Mediaco Holding Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

GENERAL

MediaCo Holding Inc. (“MediaCo” or the “Company”) is an owned and operated multi-media company formed in Indiana in 2019, focused on radio and digital advertising, premium programming and events.

Our assets consist of two radio stations, WQHT(FM) and WBLS(FM), which serve the New York City demographic market area that primarily targets Black, Hispanic, and multi-cultural consumers. We derive our revenues primarily from radio and digital advertising sales, but we also generate revenues from events, including sponsorships and ticket sales, licensing, and syndication.

On December 9, 2022, Fairway Outdoor LLC, FMG Kentucky, LLC and FMG Valdosta, LLC (collectively, “Fairway”), all of which are wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of MediaCo, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), with The Lamar Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which we sold our Fairway outdoor advertising business to the Purchaser. The transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement closed as of the date of the Purchase Agreement.

We have classified the related assets and liabilities associated with our Fairway business as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets and the results of our Fairway business have been presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented through December 9, 2022 as the sale represented a strategic shift in our business that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. Unless otherwise noted, discussion herein refers to the Company's continuing operations. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to MediaCo and its subsidiaries.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

We are committed to improving the operating results of our core assets while simultaneously seeking future growth opportunities in new radio and other complementary broadcast or other businesses that focus predominately on multi-cultural audiences in the national and digital advertising spaces. Our strategy is focused on the following operating principles:

Develop unique and compelling content and strong brands

Our established nationally recognized media brands have achieved and sustained a leading position in their respective local market segments over many years, with each having a strong brand identity that reaches beyond its local footprint. The knowledge of the New York market and consistently producing unique and compelling content that meets the needs of our target audiences are critical to our success. As such, we make substantial investments in areas such as market research, data analysis and creative talent to ensure that our content remains relevant and fresh, has a meaningful impact on the communities we serve and reinforces the core brand image of each respective property.

Extend the reach and relevance of our local brands through digital platforms

In recent years, we have placed substantial emphasis on enhancing the distribution of our radio content through digital and mobile platforms. We believe these digital platforms offer excellent opportunities to further enhance the relationships we have with our audiences by allowing them to consume and share our content in new ways and providing us with new distribution channels for one-to-one communication with our end user.

Deliver results to advertisers

Competition for advertising revenue is highly competitive and becoming more so as the overall market has declined due to shifts in the way advertising dollars are directed. To remain competitive, we focus on sustaining and growing our radio audiences, optimizing our pricing strategy and developing innovative marketing programs for our clients that allow them to interact with our audiences in more direct and measurable ways. These programs often include elements such as endorsements, events, contests, special promotions, Internet advertising, email marketing, interactive mobile advertising and online video. Our ability to deploy multi-touchpoint marketing programs allows us to deliver a stronger return-on-investment for our clients while simultaneously generating ancillary revenue streams for our media properties.

Extend sales efforts into new market segments

Given the competitive pressures in many of our “traditional” advertising categories, we have been expanding our network of advertiser relationships into not-for-profits, political advertising, corporate philanthropy, environmental initiatives and government agencies. These efforts primarily focus on the health care and education sectors. We believe our capabilities can address these clients’ under-served needs.

Enhance the efficiency of our operations

We believe it is essential that we operate our businesses as efficiently as possible. We regularly review our business operations and reduce costs or realign resources as necessary. We have also invested in technology solutions to help further streamline our business processes.

Pursue acquisition and investment opportunities

We may pursue acquisitions or other investment opportunities in a variety of media-related businesses as well as a variety of other industries and market sectors. We believe that consummating such acquisitions and investments can be a valuable tool in our efforts to grow our business.

Leverage the power of the brands

We believe our brands are well integrated within the Hip Hop and R&B marketplace. We will continue to expand our national reach on each of our brands through the digital, streaming, syndication and licensing arenas. Our celebrity talent has broad national and international influence and are integrated into key cultural moments, which help amplify our brands.

RADIO STATIONS

In the following table, “Market Rank by Revenue” is the ranking of the market revenue size of the principal radio market served by our stations among all radio markets in the United States. Market revenue rankings are from BIA’s Investing In Radio 2023, fourth edition. “Ranking in Primary Demographic Target” is the ranking of the station within its designated primary demographic target among all radio stations in its market based on the December 2023 Nielsen Audio, Inc. (“Nielsen”) Portable People Meter results. “Station Audience Share” represents a percentage generally computed by dividing the average number of persons in the primary demographic listening to a particular station during specified time periods by the average number of such persons in the primary demographic for all stations in the market area as determined by Nielsen.

RADIO ADVERTISING SALES

Our stations derive their advertising revenue from local and regional spot radio and digital advertising in the marketplaces in which they operate, as well as from the sale of national advertising. Local and most regional sales are made by a station’s sales staff. National sales are made by firms specializing in such sales, which are compensated on a commission-only basis. We believe that the volume of national advertising revenue tends to adjust to shifts in a station’s audience share position more rapidly than does the volume of local and regional advertising revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2023, approximately 17% of our total spot radio advertising revenues were derived from national sales and 83% were derived from local sales.

NON-TRADITIONAL REVENUES

Our stations are involved with numerous events in the market in which we operate, that support the local community, entertain our audiences, and better connect our listeners with our stations and our advertisers. In most cases, a third party produces the event, which we help promote, and we sell certain sponsorship opportunities to our advertisers. In these situations, we do not bear financial risk on the success of the event. In limited cases, such as Hot 97's Summer Jam, we produce the event, including securing the performing artists and venue, and are primarily responsible for the financial risk and reward, including ticket and sponsorship sales associated with the event.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

We believe that the growth of new technologies not only presents challenges, but also opportunities for broadcasters. The primary challenge is increased competition for the time and attention of our listeners. The primary opportunity is to further enhance the relationships we already have with our listeners by expanding products and services offered by our radio stations to adjacent areas of entertainment, including streaming, gaming, and sports, and to increase audience reach via connected devices.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We believe that to be successful, we must be integrally involved in the communities we serve. We see ourselves as community partners. To that end, our radio stations participate in many community programs, fundraisers and activities that benefit a wide variety of causes. Charitable organizations that have been the beneficiaries of our support include, among others, Hip Hop has Heart, the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Sarcoidosis Foundation, New York Cares, American AIDS Foundation and the Queens Police Service Area Community Counsel. We have embarked on a relationship with the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which is currently under construction in New York City.

COMPETITION

Radio broadcasting stations compete with the other broadcasting stations in their respective market areas, as well as with other advertising media such as newspapers, cable, magazines, outdoor advertising, transit advertising, the Internet, satellite radio, streaming services, direct marketing, and mobile and wireless device marketing. Competition within the broadcasting industry occurs primarily in individual market areas, so that a station in one market (e.g., New York) does not generally compete with stations in other markets (e.g., Los Angeles). Our stations face competition from other stations with substantial financial resources, including stations targeting the same demographic groups. In addition to management experience, factors that are material to competitive position include the station's rank in its market in terms of the number of listeners, authorized power, assigned frequency, audience characteristics, local program acceptance and the number and characteristics of other stations in the market area. We attempt to improve our competitive position with programming and promotional campaigns aimed at the demographic groups targeted by our stations. We also seek to improve our position through sales efforts designed to attract advertisers that have done little or no radio advertising by emphasizing the effectiveness of radio advertising in increasing the advertisers' revenues. Although we believe that each of our stations can compete effectively in its market, there can be no assurance that either of our stations will be able to maintain or increase its current audience ratings or advertising revenue market share.

Although the broadcasting industry is highly competitive, barriers to entry exist. The operation of a broadcasting station in the United States requires a license from the FCC. Also, the number of stations that can operate in a given market is limited by the availability of the frequencies that the FCC will license in that market, as well as by the FCC's multiple ownership rules regulating the number and types of stations that may be owned or controlled by the same person or company.

In selecting the form of media through which to advertise, advertisers evaluate their ability to target audiences having a specific demographic profile, lifestyle, brand or media consumption or purchasing behavior, or audiences located in, or traveling through, a particular geography. Advertisers also compare the relative costs of available media, evaluating the number of impressions (potential viewings), exposure (the opportunity for advertising to be seen) and circulation (traffic volume in a market), as well as potential effectiveness, quality of related services (such as advertising copy design and layout) and customer service. In competing with other media, we believe that radio is more cost-efficient than other media, allowing advertisers to reach broader audiences and target specific geographic areas or demographic groups within markets. Additionally, the strength of our digital reach and brand recognition allows us to compete for national digital advertising dollars.

HUMAN CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our mission is to connect brands and consumers by delivering innovative advertising insights and solutions while enhancing our communities. We believe that our success is dependent upon successful execution of this mission, and a critical component in achieving this mission is attracting, motivating and retaining great people who allow us to continue to find new and innovative ways to serve our customers and our communities. We believe our key human capital management objective is to attract, retain and develop the highest quality talent and subject matter experts in the sectors we operate. We believe an alignment between talent and strategy is key to scaling the business.

At December 31, 2023, we had 116 full-time and part-time employees, compared to 141 at December 31, 2022, at which earlier date 49 employees were employed in our disposed outdoor advertising business.

To facilitate talent attraction and retention, we strive to create strong teams and vibrant culture at every level of our organization through our core values of integrity, innovation, excellence and safety. We also strive to offer a fair and competitive compensation and benefits program, foster a community where everyone feels included and empowered to do their best work, provide a safe workplace, and give employees the opportunity to give back to their communities and make a social impact. We believe people can achieve their full potential when they enjoy their work, so it is our priority to provide a workplace where growth, success and fun go hand in hand. We are implementing annual goal-setting and performance management processes to ensure the mission is executed, while ensuring transparency.

Code of Business Conduct

We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of ethical conduct and compliance. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all employees as well as officers and all members of the Board, reinforces our core values and helps drive our workplace culture of compliance with ethical standards, integrity and accountability. Training on the Code is mandatory upon employment and is provided on an annual basis. Highlights from our Code include a no retaliation policy for anyone who, acting in good faith, notifies us of a possible violation of the Code, our policies or the law; a commitment to human rights and labor protections in all of our operations, and the expectation that our business partners uphold the same standards; and an anti-corruption policy that prohibits offering, attempting to offer, authorizing or promising any bribe or kickback for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or an unfair advantage.

Compensation and Benefits Programs

Our compensation and benefits programs are designed to attract and reward talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to support our business objectives, assist in the achievement of our strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders. We provide competitive packages to address the needs of the individuals we employ to ensure we have alignment with culture, expectations and value driven results. Our sales employees are incentivized through sales commission programs. Our executives and certain other employees receive long-term equity awards that vest over time. We believe that a compensation program with both short-term and long-term awards provides fair and competitive compensation and aligns employee and stockholder interests.

We also provide our employees and their families with access to a variety of healthcare and insurance benefits, qualified spending accounts, retirement savings plans and various other benefits.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. We respect and embrace diversity of thought and experience and believe that a diverse workforce produces more innovative insights and solutions, resulting in better products and services for our customers. As we bring brands face-to-face with people, we believe our teams need to be as diverse in their composition and outlook as the audiences we reach every day, and we work together to create an inclusive environment where everyone can bring their true selves to work. We work on building teams that reflect the life experiences of those we serve. Our teams align with our mission and values; of the 116 full-time and part-time employees driving the business, over 84% are Black, Hispanic, or Asian, and 39% are female.

Community Involvement

One of our guiding principles is making a difference in the communities we serve, and our corporate social responsibility initiatives are an important part of our culture. We believe that building connections between our employees, their families and our communities creates a more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable workplace. As a company, we endeavor to use our resources and products to drive meaningful societal change and have collaborated with local and national organizations globally to improve health and public safety; to ensure a sustainable environment; to promote arts, education and cultural diversity; and to support market-by-market advertising standards. MediaCo aims to be purposeful and do the right thing and over the years we have worked with our community to educate, understand, guide and amplify their voices to ensure our audience feels heard and appreciated.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Listed below is certain information about the executive officers of MediaCo as of December 31, 2023. All of our executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Mr. Sogadzi was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer in July 2023 and interim President in October 2023. Prior to joining MediaCo, Mr. Sogadzi served as an investment analyst at Standard General LP since 2019. He has also held positions as a Principal at OS Global LLC from 2015 to 2019, Hedge Fund Analyst at EnTrust Global, and serves on the board of Gloria Maris LLC.

Ms. Beemish was appointed to the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in November 2021. Ms. Beemish was previously the Senior Vice President of Finance at MediaCo since March 2021. Prior to joining MediaCo, Ms. Beemish served as Knotel's Head of Global Administration and Readiness and Head of Global People Operations. She founded consultancy Huppe Beemish LLC in 2016 and served as Senior Vice President of Operational Finance and Corporate Development at Granite Broadcasting. Ms. Beemish began her career as an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Merrill Lynch. She holds an MBA from New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a bachelor's degree from Saint John's University.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our website address is mediacoholding.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov).

FEDERAL REGULATION OF BROADCASTING

Radio broadcasting in the United States is subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), including as amended in part by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”). Radio broadcasting is prohibited except in accordance with a license issued by the FCC upon a finding that the public interest, convenience and necessity would be served by the grant of such license. The FCC has the power to revoke licenses for, among other things, false statements made in FCC filings or willful or repeated violations of the Communications Act or of FCC rules. In general, the Communications Act provides that the FCC shall allocate broadcast licenses for radio stations so as to provide a fair, efficient and equitable distribution of service throughout the United States. The FCC determines the operating frequency, location and power of stations; regulates the equipment used by stations; and regulates numerous other areas of radio broadcasting pursuant to rules, regulations and policies adopted under authority of the Communications Act. The Communications Act, among other things, prohibits the assignment of a broadcast license or the transfer of control of an entity holding such a license without the prior approval of the FCC. Under the Communications Act, the FCC also regulates certain aspects of media that compete with broadcast stations.

The following is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and of specific FCC regulations and policies. Reference should be made to the Communications Act as well as FCC rules, public notices and rulings for further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of radio stations. Legislation has been introduced from time to time which would amend the Communications Act in various respects or otherwise affect the Company, and the FCC from time to time considers new regulations or amendments to its existing regulations. We cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted or whether new or amended FCC regulations will be adopted or what their effect would be on the Company.

License Renewal

Radio stations operate pursuant to broadcast licenses that are ordinarily granted by the FCC for maximum terms of eight years and are subject to renewal upon application and approval by the FCC. License renewal applications for both WQHT(FM) and WBLS(FM) were granted in July 2022. The following table sets forth our current FCC license expiration dates in addition to the call letters, license classification, antenna elevation above average terrain, power and frequency of all owned stations as of December 31, 2023:

Review of Ownership Restrictions

The FCC is required by statute to review its broadcast ownership rules on a quadrennial basis (i.e., every four years) and to repeal or modify rules that are no longer “necessary in the public interest.”

Despite several such reviews and appellate remands, the FCC’s rules limiting the number of radio stations that may be commonly owned in a local market have remained largely unchanged since their initial adoption following the 1996 Act. The FCC’s previous ownership reviews have been subject to litigation. In April 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision blocking a number of FCC rule changes designed to update the FCC’s media ownership regulations. As a result, the FCC’s Radio/Television Cross-Ownership Rule, which limited the number of radio and television and stations that could be commonly owned in a single market, was eliminated.

The FCC completed its 2018 quadrennial review in December 2023, largely leaving its radio rules unchanged. The 2022 quadrennial review was launched in December 2022 and that proceeding remains pending. We cannot predict whether the 2022 quadrennial review proceedings will result in modifications of the ownership rules or the impact (if any) that such modifications would have on our business.

Attribution of Ownership Interests:

In applying its ownership rules, the FCC has developed specific criteria that it uses to determine whether a certain ownership interest or other relationship with an FCC licensee is significant enough to be “attributable” or “cognizable” under its rules, such that there would be a violation of the FCC’s rules where such person or entity holds attributable interests in more than the permitted number of stations in the same market. The FCC’s regulations generally deem the following relationships and interests to be attributable for purposes of its ownership restrictions:

• all officer and director positions in a licensee or its direct/indirect parent(s);
• voting stock interests of at least 5% (or 20%, if the holder is a passive institutional investor, i.e., a mutual fund, insurance company or bank);
• any equity interest in a limited partnership or limited liability company where the limited partner or member has not been “insulated” from the media-related activities of the LP or LLC pursuant to specific FCC criteria;
• equity and/or debt interests which, in the aggregate, exceed 33% of the total asset value of a station or other media entity (the “equity/debt plus policy”), if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of the station’s total weekly programming (usually pursuant to a time brokerage, local marketing or network affiliation agreement) or is a same-market media entity (i.e., a broadcast station).

To assess whether a voting stock interest in a direct or indirect parent corporation of a broadcast licensee is attributable, the FCC uses a “multiplier” analysis in which non-controlling voting stock interests are deemed proportionally reduced at each non-controlling link in a multi-corporation ownership chain.

Ownership-rule conflicts could require divestitures by either the Company or the affected shareholders, officers or directors. Such conflicts could also result in the Company being unable to obtain FCC consents necessary for future acquisitions. Conversely, the Company’s media interests could operate to restrict other media investments by shareholders having or acquiring an interest in the Company.

Local Radio Ownership:

The local radio ownership rule limits the number of commercial radio stations in a radio market in which a person or entity may hold an attributable interest based on the number of radio stations in that market:

• if the market has 45 or more radio stations, one entity may own up to eight stations, not more than five of which may be in the same service (AM or FM);
• if the market has between 30 and 44 radio stations, one entity may own up to seven stations, not more than four of which may be in the same service;
• if the market has between 15 and 29 radio stations, one entity may own up to six stations, not more than four of which may be in the same service; and
• if the market has 14 or fewer radio stations, one entity may own up to five stations, not more than three of which may be in the same service, however one entity may not own more than 50% of the stations in the market.

The New York radio market has more than 45 radio stations.

For purposes of applying these numerical limits, the FCC has adopted rules with respect to (i) so-called local marketing agreements, or “LMAs,” by which the licensee of one radio station provides programming for another licensee’s radio station in the same market and sells all of the advertising within that programming and (ii) so-called joint sale agreements, or “JSAs,” by which the licensee of one station sells the advertising time on another station in the market. Under these rules, an entity that owns one or more radio stations in a market and programs more than 15% of the broadcast time, or sells more than 15% of the advertising time, on another radio station in the same market pursuant to an LMA or JSA is generally required to count the station toward its media ownership limits even though it does not own the station. As a result, in a market where we own one or more radio stations, we generally cannot provide programming to another station under an LMA or sell advertising on another station pursuant to a JSA, if we could not acquire that station under the local radio ownership rule.

In the 2022 quadrennial review proceeding, the FCC is considering all aspects of the local radio ownership rule, including whether the rule in its current form remains necessary in the public interest.

Alien Ownership:

Alien Ownership: Under the Communications Act, no FCC license may be held by a corporation if more than one-fifth of its capital stock is owned or voted by aliens or their representatives, a foreign government or representative thereof, or an entity organized under the laws of a foreign country (collectively, “Non-U.S. Persons”). Furthermore, the Communications Act provides that no FCC license may be granted to an entity directly or indirectly controlled by another entity of which more than one-fourth of its capital stock is owned or voted by Non-U.S. Persons if the FCC finds that the public interest will be served by the denial of such license. The FCC has adopted rules to simplify and streamline the process for requesting authority to exceed the 25% indirect foreign ownership limit in broadcast licensees and has revised the methodology that publicly traded broadcasters must use to assess their compliance with the foreign ownership restrictions. The foregoing restrictions on alien ownership apply in modified form to other types of business organizations, including partnerships and limited liability companies. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of By-Laws authorize the Board of Directors to prohibit such restricted alien ownership, voting or transfer of capital stock as would cause the Company to violate the Communications Act or FCC regulations.

Assignments and Transfers of Control

The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a broadcast license 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 a number of factors, including compliance with the various rules limiting common ownership of media properties, the “character” of the assignee or transferee and those persons holding attributable interests therein and compliance with the Communications Act’s limitations on alien ownership as well as other statutory and regulatory requirements. When evaluating an assignment or transfer of control application, the FCC is prohibited from considering whether the public interest might be served by an assignment of the broadcast license or transfer of control of the licensee to a party other than the assignee or transferee specified in the application.

Programming and Operations

The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest.” Beginning in the late 1970s, the FCC gradually relaxed or eliminated many of the more formalized procedures it had developed to promote the broadcast of certain types of programming responsive to the needs of a station’s community of license. However, licensees are still required to present programming that is responsive to community problems, needs and interests and to maintain certain records demonstrating such responsiveness.

Federal law prohibits the broadcast of obscene material at any time and the broadcast of indecent material during specified time periods. Federal law also imposes sponsorship identification (or “payola”) requirements, which mandate the disclosure of information concerning programming the airing of which is paid for by third parties. The company may receive letters of inquiry or other notifications concerning alleged violations of the FCC’s rules at its stations. We cannot predict the outcome of any complaint proceeding or investigation or the extent or nature of any future FCC enforcement action.

Stations also must pay regulatory and application fees and follow various rules promulgated under the Communications Act that regulate, among other things, political advertising, sponsorship identification, equal employment opportunities, contest promotions, and technical operations, including limits on radio frequency radiation.

Failure to observe FCC rules and policies can result in the imposition of various sanctions, including monetary fines, the grant of “short-term” (less than the maximum term) license renewals or, for particularly egregious violations, the denial of a license renewal application or the revocation of a license.

Additional Developments and Proposed Changes

The FCC has adopted rules implementing a low power FM (“LPFM”) service, and nearly 2000 such stations are currently licensed. In November 2007, the FCC adopted rules that, among other things, enhance LPFM’s interference protection from subsequently-authorized full-service stations. Congress then passed legislation eliminating certain minimum distance separation requirements between full-power and LPFM stations, thereby reducing the interference protection afforded to full-power FM stations. As required by the legislation, the FCC in January 2012 submitted a report to Congress indicating that the results of a statutorily mandated economic study indicated that, on the whole, LPFM stations do not currently have, and in the future are unlikely to have, a demonstrable economic impact on full-service commercial FM radio stations. The FCC has since modified its rules to permit the processing of additional LPFM applications and to implement the legislative requirements regarding interference protection, and has accepted applications seeking authority to construct or make major changes to LPFM facilities. Although to date there have been very few, if any, instances of LPFM stations interfering with full-power radio stations, we cannot predict whether any LPFM stations will actually interfere with the coverage of our radio stations in the future.

The FCC also previously authorized the launch and operation of a satellite digital audio radio service (“SDARS”) system. The country’s single SDARS operator, Sirius XM, provides nationwide programming service as well as channels that provide local traffic and weather information for major cities.

In addition, the FCC permits terrestrial digital audio broadcasting (“DAB,” also known as high definition radio or “HD Radio®”) by FM stations, and in October 2020, adopted rules permitting all-digital operations by AM stations.

In order to broadcast musical compositions or to stream them over the Internet, we must pay royalties to copyright owners of musical compositions (typically, songwriters and publishers). These copyright owners often rely on organizations known as performing rights organizations, which negotiate licenses with copyright users for the public performance of their compositions, collect royalties, and distribute them to copyright owners. The four major performing rights organizations, from which the Company has licenses and to which we pay royalties, are the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”), SESAC, Inc., and Global Music Rights (“GMR”). These rates are set periodically, are often negotiated by organizations acting on behalf of broadcasters, and may increase in the future. It also is possible that songwriters or publishers may disassociate with these performing rights organizations, or that additional such organizations could emerge in the future. If a significant number of musical composition copyright owners withdraw from the established performing rights organizations, if new performing rights organizations form to license compositions that are not already licensed, or if the consent decrees between the DOJ and ASCAP/BMI are materially modified or eliminated, our royalty rates or negotiation costs could increase.

In order to stream music over the Internet, MediaCo must also obtain licenses and pay royalties to the owners of copyrights in sound recordings (typically, artists and record companies). These royalties are in addition to royalties for Internet streaming that must be paid to performing rights organizations.

Legislation also has regularly been introduced in Congress that would require the payment of performance royalties to artists, musicians, or record companies whose music is played on terrestrial radio stations, ending a long-standing copyright law exception. If enacted, such legislation could have an adverse impact on the cost broadcast of music programming.

Congress and the FCC also have under consideration, and may in the future consider and adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of additional matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operation, ownership and profitability of our broadcast stations, result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenues for our broadcast stations and/or affect our ability to acquire additional broadcast stations or finance such acquisitions. Such matters include, but are not limited to:

• proposals to impose spectrum use or other fees on FCC licensees;
• proposals to modify some or all of the FCC’s multiple ownership rules and/or policies;
• proposals to impose requirements intended to promote broadcasters’ service to their local communities;
• proposals to change rules relating to political broadcasting;
• technical and frequency allocation matters;
• proposals to restrict or prohibit the advertising of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages;
• proposals to tighten safety guidelines relating to radio frequency radiation exposure;
• proposals to modify broadcasters’ public interest obligations; and
• proposals, including by states, to limit the tax deductibility of advertising expenses by advertisers.

We cannot predict whether any proposed changes will be adopted, what other matters might be considered in the future, or what impact, if any, the implementation of such proposals or changes might have on our business.

The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and of specific FCC regulations. Reference should be made to the Communications Act as well as FCC regulations, public notices and rulings for further information concerning the nature and extent of federal regulation of broadcast stations.

The risk factors listed below, in addition to those set forth elsewhere in this report, could affect the business, financial condition and future results of the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to the Company or that are not currently believed by the Company to be material may also harm the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to our Business

Our results of operations could be negatively impacted by weak economic conditions and instability in financial markets.

We believe that advertising is a discretionary business expense. Spending on advertising tends to decline disproportionately during an economic recession or downturn as compared to other types of business spending. Consequently, weakness in the United States economy generally has an adverse effect on our advertising revenue and, therefore, our results of operations. For example, the economic tumult caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had a material adverse effect on our advertising revenues at our New York radio stations, which we believe has continued to impact us even as of the date of this report.

Even in the absence of a general recession or downturn in the economy, an individual business sector (such as the automotive industry) that tends to spend more on advertising than other sectors might be forced to reduce its advertising expenditures if that sector experiences a downturn. If that sector’s spending represents a significant portion of our advertising revenues, any reduction in its advertising expenditures may affect our revenue.

Radio revenues in the market in which we operate have been challenged and may remain so.

Radio revenues in the New York market in which we operate are highly correlated to the performance of the economy of United States. New York market revenues, as measured by the accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were down 3.3% and up 1.6%, respectively. During these same periods, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that U.S. real gross domestic product grew 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively.

We may lose audience share and advertising revenue to competing radio stations or other types of media.

The radio broadcasting industry is highly competitive. Our radio stations compete for audiences and advertising revenue with other radio stations and station groups, as well as with other media. Shifts in population, demographics, audience tastes, consumer use of technology and forms of media and other factors beyond our control could cause us to lose market share. Any adverse change in our radio stations’ market, or adverse change in the relative market positions of our stations, could have a material adverse effect on our revenue or ratings, could require increased promotion or other expenses in that market, and could adversely affect our revenue. Other radio broadcasting companies may enter the market in which we operate or markets in which we may operate in the future. These companies may be larger and have more financial resources than we have. Our radio stations may not be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings and advertising revenue in the face of such competition.

MediaCo expects to continue to routinely conduct market research to review the competitive position of our stations in the market. If we determine that a station could improve its operating performance by serving a different demographic, we may change the format of that station. Our competitors may respond to our actions by more aggressive promotions of their stations or by replacing the format we vacate, limiting our options if we do not achieve expected results with our new format.

From time to time, other stations may change their format or programming, a new station may adopt a format to compete directly with our stations for audiences and advertisers, or stations might engage in aggressive promotional campaigns. These tactics could result in lower ratings and advertising revenue or increased promotion and other expenses and, consequently, lower earnings and cash flow for us. Any failure by us to respond, or to respond as quickly as our competitors, could also have an adverse effect on our business and financial performance.

Because of the competitive factors we face, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to maintain or increase our current audience ratings and advertising revenue.

Our radio operations are entirely concentrated in the New York market.

Our radio operations are located exclusively in the New York City Metro area. Since our radio stations’ revenues are concentrated in this market, an economic downturn, increased competition or another significant negative event in the New York City market could reduce our revenues more dramatically than other companies that do not depend as much on this market, which could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our radio operations lack the scale of some of our competitors.

MediaCo's only radio stations are two stations in New York. Some of our competitors in this market have larger clusters of radio stations. Our competitors may be able to leverage their market share to extract a greater percentage of available advertising revenues in this market and may be able to realize operating efficiencies by programming multiple stations in the market. Also, given our reliance on urban formats in New York, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by additional urban format competition by our competitors.

Summer Jam is highly sensitive to public tastes and is dependent on our ability to secure popular artists, and our ticketing revenue can be impacted by changes in consumer preferences.

Our business is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes and is dependent on the availability of popular artists and events. Summer Jam depends in part on our ability to anticipate the tastes of consumers and to offer events that appeal to them. Since we rely on unrelated parties to create and perform at live music events, any unwillingness or lack of availability of popular artists could limit our ability to generate revenue. In particular, there are a limited number of artists that can headline or who can sell out larger venues, which we rent. Accordingly, our ticket sales success depends, in part, upon the ability of these third parties to correctly anticipate public demand for particular events, as well as the availability of popular artists, entertainers and teams.

In addition, artists are booked four to eight months in advance of the beginning of the tour and we often agree to pay an artist a fixed guaranteed amount prior to our receiving any revenue. Therefore, if the public is not receptive, or an artist cancels, we may incur a loss depending on the amount of the fixed guarantee or incurred costs relative to any revenue earned, as well as revenue we could have earned at booked venues. Furthermore, consumer preferences change from time to time, and our failure to anticipate, identify or react to these changes could result in reduced demand for our services, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards and, as a result, qualify for, and rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. Investors in our Class A common stock will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

As of December 31, 2023, SG Broadcasting controlled approximately 72.3% of the outstanding voting interests of MediaCo through its ownership of MediaCo Class B common stock. Because of the voting power of SG Broadcasting, we are considered a “controlled company” for purposes of Nasdaq requirements. As such, we are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq, including the requirements that:

• a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors,
• we have a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee that is composed entirely of independent directors, and
• we have a Compensation Committee that is composed entirely of independent directors.

Currently, MediaCo does have a majority of independent directors and the Compensation Committee does consist entirely of independent directors; however, we do not have a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. MediaCo could choose to take advantage of the exemptions relating to the board and the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, investors in our Class A common stock would not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of Nasdaq's corporate governance requirements.

We must respond to the rapid changes in technology, services and standards that characterize the radio broadcasting industry in order to remain competitive, and changes in technology may increase the risk of material intellectual property infringement claims.

The radio broadcasting industry is subject to rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards and the emergence of competition from new technologies and services. We cannot assure that we will have the resources to acquire new technologies or to introduce new services that could compete with these new technologies. Various media technologies and services that have been developed or introduced include:

• satellite-delivered digital audio radio service, which has resulted in subscriber-based satellite radio services with numerous niche formats;
• audio programming by cable systems, direct-broadcast satellite systems, Internet content providers and other digital audio broadcast formats, including podcasts;
• personal digital audio devices;
• HD Radio®, which provides multi-channel, multi-format digital radio services in the same bandwidth currently occupied by traditional AM and FM radio services; and
• low-power FM radio, which could result in additional FM radio broadcast outlets.

New media has resulted in fragmentation in the radio broadcasting advertising market, but we cannot predict the impact that additional competition arising from new technologies may have on the radio broadcasting industry or on our financial condition and results of operations.

A number of automakers are introducing more advanced, interactive dashboard technology including the introduction of technologies like Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto that enable vehicle entertainment systems to more easily interface with a consumer’s smartphone and include alternative audio entertainment options.

Programmatic buying, which enables an advertiser to purchase advertising inventory through an exchange or other service and bypass the traditional personal sales relationship, has become widely adopted in the purchase of digital advertising and is an emerging trend in the radio industry. We cannot predict the impact programmatic buying may have on the radio industry or our financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, technological advancements in the operation of radio stations and related businesses have increased the number of patent and other intellectual property infringement claims brought against broadcasters. While MediaCo has not historically been subject to material patent and other intellectual property claims and takes certain steps to limit the likelihood of, and exposure to, such claims, no assurance can be given that material claims will not be asserted in the future.

Our business depends heavily on maintaining our FCC licenses. We could be prevented from operating a radio station if we fail to maintain its licenses.

The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing regulation. The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies require FCC approval for transfers of control and assignments of FCC licenses. The filing of petitions or complaints against FCC licensees could result in the FCC delaying the grant of, or refusing to grant, its consent to the assignment of licenses to or from an FCC licensee or the transfer of control of an FCC licensee. In certain circumstances, the Communications Act and FCC rules and policies will operate to impose limitations on alien ownership and voting of our common stock. There can be no assurance that there will not be changes in the current regulatory scheme, imposition of additional regulations, or the creation of new regulatory agencies, which changes could restrict or curtail our ability to acquire, operate and dispose of stations or, in general, to compete profitably with other operators of radio and other media properties.

Each of our radio stations operates pursuant to one or more licenses issued by the FCC. Under FCC rules, radio licenses are granted for a term of eight years. Our licenses were successfully renewed in 2022 through June 2030. While we are not aware of facts or circumstances that would prevent us from having our current licenses renewed in the future, third parties could challenge our renewal applications and there can be no assurance that the licenses will be renewed or that renewals will not include conditions or qualifications that could adversely affect our business and operations. Failure to obtain the renewal of any of our broadcast licenses would likely have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. In addition, if we or any of our officers, directors or significant stockholders materially violates the FCC’s rules and regulations or the Communications Act, is convicted of a felony or is found to have engaged in unlawful anticompetitive conduct or fraud upon a government agency, the FCC may, in response to a petition from a third party or on its own initiative, commence a proceeding to impose sanctions upon us which could involve the imposition of monetary fines, the revocation of our broadcast licenses or other sanctions.

We disseminate large amounts of content to the public. An ill-conceived or mistimed on-air statement or social media post could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and prohibit indecent material between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition on the broadcast of indecent material because of the FCC’s broad definition of such material, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming.

Congress has dramatically increased the penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent or profane programming and broadcasters can potentially face license revocation, renewal or qualification proceedings in the event that they broadcast such material. In addition, the FCC’s heightened focus on indecency, against the broadcast industry generally, may encourage third parties to oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations. As a result of these developments, we have implemented certain measures that are designed to reduce the risk of broadcasting indecent material in violation of the FCC’s rules. These and other future modifications to our programming in an effort to reduce the risk of indecency violations could have an adverse effect on our competitive position.

Even statements or social media posts that do not violate the FCC’s indecency rules could offend our audiences and advertisers or infringe the rights of third parties, resulting in a decline in ratings, a loss in revenues, a challenge to our broadcast licenses, or extended litigation. While we maintain insurance covering some of these risks, others are effectively uninsurable and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Misalignment with public and consumer taste and preferences could negatively impact advertising demand and profitability of our business.

Our business creates content for our target audiences. Our business relies on an alignment between our brands and our audience taste and preferences through the distribution of content over-the-air, digitally and visually. If the alignment between our brands and our audience shifts, then we might experience a shift in advertising revenue and categories.

Changes in current Federal regulations could adversely affect our business operations.

Congress and the FCC have under consideration, and may in the future consider and adopt, new laws, regulations and policies that could, directly or indirectly, affect the profitability of our broadcast stations. In particular, Congress is considering a revocation of radio's exemption from paying royalties to performing artists for use of their recordings (radio already pays a royalty to songwriters). A requirement to pay additional royalties could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business strategy and our ability to operate profitably depend on the continued services of our key employees, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our success depends in large part upon the leadership and performance of our radio management teams and other key personnel. Operating as an independent public company demands a significant amount of time and effort from our management and other personnel and may give rise to increased turnover. If we lose the services of members of our management team or other key personnel, we may not be able to successfully manage our business or achieve our business objectives.

We need to continue to attract and retain qualified key personnel in a highly competitive environment. Our ability to attract, recruit and retain such talent will depend on a number of factors, including the hiring practices of our competitors, the performance of our developing business programs, our compensation and benefits, and economic conditions affecting our industry generally. Our radio stations' personnel includes several on-air personalities and hosts of syndicated radio programs with large and loyal audiences in their respective broadcast areas. These on-air personalities are sometimes significantly responsible for the ranking of a station and, thus, the ability of the station to sell advertising. Such on-air personalities or other key individuals may not remain with our radio stations and we may not retain their audiences, which could affect our competitive position. If we cannot effectively hire and retain qualified employees, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could suffer.

Impairment losses related to our intangible assets could reduce our earnings in the future.

As of December 31, 2023, our intangible assets comprised 68% of our total assets. We did not record any impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. However, if events occur or circumstances change, the fair value of our intangible assets might fall below the amount reflected on our balance sheet, and we may be required to recognize impairment charges in our statement of operations, which may be material, in future periods.

Our operating results have been and may again be adversely affected by acts of war, a global health crisis, terrorism and natural catastrophes.

Acts of war and terrorism against the United States, and the country’s response to such acts, may negatively affect the U.S. advertising market, which could cause our advertising revenues to decline due to advertising cancellations, delays or defaults in payment for advertising time, and other factors. In addition, these events may have other negative effects on our business, the nature and duration of which we cannot predict.

For example, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we decided that the public interest would be best served by the presentation of continuous commercial-free coverage of the unfolding events on our stations. This temporary policy had a material adverse effect on our advertising revenues and operating results for the month of September 2001. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe trauma to our business during 2020 and the years following, with advertisers pulling advertisements and events like Summer Jam being canceled. Future events like those of September 11, 2001, or the COVID-19 pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on our advertising revenues and operating results.

Additionally, the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 resulted in the destruction of the transmitter facilities that were located there. Although we had no transmitter facilities located at the World Trade Center, broadcasters that had facilities located in the destroyed buildings experienced temporary disruptions in their ability to broadcast. Since we tend to locate transmission facilities for stations serving urban areas on tall buildings or other significant structures, such as the Empire State Building in New York, further terrorist attacks or other disasters could cause similar disruptions in our broadcasts in the areas affected. If these disruptions occur, we may not be able to locate adequate replacement facilities in a cost-effective or timely manner or at all. Failure to remedy disruptions caused by terrorist attacks or other disasters and any resulting degradation in signal coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Similarly, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wild-fires and other natural disasters can have a material adverse effect on our operations in any given market. While we generally carry insurance covering such catastrophes, we cannot be sure that the proceeds from such insurance will be sufficient to offset the costs of rebuilding or repairing our property or the lost income.

Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our internal business processes and information systems. The modification, change of, or interruption of such systems may disrupt our business, processes and internal controls.

The proper functioning of our internal 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 business processes and information systems need to be sufficiently scalable to adapt to the size of our business and may require modifications or upgrades that expose us to a number of operational risks. Our information technology systems, and those of third party providers, may also be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control. These include catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, viruses or malware, physical or electronic intrusions, unauthorized access and cyber-attacks. 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 and results of operations.

We and our business partners maintain significant amounts of data electronically in various locations. This data relates to all aspects of our business, including certain customer, consumer, supplier, partner and employee data. We maintain systems and processes designed to protect this data, but notwithstanding such protective measures, there is a risk of intrusion, cyber-attacks or tampering that could compromise the integrity and privacy of this data. In addition, we provide confidential and proprietary information to our third-party business partners in certain cases where doing so is necessary to conduct our business. While we obtain assurances from those parties that they have systems and processes in place to protect such data, and where applicable, that they will take steps to assure the protections of such data by third parties, nonetheless those partners may also be subject to data intrusion or otherwise compromise the protection of such data. Any compromise of the confidential data of our customers, consumers, suppliers, partners, employees or ourselves, or failure to prevent or mitigate the loss of or damage to this data through breach of our information technology systems or other means could substantially disrupt our operations, harm our customers, consumers, employees and other business partners, damage our reputation, violate applicable laws and regulations, and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be successful in identifying any additional suitable acquisition or investment opportunities.

As part of our business strategy, we may pursue acquisitions or other investment opportunities. However, there is no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or consummating any suitable acquisitions and certain acquisition opportunities may be limited or prohibited by applicable regulatory regimes. Even if we do complete acquisitions or business combinations, there is no assurance that any of them will be of value in enhancing our business or our financial condition. In addition, our ongoing activities could divert a substantial amount of our management time and may be difficult for us to integrate, which could adversely affect management's ability to identify and consummate other investment opportunities. The failure to identify or successfully integrate future acquisitions and investment opportunities could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Because we face significant competition for acquisition and investment opportunities, it may be difficult for us to fully execute our business strategy. We expect to encounter intense competition for acquisition and investment opportunities from both strategic investors and other potential competitors, such as private investors (which may be individuals or investment partnerships), blank check companies, and other entities, domestic and international, competing for the type of businesses that we may intend to acquire. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources, or more local industry knowledge, or greater access to capital, than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. These factors may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully completing future acquisitions and investments.

In addition, while we believe that there are numerous target businesses that we could potentially acquire or invest in, our ability to compete with respect to the acquisition of certain target businesses that are sizable will be limited by our available financial resources. This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing acquisition and investment opportunities.

Future acquisitions or investments, or similar strategic transactions, could involve unknown risks that could harm our business and adversely affect our financial condition.

We may make acquisitions, or engage in other similar strategic transactions, in a variety of industries and market sectors including but not limited to the radio industry. Future acquisitions that we consummate will involve unknown risks, some of which will be particular to the industry in which the acquisition target operates. We may be unable to adequately address the financial, legal and operational risks raised by such acquisitions, especially if we are unfamiliar with the industry in which we invest. The realization of any unknown risks could prevent or limit us from realizing the projected benefits of the acquisitions, which could adversely affect our financial condition and liquidity. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations will be subject to the specific risks applicable to any company in which we invest.

Risks Related to Indebtedness:

The terms of any future indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes in market conditions or to take some actions.

Any future long-term debt instruments may impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions will likely significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on securities, incur liens, enter into asset purchase or sale transactions, merge or consolidate with another company, dispose of our assets or make certain other payments or investments.

These restrictions may limit our ability to grow our business through acquisitions and could limit our ability to respond to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs. They also could restrict our corporate activities in other ways and could adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs.

To service our indebtedness and other obligations, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

Our November 25, 2019 convertible promissory note payable to Emmis Communications Corporation (the “Emmis Convertible Promissory Note”) is paid in-kind (“PIK”), but any future long-term debt agreements will likely require us to pay periodic interest and principal payments during the term of such indebtedness. Our ability to make payments on indebtedness and to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This ability to generate cash, to a certain extent, will be subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our businesses might not generate sufficient cash flow from operations. We might not be able to complete future offerings, and future borrowings might not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

We have significant current debt service obligations that cause substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company has debt service obligations of approximately $7.1 million due under its Emmis Convertible Promissory Note (as defined in Note 13) from April 1, 2024 (the date of issuance of these financial statements) through April 1, 2025. As a result of this debt service obligation to Emmis, management anticipates the Company will be unable to meet its liquidity needs for the next twelve months with cash and cash equivalents on hand and projected cash flows from operations.

Management is prepared to implement additional cost cutting measures, as necessary, and intends to seek additional borrowings to meet its debt service obligations, if needed. While the Company has been successful in obtaining additional liquidity in the past, no assurances can be made that the Company will receive such liquidity in the future.

As a result of the conditions identified above, management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The Company’s independent auditor has included an explanatory paragraph regarding the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in its report on these consolidated financial statements.

Risks Related to our Common Stock:

SG Broadcasting possesses significant voting interest with respect to our outstanding common stock, which limits the influence on corporate matters by a holder of MediaCo Class A common stock.

As of December 31, 2023, SG Broadcasting held approximately 96.9% of the voting interests of our outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis. Accordingly, SG Broadcasting has the ability to significantly influence our management and affairs through the election and removal of our board of directors and all other matters requiring shareholder approval unless a separate vote of the MediaCo Class A common stock is required by our articles of incorporation or Indiana law, including any future merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentrated voting interest could also discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change-of-control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our shareholders. Furthermore, this concentrated control limits the practical effect of the influence by holders of MediaCo Class A common stock over our business and affairs, through any shareholder vote or otherwise. Accordingly, the effects of any of the above could depress the price of MediaCo Class A common stock.

Standard General’s and Emmis’ interests may conflict with those of other shareholders.

SG Broadcasting, a company wholly owned by funds managed by Standard General, beneficially owns shares representing approximately 94.7% of the outstanding combined voting power of all classes of our common stock. Therefore, SG Broadcasting is in a position to exercise substantial influence over the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders, including the election of a majority of our directors, the determination to engage in a merger, acquisition or disposition of a material amount of assets, or otherwise.

Additionally, other than with respect to the Emmis Convertible Promissory Note, which is convertible into MediaCo Class A common stock, Emmis holds 362,099 shares of Class A common stock of MediaCo, and its officers serve as the MediaCo Class A Directors. These officers were initially shareholders of MediaCo, but no assurance can be given that they have or will retain their ownership of MediaCo shares. Further, so long as amounts remain outstanding under the Emmis Convertible Promissory Note, MediaCo's board of directors is obligated to nominate as MediaCo Class A Directors only persons specified by Emmis. Under Indiana law, directors of MediaCo may, in considering the best interests of the Company, consider the effects of any action on shareholders, employees, suppliers, and customers of the Company, and communities in which offices or other facilities of the Company are located, and any other factors the directors consider pertinent.

MediaCo Class A common stock may cease to be listed on Nasdaq.

MediaCo’s Class A common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “MDIA”. We may not be able to meet the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, which require, among other things, a minimum closing price of MediaCo Class A common stock, a minimum market capitalization and minimum shareholders' equity. If we are unable to satisfy the requirements of Nasdaq for continued listing, MediaCo Class A common stock would be subject to delisting from that market, and we might or might not be eligible to list our shares on another market.

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

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

If at any time before September 9, 2024, the bid price of our Class A common stock closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, the Staff will provide written confirmation that we have achieved compliance. If we do not regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement by the end of the second compliance period, the Class A common stock will become subject to delisting. In the event that we receive notice that the Class A common stock is being delisted, the Nasdaq listing rules permit us to appeal a delisting determination by the Staff to a hearings panel.

We intend to continue to monitor the closing bid price of the Common Stock between now and September 9, 2024, and will consider available options to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement, including initiating a reverse stock split. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or will otherwise be in compliance with other Nasdaq Listing Rules.

If our Class A common stock were to be delisted from Nasdaq, and we might or might not be eligible to list our shares on another market. Such as delisting could negatively impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our Class A common stock.

Our By-Laws designate the Circuit or Superior Courts of Marion County, Indiana, or the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in a case of pendant jurisdiction, as the exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by holders of shares of MediaCo, which would discourage lawsuits against us and our director and officers.

Pursuant to our By-laws, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit or any Superior Court of Marion County Indiana, or the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in a case of pendent jurisdiction, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for:

• any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company,
• any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of MediaCo to the Company or the holders of shares of MediaCo,
• any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the “IBCL”), the Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws, or
• any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants.

Though Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations under it, the Company intends for this forum selection provision to apply to the fullest extent permitted by law, including to actions or claims arising under the Securities Act. While holders of shares of MediaCo cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations under it, and therefore the forum selection provision does not apply to claims arising under the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations under it, this forum selection provision may limit the ability of holders of shares of MediaCo to bring a claim arising in other instances in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and/or our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court outside of the State of Indiana were to find this forum selection provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the types of actions or claims described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

We are an “emerging growth company” and, as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, MediaCo Class A common stock may be less attractive to investors for so long as we remain an emerging growth company.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of some of the exemptions from reporting requirements that are afforded to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We cannot predict if investors will find MediaCo Class A common stock less attractive because we intend to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find MediaCo Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for MediaCo Class A common stock and its stock price may be lower or more volatile as a result. We may take advantage of these exemptions until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.

As a regular part of our ordinary business operations, we collect and store data, including information necessary for our operations, information from our customers, employees, and our business partners. We recognize these networks and systems may be subject to increasing and continually evolving cybersecurity risks. Our Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing risk management and Cybersecurity is an integral part of the Company's overall risk management program. Our risk management process is designed to identify, prioritize, and monitor risks that could affect our ability to execute our corporate strategy and fulfill our business objectives and to appropriately mitigate such risks.

Our management team is involved in assessing and managing the Company’s material risks from cybersecurity threats, including by hiring appropriate personnel, considering cybersecurity risk in our enterprise risk management strategy, helping prepare for cybersecurity incidents, and participating in the cybersecurity incident response and remediation process for incidents escalated to it including determining materiality. Our management that is involved in these processes includes our Chief Technology Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Management also escalates, as appropriate, reports relating to cybersecurity incidents or threats to our Board or to its Audit Committee.

As part of our risk management processes, we are developing risk assessments to identify the probability, immediacy, and potential magnitude of information security risks. Our internal experts regularly conduct audits and tests of our information systems, and our cybersecurity program is periodically assisted by established, independent third-party consultants, who provide assistance through tabletop and other preparedness exercises. Additionally, we review regular publications on cyber awareness and conduct ongoing simulated phishing exercises. We use the findings from these and other processes to improve our information security practices, procedures and technologies.

While we have not yet experienced any material impacts from a cyber-attack, any one or more future cyber-attacks could materially adversely impact the Company, including a loss of trust among our customers, departures of key employees, general diminishment of our reputation and financial losses from remediation actions, loss of business or potential litigation or regulatory liability. Further, evolving market dynamics are increasingly driving heightened cybersecurity protections and mandating cybersecurity standards for our products, and we may incur additional costs to address these increased risks and to comply with such demands.

See the section titled Item IA. Risk Factors, including “Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our internal business processes and information systems. The modification, change of, or interruption of such systems may disrupt our business, processes and internal controls,” for additional information about the risks from cybersecurity threats that may materially affect our business.

The types of properties required to support our radio stations include offices, studios and transmitter/antenna sites. We lease our studio and office spaces. Our stations' studios and principal executive offices are housed within its offices in Manhattan. We generally consider our facilities to be suitable and of adequate size for our current and intended purposes. We lease primary and backup transmitter/antenna sites for WQHT and WBLS in Manhattan. With regard to WBLS, we lease an additional backup transmitter/antenna site in Lyndhurst, New Jersey from WLIB Tower LLC, an Indiana corporation and subsidiary of Emmis (“WLIB”) pursuant to a transmitter/antenna site lease. The transmitter/antenna site lease is for an initial term of 20 years, with two automatic renewal periods of 10 years each, unless MediaCo provides notice to WLIB of its intention to not renew the lease for an additional term. The transmitter/antenna site for each station is generally located so as to provide maximum market coverage, consistent with the station's FCC license. In general, we do not anticipate difficulties in renewing the transmitter/antenna site leases or in leasing additional space or sites if required.

From time to time, our stations are parties to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management of the Company, however, there are no legal proceedings pending against the Company that we believe are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. From time to time, we may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

GENERAL

The following discussion pertains to MediaCo Holding Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “MediaCo” or the “Company”).

On December 9, 2022, Fairway Outdoor LLC, FMG Kentucky, LLC and FMG Valdosta, LLC (collectively, “Fairway”), all of which are wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of MediaCo, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), with The Lamar Company, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which we sold our Fairway outdoor advertising business to the Purchaser. The transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement closed as of the date of the Purchase Agreement.

We have classified the related assets and liabilities associated with our Fairway business as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheets and the results of our Fairway business have been presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented as the sale represented a strategic shift in our business that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. Unless otherwise noted, discussion in management's discussion and analysis refers to the Company's continuing operations. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.

We own and operate two radio stations located in New York City. Our revenues are mostly affected by the advertising rates our entities charge, as advertising sales are the primary component of our consolidated revenues. These rates are in large part based on our radio stations’ ability to attract audiences in demographic groups targeted by their advertisers. The Nielsen Company generally measures radio station ratings weekly for markets measured by the Portable People Meter™, which includes both of our radio stations. Because audience ratings in a radio station’s local market are critical to the station’s financial success, our strategy is to use market research, advertising and promotion to attract and retain audiences in each station’s chosen demographic target group.

Our revenues vary throughout the year. Revenue and operating income are usually lowest in the first calendar quarter, partly because retailers cut back their advertising spending immediately following the holiday shopping season.

In addition to the sale of advertising time for cash, stations typically exchange advertising time for goods or services, which can be used by the station in its business operations. These barter transactions are recorded at the estimated fair value of the product or service received. We generally confine the use of such trade transactions to promotional items or services for which we would otherwise have paid cash. In addition, it is our general policy not to preempt advertising spots paid for in cash with advertising spots paid for in trade.

The following table summarizes the sources of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. The category “Other” includes barter revenue, network revenue, talent fee revenue and other revenue.

Roughly 20% of our expenses varies in connection with changes in revenue. These variable expenses primarily relate to costs in our sales department, such as salaries, commissions and bad debt. Our costs that do not vary as much in relation to revenue are mostly in our programming and general and administrative departments, such as talent costs, rating fees, rents, utilities and salaries. Lastly, our costs that are highly discretionary are costs in our marketing and promotions department, which we primarily incur to maintain and/or increase our audience and market share.

KNOWN TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The U.S. radio industry is a mature industry and its growth rate has stalled. Management believes this is principally the result of two factors: (i) new media, such as various media distributed via the Internet, telecommunication companies and cable interconnects, as well as social networks, have gained advertising share against radio and other traditional media and created a proliferation of advertising inventory and (ii) the fragmentation of the radio audience and time spent listening caused by satellite radio, audio streaming services and podcasts has led some investors and advertisers to conclude that the effectiveness of radio advertising has diminished.

Along with the rest of the radio industry, our stations have deployed HD Radio®. HD Radio offers listeners advantages over standard analog broadcasts, including improved sound quality and additional digital channels. In addition to offering secondary channels, the HD Radio spectrum allows broadcasters to transmit other forms of data. We are participating with other broadcasters to provide the bandwidth that a third party uses to transmit location-based data to hand-held and in-car navigation devices. The number of radio receivers incorporating HD Radio has increased in the past year, particularly in new automobiles. It is unclear what impact HD Radio will have on the markets in which we operate.

Our stations have also aggressively worked to harness the power of broadband and mobile media distribution in the development of emerging business opportunities by developing highly interactive websites with content that engages our listeners, deploying mobile applications and streaming our content, and harnessing the power of digital video on our websites and YouTube channels.

The results of our broadcast radio operations are solely dependent on the results of our stations in the New York market. Some of our competitors that operate larger station clusters in the New York market are able to leverage their market share to extract a greater percentage of available advertising revenue through packaging a variety of advertising inventory at discounted unit rates. Market revenues in New York as measured by Miller Kaplan Arase LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), an independent public accounting firm used by the radio industry to compile revenue information, were down 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, and up 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the same periods of the prior year. During these periods, revenues for our New York cluster were down 18.3% and down 8.5%, respectively. The decreases for our New York cluster were largely driven by lower healthcare spend, which our stations benefited from more than those serving the general population in the prior year due to the targeted nature of the awareness campaigns and lower casino/gambling spend as the regulatory environment in New York as made it less attractive in the state.

As part of our business strategy, we continually evaluate potential acquisitions of businesses that we believe hold promise for long-term appreciation in value and leverage our strengths. We also regularly review our portfolio of assets and may opportunistically dispose of or otherwise monetize assets when we believe it is appropriate to do so.

MediaCo has been impacted by the rising interest rate environment in the financial markets. While no longer impacting our current borrowings, which are fixed rate, the cost of any potential future borrowings has been increasing. At this time, we do not anticipate interest rates to decline.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that encompass significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially derive materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that our critical accounting policies are those described below.

FCC Licenses

As of December 31, 2023, we have recorded approximately $63.3 million for FCC licenses, which represents approximately 66% of our total assets. We would not be able to operate our radio stations without the related FCC license for each property. FCC broadcast licenses are renewed every eight years; consequently, we continually monitor our stations’ compliance with the various regulatory requirements. Historically, each of our FCC licenses has been renewed at the end of its respective period, and we expect that each FCC license will continue to be renewed in the future. We consider our FCC licenses to be indefinite-lived intangibles.

We do not amortize indefinite-lived intangible assets, but rather test for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an asset may be impaired. When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is performed at the unit of accounting level as determined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350-30-35. In our case, radio stations in a geographic market cluster are considered a single unit of accounting if they are not being operated under a Local Marketing Agreement by another broadcaster. Consequently, our two radio stations in New York are considered a single unit of accounting.

For the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, we completed our annual impairment tests on October 1 of each year and will continue to perform our assessments on this date in future years.

Valuation of Indefinite-lived Broadcasting Licenses

Fair value of our FCC licenses is estimated to be the stick value that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To determine the fair value of our FCC licenses, the Company considers both income and market valuation methods when it performs its impairment tests. Under the income method, the Company projects cash flows that would be generated by its unit of accounting assuming the unit of accounting was commencing operations in its respective market at the beginning of the valuation period. This cash flow stream is discounted to arrive at a value for the FCC license. The Company assumes the competitive situation that exists in the unit of accounting’s market remains unchanged, with the exception that the unit of accounting commenced operations at the beginning of the valuation period. In doing so, the Company extracts the value of going concern and any other assets acquired, and strictly values the FCC license. Major assumptions involved in this analysis include market revenue, market revenue growth rates, unit of accounting audience share, unit of accounting revenue share and discount rate. Each of these assumptions may change in the future based upon changes in general economic conditions, audience behavior, consummated transactions, and numerous other variables that may be beyond our control. The projections incorporated into our license valuations take then current economic conditions into consideration. Under the market method, the Company uses recent sales of comparable radio stations for which the sales value appeared to be concentrated entirely in the value of the license, to arrive at an indication of fair value.

Below are some of the key assumptions used in our income method annual impairment assessments. Long-term growth rates in the New York market in which we operate are based on recent industry trends and our expectations for the market going forward.

Deferred Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequence of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. Income taxes are recognized during the year in which the underlying transactions are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities recorded for financial reporting purposes as compared to amounts recorded for income tax purposes. After determining the total amount of deferred tax assets, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31, 2023 compared to year ended December 31, 2022

The following discussion refers to the Company’s continuing operations. See Note 2 — Discontinued Operations in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.

Net revenues:

(Dollars in thousands)

Net radio revenues decreased due to a substantial declines in healthcare spend as COVID-19 vaccination awareness campaigns slowed as well as online gambling, automotive and wireless advertising spend. These decreases were partially offset by stronger ticket sales and broadcast sponsorships of our annual Summer Jam concert, as well as stronger tourism and live event advertising spend as the restrictions on travel, social gatherings, and business activities have continued to ease.

We typically monitor the performance of our stations against the aggregate performance of the market in which we operate based on reports for the period prepared by Miller Kaplan. Miller Kaplan reports are generally prepared on a gross revenues basis and exclude revenues from barter and syndication arrangements. Miller Kaplan reported gross revenues for the New York radio market decreased 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year. Our gross revenues reported to Miller Kaplan were down 18.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the prior year.

Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense:

(Dollars in thousands)

Radio operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2023 as lower Summer Jam production costs, ratings costs, and music license fees were partially offset by higher noncash lease expense related to the new office lease that commenced in February 2023 and professional service fees, which were mainly incurred during the first quarter.

Corporate expenses:

(Dollars in thousands)

The decrease in corporate expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due lower stock based compensation expense driven by higher stock based bonuses awarded in the prior year, partially offset by higher professional service fees.

Depreciation and amortization:

(Dollars in thousands)

Radio depreciation and amortization expense decreased compared to the prior year due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated in the prior year, partially offset by intangible software costs related to our updated websites and mobile applications placed in service in the third quarter of 2022.

Loss on disposal of assets:

(Dollars in thousands)

Loss on disposal of assets increased compared to the prior year primarily due to the disposal of certain intangible assets related to our websites and a generator at our prior location upon the move to our new location for our radio operations and corporate offices in the current year.

Operating (loss) income:

(Dollars in thousands)

See “Net revenues,” “Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization,” “Corporate expenses,” “Depreciation and amortization,” and “Loss on disposal of assets” above.

Interest expense:

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest expense decreased due to the pay down in December 2022 of the senior credit facility, the conversion in July 2022 of the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the SG Broadcasting promissory notes into the Company’s Class A common stock, and the partial conversions in August and December 2022 of $0.9 million of the outstanding principal of the Emmis convertible promissory notes into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, as well as a lower interest rate on the outstanding balance of the Emmis convertible promissory note after the pay down of the senior credit facility. This was partially offset by accrued interest on the Emmis convertible promissory note being paid in kind in the fourth quarter of 2022, which increased the principal balance for the current year.

Other income:

(Dollars in thousands)

Other income decreased slightly compared to the prior year as income from the transaction services agreement (“TSA”) related to the Fairway sale recorded in the current year were more than offset by additional costs incurred to fulfill the TSA and various other expenses.

Loss on debt extinguishment:

(Dollars in thousands)

Loss on debt extinguishment in the prior year related to the pay down in December 2022 of the senior credit facility. There were no such transactions in the current year.

Provision for income taxes:

(Dollars in thousands)

See Note 12 — Income Taxes in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Consolidated net (loss) income:

(Dollars in thousands)

The decrease in consolidated net (loss) income was due to the gain on sale of Fairway in the prior year and increased operating loss from continuing operations. See “Net revenues,” “Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization,”, “Corporate expenses,” “Interest expense,” “Loss on debt extinguishment,” and “Provision for income taxes” above and Note 2 — Discontinued Operations in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations and our At Market Issuance Sales Agreement. Our primary uses of capital have been, and are expected to continue to be, capital expenditures, working capital, and acquisitions.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Pursuant to ASC Topic 205-40, “Going Concern,” the Company is required to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date of the filing of these financial statements (April 1, 2024). Management considered the Company’s ability to forecast future cash flows, current financial condition, sources of liquidity and debt service obligations due on or before April 1, 2025.

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

At December 31, 2023, we had $6.5 million outstanding to Emmis under the Emmis Convertible Promissory Note (as defined in Note 13), all of which is classified as current and has debt service obligations of approximately $7.1 million due under its Emmis Convertible Promissory Note from April 1, 2024 (the date of issuance of these financial statements) through April 1, 2025. As a result of this debt service obligation to Emmis, management anticipates the Company will be unable to meet its liquidity needs for the next twelve months with cash and cash equivalents on hand and projected cash flows from operations. As a result, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued.

Management is prepared to implement additional cost cutting measures, as necessary, and intends to seek additional borrowings to meet its debt service obligations, if needed. While the Company has been successful in obtaining additional liquidity in the past, no assurances can be made that the Company will receive such liquidity in the future.

At December 31, 2023 we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $7.1 million and net working capital of $2.2 million. At December 31, 2022, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $15.3 million and net working capital of $13.3 million. The decrease in net working capital was driven by payment of income taxes related to the gain on sale of Fairway and lower accounts receivable as sales declined in the current year.

As part of our business strategy, we continually evaluate potential acquisitions of businesses that we believe hold promise for long-term appreciation in value and leverage our strengths.

Operating Activities

Cash used in continuing operating activities was $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to cash provided by continuing operating activities of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was mainly attributable to payments of income taxes, lower collections of accounts receivable compared to the prior year, and lower accounts payable in the current year due to timing of payments.

Investing Activities

Cash used in continuing investing activities was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily attributable to capital expenditures related to a new digital platform project and the build out of our new space for radio operations and corporate offices. Cash provided by investing activities of $77.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to the proceeds from the sale of Fairway, partially offset by capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Cash used in continuing financing activities was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily attributable to repurchases of our Class A common stock of $0.8 million and settlement of tax withholding obligations of $0.4 million.

Cash used in continuing financing activities was $70.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily attributable to the pay down of outstanding long-term debt of $68.6 million and settlement of tax withholding obligations of $1.3 million.

SEASONALITY

Our results of operations are usually subject to seasonal fluctuations, which result in higher second quarter revenues and operating income. For our radio operations, this seasonality is largely due to the timing of our largest concert in June of each year. Results are typically lowest in the first calendar quarter.

INFLATION

The impact of inflation on operations has not been significant to date. However, there can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse effect on operating results.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCINGS AND LIABILITIES

Other than legal contingencies incurred in the normal course of business, and contractual commitments to purchase goods and services, all of which are discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated by reference herein, the Company does not have any material off-balance sheet financings or liabilities. The Company does not have any majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries that are not included in the consolidated financial statements, nor does the Company have any interests in or relationships with any “special-purpose entities” that are not reflected in the consolidated financial statements or disclosed in the Notes to consolidated financial statements.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this transition report, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). This evaluation (the “Controls Evaluation”) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Interim President and Chief Operating Officer (“President and COO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).

Based upon the Controls Evaluation, our President and COO and CFO concluded that as of December 31, 2023, our Disclosure Controls are effective to ensure that information relating to MediaCo Holding Inc. and Subsidiaries that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of MediaCo Holding Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, MediaCo Holding Inc.’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by MediaCo Holding Inc.’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1) Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(2) Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of MediaCo Holding Inc. are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(3) Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of MediaCo Holding Inc.’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management has evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the control criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such evaluation, management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2023.