumers. In response to these industry trends, we have expanded the range of advertising solutions offered to our clients to include both broadcast radio advertising and complementary digital marketing services.
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We continue to execute Saga’s digital strategy focused on the consumer journey. Our integrated advertising approach allows advertisers to combine the reach and audience engagement of radio with digital advertising tools that enable more targeted consumer engagement and campaign measurement. These services include paid search advertising, targeted digital display advertising, streaming advertising, social media advertising, online video advertising, website-based advertising, on-line news services and other related digital marketing services.
Paid search advertising campaigns are designed to reach consumers actively searching for products or services. Targeted digital display advertising campaigns are delivered through programmatic advertising platforms and allow advertisers to reach audiences based on geographic location, behavioral attributes, contextual relevance and other targeting parameters. Most of our radio stations are able to be streamed on third party music platforms and our customers advertise between songs played on the streaming service. Additionally, we have online news sites, where advertisers place web banners that link to the client’s website. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, approximately 15% and 12%, respectively, of our radio stations’ gross revenue was from digital advertising.
Our digital advertising services are supported by a centralized team of digital implementation specialists who work in conjunction with local market personnel to execute and optimize campaigns. Campaign performance is monitored throughout the duration of the advertising schedule and clients are generally provided periodic reports which may include impressions, clicks, website visits, calls generated and other campaign performance indicators.
Our digital advertising services rely on a number of third-party technology platforms and advertising exchanges, including major search, social media and programmatic advertising providers. Changes in the policies, technologies or pricing structures of these platforms could affect the manner in which digital advertising services are delivered.
We expect the use of integrated advertising strategies combining broadcast and digital media to continue evolving as advertisers seek broader reach, targeted messaging and measurable marketing outcomes.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, our Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Norfolk, Virginia; and Portland, Maine markets, when combined, represented approximately 34% and 36%, respectively, of our consolidated net operating revenue. An adverse change in any of these radio markets or relative market position in those markets could have a significant impact on our operating results as a whole.
The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated net operating revenue represented by each of these markets:
Percentage of Consolidated
Net Operating Revenue
for the Years
Ended December 31,
Market:
Charleston, South Carolina 6 % 6 %
Columbus, Ohio 7 % 8 %
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11 % 12 %
Norfolk, Virginia 5 % 5 %
Portland, Maine 5 % 5 %
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During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the radio stations in our five largest markets when combined, represented approximately 39% and 40%, respectively, of our consolidated station operating income (loss). The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated station operating income (loss) represented by each of these markets:
Percentage of Consolidated
Station Operating Income(*)
for the Years Ended
December 31,
Market:
Charleston, South Carolina 8 % 7 %
Columbus, Ohio 1 % 5 %
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 19 % 17 %
Norfolk, Virginia 4 % 5 %
Portland, Maine 7 % 6 %
Results of Operations
The following tables summarize our results of operations for the two years ended years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Years Ended December 31, $ Increase % Increase
2025 2024 (Decrease) (Decrease)
(In thousands, except %’s and per share information)
Other operating (income) expense, net (11,522) 1,048 (12,570) N/M
Impairment of goodwill 19,229 — 19,229 N/M
Impairment of intangible assets 1,168 — 1,168 N/M
(Loss) earnings per share (diluted) $ (1.22) $ 0.55 $ (1.77) (321.8) %
N/M = Not Meaningful
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Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
For the year ended December 31, 2025, consolidated net operating revenue was $107,112,000 compared with $112,919,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $5,807,000 or 5.1%. We had an increase of approximately $725,000 that was attributable to stations that we did not own or operate for the entire comparable period, offset by a decrease of $6,532,000 generated by stations we owned or operated for the comparable period in 2024 (“same station”). The decrease in same station revenue in 2025 was due to decreases in gross local revenues of $5,202,000, gross political revenue of $2,613,000, gross national revenue of $1,741,000 and gross non-spot revenue of $235,000 partially offset by increases in gross interactive or digital revenue of $2,603,000 and a decrease in agency commission of $985,000 from 2024. The most significant decreases in gross local revenue occurred in our Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Ithaca, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Keene, New Hampshire/Brattleboro, Vermont; and Norfolk, Virginia markets partially offset by an increase at our Asheville, North Carolina market. The gross political revenue decreased due to a decrease in the number of national, state and local elections. The decrease in gross national revenue is primarily due to decreases in our Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Manchester, New Hampshire; Ocala, Florida; and Portland Maine, partially offset by an increase in our Norfolk, Virginia market. The increase in gross digital revenue is primarily due to an increase in our streaming, website advertising, search engine management (“SEM”) and targeted display revenue. The decrease in our agency commissions is due to the decrease in local agency revenue.
Station operating expense was $91,781,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with $91,835,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $54,000 or 0.1%. We had an increase of approximately $842,000 that was attributable to stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period offset with a decrease of $896,000 generated by stations we owned or operated for the comparable period in 2024. The decrease in same station operating expenses was primarily a result of decreases in compensation-related expenses, advertising and promotional expenses, bad debt expenses and maintenance and repairs expenses of $2,323,000, $470,000, $316,000 and $225,000, respectively, partially offset by increases in music licensing expenses and digital services expenses of $2,121,000 and $367,000, respectively from 2024. As disclosed in Note 12 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements, on August 19, 2025 the RMLC announced (as did each of ASCAP and BMI, respectively) that the RMLC had entered into separate settlement agreements with each of ASCAP and BMI to resolved rate-setting proceedings pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The settlements established final license fee rates which apply retroactively for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025 and on a go forward basis until December 31, 2029. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recorded an aggregate of approximately $2.2 million related to the ASCAP and BMI retroactive adjustments in station operating expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss).
We had an operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2025 of $11,044,000 compared to operating income of $2,355,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $13,399,000. The primary reasons for the operating loss in 2025 compared to 2024 is because of the non-cash impairment charge of $20,397,000 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025 (as described in Note 3 in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements) partially offset by operating income of $11,522,000 primarily related to the sale of 24 telecommunications towers and related real property and other assets located at 22 tower sites. The recent economic slowdown has negatively affected the radio broadcasting industry as advertising revenues continued to decline in latter part of 2025 and our digital advertising growth did not outpace the declines in radio broadcasting advertising. The revenue decline in the fourth quarter for the industry and the Company were greater than those originally forecasted and experienced in the first part of the year which was the primary reason for the impairment to broadcast license at our Ithaca, New York market and our goodwill for the Company. In 2025, we recorded a gain on the sale of fixed assets of $11,522,000 compared to a loss on sale of fixed assets and intangibles of $1,048,000 in 2024 as described in Note 16 (Sale-Leaseback Transaction) and Note 9 (Acquisitions and Disposals). The remaining decrease was a result of the decrease in net operating revenue, partially offset by the decrease in station operating expense, described above, partially offset by a decrease in our corporate general and administrative expenses of $76,000 and a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense of $105,000. The decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to decreases in the expense related to the income tax obligation relating to the transfer of a split dollar life insurance policy to our former CEO, Ed Christian’s estate of $500,000 recorded in 2024, and other travel related and manager meetings expenses totaling $182,000 partially offset but increases related to shareholder activism and a potential proxy contest of $226,000, and increases in our stock-based compensation and insurance-related expenses of $162,000 and $138,000, respectively.
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We generated a net loss of $7,899,000 ($1.22 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to net income $3,460,000 ($0.55 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $11,359,000. The decrease in net income is due to the decrease of operating income, resulting primarily from the non-cash impairment charges described above. We also experienced an increase in interest expense of $86,000, a decrease in interest income of $143,000, a decrease in other income of $1,411,000 which were partially offset by a decrease in income taxes of $3,680,000. The increase in interest expense is due to an increase in debt outstanding. The decrease in interest income is related to the decrease in the amount of short-term investment accounts. The other income in 2025 of $105,000 is related to insurance proceeds and in 2024 it is related to $1,133,000 received related to the sale of an investment in BMI and $383,000 in insurance proceeds. The gain on gain on insurance claims are recorded in other (income) expense, net in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss). The decrease in our income tax expense is due to the net loss before income tax benefit compared to the net income before income tax expense for the comparable period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Debt Arrangements and Debt Service Requirements
In connection with the Sale-Leaseback Transaction described in Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment (“Fourth Amendment”) to its Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2015 and amended on September 1, 2017, June 17, 2018, and December 19, 2022, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and The Huntington National Bank (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), (i) reducing the aggregate amount of the Lender’s revolving commitments from $50,000,000 to $40,000,000, and (ii) releasing the Agent’s security interest in the GTC Assets, but not any proceeds paid for the GTC Assets or any other collateral. Previously, on December 19, 2022, we entered into a Third Amendment to our Credit Facility, (the “Third Amendment”), which extended the maturity date to December 19, 2027, reduced the lenders to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the Huntington National Bank (collectively, the “Lenders”), established an interest rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) as administered by the SOFR Administrator (currently established as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) as the interest base and increased the basis points.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the Credit Facility and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Facility.
Interest rates under the Credit Facility are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to SOFR (3.87% at December 31, 2025), plus 1% to 2% or the base rate plus 0% to 1%. The spread over SOFR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. Letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility will be subject to a participation fee (which is equal to the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement) payable to each of the Lenders and a fronting fee equal to 0.25% per annum payable to the issuing bank. Under the Third Amendment, we now pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility. We previously paid quarterly commitment fees of 0.2% to 0.3% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility contains a number of financial covenants (all of which we were in compliance with at December 31, 2025) which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances.
We had $5,000,000 debt outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 that we borrowed in conjunction with our Lafayette acquisition.
We had approximately $35 million and $45 million unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had net cash flows from operating activities of $5,464,000 and $13,772,000, respectively. We believe that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet any quarterly debt service requirements for interest and scheduled payments of principal under the Credit Facility if we borrow in the future. However, if such cash flow is not sufficient, we may be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations or dispose of one or more of our properties in order to make such scheduled payments. There can be no assurance that we would be able to effect any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all.
In March 2013, our Board of Directors authorized an increase to our Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) to allow us to purchase up to $75.8 million of our Class A Common Stock. From the Buy-Back Program’s inception in 1998 through December 31, 2025, we have repurchased 2.4 million shares of our Class A Common Stock for $60.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2025, approximately 184,000 shares were repurchased for $2,100,000 under privately negotiated transactions and approximately 35,000 shares were retained for payment of withholding taxes for $400,000 related to the vesting of restricted stock. We continue to monitor economic conditions to determine if and when it makes sense to make additional buybacks under our plan.
Our capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions, for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $3,041,000 ($3,767,000 in 2024). We anticipate capital expenditures in 2026 to be approximately $3.5 million to $4.5 million, which we expect to finance through funds generated from operations.
On October 17, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, GTC Uno, LLC (“GTC”) and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”), under which the Subsidiaries agreed to sell 24 telecommunications towers and related real property and other assets located at 22 sites (the “GTC Assets”) for a total cash purchase price of approximately $10.7 million (the “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”). The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties made by the Company, GTC and the Subsidiaries. On the Closing Date, the parties closed on the sale of the 22 tower sites. Sales proceeds, net of brokerage commissions and certain adjustments, of approximately $10.1 million were paid to the Company, with the remaining purchase price of $400 thousand paid into escrow. The Company recognized a gain on sale of $11.6 million, which includes the purchase price net of certain closing costs and legal expenses plus the estimated fair value of the difference between the present value of the contractual lease payments and the present value of estimated market lease payments obtained at closing of approximately $5.2 million less the carrying value of the towers. This gain is included in Other operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Sale-Leaseback transaction is part of the Company’s previously announced plan to optimize its portfolio of assets including monetizing non-productive assets.
On February 13, 2024, we entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of WKOA (FM), WKHY (FM), WASK (FM), WXXB (FM), WASK (AM) and W269DJ from Neuhoff Communications, Inc. serving the Greater Lafayette, Indiana radio market for $5.3 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. The Company closed on this transaction on May 31, 2024, using funds from operations and borrowings under our credit agreement, of $5,832,000, which included the purchase price of $5,300,000, the purchase of $499,000 in accounts receivable and transactional costs of approximately $121,000 offset by $88,000 in certain closing adjustments.
During 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared four quarterly cash dividends on its Class A Common Stock. These dividends, totaling $1.00 per share and approximately $6.4 million were paid during 2025.
During 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared four quarterly cash dividends and a variable dividend on its Class A Common Stock. These dividends, totaling $1.60 per share and approximately $10.0 million were paid during 2024.
During 2025, we used the proceeds from our U.S. Treasury Bills to purchase additional U.S. Treasury Bills when they were up for redemption at various times through the year. We redeemed $18.2 million in U.S. Treasury Bills and purchased an additional $18.2 million in U.S. Treasury Bills. At December 2025, we have recorded $9.3 million of
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held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills at amortized cost basis that have a fair market value of $9.3 million. Our held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills all have original maturity dates ranging from January 2026 to May 2026.
We anticipate that any future acquisitions of radio stations and dividend payments will be financed through funds generated from operations, borrowings under the Credit Agreement, additional debt or equity financing, or a combination thereof. However, there can be no assurances that any such financing will be available on acceptable terms, if at all.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures and contingencies. We evaluate estimates used in preparation of our financial statements on a continual basis, including estimates related to the following:
Purchase Accounting: We account for our acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying net assets, based on their respective estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair values of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items.
Broadcast Licenses and Goodwill: As of December 31, 2025, we have recorded approximately $90,311,000 in broadcast licenses, which represents 45% of our total assets. In assessing the recoverability of these assets, we must conduct impairment testing and charge to operations an impairment expense only in the periods in which the carrying value of these assets is more than their fair value. We conduct the impairment testing of broadcast licenses and goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we recorded an impairment loss of $20,397,000 for broadcast licenses and goodwill. There was no impairment of broadcast licenses or goodwill in 2024.
We believe our estimate of the value of our broadcast licenses is a critical accounting estimate as the value is significant in relation to our total assets, and our estimate of the value uses assumptions that incorporate variables based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance of our stations. These variables include but are not limited to: (1) the forecast growth rate of each radio market, including population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures; (2) market share and profit margin of an average station within a market; (3) estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (4) risk-adjusted discount rate; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; and (6) terminal values. Changes in our estimates of the fair value of these assets could result in material future period write-downs in the carrying value of our broadcast licenses. As a result of our annual broadcast license impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2025, we noted that the fair value exceeded the carrying value of our broadcast license in Ithaca, New York, resulting in a $1.2 million non-cash impairment charge. For illustrative purposes only, during our 2025 impairment test had the discount rate of our broadcasting licenses that had been quantitatively tested been higher by 0.5% we would have recorded an additional broadcast license impairment of approximately $670,000.
Additionally, our estimate of the value of our goodwill is a critical accounting estimate and our estimate of the value uses assumptions that incorporate variables based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance. As part of our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2025, which indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit was below its carrying value, we have reduced our goodwill to zero, resulting in a $19.2 million non-cash impairment charge. The impairment was driven by lower than expected revenue growth seen in the fourth quarter of 2025 for our radio advertising revenue and the radio industry as a whole which resulted in less than favorable market projections and operating profit margins used in our annual impairment calculation performed in the fourth quarter. We believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the estimated fair value of our goodwill, however, these estimates and assumptions are highly judgmental in nature. Actual results can be
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materially different from estimate and assumptions. Following the impairment charge, no goodwill remains recorded for the reporting unit.
Sale Leaseback: During 2025, the Company completed a sale-leaseback transaction involving 24 of its towers at 22 tower sites (the “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”). In connection with the Sale-Leaseback transaction, the Company sold the property to a third party and simultaneously entered into a 25-year lease agreement that allows the Company to continue using the property without contractual lease payments.
The Company evaluated the Sale-Leaseback transaction under the sale-leaseback guidance in ASC 842 and concluded that the transfer of the property qualified as a sale. Because the leaseback was not determined to be at fair value, the Company recognized prepaid rent that is included within the balance of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets representing the difference between the present value of the contractual lease payments and the present value of market lease payments.
The determination of the difference between the present value of the contractual lease payments and the present value of market lease payments requires significant judgment and estimation and could materially affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Accordingly, the Company considers this estimate to be a critical accounting estimate. The Company estimated the present value of market lease payments by:
The resulting present value represents the prepaid rent recorded in our right-of-use asset recognized at lease commencement, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over the 25-year lease term. The most significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the prepaid rent benefit include (1) Market rental rates for comparable properties in the relevant market; and (2) Discount rate. These assumptions were developed using a combination of third-party market data, comparable lease information, and internal analyses. Because the fair value of the prepaid rent benefit is based on estimates of market rental rates and discount rates, changes in these assumptions could materially affect the amount of the ROU asset recognized. Changes in these assumptions would also affect the amount of amortization expense recognized in future periods.
Tax Provisions: Our estimates of income taxes and the significant items giving rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and reflect our assessment of actual future taxes to be paid on items reflected in the financial statements, giving consideration to both timing and probability of these estimates. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or results from the final review of our tax returns by federal, state or foreign tax authorities. We use our judgment to determine whether it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if the Company believes it is more than likely than not that some portion or the entire asset will not be realized.
Market Risk and Risk Management Policies
Our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our long-term debt arrangements. If we had borrowings against our long-term debt arrangements, in the event of an adverse change in interest rates, management may take actions to mitigate our exposure.
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Inflation
The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. We are however, starting to see the effects of higher inflation starting to impact costs of most goods and services. There can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse effect on our operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements are described in Note 1 to the accompanying financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information appearing under the caption “Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in Item 7 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements attached hereto are filed as part of this annual report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting were effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act will be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework as set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on our evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2025. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025 has been audited by Crowe LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which appears below.
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
On April 10, 2026, the Company entered into certain amendments to its previously disclosed sale-leaseback transaction. See Note 16 – Sale Leaseback Transaction in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the amendments.
Items 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year. See also Item 1. Business — Information About Our Executive Officers.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)1. Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements attached hereto are filed as part of this annual report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 173) 49
Consolidated Financial Statements:
— Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 56
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto and filed as part of this annual report. All other schedules for which provision are made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
3. Exhibits
The Exhibits filed in response to Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Saga Communications, Inc.
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Saga Communications, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements")2. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2025 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
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and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Goodwill Impairment Evaluation
As disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $19.2M during the year ended December 31, 2025. Management performs an annual quantitative impairment test during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently when it is determined that events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. The Company has one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Impairment of goodwill is assessed by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated by management using an income approach. Management’s cash flow projections for its goodwill impairment testing included significant judgments and assumptions relating to projected revenues and projected revenue growth rates, projected operating margins, projected general and administrative expenses and the discount rate.
We considered auditing the evaluation of goodwill for impairment to be a critical audit matter because it involved a high degree of subjectivity in evaluating management’s estimates, judgments, and significant assumptions, as well as significant audit effort due to complexity in the aggregation and evaluation of significant amounts of data and the use of valuation specialists.
Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of goodwill for impairment included the following:
● Substantively testing management’s process, including:
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/s/ Crowe LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2024
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
April 14, 2026
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value)
December 31,
(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Short-term investments 9,300 8,927
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,624 2,606
Barter transactions 707 752
Other assets:
Operating right-of-use assets 10,253 6,938
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses:
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes 5,327 5,542
Barter transactions 794 930
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10, 12 and 14) — —
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 1,500 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding — —
Common stock:
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 201,322 $ 221,725
See accompanying notes.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating expenses:
Corporate general and administrative 12,322 12,398
Depreciation and amortization 5,178 5,283
Other operating (income) expense, net (11,522) 1,048
Impairment of goodwill 19,229 —
Impairment of intangible assets 1,168 —
Operating (loss) income (11,044) 2,355
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense 434 348
Interest income (904) (1,047)
Other income (105) (1,516)
(Loss) income before income tax expense (10,469) 4,570
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Net (loss) income $ (7,899) $ 3,460
(Loss) Earnings per share:
Weighted average common shares 6,152 6,075
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares 6,152 6,075
Dividends declared per share $ 1.00 $ 1.60
See accompanying notes.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
Class A Class B Additional Total
Common Stock Common Stock Paid-In Retained Treasury Shareholders’
(In thousands)
Net income — — — — — 3,460 — 3,460
Issuance of restricted stock 177 2 — — (2) — — —
Forfeiture of restricted stock (1) — — — — — — —
Dividends declared per common share — — — — — (10,015) — (10,015)
Purchase of shares held in treasury — — — — — — (290) (290)
Net loss — — — — — (7,899) — (7,899)
Issuance of restricted stock 126 1 — — 1 — — 2
Forfeiture of restricted stock (5) — — — — — — —
Dividends declared per common share — — — — — (6,433) — (6,433)
Purchase of shares held in treasury — — — — — — (2,534) (2,534)
See accompanying notes.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,178 5,283
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense (4,090) (115)
Impairment of goodwill 19,229 —
Impairment of intangible assets 1,168 —
Amortization of deferred costs 45 36
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards 2,132 1,950
Provision for credit losses 681 983
(Gain) Loss on sale of assets, net (11,522) 1,048
(Gain) on insurance claims (105) (383)
Other (gain), net — (1,133)
Barter (revenue) expense, net (93) 89
Deferred and other compensation (175) (230)
Changes in operating lease assets and liabilities (net) 11 (22)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition of AR:
(Increase) decrease in current assets 823 1,204
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,464 13,772
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments (18,245) (19,660)
Redemption of short-term investments 18,245 20,728
Acquisition of broadcast properties — (5,711)
Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets 10,085 203
Other investing activities — (3)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 7,149 (6,684)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt — 5,000
Purchase of treasury shares (2,534) (290)
Net cash used in financing activities (8,967) (17,810)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,646 (10,722)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 18,860 29,582
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 22,506 $ 18,860
See accompanying notes.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
Saga Communications, Inc. is a media company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties including opportunities complementary to our core radio business including digital, e-commerce and non-traditional revenue initiatives. We currently own or operate eighty-two FM, thirty AM radio stations and seventy-nine metro signals, serving twenty-eight markets throughout the United States.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Saga Communications, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our accounting estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The accounting estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may use outside experts to assist in our evaluation, as considered necessary. Actual results may differ from estimates provided and there may be changes to those estimates in the future periods.
Concentration of Risk
Certain cash deposits with financial institutions may at times exceed FDIC insurance limits.
Our top five markets when combined represented 34% and 36% of our net operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
We sell advertising to local and national companies throughout the United States. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. We maintain an allowance for credit losses at a level which we believe is sufficient to cover potential credit losses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and time deposits with original maturities of three months or less. We did not have any time deposits at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Financial Instruments
We account for marketable securities in accordance with ASC 320, “Investments – Debt Securities,” which require that certain debt securities be classified into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities, and depending upon the classification, value the security at amortized cost or fair market value. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we have recorded $9.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, of held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills at amortized cost basis that have a fair market value of $9.3 million and $8.9 million respectively. Our held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills all have original maturity dates ranging from January 2026 to May 2026.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Our financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value as it carries interest rates that either fluctuate with the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”), prime rate or have been reset at the prevailing market rate at December 31, 2025.
Allowance for Credit Losses
A provision for credit losses is recorded based on our judgment of the collectability of receivables. Amounts are written off when determined to be fully uncollectible. Delinquent accounts are based on contractual terms. The activity in the allowance for credit losses during the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Write Off of
Balance Charged to Allowance Uncollectible Balance at
at Beginning Costs and From Accounts, Net of End of
Year Ended of Period Expenses Acquisitions Recoveries Period
(in thousands)
Barter Transactions
Our radio stations trade air time for goods and services used principally for promotional, sales and other business activities. An asset and a liability are recorded at the fair market value of goods or services received. Barter revenue is recorded when commercials are broadcast, and barter expense is recorded when goods or services received are used.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of the assets. We review our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amounts to future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If the assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair market value. We did not record any impairment of property and equipment during 2025 and 2024.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Estimated December 31,
(In thousands)
Land and land improvements — $ 13,468 $ 15,524
Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements 7-20 years 8,359 8,314
Net property and equipment $ 46,413 $ 51,907
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, was $4,789,000 and $5,013,000, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, which include broadcast licenses and goodwill, are not amortized and are subject to impairment tests which are conducted in the 4th quarter of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
We have 112 broadcast licenses serving 28 markets, which require renewal over the period of 2027-2030. In determining that the Company’s broadcast licenses qualified as indefinite-lived intangible assets, management considered a variety of factors including our broadcast licenses may be renewed indefinitely at little cost; our broadcast licenses are essential to our business and we intend to renew our licenses indefinitely; we have never been denied the renewal of an FCC broadcast license nor do we believe that there will be any compelling challenge to the renewal of our broadcast licenses; and we do not believe that the technology used in broadcasting will be replaced by another technology in the foreseeable future. The weighted-average period before the next renewal of the Company’s FCC licenses is 3.1 years.
Separable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Favorable lease agreements are amortized over the lease’s length, ranging from one to twenty-six years. Other intangibles are amortized over one to fifteen years. Customer relationships are amortized over three years.
Deferred Costs
The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the Credit Facility. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we recognized interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs of $45,000 and $36,000, respectively.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024 the net book value of debt issuance costs related to our line of credit was $49,000, and $94,000, respectively, and was presented in other intangibles, deferred costs and investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Leases
We determine whether a contract is or contains a lease at inception. The lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are recorded on the balance sheet for all leases with an expected term of at least one year, based on the present value of the lease payments using (1) the rate implicit in the lease or (2) our incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). Our IBR is defined as the rate of interest we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We follow the accounting guidance for leases, which includes the recognition of lease expense for leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies for more information on Leases.
Common Stock
Our founder and former Chairman, President, and CEO, Edward K. Christian, passed away on August 19, 2022. As of the date of his passing, Mr. Christian, who was also our principal shareholder, held approximately 65% of the combined voting power of the Company’s Common Stock based on our Class B Common Stock (together with the Class A Common Stock, collectively, the “Common Stock”) generally being entitled to ten votes per share. As a result, Mr. Christian was generally able to control the vote on most matters submitted to the vote of shareholders and, therefore, was able to direct our management and policies, except with respect to (i) the election of two Class A directors, (ii) those matters where the shares of our Class B Common Stock were only entitled to one vote per share, and (iii) other matters requiring a class vote under the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. Mr. Christian’s passing resulted in the conversion of his Class B Shares into Class A Shares that were transferred to an estate planning trust that now owns approximately 14.0% of the common stock outstanding. As a result, we no longer have any shares of Class B Common Stock issued or outstanding.
Treasury Stock
In March 2013, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the amount committed to our Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) from $60 million to $75.8 million. The Buy-Back Program allows us to repurchase our Class A Common Stock. As of December 31, 2025, we had remaining authorization of $15.2 million for future repurchases of our Class A Common Stock.
Repurchases of shares of our Common Stock are recorded as Treasury stock and result in a reduction of Shareholders’ equity. During 2025 and 2024, we acquired 219,326 shares at an average price of $11.55 per share and 21,865 shares at an average price of $13.28 per share, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast time to advertisers is recognized when commercials are broadcast. Revenue is reported net of advertising agency commissions. Agency commissions, when applicable are based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. All revenue is recognized in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 116, and The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Local Marketing Agreements
We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBAs”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) in certain markets in the past. In a typical TBA/LMA, the FCC licensee of a station makes available, for a fee, blocks of air time on its station to another party that supplies programming to be broadcast during that air time and sells its own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. Revenue and expenses related to TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). Assets and liabilities related to the TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Advertising and Promotion Costs
Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred. Such costs amounted to $1,411,000 and $1,848,000 for the years ended years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Our effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory rate as a result of the inclusion of state taxes in the income tax amount offset by permanent benefit differences primarily relating to executive compensation.
Dividends
The Company currently intends to declare regular quarterly cash dividends, we well as variable dividends in accordance with the terms of our variable dividend policy. The Company may also declare special dividends in future periods. The declaration and payment of any future dividend, whether fixed, special or based on the variable policy will remain at the full discretion of the Board and will depend on the Company’s financial results, cash requirements, future expectations and other pertinent factors.
During 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared four quarterly cash dividends on its Class A Common Stock. These dividends totaling $1.00 per share and approximately $6.4 million were paid during 2025.
During 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared four quarterly cash dividends and a variable dividend on its Class A Common Stock. These dividends totaling $1.60 per share and approximately $10.0 million were paid during 2024. Additionally, $12.5 million of dividends declared in the fourth quarter of 2023, were paid during 2024.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation cost for stock option awards is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model and is expensed on a straight-line method over the vesting period of the options. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing market price of our Class A Common Stock on the grant date and is adjusted at each reporting date based on the amount of shares ultimately expected to vest. See Note 7 — Stock-Based Compensation for further details regarding the expense calculated under the fair value based method.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
Segments
We serve twenty-eight radio markets (reporting units) that aggregate into one operating segment (Radio), which also qualifies as a reportable segment. We operate under one reportable business segment for which segment disclosure is consistent with the management decision-making process that determines the allocation of resources and the measuring of performance. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and evaluates the results of the radio operating segment and makes operating and capital investment decisions based at the Company level. Furthermore, technological enhancements and system integration decisions are reached at the Company level and applied to all markets rather than to specific or individual markets to ensure that each market has the same tools and opportunities as every other market. Managers at the market level do not report to the CODM and instead report to other senior management, who are responsible for the operational oversight of radio markets and for communication of results to the CODM. The CODM is regularly provided with financial information consistent with the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) presented within. Specifically, the CODM utilizes consolidated operating income (loss) as profitability measures for purposes of marking operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Further, the CODM reviews and utilizes station operating expense and corporate general and administrative expenses at the consolidated level to manage the Company’s operations. Other segment items included in the consolidated net income are interest expense, interest income, other (income) expenses, net and income tax (benefit) expense, which are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss). We continually review our operating segment classification to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.
Significant departmental expenses included in station operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are as follows:
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands)
Programming and Technical $ 31,081 $ 29,926
Station General and Administrative 27,573 28,080
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security. We have participating securities related to restricted stock units, granted under our Second Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan and our 2023 Incentive Compensation Plan, that earn dividends on an equal basis with common shares. In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net (loss) income $ (7,899) $ 3,460
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders $ (7,531) $ 3,349
Denominator:
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents — —
(Loss) income per share:
Diluted $ (1.22) $ 0.55
There were no stock options outstanding that had an antidilutive effect on our earnings per share calculation for the years ended years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The actual effect of these shares, if any, on the diluted earnings per share calculation will vary significantly depending on fluctuations in the stock price.
Reclassifications
Certain prior periods amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income (loss).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU “) 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”), which requires expanded disclosure of our income rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for us for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2025. The Company retrospectively adopted this standard beginning with the 2024 annual period. The adoption of ASU-2023-09 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results and operations but did add incremental financial statement disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (DISE)” (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosures about selling expenses on an annual and interim basis. In January 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 clarifying the effective date for ASU-2024-03. ASU 2024-03 is effective for us for annual periods beginning January 1, 2027 and interim periods beginning after January 1, 2028. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2024-03 will have on our financial statement disclosures.
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Saga Communications, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets” (“ASU 2025-05”) to simplify the estimation of credit losses on current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions accounted for under ASC 606. ASU 2025-05 is effective for us for annual periods beginning January 1, 2026 and interim periods within that year. The Company elected to early adopt this standard and it did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial results and operations.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, “Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements”, (“ASU 2025-11”), which clarifies the guidance in Topic 270 to improve consistency of interim financial reporting. The ASU provides a comprehensive list of required interim disclosures and introduces a disclosure principle requiring entities to disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity. ASU 2025-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim periods within those annual periods and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements, including timing and method of adoption.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-12, “Codification Improvements”, (“ASU 2025-12”), which provides for several updates to the codification. The amendments of ASU 2025-12 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within those annual periods and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements, including timing and method of adoption.
2. Revenue
Nature of goods and services
The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate our revenue:
Broadcast Advertising Revenue
Our primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. We recognize revenue from the sale of advertising as performance obligations are satisfied upon airing of the advertising; therefore, revenue is recognized at a point in time when each advertising spot is transmitted. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for our advertising inventory placed by agency and are reported as a reduction of advertising revenue.
Digital Advertising Revenue
We recognize revenue from our digital initiatives across multiple platforms such as targeted display advertising, search engine management, search engine optimization, online promotions, advertising on our online news sites and websites and digital audio streams, mobile messaging, email marketing and other e-commerce. Revenue is recorded when each specific performance obligation in the digital advertising campaign takes place, typically within a one month period. Digital audio stream revenue is recognized when the commercial spots have streamed. Third-party products such as targeted display advertising are recognized over time as digital items are used for advertising content and impression targets are met each month. The Company assesses each digital order to determine if the Company is operating as the principal or an agent. The Company currently operates as the principal for digital revenue with the exception of national streaming where we operate as the agent.
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Other Revenue
Other revenue includes revenue from concerts, promotional events, tower rent and other miscellaneous items. Revenue is generally recognized when the event is completed, as the promotional events are completed or as each performance obligation is satisfied.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table presents revenues disaggregated by revenue source:
Years Ended
December 31,
(in thousands)
Types of Revenue
Broadcast Advertising Revenue, net $ 81,575 $ 89,740
Contract Liabilities
Payments from our advertisers are generally due within 30 days although certain advertisers are required to pay in advance. When an advertiser pays for the services in advance of the performance obligations these prepayments are contract liabilities. Typical contract liabilities relate to prepayments for advertising spots not yet run; prepayments from sponsors for events that have not yet been held; and gift cards sold on our websites used to finance a broadcast advertising campaign. Generally all contract liabilities are expected to be recognized within one year and are included in accounts payable in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and are immaterial.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
As the majority of our contracts are one year or less, we have utilized the optional exemption under ASC 606-10-50-14 and will not disclose information about the remaining performance obligations for contracts which have original expected durations of one year or less.
3. Broadcast Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We evaluate our FCC licenses for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We operate our broadcast licenses in each market as a single asset and determine the fair value by relying on a discounted cash flow approach assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcast licenses. The fair value calculation contains assumptions incorporating variables that are based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a market. These variables include, but are not limited to: (1) the forecasted growth rate of each radio market, including population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures; (2) the estimated available advertising revenue within the market and the related market share and profit margin of an average station within a market; (3) estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (4) risk-adjusted discount rate; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; and (6) terminal values. If the carrying amount of FCC licenses is greater than their estimated fair value in a given market, the carrying amount of FCC licenses in that market is reduced to its estimated fair value. The FCC license valuations are Level 3 non-recurring fair value measurements.
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We also evaluate goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain circumstances are present. The Company has one reporting unit for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. The income approach was used and it is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis incorporating significant assumptions such as projected revenues including a projected long-term growth rate, projected operating margins, projected general and administrative expenses, and a discount rate appropriate for the industry. Under the income approach, if the fair value of our reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the Company will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds our reporting unit’s fair value. The loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to our reporting unit. The goodwill valuations are Level 3 non-recurring fair value measurements.
We evaluate amortizable intangible assets for recoverability when circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. If the future undiscounted cash flows for the intangible asset are less than net book value, then the net book value is reduced to the estimated fair value. Amortizable intangible assets are included in other intangibles, deferred costs and investments in the consolidated balance sheets.
Broadcast Licenses
We have recorded the changes to broadcast licenses for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 as follows:
Total
(in thousands)
Disposals (893)
Impairment Charge (1,168)
Disposals (18)
2025 Impairment Test
We completed our impairment annual impairment test of broadcast licenses during the fourth quarter of 2025. We elected to bypass the qualitative assessment on five of our markets that as of our last annual impairment testing had the least amount of variance between the estimated fair value and the carrying value and perform quantitative testing. We performed a qualitative assessment on all of our remaining markets (reporting units). As a result of the quantitative tests performed in the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company determined that the fair value of broadcast license was less than the carrying amount on the balance sheet and recorded non-cash impairment charges of $1,168,000 related to the FCC license at our Ithaca, New York market. We determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our other markets tested and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded in any other market tested.
The following table reflects certain key estimates and assumptions used in the impairment tests during the fourth quarter ended 2025 and the fourth quarter of 2024. The ranges for operating profit margin and market long-term revenue growth rates vary by market. In general, when comparing between 2025 and 2024: (1) the market specific operating profit margin range declined; (2) the market long-term revenue growth rates decreased slightly; (3) the discount rate decreased from 2024; and (4) current year revenue projections decreased with amounts previously projected for 2025 for
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the five markets quantitatively tested. The impairment loss in our Ithaca, New York market was primarily due to a decrease in projected revenue.
Fourth Fourth
Quarter Quarter
Discount rates 8.5 % 9.0 %
Market long-term revenue growth rates -0.5 % 0.5% - 1.5 %
If actual market conditions are less favorable than those estimated by us or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of our broadcast licenses below the carrying value, we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges in future periods. Such a charge could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor potential triggering events and perform the appropriate analysis when deemed necessary.