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Gray Media, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 5 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Total revenue reached $768 million: Total revenue was $768 million, at the high end of the previously issued $755 million to $770 million guidance, compared with $782 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell 4%: Adjusted EBITDA was $154 million compared with $160 million a year earlier. The net loss widened to $20 million from $9 million. Source
  • Retransmission consent revenue fell 11%: Retransmission consent revenue was $339 million, against $379 million. The company attributed the decline mainly to continued subscriber declines, the Atlanta station change and a resolved dispute. Source
  • Core advertising rose 2%: Core advertising revenue was $352 million, up 2% on both reported and organic bases, against $344 million a year earlier. Source
  • Broadcasting expense down 4%: Total broadcasting expenses were $555 million, a $22 million decrease, at the low end of the $555 million to $560 million guidance. Source
  • Corporate expense above guided range: Corporate expenses were $39 million, above the $30 million to $35 million range. The company said the excess was primarily due to transaction-related expenses of $4 million. Source
  • Leverage ratio 5.94 to 1.00: Leverage ratio was 5.94 to 1.00, first lien leverage 2.56 to 1.00 and secured leverage 3.79 to 1.00. At year-end the figures were 5.80, 2.43 and 3.65. Source

“Our first quarter 2026 results were solid, with Core Advertising exceeding our guidance and Political revenue at the high end of our guidance range.”

Hilton Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Political advertising revenue SourceQuarter ending June 30, 2026$60 million to $70 millionNew
Total revenue SourceQuarter ending June 30, 2026$780 million to $800 millionNew
Net retransmission revenue SourceQuarter ending June 30, 2026$141 million to $143 millionNew
Total broadcasting expense SourceQuarter ending June 30, 2026$545 million to $550 millionNew
Total corporate and administrative expense SourceQuarter ending June 30, 2026$30 million to $35 millionNew
Interest expense, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$440 millionKept
Amortization of deferred financing costs SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$16 millionKept
Preferred stock dividends SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$52 millionKept
Common stock dividends SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$33 millionRaised from $32 million
Capital expenditures SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$140 millionKept
Income tax payments, excluding refunds SourceYear ending December 31, 2026$90 million to $110 millionLowered from $105 million to $125 million

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Guidance for the quarter ending June 30, 2026 was given for the first time in this release, covering core advertising, political, total revenue, net retransmission, broadcasting expense and corporate expense. Source
  • Guidance raised: Estimated common stock dividends for 2026 rose to $33 million from $32 million in the prior guidance. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Estimated income tax payments, excluding refunds, for 2026 were lowered to $90 million to $110 million from $105 million to $125 million. Source
  • New: The release lists Hilton Howell, Jr. as Executive Chairman and CEO. The prior release listed him as Chairman and CEO. Source
  • New: Gray closed the acquisition of television stations in seven markets from Allen Media Group on May 1, 2026, for $115 million, after the quarter ended. Source
  • New: Gray closed the acquisition of television stations in three markets from Block Communications on May 6, 2026, for $80 million, after the quarter ended. Source
  • New: One Atlanta station moved to independent status, which the company cited as a reason for lower retransmission consent revenue. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Total revenue reached $768 million: Total revenue was $768 million, at the high end of the previously issued $755 million to $770 million guidance, compared with $782 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA fell 4%: Adjusted EBITDA was $154 million compared with $160 million a year earlier. The net loss widened to $20 million from $9 million. Source
  • Diluted loss per share $0.34: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $33 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared with $0.23 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow near zero: Net cash provided by operating activities was $1 million, against $132 million a year earlier. Accrued interest changes used $48 million. Source
  • Production companies revenue rose 7%: Production company revenue was $29 million, against $27 million, while broadcasting revenue was $739 million, against $755 million. Source

Retransmission and subscriber trends

  • Retransmission consent revenue fell 11%: Retransmission consent revenue was $339 million, against $379 million. The company attributed the decline mainly to continued subscriber declines, the Atlanta station change and a resolved dispute. Source
  • Net retransmission revenue fell 3%: Net retransmission revenue was $142 million, against $146 million. Network affiliation fees fell 15% to $197 million. Source
  • Distributor dispute affected quarter: The company said a dispute with a distribution partner, now resolved, affected net retransmission revenue for the quarter. Source

“With all scheduled 2026 retransmission negotiations now complete and the improvement in underlying MVPD subscriber trends, we now have visibility on our growth in Net Retransmission Revenue for full year 2026.”

Hilton Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and CEO

Advertising and political results

  • Core advertising rose 2%: Core advertising revenue was $352 million, up 2% on both reported and organic bases, against $344 million a year earlier. Source
  • Political revenue reached $30 million: Political advertising revenue was $30 million, up 15%, at the high end of the $25 million to $30 million guidance. The operating data table shows $13 million prior year and 131% growth. Source
  • Political cycle view remains optimistic: Management said it is optimistic about capitalizing on a strong mid-term political cycle, citing its footprint across most competitive races. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Broadcasting expense down 4%: Total broadcasting expenses were $555 million, a $22 million decrease, at the low end of the $555 million to $560 million guidance. Source
  • Corporate expense above guided range: Corporate expenses were $39 million, above the $30 million to $35 million range. The company said the excess was primarily due to transaction-related expenses of $4 million. Source
  • Station expenses up, affiliation fees down: Station expenses rose 4% to $358 million, while network affiliation fees fell 15% to $197 million. Source
  • Production company costs rose 40%: Production companies expense was $28 million, against $20 million. Corporate expenses were $27 million, against $26 million. Source

Debt, cash and liquidity

  • Cash fell to $259 million: Cash was $259 million at March 31, 2026, against $368 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Debt net of cash rose: Outstanding principal of debt less cash was $5,549 million, against $5,442 million at year-end. Total principal was $5,808 million. Source
  • Leverage ratio 5.94 to 1.00: Leverage ratio was 5.94 to 1.00, first lien leverage 2.56 to 1.00 and secured leverage 3.79 to 1.00. At year-end the figures were 5.80, 2.43 and 3.65. Source
  • Credit agreement amended, term loan repaid: The senior credit agreement was amended and restated on March 31, with commitments, principal and maturities unchanged. On April 2, a $10 million term loan balance was settled. Source
  • Liquidity from cash and revolver: Liquidity included $259 million of cash and $745 million of revolver availability on a $750 million undrawn facility. The $400 million receivables facility was fully drawn. Source

Dividends and share settlement

  • Common dividends paid $9 million: Payments of common stock dividends were $9 million, against $8 million. Payments of preferred stock dividends were $13 million in each period. Source
  • Preferred dividends of $13 million: The supplemental table shows preferred stock dividends of $13 million and common stock dividends of $8 million in each period. Source
  • Net share settlement payments $9 million: Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards were $9 million, against $4 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy, deals and sports

  • Four new markets added in quarter: Management said the company added new stations in four new markets during the first quarter. Source
  • Sports partnerships expanded this year: Management described sports partnerships as strengthening its market position, including airing 19 MLB teams across 16 broadcast sports networks this year. Source
  • Balance sheet and M&A focus: Management said it continues to focus on the balance sheet and evaluate accretive acquisitions while looking for ways to create shareholder value. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • Remaining transactions still to close: Management said it continues to work to close the remaining strategic and deleveraging transactions announced last summer. Source
  • Next debt maturity December 2028: The company said its next debt maturity is in December 2028, after the next presidential election cycle. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Capital expenditures Source$19 million in Q1 2026, against $15 million in Q1 2025
MVPD subscriber trend SourceImproving; no count given

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said it is seeing some softness in core advertising in the second quarter. Source
  • Operational: A resolved dispute with a distribution partner reduced net retransmission revenue for the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Continued subscriber declines were cited as a primary reason for lower retransmission consent revenue. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said core advertising exceeded its prior guidance of approximately flat revenue against the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Met: Management said political revenue was at the high end of the guidance range. Source
  • Met: Management said total broadcasting expense was at the low end of the previously issued guidance. Source
  • Missed: Management said corporate expenses were above the high end of the guidance range, primarily due to transaction-related expenses. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.