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TEGNA INC.
7950 JONES
BRANCH DR.,
MCLEAN, VA
22107
WWW.TEGNA.COM
Company
Profile
Shareholder
Services
TEGNA Inc., formerly Gannett Co., Inc.,
is comprised of a dynamic portfolio
of media and digital businesses that
provide content that matters and brands
that deliver. TEGNA delivers highly
relevant, useful and smart content, when
and how people need it, to make the
best decisions possible. Our agile and
forward-thinking portfolio of television
and digital businesses comprise one of
the largest, most geographically diverse
broadcasters in the U.S. and two top
digital companies, Cars.com and
CareerBuilder, as well as several other
well-positioned and growing online
companies.
TEGNA Media includes 46 television
stations (including those serviced by
TEGNA) and is the largest independent
station group of major network affiliates
in the top 25 markets. TEGNA Media
reaches approximately one-third of all
television households nationwide and
represents the #1 NBC affiliate group,
#1 CBS affiliate group and #4 ABC affil-
iate group (excluding owner-operators).
Millions of consumers turn to TEGNA
Media throughout their day to navigate
their world more successfully. Our
journalists take their First Amendment
responsibilities seriously and deliver
relevant, innovative and impactful con-
tent. Combined, TEGNA’s TV stations,
across 23 states, are renowned for their
outstanding journalism and have been
recognized with numerous national
honors including Edward R. Murrow,
Alfred I. duPont, George Foster Peabody,
National Headliner, George Polk and
Emmy awards.
On the digital side, Cars.com is
the leading online destination for
automotive consumers offering credible,
objective information about car shop-
ping, selling and servicing. With over
30 million monthly visits to its web
properties, Cars.com leverages its
growing consumer audience to help
automotive marketers more effectively
reach car buyers and sellers, as well as
those looking for trusted service
providers. CareerBuilder is the global
leader in human capital solutions,
helping the world’s top employers attract
great talent. CareerBuilder provides
services ranging from labor market
intelligence to talent management soft-
ware and other recruitment solutions.
It is the largest online job site in North
America, measured both by traffic
and revenue, and has a presence in
more than 60 markets worldwide.
Together, Cars.com and CareerBuilder
provide TEGNA’s advertising partners
with access to two very important
categories – automotive and human
capital solutions.
Also part of this powerful digital mix
is G/O Digital, a one-stop shop for local
businesses looking to connect with
consumers through localized digital
marketing. From search to social and
everything in between, G/O Digital
offers a strategic approach in building
an integrated digital marketing solution
based on the unique needs of each local
business. G/O Digital helps businesses
get connected, be found and stay
engaged with consumers across more
than 110 local markets.
TEGNA Digital also includes
Cofactor, a digital marketing company
that is uniquely positioned to bridge the
divide between online and offline worlds
and enables brands to intelligently
deliver content everywhere, driving
sales locally.
Combined, TEGNA’s brands have tremendous reach. Each month,
TEGNA reaches more than
90 million U.S. adults
across broadcast and digital media, empowering them to
act with conviction and navigate their world successfully.
I
B
N
D
N
G
I
TEGNA STOCK
TEGNA Inc. shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol TGNA. The
company’s transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. General inquiries and requests
for enrollment materials for the programs described below should be directed to Wells Fargo
Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or by telephone at 1-800-778-3299
or at www.shareownerservices.com.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) provides TEGNA shareholders the opportunity to purchase
additional shares of the company’s common stock free of brokerage fees or service charges through
automatic reinvestment of dividends and optional cash payments. Cash payments may range from a
minimum of $10 to a maximum of $5,000 per month.
AUTOMATIC CASH INVESTMENT SERVICE FOR THE DRP
This service provides a convenient, no-cost method of having money automatically withdrawn
from your checking or savings account each month and invested in TEGNA stock through your
DRP account.
DIRECT DEPOSIT SERVICE
TEGNA shareholders may have their quarterly dividends electronically credited to their checking or
savings accounts on the payment date at no additional cost.
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10 a.m. (E.T.), Thursday, May 5, 2016, at TEGNA
headquarters.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We have posted on the Corporate Governance page under the “Investors” menu of our web site
(www.tegna.com) our principles of corporate governance, ethics policy, related person transaction
policy and the charters for the audit, nominating and public responsibility and executive compen-
sation committees of our board of directors, and we intend to post updates to these corporate
governance materials promptly if any changes (including through any amendments or waivers of the
ethics policy) are made. This site also provides access to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Our chief executive
officer and our chief financial officer have delivered, and we have filed with our 2015 Form 10-K, all
certifications required by the rules of the SEC. Complete copies of our corporate governance
materials and our Form 10-K may be obtained by writing our Secretary at our corporate headquarters.
In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our chief executive officer has
certified, without qualification, that such officer is not aware of any violation by TEGNA of the
NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
News and information about TEGNA is available on our web site. Quarterly earnings information
will be available in late April, July and October 2016. Shareholders who wish to contact the company
directly about their TEGNA stock should call Shareholder Services at TEGNA headquarters,
703-854-6677.
TEGNA Headquarters
7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107 • 703-854-7000
THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN
AND PRODUCED BY
EMPLOYEES OF TEGNA.
Vice Pesident & Controller
Cam McClelland
Assistant Controller
James Reynolds
Corporate Consolidations Team
Dimeterice Ferguson
Ben Fernando
Varun Kanwar
Suzanne Kuo
Lorraine Licayan
Mark Ramsey
Evan Strong
Manager/Corporate
Communications
Steve Kidera
Creative Director/Designer
Michael Abernethy
Printing
Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI
Printed on recycled paper.
This report was printed using
soy-based inks. The entire report
contains 10% total recovered fiber/
all post-consumer waste.
Table of
Contents
2015 Financial Summary .....................................1
Letter to Shareholders .........................................2
Board of Directors ..................................................7
Company and Divisional Officers ..................8
Form 10-K
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Operating revenues, in millions
In thousands, except per share amounts
14 $2,626
15 $3,051
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. before asset impairment
and other special items, in millions
14
15
$284
$330
Net income per diluted share before asset impairment and other
special items
14
15
$1.22
$1.44
Change
Operating revenues ....................... $ 3,050,945 $ 2,626,141 16.2%
2014
2015
Operating income .......................... $ 913,158 $ 707,499 29.1%
Adjusted EBITDA (1) ..................... $ 1,055,894 $ 911,139 15.9%
Net income from continuing
operations attributable to
TEGNA, Inc. .................................. $ 357,458 $ 687,936 (48.0%)
Net income per share from
continuing operations – diluted ...... $
Net income attributable to
TEGNA Inc. before asset
impairment and other special
items (2)......................................... $ 330,344 $ 284,043 16.3%
2.97 (47.5%)
1.56 $
Net income per diluted share
before asset impairment and
other charges (2) ........................... $
1.44 $
1.22
18.0%
Free cash flow (3) .......................... $ 557,139 $ 670,845 (16.9%)
Working capital .............................. $ 198,376 $ 179,610 10.4%
Long-term debt .............................. $ 4,200,816 $ 4,488,028
(6.4%)
Total assets ................................... $ 8,537,758 $ 11,242,195 (24.1%)
Capital expenditures ...................... $ 118,767 $ 150,354 (21.0%)
Shareholders’ equity ...................... $ 2,191,971 $ 3,254,914 (32.7%)
Dividends declared per share ........ $
0.68 $
0.80 (15.0%)
Weighted average common
shares outstanding – diluted .........
(0.9%)
(1) See page 23 of TEGNA’s Form 10-K for reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA,
a non-GAAP financial measure, to net income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA.
231,907
229,721
(2) Results for 2015 exclude special items benefits of $27 million after tax
or $.12 per share. Results for 2014 exclude special items benefits of
$404 million after tax or $1.75 per share. These special items are more
fully discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial
Statement sections of this report.
(3) See page 65 of TEGNA’s Form 10-K for a reconciliation of free cash flow,
a non-GAAP financial measure, to net cash flow from operating activities.
ANNUAL 1 REP ORT
Letter to
Shareholders
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
2015 was a pivotal and historic year for
our company. Our strategy to transform
our company culminated on June 29
when TEGNA Inc. was formally introduced.
TEGNA combines our strong portfolio of
televisions stations and their digital assets
with growing digital businesses, like Cars.
com and CareerBuilder, to form a very
well-positioned company.
During the past four years, we have
transformed the company, turning uncer-
tainties to certainties for our shareholders.
We have built a strong foundation and are
ready to capitalize on the growing demand
in the industries we serve. We added signif-
icant scale by acquiring high-performing
broadcasting properties such as the former
Belo and London Broadcasting television
stations. We also gained full ownership of
Cars.com, which has performed above our
already high expectations. We have terrific
competitive positioning, strong leaders
overseeing our businesses, unparalleled
local relationships and a shareholder-
centric capital allocation plan. Added
together, TEGNA is a company primed for
growth and future success.
TEGNA continues to provide outstand-
ing value to our shareholders. Since we
unveiled our game-changing strategic plan
to transform our company in February
2012, through the end of 2015, our total
shareholder return was 137 percent, more
than double that of the S&P 500. In 2015,
overall company revenue was $3.05 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $1.06 billion,
growth of 16 percent despite the absence
of a record $200 million of Olympic and
political spending in 2014. Our Digital
Segment, led by the acquisition of and
organic growth at Cars.com, saw revenues
increase by 47 percent year-over-year.
We generated free cash flow of more than
$557 million in 2015. We could not be more
pleased to have capped off TEGNA’s year
on such strong footing.
that we receive from cable and satellite
providers. With the benefit of our strong
stations, in 2015 we successfully
negotiated retransmission agreements
with operators covering 58 percent of
our subscribers. We have also reached
long-term agreements with network
partners NBC and CBS, bringing all of our
big three network affiliated stations under
long-term agreements. TEGNA Media
has certainty and stability with our
distribution and network partners.
TEGNA MEDIA:
ENTERING A NEW CHAPTER
ON STRONG FOOTING
TEGNA Media is a broadcasting indus-
try leader. Our unique and unparalleled
network of geographically diverse stations,
from Portland, OR to Portland, ME, reaches
nearly one-third of U.S. households. With
the addition of the former Belo stations in
2013, we doubled our portfolio, a move that
has been, by any objective measure, a ter-
rific success. The next year we acquired
six London Broadcasting stations across
Texas. We have added scale and strong
stations in rapidly growing areas. We
anticipate our expanded reach will greatly
benefit the company and shareholders in
2016, with record-breaking political and
Olympic spending expected.
Additionally, as we’ve said in the past,
there continues to be a gap between
audience demand for our channels and the
share of the overall retransmission fees
REMAINING TRUE TO OUR ROOTS
Over the last several years, we have been
transforming our Media business, enhanc-
ing our digital and social media footprint,
expanding advertising and digital market-
ing solutions beyond linear television and
creating original programming. All of these
efforts have a shared goal: to better serve
our audiences across multiple platforms.
At TEGNA Media, our quality plus scale
equals success.
But, one thing that has not changed is
our commitment to outstanding journalism
that makes a difference. We empower
the people we serve. We deliver relevant,
innovative and impactful content 24/7
across all platforms. TEGNA Media con-
tinues to be well known for our journalism
and the positive impact we have in our
communities. We have been recognized
with many prestigious national honors in-
cluding Edward R. Murrow, Alfred I. duPont,
George Foster Peabody and NAB’s Service
ANNUAL 2 REP ORT
TEGNA Media is the largest independent station group
of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets.
Reaching
approximately
one-third
of all television
households
nationwide
Denotes multiple
stations at one location.
#1
NBC
affiliate group
#1
CBS
affiliate group
#4
ABC
affiliate group
(excluding owner-operators)
Combined, TEGNA Media’s television stations, across 23 states,
are known for their outstanding journalism and have
been recognized with numerous national honors including
Edward R. Murrow, Alfred I. duPont, George Foster Peabody,
National Headliner, George Polk and Emmy awards.
ANNUAL 3 REP ORT
Letter to
Shareholders
to America awards in 2015. TEGNA Media
was also named 2015 Station Group of the
Year by Broadcasting & Cable.
TEGNA Media is a partner in people’s
lives and a source they turn to throughout
the day and in times of need. When tragedy
strikes, our stations bring communities
together and play an incredibly important
public service role. Our meaningful investi-
gations bring positive change and improve
the lives of those we serve. We organize
hundreds of community service and fund-
raising events impacting those in need. We
are vital to our communities and we take
this important role seriously. TEGNA Media
can, and does, make an impact every day.
Additionally, we are an innovator and
leader in developing original programming
across our 46 television stations. We are
focused and committed to developing a
consistent pipeline of fresh and creative
ideas and new and unique voices. As
the preferences of our audiences evolve
and shift, we are devoted to delivering
innovative content across platforms. No
matter the device, our stations produce
countless hours of local content every
day, giving people the key information they
need to know when and how they want
it. Live event programming remains the
most-watched content for viewers of all
ages and our stations deliver. Events from
the NFL and Olympics to the Grammys
and Oscars are not only watched in high
numbers across our stations but are
heavily discussed before, during and after
online and across social media. And we
are engaging our audiences across social
media, which is now at the core of what
we do. Collectively, our stations are one of
Facebook’s top media players, generating
more engagement than many national
outlets. That will only grow in 2016, creat-
ing a greater bond with our audience and
revenue opportunities for our stations.
TEGNA DIGITAL: CONTINUED
INNOVATION IN TWO OF THE
FASTEST-GROWING VERTICALS
While our strategy across TEGNA Media
has resulted in unparalleled success,
we have also strengthened our Digital
portfolio. In October 2014, we acquired full
ownership of Cars.com. Not only did that
double our Digital business, it provided
us a highly strategic position within the
important automotive vertical.
Cars.com exceeded our expectations
in 2015, as it continues to innovate across
platforms, expand its product offerings and
strengthen its position as the leading online
destination for automotive consumers.
At any given time, Cars.com has approx-
imately 4.5 million vehicle listings and is
servicing almost 21,000 franchise and inde-
pendent car dealers, a 4 percent increase
from 2014. The Cars.com website, which
sees more than 30 million monthly visits,
was also overhauled, making it more user
and mobile friendly. Cars.com is able to
leverage this large and growing audience to
help automotive marketers more effectively
reach car buyers and sellers, as well as
those looking for trusted service providers.
In 2015, Cars.com became a true one-
stop-shop for all aspects of car ownership.
We expanded into the area of service,
introducing solutions for those looking to
get their vehicle repaired. Now, consumers
can go to Cars.com and search a nation-
wide network of nearby independent
certified auto repair shops. This focus
on product and service innovation will
continue to be an important part of
Cars.com’s growth in the future.
In addition, Cars.com further expanded
by launching Event Positions, enabling car
dealers to promote and build awareness
for their local events to in-market shoppers.
We also strengthened our relationship with
dealers by providing them key analytics
for on-the-lot car buyers. Through Lot
Insights, we are able to give car dealers
a first-of-its-kind report showing who is
using the Cars.com app while on their lot.
These new products contribute to
revenue growth and are examples of how
innovations and technology introduced
by Cars.com better serve buyer and seller
customers. That is our goal at Cars.com:
to attract more car buyers and dealers to
our platforms and continue to build and
expand existing relationships between
dealers and consumers.
2015 was a pivotal year for
CareerBuilder, as well. A fresh new look
for the brand was launched, showcasing
CareerBuilder as the innovative
ANNUAL 4 REP ORT
Cars.com is the leading online
destination for automotive
consumers offering credible,
objective information about car
shopping, selling and servicing.
With over 30 million monthly
visits to its web properties,
Cars.com leverages its
growing consumer audience
to help automotive marketers
more effectively reach car
buyers and sellers, as well as
those looking for trusted
service providers.
CareerBuilder is the global
leader in human capital
solutions, helping the world’s top
employers attract great talent.
CareerBuilder specializes in
Human Resources Software as
a Service to help companies with
every step of the recruitment
process. It is the largest online
job site in North America,
measured by both traffic and
revenue, and has a presence
in more than 60 markets
worldwide.
G/O Digital is a one-stop-shop
for local businesses looking to
connect with consumers through
localized digital marketing. From
search to social and everything
in between, G/O Digital offers a
strategic approaching in building
an integrated digital marketing
solution based on the unique
needs of each local business.
G/O Digital helps businesses get
connected, be found and stay
engaged with consumers across
more than 110 local markets.
Over
30 Million
Monthly
Visits
to its web properties.
The
Largest
Online
Job Site
in North America.
Helping
Thousands
of Local
Businesses
succeed.
TEGNA Digital also includes Cofactor, a digital marketing company
that is uniquely positioned to bridge the divide between online and
offline worlds and enables brands to intelligently deliver content
everywhere, driving sales locally.
ANNUAL 5 REP ORT
Letter to
Shareholders
technology company it has become.
Behind the scenes, CareerBuilder transi-
tioned its focus to Software as a Service,
or SaaS. The company is transforming into
the leader in all things pre-hire. Like Cars.
com in the auto world, CareerBuilder has
become a provider of solutions across
the entire spectrum of recruitment and
employment. CareerBuilder is creating the
world’s first and only complete pre-hire
platform with advertising career sites,
candidate relationship management, job
distribution, workforce analytics, applicant
tracking systems, semantic search and
more. It is a portfolio of software solutions
that is unparalleled in the industry. Bringing
SaaS to the forefront of CareerBuilder’s
business model positions it for great
success in 2016 and beyond.
Also part of TEGNA Digital’s powerful
portfolio of digital businesses is G/O Digital,
a one-stop-shop for local businesses look-
ing to connect with consumers through
localized digital marketing. G/O Digital
continues to help small businesses across
the country get connected to, and stay
connected to, consumers. G/O Digital uses
innovative and strategic solutions targeted
to each specific business, helping them
grow and succeed. In 2015, G/O Digital
revenues grew 35 percent and we look
forward to continued success in 2016.
DELIVERING CONTENT
THAT MATTERS AND
BRANDS THAT DELIVER
Both TEGNA Media and TEGNA Digital
share a singular mission: to empower our
audiences to make smart and informed
decisions. Millions of Americans turn to us
every day to provide them the key informa-
tion they need to know. We help them with
choices, large and small – from who to vote
for in the presidential election and where
to buy the right car, to help finding that
perfect job and knowing the weather and
traffic for the day ahead.
TEGNA Media and TEGNA Digital
collectively inform and engage more than
90 million Americans every month and
many of those individuals rely on our con-
tent on a daily basis. We take our mission
very seriously and we could not be more
proud to play such an integral role in the
lives of so many.
A SIMPLE BUT
POWERFUL STRATEGY
We have made terrific progress in our
first six months as TEGNA. As we move
into 2016 and look toward our future, we
will continue to strive to better serve our
audiences and deliver on our promises to
our consumers, advertisers, employees
and shareholders.
Our path toward increased value for all
of our stakeholders runs through six key
strengths that differentiate TEGNA from
our competitors.
• High growth, high margin businesses
• Top performing assets and scale
• Consistently strong and dependable
cash flows
• Widely-respected and experienced
industry experts at the helm of
TEGNA Media and TEGNA Digital
• Financial discipline and shareholder-
focused capital structure
• Award-winning journalism coupled with
independent and authoritative content
that enables consumers to make the
best decisions possible
These core advantages, our long his-
tory of returning value to shareholders and
our strong financial footing, provide the
foundation and flexibility we need to invest
in our businesses and seize opportunities
for both organic and acquisition-related
growth. We have been, and will continue to
be, passionate about maximizing the value
of each of these strengths to remain an
industry leader and innovator.
It has been a banner year for TEGNA
and we thank you for your continued loyalty
and support throughout. We can’t wait to
see what the future holds.
Marjorie Magner,
Chairman of the Board
Gracia Martore,
President and Chief Executive Officer
ANNUAL 6 REP ORT
MARJORIE MAGNER
Chairman, TEGNA Inc. and managing partner,
Brysam Global Partners, a private equity firm
investing in financial services with a focus on
consumer opportunities in emerging markets.
Formerly: Chairman and CEO, Citigroup’s
Global Consumer Group. Other directorships:
Accenture; Ally Financial Inc. Age 66. (a,b,c)
GRACIA C. MARTORE
President and chief executive officer.
Formerly: President and chief operating offi-
cer, Gannett Co., Inc. (2010-2011); Executive
vice president and chief financial officer,
Gannett Co., Inc. (2006-2010); Senior vice
president and chief financial officer, Gannett
Co., Inc. (2003-2006). Other directorships:
WestRock Company; FM Global; Associated
Press; and on the Board of Trustees of
The Paley Center for Media. Age 64. (b,e)
HOWARD D. ELIAS
President and chief operating officer,
EMC Global Enterprise Services. Formerly:
President and chief operating officer,
EMC Information Infrastructure and Cloud
Services, Executive Office of the Chairman.
Age 58. (b,c)
LIDIA FONSECA
Senior vice president and chief information
officer, Quest Diagnostics. Formerly: Senior
vice president and chief information officer,
Laboratory Corporation of America.
Age 47. (c)
JILL GREENTHAL
Senior advisor, Private Equity Group of
Blackstone Group, L.P. Formerly: Senior
managing director, Blackstone’s Advisory
Group. Other directorships: Akamai Tech-
nologies, Inc.; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; The
Weather Channel Companies. Age 59. (a)
Board of
Directors
MAGNER
MCCUNE
MARTORE
MCGEE
ELIAS
NESS
FONSECA
NOLOP
GREENTHAL
SHAPIRO
(a) Member of Audit Committee.
(b) Member of Executive Committee.
(c) Member of Executive Compensation Committee.
(d) Member of Nominating and Public Responsibility
Committee.
(e) Member of TEGNA Leadership Team
ANNUAL 7 REP ORT
SCOTT K. MCCUNE
CEO, McCune Sports and Entertainment
Ventures, a consulting firm focused on
the business of sports and entertainment.
Formerly: Vice president, Global Partnerships
and Experiential Marketing, The Coca-Cola
Company. Age 59. (c)
HENRY W. MCGEE
Senior lecturer, Harvard Business School.
Formerly: President, HBO Home
Entertainment. Other directorships:
AmerisourceBergen Corporation. Age 63. (d)
SUSAN NESS
Senior fellow, Center for Transatlantic Rela-
tions at Johns Hopkins University’s School of
Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and
Principal, Susan Ness Strategies, a com-
munications policy consulting firm. Other
directorships and trusteeships: Vital Voices
Global Partnership; Committee for Economic
Development. Age 67. (a,d)
BRUCE P. NOLOP
Former Executive vice president and chief
financial officer of E*TRADE Financial
Corporation. Formerly: Executive vice presi-
dent and chief financial officer, Pitney Bowes
Inc. Other directorships: Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc.; On Deck Capital, Inc.
Age 65. (a,b)
NEAL SHAPIRO
President and chief executive officer, WNET.
org. Other directorships and trusteeships:
Public Television Major Market Group (MMG);
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE);
Investigative News Network (INN); the Board
of Trustees, Tufts University and the alumni
board of Communications and Media Studies
program, Tufts University. Age 57. (b,d)
Company
& Divisional
Officers
TEGNA’s principal management group
is the TEGNA Leadership Team, which
coordinates overall management policies
for the company.
The managers of the company’s
various local operating units enjoy
substantial autonomy in local policy,
operational details and content. TEGNA’s
headquarters staff includes specialists
who provide advice and assistance to
the company’s operating units in various
phases of the company’s operations.
Included is a listing of the officers
of the company. Information about one
officer who serves as a director (Gracia
C. Martore) can be found on page 7.
• Member of the TEGNA Leadership Team.
Lynn Beall, Executive Vice President,
TEGNA Media. Age 55.
Nicholas Lehman, Chief Strategy Officer.
Age 44. •
William A. Behan, Senior Vice President,
Labor Relations. Age 57. •
Kevin E. Lord, Senior Vice President and
Chief Human Resources Officer. Age 53. •
Tom R. Cox, Vice President, Corporate
Development. Age 38.
David T. Lougee, President, TEGNA
Media. Age 57. •
Peter Diaz, Executive Vice President,
TEGNA Media. Age 59.
Victoria D. Harker, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer.
Age 51. •
Todd A. Mayman, Executive Vice
President, Chief Legal and Administrative
Officer. Age 56. •
Clifton A. McClelland III, Vice President
and Controller. Age 46.
Akin S. Harrison, Vice President,
Associate General Counsel and Secretary.
Age 43.
John A. Williams, President, TEGNA
Digital. Age 65. •
Michael A. Hart, Vice President and
Treasurer. Age 70.
ANNUAL 8 REP ORT
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-6961
TEGNA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
16-0442930
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
22107-0150
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 854-7000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
The New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter)
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K (Check box if no delinquent filers).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
No
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales
price of the registrant’s Common Stock as reported on The New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2015, was $7,239,422,726.
The registrant has no non-voting common equity.
As of Jan. 31, 2016, 219,720,167 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 5, 2016, is
incorporated by reference in Part III to the extent described therein.
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INDEX TO TEGNA INC.
2015 FORM 10-K
Part I
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . .
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item No.
1
1A.
1B.
2
3
4
5
6
7
7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
9
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9A.
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
11
12
13
14
15
Part III
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . .
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part IV
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Our company is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media
and digital businesses that provide content that matters and
brands that deliver. We deliver highly relevant, useful and
smart content, when and how people need it, to make the best
decisions possible. Our agile and forward-thinking portfolio is
comprised of one of the largest, most geographically diverse
broadcasters in the U.S. and two leading digital companies,
Cars.com and CareerBuilder. Combined, TEGNA’s brands
have tremendous reach. Each month, our company reaches
more than 90 million people across our broadcast and digital
media platforms.
Our high margin operations generate strong and
dependable cash flow and we are very disciplined financially.
In addition, our strong balance sheet provides us the flexibility
to invest in our businesses and to capitalize on opportunities
for organic and acquisition-related growth while returning
value to shareholders through dividends and share
repurchases.
Since 2011, we have followed an ambitious and focused
business strategy to transform our company. In all our efforts,
our decisions have focused on one goal: to increase
shareholder value. Through 2014, we made great progress on
this evolution, including through the strategic acquisitions of
Cars.com and Belo Corp., which doubled the scale of our
Digital and Media Segments.
Fiscal year 2015 was a terrific and historic year for our
company. We negotiated several retransmission agreements
with major carriers with favorable terms; reached new long-
term affiliation agreements with two network broadcast
partners; launched new, innovative and expanded products at
Cars.com; and developed and deployed a more focused
business strategy and direction at CareerBuilder.
During 2015, we also made a number of significant
strategic changes to enhance shareholder returns and
improve the company. On June 29, 2015, the first day of our
fiscal third quarter, we completed the separation of our
publishing businesses. Our company was renamed TEGNA
Inc. and our stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol TGNA. The new publishing company
retained the name Gannett Co., Inc. (Gannett) and now trades
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GCI. In
the fourth quarter of 2015, we also sold Clipper Magazine,
Mobestream Media and PointRoll.
After these strategic changes, we now operate the
following two reportable segments:
TEGNA Media (Media Segment) - which includes 46
television stations (including one station under service
agreements) in 38 markets. We are the largest independent
station group of major network affiliates in the top 25 markets,
reaching approximately one-third of all television households
nationwide (more than 35 million households). We represent
the #1 NBC affiliate group, #1 CBS affiliate group and #4 ABC
affiliate group (excluding owner-operators). In December, we
completed our acquisition of three Sander Media LLC
television stations - KGW in Portland, Oregon, WHAS in
Louisville, Kentucky and KMSB in Tucson, Arizona - following
approval from the Federal Communications Commission. We
had serviced these stations under shared service and similar
arrangements since December 2013. Each television station
3
also has a robust digital presence across online, mobile and
social, reaching consumers whenever, wherever they are
across platforms. About 42 million unique visitors access our
Media Segment’s digital properties each month. Social media
is now at the core of all we do. Our stations keep viewers
informed and engaged throughout the day. In fact, KUSA in
Denver had the number one Facebook post of any local news
organization during the year, generating 4 million interactions.
Along with the advantages associated with our scale, we are
ratings leaders well-positioned to continue to take market
share. We believe that content comes first, resulting in award-
winning local programming and a unique bond with the
communities we serve. We continue to make top-notch,
innovative programming a priority and invest in local news and
other special programming to ensure we stay connected to our
audiences and empower them throughout the day.
TEGNA Digital (Digital Segment) - which primarily consists
of the Cars.com (formerly Classified Ventures LLC) and
CareerBuilder businesses. Cars.com operates a leading
online destination for automotive consumers offering credible,
objective information about car shopping, selling and
servicing. Cars.com has approximately 30 million monthly
visits to its web properties and was recently named by
comScore as having the number one mobile app in the third
party automotive resources category. Cars.com leverages its
growing consumer audience to help automotive dealers and
marketers more effectively reach car buyers and sellers, as
well as those looking for trusted service providers.
In addition, we own a controlling 53% interest in
CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions
specializing in Human Resource (HR) software as a service to
help companies with every step of the recruitment process.
CareerBuilder operates one of the largest job sites in North
America, measured both by traffic and revenue, and has a
presence in more than 60 markets worldwide. Together,
Cars.com and CareerBuilder provide our advertising partners
with access to two very important categories - automotive and
human capital solutions. Our Digital Segment also includes
G/O Digital, a one-stop shop for digital marketing services for
local businesses; and Cofactor (also operating as ShopLocal),
a digital marketing company that is uniquely positioned to
bridge the divide between the online and offline worlds and
enable brands to intelligently deliver content everywhere,
driving sales locally. As consumers conduct more of their daily
lives and day-to-day business online, our digital assets
position us well, driving tremendous national and international
reach.
In addition to the above reportable segments, our
corporate category includes activities that are not directly
attributable or allocable to a specific reportable segment. This
category primarily consists of broad corporate management
functions including legal, human resources, and finance as
well as activities and costs not directly attributable to a
particular segment.
General Company Information
TEGNA (formerly Gannett Co., Inc.) was founded by Frank E.
Gannett and associates in 1906 and was incorporated in
1923. We listed shares publicly for the first time in 1967 and
reincorporated in Delaware in 1972. Our approximately 220
million outstanding shares of common stock are held by
approximately 6,800 shareholders of record as of Dec. 31,
2015. Our headquarters is located at 7950 Jones Branch
Drive, McLean, VA, 22107. Our telephone number is (703)
854-7000 and our website home page on the Internet is
www.tegna.com. We make our website content available for
information purposes only. It should not be relied upon for
investment purposes, nor is it incorporated by reference into
this Annual Report on Form 10-K (Form 10-K).
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements for
our annual stockholders’ meetings and amendments to those
reports are available free of charge on our investor website,
www.investors.tegna.com as soon as reasonably practical
after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition,
copies of our annual reports will be made available, free of
charge, upon written request. The SEC also maintains a
website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy
statements and other information regarding SEC registrants,
including TEGNA Inc.
Business Segments
We operate two business segments: Media and Digital. We
organize our business segments based on management and
internal reporting structure, the nature of products and services
offered by the segments, and the financial information that is
evaluated regularly by our chief operating decision maker.
Financial information for each of our reportable segments can
be found under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Item 8
“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form
10-K.
Media Segment
In 2015, our Media Segment generated net revenues of $1.7
billion, which represented 55% of our total consolidated net
revenues. We have a presence in almost one-third of U.S.
television households with a total market reach of more than
35 million households. Our station portfolio includes 46 full-
power stations including one station we service through
services arrangements. Today we are more diversified by
region and network affiliation and are now a leading company
in the industry. Other than the three major networks (ABC,
CBS, and NBC) themselves, we are the largest owner of
stations affiliated with each of these three major networks in
the top 25 markets.
The primary sources of our Media Segment’s revenues
are: 1) core advertising which includes local and national non-
political advertising; 2) political advertising revenues which are
driven by elections and peak in even years (e.g. 2016, 2014)
and particularly in the second half of those years; 3)
retransmission revenues representing fees paid by satellite
and cable operators and telecommunications companies to
carry our television signals on their systems; 4) digital
revenues which encompass digital marketing services and
advertising on the stations’ websites and tablet and mobile
products; and 5) payments by advertisers to television stations
for other services, such as production of programming from
third parties and production of advertising material.
The advertising revenues generated by a station’s local
news programs make up a significant part of its total
revenues. Advertising rates are influenced by the demand for
advertising time. This demand is influenced by a variety of
factors, including the size and demographics of the local
population, the concentration of businesses, local economic
conditions in general, and the popularity of the station’s
programming. As the market fluctuates with supply and
demand, so does the station’s pricing. Almost all national
advertising is placed through independent advertising
representatives. Local advertising time is sold by each
station’s own sales force.
Generally, a network provides programs to its affiliated
television stations and sells on its own behalf commercial
advertising for certain of the available advertising spots within
the network programs. Our television stations also produce
local programming such as news, sports, and entertainment.
Broadcast affiliates and their network partners continue to
have the broadest appeal in terms of household viewership,
viewing time, and audience reach. The overall reach of events
such as the Olympics and NFL Football, along with our
extensive local news and non-news programming, continues
to surpass the reach in viewership of individual cable
channels. Our ratings and reach are driven by the quality of
programs we and our network partners produce and by the
strong local connections we have to our communities, which
give us a unique position among the numerous program
choices viewers have, regardless of platform.
4
The Media Segment is positioned to maximize
engagement through social media. The synergistic
relationship between social media and television is strong and
we continue to explore ways to socially engage consumers on
all screens for all types of programs, from major sporting
events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness, to
signature television events such as the Grammys or Academy
Awards. Our social media reach grew over 40% in 2015 and
now totals over 12 million followers on Twitter and Facebook.
Within the Media Segment, social media consumers resulted
in over 800 million referrals during 2015, a 125% increase
over 2014.
Retransmission consent and affiliation agreements:
Pursuant to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
rules, every three years a local television station must elect to
either (1) require cable and/or direct broadcast satellite
operators to carry the station’s signal or (2) require such cable
and satellite operators to negotiate retransmission consent
agreements to secure carriage. At present, we have
retransmission consent agreements with the majority of cable
operators and satellite providers for carriage of our television
stations. We also have retransmission agreements with major
telecommunications companies. Revenue from television
retransmission fees has increased steadily in the last several
years, better reflecting the value of the content that our Media
Segment provides. While core advertising still represents a
majority of Media Segment revenues (approximately 65% in
2015), the contribution from retransmission revenues
continues to grow. In 2015, we completed retransmission
negotiations with several significant operators. These are
multi-year agreements that provide us with significant and
steady revenue streams. Retransmission revenues are
expected to grow significantly in 2016 and beyond.
Of our 46 stations, 40 have affiliation agreements with one
of the four major networks. Programming fees are paid to our
network partners who, in turn, provide us with prime time,
sports and network news programming, which we then
distribute in the local markets in which we operate. CBS and
NBC affiliation agreements were just renewed with expiration
dates in 2019 and 2021 respectively. The renewed affiliation
agreements include our original TEGNA stations as well as
our more recently acquired stations.
Programming and production: The costs of locally
produced and purchased syndicated programming is a
significant portion of television operating expenses.
Syndicated programming costs are determined based on
several market factors, including demand from the
independent and affiliated stations within the market. In recent
years, our television stations have expanded our locally
produced news and entertainment programming in an effort to
provide programs that distinguish the stations from the
competition, to increase locally responsible programming, and
to be more cost effective. Due to our scale, we provide
stations additional resources from other markets to cover our
major breaking news stories which give us a competitive
advantage.
Strategy: Our Media Segment’s quality and scale drives
its success. Our television stations empower the people we
serve, delivering highly relevant, useful and smart content. We
expect our wide geographic footprint to serve us well
throughout the 2016 election cycle. Media has stations in key
swing states, such as Colorado, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina
and Virginia, and we anticipate record-breaking political
advertising spending in 2016. We also anticipate record-
setting Olympic advertising spending which benefits Media as
the number one independent NBC affiliate group.
Media renegotiated several new retransmission
agreements with major carriers such as DISH and DIRECTV/
AT&T U-verse in 2015, and we expect our content and scale
will allow us to grow market share and secure further
retransmission fee revenue growth in the future. A gap
remains between the value we provide and the fees that we
are currently receiving from many carriers. We expect that we
will continue to close that gap over the coming years.
Media has also recently executed long-term network
affiliation agreements with CBS and NBC. Media’s entire
portfolio of CBS, NBC and ABC stations is now under long-
term agreements. Additionally, there are several initiatives
underway that we expect to contribute to additional revenue
and cash flow growth in the coming years to offset the impact
of rising network affiliation fees.
The Media Segment continues to focus on increasing
engagement on all platforms with local customers, including
digital marketing services and advertising on the stations’
desktop, tablet and mobile products. In 2015, we modernized
our technology infrastructure. By doing this, we gained the
benefit of both lowering our digital technology costs while
significantly improving our customer experiences. We
introduced new customer-facing product platforms and
improved our internal systems, which help our teams deliver
outstanding customer experiences. We introduced a new
mobile app platform to many of our stations on September 1
and launched a beta release of our new mobile web/web
content management system. Customers can also consume
our content on our recently launched Roku and NewsOn app
channels. We introduced new on-air tools to weave social
media into our broadcasts while our journalists created mobile
video capturing more news in real-time. On the internal
systems front, we built a portal called TegnaVision for our
station groups to more easily share digital video. During the
year, we built a new data warehouse and implemented-state-
of-the-art social media analytics tools. These enhancements
will give our local stations real time insight into what people
are talking about in their communities.
Digital growth continues to accelerate for our television
stations as content remains in high demand and product
improvements continue to be favorably received by
consumers. In 2015, total unique visitors and page views were
up 13% and 14%, respectively, on a pro forma basis. Usage of
our mobile and tablet apps, as well as mobile web, grew
significantly in 2015 and now accounts for almost two-thirds of
the total digital page views. Digital video plays in 2015
increased 25% as video continues to be highly desired on all
platforms. Product enhancements to both the desktop and
mobile digital products occur every year and are part of a
continuous cycle of improving the customer experience and
increasing consumer engagement.
5
From our successful negotiations of renewed
retransmission agreements and the creation of original,
innovative programming to expanded coverage and increased
focus on our communities, we had a very strong year in 2015.
We kicked off significant efforts to transform our content and
connect with audiences in new, powerful ways. With increased
alignment between our digital and linear television properties
as well as increased focus on station-to-station content
sharing, we delivered more cross-platform reporting than ever
before.
For example, in January 2015, in response to the
Ferguson, Missouri riots, Media started a campaign to improve
the dialogue between police and their respective communities.
Using the hashtag #startswithtrust, Media stations combined
special on-air reports with social media outreach to tell the
story in their local community. The campaign was designed to
open an honest dialogue about the issue. Stations aired
special Town Halls, told impactful stories and conducted
meaningful interviews in an effort to not just report on the
issue but improve communities. When tragedy struck the AME
Methodist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, our Columbia
station, WLTX, dominated the story, benefiting from Media
resources in Charlotte, Atlanta and Jacksonville. Our teams
produced an hour-long dedication to the victims and
encouraged South Carolinians to perform nine simple acts of
kindness to honor the nine victims. The community rallied
around the effort taking to social media to share their acts of
kindness via the hashtag #lovenothate.
Our investigative reporting was also a big focus this year.
Statewide investigations across our Texas stations became
standard practice. We found success with multiple
investigations that ran across our Media stations, including an
investigation into our country’s 911 system and an
investigation revealing the backlog of untested sexual assault
kits. Both efforts generated a tremendous response. Our
investigation hashtag #can911findme generated over 1.7M
social media mentions and our untested sexual assault kits
investigation led the Vice President, Attorney General and
District Attorney for Manhattan to pledge $80 million to help
clear the backlog.
Our Media Segment received substantial recognition and
honors this year. We were the most recognized station group
for excellence in local news. Our stations received 84 Edward
R. Murrow awards including the national Murrow for overall
excellence. In addition, our stations won the National
Association of Broadcasters Service to America Award, six
Investigative Reporters and Editors awards, three Alfred I.
duPont-Columbia University awards, a Peabody Award, eight
Salute to Excellence awards from the National Association of
Black Journalists, 44 awards from the National Association of
Press Photographers and many more. All of this recognizes
the quality journalism and commitment to localism our stations
deliver day-in and day-out.
Competition: Our Media Segment competes for audience
share and advertising revenues primarily with other local
television broadcasters (including network-affiliated and
independent) and with other advertising media, such as radio
broadcasters, multichannel video programming distributors
(MVPDs), newspapers, magazines, direct mail and Internet
media. Other sources of competition for our media stations
include home video and audio recorders and players, direct
broadcast satellite, low power television, Internet radio, video
offerings (both wire line and wireless) of telephone companies
as well as developing video services. Our stations compete for
audience share and audience composition within their
respective Designated Market Area (DMA) which is largely
driven by program popularity. Our share of the DMA has a
direct effect on the rates we are able to charge advertisers.
MVPDs can also increase competition by bringing additional
cable network channels and content into the DMA.
The advertising industry is dynamic and rapidly evolving.
Our stations compete in the emerging local electronic media
space, which includes the Internet or Internet-enabled
devices, handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones
and tablets, social media platforms, digital spectrum
opportunities associated with digital television transmission
(DTV) and Internet-enabled (“over-the-top” or “OTT”)
television services. The technology that enables consumers to
receive news and information continues to evolve.
Regulation: Our television stations are operated under the
authority of the FCC, the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended (Communications Act), and the rules and policies of
the FCC (FCC Regulations).
Television broadcast licenses generally are granted for
periods of eight years. They are renewable upon application to
the FCC and usually are renewed except in rare cases in
which a petition to deny, a complaint or an adverse finding as
to the licensee’s qualifications results in loss of the license.
We believe we are in substantial compliance with all
applicable provisions of the Communications Act and FCC
Regulations.
FCC Regulations also limit the concentration of
broadcasting control and regulate network and local
programming practices. FCC Regulations governing media
ownership limit, or in some cases prohibit, the common
ownership or control of most communications media serving
common market areas (for example, television and radio;
television and daily newspapers; or radio and daily
newspapers). FCC Regulations permit common ownership of
two television stations in the same market in certain defined
circumstances, including situations where at least one of the
commonly owned stations is outside the market’s top four
rated stations at the time of acquisition and, at least, eight
independent media “voices” remain after the acquisition. The
Communications Act includes a national ownership cap for
broadcast television stations which prohibits any one person
or entity from having, in the aggregate, market reach of more
than 39% of all U.S. television households. The market reach
of stations that broadcast on UHF channels is discounted by
50% (the UHF discount). Our 45 television stations (excluding
the station we currently service under a services arrangement)
reach approximately 24% of U.S. television households, after
applying the UHF discount. The FCC has proposed a repeal of
the UHF discount and that proceeding remains
pending. Without applying the UHF discount, our national
reach would be approximately 32%.
6
The FCC commenced a new review of its ownership rules
in 2014, as it is required to do every four years. The FCC has
proposed to retain the local television ownership rule and
proposed a modest relaxation of the newspaper/broadcast
rule. Also in 2014, the FCC determined that certain joint sales
agreements (JSAs) between television stations will be treated
as attributable ownership interests. We are party to only one
JSA which would have an insignificant impact on our overall
attributable ownership interest. The FCC has proposed
disclosure of shared services agreements and local news
agreements. We are also party to a transition services
agreement, which is similar to a shared services agreement
though more limited, with a third party that owns a television
station in Tucson, where we also own a television station. The
current chair of the FCC has stated that he expects the
ownership review commenced in 2014 to be completed by
mid-2016. We are unable to predict whether or how the FCC’s
rules in this area may change.
Congress has adopted legislation requiring the FCC to
make changes to the rules concerning negotiation of
retransmission consent agreements (which govern cable and
satellite operators’ carriage of our signals). In 2015, the FCC
adopted new rules required by the STELA Reauthorization Act
of 2014 that prohibit same-market television broadcast
stations from coordinating or jointly negotiating for
retransmission consent unless they are under common
ownership control. Congress also has directed the FCC to
commence a rulemaking to “review its totality of the
circumstances test for good faith [retransmission consent]
negotiations.” The Commission has commenced the required
proceeding to review the “totality of the circumstances” test for
good faith retransmission consent negotiations, which
proceeding is ongoing. We cannot predict what, if any,
additional changes to the rules governing retransmission
consent negotiations may be adopted. Separately, the FCC
has sought comment on a proposal to eliminate the network
non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity protection rules,
which may permit cable operators, direct broadcast satellite
systems, or other distributors classified by the FCC as MVPDs
to import out-of-market television stations with duplicating
programming during a retransmission consent dispute or
otherwise. If these or other changes are adopted and favor
MVPDs’ leverage against broadcasters in retransmission
consent negotiations, such changes could adversely impact
our revenue from retransmission and advertising.
Congress has authorized the FCC to conduct a voluntary
incentive auction to reallocate certain spectrum currently
occupied by television broadcast stations to mobile wireless
broadband services, along with a related “repacking” of the
television spectrum for remaining television stations. The
repacking may entail television stations moving to different
channels, having smaller service areas, and/or accepting
additional interference. Congress has required that the FCC
make “all reasonable efforts” to preserve the coverage area
and population served of full-power and Class A television
stations. The legislation authorizing the repacking establishes
a $1.75 billion fund for reimbursement of costs incurred by
stations which will be required to change channels in the
repacking. Initial applications for stations that wish to remain
eligible to bid to relinquish some or all of their current
spectrum rights - either by going off the air, moving frequency
bands, or sharing a channel - were due on January 12, 2016,
at which point the “quiet period” under the FCC’s auction anti-
collusion rules commenced. During the quiet period - which
continues until the FCC publicly announces the auction results
7
- broadcast television licensees eligible to participate in the
reverse-auction phase of the incentive auction are prohibited
from directly or indirectly communicating with each other or
with forward-auction applicants regarding licensees’ bids or
bidding strategies in the incentive auction. The incentive
auction is currently scheduled to commence in March 2016.
We have performed a comprehensive review of our markets
with respect to the opportunities presented by the auction. We
have submitted initial applications for certain of our stations.
However, we are unable to provide further details due to the
above mentioned FCC rules. It is still too early to predict the
likelihood, timing or outcome of any additional FCC regulatory
action in this regard or the ultimate impact, if any, of the
incentive auction and repacking upon our business.
In December 2014, the FCC proposed to expand the
definition of MVPD to include certain “over-the-top” distributors
of video programming that stream content to consumers over
the Internet. If the FCC adopts this proposal, it could result in
changes to how our stations’ signals are distributed, as well as
how our video programming competitors reach viewers. We
are unable to predict at this time whether the FCC will adopt
this proposal or what the effect on our retransmission and
advertising revenues will be, if any.
Digital Segment
Our Digital Segment is comprised of four business units
including; Cars.com, CareerBuilder, G/O Digital and Cofactor.
In 2015, our Digital Segment generated net revenues of $1.4
billion, which represented 45% of our total consolidated net
revenues.
In October 2014, we acquired the remaining 73% interest
we did not already own in Cars.com. Cars.com is a leading
independent research site for car shoppers with approximately
30 million visits per month and nearly 900,000 visits per month
across mobile devices. Independent automotive research sites
have become an integral part of the car shopping process.
Today, nearly all consumers visit a third-party site such as
Cars.com to gather vehicle and dealership information and
build confidence in the decision-making process. Recent
research shows that approximately a third of all vehicles sold
in the U.S. were both researched and found on Cars.com.
Cars.com offers credible and easy-to-understand information
from consumers and experts providing car buyers greater
control over the shopping process. Leveraging its growing
audience, Cars.com informs digital marketing strategies
through consumer insights and innovative products, helping
automotive dealers and manufacturers more effectively reach
in-market car shoppers.
Cars.com generates revenues through online subscription
advertising products targeting car dealerships and national
advertisers through its own direct sales force as well as its
affiliate sales channels. Cars.com hosts approximately 4.5
million vehicle listings at any given time and serves almost
21,000 customers that are primarily franchise and
independent car dealers in all 50 states. In January 2015,
Cars.com expanded into the area of service, introducing a
solution that provides information about reputable certified
repair shops and allows consumers to get estimates on
potential vehicle repairs.
CareerBuilder offers a wide array of solutions that help
employers around the world match the right candidate to the
right opportunity. CareerBuilder built the world’s first and only
pre-hire platform, providing everything from high-powered
sourcing and mass job distribution to labor market analysis,
workflow and automatic candidate relationship management -
all in one place. Through its technology, constant innovation
and customer care delivered at every touch point,
CareerBuilder is helping employers hire the best talent, faster.
Revenues are generated by both our own sales force, by
providing recruitment solutions, workforce analytics, and
human resource related consulting services, and through
sales of employment advertising placed with CareerBuilder's
owners' affiliated media organizations.
CareerBuilder serves both U.S. and international
customers. Through its websites and partnerships,
CareerBuilder has a presence in more than 60 countries
worldwide, including Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and
South America. In 2015, U.S. customers accounted for 89%
and international customers accounted for 11% of
CareerBuilder’s net revenue.
G/O Digital is a one-stop-shop for local businesses looking
to connect with media consumers through digital marketing,
including via search, social and email advertising. During
2015, we continued to successfully scale and grow this
business, by developing a central advertising sales force and
offering cross-platform marketing campaigns to leading local
advertisers in multiple markets.
Cofactor is a leader in turnkey local, at scale interactive
marketing that enables brands and retailers to engage
shoppers with personalized ad content on any device or
channel to drive local store traffic and sales. Cofactor offers a
complete suite of innovative digital advertising solutions to
connect with shoppers along the path to purchase, driving
measurable in-store sales and return on investment. Cofactor
partners with the nation’s top retailers and brands, including
CVS, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Publix, Procter & Gamble, Staples, The
Home Depot and Walgreens, to deliver localized ad content to
shoppers at national scale through online circulars, display
advertising, search, social media, video and mobile.
Strategy: The Digital Segment is driving significant growth
as our businesses meet evolving consumer demand. For
example, Cars.com has added to its offerings for car dealers,
buyers, and sellers increasing Cars.com’s standing within the
increasingly crucial advertising vertical. Cars.com continues to
be a leader in products and service innovation. Beyond this,
Cars.com launched RepairPal Certified, connecting car
owners and dealership service departments, and Event
Positions, which helps promote dealership events to an in-
market audience during a specific timeframe. More recently,
we launched Lot Insights, a first-of-its-kind tool in the industry
which uses geo-fencing to measure the influence that
Cars.com has in connecting customers and online shopping to
dealerships and an in-store experience. These products are
already contributing to revenue growth and more products will
launch in the coming years that will continue to better serve
our buyer and seller customers.
Also driving growth at Cars.com is an increase in digital
automotive advertising, reflecting trends in consumer
behavior, as car shoppers increasingly turn to digital to
research vehicles before purchase. Cars.com is well-
positioned to take advantage of shifting consumer and dealer
trends. We offer industry-leading automotive advertising
solutions as well as a user-friendly and innovative vehicle
search platform. With approximately 17.5 million new cars sold
across the U.S. in 2015, Cars.com is taking advantage of a
healthy demand for automobiles, increased digital advertising
spending, greater dealer penetration and continued innovation
across its product offerings.
CareerBuilder is transforming into a global HR software-as-
a-service (SaaS) leader, combining its advertising products
with software and analytics to create a single unified solution
for recruiters. The SaaS platform is in addition to
CareerBuilder's existing product line, and not a departure from
the core business. CareerBuilder has rapidly grown its SaaS
product offering, achieving revenues of $149 million in 2015,
up 30% from 2014.
Competition: Our Digital Segment faces significant
competition from other websites offering integrated Internet
products and services, networking websites and e-commerce
websites. Several competitors offer online services and/or
content in a manner similar to us that competes for the
attention of the users of our offerings and advertisers.
Specifically, Cars.com competes for a share of total digital
advertising spend in the U.S. automotive market. The digital
automotive industry is constantly evolving with new
competitors entering the market as barriers to entry are
relatively low. In recent years, dealers have shifted an
increasing portion of their advertising budgets to new entrants
with niche advertising products. Dealers also continue to
invest in search engine marketing to drive traffic directly to
their own websites, bypassing third-party sites while still
investing in traditional media such as television, radio and
newspapers. Cars.com has maintained its leadership position
through its award-winning site and through innovative new
products for its advertisers. In the current competitive climate,
the need to innovate and to connect an advertiser’s
investment to eventual sales at a local level will be of
increasing importance.
For CareerBuilder, the market for online recruitment
solutions is highly competitive with a multitude of online and
offline competitors. Competitors include other employment
related websites, general classified advertising websites,
professional networking and social networking websites,
traditional media companies, Internet portals, search engines
and blogs. The barriers to entry into the online recruitment
market are relatively low and new competitors continue to
emerge. Recent trends include the rising popularity of
professional and social media networking websites and job
aggregation sites which have gained traction with employer
advertisers. The number of niche job boards targeting specific
industry verticals has also continued to increase.
CareerBuilder’s ability to maintain its existing customer base
while generating new customers depends, to a significant
degree, on the quality of its services, pricing, product
innovation and reputation among customers and potential
customers.
8
For G/O Digital, the market for digital marketing services is
highly competitive and fragmented. On a local level, we face
increased competition from a wide range of companies
offering similar tools and systems for managing and optimizing
advertising campaigns.
For Cofactor, the market for digital store promotions is
highly competitive and evolving as digital media transforms
demand for marketing programs. Cofactor anticipates
continued benefits from growth in online-influenced offline
retail sales. The scale of Cofactor’s proprietary retail database
and its established distribution partnerships is a source of
advantage in this space. Cofactor enables delivery of all types
of promotional content to any digitally connected device
across all platforms, a key factor with the continued surge in
mobile and social usage among consumers.
Regulation and legislation (impacting Digital Segment
businesses and digital operations associated with Media
businesses): The U.S. Congress has passed legislation which
regulates certain aspects of the Internet, including content,
copyright infringement, taxation, access charges, liability for
third party activities and jurisdiction. Federal, state, local and
foreign governmental organizations have enacted and also are
considering other legislative and regulatory proposals that
would regulate the Internet. Areas of potential regulation
include, but are not limited to, user privacy, data security, and
intellectual property ownership. With respect to user privacy,
the legislative and regulatory proposals could regulate
behavioral advertising, which specifically refers to the use of
user behavioral data for the creation and delivery of more
relevant, targeted Internet advertisements. With respect to our
international operations, we are also closely monitoring
developments regarding regulations relating to the transfer of
personal data from Europe to the U.S. Some of our digital
properties utilize certain aspects of user behavioral and
personal data in their advertising solutions to customers.
Employees
At the end of 2015, TEGNA and its subsidiaries employed
approximately 10,000 full-time and part-time people, including
2,800 at CareerBuilder.
2015
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,020
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,785
215
Corporate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,020
2014
5,100
6,080
285
11,465
Approximately 7% of our employees (including
subsidiaries) in the U.S. are represented by labor unions.
They are represented by 23 local bargaining units, most of
which are affiliated with one of four international unions under
collective bargaining agreements. These agreements conform
generally with the pattern of labor agreements in the
broadcasting industry. We do not engage in industry-wide or
company-wide bargaining.
Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives
We are committed to protecting the environment and
managing our environmental impact
responsibly. Environmental risk previously disclosed
associated with the printing operations of our former
publishing businesses transferred to Gannett in connection
with the spin.
Our television stations regularly cover environmental and
sustainability issues. Our station in Buffalo, WGRZ,
investigated high concentrations of lead in homes. Both the
city and the county blamed each other for a lack of testing,
which would have identified the problem. As a result of a
series of WGRZ stories, the city and county have begun
working together to solve the problem, benefiting many Buffalo
families. Another example is KPNX in Phoenix, which
produced a series of reports on the accidental release by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of millions of gallons of
toxic waste water from an abandoned mine and its impact on
local farmers.
The TEGNA Foundation supports non-profit activities in
communities where we do business and contributes to a
variety of charitable causes through its Community Grant
Program. One of the TEGNA Foundation’s community action
grant priorities is environmental conservation.
9
MARKETS WE SERVE
TELEVISION STATIONS AND AFFILIATED DIGITAL PLATFORMS
State/District
of Columbia
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
District of
Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Kentucky
Louisiana
City
Flagstaff
Phoenix
Tucson
Little Rock
Sacramento
Denver
Washington
Jacksonville
Station/web site
KNAZ-TV: 12news.com
KPNX-TV: 12news.com
KMSB-TV: tucsonnewsnow.com
KTTU-TV(1): tucsonnewsnow.com
KTHV-TV: thv11.com
KXTV-TV: abc10.com
KTVD-TV: my20denver.com
KUSA-TV: 9news.com
WUSA-TV: wusa9.com
WJXX-TV: firstcoastnews.com
WTLV-TV: firstcoastnews.com
Maine
Tampa-St. Petersburg WTSP-TV: wtsp.com
Atlanta
Macon
Boise
Louisville
New Orleans
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New York
North Carolina
WATL-TV: myatltv.com
WXIA-TV: 11alive.com
WMAZ-TV: 13wmaz.com
KTVB-TV(3): ktvb.com
WHAS-TV: whas11.com
WWL-TV: wwltv.com
WUPL-TV(4): wupltv.com
WLBZ-TV: wlbz2.com
WCSH-TV: wcsh6.com
WZZM-TV: wzzm13.com
KARE-TV: kare11.com
KSDK-TV: ksdk.com
WGRZ-TV: wgrz.com
WCNC-TV: wcnc.com
WFMY-TV: wfmynews2.com
WKYC-TV: wkyc.com
KGW-TV(2): kgw.com
WLTX-TV: wltx.com
WBIR-TV: wbir.com
KXVA-TV: myfoxzone.com
KVUE-TV: kvue.com
Bangor
Portland
Grand Rapids
Minneapolis-St. Paul
St. Louis
Buffalo
Charlotte
Greensboro
Cleveland
Ohio
Portland
Oregon
South Carolina Columbia
Knoxville
Tennessee
Abilene-Sweetwater
Texas
Austin
Beaumont-Port Arthur KBMT-TV: 12newsnow.com
Corpus Christi
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Houston
San Angelo
San Antonio
Tyler-Longview
Waco-Temple-College
Station
Hampton/Norfolk
Seattle/Tacoma
KIII-TV: kiiitv.com
WFAA-TV: wfaa.com
KHOU-TV: khou.com
KIDY-TV: myfoxzone.com
KENS-TV: kens5.com
KYTX-TV: cbs19.tv
KCEN-TV: kcentv.com
Virginia
Washington
Spokane
WVEC-TV: 13newsnow.com
KING-TV: king5.com
KONG-TV: king5.com
KREM-TV: krem.com
KSKN-TV: spokanescw22.com
Channel/
Network
Ch. 2/NBC
Ch. 12/NBC
Ch. 11/FOX
Ch. 18/MNTV
Ch. 11/CBS
Ch. 10/ABC
Ch. 20/MNTV
Ch. 9/NBC
Ch. 9/CBS
Ch. 25/ABC
Ch. 12/NBC
Ch. 10/CBS
Ch. 36/MNTV
Ch. 11/NBC
Ch. 13/CBS
Ch. 7/NBC
Ch. 11/ABC
Ch. 4/CBS
Ch. 54/MNTV
Ch. 2/NBC
Ch. 6/NBC
Ch. 13/ABC
Ch. 11/NBC
Ch. 5/NBC
Ch. 2/NBC
Ch. 36/NBC
Ch. 2/CBS
Ch. 3/NBC
Ch. 8/NBC
Ch. 19/CBS
Ch. 10/NBC
Ch. 15/FOX
Ch. 24/ABC
Ch. 12/ABC
Ch. 3/ABC
Ch. 8/ABC
Ch. 11/CBS
Ch. 6/FOX
Ch. 5/CBS
Ch. 19/CBS
Ch. 9/NBC
Ch. 13/ABC
Ch. 5/NBC
Ch. 16/IND
Ch. 2/CBS
Ch. 22/CW
Affiliation
Agreement
Expires in
Weekly
Audience (5) Founded
2021
2021
2016
2016
2019
2018
2016
2021
2019
2018
2021
2019
2016
2021
2019
2021
2018
2019
2016
2021
2021
2018
2021
2021
2021
2021
2019
2021
2021
2019
2021
2017
2018
2018
2018
2018
2019
2017
2019
2019
2021
2018
2021
N/A
2019
2016
(6)
1,237,000
208,000
61,000
387,000
797,000
543,000
1,162,000
1,459,000
391,000
457,000
1,165,000
656,000
1,552,000
185,000
189,000
460,000
516,000
150,000
85,000
253,000
333,000
1,210,000
933,000
445,000
775,000
506,000
1,077,000
792,000
271,000
377,000
N/A (7)
468,000
97,000
151,000
1,587,000
1,532,000
N/A (7)
615,000
137,000
183,000
496,000
1,285,000
535,000
258,000
88,000
1970
1953
1967
1984
1955
1955
1988
1952
1949
1989
1957
1965
1954
1948
1953
1953
1950
1957
1955
1954
1953
1962
1953
1947
1954
1967
1949
1948
1956
1953
1956
2001
1971
1961
1964
1949
1953
1984
1950
2008
1953
1953
1948
1997
1954
1983
(1) We service this station under service arrangements.
(2) We also own KGWZ-LD, a low power television station in Portland, OR.
(3) We also own KTFT-LD (NBC), a low power television station in Twin Falls, ID.
(4) We also own WBXN-CA, a Class A television station in New Orleans, LA.
(5) Weekly audience is number of television households reached, according to the November 2015 Nielsen book.
(6) KNAZ weekly audience is reported as part of KPNX.
(7) Audience numbers fall below minimum reporting standards.
We also have one regional news channel, Northwest Cable News (NWCN) in Seattle/Tacoma, WA, and two local news channels, 24/7 NewsChannel in
Boise, ID and NewsWatch on Channel 15 in New Orleans, LA. These operations provide news coverage and certain other programming in a
comprehensive 24-hour a day format using the resources of our television stations in Texas, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Louisiana and Arizona.
10
DIGITAL
Cars.com: www.cars.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
CareerBuilder: www.careerbuilder.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Cofactor (also operating as ShopLocal): www.cofactordigital.com; www.shoplocal.com; www.aboutshoplocal.com
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
G/O Digital: www.godigitalmarketing.com
Headquarters: Phoenix, AZ
INVESTMENTS
We have non-controlling ownership interests in the following companies:
4Info: www.4info.com
Captivate: www.captivate.com
Livestream: www.livestream.com
Repair Pal: www.repairpal.com
Topix: www.topix.com
Video Call Center: www.thevideocallcenter.com
Wanderful Media: www.wanderful.com
Winners View: www.winnersview.com
TEGNA ON THE NET: News and information about us is available on our web site, www.TEGNA.com. In addition to news and other
information about us, we provide access through this site to our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current
reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them electronically to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certifications by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are included as exhibits
to our SEC reports (including to this Form 10-K). We also provide access on this web site to our Principles of Corporate Governance, the
charters of our Audit, Executive Compensation and Nominating and Public Responsibility Committees and other important governance
documents and policies, including our Ethics and Inside Trading Policies. Copies of all of these corporate governance documents are available
to any shareholder upon written request made to our Secretary at the headquarters address. We will disclose on this web site changes to, or
waivers of, our corporate Ethics Policy.
11
Certain factors affecting forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
contain certain forward-looking statements regarding business
strategies, market potential, future financial performance and
other matters. The words “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“could,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,”
“project” and similar expressions, among others, generally
identify “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results and events to differ materially from
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
Our actual financial results may be different from those
projected due to the inherent nature of projections. Given
these uncertainties, forward-looking statements should not be
relied on in making investment decisions. The forward-looking
statements contained in this Form 10-K speak only as of the
date of its filing. Except where required by applicable law, we
expressly disclaim a duty to provide updates to forward-
looking statements after the date of this Form 10-K to reflect
subsequent events, changed circumstances, changes in
expectations, or the estimates and assumptions associated
with them. The forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K
are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection
provided by the federal securities laws.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Following the spin-off of our publishing businesses in June
2015, the size and concentration of our business has
changed. An investment in our common stock involves risks
and uncertainties and prospective investors should consider
carefully the following risk factors before investing in our
securities. The risks described below may not be the only risks
we face. Additional risks that we do not yet perceive or that we
currently believe are immaterial may adversely affect our
business and the trading price of our securities.
Changes in economic conditions in the U.S. markets we
serve may depress demand for our products and services
We generate a significant portion of our revenues in our Media
Segment from the sale of advertising at our television stations.
Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting
overall economic conditions, as well as budgeting and buying
patterns. As a result, our operating results depend on the
relative strength of the economy in our principal television and
digital markets as well as the strength or weakness of regional
and national economic factors. A decline in economic
conditions in the U.S. could have a significant adverse impact
on our businesses and could significantly impact all key
advertising revenue categories. In addition, declining
economic conditions could adversely affect employment
conditions and consumer sentiment, reducing demand for the
product offerings of CareerBuilder and Cars.com, which could
impair our ability to grow our Digital revenues, which are
increasingly important to our overall revenue mix since the
separation was completed.
Competition from alternative forms of media may impair
our ability to grow or maintain revenue levels in core and
new businesses
Advertising produces the predominant share of our revenues
from our Media Segment, with our stations’ affiliated desktop,
mobile and tablet advertising revenues being an important
component. Technology, particularly new video formats,
streaming and downloading capabilities via the Internet, video-
on-demand, personal video recorders and other devices and
technologies used in the entertainment industry, continues to
evolve rapidly, leading to alternative methods for the delivery
and storage of digital content. These technological
advancements have driven changes in consumer behavior
and have empowered consumers to seek more control over
when, where and how they consume news and entertainment,
including through so-called “cutting the cord” and other
consumption strategies. These innovations may affect our
ability to generate television audience, which may make our
television stations less attractive to both household audiences
and advertisers. This competition may make it difficult for us to
grow or maintain our media revenues, which we believe will
challenge us to expand the contributions of our online and
other digital businesses.
The value of our assets or operations may be diminished
if our information technology systems fail to perform
adequately or if we are the subject of a data breach or
cyber attack
Our information technology systems are critically important to
operating our business efficiently and effectively. We rely on
our information technology systems to manage our business
data, communications, news and advertising content, digital
products, order entry, fulfillment and other business
processes. The failure of our information technology systems
to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and
could result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies,
late or missed publications, and loss of sales and customers,
causing our business and results to be impacted.
Furthermore, attempts to compromise information
technology systems occur regularly across many industries
and sectors, and we may be vulnerable to security breaches
beyond our control. We invest in security resources and
technology to protect our data and business processes
against risk of data security breaches and cyber attack, but
the techniques used to attempt attacks are constantly
changing. A breach or successful attack could have a negative
impact on our operations or business reputation. We maintain
cyber risk insurance, but this insurance may be insufficient to
cover all of our losses from any future breaches of our
systems.
As has historically been the case in the broadcast sector,
loss of or changes in affiliation agreements or
retransmission consent agreements could adversely
affect operating results for our Media Segment’s stations
Most of our stations have network affiliation agreements with
the major broadcast television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC,
and Fox). These television networks produce and distribute
programming in exchange for each of our stations'
commitment to air the programming at specified times and for
commercial announcement time during the programming. In
most cases, we also make cash payments to the networks.
12
Each of our affiliation agreements has a stated expiration
date. If renewed, our network affiliation agreements may be
renewed on terms that are less favorable to us. The non-
renewal or termination of any of our network affiliation
agreements would prevent us from being able to carry
programming of the affiliate network. This loss of programming
would require us to obtain replacement programming, which
may involve higher costs and/or which may not be as
attractive to our audiences, resulting in reduced revenues.
In recent years, the networks have streamed their
programming on the Internet and other distribution platforms,
in some cases within a short period of the original network
programming broadcast on local television stations, including
those we own. An increase in the availability of network
programming on alternative platforms that either bypass or
provide less favorable terms to local stations - such as cable
channels, the Internet and other distribution vehicles - may
dilute the exclusivity and value of network programming
originally broadcast by the local stations and could adversely
affect the business, financial condition and results of
operations of our stations.
Our retransmission consent agreements with major cable,
satellite and telecommunications service providers permit
them to retransmit our stations’ signals to their subscribers in
exchange for the payment of compensation to us. As is the
case in the broadcast television industry generally, if we are
unable to renegotiate these agreements on favorable terms, or
at all, the failure to do so could have an adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, and results of operations.
There could be significant liability if the spin-off of the
publishing businesses is determined to be a taxable
transaction
We received an opinion from outside tax counsel to the effect
that the requirements for tax-free treatment under Section 355
of the Internal Revenue Code were satisfied. The opinion
relies on certain facts, assumptions, representations and
undertakings from TEGNA and Gannett regarding the past
and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses
and other matters. If any of these facts, assumptions,
representations or undertakings is incorrect or not satisfied,
TEGNA and its stockholders may not be able to rely on the
opinion of tax counsel and could be subject to significant tax
liabilities.
Notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel, the Internal
Revenue Service could determine on audit that the separation
is taxable if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions,
representations or undertakings were incorrect or have been
violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion, or
for other reasons, including as a result of certain significant
changes in the share ownership of TEGNA or Gannett after
the separation. If the separation is determined to be taxable
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, TEGNA and its
stockholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax could
incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities.
Gannett or we may fail to perform under various
temporary transaction agreements that were executed as
part of the separation or we may fail to have necessary
systems and services in place when certain of the
transaction agreements expire
In connection with the separation, we entered into a
separation and distribution agreement and also entered into
various other agreements, including a transition services
agreement, a tax matters agreement and an employee
matters agreement. The separation and distribution
agreement, the tax matters agreement and the employee
matters agreement determined the allocation of assets and
liabilities between the companies following the separation for
those respective areas and includes certain indemnifications
related to liabilities and obligations. The transition services
agreement provides for the performance of certain services by
each company for the benefit of the other for a limited period
of time after the separation. We will rely on Gannett to satisfy
its performance obligations under these agreements. If
Gannett is unable to satisfy its obligations under these
agreements, we could incur operational difficulties or losses. If
we do not have in place our own systems and services, or if
we do not have agreements with other providers of these
services once certain transaction agreements expire or
terminate, we may not be able to operate our business
effectively and our profitability may decline.
Volatility in the U.S. credit markets could significantly
impact our ability to obtain new financing to fund our
operations and strategic initiatives or to refinance our
existing debt at reasonable rates as it matures
At December 31, 2015, we had approximately $4.2 billion in
debt and approximately $658 million of undrawn additional
borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility that
expires in 2020. This debt matures at various times during the
years 2016-2027. While our cash flow is expected to be
sufficient to pay amounts when due, if operating results
deteriorate significantly, a portion of these maturities may
need to be refinanced. Access to the capital markets for
longer-term financing is unpredictable, and volatile credit
markets could make it harder for us to obtain debt financings
generally.
Changes in the regulatory environment could encumber
or impede our efforts to improve operating results or the
value of assets
Our media and digital operations are subject to government
regulation. Changing regulations, particularly FCC Regulations
which affect our television stations (including changes to our
shared services and similar agreements), may result in
increased costs, reduced valuations for certain broadcasting
properties or other impacts, all of which may adversely impact
our future profitability. All of our television stations are required
to hold television broadcasting licenses from the FCC; when
granted, these licenses are generally granted for a period of
eight years. Under certain circumstances, the FCC is not
required to renew any license and could decline to renew
either our current license applications that are pending or
those submitted in the future.
13
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Media Segment
Our media facilities are adequately equipped with the
necessary television digital broadcasting equipment. We own
or lease transmitter facilities in 52 locations. All of our stations
have converted to digital television operations in accordance
with applicable FCC Regulations. Our broadcasting facilities
are adequate for present purposes. A listing of television
station locations can be found on page 10.
Digital Segment
Generally, our digital businesses lease their facilities. This
includes facilities for executive offices, sales offices and data
centers. Our facilities are adequate for present operations. We
believe that suitable additional or alternative space, including
those under lease options, will be available at commercially
reasonable terms for future expansion. A listing of our
significant Digital facilities can be found on pages 11.
Corporate facilities
In October 2015, we sold our corporate headquarters in
McLean, VA for a purchase price of $270 million. Following
the sale, we are leasing a portion of the facility back for a
period of at least 18 months. Additional information regarding
the corporate headquarters sale may be found in Note 12 of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS
Information regarding legal proceedings may be found in Note
12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
Our strategic acquisitions, investments and partnerships
could pose various risks, increase our leverage and may
significantly impact our ability to expand our overall
profitability
Acquisitions involve inherent risks, such as increasing
leverage and debt service requirements and combining
company cultures and facilities, which could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flow and
could strain our human resources. We may be unable to
successfully implement effective cost controls, achieve
expected synergies or increase revenues as a result of an
acquisition. Acquisitions may result in us assuming
unexpected liabilities and in management diverting its
attention from the operation of our business. Disclosures we
make regarding past operating results of acquired entities and
our pro forma results are based on financial information
provided to us by acquired entities, which has not been
reviewed by our auditors or subject to our internal controls.
Acquisitions may result in us having greater exposure to the
industry risks of the businesses underlying the acquisition.
Strategic investments and partnerships with other companies
expose us to the risk that we may be unable to control the
operations of our investee or partnership, which could
decrease the amount of benefits we realize from a particular
relationship. We are exposed to the risk that our partners in
strategic investments and infrastructure may encounter
financial difficulties which could disrupt investee or partnership
activities, or impair assets acquired, which would adversely
affect future reported results of operations and shareholders’
equity. In addition, we may be unable to obtain financing
necessary to complete acquisitions on attractive terms or at
all. The failure to obtain regulatory approvals may prevent us
from completing or realizing the anticipated benefits of
acquisitions. Furthermore, acquisitions may subject us to new
or different regulations which could have an adverse effect on
our operations.
The value of our existing intangible assets may become
impaired, depending upon future operating results
Goodwill and other intangible assets were approximately
$6.98 billion at December 31, 2015, representing
approximately 82% of our total assets. These assets are
subject to annual impairment testing and more frequent testing
upon the occurrence of certain events or significant changes
in circumstance that indicate all or a portion of their carrying
values may no longer be recoverable. In which case a non-
cash charge to earnings may be necessary, as occurred in
2013-2015 (see Notes 3 and 11 to the consolidated financial
statements). We may subsequently experience market
pressures which could cause future cash flows to decline
below our current expectations, or volatile equity markets
could negatively impact market factors used in the impairment
analysis, including earnings multiples, discount rates, and
long-term growth rates. Any future evaluations requiring an
asset impairment charge for goodwill or other intangible
assets would adversely affect future reported results of
operations and shareholders’ equity, although such charges
would not affect our cash flow.
14
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol TGNA. Information regarding outstanding shares,
shareholders and dividends may be found on pages 1, 4 and 15 of this Form 10-K. Information about debt securities sold in
private transactions may be found on pages 25-26 of this Form 10-K.
TEGNA Common Stock Prices
High-low range by fiscal quarters based on NYSE-composite prices. On June 29, 2015, the first day of the fiscal third quarter, we
completed the separation of our publishing business through a spin-off transaction. TEGNA's common stock prices in and after
the third quarter of 2015 reflect the price impact of the spin-off transaction.
Year
2015
Quarter
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014
First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends Paid
Per Share
Common Stock
Prices
$0.20
$0.20
$0.20
$0.14
$0.74
$0.20
$0.20
$0.20
$0.20
$0.80
Low
$29.62
$34.27
$22.42
$21.85
$21.85
$25.96
$25.53
$29.88
$25.95
$25.53
High
$36.56
$38.01
$32.97
$28.68
$38.01
$30.43
$30.98
$35.70
$33.70
$35.70
Following the spin-off of our publishing businesses, on June 29, 2015, we announced that we would begin paying a regular
quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share. We paid dividends (excluding the special spin-off distribution of our publishing
businesses) totaling $167.5 million in 2015 and $181 million in 2014. On Feb. 23, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a
dividend of $0.14 per share, payable on April 1, 2016, to shareholders of record as of the close of business March 4, 2016. We
expect to continue paying comparable regular cash dividends in the future. The rate and frequency of future dividends will
depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition and other factors considered relevant by our Board of
Directors.
Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Repurchased
Under the Program
9/28/15 - 11/1/15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11/2/15 - 11/29/15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11/30/15 - 12/31/15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total 4th Quarter 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
264,743
939,864
1,426,500
2,631,107
$25.81
$27.26
$26.64
$26.78
264,743
939,864
1,426,500
2,631,107
$692,688,712
$667,066,449
$629,060,180
$629,060,180
In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $750 million share repurchase program to be completed over a three-year
period beginning June 29, 2015. On Oct. 20, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $75 million increase to the share
repurchase program, bringing the total authorized amount to $825 million. We spent $271 million in 2015 to repurchase 9.6
million of our shares, at an average price per share of $28.16. Under the program, management has discretion to determine the
dollar amount of shares to be repurchased and the timing of any repurchases in compliance with applicable law and regulation.
As of December 31, 2015, 123,000 shares were repurchased as part of the publicly announced repurchase program, but were
settled after the quarter ended. The effect of those repurchases decreased the maximum dollar value available under the
program to $625,874,910.
15
Comparison of shareholder return – 2011 to 2015
The following graph compares the performance of our
common stock during the period Dec. 26, 2010, to Dec. 31,
2015, with the S&P 500 Index, and two peer group indexes we
selected.
Our 2015 peer group includes A.H. Belo Corp., Discovery
Communications Inc., The E.W. Scripps Company, LinkedIn
Corp., The McClatchy Company, Media General, Inc. (on an
adjusted basis to reflect its merger with Young Broadcasting,
LLC), Meredith Corp., Monster Worldwide Inc., The New York
Times Company, News Corp. (on an adjusted basis to reflect
the spin-off by News Corporation), Nexstar Broadcasting
Group Inc., ReachLocal Inc., Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.,
and Yahoo Inc. (collectively, the “2015 Peer Group”). Many of
the 2015 Peer Group companies have a strong publishing/
broadcasting orientation, but the peer group also includes
companies in the digital media industry.
Our 2016 peer group includes Angie's List Inc., CBS Corp.,
Constant Contact Inc., Discovery Communications Inc., E.W.
Scripps Company, Gray Television Inc., Groupon Inc., Harte
Hanks Inc., IAC/InterActiveCorp, LinkinedIn Corp., Media
General, Inc., Meredith Corp., Monster Worldwide Inc.,
Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc., Sinclair Broadcast Group
Inc., Tribune Media Company, Yahoo Inc., and Yelp Inc.
(collectively, the "2016 Peer Group"). Our 2016 Peer Group
reflects our post-spin business segments and includes
broadcasting and digital companies.
The S&P 500 Index includes 500 U.S. companies in the
industrial, utilities and financial sectors and is weighted by
market capitalization. The total returns of the Peer Groups
also are weighted by market capitalization.
The graph depicts representative results of investing $100
in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, 2015 Peer Group,
and 2016 Peer Group index at closing on Dec. 26, 2010. It
assumes that dividends were reinvested monthly with respect
to our common stock (including, as it relates to the spin-off,
the aggregate value of the former publishing businesses as
distributed to our shareholders), daily with respect to the S&P
500 Index and monthly with respect to each Peer Group
company.
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
TEGNA Inc. . . . . $ 100 $ 90.37 $127.80 $216.61 $240.11 $240.31
S&P 500 Index. . $ 100 $102.11 $118.45 $156.82 $178.29 $180.75
2015 Peer
Group. . . . . . . . . $ 100 $106.82 $148.38 $249.95 $265.12 $202.97
2016 Peer
Group. . . . . . . . . $ 100 $101.74 $114.08 $204.45 $198.34 $156.51
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Selected financial data for the years 2011 through 2015 is
contained under the heading “Selected Financial Data” on
page 64 and is derived from our audited financial statements
for those years.
The information contained in the “Selected Financial Data”
is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be
expected for future years, and should be read in conjunction
with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 and
the consolidated financial statements and related notes
thereto included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
16
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Executive Summary
Our company is comprised of a dynamic portfolio of media
and digital businesses that provide content that matters and
brands that deliver. Our media business includes 46 television
stations operating in 38 markets, offering high-quality
television programming and digital content. Our digital
business primarily consists of our Cars.com and CareerBuilder
business units that operate in the automotive and human
capital solutions industries. The Cars.com website provides
credible and easy-to-understand information from consumers
and experts to provide car buyers with greater control over the
car buying and servicing process. CareerBuilder helps
companies target, attract and retain workforce talent through
an array product offerings including talent management
software and other advertising and recruitment solutions.
On the first day of our fiscal third quarter, June 29, 2015,
we completed the spin-off of our publishing businesses. Our
company was renamed TEGNA Inc., and our stock trades on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. In
addition, during the fourth quarter of 2015, we sold
substantially all of the businesses within our Other Segment.
We have presented the financial condition and results of
operations of the former publishing businesses and Other
Segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
For a summary of discontinued operations, see Note 13.
Fiscal year: Beginning in fiscal year 2015, we changed
our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end.
Accordingly, our 2015 fiscal year began on December 29,
2014 (the day after the end of the 2014 fiscal year) and ended
on December 31, 2015. Historically, our fiscal year was a
52-53 week fiscal year that ended on the last Sunday of the
calendar year. As a result, our 2015 fiscal year had four more
days than the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years. The impact of the
four extra days did not have a material impact on our financial
statements, and therefore, we have not restated the historical
results.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
Consolidated summary
A consolidated summary of our results is presented below.
In millions of dollars
Operating revenue:
2015 Change
2014 Change
2013
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,682
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,369
(1%)
47%
$ 1,692
***
$ 835
934
22%
768
Total operating revenues $ 3,051
16% $ 2,626
64% $ 1,603
Cost of sales . . . . . . . . . . $ 923
(3%)
$ 955
44% $ 663
Selling, general and
admin. expenses . . . . . .
1,068
39%
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .
91
6%
767
86
44%
59%
Amortization of
intangible assets . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and
asset impairment
charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
114
73%
66
***
(59)
***
45
98%
532
54
21
23
Operating expenses . . . . $ 2,138
11% $ 1,919
48% $ 1,292
Operating income . . . . . . $ 913
29% $ 707
***
$ 311
Note: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
Consolidated Operating Revenue and Expense
2015 compared to 2014: Operating revenues were $3.05
billion in 2015, an increase of 16% from $2.63 billion in 2014.
Media Segment revenues for 2015 decreased 1% to $1.68
billion, as double-digit growth in retransmission revenue and
online revenue and higher core revenue was offset by the
record level of political advertising revenue of $159 million
achieved in 2014. Digital Segment revenues totaled $1.37
billion for 2015, a record high and an increase of 47%. The
increase reflects the acquisition and strong organic growth of
Cars.com revenue.
Total reported operating expenses increased 11% to $2.14
billion in 2015, primarily due to the acquisition of Cars.com.
Depreciation expense was 6% higher in 2015, reflecting the
impact from the 2014 acquisitions of London Broadcasting
television stations and Cars.com. Facility consolidation and
non-cash asset impairment charges for all years are
discussed in Notes 3 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
We reported operating income for 2015 of $913 million
compared to $707 million in 2014, a 29% increase primarily
driven by the acquisition of Cars.com.
Our consolidated operating margins improved to 30% in
2015 compared to 27% in 2014 driven by improvement in
margins from our Digital Segment, partially offset by the
impact from the absence of Olympic and political spending in
2014.
2014 compared to 2013: Operating revenues for 2014
increased 64% to $2.62 billion, primarily due to increases from
Media Segment as a result of the acquisitions of Belo and
London Broadcasting Company television stations as well as
substantially higher retransmission revenue, political and
Olympic advertising. Digital Segment also increased as a
result of increases at CareerBuilder driven by the strength of
human capital software solutions and acquisition of Cars.com
in October 2014.
Operating expenses increased by 48% to $1.92 billion for
2014, primarily due to the acquisitions of Belo, London
Broadcasting Company and Cars.com.
17
Payroll expense trends: Payroll expense is the largest
element of our normal operating expenses, and is summarized
below, expressed as a percentage of total pre-tax operating
expenses. Payroll expense as a percentage of total pre-tax
operating expenses has remained consistent during 2013
through 2015.
Payroll costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.1% 41.0% 44.2%
2015
2014
2013
Non-operating income and expense
Equity earnings: This income statement category reflects
our share of earnings or losses from equity method investees.
Our net equity income in unconsolidated investees for 2015
decreased from a gain of $151 million in 2014 to an equity
loss of $5 million, reflecting primarily the absence of a $148
million gain on the sale of Apartments.com by Classified
Ventures in 2014. Net equity income from unconsolidated
investees for 2014 increased by $130 million compared to
2013 driven by the Apartments.com gain.
Interest expense: Interest expense in 2015 was $274
million and increased by $1 million primarily due to a higher
average debt level of $4.37 billion compared to $3.85 billion in
2014. The higher average debt level is related to additional
borrowings related to the October 2014 Cars.com acquisition.
This increase was substantially offset by a lower average
interest rate.
Interest expense in 2014 was higher compared to 2013,
due to a higher average debt level of $3.85 billion in 2014
compared to $2.01 billion in 2013. The higher average debt
level is related to additional borrowing related to both the Belo
and Cars.com acquisitions in 2013 and 2014, respectively,
partly offset by a lower average interest rate.
A further discussion of our borrowing and related interest
cost is presented in the “Liquidity and capital resources”
section of this report beginning on page 25 and in Note 6 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other non-operating items: We reported a net loss of
$12 million for other non-operating items in 2015. This loss is
comprised of costs related to the spin-off of our publishing
businesses partially offset by a gain of $44 million on the sale
of a business.
Other non-operating items totaled a net gain of $404
million in 2014 with the majority related to the write-up of our
prior 27% investment in Cars.com to fair value post acquisition
and a gain related to required accounting for the pre-existing
affiliate agreement between us and Cars.com. The net gain
was partially offset by acquisition costs and expenses incurred
for the spin-off of our publishing businesses.
We reported a net loss from non-operating items of $45
million in 2013 with the majority related to costs associated
with the Belo transaction and a non-cash charge associated
with the change in control and sale of interests related to our
Captivate business. These costs were partially offset by
interest income earned in 2013.
Provision for income taxes
We reported pre-tax income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA of $560 million for 2015. The effective
tax rate on pre-tax income was 36.1%.
We reported pre-tax income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA of $922 million for 2014. The provision
for income taxes reflects a special net tax benefit from the sale
of a non-strategic subsidiary at a loss, for which a partial tax
benefit was recognized. The effective tax rate in 2014 was
25.4%.
The higher tax rate for 2015 compared to 2014 is due to
special items contributing a net tax benefit that related
primarily to the 2014 sale of a non-strategic subsidiary at a
loss, for which a partial tax benefit was recognized, partially
offset by a reduction in audit resolutions.
We reported pre-tax income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA of $55 million for 2013. The provision
for income taxes reflects certain state audit settlements and a
special net tax benefit from the release of certain tax reserves
due to a multi-year federal audit settlement in 2013. The
effective tax rate on pre-tax income was 24.5% which was
comparable to the effective tax rate of 25.4% in 2014.
Further information concerning income tax matters is
contained in Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA Inc.
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA Inc. and related per share amounts are presented in
the table below.
In millions of dollars, except per share amounts
2015 Change
2014 Change
2013
Net income from
continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA Inc. $ 357
(48%)
$ 688
Per basic share . . . . . . . . . $ 1.59
(48%)
$ 3.04
Per diluted share . . . . . . . . $ 1.56
(47%)
$ 2.97
***
***
***
$
41
$ 0.18
$ 0.18
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA Inc. consists of net income reduced by net income
attributable to noncontrolling interests, primarily from
CareerBuilder. We reported net income from continuing
operations attributable to TEGNA of $357 million or $1.56 per
diluted share for 2015 compared to $688 million or $2.97 per
diluted share for 2014.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $63
million in 2015, $68 million in 2014 and $57 million in 2013.
18
Outlook for 2016: For 2016, we expect a record year for
Media Segment revenues. Although we are still in the early
stages of the campaign cycle, we are projecting Media
segment revenues to increase in the high-teens to low 20%
range with record political revenues in 2016 enhanced by our
strong geographical footprint. We also anticipate significant
summer Olympic revenue as television viewership of the Rio
games has been projected to reach record highs.
Digital Segment revenues are expected to continue to
increase driven by anticipated growth of 10%+ at Cars.com
and mid-single digit revenue growth at CareerBuilder. These
strong Media and Digital revenue drivers across the segments
will all meaningfully contribute to total company revenue
increases in the low to mid-teen range over 2015.
Total operating expenses are also expected to increase in
the range of 8% to 10% in comparison to 2015 driven by
higher revenues as we expand into richer content and broader
product suites across all of our businesses. We also expect an
increase in programming costs from the newly-negotiated
affiliation agreements during the second half of 2015, as well
as increases from digital sales growth initiatives within the
Media Segment. In addition, we anticipate the following
expenses and cash flow items in 2016:
• Depreciation expense is expected to be in the range of $90
million to $95 million in 2016.
• Amortization expense is expected to be approximately
$110 million in 2016.
• We project interest expense of nearly $235 million.
A discussion of operating results of our Media, and Digital
Segments is as follows:
Media Segment
At the end of 2015, our Media operations included 46
television stations either owned or serviced through shared
service agreements or other similar agreements. Media
Segment revenues accounted for approximately 55% of our
reported operating revenues for 2015.
Over the last three years, Media Segment revenues,
expenses and operating income were as follows:
In millions of dollars
Operating revenues . . . . . . $1,682
(1%)
$1,692
***
$ 835
2015 Change
2014 Change
2013
Operating expenses
Operating expenses
exclusive of depreciation .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . .
Transformation items. . . .
886
4%
851
51
22
8
(1%)
(21%)
(41%)
52
29
14
Operating expenses . . . . . .
968
2%
945
Operating income. . . . . . . . $ 714
(4%)
$ 747
92%
98%
***
***
***
***
444
26
2
1
473
$ 362
Media Segment revenues are grouped into five categories:
Core (Local and National), Political, Retransmission, Digital
and Other. The following table summarizes the year-over-year
changes in these select revenue categories.
• Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $85
In millions of dollars
million to $95 million.
2015 Change 2014 Change
2013
Core (Local & National) $ 1,072
21
Political . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Retransmission (a) . . . . .
449
113
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,682
(a) Reverse compensation to network affiliates is included as part of
programming costs and therefore is excluded from this line.
74 % $ 600
13
145 % 148
156 %
38
(24)%
36
103 % $ 835
$1,046
159
362
98
27
$1,692
3%
(87%)
24%
16%
(2%)
(1%)
***
Media Segment results 2015-2014: Media Segment
revenues decreased $10 million to $1.68 billion or by 1% year-
over-year for 2015, primarily due to record level of political
advertising revenue of $159 million and $41 million in Olympic
advertising revenue achieved during 2014. The change to a
calendar year-end reporting cycle extended our fiscal year
2015 by four extra days which increased Media Segment
revenues by $11 million. Core advertising revenues, which
consist of Local and National non-political advertising,
increased 3% to $1.07 billion in 2015. Political advertising
revenue declined $138 million to $21 million in 2015. Political
revenues are cyclical and higher in even years (e.g. 2014,
2016). Retransmission revenues increased 24% in 2015
resulting from newly negotiated agreements and annual rate
increases. Within the Media Segment, digital revenue
increased 16% compared to 2014 reflecting continued growth
from digital marketing services products.
19
Media Segment operating expenses increased 2% to $968
million in 2015. The increase is driven primarily by higher
reverse network compensation fees, increased costs from
investment in digital initiatives, and incremental costs driven
by the July 2014 acquisition of London Broadcasting
Company.
As a result of all of these factors, Media Segment
operating income decreased to $714 million in 2015 from $747
million in 2014.
Media Segment results 2014-2013: Revenues increased
$857 million to $1.69 billion or 103% for 2014, a record high.
The increase was primarily driven by the acquisition of Belo
and London Broadcasting television stations, as well as
substantially higher retransmission revenue and record non-
presidential year political advertising.
Core advertising revenues increased 74% to $1.05 billion
in 2014 mainly due to television station acquisitions and $41
million in advertising associated with the Winter Olympics that
was partially offset by political advertising displacement.
Political advertising reached $159 million compared to $13
million in 2013, driven by our strong political footprint.
Retransmission revenues increased 145% in 2014 resulting
from the expansion of our Media Segment portfolio and rate
increases. Within the Media Segment, digital revenue
increased 156% compared to 2013 reflecting continued
growth from digital marketing services products.
Media Segment operating expenses doubled to $945
million in 2014. The increase is driven primarily by the impact
from acquisitions, higher reverse network compensation fees,
and higher investment in digital initiatives.
As a result of all of these factors, Media Segment
operating income more than doubled to $747 million in 2014.
Digital Segment
The Digital Segment is comprised of our stand-alone digital
business units including Cars.com, CareerBuilder, G/O Digital,
and Cofactor (also operating as ShopLocal). On Nov. 12,
2015, we sold PointRoll which was part of Cofactor. Digital
Segment revenues accounted for 45% of our total reported
operating revenues for 2015.
Digital Segment revenues, expenses and operating income
were as follows:
In millions of dollars
Operating revenues . . . . . . $1,369
47% $ 934
22% $ 768
2015 Change
2014 Change
2013
Operating expenses
Operating expenses
exclusive of depreciation .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . .
Asset impairment . . . . . .
Transformation items. . . .
993
37%
722
20%
603
33
92
9
13
42%
***
(72%)
***
23
37
31
—
33%
***
44%
***
18
18
22
—
Operating expenses . . . . . .
1,139
40%
814
23%
661
Operating income. . . . . . . . $ 229
91% $ 120
12% $ 107
Digital Segment results 2015-2014: Digital Segment
revenues increased $435 million or 47% over 2014 to a record
high of $1.37 billion, primarily driven by the acquisition and
strong organic growth of Cars.com and partially offset by
slightly lower CareerBuilder revenues.
CareerBuilder revenues decreased 2% in 2015 driven by
year-over-year declines in foreign exchange rates as well as
the strategic shift in focus in its product offerings. During 2015
CareerBuilder continued its transition toward higher-margin
software-as-a-service solutions, including its new pre-hire
platform and new recruitment software products. Software-as-
a-service revenues increased 30% in 2015 and represented
approximately 21% of total revenues within CareerBuilder.
Revenues under these arrangements are generally longer
term and recognized over 2-3 year contracts. These revenue
increases were offset by declines from lower-margin,
transactional source and screen arrangements and other
transactional offerings, as CareerBuilder moves away from
these product offerings to focus on the platform solutions.
Digital Segment expenses in 2015 increased 40% to $1.14
billion, primarily due to the Cars.com acquisition partly offset
by lower expenses reflecting lower revenue at CareerBuilder.
As a result of these factors, Digital Segment operating income
increased to $229 million in 2015.
Digital Segment results 2014-2013: Digital Segment
revenues increased $166 million or 22% over 2013 to $934
million, primarily reflecting the impact of the Cars.com
acquisition, and growth in revenues at CareerBuilder.
Digital Segment expenses in 2014 increased 23% to $814
million primarily due to the Cars.com acquisition and an
increase in expenses at CareerBuilder associated with its
revenue growth.
As a result of these factors, Digital Segment operating
income increased to $120 million in 2014.
20
The income tax provision for 2015 reflects a net tax benefit
primarily due to the impact of a deferred tax rate adjustment
related to the spin-off of our publishing businesses. The
income tax provision for 2014 reflects a tax benefit related to
our portfolio restructuring, the sale of a non-strategic
investment, and a charge related to the sale of our interest in
television station KMOV in St. Louis, MO, in February 2014.
We discuss Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial
performance measure that we believe offers a useful view of
our overall business operations. Adjusted EBITDA is defined
as net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA before (1) net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests, (2) income taxes, (3) interest expense, (4) equity
income, (5) other non-operating items, (6) workforce
restructuring, (7) transformation costs, (8) asset impairment
charges, (9) depreciation and (10) amortization. When
Adjusted EBITDA is discussed in reference to performance on
a consolidated basis, the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure is Net income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA.
We use non-GAAP financial performance measures for
purposes of evaluating business unit and consolidated
company performance. Therefore, we believe that each of the
non-GAAP measures presented provides useful information to
investors by allowing them to view our businesses through the
eyes of our management and Board of Directors, facilitating
comparison of results across historical periods, and providing
a focus on the underlying ongoing operating performance of
our businesses. Many of our peer group companies present
similar non-GAAP measures to better facilitate industry
comparisons.
Operating results non-GAAP information
Presentation of non-GAAP information: We use non-
GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures to
supplement the financial information presented on a GAAP
basis. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be
considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the related
GAAP measures, and should be read in conjunction with
financial information presented on a GAAP basis.
We discuss in this report non-GAAP financial performance
measures that exclude from our reported GAAP results the
impact of special items consisting of:
• Workforce restructuring charges;
• Transformation items;
• Non-cash asset impairment charges;
• Special gains and losses recorded in operating and non-
operating; and
• Special tax gains and charges, as well as the tax effect of
the above special items.
We believe that such expenses, charges and credits are
not indicative of normal, ongoing operations and their inclusion
in results makes for more difficult comparisons between years
and with peer group companies.
Workforce restructuring expenses primarily relate to
incremental expenses we have incurred to centralize
functions. Workforce restructuring expenses include payroll
and related benefit costs.
Transformation items include incremental expenses
incurred by us to execute on our transformation and growth
plan and incremental expenses and gains associated with
optimizing our real estate portfolio. Asset impairment charges
reflect non-cash charges to reduce the book value of certain
intangible assets to their respective fair value.
Non-operating items for 2015 included special gains and
charges primarily related to the gain from the sale of a
business offset by expenses related to the spin-off of our
publishing businesses. In 2014, non-operating items included
income related to the write-up of our investment in Classified
Ventures to fair value, costs for acquiring six London
Broadcasting Company television stations, costs related to
acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Cars.com,
expenses related to the planned spin-off of our publishing
operation and non-cash donations to our charitable
foundation. Both 2015 and 2014 included call premiums to
early retire certain senior notes. The gain of $137 million
recognized in equity income in unconsolidated investees, net
in 2014 is principally related to a gain on the sale of
Apartments.com by Classified Ventures.
21
Reconciliations of certain line items impacted by special items to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and
presented in accordance with GAAP on our consolidated statements of income follow:
In millions of dollars (except per share amounts)
Special Items
Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 31, 2015
GAAP
measure
Workforce
restructuring
Facility
consolidation,
transformation
and asset
impairment
Non-
operating
items
Special
tax credit
Non-
GAAP
measure
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
2,138
$
(8)
$
72
$
— $
— $
2,202
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total non-op (expense) income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
913
(12)
(290)
623
202
357
8
—
—
8
3
5
(72)
—
—
(72)
(31)
(41)
—
10
10
10
(2)
13
—
—
—
—
3
(3)
Net income from continuing operations per share - diluted . . .
$
1.56
$
0.02
$
(0.17)
$
0.05
$
(0.01)
$
849
(1)
(280)
569
176
330
1.44
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
In millions of dollars (except per share amounts)
Special Items
Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 28, 2014
GAAP
measure
Workforce
restructuring
Facility
consolidation,
transformation
and asset
impairment
Non-
operating
items
Special
tax credit
Non-
GAAP
measure
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
$
1,919
$
(7)
$
(49)
$
— $
— $
1,862
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net
. . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total non-op (expense) income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
TEGNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
707
151
404
283
991
234
688
7
—
—
—
7
3
4
49
—
—
—
49
9
40
—
(137)
(405)
(542)
(542)
(203)
—
—
—
—
—
110
(339)
(110)
Net income from continuing operations per share - diluted . . .
$
2.97
$
0.02
$
0.17
$
(1.46)
$
(0.47)
$
764
14
—
(259)
505
153
284
1.22
Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding.
22
Non-GAAP consolidated results
The following is a discussion of our as adjusted non-GAAP
financial results.
Adjustments to reconcile Adjusted net income from
continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. to Adjusted
EBITDA follow:
In millions of dollars, except per share amounts
In millions of dollars
Adjusted operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,202
18% $ 1,862
Adjusted operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . .
849
11%
764
Net income from continuing
operations attributable to TEGNA
Inc. (GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
357
(48)% $
688
2015
Change
2014
2015
Change
2014
68
234
273
(151)
(404)
$
707
7
18
31
—
764
86
61
—
Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
(7)%
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . .
202
(14)%
Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
274 —%
Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated
investees, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . .
5
12
Operating income (GAAP basis) . . . . . . . $
913
Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other transformation items. . . . . . . . . .
Asset impairment charges . . . . . . . . . .
8
9
9
***
***
29%
14%
(50)%
(71)%
Corporate HQ building sale gain . . . . .
(90)
***
Adjusted operating income
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusted amortization (non-GAAP
basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
849
91
11%
6%
$
114
87%
Non-cash rent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
***
Adjusted EBITDA
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,056
16%
$
911
Note: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 16% to $1.06 billion in 2015
from $911 million in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA margins were
relatively unchanged at 34.6% in 2015 reflecting the lower
operating results in the Media Segment due to the anticipated
absence of record non-presidential year political advertising
revenues in 2014.
Adjusted equity income in unconsolidated
investees, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusted other non-operating items . . . . . .
Adjusted total non-operating (expense)
income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusted income before income taxes . . . .
Adjusted provision for income taxes. . . . . .
Adjusted net income from continuing
operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. . . .
—
(1)
***
***
14
—
(280)
8%
(259)
569
176
13%
15%
330
16%
505
153
284
Adjusted net income from continuing
operations per share - diluted. . . . . . . . . $
1.44
18% $
1.22
Adjusted operating expenses increased 18% in 2015 over
2014 to $2.20 billion primarily due to the acquisitions of
Cars.com.
Adjusted operating income increased 11% in 2015 over
2014 to $849 million. The increase reflects higher Digital
Segment operating results primarily due to the impact of the
Cars.com acquisition and strong results at Cars.com.
Adjusted non-operating item charges increased 8% in
2015 over 2014 to $280 million. This increase reflects higher
interest expense due to higher average debt levels from
additional borrowings related to the Cars.com acquisition in
October 2014.
The adjusted effective tax rate for 2015 was 34.7%
compared to 35.0% in 2014.
Adjusted net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. increased
16% in 2015 (18% on a diluted per share basis) as a result of
higher as adjusted (non-GAAP basis) operating income in the
Digital Segment.
23
Segment results
The following is a discussion of our as adjusted non-GAAP
financial results. All as adjusted (non-GAAP basis) measures
are labeled as such or “adjusted”.
A summary of the impact of workforce restructuring
charges and transformation costs on our Media Segment is
presented below:
In millions of dollars
Media Segment operating expenses
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
968
2%
$
945
2015
Change
2014
Remove special items:
Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transformation gain (costs) . . . . . . . . .
(4)
5
6%
***
As adjusted operating expenses
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
969
5%
Media Segment operating income
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
714
(4%)
$
$
Remove special items:
Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transformation (gain) costs . . . . . . . . .
4
(5)
6%
***
(4)
(18)
923
747
4
18
As adjusted operating income
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
714
(7%)
$
769
Note: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
Adjusted Media Segment operating expenses increased
5% in 2015 compared to 2014, driven primarily by higher
investment in digital initiatives and reverse network
compensation.
Adjusted Media Segment operating income decreased 7%
to $714 million in 2015, driven by the absence of a record
level of political advertising revenues and Olympic advertising
that benefited 2014 results.
A summary of the impact of workforce restructuring
charges and asset impairment charges on our Digital Segment
is presented below:
In millions of dollars
Digital Segment operating expenses
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,139
40%
$
814
2015 Change
2014
Remove special items:
Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)
16%
Asset impairment charges . . . . . . . . . .
(22)
(30%)
As adjusted operating expenses
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,114
43%
Digital Segment operating income
(GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
229
91%
$
$
Remove special items:
Workforce restructuring . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asset impairment charges . . . . . . . . . .
4
22
16%
(30%)
(3)
(31)
780
120
3
31
As adjusted operating income
(non-GAAP basis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
255
65%
$
154
Note: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
Year-over-year adjusted operating expense comparisons
for 2015 and 2014 reflect primarily the impact of the Cars.com
acquisition. Adjusted operating income increased 65%,
reflecting record revenues in our Digital Segment.
Presentation of Pro Forma Information
Pro forma information is presented as if the acquisition of
Cars.com and the sale of PointRoll had occurred on the first
day of 2014. The pro forma financial information is based on
historical results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of
the purchase price and other acquisition accounting
adjustments, and is not necessarily indicative of what our
results would have been had we operated the business since
the beginning of 2014. Pro forma adjustments for Cars.com
reflect depreciation expense and amortization of intangibles
related to the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired
and the alignment of accounting policies.
Reconciliations of Digital Segment revenues and expenses
on a reported basis to a pro forma basis for 2015 and 2014
are below:
In millions of dollars
2015
TEGNA
(as
reported)
Pro Forma
Adjustments(a)
TEGNA
Pro Forma
Combined
Digital operating revenue . . . $
1,369 $
Digital operating expense . .
1,139
Digital operating income . . . $
229 $
(32) $
(61)
31 $
1,337
1,078
260
(a) The pro forma adjustments exclude revenues and expenses for the
sale of PointRoll as if it had occurred on the first day of 2014.
In millions of dollars
2014
TEGNA
(as
reported)
Pro Forma
Adjustments(a)
TEGNA
Pro Forma
Combined
Digital operating revenue . . . $
934 $
Digital operating expense . .
814
Digital operating income . . . $
120 $
324 $
260
64 $
1,258
1,074
184
(a) The pro forma adjustments include additions to revenue and
expenses for the acquisition of Cars.com and exclude revenues and
expenses for the sale of PointRoll as if they had occurred on the first
day of 2014.
Digital Segment revenue on a pro forma basis increased
6% in 2015 primarily due to growth in Cars.com revenues.
Cars.com revenues on a pro forma basis reflect organic
growth in the markets in which they sell direct as well as price
increases for affiliates implemented October 1, 2014. Digital
Segment expenses were relatively flat on a pro forma basis.
24
FINANCIAL POSITION
Liquidity and capital resources
Operating Activities: Our cash flow from operating activities
was $613 million in 2015, versus $821 million in 2014. The
decrease in net cash flow from operating activities was due to
the relative absence of $200 million of political and Olympic
revenue achieved last year, the absence of our publishing
businesses in the third and fourth quarters of 2015, a $22.5
million increase in pension payments in 2015, the timing of
certain reverse network compensation payments, payments
related to previously accrued expenses for the shutdown of
USA Weekend and routine changes in working capital. The
increase in pension payments in 2015 was primarily due to a
voluntary contribution we made of $100.0 million to our
principal retirement plan prior to the spin-off. There were no
required contributions to any of our principal pension plans for
the remainder of 2015. Cash paid for income taxes were lower
in 2015 by $101 million compared to 2014, primarily due to the
tax benefit received on the voluntary pension payment and the
decrease in net income compared to the prior year.
Investing Activities: Net cash provided by investing
activities was $217.3 million for 2015 compared to cash used
by investing activities of $1.66 billion in 2014. The difference
between periods was primarily attributable to proceeds of
$411 million related to sales of assets (primarily sales of
corporate headquarters and Seattle broadcast buildings) and
sale of businesses (primarily Gannett Healthcare, Clipper and
PointRoll) in 2015. This compares to payments for
acquisitions of approximately $1.99 billion (primarily Cars.com,
London Broadcasting and Broadbean) in 2014. Capital
expenditures amounted to $118.7 million in 2015 and $150
million in 2014.
Financing Activities: Net cash used for financing activities
was $819.7 million in 2015 compared to net cash provided by
financing activities of $490.5 million in 2014. The difference
between periods is primarily due to receiving less proceeds
from the issuance of debt, increased repurchases of our
common stock, increased debt repayments, and a one-time
cash transfer of $63 million to our former publishing
businesses in connection with the spin-off.
Long-term debt
As of Dec. 31, 2015, our outstanding debt, net of unamortized
discounts amounted to $4.2 billion and mainly is in the form of
private placement fixed rate notes and borrowings under a
revolving credit facility. See "Note 6 Long-term debt" to our
consolidated financial statements for a table summarizing the
components of our long-term debt. As of Dec. 31, 2015, we
were in compliance with all covenants contained in our debt
and credit agreements.
Our debt balance as of Dec. 31, 2015 decreased by $287
million from Dec. 28, 2014, primarily reflecting debt payments
of $587 million partially offset by additional borrowings,
including the new $200 million term loan mentioned below.
On June 29, 2015, we entered into an agreement to
amend and extend our existing revolving credit facility with
one expiring on June 29, 2020 (the Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement). As a
result, the maximum total leverage ratio permitted by the new
agreement is 5.0x through June 30, 2017, after which, as
amended, it is reduced to 4.75x through June 30, 2018 and
then to 4.50x thereafter. Commitment fees on the revolving
credit agreement are equal to 0.25% - 0.40% of the undrawn
commitments, depending upon our leverage ratio, and are
computed on the average daily undrawn balance under the
revolving credit agreement and paid each quarter. Under the
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement, we may borrow at an applicable margin
above the Eurodollar base rate (LIBOR loan) or the higher of
the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%,
or the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% (ABR loan). The
applicable margin is determined based on our leverage ratio
but differs between LIBOR loans and ABR loans. For LIBOR-
based borrowing, the margin varies from 1.75% to 2.50%. For
ABR-based borrowing, the margin will vary from 0.75% to
1.50%. On September 23, 2015, we amended the Amended
and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit
Agreement to add an additional lender. Total commitments
under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement are $1.4 billion. As of Dec. 31,
2015, we had unused borrowing capacity of $658 million
under our revolving credit agreement.
In 2015, our debt balance decreased as a result of $587
In June 2015, we also borrowed $200 million under a new
million of debt repayments, partially offset by additional
borrowings of $200 million under a new five-year term loan as
discussed below within "Long-term Debt" section. In 2014,
proceeds from long-term debt and term loans were $1.31
billion which was used to partially finance the acquisition of
Cars.com and repay the unsecured notes that matured in
November 2014.
In 2015, we repurchased approximately 9.6 million shares
of our stock for $271 million, paid dividends (excluding the
special spin-off distribution of our publishing businesses)
totaling $167.5 million ($0.74 per share) and made dividend
payments and distributions to noncontrolling membership
shareholders of $25 million.
Our operations have historically generated strong positive
cash flow which, along with our program of maintaining bank
revolving credit availability, has provided adequate liquidity to
meet our requirements, including those for acquisitions.
five-year term loan due in 2020 which has a year-end 2015
principal balance of $180 million. The interest rate on the term
loan is equal to the same interest rates as borrowings under
the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement. Both the revolving credit
agreement and the term loan are guaranteed by a majority of
our wholly-owned material domestic subsidiaries.
We have an effective shelf registration statement under
which an unspecified amount of securities may be issued,
subject to a $7.0 billion limit established by the Board of
Directors. Proceeds from the sale of such securities may be
used for general corporate purposes, including capital
expenditures, working capital, securities repurchase
programs, repayment of debt and financing of acquisitions.
We may also invest borrowed funds that are not required for
other purposes in short-term marketable securities.
Our debt maturities may be repaid with cash flow from
operating activities, by accessing capital markets or a
combination of both. The following schedule of annual
maturities of the principal amount of total debt assumes we
use available capacity under our revolving credit agreement to
refinance unsecured floating rate term loans and fixed rate
notes due in 2016 through 2018. Based on this refinancing
25
Due to uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash
flows associated with unrecognized tax benefits at Dec. 31,
2015, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of
the period of cash settlement. Therefore, approximately $20
million of unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from
the contractual obligations table above. See Note 5 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of
income taxes.
Capital stock
In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $750 million
share repurchase program to be completed over a three-year
period beginning June 29, 2015. On Oct. 20, 2015, our Board
of Directors approved a $75 million increase to the share
repurchase program, bringing the total authorized amount to
$825 million.
Stock repurchases
Repurchases made in fiscal year
In millions
Number of shares purchased . . . .
2015
9.6
2014
2.7
Dollar amount purchased . . . . . . . $
271 $
76 $
2013
4.9
117
The shares may be repurchased at management’s
discretion, either in the open market or in privately negotiated
block transactions. Management’s decision to repurchase
shares will depend on price and other corporate
developments. Purchases may occur from time to time and no
maximum purchase price has been set. Certain of the shares
we previously acquired have been reissued in settlement of
employee stock awards.
Our common stock outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015, totaled
219,754,180 shares, compared with 226,739,091 shares at
Dec. 28, 2014.
Effects of inflation and changing prices and other matters
Our results of operations and financial condition have not
been significantly affected by inflation. The effects of inflation
and changing prices on our property and equipment and
related depreciation expense have been reduced as a result of
an ongoing capital expenditure program and the availability of
replacement assets with improved technology and efficiency.
We are minimally exposed to foreign exchange rate risk
primarily due to our majority ownership of CareerBuilder which
uses several currencies but primarily the British pound and
Euro as its functional currencies, which are then translated
into U.S. dollars. Our foreign currency translation adjustment,
related principally to CareerBuilder and reported as part of
shareholders’ equity, totaled $20 million at Dec. 31, 2015.
assumption, all of the obligations other than the VIE
unsecured floating rate term loan due prior to 2019 are
reflected as maturities for 2019 and beyond.
In thousands of dollars
646
2016 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
646
2017 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
646
2018 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
640,000
2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,807,129
2020 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,765,000
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,214,067
(1) Maturities of principal amount of debt due in 2016 through 2018 (primarily
the 10% fixed rate notes due in April 2016 and the 7.125% fixed rate notes
due in September 2018) are assumed to be repaid with funds from the
revolving credit agreement, which matures in 2020. Excluding our ability to
repay funds with the revolving credit agreement, contractual debt maturities
are $266 million, $72 million and $131 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively.
(2) Assumes current revolving credit agreement borrowings comes due in 2020
and credit facility is not extended.
Contractual obligations and commitments
The following table summarizes the expected cash outflows
resulting from financial contracts and commitments as of the
end of 2015.
Contractual
obligations
Payments due by period
Total
In millions of dollars
Long-term debt (1) . . . . . $4,214 $
Interest Payments (2) . . .
Operating leases (3). . . .
Purchase obligations (4).
Programming
contracts (5) . . . . . . . . . .
Other noncurrent
liabilities (6) . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,619 $ 450 $
1,246
204
176
187
41
64
149
699
80
8
1 $
1 $ 2,447 $
2016 2017-18 2019-20 Thereafter
1,765
410
64
14
292
36
30
357
63
68
419
131
20
17
—
35
928 $ 2,953 $
2,288
(1) Long-term debt includes scheduled principal payments only. See Note 6 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(2) We have $720 million of outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit
facility as of Dec. 31, 2015. We have not included estimated interest
payments since payments into and out of the credit facility change daily.
Interest on the senior notes is based on the stated cash coupon rate and
excludes the amortization of debt issuance discount. The term loan interest
rates are based on the actual rates as of Dec. 31, 2015.
(3) See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) Includes purchase obligations related to capital projects, interactive
marketing agreements and other legally binding commitments. Amounts
which we are liable for under purchase orders outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015,
are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as accounts payable and
accrued liabilities and are excluded from the table above.
(5) Programming contracts include television station commitments to purchase
programming to be produced in future years. This also includes amounts
related to our network affiliation agreements.
(6) Other noncurrent liabilities consist of both unfunded and under-funded
postretirement benefit plans. Unfunded plans include the TEGNA
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the TEGNA Retiree Welfare
Plan. Employer contributions, which equal the expected benefit payments,
are reflected in the table above over the next ten-year period. Our under-
funded plans include the TEGNA Retirement Plan and the G.B. Dealey
Retirement Plan (merged into the TEGNA Retirement Plan effective Dec.
31, 2015). We do not anticipate any contributions to the TEGNA Retirement
Plan in 2016. Contributions beyond the next fiscal year are excluded due to
uncertainties regarding significant assumptions involved in estimating these
contributions, such as interest rate levels as well as the amount and timing
of invested asset returns.
26
Critical accounting policies and the use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions about future
events that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could
differ significantly from those estimates. We believe the
following discussion addresses our most critical accounting
policies, which are those that are important to the presentation
of our financial condition and results of operations and require
management’s most subjective and complex judgments. This
commentary should be read in conjunction with our financial
statements, selected financial data and the remainder of this
Form 10-K.
Revenue Recognition: We generate revenue from a
diverse set of product and service offerings which include
advertising, retransmission consent fees, and software and
recruitment services. Revenue is recognized when persuasive
evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the
contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable
and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured.
Revenue from sales agreements that contain multiple
deliverable elements is allocated to each element based on
the relative best estimate of selling price. Elements are treated
as separate units of accounting if there is standalone value
upon delivery. Amounts received from customers in advance
of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Below is a
detail discussion of revenue by our two reportable segments.
Media Segment: The primary source of revenue for our
Media Segment is through the sale of advertising time on its
television stations. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of
agency commissions, in the period when the advertisements
are aired. Our Media Segment also earns revenue from
retransmission consent arrangements. Under these
agreements, we receive cash consideration from multichannel
video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite
providers) in return for our consent to permit the cable/satellite
operator to retransmit our television signal. Retransmission
consent fees are recognized over the contract period based
on a negotiated fee per subscriber. Retransmission consent
fees revenues have increased as a percentage of overall
Media Segment revenue in recent years. In 2015, such
revenues accounted for approximately 27% of overall Media
Segment revenue compared to 18% in 2013. In addition, our
Media Segment also generates online advertising revenue
through the display of digital advertisements across its various
digital platforms. Online advertising agreements typically take
the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-
based contract or transaction based contract. The customers
are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their
advertisements. An impression is the display of an
advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure
of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on
an impression. Revenue is recognized evenly over the
contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number
of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is
recognized as the service is delivered for transaction based
contracts.
Digital Segment: The primary source of revenue for our
Digital Segment is through the sale of online subscription
advertising products. Cars.com sells subscription advertising
products targeting car dealerships and national advertisers,
and CareerBuilder earns revenue through placement of job
postings on its network of websites. Revenue is recognized for
our Digital Segment’s online advertising arrangements in the
same manner as described above for Media Segments online
advertising revenue.
CareerBuilder service offerings include human capital
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and various other recruitment
solutions (employment branding services and access to online
resume databases). Generally, the human capital SaaS
offering and access related to resume databases are
subscription-based contracts for which revenue is recognized
ratably over the subscription period. SaaS contracts are
generally two to three year contracts. Recruitment solutions
(which include sourcing and screening services) are more
transactional based contracts, and therefore, revenue is
recognized as delivery occurs.
In addition, through our G/O Digital business unit, we also
provide digital marketing services and revenue is recognized
for these offerings as advertising and services are delivered.
Goodwill: As of Dec. 31, 2015, our goodwill balance was
$3.9 billion and represented approximately 46% of our total
assets. Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost
over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable
intangible assets, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested
for impairment on an annual basis (first day of our fourth
quarter) or between annual tests if events or changes in
circumstances occurred that indicate the fair value of a
reporting unit below its carrying amount.
Our goodwill has been allocated to and is tested for
impairment at a level referred to as the reporting unit. The
level at which we test goodwill for impairment requires us to
determine whether the operations below the business
segment level constitute a business for which discrete
financial information is available and segment management
regularly reviews the operating results. For Media, goodwill is
accounted for at the segment level. For Digital, the reporting
units are the stand-alone digital businesses such as
Cars.com, CareerBuilder, ShopLocal and PointRoll. The
following table shows the aggregate goodwill for these units
summarized at the segment level:
In millions of dollars
Segment
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Goodwill Balance
2,579
1,340
Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment
test, we first have the option to perform a qualitative
assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must
be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events
and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions,
industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall
financial performance, as well as company and specific
reporting unit specifications. If after performing this
assessment, we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair
value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then
we are required to perform a two-step quantitative test.
Otherwise, the two-step test is not required. In 2015, we
elected to not perform the optional qualitative assessment of
goodwill; and instead, we performed the quantitative
impairment test.
27
When performing the first step of the quantitative test, we
determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it
to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying
amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the
reporting unit, we perform the second step of the impairment
test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill
may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test,
we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s
goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill
exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill
has occurred and we must recognize an impairment loss for
the difference between the carrying amount and the implied
fair value of goodwill.
We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a
combination of a market-based valuation methodology using
comparable public company trading values, and income
approach using the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.
Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant
judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future
cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and
relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The
cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on our
best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after
considering factors such as general market conditions and
recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in
the DCF analysis are based on the respective reporting unit’s
weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the
relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity
and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital,
adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future
cash flows of the respective reporting unit.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, we completed our annual
goodwill impairment test for each of our reporting units. The
results of these tests indicated that the estimated fair values of
our reporting units exceed their carrying values, with the
exception of our PointRoll reporting unit within our Digital
Segment. After performing step 2 of the impairment test, we
recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8 million.
For the Media Segment, which is considered a single
reporting unit, the estimated value would need to decline by
over 50% to fail step one of the quantitative goodwill
impairment test. The Digital Segment balance represents
primarily Cars.com and CareerBuilder. For both of these
reporting units, the estimated value would need to decline by
more than 20% to fail step one of the quantitative goodwill
impairment test.
Impairment assessment inherently involves management
judgments regarding a number of assumptions described
above. Fair value of the reporting units also depends on the
future strength of the economy in our principal media and
digital markets. New and developing competition as well as
technological change could also adversely affect future fair
value estimates. Due to the many variables inherent in the
estimation of a reporting unit's fair value and the relative size
of our recorded goodwill, differences in assumptions could
have a material effect on the estimated fair value of one or
more of our reporting units and could result in a goodwill
impairment charge in a future period.
Indefinite Lived Intangibles: This asset grouping consists
of FCC broadcast licenses related to our acquisitions of
television stations, and trade names from the Cars.com and
CareerBuilder acquisitions. As of Dec. 31, 2015 indefinite lived
intangible assets were $2.1 billion and represented
approximately 25% of our total assets.
Indefinite lived assets are not subject to amortization and,
as a result, they are tested for impairment annually (on the
first day of our fourth quarter), or more frequently if events or
changes in circumstances suggest that the asset might be
impaired. We have the option to first perform a qualitative
assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the
fair value of the indefinite lived asset is more than its carrying
amount. If that is the case, then we would not have to perform
the quantitative analysis. The qualitative assessment
considers events and circumstances such as macroeconomic
conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors and
overall financial performance of the indefinite lived asset. In
2015, we elected to not perform the optional qualitative
assessment; and instead, we performed the quantitative
impairment test.
The fair value for the FCC broadcast licenses were
determined using an income approach referred to as the
Greenfield method. This method requires multiple
assumptions relating to the future prospects of each individual
television station including, but not limited to: (i) expected
long-term market growth characteristics, (ii) station revenue
shares within a market for a new entrant, (iii) future expected
operating expenses, (iv) costs of capital and (v) appropriate
discount rates. We performed a quantitative analysis on all of
our FCC licenses on the impairment testing date and
concluded that no impairment existed.
We completed our acquisition of Belo in late 2013 and
London Broadcasting in mid-2014 and as a result recorded
FCC licenses for all stations acquired. As these FCC licenses
were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition, any
future declines in the fair value of the FCC license could result
in an impairment charge. Factors that could cause the fair
value to decline would be negative changes in any of the
assumptions described in the above Greenfield method. The
discount rate used generally has a significant impact to the
valuation. For our 2015 impairment testing date the discount
rate had declined from when we completed our acquisition of
Belo and London Broadcasting. Future increases in the
discount rate assumptions could cause a decline in the fair
value of our FCC licenses which may result in an impairment
charge.
The estimates of fair value for the trade names are
determined using the "relief from royalty" methodology, which
is a variation of the income approach. Discount rate
assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent
in the projected future cash flows generated by the intangible
asset. Also subject to judgment are assumptions about royalty
rates, which are based on the estimated rates at which similar
trade names are being licensed in the marketplace. We
completed our annual impairment testing of trade names and
determined that no impairments existed based on the results
of the impairment test. Although trade name assets are not
currently impaired, changes in future market rates or
decreases in future cash flows and growth rates could result in
an impairment charge in a future period.
28
Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more likely
than not that all other deferred tax assets for which no
valuation allowances have been established will be realized.
This conclusion is based on our history of cumulative income
in recent years and review of historical and projected future
taxable income.
We determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax
position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate
taxing authorities before any part of the benefit is recorded in
our financial statements. A tax position is measured as the
portion of the tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be
realized upon settlement with a taxing authority (that has full
knowledge of all relevant information). We may be required to
change our provision for income taxes when the ultimate
treatment of certain items is challenged or agreed to by taxing
authorities, when estimates used in determining valuation
allowances on deferred tax assets significantly change, or
when receipt of new information indicates the need for
adjustment in valuation allowances. Future events, such as
changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such
laws or regulations, could have an impact on the provision for
income tax and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could
significantly affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated
Financial Statements in the year these changes occur.
The effect of a one percentage point change in the
effective tax rate for 2015 would have resulted in a change of
$6 million in the provision for income taxes and net income
from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the potential gain/loss arising from changes in
market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign
currency exchange rates and changes in the market value of
financial instruments. Our main exposure to market risk
relates to interest rates. We have $986 million in floating
interest rate obligations outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015, and
therefore are subject to changes in the amount of interest
expense we might incur. A 50 basis point increase or decrease
in the average interest rate for these obligations would result
in an increase or decrease in annual interest expense of $5
million. Refer to Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for information regarding the fair value of our long-
term debt.
We believe that our market risk from financial instruments,
such as accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt, is
not material. We also have limited exposure to foreign
exchange rate risk related to CareerBuilder's international
operations, primarily in the Eurozone, for which the EURO is
the functional currency. Translation gains or losses affecting
the Consolidated Statements of Income have not been
significant in the past. If the price of the EURO against the
U.S. dollar had been 10% more or less than the actual price,
operating income would have increased or decreased less
than 1% in 2015.
Other Long-Lived Assets (Property and Equipment and
Amortizable Intangible Assets): Property and equipment are
recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of such assets. Changes in
circumstances, such as technological advances or changes to
our business model or capital strategy, could result in actual
useful lives differing from our estimates. In cases where we
determine the useful life of buildings and equipment should be
shortened, we would, after evaluating for impairment,
depreciate the asset over its revised remaining useful life
thereby increasing depreciation expense.
If an indicator is present, we review our property and
equipment assets for potential impairment at the asset group
level (generally at the local business level) by comparing the
carrying value of such assets with the expected undiscounted
cash flows to be generated by those asset groups/local
business units. Due to expected continued cash flow in excess
of carrying value from its businesses, no property, plant or
equipment assets were considered impaired.
Our amortizable intangible assets consist mainly of
customer relationships, acquired technology and
retransmission agreements. These asset values are amortized
systematically over their estimated useful lives. An impairment
test of these assets would be triggered if the undiscounted
cash flows from the related asset group (business unit) were
to be less than the asset carrying value.
We do not believe that any of our larger amortizable
intangible assets (those with book values over $10 million) are
at risk of requiring an impairment in the foreseeable future.
Income Taxes: Our annual tax rate is based on our
income, statutory tax regulations and rates, and tax planning
opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we
operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our
annual tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions.
Tax law requires certain items to be included in our tax
returns at different times than when the items are reflected in
the financial statements. The annual tax expense reflected in
the Consolidated Statements of Income is different than that
reported in our tax returns. Some of these differences are
permanent, for example expenses recorded for accounting
purposes that are not deductible in the returns such as non-
deductible goodwill, and some differences are temporary and
reverse over time, such as depreciation expense. Temporary
differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred
tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in
the financial statements for which payment has been deferred,
or expense for which a deduction has been taken already in
the tax return but the expense has not yet been recognized in
the financial statements. Deferred tax assets generally
represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit
in tax returns in future years for which a benefit has already
been recorded in the financial statements. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary to reduce
deferred income tax assets to the amounts we believe are
more likely than not to be recovered. In evaluating the amount
of any such valuation allowance, we consider the existence of
cumulative income or losses in recent years, the reversal of
existing temporary differences, the existence of taxable
income in prior carry back years, available tax planning
strategies and estimates of future taxable income for each of
our taxable jurisdictions. The latter two factors involve the
exercise of significant judgment. As of Dec. 31, 2015, deferred
tax asset valuation allowances totaled $184 million, primarily
related to federal and state capital losses, and state net
operating losses available for carry forward to future years.
29
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Balance Sheets at Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Equity for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quarterly Statements of Income (Unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
OTHER INFORMATION
Page
31
32
34
35
36
37
38
64
66
* All other schedules prescribed under Regulation S-X are omitted because they are not applicable or not required.
30
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders of TEGNA Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets of TEGNA Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and
December 28, 2014, and the related consolidated statements
of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity for
each of the three fiscal years in the period ended
December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of TEGNA Inc. at December 31, 2015 and
December 28, 2014, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years
in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), TEGNA Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated
February 29, 2016, included in Item 9A, expressed an
unqualified opinion thereon.
McLean, Virginia
February 29, 2016
31
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In thousands of dollars, except share amounts
Assets
Current assets
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
129,200 $
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $9,092 and $8,844, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assets held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current discontinued operations assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment
Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buildings and improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment, furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Construction in progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less accumulated depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible and other assets
556,351
18,738
—
94,262
6,608
805,159
76,089
272,862
604,839
30,395
984,185
(525,866)
458,319
110,305
537,457
55,040
36,774
82,956
490,531
1,313,063
97,892
487,885
692,424
17,511
1,295,712
(628,794)
666,918
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,919,726
3,914,771
Indefinite-lived and amortizable intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $220,662 and
$114,273, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncurrent discontinued operation assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total intangible and other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
3,065,107
288,790
657
7,274,280
3,177,578
249,450
1,920,415
9,262,214
8,537,758 $
11,242,195
32
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In thousands of dollars, except share amounts
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
87,706 $
Other
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36,948
Accrued liabilities
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current discontinued operations liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
115,679
49,835
131,301
31,033
15,742
132,650
646
5,243
606,783
18,191
883,141
114,362
34,924
143,905
64,929
154,370
45,309
11,267
131,794
7,854
424,739
1,133,453
56,578
681,595
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,200,816
4,488,028
Pension liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncurrent discontinued operations liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
178,844
168,573
—
5,449,565
6,056,348
24,666
171,675
175,710
1,025,413
6,598,999
7,732,452
20,470
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note 12)
Equity
TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity
Common stock, par value $1: Authorized, 800,000,000 shares: Issued, 324,418,632 shares. . . . . .
Additional paid-in capital
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
324,419
539,505
324,419
546,406
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,111,129
8,602,369
Accumulated other comprehensive loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(130,951)
(778,769)
7,844,102
8,694,425
Less treasury stock at cost, 104,664,452 shares and 97,679,541 shares, respectively . . . . . . . . . .
(5,652,131)
(5,439,511)
Total TEGNA Inc. shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,191,971
264,773
2,456,744
3,254,914
234,359
3,489,273
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
8,537,758 $
11,242,195
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
(a) Our consolidated assets as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, include total assets of $4.4 million and $60.0 million related to variable
interest entities (VIEs). These assets can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 31, 2015 include
total liabilities of $1.2 million related to VIEs and our consolidated liabilities as of Dec. 28, 2014 include $4.3 million of such liabilities. The
VIEs’ creditors have no recourse to us regarding these liabilities. See further description in Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting
policies.
33
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Fiscal year ended
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Dec. 29, 2013
(recast)
(recast)
Operating Revenues:
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges (see Note 11) . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity (loss) income in unconsolidated investees, net (see Note 4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from continuing operations per share - basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per share - basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from continuing operations per share - diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Earnings from discontinued operations per share - diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per share - diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1,682,144 $
1,368,801
1,691,866 $
934,275
835,113
768,010
3,050,945
2,626,141
1,603,123
923,336
1,068,221
90,803
114,284
(58,857)
2,137,787
913,158
(5,064)
(273,629)
(11,529)
(290,222)
622,936
202,314
420,622
102,064
522,686
(63,164)
459,522 $
1.59 $
0.45
2.04 $
1.56 $
0.44
2.00 $
954,990
766,854
85,866
65,971
44,961
1,918,642
707,499
151,462
(272,668)
404,403
283,197
990,696
234,471
756,225
374,235
1,130,460
(68,289)
1,062,171 $
3.04 $
1.65
4.69 $
2.97 $
1.61
4.58 $
662,769
531,932
54,127
20,706
22,729
1,292,263
310,860
21,055
(174,818)
(45,279)
(199,042)
111,818
13,122
98,696
347,217
445,913
(57,233)
388,680
0.18
1.52
1.70
0.18
1.48
1.66
224,688
229,721
226,292
231,907
0.68 $
0.80 $
228,541
234,189
0.80
34
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
In thousands of dollars
Fiscal year ended
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Dec. 29, 2013
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
522,686 $
1,130,460 $
445,913
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (income not available to shareholders) . . . . . . . . .
(1,796)
(3,420)
(1,997)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8,235)
(43,766)
9,055
Pension and other postretirement benefit items:
Actuarial gain (loss):
Actuarial gain (loss) arising during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39,115
31,357
(466,482)
46,489
286,778
64,381
Prior service cost:
Change in prior service credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settlement charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension and other postretirement benefit items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized gains on available for sale investments during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax effect related to components of other comprehensive income (loss) . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax. . . . . . . . . . .
—
1,176
—
(355)
71,293
3,311
66,369
(28,289)
38,080
558,970
(55,099)
37,986
(4,082)
—
(10,279)
(396,368)
—
(440,134)
147,718
(292,416)
834,624
(57,167)
319
(1,599)
3,077
(10,158)
342,798
2,363
354,216
(145,478)
208,738
652,654
(56,888)
Comprehensive income attributable to TEGNA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
503,871 $
777,457 $
595,766
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
35
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
In thousands of dollars
Fiscal year ended
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014 Dec. 29, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flows:
Gain on Cars.com acquisition, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization of intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension contributions, net of pension expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity income in unconsolidated investees, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, including gains/losses on sale of assets and impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease (increase) in inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in interest and taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in deferred income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in other assets and liabilities, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash flows from operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sale of assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from (payments of) borrowings under revolving credit facilities, net . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Debt repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments of debt issuance and financing costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repurchases of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess tax benefit from equity awards and proceeds from stock option exercises . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling membership interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred payments for acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash transferred to the Gannett Co., Inc. business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of currency exchange rate change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, beginning of year . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, beginning of year . . . . . . .
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations, end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations, end of year. . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance of cash and cash equivalents at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
522,686 $
1,130,460 $
445,913
—
140,954
121,290
26,344
100,202
(122,376)
(5,743)
(65,496)
32,787
1,807
(57,643)
(46,411)
4,822
(40,117)
613,106
(118,767)
(53,656)
(33,715)
12,402
411,012
217,276
80,000
200,000
(587,509)
(7,619)
(167,508)
(271,030)
31,284
(24,783)
(9,136)
(63,365)
(819,666)
—
10,716
110,305
8,179
118,484
129,200
—
129,200 $
(285,860)
185,868
79,856
33,882
1,200
(111,194)
(167,319)
100,159
(1,514)
10,032
66,740
(193,274)
(5,353)
(22,484)
821,199
—
153,203
36,369
33,437
53,900
(82,878)
(43,824)
56,341
(17,884)
4,489
(29,310)
(53,101)
(12,233)
(32,934)
511,488
(150,354)
(1,990,877)
(7,026)
180,809
305,347
(1,662,101)
(110,407)
(1,451,006)
(3,380)
63,408
113,895
(1,387,490)
640,000
666,732
(537,490)
(10,548)
(181,328)
(75,815)
26,672
(22,072)
(15,687)
—
490,464
(281)
(350,719)
455,023
14,180
469,203
110,305
8,179
118,484 $
(205,000)
2,021,869
(287,719)
(41,960)
(183,233)
(116,639)
31,435
(42,608)
(6,132)
—
1,170,013
162
294,173
109,488
65,542
175,030
455,023
14,180
469,203
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Cash paid for interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Non-monetary exchange of investment for acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Assets-held-for-sale proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Escrow deposit disbursement related to London Broadcasting Company
television stations acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
105,581 $
265,174 $
207,038 $
242,190 $
124,378
126,180
(34,403) $
— $
— $
146,428 $
— $
— $
(134,908) $
(11,520) $
—
—
—
—
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
36
TEGNA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
In thousands of dollars
TEGNA Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
Fiscal years ended Dec. 29, 2013,
Dec. 28, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2015
Common
stock
$1 par
value
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Treasury
stock
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Balance: Dec. 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 324,419 $ 567,515 $7,514,858 $
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest . . . . .
Other comprehensive income (loss), net
of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
388,680
(701,141) $(5,355,037) $
189,298 $2,539,912
445,913
(1,997)
57,233
(1,997)
207,086
1,652
208,738
Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared: $0.80 per share . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling
membership shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . .
(182,635)
Treasury stock acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based awards activity . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation. . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from settlement of stock
awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 29, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 324,419 $ 552,368 $7,720,903 $
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interest . . . . .
(58,571)
33,437
1,062,171
9,764
223
(116,639)
61,416
(277)
(494,055) $(5,410,537) $
652,654
(182,635)
(42,390)
(42,390)
(116,639)
2,845
33,437
9,764
(2,101)
(2,155)
201,695 $2,894,793
1,130,460
(3,420)
68,289
(3,420)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax .
Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared: $0.80 per share . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling
membership shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury stock acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based awards activity . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation. . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from settlement of stock
awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(52,988)
33,882
12,437
(284,714)
(7,702)
(292,416)
834,624
(180,705)
(180,705)
(75,815)
47,127
(22,072)
(22,072)
(75,815)
(5,861)
33,882
12,437
707
459,522
Other activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 28, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 324,419 $ 546,406 $8,602,369 $
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Redeemable noncontrolling interests . . . .
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax . . . .
Total comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . .
Dividends declared: $0.68 per share . . . .
Distributions to noncontrolling
membership shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spin-off of Publishing businesses . . . . . . .
Treasury stock acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based awards activity . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation. . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit from settlement of stock
awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(52,436)
26,344
(1,797,740)
(153,022)
20,439
(286)
(778,769) $(5,439,511) $
44,349
603,469
(271,030)
42,620
(2,431)
(2,010)
234,359 $3,489,273
522,686
(1,796)
38,080
558,970
(153,022)
63,164
(1,796)
(6,269)
(23,550)
(23,550)
(1,194,271)
(271,030)
(9,816)
26,344
20,439
Other activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance: Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 324,419 $ 539,505 $7,111,129 $
(1,248)
15,790
(130,951) $(5,652,131) $
(1,135)
13,407
264,773 $2,456,744
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
37
Basis of Presentation: The Consolidated Financial
Statements include the accounts of subsidiaries we control
and variable interest entities if we are the primary beneficiary.
We eliminate all intercompany balances, transactions, and
profits in consolidation. Investments in entities for which have
significant influence, but do not have control, are accounted
for under the equity method. Our share of net earnings and
losses from these ventures is included in “Equity income (loss)
in unconsolidated investees, net” in the Consolidated
Statements of Income.
Changes in Basis of Presentation: The 2014 and 2013
financial information has been recast so that the basis of
presentation is consistent with that of the 2015 financial
information. This recast reflects the financial position and
results of operations of our former publishing businesses and
Other Segment as discontinued operations for all periods
presented. The consolidated statements of cash flows have
not been recast and include the cash flows from both
continuing and discontinuing operations. In addition, certain
reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated
financial statements to conform to the current year's
presentation.
Variable Interest Entities (VIE): A variable interest entity
is an entity that must be consolidated by its primary
beneficiary, the party that holds a controlling financial interest.
A VIE has one or both of the following characteristics: (1) its
equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its
activities without additional subordinated financial support
from other parties, or (2) as a group, the equity investors lack
one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the power to
direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic
performance of the entity, (b) obligation to absorb expected
losses, or (c) right to receive expected residual returns.
We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary.
In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE
for financial reporting purposes, we consider whether we have
the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most
significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and
whether we have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to
receive returns that would be significant to the VIE.
Since December 23, 2013, we had consolidated four VIE's
that operate television stations in the Louisville, KY, Portland,
OR, and Tucson, AZ markets. We serviced these stations
under shared services and similar arrangements and
concluded we were the primary beneficiary. On December 3,
2015, we acquired the remaining ownership interest in three of
the four stations. As a result, we had one remaining
consolidated VIE related to a station in Tucson, AZ as of
December 31, 2015.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1
Description of business, basis of presentation and
summary of significant accounting policies
Description of business: Our Company is comprised of a
dynamic portfolio of media and digital businesses that provide
content that matters and brands that deliver. Our media
business includes 46 television stations operating in 38
markets, offering high-quality television programming and
digital content. Our digital business primarily consists of our
Cars.com and CareerBuilder business units that operate in the
automotive and human capital solutions industries. The
Cars.com website provides credible and easy-to-understand
information from consumers and experts to provide car buyers
with greater control over the car buying and servicing process.
CareerBuilder helps companies target, attract and retain
workforce talent through an array of product offerings
including talent management software and other advertising
and recruitment solutions.
On the first day of our fiscal third quarter, June 29, 2015,
we completed the spin-off of our publishing businesses. Our
Company was renamed TEGNA Inc. and our stock trades on
the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. The
new publishing company retained the name Gannett Co., Inc.
and now trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol GCI. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2015, we
sold substantially all of the businesses within our Other
Segment.
With the completion of these separations, we disposed of
the former Publishing and Other Segments in their entirety
and ceased to consolidate its assets, liabilities and results of
operations in our consolidated financial statements.
Accordingly, we have presented the financial condition and
results of operations of the former Publishing and Other
Segments as discontinued operations in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
See Note 13, for a summary of discontinued operations.
Fiscal year: Beginning in fiscal year 2015, we changed our
financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end. Accordingly,
our 2015 fiscal year began on December 29, 2014 (the day
after the end of the 2014 fiscal year) and ended on December
31, 2015. Historically, our fiscal year was a 52-53 week fiscal
year that ended on the last Sunday of the calendar year. As a
result, our 2015 fiscal year had four more days than the 2014
and 2013 fiscal years. The impact of the four extra days did
not have a material impact on our financial statements, and
therefore, we have not restated the historical results.
Use of estimates: The financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). In doing so, we are required to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
reported in the consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these
estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to,
income taxes including deferred tax assets, pension and other
postretirement benefits, evaluation of goodwill and other
intangible assets for impairment, fair value measurements and
contingencies.
38
Property and depreciation: Property and equipment are
recorded at cost, and depreciation is provided generally on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. The estimated useful lives are generally: buildings and
improvements, 10 to 40 years; and machinery, equipment and
fixtures, 3 to 25 years. Changes in the estimated useful life of
an asset, which, for example, could happen as a result of
facility consolidations, can affect depreciation expense and net
income. Major building and leasehold improvements and
interest incurred during the construction period of major
additions are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and
repairs are expensed as incurred.
Valuation of long-lived assets: We review the carrying
amount of long-lived assets (mostly property and equipment
and definite-lived intangible assets) for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. Once an indicator of potential
impairment has occurred, the impairment test is based on
whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to
hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for
continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison
of projected undiscounted future cash flows against the
carrying amount of the asset group. If the carrying value of the
asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash
flows, the asset group would be deemed to be potentially
impaired. The impairment, if any, would be measured based
on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair
value. Fair value is determined primarily using the projected
future cash flows, discounted at a rate commensurate with the
risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of
are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are
reduced for the cost to dispose. We recognized impairment
charges each year from 2013-2015 related to long-lived
assets. See Note 11 for further discussion.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair
value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible
assets, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for
impairment on an annual basis (first day of our fourth quarter)
or between annual tests if events or changes in circumstances
that indicate the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying
amount.
Before performing the annual two-step goodwill impairment
test, we first have the option to perform a qualitative
assessment to determine if the two-step quantitative test must
be completed. The qualitative assessment considers events
and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions,
industry and market conditions, cost factors and overall
financial performance, as well as company and specific
reporting unit specifications. If after performing this
assessment, we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair
value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then
we are required to perform the two-step quantitative test.
Otherwise, the two-step quantitative test is not required. In
2015, we elected to not perform the optional qualitative
assessment of goodwill; instead, we performed the
quantitative impairment test.
Below is a summary of the carrying amounts and
classification of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated
VIEs mentioned above:
In thousands of dollars
Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Property and equipment, net . . . . . .
Intangible and other assets . . . . . . .
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncurrent liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
20,541
1,250 $
309
2,846
4,405
1,381
1,719
3,100 $
10,084
29,412
60,037
11,635
26,028
37,663
Segment presentation: The Digital Segment includes
results from CareerBuilder, Cars.com, PointRoll and
ShopLocal. Digital Segment revenues exclude online/digital
revenues generated by digital platforms that are associated
with our Media Segment's properties. Such amounts are
reflected within our Media Segment and included within media
revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Noncontrolling interests presentation: Noncontrolling
interests are presented as a component of equity on the
Consolidated Balance Sheet. This balance primarily relates to
the noncontrolling owners of CareerBuilder for which our
ownership percentage is at 52.9%. Net income in the
Consolidated Statements of Income reflects 100% of
CareerBuilder's results as we hold the controlling interest. Net
income is subsequently adjusted to remove the noncontrolling
interest to arrive at Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc.
In addition, CareerBuilder has made two strategic
acquisitions in which they own a controlling financial interest.
In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority ownership in
Textkernal, a software company that provides semantic
recruitment technology. Additionally, in 2012, CareerBuilder
acquired a majority ownership in Economic Modeling
Specialists Intl. (EMSI), a software firm that specializes in
employment data and labor market analytics. The minority
shareholders of these acquired businesses hold put rights that
permit them to put their equity interest to CareerBuilder. Since
redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of our
control, the minority shareholders' equity interest is presented
on the consolidated balance sheet in the caption “Redeemable
noncontrolling interests”.
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents
consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with
original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash
equivalents are carried at cost plus accrued interest, which
approximates fair value.
Trade receivables and allowances for doubtful
accounts: Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced
amounts and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for
doubtful accounts reflects our estimate of credit exposure,
determined principally on the basis of our collection
experience, aging of our receivables and any specific reserves
needed for certain customers based on their credit risk. Bad
debt expense, which is included in cost of sales and operating
expenses on our consolidated statements of income, was $6.9
million in 2015, $4.1 million in 2014, and $4.4 million in 2013,
which approximated write-offs of trade receivables during
each respective year.
39
To estimate the fair values for the FCC broadcast licenses,
we apply an income approach, using the Greenfield method.
The Greenfield method involves a DCF model that
incorporates several variables, including market revenues,
long-term growth projections, estimated market share for a
typical market participant, and estimated profit margins based
on market size and station type.
The results of our 2015 annual impairment test of indefinite
lived intangible assets indicated the fair values exceed their
carrying amounts, and therefore, no impairment charge was
recorded.
Investments and other assets: Investments where we
have significant influence are recorded under the equity
method of accounting. We recognized impairment charges in
2014 related to such investments. See Note 4 for additional
information.
Investments in non-public businesses in which we do not
have control or do not exert significant influence are carried at
cost and losses resulting from periodic evaluations of the
carrying value of these investments are included as a non-
operating expense. At Dec. 31, 2015, such investments
totaled approximately $8.6 million and at Dec. 28, 2014, they
totaled approximately $8.3 million.
Our television stations are party to program broadcasting
contracts which provide the Media Segment with rights to
broadcast syndicated programs, original series and films.
These contracts are recorded at the gross amount of the
related liability when the programs are available for
telecasting. The related assets are recorded at the lower of
cost or estimated net realizable value. Program assets are
classified as current (as a prepaid expense) or noncurrent (as
an other asset) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, based
upon the expected use of the programs in succeeding years.
The amount charged to expense appropriately matches the
cost of the programs with the revenues associated with them.
The liability for these contracts is classified as current or
noncurrent in accordance with the payment terms of the
contracts. The payment period generally coincides with the
period of telecast for the programs, but may be shorter.
Revenue recognition: We generate revenue from a
diverse set of product and service offerings which include
advertising, retransmission consent fees, and software and
recruitment services. Revenue is recognized when persuasive
evidence of an arrangement exists, performance under the
contract has begun, the contract price is fixed or determinable
and collectability of the related fee is reasonably assured.
Revenue from sales agreements that contain multiple
deliverable elements is allocated to each element based on
the relative best estimate of selling price. Elements are treated
as separate units of accounting if there is standalone value
upon delivery. Amounts received from customers in advance
of revenue recognition are deferred as liabilities. Below is a
detail discussion of revenue by our two reportable segments.
Our goodwill has been allocated to and is tested for
impairment at a level referred to as the reporting unit. The
level at which we test goodwill for impairment requires us to
determine whether the operations below the business
segment level constitute a business for which discrete
financial information is available and segment management
regularly reviews the operating results. For Media, goodwill is
accounted for at the segment level. For Digital, the reporting
units are the stand-alone digital businesses such as
Cars.com, CareerBuilder, ShopLocal and PointRoll.
When performing the first step of the quantitative test, we
determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it
to the carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying
amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the
reporting unit, we perform the second step of the impairment
test, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill
may be impaired. In the second step of the impairment test,
we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s
goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill
exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill
has occurred and we must recognize an impairment loss for
the difference between the carrying amount and the implied
fair value of goodwill.
We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using a
combination of a market-based valuation methodology using
comparable public company trading values, and income
approach using the discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.
Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant
judgments, including the amount and timing of expected future
cash flows, long-term growth rates, discount rates and
relevant comparable public company earnings multiples. The
cash flows employed in the DCF analysis are based on our
best estimate of future sales, earnings and cash flows after
considering factors such as general market conditions and
recent operating performance. The discount rates utilized in
the DCF analysis are based on the respective reporting unit’s
weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the
relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity
and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital,
adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future
cash flows of the respective reporting unit. In the fourth
quarter of 2015, we completed our annual goodwill impairment
test for each of our reporting units. The results of these tests
indicated that the estimated fair values of our reporting units
exceed their carrying values, with the exception of our
PointRoll reporting unit within our Digital Segment. After
performing step 2 of the impairment test, we recorded a non-
cash impairment charge of $8 million in the fourth quarter of
2015 related to PointRoll. See Note 11 for further discussion.
We also have intangible assets with indefinite lives
associated with FCC broadcast licenses related to our
acquisitions of television stations, and trade names from the
Cars.com and CareerBuilder acquisitions. Intangible assets
with indefinite lives are tested annually, or more often if
circumstances dictate, for impairment and written down to fair
value as required. The estimates of fair value for the trade
names are determined using the "relief from royalty"
methodology, which is a variation of the income approach.
Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the
risk inherent in the projected future cash flows generated by
the intangible asset.
40
Stock-based employee compensation: We grant
restricted stock or restricted stock units (RSU) as well as
performance shares to employees as a form of compensation.
The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair
value of the award and is generally recognized on a straight-
line basis over the requisite service period, which is typically
the four-year vesting period for restricted stock and the three-
year vesting period for performance shares. Performance
share expense for participants meeting certain retirement
eligible criteria as defined in the plan is recognized using the
accelerated attribution method. See Note 9 for further
discussion.
Our stock option awards generally have graded vesting
terms and we recognize compensation expense for these
options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service
period for the entire award (generally four years). Stock
options are no longer issued to our employees and in 2015 all
remaining outstanding options became fully vested.
Advertising Costs: We expense advertising costs as they
are incurred. Advertising expense was $173.3 million 2015,
$110.1 million in 2014, and $98.6 million in 2013, and is
included in selling, general and administrative expenses on
the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income taxes: Income taxes are presented on the
consolidated financial statements using the asset and liability
method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable
to temporary differences that exist between the financial
statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their
respective tax basis, as well as from operating loss and tax
credit carry-forwards. Deferred income taxes reflect expected
future tax benefits (i.e., assets) and future tax costs (i.e.,
liabilities). The tax effect of net operating loss, capital loss and
general business credit carryovers result in deferred tax
assets. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using
the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in
the years in which those temporary differences are expected
to be recoverable or settled. We recognize the effect on
deferred taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the period
that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are
established if, based upon the weight of available evidence,
management determines it is “more likely than not” that some
portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
We periodically assess our tax filing exposures related to
periods that are open to examination. Based on the latest
available information, we evaluate our tax positions to
determine whether it is more-likely-than-not the position will be
sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. If
we cannot reach a more-likely-than-not determination, no
benefit is recorded. If we determine that the tax position is
more-likely-than-not to be sustained, we record the largest
amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized
when the tax position is settled. We record interest and
penalties related to income taxes as a component of income
tax expense on our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Interest and penalties were not material in each year
presented.
Media Segment: The primary source of revenue for our
Media Segment is through the sale of advertising time on its
television stations. Advertising revenues are recognized, net of
agency commissions, in the period when the advertisements
are aired. Our Media Segment also earns revenue from
retransmission consent arrangements. Under these
agreements, we receive cash consideration from multichannel
video programming distributors (e.g., cable and satellite
providers) in return for our consent to permit the cable/satellite
operator to retransmit our television signal. Retransmission
consent fees are recognized over the contract period based
on a negotiated fee per subscriber. Retransmission consent
fees revenues have increased as a percentage of overall
Media Segment revenue in recent years. In 2015, such
revenues accounted for approximately 27% of overall Media
Segment revenue compared to 18% in 2013. In addition, our
Media Segment also generates online advertising revenue
through the display of digital advertisements across its various
digital platforms. Online advertising agreements typically take
the form of an impression-based contract, fixed fee time-
based contract or transaction based contract. The customers
are billed for impressions delivered or click-throughs on their
advertisements. An impression is the display of an
advertisement to an end-user on the website and is a measure
of volume. A click-through occurs when an end-user clicks on
an impression. Revenue is recognized evenly over the
contract term for fixed fee contracts where a minimum number
of impressions or click-throughs is not guaranteed. Revenue is
recognized as the service is delivered for transaction based
contracts.
Digital Segment: The primary source of revenue for our
Digital Segment is through the sale of online subscription
advertising products. Cars.com sells subscription advertising
products targeting car dealerships and national advertisers,
and CareerBuilder earns revenue through placement of job
postings on its network of websites. Revenue is recognized for
our Digital Segment’s online advertising arrangements in the
same manner as described above for Media Segments online
advertising revenue.
CareerBuilder service offerings include human capital
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and various other recruitment
solutions (employment branding services and access to online
resume databases). Generally, the human capital SaaS
offering and access related to resume databases are
subscription-based contracts for which revenue is recognized
ratably over the subscription period. SaaS contracts are
generally two to three year contracts. Recruitment solutions
(which include sourcing and screening services) are more
transactional based contracts, and therefore, revenue is
recognized as delivery occurs.
In addition, through our G/O Digital business unit, we also
provide digital marketing services and revenue is recognized
for these offerings as advertising and services are delivered.
Retirement plans: Pension and other post-retirement
benefit costs under our defined benefit retirement plans are
actuarially determined. We recognize the cost of post-
retirement benefits including pension, medical and life
insurance benefits on an accrual basis over the average life
expectancy of employees expected to receive such benefits
for plans that have had their benefits frozen. For active plans,
costs are recognized over the estimated average future
service period.
41
Foreign currency translation: The income statements of
foreign operations have been translated to U.S. dollars using
the average currency exchange rates in effect during the
relevant period. The balance sheets have been translated
using the currency exchange rate as of the end of the
accounting period. The impact of currency exchange rate
changes on the translation of the balance sheets are included
in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income and are classified as
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of
Equity.
Loss contingencies: We are subject to various legal
proceedings, claims and regulatory matters, the outcomes of
which are subject to significant uncertainty. We determine
whether to disclose or accrue for loss contingencies based on
an assessment of whether the risk of loss is remote,
reasonably possible or probable, and whether it can be
reasonably estimated. We accrue for loss contingencies when
such amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. If a
contingent liability is only reasonably possible, we will disclose
the potential range of the loss, if material and estimable.
Discontinued operations: In determining whether a group
of assets is disposed (or to be disposed) should be presented
as a discontinued operation, we analyze whether the group of
assets being disposed of represented a component of the
entity; that is, whether it had historic operations and cash
flows that were clearly distinguished (both operationally and
for financial reporting purposes). In addition, we consider
whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or
will have a major effect on our operations and financial results.
We concluded that both the spin-off of our former
publishing businesses on June 29, 2015, and the sale of our
Other Segment during the fourth quarter of 2015 met all of the
criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. As such,
for all periods presented, we have recast our financial
information to present the financial position and results of
operations of the former publishing businesses and Other
Segment as discontinued operations in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements, with the exception of the
consolidated statements of cash flows (which include the cash
flows from both continuing and discontinuing operations). See
Note 13 for more information.
Accounting guidance adopted in 2015: On Dec. 31,
2015 we early adopted guidance that requires the
presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to be
classified as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Dec. 28, 2014 consolidated balance sheet has also been
recast so that the classification of deferred taxes is consistent
with the current year presentation.
New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In
May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
issued guidance that establishes a new revenue recognition
framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The
core principle of the guidance is that an entity should
recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or
services to customers in an amount that reflects the
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods or services. New disclosures about
the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and
cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also
required. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral
of the effective date of the standard to 2018 for public
companies, with an option that would permit companies to
early adopt the standard in 2017. Early adoption prior to 2017
is not permitted. The new standard may be adopted either
retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis, which
recognizes a cumulative catch-up adjustment to the opening
balance of retained earnings. In addition, the FASB is
contemplating making additional changes to certain elements
of the new standard. We are currently evaluating the methods
of adoption allowed by the new standard and the effect the
standard is expected to have on our consolidated financial
statements and related disclosures.
In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that
requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional
amounts recorded in a business combination in the reporting
period in which the adjustment amounts are determined.
Recognizing the entire impact of a measurement period
adjustment in a single reporting period may introduce earnings
volatility and reduces comparability between periods when the
adjustments are material. Past measurement period
adjustments for us have not been material.
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that will change
the way an entity presents debt issuance costs on the balance
sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs will be a
direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability,
similar to debt discounts, rather than as an asset as has been
done previously. Amortization of the cost will continue to be
reported as interest expense. We will adopt the new guidance
in the first quarter of 2016. We are required to apply the new
guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet
of each period presented is adjusted to reflect the effects of
applying the new guidance. At Dec. 31, 2015, we had $49.0
million of debt issuance costs recorded as assets. The debt
issuance costs amount to less than 1% of our total assets.
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related
to leases which will require lessees to recognize assets and
liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months.
Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement,
and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a
lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as
a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP-
which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the
balance sheet—the new guidance will require both types of
leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. The new
guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of
2019 and we are currently evaluating the effect it is expected
to have on our consolidated financial statements and related
disclosures.
42
We recognized a $476.7 million pre-tax non-cash gain
($285.9 million after-tax) on the acquisition of Cars.com, which
is comprised of a $396.7 million gain on the write-up of our
prior 27% investment in Cars.com to fair value and an $80.0
million gain related to the required accounting for the pre-
existing affiliate agreement between us and Cars.com. The
net gain is included in Other non-operating items on the
Consolidated Statements of Income. The impact to our
Consolidated Statements of Income, net of intersegment
eliminations, from Oct. 1, 2014, the acquisition date to Dec.
28, 2014 was $129.0 million of revenue and $33.6 million of
operating income.
Customer relationships are being amortized over a
weighted average life of eleven years and internally developed
technology is being amortized over a weighted average life of
seven years. Acquired property and equipment will be
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the respective
estimated remaining useful lives. Goodwill is calculated as the
excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of
the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future
economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible
assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition,
including assembled workforce and non-contractual
relationships, as well as expected future synergies. We expect
the purchase price allocated to goodwill and other indefinite-
lived intangibles will be deductible for tax purposes.
Pro forma information. The following table sets forth
unaudited pro forma results of operations, assuming that the
Cars.com acquisition, along with transactions necessary to
finance the acquisition, occurred at the beginning of 2013:
In thousands of dollars
Unaudited
2014
2013
Total revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,987,058 $2,039,854
Net income attributable to TEGNA Inc. . . . . . $ 754,851 $ 356,353
This pro forma financial information is based on historical
results of operations, adjusted for the allocation of the
purchase price and other acquisition accounting adjustments,
and is not necessarily indicative of what our results would
have been had we operated the businesses since the
beginning of the annual period presented. The pro forma
adjustments reflect amortization of intangibles and
unfavorable contracts related to the fair value adjustments of
the assets and liabilities acquired, additional interest expense
related to the financing of the transactions, alignment of
accounting policies and the related tax effects of the
adjustments. Changes in affiliation agreements between
Cars.com and its former investors that went into effect on Oct.
1, 2014, were excluded from the pro forma adjustments dating
back to the beginning of 2013. The pro forma table excludes
adjustments for any other acquisitions in 2013 or 2014.
NOTE 2
Acquisitions, investments and dispositions
We made the following acquisitions, investments and
dispositions during 2013 through 2015:
Acquisitions
2015: In July 2015, CareerBuilder acquired a majority
stake in Textkernel, a leading-edge software company
providing semantic recruitment technology to the global
market. Textkernel is based in Amsterdam.
In March 2015, CareerBuilder increased its controlling
interest in EMSI by 11% from 74% to 85%. EMSI is an
economic software firm that specializes in employment data
and labor market analysis. EMSI collects and interprets large
amounts of labor data, which is used in workforce
development and talent strategy.
On December 3, 2015, we acquired three television
stations KGW in Portland, Oregon, WHAS in Louisville,
Kentucky and KMSB in Tucson, Arizona, following approval
from the Federal Communications Commission. Since 2013,
we have consolidated these three television stations as they
were VIEs and we were the primary beneficiary. See Note 1
for further discussion.
2014: On Oct. 1, 2014, we acquired the remaining 73%
interest in Cars.com (formerly known as Classified Ventures,
LLC) for $1.83 billion. We funded the acquisition with
additional borrowings and cash on hand. As part of the
acquisition, Cars.com entered into new five-year affiliation
agreements with each of the former newspaper investors at
economic terms much more favorable to Cars.com. Acquiring
full ownership of Cars.com further accelerated our digital
transformation and expanded our position in local media and
marketing services in the automotive sector.
The purchase price was allocated to the tangible assets
and identified intangible assets acquired based on their
estimated fair values. The excess purchase price over those
fair values was recorded as goodwill. At the acquisition date,
the purchase price assigned to the acquired assets and
assumed liabilities is summarized as follows:
In thousands of dollars
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Receivables and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indefinite-lived intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internally developed technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments and other noncurrent assets . . . . . . . . . .
43,767
108,577
17,399
872,320
789,540
69,500
2,860
14,598
Goodwill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
715,970
Total assets acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,634,531
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other noncurrent liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities assumed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
106,970
132,606
239,576
Net assets acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,394,955
Less: acquisition date fair value of 26.9% equity
interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
563,757
Acquisition purchase price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,831,198
43
We incurred and expensed a total of $9.3 million of
Dispositions
acquisition costs related to Cars.com for the year ended Dec.
28, 2014. Such costs were reflected in Other non-operating
items in the Consolidated Statements of Income. These
acquisition costs and the $285.9 million after-tax gain on the
acquisition of Cars.com are not included in the pro forma
amounts above as they are specifically related to the
acquisition.
In April 2014, CareerBuilder acquired Broadbean.
Broadbean is a leading international job distribution, candidate
sourcing and big data analytics software company. Broadbean
is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and has offices
in the U.S., France, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.
In July 2014, we acquired six London Broadcasting
Company television stations in Texas for approximately $215.0
million in an all-cash transaction. We used proceeds of $134.9
million from the sale of the Phoenix and St. Louis stations to
partially pay for the London Broadcasting Company stations
via a tax-efficient exchange. The acquisition included KCEN
(NBC) in Waco-Temple-Bryan, KYTX (CBS) in Tyler-Longview,
KIII (ABC) in Corpus Christi, KBMT (ABC) and its digital sub-
current KJAC (NBC) in Beaumont-Port Arthur, KXVA (FOX) in
Abilene-Sweetwater and KIDY (FOX) in San Angelo.
2013: On Dec. 23, 2013, we completed the acquisition of
Belo. The total cash consideration was $1.47 billion in addition
to the assumption of $715 million in principal amount of
outstanding Belo debt. The source of the aggregate purchase
price that we paid in the acquisition consisted of additional
borrowings and cash on hand. In connection with the
acquisition, we recorded goodwill (which is not deductible for
tax purposes) of $929 million, related to synergies of
combining operations and value of the existing workforce.
Additionally, we recorded other intangible assets of $186
million primarily related to retransmission and network
affiliation agreements. The retransmission agreements
intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted
average life of eight years and network affiliate agreements
intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted
average life of nine years. Acquired property and equipment
are being depreciated on a straight-line basis over the
respective estimated remaining useful lives.
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the results of
the acquired operations for the 17 consolidated television
stations are included in our financial statements beginning
Dec. 23, 2013. Net media revenues and operating income of
these stations included in our Consolidated Statements of
Income were immaterial for the year ended Dec. 29, 2013.
We incurred and expensed a total of $33.0 million of
acquisition costs for the year ended Dec. 29, 2013, related to
the Belo acquisition. Such costs were reflected in Other non-
operating items in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
2015: On June 29, 2015, we completed the spin-off of our
publishing businesses and began trading as TEGNA on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TGNA. See Note
13 for further details regarding the spin-off.
On Dec. 29, 2014, which was the first day of our 2015
fiscal year, we completed our sale of Gannett Healthcare
Group (GHG), to OnCourse Learning. GHG provides
continuing education, certification test preparation, online
recruitment, digital media, publications and related services for
nurses and other healthcare professionals in the U.S.
On November 5, 2015 we also sold our subsidiaries
Clipper Magazine (Clipper), a direct mail advertising magazine
business, and Mobestream Media (Mobestream), maker of a
mobile rewards/coupon platform, to Valassis Direct Mail, Inc.
The Clipper and Mobestream business units represented
substantially all of the operations of our former Other
Segment. As a result, the operating results of our Other
Segment have been included in discontinued operations in our
consolidated financial statements (see Note 13 for more
information).
On November 12, 2015, we sold PointRoll which was part
of our Cofactor business unit within our Digital Segment, to
Sizmek Technologies, Inc.
2014: In February 2014, we along with Sander Media,
LLC, completed the sale of KMOV in St. Louis, MO, to
Meredith Corporation, following regulatory approval. As a
condition of the sale, Sander Media conveyed to Meredith
Corporation substantially all of its assets used to operate
KMOV, which Sander Media acquired when the Gannett-Belo
transaction closed on December 23, 2013. We conveyed
certain other assets needed to provide services to KMOV,
which we also acquired from Belo.
In June 2014, we, along with Sander Media, LLC,
completed the sale of KTVK and KASW in Phoenix, AZ, to
Meredith Corporation. As part of the sale, Sander Media
conveyed to Meredith substantially all of its assets used in the
operation of both stations, which Sander Media acquired when
the Belo transaction was completed in December 2013. We
also conveyed certain other assets we used to provide
services to both stations, which we acquired from the Belo
transaction. At the closing, Meredith simultaneously conveyed
KASW to SagamoreHill of Phoenix, LLC, which through its
affiliates, owns and operates two television stations in two
markets. The total sale price of the Phoenix and St. Louis
stations was $407.5 million plus working capital.
In March 2014, Classified Ventures, in which we owned a
27% interest, agreed to sell Apartments.com to CoStar Group,
Inc. for $585 million. This transaction closed on April 1, 2014.
As a result of our ownership stake, we received a $154.6
million distribution from Classified Ventures after the close of
the transaction.
44
NOTE 3
Goodwill and other intangible assets
The following table displays goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible
assets, and amortizable intangible assets at Dec. 31, 2015,
and Dec. 28, 2014.
In thousands of dollars
Dec. 31, 2015
Gross
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,919,726 $
— $ 3,919,726
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Television station FCC
licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,191,950
Trade names . . . . . . . . . . . .
925,019
— 1,191,950
—
925,019
The following table shows the projected annual
amortization expense, as of Dec. 31, 2015, related to our
existing amortizable intangible assets:
In thousands of dollars
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 110,135
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 105,989
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 103,213
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
97,018
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
94,308
The following table shows the changes from 2014 to 2015
in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment.
In thousands of dollars
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
903,652
265,148
(145,398)
758,254
Goodwill (recast)
(75,264)
189,884
Gross balance at Dec. 29, 2013 .
2,543,333
765,952
3,309,285
Media
Digital
Total
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,205,495 $
(220,662) $ 6,984,833
Accumulated impairment losses .
— (136,700)
(136,700)
Dec. 28, 2014 (recast)
Net balance at Dec. 29, 2013 . . . $ 2,543,333 $ 629,252 $ 3,172,585
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,914,771 $
— $ 3,914,771
Acquisitions & adjustments . . . . .
35,268
753,828
789,096
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Television station FCC
licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,191,950
— 1,191,950
Impairment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign currency exchange rate
changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
(30,271)
(30,271)
(16,639)
(16,639)
Trade names . . . . . . . . . . . .
926,407
—
926,407
Balance at Dec. 28, 2014 . . . . . . $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
904,916
268,578
Gross balance at Dec. 28, 2014 .
2,578,601
1,503,141
4,081,742
(71,719)
833,197
Accumulated impairment losses .
— (166,971)
(166,971)
(42,554)
226,024
Net balance at Dec. 28, 2014 . . . $ 2,578,601 $ 1,336,170 $ 3,914,771
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,206,622 $
(114,273) $ 7,092,349
Acquisitions & adjustments . . . . .
817
25,667
26,484
Amortization expense was $114.3 million in 2015, $66.0
Impairment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dispositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
(252)
(252)
(8,000)
(8,000)
(13,277)
(13,277)
Foreign currency exchange rate
changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015 . . . . . . $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726
Gross balance at Dec. 31, 2015 .
2,579,418
1,515,279
4,094,697
Accumulated impairment losses .
— (174,971)
(174,971)
Net balance at Dec. 31, 2015 . . . $ 2,579,418 $ 1,340,308 $ 3,919,726
million in 2014 and $20.7 million in 2013. The increase
primarily reflects the impact of a full year of Cars.com
amortization which was acquired in October 2014. Customer
relationships, which include subscriber lists and advertiser
relationships, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their
useful lives. Other intangibles primarily include retransmission
agreements, network affiliations, developed technology, and
patents and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their
useful lives.
45
NOTE 4
NOTE 5
Other assets and investments
Our investments and other assets consisted of the following
as of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014:
Income taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing
operations consists of the following:
In thousands of dollars
In thousands of dollars
2015
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 114,161 $
Current
State and other . . . . . . . . . . . .
12,795
Deferred
Total
76,816 $ 190,977
10,548
(2,247)
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 128,805 $
1,849
(1,060)
789
73,509 $ 202,314
In thousands of dollars
2014 - recast
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 139,710 $
Current
State and other . . . . . . . . . . . .
23,114
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 163,924 $
1,100
Deferred
Total
51,245 $ 190,955
43,346
20,232
(930)
170
70,547 $ 234,471
In thousands of dollars
2013 - recast
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Current
Deferred
Total
50,564 $ (28,151) $
State and other . . . . . . . . . . . .
(22,105)
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
1,000
10,562
1,252
29,459 $ (16,337) $
13,122
22,413
(11,543)
2,252
The components of income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA Inc. before income taxes consist of the
following:
In thousands of dollars
Domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 568,534 $ 927,453 $
63,693
2015
2014
(recast)
2013
(recast)
Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 559,772 $ 922,407 $
(5,046)
(8,762)
(9,108)
54,585
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Deferred compensation investments . $
77,199 $
Cash value life insurance . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred debt issuance cost . . . . . . . .
Equity method investments. . . . . . . . .
Available for sale investment . . . . . . .
Other long term assets . . . . . . . . . . . .
68,332
45,420
27,824
28,090
41,925
65,950
70,801
50,045
21,750
—
40,904
Total
$
288,790 $
249,450
Deferred compensation: Employee compensation related
investments consist of debt and equity securities which are
classified as trading securities and fund our deferred
compensation plan liabilities (See Note 8 for further discussion
on how fair value is determined). Net gains on trading
securities in 2015, 2014, and 2013 were $0.5 million, $2.9
million and $3.2 million. Gains and losses on these
investments are included in Other non-operating items within
our consolidated statement of income.
Equity method investments: Investments where we have
the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not control,
are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
Significant influence typically exists if we have a 20% to 50%
ownership interest in the investee. Under this method of
accounting, our share of the net earnings or losses of the
investee is included in non-operating income, on our
consolidated statements of income. We evaluate our equity
method investments for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts
of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the value
of an equity method investment is determined to be other than
temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period.
Certain differences exist between our investment carrying
value and the underlying equity of the investee companies
principally due to fair value measurement at the date of
investment acquisition and due to impairment charges we
recorded for certain of the investments. Pre-tax impairments
on equity method investments were $3 million in 2014 and
were recorded in equity income in unconsolidated investees
on our Consolidated Statements of Income. No material
impairments were recorded in 2015 and 2013.
For the year ended Dec. 28, 2014, the net gain in Equity
income in unconsolidated investees of $151.5 million was
primarily related to a pre-tax gain of $148.4 million related to
the sale of our investment in Apartments.com by Classified
Ventures.
46
The provision for income taxes varies from the U.S. federal
As of Dec. 31, 2015, we had approximately $343.8 million
of capital loss carryforwards for federal and state purposes
which can only be utilized to the extent capital gains are
recognized and, if not used prior to 2020, will expire. As of
Dec. 31, 2015, we also had approximately $23.1 million of
state net operating loss carryovers that, if not utilized, will
expire in various amounts beginning in 2016 through 2035.
Included in total deferred tax assets are valuation
allowances of approximately $184.4 million as of Dec. 31,
2015 and $140.7 million as of Dec. 28, 2014, primarily related
to federal and state capital losses and state net operating
losses available for carry forward to future years.
The increase in the valuation allowance from 2014 to 2015
is primarily related to additional federal and state capital loss
carryforwards due to the uncertainty that exists regarding their
future realizability. If, in the future, we believe that it is more-
likely-than-not that these deferred tax benefits will be realized,
the valuation allowances will be reversed in the Consolidated
Statement of Income.
Realization of deferred tax assets for which valuation
allowances have not been established is dependent upon
generating sufficient future taxable income. We expect to
realize the benefit of these deferred tax assets through future
reversals of our deferred tax liabilities, through the recognition
of taxable income in the allowable carryback and carryforward
periods, and through implementation of future tax planning
strategies. Although realization is not assured, we believe it is
more-likely-than-not that all deferred tax assets for which
valuation allowances have not been established will be
realized.
Tax Matters Agreement
Prior to the June 29, 2015 spin-off of our publishing
businesses we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with
Gannett Co., Inc. that governs each company's respective
rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to tax
liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other
matters regarding income taxes, non-income taxes and related
tax returns. The agreement provides that we will generally
indemnify Gannett Co., Inc. against taxes attributable to
assets or operations for all tax periods or portions thereof prior
to the spin-off date including separately-filed U.S., state, and
foreign taxes and for such periods.
statutory tax rate as a result of the following differences:
2015
2014
(recast)
2013
(recast)
U.S. statutory tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35.0%
35.0% 35.0%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting
from:
State taxes (net of federal income
tax benefit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of foreign operations. . . . . . .
3.2
0.5
2.4
0.1
Domestic Manufacturing Deduction
(2.0)
(1.6)
10.8
1.5
(3.3)
Uncertain tax positions,
settlements and lapse of statutes
of limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net deferred tax write offs and
deferred tax rate adjustments . . . . .
Non-deductible transactions costs .
Loss on sale of subsidiary . . . . . . .
Non-deductible goodwill . . . . . . . . .
Tax provision and state refund
adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.2)
(0.3)
(40.3)
(1.6)
0.5
—
0.4
—
0.3
(0.3)
0.7
(12.6)
3.0
—
(1.0)
(4.3)
13.5
—
—
12.5
(0.9)
36.1%
25.4% 24.5%
Deferred income taxes reflect temporary differences in the
recognition of revenue and expense for tax reporting and
financial statement purposes. Deferred tax liabilities and
assets are adjusted for changes in tax laws or tax rates of the
various tax jurisdictions as of the enacted date.
Deferred tax liabilities and assets were composed of the
following at the end of Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014:
In thousands of dollars
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Liabilities
Accelerated depreciation . . . . . . . . . $
Accelerated amortization of
deductible intangibles . . . . . . . . . . .
Partnership investments including
impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55,783 $
76,435
663,545
645,096
282,784
9,057
254,476
18,961
994,968
Total deferred tax liabilities. . . . . . . .
1,011,169
Assets
Accrued compensation costs . . . . . .
Pension and postretirement medical
and life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss carryforwards. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . .
Valuation allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total net deferred tax (liabilities) . . . $
28,119
43,668
73,470
184,117
26,735
312,441
184,413
34,568
308,374
67,494
454,104
140,731
(883,141) $
(681,595)
47
Uncertain Tax Positions
The following table summarizes the activity related to
unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the federal tax benefit of
state tax deductions:
NOTE 6
Long-term debt
Our long-term debt is summarized below:
In thousands of dollars
In thousands of dollars
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . $
58,886 $
57,324
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 10% due June 2015 . . . . . . . . $
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 6.375% due September 2015.
Unsecured floating rate term loan due
quarterly through August 2018 . . . . . . . .
VIE unsecured floating rate term loans
due quarterly through December 2018 . .
Unsecured floating rate term loan due
quarterly through June 2020 . . . . . . . . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 10% due April 2016 . . . . . . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 7.125% due September 2018.
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 5.125% due October 2019 . . .
Borrowings under revolving credit
agreement expiring June 2020 . . . . . . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 5.125% due July 2020 . . . . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 4.875% due September 2021.
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 6.375% due October 2023 . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 5.50% due September 2024. .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 7.75% due June 2027 . . . . . .
Unsecured notes bearing fixed rate
interest at 7.25% due September 2027. .
— $
66,568
—
250,000
83,700
123,200
1,938
33,379
180,000
—
193,429
193,429
70,000
250,000
600,000
600,000
720,000
640,000
600,000
600,000
350,000
350,000
650,000
650,000
325,000
325,000
200,000
200,000
240,000
240,000
Total principal long-term debt . . . . . . . . .
4,214,067
4,521,576
Other (fair market value adjustments
and discounts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(12,605)
(25,694)
Total long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,201,462
4,495,882
Less current portion of long-term debt
maturities of VIE loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
646
7,854
Long-term debt, net of current portion. . . $
4,200,816 $
4,488,028
Our debt balance at year end 2015 decreased by $287
million primarily reflecting debt payments of $587 million
partially offset by additional borrowings, including the new
$200 million term loan mentioned below.
Additions based on tax positions related
to the current year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Additions for tax positions of prior years .
Reductions for tax positions of prior
years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions for transfers to Gannett Co.,
Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reductions due to lapse of statutes of
limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,095
853
(24,858)
—
12,426
868
(4,563)
(129)
(18,804)
—
(2,681)
(7,040)
58,886
Balance at end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
19,491 $
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if
recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $12.5
million as of Dec. 31, 2015, and $11.6 million as of Dec. 28,
2014. This amount includes the federal tax benefit of state tax
deductions.
We recognize interest and penalties related to
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax
expense. We also recognize interest income attributable to
overpayment of income taxes and from the reversal of interest
expense previously recorded for uncertain tax positions which
are subsequently released as a component of income tax
expense. We recognized income from interest and the release
of penalty reserves of $0.4 million in 2015, $3.4 million in
2014, and $5.4 million in 2013. The amount of accrued interest
expense and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax
benefits was $1.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2015 and $2 million as
of Dec. 28, 2014.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state
jurisdictions. The 2011 through 2015 tax years remain subject
to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state
authorities. Tax years before 2011 remain subject to
examination by certain states primarily due to the filing of
amended tax returns as a result of the settlement of the
Internal Revenue Service examination for these years and due
to ongoing audits.
It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized
benefit with respect to certain of our unrecognized tax
positions will significantly increase or decrease within the next
12 months. These changes may be the result of settlement of
ongoing audits, lapses of statutes of limitations or other
regulatory developments. At this time, we estimate the amount
of our gross unrecognized tax positions may decrease by up
to approximately $3.8 million within the next 12 months
primarily due to lapses of statutes of limitations and settlement
of ongoing audits in various jurisdictions.
48
On June 29, 2015, we entered into an agreement to
amend and extend our existing revolving credit facility with
one expiring on June 29, 2020 (the Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement). As a
result, the maximum total leverage ratio permitted by the new
agreement is 5.0x through June 30, 2017, after which, as
amended, it is reduced to 4.75x through June 30, 2018 and
then to 4.50x thereafter. Commitment fees on the revolving
credit agreement are equal to 0.25% - 0.40% of the undrawn
commitments, depending upon our leverage ratio, and are
computed on the average daily undrawn balance under the
revolving credit agreement and paid each quarter. Under the
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement, we may borrow at an applicable margin
above the Eurodollar base rate (LIBOR loan) or the higher of
the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%,
or the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.00% (ABR loan). The
applicable margin is determined based on our leverage ratio
but differs between LIBOR loans and ABR loans. For LIBOR-
based borrowing, the margin varies from 1.75% to 2.50%. For
ABR-based borrowing, the margin will vary from 0.75% to
1.50%. On September 23, 2015, we amended the Amended
and Restated Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit
Agreement to add an additional lender. Total commitments
under the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement are $1.4 billion. As of Dec. 31,
2015, we had unused borrowing capacity of $658 million
under our revolving credit agreement.
In June 2015, we also borrowed $200 million under a new
five-year term loan due in 2020 that carries a year-end 2015
principal balance of $180 million. The interest rate on the term
loan is equal to the same interest rates as borrowings under
the Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement. Both the revolving credit
agreement and the term loan are guaranteed by a majority of
our wholly-owned material domestic subsidiaries.
We made an early repayment of $180 million on the
7.125% notes due in September 2018 by paying 101.781% of
the outstanding principal amount in accordance with the
original terms.
We also have an effective shelf registration statement on
Form S-3 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission under which an unspecified amount of securities
may be issued, subject to a $7.0 billion limit established by the
Board of Directors. Proceeds from the sale of such securities
may be used for general corporate purposes, including capital
expenditures, working capital, securities repurchase
programs, repayment of debt and financing of acquisitions.
We may also invest borrowed funds that are not required for
other purposes in short-term marketable securities.
Our debt maturities may be repaid with cash flow from
operating activities, accessing capital markets or a
combination of both. The following schedule of annual
maturities of the principal amount of total debt assumes we
use available capacity under our revolving credit agreement to
refinance unsecured floating rate term loans and fixed rate
notes due in 2016 through 2018. Based on this refinancing
assumption, all of the obligations other than the VIE
unsecured floating rate term loan due prior to 2019 are
reflected as maturities for 2019 and beyond.
In thousands of dollars
2016 (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017 (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 (1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
646
646
646
640,000
1,807,129
1,765,000
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
4,214,067
(1) Maturities of principal amount of debt due in 2016 through 2018
(primarily the 10% fixed rate notes due in April 2016 and the
7.125% fixed rate notes due in September 2018) are assumed to
be repaid with funds from the revolving credit agreement, which
matures in 2020. Excluding our ability to repay funds with the
revolving credit agreement, contractual debt maturities are $266
million, $72 million and $131 million in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively.
(2) Assumes current revolving credit agreement borrowings comes
due in 2020 and credit facility is not extended.
49
NOTE 7
Retirement plans
We, along with our subsidiaries, have various defined benefit
retirement plans, including plans established under collective
bargaining agreements. Our principal retirement plan is the
TEGNA Retirement Plan (TRP). The TRP is a new plan and
was formed in connection with the spin-off of our publishing
businesses. The TRP assumed certain assets and liabilities
from the Gannett Retirement Plan, with the remaining pension
obligations being retained by Gannett. The disclosure tables
below include the assets and obligations of the TRP, the
TEGNA Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) and The G. B.
Dealey Retirement Pension Plan (Dealey Plan). We use a
Dec. 31 measurement date convention for our retirement
plans.
Substantially all participants in the TRP, Dealey Plan and
SERP had their benefits frozen before 2009. The Dealey Plan
merged with the TRP plan as of Dec. 31, 2015.
Our pension costs, which include costs for our qualified
and non-qualified plans, are presented in the following table:
In thousands of dollars
The following table provides a reconciliation of pension
benefit obligations (on a projected benefit obligation
measurement basis), plan assets and funded status of
company-sponsored retirement plans, along with the related
amounts that are recognized in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
In thousands of dollars
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Change in benefit obligations
Benefit obligations at beginning of year . $
566,224 $
502,068
Service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial loss (gain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
920
23,800
(12,514)
(34,401)
42,595
812
23,558
67,596
(27,810)
—
Benefit obligations at end of year . . . . . . $
586,624 $
566,224
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Actual return on plan assets. . . . . . . . . .
2015
2014
2013
Employer contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(recast)
(recast)
Gross benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
387,626 $
360,374
(725)
12,008
(34,401)
35,685
25,571
29,491
(27,810)
—
Service cost—benefits earned during
the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Interest cost on benefit obligation. . . . .
920 $
812 $ 1,051
23,800
23,558
9,760
Expected return on plan assets . . . . . .
(31,464) (28,697)
(9,754)
Amortization of prior service costs . . . .
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . .
673
6,335
599
4,003
599
6,399
Pension expense for company-
sponsored retirement plans . . . . . . . . .
Settlement charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
264
—
275
8,055
— 1,356
Total pension cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
264 $
275 $ 9,411
Fair value of plan assets at end of year . $
400,193 $
387,626
Funded status at end of year . . . . . . . . . $
(186,431) $
(178,598)
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accrued benefit cost—current . . . . . . . . $
(7,587) $
(6,923)
Accrued benefit cost—noncurrent . . . . . $
(178,844) $
(171,675)
The funded status (on a projected benefit obligation basis)
of our principal retirement plans at Dec. 31, 2015, is as
follows:
In thousands of dollars
Fair Value of
Plan Assets
Benefit
Obligation
Funded
Status
GRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
SERP (a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
155,103 $ 197,219 $ (42,116)
—
87,679
(87,679)
Dealey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
245,090
301,060
(55,970)
All other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
666
(666)
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
400,193 $ 586,624 $ (186,431)
(a) The SERP is an unfunded, unsecured liability
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit
pension plans was $576.3 million at Dec. 31, 2015, and
$558.8 million at Dec. 28, 2014.
50
The following table presents information for our retirement
plans for which accumulated benefits exceed assets:
In thousands of dollars
Benefit obligations and funded status: The following
assumptions were used to determine the year-end benefit
obligations:
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
Accumulated benefit obligation. . . . . $
576,333 $
Fair value of plan assets. . . . . . . . . . $
400,193 $
(recast)
558,824
387,626
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rate of compensation increase . . . .
4.46%
3.00%
(recast)
4.12%
3.00%
The following table presents information for our retirement
plans for which projected benefit obligations exceed assets:
In thousands of dollars
Plan assets: The asset allocation for the TRP at the end of
2015 and 2014, and target allocations for 2016, by asset
category, are presented in the table below:
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
Target Allocation Allocation of Plan Assets
Projected benefit obligation . . . . . . . $
586,624 $
Fair value of plan assets. . . . . . . . . . $
400,193 $
(recast)
566,224
387,626
The following table summarizes the amounts recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that have not
yet been recognized as a component of pension expense as
of the dates presented (pre-tax):
In thousands of dollars
Dec. 31, 2015 Dec. 28, 2014
(recast)
Net actuarial losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(184,808) $
(148,210)
Prior service cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3,367)
(3,126)
Amounts in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss). . . . . . $
(188,175) $
(151,336)
The actuarial loss amounts expected to be amortized from
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net
periodic benefit cost in 2016 are $6.8 million. The prior service
cost amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit
cost in 2016 are $0.7 million.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations
recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) consist of
the following for continuing operations only:
In thousands of dollars
Current year actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization of previously deferred actuarial loss . . . . .
Amortization of previously deferred prior service costs .
2015
(43,821)
6,335
673
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(36,813)
Pension costs: The following assumptions were used to
determine net pension costs:
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected return on plan assets . .
Rate of compensation increase . .
2015
4.19%
8.00%
3.00%
2014
(recast)
4.84%
8.00%
3.00%
2013
(recast)
3.89%
8.25%
3.00%
The expected return on plan assets assumption was
determined based on plan asset allocations, a review of
historic capital market performance, historical plan asset
performance and a forecast of expected future plan asset
returns.
51
Equity securities . . . .
Debt securities . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016
60%
25
15
2015
58%
35
7
2014
65%
20
15
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100%
100%
100%
The primary objective of company-sponsored retirement
plans is to provide eligible employees with scheduled pension
benefits. Consistent with prudent standards for preservation of
capital and maintenance of liquidity, the goal is to earn the
highest possible total rate of return while minimizing risk. The
principle means of reducing volatility and exercising prudent
investment judgment is diversification by asset class and by
investment manager; consequently, portfolios are constructed
to attain prudent diversification in the total portfolio, each asset
class, and within each individual investment manager’s
portfolio. Investment diversification is consistent with the intent
to minimize the risk of large losses. All objectives are based
upon an investment horizon spanning five years so that
interim market fluctuations can be viewed with the appropriate
perspective. The target asset allocation represents the long-
term perspective. Retirement plan assets will be rebalanced
periodically to align them with the target asset allocations.
Risk characteristics are measured and compared with an
appropriate benchmark quarterly; periodic reviews are made
of the investment objectives and the investment managers.
Our actual investment return on our TRP and Dealey Plan
assets was 1.0% for 2015, 8.2% for 2014 and 15.7% for 2013.
Retirement plan assets do not include shares of our
common stock at the end of 2015. At the end of 2014, our
portion of retirement plan assets held 78,000 shares valued at
$2.6 million.
Cash flows: We estimate we will make the following
benefit payments (from either retirement plan assets or
directly from our funds), which reflect expected future
employee service, as appropriate:
In thousands of dollars
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
36,409
42,097
39,359
40,416
40,457
2021-2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 198,272
401(k) savings plan
Substantially all our employees (other than those covered by a
collective bargaining agreement) are eligible to participate in
our principal defined contribution plan, The TEGNA Inc. 401(k)
Savings Plan. Employees can elect to save up to 50% of
compensation on a pre-tax basis subject to certain limits.
For most participants, the plan’s matching formula is 100%
of the first 5% of employee contributions. We also make
additional employer contributions on behalf of certain long-
term employees. Compensation expense related to 401(k)
contributions was $18.2 million in 2015, $19.3 million in 2014
and $15.0 million in 2013. We settled the 401(k) employee
company stock match obligation by buying our stock in the
open market and depositing it in the participants’ accounts.
Multi-employer plans that provide pension benefits:
We contribute to a multi-employer defined benefit pension plan
under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements (CBA)
that cover our union-represented employees. The risks of
participating in this multi-employer plan are different from
single-employer plans in the following aspects:
• We play no part in the management of plan investments or
any other aspect of plan administration.
• Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one
employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of
other participating employers.
•
•
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan,
the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the
remaining participating employers.
If we choose to stop participating in some of our multi-
employer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an
amount based on the unfunded status of the plan, referred
to as withdrawal liability.
Our participation in this plan for the annual period ended
Dec. 31, 2015, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension
Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification
Number (EIN) and the three-digit plan number. The zone
status is based on information that we received from the plan
and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors,
plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded;
plans in the orange zone are both a) less than 80% funded
and b) have an accumulated/expected funding deficiency in
any of the next six plan years, net of any amortization
extensions; plans in the yellow zone meet either one of the
criteria mentioned in the orange zone; and plans in the green
zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/
Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial
improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either
pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the
expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s) to
which the plans are subject.
We make all required contributions to these plans as
determined under the respective CBAs. Our contribution to the
AFTRA Retirement Plan represented less than 5% of total
contributions to the plan. This calculation is based on the plan
financial statements issued at the end of December 31, 2014.
At the date we issue our financial statements, Forms 5500
were unavailable for the plan years ending after December 31,
2014.
We incurred no expenses for multi-employer withdrawal
liabilities for all periods presented below.
Surcharge
Imposed
Expiration
Dates of
CBAs
9/11/2015
4/16/2017
1/27/2018
Multi-employer Pension Plans
Pension Plan Name
Plan Number
2015
2014
EIN Number/
Zone Status
Dec. 31,
FIP/RP Status
Pending/
Implemented
Contributions
(in thousands)
2014
2015
2013
AFTRA Retirement Plan (a)
13-6414972/001
Green
as of
Nov.
30,
2014
Green
as of
Nov.
30,
2013
NA
$1,104 $ 973 $ 988
NA
(a) This plan has elected to utilize special amortization provisions provided under the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries
and Pension Relief Act of 2010.
52
NOTE 8
Fair value measurement
We measure and record certain assets and liabilities at fair
value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” establishes a fair
value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value
that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data
(observable inputs) and our own assumptions (unobservable
inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either
directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs developed using our own
estimates and assumptions, which reflect those that a market
participant would use.
The financial instruments measured at fair value in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the
following:
In addition to the financial instruments listed in the table
above, we hold other financial instruments, including cash and
cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and debt.
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents,
receivables and accounts payable approximated their fair
values. The fair value of our total long-term debt, determined
based on the bid and ask quotes for the related debt (Level 2),
totaled $4.31 billion at Dec. 31, 2015 and $4.65 billion at Dec.
28, 2014.
In 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded non-cash goodwill
impairment charges of $8.0 million, $30.3 million and $8.4
million in connection with our interim and annual goodwill
impairment test. The fair value determination of goodwill was
determined using a combination of a DCF analysis and
market-based valuation methodologies and was classified as
a Level 3 fair value measurement due to the significance of
the unobservable inputs used. See Note 1 and 11 for further
information on the non-cash goodwill impairment charges and
our valuation methodologies.
The following tables set forth the fair values of our pension
plans assets by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Company Owned Assets
In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Plan Assets/Liabilities
In thousands of dollars
Level 1
Level 2 Level 3
Total
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 31, 2015
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash and other . . . . . . . $ 1,098 $
— $
— $
1,098
Corporate stock . . . . . .
58,291
Corporate bonds. . . . . .
—
—
99
—
—
58,291
99
Interest in common/
collective trusts:
Equities. . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed income . . . . . .
Interest in reg. invest.
companies . . . . . . . . .
Partnership/joint
venture interests . . . . .
Hedge funds . . . . . . . . .
— 172,046
— 135,914
— 172,046
— 135,914
6,659
—
—
6,659
2,432
9,364
—
— 14,290
11,796
14,290
Total net fair value of
plan assets . . . . . . . . . . . $66,048 $310,491 $ 23,654 $ 400,193
Assets:
Deferred compensation
investments . . . . . . . . . $
Available for sale
investment . . . . . . . . . . .
77,199 $
— $ — $ 77,199
28,090
—
— 28,090
Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . $ 105,289 $
— $ — $105,289
In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Total
Assets:
Deferred compensation
investments
$ 65,950 $ — $
— $ 65,950
Total Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 65,950 $ — $
— $ 65,950
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration
payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
— $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936
Total Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . $
— $ — $ 8,936 $ 8,936
Deferred compensation investments of $77.2 million as of
Dec. 31, 2015 and $66.0 million as of Dec. 28, 2014 consist of
securities which are traded on public exchanges, therefore,
they are classified as Level 1 assets. The available for sale
investment is our 1.5% holding of Gannett's outstanding
shares, which has been classified as a Level 1 asset as the
shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2014,
we had $8.9 million of liabilities relating to certain acquisition
agreements where we have agreed to pay the sellers earn-
outs based on the financial performance of the acquired
businesses. The contingent consideration payable as of Dec.
28, 2014, represented the estimated fair value of future earn-
outs payable under such agreements, and was substantially
paid in 2015.
53
In thousands of dollars
Fair value measurement as of Dec. 28, 2014(a)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash and other
$ 5,493 $
218 $
— $
5,711
Corporate stock . . . . . .
57,875
—
—
57,875
Fixed income:
U.S. government-
related securities . .
Mortgage backed
securities . . . . . . . .
Other government
bonds. . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds . . .
Interest in common/
collective trusts:
Equities . . . . . . . . . .
Fixed income . . . . . .
Interest in reg.
invest. companies . . . .
Interest in 103-12
investments . . . . . . . .
Partnership/joint
venture interests . . . .
Hedge funds . . . . . . . .
Derivative contracts . . .
—
—
—
—
260
260
296
1,601
—
6
—
25
260
266
296
1,626
— 196,924
—
93,400
— 196,924
93,400
—
8,199
—
1,583
—
—
8,199
1,583
2,374
7,615
9,989
— 11,589
11,589
173
8
189
—
—
—
8
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 71,575 $ 297,089 $ 19,243 $ 387,907
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities . . . $
(8) $
(142) $
(131) $
(281)
Total net fair
value of plan assets. . . . $ 71,567 $ 296,947 $ 19,112 $ 387,626
(a) We use a Dec. 31 measurement date for our retirement plans.
Valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities
measured at fair value are as follows:
Corporate stock classified as Level 1 is valued primarily at
the closing price reported on the active market on which the
individual securities are traded. The investments in Level 2 are
primarily commingled funds recorded at fair value as
determined by the sponsor of the respective funds based upon
closing market quotes of the underlying assets.
U.S. government-related securities are treasury bonds,
bills and notes that are primarily obligations of the U.S.
Treasury. Values are obtained from industry vendors who use
various pricing models or quotes for identical or similar
securities. Mortgage-backed securities are typically not
actively quoted. Values are obtained from industry vendors
who use various pricing models or use quotes for identical or
similar securities.
Other government and corporate bonds are mainly valued
based on institutional bid evaluations using proprietary
models, using discounted cash flow models or models that
derive prices based on similar securities. Corporate bonds
categorized in Level 3 are primarily from distressed issuers for
whom the values represent an estimate of recovery in a
potential or actual bankruptcy situation.
Interest in common/collective trusts are valued using the
net asset value as provided monthly by the fund family or fund
company. Shares in the common/collective trusts are generally
redeemable upon request.
54
Fifteen of the investments in collective trusts are fixed
income funds, one of which uses individual subfunds to
efficiently add a representative sample of securities in
individual market sectors to the portfolio. The remaining
eleven investments in collective trusts are equity funds that
are recorded at fair value as determined by the sponsor of the
respective fund based upon closing market quotes of the
underlying assets.
Interest in registered investment companies is valued
using the published net asset values as quoted through
publicly available pricing sources. The investments in Level 2
are proprietary funds of the individual fund managers and are
not publicly quoted.
Pension plan assets include one Level 3 partnership as of
Dec. 31, 2015 which is a real estate fund. Investments in
partnerships and joint venture interests classified in Level 3
are valued based on an assessment of each underlying
investment, considering items such as expected cash flows,
changes in market outlook and subsequent rounds of
financing. These investments are included in Level 3 of the fair
value hierarchy because exit prices tend to be unobservable
and reliance is placed on the above methods. Interest in
partnership investments could be sold on the secondary
market but cannot be redeemed. Instead, distributions are
received as the underlying assets of the funds are liquidated.
It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be
liquidated within approximately the next 8 to 10 years. There
are future funding commitments of $1.0 million as of Dec. 31,
2015, and $1.5 million as of Dec. 28, 2014. Investments in
partnerships and joint venture interests classified as Level 2
represents a limited partnership commingled fund valued
using the net asset value as reported by the fund manager.
As of Dec. 31, 2015, pension plan assets include one
Level 3 hedge fund which is a fund of hedge funds whose
objective is to produce a return that is uncorrelated with
market movements. Investments in hedge funds are valued at
the net asset value as reported by the fund managers. Shares
in the hedge funds are generally redeemable twice a year or
on the last business day of each quarter with at least 60 days
written notice subject to a potential 5% holdback. There are no
unfunded commitments related to the hedge funds.
Derivatives primarily consist of forward and swap
contracts. Forward contracts are valued at the spot rate, plus
or minus forward points between the valuation date and
maturity date. Swaps are valued at the mid-evaluation price
using discounted cash flow models. Items in Level 3 are
valued based on the market values of other securities for
which they represent a synthetic combination.
We review audited financial statements and additional
investor information to evaluate fair value estimates from our
investment managers or fund administrator.
As of Dec. 31, 2015, our pension plan held Level 3 assets
with a fair value of $23.7 million which consisted of an
investment in a fund of hedge funds and an investment in a
partnership. As of Dec. 28, 2014, our pension plans held Level
3 assets with a fair value of $19.1 million consisting primarily
of investments in partnerships and hedge funds. There were
no material gains/loss, purchases, or settlements during fiscal
year 2015 and 2014. In addition, there were no transfers to/
from Level 3 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28,
2014. Our policy is to recognize transfers between levels at
the beginning of the reporting period.
NOTE 9
Shareholders’ equity
At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, our authorized capital
was comprised of 800 million shares of common stock and 2
million shares of preferred stock. At Dec. 31, 2015
shareholders’ equity of TEGNA included 220 million shares
that were outstanding (net of 105 million shares of common
stock held in treasury). At Dec. 28, 2014 shareholders’ equity
of TEGNA included 227 million shares that were outstanding
(net of 98 million shares of common stock held in treasury).
No shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2015 or Dec. 28, 2014.
Capital stock and earnings per share
We report earnings per share on two bases, basic and diluted.
All basic income per share amounts are based on the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year. The calculation of diluted earnings per share
also considers the assumed dilution from the exercise of stock
options and from performance shares and restricted stock
units.
Our earnings per share (basic and diluted) for 2015, 2014,
and 2013 are presented below:
In thousands, except per share amounts
2015
2014
2013
Income from continuing operations
attributable to TEGNA Inc. . . . . . . . . $ 357,458 $ 687,936 $ 41,463
Income from discontinued
operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . .
102,064
374,235
347,217
Net income attributable to TEGNA
Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 459,522 $1,062,171 $388,680
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding - basic
Effect of dilutive securities
Restricted stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PSUs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding -
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
224,688
226,292
228,541
2,236
1,867
930
2,624
1,999
992
2,839
1,649
1,160
229,721
231,907
234,189
Earnings from continuing
operations per share - basic . . . . . . $
Earnings from discontinued
operations per share - basic . . . . . .
1.59 $
3.04 $
0.18
0.45
1.65
1.52
Earnings per share - basic . . . . . . . . $
2.04 $
4.69 $
1.70
Earnings from continuing
operations per share - diluted. . . . $
Earnings from discontinued
operations per share - diluted. . . .
1.56 $
2.97 $
0.18
0.44
1.61
1.48
Earnings per share - diluted . . . . . $
2.00 $
4.58 $
1.66
The diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the
effects of approximately 0.2 million stock options outstanding
for 2015, 0.8 million for 2014 and 2.4 million for 2013, as their
inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Share repurchase program
In June 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $750 million
share repurchase program to be completed over a three-year
period beginning June 29, 2015. On Oct. 20, 2015, our Board
of Directors approved a $75 million increase to the share
repurchase program, bringing the total authorized amount to
$825 million. During 2015, 9.6 million shares were purchased
under the current and former programs for $271.0 million. In
2014, 2.7 million shares were purchased under the former
program for $75.8 million and in 2013, 4.9 million shares were
purchased for $116.6 million. Repurchased shares are
included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Treasury
Stock. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the value of shares that may be
repurchased under the existing program is $629.1 million.
The shares may be repurchased at management’s
discretion, either in the open market or in privately negotiated
block transactions. Management’s decision to repurchase
shares will depend on price and other corporate
developments. Purchases may occur from time to time and no
maximum purchase price has been set. Certain of the shares
we previously acquired have been reissued in settlement of
employee stock awards.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
In May 2001, our shareholders approved the adoption of the
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan). The Plan is
administered by the Executive Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors and was amended and restated as of
May 4, 2010, to increase the number of shares reserved for
issuance to up to 60.0 million shares of our common stock for
awards granted on or after the amendment date. The Plan
provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation
rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance
shares and other equity-based and cash-based awards.
Awards may be granted to our employees and members of the
Board of Directors. The Plan provides that shares of common
stock subject to awards granted become available again for
issuance if such awards are canceled or forfeited.
In 2011, we established a performance share award plan
for senior executives pursuant to which awards were first
made with a grant date of Jan. 1, 2012. Pursuant to the terms
of this award, we may issue shares of our common stock
(Performance Shares) to senior executives following the
completion of a three-year period beginning on the grant date.
Generally, if an executive remains in continuous employment
with us during the full three-year incentive period, the number
of performance share units (PSU) that an executive will
receive will be determined based upon how our total
shareholder return (TSR) compares to the TSR of a peer
group of companies during the three-year period.
We recognize the grant date fair value of each PSU, less
estimated forfeitures, as compensation expense ratably over
the incentive period. Fair value is determined by using a
Monte Carlo valuation model. Each PSU is equal to and paid
in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or
dividend rights. The number of shares ultimately issued for
each PSU award may range from 0% to 200% of the award’s
target.
55
Impact from Publishing Spin on Equity Awards: In
connection with the spin-off of our publishing businesses, and
in accordance with our equity award Plan, the number of stock
options, RSUs and target PSUs outstanding (collectively,
stock awards) on June 29, 2015 (the Distribution Date), and
the exercise prices of such stock options were adjusted with
the intention of preserving the intrinsic value of the awards
prior to the separation. Employees with outstanding stock
awards granted prior to 2015, received one share of an
equivalent Gannett stock award for every two shares of
TEGNA stock award outstanding. For RSUs and PSUs
granted in 2015 but prior to the Distribution Date, adjustments
were determined by comparing the fair value of such awards
immediately prior to the spin-off, to the fair value of such
awards immediately after (the Adjustments).
Accordingly, each stock award granted in 2015 and
outstanding as of the Distribution Date was increased by
multiplying the size of such award by a factor of 1.18. The
Adjustments resulted in an aggregate increase of
approximately 125,000 equity awards (comprised of 75
thousand RSUs and 50 thousand target PSU’s) and are
included in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of
Publishing” in the tables that follow. These adjustments to our
stock-based compensation awards did not have a material
impact on compensation expense.
Stock-based Compensation Expense: The following
table shows the stock-based compensation related amounts
recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for
equity awards:
In thousands, except per share amounts
Restricted stock and RSUs . . . $
PSUs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total stock-based
compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefit. . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation,
net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
2015
2014
(recast)
2013
(recast)
8,438 $
10,363
857
19,658
7,643
8,604 $
7,517
662
8,065
7,400
1,771
16,783
6,243
17,236
6,477
12,015 $
10,540 $
10,759
Per diluted share impact . . . . . $
0.05 $
0.05 $
0.05
We also issue stock-based compensation to employees in
the form of restricted stock units (RSUs). These awards
generally entitle employees to receive at the end of a four-year
incentive period one share of common stock for each RSU
granted, conditioned on continued employment for the full
incentive period. For RSU grants after 2014, the grants
generally vest 25% per year. Under the plan, no more than
500,000 RSUs may be granted to any participant in any fiscal
year. Employees who are granted RSUs have the right to
receive shares of stock after completion of the incentive
period; however, the RSUs do not pay dividends or carry
voting rights during the incentive period. RSUs are valued
based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of
grant less the present value of the expected dividends not
received during the relevant incentive period. The fair value of
the RSU, less estimated forfeitures, is recognized as
compensation expense ratably over the incentive period. We
generally grant both RSUs and PSUs to employees on
January 1.
The Plan also permits us to issue restricted stock.
Restricted Stock is an award of common stock that is subject
to restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the
Executive Compensation Committee determines. Under the
Plan, no more than 500,000 restricted shares may be granted
to any participant in any fiscal year.
Determining fair value of PSUs
Valuation and amortization method – We determined the
fair value of Performance Shares using the Monte Carlo
valuation model. This model considers our likelihood, and the
likelihood of our peer group companies’, share prices ending
at various levels subject to certain price caps at the conclusion
of the three-year incentive period. Key inputs into the Monte
Carlo valuation model include expected term, expected
volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield.
Each assumption is discussed below.
Expected term – The expected term represents the period
that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding.
The expected term for Performance Share awards is based on
the incentive period.
Expected volatility – The fair value of stock-based awards
reflects volatility factors calculated using historical market data
for our common stock and also our peer group when the
Monte Carlo method is used. The time frame used is equal to
the expected term.
Risk-free interest rate – We base the risk-free interest rate
on the yield to maturity at the time of the award grant on zero-
coupon U.S. government bonds having a remaining life equal
to the award’s expected life.
Expected dividend – The dividend assumption is based on
our expectations about our dividend policy on the date of
grant.
Estimated forfeitures – When estimating forfeitures, we
consider voluntary termination behavior as well as analysis of
actual forfeitures.
The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair
value of performance share awards:
PSUs Granted During
Expected term . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015
3 yrs.
2014
3 yrs.
2013
3 yrs.
Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . .
32.00%
39.32%
40.80%
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . .
Expected dividend yield . . . . .
1.10%
2.51%
0.78%
2.70%
0.36%
4.44%
56
PSUs: As of Dec. 31, 2015, there was $3.9 million of
unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested
performance shares. This amount will be adjusted for future
changes in estimated forfeitures and recognized over a
weighted average period of 1.7 years. The tax benefit realized
from the settlement of PSUs was $11.2 million in 2015.
A summary of our performance shares awards is
presented below:
2015 PSUs Activity
Target
number
of shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year. . . . . . . . . . .
2,100,115 $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
285,458 $
Settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(925,640) $
20.95
39.47
14.23
29.84
49,628
(123,621) $
Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a) .
Unvested at end of year (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the PSUs included
in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to
the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their
respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18. The
weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested PSUs as of
December 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment.
1,385,940 $
29.21
2014 PSUs Activity
Target
number
of shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year. . . . . . . . . . .
1,760,488 $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
436,340 $
Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(96,713) $
Unvested at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,100,115 $
16.92
37.31
21.41
20.95
2013 PSUs Activity
Target
number
of shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year. . . . . . . . . . .
982,452 $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
813,783 $
Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(35,747) $
Unvested at end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,760,488 $
14.23
20.12
15.86
16.92
Restricted Stock and RSUs: As of Dec. 31, 2015, there
was $15.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related
to non-vested restricted stock and RSUs. This amount will be
adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and
recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average
period of 2.4 years. The tax benefit realized from the
settlement of RSUs was $5.9 million in 2015, $9.5 million in
2014 and $7.0 million in 2013.
A summary of restricted stock and RSU awards is
presented below:
2015 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity
Shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . .
3,577,598 $
16.97
31.78
14.66
491,690 $
(1,485,735) $
(532,524) $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.28
75,497
Canceled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment due to spin-off of Publishing (a).
Unvested at end of year (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(a) The weighted-average grant date fair value of the RSUs included
in the line item “Adjustment due to spin-off of publishing" is equal to
the weighted-average grant date fair value of the awards at their
respective grant date divided by a factor of approximately 1.18. The
weighted-average grant date fair value of the unvested RSUs as of
Dec. 31, 2015 reflect the adjustment.
2,126,526 $
21.55
2014 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity
Shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . .
4,193,985 $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,048,516 $
(1,263,702) $
(401,201) $
Unvested at end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,577,598 $
13.92
27.26
15.92
16.13
16.97
2013 Restricted Stock and RSU Activity
Shares
Weighted
average
fair value
Unvested at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . .
4,069,509 $
Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Settled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canceled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,588,628 $
(1,035,256) $
(428,896) $
Unvested at end of year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,193,985 $
12.98
15.80
13.95
13.40
13.92
57
Stock Options: We generally recognize compensation
cost for stock options ratably over the four-year incentive
period. At Dec. 31, 2015 and Dec. 28, 2014, there were 1.7
million (weighted average exercise price of $16.61) and 2.8
million (weighted average exercise price of $22.23) stock
options outstanding. Stock options outstanding at Dec. 31,
2015 have a weighted average remaining contractual life of
approximately 2.36 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of
$16.4 million. All outstanding employee stock options have
vested as of Dec. 31 2015.
There were 1.0 million (weighted average exercise price of
$14.47) stock options exercised during 2014. The tax benefit
realized from the stock options exercised was $3.3 million in
2015, $3 million in 2014, and $2.8 million in 2013. We did not
grant stock options to employees during 2015 and 2014. The
following table pertains to stock options granted in 2013, in
addition to stock options that were exercised in 2015, 2014
and 2013 (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant-
date fair value of stock options granted):
In thousands, except per share amounts
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
The elements of our Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(AOCL) principally consisted of pension, retiree medical and
life insurance liabilities and foreign currency translation gains.
The following tables summarize the components of, and
changes in, AOCL (net of tax and noncontrolling interests):
In thousands of dollars
2015
Retirement
Plans
Foreign
Currency
Translation Other
Total
Balance at beginning of
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(1,172,245) $
391,113 $ 2,363 $(778,769)
Other comprehensive
income before
reclassifications . . . . . .
Spin-off publishing
businesses . . . . . . . . . .
Amounts reclassified
from AOCL . . . . . . . . . .
23,094
(1,966)
3,311
24,439
1,012,745
(409,276)
— 603,469
19,910
—
—
19,910
Balance at end of year . $ (116,496) $
(20,129) $ 5,674 $(130,951)
2015
2014
2013
In thousands of dollars
— $
— $
8.20
2014
Retirement
Plans
Foreign
Currency
Translation Other
Total
Per share weighted average
grant-date fair value of stock
options granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Grant-date fair value of all stock
options that vested. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intrinsic value of all stock options
exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
962
5,958
8,642
11,378
15,003
16,675
In 2013, we estimated the fair value for stock options at the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which
required us to make certain assumptions. We used the following
weighted average assumptions in the model: risk-free interest
rate of 0.75%, dividend yield of 3.00%, weighted average
volatility factor of 61.94% and an expected option life of 4.5 years.
Balance at beginning
of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other comprehensive
income (loss) . . . . . . .
Amounts reclassified
from AOCL . . . . . . . . .
(923,595) $
427,177 $ 2,363 $ (494,055)
(276,219)
(36,064)
— (312,283)
27,569
—
—
27,569
Balance at end of year $ (1,172,245) $
391,113 $ 2,363 $ (778,769)
In thousands of dollars
2013
Retirement
Plans
Foreign
Currency
Translation Other
Total
Balance at beginning of
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (1,119,263) $
418,122 $ — $(701,141)
Other comprehensive
income (loss) . . . . . . . .
Amounts reclassified
from AOCL . . . . . . . . . .
154,611
9,055 2,363
166,029
41,057
—
—
41,057
Balance at end of year . $ (923,595) $
427,177 $2,363 $(494,055)
AOCL components are included in the computation of net
periodic postretirement costs (see Note 7 for more detail).
Reclassifications out of AOCL related to the retirement plans
include the following:
2015
2014
1,176 $
(4,082)
31,357
32,533
46,489
42,407
(14,838)
27,569
In thousands of dollars
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) . . $
Amortization of actuarial loss . . . . . . . . . . .
Total reclassifications, before tax . . . . . . . .
Income tax effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(12,623)
Total reclassifications, net of tax . . . . . . . . . $
19,910 $
58
NOTE 10
Business operations and segment information
We classify our operations into two reportable segments:
Media: consisting of 46 television stations operating in 38
markets, offering high-quality television programming and
digital content; and Digital: primarily consisting of our
Cars.com and CareerBuilder business units which operate in
the automotive and human capital solutions industries. Our
reportable segments have been determined based on
management and internal reporting structure, the nature of
products and services offered by the segments, and the
financial information that is evaluated regularly by our chief
operating decision maker.
The Digital Segment and the digital revenues line exclude
online/digital revenues generated by digital platforms that are
associated with our Media Segment's operating properties as
such amounts are reflected in the Media Segment.
We generate most of our sales from work performed in the
U.S. Our Digital Segment, principally from the CareerBuilder
business unit, also generates sales from international
operations. International sales totaled approximately $76.0
million in 2015, $75.8 million in 2014 and $62.3 million in
2013. Our long-lived assets in international countries totaled
approximately $213.8 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $205.0
million at Dec. 28, 2014.
Separate financial data for each of our business segments
is presented in the table that follows. The accounting policies
of the segments are those described in Note 1. We evaluate
the performance of our segments based on operating income.
Operating income represents total revenue less operating
expenses, including depreciation, amortization of intangibles
and facility consolidation and asset impairment charges.
Operating income by reportable segment does not include
general corporate expenses, interest expense, interest
income, and other income and expense items of a non-
operating nature, as the effects of these items are not
considered as part of management's evaluation of the
segments operating performance.
Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash
equivalents, property and equipment used for corporate
purposes and certain other financial investments.
Business segment financial information
In thousands of dollars
2015
2014
(recast)
2013
(recast)
Operating revenues
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,682,144 $ 1,691,866 $ 835,113
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
768,010
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,050,945 $ 2,626,141 $1,603,123
Operating income
Media (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 714,237 $
747,020 $ 361,915
1,368,801
934,275
Digital (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
229,386
Corporate (1) (2) . . . . . . . . .
(68,418)
119,908
(71,256)
107,413
(64,633)
Net gain on sale of
corporate building . . . . . . . .
89,892
—
—
Unallocated (4) . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 913,158 $
Depreciation, amortization and facility consolidation and asset
(93,835)
707,499 $ 310,860
(88,173)
(51,939)
impairment charges
Media (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
81,665 $
94,129 $
29,625
Digital (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
146,907
91,967
Corporate (1) (2) . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 146,230 $
Equity (losses) income in unconsolidated investees, net
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(2,794) $
(82,342)
10,702
196,798 $
(1,667) $
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Capital expenditures
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(2,151)
(119)
154,370
(1,241)
(5,064) $
151,462 $
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44,903
Corporate (1). . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Identifiable assets
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,799,375 $ 4,773,481
97,834 $
790
82,252 $
38,549
1,556
57,654
10,283
97,562
(94)
23,343
(2,194)
21,055
29,666
1,733
49,793
52,141 $
42,147 $
18,394
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,529,124
3,646,876
Corporate (1). . . . . . . . . . . .
410,892
Total (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,530,493 $ 8,831,249
201,994
(1) Corporate amounts represent those not directly related to our two
business segments.
(2) Operating income for Media and Digital Segments includes pre-tax
facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges for
each year presented. See Note 11.
(3) Total of business segment identifiable assets exclude assets
recorded in discontinued operations on the consolidated balance
sheets of $7 million at Dec. 31, 2015 and $2.4 billion at Dec 28,
2014.
(4) Unallocated expenses represent certain expenses that historically
were allocated to the former Publishing Segment but that could
not be allocated to discontinued operations as they were not
clearly and specifically identifiable to the spun-off businesses.
59
NOTE 11
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment
charges
For each year presented, we recognized charges related to
facility consolidations efforts, and also recorded non-cash
impairment charges to reduce the book value of goodwill,
other intangible assets and long-lived assets. In 2015, we
recorded a gain on the sale of our headquarters building.
A summary of these charges by year is presented below
(in thousands):
2015
Pre-Tax
Amount
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges:
Goodwill - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other intangibles - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other:
Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on sale of corporate headquarters . . . . . . .
Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains)
impairment charges against operations . . . . . . . . . $
8,000
900
8,078
13,095
962
(89,892)
(58,857)
2014 (recast)
Pre-Tax
Amount
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges:
Goodwill - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other intangibles - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other - Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains)
impairment charges against operations . . . . . . . . . $
30,271
971
13,719
44,961
2013 (recast)
Pre-Tax
Amount
Facility consolidation and net asset (gains) impairment charges:
Goodwill - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other intangibles - Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other - Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total facility consolidation and net asset (gains)
impairment charges against operations . . . . . . . . . $
20,044
1,652
1,033
22,729
Goodwill: In each year presented, we recorded non-cash
goodwill impairment charges for certain reporting units within
our Digital Segment. Based on the annual goodwill impairment
test performed during the fourth quarter of 2015, the estimated
fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount,
with the exception of our PointRoll reporting unit within our
Digital Segment. Accordingly, after performing the second step
of the goodwill impairment test, we recorded a non-cash
goodwill impairment charge of $8 million during the fourth
quarter of 2015, fully impairing the goodwill related to
PointRoll.
In addition, during 2014 and 2013 in connection with
interim and annual goodwill impairment tests, we recorded
non-cash goodwill impairment charges related to certain
reporting units within our Digital Segment (primarily PointRoll,
ShopLocal and BLiNQ).
Other Intangibles: During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we
recorded non-cash impairment charges within our Digital
Segment for certain intangible assets, principally trade names,
after the qualitative assessments indicated it was more likely
than not that the carrying values exceeded the respective fair
values. Accordingly, we prepared quantitative assessments in
both years which also indicated that impairments existed. As a
result of these assessments, we recorded non-cash
impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of each asset
to its respective fair value. Fair values were determined using
a relief-from-royalty method. The impairments recorded were
principally a result of revenue projections which were lower
than expected. In 2014, the revised revenue projections were
also coupled with a decrease in royalty rates of comparable
arrangements thus negatively impacting our royalty
assumptions.
Other charges (gain): During the fourth quarter of 2015, we
recorded a pre-tax gain on of $89.9 million ($54.9 million after
tax) on the sale of our corporate headquarters building. Other
charges recorded at our Media and Digital Segments during
2015, 2014 and 2013 primarily relate to facility consolidation
plans which led us to recognize charges associated with
revising the useful lives of certain assets over a shortened
period as well as shutdown costs.
60
NOTE 12
NOTE 13
Commitments, contingent liabilities and other matters
Litigation: We, along with a number of our subsidiaries,
are defendants in judicial and administrative proceedings
involving matters incidental to our business. We do not believe
that any material liability will be imposed as a result of these
matters.
The liabilities associated with an environmental matter in
Montgomery, AL, that we previously disclosed, and all other
environmental liabilities related to the printing business
operated by our former publishing businesses, were assumed
by Gannett in connection with the separation.
Commitments: The following table summarizes the
expected cash outflow related to our unconditional purchase
obligations that are not recorded on our balance sheet as of
Dec. 31, 2015. Such obligations include future payments
related to operating leases, programming contracts and
purchase obligations.
In thousands of dollars
Operating
Leases
Program
Broadcast
Contracts
Purchase
Obligations
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
40,655 $
148,894 $
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thereafter. . . . . . . . . . . . .
36,673
26,613
21,789
14,475
64,019
202,329
216,399
130,793
181
135
64,376
38,943
28,297
20,584
9,543
14,063
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
204,224 $
698,731 $
175,806
Leases: Approximate future minimum annual rentals
payable under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily
relate to facilities and equipment, total $204.2 million. Total
minimum annual rentals have not been reduced for future
minimum sublease rentals aggregating $3.0 million. Total
rental expense reflected in 2015 was $38.1 million, $29.5
million in 2014 and $19.9 million in 2013.
Program broadcast contracts: We have $698.7 million of
commitments under programming contracts that include
television station commitments to purchase programming to
be produced in future years. This also includes amounts
related to our network affiliation agreements.
Purchase obligations: We have commitments under
purchasing obligations totaling $175.8 million related to capital
projects, interactive marketing agreements, licensing fees and
other legally binding commitments. Amounts which we are
liable for under purchase orders outstanding at Dec. 31, 2015,
are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as accounts
payable and accrued liabilities and are excluded from the
$175.8 million.
Other matters: We were contingently liable for earnout
payments to previous owners, depending upon the
achievement of certain financial and performance metrics
related to certain business acquisitions. During 2015, we
substantially paid the remaining obligation of earnout
payments to owners of businesses previously acquired (see
Note 8).
Discontinued Operations
On June 29, 2015, we completed the previously announced
spin-off of our publishing businesses, creating a new
independent publicly traded company, Gannett Co., Inc.,
through the distribution of 98.5% of our interest in Gannett to
holders of our common shares. On June 29, 2015 each of our
shareholders of record as of the close of business on the
record date of June 22, 2015 received one share of Gannett
common stock for every two shares of TEGNA common stock.
Following the distribution, we own 1.5% of Gannett
outstanding common shares. We will continue to own Gannett
shares for a period of time not to exceed 5 years after
distribution (see Note 8 for more information). In conjunction
with the spin-off of the publishing businesses, we entered into
a separation and distribution agreement with Gannett and also
entered into various other agreements to effect the separation
and provide a framework for a short term set of transition
services as well as a tax matters agreement and an employee
matters agreement.
Separation and Distribution Agreement - We entered into a
separation and distribution agreement with Gannett which sets
forth, among other things, the parties’ agreements regarding
the principal transactions necessary to effect the separation.
The separation agreement identified the assets transferred,
the liabilities assumed and the contracts assigned to each of
TEGNA and Gannett as part of the separation and also
provides for the conditions under which and timing of
transfers, assumptions and assignments occurred.
Transition Services Agreement - We entered into a
transition services agreement with Gannett prior to the
distribution pursuant to which TEGNA and its subsidiaries as
well as Gannett and its subsidiaries will provide to each other
a small number of services on an interim basis, not to exceed
24 months. These services include information technology,
accounts payable, payroll, legal and other financial processing
functions and administrative services. The agreed upon
charges for such services are generally intended to allow the
servicing party to recover all costs and expenses of providing
such services.
The transition services agreement will terminate on the
expiration of the term of the last service provided under it, no
later than 24 months following the distribution date. The
recipient for a particular service generally can terminate that
service prior to the scheduled expiration date, subject
generally to a minimum service period of 90 days and
minimum notice period of 30 days. Due to interdependencies
between some services, certain services may be extended or
terminated early only if other services are coterminous.
Commercial Agreements - Our Digital Segment has certain
revenue contracts with Gannett which were entered into in the
ordinary course of business.
61
Tax Matters Agreement - Prior to the separation, we
entered into a tax matters agreement with Gannett that states
each company’s rights and responsibilities with respect to
payment of taxes, tax return filings, control of tax
examinations, assistance and cooperation. In general, we are
responsible for taxes allocable to periods ending prior to the
distribution (or the portion of periods up through the
distribution), and Gannett is generally responsible for taxes
allocable to periods beginning after the distribution (or the
portion of periods beginning after the distribution). If the
distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S.
federal income tax purposes and this failure is attributable to
Gannett’s actions or inactions, the resulting liability is to be
borne by Gannett.
Employee Matters Agreement - Gannett and TEGNA
entered into an employee matters agreement prior to the
separation to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to
employment matters, employee compensation and benefits
plans and programs and other related matters. The employee
matters agreement governs certain compensation and
employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and
former employees and non-employee directors of each
company.
The employee matters agreement provides that, unless
otherwise specified, TEGNA is responsible for liabilities
associated with employees who are employed by TEGNA
following the separation as well as former employees whose
last employment was with the TEGNA businesses and certain
specified current and former corporate employees. Gannett is
responsible for liabilities associated with employees who are
employed by Gannett following the separation, former
employees whose last employment was with the Gannett
businesses and certain specified current and former corporate
employees.
In addition to the spin-off of our publishing businesses, on
November 5, 2015, we also sold our subsidiaries Clipper
Magazine (Clipper), a direct mail advertising magazine
business, and Mobestream Media (Mobestream), maker of a
mobile rewards/coupon platform, to Valassis Direct Mail, Inc.
With the sale of Clipper and Mobestream, we divested
substantially all the operations of our Other Segment.
Accordingly, we have presented the financial condition and
results of operations of the former Publishing and Other
Segments as discontinued operations.
Financial Statement Presentation
The publishing and Other Segment businesses are presented
as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Balance Sheet
and the Consolidated Statement of Income. In our
consolidated statement of cash flows, the cash flows from
discontinued operations are not separately classified.
The carrying value of the assets and liabilities of
discontinued operations as of Dec. 28, 2014 were as follows:
In thousands
ASSETS
Publishing
Other
Total
Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . $
8,024 $
155 $
8,179
Trade receivables, net of
allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assets held for sale . . . . . . . . . . .
357,523
20,895
378,418
16,422
38,861
27,883
18,434
1,300
—
1,034
—
17,722
38,861
28,917
18,434
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . .
467,147
23,384
490,531
Property and equipment . . . . . . . .
Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,590,159
18,518
2,608,677
Less accumulated depreciation . .
(1,655,676)
(10,526)
(1,666,202)
Net property and equipment . . .
934,483
7,992
942,475
Intangible and other assets . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
544,345
47,100
591,445
Indefinite-lived and amortizable
intangible assets less
accumulated amortization. . . . . . .
50,115
11,900
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . .
261,321
Investments and other assets. . . .
63,125
—
34
62,015
261,321
63,159
Total intangible and other
assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
918,906
59,034
977,940
Total noncurrent assets . . . . . . .
1,853,389
67,026
1,920,415
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,320,536 $ 90,410 $ 2,410,946
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
125,888 $
6,996 $
132,884
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77,606
26,195
89,096
77,123
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . .
395,908
Postretirement medical and life
insurance liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pension liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other noncurrent liabilities . . . . . .
93,474
770,040
161,899
4,193
679
3,760
13,203
28,831
—
—
—
81,799
26,874
92,856
90,326
424,739
93,474
770,040
161,899
Total noncurrent liabilities. . . . .
1,025,413
— 1,025,413
Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,421,321 $ 28,831 $ 1,450,152
62
The financial results of discontinued operations through
Dec. 31, 2015 are presented as a profit (loss) from
discontinued operations, net of income taxes, on our
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures and
significant cash investing items of the discontinued operations
were as follows:
The following table presents the financial results of
In thousands
Year ended Dec. 31, 2015
discontinued operations:
In thousands
Year ended Dec. 31, 2015
Publishing
Other
Total
Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,400,006 $
191,025 $1,591,031
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, before income taxes
169,220
(36,068)
133,152
Provision for income taxes . . . . .
43,735
(12,647)
31,088
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . .
125,485
(23,421)
102,064
In thousands
Year ended Dec. 28, 2014
Publishing
Other
Total
Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,133,861 $ 248,172 $3,382,033
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, before income taxes . .
372,549
(7,186)
365,363
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . .
(11,817)
2,946
(8,871)
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . .
384,366
(10,132)
374,234
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . .
(20,252)
Publishing Other
49,542 $
7,008
Total
725 $ 50,267
7,008
(20,933)
—
(681)
Payments for acquisitions, net of
cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for investments. . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . .
(28,668)
(2,000)
12,402
— (28,668)
— (2,000)
— 12,402
In thousands
Year ended Dec. 28, 2014
Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publishing Other
99,029 $
973 $100,002
Total
13,885
— 13,885
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . .
(79,168)
(454)
(79,622)
Payments for acquisitions, net of
cash acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for investments . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . .
(113)
(2,500)
18,629
—
—
(113)
(2,500)
— 18,629
In thousands
Year ended Dec. 29, 2013
Publishing
Other
Total
In thousands
Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,299,793 $ 258,446 $3,558,239
Income from discontinued
operations, before income taxes . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . .
Income from discontinued
operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . .
441,286
97,246
6,009
2,832
447,295
100,078
344,040
3,177
347,217
The financial results reflected above may not represent our
Publishing and Other Segments stand-alone operating results,
as the results reported within income from discontinued
operations, net, include only certain costs that are directly
attributable to those businesses and exclude certain corporate
overhead costs that were previously allocated for each period.
In addition, the 2015 financial results include the pre-tax loss
of $26.3 million ($14.8 million after tax) on the disposal of our
Other Segment.
Year ended Dec. 29, 2013
Publishing Other
98,197 $
Total
879 $ 99,076
15,663
1,544
14,119
(59,785)
(829)
(60,614)
(922)
—
—
(922)
26,806
Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for acquisitions, net of
cash acquired. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from investments . . . . .
26,806
63
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
(See notes below as well as 'a' and 'b' on page 65)
In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
2015
Operating revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,050,945
2,137,787
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
913,158
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-operating (expense) income
Equity income (loss) in unconsolidated investees, net . . . . . . . .
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating items (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income before income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations attributable to
noncontrolling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA
Inc.
Income from continuing operations per share:
(5,064)
(273,629)
(11,529)
(290,222)
622,936
202,314
420,622
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(63,164)
357,458
basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Other selected financial data
Dividends declared per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Non-GAAP income from continuing operations per diluted
share (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
in thousands:
1.59
1.56
0.68
1.44
2014
(recast)
$ 2,626,141
1,918,642
707,499
Fiscal Year (1)
2013
(recast)
$ 1,603,123
1,292,263
310,860
2012
(recast)
$ 1,631,987
1,284,352
347,635
2011
(recast)
$ 1,409,098
1,137,756
271,342
151,462
(272,668)
404,403
283,197
990,696
234,471
756,225
21,055
(174,818)
(45,279)
(199,042)
111,818
13,122
98,696
11,001
(148,974)
8,086
(129,887)
217,748
91,933
125,815
6,746
(171,239)
(17,678)
(182,171)
89,171
14,029
75,142
(68,289)
(57,233)
(50,727)
(41,379)
$
$
$
$
$
687,936
3.04
2.97
0.80
1.22
$
$
$
$
$
41,463
0.18
0.18
0.80
0.34
$
$
$
$
$
75,088
0.32
0.32
0.80
0.71
$
$
$
$
$
33,763
0.14
0.14
0.24
0.20
basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
224,688
229,721
226,292
231,907
228,541
234,189
232,327
236,690
239,228
242,768
Financial position and cash flow
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,200,816
Shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,191,971
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,537,758
557,139
Free cash flow (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
16.9%
Return on equity (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Credit ratios
Leverage ratio (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.08x
$ 4,488,028
$ 3,254,914
$ 11,242,195
670,845
$
35.7%
$ 3,707,010
$ 2,693,098
$ 9,240,706
410,463
$
15.4%
$ 1,432,100
$ 2,350,614
$ 6,379,886
664,866
$
18.1%
$ 1,760,363
$ 2,327,891
$ 6,616,450
741,685
$
20.4%
2.96x
3.24x
1.41x
1.67x
(1) Beginning with our 2015 fiscal year, we changed to a calendar year-end reporting cycle. All fiscal years prior to 2015 included 52 weeks, except for
2012 which included 53 weeks.
(2) Our income from other non-operating items in 2014 included a $476.7 million pre-tax non-cash gain ($285.9 million after-tax) on the acquisition of
Cars.com. See Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for further information.
(3) See page 22 for a reconciliation of income from continuing operations per share presented in accordance with GAAP.
(4) The increase in our long-term debt in 2014 and 2013 was primarily due to additional borrowings to fund the acquisitions of Cars.com and Belo in
2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for further information.
(5) See page 65 for a reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash flow from operating activities, which we believe is the most directly comparable
measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
(6) Calculated using income from continuing operations attributable to TEGNA Inc. plus earnings from discontinued operations.
(7) The leverage ratio is calculated in accordance with our revolving credit agreement and term loan agreement. Currently, we are required to maintain
a leverage ratio of less than 5.0x. These agreements are described more fully on page 25 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. More information regarding the computation can be found in Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended June 28, 2015, filed on Aug. 5, 2015.
64
NOTES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
(a) We, have made the significant acquisitions listed below during the period. The results of operations of these acquired
businesses are included in the accompanying financial information from the date of acquisition. See Note 2 of the consolidated
financial statements for further information on the acquisitions.
(b) During the period, we sold or otherwise disposed of substantially all of the assets or capital stock of certain other significant
subsidiaries and divisions of other subsidiaries, which are listed below. See Note 2 and Note 13 of the consolidated financial
statements for further information on the dispositions.
Acquisitions and dispositions occurring during 2015-2011 are shown below:
Acquisitions 2015-2011
Year
2015 Textkernel
Name
KGW, WHAS and KMSB
2014 Broadbean
London Broadcasting Company
Classified Ventures LLC (d/b/a
Cars.com)
SocialReferral B.V.
2013 Vietnam Online Network
Oil and Gas Job Search
Belo Corp.
Location
Amsterdam
Portland, OR, Louisville,
KY and Tucson, AZ
London, United Kingdom
Abilene, Beaumont, Bryan,
Corpus Christi, Longview,
Port Arthur, San Angelo,
Sweetwater, Temple, Tyler,
Waco all in Texas
Chicago, IL
Netherlands
Vietnam
Manchester, England
Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Missouri, North
Carolina, Oregon, Texas,
Virginia, Washington
Description of Business
Software company providing semantic recruitment technology
Television stations
Global recruitment technology company
Television stations
Independent search site for car shoppers
Software to power employee referral programs utilizing social media
Recruitment services and human resource solutions for employers
Online recruitment catering to the oil and gas industry
Owner and operator of 20 television stations in 15 markets across
the U.S.
2012 Ceviu
Top Language Jobs
BLiNQ Media, LLC
Mobestream Media
Economic Modeling Specialist Intl.
Rovion
2011 JobsCentral
JobScout24
Brazil
Europe
New York City, NY
Dallas, TX
Moscow, ID
Boston, MA
Singapore
Germany
Information technology job board
Global online jobsite for multi-language jobs and candidates
Social engagement advertising solutions for agencies and brands
Developer of the Key Ring consumer rewards mobile platform
Economic software firm specializing in employment data/analysis
Self-service technology platform for rich media
Job search, employment and career web site
Job search, employment and career web site
Dispositions 2015-2011
Year
2015 Gannett Healthcare Group
Name
Location
Hoffman Estates, IL
Gannett Co., Inc.
Clipper Magazine
Mobestream Media
PointRoll
2014 KMOV
KTVK/KASW
2013 Captivate Network, Inc.
McLean, VA
Mountville, PA
Dallas, TX
King of Prussia, PA
St. Louis, MO
Phoenix, AZ
Chelmsford, MA
Description of Business
Provides continuing education, certification test preparation, online
recruitment, digital media, publications and related services for
nurses and other healthcare professionals
Multi-platform news and information company
Advertising and marketing solutions provider
Developer of the Key Ring consumer rewards mobile platform
Multi-screen digital ad tech and services company
Television station
Television stations
News and entertainment network
Free cash flow reconciliation
Our free cash flow was $557.1 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that is
defined as “net cash flow from operating activities” as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows reduced by
“purchase of property and equipment” and voluntary pension contributions, net of related tax benefit. We believe that free cash
flow is a useful measure for management and investors to evaluate the level of cash generated by operations and the ability of
its operations to fund investments in new and existing businesses, return cash to shareholders under our capital program, repay
indebtedness, add to our cash balance, or to use in other discretionary activities.
Reconciliations from “Net cash flow from operating activities” to “Free cash flow” follow:
In thousands of dollars
Net cash flow from operating activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 613,106 $ 821,199 $ 511,488 $
Purchase of property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Voluntary pension employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax benefit for voluntary pension employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Free cash flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 557,139 $ 670,845 $ 410,463 $
(110,407)
15,507
(6,125)
(118,767)
100,000
(37,200)
(150,354)
—
—
2013
2015
2014
2012
756,740 $
(91,874)
—
—
664,866 $
2011
814,136
(72,451)
—
—
741,685
65
QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts
Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 731,491
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
182,472
84,002
43,481
First(2)
Second(3)
$ 756,672
185,689
54,156
77,337
Noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(14,590)
(15,624)
Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income per share—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
112,893
0.50
Net income per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.49
115,869
0.51
0.50
$
$
2015 Quarters(1)
Third
$ 757,518
218,102
111,059
Fourth(4)
$ 805,264
326,895
171,405
(5,317)
(13,437)
(17,487)
88,255
(15,463)
142,505
Total
$ 3,050,945
913,158
420,622
102,064
(63,164)
459,522
$
$
0.39
0.38
$
$
0.65
0.63
$
$
2.04
2.00
2014 Quarters
Operating revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 566,043
Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Noncontrolling interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
136,655
19,168
50,422
(10,431)
59,159
First(5)
Net income per share—basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
Net income per share—diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
0.26
0.25
$
$
Second
$ 596,982
Third
$ 621,070
160,728
163,326
62,585
182,776
71,362
68,630
(17,444)
(21,476)
208,467
0.92
0.90
118,516
0.52
0.51
$
$
Fourth(6)
$ 842,046
227,340
Total
$ 2,626,141
707,499
502,369
192,598
(18,938)
676,029
756,225
374,235
(68,289)
1,062,171
$
$
2.99
2.92
$
$
4.69
4.58
(1) Beginning with our 2015 fiscal year, we changed our financial reporting cycle to a calendar year-end reporting cycle and an end-of-month quarterly reporting
cycle. Accordingly, effective starting in the fourth quarter of 2015, our 2015 fourth quarter included the period from September 28, 2015 through December 31,
2015.
(2) Results for the first quarter of 2015 include special items affecting operating income. Special items primarily related to transformation costs and accelerated
depreciation on certain assets, totaled $5.9 million ($3.7 million after-tax or $0.02 per share) which was offset by a $12.7 million gain ($7.9 million after tax or
$0.03 per share) from the sale of a building.
(3) Results for the second quarter of 2015 include special items affecting operating income. Special items primarily related to non-cash impairments on certain
intangibles totaled $13.7 million ($8.6 million after-tax or $0.04 per share). Refer to Notes 3 and 11 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for more
information on impairment of intangible assets.
(4) Results for the fourth quarter of 2015 include special items affecting operating income. Special items consisting primarily of non-cash asset impairments and
workforce restructuring totaled $19.0 million ($14.2 million after-tax or $0.06 per share) which was offset by an $89.9 million gain ($54.9 million after-tax or $0.24
per share) from the sale of our corporate office building.
(5) Results for the first quarter of 2014 include special items affecting operating income. Special items consisting primarily of integration costs totaled $9.8 million
($6.1 million after-tax or $0.03 per share).
(6) Results for the fourth quarter of 2014 include special items affecting operating income. Special items, consisting primarily of non-cash goodwill impairments
within the Digital Segment, totaled $39.8 million ($34.2 million after tax or $0.15 per share). Refer to Notes 3 and 11 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for
more information on goodwill impairment charges. Special tax items include a tax benefit of $129.1 million ($0.56 per share) related to the sale of a non-strategic
subsidiary at a loss.
66
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our principal executive officer and
principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our
disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined
under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and
our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the
period covered by this annual report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting,
as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under
the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting based on the
framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013
framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our
evaluation, our management concluded that our internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of Dec. 31,
2015.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting as of Dec. 31, 2015, has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm,
as stated in its report which is included elsewhere in this item.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter
ended Dec. 31, 2015, that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
67
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders of TEGNA Inc.:
In our opinion, TEGNA Inc. maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.
We have audited TEGNA Inc.’s internal control over
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the 2015 consolidated financial statements of
TEGNA Inc. and our report dated February 29, 2016
expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
McLean, Virginia
February 29, 2016
financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria).
TEGNA Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining
effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting included in the accompanying
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
company’s internal control over financial reporting based on
our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audit included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting,
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s
internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of
management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection
of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the
degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
68
PART III
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information captioned “Your Board of Directors,”
“Information about Directors - The Board’s Nominees,”
“Committees of the Board of Directors,” “Committee Charters”
and “Ethics Policy” under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 –
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” and the information under
“SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPIANCE” in our 2016 proxy statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
William A. Behan
Senior Vice President, Labor Relations (2010-present).
Formerly: Vice President, Labor Relations (2007-2010).
Age 57.
Victoria D. Harker
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (June
2015-present). Formerly: Chief Financial Officer (2012-2015),
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
President of Global Business Services, AES Corporation
(2006-2012). Age 51.
Nicholas Lehman
Chief Strategy Officer (December 2015-present). Formerly:
President, Digital, NBCUniversal (2011-2015), CEO, Plum TV
(2010-2011), Founder, Uncommon Media (2009), COO,
Programming, IAC (2007-2008), Executive Vice President and
General Manager, Interactive Media Group, MTV Networks
(2005-2007). Age 44.
Kevin E. Lord
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
(October 2012-present). Formerly: Executive Vice President,
Human Resources, NBC News (2007-2012). Age 53.
David T. Lougee
President, TEGNA Media (July 2007-present). Age 57.
Gracia C. Martore
President and Chief Executive Officer (October 2011-present).
Formerly: President and Chief Operating Officer (February
2010-October 2011); Executive Vice President and CFO
(2006-2010). Age 64.
Todd A. Mayman
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative
Officer (June 2015 - present). Formerly: Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary (2009-2015), Vice
President, Associate General Counsel, Secretary and Chief
Governance Officer (2007-2009). Age 56.
John A. Williams
President, TEGNA Digital (January 2008-present). Age 65.
The information captioned “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,”
“DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” “OUTSTANDING
DIRECTOR EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END” AND
“PROPOSAL 1–ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation; Related
Transactions” in our 2016 proxy statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information captioned “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
INFORMATION” and “SECURITIES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS” in our 2016 proxy statement is
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information captioned “Director Independence” and
“Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation; Related Transactions” under the heading
“PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in our 2016
proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information captioned “PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS – Report of the Audit Committee” in our 2016
proxy statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES
(a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and
Exhibits.
(1) Financial Statements.
As listed in the Index to Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data on page 30.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
All schedules are omitted as the required information is not
applicable or the information is presented in the consolidated
financial statements or related notes.
(3) Exhibits.
See Exhibit Index on pages 71-77 for list of exhibits filed
with this Form 10-K. Management contracts and
compensatory plans or arrangements are identified with
asterisks on the Exhibit Index.
69
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Howard D. Elias
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 29, 2016 TEGNA Inc. (Registrant)
Howard D. Elias, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Lidia Fonseca
Lidia Fonseca, Director
By:
/s/ Victoria D. Harker
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Jill Greenthal
Victoria D. Harker,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Jill Greenthal, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Marjorie Magner
Marjorie Magner,
Director, Chairman
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Gracia C. Martore
Gracia C. Martore, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Gracia C. Martore
Gracia C. Martore,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
(principal executive officer)
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Scott K. McCune
Scott K. McCune, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Henry W. McGee
Henry W. McGee, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Victoria D. Harker
Victoria D. Harker,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Susan Ness
Susan Ness, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Bruce P. Nolop
Bruce P. Nolop, Director
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Clifton A. McClelland III
Clifton A. McClelland III
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
Dated: February 29, 2016
/s/ Neal Shapiro
Neal Shapiro, Director
70
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
Location
3-1
Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of TEGNA Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2007.
3-1-1
3-1-2
3-2
4-1
4-2
4-3
4-4
4-5
4-6
4-7
4-8
4-9
10-1
10-1-1
10-1-2
10-2
10-2-1
Amendment to Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
TEGNA Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2015.
Amendment to Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
TEGNA Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2015.
By-laws, as amended through December 8, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
Indenture dated as of March 1, 1983, between TEGNA Inc.
and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1985.
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 5,
1986, among TEGNA Inc., Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, and
Sovran Bank, N.A., as Successor Trustee.
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995,
among TEGNA Inc., NationsBank, N.A., as Trustee, and
Crestar Bank, as Trustee.
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2002,
between TEGNA Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as Trustee.
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2005,
between TEGNA Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as Trustee.
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2006,
between TEGNA Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Trustee.
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2007,
between TEGNA Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Successor Trustee.
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 3,
2013, between TEGNA Inc. and U.S. Bank National
Association as Trustee.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to TEGNA Inc.’s Form
8-K filed on November 9, 1986.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to TEGNA Inc.’s Form
8-K filed on June 15, 1995.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-16 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on March 14, 2002.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2005.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2006.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-8 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013.
Specimen Certificate for TEGNA Inc.’s common stock, par
value $1.00 per share.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to TEGNA Inc.’s Form
8-B filed on June 14, 1972.
Supplemental Executive Medical Plan Amended and
Restated as of January 1, 2011.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
Amendment No. 1 to the Supplemental Executive Medical
Plan Amended and Restated as of January 1, 2012.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012.
Amendment No. 2 to the TEGNA Inc. Supplemental
Executive Medical Plan dated as of June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
Supplemental Executive Medical Plan for Retired
Executives dated December 22, 2010 and effective January
1, 2011.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. Supplemental
Executive Medical Plan for Retired Executives dated as of
June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-7 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
10-3
TEGNA Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan Restatement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007.
10-3-1
10-3-2
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated July 31, 2008 and effective August 1,
2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2008.
Amendment No. 2 to the TEGNA Inc. Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated December 22, 2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
71
10-3-3
10-4
10-4-1
10-4-2
10-4-3
10-4-4
10-4-5
10-4-6
10-4-7
10-5
Amendment No. 3 to the TEGNA Inc. Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated as of June 26, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-8 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
TEGNA Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Restatement
dated February 1, 2003 (reflects all amendments through
July 25, 2006).*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
TEGNA Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Rules for
Post-2004 Deferrals.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
July 31, 2008 and effective August 1, 2008.*
Amendment No. 2 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
December 9, 2008.*
Amendment No. 3 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
October 27, 2009.*
Amendment No. 4 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated
December 22, 2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2008.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-4 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
Amendment No. 5 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rules for Post-2004 Deferrals dated as
of June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-10 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
Amendment No. 6 to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan Rues for Post-2004 Deferrals dated as
of December 8, 2015.*
Attached.
Amendment to the TEGNA Inc. Deferred Compensation
Plan Restatement Rules for Pre-2005 Deferrals dated as of
June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-9 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
10-6
TEGNA Inc. Transitional Compensation Plan Restatement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007.
10-6-1
10-6-2
10-6-3
10-6-4
10-7
10-7-1
10-7-2
Amendment No. 1 to TEGNA Inc. Transitional
Compensation Plan Restatement dated as of May 4, 2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010.
Amendment No. 2 to TEGNA Inc. Transitional
Compensation Plan Restatement dated as of December 22,
2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2010.
Amendment No. 3 to TEGNA Inc. Transitional
Compensation Plan Restatement dated as of June 26,
2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-11 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
Notice to Transitional Compensation Plan Restatement
Participants.*
Attached.
TEGNA Inc. Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, as
amended and restated as of May 4, 2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2010.
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. 2001 Omnibus
Incentive Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated as of
May 4, 2010).*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2015.
Amendment No. 2 to the TEGNA Inc. 2001 Omnibus
Incentive Compensation Plan dated as of June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-12 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
10-7-3
Form of Director Stock Option Award Agreement.*
10-7-4
Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.*
10-7-5
Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.*
10-7-6
Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-7-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-9 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-20 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
72
10-7-7
Form of Executive Officer Stock Option Award Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-10 to TEGNA
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28,
2014.
Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-21 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-8 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013.
10-7-8
10-7-9
10-7-10
10-7-11
10-7-12
10-7-13
Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Award
Agreement. *
10-7-14
Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-11 to TEGNA
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28,
2014.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-6-11 to TEGNA
Inc.’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29,
2015.
10-7-15
Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Award
Agreement.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
73
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2013.
10-8
Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of
August 5, 2013, to each of (i) the Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated as of March 11, 2002 and effective as of March 18,
2002, as amended and restated as of December 13, 2004
and effective as of January 5, 2005, as amended by the
First Amendment thereto, dated as of February 28, 2007
and effective as of March 15, 2007, as further amended by
the Second Amendment thereto, dated as of October 23,
2008 and effective as of October 31, 2008, as further
amended by the Third Amendment thereto, dated as of
September 28, 2009, as further amended by the Fourth
Amendment thereto, dated as of August 25, 2010 and as
further amended by the Fifth Amendment and Waiver, dated
as of September 30, 2010 (the “2002 Credit Agreement”),
among TEGNA Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TEGNA”), the
several banks and other financial institutions from time to
time parties to the Credit Agreement (the “2002 Lenders”),
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in
such capacity, the “2002 Administrative Agent”), JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as syndication agents,
and Barclays Bank PLC, as documentation agent, (ii) the
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated as of February 27, 2004 and effective as of March 15,
2004, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated
as of February 28, 2007 and effective as of March 15, 2007,
as further amended by the Second Amendment thereto,
dated as of October 23, 2008 and effective as of October
31, 2008, as further amended by the Third Amendment
thereto, dated as of September 28, 2009, as further
amended by the Fourth Amendment thereto, dated as of
August 25, 2010, and as further amended by the Fifth
Amendment and Waiver, dated as of September 30, 2010
(the “2004 Credit Agreement”), among TEGNA, the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties to the Credit Agreement (the “2004 Lenders”),
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in
such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., as syndication agents, and
Barclays Bank PLC and SunTrust Bank, as documentation
agents and (iii) the Competitive Advance and Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13, 2004 and
effective as of January 5, 2005, as amended by the First
Amendment thereto, dated as of February 28, 2007 and
effective as of March 15, 2007, as further amended by the
Second Amendment thereto, dated as of October 23, 2008
and effective as of October 31, 2008, as further amended by
the Third Amendment thereto, dated as of September 28,
2009, as further amended by the Fourth Amendment
thereto, dated as of August 25, 2010 and as further
amended by the Fifth Amendment and Waiver, dated as of
September 30, 2010 (the “2005 Credit Agreement” and,
together with the 2002 Credit Agreement and the 2004
Credit Agreement, the “Credit Agreements”), among
TEGNA, the several banks and other financial institutions
from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the “2005
Lenders” and, together with the 2002 Lenders and the 2004
Lenders, the “Lenders”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
administrative agent (in such capacity, the “2005
Administrative Agent” and, together with the 2002
Administrative Agent and the 2004 Administrative Agent, the
“Administrative Agent”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and
Citibank, N.A., as syndication agents, and Barclays Bank
PLC, as documentation agent, by and between TEGNA, the
Guarantors under the Credit Agreements as of the date
hereof, the Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A. and Bank of America, N.A., as issuing lenders and the
Lenders party thereto.
74
10-9
10-10
10-11
10-12
10-13
10-14
10-14-1
10-14-2
10-15
10-15-1
Master Assignment and Assumption, dated as of August 5,
2013, by and between each of the lenders listed thereon as
assignors and/or assignees.
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2013, by
and among TEGNA Inc., the several banks and other
financial institutions from time to time parties thereto,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A. as
syndication agents.
Sixth Amendment, dated as of September 24, 2013, to the
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated as of December 13, 2004 and effective as of January
5, 2005, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated
as of February 28, 2007 and effective as of March 15, 2007,
as further amended by the Second Amendment thereto,
dated as of October 23, 2008 and effective as of October
31, 2008, as further amended by the Third Amendment
thereto, dated as of September 28, 2009, as further
amended by the Fourth Amendment thereto, dated as of
August 25, 2010, as further amended by the Fifth
Amendment and Waiver, dated as of September 30, 2010,
and as further amended and restated pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2013, by
and among TEGNA Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
administrative agent, and the several banks and other
financial institutions from time to time parties thereto.
Seventh Amendment, dated as of February 13, 2015, to the
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated as of December 13, 2004 and effective as of January
5, 2005, as amended and restated as of August 5, 2013 and
as further amended by the Sixth Amendment thereto, dated
as of September 24, 2013, among TEGNA Inc., JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties.
Eighth Amendment, dated as of June 29, 2015, to the
Amended and Restated Competitive Advance and
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 13,
2004 and effective as of January 5, 2005, as amended and
restated as of August 5, 2013, and as further amended by
the Seventh Amendment thereto dated as of February 13,
2015, and the Sixth Amendment thereto dated September
24, 2013, among TEGNA Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.,
as administrative agent, and the several banks and other
financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, as set
forth on Exhibit A to the Eight Amendment.
Increased Facility Activation Notice, dated September 25,
2013, pursuant to the Amended and Restated Competitive
Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of
August 5, 2013, by and among TEGNA Inc., JPMorgan
Chase Bank N.A., as administrative agent, and the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto.
Increased Facility Activation Notice, dated May 5, 2014,
pursuant to the Amended and Restated Competitive
Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of
August 5, 2013, by and among TEGNA Inc., JP Morgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto.
Increased Facility Activation Notice, dated as of September
23, 2015, pursuant to the Amended and Restated
Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated as of August 5, 2013, by and among TEGNA Inc.,
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as administrative agent, and
the several banks and other financial institutions from time
to time parties thereto.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
Description of TEGNA Inc.’s Non-Employee Director
Compensation.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Description of TEGNA Inc.’s Non-Employee Director
Compensation.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2015.
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10-15-2
10-16
10-16-1
10-16-2
10-17
10-18
Description of TEGNA Inc.’s Non-Employee Director
Compensation.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
Employment Agreement dated February 27, 2007, between
TEGNA Inc. and Gracia C. Martore.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2007, to Employment
Agreement dated February 27, 2007.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2007.
Amendment, dated as of December 24, 2010, to
Employment Agreement dated February 27, 2007.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-14-2 to TEGNA
Inc.’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2010.
Amendment for Section 409A Plans dated December 31,
2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-14 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
Executive Life Insurance Plan document dated December
31, 2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-15 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
10-18-1
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. Executive Life
Insurance Plan Document dated as of June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-13 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
10-19
Key Executive Life Insurance Plan dated October 29, 2010.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2010.
10-19-1
Amendment No. 1 to the TEGNA Inc. Key Executive Life
Insurance Plan dated as of June 26, 2015.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-14 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2015.
10-20
10-21
10-22
10-23
Form of Participation Agreement under Key Executive Life
Insurance Plan.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2010.
Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Restricted
Stock Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-17 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Stock Unit
Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-18 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
Omnibus Amendment to Terms and Conditions of Stock
Option Awards dated as of December 31, 2008.*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-19 to TEGNA Inc.’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.
10-24
TEGNA Leadership Team Transitional Severance Plan*
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 28, 2014.
10-25
TEGNA Inc. 2015 Change in Control Severance Plan.*
10-26
TEGNA Inc. Executive Severance Plan.*
Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2014, by
and among TEGNA Inc., Classified Ventures, LLC, the unit
holders of Classified Ventures, LLC (the “sellers”), certain
subsidiaries of the Sellers, Gannett Satellite Information
Network, Inc., and Belo Ventures, Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2014.
Letter Agreement dated as of March 1, 2015, by and among
the Icahn Group and TEGNA Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99-2 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2015.
Voting and Proxy Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2015,
by and among the Icahn Group and TEGNA Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2015.
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2015,
by and between GTMP Holdings, LLC and Tamares Tysons
Corner LLC.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated
as of July 2, 2015, by and between GTMP Holdings, LLC
and Tamares Tysons Corner LLC.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-4 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement,
dated as of July 14, 2015, by and between GTMP Holdings,
LLC and Tamares Tysons Corner LLC.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-5 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 27, 2015.
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of June
26, 2015, by and between TEGNA Inc. and Gannett Co.,
Inc., formerly known as Gannett SpinCo., Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2015.
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10-28
10-29
10-30
10-30-1
10-30-2
10-31
10-32
10-33
10-34
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31-2
32-1
32-2
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Transition Services Agreement dated as of June 26, 2015,
by and between TEGNA Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc., formerly
known as Gannett SpinCo., Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-1 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2015.
Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2015, by and
between TEGNA Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc., formerly known
as Gannett SpinCo., Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-2 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2015.
Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2015,
by and between TEGNA Inc. and Gannett Co., Inc., formerly
known as Gannett SpinCo., Inc.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-3 to TEGNA Inc.'s
Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2015.
Subsidiaries of TEGNA Inc.
Attached.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Attached.
Attached.
Attached.
Attached.
Attached.
Attached.
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Section 1350 Certification.
Section 1350 Certification.
The following financial information from TEGNA Inc. Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2015, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Balance
Sheets at December 31, 2015 and December 28, 2014, (ii)
Consolidated Statements of Income for the 2015, 2014 and
2013 fiscal years, (iii) Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income for the 2015, 2014 and 2013 fiscal
years, (iv) Consolidated Cash Flow Statements for the 2015,
2014 and 2013 fiscal years; (v) Consolidated Statements of
Equity for the 2015, 2014 and 2013 fiscal years; and (vi) the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
For purposes of the incorporation by reference of documents as Exhibits, all references to Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K of TEGNA Inc. refer to
Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Commission under Commission file number 1-6961.
We agree to furnish to the Commission, upon request, a copy of each agreement with respect to long-term debt not filed herewith in reliance
upon the exemption from filing applicable to any series of debt which does not exceed 10% of our total consolidated assets.
* Asterisks identify management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements.
77
GLOSSARY OF FINANCIAL TERMS
Presented below are definitions of certain key financial and
operational terms that we hope will enhance the reading and
understanding of our 2015 Form 10-K.
ADJUSTED EBITDA – Net income attributable to TEGNA before
(1) net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, (2) income
taxes, (3) interest expense, (4) equity income, (5) other non-
operating items, (6) workforce restructuring, (7) other
transformation costs, (8) asset impairment charges, (9)
depreciation and (10) amortization.
AMORTIZATION – A charge against our earnings that represents
the write off of intangible assets over the projected life of the
assets.
BALANCE SHEET – A summary statement that reflects our
assets, liabilities and equity at a particular point in time.
MEDIA REVENUES – Primarily amounts charged to customers
for commercial advertising aired on our television stations.
CURRENT ASSETS – Cash and other assets that are expected
to be converted to cash within one year.
CURRENT LIABILITIES – Amounts owed that will be paid within
one year.
DEFERRED INCOME – Revenue derived principally from
advance subscription payments for advance fees for recruitment
solutions. Revenue is recognized in the period in which it is
earned (as recruitment solutions are delivered).
DEPRECIATION – A charge against our earnings that allocates
the cost of property and equipment over the estimated useful lives
of the assets.
DIGITAL/ONLINE REVENUES – These include revenue from
advertising placed on all digital platforms that are associated with
our media operations which are reflected as revenues of those
business segment, and revenues from the businesses that
comprise the Digital Segment, primarily CareerBuilder (human
capital solutions), and Cars.com (website for car shoppers).
DIGITAL SEGMENT – Our reportable segment that includes the
results of CareerBuilder, Cars.com, G/O Digital and Cofactor (also
operating as ShopLocal).
DIVIDEND – A payment we make to our shareholders of a portion
of our earnings.
FREE CASH FLOW – Net cash flow from operating activities
reduced by purchase of property and equipment as well as
payments for investments and increased by proceeds from
investments and voluntary pension contributions, net of related
tax benefit.
GAAP – Generally accepted accounting principles.
GOODWILL – In a business purchase, this represents the excess
of amounts paid over the fair value of tangible and other identified
intangible assets acquired net of liabilities assumed.
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING
INTERESTS – The portion of equity and net earnings in
consolidated subsidiaries that is owned by others.
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT – An equity award that gives key
employees the right to earn a number of shares of common stock
over an incentive period based on how our total shareholder
return (TSR) compares to the TSR of a representative peer group
of companies.
PURCHASE – A business acquisition. The acquiring company
records at its cost the acquired assets less liabilities assumed.
The reported income of an acquiring company includes the
operations of the acquired company from the date of acquisition.
RESTRICTED STOCK – An award that gives key employees the
right to shares of our stock, pursuant to a vesting schedule.
RETAINED EARNINGS – Our earnings not paid out as dividends
to shareholders.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS – A financial statement that
reflects cash flows from operating, investing and financing
activities, providing a comprehensive view of changes in our cash
and cash equivalents.
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – A financial
statement that reflects our changes in equity (net assets) from
transactions and other events from non-owner sources.
Comprehensive income comprises net income and other items
reported directly in shareholders’ equity, principally the foreign
currency translation adjustment and funded status of
postretirement plans.
STATEMENT OF EQUITY – A financial statement that reflects
changes in our common stock, retained earnings and other equity
accounts.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (basic) – Our earnings divided by the
average number of shares outstanding for the period.
STATEMENT OF INCOME – A financial statement that reflects
our profit by measuring revenues and expenses.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (diluted) - Our earnings divided by the
average number of shares outstanding for the period, giving effect
to assumed dilution from outstanding stock options and restricted
stock units.
EQUITY EARNINGS FROM INVESTMENTS – For those
investments in which we own 50% or less, an income or loss entry
is recorded in the Statements of Income representing our
ownership share of the operating results of the investee company.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION – The process of
reflecting foreign currency accounts of subsidiaries in the
reporting currency of the parent company.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION – The payment to employees
for services received with equity instruments such as restricted
stock, performance share units and stock options.
STOCK OPTION – An award that gives key employees the right
to buy shares of our stock, pursuant to a vesting schedule, at the
market price of the stock on the date of the award.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (VIE) - A variable interest entity is
an entity that lacks equity investors or whose equity investors do
not have a controlling interest in the entity through their equity
investments.
78
Company
Profile
Shareholder
Services
TEGNA Inc., formerly Gannett Co., Inc.,
is comprised of a dynamic portfolio
of media and digital businesses that
provide content that matters and brands
that deliver. TEGNA delivers highly
relevant, useful and smart content, when
and how people need it, to make the
best decisions possible. Our agile and
forward-thinking portfolio of television
and digital businesses comprise one of
the largest, most geographically diverse
broadcasters in the U.S. and two top
digital companies, Cars.com and
CareerBuilder, as well as several other
well-positioned and growing online
companies.
TEGNA Media includes 46 television
stations (including those serviced by
TEGNA) and is the largest independent
station group of major network affiliates
in the top 25 markets. TEGNA Media
reaches approximately one-third of all
television households nationwide and
represents the #1 NBC affiliate group,
#1 CBS affiliate group and #4 ABC affil-
iate group (excluding owner-operators).
Millions of consumers turn to TEGNA
Media throughout their day to navigate
their world more successfully. Our
journalists take their First Amendment
responsibilities seriously and deliver
relevant, innovative and impactful con-
tent. Combined, TEGNA’s TV stations,
across 23 states, are renowned for their
outstanding journalism and have been
recognized with numerous national
honors including Edward R. Murrow,
Alfred I. duPont, George Foster Peabody,
National Headliner, George Polk and
Emmy awards.
On the digital side, Cars.com is
the leading online destination for
automotive consumers offering credible,
objective information about car shop-
ping, selling and servicing. With over
30 million monthly visits to its web
properties, Cars.com leverages its
growing consumer audience to help
automotive marketers more effectively
reach car buyers and sellers, as well as
those looking for trusted service
providers. CareerBuilder is the global
leader in human capital solutions,
helping the world’s top employers attract
great talent. CareerBuilder provides
services ranging from labor market
intelligence to talent management soft-
ware and other recruitment solutions.
It is the largest online job site in North
America, measured both by traffic
and revenue, and has a presence in
more than 60 markets worldwide.
Together, Cars.com and CareerBuilder
provide TEGNA’s advertising partners
with access to two very important
categories – automotive and human
capital solutions.
Also part of this powerful digital mix
is G/O Digital, a one-stop shop for local
businesses looking to connect with
consumers through localized digital
marketing. From search to social and
everything in between, G/O Digital
offers a strategic approach in building
an integrated digital marketing solution
based on the unique needs of each local
business. G/O Digital helps businesses
get connected, be found and stay
engaged with consumers across more
than 110 local markets.
TEGNA Digital also includes
Cofactor, a digital marketing company
that is uniquely positioned to bridge the
divide between online and offline worlds
and enables brands to intelligently
deliver content everywhere, driving
sales locally.
Combined, TEGNA’s brands have tremendous reach. Each month,
TEGNA reaches more than
90 million U.S. adults
across broadcast and digital media, empowering them to
act with conviction and navigate their world successfully.
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TEGNA STOCK
TEGNA Inc. shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol TGNA. The
company’s transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. General inquiries and requests
for enrollment materials for the programs described below should be directed to Wells Fargo
Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64854, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or by telephone at 1-800-778-3299
or at www.shareownerservices.com.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) provides TEGNA shareholders the opportunity to purchase
additional shares of the company’s common stock free of brokerage fees or service charges through
automatic reinvestment of dividends and optional cash payments. Cash payments may range from a
minimum of $10 to a maximum of $5,000 per month.
AUTOMATIC CASH INVESTMENT SERVICE FOR THE DRP
This service provides a convenient, no-cost method of having money automatically withdrawn
from your checking or savings account each month and invested in TEGNA stock through your
DRP account.
DIRECT DEPOSIT SERVICE
TEGNA shareholders may have their quarterly dividends electronically credited to their checking or
savings accounts on the payment date at no additional cost.
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 10 a.m. (E.T.), Thursday, May 5, 2016, at TEGNA
headquarters.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We have posted on the Corporate Governance page under the “Investors” menu of our web site
(www.tegna.com) our principles of corporate governance, ethics policy, related person transaction
policy and the charters for the audit, nominating and public responsibility and executive compen-
sation committees of our board of directors, and we intend to post updates to these corporate
governance materials promptly if any changes (including through any amendments or waivers of the
ethics policy) are made. This site also provides access to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Our chief executive
officer and our chief financial officer have delivered, and we have filed with our 2015 Form 10-K, all
certifications required by the rules of the SEC. Complete copies of our corporate governance
materials and our Form 10-K may be obtained by writing our Secretary at our corporate headquarters.
In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, our chief executive officer has
certified, without qualification, that such officer is not aware of any violation by TEGNA of the
NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
News and information about TEGNA is available on our web site. Quarterly earnings information
will be available in late April, July and October 2016. Shareholders who wish to contact the company
directly about their TEGNA stock should call Shareholder Services at TEGNA headquarters,
703-854-6677.
TEGNA Headquarters
7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107 • 703-854-7000
THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN
AND PRODUCED BY
EMPLOYEES OF TEGNA.
Vice President & Controller
Cam McClelland
Assistant Controller
James Reynolds
Corporate Consolidations Team
Dimeterice Ferguson
Ben Fernando
Varun Kanwar
Suzanne Kuo
Lorraine Licayan
Mark Ramsey
Evan Strong
Manager/Corporate
Communications
Steve Kidera
Creative Director/Designer
Michael Abernethy
Printing
Action Printing, Fond du Lac, WI
Printed on recycled paper.
This report was printed using
soy-based inks. The entire report
contains 10% total recovered fiber/
all post-consumer waste.
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TEGNA INC.
7950 JONES
BRANCH DR.,
MCLEAN, VA
22107
WWW.TEGNA.COM