Gray Media Announces Third Quarter Financial Results

ATLANTA, Nov. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) today announced its financial results for the third quarter which ended September 30, 2026.

EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY

Hilton Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and CEO, commented, “Our third quarter results exceeded expectations across the board, highlighted by exceptionally strong political revenue of $198 million, which topped all prior third quarters for election years. With the election now behind us, we currently expect full-year 2026 political advertising to finish between $630 million and $640 million, with a midpoint 28% ahead of our $497 million in 2024 and 23% ahead of our $515 million total 2022, respectively. The expected political advertising crowd out was more than offset by the contribution from our acquisitions, resulting in core advertising revenue growth of 1% compared to the third quarter of 2025. Underlying non-political demand was stronger than we anticipated in our late September revised guidance.

“During the third quarter and into October, we extended approximately $2 billion of our debt maturities, including our revolving credit facility, and reduced our outstanding 10.500% first lien notes due 2029 by almost $1 billion through refinancings and repurchases, lowering our future annual interest expense by over $30 million. We currently expect to use our incremental political cash to reduce our outstanding debt by $175 million to $200 million during the fourth quarter of 2026, which will further reduce our interest expense going into 2027.

“We continue to be recognized for our excellence in journalism. In August, we followed up our industry-leading 93 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards with nine National Edward R. Murrow Awards, more than any other broadcast television network, cable television network or local television group. WANF in Atlanta, which became an independent station last fall, made us particularly proud recently by winning a highly prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence and for hosting Georgia’s first Senatorial debate and only Gubernatorial debate, proving again how Gray and WANF excel at providing valuable public service to local communities. In fact, Gray stations hosted more than 100 candidate forums and/or debates for the 2026 midterms. We remain focused on continuing to grow the company by building on the significant financial, operational, and strategic progress achieved during the third quarter.”

During the nine-months ended September 30, 2026, we completed transactions to acquire several television stations and entered into management agreements under which we operate additional stations, pending regulatory approval to complete their acquisitions (collectively, the “2026 Acquisitions”). We also completed a transaction to swap television stations.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Total Revenue – $972 million in the third quarter of 2026, above the high-end of our guidance of $965 million, and a 30% increase compared to third quarter 2025. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $66 million in total advertising revenue for the third quarter 2026.

• Core Advertising Revenue – $358 million in the third quarter of 2026, or a 1% increase compared to third quarter 2025, and above the high end of our revised guidance of $355 million for the third quarter 2026. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $24 million in core advertising revenue for the third quarter of 2026.

• Political Advertising Revenue – $198 million in the third quarter of 2026, above the high-end of the revised guidance of $195 million. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $4 million in political advertising revenue for the third quarter of 2026. These results compare to $8 million in third quarter of 2025, and $173 million and $144 million in the third quarters of 2024 and 2022, respectively, the previous “on-years” of the two-year election cycle.

• Retransmission Consent Revenue – $366 million in the third quarter of 2026, or an increase of 6% from $346 million in the third quarter of 2025. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $37 million in retransmission consent revenue for the third quarter of 2026, which was partially offset by continued subscriber declines. Net Retransmission Revenue was $150 million in the third quarter of 2026, a 14% increase from $132 million in the third quarter of 2025. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $9 million in Net Retransmission Revenue for the third quarter of 2026.

• Broadcasting Expenses – $596 million in the third quarter of 2026, or a 10% increase compared to the third quarter of 2025. The 2026 Acquisitions contributed $52 million in broadcasting expenses for the third quarter of 2026.

• Corporate Expenses – $31 million in the third quarter of 2026, or an increase of 11% compared to $28 million in third quarter of 2025.
  
  

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LEVERAGE

Debt Summary - The table below summarizes our debt principal and cash balances:

Recent Financing Activities and debt reduction

• Issuance of 2034 1L Notes and Redemption of 10.500% first lien notes due 2029 (“2029 1L Notes”) – on August 21, 2026, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% senior secured first lien notes due 2034 (the “2034 1L Notes”). The net proceeds from the 2034 1L Notes were used to (i) redeem $675 million outstanding principal amount of the Company’s 2029 1L Notes, (ii) repay $21 million of outstanding borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, and (iii) pay fees and expenses in connection with the offering, which included the call premium and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2029 1L Notes redeemed.

• Amended Senior Credit Facility and Incremental Term Loan G – on October 8, 2026, we amended our senior credit facility, issuing a new $600 million tranche G term loan (the “Term Loan G”) and reduced commitments under our revolving credit facility to $680 million. Both the Term Loan G and revolving credit facility have a final maturity date of July 15, 2030. The Term Loan G requires 1% annual principal repayments. Proceeds from the borrowings under the Term Loan G were used to repay $589 million in outstanding principal under the Term Loan D and pay associated transaction fees and expenses. After this use of proceeds, we have $150 million principal amount of our Term Loan D outstanding. On October 9, 2026, we further amended our senior credit facility, to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan G by an additional $75 million, to a total of $675 million. The incremental loan has identical terms to and is fungible with the Term Loan G. The net proceeds, together with cash generated from operations, were used to redeem $150 million of the 2029 1L Notes and pay fees and expenses in connection with the issuance and redemption, including the call premium and accrued and unpaid interest. After this redemption, which was completed on October 19, 2026, we have $200 million principal amount of our 2029 1L Notes outstanding.

• Term Loan G Prepayment – On November 2, 2026, we completed an optional principal prepayment of $25 million on our Term Loan G. As a result, we have satisfied all scheduled amortization payments due prior to the July 15, 2030 Term Loan G maturity date.

• Amended Revolving Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility – on November 5, 2026, we amended our accounts receivable securitization facility to, among other things, extend the scheduled termination date to November 5, 2029, add a $50 million uncommitted tranche that is available subject to borrowing base capacity under the facility and reduce the drawn pricing margin from 1.25% to 1.15%.
  
  

Leverage Metrics - As of September 30, 2026, calculated as set forth in our Senior Credit Agreement (unaudited):

Liquidity - As of September 30, 2026:

• Cash – $154 million

• Borrowing availability under our $750 million undrawn revolving credit facility - $745 million (reflecting only certain outstanding undrawn letters of credit) (On October 8, 2026, we reduced the aggregate commitments on our revolving credit facility to $680 million, resulting in $675 million of borrowing availability)

• Capacity under our Accounts Receivable Securitization (“ARS”) facility was approximately $379 million, reflecting lower core advertising receivables driven by strong political advertising revenues, which are paid in advance. The ARS was fully funded as of September 30, 2026.
  

Guidance for the Three Months and Twelve Months Ending December 31, 2026

Based on our current forecasts for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2026, we anticipate the following key financial results, as outlined below in approximate ranges and as compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2025, as well as certain currently anticipated full-year financial results. Our guidance includes estimated results for all television stations that were fully acquired as of November 6, 2026, as well as the ASM and WHPM stations.

As always, guidance may change in the future based on several factors and therefore may not reflect future actual results.

The Company

We are a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets. We serve 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 101 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station in average all-day ratings across the 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 46 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on our current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by us. These statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “implied,” “assume” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, include: the inability to achieve estimates of future revenue, expenses, capital expenditures, and income tax payments, the inability to complete the pending acquisitions within the expected timeframes, or at all, including as a result of the failure to obtain necessary FCC or other regulatory approvals, and other future events. We are subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained therein, which reports are made publicly available via our website, www.graymedia.com. Any forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This press release reflects management’s views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call to discuss our operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026, on Friday, November 6, 2026. The call will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-800-715-9871 or 1-646-307-1963 using conference ID 3663076. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.graymedia.com. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1-800-770-2030 using conference ID 3663076 until December 4, 2026.

Gray Contact:
Web site: www.graymedia.com
Alan Gould, Vice President, Investor Relations, (404) 266-8333, alan.gould@graymedia.com

Non-GAAP Terms

This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Net Retransmission Revenue.” We present these measures, in addition to results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), because we believe they are useful in evaluating the performance of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss), adjusted for income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, gain or loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation costs, non-cash 401(k) expense, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, impairment of investments, loss (gain) on asset disposals and certain other miscellaneous items. Net Retransmission Revenue is calculated as retransmission consent revenue less broadcasting network affiliation fees. See “Selected Operating Data” above for a reconciliation of Net Retransmission Revenue to the most comparable GAAP metric. We consider Adjusted EBITDA and Net Retransmission Revenue to be indicators of our operating performance.

In addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, “Leverage Ratio Denominator” is a metric that we use to calculate our compliance with certain financial covenants in our indebtedness agreements. This metric is calculated as specified in our Senior Credit Agreement and is a significant measure that represents the denominator of a formula used to calculate compliance with certain material financial covenants within the Senior Credit Agreement that govern our ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, make investments and make restricted payments, among other limitations usual and customary for credit agreements of this type. Accordingly, we believe this metric may be useful to investors to understand how we assess compliance with our Senior Credit Agreement. Leverage Ratio Denominator gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on October 1, 2024. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the various transactions. Certain financial information related to the acquisitions, if applicable, has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which we cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the completeness or accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Leverage Ratio Denominator as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies, if applicable, resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, and should not be relied upon as indicative of future results. Leverage Ratio Denominator, as determined in the Senior Credit Agreement, represents an average amount for the preceding eight quarters then ended.

Our “Specified Transaction Costs and Expenses” are defined in our Senior Credit Agreement and include incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation, and contract termination fees. We present certain line items from our selected operating data, net of Transaction Related Expenses, to enhance the comparability of our operating expenses and results of operations across periods. Our “Capitalized Lease Obligations” are defined in our Senior Credit Agreement and include certain leases accounted for as finance leases in accordance with GAAP.

Our “Consolidated First Lien Net Debt”, “Consolidated Secured Net Debt” and “Consolidated Total Net Debt” in each case presented net of all cash, represents the amount of outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the applicable amount of indebtedness.

These non-GAAP measures are not defined by GAAP, and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such measures are used by us in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.