BEASLEY BROADCAST GROUP INC 10-K

ITEM 1. BUSINESS Overview We are a multi-platform media company whose primary business is operating radio stations throughout the United States. We offer local and national advertisers integrated marketing solutions across audio, digital and event platforms. We own and operate stations in the following markets: Augusta, GA, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Detroit, MI, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Myers-Naples, FL, Las Vegas, NV, Middlesex, NJ, Monmouth, NJ, Morristown, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and Tampa-Saint Petersburg, FL. We refer to each group of stations in each market as a market cluster. Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed in 1999. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this report to “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Reverse Stock Split On September 23, 2024, the Company effected a 1-for-20 reverse stock split of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, every 20 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding were automatically converted into one share of Class A Common Stock, and every 20 shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding were automatically converted into one share of Class B Common Stock. No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Holders of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock received cash in lieu of fractional shares. The Reverse Stock Split had no effect on the par value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, which remained $0.001 per share, and had no effect on the number of authorized shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. Following the Reverse Stock Split, the Class A Common Stock continued to be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BBGI” on a split-adjusted basis beginning on September 24, 2024. In addition, consistent with the terms of the Company's 2007 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the "2007 Plan") and outstanding awards granted under the 2007 Plan, the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise, vesting or settlement of such awards and the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock remaining available for future awards under the 2007 Plan, as well as any share-based limits in the 2007 Plan, were proportionately reduced, and any fractional shares resulting therefrom were rounded down to the nearest whole share. Furthermore, the exercise prices of any outstanding options under the 2007 Plan were proportionately increased based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio, and the resulting exercise prices were rounded up to the nearest whole cent. All share and share-related information presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements, for all periods presented, has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. Strategy We seek to secure and maintain a leadership position in the markets we serve by developing high quality local content, through our audio and digital platforms, including events and experiences in the communities we serve and, in turn, offer advertisers access to a highly effective marketing platform to reach large and targeted local audiences. We operate our stations in clusters to capture a variety of demographic listener groups, which we believe enhances our stations’ appeal to a wide range of advertisers. Current rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) do not permit us to add more AM or FM stations to our Philadelphia, PA market cluster, or more FM stations to our Augusta, GA, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Myers-Naples, FL, Las Vegas, NV and Tampa-Saint Petersburg, FL market clusters. The primary source of revenue for our stations is the sale of advertising time to local, regional and national advertisers and national network advertisers who purchase commercials in varying lengths. A growing source of revenue is from station-related digital product suites, which allow for enhanced audience interaction and participation, and integrated digital advertising solutions. A station’s local sales staff generates the majority of its local and regional advertising sales through direct solicitations of local advertising agencies and businesses. We retain a national representation firm to sell to advertisers outside of our local markets. Competition The radio broadcasting industry is highly competitive. Our stations compete for listeners and advertising revenue with other stations within their respective markets. In addition, our stations compete for audiences and advertising revenues with other media, including digital audio streaming, satellite radio, broadcast television, digital, satellite and cable television, video streaming services, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertising, direct mail, wireless media alternatives, cellular phones and other forms of audio 3 Table of Contents entertainment and advertisement. Competition for advertising revenues also comes directly from competitors such as Amazon, Apple, Meta and Alphabet. The following are some of the factors that we believe are important to a station’s competitive position: (i) audience ratings; (ii) program content; (iii) management experience; (iv) sales experience; (v) audience characteristics; and (vi) the number and characteristics of other stations and other advertising media in the market area. We attempt to improve our competitive position with promotional campaigns aimed at the demographic groups targeted by our stations and by sales efforts designed to attract advertisers. We conduct extensive market research in an effort to enhance our audience ratings and, in certain circumstances, to identify opportunities to reformat stations to reach underserved demographic groups and increase advertising revenue. Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing federal regulations administered by the FCC. Among other things, the FCC: • determines the particular frequencies, locations, operating powers and other technical parameters of radio stations; • issues, renews, revokes, conditions and modifies radio station licenses; • determines whether to approve changes in ownership or control of radio station licenses; • regulates equipment used by radio stations; and • adopts and implements regulations and policies that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation, program content and employment practices of radio stations. The FCC has the power to impose penalties for violations of its rules that are implemented pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), including the imposition of monetary forfeitures, the issuance of short-term licenses, the imposition of conditions on the renewal of a license, and, in egregious cases, non-renewal of licenses and the revocation of licenses. The following is a brief summary of some provisions of the Communications Act and of certain specific FCC rules and policies. The summary is not a comprehensive listing of all of the regulations and policies affecting radio stations. For further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of radio stations, you should refer to the Communications Act, FCC rules and FCC public notices, reports, orders and rulings. FCC Licenses. Radio stations operate pursuant to licenses that are ordinarily granted by the FCC for renewable terms of eight years. A radio station may continue to operate beyond the expiration date of its license if a timely filed license renewal application is pending. During the period following the filing of renewal applications, petitions to deny license renewals can be filed by interested parties, including members of the public. Generally, the FCC renews a broadcast license upon a finding that (i) the broadcast station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity; (ii) there have been no serious violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC’s rules; and (iii) there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or other FCC rules that, when taken together, indicate a pattern of abuse. Historically, FCC licenses have generally been renewed. The most recent renewal cycle started in June 2019 and concluded in April 2022. All of our radio stations’ licenses were renewed for full eight-year terms. The next renewal cycle will begin in June 2027. The non-renewal, or renewal with substantial conditions or modifications, of one or more of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business. The FCC classifies each AM and FM radio station. An AM radio station operates on either a clear channel, regional channel or local channel. A clear channel is one on which AM radio stations are assigned to serve wide areas, particularly at night. The minimum and maximum facilities requirements for an FM radio station are determined by its class. Possible FM class designations depend upon the geographic zone in which the transmitter of the FM radio station is located. The FCC also permits AM and FM radio stations to operate FM translators and FM stations to operate FM booster stations. These are low power secondary stations that retransmit the programming of a radio station to portions of the station’s service area that the primary signal does not reach because of distance or terrain barriers. Boosters operate on the same frequency as the station being retransmitted and translators operate on a different frequency. In November 2024, the FCC adopted rules that will permit FM booster stations to originate content that is different from the programming on a primary station for up to three minutes per hour. Stations can set up specific areas or zones with a different booster for each zone to allow the boosters to provide geo-targeted content to specific portions of a station’s service area. The new rules will become effective following approval by the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”). 4 Table of Contents An Order adopted by the FCC in 2016 to revitalize the AM band implemented several rule changes impacting the technical operations of AM stations, including relaxation of the daytime community coverage requirements and elimination of the nighttime community coverage requirements for existing AM stations. In addition, to increase the number of FM translators that are available for AM stations, the FCC authorized two specialized FM translator filing windows for AM stations. Several of our AM Stations filed applications during these windows and received licenses for translators. Since translators are secondary to full power stations, it is possible that translators we operate could be displaced by full power stations. In August 2019, new rules setting out specific procedures to be used to resolve complaints of interference between FM translators and full power stations became effective. Under these rules, full power stations may only bring an interference complaint if they experience interference in an area that is inside the station’s 45 dBu contour. Rules to allow AM stations to voluntarily convert to all-digital operations became effective in 2021. The FCC has adopted rules establishing a low power radio service. Low power FM (“LPFM”) stations operate in the existing FM radio band with a maximum operating power of 100 watts. FCC regulations regarding eligibility for and licensing of low power FM radio stations have expanded licensing opportunities for low power FM radio stations. Implementation of a low power radio service provides an additional audio programming service that could compete with our radio stations for listeners. In April 2020, the FCC adopted an Order revising technical rules applicable to LPFM stations to provide LPFM licensees with more flexibility, including allowing the use of FM boosters. In December 2023, the FCC allowed applicants seeking to operate new LPFM stations to file applications, and it is now reviewing applications filed. Rules and Regulations Regarding Indecency, Sponsorship ID and EAS Signals. The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent material between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm. Broadcasters’ risk of violating the prohibition on the broadcast of indecent material is increased by the vagueness of the FCC’s definition of indecent material, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming. The FCC has expanded the breadth of indecency regulation to include material that could be considered “blasphemy,” “personally reviling epithets,” “profanity” and vulgar or coarse words, amounting to a nuisance. The maximum permitted fine for an indecency violation is $508,373 per incident and $4,692,668 for any continuing violation arising from a single act or failure to act. Because the FCC may investigate indecency complaints prior to notifying a licensee of the existence of a complaint, a licensee may not have knowledge of a complaint unless and until the complaint results in the issuance of a formal FCC letter of inquiry or notice of apparent liability for forfeiture. The FCC has advised that it will continue to pursue enforcement actions in egregious cases while it conducts its review of its indecency policies generally. In March 2015, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for the then maximum forfeiture amount of $325,000 against a television station for violation of its indecency policy. We cannot predict whether Congress will consider or adopt further legislation in this area. FCC regulations require a radio station to include an on-air announcement that identifies the sponsor of all advertisements and other content broadcast by any radio station for which any money, service or other valuable consideration is received. Fines for such violations can be substantial as they are dependent on the number of times a particular advertisement is broadcast. In April 2021, the FCC adopted rules that require broadcast stations to disclose when foreign governmental entities have paid a station, directly or indirectly, to broadcast programming under a lease time agreement. Radio stations are required to take certain actions to determine if an entity leasing airtime from it is covered by the new rules. The National Association of Broadcasters (the “NAB”) filed an appeal of the new rules, and in July 2021, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals struck down one aspect of the new rules that would have required stations to independently check certain government databases to determine if entities leasing programming were listed. In October 2021, the FCC adopted a new rulemaking proceeding that would require broadcasters to follow a revised procedure to determine whether entities leasing airtime are foreign governmental entities and to upload certifications to their online public files. The FCC adopted revised rules in May 2024. The revised rules require licensees to obtain from entities that lease airtime on a station either a written certification using a certification template provided by the FCC or screenshots of certain governmental websites for foreign media outlets showing that the lessee is not listed on the websites. The revisions also clarified that the rules will apply to issue advertisements as well as paid public service announcements. These revised requirements will not become effective until necessary approvals from the OMB are received. The NAB filed an appeal of the FCC Order revising the rules and has also asked the OMB to block the effectiveness of the revised rules. Transfers or Assignment of License. The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of broadcast licenses or the transfer of control of a broadcast licensee without the prior approval of the FCC. In determining whether to grant such approval, the FCC considers, among other things: • compliance with the various rules limiting common ownership of media properties in a given market; • the character of the proposed licensee and those persons holding attributable interests in the licensee; and • compliance with the Communications Act’s limitations on alien ownership as well as compliance with other FCC regulations and policies. 5 Table of Contents To obtain FCC consent to assign or transfer control of a broadcast license, appropriate applications must be filed with the FCC. Interested parties, including members of the public, have the opportunity to file objections against assignment and transfer of control applications. Multiple Ownership Rules. The Communications Act and FCC rules impose specific limits on the number of commercial radio stations an entity can own, directly or by attribution, in a single market, and the combination of radio stations, television stations and newspapers that any entity can own, directly or by attribution, in a single market. Digital radio channels authorized for AM and FM stations do not count as separate “stations” for purposes of the ownership limits. The radio multiple-ownership rules may preclude us from acquiring certain radio stations we might otherwise seek to acquire. The ownership rules also effectively prevent us from selling radio stations in a market to a buyer that has reached its ownership limit in the market unless that buyer divests other radio stations. The FCC’s ownership rules that are currently in effect and apply to our broadcast holdings are briefly summarized below. Local Radio Ownership Rule. The local radio ownership rule establishes the following limits: • in markets with 45 or more radio stations, ownership is limited to eight commercial radio stations, no more than five of which can be either AM or FM; • in markets with 30 to 44 radio stations, ownership is limited to seven commercial radio stations, no more than four of which can be either AM or FM; • in markets with 15 to 29 radio stations, ownership is limited to six commercial radio stations, no more than four of which can be either AM or FM; and • in markets with 14 or fewer radio stations, ownership is limited to five commercial radio stations or no more than 50% of the market’s total, whichever is lower, and no more than three of which can be either AM or FM. For stations located in a market in which the Nielsen Audio ratings service provides ratings, the definition of “radio market” is based on the radio market to which BIA Kelsey reports assign the affected radio stations. For stations that are not in a Nielsen Audio market, the market definition is based on technical service areas. The FCC’s rules also provide that parties which own groups of radio stations that comply with the previous (contour-based) multiple ownership rules, but do not comply with the current limits, will be allowed to retain those groups on a “grandfathered” basis, but will not be allowed to transfer or assign those groups intact. Under these rules, our ability to transfer or assign our radio stations as a group to a single buyer in one of our current markets may be limited. Ownership Attribution. The FCC generally applies its ownership limits to attributable interests held by an individual, corporation, partnership or other entity. An “attributable” interest for purposes of the FCC’s broadcast ownership rules generally includes: (i) equity and debt interests which combined exceed 33% of a licensee’s total assets, if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of the licensee’s total weekly programming, or has an attributable same-market media interest, whether television or radio; (ii) a 5% or greater direct or indirect voting stock interest, including certain interests held in trust, unless the holder is a qualified passive investor in which case the threshold is a 20% or greater voting stock interest; (iii) any equity interest in a limited liability company or a partnership, including a limited partnership, unless properly “insulated” from management activities; and (iv) any position as an officer or director of a licensee or its direct or indirect parent. In addition, the interests of minority shareholders in a corporation generally are not attributable if a single entity or individual controls 50% or more of that corporation’s voting stock. Foreign Ownership Rules. The Communications Act prohibits the issuance or holding of broadcast licenses by persons who are not U.S. citizens, whom the FCC rules refer to as “aliens,” including any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country or of which more than 20% of its capital stock is owned or voted by aliens. In addition, the FCC may prohibit any corporation from holding a broadcast license if the corporation is controlled by any other corporation of which more than 25% of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens. The FCC has interpreted this provision of the Communications Act to require an affirmative public interest finding before a broadcast licensee may be granted or held by such an entity. The FCC reviews situations in which foreigners own more than 25% of a holding company of an entity that holds a broadcast license on a case by case basis. Entities seeking such review are required to request the FCC to issue a declaratory ruling permitting the proposed foreign ownership. In acting upon such requests, the FCC will coordinate with Executive Branch agencies on national security, law enforcement, foreign policy and other policy issues. The rules also specify how public companies should monitor foreign ownership compliance and provide for remedial provisions in the event a public company determines that it has exceeded its foreign ownership limits. The FCC’s rules permit a broadcast licensee to file a petition with the FCC seeking approval for a proposed foreign investor to own up to 100% of the controlling parent entity and for a non-controlling foreign investor identified in the request to increase its equity and/or voting interest in a parent entity at a future time up to 49.9 percent. In October 2020, the FCC adopted rules to streamline the timeline for the required review of these requests by Executive Branch agencies and to require licensees to respond to a standardized set of national security and law enforcement questions. Our certificate of incorporation prohibits the ownership, voting and transfer of our capital stock in violation of the FCC restrictions, and prohibits the issuance of capital stock or the voting rights such capital stock represents 6 Table of Contents to or for the account of aliens or corporations otherwise subject to domination or control by aliens in excess of the FCC limits. The certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors (the "Board") to enforce these prohibitions. Time Brokerage and Joint Sales Agreements. It is not uncommon for radio stations to enter into agreements under which separately owned and licensed radio stations agree to enter into cooperative arrangements of varying sorts, subject to compliance with the requirements of antitrust laws and with the FCC’s rules and policies. Under these arrangements, separately owned radio stations could agree to function cooperatively in programming, advertising sales and similar matters, subject to the requirement that the licensee of each radio station maintain independent control over the programming and operations of its own radio station. The FCC’s rules provide that a radio station that brokers more than 15% of the weekly broadcast time on another radio station serving the same market or sells more than 15% of the other station’s advertising time per week will be considered to have an attributable ownership interest in the other radio station for purposes of the FCC’s local radio ownership limits. FCC rules that had also prohibited a broadcast station from duplicating more than 25% of its programming on another radio station serving substantially the same area in the same broadcast service, that is AM-AM or FM-FM, either through common ownership of the two radio stations or through a time brokerage agreement, were eliminated in October 2020. In June 2024, the FCC reinstated the rule in response to requests for reconsideration filed by several parties. Quadrennial Review of Ownership Rules . The FCC is required to review quadrennially the media ownership rules and determine if the rules remain necessary in the public interest as a result of competition. In August 2016, the FCC released an Order in a proceeding that combined the 2010 and 2014 quadrennial reviews which retained most of the existing multiple ownership rules. In November 2017, the FCC released an Order on Reconsideration that eliminated the newspaper-broadcast and television-radio cross ownership rules, relaxed the local television ownership rule and eliminated the attribution of JSAs between television stations. The rule changes went into effect on February 7, 2018. However, several public interest organizations filed petitions for review with the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the same court that considered challenges to prior ownership orders issued by the FCC. In an Order adopted in September 2019, the Third Circuit vacated the FCC’s November 2017 Reconsideration Order. The FCC and the intervenors petitioned the Third Circuit for en banc review in November 2019, which the Third Circuit denied. Following the denial, in November 2019, a mandate reinstating the newspaper-broadcast and radio-television cross-ownership rules was issued. In April 2021, the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision reinstated the FCC’s 2017 Reconsideration Order, which resulted in the elimination of the newspaper-broadcast and radio television cross-ownership rules and changes to the local television ownership rule. In June 2021, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued an Order formally implementing the changes reflected in the November 2017 Reconsideration Order. In December 2018, the FCC launched its 2018 quadrennial review of multiple ownership rules. Because of the rule changes implemented as a result of the Supreme Court decision, in 2021, the Media Bureau asked parties to update the record in the currently pending 2018 quadrennial review. Although the 2018 quadrennial review was still pending, in December 2022, the FCC issued a public notice to begin its statutorily mandated 2022 quadrennial review. In December 2023, the FCC issued an Order in the 2018 quadrennial review, which concluded that no significant changes to any of the multiple ownership rules were necessary. The Order made permanent the contour overlap method used to evaluate the number of radio stations in areas that are outside Nielsen rated markets. The 2022 quadrennial review remains pending. Programming and Operations. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the public interest. The FCC gradually has relaxed or eliminated many of the more formalized procedures it had developed in the past to promote the broadcast of certain types of programming responsive to the needs of a radio station’s community of license. Under the currently effective rules, a licensee is required to present programming that is responsive to issues of the radio station’s community of license and to maintain records demonstrating this responsiveness. All of our radio stations are required to maintain their public inspection files online on an FCC maintained website rather than in their physical studios. This means that the materials in these stations’ public files are more widely accessible. Radio stations also must pay regulatory and application fees and follow various rules promulgated under the Communications Act. Those rules regulate, among other things, political advertising, sponsorship identifications, the advertisement of contests and lotteries, employment practices, broadcast of obscene and indecent content, and technical operations, including limits on human exposure to radio frequency radiation. The FCC’s rules on equal employment opportunities prohibit employment discrimination by radio stations on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, and gender; and require broadcasters to implement programs to promote equal employment opportunities at their radio stations. The rules generally require broadcasters to widely disseminate information about full-time job openings to all segments of the community to ensure that all qualified applicants have sufficient opportunity to apply for the job, to send job vacancy announcements to recruitment organizations and others in the community indicating an interest in all or some vacancies at the radio station, and to implement a number of specific longer-term recruitment outreach efforts, such as job fairs, internship programs, and interaction with educational and community groups from among a menu of approaches itemized by the FCC. In April 2017, the FCC issued a Declaratory Ruling permitting broadcast stations to use online job postings as their sole means of recruiting, as long as online postings reach all segments of a broadcaster’s community. In February 2024, the FCC adopted an Order reinstating rules requiring broadcasters to annually report information on the composition of their workforce. The requirement to file 7 Table of Contents this information has been suspended for almost two decades. The filing requirement had been scheduled to go into effect in September 2024, but the FCC announced that it was suspended until further notice. Several parties have filed appeals of the Order and Petitions for Reconsideration with the FCC. Content Licenses and Royalties. We must pay royalties to copyright owners of musical compositions (typically, songwriters and publishers) whenever we broadcast or stream musical compositions. Copyright owners of musical compositions most often rely on intermediaries known as performing rights organizations (“PROs”) to negotiate licenses with copyright users for the public performance of their compositions, collect royalties under such licenses and distribute them to copyright owners. We have obtained public performance licenses from, and pay license fees to, the four major PROs in the U.S., which are the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”), SESAC LLC (“SESAC”) and Global Music Rights LLC (“GMR”). There is no guarantee that additional PROs will not emerge, which could impact, and in some circumstances increase, our royalty rates and negotiation costs. To secure the rights to stream music content over the Internet, we also must obtain performance rights licenses and pay public performance royalties to copyright owners of sound recordings (typically, performing artists and record companies). Under Federal statutory licenses, we are permitted to stream any lawfully released sound recordings and to make ephemeral reproductions of these recordings on our computer servers without having to separately negotiate and obtain direct licenses with each individual copyright owner as long as we operate in compliance with the rules of those statutory licenses and pay the applicable royalty rates to Sound Exchange, the organization designated by the Copyright Royalty Board (“CRB”) to collect and distribute royalties under these statutory licenses. From time to time, Sound Exchange notifies us that certain calendar years are subject to routine audits of our royalty payments. The results of such audits could result in higher royalty payments for the subject years. The rates at which we pay royalties to copyright owners are privately negotiated or set pursuant to a regulatory process. Increased royalty rates could significantly increase our expenses, which could adversely affect our business. There is no guarantee that the licenses and associated royalty rates that currently are available to us will be available to us in the future. In addition, Congress may consider and adopt legislation that would require us to pay royalties to sound recording copyright owners for broadcasting those recordings on our terrestrial radio stations. Removal of AM Radio Receivers by Car Manufacturers . In 2023, several automobile manufacturers announced plans to remove AM radio receivers from certain new vehicles. Following these announcements, legislation known as the AM for Every Vehicle Act was introduced in Congress. The legislation proposed that the Department of Transportation complete a rulemaking proceeding within one year to mandate that AM receivers be included as a standard feature in all cars sold in the United States. Although the legislation received bipartisan support, it was not passed prior to the conclusion of the 118th Congress in December 2024. The same legislation has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress and is pending. The removal of AM receivers by automobile manufacturers could affect the operation and profitability of our AM radio stations. Proposed and Recent Changes. Congress, the FCC and other federal agencies are considering, or may in the future consider and adopt new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could affect, directly or indirectly, the operation, ownership and profitability of our radio stations, including the loss of audience share and advertising revenues for our radio stations, and an inability to acquire additional radio stations or to finance those acquisitions. Such matters may include: • changes in the FCC’s multiple-ownership rules and attribution policies; • regulatory fees, spectrum use fees or other fees on FCC licenses; • changes in laws with respect to foreign ownership of broadcast licenses; • revisions to the FCC’s rules relating to political broadcasting, including proposals to give free airtime to candidates and other changes regarding political advertising rates, sponsorship disclosure and political file recordkeeping obligations; • technical and frequency allocation matters; • proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages on the radio; • proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of online casinos, online sports betting services and fantasy sports services and prescription drugs; • proposals to require radio broadcasters to pay royalties to musicians and record labels for the performance of music played on the stations; 8 Table of Contents • proposals to limit the tax deductibility of or impose sales tax on advertising expenses by advertisers; • proposals to regulate or prohibit payments to stations by independent record promoters, record labels and others for the inclusion of specific content in broadcast programming; and • proposals in legislation to strengthen protections against online infringement of intellectual property that would impose criminal penalties on content providers, including broadcasters, that fail to comply with legal requirements to file reports regarding internet streaming in a timely manner. The FCC has also adopted procedures for the auction of broadcast spectrum in circumstances where two or more parties have filed for new or major change applications that are mutually exclusive. Such procedures may limit our efforts to modify or expand the broadcast signals of our radio stations. We cannot predict what other matters might be considered in the future by the FCC or Congress, nor can we judge in advance what impact, if any, the implementation of any of these proposals or changes might have on our business. Federal Antitrust Laws. The agencies responsible for enforcing the federal antitrust laws, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) or the Department of Justice, may investigate certain acquisitions. In December 2023, they jointly issued revised federal merger guidelines, which may result in more mergers being subject to review. The Department of Justice and the FTC have reviewed numerous potential radio acquisitions where an operator proposed to acquire an additional station in its existing markets or multiple stations in new markets, and has challenged a number of such transactions. Some of these challenges have resulted in consent decrees requiring the sale of certain stations. We cannot predict the outcome of any specific FTC or Department of Justice investigation or how the revised merger guidelines will impact radio industry mergers and acquisitions. Any decision by the FTC or the Department of Justice to challenge a proposed acquisition could affect our ability to consummate the acquisition or to consummate it on the proposed terms. For an acquisition meeting certain size thresholds, the Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 requires the parties to file Notification and Report Forms concerning antitrust issues with the FTC and the Department of Justice and to observe specified waiting period requirements before consummating the acquisition. In October 2024, the FTC finalized significant updates to the HSR guidelines that increase the amount and types of information that must be reported. Regulation of the Internet Our business is subject to privacy and data protection legislation and regulation. We obtain information from users of our technology platforms, including, without limitation, our websites, web pages, applications, social media pages, and mobile applications (“Platforms”), in accordance with the privacy policies and terms of use posted on the applicable Platform. We collect personally identifiable information directly from Platform users in several ways, including when a user registers to use our services, fills out a listener profile, posts comments, uses our social networking features, participates in polls and contests and signs up to receive email newsletters. We use and share this information for a variety of business purposes, including for analytics, attribution and to manage and execute digital advertising campaigns in a variety of ways. We are subject to several laws and regulations relating to consumer protection, information security, data protection and privacy. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business or limit the services we are able to offer. In the areas of information security and data protection, the laws in several states in the United States and most countries require companies to implement specific information security controls and legal protections to protect certain types of personally identifiable information. Likewise, most states in the United States and most countries have laws in place requiring companies to notify users if there is a security breach that compromises certain categories of their personally identifiable information. Any failure on our part to comply with these laws may subject us to significant liabilities. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) establishes a new privacy framework that expands the definition of personal information, establishes new data privacy rights for consumers residing in the State of California, imposes special rules on the collection of consumer data from minors, creates new notice obligations and new limits on the sale of personal information, and creates a new and potentially severe statutory damages framework for (i) violations of the CCPA and (ii) businesses that fail to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. Our websites are also subject to regulation relating to acquisition of personal information from children under the age of 13, including the federal Child Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and the federal Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (“CAN-SPAM”). Additional federal, state, and territorial laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet or other online services, covering such issues as user privacy, child safety, data security, advertising, product and service endorsements, pricing, content, copyrights and trademarks, access by persons with disabilities, distribution, taxation and characteristics and quality of products and services. 9 Table of Contents HD Radio In 2002, the FCC selected In-Band On-Channel technology as the exclusive technology for the introduction of terrestrial digital operations by AM and FM radio stations. The technology is also known as “HD Radio.” The advantages of digital audio broadcasting over traditional analog broadcasting technology include improved sound quality, the ability to broadcast additional channels, and the ability to offer a greater variety of auxiliary services. We currently utilize HD Radio digital technology on most of our stations. In September 2024, the FCC adopted an Order modifying certain rules applicable to HD radio operations that will improve digital FM signal quality and coverage while minimizing harmful interference to adjacent-channel stations and will permit licensees to implement changes through a notification procedure. Seasonality Seasonal revenue fluctuations are common in the radio broadcasting industry and are due primarily to fluctuations in advertising expenditures. Our net revenues are typically lowest in the first quarter and generally higher in the second and fourth quarters of the year. In addition, our revenues tend to fluctuate between years, consistent with, among other things, increased advertising expenditures in even-numbered years by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter of such years. Human Capital Resources As of March 18, 2025, we had a staff of 542 full-time employees and 270 part-time employees. We are a party to two separate collective bargaining agreements with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Both agreements automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless either party gives a notice of proposed termination at least sixty days prior to a renewal date. We consider our relations with our employees to be good. Environmental As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, we are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our business. There can be no assurance, however, that compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations will not require us to make significant expenditures in the future. Available Information Our internet address is www.bbgi.com. You may obtain through our website, free of charge, copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These reports will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC maintains an internet site, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. 10 Table of Contents ITEM 1A. RI SK FACTORS CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Our disclosure and analysis in this annual report on Form 10-K concerning our operations, cash flows and financial position, including, in particular, the likelihood of our success in developing and expanding our business, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Although these statements are based upon assumptions that we consider reasonable, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that described more fully below. Accordingly, we can give no assurance that we will achieve the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of the Nasdaq Global Market or that we will continue to be listed on Nasdaq or make periodic filings with the SEC. Our Class A common stock is currently listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, and we must satisfy certain continued listing requirements to maintain the listing. On April 27, 2023, we received a written notice (the “April Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying us that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our Class A common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”). On May 19, 2023, we received a notice from Nasdaq notifying us that we had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement and that the matter was closed. On October 13, 2023, we received a written notice (the “October Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying us that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our Class A common stock had closed below the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. After completing the Reverse Stock Split, on October 8, 2024, we received a written notice that we had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, continue to be listed on Nasdaq or continue to make periodic filings with the SEC. If we are delisted due to a failure to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements or voluntarily delist from Nasdaq, but obtain a substitute listing for our Class A common stock, it will likely be on a market with less liquidity, and therefore experience potentially more price volatility than experienced on Nasdaq. Stockholders may not be able to sell their shares of our Class A common stock on any such substitute market in the quantities, at the times, or at the prices that could potentially be available on a more liquid trading market. As a result of these factors, if our Class A common stock is delisted from Nasdaq, the value and liquidity of our Class A common stock would likely be significantly adversely affected. In addition, if we discontinue our obligation to make periodic filings with the SEC, by delisting our securities with Nasdaq and deregistering our securities pursuant to the Exchange Act, there would be a substantial decrease in disclosure about our Company on an ongoing basis. We face risks related to health epidemics, natural disasters, terrorism and other catastrophes, which have materially and adversely affected our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. We are subject to social and natural catastrophic events that are beyond our control, such as health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and other catastrophes, which have materially and adversely affected our business and may continue to materially and adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. We may be adversely affected by the effects of inflation. Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve commensurate increases in the prices we charge our customers. The existence of inflation in the economy has resulted in, and may continue to result in, higher interest rates and capital costs, increased costs of labor, weakening exchange rates and other similar effects. As a result of inflation, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, cost increases, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. The radio broadcasting industry faces many unpredictable business risks and is sensitive to external economic forces that could have a material adverse effect on our advertising revenues and results of operations. Our future operations are subject to many business risks, including those risks that specifically influence the radio broadcasting industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. These risks include, but are not limited to: 11 Table of Contents • shifts in population, demographics or audience preferences and behaviors; • increased competition for advertising revenues with other radio stations, broadcast television, digital, satellite and cable television, video streaming services, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertising, direct mail, internet radio, satellite radio, podcasts, smart phones, tablets, and other wireless media, the internet, social media, smart speakers and other forms of advertising; technological developments, including artificial intelligence and dislocation of advertising operations from new technologies and media buying trends; • increased competition for advertising revenues from Amazon, Apple, Meta and Alphabet; • increased consolidation among our competitors and peers resulting in additional competitive pressures; and • changes in laws, government regulations and policies and actions of federal regulatory bodies, including the FCC, Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission. The main source of our revenue is the sale of advertising. Our ability to sell advertising can be affected by, among other things: • economic conditions in the areas where our stations are located and in the nation as a whole; • the popularity of the programming offered by our stations and digital platforms; • changes in population, demographics, consumer behavior or audience preferences in the areas where our stations are located; • local and national advertising price fluctuations, which can be affected by the availability of programming, the popularity of programming, and the relative supply of and demand for commercial advertising; • our competitors’ activities, including increased competition from other advertising-based mediums and new technologies; • decisions by advertisers to withdraw or delay planned advertising expenditures for any reason; and • other factors beyond our control. In addition, we believe that, for most businesses, advertising is a discretionary business expense, meaning that spending on advertising tends to decline disproportionately during an economic recession or downturn, as compared to other types of business spending. Further, our operations and revenues also tend to be seasonal in nature, with generally lower revenue generated in the first quarter of the year and generally higher revenue generated in the second and fourth quarters of the year. The seasonality of our business reflects the adult orientation of our formats and relationship between advertising purchases on these formats and the retail cycle. This seasonality causes, and will likely continue to cause, a variation in our quarterly operating results. Such variations could have a material effect on the timing of our cash flows. In addition, our revenues tend to fluctuate between years, consistent with, among other things, increased advertising expenditures in even-numbered years by political candidates, political parties, political action committees and special interest groups. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter of such years. Additionally, unfavorable changes in economic conditions, political conditions, labor conditions, changing laws or tariffs, as well as declining consumer confidence, recession and other factors could lead to decreased demand for advertising and negatively impact our advertising revenues and our results of operations. These factors, along with regulatory changes, executive orders and enforcement priorities, may impact customer budgets and create uncertainty about how such laws and regulations will be interpreted and applied, which may impact advertising demand and adversely impact our business. We cannot predict with accuracy the timing or duration of any economic downturn generally, or in the markets in which our advertisers operate. If the economic environment does worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience a decline in revenues, which may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. Our stations may not be able to compete effectively in their respective markets for advertising revenues, which could adversely affect our revenue and cash flows. We operate in a highly competitive business. A decline in our audience share or advertising rates in a particular market may cause a decline in the revenue and cash flows of our stations located in that market. Our stations compete for audiences and advertising revenues within their respective markets directly with other stations, as well as with other media platforms and companies selling digital advertising. These other media platforms include broadcast television, digital, satellite and cable television, video streaming services, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertising, direct mail, internet radio, satellite radio, smart phones, tablets, and other 12 Table of Contents wireless media, the internet, social media, smart speakers, podcasts and other forms of advertising. Our radio stations also compete for audiences and advertising revenues within their respective markets directly with Amazon, Apple, Meta and Alphabet. Our stations could suffer a reduction in audience ratings or advertising revenue and could incur increased promotional and other expenses if: • another station in a market was to convert its programming to a format similar to, and thereby compete more directly with, one of our stations; • a new station was to adopt a comparable format or if an existing competitor were to improve its audience share; or • a current or new advertising alternative increased its share of local or national advertising revenue. Other radio broadcasting companies may enter into markets in which we operate or may operate in the future. These companies may be larger and have more financial resources than we have. As a result, our stations may not be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings and advertising revenues. Further, advertising revenue may vary from even- to odd-numbered years based on the volatility and unpredictability of political advertising revenue. Political advertising revenue from elections, which is generally greater in even-numbered years when federal elections occur, has the potential to create fluctuations in our operating results on a year-to-year basis. In addition, political advertising revenue is dependent on the level of political advertising expenditures and competitiveness of particular races within each local market. If we are unable to develop compelling and differentiated digital content, products and services, our advertising revenues could be adversely affected. In order to attract consumers and generate increased activity on our digital properties, we believe that we must offer compelling and differentiated content, products and services. However, acquiring, developing, and offering such content, products and services may require significant costs and time to develop, while consumer tastes may be difficult to predict and are subject to rapid change. If we are unable to provide content, products and services that are sufficiently attractive to our digital users, we may not be able to generate the increases in activity necessary to generate increased advertising revenues. In addition, although we have access to certain content provided by our other businesses, we may be required to make substantial payments to license such content. Many of our content arrangements with third parties are non-exclusive, so competitors may be able to offer similar or identical content. If we are not able to acquire or develop compelling content and do so at reasonable prices, or if other companies offer content that is similar to that provided by our digital department, we may not be able to attract and increase the engagement of digital consumers on our digital properties. Continued growth in our digital business also depends on our ability to continue offering a competitive and distinctive range of advertising products and services for advertisers and publishers and our ability to maintain or increase prices for our advertising products and services. Continuing to develop and improve these products and services requires significant time and costs. If we cannot continue to develop and improve our advertising products and services, or if prices for our advertising products and services decrease, our digital advertising revenues could be adversely affected. Our success is dependent upon audience acceptance of our content, particularly our audio programs, which is difficult to predict. Media and audio content production and distribution are inherently risky businesses because the revenues derived from the production and distribution of media content or an audio program, and the licensing of rights to the intellectual property associated with the content or program, depend primarily upon their acceptance and perceptions by the public, which are difficult to predict. The commercial success of content or a program also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing programs released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions, and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which are difficult to predict. Ratings for broadcast stations and the amount of traffic on a particular website are also factors that are weighed when advertisers determine which outlets to use and in determining the advertising rates that the outlet receives. Poor ratings or traffic levels can lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising revenues. For example, if there is an event causing a change of programming at one of our stations, there could be no assurance that any replacement programming would generate the same level of ratings, revenues, or profitability as the previous programming. In addition, changes in ratings methodology and technology could adversely impact our ratings and negatively affect our advertising revenues. 13 Table of Contents Finally, the costs of developing and distributing content and programming most popular with the public may change significantly if new performance royalties (such as those that have been proposed by members of Congress from time to time) are imposed upon radio broadcasters or internet operators, and such changes could have a material impact upon our business. We may not remain competitive if we do not adapt or respond to changes in technology, standards and services that affect our industry. The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological change, evolving industry standards and the emergence of alternate media platforms, standards, technologies and services. We may not have the resources to acquire and deploy other technologies or to introduce new services that could compete with these other technologies. Competition arising from other technologies or regulatory changes may have an adverse effect on the radio broadcasting industry or on our Company. Various other audio technologies and services that have been developed and introduced include: • home and personal digital audio devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, smart speakers); • satellite delivered digital audio radio services that offer numerous programming channels; • internet-based audio music services; • audio programming by internet content providers, internet radio stations, podcasters, cable systems, direct broadcast satellite systems, personal communications services and other digital audio broadcast formats; • HD Radio, which provides multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services; • low power FM radio stations, which are non-commercial FM radio broadcast outlets that serve small, localized areas; • portable digital devices and systems that permit users to listen to programming on a time-delayed basis and to fast-forward through programming and/or advertisements; and • vehicles equipped with dashboards that provide internet connectivity that increase the number of audio and video platforms available in vehicles (e.g., ATSC 3.0 technology) or that eliminate tuners for certain older technologies such as AM radio. These and other new technologies have the potential to change the means by which advertisers can reach target audiences most effectively. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that competition arising from other technologies or legal or regulatory change may have on the radio broadcasting industry or on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, as discussed above, the AM for Every Vehicle Act is pending in Congress. If this legislation is not passed, the removal of AM receivers by automobile manufacturers could affect the operation and profitability of our AM radio stations. Such new media and technology has resulted in increased fragmentation in the advertising market, and we cannot predict the effect, if any, that additional competition arising from new technologies may have across our business or our financial condition and results of operations, which may be adversely affected if we are not able to adapt successfully to these new media technologies or distribution platforms. The continuing growth and evolution of channels and platforms have increased our challenges in differentiating ourselves from other media platforms. We continually seek to develop and enhance our content offerings and distribution platforms/methodologies. Failure to effectively execute these efforts, actions by our competitors, or other failures to deliver content effectively could hurt our ability to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and, as a result, have adverse effects across our business. We are dependent on federally issued licenses to operate our stations and are subject to extensive federal regulation. The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act. We are required to obtain licenses from the FCC to operate our stations. Our business depends upon maintaining our broadcast licenses, which are issued by the FCC for a term of eight years and are renewable. Although the vast majority of FCC radio station licenses are routinely renewed, we cannot assure you that the FCC will approve our future renewal applications or that the renewals will be for full eight-year terms or will not include conditions or qualifications that could adversely affect our operations. The non-renewal, or renewal with substantial conditions or modifications, of one or more of our licenses could have a material adverse effect on us. All our station licenses were renewed for full eight-year terms in the most recent renewal cycle, which concluded in August 2022. We must comply with extensive FCC regulations and policies regarding the ownership and operation of our stations. FCC regulations limit the number of radio stations that a licensee can own in a market, which could restrict our ability to consummate any future transactions, and in certain circumstances, could require us to divest one or more stations. Online music services such as 14 Table of Contents Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, Pandora and Spotify are not regulated by the FCC; therefore, they are not subject to any ownership restrictions or FCC regulations governing their operations. Our ability to compete with online music services may be impeded because of the extensive FCC regulations to which we are subject. The FCC also requires radio stations to comply with certain technical requirements to limit interference between two or more radio stations. Possible changes in interference protections, creation of additional classes of FM stations, spectrum allocations and other technical rules may negatively affect the operation of our stations. If the FCC relaxes certain technical requirements, it could impair the signals transmitted by our stations and could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, the FCC has recently increased its enforcement of certain regulations, including regulations requiring a radio station to include an on-air announcement which identifies the sponsor of all advertisements and other content broadcast by any radio station for which any money, service or other valuable consideration is received, requiring all radio stations to maintain online public inspection files hosted on an FCC database that is easily accessible by members of the public and the FCC, and prohibiting the transmission of EAS tones or simulations thereof in the absence of an actual emergency or authorized test. Moreover, these FCC regulations and others may change over time, and we cannot assure you that those changes would not have a material adverse effect on us. The FCC regulates FM translator stations as a secondary service, and in the event that an FM translator station causes actual interference to the signal of a radio or television station, FCC rules require the FM translator station to eliminate the interference and to suspend operations if the interference cannot be eliminated. If the FCC requires any FM translator station that we operate to modify its facilities to eliminate interference caused to another station or to cease broadcasting, it could materially impair the operations of the station that the FM translator rebroadcasts which could have a material adverse effect on us. Enforcement of the FCC’s indecency rules could have a material adverse effect on our business. The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent material between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The risk of violating the prohibition on the broadcast of indecent material is increased by the vagueness of the FCC’s definition of indecent material, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming. The FCC has expanded the breadth of indecency regulation to include material that could be considered “blasphemy,” “personally reviling epithets,” “profanity” and vulgar or coarse words amounting to a nuisance. As a result, in the event that we broadcast material falling within the expanded breadth of the FCC’s regulation, we could be subject to license revocation, or renewal or qualifications proceedings, which would put the licenses that we depend on for our operations in jeopardy. In 2007, the monetary penalties for broadcasting indecent programming increased substantially. The current maximum permitted fines for an indecency violation is $508,373 per incident and $4,692,668 for any continuing violation arising from a single act or failure to act. In a decision issued in June 2012, the Supreme Court did not find that the FCC’s indecency standards were inconsistent with the First Amendment, which means the FCC may continue to enforce the standards. The FCC has advised that it will continue to pursue enforcement actions in egregious cases while it conducts a review of its indecency policy generally. Because the FCC may investigate indecency complaints prior to notifying a licensee of the existence of a complaint, a licensee may not have knowledge of a complaint unless and until the complaint results in the issuance of a formal FCC letter of inquiry or notice of apparent liability for forfeiture. We may in the future become subject to additional inquiries or proceedings related to our stations’ broadcast of indecent or obscene material. To the extent that these pending inquiries or other proceedings result in the imposition of fines, revocation of any of our station licenses or denials of license renewal applications, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The royalties we pay to copyright owners could increase significantly, and proposed legislation could require radio broadcasters to pay royalties to record labels and recording artists. We pay royalties to copyright owners of musical compositions (typically song composers and publishers) whenever we broadcast or stream musical compositions. These royalties are paid through ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, and Sound Exchange. The rates at which we pay royalties to copyright owners are privately negotiated or set pursuant to a regulatory process. Increased royalty rates could significantly increase our expenses, which could adversely affect our business. There is no guarantee that the licenses and associated royalty rates that currently are available to us will be available to us in the future. In addition, legislation has been introduced in Congress that would require radio broadcasters to pay a performance royalty to record labels and performing artists for use of their recorded songs. The proposed legislation would add an additional layer of royalties to be paid directly to the record labels and artists. It is currently unknown what proposed legislation, if any, will become law, whether industry groups will enter into an agreement with respect to performance fees, and what significance this royalty would have on our results from operations, cash flows or financial position. We depend on selected market clusters of stations for a material portion of our net revenue. The stations located in Boston, MA, Detroit, MI and Philadelphia, PA contributed 58% of our net revenue in 2024. Accordingly, we have greater exposure to adverse events or conditions in any of these markets, such as changes in the economy, shifts in population 15 Table of Contents or demographics, or changes in audience tastes, or local government actions, which could adversely impact our results from operations, cash flows or financial position. We are exposed to credit risk on our accounts receivable. This risk is heightened during periods of uncertain economic conditions. Our outstanding accounts receivable are not covered by collateral or credit insurance. Credit risk on our receivables is heightened during periods of uncertain economic conditions, and there can be no assurance that our procedures to monitor and limit exposure to credit risk will be effective and enable us to avoid losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our results from operations, cash flows or financial position. We also maintain reserves to cover the uncollectibility of a portion of our accounts receivable, however, the estimate, which is based on current information, may differ from actual results. A future impairment of our FCC licenses could adversely affect our operating results. As of December 31, 2024, our FCC licenses represented 71% of our total assets. We are required to test our FCC licenses for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that our FCC licenses might be impaired, and we have, from time to time, recorded impairment charges as a result of such tests. We assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that our FCC licenses might be impaired. If we determine it is more likely than not that our FCC licenses are impaired, then we are required to perform a quantitative impairment test. The valuation of our FCC licenses is based on estimates rather than precise calculations. The fair value measurements for our FCC licenses use significant unobservable inputs which reflect our own assumptions about the estimates that market participants would use in measuring fair value including assumptions about risk. If actual future results are not consistent with the assumptions and estimates used, we may be exposed to impairment charges in the future, which could be material and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For further discussion, see “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates” of this report. We have substantial debt that could have important consequences to you . We have debt that is substantial in relation to our equity. As of December 31, 2024, we had long-term debt, net of an unamortized premium, of $220.1 million and equity of $147.2 million. Our long-term debt is substantial in amount and could have an impact on you. For example, it could: • require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to debt service, thereby reducing the availability of cash flows for other purposes, including ongoing capital expenditures and future acquisitions; • impair our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes; • limit our ability to compete, expand and make capital improvements; • increase our vulnerability to economic downturns, limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and reduce our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions; and • limit or prohibit our ability to pay dividends and make other distributions. Any additional borrowings or note offerings would further increase the amount of our debt and the associated risks. In addition, there can be no assurances that additional financing will be available or on terms that will be acceptable to us, or at all. Our ability to pay regular dividends on our common stock is subject to the discretion of our Board and may be limited by our structure, statutory restrictions and restrictions imposed by the Indenture governing our Notes as well as any future agreements. Our Board has suspended future quarterly dividend payments until it is determined that resumption of dividend payments is in the best interest of the Company’s stockholders. While we intend to pay a regular quarterly cash dividend, future payments, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board. Future quarterly dividend payments can also be changed or discontinued at any time and will be subject to limitations under the terms of the Indenture governing our Notes (as defined below), as well as any future agreements. The payment and timing of any future quarterly dividends will also depend upon, among other things, our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our Board. 16 Table of Contents Our corporate offices and several of our stations are located in areas that could be affected by hurricanes, extreme weather and other climate change conditions. Florida is susceptible to hurricanes, and we have our corporate offices located in Naples, and stations located in Fort Myers and Tampa. These stations contributed 14% of our net revenue in 2024. Our corporate offices and our stations located in Florida and other stations located along the east coast of the United States have been materially affected by hurricanes in the past and may be materially affected in the future, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, our properties may be impacted by extreme weather conditions, including wildfires, floods, drought, loss of power, heat waves, heavy precipitation or storms, and other climate change impacts. We carry property damage insurance on all of our properties and business interruption insurance on some of our properties, but there can be no assurance that such insurance would be adequate to cover all of our losses related to extreme weather and climate change. The failure or destruction of the internet, satellite systems and transmitter facilities that we depend upon to distribute our programming could adversely affect our operating results. We use studios, satellite systems, transmitter facilities and the internet to originate and/or distribute our station programs and commercials. We rely on third-party contracts and services to operate our origination and distribution facilities. These third-party contracts and services include, but are not limited to, electrical power, satellite transponders, uplinks and downlinks and telecom circuits. We do not control these third parties or the quality, security or testing of various third-party software, hardware or infrastructure products that are utilized in our business. Distribution may be disrupted due to one or more third parties losing their ability to provide particular services to us, which could adversely affect our distribution capabilities. A disruption can be caused as a result of any number of events, such as local disasters (accidental or environmental), various acts of terrorism, power outages, cyber-attacks, major telecom connectivity failures or satellite failures. Our ability to distribute programming to station audiences may be disrupted for an undetermined period of time until alternate facilities are engaged and put online. Furthermore, until third-party services resume, the inability to originate or distribute programming could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We are vulnerable to disruptions and security breaches of our information technology infrastructure and confidential information, which could cause material adverse effects on our business and reputation. We rely heavily on technology, such as computer systems, hardware, software, technology infrastructure and online sites and networks for both internal and external operations, to operate our business (collectively, “IT Systems”), including our own IT Systems and those of our third-party providers. In addition, as a part of our ordinary business operations, we and certain of our third-party providers collect, process, store and maintain sensitive data, including the personal information of our clients, listeners, employees, contractors, business partners and others as well as trade secrets and other propriety business information (collectively, “Confidential Data”). The proper functioning of our IT Systems and business processes and protection of our Confidential Data is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business, our operating results and our financial condition. Our IT Systems, and those of third-party providers, are vulnerable to damage and disruption caused by various circumstances, some of which are beyond our control. These include catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages and natural disasters, terrorist attacks, employee error or malfeasance, and, increasingly, technological risks associated with computer system or network failures, viruses or malware (including ransomware), misconfigurations, bugs or securities vulnerabilities in hardware and software, physical or electronic intrusions, and unauthorized access associated with cyber-attacks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our IT Systems and Confidential Data. Our technology security initiatives, disaster recovery plans and security measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to prevent a material cyberattack or business disruption. Because we make extensive use of third-party providers, such as cloud computing services, successful cyberattacks that disrupt or compromise third- party IT Systems may materially impact our operations and results. We and our third-party providers face constant cybersecurity treats and cyber-attacks, including, but not limited to, phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and denial of service attacks. [LW1] While no cyber-attack has had a material impact thus far, there can be no guarantee that a future attack will not materially impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, due to, among other things, the loss of Confidential Data, interruptions to our operations, damage to our reputation, and regulatory investigations or legal proceedings (including class actions). Cyberattacks are expected to accelerate on a global basis in frequency and magnitude as threat actors are increasingly sophisticated in using techniques and tools – including generative and other artificial intelligence – that circumvent security controls, evade detection and remove forensic evidence. This makes detecting, investigating, remediating and recovering from attacks or incidents and avoiding a material adverse impact to our systems or information extremely challenging. We have acquired companies and may acquire companies in the future, which exposes us to additional, incremental cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities. 17 Table of Contents In addition, our business processes and IT Systems need to be sufficiently scalable to support the future growth of our business and may require modifications or upgrades that expose us to similar risks of damage or disruption. Any material disruption, malfunction or similar challenges with our business processes or information systems, or disruptions or challenges relating to the transition to new processes, systems or providers, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Moreover, remote and hybrid working arrangements at our company (and at many third-party providers) also increase cybersecurity risks due to the challenges associated with managing remote computing assets and security vulnerabilities that are present in many non-corporate and home networks. There can be no assurance that our cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including our policies, controls, or procedures, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective in protecting our information technology systems and confidential information Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our business processes and information systems, and modification or interruption of such systems may disrupt our business, processes and internal controls. We rely heavily on technology, such as computer systems, hardware, software, technology infrastructure and online sites and networks for both internal and external operations, to operate our business, including our own information technology systems and the information technology systems and technology of our third-party providers. The proper functioning of our business processes and information systems is critical to the efficient operation and management of our business. If these information technology systems fail or are interrupted, our operations may be adversely affected and operating results could be harmed. Our information technology systems, and those of third-party providers, are vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control. These include catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages and natural disasters, and, increasingly, technological risks associated with computer system or network failures, viruses or malware, misconfigurations, bugs or securities vulnerabilities in hardware and software, physical or electronic intrusions, and unauthorized access associated with cyber-attacks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our information technology systems and confidential information. We and certain of our third-party vendors have been the target of cyber-attacks, including phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and attempted denial of service attacks, and future attacks are likely to occur. While no cyber-attack has had a material impact thus far, if successful, these types of attacks could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, due to, among other things, the loss of customer data and other confidential information, interruptions to our operations, and damage to our reputation. Cyberattacks are expected to accelerate on a global basis in frequency and magnitude as threat actors are increasingly sophisticated in using techniques and tools – including generative and other artificial intelligence – that circumvent security controls, evade detection and remove forensic evidence. As a result, we may be unable to detect, investigate, remediate or recover from future attacks or incidents, or to avoid a material adverse impact to our systems or information. In addition, our business processes and information systems need to be sufficiently scalable to support the future growth of our business and may require modifications or upgrades that expose us to similar risks of damage or disruption. Any material disruption, malfunction or similar challenges with our business processes or information systems, or disruptions or challenges relating to the transition to new processes, systems or providers, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Moreover, remote and hybrid working arrangements at our company (and at many third-party providers) also increase cybersecurity risks due to the challenges associated with managing remote computing assets and security vulnerabilities that are present in many non-corporate and home networks. There can be no assurance that our cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including our policies, controls, or procedures, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective in protecting our information technology systems and confidential information. We may lose key executives and other key employees, including on-air talent, to competing stations or other types of media competitors. Our business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of our executive officers and other key employees. The unique combination of skills and experience possessed by our key executives would be difficult to replace, and the loss of a key executive could impair our ability to execute our operating and acquisition strategies. In addition, we compete for creative and performing on-air talent with other stations and radio station groups, radio networks, and other providers of syndicated content and other media such as broadcast television, digital, satellite and cable television, video streaming services, the internet, podcast producers and satellite radio. Our ability to attract and retain key personnel is an important aspect of our competitiveness. Our employees and other on-air talent are subject to change and may be lost to competitors or for other reasons. Any adverse changes in particular programs, formats or on-air talent could have a material adverse effect on our ratings and our ability to attract advertisers, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. 18 Table of Contents Our success depends on our ability to identify, consummate and integrate acquired stations. As part of our strategy, we have pursued, and may continue to pursue, acquisitions of additional stations. Radio broadcasting is a rapidly consolidating industry with many companies seeking to consummate acquisitions and increase their market share. In this environment, we compete with many other buyers for the acquisition of stations. Some of those competitors may be able to outbid us for acquisitions because they have greater financial resources. FCC ownership rules limit the number of stations that an entity can own in specific local markets, and in certain markets, we do not have room to acquire additional stations in the FM service or in both the AM and FM services. As a result, our ability to identify and consummate future acquisitions is uncertain. In addition, our consummation of all future acquisitions is subject to various conditions, including FCC and other regulatory approvals. The FCC must approve any transfer of control or assignment of broadcast licenses. In addition, acquisitions may encounter intense scrutiny under federal and state antitrust laws. Any delays, injunctions, conditions or modifications by any government agencies could have a negative effect on us and result in the abandonment of all or part of attractive acquisition opportunities. Our success also depends on our ability to integrate acquired businesses and achieve fully the strategic and financial objectives related thereto. The process of integrating acquired stations may involve numerous risks, including: • integrating two unique business cultures, which may prove to be incompatible; • consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations; • the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business concerns; • unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications and other systems; • costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating the operations of the combined company; and • unforeseen expenses, liabilities or delays. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in identifying future acquisition opportunities or what the consequences will be of any acquisitions. The failure to identify, consummate and integrate acquired stations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Beasley family controls Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., and members of the Beasley family own a substantial equity interest in Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. Their interests may conflict with yours. The Beasley family, which includes Caroline Beasley, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board, Bruce Beasley, our President and a member of our Board, and Brian Beasley, our Chief Operating Officer and a member of our Board, is generally able to control the vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Without the approval of the Beasley family, we will be unable to consummate transactions involving an actual or potential change in control, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares over then current market prices. Shares of Class B and Class A Common Stock that members of the Beasley family beneficially own represent 92% of the total voting power of all classes of our common stock. The Beasley family will be able to direct our management and policies, except with respect to those matters requiring a class vote under the provisions of our amended certificate of incorporation, fourth amended and restated bylaws or applicable law. Historically, we have entered into certain transactions with members of the Beasley family and affiliated entities that may conflict with the interests of our stockholders now or in the future. See “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Related Party Transactions” and Note 17 to the accompanying financial statements. Future sales by the Beasley family of our Class A Common Stock could adversely affect its market price. Members of the Beasley family beneficially own the majority of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, which is convertible to Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The market for our Class A Common Stock could change substantially if members of the Beasley family convert their shares of Class B Common Stock to shares of Class A Common Stock and then sell large amounts of shares of Class A Common Stock in the public market. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, could make it more difficult for us to raise capital by selling equity or equity-related securities in the future. 19 Table of Contents The difficulties associated with any attempt to gain control of our Company may adversely affect the price of our Class A Common Stock. Due to their large beneficial ownership of our Class B and Class A Common Stock, members of the Beasley family control the decision whether any change of control of the Company will occur. Moreover, some provisions of our amended certificate of incorporation, fourth amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control could be beneficial to you. In addition, the Communications Act and FCC rules and policies limit the number of stations that one individual or entity can own, directly or by attribution, in a market. The FCC’s media ownership rules remain in flux and subject to further agency and court proceedings. The FCC is required to review its media ownership rules quadrennially and determine if the rules remain necessary in the public interest as a result of competition. FCC approval for transfers of control of FCC licensees and assignments of FCC licenses are also required. Because of the limitations and restrictions imposed on us by these provisions and regulations, the trading price of our Class A Common Stock may be adversely affected. There may not be an active market for our Class A Common Stock, making it difficult for you to sell your stock. Our stock may not be actively traded in the future. An illiquid market for our stock may result in price volatility and poor execution of buy and sell orders for investors. Our stock price and trading volume have fluctuated widely for a number of reasons, including some reasons that may be unrelated to our business or results of operations. This market volatility could depress the price of our Class A Common Stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, our operating results may be below expectations of public market analysts and investors. If this were to occur, the market price of our Class A Common Stock could decrease, perhaps significantly.