Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements
SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
(Unaudited)
(Note)
(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
21,054
$
22,506
Assets held for sale
872
—
Short-term investments
9,384
9,300
Accounts receivable, net
12,315
14,031
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,158
2,624
Barter transactions
971
707
Total current assets
47,754
49,168
Property and equipment
140,756
144,276
Less accumulated depreciation
95,943
97,863
Net property and equipment
44,813
46,413
Other assets:
Broadcast licenses
90,310
90,311
Operating right-of-use assets
9,969
10,253
Other intangibles, deferred costs and investments, net
5,184
5,177
Total assets
$
198,030
$
201,322
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
3,147
$
2,914
Accrued expenses:
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes
5,491
5,327
Other accrued expenses
7,323
7,123
Barter transactions
1,051
794
Total current liabilities
17,012
16,158
Deferred income taxes
21,182
21,927
Long-term debt
5,000
5,000
Other liabilities
6,524
6,757
Total liabilities
49,718
49,842
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6 and 9)
—
—
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock
83
83
Additional paid-in capital
75,732
75,749
Retained earnings
109,905
113,884
Treasury stock
( 37,408 )
( 38,236 )
Total shareholders’ equity
148,312
151,480
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
198,030
$
201,322
Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2025 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements .
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SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026
2025
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net operating revenue
$
22,867
$
24,212
Station operating expenses
22,012
21,963
Corporate general and administrative
2,976
3,167
Depreciation and amortization
1,174
1,326
Other operating (income) expense, net
( 33 )
54
Operating loss
( 3,262 )
( 2,298 )
Interest expense
91
107
Interest income
( 234 )
( 222 )
Other income
( 55 )
( 23 )
Loss before income tax expense
( 3,064 )
( 2,160 )
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current
75
( 670 )
Deferred
( 745 )
85
( 670 )
( 585 )
Net loss
$
( 2,394 )
$
( 1,575 )
Loss per share:
Basic
$
( 0.38 )
$
( 0.25 )
Diluted
$
( 0.38 )
$
( 0.25 )
Weighted average common shares
6,074
6,123
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
6,074
6,123
Dividends declared per share
$
0.25
$
0.25
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025
Class A
Class B
Additional
Total
Common Stock
Common Stock
Paid-In
Retained
Treasury
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Stock
Equity
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2024
8,183
$
82
—
$
—
$
74,334
$
128,216
$
( 36,710 )
$
165,922
Net loss, three months ended March 31, 2025
—
—
—
—
—
( 1,575 )
—
( 1,575 )
Dividends declared per common share
—
—
—
—
—
( 1,604 )
—
( 1,604 )
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards
—
—
—
—
527
—
—
527
401(k) plan contribution
—
—
—
—
( 717 )
—
1,007
290
Balance at March 31, 2025
8,183
$
82
—
$
—
$
74,144
$
125,037
$
( 35,703 )
$
163,560
Class A
Class B
Additional
Total
Common Stock
Common Stock
Paid-In
Retained
Treasury
Stockholders’
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Stock
Equity
(Unaudited) (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2025
8,304
$
83
—
$
—
$
75,749
$
113,884
$
( 38,236 )
$
151,480
Net loss, three months ended March 31, 2026
—
—
—
—
—
( 2,394 )
—
( 2,394 )
Forfeiture of restricted stock
( 4 )
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Dividends declared per common share
—
—
—
—
—
( 1,585 )
—
( 1,585 )
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards
—
—
—
—
518
—
—
518
Purchase of shares held in treasury
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 13 )
( 13 )
401(k) plan contribution
—
—
—
—
( 535 )
—
841
306
Balance at March 31, 2026
8,300
$
83
—
$
—
$
75,732
$
109,905
$
( 37,408 )
$
148,312
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026
2025
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$
( 2,394 )
$
( 1,575 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
1,174
1,326
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
( 745 )
85
Amortization of deferred costs
8
8
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards
518
527
Provision for credit losses
154
174
(Gain) Loss on sale of assets, net
( 33 )
54
Gain on insurance claims
( 55 )
( 23 )
Non-cash rent expense
55
—
Barter revenue (net)
( 7 )
( 64 )
Deferred and other compensation
( 18 )
( 17 )
Changes in operating lease assets and liabilities (net)
( 18 )
( 68 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in current assets
944
546
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities
824
391
Total adjustments
2,801
2,939
Net cash provided by operating activities
407
1,364
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments
( 4,677 )
( 4,498 )
Redemption of short-term investments
4,677
4,498
Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)
( 779 )
( 696 )
Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets
463
—
Proceeds from insurance claims, redemption of investments and other
55
23
Net cash used in investing activities
( 261 )
( 673 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid
( 1,585 )
( 1,604 )
Purchase of treasury shares
( 13 )
—
Net cash used in financing activities
( 1,598 )
( 1,604 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
( 1,452 )
( 913 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
22,506
18,860
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
21,054
$
17,947
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for annual financial statements.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position as of March 31, 2026 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Results of operations for three months ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2026.
We own or operate broadcast properties in 28 markets, including 82 FM and 30 AM radio stations and 79 metro signals.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Saga Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
We have evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of March 31, 2026, for items that should potentially be recognized in these financial statements or discussed within the notes to these financial statements.
Earnings Per Share Information
Earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of Common Stock and participating security. The Company has participating securities related to restricted stock units, granted under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan and the Company’s 2023 Incentive Compensation Plan, that earn dividends on an equal basis with common shares. In applying the two-class method, earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities.
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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026
2025
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net loss
$
( 2,394 )
$
( 1,575 )
Less: Loss allocated to unvested participating securities
( 109 )
( 73 )
Net loss available to common shareholders
$
( 2,285 )
$
( 1,502 )
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares
6,074
6,123
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents
—
—
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions
6,074
6,123
Loss per share:
Basic
$
( 0.38 )
$
( 0.25 )
Diluted
$
( 0.38 )
$
( 0.25 )
There were no stock options outstanding that had an anti-dilutive effect on our earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Financial Instruments
We account for marketable securities in accordance with ASC 320, “ Investments – Debt Securities, ” which require that certain debt securities be classified into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities, and depending upon the classification, value the security at amortized cost or fair market value. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, we have recorded $ 9.4 million and $ 9.3 million, respectively, of held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills at amortized cost basis that have a fair market value of $ 9.4 million and $ 9.3 million, respectively. Our held-to-maturity U.S. Treasury Bills all have original maturity dates ranging from April 2026 to July 2026.
Our financial instruments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value as it carries interest rates that either fluctuate with the secured overnight finance rate (“SOFR”), prime rate or have been reset at the prevailing market rate at March 31, 2026.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
A provision for credit losses is recorded based on our judgment of collectability of receivables. Amounts are written off when determined to be fully uncollectible. Delinquent accounts are based on contractual terms. We maintain a specific allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of certain customers to make required payments. We also consider factors external to the specific customer, including current conditions and forecasts of economic conditions, including the potential impact of uncertain economic conditions. In the event we recover amounts previously written off, we will reduce the specific allowance for credit loss. Our allowance for credit losses was $ 1,134,000 and $ 1,136,000 at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The activity in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was as follows:
Write Off of
Balance
Charged to
Allowance
Uncollectible
Balance at
at Beginning
Costs and
From
Accounts, Net of
End of
Three Months Ended
of Period
Expenses
Acquisitions
Recoveries
Period
(in thousands)
March 31, 2026
$
1,136
$
154
$
—
$
( 156 )
$
1,134
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate as a result of the inclusion of state taxes in the income tax amount and permanent differences related to executive compensation. We have historically calculated the provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year to “ordinary” income or loss (pretax income or loss excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items) for the reporting period.
Segments
We serve twenty-eight radio markets (reporting units) that aggregate into one operating segment (Radio), which also qualifies as a reportable segment. We operate under one reportable business segment for which segment disclosure is consistent with the management decision-making process that determines the allocation of resources and the measuring of performance. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and evaluates the results of the radio operating segment and makes operating and capital investment decisions based at the Company level. Furthermore, technological enhancements and system integration decisions are reached at the Company level and applied to all markets rather than to specific or individual markets to ensure that each market has the same tools and opportunities as every other market. Managers at the market level do not report to the CODM and instead report to other senior management, who are responsible for the operational oversight of radio markets and for communication of results to the CODM. The CODM is regularly provided with financial information consistent with the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income presented within. Specifically, the CODM utilizes consolidated operating income as profitability measures for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Further, the CODM reviews and utilizes station operating expense and corporate general and administrative expenses at the consolidated level to manage the Company’s operations. Other segment items included in the consolidated net income are interest expense, interest income, other (income) expenses, net and income tax (benefit) expense, which are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. We continually review our operating segment classification to align with operational changes in our business and may make changes as necessary.
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Significant departmental expenses included in station operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
(In thousands)
Programming and Technical
$
6,864
$
7,204
Station General and Administrative
6,999
7,152
Selling
5,149
5,161
Digital
2,312
1,665
Other (1)
688
781
Station Operating Expense
$
22,012
$
21,963
(1) Other includes production and news departments, advertising and promotional expense.
Time Brokerage Agreements / Local Marketing Agreements
We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBAs”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) in certain markets in the past. In a typical TBA/LMA, the FCC licensee of a station makes available, for a fee, blocks of air time on its station to another party that supplies programming to be broadcast during that air time and sells their own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. Revenue and expenses related to TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Assets and liabilities related to the TBAs/LMAs are included in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Assets Held for Sale
Long-lived assets to be sold are classified as held for sale in the period in which they meet all the criteria for the disposal of long-lived assets. Upon classification as held for sale, non-current assets or disposal groups are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation or amortization on such assets ceases from the date of classification. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company met the criteria related to certain land and buildings. As of March 31, 2026, assets held for sale were approximately $ 872,000 and there were no liabilities held for sale. There were no assets held for sale or liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2025.
2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (DISE)” (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires disclosures about specific types of expenses included in the expense captions presented on the face of the income statement as well as disclosures about selling expenses on an annual and interim basis. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 clarifying the effective date for ASU-2024-03. ASU 2024-03 is effective for us for annual periods beginning January 1, 2027 and interim periods beginning after January 1, 2028. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2024-03 will have on our financial statement disclosures.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, “Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements”, (“ASU 2025-11”), which clarifies the guidance in Topic 270 to improve consistency of interim financial reporting. The ASU provides a comprehensive list of required interim disclosures and introduces a disclosure principle requiring entities to disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have a material impact on the entity. ASU 2025-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim periods within those annual periods and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements, including timing and method of adoption.
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In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-12, “Codification Improvements”, (“ASU 2025-12”), which provides for several updates to the codification. The amendments of ASU 2025-12 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within those annual periods and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements, including timing and method of adoption.
3. Revenue
Nature of goods and services
The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate our revenue:
Broadcast Advertising Revenue
Our primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. We recognize revenue from the sale of advertising as performance obligations are satisfied upon airing of the advertising; therefore, revenue is recognized at a point in time when each advertising spot is transmitted. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for our advertising inventory placed by an agency and are reported as a reduction of advertising revenue.
Digital Advertising Revenue
We recognize revenue from our digital initiatives across multiple platforms such as targeted digital advertising, search engine management, search engine optimization, online promotions, advertising on our online news sites, websites and digital audio streams, mobile messaging, email marketing and other e-commerce. Revenue is recorded when each specific performance obligation in the digital advertising campaign takes place, typically within a one month period. Digital audio stream revenue is recognized when the commercial spots have streamed. Third-party products such as targeted display advertising are recognized over time as digital items are used for advertising content and impression targets are met each month. The Company assesses each digital order to determine if the Company is operating as the principal or an agent. The Company currently operates as the principal for digital revenue with the exception of national streaming where we operate as the agent.
Other Revenue
Other revenue includes revenue from concerts, promotional events, tower rent and other miscellaneous items. Revenue is generally recognized when the event is completed, as the promotional events are completed or as each performance obligation is satisfied.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenues from contracts with customers comprised the following for three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026
2025
(in thousands)
Types of Revenue
Broadcast Advertising Revenue, net
$
16,969
$
18,854
Digital Advertising Revenue
4,374
3,495
Other Revenue
1,524
1,863
Net Revenue
$
22,867
$
24,212
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Contract Liabilities
Payments from our advertisers are generally due within 30 days although certain advertisers are required to pay in advance. When an advertiser pays for the services in advance of the performance obligations these prepayments are recorded as contract liabilities. Typical contract liabilities relate to prepayments for advertising spots not yet run; prepayments from sponsors for events that have not yet been held; and gift cards sold on our websites used to finance a broadcast advertising campaign. Generally, all contract liabilities are expected to be recognized within one year and are included in accounts payable in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and are immaterial.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
As the majority of our sales contracts are one year or less, we have utilized the optional exemption under ASC 606-10-50-14 and will not disclose information about the remaining performance obligations for sales contracts which have original expected durations of one year or less.
4. Broadcast Licenses and Other Intangible Assets
We evaluate our FCC licenses for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We operate our broadcast licenses in each market as a single asset and determine the fair value by relying on a discounted cash flow approach assuming a start-up scenario in which the only assets held by an investor are broadcast licenses. The fair value calculation contains assumptions incorporating variables that are based on past experiences and judgments about future operating performance using industry normalized information for an average station within a market. These variables include, but are not limited to: (1) the forecasted growth rate of each radio market, including population, household income, retail sales and other expenditures that would influence advertising expenditures; (2) the estimated available advertising revenue within the market and the related market share and profit margin of an average station within a market; (3) estimated capital start-up costs and losses incurred during the early years; (4) risk-adjusted discount rate; (5) the likely media competition within the market area; and (6) terminal values. If the carrying amount of FCC licenses is greater than their estimated fair value in a given market, the carrying amount of FCC licenses in that market is reduced to its estimated fair value. The FCC license valuations are Level 3 non-recurring fair value measurements.
We evaluate amortizable intangible assets for recoverability when circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred, using an undiscounted cash flow methodology. If the future undiscounted cash flows for the intangible asset are less than net book value, then the net book value is reduced to the estimated fair value. Amortizable intangible assets are included in other intangibles, deferred costs and investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company considered the current and expected future economic and market conditions, and other potential indicators of impairment and determined a triggering event had not occurred which would necessitate any interim impairment tests during the three months ended March 31, 2026. We will continue to monitor changes in economic and market conditions, and if any event or circumstances indicate a triggering event has occurred, we will perform an interim impairment test of our intangible assets at the appropriate time.
If actual market conditions are less favorable than those estimated by us or if events occur or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of our broadcast licenses below the carrying value, we may be required to recognize impairment charges in future periods. Such a charge could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Favorable lease agreements are amortized over the lives of the leases ranging from five to twenty-six years . Other intangibles are amortized over one to fifteen years . Customer relationships are amortized over three years .
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5. Common Stock and Treasury Stock
As previously disclosed, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (“Articles of Incorporation”) provide that shares of Class B Common Stock automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock if transferred to, or owned by, any person other than the “Principal Shareholder,” as defined in the Articles of Incorporation as Edward K. Christian. Following Mr. Christian’s passing in 2022 and the transfer of his Class B shares into an estate planning trust, all outstanding shares of Class B common stock were automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock. As of March 31, 2026, no shares of Class B common stock are issued or outstanding.
Dividends. Shareholders are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such purpose. However, no dividend may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of any class of Common Stock unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other class of Common Stock. In the case of any stock dividend, holders of Class A Common Stock would receive the same percentage dividend payable in shares of Class A Common Stock.
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Common Stock vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders, with each share of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote.
The Board of Directors consisted of eight members on March 31, 2026, and currently consists of eight members. Holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The holders of the Common Stock vote as a single class with respect to any proposed “going private” transaction with the “Principal Shareholder” or an affiliate of the “Principal shareholder”, with each share of each class of Common Stock entitled to one vote per share.
Under Florida law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any class of Common Stock is required to approve, among other things, a change in the designations, preferences and limitations of the shares of such class of Common Stock.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in accordance with the number of shares held in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors.
The following summarizes information relating to the number of shares of our Common Stock issued in connection with stock transactions through March 31, 2026:
Common Stock Issued
Class A
Class B
(Shares in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2025
8,183
—
Issuance of restricted stock
126
—
Forfeiture of restricted stock
( 5 )
—
Balance, December 31, 2025
8,304
—
Forfeiture of restricted stock
( 4 )
—
Balance, March 31, 2026
8,300
—
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We have a Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) to allow us to purchase up to $ 75.8 million of our Class A Common Stock. As of March 31, 2026, we have remaining authorization of $ 15.1 million for future repurchases of our Class A Common Stock. On September 14, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our Class A Common Stock under our trading plan adopted pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1. The Rule 10b5-1 repurchase plan allows us to repurchase our shares during periods when we would normally not be active in the market due to our internal trading blackout periods. Under the plan, we may repurchase our Class A Common Stock in any combination of open market, block transactions and privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions, legal requirements including applicable Security and Exchange Commission regulations (which include certain price, market, volume and timing constraints), specific repurchase instructions and other corporate considerations. Purchases under the plan are funded by cash on our balance sheet. The plan does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of Class A Common Stock. Our original purchase authorization was effective until September 1, 2018 and has been extended several times, with the most recent authorization instructions extension being through May 28, 2020. We halted the directions for any additional buybacks under our plan in 2020. We continue to monitor economic conditions to determine if and when it makes sense to make additional buybacks under our plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, 1,067 shares were retained for the payment of withholding taxes for approximately $ 13,000 related to the vesting of restricted stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 no shares were repurchased under the Buy-Back Program.
6. Leases
We lease certain land, buildings and equipment for use in our operations. We recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and combine lease and non-lease components for all leases. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet for all leases with an expected term of at least one year. Some leases include one or more options to renew . The exercise of lease renewal options is generally at our discretion. The depreciable lives of ROU assets are limited to the expected lease term. Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. As of March 31, 2026, we do not have any non-cancellable operating lease commitments that have not yet commenced.
ROU assets are classified as operating right of use assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet while current lease liabilities are classified within other accrued expenses and long-term lease liabilities are classified within other liabilities. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. ROU assets were $ 10.0 million and $ 10.3 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 respectively. Lease liabilities were $ 5.1 million and $ 5.4 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recorded additional ROU assets under operating leases of $ 150,000 . Payments on lease liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 totaled $ 462,000 , and $ 534,000 , respectively.
Lease expense includes cost for leases with terms in excess of one year. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, our total lease expense was $ 510,000 , and $ 480,000 , respectively. Short-term lease costs are de minimis in nature.
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We have no financing leases and minimum annual rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases consisted of the following at March 31, 2026 (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
2026 (a)
$
1,263
2027
1,569
2028
1,188
2029
752
2030
587
Thereafter
596
Total lease payments (b)
5,955
Less: Interest (c)
808
Present value of lease liabilities (d)
$
5,147
(a) Remaining payments are for the nine-months ending December 31, 2026.
(b) Lease payments include options to extend lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised. There were no legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced at March 31, 2026.
(c) Our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, we must estimate our discount rate for such leases to determine the present value of lease payments at the lease commencement date.
(d) The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate used in calculating our lease liabilities were 4.8 years and 6.1 % , respectively, at March 31, 2026.
7. Income taxes
An income tax benefit of $ 670,000 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to an income tax benefit of $ 585,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The effective tax rate was approximately 21.9 % for the three months ended March 31, 2026 compared to 27.1 % for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Income tax provisions for interim (quarterly) periods are based on estimated annual income tax rates and are adjusted for the effects of significant, infrequent or unusual items (i.e. discrete items) occurring during the interim period.
8. Stock-Based Compensation
2005 Incentive Compensation Plan
On May 13, 2019 our shareholders approved an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Saga Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended, the “The Second Restated 2005 Plan”). This plan was first approved in 2005, and subsequently re-approved in 2010 and 2013. The amendment to the Second Restated 2005 Plan (i) extended the date for making awards to September 6, 2023 and (ii) increased the number of authorized shares under the plan by 90,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Second Restated 2005 Plan allowed for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and performance awards to eligible employees and non-employee directors. As of December 31, 2025, there are no longer any unvested restricted stock awards for the Second Restated 2005 Plan.
2023 Incentive Compensation Plan
On May 8, 2023, our shareholders approved the 2023 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2023 Plan”). The 2023 Plan replaces the Second Restated 2005 Plan. The Board of Directors does not intend to make any further awards under the Second Restated 2005 Plan. However, each outstanding award under the Second Restated 2005 Plan will remain outstanding under the Second Restated 2005 Plan and will continue to be governed under its terms and any applicable award agreement. The 2023 Plan allows for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and performance awards, including cash to eligible employees and non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2023 Plan may not exceed 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.
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Stock-Based Compensation
All stock options granted were fully vested and expensed at December 31, 2012; therefore, there was no compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
There were no stock options granted during 2026 or 2025 and there were no stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2026. All outstanding stock options were exercised in 2017.
The following summarizes the restricted stock transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2026:
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair
Shares
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2026
278,673
$
13.16
Vested
3,265
13.78
Forfeited
3,929
13.71
Non-vested and outstanding at March 31, 2026
271,479
$
13.15
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, we had $ 518,000 and $ 527,000 , respectively, of total compensation expense related to restricted stock-based compensation arrangements. This expense is included in corporate general and administrative expenses in our results of operations. The associated tax benefit recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was $ 136,000 and $ 139,000 , respectively.
9. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
March 31,
December 31,
2026
2025
(In thousands)
Credit agreement
$
5,000
$
5,000
Amounts payable within one year
—
—
$
5,000
$
5,000
In connection with the Sale-Leaseback Transaction described in Note 13, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment (“Fourth Amendment”) to its Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2015 and amended on September 1, 2017, June 17, 2018, and December 19, 2022, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and The Huntington National Bank (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), (i) reducing the aggregate amount of the Lender’s revolving commitments from $ 50,000,000 to $ 40,000,000 , and (ii) releasing the Agent’s security interest in the GTC Assets, but not any proceeds paid for the GTC Assets or any other collateral (the borrowing arrangement governed by the Credit Agreement). On December 19, 2022, we entered into a Third Amendment to our Credit Agreement, (the “Third Amendment”), which extended the maturity date to December 19, 2027, reduced the lenders to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the Huntington National Bank (collectively, the “Lenders”), established an interest rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) as administered by the SOFR Administrator (currently established as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) as the interest base and increased the basis points.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Agreement and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the Credit Agreement and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the Credit Agreement.
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Interest rates under the Credit Agreement are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to SOFR ( 3.68 % at March 31, 2026), plus 1 % to 2 % or the base rate plus 0 % to 1 % . The spread over SOFR and the base rate vary from time to time, depending upon our financial leverage. Letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement will be subject to a participation fee (which is equal to the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement) payable to each of the Lenders and a fronting fee equal to 0.25 % per annum payable to the issuing bank. Under the Third Amendment, we now pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25 % per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement. We previously paid quarterly commitment fees of 0.2 % to 0.3 % per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement contains a number of financial covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances. As of March 31, 2026, the Company was in compliance with all of our debt covenants with the exception of the fixed charges coverage ratio for which we obtained a waiver.
We have approximately $ 35 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement at both March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.
10. Litigation
From time to time, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the Company’s business. In management’s opinion, the Company is not a party to any current legal proceedings that are material to its financial condition, either individually or in the aggregate.
11. Dividends
During three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A Common Stock. This dividend totaling approximately $ 1.6 million was paid during the first quarter of 2026.
During three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividends on its Class A Common Stock. This dividend totaling approximately $ 1.6 million was paid during the first quarter of 2025.
The Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in the future. Consistent with its strategic objective of maintaining a strong balance sheet and returning value to the shareholders, the Board of Directors will also continue to consider declaring special cash dividends, variable dividends and stock buybacks in the future. The declaration and payment of any future dividend, whether fixed, special, or based on the variable policy, or the implementation of any stock buyback program will remain at the full discretion of the Board and will depend on the Company’s financial results, cash requirements, future expectations, and other pertinent factors.
12. Other Income
During the first quarter of 2026, as part of the Company’s previously disclosed capital allocation plan to sell non-core assets, the Company sold a property in Springfield, Massachusetts for approximately $ 460,000 . As a result of the sale, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $ 80,000 , which is recorded in other operating (income) expense, net in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
During the first quarter of 2026, we had weather-related damages in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The Company’s insurance policy provides coverage for repairs and replacements. As part of the insurance settlement, the Company received cash proceeds of $ 55,000 , resulting in a gain of $ 55,000 , which is recorded in other income in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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13. Sale-Leaseback Transaction
On October 17, 2025 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, GTC Uno, LLC (“GTC”) and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”), under which the Subsidiaries agreed to sell 24 telecommunications towers and related real property and other assets located at 22 sites (the “GTC Assets”) for a total cash purchase price of approximately $ 10.7 million (the “Sale-Leaseback Transaction”). The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties made by the Company, GTC and the Subsidiaries. On the Closing Date, the parties closed on the sale of the 22 tower sites. Sales proceeds, net of brokerage commissions and certain adjustments, of approximately $ 10.1 million were paid to the Company, with the remaining purchase price of $ 400,000 remaining in escrow and not controlled by the Company as of year-end. Several towers had underlying land leases requiring consent to the sale by the land-owners. There was one tower with a consent pending as of year-end, as the other were received prior to the sale and three were received during the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company anticipates that the remaining escrowed funds will be released within the second quarter of 2026 upon receipt of landlord consent to assign the leases on the real property where the tower is located. To the extent such consent is not received, within eight months of the Closing Date, title for that site will revert to the applicable Subsidiary. Simultaneously with the closing, each Subsidiary entered into an Antenna Site Lease Agreement (a “Lease”) with GTC for the Company’s continued use of the towers that were sold, pursuant to which the Subsidiaries have agreed to make annual lease payments of $ 1.00 per annum. Each Lease has a term of 25 years.
The Company evaluated the Sale-Leaseback transaction under the sale-leaseback guidance in ASC 842-40 and concluded that the transfer of the properties qualified as sales because control of the assets transferred to the buyer-lessor in accordance with the guidance in ASC 606, with the exception of the one tower pending receipt of consent. The Company evaluated the lease classification criteria in ASC 842 and determined that the leasebacks are classified as operating leases.
As the contractual lease payments are nominal annual payments of $ 1 per lease, the present value of lease payments was not material and therefore no lease liability was recorded. In accordance with ASC 842, the Company determined that the Sale-Leaseback transaction was not at fair value based on the difference between the present value of the lease payments and the present value of market rental payments. As such, the Company adjusted the sales price of the assets to recognize the prepayment of the rent, which is included within the right-of-use assets recorded at the time of the sale and lease commencement. The prepaid rent is amortized on a straight-line basis over the 25 -year lease terms and recognized within station operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The estimated market rent was based on comparable third-party leases, including rent escalation provisions and then discounted to present value using a rate of 9.75 % . The difference between the present value of the contractual lease payments and the present value of market lease payments was determined to be $ 5.2 million. This amount was recorded as prepaid rent and added to the net cash proceeds of $ 9.85 million from the sale, after expenses, to determine the adjusted sales price of $ 15.1 million for purposes of calculating the gain on the sale. These proceeds do not include approximately $ 400,000 being held in escrow, noted above.
At the time of the transaction, the carrying value of the towers was approximately $ 3.5 million for the 23 towers that closed as of December 31, 2025. The Company recognized a gain on sale of $ 11.6 million. This gain was included in other operating (income) expense, net during the year ended December 31, 2025.
As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the carrying value of the prepaid rent included in the right-of-use asset associated with the sale-leaseback transaction was $ 5.1 million and $ 5.2 million, respectively.
The activity related to the prepaid rent associated with the sale-leaseback transaction for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was as follows (in thousands):
Amount
Prepaid rent at lease commencement
$ 5,244
Amortization expense (non-cash rent expense)
( 54 )
Prepaid rent at December 31, 2025
$ 5,190
Amortization expense (non-cash rent expense)
( 55 )
Prepaid rent at March 31, 2026
$ 5,135
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Subsequent to March 31, 2026, in the second quarter of 2026, the Company entered into amendments to the existing Purchase Agreement and related lease arrangements (the “Amendments”) with GTC to align the previously executed documents with the intended economic substance of the transaction. Under the Amendments the Purchase Agreement was modified to provide for a $ 15.9 million purchase price which includes the $ 10.7 million up front cash payment that was previously received upon original closing, consistent with the original Purchase Agreement and new promissory notes totaling $ 5.2 million. In addition, the original lease agreements were modified to provide for market rent payments over the 25-year original lease terms.
The amendments to the lease arrangements have been evaluated and determined to represent lease modifications in accordance with ASC 842, Leases . Upon the modification of the lease agreements in Q2 of FY2026, the Company will record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate on the date of modification. Based on the Amendments, the Sale Leaseback Transaction is determined to be at fair value as the present value of contractual lease payments equals the present value of market lease payments. As a result, the previously recognized prepaid rent of $ 5.2 million will be derecognized.
In accordance with ASC 610-20 Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, the notes receivable now included within the purchase price will be recorded at fair value in Q2 of FY2026 when the notes becomes enforceable. The notes receivable bears an interest rate of 9.3 % , which is materially consistent to the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the time of the Amendments. The lease payments under the amended lease agreements and principal and interest payments under the notes receivable are determinable and contractually consistent in amount and timing. The agreements include legally enforceable rights to offset, which both parties intend to exercise. As such, the notes receivable and operating lease liabilities based on the Amendments qualify for offsetting in accordance with ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet – Offsetting.
14. Subsequent Events
On May 6, 2026 , the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $ 0.25 per share on its Class A Common Stock. This dividend, totaling approximately $ 1,600,000 will be paid on June 12, 2026 to shareholders of record on May 22, 2026 .
On May 7, 2026, the Company obtained a waiver from the lenders under its Credit Agreement with respect to the Company’s noncompliance with the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant as of March 31, 2026. The waiver applies solely to the March 31, 2026 covenant noncompliance and does not modify the covenant requirements for future periods.
See Note 13 – Sale-Leaseback Transaction for a discussion of certain Amendments to the Company’s Sale-Leaseback Transaction.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.