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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2022

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file no. 1-33741

DallasNews CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Texas		38-3765318
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

P. O. Box 224866, Dallas, Texas 75222-4866		(214) 977-7342
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)		(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.
None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:




Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Series A Common Stock, $0.01 par value	DALN	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether 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 þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

Large Accelerated Filer: ¨

Accelerated Filer: ¨

Non-Accelerated Filer: þ

Smaller Reporting Company: þ

Emerging Growth Company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ

Shares of Common Stock outstanding at April 21, 2022: 5,352,490 shares (consisting of 4,737,605 shares of Series A Common Stock and 614,885 shares of Series B Common Stock).

Table of Contents

DALLASNEWS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS




		Page
PART I
Item 1.	Financial Information		PAGE 3
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		PAGE 17
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		PAGE 23

PART II
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		PAGE 24
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		PAGE 24
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		PAGE 24
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		PAGE 24
Item 5.	Other Information		PAGE 24
Item 6.	Exhibits		PAGE 25
Signatures			PAGE 28
Exhibit Index			PAGE 29

DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q

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PART I

Item 1. Financial Information

DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations



	Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)	2022		2021
Net Operating Revenue:
Advertising and marketing services	$	16,264	$	16,769
Circulation		16,096		16,022
Printing, distribution and other		3,927		4,024
Total net operating revenue		36,287		36,815
Operating Costs and Expense:
Employee compensation and benefits		16,410		17,947
Other production, distribution and operating costs		19,249		19,090
Newsprint, ink and other supplies		2,394		2,341
Depreciation		712		1,074
Amortization		—		64
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net		—		(1)
Total operating costs and expense		38,765		40,515
Operating loss		(2,478)		(3,700)
Other income, net		18		1,254
Loss Before Income Taxes		(2,460)		(2,446)
Income tax provision		184		319
Net Loss	$	(2,644)	$	(2,765)

Per Share Basis
Net loss
Basic and diluted ⁽¹⁾	$	(0.49)	$	(0.52)
Number of common shares used in the per share calculation:
Basic and diluted ⁽¹⁾		5,352,490		5,352,490

(1)Share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the one-for-four reverse stock split effective June 8, 2021. See Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards for additional information.

See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 3

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DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands (unaudited)	2022		2021
Net Loss	$	(2,644)	$	(2,765)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Amortization of actuarial losses		130		360
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		130		360
Total Comprehensive Loss	$	(2,514)	$	(2,405)

See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 4

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DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets



	March 31,		December 31,
In thousands, except share amounts (unaudited)	2022		2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,892	$	32,439
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $512 and $551 at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)		12,758		16,012
Notes receivable		22,400		22,400
Inventories		1,781		2,192
Prepaids and other current assets		4,733		3,485
Total current assets		72,564		76,528
Property, plant and equipment, at cost		312,959		312,979
Less accumulated depreciation		(304,868)		(304,157)
Property, plant and equipment, net		8,091		8,822
Operating lease right-of-use assets		16,982		17,648
Deferred income taxes, net		232		257
Other assets		2,194		2,197
Total assets	$	100,063	$	105,452
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	5,832	$	7,821
Accrued compensation and benefits		5,049		4,932
Other accrued expense		4,937		4,573
Contract liabilities		10,652		10,592
Total current liabilities		26,470		27,918
Long-term pension liabilities		14,365		14,275
Long-term operating lease liabilities		18,529		19,181
Other post-employment benefits		1,337		1,349
Other liabilities		155		152
Total liabilities		60,856		62,875
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued		—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized 31,250,000 shares
Series A: issued 5,216,045 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		52		52
Series B: issued 614,910 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		6		6
Treasury stock, Series A, at cost; 478,465 shares held at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		(13,443)		(13,443)
Additional paid-in capital		494,563		494,563
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(32,276)		(32,406)
Accumulated deficit		(409,695)		(406,195)
Total shareholders’ equity		39,207		42,577
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	100,063	$	105,452

See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 5

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DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021
	Common Stock						Treasury Stock
In thousands, except share and per share amounts (unaudited)	Shares ‎ Series A	Shares ‎ Series B	Amount		Additional ‎Paid-in ‎Capital		Shares ‎Series A	Amount		Accumulated ‎Other ‎Comprehensive ‎Loss		Accumulated ‎Deficit		Total
Balance at December 31, 2020	5,213,710	617,245	$	233	$	494,389	(478,465)	$	(13,443)	$	(32,468)	$	(402,303)	$	46,408
Net loss	—	—		—		—	—		—		—		(2,765)		(2,765)
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—	—		—		360		—		360
Conversion of Series B to Series A ⁽¹⁾	20	(20)		—		—	—		—		—		—		—
Dividends declared ($0.16 per share) ⁽¹⁾	—	—		—		—	—		—		—		(856)		(856)
Balance at March 31, 2021 ⁽¹⁾	5,213,730	617,225	$	233	$	494,389	(478,465)	$	(13,443)	$	(32,108)	$	(405,924)	$	43,147
Balance at December 31, 2021	5,216,045	614,910	$	58	$	494,563	(478,465)	$	(13,443)	$	(32,406)	$	(406,195)	$	42,577
Net loss	—	—		—		—	—		—		—		(2,644)		(2,644)
Other comprehensive income	—	—		—		—	—		—		130		—		130
Dividends declared ($0.16 per share)	—	—		—		—	—		—		—		(856)		(856)
Balance at March 31, 2022	5,216,045	614,910	$	58	$	494,563	(478,465)	$	(13,443)	$	(32,276)	$	(409,695)	$	39,207

See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

‎

DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 6

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DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



	Three Months Ended March 31,
In thousands (unaudited)	2022		2021
Operating Activities
Net loss	$	(2,644)	$	(2,765)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		712		1,138
Net periodic pension and other post-employment expense (benefit)		227		(1,035)
Bad debt expense		31		211
Deferred income taxes		25		(15)
Gain on sale/disposal of assets, net		—		(1)
Changes in working capital and other operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		3,223		848
Inventories, prepaids and other current assets		(837)		(1,924)
Other assets		3		391
Accounts payable		(1,989)		(378)
Compensation and benefit obligations		117		(197)
Other accrued expenses		627		16
Contract liabilities		60		864
Other post-employment benefits		(19)		(18)
Net cash used for operating activities		(464)		(2,865)
Investing Activities
Purchases of assets		(227)		(163)
Sales of assets		—		1
Net cash used for investing activities		(227)		(162)
Financing Activities
Dividends paid		(856)		(856)
Net cash used for financing activities		(856)		(856)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(1,547)		(3,883)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		32,439		42,015
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	30,892	$	38,132

Supplemental Disclosures
Income tax paid, net (refund)	$	(32)	$	8
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Dividends payable		856		856

See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 7

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DallasNews Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1: Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Description of Business. DallasNews Corporation, formerly A. H. Belo Corporation, and its subsidiaries are referred to collectively herein as “DallasNews” or the “Company.” DallasNews was formed in February 2008 through a spin-off from its former parent company and is registered on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq trading symbol: DALN). DallasNews is the Dallas-based holding company of The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant.

The Company operates The Dallas Morning News (dallasnews.com), Texas’ leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes, and various niche publications targeting specific audiences. These operations generate revenue from sales of advertising within the Company’s newspaper and digital platforms, subscriptions and retail sales of its newspapers, commercial printing and distribution services primarily related to national newspapers, and preprint advertising.

In addition, the Company has a full-service agency, Medium Giant, with capabilities including strategy, creative and media management with a focus on strategic and digital marketing, and data intelligence that provide a measurable return on investment to its clients.

Name Change and Stock Exchange Listing. The Company transferred its stock exchange listing from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) to The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and changed its corporate name to DallasNews Corporation. The listing and trading of the Company’s Series A common stock on the NYSE ceased trading at market close on June 28, 2021, and began trading on Nasdaq at market open on June 29, 2021, under the ticker symbol “DALN.”

Reverse Stock Split. On May 13, 2021, at the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, its shareholders approved a reverse stock split at a ratio of not less than one-for-three and not more than one-for-five, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Company’s board of directors. Following the annual meeting, the Company’s board of directors approved a one-for-four reverse stock split of its issued, outstanding and treasury shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, which became effective June 8, 2021. As a result, every four shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding Series A common stock and Series B common stock (and any such shares held in treasury) were converted into one share of Series A common stock and Series B common stock, respectively. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split. The par value of the Series A and Series B common stock was not adjusted as a result of the reverse stock split and the Company reclassified an amount equal to the reduction in the number of Company shares at par value to additional paid-in capital. All issued and outstanding Series A and Series B common stock and per share amounts in the interim consolidated financial statements and footnotes included herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split for all periods presented. Share amounts retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split exclude 90 fractional shares of Series A common stock and 26 fractional shares of Series B common stock, which were settled in cash on June 9, 2021.

COVID-19 Pandemic. Beginning in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted, and may continue to impact, the Company’s customers, distribution partners, advertisers, production facilities, and third parties, and could result in additional loss of advertising revenue or supply chain disruption. Media was designated an essential business, therefore the Company’s operations have continued throughout the pandemic. The Company has been following the recommendations of local government and health authorities to minimize exposure risk for employees. Employees, including financial reporting staff, worked remotely since March 2020. Beginning in June 2021, the Company allowed its employees to return to the office on a voluntary basis and all employees returned to the office in the first quarter of 2022. If the pandemic were to affect a significant number of the workforce employed in printing operations, the Company may experience delays or be unable to produce, print and deliver its publications and other third-party print publications on a timely basis. The Company continues to evaluate for any future material impacts on its consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the Company’s opinion, are necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial information as of and for the periods indicated in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates its majority owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. All dollar amounts presented herein, except share and per share amounts, are in thousands, unless the context indicates otherwise.

‎

DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 8

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Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and (iii) the reported amount of net operating revenues and expenses recognized during the periods presented. Adjustments made with respect to the use of estimates often relate to improved information not previously available. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased uncertainty in management’s estimates and assumptions affecting these interim consolidated financial statements. Areas where significant estimates are used include valuation allowances for doubtful accounts, fair value measurements, pension plan assets, pension and other post-employment benefit obligation assumptions, income taxes, leases, self-insured liabilities, and assumptions related to long-lived assets impairment review.

Segment Presentation. Based on the Company’s structure and organizational chart, the Company’s chief operating decision-maker (the “CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer, Robert W. Decherd. Based on how the Company’s CODM makes decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance, the Company determined it has one reportable segment.

New Accounting Pronouncements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the following accounting pronouncements and guidance, which may be applicable to the Company but have not yet become effective.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update requires financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. Since June 2016, the FASB issued clarifying updates to the new standard including changing the effective date for smaller reporting companies. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this update and has not yet determined its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2: Revenue

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. This occurs when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services, typically at contract price or determined by stand-alone selling price. The Company has an estimated allowance for credits, refunds and similar obligations. Sales tax collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Accounts receivable are reported net of a valuation reserve that represents an estimate of amounts considered uncollectible. The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical write-off experience and the Company’s knowledge of the customers’ ability to pay amounts due. Accounts are written-off after all collection efforts fail; generally, after one year has expired. Expense for such uncollectible amounts is included in other production, distribution and operating costs. Credit terms are customary.

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DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 9

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The table below sets forth revenue disaggregated by revenue source.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022		2021
Advertising and Marketing Services
Print advertising	$	10,597	$	11,226
Digital advertising and marketing services		5,667		5,543
Total	$	16,264	$	16,769

Circulation
Print circulation	$	13,119	$	13,976
Digital circulation		2,977		2,046
Total	$	16,096	$	16,022

Printing, Distribution and Other	$	3,927	$	4,024

Total Revenue	$	36,287	$	36,815

Advertising and Marketing Services

Print advertising is comprised of display, classified and preprint advertising revenue. Display revenue results from sales of advertising space within the Company’s core newspapers and niche publications to local, regional or national businesses with local operations, affiliates or resellers. Classified revenue, which includes automotive, real estate, employment, obituaries and other, results from sales of advertising space in the classified and other sections of the Company’s newspapers. Preprint revenue results from sales of preprinted advertisements or circulars inserted into the Company’s core newspapers, niche publications, and distributed to publications in other markets, or distributed by mail or third-party distributors to households in targeted areas in order to provide total market coverage for advertisers. The Company’s capabilities allow its advertisers to target preprint distribution selectively at the sub-zip code level in order to optimize coverage for the advertisers’ locations. Preprint advertising also includes other services revenue related to the Company’s niche publications.

Digital advertising and marketing services revenue consists of strategic marketing management, consulting, creative services, targeted and multi-channel (programmatic) advertising placed on third-party websites, digital sales of banner, classified and native advertisements on the Company’s news and entertainment-related websites and mobile apps, social media management, search optimization, direct mail and the sale of promotional materials.

Advertising and marketing services revenue is primarily recognized at a point in time when the ad or service is complete and delivered, based on the customers’ contract price. Barter advertising transactions are recognized at estimated fair value based on the negotiated contract price and the range of prices for similar advertising from customers unrelated to the barter transaction. The Company expenses barter costs as incurred, which is independent from the timing of revenue recognition. In addition, certain digital advertising revenue related to website access is recognized over time, based on the customers’ monthly rate. The Company typically extends credit to advertising and marketing services customers, although for certain advertising campaigns the customer may pay in advance.

For ads placed on certain third-party websites, the Company must evaluate and use judgment to determine whether it is acting as the principal, where revenue is reported on a gross basis, or acting as the agent, where revenue is reported on a net basis. Generally, the Company reports advertising revenue for ads placed on third-party websites on a net basis, meaning the amount recorded to revenue is the amount billed to the customer net of amounts paid to the publisher of the third-party website. The Company is acting as the agent because the publisher controls the advertising inventory. The Company will record certain arrangements gross when it has latitude in establishing price or it determines the placement of the ads as a value added service to the customer.

Circulation

Print circulation revenue is generated primarily by selling home delivery subscriptions, including premium publications, and from single copy sales to non-subscribers. Home delivery revenue is recognized over the subscription period based on the days of actual delivery over the total subscription days and single copy revenue is recognized at a point in time when the paper is purchased. Revenue is directly reduced for any non-payment for the grace period of home delivery subscriptions where the Company recorded revenue for newspapers delivered after a subscription expired.

DallasNews Corporation First Quarter 2022 on Form 10-Q 10

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Digital circulation revenue is generated by digital-only subscriptions and is recognized over the subscription period based on daily or monthly access to the content in the subscription period.

Payment of circulation fees is typically received in advance and deferred over the subscription period. There is little judgment required for valuation or timing of circulation revenue recognition.

Printing, Distribution and Other

Printing, distribution and other revenue is primarily generated from printing and distribution of other newspapers, as well as production of preprinted advertisements for other newspapers. Printing, distribution and other revenue is recognized at a point in time when the product or service is delivered, which requires little judgment to determine. The Company typically extends credit to printing and distribution customers.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue is recorded when cash payments are received in advance of the Company’s performance, including amounts which are refundable. The Company’s primary sources of deferred revenue are from circulation subscriptions and advertising paid in advance of the service provided. These up-front payments are recorded upon receipt as contract liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the revenue is recognized when the Company’s obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized $