ATLANTA, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cox Radio, Inc. (NYSE:CXR) today reported financial results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008.

Financial highlights (in thousands, except per share data and percentages) are as follows:

                           Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                                June 30,                    June 30,
                        2008      2007              2008      2007

  Net revenues        $108,228  $118,002  (8.3%)  $206,030  $218,755 (5.8%)

  Station operating
   income (1)           41,294    47,790 (13.6%)    77,452    85,615 (9.5%)

  Station operating
   income margin (2)      38.2%     40.5%    -        37.6%     39.1%   -

  Operating (loss)
   income            $(109,135)  $38,204     *    $(83,991)  $66,255    *

  Net (loss) income    (75,357)   20,254     *     (62,548)   33,787    *

  Net (loss) income
   per common share
   - diluted            $(0.88)    $0.21     *      $(0.72)    $0.35    *

  Free cash flow (3)    25,928    29,164 (11.1%)    47,872    49,404 (3.1%)


  *   Results are not statistically meaningful.
  (1) Station operating income is not a measure of performance calculated in
      accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
      States (GAAP).  Please see the attached table for a reconciliation to
      operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
  (2) Station operating income margin is station operating income as a
      percentage of net revenues.
  (3) Free cash flow is not a measure of performance calculated in
      accordance with GAAP.  Please see the attached table for a
      reconciliation to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP
      financial measure.

Robert F. Neil, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During the second quarter we continued to execute our strategy in the face of a difficult advertising market and slowing economy. Our radio stations are performing well from an audience perspective, our sales teams are working aggressively to attract advertisers and we are making considerable progress in strengthening and expanding our digital media presence. Given the current environment, we are focused on more aggressively controlling our costs, but continue to make strategic investments in programming and marketing where appropriate. Further, our balance sheet remains exceptionally strong; and during the quarter, we continued to execute on our share repurchase program."

Operating Results - Second Quarter 2008

Net revenues for the second quarter of 2008 were $108.2 million, down 8.3% from the second quarter of 2007. Local revenues decreased 6.1% and national revenues decreased 17.5%, each as compared to the second quarter of 2007. Other revenues, which include Internet and other non-traditional revenues, decreased 4.0% during the current quarter as compared to the prior-year quarter. Our stations in Long Island, Birmingham and Tulsa delivered revenue growth during the second quarter of 2008. Revenue growth at these stations was more than offset by results of our stations in Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Houston and Jacksonville, where net revenues were down for the quarter.

Cost of services is comprised of expenses incurred by our technical, news and programming departments. Cost of services decreased $0.2 million, or 1.0% compared to the second quarter of 2007. For the second quarter of 2008, increased technical costs were more than offset by a reduction in compensation expense associated with performance unit awards issued under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). Compensation expense for these awards is recognized over the five year vesting period of the awards and is based on the amount that is ultimately expected to be paid upon vesting.

Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised of expenses incurred by our sales, promotion and general and administrative departments. These expenses decreased $7.4 million, or 15.2% when compared to the second quarter of 2007, due to decreased promotions expenses, decreased compensation expense associated with performance units awarded under our LTIP and a decline in sales commissions and bonuses.

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $2.5 million compared to the second quarter of 2007 due to a reduction in compensation expense associated with performance units awarded to corporate employees under our LTIP.

Our operating loss for the second quarter of 2008 was $109.1 million compared to operating income of $38.2 million for the second quarter of 2007. During the second quarter of 2008 we recorded a $147.6 million non-cash impairment charge ($96.8 million net of tax) to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets in our Greenville, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Louisville, Miami, Richmond, San Antonio, Southern Connecticut and Tulsa markets to their estimated fair values. The write-down was pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets be tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired.

Interest expense during the second quarter of 2008 decreased $2.3 million, or 43.2% when compared to the second quarter of 2007, due to a lower borrowing rate under our credit facility. The average interest rate on our credit facility was 3.3% during the second quarter of 2008 and 6.0% during the second quarter of 2007.

Income tax expense decreased to a net income tax benefit of $36.8 million in the second quarter of 2008, as compared to the second quarter of 2007, due primarily to the non-cash impairment charge discussed above. Our overall effective tax rate was 32.8% for the second quarter of 2008 and 39% for the second quarter of 2007.

Our net loss for the second quarter of 2008 was $75.4 million, compared to net income of $20.3 million in the second quarter of 2007, due to the non-cash impairment charge discussed above.

Operating Results - First Six Months of 2008

Net revenues for the first six months of 2008 decreased $12.7 million, a 5.8% decrease compared to the first six months of 2007. Local revenues decreased 5.3% and national revenues decreased 11.0%, each as compared to the first six months of 2007. Other revenues, which include Internet and other non-traditional revenue, increased 3.3% as compared to the first six months of 2007. Our stations in Long Island, Birmingham and Tulsa delivered revenue growth during the first six months of 2008. Those increases were more than offset by results of our stations in Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville and Richmond, where revenues were down for the first six months of 2008.

Cost of services increased $0.5 million, or 1.1% over the first six months of 2007. This increase was primarily the result of additional costs associated with programming talent.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $8.4 million, or 9.3% compared to the first six months of 2007, due to decreased compensation expense associated with performance units awarded under our LTIP and a decline in sales commissions and bonuses.

Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased 17.0%, or $1.8 million compared to the second quarter of 2007, due to a reduction in compensation expense associated with performance units awarded to corporate employees under our LTIP.

Our operating loss for the first six months of 2008 was $84.0 million, compared to operating income of $66.3 million for the first six months of 2007, due to the $147.6 million non-cash impairment charge ($96.8 million net of tax) to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets in certain markets to their estimated fair values.

Interest expense during the first six months of 2008 totaled $6.9 million, as compared to $11.1 million for the first six months of 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to a lower borrowing rate under our credit facility. The average rate on our credit facility was 3.8% during the first six months of 2008 and 6.0% during the first six months of 2007.

Income tax expense decreased to a net income tax benefit of $28.3 million in the first six months of 2008, as compared to the first six months of 2007, due primarily to the non-cash impairment charge discussed above. Our effective tax rate for the first six months of 2008 and 2007 was 31.2% and 39.1%, respectively.

Our net loss for the first six months of 2008 was $62.5 million, compared to net income of $33.8 million for the first six months of 2007, due primarily to the non-cash impairment charge discussed above.

Other Matters

In January 2005, we acquired an option to purchase five radio stations serving the Athens, Georgia market. In January 2008, we exercised this option, and in February 2008, we entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire the original five radio stations subject to the option and an additional station in Washington, Georgia, subsequently relocated to Athens, Georgia. The aggregate $60 million purchase price for the stations will be reduced by the $12 million we previously paid to the sellers and is subject to other customary closing adjustments. We expect to close the acquisition in August 2008.

As of June 30, 2008, we had implemented three share repurchase programs through which Cox Radio, from time to time, may repurchase shares of its Class A common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, with the amount and timing of repurchases to be determined by the company's management. Repurchased shares are held in treasury, and we may commence, suspend or terminate repurchases at any time, without prior notice, depending on market conditions and various other factors.

During the second quarter of 2008, we repurchased 1.6 million shares of Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $18.6 million, including commissions and fees. As of June 30, 2008, we had purchased a total of approximately 16.2 million shares under all of our repurchase programs for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $210.0 million, including commissions and fees, at an average price of $12.93 per share. Approximately $90.0 million remained authorized for additional repurchases as of June 30, 2008.

Cox Radio is one of the largest radio companies in the United States based on revenues. Upon the completion of all announced transactions, Cox Radio will own, operate or provide sales or marketing services for 86 stations (71 FM and 15 AM) clustered in 19 markets, including major markets such as Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Tampa. Cox Radio shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: CXR.