ATLANTA - Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:GTN) disclosed its financial outcomes for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, revealing a net loss of $22 million, or -$0.24 per share, which fell short of the analyst consensus of -$0.16 per share.
Despite the miss on earnings, the company's revenue matched the high end of its guidance at $864 million, slightly above the consensus estimate of $863.06 million.
The company's fourth-quarter revenue represented a significant 20% increase compared to the same quarter in the non-political year of 2021. This growth was driven by a 2% year-over-year (YoY) rise in core advertising revenue and a notable 16% YoY improvement in automobile advertising. Political advertising revenue also showed strength, totaling $33 million in what is traditionally an off-year for political advertising.
Gray Television highlighted the initial move-in and lease commencement by NBCUniversal at its Assembly Studios real estate complex, which is expected to be fully constructed by 2030. The company also mentioned the sale of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for $110 million in pre-tax cash proceeds and the use of $50 million from the sale to pay off its Revolving Credit Facility.
Looking ahead, Gray Television provided guidance for the first quarter of 2024, expecting total revenue to be between $810 million and $830 million. This forecast falls below the analyst consensus of $870.8 million. The anticipated revenue includes approximately $18 million from the broadcast of the Super Bowl on the company's CBS channels.
Gray Television's Chief Financial Officer, Jim Ryan, announced his intention to retire after 2025, with Jeff Gignac set to assume the CFO role in July 2024. This transition is part of the company's ongoing executive management planning.
The company's performance in the fourth quarter, particularly the earnings miss, is an essential factor for investors and analysts monitoring Gray Television's financial health. The lower-than-expected earnings per share could reflect challenges in the broadcasting industry or specific operational issues within the company. However, the steady revenue growth and strategic real estate and financial moves indicate a proactive approach to managing resources and capitalizing on opportunities.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.