MediaCo Holding (MDIA) 10-Q2024 Q2 Quarterly report

MediaCo Holding Inc., its subsidiaries, and a variable interest entity (“VIE”) (collectively, “MediaCo” or the “Company”) is an owned and operated multi-media company formed in Indiana in 2019, focused on television, radio and digital advertising, premium programming and events.

On April 17, 2024, MediaCo Holding Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary MediaCo Operations LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Purchaser”), entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) with Estrella Broadcasting, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Estrella”), and SLF LBI Aggregator, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Aggregator”) and affiliate of HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“HPS”), pursuant to which Purchaser purchased substantially all of the assets of Estrella and its subsidiaries (other than certain broadcast assets owned by Estrella and its subsidiaries (the “Estrella Broadcast Assets”)) (the “Purchased Assets”), and assumed substantially all of the liabilities (the “Assumed Liabilities”) of Estrella and its subsidiaries (such transactions, collectively, the “Estrella Acquisition”). MediaCo Operations LLC operates the Purchased Assets under the trade name Estrella MediaCo.

Our assets consist of two radio stations located in New York City, WQHT(FM) and WBLS(FM) (the “Stations”), which serve the New York City demographic market area that primarily target Black, Hispanic, and multi-cultural consumers, and as a result of the Estrella Acquisition, Estrella’s network, content, digital, and commercial operations, including network affiliation and program supply agreements with Estrella for its 11 radio stations serving Los Angeles, CA, Houston, TX, and Dallas, TX and nine television stations serving Los Angeles, CA, Houston, TX, Denver, CO, and Miami, FL. Among the Estrella brands that joined MediaCo are the EstrellaTV network, its influential linear and digital video content business, Estrella’s expansive digital channels, including its four FAST channels - EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Cine EstrellaTV, and Estrella Games, and the EstrellaTV app. See Note 3 for additional information. We derive our revenues primarily from radio, television and digital advertising sales, but we also generate revenues from events, including sponsorships and ticket sales, licensing, and syndication.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to MediaCo, its subsidiaries and the Estrella VIE (as defined below), collectively.

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation (including normal recurring adjustments) have been included.

The Company determined that the Estrella entities holding the Estrella Broadcast Assets (the “Estrella VIE”) are a VIE in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest. Pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) paragraph 810-10-25-38A and paragraph 810-10-25-38B, a reporting entity (in this case, the Company) is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in a VIE if it has both of the following characteristics:

The Company determined that since the major factors in the economic performance of the Estrella VIE are the popularity of the programming provided by the Company to the Estrella VIE and the Company’s sale of advertising in that programming, the Company is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and the remaining assets and liabilities of the Estrella VIE should be consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of April 17, 2024.

The Company accounts for noncontrolling interest in accordance with ASC 810, which requires companies with noncontrolling interests to disclose such interests as a portion of equity but separate from the Parent’s equity. The noncontrolling interests’ portion of net income (loss) is presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The Company has experienced diminished revenues and profitability, driven in part by weaker sales for our annual Summer Jam concert, and expects these conditions to continue for an undetermined period of time. Management has considered these circumstances in assessing the Company’s liquidity over the next year. Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to meet potential cash requirements, maintain its assets, fund its operations, and meet the other general cash needs of its business. The Company’s liquidity is impacted by general economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond its control. The Company’s liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay its expenses, principally debt service and operational expenses, such as labor costs, and other related expenditures. The Company generally satisfies its liquidity needs through cash provided by operations. In addition, the Company has taken steps to enhance its ability to fund its operational expenses by reducing various costs and is prepared to take additional steps as necessary.

As a result of this amendment, management anticipates the Company will be able to meet its liquidity needs for the next twelve months with cash and cash equivalents on hand, additional draws on its First Lien Term Loan, and projected cash flows from operations. Therefore, substantial doubt has been alleviated about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“fiscal year 2023”). As a result of the Estrella Acquisition, certain policies have been added or adjusted to reflect our combined business.

MediaCo considers time deposits, money market fund shares and all highly liquid debt investment instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At times, such deposits may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits. Restricted cash at December 31, 2023 consisted of $1.3 million held in escrow related to the Company's disposition of the Fairway business, classified in current assets and the restrictions were released in June 2024. Additionally, restricted cash of $1.9 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was held as collateral for a letter of credit entered into in connection with the lease in New York City for our radio operations and corporate offices, which expires in October 2039, and restricted cash of $0.5 million as of June 30, 2024 was held for a collateral account related to merchant banking for the Company’s purchase card program and for an office lease security deposit, all included in the line item Deposits and Other in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Fair value is the exchange price to sell an asset or transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs may be readily observable, corroborated by market data, or generally unobservable. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. (see Note 4 for more discussion). The Company’s Warrant Shares (as defined in Note 3) are classified as a liability for which the fair value is measured on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs (see Note 6 for more discussion). We have no assets or liabilities for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

The Company has certain assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis including those described in Note 4, Intangible Assets, and are adjusted to fair value only when the carrying values are more than the fair values. The categorization of the framework used to price the assets is considered a Level 3 measurement due to the subjective nature of the unobservable inputs used to determine the fair value (see Note 4 for more discussion).

The Company’s long-term debt is not actively traded and is considered a Level 3 measurement. The Company believes the current carrying value of its long-term debt approximates its fair value as it is variable rate debt.

An allowance for credit losses is recorded based on management’s judgment of the collectability of trade receivables. When assessing the collectability of receivables, management considers, among other things, customer type (agency versus non-agency), historical loss experience, existing and expected future economic conditions and aging category. Amounts are written off after all normal collection efforts have been exhausted. The activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

Our basic and diluted net loss per share is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation that determines net income per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to their participation rights in dividends and undistributed earnings or losses. Shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Series A preferred stock” or the “Series A preferred shares”) included rights to participate in dividends and distributions to common stockholders on an if-converted basis, and accordingly were considered participating securities until April 2024, when all outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock were converted in accordance with their terms into 20.7 million shares of MediaCo’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A common stock”). During periods of undistributed losses, however, no effect was given to our participating securities since they are not contractually obligated to share in the losses. We have elected to determine the earnings allocation based on income (loss) from continuing operations. For periods with a loss from continuing operations, all potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive and thus basic and diluted weighted-average shares are the same. The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common shareholders:

On August 20, 2021, MediaCo Holding Inc. entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through or to B. Riley, as agent or principal, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, having an aggregate offering price of up to $12.5 million. No shares were sold during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 or 2023.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, we repurchased under a share repurchase plan 11,304 shares of Class A common stock for an immaterial amount.

The following convertible equity shares and restricted stock awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

On December 9, 2022, Fairway Outdoor LLC, FMG Kentucky, LLC and FMG Valdosta, LLC (collectively, “Fairway”), all of which were wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of MediaCo, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), with The Lamar Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which we sold our Fairway outdoor advertising business to the Purchaser. The transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement closed as of the date of the Purchase Agreement. The purchase price was $78.6 million, subject to certain customary adjustments, paid at closing in cash. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $46.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

On April 17, 2024, MediaCo consummated the Estrella Acquisition, pursuant to which it purchased substantially all of the assets of Estrella, other than the Estrella Broadcast Assets, and assumed substantially all of the liabilities of Estrella and its subsidiaries. MediaCo provided the following consideration for the Estrella Acquisition (the “Transaction Consideration”):

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo and Estrella entered into an Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement” and, together with the Estrella Acquisition and the transactions contemplated by the Network Affiliation Agreement and the Network Program Supply Agreement described below, collectively, the “Estrella Transactions”) with Estrella and certain subsidiaries of Estrella pursuant to which (i) MediaCo was granted the option to purchase 100% of the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of Estrella holding the Estrella Broadcast Assets (the “Option Subsidiaries Equity”) in exchange for 7,051,538 shares of Class A common stock, and (ii) Estrella was granted the right to put the Option Subsidiaries Equity to MediaCo for the same consideration during a period beginning six months after the date of the closing of the Estrella Transactions (the “Closing Date”) and ending after seven years, which will automatically extend for a renewal term of seven years unless both parties mutually agree otherwise.

The Asset Purchase Agreement provides that MediaCo will prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a proxy statement to be sent to MediaCo stockholders relating to a special meeting of MediaCo stockholders (the “Stockholders Meeting”) to be held to consider approval of the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant and the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Option Agreement (the “Proposal”).

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, SG Broadcasting LLC (“SG Broadcasting”), the holder of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B common stock”) representing a majority of the voting power of the shares of MediaCo, entered into a Voting and Support Agreement with MediaCo and Estrella (the “Voting and Support Agreement”), pursuant to which SG Broadcasting agreed to, among other things, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, at any meeting of MediaCo stockholders (including the Stockholders Meeting), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, vote in favor of the Proposal and against any action or proposal that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay consummation of the Proposal. The Voting Agreement also includes certain customary restrictions on SG Broadcasting’s ability to transfer its shares of MediaCo stock. The Voting Agreement will automatically terminate upon the date on which the Proposal is approved.

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo issued the Warrant, which provides for the purchase of up to 28,206,152 shares of Class A common stock (the “Warrant Shares”), subject to customary adjustments as set forth in the Warrant, at an exercise price per share of $0.00001. Subject to certain limitations, the Warrant also provides that the Warrant holder has the right to participate in distributions on Class A common stock on an as-exercised basis. The Warrant further provides that in no event shall the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable to the Warrant holder upon exercise of the Warrant exceed 19.9% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock of MediaCo outstanding, or the voting power of such outstanding shares of common stock, on the business day immediately preceding the issue date for such Warrant Shares, calculated in accordance with the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”), unless and until the Proposal has been approved.

The shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant and the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option Agreement represent approximately 43% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock on a fully diluted basis (assuming the full exercise of the Warrant and the Option Agreement).

In order to finance the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo entered into a maximum $45.0 million first lien term loan credit facility, dated April 17, 2024 (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”), with White Hawk Capital Partners, LP, as term agent thereunder, and the lenders party thereto. Under the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement, MediaCo received an initial term loan of $35.0 million on April 17, 2024 (the “Initial Loan”) and was provided with a subsequent delayed draw facility of up to $10.0 million that may be provided for additional working capital purposes under certain conditions (the “Delayed Draw” and the loans thereunder, the “Delayed Draw Term Loans”; the financing contemplated by the First Lien Term Loan, together with Estrella Transaction and the payment of the Transaction Consideration, the “Transactions”). The Initial Loan and Delayed Draw Term Loans are collectively referred to as the “First Lien Term Loans.” The proceeds of the Initial Loan were used to finance the Estrella Acquisition, pay off certain existing Estrella indebtedness in connection therewith and pay related fees and transaction costs. The Initial Loan will mature on April 17, 2029, and each Delayed Draw Term Loan will mature on the date that is two years after the drawing of such Delayed Draw Term Loan. The first of such Delayed Draw Term Loan of $5.0 million was made on May 2, 2024. First Lien Term Loans will be subject to monthly interest payments at a rate of SOFR + 6.00%. Beginning May 2027, monthly amortization payments are required equal to 0.8333% of the initial principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans. The First Lien Term Loans are subject to a borrowing base in accordance with the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement.

In addition, MediaCo and its direct and indirect subsidiaries entered into a $30.0 million second lien term loan credit facility, dated April 17, 2024 (the “Second Lien Credit Agreement”), with HPS as term agent, and the lenders party thereto. Under the terms of the Second Lien Credit Agreement, MediaCo was deemed to receive the Second Lien Term Loan of $30.0 million on April 17, 2024 in connection with the consummation of the Estrella Acquisition. The Second Lien Term Loan will mature on April 17, 2029 and will be subject to monthly interest payments at a rate of SOFR + 6.00%. The Second Lien Term Loans are subject to a borrowing base in accordance with the terms of the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

In addition, MediaCo issued 60,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with an aggregate initial liquidation value of $60.0 million, which Series B Preferred Stock rank senior and in priority of payment to all other equity securities of MediaCo, including with respect to any repayment, redemption, distributions, bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Pursuant to the Series B Articles of Amendment, the ability of MediaCo to make distributions with respect to, or make a liquidation payment on, any other class of capital stock in the Company designated to be junior to, or on parity with, the Series B Preferred Stock, will be subject to certain restrictions. Issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock will accrue dividends, payable in kind, at an annual rate equal to 6.00% of the liquidation value thereof, subject to increase upon the occurrence of certain trigger events set forth in the Series B Articles of Amendment. The Series B Preferred Stock is mandatorily redeemable after seven years and is not convertible into any other equity securities of the Company. As such, it is classified as a long term liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and accrued dividends are classified in Interest expense, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo entered into a Network Program Supply Agreement (the “Network Program Supply Agreement”) with certain subsidiaries of Estrella that operate radio broadcast stations (the “Radio Stations”). Pursuant to the Network Program Supply Agreement, MediaCo has agreed to license certain programs and other material to the Radio Stations for distribution on the Radio Stations’ broadcast channels.

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo entered into a Network Affiliation Agreement (the “Network Affiliation Agreement”) with certain subsidiaries of Estrella that operate television broadcast stations (the “TV Stations”). Pursuant to the Network Affiliation Agreement, MediaCo has agreed to license certain programs and other material to the TV Stations for distribution on the TV Stations’ broadcast channels.

The valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed has not yet been finalized as of June 30, 2024. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to change, including the valuation of noncash consideration transferred, property and equipment, intangible assets, income taxes, and goodwill, among other items. The amounts recognized will be finalized as the information necessary to complete the analysis is obtained, but no later than one year after the acquisition date. Finalization of the valuation during the measurement period could result in a change in the amounts recorded for the acquisition date fair value. The preliminary allocation presented below is based upon management’s estimate of the fair values using valuation techniques including income, cost, and market approaches. In estimating the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the fair value estimates are based on, but not limited to, expected future revenue and cash flows, expected future growth rates, and estimated discount rates.

The Estrella Acquisition comprises the new Estrella MediaCo Video & Digital and Estrella MediaCo Audio, Digital & Events segments. The following tables summarize the preliminary fair value of cash and noncash consideration transferred, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:

Property and equipment is primarily composed of broadcasting equipment and leasehold improvements. The fair value of property and equipment is based on preliminary assumptions that are subject to change as we complete our valuation procedures. Acquired property and equipment will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated remaining useful lives.

The amount allocated to definite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of customer relationships of $15.6 million, favorable leasehold interests of $13.0 million, and programming rights of $10.2 million and will be amortized over the estimated remaining useful lives of 15 years, 35 years and 4 years, respectively.

The amount allocated to indefinite-lived intangible assets represents the estimated fair values of the FCC licenses of $112.2 million and goodwill of $14.9 million. Goodwill, which is derived from the expanded client base and our ability to provide broader advertising solutions through a comprehensive portfolio, is recorded based on the amount by which the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired and we expect it will be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill of $4.5 million and $10.4 million from this transaction is allocated to our Estrella MediaCo Video & Digital and Estrella MediaCo Audio, Digital & Events segments, respectively.

As part of the acquisition, we incurred costs of $5.5 million and $9.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, primarily related to transaction bonuses and professional services, which are included in the operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization and corporate expenses line items in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, there were $1.8 million of deferred financing costs and $1.1 million of original issue discount related to the issuance of the First Lien Credit Agreement included in the line item long term debt, net of current.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company determined that the Estrella entities holding the Estrella Broadcast Assets represented a VIE in which the Company holds a controlling financial interest, as MediaCo is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Estrella VIE’s assets can be used only to settle obligations of the Estrella VIE. The carrying amounts of the VIE’s consolidated assets and liabilities included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

The summarized operating results of the VIE are as follows:

The following table presents the estimated unaudited pro forma combined results of MediaCo and Estrella for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2023:

The supplemental pro forma financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and is based on the historical financial information of MediaCo and Estrella. The supplemental pro forma financial information does not necessarily represent what the combined companies’ revenue or results of operations would have been had the Estrella Acquisition been completed on January 1, 2023, nor is it intended to be a projection of future operating results of the combined company. It also does not reflect any operating efficiencies or potential cost savings that might be achieved from synergies of combining MediaCo and Estrella.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s FCC licenses were $175.5 million and $63.3 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Pursuant to our accounting policy and the provisions of ASC350-30, which states that separately recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets should be combined into a single unit of accounting for purposes of testing for impairment if they are operated as a single asset, we aggregate FCC licenses for impairment testing if their signals are simulcast and are operating as one revenue producing asset.

Fair value of our FCC licenses is estimated to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To determine the fair value of our FCC licenses, the Company considers both income and market valuation methods when it performs its impairment tests. Under the income method, the Company projects cash flows that would be generated by its unit of accounting assuming the unit of accounting was commencing operations in its market at the beginning of the valuation period. This cash flow stream is discounted to arrive at a value for the FCC licenses. The Company assumes the competitive situation that exists in its market remains unchanged, with the exception that its unit of accounting commenced operations at the beginning of the valuation period. In doing so, the Company extracts the value of going concern and any other assets acquired, and strictly values the FCC licenses.

Major assumptions involved in this analysis include market revenue, market revenue growth rates, unit of accounting audience share, unit of accounting revenue share and discount rate. Each of these assumptions may change in the future based upon changes in general economic conditions, audience behavior, consummated transactions, and numerous other variables that may be beyond our control. The projections incorporated into our license valuations take into consideration then current economic conditions. Under the market method, the Company uses recent sales of comparable radio or television stations for which the sales value appeared to be concentrated entirely in the value of the license, to arrive at an indication of fair value. When evaluating our radio and television broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is performed at the unit of accounting level as determined by ASC Topic 350-30-35. In our case, radio stations in a geographic market cluster are considered a single unit of accounting.

As a result of the Estrella Acquisition, the Company recorded $14.9 million of goodwill, which accounts for all goodwill on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, and of which $4.5 million is allocated to our Estrella MediaCo Video & Digital segment and $10.4 million is allocated to our Estrella MediaCo Audio, Digital & Events segment. ASC Topic 350-20-35 requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment at least annually. Under ASC 350 we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform an annual quantitative goodwill impairment test. We will perform this assessment annually as of October 1, unless indicators of impairment exist at an interim period. There were no indicators of impairment for the current period.

When performing a quantitative assessment for impairment, the Company intends to use a market approach to determine the fair value of each reporting unit by multiplying the cash flows of the reporting unit by an estimated market multiple. We believe this methodology for valuing our reporting units is a common approach and the multiples we intend to use will be based on our peer comparisons, analyst reports, and market transactions. To corroborate the fair values determined using the market approach, we intend to also use an income approach, which is a discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment charge equal to the difference in the statement of operations.

The following table presents the weighted-average useful life at June 30, 2024, and the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, for our definite-lived intangible assets:

The software was developed internally by our radio operations and represents our updated website and mobile application, which offer increased functionality and opportunities to grow and interact with our audience. This software cost $1.7 million to develop and useful lives of five years and seven years were assigned to the application and website, respectively. The customer relationships, favorable leasehold interests, and a time brokerage agreement were acquired as part of the Estrella Acquisition.

Total amortization expense from definite-lived intangible assets for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and included in the depreciation and amortization line item in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was as follows:

The Company estimates amortization expense each of the next five years as follows:

On-air spot broadcast revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. This typically occurs over the period of time that advertisements are provided, or as an event occurs. On-air spot broadcast advertising rates are fixed based on each medium’s ability to attract audiences in demographic groups targeted by advertisers and rates can vary based on the time of day and ratings of the programming airing in that day part. Revenues are reported at the amount the Company expects to be entitled to receive under the contract. Payments received from advertisers before the performance obligation is satisfied are recorded as deferred revenue in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Digital revenue relates to revenue generated from the sale of digital marketing services (including display advertisements and video pre-roll and sponsorships) to advertisers on Company-owned websites and applications as well as through third party publishers either through direct relationships with the publishers or through digital advertising exchanges. Digital revenues are generally recognized as the digital advertising is delivered.

Syndication revenue relates to revenue generated from the sale of rights to broadcast shows we produce as well as revenues from syndicated shows we broadcast for a fee. Syndication revenues are generally recognized ratably over the term of the contract.

Events and Sponsorships revenue principally consists of ticket sales and sponsorship of events our stations conduct in their local market. These revenues are recognized when our performance obligations are fulfilled, which generally coincides with the occurrence of the related event.

Due to the Estrella Acquisition, the Company now reports its results in three reportable segments: Estrella MediaCo Video & Digital (“EM-VD”), Estrella MediaCo Audio, Digital & Events (“EM-ADE”), and NY Audio, Digital & Events (“NY-ADE”). The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source and segment.

Long-term debt, Warrant shares, and Series B Preferred Stock was comprised of the following at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Emmis Convertible Promissory Note (as defined below) was classified as current at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 as the note matures within the next 12 months.

The Emmis Convertible Promissory Note carries interest at a base rate equal to the interest on any senior credit facility, including any applicable paid in kind rate, or if no senior credit facility is outstanding, of 6.00%, plus an additional 1.00% on any payment of interest in kind and, without regard to whether the Company pays such interest in kind, an additional increase of 1.00% following the second anniversary of the date of issuance and additional increases of 1.00% following each successive anniversary thereafter. The Company has been accruing interest since inception using the rate applicable if the interest will be paid in kind. The Emmis Convertible Promissory Note is convertible, in whole or in part, into MediaCo Class A common stock at the option of Emmis and at a strike price equal to the thirty-day volume weighted average price of the MediaCo Class A common stock on the date of conversion. The Emmis Convertible Promissory Note matures on November 25, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, the principal balance outstanding under the Emmis Convertible Promissory Note was $6.5 million.

MediaCo and its direct and indirect subsidiaries entered into a maximum $45.0 million First Lien Credit Agreement, with White Hawk Capital Partners, LP, as term agent thereunder, and the lenders party thereto. Under the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement, MediaCo received an Initial Loan of $35.0 million on April 17, 2024 and was provided with a subsequent delayed draw facility of up to $10.0 million that may be provided for additional working capital purposes under certain conditions. A delayed draw of $5.0 million was made on May 2, 2024. The proceeds of the Initial Loan were used to finance the Estrella Acquisition, pay off certain existing Estrella indebtedness in connection therewith and pay related fees and transaction costs. The Initial Loan will mature on April 17, 2029, and each Delayed Draw Term Loan will mature on the date that is two years after the drawing of such Delayed Draw Term Loan. First Lien Term Loans will be subject to monthly interest payments at a rate of SOFR + 6.00%. Beginning May 2027, monthly amortization payments are required equal to 0.8333% of the initial principal amount of the First Lien Term Loans. The First Lien Term Loans are subject to a borrowing base in accordance with the terms of the First Lien Credit Agreement.

MediaCo and its direct and indirect subsidiaries entered into a $30.0 million second lien term loan credit facility, dated April 17, 2024, with HPS as term agent, and the lenders party thereto. Under the terms of the Second Lien Credit Agreement, MediaCo was deemed to receive the Second Lien Term Loan of $30.0 million on April 17, 2024 in connection with the consummation of the Estrella Acquisition and was recorded at its fair value at that time of $26.5 million. This amount will be accreted up to the principal balance over the term of the loan. The Second Lien Term Loan will mature on April 17, 2029 and will be subject to monthly interest payments at a rate of SOFR + 6.00%, of which the 6.00% may be paid in-kind (“PIK”) at the Company’s election. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company elected to PIK the 6.00% spread monthly. The Second Lien Term Loans are subject to a borrowing base in accordance with the terms of the Second Lien Credit Agreement.

On April 17, 2024, MediaCo issued 60,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock with an aggregate initial liquidation value of $60.0 million, recorded at its fair value at that time of $32.0 million, which will be accreted up to the redemption value balance over the term. The Series B Preferred Stock rank senior and in priority of payment to all other equity securities of MediaCo, including with respect to any repayment, redemption, distributions, bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Pursuant to the Series B Articles of Amendment, the ability of MediaCo to make distributions with respect to, or make a liquidation payment on, any other class of capital stock in the Company designated to be junior to, or on parity with, the Series B Preferred Stock, will be subject to certain restrictions. Issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock will accrue dividends, payable in kind, at an annual rate equal to 6.00% of the liquidation value thereof, subject to increase upon the occurrence of certain trigger events set forth in the Series B Articles of Amendment. The Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into any other equity securities of the Company. As the Series B Preferred Stock is mandatorily redeemable after seven years and does not contain an equity conversion option, it is classified as a long-term liability.

On April 17, 2024, in connection with the Estrella Acquisition, MediaCo issued the Warrant, which provides for the purchase of up to 28,206,152 shares of Class A common stock, subject to customary adjustments as set forth in the Warrant, at an exercise price per share of $0.00001. Subject to certain limitations, the Warrant also provides that the Warrant holder has the right to participate in distributions on Class A common stock on an as-exercised basis. The Warrant further provides that in no event shall the aggregate number of Warrant Shares issuable to the Warrant holder upon exercise of the Warrant exceed 19.9% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock of MediaCo outstanding (the “Share Cap”), or the voting power of such outstanding shares of common stock, on the business day immediately preceding the issue date for such Warrant Shares, calculated in accordance with the applicable rules of the Nasdaq, unless and until shareholder approval. As such, all Warrant Shares are classified as a liability at their fair value based on the closing price of MediaCo Class A common stock unless and until shareholder approval is obtained. Changes in fair value are recorded in change in fair value of warrant shares liability in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Warrant terminates six-months from the date shareholder approval is obtained, at which point, to the extent not fully exercised, the Warrant shall be deemed automatically exercised.

Based on amounts outstanding at June 30, 2024, mandatory principal payments of long-term debt and preferred stock for the next five years and thereafter are summarized below:

From time to time, our stations are parties to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management of the Company, however, there are no legal proceedings pending against the Company that we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

On September 15, 2023, the Company received a notification letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) notifying the Company that, because the closing bid price for the Company's Class A common stock was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2), requiring a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”).

In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(ii), the Company was given 180 calendar days, or until March 13, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. The Company did not achieve compliance during that period. On March 14, 2024, the Company received a notification letter from the Staff notifying the Company that that it had been granted an additional 180 days, or until September 9, 2024, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, based on meeting the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other applicable requirements for initial listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market with the exception of the bid price requirement, and the Company’s written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period.

On April 17, 2024, the Company received a notification letter from the Staff indicating that the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Price Requirement and the matter is closed.

On August 20, 2024, the Company received a notification letter from the Staff of the Nasdaq notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of its failure to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (the “Q2 2024 Form 10-Q”), as described more fully in the Company’s Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing (the “Form 12b-25”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 14, 2024. The Listing Rule requires Nasdaq-listed companies to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC.

The Notice indicates that the Company has until October 21, 2024 to submit a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule with respect to the delinquent filing, and indicates that any additional Nasdaq Staff exception to allow the Company to regain compliance with the delinquent filing will be limited to a maximum of 180 calendar days from the due date of the Q2 2024 Form 10-Q (as extended pursuant to Rule 12b-25 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or February 17, 2025. The Company intends to submit a compliance plan to Nasdaq and take the necessary steps to regain compliance with the Listing Rule as soon as practicable.

The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was 1% and 7%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the recognition of additional valuation allowance.

ASC paragraph 740-10 clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute of the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken within a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest benefit that reaches greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. In 2023, we recorded approximately $390 thousand of gross tax liability for uncertain tax positions related to federal and state income tax returns filed. Additionally, we recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of our income tax provision. As of June 30, 2024, the amount of interest accrued was approximately $43 thousand, which did not include the federal tax benefit of interest deductions.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. We have operating leases for office space and tower space expiring at various dates through December 2047 and finance leases for broadcast tower space expiring in March 2029. Some leases have options to extend and some have options to terminate. Operating leases are included in lease right-of-use assets, current operating lease liabilities, and noncurrent operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in lease right-of-use assets, current finance lease liabilities, and noncurrent finance lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate if it is readily determinable. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, which we treat as exercised when it is reasonably certain and there is a significant economic incentive to exercise that option.

Operating lease expense for operating lease assets is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Finance lease expense is composed of the depreciation of the lease asset and accretion of the lease liability and presented as part of Depreciation and amortization expense and Interest expense, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Variable lease payments, which represent lease payments that vary due to changes in facts or circumstances occurring after the commencement date other than the passage of time, are expensed in the period in which the obligation for these payments was incurred. None of our leases contain variable lease payments.

On November 18, 2022, the Company entered into a lease agreement in New York City for our radio operations and corporate offices with a lease commencement date of February 1, 2023 and a noncancellable lease term through October 2039. This resulted in a right of use asset of $10.4 million and an operating lease liability of $10.4 million when recorded at lease commencement.

The impact of operating leases to our condensed consolidated financial statements was as follows: