Entercom Communications Corp. Reports Third Quarter Results

Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE:ETM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Third Quarter Highlights

-- Free cash flow decreased 2% to $28.0 million

-- Adjusted net income per share remained flat at $0.39

-- Net income per share, which included the impact of a $11.5 million tax charge related to deferred tax assets, declined from $0.37 to $0.12

-- Net revenues decreased 6% to $115.6 million, station operating expenses increased fractionally to $71.3 million and station operating income decreased 15% to $44.2 million

-- EBITDA decreased 15% to $39.4 million

-- Same station net revenues decreased 7%, same station operating expenses decreased 2% and same station operating income decreased 15%

The Company also announced today that the Board of Directors has suspended the Company's dividend in light of the difficult business environment and the uncertain outlook for the U.S. economy.

During the quarter, the Company reduced its total outstanding debt by $44 million. Year-to-date, the Company has reduced its outstanding debt by $99 million. Entercom's leverage ratio as defined in its credit agreement declined to 5.3x at the end of the period and the Company's interest coverage ratio was 3.4x.

David J. Field, President and Chief Executive Officer stated: "Despite the challenging economic conditions that have adversely impacted all ad-supported media, I am pleased to report that for the third quarter, Entercom posted free cash flow and adjusted net income per share approximately equal to the prior year. Entercom's leading market positions and attractive business model continue to generate a significant amount of free cash flow, providing management with the ability to prudently deploy capital and enhance shareholder value.

As the nation's economic conditions have deteriorated further over the past few weeks, we have taken a number of steps to reduce expenses while continuing to increase our investments in new technologies and in our sales and marketing capabilities in order to drive future growth. We are also encouraged to note that radio stands to benefit as advertisers reallocate their spending to increase their ROI. Radio offers the single best value proposition among all media with near universal audience reach, the lowest CPM's, and a rapidly evolving set of integrated marketing capabilities incorporating digital, mobile and other media platforms."

Additional Information

During the quarter, Entercom completed the sale of three stations in the Rochester, New York market for $13.3 million and recognized a $0.7 million gain. The buyer had operated these stations under a time brokerage agreement since May 1, 2008. The Company continues to own five stations in this market.

During the quarter, Entercom recorded an $11.5 million charge as part of its income tax provision as the Company increased its valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets. Management reviews the Company's deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and the increase in the valuation allowance reflects an analysis of the timing of the realization of the deferred tax assets in future years.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased $16.3 million of its 7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount.

At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $266 million in available borrowing capacity under its credit facility.

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $1.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, $783.2 million of Senior Debt and $92.0 million of Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2014. The weighted average diluted shares for the quarter were 36.4 million.

Fourth Quarter Guidance

Based on the current business outlook, the Company expects a percentage decline in the mid-teens in fourth quarter same station revenues, as compared to the prior period. Same station operating expenses should decrease by approximately 5% as compared to the prior period.

For purposes of same station comparisons, 2007 fourth quarter net revenues were $121.5 million and station operating expenses were $69.4 million.

Additional information and a reconciliation of same station results are available on the Company's website at www.entercom.com.

Earnings Conference Call and Company Information

Entercom will hold a conference call regarding the quarterly earnings release on November 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The public may access the conference call by dialing 888-889-0278 (passcode: Entercom). A replay of the conference call will be available through November 13, 2008 and can be accessed either by dialing 888-662-6653 or by visiting the Company's website: www.entercom.com.

Entercom Communications Corp. is one of the five largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, with a nationwide portfolio of 110 stations in 23 markets, including San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Sacramento and Kansas City.

Known for developing unique and highly successful, locally programmed stations, Entercom is home to some of radio's most distinguished brands and compelling personalities. The Company is also the radio broadcast partner of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Royals, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Sabres.

Entercom focuses on creating effective integrated marketing solutions for its customers that incorporate the Company's audio, digital and experiential assets. Additionally, the Company has a long-standing commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and environmental stewardship. Entercom stations play a vital, hands-on role in improving their communities, providing over $100 million in annual support for local charitable organizations.

The Company's radio stations have received numerous awards, including multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Awards for excellence in radio broadcasting. In 2007, Forbes magazine named Entercom one of America's "Most Trustworthy Companies."

For more information, please visit www.entercom.com.

Certain Definitions

All references to per share data, unless stated otherwise, are presented as per diluted share. All references to station operating expenses and corporate general and administrative expenses are exclusive of non-cash compensation expense, unless stated otherwise. All references to shares outstanding, unless stated otherwise, are presented to exclude unvested restricted stock units.

Station operating income consists of operating income before depreciation and amortization, time brokerage agreement fees (income), corporate general and administrative expenses, non-cash compensation expense (which is otherwise included in station operating expenses), impairment loss and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets.

EBITDA consists of income (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude: income taxes (benefit), total other expense, depreciation and amortization, time brokerage agreement fees (income), non-cash compensation expense (which is otherwise included in station operating expenses and corporate G&A expenses), impairment loss and gain or loss on sale or disposition of assets.

Free cash flow consists of operating income (loss): (i) plus depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation expense (which is otherwise included in station operating expenses and corporate general and administrative expenses), impairment loss and income from discontinued operations before income taxes (benefit), depreciation and amortization expense and impairment loss; and (ii) less net interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), gains (loss) on sale of assets, taxes paid and capital expenditures.

Adjusted Net Income consists of net income (loss) adjusted to exclude: (i) income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes (benefit); (ii) gain/loss on sale of assets, derivative instruments and investments; (iii) non-cash compensation expense; (iv) other income; (v) impairment loss; and (vi) gain/loss on early extinguishment of debt. For purposes of comparison, income taxes are reflected at the expected statutory federal and state tax rate of 42% without discrete items of tax.

Adjusted net income per share: includes any dilutive equivalent shares when not anti-dilutive.

Same station operating data is computed by comparing the performance of stations operated by the Company throughout the relevant period to the comparable performance in the prior year's corresponding period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

It is important to note that station operating income, same station net revenues, same station operating expenses, same station operating income, EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share and free cash flow are not measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that these measures are useful as a way to evaluate the Company and the means for management to evaluate our radio stations' performance and operations. Management believes that these measures are useful to an investor in evaluating our performance because they are widely used in the broadcast industry as a measure of a radio company's operating performance.

Certain adjusted non-GAAP financial measures are presented in this release (i.e., adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share). The adjustments exclude gain/loss on sale of assets, derivative instruments, and investments; non-cash compensation expense, other income, impairment loss and loss on early extinguishment of debt. Management believes these adjusted non-GAAP measures provide useful information to Management and investors by excluding certain income, expenses and gains and losses that may not be indicative of the Company's core operating and financial results. Similarly, Management believes these adjusted measures are a useful performance measure because certain items included in the calculation of net income (loss) may either mask or exaggerate trends in the Company's ongoing operating performance. Further, the reconciliations corresponding to these adjusted measures, by identifying the individual adjustments, provide a useful mechanism for investors to consider these adjusted measures with some or all of the identified adjustments.

Management uses these Non-GAAP financial measures on an ongoing basis to help track and assess the Company's financial performance. You, however, should not consider non-GAAP measures in isolation or as substitutes for net income (loss), operating income, or any other measure for determining our operating performance that is calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. The accompanying financial tables provide reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measure of all non-GAAP measures provided in this release.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release is being widely disseminated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation FD.

This news announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations and certain unaudited pro forma information that is presented for illustrative purposes only and involves certain risks and uncertainties within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Additional information and key risks are described in the Company's filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should note that these statements might be impacted by several factors including changes in the economic and regulatory climate and the business of radio broadcasting, in general. The unaudited pro forma information and same station operating data reflect adjustments and are presented for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of what has occurred or indicative of future operating results or financial position. Accordingly, the Company's actual performance may differ materially from those stated or implied herein. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any unaudited pro forma or forward-looking statements.

Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Release ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORP. FINANCIAL DATA (amounts in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Net Revenues $115,555 $122,946 $334,725 $347,801 Station Operating Expenses (Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense) 71,341 71,170 208,843 212,734 Station Operating Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 739 666 1,852 2,134 Corporate G & A Expenses (Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense) 4,821 5,534 15,571 17,820 Corporate G & A Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 1,354 1,263 5,959 4,379 Depreciation And Amortization 4,474 3,932 16,009 11,971 Impairment Loss - - 184,587 45,353 Net Time Brokerage Agreement Fees (Income) (45) 4,079 (188) 11,578 Net (Gain) Loss On Sale Or Disposition of Assets 62 (422) (9,937) (841) Total Operating Expenses 82,746 86,222 422,696 305,128 Operating Income (Loss) 32,809 36,724 (87,971) 42,673 Other Expense (Income) Items: Interest Expense 10,421 13,136 34,831 37,728 Net (Gain) Loss On Early Extinguishment Of Debt (1,633) - (4,017) 458 Interest And Dividend Income (32) (197) (299) (535) Other Income - (474) (3,256) (474) Net Gain On Derivative Instruments - (11) (34) (118) Net (Gain) Loss On Investments 250 (63) 461 (285) Total Other Expense 9,006 12,391 27,686 36,774 Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Tax Provision 23,803 24,333 (115,657) 5,899 (Benefit) Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 8,549 10,246 (44,006) 1,974 Income Taxes From Change In Valuation Allowance Reserve 11,480 - 11,699 - Income Taxes From Change In State Income Tax Rates - - - 2,910 Total Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 20,029 10,246 (32,307) 4,884 Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations 3,774 14,087 (83,350) 1,015 Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Income Taxes 480 (20) (3,497) (9) (Benefit) Net Income (Loss) $4,254 $14,067 $(86,847) $1,006 Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations $0.11 $0.38 $(2.25) $0.03 Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Income Taxes 0.01 - (0.10) - (Benefit) Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic $0.12 $0.38 $(2.35) $0.03 Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations $0.11 $0.37 $(2.25) $0.03 Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Income Taxes 0.01 - (0.10) - (Benefit) Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted $0.12 $0.37 $(2.35) $0.03 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 36,367 37,412 36,990 38,533 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 36,375 37,658 36,990 38,867 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Capital Expenditures $1,484 $928 $5,982 $7,758 Income Taxes Paid $- $157 $22 $496 SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA September 30, 2008 2007 Cash And Cash Equivalents $1,912 $10,261 Working Capital 52,962 101,446 Total Assets 1,667,973 1,702,469 Senior Debt 783,202 584,724 7.625% Senior Subordinated Notes 92,004 150,000 Total Shareholders' Equity 546,892 683,070 OTHER FINANCIAL DATA Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Dividends Paid Per Common Share $0.10 $0.38 $0.58 $1.14 Same Station Computations: Net Revenues - Reconciliation Of Same Station Net Revenues To GAAP: Net Revenues $115,555 $122,946 Net Acquisitions And Divestitures Of Radio Stations - 1,409 Same Station Net Revenues $115,555 $124,355 Station Operating Expenses - Reconciliation Of Same Station Operating Expenses To GAAP: Station Operating Expenses $72,080 $71,836 Non-Cash Compensation Expense Included In Station Operating Expense (739) (666) Station Operating Expenses Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense 71,341 71,170 Net Acquisitions And Divestitures Of Radio Stations - 1,336 Same Station Operating Expenses $71,341 $72,506 Reconciliation Of GAAP Operating Income To Station Operating Income And Same Station Operating Income: Operating Income $32,809 $36,724 Corporate G & A Expenses (Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense) 4,821 5,534 Corporate G & A Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 1,354 1,263 Station Operating Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 739 666 Depreciation And Amortization 4,474 3,932 Net Time Brokerage Agreement Fees (Income) (45) 4,079 Net (Gain) Loss On Sale Or Disposition of Assets 62 (422) Station Operating Income 44,214 51,776 Net Acquisitions And Divestitures Of Radio Stations - 73 Same Station Operating Income $44,214 $51,849 Reconciliation Of GAAP Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations To EBITDA: Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations $3,774 $14,087 $(83,350) $1,015 Income Taxes (Benefit) 20,029 10,246 (32,307) 4,884 Total Other Expense 9,006 12,391 27,686 36,774 Corporate G & A Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 1,354 1,263 5,959 4,379 Station Operating Expenses - Non-Cash Compensation Expense 739 666 1,852 2,134 Depreciation And Amortization 4,474 3,932 16,009 11,971 Impairment Loss - - 184,587 45,353 Net Time Brokerage Agreement Fees (Income) (45) 4,079 (188) 11,578 Net (Gain) Loss On Sale Or Disposition of Assets 62 (422) (9,937) (841) EBITDA $39,393 $46,242 $110,311 $117,247 Reconciliation Of GAAP Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations To Free Cash Flow: Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations $3,774 $14,087 $(83,350) $1,015 Depreciation And Amortization 4,474 3,932 16,009 11,971 Impairment Loss - - 184,587 45,353 Deferred Financing Costs Included In Interest Expense 407 433 1,249 1,247 Non-Cash Compensation Expense 2,093 1,929 7,811 6,513 Net (Gain) Loss On Sale Or Disposition Of Assets 62 (422) (9,937) (841) Net Gain On Derivative Instruments - (11) (34) (118) Net (Gain) Loss On Investments 250 (63) 461 (285) Net (Gain) Loss On Early Extinguishment Of Debt (1,633) - (4,017) 458 Other Income - (474) (3,256) (474) Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 20,029 10,246 (32,307) 4,884 Capital Expenditures (1,484) (928) (5,982) (7,758) Income Taxes Paid - (157) (22) (496) Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Before Income Taxes 66 (29) 29 2 (Benefit), D &A Expense And Impairment Loss Free Cash Flow $28,038 $28,543 $71,241 $61,471 Reconciliation Of GAAP Operating Income (Loss) To Free Cash Flow: Operating Income (Loss) $32,809 $36,724 $(87,971) $42,673 Depreciation and Amortization 4,474 3,932 16,009 11,971 Impairment Loss - - 184,587 45,353 Non-Cash Compensation Expense 2,093 1,929 7,811 6,513 Interest Expense, Net of Interest And Dividend Income And Deferred (9,982) (12,506) (33,283) (35,946) Financing Costs Capital Expenditures (1,484) (928) (5,982) (7,758) Net (Gain) Loss On Sale Or Disposition Of Assets 62 (422) (9,937) (841) Income Taxes Paid - (157) (22) (496) Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Before Income Taxes 66 (29) 29 2 (Benefit), D &A Expense And Impairment Loss Free Cash Flow $28,038 $28,543 $71,241 $61,471 Reconciliation Of GAAP Net Income (Loss) To Adjusted Net Income Net Income (Loss) $4,254 $14,067 $(86,847) $1,006 Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net Of Income Taxes 480 (20) (3,497) (9) (Benefit) Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 20,029 10,246 (32,307) 4,884 Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes 23,803 24,333 (115,657) 5,899 (Benefit) Impairment Loss - - 184,587 45,353 Net (Gain) Loss on Sale Or Disposal Of Assets 62 (422) (9,937) (841) Net Gain On Derivative Instruments - (11) (34) (118) Net (Gain) Loss On Investments 250 (63) 461 (285) Net (Gain) Loss On Extinguishment Of Debt (1,633) - (4,017) 458 Other Income - (474) (3,256) (474) Non-Cash Compensation Expense 2,093 1,929 7,811 6,513 Adjusted Income Before Income Taxes 24,575 25,292 59,958 56,505 Income Taxes 10,322 10,623 25,182 23,732 Adjusted Net Income $14,253 $14,669 $34,776 $32,773 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted, As Reported 36,375 37,658 36,990 38,867 Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted (Adjustment Required As - - 34 - Not Anti-Dilutive) Weighted Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 36,375 37,658 37,024 38,867 Adjusted Net Income Per Share - Diluted $0.39 $0.39 $0.94 $0.84 PRIOR YEAR'S DATA Fourth Quarter 2007 As Reported And Same Station Three Months Ended December 31, 2007 Reconciliation Of GAAP Net Revenues To Same Station Net Revenues: Net Revenues $120,550 Net Acquisitions And Divestitures Of Radio Stations 950 Same Station Net Revenues $121,500 Reconciliation Of GAAP Station Operating Expenses: Station Operating Expenses $68,673 Non-Cash Compensation Expense Included In Station Operating Expenses (240) Net Acquisitions And Divestitures Of Radio Stations 950 Same Station Operating Expenses $69,383

SOURCE: Entercom Communications Corp.

Entercom Communications Corp. Steve Fisher Executive Vice President-Operations and Chief Financial Officer 610-660-5647