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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-seven radio markets (reporting units) that aggregate into one operating segment (Radio), which also qualifies as a reportable segment. We operate under one reportable busines 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, write-off debt issuance costs, 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, and impairment of intangible assets). 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.

COVID-19 Impact and Response

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected business, economies and financial markets worldwide. During 2021, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related actions by governments to attempt to contain the spread of the virus have continued to impact our business. Despite the development of vaccines and more effective treatments for the physical impacts of COVID-19, there are no reliable estimates of how long the COVID-19 pandemic, and its negative effect on our business, will last. Therefore, the unpredictability of the current economic and public health conditions continues. However, all of our markets are functioning at effectively full capacity, subject to ongoing health and safety protocols, which vary from state-to-state and we have continued to increase the number of our non-spot events again. As we exit 2021, we remain optimistic about future advertising revenue.

General

We are a broadcast company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. We actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties. We review acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis.

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Radio Stations

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 markets’ sales staff. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, approximately 89%, 84% 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 2021 and 2019 due to the decreased number of national, state, and local elections in most of our markets as compared to 2020. Our gross political revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $1,780,000, $6,890,000 and $885,000, respectively. We expect political revenue in 2022 to increase over 2021 levels as a result of more elections in 2022 at the local, state and national levels.

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 five 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.

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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, 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.

We are continuing to expand our digital initiative to provide a seamless experience across multiple platforms. Our goal is to allow our listeners to connect with our brands on demand wherever, however, and whenever they choose. We continue to create opportunities through targeted digital advertising and an array of digital services that include online promotions, mobile messaging, and email marketing.

During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, our Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Norfolk, Virginia and Portland, Maine markets, when combined, represented approximately 39%, 40%, and 39%, 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:

Des Moines, Iowa 6 % 7 % 6 %

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 11 % 11 % 11 %

Norfolk, Virginia 6 % 6 % 6 %

Portland, Maine 6 % 6 % 5 %

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During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the radio stations in our five largest markets when combined, represented approximately 43%, 52% and 44%, respectively, of our consolidated station operating income. We note that the percent of consolidated station operating income at December 31, 2020 is higher than normal due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our markets. As the pandemic is resolved, we would anticipate results by market to continue to be back to normalized amounts in future years. The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated station operating income represented by each of these markets:

Percentage of Consolidated

Station Operating Income(*)

for the Years Ended

December 31,

Market:

Columbus, Ohio 12 % 16 % 15 %

Des Moines, Iowa 5 % 7 % 6 %

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 12 % 15 % 12 %

Norfolk, Virginia 7 % 6 % 6 %

Portland, Maine 7 % 8 % 5 %

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Results of Operations

The following tables summarize our results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Years Ended December 31, $ Increase % Increase $ Increase % Increase

(In thousands, except %’s and per share information)

Impairment of intangible assets — 5,149 — (5,149) N/M 5,149 N/M

N/M = Not Meaningful

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Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020

For the year ended December 31, 2021, consolidated net operating revenue was $108,343,000 compared with $95,813,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $12,530,000 or 13.1%. The increase in revenue in 2021 was attributable to lower-than-normal revenue in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had increases in gross local revenue of $12,209,000, gross interactive revenue of $2,921,000, non-spot gross revenue of $1,484,000, gross national revenue (excluding national political revenue) of $819,000, and gross barter revenue of $236,000 partially offset by a decrease in gross political revenue of $5,104,000 from 2020. The increase in gross local, gross national and gross barter revenue occurred in the majority of our markets as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption to our advertisers’ businesses in 2020, in contrast with the economic recovery that has begun to take place in 2021. The increase in gross interactive revenue was primarily due to an increase in our streaming and website content revenue. The increase in non-spot gross revenue was primarily due to us starting to host events again in 2021, whereas the number of events being held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively very few. The decrease in gross political revenue was due to fewer national, state and local elections in 2021 versus 2020 in the majority of our markets.

Station operating expense was $83,245,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared with $81,586,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $1,659,000 or 2.0%. The increase in operating expenses was primarily a result of increases in sales rating survey expenses, commission expense, barter expenses, interactive services expenses, healthcare costs and promotional expenses of $1,836,000, $1,035,000, $362,000, $331,000, $210,000, and $173,000, respectively, partially offset by decreases in compensation related expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and bad debt expense of $1,698,000, $754,000 and $364,000, respectively, from 2020.

We had operating income for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $15,051,000 compared to an operating loss of $1,249,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $16,300,000. The increase was a result of the increase in net operating revenue partially offset by the increase in station operating expense, described above, a non-cash impairment charge of $5,149,000 in 2020 versus no impairment charge in 2021, and a decrease in our corporate general and administrative expenses of $1,534,000 or 13.3%, offset by a decrease in other operating income of $1,254,000 due to a gain on the sale of land and a building at one of our tower sites in Bellingham, Washington for $1,400,000 in 2020. The decrease in corporate general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to decreases in non-cash compensation related expenses, legal expenses, and contribution expenses of $886,000, $323,000, and $158,000 respectively.

We generated net income of $11,157,000 ($1.85 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a net loss of $1,913,000 ($ (0.32) per share on a fully diluted basis) for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $13,070,000. The increase in net income is due to the increase of operating income, described above, a decrease in interest expense of $56,000 and an increase in other income of $401,000, partially offset by an increase in income taxes of $3,555,000, and a decrease in interest income of $132,000. The decrease in interest expense is due to the decrease in our debt outstanding partially offset by an increase in our interest rates. The increase in other income is primarily due to insurance proceeds for weather-related damages. The increase in our income tax expense is due to the increase in income before income taxes.

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Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

For the year ended December 31, 2020, consolidated net operating revenue was $95,813,000 compared with $123,072,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $27,259,000 or 22.1%. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and various governmental shutdowns within the markets that we operate and the country as a whole. We had decreases in gross local revenue of $27,048,000, gross national revenue (excluding national political revenue) of $4,197,000, non-spot gross revenue of $1,991,000, and gross barter revenue of $1,670,000 partially offset by an increase in gross political revenue of $5,996,000 and a decrease in agency commissions of $2,204,000 from 2019. The decrease in gross local, national and barter revenue was at the majority of our markets. The decrease in non-spot gross revenue was primarily due to the decreases in the number of events being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in gross political revenue was due to more national, state and local elections in 2020 versus 2019, specifically in our Charleston, South Carolina; Des Moines, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Portland, Maine markets. The decrease in agency commissions was due the decrease in gross revenue.

Station operating expense was $81,586,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with $92,692,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $11,106,000 or 12.0%. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily a result of decreases in commission expense, sales ratings survey expenses, compensation related expenses, barter expenses, music licensing fees, advertising and promotional expenses, payroll tax related expenses, travel expenses and overall expense reduction of $2,727,000, $2,640,000, $2,283,000, $1,603,000, $575,000, $562,000, $463,000, $257,000 and $987,000, respectively, partially offset by an increase in healthcare costs of $991,000 from 2019.

We had an operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $1,249,000 compared to operating income of $18,808,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $20,057,000. The decrease was a result of the decrease in net operating revenue partially offset by the decrease in station operating expense, described above, and a non-cash impairment charge of $5,149,000, and an increase in our corporate general and administrative expenses of $114,000 or 1.0%, offset by an increase in other operating income of $1,359,000 due to a gain on the sale of land and a building at one of our tower sites in Bellingham, Washington for $1,400,000. The increase in corporate general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increases in legal expenses, contribution expenses, non-cash compensation related expenses, and insurance expenses of $364,000, $151,000, $91,000, $72,000, respectively, partially offset by decreases in franchise tax expenses and travel-related expenses of $321,000 and $199,000, respectively.

We generated a net loss of $1,913,000 ($(0.32) per share on a fully diluted basis) during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net income of $13,279,000 ($2.23 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decrease of $15,192,000. The decrease in net income is due to the decrease of operating income, described above, a decrease in interest income of $462,000, partially offset by a decrease in income taxes of $4,715,000, a decrease in interest expense of $395,000 and an increase in other income of $217,000 due to insurance proceeds for weather-related damages. The decrease in interest expense is due to the decrease in our debt outstanding partially offset by an increase in our interest rates. The decrease in our income tax expense is due to the decrease in income before income taxes.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Debt Arrangements and Debt Service Requirements

On August 18, 2015, we entered into a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Huntington National Bank, Citizens Bank, National Association and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (collectively, the “Lenders”). The Credit Facility consisted of a $100 million five-year revolving facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and originally matured on August 18, 2020. On June 27, 2018, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to its Credit Facility, (the “Second Amendment”), which had first been amended on September 1, 2017, extending the revolving credit maturity date under the Credit Agreement for five years after the date of the amendment to June 27, 2023. On July 1, 2019, we elected to reduce our Revolving Credit Facility to $70 million. On May 11, 2020, as part of our reincorporation as a Florida corporation, we entered into an assumption agreement and amendment of loan documents. The amendment also included an alternative benchmark rate as a replacement to LIBOR. On November 1, 2021, we elected to further reduce our Revolving Credit Facility to $50 million.

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.

Approximately $266,000 of debt issuance costs related to the Credit Facility were capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the Credit Facility. These debt issuance costs are included in other assets, net in the consolidated balance sheets. As a result of the Second Amendment, the Company incurred an additional $120,000 of transaction fees related to the Credit Facility that were capitalized. The cumulative transaction fees are being amortized over the remaining life of the Credit Facility.

Interest rates under the Credit Facility are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to LIBOR (0.101% at December 31, 2021), plus 1% to 2% or the base rate plus 0% to 1%. The spread over LIBOR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. As previously noted, the May 11, 2020 amendment to the Credit Facility includes an alternative to LIBOR in the event LIBOR is no longer available. 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. We also pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.2% to 0.3% per annum on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains a number of financial covenants (all of which we were in compliance with at December 31, 2021) 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.

On October 27, 2021, we used $10 million from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down the remaining amount on our Revolving Credit Facility.

On June 7, 2019, we used $5,000,000 from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down a portion of our Revolving Credit Facility.

On February 4, 2019, we used $5,000,000 from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down a portion of our Revolving Credit Facility, which was presented in the current portion of long-term debt in our balance sheet at December 31, 2018.

After we paid down our debt and reduced our Revolving Credit Facility as noted above, we had approximately $50 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2021.

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Sources and Uses of Cash

During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we had net cash flows from operating activities of $19,104,000, $12,088,000 and $25,335,000, 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 its inception in 1998 through December 31, 2021, we have repurchased 2.2 million shares of our Class A Common Stock for $57 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, approximately 16,600 shares were retained for payment of withholding taxes for $435,000 related to the vesting of restricted stock. Given the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 virus and the resulting economic issues we have halted the directions for any additional buybacks under our plan.

Our capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions, for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $3,969,000 ($2,314,000 in 2020). We anticipate capital expenditures in 2022 to be approximately $5.5 million to $6.0 million, which we expect to finance through funds generated from operations.

On January 8, 2021, we closed on an agreement to purchase WBQL and W288DQ from Consolidated Media, LLC, for an aggregate purchase price of $175,000, of which $25,000 was paid in 2020 and the remaining $150,000 paid in 2021. Management attributes the goodwill recognized in the acquisition to the power of the existing brands in the Clarksville, Tennessee market as well as synergies and growth opportunities expected through the combination with the Company’s existing stations.

On January 2, 2020, we closed on an agreement to purchase W295BL from Basic Holdings, LLC, for an aggregate purchase price of $200,000, of which $10,000 was paid in 2019 and the remaining $190,000 paid in 2020. Management attributes the goodwill recognized in the acquisition to the power of the existing brands in the Manchester, New Hampshire market as well as synergies and growth opportunities expected through the combination with the Company’s existing stations.

On March 31, 2020, we sold land and a building in our Bellingham, Washington market for approximately $1,700,000 to Talbot Real Estate, LLC resulting in a $1,400,000 gain on the sale of assets. The gain is recorded in the other operating (income) expense, net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

On January 9, 2019, we closed on an agreement to purchase WPVQ-AM and W222CH from County Broadcasting Company, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $210,000 using funds generated from operations. Management attributes the goodwill recognized in the acquisition to the power of the existing brands in the Greenfield, Massachusetts market as well as synergies and growth opportunities expected through the combination with the Company’s existing stations.

On December 14, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share and special cash dividend of $0.50 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $3,988,000, was paid on January 14, 2022 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2021 and was recorded in dividends payable on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet at December 31, 2021.

On September 28, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $960,000, was paid on October 22, 2021 to shareholders of record on October 8, 2021.

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On June 18, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $960,000, was paid on July 16, 2021 to shareholders of record on June 30, 2021 and was recorded in dividends payable on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet at June 30, 2021. The Company had previously temporarily suspended the quarterly cash dividend in response to the uncertainty of the ongoing impact of COVID-19 as of June 18, 2020.

On March 4, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.32 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.9 million, was paid on April 10, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2020 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On December 11, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend totaling approximately $1.8 million was paid on January 17, 2020 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2019 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On September 12, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on October 11, 2019 to shareholders of record on September 23, 2019 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On May 30, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on July 5, 2019 to shareholders of record on June 14, 2019 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On February 26, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.8 million, was paid on March 29, 2019 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2019 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On October 27, 2021, we used $10 million from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down the remaining amount on our Revolving Credit Facility.

On June 7, 2019, we used $5,000,000 from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down a portion of its Revolving Credit Facility.

On February 4, 2019, we used $5,000,000 from funds generated by operations to voluntarily pay down a portion of its Revolving Credit Facility.

We continue to actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisitions of additional broadcast properties.

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.

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Summary Disclosures About Contractual Obligations

We have future cash obligations under various types of contracts, including the terms of our Credit Facility, operating leases, programming contracts, employment agreements, and other operating contracts. The following table reflects a summary of our contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2021:

Payments Due By Period

Less Than More Than

Contractual Obligations: Total 1 Year 1 to 3 Years 4 to 5 Years 5 Years

(In thousands)

Interest Payments on Long-Term Debt(1) $ 171 $ 115 $ 56 $ — $ —

We anticipate that the above contractual cash obligations will be financed through funds generated from operations or additional borrowings under our Credit Facility, or a combination thereof.

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:

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. 104, Topic 13, Revenue Recognition Revised and Updated and the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

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Carrying Value of Accounts Receivable and Related Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us (e.g., bankruptcy filings, credit history, COVID-19 potential impact on our customers’ business, etc.), we record a specific reserve for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we recognize reserves for bad debts based on past loss history and the length of time the receivables are past due, ranging from 50% for amounts 90 days outstanding to 100% for amounts over 120 days outstanding. If our evaluations of the collectability of our accounts receivable differ from actual results, additional bad debt expense and allowances may be required. Our historical estimates have been a reliable method to estimate future allowances and our reserves have averaged approximately 2-5% of our outstanding receivables. The effect of an increase in our allowance of 1% of our outstanding receivables as of December 31, 2021, from 3.2% to 4.2% or from $469,000 to $614,000, would result in a decrease in net income of $105,000, net of taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021. In the event we recover amounts previously written off, we will reduce the specific allowance for credit loss.

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, 2021, we have recorded approximately $90,277,000 in broadcast licenses and $19,209,000 in goodwill, which represents 44% 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.

There was no impairment of broadcast licenses in 2021.

During 2020, we recognized a $5,149,000 impairment charge ($1,392,000 in the third quarter of 2020 and $3,757,000 in the second quarter of 2020) for broadcast license due to a decrease in projected revenue in the markets listed below due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analyses to estimate the fair value of our FCC licenses due to certain risks specifically associated with the Company and the radio broadcasting industry, and a decrease in mature operating margins in small markets due to the cost of operations in a small market. We were starting to see increased revenue from our low point in the second quarter of 2020, however, they were not at the previously expected recovery rate. Our third quarter 2020 impairment charge related to our Bellingham, Washington; Champaign, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Mitchell, North Dakota; Spencer, Iowa and Springfield, Illinois markets. Our second quarter 2020 impairment charge related to our Bucyrus, Ohio; Champaign, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Mitchell, South Dakota; and Ocala, Florida markets. We also reviewed our value of goodwill and other long-lived assets as of June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, noting no impairment in goodwill or other long-lived assets. Please refer to Note 3 — Broadcast Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of several key assumptions used in the fair value estimate of our broadcast licenses during 2020 impairment tests.

There was no impairment of broadcast licenses in 2019.

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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. For illustrative purposes only, during our 2021 impairment test had the fair values of each of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 10%, we would have recorded an additional broadcast license impairment of approximately $284,000; had the fair values of each of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 20%, we would have recorded an additional broadcast license impairment of approximately $4.9 million; and had the fair value of our broadcasting licenses been lower by 30%, we would have recorded an additional broadcast license impairment of approximately $12.6 million.

Stock Based Compensation: We use a Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. Under the fair value method, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at grant date requires assumptions and judgments about expected volatility and forfeiture rates, among other factors. If actual results differ significantly from these assumptions, then stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that previously recorded.

The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s 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. We had no stock options outstanding at December 31, 2021 or 2020.

Litigation and Contingencies: On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our exposure related to litigation and contingencies and record a liability when available information indicates that a liability is probable and estimable. We also disclose significant matters that are reasonably possible to result in a loss or are probable but not estimable.

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 market interest rates averaged 1% more in 2021 than they did during 2021, our interest expense would increase, and income before taxes would decrease by $82,000. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on our borrowing cost. This analysis does not consider the effects of the reduced level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. Further, in the event of a change of such magnitude, management would likely take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in our financial structure.

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.

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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 Commission’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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, 2021. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by UHY LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which appears below.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors Saga Communications, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Saga Communications, Inc.’s (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, 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 Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Saga Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 and the related notes and financial statement schedule, and our report dated March 16, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible 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 internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. 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 audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 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.

/s/ UHY LLP

Sterling Heights, Michigan

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year. In addition, the information contained in the “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan Information” subheading under Item 5 of this report is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

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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 1195) 49

Consolidated Financial Statements:

— Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 57

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

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Saga Communications, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Saga Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and financial statement Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, listed in the index at item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Saga Communications, Inc. at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated March 16, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 an account or disclosure that is material to the financial statements and (2) involved 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.

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Critical Audit Matter – Broadcast License Impairment Analysis

As disclosed in Notes 1 and 3 to the financial statements, the Company evaluates Federal Communications Commission licenses (or “broadcast licenses”) for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1st or, more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the Company’s broadcast licenses may not be recoverable. The broadcast license balance as of December 31, 2021 was $90.2 million. The Company considers potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a market’s broadcast license to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated by management using the Greenfield method at the market level, which is a discounted cash flow approach assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcasting licenses. Management’s cash flow projections include significant judgments and assumptions related to market growth rates and market profit margin, estimated available market revenue including market share, terminal values and discount rates.

We identified broadcast license impairment as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of the Company’s broadcast licenses. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of inputs into the discounted cash flow model driven by management’s estimates.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures performed to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions included assessing the methodologies used by the Company and testing the significant assumptions used in the quantitative models. We tested the effectiveness of the control over management’s evaluation and determination of estimates and assumptions used as the inputs in the impairment models. We compared the cash flow models prepared by management to historical revenues and profit margins as well as third-party market data to evaluate the reasonableness of the assumptions. We evaluated historical trends in assessing the reasonableness of growth rate assumptions and performed sensitivity analysis of certain significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair value of the reporting units that would result from changes in these assumptions. We performed procedures to verify the mathematical accuracy of the calculations of broadcast license impairment used by management. We involved our valuation specialists to assist us in identifying the significant assumptions underlying the models, assessing the rationale and supporting documents related to these assumptions and determining the appropriateness and reasonableness of the methodologies employed. Furthermore, we assessed the appropriateness of the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

/s/ UHY LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.

Sterling Heights, Michigan

March 16, 2022

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except par value)

December 31,

Assets

Current assets:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,449 2,988

Barter transactions 971 895

Other assets:

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

Current liabilities:

Accrued expenses:

Payroll and payroll taxes 6,202 5,660

Dividend payable 3,988 —

Barter transactions 901 795

Long-term debt — 10,000

Commitments and contingencies — —

Stockholders’ equity:

See accompanying notes.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

Years Ended December 31,

(In thousands, except per share data)

Operating expenses:

Other operating (income) expense, net 7 (1,247) 112

Impairment of intangible assets — 5,149 —

Other (income) expenses:

Interest income (16) (148) (610)

Income (loss) before income tax expense 15,417 (1,208) 18,699

Income tax provision (benefit):

Earnings (loss) per share:

Dividends declared per share $ 0.98 $ 0.32 $ 1.20

See accompanying notes.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

Class A Class B Additional Total

Common Stock Common Stock Paid-In Retained Treasury Stockholders’

Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Stock Equity

(In thousands)

Conversion of shares from Class B to Class A 13 — (13) — — — — —

Issuance of restricted stock 29 1 44 — — — — 1

Forfeiture of restricted stock (3) — — — — — — —

Dividends declared per common share — — — — — (7,146) — (7,146)

Purchase of shares held in treasury — — — — — — (1,172) (1,172)

Net loss — — — — — (1,913) — (1,913)

Conversion of shares from Class B to Class A 16 — (16) — — — — —

Forfeiture of restricted stock (2) — — — — — — —

Dividends declared per common share — — — — — (1,919) — (1,919)

Purchase of shares held in treasury — — — — — — (449) (449)

Conversion of shares from Class B to Class A 12 — (12) — — — — —

Issuance of restricted stock 38 — 39 — — — — —

Dividends declared per common share — — — — — (5,901) — (5,901)

Purchase of shares held in treasury — — — — — — (435) (435)

See accompanying notes.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

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Years Ended December 31,

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 195 (545) 1,420

Impairment of intangible assets — 5,149 —

Amortization of deferred costs 37 40 103

(Gain) loss on sale of assets 7 (1,247) 112

(Gain) on insurance claims (589) (233) (16)

Other (gain) losses (45) — —

Barter (revenue) expense, net (2) (133) (190)

Deferred and other compensation (215) 463 (634)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Cash flows from investing activities:

Acquisition of property and equipment (3,969) (2,314) (5,732)

Acquisition of broadcast properties (150) (190) (763)

Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets 142 1,691 270

Proceeds from insurance claims 589 233 —

Other investing activities 40 (24) (10)

Net cash used in investing activities (3,348) (604) (6,235)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on long-term debt (10,000) — (10,000)

Purchase of treasury shares (435) (449) (1,172)

Net cash used in financing activities (12,349) (4,165) (19,795)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,407 7,319 (695)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 51,353 44,034 44,729

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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 broadcasting company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. As of December 31, 2021, we owned or operated seventy-nine FM, thirty-four AM radio stations and seventy-nine metro signals, serving twenty-seven 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. The full extent to which the effects of COVID-19 will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition, including but not limited to our future estimates regarding our allowance for doubtful accounts and our valuation of goodwill and broadcast licenses will depend on future developments that are uncertain. 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 the 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 39%, 40% and 39% of our net operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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 doubtful accounts 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, 2021 and 2020.

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, 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 euro-dollar rate, prime rate or have been reset at the prevailing market rate at December 31, 2021.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

A provision for doubtful accounts 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 doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was 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 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

Estimated December 31,

(In thousands)

Land and land improvements — $ 14,638 $ 14,559

Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements 7-20 years 7,129 7,189

Net property and equipment $ 53,344 $ 54,885

Depreciation expense for continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, was $5,362,000, $5,711,000 and $5,916,000, respectively.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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 as of October 1 of each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

We have 113 broadcast licenses serving 27 markets, which require renewal over the period of 2022-2030. 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.

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 leases 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, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recognized interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs of $37,000, $40,000 and $103,000, respectively.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020 the net book value of debt issuance costs related to our line of credit was $17,000, and $64,000, respectively, and was presented in other intangibles, deferred costs and investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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.

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, 2021, we had remaining authorization of $18.4 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 Stockholders’ equity. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, we acquired 16,577 shares at an average price of $26.25 per share, 24,255 shares at an average price of $18.51 per share and 39,505 shares at an average price of $29.68 per share, respectively.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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. 104, Topic 13, Revenue Recognition Revised and Updated and The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Local Marketing Agreements

We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBAs”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) in certain markets. 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. 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 $1,396,000, $985,000 and $2,442,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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 and permanent differences primarily relating to executive compensation.

Dividends

On December 14, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share and special cash dividend of $0.50 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $3,990,000, was paid on January 14, 2022 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2021 and was recorded in dividends payable on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance sheet at December 31, 2021.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

On June 18, 2020, our Board of Directors announced that it was temporarily suspending the quarterly cash dividend in response to the continued uncertainty of the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

On March 4, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share on its Classes A and B Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $1.9 million, was paid on April 10, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2020 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

On December 11, 2019, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on its Classes A and B shares. This dividend totaling approximately $1.8 million was paid on January 17, 2020 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2019 and funded by cash on the Company’s balance sheet.

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.

Segments

We serve twenty-seven radio markets (reporting units) that aggregate into one operating segment (Radio), which also qualifies as a reportable segment. We operate under one reportable busines 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 Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) 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. We continually review our operating segment classification to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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, 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.

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:

Denominator:

Effect of dilutive securities:

Common stock equivalents — — —

Earnings (loss) per share:

There were no stock options outstanding that had an antidilutive effect on our earnings per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, 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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Incomes Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”) which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance regarding the tax treatment of certain franchise taxes, goodwill and nontaxable entities, among other items to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2021 and there was no material impact as a result of adoption.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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 digital advertising, online promotions, advertising on our 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.

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:

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

(in thousands)

Types of Revenue

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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.

We also evaluate goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain circumstances are present. If the carrying amount of goodwill in a reporting unit is greater than the implied value of goodwill determined by completing a hypothetical purchase price allocation using estimated fair value of the reporting unit, the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit is reduced to its implied value.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

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, 2021 and 2020 as follows:

Total

(in thousands)

Acquisitions 46

Impairment charge (5,149)

Acquisitions 69

2021 Impairment Test

We completed our impairment annual impairment test of broadcast licenses during the fourth quarter of 2021 and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

The following table reflects certain key estimates and assumptions used in the impairment tests during the fourth quarter ended 2021, the year ended 2020 and in the fourth quarter of 2019. The ranges for operating profit margin and market long-term revenue growth rates vary by market. In general, when comparing between 2021, 2020 and 2019: (1) the market specific operating profit margin range remained relatively consistent with some decreases to our smaller markets due to the cost of operations in a small market; (2) the market long-term revenue growth rates were relatively consistent; (3) the discount rate increased a small percentage due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (4) current year revenue projections were flat with amounts previously projected for 2021.

Fourth Year Fourth

Quarter Ended Quarter

Market long-term revenue growth rates 0.2% - 2.6 % 0.2% - 2.9 % 0.0% - 2.9 %

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.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

2020 Impairment Test

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. economy and the related significant negative impact on our revenue for the second, third and fourth quarter of 2020 (excluding political advertising) in the majority of our markets, the Company tested its FCC License for impairment during the second quarter and again in the third quarter of 2020. Our broadcast revenue was significantly negatively impacted in the majority of the states where we operate, due to economic shutdowns and the related decline in advertising spending nationwide as most companies were making massive payroll cuts out of a necessity to survive with their revenues also significantly impacted. We experienced a significant number of cancellations of advertising on our stations, with the greatest decreases in the following industries/categories: Automotive, Entertainment, Home Improvement, Professional Services, Restaurants, and Retail. The only category where we saw an increase over the prior quarters and year to date in 2020 were political advertising and government/public service/issue advertising. We also saw significant declines in our revenue related to events, venues, travel and sports as these types of businesses have been virtually shut down. We started to see increased revenues from our low point in Q2 2020, however, throughout 2020 they were not at the previously expected recovery rate. Based on the trends we were seeing at our markets we believe that our analysis and estimates used during the third quarter 2020 analysis remained our best estimate and we did not believe any further triggering events occurred during the fourth quarter of 2020 since the date of the previous analysis that would require any additional impairment testing for broadcast licenses.

As a result of the quantitative impairment test performed as of June 30, 2020, the Company determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses were less than the carrying amount on the balance sheet and recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $3.8 million related to the FCC licenses in our Bucyrus, Ohio; Champaign, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Mitchell, South Dakota; and Ocala, Florida markets. The impairment charges were primarily due to a decrease in projected revenue in these markets due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analyses to estimate the fair value of our FCC licenses due to certain risks specifically associated with the Company and the radio broadcasting industry, and a decrease in mature operating margins in small markets due to the cost of operations in a small market.

As a result of the quantitative impairment test performed as of September 30, 2020, the Company determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses were less than the carrying amount on the balance sheet and recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 related to the FCC licenses in our Bellingham, Washington; Champaign, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Mitchell, South Dakota; Spencer, Iowa and Springfield, Illinois. The impairment charges were primarily due to a decrease in projected revenue in these markets due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the discount rate used in 2019 but slightly less than in the second quarter of 2020, in the discounted cash flow analyses to estimate the fair value of our FCC licenses due to certain risks specifically associated with the Company and the radio broadcasting industry, and a decrease in mature operating margins in small markets due to the cost of operations in a small market.

2019 Impairment Test

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we completed our annual impairment test of broadcast and determined that the fair value of the broadcast licenses was greater than the carrying value recorded for each of our markets and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

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Saga Communications, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

Goodwill

During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill in accordance with ASC 350 and determined that the fair value was in excess of its carrying value and, accordingly, no impairment was recorded.

We have recorded the changes to goodwill for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 as follows:

SGA US Equity

SGA · 10-K · period ended 2021-12-31

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B. Other Information

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SGA US Equity☆

SGA · 10-K · period ended 2021-12-31

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B. Other Information

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SGA US Equity