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Gray Media, Inc.

gtn · NYSE Communication Services
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FY2020 Annual Report · Gray Media, Inc.
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Results for Announcement to the Market 

GTN Limited 
ABN 38 606 841 801 
Year ended 30 June 2020 
(Previous corresponding period: 
Year ended 30 June 2019) 

$’000 

Revenue from ordinary activities  

 13.0% 

to 

160,940 

Profit from ordinary activities after tax 
attributable to members  

down 

down 

98.0% 

to 

Net profit for the period attributable to 
members 

down 

98.0% 

to 

319 

319 

Dividends/distributions 

Amount per security 

Franked amount per 
security 

Final dividend 

Interim dividend 

NTA Backing 

N/A 

$0.014 

N/A 

70% 

2020 

2019 

Net tangible asset backing per ordinary share 
Net tangible assets consist of net assets less goodwill and intangible assets without any adjustment 
for deferred tax liabilities related to purchased intangible assets. 

$0.36 

$0.39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
ABN 38 606 841 801 
Annual Report 2020 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 

Item 

Chairman and CEO’s Letter
About GTN 
Corporate Governance
Directors’ Report 
Remuneration Report
Auditor’s Independence Declaration
Consolidated Financial Report 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Directors’ Declaration 
Independent Auditor’s Report
Shareholder Information 
Corporate Directory

Page 

1
3 
6
7 
21
30
31 
37
80 
81
85 
88

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S LETTER 

Dear Shareholders, 

On  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  we  are  pleased  to  present  GTN  Limited’s  (“GTN”  or  the 
“Company”) annual report for fiscal year ended 30 June 2020. 

The results of the year were severely impacted by economic downturn from the COVID-19 
pandemic. However, revenue for the first three fiscal quarters of the year was up 2% despite 
several million dollars of COVID related cancellations that occurred during the last two weeks of 
March.  Management believes that, absent the crisis, the year would have been one of solid 
revenue growth. 

GTN reported annual net revenues of $160.9 million which was down 13% when compared with 
the previous year.   Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was down 57% compared to 
last year, leading to the revenue decline for the year.  The revenue decline caused a sharp 62% 
decrease in Adjusted EBITDA, which decreased to $14.2 million for the fiscal year.  While 
operating expenses decreased by $0.8 million, the Group’s costs are primarily fixed in the short 
term, especially station compensation which is often contracted for multiple years.  While the 
drop in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was disappointing, there were a number of positive 
developments that occurred in the nine months leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic: 

● BTN opened the Curitiba market during FY20.  Although the added costs contributed to the 
drop in EBITDA for the year, we believe that increasing our national footprint in Brazil will 
increase revenue in the future.  This growth strategy was paying off as Brazil was our fastest 
growing market up to March 2020, achieving nine consecutive months of record revenue when 
compared to the same month in previous years. 

● After a slow start to the year, CTN, under new local management, was delivering some of the 
largest year on year revenue months in its history up to March 2020. 

● For the first time in the Company’s history, Australia accounted for less than half of the 
Group’s consolidated revenue.  We believe that the geographic diversification of the Group’s 
revenue and earnings is a positive sign for the future. 

● During the past fiscal year, we returned $16.7million to shareholders, $10.2 million in the form 
of dividends (FY19 final and FY20 interim dividends) and $6.5 million from the share buyback, 
retiring 8.7 million shares. 

Our strategy to deal with the current difficult environment and put the Company in a position to 
take advantage of expected stronger markets in the future is to protect our two most valuable 
assets, radio and television network contracts and our seasoned sales and management teams.    
We have put in place measures to conserve cash and eliminate expenses where possible.  In 
certain instances, we have had to make tough decisions, including a reduction in entry level 
sales staff and the termination of our Nine Radio affiliate contract.  These cost cuts, combined 
with our strong balance sheet, enables our business to be resilient during this downturn. 

The Company refinanced its bank facility in May 2020, which was due to expire in February 
2021.  The new facility has no scheduled principal repayments and the due date has been 
extended to 30 September 2023.   However, the revised facility limits distributions (including 
dividends and share buybacks) to 100% of NPATA, which will limit our ability to pay dividends or 
purchase shares until our business rebounds. As part of the refinance our lead lender took over 
the entire facility, which was previously shared among two lenders.  We believe this commitment 
from our lead lender is a strong sign of confidence in the Company. 

At 30 June 2020, our cash balance was $57.0 million and our net debt (including lease liabilities 
recognized under AASB 16) was only $7.4 million. Our total gearing ratio of net debt to Adjusted 
EBITDA was 0.52x as of 30 June 2020. The Board has decided against declaring a final 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
dividend for FY20 in order to further conserve cash.  While the share buyback is still in place, we 
have elected to conserve cash rather than repurchase shares while our business is struggling in 
the current economic climate. These decisions, along with our strong balance sheet and low 
leverage will allow the Company to navigate through these difficult global advertising conditions.  
We are confident that we have ample liquidity, even if the recovery is a slow one extending into 
calendar year 2021.  

It would be remiss not to point out the outstanding efforts of our operations and IT employees 
around the globe.  Once it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic would make it impossible 
to continue to work from our traditional offices, they made the transition to working remotely from 
home seamless. 

We look forward to the challenges of FY21. We have maintained a strong balance sheet and we 
have retained our excellent management team.  These factors coupled with strategic cost cuts, 
positions us favourably to capitalize on the expected advertising recovery.   

William L. Yde III 
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer 

Robert Loewenthal 
Chairman 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
About GTN 

Overview of GTN 
GTN provides a broad reach advertising platform that enables advertisers to reach large 
audiences frequently and effectively. GTN is one of the largest broadcast media advertising 
platforms by audience reach in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Brazil. 

GTN is the largest supplier of traffic information reports to radio stations in its operating 
geographies. In exchange for providing these and other reports and also cash compensation in 
most instances, GTN receives commercial advertising spots adjacent to traffic, news and 
information reports from its large network of radio and television stations (“Affiliates”). The 
spots are bundled together by GTN and sold to advertisers on a national, regional or specific 
market basis.  

GTN’s advertising platform provides advertisers with high impact campaigns because 
advertisements are ideally placed during peak audience times and are aired frequently across 
large audiences. GTN’s advertisements are short in duration, adjacent to engaging information 
reports and are often read live on the air by well-known radio and television personalities. This 
product is designed to create high audience engagement and high recall among listeners, 
leading to a high return on investment for advertisers.  

This has enabled GTN to establish longstanding relationships with large, national advertisers, 
resulting in strong growth in revenue since GTN’s inception.  

GTN has successfully established itself within its Affiliates’ operations by providing them with 
quality, timely and important information. In most cases, GTN also provides cash compensation 
to Affiliates in exchange for advertising spots, which, in many cases, allows Affiliates to convert 
an important programming segment from a cost centre to a profit centre. This stable income 
stream can constitute a material portion of the Affiliates’ overall profits, further solidifying GTN’s 
position within their operations.  

GTN currently operates in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Brazil, four of the 10 
largest advertising markets in the world. GTN began operations in Australia in 1997 and has 
selectively and successfully expanded into other attractive markets. 

In FY2020, 96% of GTN’s Revenues were generated through the sale of radio advertising spots 
and 4% were generated through the sale of television advertising spots. 

Overview of GTN’s divisions 

Country 

Australia 

Canada 

Kingdom 

Brazil 

United 

Population 

(millions) 

(years) 

25.6 

23 

37.8 

15 

67.9 

212.7 

11 

9 

GTN years of 
operation 

FY 2020 
revenue (1) 

% of FY 2020 
revenue (1) 

GTN 
audience  

(millions) 

79.0 

27.0 

42.6 

12.4 

(%) 

49% 

17% 

26% 

8% 

(#) 

9.9m 
radio (2) 

16.4m 
radio 

27.3m 
radio 

23.6m 
radio 

5.5 m TV 

10.8m TV 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of 
affiliates 

FY 2020 
spots 
inventory  

(#) 

145 radio 

117 radio 

227 radio 

90 radio 

13 TV 

6 TV 

(‘000’s) 

1,077 

686 

19,448(3) 

418 

(1)  Amounts may not add due to rounding 

(2)  Includes 823 thousand listeners in regional markets rated by GfK.  

Excludes listeners in markets not rated by GfK.  The population of the 
markets not rated by GfK but serviced by ATN is approximately 8 million 
persons. 

(3)  The UK market measures inventory and units sold based on impacts 
instead of spots. An impact is a thousand listener impressions. 

Operating model 
GTN provides an advertising platform designed to enable advertisers, generally large national 
advertisers, to reach high-value demographics cost effectively. The advertising spots GTN offers 
are adjacent to information reports that listeners are typically highly engaged with, as this 
content is “of use” to the consumer, such as traffic and news. The advertising spots are generally 
10 seconds long and read live by well-known on-air personalities. GTN obtains radio spots that 
are primarily aired during peak listenership hours (i.e. during morning and afternoon commutes). 
The placement and format of GTN’s advertising spots are designed to maximise efficacy, 
enhance recall and minimise switching during advertisements. 

Advertisers purchase a schedule of radio spots on a national, regional or specific market basis. 
The schedule includes spots on all radio Affiliates in the relevant market. Spots sold in 
advertising packages are allocated on a percentage-based rotation such that each advertiser 
receives a pro rata share of advertising spots on each Affiliate throughout the relevant markets. 
GTN does not sell spots on individual radio Affiliates.  

In order to provide this advertising platform, GTN must appeal to the radio and television stations 
that provide the advertising spots GTN sells to advertisers.  GTN accomplishes this by providing 
Affiliates with information reports at no charge, and in most cases, provides cash compensation 
to the Affiliates in exchange for advertising spots, allowing Affiliates, in many cases, to turn an 
important programming segment from a cost centre into a profit centre. Affiliate contracts are 
typically multi-year, generally cover all of an Affiliate’s stations across the relevant market and 
provide a fixed number of spots over the life of the agreement.  

By focusing on traffic reports, GTN believes it provides a better product to its Affiliates than the 
stations could create on their own.  GTN collates information for its traffic reports from a range of 
sources including aircraft, access to government traffic centres, third party providers, radio 
scanners and station listener lines, to provide up-to-the-minute information to Affiliates. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN value proposition 

Revenue model 
GTN primarily generates revenue by selling schedules of advertising spots to advertisers. The 
majority of GTN’s advertising revenue is generated through advertising agencies who have been 
engaged by advertisers. In these situations, GTN attempts to maintain a relationship with the 
advertisers directly to assist with the sale process. GTN also sells some spots directly to 
advertisers.  

Each of GTN’s operating geographies has generally been able to grow its spots inventory each 
year. Inventory is grown either through expanding the Affiliate network (in existing or new 
markets) or growing the number of spots under contract with existing Affiliates.  

GTN can accommodate orders from advertisers with short lead times, providing advertisers the 
flexibility to conduct timely and relevant campaigns. Advertisers book a significant portion of 
orders not more than four weeks in advance. This short forward sales pipeline is typical for the 
radio business. 

Value proposition to advertisers 
GTN provides a different value proposition to advertisers in comparison with traditional 
advertising models as summarised below. This has enabled GTN to build a loyal customer base, 
comprised primarily of large advertisers.  

•  Audience reach: GTN operates one of the largest broadcast media advertising platforms by 

audience reach in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and Brazil. This enables 
advertisers to communicate with a large number and broad demographic of potential 
consumers.  

•  High frequency: GTN’s advertisements are heard frequently throughout the day on every 
Affiliate in the purchased market or region, enabling advertisers to communicate their 
message repeatedly. This format is designed to maximise efficacy, enhance recall and 
minimise switching during advertisements.  

•  High engagement: GTN’s advertising spots are adjacent to information reports that have 

been found to be useful and engaging for listeners. In 2015, GTN commissioned a research 
study conducted by Neuro Insight which measured brain activity and demonstrated that traffic 
update content was the most engaging content for listeners.  

• 

Ideal placement: A large proportion of GTN advertising spots are aired during morning and 
afternoon commute periods, which generally have the largest audience.  

•  High recall: GTN’s advertisements are designed to provide high recall rates by being short in 

duration (10 seconds), adjacent to information reports and standalone to other 
advertisements. 

5 

 
 
  
•  Audience consistency: Advertisers using GTN’s platform are less exposed to ratings 

swings of individual radio affiliate stations since GTN’s customers receive spots on multiple 
radio station Affiliates. 

•  Audience coverage: GTN sells spots on a national, regional or specific market basis. This 
allows the product to be relevant for both nationally and regionally focused advertisers.  

Value proposition to broadcasters 
GTN provides a strong value proposition to broadcasters as summarised below. This has 
allowed GTN to develop longstanding relationships with Affiliates and consistently grow its 
network of Affiliates. GTN seeks to provide Affiliates with:  
  Tailored content: GTN customizes the information reports that it provides to Affiliates by 

providing pertinent and geographically relevant information that meets the content and style 
requirements of each Affiliate. This helps to ensure that the reports appeal to each Affiliate’s 
target audience;  

  Quality product: GTN commits substantial resources to its information gathering and 

dissemination capabilities, including considerable training of its reporters and producers. 
Consequently, Affiliates receive more substantive and higher quality reports than they would 
likely be able to cost effectively produce themselves; 

  Cost efficiencies: Affiliates utilise GTN’s reports instead of having to procure this 

information on their own, which could require significant capital outlay in order to acquire 
aircraft and other information gathering infrastructure. This allows Affiliates to eliminate the 
non-core operating costs associated with real time content development, which is 
particularly helpful to Affiliates that are not large enough to cost effectively produce traffic 
reports on their own;  

  Contractual earnings: GTN provides station compensation to most Affiliates in the form of 
cash payments. These station compensation payments represent stable recurring cash 
flows for these Affiliates and, in some instances, form a material part of that Affiliate’s overall 
profits; and 

  Revenue opportunity: Affiliates are permitted to sell sponsorships at the opening of an 
information report (i.e. “this report is brought to you by”), providing them with a revenue 
source without a cost base.  

By addressing multiple needs of our radio and television station Affiliates and providing our 
advertising customers with a highly effective advertising vehicle, we are able to meet the needs 
of both constituencies and continue to grow our business. 

Corporate Governance 

The Corporate Governance Statement outlining GTN Limited’s corporate governance framework 
and practices in the form of a report against the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations, 4th Edition, is available on the GTN Limited 
website at http://www.gtnetwork.com.au/home/?page=corporate-governance  in accordance with 
ASX listing rule 4.10.3. The Directors approved the 2020 Corporate Governance Statement on 
27 August 2020. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

The Directors present their report together with the consolidated financial statements of GTN 
Limited and its Controlled Entities (“Group”), for the year ended 30 June 2020 and the auditor’s 
report thereon. 

Directors and Company Secretaries 

Robert Loewenthal 

Independent Non- 
Executive Chairman 

Chairman of the Nomination 
and Remuneration Committee 

Member of the Audit and Risk 
Committee 

William Yde III (“Bill”) 

Managing Director and 
Chief Executive Officer 

Robert Loewenthal has over 10 years of experience in the radio industry. 
He currently operates a private corporate advisory and consulting business, Free 
Trade Hall, and is the founder of the Whooshkaa Podcasting Platform.  

Robert formerly held the role of Managing Director of Macquarie Radio Network, 
where he had previously acted as Chief Operating Officer and company 
secretary. 

Robert is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree 
from The University of Sydney. 

Bill Yde has over 40 years of experience in the radio and media industry. 

Bill co-founded The Australia Traffic Network (“ATN”) in 1997, later co-founding 
Global Traffic Network, Inc. and has served as Chief Executive Officer and 
President since its inception in 2005. 

Prior to forming ATN, Bill founded Wisconsin Information Systems, Inc. (trading 
as the Milwaukee Traffic Network) in 1994, and expanded its operations to 
create traffic networks in Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Albuquerque 
before the business was sold to Metro Networks, Inc. (now part of iHeartMedia, 
Inc.).  Bill had previously owned and operated radio and television stations in 
major markets in the United States. 

Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Indiana University and is 
a Certified Public Accountant. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Ryan AO 

Independent Non- 
Executive Director 

Chairman of the Audit and 
Risk Committee 

Member of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee 

Corinna Keller 

Independent Non- 
Executive Director 

Member of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and Nomination 
and Remuneration Committee 

Anna Sandham 
Joint Company Secretary 

David Ryan AO has over 40 years of experience in commercial banking, 
investment banking and operational business management. 

David is also currently Chairman of Visit Sunshine Coast Limited (formerly 
Sunshine Coast Destination Limited), a director of First American Title Insurance 
Company of Australia Pty Ltd, a director of First Mortgage Services Pty Ltd, a 
director of Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Limited and Board member of the 
Sunshine Coast Events Board. 

David has previously held positions as a non-executive director of GetSwift 
Limited from April 2018 to April 2019, a non-executive director of Lendlease 
Corporation Limited from December 2004 until his retirement in November 2017, 
non-executive director of Aston Resources from 2011 until its merger with 
Whitehaven Coal and as non-executive chairman of Transurban Holdings 
(appointed director in 2003, chairman in 2007, and retired in 2010). 

David holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney 
and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of CPA 
Australia. 

Corinna Keller is Vice President of Advertising Sales for the Americas for CNN 
International Commercial (a WarnerMedia company), which she joined in 
2016.  Corinna oversees the pan-regional ad sales business for CNN 
International, CNN en Español, CNN.com/international and CNNEspañol.com for 
Latin America and clients based in the U.S. and Canada who want to target 
international viewers.   

From 1999 to 2015, Corinna was with Viacom in various roles, her last as Vice 
President, International Marketing Partnerships and Pan-regional Ad Sales, 
running the pan-regional advertising business for Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy 
Central, Paramount Channel and VH1, and a diverse digital portfolio.  She held a 
number of senior positions with Viacom in both the U.S. and Mexico and 
managed client relationships with Fortune 500 companies across the U.S., Latin 
America, Europe and Asia. 

Prior to Viacom, Corinna was in the pay television industry at Turner 
Broadcasting, where she assisted in distribution for the newly launched CNN en 
Español. 

Corinna holds a BAS from Kalamazoo College and speaks English, Spanish, 
German and Portuguese. 

Anna Sandham is a Chartered Company Secretary employed by Company 
Matters Pty Limited.  Anna is an experienced company secretary and 
governance professional with over 20 years’ experience in various large and 
small, public and private, listed and unlisted companies. 

Anna has previously worked for companies including AMP Financial Services, 
Westpac Banking Corporation, BT Financial Group and NRMA Limited. 

Anna is a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, in addition to being a 
member of their Legislative Review Committee. 

Patrick Quinlan 
Joint Company Secretary 

Patrick Quinlan is the finance manager for the Australian and Canadian entities, 
as well as being the joint company secretary for GTN Limited. 

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Business degree from University of Western Sydney, 
is a Certified Practicing Accountant  and a Chartered Company Secretary. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Executives 

The Senior Executives of the Company currently are: 

Scott Cody 

Chief Operating Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer 

Gary Worobow 

Executive Vice President, 
Business and Legal 
Affairs 

Kelly McIlwraith 

Commercial Sales, Marketing & 
Strategy Director 
The Australia Traffic Network 
(“ATN”) 

Scott Cody has over 30 years of experience in the radio media industry. 

Prior to joining Global Traffic Network, Scott held various positions with Metro 
Networks, Inc./ Westwood One, serving as Vice President of Finance from 1997 
to 2002 and Senior Vice President of Business Development from 2002 to 2005. 

Prior to joining Metro Networks, Inc./ Westwood One, Scott was Vice President 
of Finance for Tele-Media Broadcasting Company. 

Scott graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Juniata 
College. 

Gary Worobow has over 25 years of experience in the radio and media industry. 

He was previously a member of the Global Traffic Network Board from 2006 to 
2009. Prior to joining Global Traffic Network, Gary held the position of Executive 
Vice President and General Counsel of Five S Capital Management, Inc. from 
2006 to 2009, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs and Business 
Development for Metro Networks Inc./ Westwood One, Inc. from 2003 to 2006 
and as Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1999 to 2002. 

Gary was a founder and the General Counsel of Columbus Capital Partners and 
held the positions of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and board member 
for Metro Networks, Inc./ Westwood One from 1995 to 1999.  

Gary holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester, a Masters of 
Business Administration from the Simon School, University of Rochester and a 
Juris Doctor from the Fordham Law School. 

Kelly McIlwraith has over 20 years’ experience in the advertising industry in both 
the UK and Australia working in media agencies and sales organisations in 
sales, strategy, research and marketing roles. 

Kelly joined ATN in 2015 as Marketing Strategy Director.  

Prior to joining ATN, Kelly was General Manager of Strategy for oOh! Media and 
was a member of their senior executive team and held senior positions at media 
agencies Mediacom and Mediaedge. 

Kelly was previously a judge for the POPAI Marketing at Retail Awards and a 
member of the MOVE Committee (outdoor audience measurement). 

Victor Lorusso (“Vic”) 

Chief Operations Manager 
ATN 

Vic Lorusso has over 20 years of experience in the media industry, all of those 
with ATN in various operational and management positions. 

Vic is currently the Chief Operations Manager for ATN after joining in 1999. 

Vic is also an airborne traffic reporter for the Ten Network and various radio 
stations. In addition to his role with ATN, Vic is associated with a number of 
charities throughout the country including the Variety Children’s Charity, Redkite, 
Miracle Babies Foundation, Diabetes Association NSW, Cure Cancer Foundation 
and the Special Olympics Foundation. 

Vic has a Business Licence for Real Estate. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Quinn 

Chief Operating Officer 
United Kingdom Traffic Network 
(”UKTN”) 

John Quinn has over 30 years of experience in the radio and media industry. 

John is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Global Traffic Network’s United 
Kingdom operations after joining Global Traffic Network in 2009 following its 
acquisition of UBC Media’s commercial division. 

Prior to the acquisition, John was the Chief Operating Officer and a director of 
UBC Media (a company listed on AIM, a sub-market of the London Stock 
Exchange) and has held numerous other sales and management positions within 
the United Kingdom commercial radio industry. 

Meetings of Directors 

The number of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees that were held during the 
year and the number of meetings attended by each director are summarised in the table below. 

Board 

Audit and Risk  
Management  
Committee 

Nomination and 
Remuneration 
Committee 

Held 

Attended 

Held 

Attended 

Held 

Attended 

William Yde III 

David Ryan 

Robert 
Loewenthal 

Corinna Keller  

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

- 

4 

4 

4 

- 

4 

4 

4 

- 

4 

4 

4 

- 

4 

4 

4 

Principal activities  

The principal activity of GTN during the course of the financial year was that of provider of an 
advertising platform to advertisers in Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil.   

Operating Strategy 

The Company’s operating strategy is to grow its business through the obtaining of more 
advertising inventory and selling a higher proportion of and obtaining a higher price per unit for 
its advertising inventory.  The Company strategy to obtain more advertising inventory consists of 
the following: 

•  Obtain more advertising inventory from existing radio and television stations for existing 

products.  This is primarily accomplished by the payment of higher station 
compensation. 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Have existing radio stations provide advertising inventory outside traditional traffic 

reporting, such as the number of stations in Australia where we currently receive 
advertising inventory adjacent to news reports. 

•  Expansion into additional operating regions within our current countries, such as the 

expansion into additional regional markets in Australia and opening the Campinas, 
Brasilia and Curitiba markets during the past two fiscal years in Brazil. 

This growth strategy is subject to a number of risks, some of which are out of our control.  Some 
of these risks and our strategy for mitigating them are as follows: 

Loss of key radio station Affiliates 
In FY 2020, 96% of our revenue came from the sale of advertising inventory obtained from our 
radio station Affiliates.  Loss of significant radio station Affiliates would have a material impact on 
our revenue.  We attempt to defend against this risk in the following ways: 

•  Provide a high-quality product that resonates with stations’ listeners and would be 

difficult for the stations to replicate in a cost-effective manner, if at all. 

•  For the most important radio stations, pay a significant amount of cash to the stations in 
the form of station compensation.  For our most important Affiliates, this amount has 
become a significant portion of their EBITDA based on our review of their public filings. 

Potential impact of Company’s fixed cost structure 
A substantial majority of Company’s costs are fixed and difficult to reduce in the short term, in 
particular, compensation paid to radio stations, which is the largest expense of the Group. In 
addition to being fixed, the majority of station compensation costs are contractual and often 
committed to for a number of years and thus cannot be reduced in the short run. These fixed 
costs mean that any decrease in revenue could largely flow through to earnings and therefore 
disproportionately adversely affect GTN’s future financial performance and cash flows. The 
impact of the Group’s fixed cost structure has been demonstrated during the COVID-19 
pandemic as we have been unable to date to reduce expenses sufficiently to maintain positive 
Adjusted EBITDA or profit before tax. 

Decline in demand for traffic reports on radio 
Individuals have other means of getting traffic information, including the internet, smart phone 
apps, navigation systems, etc. and we expect that such options will continue to proliferate in the 
future.  It is possible that in the future that such other options will decrease the demand for our 
traffic reports from radio stations. We attempt to defend against this possibility in two ways: 

•  First, by paying significant station compensation, we attempt to make it a very difficult 

decision to reduce or eliminate the number of traffic reports broadcast. 

•  Second, since we sell our reports as a network of information reports, we are educating 
clients that the key element is that their spot be adjacent to high demand information 
content, rather than just traffic.  In Australia, approximately 23% of our advertising 
inventory in the five metro markets is adjacent to news reports.  

We believe that combining high levels of compensation to stations to encourage their continued 
provision of advertising inventory with an advertiser base that understands that while traffic is a 
very effective area to place spots today, but is not the only attractive placement option, is the 
best way to protect against a decline in interest in traffic reports broadcast on traditional radio. 

Decline in popularity of radio and television in general 
Virtually all of our revenue is derived from the sale of advertising spots on radio and television 
stations.  A decline in the popularity of these mediums as either an entertainment option or 
advertising medium would likely have a material negative impact on our revenues and 
profitability.  While to a certain extent this risk is out of our control, we have employed several 
strategies to attempt to mitigate this risk: 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
•  Our product is different from traditional radio despite being broadcast on radio stations.  

We sell a broad reach across all demographics with the spots having the further 
advantage of sole placement, adjacent to popular informational programming elements 
that are generally read live by the announcer.  In our opinion, these things make our 
advertising product more effective than traditional radio advertising.  We believe this 
contention is supported by the fact that our revenue growth on a compounded annual 
basis has consistently surpassed that of the overall radio advertising category in the 
markets in which we operate. 

•  We continue to explore other platforms where our content and sales ability would 

translate to.  To date, these explorations have not been successful but we continuously 
and proactively research additional opportunities outside of radio and television. 

Decline in advertising market in general 
Our business model is currently entirely based on the sale of advertising, which is cyclical in 
nature.  While we cannot control the fluctuations in the advertising market, we attempt to mitigate 
this risk by providing a compelling advertising product that is both effective for advertisers and 
not easily replicated by “buying around” our networks.  A certain level of advertising is still sold 
even in down business cycles so we attempt to position ourselves as a key portion of an 
advertiser’s strategy, even if they are reducing their overall expenditures. However, the 
limitations of this approach have been demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as 
advertisers in our markets have sharply reduced their demand for advertising, which has had a 
material impact on our revenue and profitability. 

Expansion into new markets 
Expansion into new markets entails risk as there is an upfront investment of monetary resources 
to purchase equipment (often helicopters) and to fund the initial operating losses and working 
capital requirements.  There is also the opportunity cost of a diversion of management’s time 
and focus away from the current operations.  The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by a 
thorough due diligence process prior to committing significant resources to a new market.  In 
addition, the Company hires virtually all of its employees in the local market, which gives market 
insights that would not otherwise be readily available.  The Company believes by training local 
personnel in the Company’s business model, the likelihood of success is increased.  

Foreign exchange fluctuations can have a negative impact on financial performance 
A significant portion of our revenues (51% in FY 2020) are generated outside of Australia and 
subject to currency exchange fluctuations between AUD and the local currency of those entities.  
We expect the portion of revenue subject to foreign exchange fluctuations will increase in the 
future as we anticipate that our Canada and Brazil operations will grow faster than the overall 
Group revenues.  We do not hedge for foreign currency fluctuations at this time and currently do 
not have an intention to do so although we may enter into such hedging arrangements in the 
future.  This risk is mitigated by each country incurring virtually all their expenses in local 
currency as well.  The impact of this is should revenue be reduced by an unfavourable currency 
movement, expenses will also be reduced, which would be considered a favourable movement.  
The negative impact to the financial statements is only on the net difference between the 
revenue and expenses.  However, this net amount can still be material based on the magnitude 
of the currency shifts and the profitability of the operating segment affected. 

Review and Results of Operations 

Operating and Financial Review 

Revenue for FY 2020 decreased 13% to $160.9 million.  The entire decrease in revenue 
pertained to 4Q FY 2020 (which decreased 57% compared to 4Q FY 2019) as year to date 
revenue increased 2% through 3Q FY 2020. Due to the fixed cost nature of our business, 
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA decreased 81% and 62% respectively for FY 2020 because of 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
the decrease in revenue.  The non-IFRS measurements used are defined in the table below and 
further discussed later in this report.   

(m)(4) 

Revenue  

EBITDA (2) 

Adjusted EBITDA (3) 

NPAT 

NPATA (1) 

FY20 

FY19 

% Difference  

160.9 

185.0 

5.5 

14.2 

0.3 

4.9 

29.2 

37.5 

15.7 

20.3 

(13)% 

(81)% 

(62)% 

(98)% 

(76)% 

(75)% 

NPATA per share (cents) 

$0.02 

$0.09 

(1) 

 NPATA is defined as net profit after tax (NPAT) adjusted for the tax effected amortization arising from 
acquisition related intangible assets. 

(2)  EBITDA is defined as net profit after tax (earnings) before the deduction of interest expense/income, income 

taxes, depreciation and amortization. 

(3)  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adding back the non-cash interest income related to the long-term 

prepaid affiliation agreement with Southern Cross Austereo which is treated as a financing transaction, foreign 
exchange gains and losses, losses on debt refinancings, gains on lease forgiveness and transaction costs. 

(4)  Amounts in tables may not add due to rounding. Percentage changes based on actual amounts prior to 

rounding. 

Revenue 

Group revenue was down 13% compared to FY 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic. The Australia market constituted 49% of the Group’s revenue for FY 2020 which is 
the first time Australia has accounted for less than half the Group’s revenue for a fiscal year. 

FY20 Revenue by Geographic Segment  

(m)(4) 

Australia (ATN) 

Canada (CTN) 

United Kingdom (UKTN) 

Brazil (BTN) 

Total  

FY20 

FY19 

% Difference 

79.0 

27.0 

42.6 

12.4 

93.9 

33.2 

45.2 

12.6 

160.9 

185.0 

(15.9)% 

(18.8)% 

(5.9)% 

(1.6)% 

(13.0)% 

Revenue in local currency increased in Brazil while decreasing in Canada and United Kingdom.   
Fluctuations in exchange rates benefitted the Canada and United Kingdom segments while 
acting as a headwind in Brazil. 

FY20 Revenue by Geographic Segment – Local Currency 

(m)(4) 

Australia (ATN) (AUD) 

Canada (CTN) (CAD) 

United Kingdom (UKTN) (GBP) 

Brazil (BTN) (BRL) 

FY19 

% Difference 

93.9 

31.4 

25.0 

34.9 

(15.9)% 

(22.7)% 

(9.3)% 

5.8% 

FY20 

79.0 

24.3 

22.7 

36.9 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA for FY 2020 was $14.2 million, a decrease of 62% from FY 2019 due to the 
decrease in revenue.  Operating expenses (defined as the sum of network operations, station 
compensation, selling, non-cash compensation, general and administrative expenses) 
decreased $0.8 million for the fiscal year.  The primary driver of the decrease was a $3.3 million 
decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily related to lower 
commissions/bonuses due to the lower revenue for the fiscal year.  Station compensation 
increased $2.6 million (3%) while network operations decreased $0.4 million.  Some of the 
elements of the increase in station compensation included twelve months of Rogers in Toronto 
(compared to eight months in FY 2019), an expansion of the relationship with one of the key 
affiliate groups in Australia and additional station compensation in Brazil from additional markets. 

(m)(4) 

Revenue 

Network operations and station 
compensation expenses 

Selling, general and 
administrative expenses 

Equity based compensation 
expense 

Operating expenses 

Net F/X losses 

Loss on refinancing of debt/gain 
on lease forgiveness 

EBITDA 

Interest income on Southern 
Cross Austereo Affiliate Contract 

Net F/X losses 

Loss on refinancing of debt/gain 
on lease forgiveness 

Adjusted EBITDA 

FY20 

160.9 

FY19 

% Difference 

185.0 

(13)% 

(119.3) 

(117.1) 

2% 

(34.8) 

(38.1) 

(9)% 

(0.9) 

(0.6) 

(154.9) 

(155.7) 

(0.1) 

(0.4) 

5.5 

8.2 

0.1 

0.4 

14.2 

- 

- 

29.2 

8.3 

- 

- 

37.5 

50% 

(1)% 

76% 

100% 

(81)% 

(1)% 

76% 

100% 

(62)% 

Segment Adjusted EBITDA 

Adjusted EBITDA by segment decreased across all markets due to the revenue decrease 
related to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

(m)(4) 

Australia (ATN) 

Canada (CTN) 

United Kingdom (UKTN) 

Brazil (BTN) 

Other(6)  

Total  

FY20(7) 

FY19(7)  % Difference 

18.6 

(0.9) 

3.0 

0.5 

(7.0) 

14.2 

32.7 

6.2 

4.4 

1.1 

(6.8) 

37.5 

(43)% 

(114)% 

(31)% 

(53)% 

3% 

(62)% 

(6) Primarily corporate overhead 
(7) Excludes intercompany management fees charged to certain subsidiaries 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NPATA  

The Group reported NPATA of $4.9 million which is a decrease of 76% from FY 2019. The 
decrease in NPATA was primarily due to the tax effected reduced Adjusted EBITDA for the 
period which is discussed above. In addition, NPATA was positively impacted by an 
unanticipated $1.6 million United States tax benefit due to the carry back provisions of the 
CARES Act.   

FY20 Cash Flow  

The Group reported strong cash flow from its operations.  

(m)(4) 

Adjusted EBITDA 

Non-cash items in Adjusted EBITDA 

Change in working capital 

Impact of Southern Cross Austereo 
Affiliate Contract 

Operating free cash flow before capital 
expenditure 

Capital expenditure (excludes assets 
acquired under leases) 

Net free cash flow before financing, tax 
and dividends 

FY20  

14.2 

0.9 

16.5 

2.0 

33.5 

(3.1) 

FY19  

37.5 

0.6 

4.8 

2.0 

44.9 

(3.9) 

30.4 

41.0 

Due to the favourable change in working capital, positive cash impact of the Southern Cross 
Austereo prepayment and low cash capital expenditures, more than 100% of Adjusted EBITDA 
was converted into net free cash flow before financing, tax and dividends. Working capital was 
favourably impacted by a reduction of $18.2 million in accounts receivable as the majority of the 
accounts receivable from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period were collected and replaced by 
the significantly lower revenue achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Company paid 
$10.2 million in dividends during the year ended 30 June 2020, consisting of a final dividend for 
FY 2019 of $7.2 million and an interim dividend for FY 2020 of $3.0 million.  The directors have 
not declared a final dividend for FY 2020.  As a result, despite generating negative EBITDA 
during the fourth quarter of FY 2020, the Group was able to maintain a strong cash balance of 
$57.0 million at 30 June 2020 compared to $50.7 million at 30 June 2019.  

Debt Refinancing 

On 22 May 2020, Gridlock Holdings (Australia) Pty Limited, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of 
the Company entered into a fourth amendment of its bank loan facility, which was scheduled to 
expire in February 2021. The commitment under the amended facility was reduced from $75 
million to $60 million, which was the amount outstanding at the time of the amendment. The 
amended due date of the facility is 30 September 2023 and there are no scheduled principal 
payments prior to the due date. The Group had outstanding bank debt principal at 30 June 2020 
of $60 million, $4.5 million of finance leases (related to the adoption of AASB 16) and net debt 
(debt principal less cash balances) of $7.4 million. The ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA is 
0.52x at 30 June 2020.    Based on the applicable covenants for the Group’s debt facility, the 
leverage was 0.44x at 30 June 2020.  Commencing in FY 2022 the total gearing ratio (“TGR”) 
will be based on gross leverage (debt balances prior to deduction of cash balances) divided by 
EBITDA. The EBITDA used for the calculation of the leverage under the debt facility differs from 
that of Adjusted EBITDA used in this report. Some of the differences include that the debt facility 
is based on the actual cash outlay under the SCA agreement, the exclusion of non-cash equity-
based compensation from EBITDA and the limited ability to include pro forma cost savings in 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
certain instances. The bank facility limits distributions (including dividends and share buybacks) 
to 100% of annual NPATA.  As a result, the Company will not be able to make distributions until 
after its 1H FY 2021 reporting at the earliest.  

Key operating metrics  

Key operating metrics by jurisdiction (local currency)  

Australia  
Radio spots inventory ('000s) 
Radio sell-out rate (%)  
Average radio spot rate (AUD) 

Canada  
Radio spots inventory ('000s)  
Radio sell-out rate (%)  
Average radio spot rate (CAD)  

United Kingdom  
Total radio impacts available ('000) 
Radio sell-out rate (%) 
Average radio net impact rate (GBP) 

Notes 

1 
2 
3 

1 
2 
3 

4 
5 
6 

Brazil  
Radio spots inventory ('000s)  
Radio sell-out rate (%)  
Average radio spot rate (BRL)  

1 
2 
3, 7 

FY20 

1,077 
54% 
128 

686 
51% 
64 

19,448 
89% 
1.3 

418 
46% 
216 

FY19 

1,032 
64% 
137 

655 
66% 
69 

19,435 
99% 
1.3 

315 
50% 
258 

1.
2.
3.
4.

  Available radio advertising spots (primarily adjacent to traffic, news and information reports).  
  The number of radio spots sold as a percentage of the number of radio spots available.  
  Average price per radio spot sold net of agency commission.  
  The UK market measures inventory and units sold based on impacts instead of spots. An impact is a 

thousand listener impressions. 

  The number of impressions sold as a percentage of the number of impressions available.  
  Average price per radio impact sold net of agency commission. 
  Not adjusted for taxes or advertising agency incentives that are deducted from net revenue. 

5.
6.
7.
Foreign exchange rates 

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue and expenses are in a currency other than 
Australia dollars (“AUD”).  The actual annual exchange rates utilized in preparing the annual 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income are as follows: 

FY2020 

Actual 

FY2019 

Actual 

AUD:USD 

AUD:CAD 

AUD:GBP 

AUD:BRL 

0.67 

0.90 

0.53 

2.97 

0.72 

0.95 

0.55 

2.76 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends 

An interim dividend $0.014 per share (70% franked) was paid 31 March 2020. The Board has 
decided to not declare a final dividend for FY 2020. 

Non-IFRS measurements 

●   EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. 

Management uses EBITDA to evaluate the operating performance of the business 
without the non-cash impact of depreciation and amortisation and before interest and tax 
charges, which are significantly affected by the capital structure and historical tax 
position of the Group. 

EBITDA can be useful to help understand the cash generation potential of the business 
because it does not include the non-cash charges for depreciation and amortisation. 
However, management believes that it should not be considered as an alternative to net 
free cash flow from operations and investors should not consider EBITDA in isolation 
from, or as a substitute for, an analysis of the Group’s results of operations; 

●   Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted to include the non-cash interest income arising 
from the long-term prepaid Southern Cross Austereo Affiliate Contract and excludes 
foreign exchange gains or losses, losses on refinancings, gains on lease forgiveness 
and transaction costs. 

Management considers that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure of GTN's 
underlying EBITDA performance.  Otherwise, the EBITDA would reflect significant non-
cash station compensation charges without offsetting non-cash interest income arising 
from the treatment of the contract as a financing arrangement. 

●   NPATA is net profit (loss) after tax adjusted to add-back the tax effected impact of 
amortization of intangible assets related to the purchase accounting arising from 
GTCR’s acquisition of Global Traffic Network, Inc. in September 2011. 

Management considers it appropriate to disclose NPATA because the amortization of 
the intangibles related to purchase accounting is both a non-cash charge and there will 
be no future cash outlays to “replace” these assets once fully amortized.   

Non-IFRS information has not been audited. 

COVID-19 pandemic impact 

As reflected throughout the Directors Report and elsewhere, the global COVID-19 pandemic has 
had a material negative impact on the Company’s business in all of its operating regions.  
Revenue decreased 57% in fourth fiscal quarter 2020 compared to the previous year resulting in 
$(9.2) million of Adjusted EBITDA for the period.  The Group has trimmed costs where 
management feels prudent while also focusing on maintaining the Group’s affiliate network as 
well as proven sales staff and management as it believes these will be essential to maximizing 
revenue and profit once the pandemic has passed.  Due to the fixed cost nature of the Group’s 
business, management believes costs cannot be reduced sufficiently to generate positive 
Adjusted EBITDA or profitability should revenue remain at the levels experienced during fourth 
fiscal quarter 2020.  The largest fixed cost for the Group is station compensation, which is 
payment to radio and television stations to provide the spot inventory which is virtually the 
Group’s sole source of revenue.   

Because of this, management has focused on conserving cash in order to be able to “ride out” 
the COVID-19 pandemic.  Part of this strategy included extending the existing credit facility 
(which was set to expire in February 2021) until 30 September 2023.  Should the Group’s 
financial performance continue as it has since the COVID-19 pandemic, it will enter into 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
covenant default under its facility agreement even though it has sufficient cash to pay its 
obligations as they come due (absent an acceleration of debt).  A covenant default gives the 
lender the ability to accelerate the repayment of the debt facility even in the scenario where all 
scheduled debt service has been made on time and when due.  We do not expect that the 
lender will exercise this option should such a scenario occur for the following reasons: 

1)  The lender extended the loan in May 2020, which was after the COVID-19 

pandemic started to have significant negative impact on the Group’s performance, 
2)  The lender extended over $21 million in new funds to pay off its co-lender in order 

to become sole lender to the Group, and 

3)  The projections provided to the lender indicated the possibility of covenant defaults 

while having sufficient funds to continue to operate the Group. 

However, there can be no assurances should there be a covenant default that the bank facility 
will not be terminated early, and the loan be required to be repaid prior to 30 September 2023.  
In such a scenario, it would be extremely difficult to find a suitable replacement lender on terms 
that the Board finds acceptable, or even at all. Should the Group be unable to refinance its debt, 
it is likely it would either need to raise additional equity or sell part or all of its assets in order to 
repay the outstanding debt.  In such a scenario, there is no guarantee that the Company would 
be able to raise sufficient equity or sell enough Group assets in order to satisfy its outstanding 
debt. 

Likely developments and expected results 
The Group’s prospects and strategic direction are discussed in the Operating Strategy section of 
the Directors’ Report. 

Further information about likely developments in the operations of the Group and the expected 
results of those operations in future financial years has not been included in the report because 
disclosure of the information would be likely to result in prejudice to the Group. 

Significant changes in the state of affairs 
Except as outlined elsewhere in this Directors’ Report, there were no significant changes in the 
affairs of the Group during the fiscal year. 

Events since the end of financial year 
Except as outlined in the Financial Statements and elsewhere in this Directors’ Report, no matter 
or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2020 that has significantly affected the Group’s 
operations, results or state of affairs or may do so in future years. 

Environmental regulation 
The operations of the Group are not subject to any particular or significant environmental 
regulation or law. 

Insurance of officers and Directors 
Pursuant to its constitution, GTN may indemnify Directors and officers, past and present, against 
liabilities that arise from their position as a Director or officer as allowed under law. Under the 
deeds of access, indemnity and insurance, GTN indemnifies each Director against liabilities to 
another person that may arise from their position as a director of GTN to the maximum extent 
permitted by law. The deeds of access, indemnity and insurance stipulate that GTN will 
reimburse and compensate each Director for any such liabilities, including reasonable legal 
costs and expenses, except where a Director’s act is fraudulent, criminal, dishonest or wilfully 
deceitful. 

Pursuant to its constitution, GTN may arrange and maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance for 
its Directors to the maximum extent permitted by law. Under the deeds of access, indemnity and 
insurance, GTN must use reasonable endeavours to obtain such insurance during each 
Director’s period of office and for a period of seven years after a Director ceases to hold office. 
This seven-year period can be extended where certain proceedings or investigations commence 
before the seven-year period expires. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN has obtained insurance in respect to directors’ and officers’ liability for the year ended 30 
June 2020 and thereafter.  These insurance policies insure against certain liabilities (subject to 
exclusions) of persons that have been directors or officers of GTN or its direct or indirect 
subsidiaries to the extent allowed by the Corporations Act 2001. The expense related to this 
insurance was $333 thousand for FY 2020. 

Proceedings on behalf of the Company 
No person has applied to the Court under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001 for leave to 
bring proceedings on behalf of GTN, or to intervene in any proceedings to which GTN is a party, 
for the purposes of taking responsibility on behalf of GTN for all or part of those proceedings. 

No proceedings have been brought or intervened in on behalf of GTN with leave of the Court 
under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Non-audit services 
The Group may decide to employ the auditor on assignments additional to their statutory audit 
duties where the auditor’s expertise and experience with the Group is important.  Details of the 
amounts paid or payable to the auditor for audit and non-audit services provided during the year 
are included in Note 10 of the Consolidated Financial Report. The Group changed auditors from 
PriceWaterhouse Coopers to Grant Thornton Audit Pty Limited (“Grant Thornton”) for the year 
ended 30 June 2020.  Fees for non-audit related services to PriceWaterhouse Coopers for the 
year ended 30 June 2020 include services provided after the appointment of Grant Thornton as 
auditor on 3 June 2020. 

The Board has considered the position and, in accordance with advice received from the Audit 
and Risk Committee, is satisfied the provision of the non-audit services is compatible with the 
general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. The 
Directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services by the auditor, as set forth below, 
did not compromise the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for the 
following reasons: 

● all non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee to ensure 

they do not impact the impartiality and objectivity of the auditor 

● none of the services undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence 

as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. 

During the fiscal year the following fees were paid or payable for non-audit services provided by 
the auditor of GTN and its related practices: 

Taxation services* 
Tax compliance 

Remuneration for taxation services 

Total remuneration for non-audit services 

2020 
$ 

Grant Thornton 

- 

- 

- 

2020 
$ 

PwC 
354,000 

354,000 

2019 
$ 

PwC 
370,000 

370,000 

354,000 

370,000 

*Included in the above fees are amounts paid to network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia. 

Auditor’s independence declaration 
A copy of the auditor’s independence declaration as required under section 307C of the 
Corporations Act 2001 is set forth on page 30. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rounding of amounts 
GTN is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian 
Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the 
Directors’ Report.  Amounts in the Directors’ Report have been rounded off in accordance with 
that ASIC Corporations Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the 
nearest dollar. 

Directors’ interests in shares and options of GTN 
The relevant interests of each Director in the equity of GTN as of the date of this Directors’ 
Report are disclosed in the Remuneration Report. 

This report was made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors. 

Robert Loewenthal 
Chairman 
27 August 2020 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report (audited) 
The directors present the GTN 2020 remuneration report, outlining key aspects of our 
remuneration policy and framework, and remuneration awarded this year. 
The report is structured as follows: 

a)  Key management personnel (KMP) covered in this report 
b)  Remuneration policy and link to performance 
c)  Elements of remuneration 
d)  Link between remuneration and performance 
e)  Remuneration expenses for executive KMP 
f)  Contractual arrangements with executive KMP 
g)  Non-executive director arrangements 
h)  Additional statutory information 

(a)  Key management personnel covered in this report 

Non-executive and executive directors (see pages 7 to 8 - for details about each 
director) 
William Yde III 
David Ryan AO 
Robert Loewenthal 
Corinna Keller 

Other key management personnel 
Name 
Scott Cody 
Gary Worobow 

Position 
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs 

Key management personnel are those executive management members that have 
responsibility and authority for planning, controlling and directing resources for the entire 
group.  Other senior executives, such as jurisdictional management, are not considered 
to be key management personnel for the purposes of the remuneration report as their 
duties are related to their geographic area of operation only and do not extend to 
strategic direction and control of resources of the Group. 

Changes since the end of the reporting period 
None 

(b)  Remuneration policy and link to performance 

Our Nomination and Remuneration committee is made up of non-executive directors (all of 
whom are independent).  The committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board 
about our remuneration policy and structure annually to align it to business needs and meet 
our business principles.  From time to time, the committee may also engage external 
remuneration consultants to assist with this review (see section (h)(v) Reliance on external 
remuneration consultants).  In particular, the policies and practices are designed to: 

● enable the Group to attract, retain and motivate directors, executives and employees 
who will create value for shareholders within an appropriate risk management framework 
by providing remuneration packages that are equitable and externally competitive; 

 ● be fair and appropriate having regard to the performance of the Group and the 
relevant director, executive or employee; 

●foster exceptional human talent and motivate and support employees to pursue the 
growth and success of the Group in alignment with the Group’s values; and 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
● equitably and responsibly reward employees, having regard to the performance of the 
Group, individual performance and statutory and regulatory requirements. 

Remuneration Framework 

Element 

Purpose 

Fixed 
Remuneration 
(FR) 

Provide 
competitive 
market salary 

Short-term 
incentive (STI) 

Long-term 
incentive (LTI) 

Reward for in 
year 
performance 
Alignment to 
long-term 
shareholder 
value 

Performance 
metrics 
N/A 

Potential 
Value 
Varies 

Adjusted EBITDA  

Varies 

Vesting based on 
continued service 
only 

Varies 

Changes for FY21 

Contractual 
increases of 5% 
effective 1 October 
2020 
Targets adjusted on 
an annual basis.  

Contractually 
obligated options 
expected to be 
granted in FY21.  

Balancing short-term and long-term performance 
Annual incentives are set at levels designed to maximize performance.  Long-term 
incentives consist of share options that vest one third after two years and two thirds after 
three years and are designed to align management’s interests with those of the 
shareholders and encourage retention. 

Assessing performance 
The Board has overall responsibility for executive remuneration and receives 
recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.  To assist with its 
assessment of executive compensation the committee receives reports on performance from 
management which are based on independently verifiable data such as financial measures 
and independent market data.  There are no “claw-back” provisions in any of the 
performance-based remuneration plans. 

(c)  Elements of remuneration 

(i) 

Fixed annual remuneration (FR) 

Executives may receive their fixed remuneration as cash or cash with non-monetary benefits 
such as health insurance and similar benefits.  FR is reviewed annually or upon promotion or 
change in circumstance.  Superannuation is included for Australia based employees and 
directors only. 

(ii) 

Short-term incentives (STI) 

Feature 
Maximum 
bonus 

Description 
CEO – $451,307, other executive management $150,127 to 
$232,261 
100% of the maximum bonus is paid for achieving 100% of the 
performance metrics. Board may award discretionary bonus 
for performance that is less than 100% of the performance 
metrics. 

Performance 
Metrics 

Aligns executive compensation with market expectations. 

Metric 
Adjusted 
EBITDA 

Target 
FY20 Board 
approved 

Weighting  Reason 
Adjusted 
100% 
EBITDA is 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted 
EBITDA target 

primary criteria 
by which 
investors judge 
performance 

Delivery of STI  100% paid upon conclusion of fiscal year after completion of 

Board 
discretion 

audit of financial statements 
The Board has discretion to adjust remuneration outcomes up 
or down in certain situations to prevent any inappropriate 
reward outcomes. 

Note: Amounts are paid in USD and amounts to be paid are based on estimated 
USD/AUD exchange rate of 1.4486:1. 

(iii) 

Long-term incentives (“LTIP”) 
Executive key management personnel participate in the LTIP comprising of annual 
grants of options which vest one third after two years and two thirds after three 
years and are subject to performance conditions summarized below. 

Feature 
Allocation 

Current 
Performance 
Metrics 

Description 
CEO 70% FR, Other executive management 50% of FR.  
Target allocation is based on fair value of the grant, which 
vests over three years. 

Vesting is subject to continued employment only.   

Exercise Price  Exercise price equal to share price on date of grant.  

Forfeiture and 
termination 

Options will lapse if performance conditions are not met.  Any 
unvested options granted will be forfeited where the participant 
resigns or is dismissed during the performance period.  
However, if the participant is considered a good leaver their 
unvested options will vest or remain on foot. 

(d) 

Link between remuneration and performance 

The Group’s Adjusted EBITDA performance for fiscal 2020 reached 37% of the 
target set by the board (1% increase over fiscal 2019).  As a result, the board 
awarded executive management 0% of their bonus potential for the period.   

The Group reached its Prospectus Forecast Adjusted EBITDA target for both 
FY2016 and FY2017 and executive management received 100% of their short-term 
incentive potential.  The Group reached 95% its target Adjusted EBITDA from 
continuing operations for FY2018 and executive management received 50% of their 
short-term incentive potential for the year. The Group reached 82% its target 
Adjusted EBITDA for FY2019 and executive management received 0% of their 
short-term incentive potential for the year. 

Performance against key measures and impact on variable remuneration 

(m) 

FY 
2016(1) 

FY 
2017(2) 

FY 
2018(2) 

FY 
2019 

FY 
2020 

Adjusted EBITDA 
Increase/(decrease) 

34,646 
+21% 

48,856 
+41% 

48,140 
(1)% 

37,549 
(22)% 

14,248 
(62)% 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STI paid (% of 
potential) 

100% 

100% 

50% 

0% 

0% 

(1)  Pro forma.  See previous filings for detail of pro forma 

adjustments. 

(2)  Adjusted to reflect disposal of United States Traffic Network 

LLC 

Statutory key performance indicators of the Company over the past five years 

FY 
2020 

FY 
2019 

FY 
2018(1) 

FY 
2017(1) 

FY 
2016 

Profit (loss) from continuing operations 
attributable to owners ($’000’s) 

319 

15,732 

24,831 

28,172 

(17,234) 

Basic earnings (loss) per share 
Dividends paid ($‘000’s) 
Dividend pay-out ratio (%) 

$0.00 
3,015 
945% 

$0.07 
12,561 
80% 

$0.11 
24,719 
100% 

$0.13 
23,216 
82% 

$(0.11) 
- 
N/A 

Increase/(decrease) in share price (%) 

(55)% 

(58)% 

(9)% 

+19% 

N/A 

(1)  Adjusted to reflect disposal of United States Traffic Network LLC 

 (e)         Remuneration expenses for executive KMP 

Fixed remuneration 

Variable 
Remuneration 

Name 

Year 

Cash 
Salary 

Non-
monetary 
benefits 

Post-
employment 
benefits 

Other 

Cash 
bonus 

Equity  
based 
comp 

Total 

(1)(2)(6) 

(2) 

(4)(6) 

(6) 

(3)(7) 

(5) 

Executive 
Management 
William Yde 
III 
(6)(4) 

2020 

1,161,960 

2019 

1,038,547 

Scott Cody 
(6)(4) 

2020 
2019 

749,085 
669,524 

Gary 
Worobow 

(6)(4) 

2020 

620,875 

2019 

554,932 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

35,757 

33,557 

35,757 
33,557 

- 

- 

463,933 

1,661,650 

322,388 

1,394,492 

-  213,633 
-  147,288 

998,475 
850,369 

- 

35,757 

- 

177,069 

833,701 

- 

33,557 

- 

98,963 

687,452 

(1)  Includes superannuation where applicable. 
(2)  Payments for annual leave are considered a component of cash salaries. 
(3)  Amounts based on expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other 

Comprehensive Income. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)  United States based executive management receives cash stipend in lieu of the provision of health 
insurance and similar employee benefits.  The amount of the stipend is USD 2,000 per month. 

(5)  All amounts translated into AUD at the average exchange rate for the year. 
(6)  Paid in United States dollars (USD) except for equity based compensation. 
(7)  Includes amounts expensed for financial statement purposes related to forfeited stock options. 

(f) Contractual arrangements with executive KMP 
CEO Description 

Component 

Fixed remuneration (1) 

Contractual term 
Notice by the 
individual/Company 

Termination of employment 
(without cause) 

Termination of employment 
(with cause) or by the 
individual 

$1,143,422 from 1 October 
2019 to 1 October 2020, 
minimum 5% increase per 
annum thereafter. 

Ongoing contract 
By the Employee voluntarily 
upon at least twelve (12) 
months written notice to the 
Company. Should the 
executive terminate their 
employment, they will be 
entitled to up to one-year 
severance.  Severance is 
calculated based on a 
formula that subtracts the 
required transition time (as 
determined by the 
Company) from the 
maximum one-year period. 
Entitled to pro-rata STI for the year 
By the Company without 
Cause upon twelve (12) 
months written notice to 
Employee. 
Entitled to pro-rata STI for the year 
Immediately 

Other executive 
management description 
Range between $610,969 
and $737,134 from 1 
October 2019 to 1 October 
2020, minimum 5% increase 
per annum thereafter. 
Ongoing contract 
By the Employee voluntarily 
upon at least twelve (12) 
months written notice to the 
Company. Should the 
executive terminate their 
employment, they will be 
entitled to up to one-year 
severance.  Severance is 
calculated based on a 
formula that subtracts the 
required transition time (as 
determined by the Company) 
from the maximum one-year 
period. 

By the Company without 
Cause upon twelve (12) 
months written notice to 
Employee. 

Immediately 

No STI entitlement. 

(1)  Based on USD/AUD exchange rate of 1.4486:1. 

(g) Non-executive director arrangements 
Non-executive directors receive a fixed monthly fee for participating on the board.  They do not 
receive performance-based fees or retirement allowances.  The directors’ fees are inclusive of 
superannuation where applicable.   

The current base fees were reviewed in November 2018.  At that time the chair fee was 
increased to $200,000 per annum (from $128,000) and the independent non-executive director 
base fee was increased to $100,000 per annum (from $90,000).  Fees will be reviewed annually 
by the board taking into account comparable roles at comparable sized companies and other 
available market data.  The board may engage an independent remuneration advisor at its 
discretion. Effective 1 April 2020 the directors agreed to a voluntary 20% reduction of their fees 
to be reviewed on a regular basis due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business. 

Directors are contractually required to purchase Company shares equal to one year’s initial 
salary within three years of joining the board.  In June 2019, the Board modified this requirement 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to allow for up to five years to purchase the requisite shares. Prior to the modification, Robert 
Loewenthal was not in compliance with this provision of his contract. On 23 June 2020 the Board 
modified the requirement to revert to three years.  Currently all directors are in compliance with 
their obligations to purchase Company shares.  Since she joined the Board on 1 March 2019, 
Corinna Keller has until 28 February 2022 to fulfil her share purchase obligation. 

The maximum annual aggregate directors’ fee pool limit is $1,000,000 and was approved by the 
shareholders on 8 November 2017. 

Director compensation plans: 

Chair (2)(3) 
Other independent non-executive directors (1)(3) 

Additional fees 
Audit and risk committee – Chair (3) 
Audit and risk committee – member 
Nomination and remuneration committee – Chair 
Nomination and remuneration committee – 
member 

Base 
Fees 
$200,000 
$100,000 

Current 
Fees (3) 
$160,000 
$80,000 

$40,000 
- 
- 
- 

$32,000 
- 
- 
- 

(1)  Corinna Keller is paid $72,000 USD per annum which approximated $100,000 AUD 

at the time of her appointment. Currently her director fee is $57,600 USD as 
discussed in footnote (3) below. 

(2)  The chairperson does not receive additional fees for participating in or chairing 
committees, rather this is taken into account as part of their overall director fee. 
(3)  Effective 1 April 2020 the directors agreed to a voluntary 20% reduction of their fees 
to be reviewed on a regular basis due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s 
business. 

All non-executive directors enter into a service agreement with the Company in the form of a 
letter of appointment.  The letter summarises the board policies and terms, including 
remuneration, relevant to the office of director. 

Non-executive director remuneration 

Name 

Year 

Base fee 

Audit and Risk 
Committee 

Remuneration 
and 
Nomination 
Committee 

R Loewenthal  

D Ryan 

C Keller (1)(2) 

2020 
2019 

2020 
2019 

2020 
2019 

190,000 
176,000 

95,000 
96,667 

101,919 
34,183 

- 
- 

38,000 
40,000 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 

Total 

190,000 
176,000 

133,000 
136,667 

101,919 
34,183 

Total non-
executive director 
remuneration 

2020 

386,919 

38,000 

- 

424,919 

2019 

306,850 

40,000 

- 

346,850 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  Paid in United States dollars (USD).  Amount translated into AUD based on same 

exchange rates as annual financial statements. 

(2)  Appointed effective 1 March 2019 

Whooska Podcasting Platform, a company controlled by Robert Loewenthal, provides 
podcasting hosting services to the Group at no charge.  The fair-market value of the service 
provided is de minimus. 

Visit Sunshine Coast, a company of which David Ryan is chairman of the board of directors, has 
purchased advertising from the Group’s Australian subsidiary.  The amount purchased for the 
past two fiscal years was as follows: 

FY 2020 
FY 2019 

$36,720 
    2,100 

(h) Additional statutory information 

(i) 

Relative proportions of fixed vs variable remuneration expense 

The following table shows the relative proportions of remuneration that are linked to performance 
and those that are fixed, based on the amounts disclosed as statutory remuneration expense 
above: 

Relative proportions of fixed vs variable remuneration expense 

Name 
Executive directors 
W Yde 

Fixed 
remuneration 
2020 

72% 

Other key management personnel of the group 
79% 
S Cody 
79% 
G Worobow 

At Risk – STI 

At Risk – LTI* 

2020 

2020 

-% 

-% 
-% 

28% 

21% 
21% 

* Where applicable, the expenses include negative amounts for expenses reversed during 
the year 

(ii) 

Performance based remuneration granted and forfeited during the year 

The following table shows for each KMP how much of their STI cash bonus was awarded and 
how much was forfeited.  It also shows the value of options that were granted, exercised and 
forfeited during FY 2020.  

Total STI bonus (cash) 

LTI Options(5) 

Total 
Opportunity 
$ 

2020 

464,149 
238,871 
154,400 

Name 
W Yde (1) 
S Cody (2) 
G Worobow (3) 

Awarded 
% 

2020 

0% 
0% 
0% 

27 

Value 
granted 
$ 

2020 

808,371 
372,239 
308,528 

Value 
exercised 
% 

2020 

Forfeited (4) 
% 

2020 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  USD 311,537.  Amounts in the table have been translated into AUD based on the 

exchange rate used to prepare the financial statements. 

(2)  USD 160,330.  Amounts in the table have been translated into AUD based on the 

exchange rate used to prepare the financial statements. 

(3)  USD 103,633.  Amounts in the table have been translated into AUD based on the 

exchange rate used to prepare the financial statements. 

(4)  Represents percentage of unvested LTI Options outstanding at 1 July 2019 that 

were forfeited. 

(5)  Unvested options vest on a service time-based vesting criterion.  Options vest if 

the grantee is employed by the Group at the vesting date without further 
performance hurdles.  One third of the options vest on the second anniversary of 
the grant whilst the remainder vest on the third anniversary of the grant. 

FY2020 

Name  

W Yde 

S Cody 

G 
Worobow  

(iii) 

Terms and conditions of equity-based payment arrangements. 

Balance 
at the 
start of 
the year 
Unvested 

Granted: 
15 
November 
2019 

Vested 

Exercised 

Forfeited 

# 

% 

# 

% 

Balance at the end of 
the year 

Vested 

Unvested 

1,064,594 

4,051,236 

- 

- 

490,225 

1,865,519 

- 

- 

406,321 

1,546,224 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

390,791 

5,115,830 

- 

- 

176,788 

2,355,744 

- 

- 

83,742 

1,952,545 

Ordinary Shares 
FY2020 

Name 

Balance at 
the start of 
year 

Received 
during the 
year on 
exercise of 
stock 
options 

Shares 
Purchased 

Shares 
Sold 

Balance at the 
end of the 
year 

W Yde 

3,603,408 

D Ryan (2) 

R Loewenthal (2) 

C Keller 

S Cody 

G Worobow (1) 

75,475 

17,417 

10,500 

- 

10 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

80,876 

47,600 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,603,408 

75,475 

98,293 

58,100 

- 

10 

(1)  Initial shares upon forming GTN Limited. 
(2)  Shares held indirectly through superannuation fund. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(iv) 

Other transactions with key management  

In February 2020, in anticipation of spending additional time in the Australia market, the 
Group rented an apartment for Mr. Yde’s use.  During FY 2020 the Group incurred expenses 
of $74,746 related to the apartment.  The costs related to the apartment have not been 
included in Mr. Yde’s remuneration disclosures since these costs were expected to replace 
reimbursable hotel lodgings expense and it is expected the apartment will be available to 
other travelling Group employees.   

Mr. Yde’s daughter is employed by the Group with accounting and management duties.  Her 
cash salary (translated from USD to AUD at the same exchange rates as the Group’s 
financial statements) was: 

●FY2020 
●FY2019 

$193,317 
$178,340 

The Board considers the compensation received by Mr. Yde’s daughter to be consistent with 
the compensation that would be paid to unrelated third parties for a similar position and thus 
has not included any of these payments in Mr. Yde’s remuneration disclosures. 

(v) 

Reliance on external remuneration consultants 

No external remuneration consultants were engaged during FY 2020. 

(vi) 

Voting of shareholders at last year’s annual general meeting 

During the last annual general meeting, the shareholders voted 71.97% in favour of adoption 
of the remuneration report for the year ended 30 June 2019 and therefore constitutes a ‘first 
strike’ for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).   

The Board is committed to ongoing and transparent engagement with all stakeholders.  It will 
continue to review the effectiveness of the Company’s remuneration practices and their 
alignment with strategic performance objectives to appropriately rewards its executives and 
deliver shareholder value. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 17, 383 Kent Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Correspondence to: 
Locked Bag Q800 
QVB Post Office 
Sydney NSW 1230 

T +61 2 8297 2400 
F +61 2 9299 4445 
E info.nsw@au.gt.com 
W www.grantthornton.com.au 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration  

To the Directors of GTN Limited  

In accordance with the requirements of section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, as lead auditor for the audit of GTN 

Limited for the year ended 30 June 2020, I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been: 

a 

b 

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd 
Chartered Accountants 

S M Coulton 
Partner – Audit & Assurance 

Sydney, 27 August 2020 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 
a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Ltd ABN 41 127 556 389 

www.grantthornton.com.au 

‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients 
and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Ltd is a member firm of Grant Thornton International 
Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are 
delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one 
another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to 
Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. GTIL is not an Australian related entity to 
Grant Thornton Australia Limited. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited  
ACN 606 841 801 

Consolidated Financial Report 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents 

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Page 

33 

34 

35 

36 

37 

80 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and 
Other Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Revenue 
Other income 
Interest income on long-term prepaid affiliate contract 
Gains on lease forgiveness 
Network operations and station compensation expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Equity based compensation expenses  
Depreciation and amortisation  
Finance costs 
Loss on refinancing of debt 
Foreign currency transaction loss 

Profit (loss) before income tax 

Income tax benefit (expense) 

Profit for the year 

Notes 

7 
7 
7 
7 

23 
8 
8 

8 

9 

2020 
$’000 
160,940 
252 
8,242 
52 
(119,328) 
(34,751) 
(855) 
(11,771) 
(2,910) 
(447) 
(72) 

2019 
$’000 
184,969 
259 
8,325 
- 
(117,083) 
(38,093) 
(569) 
(11,208) 
(3,642) 
- 
(41) 

(648) 

22,917 

967 

319 

(7,185) 

15,732 

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of income tax: 

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss 

Foreign currency translation reserve 

(1,609) 

2,309 

Total other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

(1,609) 

2,309 

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

(1,290) 

18,041 

Earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders: 

Basic and diluted earnings per share 

21 

$0.00 

$0.07 

Total profit for the year and other comprehensive income (loss) are fully attributable to members of the Company 

This statement should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

As at 30 June 2020 

Assets 
Current 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax asset 
Other current assets 

Current assets 

Non-current 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Deferred tax assets 
Other assets 

Non-current assets 

Total assets 

Liabilities 
Current 
Trade and other payables 
Contract liabilities 
Current tax liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
Provisions 

Current liabilities 

Non-current 
Trade and other payables 
Financial liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities  
Provisions 

Non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets  

Equity 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

Notes 

11 
12 
16 
13 

15 
14 
14 
16 
13 

17 
19 
16 
20 
18 

17 
20 
16 
18 

22 

2020 
$’000 

57,040 
19,910 
6,700 
2,856 

86,506 

9,858 
45,686 
95,998 
4,269 
94,988 

250,799 

337,305 

30,874 
1,266 
- 
1,525 
932 

34,597 

74 
62,768 
20,344 
416 

83,602 

118,199 

219,106 

2019 
$’000 

50,728 
38,091 
2,479 
3,481 

94,779 

10,459 
52,172 
96,179 
2,975 
96,139 

257,924 

352,703 

32,596 
534 
306 
1,155 
939 

35,530 

73 
61,393 
18,997 
454 

80,917 

116,447 

236,256 

437,508 
8,464 
(226,866) 

219,106 

444,041 
9,218 
(217,003) 

236,256 

This statement should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Notes 

Balance at 30 June 2018 

Total comprehensive income: 
Net profit 

Other comprehensive income 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: 

Dividends 

Shares repurchased and retired 

Equity based compensation 

Balance at 30 June 2019 

Total comprehensive income: 

Net profit 

Other comprehensive income (loss) 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners 

Dividends 

Shares repurchased and retired 

Equity based compensation 

Balance at 30 June 2020 

22 

Issued 
Capital  
$’000 
444,981 

- 
- 

- 

(940) 

- 

(940) 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

444,041 

(24,655) 

- 

- 

- 

(6,533) 

- 

(6,533) 

437,508 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(24,655) 

Common 
Control 
Reserve 
$’000 
(24,655) 

Foreign Currency 
Translation Reserve 
$’000 
28,081 

Equity Based 
Payments  
Reserve 
$’000 

2,914 

Accumulated 
Losses 
$’000 
(202,623) 

Total  
Equity 
$’000 
248,698 

- 
2,309 

2,309 

- 

- 

- 

2,309 

30,390 

- 

(1,609) 

(1,609) 

- 

- 

- 

(1,609) 

28,781 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

569 

569 

15,732 
- 

15,732 

(30,112) 

- 

- 

15,732 

2,309 

18,041 

(30,112) 
(940) 

569 

(14,380) 

(12,442) 

3,483 

(217,003) 

236,256 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

855 

855 

319 

- 

319 

(10,182) 

- 

- 

319 

(1,609) 

(1,290) 

(10,182) 
(6,533) 

855 

(9,863) 

(17,150) 

4,338 

(226,866) 

219,106 

This statement should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Operating activities 
Receipts from customers 
Payments to suppliers and employees 
Interest received 
Finance costs 
Income tax paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

Investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Financing activities 
Shares repurchased 
Dividends paid 
Deferred financing costs 
Principal elements of lease payments 

Net cash used in financing activities 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents 

Notes 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

200,552 
(166,021) 
252 
(2,402) 
(3,835) 

209,285 
(167,151) 
259 
(2,959) 
(5,993) 

25 

28,546 

33,441 

(3,131) 

(3,131) 

(3,929) 

(3,929) 

(6,533) 
(10,182) 
(195) 
(1,571) 

(18,481) 

6,934 
50,728 
(622) 

(940) 
(30,112) 
- 
(1,291) 

(32,343) 

(2,831) 
52,232 
1,327 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 

11 

57,040 

50,728 

Non-cash financing and investing activities: 
Property acquired under leases 

2,852 

4,737 

This statement should be read in conjunction with the notes to the financial statements. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

1 

Corporate information 

Nature of operations 
GTN Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”’) derives a substantial majority of its 
revenues from the sale of commercial advertising commercials adjacent to traffic and news information 
reports that are broadcast on radio and/or television stations in Australia and international markets, including 
Canada, the United Kingdom and Brazil. The Group obtains these advertising commercials from radio and 
television stations. 

General information 
GTN Limited is a company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The address of GTN 
Limited’s registered office and its principal place of business is Level 42, Northpoint, 100 Miller Street North 
Sydney, NSW Australia 2060. 

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2020 (including comparatives) were 
approved and authorised for issuance on 27 August 2020. The directors have the power to amend and reissue 
the financial statements. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Summary of significant accounting policies 

2 
The significant accounting policies that have been used in the preparation of these consolidated financial 
statements are summarised below.  These policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented 
unless otherwise stated.  The financial statements are for the Group consisting of GTN Limited and its 
subsidiaries. 

2.1  Basis of preparation 
These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 
2001. GTN Limited is a for-profit entity for the purpose of preparing the financial statements. 

(i) Compliance with IFRS 
The consolidated financial statements of GTN Limited also comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), unless otherwise stated. 

(ii) Historical cost convention 
The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the following: 
● financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) – measured at fair value in profit or loss or 
fair value in other comprehensive income, and 
● assets held for sale – measured at fair value less cost of disposal. 

Certain amounts reported in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 

2.2  Basis of consolidation 
The Group’s financial statements consolidate those of GTN Limited and all of its subsidiaries as of 30 June 
2020.  The Company controls a subsidiary if it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its 
involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the 
subsidiary.  All subsidiaries have a reporting date of 30 June. 

All transactions and balances between the Group are eliminated on consolidation, including unrealised gains 
and losses on transactions amongst the Group and its subsidiaries.  Where unrealised losses on “intra-group” 
asset sales are reversed on consolidation, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment from a Group 
perspective.  Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary 
to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Group. 

Profit or loss and other comprehensive income of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are 
recognised from the effective date of acquisition, or up to the effective date of disposal, as applicable. 

2.3  Business combinations 
The Group applies the acquisition method in accounting for business combinations. 

The consideration transferred by the Group to obtain control of a subsidiary is calculated as the sum of the 
acquisition date fair values of assets transferred, liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the 
Group, which includes the fair value of any asset or liability arising from a contingent consideration 
arrangement.  Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.  

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

The Group recognises identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination regardless 
of whether they have been previously recognised in the acquiree’s financial statements prior to the 
acquisition.  Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally measured at their acquisition-date fair values.  

Goodwill is stated after separate recognition of identifiable intangible assets.  It is calculated as the excess of 
the sum of (a) fair value of consideration transferred; (b) the recognised amount of any non-controlling 
interest in the acquiree; and (c) acquisition-date fair value of any existing equity interest in the acquiree, over 
the acquisition-date fair values of identifiable net assets.  If the fair values of identifiable net assets exceed the 
sum calculated above, the excess amount (i.e. gain on a bargain purchase) is recognised in profit or loss 
immediately.  

2.4  Foreign currency translation 

Functional and presentation currency 
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars (AUD). ATN, Aus Hold Co and 
GTN Limited’s functional currency is Australian dollars (AUD); CTN’s functional currency is Canadian 
dollars (CAD); UK Hold Co, UKTN and UK Commercial’s functional currency is British pounds (GBP); and 
BTN’s functional currency is Brazilian real (BRL).  The remaining subsidiaries functional currency is United 
States dollars (USD).  

The presentation currency for these financial statements is AUD which is the functional currency of the 
largest portion of the Group’s operations. 

Foreign currency transactions and balances 
Foreign currency transactions are translated using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions (spot exchange rate).  Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such 
transactions and from the re-measurement of monetary items at year end exchange rates are recognised in 
profit or loss.  

Loans between Group entities are eliminated upon consolidation.  Where the loan is between Group entities 
that have different functional currencies, the foreign exchange gain or loss is not eliminated and is recognized 
in the consolidated statement of profit and loss unless the loan is not expected to be settled in the foreseeable 
future and thus forms part of the net investment in the foreign operation.  In such a case, the foreign 
exchange gain or loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. 

Non-monetary items are not retranslated at year-end and are measured at historical cost (translated using the 
exchange rates at the date of the transaction), except for non-monetary items measured at fair value which are 
translated using the exchange rates at the date when fair value was determined. 

Foreign operations 
In the Group’s financial statements, all assets, liabilities and transactions of entities with a functional currency 
other than AUD are translated into AUD upon consolidation.  Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on 
the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and 
translated at the closing rate. The functional currency of the entities in the Group has remained unchanged 
during the reporting period.  

39 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

On consolidation, assets and liabilities have been translated into AUD at the closing rate at the reporting date.  
Income and expenses have been translated into AUD at the average rate over the reporting period.  Exchange 
differences are charged/credited to other comprehensive income and recognised in the currency translation 
reserve in equity.  On disposal of a foreign operation the cumulative translation differences recognised in 
equity are reclassified to profit or loss and recognised as part of the gain or loss on disposal.   

2.5  Revenue recognition 
The Group derives a substantial majority of its revenues from the sale of advertising commercials adjacent to 
traffic and news information reports that are broadcast on radio and/or television stations. The stations are 
suppliers of the advertising spots to the Group.  

The Group provides advertising commercials to advertisers and their agencies. In situations where the 
advertisers engage advertising agencies in executing transactions with the Group, the Group records revenue 
based on the amount it expects to receive from the agency and follows the agency’s directions in placing the 
advertisements. Cash considerations are received net of agency commissions provided and are typically due 
after the commercials are broadcast. 

Advertising revenue is earned and recognised when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is when the 
commercial advertisements are broadcast. Revenue is recognised over the period of time which the 
advertising commercial is broadcast as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits over 
this period. 

Payments received in advance are deferred until the advertisements are broadcast and the amounts are 
included as a component of contract liabilities in the accompanying consolidated statement of financial 
position.  Sales taxes, goods and service taxes, value added taxes and similar charges collected by the Group 
on behalf of government authorities are not included as a component of revenue. There is no variable 
consideration or financing components associated with revenue. The Group’s revenue is disaggregated by 
geography based on where the advertisements are broadcast. See Note 29 (Segment information)).   

Interest and dividend revenue recognition 

2.6 
Interest income and expenses are reported on an accrual basis using the effective interest method.  Dividend 
income, other than those from investments in associates, is recognised at the time the right to receive 
payment is established. 

2.7  Network operations and station compensation expenses 
The cost of producing and distributing the radio and television traffic and news reports and services and the 
obtaining of advertising inventory are considered network operations and station compensation expenses.  
These consist mainly of personnel, aviation costs, facility costs, third party content providers and station 
compensation.  Network operations and station compensation expenses are recognised when incurred. 

The Group generally enters into multiyear contracts with radio and television stations.  Station compensation 
is a component of network operations and station compensation expenses on the accompanying consolidated 
statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and is recognised over the terms of the 
contracts, which is not materially different than when the services are performed.  

2.8  Trade receivables 
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, less loss allowance.  Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 

40 

 
 
 
 
  
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

days and are presented as current assets unless collection is not expected for more than 12 months after the 
reporting date.  

The Group applies the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which uses a lifetime 
expected loss allowance for all trade receivables. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off by 
reducing the carrying amount directly.  The loss allowance is based on expected lifetime credit losses.  To 
measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables have been grouped based on the shared credit risk 
characteristics and the days past due. The expected loss rates are based on the payment profiles of sales over a 
period of five years before 30 June 2020 or 1 July 2019 respectively and the corresponding historical credit 
losses experienced within this period. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-
looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables.  
The amount of the loss allowance is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value 
of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred), discounted at the 
original effective interest rate.  Cash flows relating to short-term receivables are not discounted if the effect of 
discounting is immaterial. 

The amount of any impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss within selling, general and administrative 
expenses.  When a trade receivable for which a loss allowance had been recognised becomes uncollectible in a 
subsequent period, it is written off against the loss allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts 
previously written off are credited against selling, general and administrative expenses in profit or loss. 

2.9  Goodwill  
Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from a business combination that are not 
individually identified and separately recognised.  Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment 
losses.  Goodwill is not amortised but it is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment 
losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the 
entity sold. 

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made 
to those cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the 
business combination in which the goodwill arose. The units or groups of units are identified at the lowest 
level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes, which is the operating segments. 

2.10  Intangible assets 
Intangible assets are stated at cost (or fair value if acquired in a business combination) and subsequently 
carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.  Intangible assets with definite lives are 
amortised over their expected useful lives on a straight-line basis, as follows: 

• 
station contracts: 14 years 
•  advertising contracts: 4.5 years 

Amortisation expense is not reflected for intangible assets with indefinite lives such as trade names and the 
Group annually tests these assets for impairment.  Trade names are considered indefinite lived assets because 
there is not a predetermined time when they will be no longer be of value. There is no residual value 
recognised with regard to intangible assets subject to amortisation. 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

2.11  Property, plant and equipment 

IT equipment, motor vehicles, aircraft and other equipment 
IT equipment, motor vehicles, aircraft and other equipment (comprising furniture and fittings) are initially 
recognised at acquisition cost or manufacturing cost, including any costs directly attributable to bringing the 
assets to the location and condition necessary to be capable of operating in the manner intended by the 
Group’s management.  

IT equipment, motor vehicles, aircraft and other equipment are subsequently measured using the cost model, 
cost less subsequent depreciation and impairment losses. An asset’s carrying amount is written down 
immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable 
amount. 

Depreciation is recognised on a straight-line basis to write down the cost less estimated residual value of 
computer equipment, motor vehicles, aircraft and other equipment.  The following useful lives are applied:   

•  computer equipment: 3-5 years  
•  motor vehicles: 7 years  
•  helicopters and fixed wing aircraft: 6-8 years 
•  helicopters engine rebuilds: 2-3 years 
• 
• 
• 

furniture, equipment and other: 5 years 
recording, broadcasting and studio equipment: 5 years.  
right of use assets: shorter of useful life or lease 

Material residual value estimates and estimates of useful life are updated as required, but at least annually.  

Gains or losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference 
between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets and are recognised in profit or loss 
within other income or other expenses.  

2.12  Leased assets 
The Group leases various properties and equipment. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 
one to five years but may have extension options as described below. Lease terms are negotiated on an 
individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. Contracts may contain both lease 
and non-lease components and the Group applies the practical expedient per AASB 16.15 to not separate 
these components out in the contract and are included in the liability in full. 

Leases are recognised as a right of use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset 
is available for use by the Group and are recognised on a present value basis. Each lease payment is allocated 
between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period so as 
to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The 
right of use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line 
basis. 

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include 
the net present value of the following lease payments: 
• fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable  
• variable lease payment that are based on an index or a rate 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

• amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees  
• the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and  
• payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.  

Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the 
Group. These terms are used to maximise operational flexibility of managing the contracts. The majority of 
extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor. 

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate can be determined, 
or the Group’s incremental borrowing rate.  

Right of use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:  
• the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability  
• any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, less any lease incentives received 
• any initial direct costs, and 
• restoration costs. 

Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line 
basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-
value assets comprise of IT equipment and small items of office furniture and equipment. 

2.13  Impairment testing of goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and 

equipment 

For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely 
independent cash inflows (cash-generating units).  As a result, some assets are tested individually for 
impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level.  Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating 
units that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related business combination and represent the lowest 
level within the Group at which management monitors goodwill.  

Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by the Group’s management as 
equivalent to its operating segments) and trade names are tested for impairment at least annually.  All other 
individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. 

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s carrying 
amount exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use.  
To determine the value-in-use, management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating 
unit and determines a suitable discount rate in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows.  The 
data used for impairment testing procedures are directly linked to the Group’s latest approved budget, 
adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of future reorganisations and asset enhancements.  Discount 
factors are determined individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect management’s assessment of 
respective risk profiles, such as market and asset-specific risks factors.  

Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that 
cash-generating unit.  Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-
generating unit.  With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

impairment loss previously recognised may no longer exist.  An impairment charge is reversed if the cash-
generating unit’s recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount.  

2.14  Financial instruments 

Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the financial instrument and are measured initially at fair value adjusted by transactions costs, 
except for those carried at fair value through profit or loss, which are measured initially at fair value.  
Subsequent measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities are described below. 

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, 
or when the financial asset and all substantial risks and rewards are transferred.  A financial liability is 
derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.  

General and specific borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of a qualifying asset are 
capitalised during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or 
sale. Qualifying assets are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their 
intended use or sale. 

Other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. 

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets 
Financial assets are classified in the following measurement categories:  

• 

• 

those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income or 
loss or through profit and loss), and 
those to be measured at amortised cost. Currently the Group only has one category of financial 
instruments which is financial assets measured at amortised cost which includes cash and cash 
equivalents, trade and other receivables. The measurement (other than impairment) did not change 
on adoption of AASB 9.  See Note 2.8 (Trade receivables). 

The classification depends on the business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms 
of the cash flows.  

All income and expenses relating to financial assets that are recognised in profit or loss are presented within 
finance costs, finance income or other financial items, except for impairment of trade receivables which is 
presented within selling, general and administrative expenses.  

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities 
The Group’s financial liabilities include borrowings and trade and other payables.  

Financial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.   

All interest-related charges that are reported in profit or loss are included within finance costs.  

44 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Deferred loan costs relate to the costs related to the debt financing and are amortised using the effective 
interest method over the life of the loan.  Expense recognised related to the effective interest method is 
recognised as a component of finance costs in the Group’s consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income.  Any deferred loan costs outstanding upon repayment or refinancing of debt balances 
are immediately expensed as a component of loss on refinancing. 

2.15  Income taxes 
Income tax expense for the period is the tax payable on the current period’s taxable income based on the 
applicable tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to 
temporary differences between the tax base of the asset and liabilities and their carrying amount in the 
financial statements. 

Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method on temporary differences between the 
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.  However, deferred tax is not provided on the 
initial recognition of goodwill or on the initial recognition of an asset or liability unless the related transaction 
is a business combination or affects tax or accounting profit.  Deferred tax on temporary differences 
associated with investments in subsidiaries is not provided if reversal of these temporary differences can be 
controlled by the Group and it is probable that reversal will not occur in the foreseeable future. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated, without discounting, at tax rates that are expected to apply to 
their respective period of realisation, provided they are enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the 
reporting period.   

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be able to be utilised against 
future taxable income, based on the Group’s forecast of future operating results which is adjusted for 
significant non-taxable income and expenses and specific limits to the use of any unused tax loss or credit.  
Deferred tax liabilities are always provided for in full.  

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when the Group has a right and intention to set off tax assets 
and liabilities from the same taxation authority. 

Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised as a component of income tax benefit or expense in 
profit or loss, except where they relate to items that are recognised in other comprehensive income (such as 
the revaluation of land) or directly in equity, in which case the related deferred tax is also recognised in other 
comprehensive income or equity, respectively.  

Tax consolidation legislation 
GTN Limited and its wholly-owned Australian controlled subsidiaries have implemented the tax 
consolidation legislation. 

The head entity, GTN Limited, and the controlled subsidiaries in the tax consolidated group account for their 
own current and deferred tax amounts.  These tax amounts are measured as if each entity in the tax 
consolidated group continues to be a stand-alone taxpayer in its own right. 

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, GTN Limited also recognizes the current tax 
liabilities (or assets) and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and unused tax credits assumed 
from controlled subsidiaries in the tax consolidated group. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

The subsidiaries also entered into a tax funding arrangement under which the wholly-owned entities fully 
compensate GTN Limited for any current tax payable assumed and are compensated by GTN Limited for 
any current tax receivable and deferred tax assets relating to unused tax losses or unused tax credits that are 
transferred to GTN Limited under the tax consolidation legislation.  The funding amounts are determined by 
reference to the amounts recognized in the wholly-owned subsidiaries’ financial statements. 

The amounts receivable/payable under the tax funding agreement are due upon receipt of the funding advice 
from the head entity, which is issued as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year.  The head 
entity may also require payment of interim funding amounts to assist with its obligations to pay tax 
instalments. 

Assets or liabilities arising under tax funding agreements with tax consolidated subsidiaries are recognized as 
amounts receivable or payable to other entities in the group.  

Any difference between the amounts assumed and amounts receivable or payable under the tax funding 
agreement are recognized as a contribution to (or distribution from) wholly-owned tax consolidated 
subsidiaries. 

2.16  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, together with other short-term, 
highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value.  

2.17  Employee Benefits  

Short-term employee benefits  
Short-term employee benefits are benefits, other than termination benefits, that are expected to be settled 
wholly within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service. 
Examples of such benefits include wages and salaries, non-monetary benefits, annual leave and accumulating 
sick leave. Short-term employee benefits are measured at the undiscounted amounts expected to be paid 
when the liabilities are settled. 

Other long-term employee benefits  
The Group’s liabilities for long service leave is included in other long-term benefits when they are not 
expected to be settled wholly within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render 
the related service. They are measured at the present value of the expected future payments to be made to 
employees. The expected future payments incorporate anticipated future wage and salary levels, experience of 
employee departures and periods of service, and are discounted at rates determined by reference to market 
yields at the end of the reporting period on high quality corporate bonds or government bonds for currencies 
for which there is no deep market in such high quality corporate bonds, that have maturity dates that 
approximate the timing of the estimated future cash outflows. Any re-measurements arising from experience 
adjustments and changes in assumptions are recognised in profit or loss in the periods in which the changes 
occur. The obligations are presented as current liabilities on the statement of financial position if the entity 
does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months after the reporting period 
regardless of when the actual settlement is expected to occur. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

2.18  Trade and other payables 
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of financial 
year which are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.  Trade 
and other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within 12 months from the 
reporting date. 

2.19  Earnings per share 
(i) Basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the Company, excluding 
any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
outstanding during the financial year adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the year 
and excluding treasury shares. 

(ii) Diluted earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the amounts used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take 
into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential 
ordinary shares and the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been 
outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. 

2.20  Equity and reserves 
Issued capital represents the fair value of shares that have been issued. Any transaction costs associated with 
the issuing of shares are deducted from issued capital.  

Other components of equity include the following:  

•  Foreign currency translation reserve – comprises foreign currency translation differences arising on 

the translation of financial statements of the Company’s foreign entities into AUD. 

•  Equity based payments reserve – comprises the cumulative charge to the statement of profit or 
loss and other comprehensive income for employee equity-settled equity-based remuneration. 
•  Common control reserve – represents difference between the fair value of the shares issued under 
the initial public offering net of transaction costs, plus carried forward reserves and accumulated 
losses and the book value of the total equity of the predecessor company. 

Retained earnings include all current and prior period retained profits including those related to GTCR 
Gridlock Holdings (Cayman), L.P, the predecessor company to GTN Limited. 

2.21  Equity based remuneration  
The Company operates equity-settled equity-based remuneration plans for certain of the Group’s employees.   

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any equity-based payment are measured at their 
fair values.  Where employees are rewarded using equity-based payments, the fair values of employees’ 
services are determined indirectly by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted.  This fair 
value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example 
profitability and sales growth targets and performance conditions).  

All equity-settled equity-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in profit or loss with a 
corresponding credit to equity-based payments reserve. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based on the best available estimate of the number of equity 
instruments expected to vest.   

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of equity instruments that are 
expected to become exercisable.  Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number 
of equity instruments expected to vest differs from previous estimates.  Any cumulative adjustment prior to 
vesting is recognised in the current period.  No adjustment is made to any expense recognised in prior 
periods if equity instruments ultimately exercised are different to that estimated on vesting.  

Upon exercise of equity instruments, the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs 
are allocated to issued capital. 

2.22  Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets  
Provisions for legal disputes, onerous contracts or other claims are recognised when the Group has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic 
resources will be required from the Group and amounts can be estimated reliably.  Timing or amount of the 
outflow may still be uncertain. 

Restructuring provisions are recognised only if a detailed formal plan for the restructuring has been 
developed and implemented, and management has at least announced the plan’s main features to those 
affected by it.  Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. 

Provisions are measured at the estimated expenditure required to settle the present obligation, based on the 
most reliable evidence available at the reporting date, including the risks and uncertainties associated with the 
present obligation.  Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be 
required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole.  Provisions are 
discounted to their present values, where the time value of money is material. 

Any reimbursement that the Group can be virtually certain to collect from a third party with respect to the 
obligation is recognised as a separate asset.  However, this asset may not exceed the amount of the related 
provision. 

No liability is recognised if an outflow of economic resources as a result of present obligation is not probable.  
Such situations are disclosed as contingent liabilities, unless the outflow of resources is remote in which case 
no liability is recognised.  

2.23  Goods and services taxes (GST) 
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognized net of any amount of associated GST, value added taxes 
(VAT), Quebec sales tax (QST), harmonized sales tax (HST) and similar taxes. 

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST and related taxes receivable or payable.  
The net amount of these taxes recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included in trade and 
other payables in the balance sheet. 

48 

 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis.  The components of cash flows arising from investing or financing 
activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation authority, are presented as operating cash 
flows. 

2.24  Long-term prepaid affiliate contract 
Long term prepayments of station compensation are accounted for as a financing arrangement whereby non-
cash interest income over the term of the contractual agreement is recognized based on an estimate of the 
radio stations’ incremental borrowing rate with similar terms which will reduce over time as the prepayment is 
amortised.  Station compensation expense is also recognized over the contract period equal to the 
prepayment amount plus the total non-cash interest income on a straight-line basis over the expected term of 
the contract including renewal periods, if it is more likely than not the contract will be extended. Additional 
station compensation expense over the contract period is recognized equal to any cash payments, including 
an estimate of inflationary adjustments expected to be paid on a straight-line basis over the contract term. 

2.25  Rounding of amounts 
The Company is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian 
Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the financial statements.  
Amounts in the financial statements have been rounded off in accordance with that instrument to the nearest 
thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar. 

2.26  Significant management judgement in applying accounting policies and estimation 

uncertainty 

When preparing the financial statements, management undertakes a number of judgements, estimates and 
assumptions about the recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 

Significant management estimates and judgements 
The following are significant management judgements in applying the accounting policies of the Group that 
have the most significant effect on the financial statements. 

Recognition of deferred tax balances  
The extent to which deferred tax balances are recognised is based on an assessment of the probability of the 
Group’s future taxable income against which the deferred tax assets can be utilised or liabilities assessed.  In 
addition, significant judgement is required in assessing the impact of any legal or economic limits or 
uncertainties in various tax jurisdictions. See Note 16 (Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities). 

Impairment  
In assessing impairment, management estimates the recoverable amount of each asset or cash-generating unit 
based on expected future cash flows and uses an interest rate to discount them.  Estimation uncertainty 
relates to assumptions about future operating results and the determination of a suitable discount rate. See 
Note 14 (Intangible assets). 

Useful lives of depreciable assets 
Management reviews its estimate of the useful lives of depreciable assets at each reporting date, based on the 
expected utility of the assets.  Uncertainties in these estimates relate to technical obsolescence that may 
change the utility of certain property, plant and equipment. See Note 15 (Property, plant and equipment). 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Recoverability of long-term prepaid station compensation 
Management reviews the recoverable amount of long-term prepaid station compensation at each reporting 
period, analysing such factors as number of advertising spots received, market conditions for the advertising 
spots, ratings of the stations, counter party risk (i.e. the financial viability of the provider of the advertising 
spots and its ability to continue to meet its obligations) and other relevant factors to determine the 
recoverability of long-term prepaid station compensation over its anticipated contractual term including 
renewal periods, if it is more likely than not the contract will be extended. See Note 13 (Other assets). 

Uncertain tax positions 
Management determines the recognition and valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities where there is 
uncertainty over tax treatment.  Under IFRIC 23, this requires determining the likelihood that a tax treatment 
will be upheld by the relevant tax authorities assuming that position is examined by the tax authorities and the 
tax authorities have full access to all the relevant facts and circumstances related to the tax position.  Many tax 
positions are complex, and management must use judgment as to what the ultimate outcome of a tax position 
will be prior to filing returns or rulings from the relevant tax authorities. See Note 16 (Current and deferred tax 
assets and liabilities). 

Renewal options on leases 
Whether to consider renewal options as part of the initial recognition of leases has a significant impact on 
both the right of use asset and the lease liability since a longer initial lease period increases both the right of 
use asset and lease liability, sometimes materially based on the lease payments and length of the renewal 
option.  Management exercises judgement as to whether a lease renewal option is reasonably certain to be 
exercised given the determination must be made at the commencement of the lease even though the renewal 
option period may not occur for a number of years in the future. See Note 20 (Financial liabilities). 

Appropriate discount rate on lease liabilities 
The appropriate discount rate for leases recognized as liabilities impacts both the initial lease liability and the 
initial recognition of the related right of use asset.  Since leases rarely contain a proscribed interest rate as 
other financial liabilities, management must determine the appropriate discount rate.  The discount rate 
utilized by management has approximated the interest rate on the Group’s bank facility.  Management 
believes this is appropriate due to the Group’s low leverage (implying the ability to borrow additional funds) 
and, up until the refinancing in May 2020, the ability to access an unused $15 million credit line. See Note 20 
(Financial liabilities). 

2.27  Parent Entity financial information 
The financial information for the Parent Entity, GTN Limited disclosed in Note 27 (Parent Entity information) 
has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements except as set out below.   

Investment in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of GTN Limited.  Dividends 
received are recognized when the right to receive the dividend is established. 

2.28   Segment reporting 
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief 
operating decision maker. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

2.29  Dividends 
Provision is made for the amount of any dividend declared, being appropriately authorised and no longer at 
the discretion of the Company, on or before the end of the reporting period but not distributed at the end of 
the reporting period. 

2.30  COVID-19 pandemic impact 
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. As at the date of the 
financial report the pandemic is ongoing. The outbreak and the response of governments in dealing with the 
pandemic is interfering with general activity levels within the community, the economy and the operations of 
the Group’s business. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a material negative impact on the Group’s business in all of its operating 
regions, including a decrease in Group revenue of 57% in fourth fiscal quarter 2020. Due to the fixed cost 
nature of the Group’s business, management believes costs cannot be reduced sufficiently to generate 
profitability should revenue remain at the levels experienced during fourth fiscal quarter 2020.  The largest 
fixed cost for the Group is station compensation, which is payments to radio and television stations to 
provide the spot inventory which is virtually the Group’s sole source of revenue.   

Because of this, the Group has focused on conserving cash in order to be able to “ride out” the COVID-19 
pandemic and at 30 June 2020 the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $57 million.  Part of this strategy 
included extending the existing credit facility (which was set to expire in February 2021) until 30 September 
2023.  Should the Group’s financial performance continue as it has since the COVID-19 pandemic, it will 
enter into covenant default under its facility agreement even though it has sufficient cash to pay its 
obligations as they come due (absent an acceleration of debt).  A covenant default gives the lender the ability 
to accelerate the repayment of the debt facility even in the scenario where all scheduled debt service has been 
made on time and when due.   

It is not expected that the lender will exercise this option should such a scenario occur for the following 
reasons: 

•  The lender extended the loan in May 2020, which was after the COVID-19 pandemic started to have 

significant negative impact on the Group’s performance, 

•  The lender extended over $21 million in new funds to pay off its co-lender in order to become sole 

lender to the Group, and 

•  The projections provided to the lender indicated the possibility of covenant defaults while having 

sufficient funds to continue to operate the Group. 

However, there can be no assurances should there be a covenant default that the bank facility will not be 
terminated early, and the loan be required to be repaid prior to 30 September 2023.  In such a scenario, it 
would be extremely difficult to find a suitable replacement lender on terms that the Group finds acceptable, 
or even at all and the Company may be unable to raise sufficient additional equity or sell enough Group assets 
to satisfy its outstanding debt obligations.  

Based on the factors noted above, the Directors have determined that the financial report should be prepared 
on a going concern basis. Whilst the estimated potential impact of COVID-19 on the future operations of the 
Group has been taken into account in preparing the financial statements, the scale and duration of the 
pandemic and impact on the Group’s operations remain inherently uncertain. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

3 

Changes in accounting policies 

3.1  New and revised standards that are effective for these financial statements 
A number of new and revised standards and an interpretation became effective for the first time for annual 
periods beginning on or after 1 July 2019. Information on these new standards is presented below.  

The Group early adopted AASB 16 Leases on 1 July 2018. 

Standards adopted during the period 
The Group has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the 
Australian Accounting Standards Board ('AASB') that are mandatory for the current reporting period. The 
adoption of these Accounting Standards and Interpretations did not have any significant impact on the 
financial performance or position of the Group. 

The following Accounting Standards and Interpretations are most relevant to the Group: 

Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (“IFRIC 23”) 
IFRIC 23 explains how to recognize and measure deferred tax assets and liabilities where there is uncertainty 
over a tax treatment.  In particular, it covers: 

● how to determine the appropriate unit of account, and that each uncertain tax treatment should be 
considered separately or together as a group, depending on which approach better predicts resolution of the 
uncertainty 

● that the entity should assume a tax authority will examine the uncertain tax treatments and have full 

knowledge of all related information, i.e. that detection risk should be ignored 

● that the entity should reflect the effect of the uncertainty in its income tax accounting when it is not 

probable that the tax authorities will accept the treatment 

● that the impact of the uncertainty should be measured using either the most likely amount or the 
expected value method, depending on which method better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty, and 
● the judgments and estimates made must be reassessed whenever circumstances have changed or 

there is new information that affects the judgments. 

The Group adopted IFRIC 23 effective 1 July 2019. Adoption of IFRIC 23 had no material impact on the 
financial statements as the clarifications are consistent with the Group’s current policies. 

3.2  Accounting Standards issued but not yet effective and not adopted early by the 

Group 

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, certain new standards, amendments and 
interpretations to existing standards have been published but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted 
early by the Group. Management anticipates that all of the relevant pronouncements will be adopted in the 
Group’s accounting policies for the first period beginning after the effective date of the pronouncement.  

 There are no standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on  the 
entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. 

Financial risk management  

4 
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk and interest 
rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.  The Group's overall risk management program seeks to minimise 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group.  The Group has used derivative financial 
instruments to manage interest rate risk exposures on borrowings. 

Risk management is carried out by the senior management team with oversight from the Audit and Risk 
Committee and the Board. The senior management team identifies, evaluates, reports and manages financial 
risks in close co-operation with the Group's operating units in accordance with the Board policy. 

The Group holds the following financial instruments: 

Financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 

Financial liabilities 
Trade and other payables 
Interest bearing liabilities 

(a) Market risk 

2020 
$’000 

57,040 
19,910 

76,950 

30,948 
64,293 
95,241 

2019 
$’000 

50,728 
38,091 

88,819 

32,669 
62,548 
95,217 

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial asset or financial liability will 
fluctuate because of changes in market prices.  Market risk comprises interest rate risk and foreign exchange 
risk. 

(i) Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk 

The Group's main interest rate risk arises from long term borrowings and cash.  Borrowings issued at variable 
rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.  The Group has previously utilized fixed rate interest 
rate swaps and interest rate collars to manage interest rate risk.  Currently all the Group’s outstanding debt is 
floating based on one-month BBSY and none of the debt is subject to derivatives. 

As at the end of the reporting period, the Group had the following variable rate cash and borrowings 
outstanding: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Borrowings  
Net exposure to cash flow interest rate risk 

2020 

2019 

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
% 

0.46% 
4.52% 

Weighted 
average 
interest rate 
% 
0.57% 
5.75% 

Balance 
$’000 
57,040 
(60,000) 

 (2,960) 

Balance 
$’000 
50,728 
(60,000) 
 (9,272) 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

An official increase/decrease in interest rates of 100 (2019: 100) basis points would have favourable/adverse 
effect on profit before tax of $30 thousand (2019: favourable/adverse $93 thousand) per annum.   

(ii) Foreign currency risk 
Exposures to currency exchange rates arise from the sales and purchases by its subsidiaries that are 
denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries’ functional currency.  

The Group does not enter into forward exchange contracts to mitigate the exposure to foreign currency risk.  

Foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities which expose the Group to currency risk are 
disclosed below.  The amounts shown are those reported to key management translated into AUD at the 
closing rate: 

30 June 2020 

Financial assets  
Financial liabilities  

Total exposure  

30 June 2019 

Financial assets  
Financial liabilities  

Total exposure  

USD 
$’000 

5,008 
(462) 

4,546 

3,797 
(514) 

3,283 

Short Term Exposure 
CAD 
$’000 

GBP 
$’000 

BRL 
$’000 

Other 
$’000 

USD 
$’000 

22,286 
(4,607) 

16,978 
(4,069) 

17,679 

12,909 

23,559 
(7,100) 

21,958 
(5,303) 

16,459 

16,655 

1,363 
(1,950) 

(587) 

2,205 
(2,622) 

(417) 

53 
(61) 

(8) 

18 
(75) 

(57) 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

Long Term Exposure 

GBP 
$’000 

- 
(729) 

(729) 

- 
(1) 

(1) 

CAD 
$’000 

BRL 
$’000 

- 
(690) 

(690) 

- 
(828) 

(828) 

- 
(185) 

(185) 

- 
(372) 

(372) 

There are no material transactions of subsidiary entities made in currencies other than the functional currency 
of the subsidiary. Therefore, no sensitivity analysis on foreign currencies affecting profit or loss has been 
prepared. 

(b) Credit risk 

Credit risk is the risk that a contracting entity will not complete its obligations under a financial instrument 
and cause a financial loss.  The Group has exposures to credit risk on cash and cash equivalents and 
receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk is based on the total value of our financial assets net of any 
loss allowance. 

Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of customers and, where appropriate, a 
loss allowance is raised.  The Group applies the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, 
which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade receivables (see Note 2.8 (Trade receivables)).  Debtor 
write-offs have historically been immaterial. 

The Company's policy is to engage major financial institutions to provide financial facilities to the Group, 
thereby minimising credit risk on cash deposits.  The Group does not have any cash balances instruments 
with any financial institution rated below “A”. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

(c) Liquidity risk 

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial 
liabilities. 

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash, the availability of funding through an 
adequate amount of committed credit facilities, and the ability to refinance borrowings. 

(i) Financing arrangement 
The Group had access to the following undrawn borrowing facilities at the end of the reporting period: 

Total facilities 
Bank loan facility 

Used at balance date 
Bank loan facility 

Unused at balance date 
Bank loan facility 

(ii) Maturities of financial liabilities 
Contractual maturities of financial liabilities 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

60,000 

75,000 

60,000 

60,000 

- 

15,000 

Within  
1 year 

$’000 

Between 
1 and 2 
years 

$’000 

Between 
2 and 5 
years 

$’000 

Over 
5 years 
$’000 

Total 
contractual 
cash flows 
$’000 

Carrying 
Amount 
(assets)/ 
liabilities 
$’000 

At 30 June 2020 

Non-derivatives  

Non-interest bearing 

Trade and other payables 

30,874 

- 

74 

Interest bearing  

Bank loans (1)(2) 

Leases (1) 
Total 

1,584 

1,677 
34,135 

1,584 

1,372 
2,956 

61,983 

1,740 
63,797 

- 

- 

- 
- 

30,948 

30,948 

65,151 

4,789 
100,888 

59,810 

4,483 
95,241 

(1)  Cash flows include an estimate of future contractual payments of interest 
(2)  Carrying amounts are net of capitalized transaction costs 

Within  
1 year 

Between 
1 and 2 
years 

Between 
2 and 5 
years 

Over 
5 years 

Total 
contractual 
cash flows 

Carrying 
Amount 
(assets)/ 
Liabilities 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

At 30 June 2019 

Non-derivatives  

Non-interest bearing 

Trade and other payables 

32,596 

- 

Other liabilities 

Interest bearing  

2,351 

61,417 

55 

73 

- 

- 

- 

32,669 

32,669 

63,768 

58,977 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Bank loans (1)(2) 
Total 

1,333 
36,280 

923 
62,340 

1,665 
1,738 

- 
- 

3,921 
100,358 

3,571 
95,217 

(1)  Cash flows include an estimate of future contractual payments of interest 
(2)  Carrying amounts are net of capitalized transaction costs 

(d) Fair value measurements 

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement 
or for disclosure purposes. 

(i) Valuation techniques used to determine fair values  
Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments include: 

● use of quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments 
● for interest rate swaps the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable 
yield curves 
●for foreign currency forwards the present value of future cash flows based on the forward exchange 
rates at the balance sheet date 
●for foreign currency options option pricing models such as Black-Scholes, and 
●for other financial instruments a discounted cash flow analysis 

All of the resulting fair value estimates are included in level 2. Level 2 estimates involve inputs other than 
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or 
indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 

5 

Capital Management 

Risk management 
The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to 

(i) safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern so it can continue to provide returns to the 

shareholders and 

(ii) maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. 

In order to accomplish these goals, the Group has entered into a secured bank loan.  Under the terms of the 
loan, the borrowers are required to comply with the following financial covenants: 

(a)  Net total gearing ratio (TGR) (not greater than 2.50x at 30 June 2020) (actual 0.44x) 
(b)  Interest coverage ratio (at least 3.50x at 30 June 2020) (actual 8.27x) 

The borrowers were in compliance with these and all other requirements of the loan for all periods presented. 
The Group targets to have a maximum total gearing ratio of less than 2.0x but does not target a minimum 
TGR. 

6 

Interests in subsidiaries 

Set out below details of the subsidiaries held directly and indirectly by the Company: 

Name of the  
Subsidiary 

Country of Incorporation & 
Principal Place of Business 

Proportion of Ownership  
Interests Held by the 
Company 
30-June-2020  30-June-2019 

GTN Holdings Pty Limited (“LuxCo 1”) 

Australia (NSW) 

100% 

100% 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

GTN US Holdco, Inc. (‘US Hold Co”)  
Global Traffic Network, Inc. (“GTN”) 
Gridlock Holdings (Australia) Pty Limited (“Aus Hold 
Co”)  
The Australia Traffic Network Pty Limited (“ATN”) 
GTN Management, Inc. (“US Management Co”) 
GTCR Gridlock International (Luxembourg) S.a r.l. 
(“LuxCo 2”) 
Canadian Traffic Network ULC (“CTN”) 
GTN Holdings (UK) Limited (“UK Hold Co”)  

Global Traffic Network (UK) Commercial Limited 
(“UK Commercial”) 
Global Traffic Network (UK) Limited (“UKTN”) 

United States (Delaware) (1) 
United States (Nevada) (1) 
Australia (NSW) 

Australia (NSW) 
United States (Delaware) 
Luxembourg 

Canada (Alberta)  
United Kingdom (England & 
Wales) 
United Kingdom (England & 
Wales) 
United Kingdom (England & 
Wales) 

GTCR Gridlock Holdings (Brazil) S.a r.l. (“LuxCo 3”)  Luxembourg 
BTN Informacao do Transito E Servicos Aereos 
Especializados Ltda (“BTN”) (2) 
Global Story Network LLC (3) (“GSN”) 

Brazil 

United States (Delaware) 

100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 

100% 

100% 

(1)  Resident of Australia for tax purposes but still subject to U.S. taxes. Principal place of business 

Australia. 

(2)  Name changed from BTN Servicos de Informacao do Transito Ltda effective 27 March 2019. 
(3)  Formed 4 January 2019 

7 

Revenue and other income 

Revenue from contracts with customers 
Sale of advertising commercials – net of agency commissions and taxes 
recognized over time 

Other income 
Interest on bank deposits 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

160,940 

160,940 

184,969 

184,969 

252 

252 

259 

259 

Interest income on long-term prepaid affiliate contract 

8,242 

8,325 

Gain on forgiveness of lease payments due 

52 

- 

See Note 29 (Segment information) for the geographical allocation of the Group’s revenue.  

8 

Expenses 

Profit/(loss) before income tax includes the following specific 
expenses: 
Employee benefits expense 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

40,372 

42,097 

Defined contribution superannuation expenses 

1,054 

1,026 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Amortisation and depreciation 

11,771 

11,208 

Finance costs - bank loan and line of credit 

2,722 

3,480 

Finance costs - leases 

Rental expenses relating to short-term and low value leases 

Foreign exchange loss on intercompany loans within the group 

188 

712 

72 

162 

963 

41 

Income tax expense 

9 
The major components of tax expense and the reconciliation of the expected tax expense based on the 
statutory tax rate at 30% (2019: 30%) and the reported tax expense in profit or loss are as follows: 

Profit (loss) before income tax 
Tax rate: 30% (2018: 30%) 

Taxes on foreign earnings  
Tax effect of permanent differences 
(Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses)/ unrecognized tax 
losses 
State taxes 
Over-provision for income tax in prior year  
Benefit from carry back provisions of United States CARES Act 
Other 

Income tax (benefit) expense 

2020 
$’000 

(648) 
(194) 

285 
36 

(430) 
3 
536 
(1,620) 
417 

(967) 

2019 
$’000 
22,917 
6,875 

(341) 
417 

617 
29 
(188) 
- 
(224) 

7,185 

One of the provisions of the CARES Act (part of the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 
pandemic) was to allow for the carry back of losses to previous tax periods.  Prior to the lowering of the 
United States corporates tax rate from 35% to 21%, the Group paid taxes in the United States on its Australia 
earnings because the Australian corporate tax rate of 30% was lower than the Unites States corporate tax rate.  
Under the CARES Act, the Group was able to offset losses that occurred subsequent to the tax rate change 
against the previously taxed income and request a refund based on the revised tax liability. 

Expense 
     Current 
     Deferred 
Income tax (benefit) expense 

Other comprehensive income 
     Current 
     Deferred 

2020 
$’000 

(1,020) 
53 

967 

- 
- 

- 

2019 
$’000 

4,690 
2,495 

7,185 

- 
- 

- 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that the Group anticipates making sufficient 
taxable profits in the future to absorb the reversal of the underlying timing differences.  The Group has an 
unrecognised deferred tax asset of $20,748 thousand (2019: $22,994 thousand) in relation to the tax losses 
and deductible temporary differences as management does not anticipate the Group will make sufficient 
taxable profits in the foreseeable future to utilise this asset. The net operating losses that have not been 
recognized do not expire. 

10  Auditor’s remuneration 
Auditor remuneration details are as follows: 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia 
Audit and other assurance services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Audit and review of financial statements 

Remuneration from audit and other assurance services 

Taxation services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Tax compliance 

Remuneration for taxation services 

2020 
$ 

2019 
$ 

119,780 

119,780 

663,000 

663,000 

79,419 

79,419 

104,000 

104,000 

Total remuneration of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia 

199,199 

767,000 

Network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia 
Audit and other assurance services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Audit and review of financial statements 

Remuneration from audit and other assurance services 
Taxation services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Tax compliance 

Remuneration for taxation services 

7,098 

7,098 

274,330 

274,330 

125,000 

125,000 

266,000 

266,000 

Total remuneration of network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers 

281,428 

391,000 

Total auditor’s remuneration – PricewaterhouseCoopers 

480,627 

1,158,000 

Grant Thornton 
Audit and other assurance services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Audit and review of financial statements 

Remuneration from audit and other assurance services 

Total remuneration of Grant Thornton 

59 

2020 
$ 

2019 
$ 

295,000 

295,000 

295,000 

- 

- 

- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Network firms of Grant Thornton 
Audit and other assurance services 
Auditors of the Group: 
Audit and review of financial statements 

Remuneration from audit and other assurance services 

Total remuneration of network firms of Grant Thornton 

Total auditor’s remuneration – Grant Thornton 

117,365 

117,365 

117,365 

412,365 

- 

- 

- 

- 

The Company changed auditors from PricewaterhouseCoopers to Grant Thornton subsequent to the half-
year review.  PricewaterhouseCoopers continues to provide taxation services to the Group.  The amounts 
above related to taxation services are for the entire fiscal year, including services provided subsequent to the 
appointment of Grant Thornton as the Company’s auditor. 

11  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents consist the following: 

Cash at bank and in hand: 

Cash at bank and in hand 
Short term deposits  

Cash and cash equivalents  

12  Trade and other receivables 
Trade and other receivables consist of the following: 

Trade receivables  
Loss allowance 

Trade receivables 

2020 
$’000 

48,001 
9,039 

57,040 

2020 
$’000 
20,912 
(1,002) 

19,910 

2019 
$’000 

41,679 
9,049 

50,728 

2019 
$’000 
38,809 
(718) 

38,091 

All amounts are short-term.  The net carrying value of trade receivables is considered a reasonable 
approximation of fair value. 

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, less loss allowance.  A loss allowance of $432 thousand (2019: $124 thousand) has 
been recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.  

The movement in the loss allowance can be reconciled as follows: 

Balance 1 July 

Amounts written off (uncollectable) 

2020 
$’000 

(718) 

148 

2019 
$’000 

(666) 

72 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Impairment loss 

Balance 30 June 

(432) 

(1,002) 

(124) 

(718) 

At 30 June 2020 

Expected loss rate  

Current 

Not more 
than 3 
months 
past due 

More than 
3 months 
past due 

Total 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

-%* 

-%* 

17% 

5% 

Gross carrying amount – trade 
receivables 

Loss allowance 

13,793 

1,206 

5,913 

20,912 

- 

- 

1,002 

1,002 

*Less than 1%. The expected loss rate on receivables not more than three months past due is less than one percent 
which is materially consistent with historical amounts written off. 

Current 

Not more 
than 3 
months 
past due 

More than 
3 months 
past due 

Total 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

$’000 

-%* 

-%* 

17% 

2% 

At 1 July 2019 

Expected loss rate  

Gross carrying amount – trade 
receivables 

Loss allowance 

31,172 

3,386 

4,251 

38,809 

- 

- 

718 

718 

*Less than 1%. The expected loss rate on receivables not more than three months past due is less than one percent 
which is materially consistent with historical amounts written off. 

13  Other assets 
Other assets reflected on the consolidated statement of financial position consist of the following: 

Current 

Prepaid station affiliate contracts(i) 
Prepaids and other current assets 

Non-Current 

Prepaid station affiliate contract(i) 
Other assets 

2020 
$’000 

1,526 
1,330 

2,856 

94,725 
263 

94,988 

2019 
$’000 

1,860 
1,621 

3,481 

95,881 
258 

96,139 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

(i) ATN made a $100 million prepayment of station compensation to a radio station group in February 2016. 
This is being accounted for as a financing arrangement whereby ATN will record non-cash interest income 
over the term of the contractual agreement, based on an estimate of radio station group’s incremental 
borrowing rate with similar terms (estimated to be 8.5% per annum), which will reduce over time as the 
prepayment is amortised.  ATN will also record station compensation expense over the contract period equal 
to the $100 million prepayment plus the total non-cash interest income, which will be recognised on a 
straight-line basis over the 30-year contract term. ATN will make annual recurring cash payments 
commencing on 1 February 2017 of $2.75 million payable on a monthly basis that will be indexed by the 
lower of CPI and 2.5%.  ATN will record an additional station compensation expense over the contract 
period equal to the total recurring indexed cash payments, which will be recognised straight line over the 30-
year contract term. 

Intangible assets 

14 
Detail of the Group’s intangible assets and their carrying amounts are as follows: 

Goodwill 
$’000 

Trade names 
$’000 

Station 
contracts 
$’000 

Advertising 
contracts 
$’000 

Total 
$’000 

96,179 
(181) 

95,998 

12,553 
(40) 

12,513 

88,744 
(283) 

88,461 

65,808 
(209) 

65,599 

167,105 
(532) 

166,573 

Gross carrying amount 

Balance at 1 July 2019 
Net exchange differences 

Balance at 30 June 2020 

Amortisation 

Balance at 1 July 2019 

Amortisation 
Net exchange differences 

Balance at 30 June 2020 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

Carrying amount 30 June 2020 

95,998 

12,513 

Gross carrying amount 

Balance at 1 July 2018 
Net exchange differences 

Balance at 30 June 2019 

Amortisation 
Balance at 1 July 2018 

Amortisation 
Net exchange differences 

Balance at 30 June 2019 

96,193 
(14) 

96,179 

12,445 
108 

12,553 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

Carrying amount 30 June 2019 

96,179 

12,553 

(49,125) 

(65,808) 

(114,933) 

(6,383) 
220 

(55,288) 

33,173 

87,984 
760 

88,744 

- 
209 

(6,383) 
429 

(65,599) 

(120,887) 

- 

45,686 

65,249 
559 

65,808 

165,678 
1,427 

167,105 

(42,420) 

(65,249) 

(107,669) 

(6,314) 
(391) 

(49,125) 

39,619 

- 
(559) 

(6,314) 
(950) 

(65,808) 

(114,933) 

- 

52,172 

The Group expects to either renew or replace its advertiser contracts and renew its station contracts beyond 
their expected life.  Amortisation expense for the years ended 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019 was $6,383 
thousand and $6,314 thousand, respectively. 

Due to the long term and indefinite nature of goodwill and trade names, amortisation expense is not reflected 
and the Group annually reviews goodwill and trade names for impairment. 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Impairment testing 
For the purpose of annual impairment testing, goodwill and trade names are allocated to the following cash-
generating units, which are the units expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combinations in 
which the goodwill and trade names pertain. 

Australia 
Canada 
United Kingdom 

2020 
$’000 
95,721 
4,015 
8,775 

2019 
$’000 
95,801 
4,094 
8,837 

Goodwill and trade names allocation at 30 June 

108,511 

108,732 

The recoverable amounts of the cash-generating units were determined based on value-in-use calculations, 
covering a detailed five-year forecast, followed by an extrapolation of expected cash flows for the units’ 
remaining useful lives using the growth rates determined by management.  The present value of the expected 
cash flows of each segment is determined by applying a suitable discount rate. 

Growth rates and discount rates used in calculations: 

Australia 

Canada 

United Kingdom 

Australia 

Canada 

United Kingdom 

Discount Rates 

2020 
Post-Tax 

9.8% 

10.3% 

10.2% 

2019 
Post-Tax 
12.1% 

15.8% 

15.8% 

Average Growth Rates 

Revenue 

EBITDA 

2020 

2019 

2020 

2019 

6% 

12% 

3% 

3% 

6% 

1% 

27% 

N/A* 

4% 

8% 

16% 

(7)% 

*Not applicable – initial year negative 

Growth rates 
The growth rates reflect lower than the historic revenue growth rate of respective cash-generating units in the 
local currency of the respective units. Expenses are then estimated based on a projected growth rate if fixed 
in nature or in relation to revenue if variable.  The base year for each calculation is the Group’s approved 
internal budget for the coming fiscal year. The long-term growth rate utilized was 1%. 

The growth rates for the current assessment assume significantly lower revenue for 1Q & 2Q FY 2021 due to 
continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while 3Q FY 2021 is expected to return to 3Q FY 2020 levels 
and 4Q FY 2021 is projected to be the same as 4Q FY 2019 as these periods were the last comparable 
periods with minimal COVID impact.  Should the growth rates for the projection be measured from 30 June 
2019 (the last fiscal year without COVID impact) the six-year growth rates would be as follows: 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Average Growth Rates 

Revenue 

EBITDA 

2020 

2020 

2% 

5% 

1% 

2% 

16% 

(3)% 

Australia 

Canada 

United Kingdom 

Discount rates 
The discount rates reflect appropriate adjustments relating to market risk and specific risk factors of each 
unit. 

During the year ending 30 June 2020, the Group had an independent assessment of the CGU values.  This 
valuation was completed prior to the outbreak of COVID. The discount rates for FY 2020 have been 
updated to be consistent with the rates used in the valuation.  Had the previous discount rates been used, no 
impairment would have resulted based on the remaining assumptions used but the headroom in the 
assessment would be reduced. 

Cash flow assumptions 
The calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a 
five-year period. Cash flows beyond the five-year period assume a 1% long term growth rate which 
management does not believe exceeds the long-term average growth rates for the industry in which each 
CGU operates. 

Sensitivity Analysis 
Based on management’s assessment of the recovery from COVID, if the WACC was increased to 2019 
values and the COVID recovery was delayed by one year to Q1 FY23, none of the Group’s CGUs would be 
impaired.  

All other reasonably possible changes do not cause an impairment charge for the Canadian and United 
Kingdom CGUs.  

For the Australian CGU, management have run various scenarios to assess the impact on the headroom and 
possible impairments which may be indicated: 

- 
- 
- 

- 

Scenario 1: increasing the WACC to 2019 value of 12.1% would not give rise to an impairment.  
Scenario 2: delaying the COVID recovery to Q1FY23 would not give rise to an impairment. 
Scenario 3: increasing the WACC by 0.7 percentage points to 10.5% and delaying the COVID 
recovery to Q1FY23 would not give rise to an impairment. 
Scenario 4: using a WACC of 10.5% and delaying the COVID recovery to Q1FY24 would give rise 
to an impairment. 

Management believes the scenarios in 1-3 to be reasonably possible for disclosure however these do not 
indicate an impairment which supports management’s judgement not to record an impairment charge as at 30 
June 2020. 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Significant estimate: Impact of possible changes in key assumptions 
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the Group’s revenue that was beyond what could have been 
reasonably anticipated.  The projections used for impairment testing assume that the Group’s markets will 
return to their previous state in the future. Should the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar 
disruption extend beyond management’s estimate or become more pronounced than the current impact it 
could render the assumptions of the impairment testing invalid. Management is not currently aware of any 
other reasonably possible changes in key assumptions that would result in impairment.  

15  Property, plant and equipment 
Details of the Group’s property, plant and equipment and their carrying amount are as follows: 

Helicopters 
and fixed wing 
aircraft 
$’000 

Recording, 
broadcasting 
and studio 
equipment 
$’000 

Furniture, 
equipment and 
other 
$’000 

Right of use 
assets – real 
property 
leases 
$’000 

Gross carrying amount 

Balance 1 July 2019 
Additions during period 
Disposals 
Net exchange differences 

Balance 30 June 2020 

Depreciation and impairment  

Balance 1 July 2019 

Disposals 
Net exchange differences 
Depreciation 

Balance 30 June 2020 

Carrying amount 30 June 2020 

25,279 
2,559 
- 
(2,425) 

25,413 

(19,244) 

- 
1,722 
(3,240) 

(20,762) 

4,651 

1,016 
36 
- 
(71) 

981 

(766) 

- 
31 
(79) 

(814) 

167 

2,434 
536 
- 
(177) 

2,793 

(1,729) 

- 
79 
(378) 

(2,028) 

765 

4,806 
2,852 
(757) 
(459) 

6,442 

(1,337) 

663 
198 
(1,691) 

(2,167) 

4,275 

Total 
$’000 

33,535 
5,983 
(757) 
(3,132) 

35,629 

(23,076) 

663 
2,030 
(5,388) 

(25,771) 

9,858 

Helicopters 
and fixed wing 
aircraft 
$’000 

Recording, 
broadcasting 
and studio 
equipment 
$’000 

Furniture, 
equipment and 
other 
$’000 

Right of use 
assets – real 
property 
leases 
$’000 

Total 
$’000 

Gross carrying amount 

Balance 1 July 2018 

Opening adjustments for adoption of 
AASB 16 
Additions during period 
Disposals 
Net exchange differences 

Balance 30 June 2019 

Depreciation and impairment  

Balance 1 July 2018 

Disposals 
Net exchange differences 
Depreciation 

Balance 30 June 2019 

21,203 

- 
3,122 
- 
954 

25,279 

(15,291) 

- 
(769) 
(3,184) 

(19,244) 

1,827 

- 
657 
(112) 
62 

2,434 

(1,584) 

112 
44 
(301) 

(1,729) 

- 

23,873 

3,277 
1,460 
- 
69 

4,806 

3,277 
5,389 
(112) 
1,108 

33,535 

- 

(17,538) 

- 
(16) 
(1,321) 

(1,337) 

112 
(756) 
(4,894) 

(23,076) 

843 

- 
150 
- 
23 

1,016 

(663) 

- 
(15) 
(88) 

(766) 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Carrying amount 30 June 2019 

6,035 

250 

705 

3,469 

10,459 

16  Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities 
Current taxes can be summarised as follows: 

Current tax assets 

Current tax liabilities 

Net current tax assets/(liabilities) 

2020 
$’000 

6,700 

- 

6,700 

2019 
$’000 

2,479 

(306) 

2,173 

Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences can be summarised as follows: 

Deferred Tax Assets 

Annual leave accrual 
Long service leave provision 
Audit accrual 
Superannuation accrued 
Allowance for doubtful debts 
Leases 
Deferred transaction costs 
Fixed asset depreciation 
Net tax losses 

Recognised in 
Profit  
and Loss 
$’000 

1 July 2019 
$’000 

30 June 2020 
$’000 

257 
376 
85 
29 
127 
5 
586 
1,289 
3,443 

6,197 

38 
(30) 
26 
(6) 
77 
33 
(586) 
395 
568 

515 

295 
346 
111 
23 
204 
38 
- 
1,684 
4,011 

6,712 

   (2,443) 

4,269 

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities 
pursuant to set-off provisions 
Net deferred tax assets 

   (3,222) 

2,975 

Deferred Tax Liabilities  

1 July 2019 
$’000 

Recognised 
in Profit  
and Loss 
$’000 

30 June 2020 
$’000 

Intangibles 
Prepaid expenses 
Other 

Set-off of deferred tax assets 
pursuant to set-off provisions 
Net deferred tax liabilities 

14,779 
7,434 
6 

22,219 

(3,222) 

18,997 

(1,830) 
2,398 
- 

568 

12,949 
9,832 
6 

22,787 

(2,443) 

20,344 

Deferred tax assets consist of: 
     Current 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

927 

792 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

     Non-current 

Deferred tax liabilities consist of: 
     Current 
     Non-current 

5,785 

6,712 

- 
22,787 

22,787 

5,405 

6,197 

- 
22,219 

22,219 

Recognized deferred tax assets relate primarily to the Group’s CTN subsidiary.  Prior to the COVID-19 
pandemic, CTN generated sufficient taxable income in fiscal years 2016 through 2019 to utilize a significant 
portion of the deferred tax asset and the Group forecasts that it will resume generating sufficient taxable 
income in the future to fully utilize the deferred tax asset.  

The Group had a franking balance of $76 thousand and $67 thousand at 30 June 2020 and 2019, respectively.  

17  Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables recognised consist of the following: 

Current 
Trade payables 
Accrued payroll expenses 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 

Non-current 
Other 

2020 
$’000 

19,421 
3,163 
8,290 

30,874 

2019 
$’000 

18,438 
5,641 
8,517 

32,596 

74 

74 

73 

73 

All current amounts are short-term.  The carrying values of trade payables and other payables are considered 
to be a reasonable approximation of fair value. 

Goods and services, sales and value added taxes, which are charged by vendors to operating subsidiaries in 
Australia, Canada and United Kingdom are included in trade payables until paid.  The net amount of goods 
and services, sales and value added tax payable (after deduction of amounts paid to vendors of the Group) is 
included as a component of trade and other payables on the consolidated statement of financial position. 

18  Provisions 

Current 
Long service leave provision 

Non-Current  
Long service leave provision 
Lease restoration 

2020 
$’000 

932 

932 

222 
194 

416 

2019 
$’000 

939 

939 

314 
140 

454 

1,348 

1,393 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

The current portion of the long service leave provision includes all amounts that are either unconditional or 
scheduled to become unconditional within 12 months.  The entire amount of the unconditional and scheduled 
to  become  unconditional  long  service  leave  are  presented  as  current  since  the  Group  does  not  have  the 
unconditional right to defer settlement.  However, based on past experience the Group does not expect all 
employees to take the full amount of their long service leave or require payment within the next 12 months. 

The Group has an obligation to restore certain of its leased premises back to their original condition at the 
end of their respective leases.  As of 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019, the Group had a liability of $194 
thousand and $140 thousand, respectively, accrued which it anticipates to be the amount required to restore 
the premises at the end of the leases. 

19  Contract liabilities 

Contract liabilities 

Balance 1 July 

Additions during period 
Earned during period 
Net exchange differences 

Balance 30 June 

2020 
$’000 

1,266 

1,266 

2020 
$’000 

534 

1,231 
(377) 
(122) 

1,266 

2019 
$’000 

534 

534 

2019 
$’000 

450 

462 
(402) 
24 

534 

Payments received or amounts invoiced in advance are deferred until earned and such amounts are included 
as a component of contract liabilities.   

20 

Financial liabilities 

Current 
Current portion of long-term debt 
Current portion of leases 

Non-current 
Long-term debt, less current portion 
Leases, less current portion 

2020 
$’000 

- 
1,525 

1,525 

59,810 
2,958 

62,768 

2019 
$’000 

- 
1,155 

1,155 

58,977 
2,416 

61,393 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

On 22 May 2020, Aus Hold Co entered into a fourth amendment of its bank loan facilities.  Consistent with 
the provisions of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, the amendment was treated as a repayment and borrowing.  The 
Group recognized $195 thousand in deferred loan costs associated with the refinancing which will be 
expensed as a component of finance cost using the effective interest method over the term of the facilities. 
The amended due date of the facilities is 30 September 2023 and there are no scheduled principal payments 
prior to the due date. Facility A consists of a $10 million revolving line of credit and Facility C a $50 million 
revolving line of credit. The Group recognized a loss of $447 thousand in conjunction with the early 
repayment of the facilities related to the deferred loan costs of the previous facilities. A commitment fee of 
45% of the applicable margin (currently 2.50%) is incurred on any unutilized portion of Facility A and Facility 
C.  The outstanding loans bear interest at BBSY plus the applicable margin (2.64% (including the applicable 
margin) at 30 June 2020). 

Maturities of financial liabilities are included in Note 4 (c)(ii) (Financial risk management/Liquidity risk/Maturities 
of financial liabilities).  Cash outflows related to financial liabilities are included in Note 25(b) (Cash flow 
information/Net debt reconciliation). 

Distributions (including dividends and share buybacks) are restricted under the bank loan agreement to 100% 
of net profit after tax adjusted (“NPATA”).  NPATA is defined as net profit after tax adding back the tax 
adjusted amortization expense related to finite lived intangibles arising from acquisition accounting. 

Assets pledged as security 
Bank loan facilities are secured by a first ranking charge over all GTN Limited, ATN, Aus Hold Co, UK 
Hold Co, UKTN, UK Commercial, Lux Co 1, US Hold Co, GTN, US Management Co, CTN and GSN 
assets.  

21  Earnings per share 

Profit attributable to shareholders 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic 
earnings per share 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary 
share used in calculating diluted earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share (cents per share) 
Diluted earnings per share (cents per share) 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

319 

15,732 

220,914 

220,914 

$0.00 
$0.00 

224,591 

224,591 

$0.07 
$0.07 

At 30 June 2020, the Company had common stock equivalents of 10,075,440 outstanding in the form of 
outstanding stock options.  However, these common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of 
diluted earnings per share since they are anti-dilutive due to the exercise price of the options exceeding the 
Company’s share price on 30 June 2020. 

22  Shareholders’ equity  

2020 
‘000’s 
Ordinary shares 

2020 
$’000 
Issued capital 

2019 
‘000’s 
Ordinary shares 

2019 
$’000 
Issued capital 

At beginning of reporting period 

Shares repurchased and retired 

224,000 

(8,721) 

444,041 

(6,533) 

224,721 

(721) 

444,981 

(940) 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

At the end of the reporting period 

215,279 

437,508 

224,000 

444,041 

On 25 February 2019, the Company filed an Appendix 3C announcing that it has initiated an on-market share 
buyback of up to 10% of its outstanding shares (up to $20 million) for a period of up to twelve months.  The 
Company repurchased 9,396,911 shares for $7,448 thousand during the term of the initial on-market buyback. 
The Company subsequently filed an Appendix 3D extending the on-market buyback from 12 March 2020 to 
11 March 2021 for up to 10% of its then outstanding shares. The Company has repurchased 44,691 shares 
for $26 thousand under this authorization. No target share price or minimum repurchase amount has been 
set. 

During the year ended 30 June 2020, the Company repurchased 8,720,971 shares at an average price per share 
of $0.75 for total consideration of $6,533 thousand. 

23  Equity based compensation 

As of 30 June 2020 and 2019 there were 10,075,440 and 2,612,461 stock option grants to purchase shares of 
GTN Limited outstanding, respectively under the Company’s Long-term Incentive Plan (“the Plan”). 
Options granted under the Plan vest (subject to performance conditions) on an annual basis over three years 
(one third after two years and the remaining grant after three years) and expire after five years from the date 
of the grant. The Plan allows for cashless exercise under which employees surrender shares in lieu of paying 
the cash exercise price and remitting the required amounts to satisfy tax withholding obligations. The Group 
does not anticipate incurring cash costs under the Plan (other than de minimus payroll tax withholdings) since 
it does not currently repurchase shares issued with regards to the Plan. 

Stock Options 
Under AASB 2, share-based compensation benefits are provided to employees via the Plan. The maximum 
term of the options granted under the Plan is five years.  The fair value of rights granted under the Plan is 
recognised as equity-based compensation expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is 
measured at grant date and recognised over the period during which the employee becomes unconditionally 
entitled to the rights.  

7 April 2017 Grant 
The fair value at grant date was independently determined using a number of methods including the Monte-
Carlo option pricing model and the Binomial option pricing model which take into account the exercise price, 
the term of the right, the vesting and performance criteria, the volume weighted average share price at grant 
date, the expected price volatility of the underlying shares, the expected dividend yield and the risk-free 
interest rate for the term of the right.  

The fair value of the rights granted is adjusted to reflect the market vesting condition but excludes the impact 
of any non-market vesting conditions. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the 
number of rights that are expected to become exercisable. At each reporting date, the Company revises its 
estimate of the number of rights that are expected to become exercisable.  

The equity-based compensation expense recognised each period takes into account the most recent estimate. 
The impact of the revision to the original estimates is recognised in profit or loss with a corresponding 
adjustment to equity. Shares related to the exercise of vested options under the Plan are issuable upon 
payment of the strike price to the Company. 

The performance criteria for vesting criteria are as follows: 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Performance 
Metrics 

50% subject to performance condition based on the Company’s relative 
total shareholder return (TSR) compared to members of the ASX 300 
(excluding financials and resources) over the performance period 
TSR ranking 
Up to and including the 50th percentile 
Between the 51st and 75th percentile (inclusive) 

Percentage to vest 

0% 
Pro rata straight line 
between 50% and 
100% 

At and above 75th percentile 

100% 

50% subject to performance condition based on Company’s earnings per 
share (EPS) growth (adjusted for one-off items associated with the IPO 
and amortisation of intangibles and excluding United States Traffic 
Network, LLC operations, as determined by the Board) over the 
performance period 
Percentage to vest 
EPS Compound annual growth rate 
0% 
Less than threshold 
Between threshold and stretch target (inclusive)  Pro rata straight line 

Above stretch target 

between 50% and 
100% 

100% 

The inputs used in the measurement of the fair values at grant date were as follows: 

Grant date 
Expiration date 
Share price at grant date 
5-day VWAP at grant date 
Fair value at grant date 
Exercise price 
Expected volatility (based on historic and 

expected volatility of Company’s shares)     

Expected life 
Expected dividends 
Risk-free interest rate (based on government 

bonds) 

30 June 2020 

5 April 2017  
  31 December 2021  
$2.74   
$2.72  
$0.695   
$2.74    

45.00 %     

4.75 years    

4.00 %     

2.14 % 

9 November 2018 Grant 
The Company has moved to a service time-based vesting criterion.  Under this plan, options vest if the 
grantee is employed by the Group at the vesting date without further performance hurdles.  The fair value of 
these options was estimated at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following 
assumptions: 

Grant date 
Expiration date 
Share price at grant date 
Fair value at grant date 
Exercise price 
Expected volatility (based on historic and 

30 June 2020 
  9 November 2018  
  9 November 2023  
$2.15   
$0.647   
$2.15    

expected volatility of Company’s shares)     

49.69 %     

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
 
   
 
  
   
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Expected life 
Expected dividends 
Risk-free interest rate (based on government 

bonds) 

3.83 years    

4.09 %     

2.30 % 

15 November 2019 Grant 
The Company’s 15 November 2019 grant is under the same terms as its 9 November 2018 grant.  The fair 
value of these options was estimated at the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
following assumptions: 

Grant date 
Expiration date 
Share price at grant date 
Fair value at grant date 
Exercise price 
Expected volatility (based on historic and 

expected volatility of Company’s shares)     

Expected life 

Expected dividends 
Risk-free interest rate (based on government 

bonds) 

30 June 2020 
  15 November 2019  
  15 November 2024  
$0.76   
$0.200   
$0.76       

%    
56.62 
3.83 years       

7.37 

%    

0.80 

%    

The Company’s outstanding stock options as of 30 June 2020 were as follows: 

Balance, 30 June 2019 
Exercisable, 30 June 2019 
Grants 
Exercised 
Forfeitures/expirations 
Balance, 30 June 2020 
Exercisable, 30 June 2020 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Shares 
2,612,461        $  2.30           
651,321        $  2.74           
7,462,979        $  0.76           
-           
   $ 
-           
   $ 
     10,075,440        $  1.16           
651,321        $  2.74           

-  
-   

Aggregate 
Fair 
Value 
,000’s 

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Term 
4.11 years         $  1,720    
2.50 years         $ 
452    
4.27 years         $  1,489    
-         $ 
-   
-   
-         $ 
4.0 years         $  3,209    
1.50 years         $ 
452    

Based on the following assumptions, the fair value with regards to all options issued and outstanding as of 30 
June 2020 is $3,209 thousand. As of 30 June 2020, there was $1,533 thousand of unrecognized compensation 
cost related to non-vested share-based compensation under the Plan. The cost of the unrecognized 
compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years on a pro rata basis 
over the vesting period. This expense is based on an assumption that there will be no non-market forfeitures; 
this assumption is based on the positions of the grantees of the stock options and the low number of 
forfeitures under previous long-term incentive plans of members of the Group. The expense with regards to 
stock options for the years ended 30 June 2020 and 2019 is $855 thousand and $569 thousand, respectively 
and is included in equity based compensation expenses. The Group recognized $0 of income tax benefit 
related to share-based compensation for the years ended 30 June 2020 and 2019.  

24  Operating agreements 
The Group’s UK Commercial subsidiary outsources the majority of its radio traffic and entertainment news 
operations pursuant to contracts with unrelated third parties.  These expenses are a component of network 

72 

 
 
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
 
  
   
 
 
   
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

operations and station compensation expense on the accompanying consolidated statement of profit or loss 
and other comprehensive income and are recognised over the term of the applicable contracts, which is not 
materially different than when the services are provided.  The minimum future payments under these 
contracts are as follows: 

30 June 2020 
30 June 2019 

Minimum Payments Due 

Within 1 year 
$’000 
3,349 
3,434 

1 to 5 years 
$’000 
810 
4,158 

After 5 years 
$’000 
- 
- 

Total 
$’000 
4,159 
7,592 

The Group generally enters into multiyear contracts with radio and television stations.  These contracts call 
for the provision of various levels of service (including, but not limited to providing professional 
broadcasters, gathering of information, communications costs and aviation services) and, in most cases, cash 
compensation or reimbursement of expenses.  Station compensation is a component of network operations 
and station compensation expenses on the accompanying consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income and is recognised over the terms of the contracts, which is not materially different 
than when the services are performed. Contractual station commitments consist of the following:  

30 June 2020 
30 June 2019 

Minimum Payments Due 

Within 1 year 
$’000 
51,370 
58,167 

1 to 5 years 
$’000 
44,693 
74,350 

After 5 years 
$’000 
30,984 
31,854 

Total 
$’000 
127,047 
164,371 

The Group had no contingent liabilities at 30 June 2020. 

25  Cash flow information 

(a)  Details of the reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities are listed in the 

following table: 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit for the period 
Adjustments for: 

Allowance for doubtful accounts  
Equity based compensation expenses 
Amortisation of deferred borrowing costs 
Depreciation and amortisation  
Foreign currency loss  
Non-cash station compensation from long-term prepaid affiliate contract  
Interest income on long-term prepaid affiliate contract 
Interest expense from amortisation of original issue discount 

Net changes in working capital: 

Change in trade and other receivables 
Change in other assets 
Change in deferred tax assets 
Change in trade and other payables 

73 

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

319 

15,732 

284 
855 
69 
11,771 
72 
13,120 
(8,242) 
959 

17,897 
1,776 
(5,515) 
(6,547) 

53 
569 
46 
11,208 
41 
13,142 
(8,325) 
637 

537 
(578) 
(1,538) 
(312) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Change in contract liabilities 
Change in current tax liabilities 
Change in provisions 
Change in deferred tax liabilities 
Change in other liabilities 

732 
(306) 
(45) 
1,347 
- 

84 
925 
(297) 
1,554 
(37) 

Net cash from operating activities 

28,546 

33,441 

(b)  Net debt reconciliation 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Borrowings  

Net (debt)/cash 

Borrowings consist of: 
Financial liabilities 
Deferred loan costs and original issue discount 
Leases 

2020 
$’000 

57,040 
(64,483) 

(7,443) 

(59,810) 
(190) 
(4,483) 

(64,483) 

2019 
$’000 

50,728 
(63,571) 

(12,843) 

(58,977) 
(1,023) 
(3,571) 

(63,571) 

Cash and cash 
equivalent 
$’000 

Borrowings  
$’000 

Leases 
$’000 

Net (debt)/cash 
$’000 

Net (debt)/cash as at 1 July 2018 

Adoption of AASB 16 1 July 2018 
Cash flows 
Borrowings 
Repayments 
Net exchange differences 

52,232 

- 
(2,831) 
- 
- 
1,327 

Net (debt)/cash as at 30 June 2019 

50,728 

Cash flows 
Borrowings 
Repayments 
Forgiveness 
Write-offs 
Net exchange differences 

6,934 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(622) 

Net (debt)/cash as at 30 June 2020 

57,040 

(60,000) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

(60,000) 

- 
(60,000) 
60,000 
- 
- 
- 

(60,000) 

- 

(3,277) 
- 
(1,460) 
1,291 
(125) 

(3,571) 

- 
(2,852) 
1,571 
52 
44 
273 

(4,483) 

(7,768) 

(3,277) 
(2,831) 
(1,460) 
1,291 
1,202 

(12,843) 

6,934 
(62,852) 
61,571 
52 
44 
(349) 

(7,443) 

26  Transactions with Key Management Personnel  
Key Management Personnel remuneration includes the following expenses: 

Total short-term employee benefits 
Total equity-based compensation 

Total remuneration 

2020 
$ 
3,064,110 
854,635 

3,918,745 

2019 
$ 
2,710,524 
568,639 

3,279,163 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

The majority of Key Management Personnel are all paid in USD so a portion of the change in compensation 
from the year ended 30 June 2019 to the year ended 30 June 2020 was due to changes in foreign exchange 
rates between AUD and USD. 

Whooska Podcasting Platform, a company controlled by Robert Loewenthal (a Company director), provides 
podcasting hosting services to the Group at no charge.  The fair-market value of the service provided is de 
minimus. 

Visit Sunshine Coast, a company of which David Ryan (a Company director) is chairman of the board of 
directors, has purchased advertising from the Group’s ATN subsidiary.  The amount purchased for the past 
two fiscal years was as follows: 

●FY 2020 
●FY 2019 

$37 thousand 
$  2 thousand 

William Yde’s (chief executive officer and managing director) daughter is employed by the Group with 
accounting and management duties.  Her cash salary (translated from USD to AUD at the same exchange 
rates as the Group’s financial statements) was: 

●FY 2020 
●FY 2019 

$193 thousand 
$178 thousand 

In February 2020, in anticipation of spending additional time in the Australia market, the Group rented an 
apartment for Mr. Yde’s use.  During FY2020 the Group incurred expenses of $75 thousand related to the 
apartment.  The costs related to the apartment have not been included in Mr. Yde’s remuneration disclosures 
since these costs were expected to replace reimbursable hotel lodgings expense and it is expected the 
apartment will be available to other travelling Group employees.   

27  Parent Entity information 
The below information relates to GTN Limited (the “Parent Entity”) which was incorporated on 2 July 2015.   

Statement of financial position 
Current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Share capital 
Accumulated losses  
Accumulated profit – Dividend Profit Reserve 

Total equity 

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 

Total comprehensive income  

75 

2020 
$’000 

4,088 

356,695 

338 

687 

356,008 

437,508 
(82,071) 
571 

356,008 

9,937 
- 

9,937 

2019 
$’000 

6,244 

363,421 

327 

635 

362,786 

444,041 
(82,071) 
816 

362,786 

30,929 
- 

30,929 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Guarantees entered into by the parent entity  
In addition, there are cross guarantees given by GTN Limited (as holding entity), GTN Holdings Pty Limited 
(“LuxCo 1”), GTCR Gridlock Holdings (Australia) Pty Limited (“Aus Hold Co”), The Australia Traffic 
Network Pty Limited (“ATN”), GTCR Gridlock Holdings, Inc. (‘US Hold Co”) and Global Traffic Network, 
Inc. (“GTN”) as described in Note 28 (Deed of cross guarantee).  

No liability was recognised by the parent entity or the group in relation to the above guarantees, as the fair 
value of the guarantees is immaterial. 

Contingent liabilities of the parent entity 
The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2020 or 30 June 2019. For information 
about guarantees given by the parent entity, please see above. 

28  Deed of cross guarantee 

GTN Limited (as holding entity), GTN Holdings Pty Limited (“LuxCo 1”), Gridlock Holdings (Australia) 
Pty Limited (“Aus Hold Co”), The Australia Traffic Network Pty Limited (“ATN”), GTN US Holdco, Inc. 
(‘US Hold Co”) and Global Traffic Network, Inc. (“GTN”) are parties to a deed of cross guarantee under 
which each company guarantees the debts of the others. By entering into the deed, the wholly-owned 
entities have been relieved from the requirement to prepare a financial report and directors’ report under 
ASIC Corporations (Wholly-owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785 issued by the Australian Securities 
and Investments Commission.   

The above companies represent a ‘closed group’ for the purposes of the Class Order, and as there are no 
other parties to the deed of cross guarantee that are controlled by GTN Limited, they also represent the 
‘extended closed group’. 

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, summary of movements in consolidated 
retained earnings and consolidated statement of financial position 

Set out below is a consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the years 
ended 30 June 2020 and 2019 of the closed group consisting of the above companies.  

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income 

Revenue  
Other income 
Interest income on long-term prepaid affiliate contract 
Network operations and station compensation expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Equity based compensation expenses 
Finance costs  
Depreciation and amortisation 
Foreign currency transaction loss 
Loss on refinancing 
Profit before income tax  
Income tax benefit (expense) 
Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax 
Total other comprehensive income for the year 

76 

2020 
$’000 

78,960 
25 
8,242 
(55,054) 
(17,387) 
(855) 
(2,804) 
(6,335) 
(58) 
(447) 
4,287 
229 
4,516 

- 
- 

2019 
$’000 

93,896 
139 
8,325 
(54,086) 
(19,105) 
(569) 
(3,563) 
(6,044) 
(27) 
- 
18,966 
(6,039) 
12,927 

- 
- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Total comprehensive profit for the year 

4,516 

12,927 

Summary of movement in consolidated retained earnings 

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the financial year 
Profit for the period 
Dividends 
Accumulated losses at the end of the financial year 

(121,546) 
4,516 
(10,182) 
(127,212) 

(104,361) 
12,927 
(30,112) 
(121,546) 

Set out below is a consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2020 and 2019 of the closed 
group consisting of the above companies.  

Consolidated statement of financial position 

Assets 
Current 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Current tax assets 
Other current assets 
Current assets 

Non-current  
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Investment in subsidiaries 
Other assets 
Non-current assets 
Total assets 

Liabilities 

Current  
Trade and other payables 
Contract liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
Provisions 
Current liabilities 

Non-current  
Financial liabilities 
Deferred tax liabilities 
Provisions 
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 
Net assets 

Equity 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Accumulated losses 
Total equity 

2020 
$’000 

26,683 
8,438 
6,663 
1,434 
43,218 

3,165 
33,230 
86,158 
75,014 
103,013 
300,580 
343,798 

20,771 
903 
636 
932 
23,242 

59,522 
19,380 
371 
79,273 
102,515 
241,283 

2019 
$’000 

20,704 
18,406 
1,940 
1,612 
42,662 

2,937 
38,915 
86,240 
73,753 
103,828 
305,673 
348,335 

17,855 
58 
423 
939 
19,275 

59,417 
17,903 
409 
77,729 
97,004 
251,331 

437,508 
(69,013) 
(127,212) 
241,283 

444,041 
(71,164) 
(121,546) 
251,331 

29  Segment information 
The Group’s chief operating decision maker, its chief executive officer analyses the Group’s performance by 
geographic area and has identified four reportable segments: Australia, Brazil, Canada and United Kingdom. 

The segments’ revenues are as follows: 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Australia 
  United Kingdom 
Canada 
Brazil 
Other 

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

78,960 
42,563 
26,968 
12,443 
6 

93,896 
45,234 
33,195 
12,644 

- 

160,940 

184,969 

The chief operating decision maker tracks performance primarily by Adjusted EBITDA which is defined as 
EBITDA adjusted for any foreign exchange profit or loss, interest income on the long-term prepaid affiliate 
agreement, transaction costs, gains on lease forgiveness, losses on refinancing and other unusual non-
recurring items.   

  Adjusted EBITDA by Segments 

Australia 
  United Kingdom 
Canada 
Brazil 
Other 

  Adjusted EBITDA 
  Foreign exchange loss 
  Loss on refinancing 
  Gain on lease forgiveness 
  Less: Interest income on long-term prepaid 

affiliate contract 

EBITDA 

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

16,809 
2,473 
(1,673) 
532 
(3,893) 

14,248 
(72) 
(447) 
52 

(8,242) 

5,539 

30,911 
3,883 
5,409 
1,128 
(3,782) 

37,549 
(41) 
- 
- 

(8,325) 

29,183 

  Depreciation and amortization 
  Interest income on long-term prepaid affiliate 

contract 

  Financing costs net of interest income 
  Profit (loss) before taxes 

(11,771) 

(11,208) 

8,242 
(2,658) 

(648) 

8,325 
(3,383) 

22,917 

Segment assets and liabilities are classified by their physical location. 

  Segment assets 

Total Assets: 
Australia 
  United Kingdom 
Canada 
Brazil 

  Total segment assets 

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

251,686 
36,661 
28,822 
4,039 

321,208 

258,376 
37,878 
35,079 
7,203 

338,536 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Unallocated: 
  Deferred tax assets 

Others 

Total assets 

  Segment liabilities 
  Total liabilities 
Australia 
  United Kingdom 
Canada 
Brazil 

  Total segment liabilities 

Unallocated: 
  Deferred tax liabilities 
Borrowings 

  Intercompany eliminations 
Others 

  Total liabilities 

4,269 
11,828 

337,305 

2,975 
11,192 

352,703 

78,986 
4,511 
3,727 
1,959 

89,183 

20,344 
64,293 
(63,420) 
7,799 

118,199 

80,476 
7,443 
5,014 
2,736 

95,669 

18,997 
62,548 
(68,309) 
7,542 

116,447 

30  Events subsequent to the reporting period 

No matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which significantly affected or 
may significantly affect the operations of the group, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of 
the group in future financial years. 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GTN Limited 
For the year ended 30 June 2020 

Directors’ declaration  

In the directors’ opinion: 

(a) 

The financial statements, set out on pages 31 to 79 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 
including:  

(i)  complying  with  Accounting  Standards,  the  Corporations  Regulations  2001  and  other  mandatory 
professional reporting requirements, and 

(ii) giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of 
its performance for the financial year ended on that date, and 

(b)  

(c) 

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they 
become due and payable, and 

 at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the closed 
group identified in Note 28 will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, or may 
become, subject to virtue of the deed of cross guarantee described in Note 28. 

Note 2.1 confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards 
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. 

The directors have been given the declarations by the chief executive officer and chief financial officer 
required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.  

Robert Loewenthal 
Chairman  

Dated, this 27th day of August 2020 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 17, 383 Kent Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Correspondence to: 
Locked Bag Q800 
QVB Post Office 
Sydney NSW 1230 

T +61 2 8297 2400 
F +61 2 9299 4445 
E info.nsw@au.gt.com 
W www.grantthornton.com.au 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the Members of GTN Limited  

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial report of GTN Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprises the 
consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2020, the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash flows for the 
year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies, and the Directors’ declaration.  

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

a  giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of its performance for the year 

ended on that date; and  

b  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are 
further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are 
independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and 
the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for 
Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled 
our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.  

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd ACN 130 913 594 
a subsidiary or related entity of Grant Thornton Australia Ltd ABN 41 127 556 389 

www.grantthornton.com.au 

‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients 
and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Ltd is a member firm of Grant Thornton International 
Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are 
delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one 
another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to 
Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. GTIL is not an Australian related entity to 
Grant Thornton Australia Limited. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key audit matters  

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
report of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in 
forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.  

We have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report. 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Recoverable amount of goodwill and intangible assets 
Refer to Notes 2.9, 2.10, 2.13, 2.26 and 14 

As at 30 June 2020, the Group’s intangible assets and 
goodwill total $141.7 million.  

AASB 136 Impairment of Assets requires that, for the 
purposes of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a 
business combination be allocated to each of the Group’s 
cash-generating units (CGU). Each CGU to which goodwill is 
allocated must be tested for impairment at least annually. 

Management has assessed that the group has three CGUs, 
and has allocated the goodwill and intangible assets to each 
of these CGUs.  

Management has tested the CGUs for impairment by 
comparing their carrying amounts with their recoverable 
amounts. The recoverable amounts were determined using a 
value-in-use model. 

We have determined this is a key audit matter due to the 
judgements and estimates required in determining the 
appropriate CGUs and calculating the recoverable amount, 
including the assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on the calculation of recoverable amounts. 

Our procedures included, amongst others: 

  Enquiring with management to obtain and document 
an understanding of the processes and controls 
related to the assessment of impairment, including 
identification of CGUs and the calculation of the 
recoverable amount for each CGU;  

  Obtaining management’s value in use calculations to: 
-  Test the mathematical accuracy;  
-  Evaluate management’s ability to perform 
accurate estimates by comparing historical 
forecasting to actual results;  

-  Test forecast cash inflows and outflows to 
be derived by the CGUs’ assets; and  

-  Assess the discount rates applied to 

forecast future cash flows;  

  Evaluating the value in use models against the 

requirements of AASB 136, including consultation 
with our valuations experts;  

  Performing sensitivity analysis on the significant 

inputs and assumptions made by management in 
preparing the calculation, including those specifically 
related to the estimated impact of COVID-19 on the 
Group’s forecast cash flows; and  

  Assessing the adequacy of financial report and 

accounting policy disclosures. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The impacts of COVID-19 and going concern  
Refer to Note 2.30 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a material negative impact 
on the Group’s results during the last quarter of the financial 
year ended 30 June 2020 and should the Group’s financial 
performance continue as it has since the COVID-19 
pandemic, it is likely to enter into covenant default under its 
bank loan facility agreement, absent a waiver from the lender. 
A covenant default gives the lender the ability to accelerate 
the repayment of the debt facility.  

Whilst the estimated potential impacts of COVID-19 on the 
future operations of the Group have been taken into account 
by the Directors and management in preparing the financial 
statements, including the assessment of going concern, the 
scale and duration of the pandemic and impact on the Group’s 
operations in future are inherently uncertain.  

The Group had cash and cash equivalents of $57m at 30 June 
2020. 

The impacts of COVID-19 and, related to that, the Group’s use 
of the going concern basis of accounting is a key audit matter 
due to the high level of judgement required by us in evaluating 
the Group’s assessment of these matters. 

Our procedures included, amongst others: 

  Reviewing management’s cash flow forecasts and 
assessing the appropriateness of the models used; 

  Assessing key judgements and assumptions and 

performing a sensitivity analysis of the inputs in the model;  

  Testing management’s ability to forecast by comparing 

cash flow forecasts for prior periods to actual outcomes;  

  Considering results subsequent to balance date, cash and 

net working capital positions; 

  Reviewing the terms of the Group’s bank loan facility, 

considering the circumstances under which the facility was 
renewed in May 2020 and related correspondence between 
the Group and its lenders; and 

  Assessing the adequacy of disclosures for compliance in 
accordance with the Australian Accounting Standards. 

Information other than the financial report and auditor’s report thereon 

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the 
Group’s annual report for the year ended 30 June 2020, but does not include the financial report and our auditor’s report 
thereon.  

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.  

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider 
whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or 
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.  

Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial report  

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view in 
accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal control as the Directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.  

In preparing the financial report, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.  

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report  

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing 
Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions 
of users taken on the basis of this financial report.  

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing and Assurance 
Standards Board website at: http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1_2020.pdf. This description forms part of 
our auditor’s report. 

Report on the remuneration report 

Opinion on the remuneration report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 21 to 29 of the Directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 
2020.  

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of GTN Limited, for the year ended 30 June 2020 complies with section 300A of 
the Corporations Act 2001.  

Responsibilities 

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Remuneration Report in accordance 
with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, 
based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd 
Chartered Accountants 

S M Coulton 
Partner – Audit & Assurance 

Sydney, 27 August 2020 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION AS AT 24 JULY 2020 

Number of security holders and securities on issue 

Quoted equity securities 

GTN has 215,279,041 fully paid ordinary shares on issue which are held by 728 shareholders. 

Unquoted equity securities 

GTN has 10,075,440 unquoted options on issue held by 3 option holders as follows: 

•
•
•
•
•

651,321 options exercisable at $2.74 on or before 31 December 2021;
653,713 options exercisable at $2.15 after 9 November 2020;
1,307,427 options exercisable at $2.15 after 9 November 2021;
2,487,660 options exercisable at $0.76 after 15 November 2021, and
4,975,319 options exercisable at $0.76 after 15 November 2022.

Voting rights 

Quoted equity securities 

The voting rights attached to fully paid ordinary shares are that on a show of hands, every member 
present, in person or proxy, has one vote and upon a poll, each share shall have one vote. 

Unquoted equity securities 

There are no voting rights attached to options.  Options will rank equally with the company’s fully 
paid  ordinary  shares  if  and  when  the  options  vest  and  are  thereafter  exercised  (prior  to  the 
applicable expiry date). 

Distribution of security holders 

Quoted equity securities 

Fully paid ordinary shares 

Holding 

No. of shares  % of shares 

1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 

51,515 
727,048 
782,783 
5,154,888 
208,562,807 
215,279,041 

0.02 
0.34 
0.36 
2.39 
96.88 
100 

No. of 
shareholders 
124 
296 
95 
182 
31 
728 

% of shareholders 

17.03 
40.66 
13.05 
25.00 
4.26 
100 

85

Unquoted equity securities 

Options 

Holding 

1 – 1,000 
1,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 100,000 
100,001 and over 
Total 

No. of options  % of Options  No. of holders 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3 
3 

0 
0 
0 
0 
10,075,440 
10,075,440 

0 
0 
0 
0 
100 
100 

% of holders 

0 
0 
0 
0 
100 
100 

Unmarketable parcel of shares 

The number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of fully paid ordinary shares 
is 203. 

1,282 fully  paid  ordinary  shares  comprise  a marketable  parcel  at GTN’s closing  share  price  of 
$0.39 as at 24 July 2020.  

Substantial shareholders (as notified to ASX) 

The  number  of  securities  held  by  substantial  shareholders  and  their  associates  (as  notified  to 
ASX) are set out below: 

Fully paid ordinary shares 

Name 

Number 
Shares 

of 

Current 
Interest* 

Notice Date 

50,372,704 

Viburnum Funds Pty Limited and subsidiaries and 
funds 
Perennial Value Management Limited 
CBA and related bodies corporate 
Spheria Asset Management Pty Ltd 
First Sentier Investors Holdings** 
Renaissance Smaller Companies Pty Ltd 
Ellerston Capital 
Devon Funds Management Limited 
ICE Investors Pty Limited 
Smallco Investment Manager Limited 
H.E.S.T Australia Limited as Trustee for Health 
Employees Superannuation Trust Australia 
Carol Australian Holdings Pty Limited and related 
bodies corporate (Colonial First State) 
Dumac Inc. 
*As reported by the substantial shareholder at the time of lodgement
**Same as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc SSN lodged on 5 June 2020 

26,615,695 
20,647,517 
19,519,255 
19,368,456 
18,450,745 
18,077,931 
14,238,765 
13,810,735 
13,702,318 

13,653,482 

11,252,423 

12,103,273 

22.57% 

04/03/2020 

12.36% 
9.25% 
9.07% 
9.00% 
8.25% 
8.40% 
6.34% 
6.42% 
6.10% 

27/03/2020 
18/02/2020 
27/05/2020 
01/06/2020 
23/12/2019 
27/03/2020 
18/05/2018 
28/05/2020 
29/06/2018 

6.10% 

19/11/2019 

5.40% 

6/08/2019 

5.04% 

20/02/2020 

86

Twenty largest shareholders 

Fully paid ordinary shares 

Details of the 20 largest shareholders of quoted securities by registered shareholding are: 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
16 
16 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 
HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED 
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED 
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 
MR WILLIAM L YDE III 
VIBURNUM FUNDS PTY LTD 
CS THIRD NOMINEES PTY LIMITED 
COWOSO CAPITAL PTY LTD 
MR CRAIG COLEMAN & MRS PHYLLIS COLEMAN 
PT VENTURES PTY LTD 
COFLINK PTY LIMITED 
MRS EVA XIRADIS 
MRS CINDY TAECKE 
WILLRYAN PTY LIMITED 
TRUTEC PTY LTD 
HEAVENLY STAR PTY LTD 
MFM AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED 
COMCERC INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 
BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD HUB24 CUSTODIAL SERV LTD 
MR PAUL XIRADIS & MRS EVA XIRADIS 
CMCK CAPITAL PTY LIMITED 

Total 
Balance of register 
Grand total 

On-market buy-back 

 79,779,913 
 58,863,934 
 28,398,338 
 12,430,405 
 11,292,670 
 4,960,789 
 3,603,408 
 2,500,000 
 1,784,789 
 700,000 
 500,000 
 422,519 
  315,000 
  300,000 
  225,000 
  200,000 
  200,000 
  200,000 
  200,000 
 188,895 
 177,614 
 163,258 
 150,000 
207,556,532 
  7,722,509 
215,279,041 

37.06 
27.34 
13.19 
  5.77 
  5.25 
  2.30 
  1.67 
  1.16 
  0.83 
  0.33 
  0.23 
  0.20 
  0.15 
  0.14 
  0.10 
  0.09 
  0.09 
  0.09 
  0.09 
  0.09 
  0.08 
  0.08 
  0.07 
96.41 
  3.59 
100.00 

On 27 February 2020, the Company filed an Appendix 3D extending the on-market buyback from 
12 March 2020 to 11 March 2021 for up to 10% of its then outstanding shares (up to 22,315,525 
shares). 

Calendar of key dates 

3 September 2020 

Closing date for receipt of Director nominations 

12 November 2020 

2020 Annual General Meeting 

87

 
 
Corporate Directory 

Directors 

Robert Loewenthal - Independent Non-Executive Chairman 
William Yde III - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director 
David Ryan AO – Independent Non-Executive Director 
Corinna Keller – Independent Non-Executive Director 

Company secretaries 

 Anna Sandham 
Patrick Quinlan 

Registered office 

Share register 

Level 42, Northpoint 
100 Miller Street  
North Sydney NSW 2060 
Telephone: +61 2 9955 3500 

 Link Market Services Limited 
 Level 12 
 680 George Street 
 Sydney, NSW 2000 
 Share registry telephone: +61 1300 554 474 

Auditor 

 Grant Thornton 
 Level 17 383 Kent Street 
 Sydney, NSW 2000 

Stock exchange listing 

 GTN  Limited  shares  are  listed  on  the  Australian  Securities 
Exchange (ASX code: GTN) 

Website 

 www.gtnetwork.com.au 

ABN 

 38 606 841 801 

88