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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024

or

[ ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 000-51446

Graphic

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

02-0636095

(State or other jurisdiction

(IRS Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

2116 South 17th Street, MattoonIllinois

61938-5973

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

  (217) 235-3311   

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock - $0.01 par value

CNSL

The Nasdaq Global Select Market

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 X 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 X 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___ Smaller reporting company ____ 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 Exchange Act).

Yes No X

On July 30, 2024, the registrant had 118,477,091 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Net revenues

$

268,709

$

275,162

$

543,384

$

551,288

Operating expense:

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

114,006

 

126,967

 

227,465

 

258,905

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

93,288

 

83,565

 

177,243

 

164,849

Transaction costs

 

3,175

 

 

6,100

 

Loss on impairment of assets held for sale

 

 

77,755

 

 

77,755

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

2,384

 

 

5,688

Depreciation and amortization

 

79,809

 

79,538

 

160,442

 

157,237

Loss from operations

 

(21,569)

 

(95,047)

 

(27,866)

 

(113,146)

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

(44,132)

 

(36,903)

 

(86,583)

 

(70,763)

Other, net

 

292

 

5,410

 

1,885

 

8,168

Loss before income taxes

 

(65,409)

 

(126,540)

 

(112,564)

 

(175,741)

Income tax benefit

 

(10,581)

 

(18,448)

 

(22,353)

 

(30,688)

Net loss

 

(54,828)

 

(108,092)

 

(90,211)

 

(145,053)

Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock

11,692

10,704

23,379

21,291

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

145

 

161

 

258

 

304

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(66,665)

$

(118,957)

$

(113,848)

$

(166,648)

Net loss per basic and diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders

$

(0.58)

$

(1.05)

$

(1.00)

$

(1.47)

See accompanying notes

1

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

 

June 30,

June 30,

 

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Net loss

$

(54,828)

$

(108,092)

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Pension and post-retirement obligations:

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) and prior service cost (credit) to earnings, net of tax

 

(456)

 

(999)

 

(911)

 

(1,998)

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax

 

395

 

3,089

 

8,335

 

3,055

Reclassification of realized gain to earnings, net of tax

 

(1,291)

 

(2,387)

 

(2,595)

 

(4,366)

Comprehensive loss

 

(56,180)

 

(108,389)

 

(85,382)

 

(148,362)

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

145

 

161

 

258

 

304

Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(56,325)

$

(108,550)

$

(85,640)

$

(148,666)

See accompanying notes

2

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands except share and per share amounts)

June 30,

December 31,

 

    

2024

    

2023

 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

5,327

$

4,765

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

 

127,359

 

121,194

Income tax receivable

 

3,470

 

2,880

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

57,321

 

56,843

Assets held for sale

 

 

70,473

Total current assets

 

193,477

 

256,155

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

2,494,789

 

2,449,009

Investments

 

8,628

 

8,887

Goodwill

 

814,624

 

814,624

Customer relationships, net

 

10,470

 

18,616

Other intangible assets

 

10,557

 

10,557

Other assets

 

77,771

 

70,578

Total assets

$

3,610,316

$

3,628,426

LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

39,820

$

60,073

Advance billings and customer deposits

 

48,539

 

44,478

Accrued compensation

 

56,243

 

58,151

Accrued interest

19,931

18,694

Accrued expense

 

83,645

 

114,022

Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

20,601

 

18,425

Liabilities held for sale

 

 

3,402

Total current liabilities

 

268,779

 

317,245

Long-term debt and finance lease obligations

 

2,268,663

 

2,134,916

Deferred income taxes

 

189,987

 

210,648

Pension and other post-retirement obligations

 

135,488

 

137,616

Other long-term liabilities

 

49,350

 

48,637

Total liabilities

 

2,912,267

 

2,849,062

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 434,266 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; liquidation preference of $544,335 and $520,957 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

395,969

372,590

Shareholders’ equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 118,477,091 and 116,172,568 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

 

1,185

 

1,162

Additional paid-in capital

 

662,422

 

681,757

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

(352,849)

 

(262,380)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

(17,043)

 

(21,872)

Noncontrolling interest

 

8,365

 

8,107

Total shareholders’ equity

 

302,080

 

406,774

Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity

$

3,610,316

    

$

3,628,426

See accompanying notes

3

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Mezzanine Equity

Shareholders' Equity

Accumulated

 

Additional 

Retained 

Other 

Non-

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Paid-in 

Earnings

Comprehensive

controlling 

 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

(Deficit)

  

Loss, net

  

Interest

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

456

$

328,680

115,167

$

1,152

$

720,442

$

(11,866)

$

(610)

$

7,651

$

716,769

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

1,738

17

 

(17)

 

 

 

Series A preferred stock issued

21

Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued

 

10,587

(10,587)

 

(10,587)

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

799

 

 

 

799

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(256)

 

(2)

 

(1,034)

 

 

 

(1,036)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,012)

 

(3,012)

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(37,104)

 

143

 

(36,961)

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

477

$

339,267

116,649

$

1,167

$

709,603

$

(48,970)

$

(3,622)

$

7,794

$

665,972

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

 

(39)

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued

 

10,704

(10,704)

 

(10,704)

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

2,388

 

 

 

2,388

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(297)

 

(297)

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(108,253)

 

161

 

(108,092)

Balance at June 30, 2023

 

477

$

349,971

116,610

$

1,167

$

701,287

$

(157,223)

$

(3,919)

$

7,955

$

549,267

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

434

$

372,590

116,172

$

1,162

$

681,757

$

(262,380)

$

(21,872)

$

8,107

$

406,774

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

2,368

23

 

(23)

 

 

 

Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends

 

11,687

(11,687)

 

(11,687)

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

1,681

 

 

 

1,681

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

(111)

 

(1)

 

(487)

 

 

 

(488)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,181

 

6,181

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(35,496)

 

113

 

(35,383)

Balance at March 31, 2024

 

434

$

384,277

118,429

$

1,184

$

671,241

$

(297,876)

$

(15,691)

$

8,220

$

367,078

Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures

 

 

84

 

1

 

(1)

 

 

 

Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends

 

11,692

(11,692)

 

(11,692)

Non-cash, share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

3,030

 

 

 

3,030

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

 

(36)

 

 

(156)

 

 

 

(156)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,352)

 

(1,352)

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(54,973)

 

145

 

(54,828)

Balance at June 30, 2024

 

434

$

395,969

118,477

$

1,185

$

662,422

$

(352,849)

$

(17,043)

$

8,365

$

302,080

See accompanying notes

4

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; Amounts in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

    

2024

    

2023

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net loss

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

 

160,442

 

157,237

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

(22,371)

 

(31,259)

Pension and post-retirement contributions in excess of expense

(3,279)

(5,537)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

4,711

 

3,187

Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts

 

3,942

 

3,721

Loss on impairment of assets held for sale

77,755

Loss on disposal of assets

5,688

Other, net

 

(113)

 

(2,861)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable, net

 

(6,232)

 

10,874

Income tax receivable

 

(590)

 

(5,141)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(6,580)

 

(3,930)

Accounts payable

 

(22,215)

 

2,748

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(20,036)

 

(110)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(2,532)

67,319

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net

 

(183,577)

 

(280,860)

Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments

714

91,623

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

232

 

6,801

Proceeds from business dispositions

 

67,458

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(115,173)

 

(182,436)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

130,000

 

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

(10,154)

 

(7,121)

Payment of financing costs

 

(934)

 

Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding

 

(645)

 

(1,036)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

118,267

 

(8,157)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

562

 

(123,274)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,765

 

325,852

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

5,327

$

202,578

See accompanying notes

5

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a service area in over 20 states.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning approximately 63,000 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as a comprehensive business product suite including: data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

Merger Agreement

On October 15, 2023, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Condor Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”) affiliated with certain funds managed by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight”), and Condor Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Searchlight. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (“BCI”) and certain affiliates of Searchlight have committed to provide equity financing to Parent to fund the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Searchlight is currently the beneficial owner of approximately 33% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock and is the holder of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Series A perpetual preferred stock. Refer to Note 4 for a more complete discussion of the strategic investment with Searchlight. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (other than shares of the Company’s common stock (i) held directly or indirectly by Parent, Merger Sub or any subsidiary of the Company, (ii) held by the Company as treasury shares or (iii) held by any person who properly exercises appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $4.70 per share, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, (i) Company restricted share awards (“Company RSAs”) held by non-employee directors or by certain affiliates of Searchlight will vest and be canceled in exchange for the Merger Consideration and (ii) all other Company RSAs will be converted into restricted cash awards based on the Merger Consideration and subject to the same terms and conditions, including time-

6

and performance-based vesting conditions, as the corresponding Company RSA (except that the relative total shareholder return modifier shall be deemed to be achieved at the target level).

The Merger Agreement has, unanimously by the directors present, been approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting of only independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”). On January 31, 2024, the Company held a virtual special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider three proposals with respect to the Merger Agreement. The first proposal, to adopt the Merger Agreement, was approved by (i) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and (ii) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and held by Unaffiliated Stockholders (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The second proposal, to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the named executive officers of the Company in connection with the consummation of the Merger, was approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. The third proposal, to approve any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were insufficient votes in favor of the Merger Agreement proposal, was also approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. Because the Merger Agreement proposal was approved by the requisite vote, no adjournment to solicit additional proxies was necessary.

The proposed transaction constitutes a “going-private transaction” under the rules of the SEC and is expected to close in late fourth quarter 2024 or early first quarter 2025. The closing of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); (ii) the receipt of certain required consents or approvals from (a) the Federal Communications Commission, (b) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (c) state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; (iii) the absence of any order, injunction or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (iv) the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, subject to customary materiality qualifications, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and the date of closing, and performance in all material respects of the covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired on May 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. This satisfied the closing condition related to the U.S. antitrust clearance of the transaction. We are awaiting the other required regulatory approvals in order to execute the Merger. Following the closing of the transaction, shares of our common stock will no longer be traded or listed on any public securities exchange.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities. We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business. Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

7

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

Balance at beginning of year

$

13,469

$

11,470

Provision charged to expense

 

4,129

4,140

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(3,903)

(3,190)

Balance at end of year

$

13,695

$

12,420

Accounts Receivable - Other

We may be awarded grants from federal and state governments to assist in the deployment of broadband in order to support access to high-speed broadband services in underserved or unserved areas. The awards may include a number of regulatory requirements including the completion of construction by certain dates. Funding from the grants may be received in advance, upon completion of the project or when certain milestones are achieved. The grants are accounted for as a contribution in aid of construction given the nature of the arrangement and are recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment as the projects are completed. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, AR included amounts due to the Company of $17.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively, related to grant funding or other special construction projects.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 improves reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The new guidance is effective on retrospective basis for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Amendments in ASU 2023-09 require additional income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our income tax disclosures.

2.  REVENUE

Nature of Contracts with Customers

Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver goods such as equipment and/or services such as broadband, video or voice services.  Promised goods and services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the goods or services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer a good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.  The Company accounts for goods and services as separate performance obligations.  Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer.

The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring a good or service to the customer.  This amount is generally equal to the market price of the goods and/or services promised in the contract and may include promotional discounts.  The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees. Conversely, nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, are included in the transaction price.  In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract. We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified.

8

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the good or service, net of the related discount, as applicable.

Revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the good or service to the customer.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Operating Revenues

Consumer:

 

 

 

 

Broadband (Data and VoIP)

$

81,405

$

71,339

$

161,287

$

139,300

Voice services

 

27,965

 

31,352

 

56,301

 

63,615

Video services

3,312

9,362

9,938

18,956

112,682

112,053

227,526

221,871

Commercial:

 

 

 

 

Data services (includes VoIP)

54,571

53,230

109,252

106,364

Voice services

 

30,509

 

32,236

 

61,220

 

64,867

Other

8,295

10,378

17,259

20,134

93,375

95,844

187,731

191,365

Carrier:

Data and transport services

30,263

31,224

61,311

64,147

Voice services

3,610

4,263

7,404

8,630

Other

284

313

519

663

34,157

35,800

69,234

73,440

Subsidies

6,373

7,072

13,179

14,108

Network access

21,143

22,747

43,611

47,191

Other products and services

979

1,646

2,103

3,313

Total operating revenues

$

268,709

$

275,162

$

543,384

$

551,288

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from our revenue contracts with customers:

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

Accounts receivable, net

$

127,359

$

100,827

Contract assets

 

46,152

 

30,071

Contract liabilities

 

61,543

 

56,963

Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract.  Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relate to sales commissions and certain contract fulfillment costs. These costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life. We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contract is not commensurate with the commission on the initial contract. During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized expense of $4.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively,

9

related to deferred contract acquisition costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized expense of $8.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs.

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which are generally deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as the option to renew without paying an upfront fee provides the customer with a material right.  During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized previously deferred revenues of $115.3 million and $100.8 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized previously deferred revenues of $228.9 million and $221.5 million, respectively.

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods or services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.  Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30 to 60 days.

Performance Obligations

ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of June 30, 2024.  The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement.  The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:

1.The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
2.Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.

The Company has elected these practical expedients.  Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time. For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer.  Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract.  As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

3.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities considering dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Common stock related to certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends, if declared, during the vesting term.  

The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, if the average market price during the period exceeds the exercise price, these instruments are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation.

Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period.  Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive.

10

The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss

$

(54,828)

$

(108,092)

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock

11,692

10,704

23,379

21,291

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

145

 

161

 

258

 

304

Loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(66,665)

$

(118,957)

$

(113,848)

$

(166,648)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

114,255

113,050

114,195

112,995

Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

(0.58)

$

(1.05)

$

(1.00)

$

(1.47)

Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 excludes 4.2 million and 3.6 million potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plan, respectively, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders excludes 3.4 million and 3.0 million potential common shares, respectively.

4.  SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT

In connection with the Investment Agreement entered into on September 13, 2020, affiliates of Searchlight committed to invest up to an aggregate of $425.0 million in the Company. The investment commitment was structured in two stages.  In the first stage of the transaction, which was completed on October 2, 2020, Searchlight invested $350.0 million in the Company in exchange for 6,352,842 shares, or approximately 8%, of the Company’s common stock and was issued a CPR that was convertible, upon the receipt of certain regulatory and shareholder approvals, into an additional 17,870,012 shares, or 16.9%, of the Company’s common stock.  In addition, Searchlight received the right to an unsecured subordinated note with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $395.5 million (the “Note”), which was convertible into shares of a new series of perpetual preferred stock of the Company with an aggregate liquidation preference equal to the principal amount of the Note plus accrued interest as of the date of conversion.

On July 15, 2021, the Company received all required state public utility commission regulatory approvals necessary for the conversion of the CPR into 16.9% additional shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, the CPR was converted into 17,870,012 shares of common stock, which were issued to Searchlight on July 16, 2021.

In the second stage of the transaction, which was completed on December 7, 2021 following the receipt of Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, Searchlight invested an additional $75.0 million and was issued the Note. On December 7, 2021, Searchlight elected to convert the Note into 434,266 shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). In addition, the CPR converted into an additional 15,115,899 shares, or an additional 10.1%, of the Company’s common stock.  As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total shares of common stock issued to Searchlight represent approximately 33% and 34% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, respectively.

On December 7, 2021, Searchlight exercised its option to convert the Note and the net carrying value of the Note of $285.9 million, net of unamortized discount and issuance costs of $139.7 million and $8.7 million, respectively, was converted into 434,266 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at an initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock accrue daily on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. The liquidation preference per share is adjusted to include any paid-in-kind dividends. See Note 11 for more information on the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.

11

With the strategic investment from Searchlight, we have enhanced our fiber infrastructure and accelerated the investment in our network, which will include the upgrade of approximately 1.6 million passings across select service areas to enable multi-Gig capable services to these homes and small businesses. Our fiber build plan includes the upgrade of approximately 150,000 homes and small businesses in 2024.

5.  DIVESTITURES

Washington Operations

On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the issued and outstanding stock of our business located in Washington, Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company (“CCCC”), which directly owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Consolidated Communications of Washington Company (“CCWC” and together with CCCC”, the “Washington operations”), for gross cash proceeds of approximately $73.0 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments and other post-closing purchase price adjustments. The sale closed on May 1, 2024. The sale of the Washington operations aligns with our ongoing strategic asset review and focus on our fiber expansion plans in our core broadband regions.

The major classes of assets and liabilities sold consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

    

Current assets

$

1,177

Property, plant and equipment

31,062

Goodwill

114,946

Other long-term assets

1,640

Impairment to net realizable value

(77,755)

Total assets

$

71,070

Current liabilities

$

1,730

Other long-term liabilities

1,120

Total liabilities

$

2,850

During the three months ended June 30, 2023, the carrying value of the net assets to be sold were reduced to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on the estimated selling price less costs to sell and were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss of $77.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized an additional loss on the sale of $0.5 million, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as a result of changes in estimated working capital adjustments and selling costs.    

Kansas City Operations

On March 2, 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all the assets of our business located in the Kansas City market (the “Kansas City operations”). The Kansas City operations provide data, voice and video services to customers within the Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding counties. The sale closed on November 30, 2022 for gross cash proceeds of $82.1 million, subject to the finalization of certain working capital and other post-closing purchase price adjustments. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we recognized an additional loss on sale of $2.1 million as a result of expected purchase price adjustments and changes in working capital. The loss on the sale of the Kansas City Operations is included in loss on disposal of assets in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

   

12

6.  INVESTMENTS

Our investments are as follows:

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Long-term investments:

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

3,187

$

2,860

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

5,168

 

5,755

Other

 

273

 

272

$

8,628

$

8,887

Long-Term Investments

CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers. On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility.  The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.

7.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments.  See Note 9 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.

Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

As of June 30, 2024

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap assets

$

5,353

 

$

$

5,353

 

$

As of December 31, 2023

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,421)

 

$

$

(2,421)

 

$

We have not elected the fair value option for any of our other assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

As of June 30, 2024

As of December 31, 2023

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,273,727

$

2,055,134

$

2,142,858

$

1,903,831

13

Investments

Our investments as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 accounted for at cost consisted primarily of our investment in CoBank. It is impracticable to determine the fair value of this investment.

Long-term Debt

The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

8. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $6,148 and $7,017 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

$

993,727

$

992,858

Revolving loans

130,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2028

750,000

750,000

5.00% Senior notes due 2028

400,000

400,000

Finance leases

42,155

39,240

 

2,315,882

 

2,182,098

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(20,601)

 

(18,425)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(26,618)

(28,757)

Total long-term debt

$

2,268,663

$

2,134,916

Credit Agreement

On October 2, 2020, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previous credit agreement in its entirety. The Credit Agreement consisted of term loans in an original aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and a revolving loan facility of $250.0 million. The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million plus (b) an amount which would not cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.70:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.  

The Term Loans have a maturity date of October 2, 2027 and bear interest at a rate of 3.50% plus Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (subject to a 0.75% SOFR floor) plus a SOFR adjustment. As part of the replacement to SOFR-benchmark rates in 2023, borrowings will include an adjustment of 0.11%, 0.26% and 0.43% for borrowings of one, three and six month loans, respectively. On March 18, 2021, the Company repaid $397.0 million of the then outstanding Term Loans with the net proceeds received from the issuance of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “5.00% Senior Notes”), as described below. The repayment of the Term Loans was applied to the remaining principal payments in direct order of maturity, thereby eliminating the required quarterly principal payments through the remaining term of the loan.  

The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 2, 2027 (subject to springing maturity on April 2, 2027 if the Term Loans, as of April 1, 2027, are scheduled to mature earlier than March 31, 2028) and an applicable margin (at our election) of 4.00% for SOFR-based borrowings or 3.00% for alternate base rate borrowings, with a 0.25% reduction in each case if the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 3.20 to 1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, borrowings of $130.0 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility. At December 31,

14

2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Stand-by letters of credit of $44.8 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2024.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2024, $75.2 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility, subject to certain covenants.

As allowed for under the credit agreement under permitted indebtedness, on March 29, 2024 and June 24, 2024, the Company entered into term sheets to facilitate loans of up to an aggregate amount of $140.0 million, contingent upon satisfaction of certain conditions including a successful fund raising by the lender.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 9.00% and 8.96% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default, with respect to the revolving credit facility only, if our consolidated first lien leverage ratio is greater than 7.75:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter, if on such date the testing threshold is met. The testing threshold is met if the aggregate amount of our borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility exceeds 35%.  As of June 30, 2024, the testing threshold was met and our consolidated first lien leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was below 7.75:1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

On October 15, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) to, among other things, increase the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (the “Step-Up”) permitted under the Credit Agreement to (i) 7.75 to 1.00, from October 15, 2023 to and including December 31, 2024, (ii) 7.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2025 to and including March 31, 2025, (iii) 7.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2025 to and including June 30, 2025, (iv) 7.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2025 to and including September 30, 2025, (v) 6.75 to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2025 to and including December 31, 2025, (vi) 6.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2026 to and including March 31, 2026, (vii) 6.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2026 to and including June 30, 2026, (viii) 6.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2026 to and including September 30, 2026, and (ix) 5.85 to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2026 and thereafter (the “Step-Up Period”). While the Step-Up is in effect, the Company will be subject to additional restrictions on its ability to make certain investments and restricted payments (the “Restrictions”). The Step-Up Period and the Restrictions will end and the maximum Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio will revert to the levels set forth in the Credit Agreement on the earlier of (a) the Company’s election and (b) August 1, 2025, to the extent $300.0 million in cash proceeds have not been received by the Company from equity contributed to its capital by such date. If the proposed Merger is not completed by August 1, 2025, the increase in the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio as permitted in the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement to provide interim financial covenant relief will end and the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio will revert to 5.85 to 1.00.

Searchlight Term Loan

On March 21, 2024, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Searchlight, as lender entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), which consists of delayed draw term loans in the aggregate amount of $80.0 million (the “Loan”). The Loan Agreement provides us with the ability to borrow on the Loan in the event either (a) the aggregate amount of available loans to be drawn under the revolving credit facility is less than $25.0 million or (b) drawing under the revolving credit facility would trigger the financial maintenance covenant thereunder and we would not be in compliance with such covenant on a pro forma basis, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain other customary conditions.

In the event the Loan is ever drawn, we intend to apply the proceeds from the Loan to directly or indirectly fund capital expenditures for our fiber broadband expansion plan. The Loan Agreement is unsecured and the Loan will mature on April 2, 2027. Drawn amounts on the Loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable rate ranging from 12.0% per annum, which applies prior to the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date (unless the Merger Agreement is

15

terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof), to the amount required for Searchlight to realize a multiple on invested capital of 1.75x on the Loan, which applies on and after the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof and (ii) the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date.

The Loan Agreement contains various affirmative, negative, and financial covenants consistent with the Company’s existing credit agreement. The Loan Agreement requires, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated and any amounts in respect of the Loan remain outstanding, for the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio. The Loan Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, nonpayment, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, violations of covenants, nonpayment of other material debts, certain bankruptcy and liquidations, certain material judgments, and certain events related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Senior Notes

On October 2, 2020, we completed an offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% unsubordinated secured notes due 2028 (the “6.50% Senior Notes”).  The 6.50% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 6.50%, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 6.50% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028.    

On March 18, 2021, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount 5.00% Senior Notes, together with the 6.50% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”). The 5.00% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per year, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021. The 5.00% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.00% Senior Notes were used to repay $397.0 million of the Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Senior Notes are unsubordinated secured obligations of the Company, secured by a first priority lien on the collateral that secures the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a first priority secured basis by the Company and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The offerings of the Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws.  

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, limits the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. The indentures also contain customary events of default.  As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indentures governing the Senior Notes.  

9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments. For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation. If a derivative instrument is de-designated,

16

the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.  Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of June 30, 2024:

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2024 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

Other long-term assets

$

5,353

Our fixed to 1-month floating SOFR interest rate swap agreements, which became effective July 31, 2023, have a fixed rate of 3.941% and mature on September 30, 2026.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2023 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

$

(2,421)

The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties. The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility. Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties.  

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was $5.4 million and $(2.4) million, respectively.  From the balance in AOCI as of June 30, 2024, we expect to recognize a gain of approximately $4.7 million in earnings in the next twelve months.

Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Unrealized gain recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

535

$

4,180

$

11,290

$

4,133

Deferred gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

1,749

$

3,231

$

3,516

$

5,909

10. LEASES

Lessor

We have various arrangements for use of our network assets for which we are the lessor, including tower space, certain colocation, conduit and dark fiber arrangements. These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification.  Lease income associated with these types of leases is not material. Occasionally, we enter into arrangements where the term may be for a major part of the asset’s remaining economic life such as in indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) arrangements for dark fiber or conduit, which meet the criteria for sales-type lease classification. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not enter into any such arrangements.

17

11. MEZZANINE EQUITY

Series A Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. The designated Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company and redemption rights. The following is a summary of certain provisions under the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designations”).

Dividends

Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock accrue daily on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9.0% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year. Subsequent to a waiver issued by Searchlight in November 2022 as described below, dividends are payable until October 2, 2027 at our election, either in cash or in-kind through an accrual of unpaid dividends, which are automatically added to the liquidation preference; and after October 2, 2027, solely in cash.  The liquidation preference at the time of issuance is $1,000 per share, as adjusted to include any paid-in-kind dividends.  In the event that the Company’s Board of Directors fails to declare and pay dividends in cash after October 2, 2027, among other conditions, the dividend rate applicable to each subsequent dividend period will increase to 11.0%.

On November 22, 2022, in connection with entering into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement, Searchlight waived for two years, until October 2, 2027, the obligation under the Certificate of Designations to begin paying in cash after October 2, 2025 rather than being permitted to accrue dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. Any dividend not declared and fully paid in cash during the waiver period or otherwise, will continue to accrue in accordance with the Certificate of Designations and be reflected as additional per share liquidation preference.

Redemption

Upon a fundamental change such as a change of control, liquidation, dissolution or winding up event, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock for cash at a price equal the liquidation preference and accrued and unpaid dividends through and including the fundamental change date.

The Company may, at its option redeem all or any part of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share in cash equal to the sum of the liquidation preference and accrued and unpaid dividends.  A premium may also be payable in connection with any such redemption.

18

Voting Rights

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters specifically related to the Series A Preferred Stock.  The holders do not otherwise have any voting rights.  If preferred dividends have not been paid in cash in full for two dividend periods after October 2, 2027, whether or not consecutive, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect two additional directors to the board of directors.

In accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the Series A Preferred Stock is classified as mezzanine equity in the consolidated balance sheets due to a deemed liquidation feature, which gives holders the right to require the Company to redeem all or any part of the holders’ Series A Preferred Stock for cash in the event of a fundamental change or change in control.  We have not adjusted the carrying value of the Series A Preferred Stock to its liquidation value since the securities are not currently redeemable nor is it probable that they will become redeemable. Subsequent adjustments to increase the carrying value to the liquidation value will be made only if and when it becomes probable that such a deemed liquidation event will occur.

On December 7, 2021, upon the completion of the Searchlight investment as described in Note 4, we issued 434,266 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a carrying value of $285.9 million. As of December 31, 2023, the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock was $521.0 million, which included accrued and unpaid dividends of $22.4 million. On January 2, 2024, the Company paid dividends in-kind of $22.5 million. As of June 30, 2024, the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock was $544.3 million, which includes accrued and unpaid dividends of $23.3 million. Searchlight is the sole holder of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock. The Company intends to exercise the paid-in-kind dividend option on the Series A Preferred Stock through at least 2025.  

12. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share-Based Compensation

Our Board of Directors (or its Compensation Committee) may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, and stock unit grants to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. On February 26, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted, and on May 1, 2023, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase by 5,280,000 shares the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan.  With the amendment, approximately 15,330,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that in any calendar year an eligible employee may be granted no more than 300,000 stock options or 300,000 stock appreciation rights, and a non-employee director may be granted no more than 25,000 stock options or 25,000 stock appreciation rights.  In addition, stock awards and stock unit awards granted to an employee in any calendar year may not cover shares having a fair market value on the date of grant that exceeds $6,000,000 ($500,000 in the case of a non-employee director). Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 2028.

The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Restricted stock

$

1,852

$

1,240

$

2,791

$

2,163

Performance shares

 

1,178

 

1,148

 

1,920

 

1,024

Total

$

3,030

$

2,388

$

4,711

$

3,187

Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

19

As of June 30, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $18.1 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024:

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2023

 

1,491,997

$

3.78

 

690,822

$

7.28

Shares granted

 

2,072,248

$

4.31

 

548,075

$

3.17

Shares vested

 

(75,943)

$

4.03

 

(384,208)

$

7.66

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(48,084)

$

3.83

(120,236)

$

5.86

Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2024

 

3,440,218

$

4.09

 

734,453

$

4.24

At June 30, 2024, we had 2.3 million PSAs outstanding for which performance condition achievement has not yet been determined, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.89. The PSAs are earned upon the achievement of predetermined goals over the performance periods, which range from one to three years. Depending on performance, a number of shares equal to 0% to 150% of the target PSAs outstanding as of June 30, 2024 may be issued as restricted stock once the performance periods are completed.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024:

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

$

(20,084)

$

(1,788)

$

(21,872)

Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications

8,335

8,335

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

(911)

(2,595)

(3,506)

Net current period other comprehensive income

 

(911)

 

5,740

 

4,829

Balance at June 30, 2024

$

(20,995)

$

3,952

$

(17,043)

The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Statement of Operations

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service credit

$

131

$

133

$

261

$

265

(a)

Actuarial gain

 

487

 

1,223

 

974

 

2,446

(a)  

 

618

 

1,356

 

1,235

 

2,711

Total before tax

(162)

 

(357)

 

(324)

 

(713)

Tax expense

$

456

$

999

$

911

$

1,998

Net of tax

Gain on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

1,748

$

3,231

$

3,515

$

5,909

Interest expense

 

(457)

 

(844)

 

(920)

 

(1,543)

Tax expense

$

1,291

$

2,387

$

2,595

$

4,366

Net of tax

20

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 13 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.

13. PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Defined Benefit Plans

We sponsor qualified defined benefit pension plans that are non-contributory covering substantially all of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements and certain salaried employees.  The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new entrants. All of our defined benefit pension plans are now frozen to all current employees, and no additional monthly pension benefits will accrue under those plans.

We also maintain non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (the “Supplemental Plans” and, together with the defined benefit pension plans, the “Pension Plans”).  The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction of the amount that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans are closed to all new entrants. These plans are unfunded and have no assets.  The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) for our Pension Plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Interest cost

$

6,671

$

7,357

$

13,342

$

14,713

Expected return on plan assets

 

(6,660)

 

(7,850)

 

(13,320)

 

(15,700)

Net amortization loss

 

210

 

72

 

420

 

144

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

 

61

 

61

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

$

251

$

(391)

$

503

$

(782)

The components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations

We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees. Certain plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed.  Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred.  Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured.  A majority of the healthcare plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. However, a certain healthcare plan is funded by assets that are separately designated within the Pension Plans for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits for this specific plan.  

21

The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic benefit for our Post-retirement Plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Service cost

$

21

$

19

$

42

$

38

Interest cost

 

693

 

750

 

1,386

 

1,500

Expected return on plan assets

 

(45)

 

(47)

 

(91)

 

(94)

Net amortization gain

 

(697)

 

(1,295)

 

(1,394)

 

(2,590)

Net prior service credit amortization

 

(161)

 

(163)

 

(322)

 

(326)

Net periodic post-retirement benefit

$

(189)

$

(736)

$

(379)

$

(1,472)

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Contributions

We elected to participate in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) beginning with the 2021 plan year.  ARPA, which was signed into law in March 2021, included changes to the employer funding requirements and is designed to reduce the amounts of required contributions to provide funding relief for employers. During 2021 and the six months ended June 30, 2022, we elected to fund our pension contributions at the pre-ARPA levels, which has created a pre-funded balance. We intend to use our current pre-funded balance to satisfy the minimum contribution requirements until the balance is exhausted, which is expected to occur in late 2024. We expect to contribute approximately $0.2 million to our Pension Plans and $5.7 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2024. As of June 30, 2024, we have contributed $3.3 million of the annual contribution to the Post-retirement Plans.

14. INCOME TAXES

Our unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $4.9 million. The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective tax rate is $4.7 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We do not expect any material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the remainder of 2024.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense.

The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2020 through 2022. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2019 through 2022. In addition, prior tax years may be subject to examination by federal or state taxing authorities if the Company’s net operating loss carryovers from those prior years are utilized in the future. We are currently under examination by certain state taxing authorities. We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the examination to have a material effect on our results or cash flows.

Our effective tax rate was 16.2% and 14.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and 19.9% and 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Washington operations and the transaction closed on May 1, 2024. As a result, we recorded an increase of $6.1 million and $14.3 million to our current tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the write-down of noncash goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company does not consider this sales transaction and related goodwill adjustment unusual or infrequent and therefore the corresponding tax impact is recorded through continuing operations. Exclusive of this divestiture related adjustment, our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 would have been approximately 25.5% and 25.7%, respectively, and approximately 25.3% and 25.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates due to various permanent income tax differences.  

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15.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Gross Receipts Tax

Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received Assessment Notices and/or Audit Assessment Notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax, and have had audits performed for the tax years 2008 through 2018 (CCPA and CCES) and 2019 through 2020 (CCPA). We filed Petitions for Reassessment with the DOR’s Board of Appeals contesting these audit assessments.  These cases remain pending and are in various stages of appeal. In May 2017, we entered into an agreement to guarantee any potential liabilities to the DOR up to $5.0 million.  

Tax liabilities calculated by the DOR for CCPA and CCES for tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2023 (CCPA and CCES) are approximately $5.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Based on the initial settlement offers for the tax years 2008 through 2013, which were subsequently settled in 2019 for $2.1 million, including interest,  and the Company’s best estimate of the potential additional tax liabilities for the remaining unsettled tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2023 (CCPA and CCES), we have reserved $1.0 million and $2.7 million, including interest, for our CCPA and CCES subsidiaries, respectively.  We expect the filings for the tax years 2014 through 2023 to be settled at a later date similar to the initial settlement. While we continue to believe a settlement of all remaining disputed claims is possible, we cannot anticipate at this time what the ultimate resolution of these cases will be, nor can we evaluate the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or the potential losses (or gains) should such an outcome occur.  

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those relating to the take private transaction, the impact on future revenue sources, pending and future regulatory orders, continued expansion of the telecommunications network and expected changes in the sources of our revenue and cost structure resulting from our entrance into new markets, are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans, strategies and anticipated financial results.  Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on our part.  These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue” or similar expressions. There are a number of risks, uncertainties, conditions and other important factors that may cause the actual results of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Consolidated,” the “Company,” “we” or “our”) to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements including: (1) significant competition in all parts of our business and among our customer channels; (2) our ability to adapt to rapid technological changes; (3) shifts in our product mix that may result in a decline in operating profitability; (4) public health threats, including the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic; (5) continued receipt of support from various funds established under federal and state laws; (6) disruptions in our networks and infrastructure and any related service delays or disruptions could cause us to lose customers and incur additional expenses; (7) cyber-attacks may lead to unauthorized access to confidential customer, personnel and business information that could adversely affect our business; (8) our ability to fund capital expenditures required  for our operations; (9) our ability to obtain and maintain necessary rights-of-way for our networks; (10) our ability to obtain necessary hardware, software and operational support from third-party vendors; (11) the impact of rising video content costs; (12) our ability to enter into new collective bargaining agreements or renew existing agreements; (13) our ability to attract and/or retain certain key management and other personnel in the future; (14) risks associated with acquisitions and the realization of anticipated benefits from such acquisitions; (15) increasing attention to, and evolving expectations for, environmental, social and governance initiatives; (16) the impact of unfavorable changes in financial markets on our pension plan investments; (17) weak economic conditions; (18) the risk that the proposed Merger (as defined herein) may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (19) the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the proposed Merger may not be satisfied or waived, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals); (20) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive transaction agreement relating to the proposed Merger, including in circumstances that would require the Company to pay a termination fee; (21) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed Merger on the Company’s ability to attract, motivate or retain key executives and employees, its ability to maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers and other business counterparties, or its operating results and business generally; (22) risks related to the proposed Merger transaction diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; (23) the amount of costs, fees and expenses related to the proposed merger transaction; (24) the risk that the Company’s stock price may decline significantly if the proposed Merger is not consummated; (25) the risk of stockholder litigation in connection with the proposed Merger, including resulting expense or delay; and (26) the other risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”), as updated by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Many of these circumstances are beyond our ability to control or predict.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this report. Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date they are made.  Except as required under federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements. Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Throughout this MD&A, we refer to certain measures that are not measures of financial performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”).  We believe the use of these non-GAAP measures on a consolidated basis provides the reader with additional information that is useful in understanding

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our operating results and trends. These measures should be viewed in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, those measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for a more detailed discussion on the use and calculation of these measures.

Overview

Consolidated is a broadband and business communications provider offering a wide range of communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a service area in over 20 states.  We operate an advanced fiber network spanning over 63,000 fiber route miles across many rural areas and metro communities.  We offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as multi-service residential and small business bundles. Our business product suite includes: data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services. We provide wholesale solutions to wireless and wireline carriers and other service providers including data, voice, network connections and custom fiber builds and last mile connections.    

 

We generate the majority of our consolidated operating revenues primarily from monthly subscriptions to our broadband, data and transport services (collectively “broadband services”) marketed to residential and business customers.  As consumer demands for bandwidth continue to increase, our focus is on expanding our fiber broadband services and upgrading data speeds in order to offer a highly competitive fiber product. Our investment in more competitive broadband speeds is critical to our long-term success.  Our strategic investment with Searchlight Capital Partners L.P. (“Searchlight”) combined with the refinancing of our capital structure in 2020 provided us with additional capital that has enabled us to accelerate our fiber expansion plans and provided significant benefits to our consumer, commercial and carrier customers. With this strategic investment, we enhanced our fiber infrastructure and accelerated our investments in high-growth and competitive areas.  By leveraging our existing dense core fiber network and an accelerated build plan, we expect to be able to significantly increase data speeds, expand our multi-Gig coverage and strategically extend our network across our strong existing commercial and carrier footprint to attract more on-net and near-net opportunities. As part of our multi-year fiber expansion plan, we plan to upgrade approximately 1.6 million passings to fiber across select service areas to enable multi-Gig capable services to these homes and small businesses including more than 1 million passings within our northern New England service areas. The ultimate total passings will be dependent upon, amongst other things, our ability to secure Public Private Partnership grant arrangements and other broadband infrastructure funding opportunities.

In 2024, we plan to continue to execute on our multi-year fiber growth plan and transformation from a copper-based telecommunications provider to a fiber broadband provider. Our fiber build plan includes the upgrade of approximately 150,000 homes and small businesses in 2024. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we upgraded approximately 33,000 and 43,700 passings, respectively and added approximately 17,800 and 36,600 consumer fiber Gig-capable subscribers, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we upgraded approximately 227,500 passings. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 49% of our passings were at least 1 Gig capable, as compared to 22% at December 31, 2021.

Fidium Fiber, our Gigabit consumer fiber internet product with an all-new customer experience reinforces our broadband-first strategy. Our Fidium plans offer symmetrical speeds from 50 Mbps to 2 Gbps over the latest WiFi 6 technology with no data caps. We expect to continue to expand the availability of Fidium Fiber further into communities within our markets. In February 2023, we launched Fidium@Work and expanded our Fidium Fiber service to small businesses everywhere Fidium internet is available. Fidium@Work is ideal for small businesses that have outgrown residential or traditional internet service, but do not require an enterprise solution.

As we continue to increase broadband speeds, we believe that we will also be able to simultaneously enhance our commercial product offerings to meet the needs of our business customers. By leveraging our advanced fiber network, we can tailor our services for business customers by developing solutions to fit their specific needs. We offer fiber broadband connectivity and cloud-based services to deliver differentiated solutions targeting customers ranging from small businesses to large enterprises and carriers. We are focused on driving fiber connectivity, achieving data services growth and standardizing our commercial product portfolio, which increases efficiency and enables greater scalability and reliability for businesses.

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Operating revenues continue to be impacted by the industry-wide trend of declines in voice services, access lines and related network access revenue.  Many customers are choosing to subscribe to alternative communication services, and competition for these subscribers continues to increase. Total voice connections decreased 14% as of June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. We have been able to mitigate some of the access line losses through alternative product offerings, such as our VoIP service. 

As part of our plan to simplify our product offerings and focus on our fiber-first strategy, video services have been discontinued in all markets as of the end of July 2024 as a result of our scheduled decommissioning by state and the transition of customers to streaming services offered through our streaming partnerships. We believe that this may amplify the demand for our competitive multi-gig broadband speeds to facilitate streaming content.

  

In July 2023, we initiated a business simplification and cost savings initiative plan intended to further align our company as a fiber-first provider, improve operating efficiencies, lower our cost structure and ultimately improve the overall customer experience. This initiative included a reduction in workforce, consolidation and elimination of certain facilities and review of our product offerings. In 2024, we expect to continue to seek to improve operating efficiency through technology, better practices and procedures and through cost containment measures.

Recent Developments

Merger Agreement

On October 15, 2023, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Condor Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”) affiliated with certain funds managed by affiliates of Searchlight, and Condor Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Searchlight. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (“BCI”) and certain affiliates of Searchlight have committed to provide equity financing to Parent to fund the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Searchlight is currently the beneficial owner of approximately 33% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock and is the holder of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Series A perpetual preferred stock. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (other than shares of the Company’s common stock (i) held directly or indirectly by Parent, Merger Sub or any subsidiary of the Company, (ii) held by the Company as treasury shares or (iii) held by any person who properly exercises appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $4.70 per share, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, (i) Company restricted share awards (“Company RSAs”) held by non-employee directors or by certain affiliates of Searchlight will vest and be canceled in exchange for the Merger Consideration and (ii) all other Company RSAs will be converted into restricted cash awards based on the Merger Consideration and subject to the same terms and conditions, including time- and performance-based vesting conditions, as the corresponding Company RSA (except that the relative total shareholder return modifier shall be deemed to be achieved at the target level).

The Merger Agreement has, unanimously by the directors present, been approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting of only independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”). On January 31, 2024, the Company held a virtual special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider three proposals with respect to the Merger Agreement. The first proposal, to adopt the Merger Agreement, was approved by (i) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and (ii) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and held by Unaffiliated Stockholders (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The second proposal, to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the named executive officers of the Company in connection with the consummation of the Merger, was approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. The third proposal, to approve any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were insufficient votes in favor of the Merger Agreement proposal, was also approved by the

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requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. Because the Merger Agreement proposal was approved by the requisite vote, no adjournment to solicit additional proxies was necessary.

The proposed transaction constitutes a “going-private transaction” under the rules of the SEC and is expected to close in late fourth quarter 2024 or early first quarter 2025. The closing of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); (ii) the receipt of certain required consents or approvals from (a) the Federal Communications Commission, (b) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (c) state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; (iii) the absence of any order, injunction or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (iv) the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, subject to customary materiality qualifications, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and the date of closing, and performance in all material respects of the covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired on May 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. This satisfied the closing condition related to the U.S. antitrust clearance of the transaction. We are awaiting the other required regulatory approvals in order to execute the Merger. Following the closing of the transaction, shares of our common stock will no longer be traded or listed on any public securities exchange.

Additional information about the Merger Agreement and the Merger is set forth in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on December 18, 2023, as supplemented.

Divestiture

On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our business located in the Washington market (“the Washington operations”), for gross cash proceeds of approximately $73.0 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments and other post-closing purchase price adjustments. At December 31, 2023, the assets and liabilities to be sold were classified as assets held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, in connection with the expected sale, the carrying value of the net assets to be sold were reduced to their estimated fair value of approximately $65.7 million, which was determined based on the estimated selling price less costs to sell. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss of $77.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The sale of the Washington operations closed on May 1, 2024. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, operating revenues for the Washington operations were $1.6 million or 0.6% and $5.1 million or 1.8% of total consolidated operating revenues, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, operating revenues for the Washington operations were $6.3 million or 1.2% and $10.1 million or 1.8% of total consolidated operating revenues, respectively.

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Results of Operations

The following tables reflect our financial results on a consolidated basis and key operating metrics as of and for the three and six  months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Financial Data

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

(In millions, except for percentages)

    

2024

    

2023

    

$
Change

    

%
Change

    

2024

    

2023

    

$
Change

    

%
Change

 

Operating Revenues

Consumer:

Broadband (Data and VoIP)

$

81.4

$

71.3

$

10.1

14

%  

$

161.3

$

139.3

$

22.0

16

%

Voice services

 

28.0

 

31.3

 

(3.3)

(11)

56.3

63.6

(7.3)

(11)

Video services

 

3.3

 

9.4

 

(6.1)

(65)

 

9.9

 

19.0

 

(9.1)

(48)

112.7

112.0

0.7

1

227.5

221.9

5.6

3

Commercial:

Data services (includes VoIP)

54.6

53.3

1.3

2

109.3

106.4

2.9

3

Voice services

 

30.5

 

32.3

 

(1.8)

(6)

 

61.2

 

64.9

 

(3.7)

(6)

Other

 

8.3

 

10.3

 

(2.0)

(19)

 

17.3

 

20.1

 

(2.8)

(14)

93.4

95.9

(2.5)

(3)

187.8

191.4

(3.6)

(2)

Carrier:

Data and transport services

30.2

 

31.2

 

(1.0)

(3)

 

61.3

 

64.1

 

(2.8)

(4)

Voice services

3.6

 

4.2

 

(0.6)

(14)

 

7.4

 

8.6

 

(1.2)

(14)

Other

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

(0.1)

(25)

 

0.5

 

0.7

 

(0.2)

(29)

34.1

35.8

(1.7)

(5)

69.2

73.4

(4.2)

(6)

Subsidies

6.4

7.1

(0.7)

(10)

13.2

14.1

(0.9)

(6)

Network access

21.1

22.8

(1.7)

(7)

43.6

47.2

(3.6)

(8)

Other products and services

 

1.0

 

1.6

 

(0.6)

(38)

 

2.1

 

3.3

 

(1.2)

(36)

Total operating revenues

 

268.7

 

275.2

 

(6.5)

(2)

 

543.4

 

551.3

 

(7.9)

(1)

Operating Expenses

Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

 

114.0

 

127.0

 

(13.0)

(10)

 

227.5

 

258.9

 

(31.4)

(12)

Selling, general and administrative costs

 

93.3

 

83.5

 

9.8

12

 

177.3

 

164.8

 

12.5

8

Transaction costs

 

3.2

 

 

3.2

100

 

6.1

 

 

6.1

100

Loss on impairment of assets held for sale

 

 

77.8

 

(77.8)

(100)

 

 

77.8

 

(77.8)

(100)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

2.4

 

(2.4)

(100)

 

 

5.7

 

(5.7)

(100)

Depreciation and amortization

 

79.8

 

79.5

 

0.3

0

 

160.4

 

157.2

 

3.2

2

Total operating expenses

 

290.3

 

370.2

 

(79.9)

(22)

 

571.3

 

664.4

 

(93.1)

(14)

Loss from operations

 

(21.6)

 

(95.0)

 

(73.4)

(77)

 

(27.9)

 

(113.1)

 

(85.2)

(75)

Interest expense, net

 

(44.1)

 

(36.9)

 

7.2

20

 

(86.6)

 

(70.8)

 

15.8

22

Other income, net

 

0.3

 

5.4

 

(5.1)

(94)

 

1.9

 

8.2

 

(6.3)

(77)

Income tax benefit

 

(10.6)

 

(18.5)

 

(7.9)

(43)

 

(22.4)

 

(30.7)

 

(8.3)

(27)

Net loss

 

(54.8)

 

(108.0)

 

(53.2)

(49)

 

(90.2)

 

(145.0)

 

(54.8)

(38)

Dividends on Series A preferred stock

11.7

10.7

1.0

9

23.4

21.3

2.1

10

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

(0.1)

(50)

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

(0.1)

(33)

Loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(66.6)

$

(118.9)

$

(52.3)

(44)

$

(113.8)

$

(166.6)

$

(52.8)

(32)

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$

84.2

$

76.9

$

7.3

9

%  

$

172.6

$

152.3

$

20.3

13

%

(1)A non-GAAP measure.  See the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below for additional information and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Key Operating Statistics

As of June 30,

    

2024

    

2023

    

Change

    

% Change

 

Consumer customers

489,673

487,680

1,993

0

%

Fiber Gig+ capable

231,187

153,860

77,327

50

DSL/Copper

163,199

222,969

(59,770)

(27)

Consumer data connections

394,386

376,829

17,557

5

Consumer voice connections

213,472

 

258,680

 

(45,208)

(17)

Video connections

134

 

28,934

 

(28,800)

(100)

Operating Revenues

Consumer

Broadband Services

Broadband services include revenues from residential customers for subscriptions to our data and Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) products.  We offer high-speed Internet access at speeds of up to 2 Gbps, depending on the network facilities that are available, the level of service selected and the location. Our fiber expansion plan is expected to provide fiber broadband revenue growth opportunities as we upgrade data speeds and expand our multi-Gig coverage across our network. Our VoIP digital phone service is also available in certain markets as an alternative to the traditional telephone line. 

Broadband services revenues increased $10.1 million and $22.0 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023. Broadband services revenue continued to increase primarily as a result of price increases and growth in fiber Internet services as fiber data connections continue to increase and offset the decline in copper data connections. Total consumer data connections increased 5% as of June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. In addition, a greater mix of our subscribers are shifting towards higher broadband speeds and electing to subscribe to our 1 Gig or higher product.

Voice Services

We offer several different basic local phone service packages and long-distance calling plans, including unlimited flat-rate calling plans. The plans include options for voicemail and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding and call waiting.  Voice services revenues decreased $3.3 million and $7.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a decline in access lines. The number of local access lines in service directly affects the recurring revenues we generate from end users and continues to be impacted by the industry-wide decline in access lines. We expect to continue to experience erosion in voice connections due to competition from alternative technologies.

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Video Services

Depending on geographic market availability, our video services ranged from limited basic service to advanced digital television, which included several plans, each with hundreds of local, national and music channels including premium and Pay-Per-View channels as well as video On-Demand service. Certain customers could have also subscribed to our advanced video services, which consist of high-definition television, digital video recorders (“DVR”) and/or a whole home DVR. Our video subscribers could also watch their favorite shows, movies and livestreams on any device. In addition, we offered other on-demand streaming TV services, which provided endless entertainment options. In 2024, we commenced a scheduled decommissioning of video services across all our markets. Video services have been discontinued in all markets as of the end of July 2024 as part of our plan to simplify our product offerings and focus on our fiber-first strategy.

Video services revenues decreased $6.1 million and $9.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to the planned discontinuance of video services in our markets and the transition of customers to streaming services offered through our streaming partnerships.

Commercial

Data Services

We provide a variety of business communication services to business customers of all sizes, including voice and data services over our advanced fiber network.  The services we offer include scalable high-speed broadband Internet access and VoIP phone services, which range from basic service plans to virtual hosted systems.  In addition to Internet and VoIP services, we also offer a variety of commercial data connectivity services in select markets including Ethernet services; private line data services; software defined wide area network (“SD-WAN”) and multi-protocol label switching. Our networking services include point-to-point and multi-point deployments from 2.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps to accommodate the growth patterns of our business customers.  We offer a suite of cloud-based services, which includes a hosted unified communications solution that replaces the customer’s on-site phone systems and data networks, managed network security services and data protection services. Data center and disaster recovery solutions provide a reliable and local colocation option for commercial customers.

Data services revenues increased $1.3 million and $2.9 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 due to continued growth in dedicated Internet access and fiber Internet services, which was reduced in part by declines in Metro Ethernet and VoIP phone services as a result of customer churn. In recent years, the growth in data services revenues has been impacted by customer churn from increased competition and price compression as customers are migrating from legacy data connection products to more competitive products with a lower average revenue per user.

Voice Services

Voice services include basic local phone and long-distance service packages for business customers. The plans include options for voicemail, conference calling, linking multiple office locations and other custom calling features such as caller ID, call forwarding, speed dialing and call waiting. Services can be charged at a fixed monthly rate, a measured rate or can be bundled with selected services at a discounted rate. Voice services revenues decreased $1.8 million and $3.7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a 16% decline in access lines as commercial customers are increasingly choosing alternative technologies and the broad range of features that Internet-based voice services can offer.

Other

Other services include business equipment sales and related hardware and maintenance support, video services, pole attachment fees and other miscellaneous revenues, including 911 service revenues. Other services revenues decreased $2.0 million and $2.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a decline in custom construction and structured cabling revenues. Pole license attachment fees

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also decreased following the sale in 2023 of poles located in New Hampshire. However, these declines were offset in part by an increase in  business equipment sales.

Carrier

Data and Transport Services

We provide high-speed fiber data transmission services to regional and national interexchange and wireless carriers including Ethernet, cellular backhaul, dark fiber and colocation services. Data and transport services revenues decreased $1.0 million and $2.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 due to a decrease in Ethernet services as a result of customer churn. Colocation and cellular backhaul revenue also declined from the same periods in 2023 as a result of a reduction in pricing of recent contract renewals with our wireless backhaul partners. We expect to recognize further declines in cellular backhaul revenue as a result of the new pricing in 2024.

Voice Services

We provide basic local phone service packages with customized features for resell by wholesale customers. The plans include options for voicemail, conference calling, linking multiple office locations and other custom calling features.  Voice services revenues decreased $0.6 million and $1.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily as a result of customer churn for business data services.

Other

Other services revenues include conduit and other asset lease revenue as well as other miscellaneous revenue. Other services revenues decreased $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 due to a decline in conduit lease revenue.

Subsidies

Subsidies consist of both federal and state subsidies, which are designed to promote widely available, quality broadband services at affordable prices with higher data speeds in rural areas.  Subsidies revenues decreased $0.7 million and $0.9 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to changes in state subsidies support and the sale of the Washington operations in May 2024. See the “Regulatory Matters” section below for a further discussion of the subsidies we receive.

Network Access Services

Network access services include interstate and intrastate switched access, network special access and end user access. Switched access revenues include access services to other communications carriers to terminate or originate long-distance calls on our network. Special access circuits provide dedicated lines and trunks to business customers and interexchange carriers. Network access services revenues decreased $1.7 million and $3.6 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a decline in end user access revenue as a result of a reduction in funding rates for State Universal Service Funds (“USF”) for Texas. Special access revenues also decreased related to the continuing decline in minutes of use, voice connections and carrier circuits as carriers transition to Ethernet based transport solutions.

Other Products and Services

Other products and services include revenues from telephone directory publishing, video advertising, billing and support services and other miscellaneous revenues, including revenue from Public Private Partnerships (“PPP’s”). We have entered into numerous PPP agreements with various towns in New Hampshire and Vermont to build new fiber to the premise (“FTTP”) Internet networks. The new town networks provide multi-gigabit broadband speeds to residential and commercial customers. PPP’s are a key component of Consolidated’s commitment to expand rural broadband access.

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Other products and services revenues decreased $0.6 million and $1.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a decline in revenue from PPP constructions and directory advertising revenue.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Services and Products

Cost of services and products decreased $13.0 million and $31.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023. Video programming costs decreased as a result of a decline in video connections and the planned decommissioning of video services in 2024. Contract labor costs declined from savings in maintenance costs. Access expense also decreased from the prior year periods.  Required contributions to the State USF decreased as a result of a reduction in the funding rates for Texas as compared to 2023. In addition, Federal USF contributions declined due to a one-time adjustment recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2024 for the final filings for 2023 as well as lower assessable revenues in 2024. Employee labor costs decreased in the six months ended June 30, 2024 as a result of a reduction in head count and the cost savings initiative plan implemented in 2023.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

Selling, general and administrative costs increased $9.8 million and $12.5 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023. Professional fees increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 for various system enhancements, customer service improvements and strategic initiatives. These increases were offset in part by a reduction in employee labor costs as a result of the cost savings initiative plan implemented in 2023.

Transaction Costs

Transaction costs of $3.2 million and $6.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, consist primarily of legal and other professional fees incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement entered into with Searchlight in October 2023.

Loss on Disposal of Assets

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we recognized an additional loss of $2.1 million on the sale of substantially all of the assets of our Kansas City operations as a result of purchase price adjustments and working capital changes. We also recognized a loss of $2.4 million and $3.6 million related to the sale of certain utility poles during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.3 million and $3.2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to ongoing capital expenditures related to the fiber network expansion and customer service improvements as well as success-based capital projects for consumer and commercial services. However, depreciation expense declined during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated. Amortization expense also declined during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 for customer relationships, which are amortized under the accelerated method.

Regulatory Matters

Our revenues are subject to broad federal and/or state regulations, which include such telecommunications services as local telephone service, network access service and toll service.  The telecommunications industry is subject to extensive federal, state and local regulation.  Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, federal and state regulators share responsibility for implementing and enforcing statutes and regulations designed to encourage competition and to preserve and advance widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices.

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At the federal level, the FCC generally exercises jurisdiction over facilities and services of local exchange carriers, such as our rural telephone companies, to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate interstate or international communications.  The FCC has the authority to condition, modify, cancel, terminate or revoke our operating authority for failure to comply with applicable federal laws or FCC rules, regulations and policies.  Fines or penalties also may be imposed for any of these violations.

State regulatory commissions generally exercise jurisdiction over carriers’ facilities and services to the extent they are used to provide, originate or terminate intrastate communications.  In particular, state regulatory agencies have substantial oversight over interconnection and network access by competitors of our rural telephone companies.  In addition, municipalities and other local government agencies regulate the public rights-of-way necessary to install and operate networks.  State regulators can sanction our rural telephone companies or revoke our certifications if we violate relevant laws or regulations.

FCC Matters

In general, telecommunications service in rural areas is costlier to provide than service in urban areas.  The lower customer density means that switching and other facilities serve fewer customers and loops are typically longer, requiring greater expenditures per customer to build and maintain. By supporting the high-cost of operations in rural markets, USF subsidies promote widely available, quality telephone service at affordable prices in rural areas.

In April 2019, the FCC announced plans for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”), the next phase of the Connect America Fund (“CAF”) program. The RDOF is a $20.4 billion fund to bring speeds of 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream to unserved and underserved areas of America. The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at their August 2019 Open Commission Meeting. The order prioritizes terrestrial broadband as a bridge to rural 5G networks by providing a significant weight advantage to traditional broadband providers. Funding will occur in two phases with the first phase auctioning $16.0 billion and the second phase auctioning $4.4 billion, each to be distributed over 10 years. The minimum speed required to receive funding is 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. Consolidated won 246 census block groups serving in seven states in the 2020 auction. The bids we won are at the 1 Gbps downstream and 500 Mbps upstream speed tier to approximately 27,000 locations at an annual funding level of $5.9 million as of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2031. Consolidated began receiving RDOF funding in January 2022.

American Rescue Plan Act Funding

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) on March 11, 2021.  States have been allocated federal funds to be utilized for capital infrastructure, including broadband deployment, and are in various stages of implementation.  We are working with the states and municipalities to participate in this broadband grant program. In January 2023, we were awarded $9.2 million in funding from ARPA to build to approximately 14,000 unserved homes in Skowhegan and Greater East Grand Bay, Maine and in February 2023, we were awarded $40.0 million in funding from ARPA to build nearly 25,000 unserved homes throughout New Hampshire. Construction began for both projects in 2023 and is expected to be largely completed by the end of 2024. The grants will be accounted for as a contribution in aid of construction given the nature of the arrangement.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) is a broadband affordability program set up to help ensure that households can afford the broadband access they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.  Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. The program began distributing funds on March 1, 2022. Due to the expected lapse in the initial funding for the ACP in the second quarter of 2024, the ACP stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. The last fully funded month of the program was April 2024. Consolidated participated in this program and had approximately 8,300 ACP customers prior to the termination of the program.

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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“Infrastructure Act”), signed on November 15, 2021, included $65.0 billion to support broadband infrastructure deployment and access across the United States with an aim to extend high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved rural, low-income, and tribal communities, as well as to promote broadband affordability and digital literacy. Among other broadband-related initiatives, the Infrastructure Act allocated $42.5 billion for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (“BEAD”) program, which is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”). The NTIA has begun distributing BEAD program funding to states, which, in turn, will award BEAD program grants to ISPs to support broadband deployment and access initiatives. The precise terms under which BEAD program grants will be awarded to ISPs are expected to vary from state to state and are not known at this time.

Apart from the broadband funding initiatives in the Infrastructure Act, Congress directed the FCC to adopt rules prohibiting “digital discrimination of access,” and the FCC in turn issued an order in November 2023 defining that term broadly. In particular, the FCC prohibited any policy or practice by ISPs, among other covered entities, that intentionally discriminates or has a disparate impact based on race, income level, and other prohibited classifications. The FCC indicated that it intends to take enforcement action based on any finding of digital discrimination unless the ISP can show that the policy or practice in question was justified based on economic or technical feasibility. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several groups representing ISPs filed petitions for review challenging the FCC’s order, and the petitions have been consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. At this time, we cannot determine the likely impacts of the FCC’s order or the outcome of the pending appeal.

Other Regulatory Matters

We are also subject to a number of regulatory proceedings occurring at the federal and state levels that may have a material impact on our operations. The FCC and state commissions have authority to conduct audits and issue and interpret rules and regulations related to our business and federal courts have the authority to interpret the constitutionality of regulatory programs that impact our business. A number of proceedings and findings are pending or anticipated that are related to such telecommunications issues as competition, interconnection, access charges, ICC, broadband deployment, rural subsidy programs, consumer protection and universal service reform. Some proceedings may authorize new services to compete with our existing services.  Proceedings that relate to our cable television operations include rulemakings on set top boxes, carriage of programming, industry consolidation and ways to promote additional competition. There are various on-going legal challenges to the scope or validity of FCC orders that have been issued.  As a result, it is not yet possible to fully determine the impact of the related FCC rules and regulations on our operations.

Non-Operating Items

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased $7.2 million and $15.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to an increase in variable interest rates on our outstanding term loan. Interest on borrowings from the revolving credit facility also increased due to outstanding borrowings of $130.0 million as of June 30, 2024. Interest expense also increased from a decline in interest income of $0.7 million and $3.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, due to additional cash equivalents and short-term investments in 2023.

Other Income

Other income decreased $5.1 million and $6.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023 primarily due to a decline in investment income of $3.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively, as a result of earnings from short-term investments in 2023. Pension and post-retirement expense increased $1.1 million and $2.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. See Note 13 to the

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condensed consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion regarding our pension and post-retirement plans.

Income Taxes

Income tax benefit decreased $7.9 million and $8.3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2023. Our effective tax rate was 16.2% and 14.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and 19.9% and 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Washington operations and the transaction closed on May 1, 2024. As a result, we recorded an increase of $6.1 million and $14.3 million to our current tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively related to the write-down of noncash goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company does not consider this sales transaction and related goodwill adjustment unusual or infrequent and therefore the corresponding tax impact is recorded through continuing operations. Exclusive of this divestiture related adjustment, our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 would have been approximately 25.5% and 25.7%, respectively and approximately 25.3% and 25.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates due to various permanent income tax differences.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results reported in accordance with US GAAP, we also use certain non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate operating performance and to facilitate the comparison of our historical results and trends. These financial measures are not measures of financial performance under US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) as a measure of performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. They are not, on their own, necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs as determined in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP are provided below.

EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA is comprised of EBITDA, adjusted for certain items as permitted or required under our credit facility as described in the reconciliations below. These measures are a common measure of operating performance in the telecommunications industry and we believe they are useful, with other data, as a means to evaluate our ability to fund our estimated uses of cash.

The following table is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands, unaudited)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Net loss

$

(54,828)

$

(108,092)

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Add (subtract):

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

44,132

 

36,903

 

86,583

 

70,763

Income tax benefit

 

(10,581)

 

(18,448)

 

(22,353)

 

(30,688)

Depreciation and amortization

 

79,809

 

79,538

 

160,442

 

157,237

EBITDA

 

58,532

 

(10,099)

 

134,461

 

52,259

 

Adjustments to EBITDA:

Other, net (1)

22,678

 

4,510

 

33,467

 

13,399

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

2,384

 

 

5,688

Loss on impairment

 

 

77,755

 

 

77,755

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

3,030

 

2,388

 

4,711

 

3,187

Adjusted EBITDA

$

84,240

$

76,938

$

172,639

$

152,288

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(1)Includes dividend income, income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, acquisition and transaction related costs including integration and severance, non-cash pension and post-retirement benefits and certain other miscellaneous items.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Outlook and Overview

Our operating requirements have historically been funded from cash flows generated from our business and borrowings under our credit facilities. We expect that our future operating requirements will continue to be funded from cash flows from operating activities, existing cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from sales of nonstrategic assets and, if needed, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or other funding arrangements and our ability to obtain future external financing. We anticipate that we will continue to use a substantial portion of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures for our accelerated fiber network expansion and growth plan.

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

Six Months Ended June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

Cash flows provided by (used in):

Operating activities

$

(2,532)

$

67,319

Investing activities

(115,173)

(182,436)

Financing activities

118,267

 

(8,157)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

$

562

$

(123,274)

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $2.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024, a decrease of $69.9 million compared to the same period in 2023. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased primarily due to a decline in accounts payable and accrued expense related to the timing of expenditures. Cash flows provided by operating activities also declined related to the timing of cash receipts for special projects and grant funding. Cash paid for interest also increased $8.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $115.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and consisted primarily of cash used for capital expenditures and proceeds received from the sale of assets and investments.  

Capital expenditures continue to be our primary recurring investing activity and were $183.6 million and $280.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Capital expenditures for 2024 are expected to be used for our planned fiber projects and broadband network expansion, including the upgrade in 2024 of approximately 150,000 fiber passings, and to support success-based capital projects for commercial, carrier and consumer initiatives. We expect to continue to invest in the enhancement and expansion of our fiber network in order to retain and acquire more customers through a broader set of products and an expanded network footprint.

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding stock of our Washington operations for cash proceeds, net of selling costs, of $67.8 million.

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities consists primarily of our proceeds from and principal payments on long-term borrowings.

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Long-term Debt

Credit Agreement

On October 2, 2020, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previous credit agreement in its entirety. The Credit Agreement consisted of term loans in an original aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and a revolving loan facility of $250.0 million. The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million plus (b) an amount which would not cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.70:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.  

The Term Loans have a maturity date of October 2, 2027 and bear interest at a rate of 3.50% plus Secured Overnight Borrowing Rate (“SOFR”) (subject to a 0.75% SOFR floor) plus a SOFR adjustment. As part of the replacement to SOFR-benchmark rates in 2023, borrowings will include an adjustment of 0.11%, 0.26% and 0.43% for borrowings of one, three and six month loans, respectively. On March 18, 2021, the Company repaid $397.0 million of the then outstanding Term Loans with the net proceeds received from the issuance of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “5.00% Senior Notes”), as described below. The repayment of the Term Loans was applied to the remaining principal payments in direct order of maturity, thereby eliminating the required quarterly principal payments through the remaining term of the loan.  

The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 2, 2027 (subject to springing maturity on April 2, 2027 if the Term Loans, as of April 1, 2027, are scheduled to mature earlier than March 31, 2028) and an applicable margin (at our election) of 4.00% for SOFR-based borrowings or 3.00% for alternate base rate borrowings, with a 0.25% reduction in each case if the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 3.20 to 1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, borrowings of $130.0 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Stand-by letters of credit of $44.8 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2024.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2024, $75.2 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility, subject to certain covenants.

As allowed for under the credit agreement under permitted indebtedness, on March 29, 2024 and June 24, 2024, the Company entered into term sheets to facilitate loans of up to an aggregate amount of $140.0 million, contingent upon satisfaction of certain conditions including a successful fund raising by the lender.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 9.00% and 8.96% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default, with respect to the revolving credit facility only, if our consolidated first lien leverage ratio is greater than 7.75:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter, if on such date the testing threshold is met. The testing threshold is met if the aggregate amount of our borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility exceeds 35%.  As of June 30, 2024, the testing threshold was met and our consolidated first lien leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was below 7.75:1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

On October 15, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) to, among other things, increase the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (the “Step-Up”) permitted under the Credit Agreement to (i) 7.75 to 1.00, from October 15, 2023 to and including December 31, 2024, (ii) 7.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2025 to and including March 31, 2025, (iii) 7.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2025 to and including June 30, 2025, (iv) 7.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2025 to and including September 30, 2025, (v) 6.75

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to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2025 to and including December 31, 2025, (vi) 6.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2026 to and including March 31, 2026, (vii) 6.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2026 to and including June 30, 2026, (viii) 6.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2026 to and including September 30, 2026, and (ix) 5.85 to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2026 and thereafter (the “Step-Up Period”). While the Step-Up is in effect, the Company will be subject to additional restrictions on its ability to make certain investments and restricted payments (the “Restrictions”). The Step-Up Period and the Restrictions will end and the maximum Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio will revert to the levels set forth in the Credit Agreement on the earlier of (a) the Company’s election and (b) August 1, 2025, to the extent $300.0 million in cash proceeds have not been received by the Company from equity contributed to its capital by such date. If the proposed Merger is not completed by August 1, 2025, the increase in the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio as permitted in the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement to provide interim financial covenant relief will end and the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio will revert to 5.85 to 1.00.

Searchlight Term Loan

On March 21, 2024, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Searchlight, as lender entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), which consists of delayed draw term loans in the aggregate amount of $80.0 million (the “Loan”). The Loan Agreement provides us with the ability to borrow on the Loan in the event either (a) the aggregate amount of available loans to be drawn under the revolving credit facility is less than $25.0 million or (b) drawing under the revolving credit facility would trigger the financial maintenance covenant thereunder and we would not be in compliance with such covenant on a pro forma basis, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain other customary conditions.

In the event the Loan is ever drawn, we intend to apply the proceeds from the Loan to directly or indirectly fund capital expenditures for our fiber broadband expansion plan. The Loan Agreement is unsecured and the Loan will mature on April 2, 2027. Drawn amounts on the Loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable rate ranging from 12.0% per annum, which applies prior to the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date (unless the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof), to the amount required for Searchlight to realize a multiple on invested capital of 1.75x on the Loan, which applies on and after the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof and (ii) the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date.

The Loan Agreement contains various affirmative, negative, and financial covenants consistent with the Company’s existing credit agreement. The Loan Agreement requires, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated and any amounts in respect of the Loan remain outstanding, for the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio. The Loan Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, nonpayment, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, violations of covenants, nonpayment of other material debts, certain bankruptcy and liquidations, certain material judgments, and certain events related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Senior Notes

On October 2, 2020, we completed an offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% unsubordinated secured notes due 2028 (the “6.50% Senior Notes”).  The 6.50% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 6.50%, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 6.50% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028.  

On March 18, 2021, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount 5.00% Senior Notes, together with the 6.50% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”).  The 5.00% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per year, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year.  The 5.00% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.00% Senior Notes were used to repay $397.0 million of the Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Senior Notes are unsubordinated secured obligations of the Company, secured by a first priority lien on the collateral that secures the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a first priority secured basis by the Company and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The

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offerings of the Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws.  

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, limits the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.  The indentures also contain customary events of default.  As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indentures governing the Senior Notes.

Finance Leases

We lease certain facilities and equipment under various finance leases which expire between 2024 and 2040. As of June 30, 2024, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments was approximately $42.2 million, of which $20.6 million was due and payable within the next twelve months. The leases require total remaining rental payments of $47.6 million as of June 30, 2024.

Sufficiency of Cash Resources

The following table sets forth selected information regarding our financial condition.

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands, except for ratio)

    

2024

    

2023

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

5,327

$

4,765

Working capital (deficit)

 

(75,302)

 

(61,090)

Current ratio

 

0.72

 

0.81

Our net working capital deficit increased $14.2 million as of June 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023. Working capital at December 31, 2023, included net assets classified as held for sale of $67.1 million related to the pending sale of the Washington operations, which was completed in the second quarter of 2024. The proceeds from the sale were used in part to fund capital expenditures for the fiber build plan in 2024. However, the working capital deficit was reduced by a decline in accounts payable and accrued expense of $20.3 million and $30.4 million at June 30, 2024, respectively, related to the timing of expenditures.

Our most significant use of funds for the remainder of 2024 is expected to be for capital expenditures and interest payments on our indebtedness. We have historically funded certain core network capacity equipment with finance leases and it remains our intent to continue such arrangements with our leasing partners. In the event we are unable to secure such financing, we may be required to make cash expenditures for this capital. The refinancing of our capital structure in recent years, including the Fifth Amendment to our Credit Agreement described above, availability of approximately $75.2 million on our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2024 and $80.0 million undrawn under the Term Loan Agreement provides us with near-term financial and operational flexibility. In the future, our ability to use cash may be limited by our other expected uses of cash and our ability to incur additional debt will be limited by our existing and future debt agreements.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities, together with our existing cash and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility and other financing arrangements, will be sufficient for at least the next twelve months to fund our current anticipated uses of cash. After that, our ability to fund expected uses of cash and to comply with the financial covenants under our debt agreements will depend on the results of future operations, performance, cash flow and potential additional divestitures of non-core assets. Our ability to fund expected uses from the results of future operations will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business, regulatory, legislative and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  

39

To the extent that our business plans or projections change or prove to be inaccurate, we may require additional financing or require financing sooner than we currently anticipate. Sources of additional financing may include commercial bank borrowings, other strategic debt financing, sales of nonstrategic assets, vendor financing or the private or public sales of equity and debt securities.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations in the future, that anticipated revenue growth will be realized or that future borrowings or equity issuances will be available in amounts sufficient to provide adequate sources of cash to fund our expected uses of cash. Failure to obtain adequate financing, if necessary, could require us to significantly reduce our operations or level of capital expenditures which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and the results of operations.  

We may be unable to access the cash flows of our subsidiaries since certain of our subsidiaries are parties to credit or other borrowing agreements, or are subject to statutory or regulatory restrictions, that restrict the payment of dividends or making intercompany loans and investments, and those subsidiaries are likely to continue to be subject to such restrictions and prohibitions for the foreseeable future.  In addition, future agreements that our subsidiaries may enter into governing the terms of indebtedness may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or advance cash in any other manner to us.

Surety Bonds

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into surety, performance and similar bonds as required by certain jurisdictions in which we provide services. As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately $45.8 million of these bonds outstanding.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

As required, we contribute to qualified defined pension plans and non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (collectively the “Pension Plans”) and other post-retirement benefit plans, which provide retirement benefits to certain eligible employees as described in the Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I – Item 1 “Financial Statements”. Contributions are intended to provide for benefits attributed to service to date. Our funding policy is to contribute annually an actuarially determined amount consistent with applicable federal income tax regulations.

The cost to maintain our Pension Plans and future funding requirements are affected by several factors including the expected return on investment of the assets held by the Pension Plans, changes in the discount rate used to calculate pension expense and the amortization of unrecognized gains and losses. Returns generated on the Pension Plans assets have historically funded a significant portion of the benefits paid under the Pension Plans. We estimate the long-term rate of return on assets will be 6.50%. The Pension Plans invest in marketable equity securities which are exposed to changes in the financial markets. If the financial markets experience a sustained downturn and returns fall below our estimate, we could be required to make material contributions to the Pension Plans, which could adversely affect our cash flows from operations.

Our contribution amounts meet the minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws. We elected to participate in ARPA beginning with the 2021 plan year. ARPA, which was signed into law in March 2021, included changes to the employer funding requirements and is designed to reduce the amounts of required contributions as a relief. During 2021 and the six months ended June 30, 2022, we elected to fund our pension contributions at the pre-ARPA levels, which has created a pre-funded balance. We intend to use our current pre-funded balance to satisfy the minimum contribution requirements until the balance is exhausted, which is expected to occur in late 2024. We expect that for 2024, contributions to our Pension Plans will be approximately $0.2 million. As of June 30, 2024, we have contributed $3.3 million to our other post-retirement benefit plans, and expect to make contributions to our other post-retirement benefit plans totaling approximately $2.4 million during the remainder of 2024.

Income Taxes

The timing of cash payments for income taxes, which is governed by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing jurisdictions, will differ from the timing of recording tax expense and deferred income taxes, which are reported in accordance with GAAP. For example, tax laws in effect regarding accelerated or “bonus” depreciation for tax reporting

40

resulted in less cash payments than the GAAP tax expense. Acceleration of tax deductions could eventually result in situations where cash payments will exceed GAAP tax expense.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Our judgments are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For a full discussion of our accounting estimates and assumptions that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2023 Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I - Item 1 “Financial Statements”.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk is primarily related to the impact of interest rate fluctuations on our debt obligations.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market interest rates on our variable rate obligations.  In order to manage the volatility relating to changes in interest rates, we utilize derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to maintain a mix of fixed and variable rate debt.  We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.  Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  We calculate the potential change in interest expense caused by changes in market interest rates by determining the effect of the hypothetical rate increase on the portion of our variable rate debt that is not subject to a variable rate floor or hedged through the interest rate swap agreements.  Based on our variable rate debt outstanding as of June 30, 2024, a 1.00% change in market interest rates would increase or decrease annual interest expense by approximately $6.3 million.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Limitations on Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In connection with the filing of this Form 10-Q, management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2024.  Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2024.

41

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Based upon the evaluation performed by our management, which was conducted with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting required by Rules 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  

42

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. See Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report in Part I - Item 1 “Financial Statements” for a discussion of recent developments related to these legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a level of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A. of our 2023 Form 10-K, the other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes, as well as our other public filings with the SEC, before deciding to invest in our common stock. There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors previously disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K. The occurrence of any of the events described therein could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

Insider Trading Arrangements and Policies

During the three months ended June 30, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

43

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

31.1*

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*

The following financial information from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Mezzanine Equity and Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

104*

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101).

*Filed herewith.

**Furnished herewith.

44

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

(Registrant)

August 6, 2024

By:

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

C. Robert Udell Jr.,

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

August 6, 2024

By:

/s/ Fred A. Graffam III

Fred A. Graffam III,

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

45

EXHIBIT 31.1

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, C. Robert Udell Jr., certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

August 6, 2024

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

C. Robert Udell Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)


EXHIBIT 31.2

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Fred A. Graffam III, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

August 6, 2024

/s/ Fred A. Graffam III

Fred A. Graffam III

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), C. Robert Udell Jr. and Fred A. Graffam III, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., each certify that to his knowledge (i) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

/s/ C. Robert Udell Jr.

C. Robert Udell Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

August 6, 2024

/s/ Fred A. Graffam III

Fred A. Graffam III

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

August 6, 2024

The foregoing certifications shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by reference in such a filing.


v3.24.2.u1
Document and Entity Information - shares
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jul. 30, 2024
Document and Entity Information    
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2024  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 000-51446  
Entity Registrant Name CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE  
Entity Tax Identification Number 02-0636095  
Entity Address, Address Line One 2116 South 17th Street  
Entity Address, City or Town Mattoon  
Entity Address, State or Province IL  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 61938-5973  
City Area Code 217  
Local Phone Number 235-3311  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock - $0.01 par value  
Trading Symbol CNSL  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   118,477,091
Entity Central Index Key 0001304421  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2024  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Amendment Flag false  
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS        
Net revenues $ 268,709 $ 275,162 $ 543,384 $ 551,288
Operating expense:        
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) 114,006 126,967 227,465 258,905
Selling, general and administrative expenses 93,288 83,565 177,243 164,849
Transaction costs 3,175   6,100  
Loss on impairment of assets held for sale   77,755   77,755
Loss on disposal of assets   2,384   5,688
Depreciation and amortization 79,809 79,538 160,442 157,237
Loss from operations (21,569) (95,047) (27,866) (113,146)
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense, net of interest income (44,132) (36,903) (86,583) (70,763)
Other, net 292 5,410 1,885 8,168
Loss before income taxes (65,409) (126,540) (112,564) (175,741)
Income tax benefit (10,581) (18,448) (22,353) (30,688)
Net loss (54,828) (108,092) (90,211) (145,053)
Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock 11,692 10,704 23,379 21,291
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 145 161 258 304
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (66,665) $ (118,957) $ (113,848) $ (166,648)
Net loss per basic common shares attributable to common shareholders $ (0.58) $ (1.05) $ (1.00) $ (1.47)
Net loss per diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders $ (0.58) $ (1.05) $ (1.00) $ (1.47)
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)        
Net loss $ (54,828) $ (108,092) $ (90,211) $ (145,053)
Pension and post-retirement obligations:        
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) and prior service cost (credit) to earnings, net of tax (456) (999) (911) (1,998)
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:        
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax 395 3,089 8,335 3,055
Reclassification of realized gain to earnings, net of tax (1,291) (2,387) (2,595) (4,366)
Comprehensive loss (56,180) (108,389) (85,382) (148,362)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest 145 161 258 304
Total comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders $ (56,325) $ (108,550) $ (85,640) $ (148,666)
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,327 $ 4,765
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses 127,359 121,194
Income tax receivable 3,470 2,880
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 57,321 56,843
Assets held for sale   70,473
Total current assets 193,477 256,155
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,494,789 2,449,009
Investments 8,628 8,887
Goodwill 814,624 814,624
Customer relationships, net 10,470 18,616
Other intangible assets 10,557 10,557
Other assets 77,771 70,578
Total assets 3,610,316 3,628,426
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 39,820 60,073
Advance billings and customer deposits 48,539 44,478
Accrued compensation 56,243 58,151
Accrued interest 19,931 18,694
Accrued expense 83,645 114,022
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations 20,601 18,425
Liabilities held for sale   3,402
Total current liabilities 268,779 317,245
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 2,268,663 2,134,916
Deferred income taxes 189,987 210,648
Pension and other post-retirement obligations 135,488 137,616
Other long-term liabilities 49,350 48,637
Total liabilities 2,912,267 2,849,062
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 434,266 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; liquidation preference of $544,335 and $520,957 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 395,969 372,590
Shareholders' equity:    
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 118,477,091 and 116,172,568 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 1,185 1,162
Additional paid-in capital 662,422 681,757
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (352,849) (262,380)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net (17,043) (21,872)
Noncontrolling interest 8,365 8,107
Total shareholders' equity 302,080 406,774
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' equity $ 3,610,316 $ 3,628,426
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Temporary equity, shares authorized 10,000,000 10,000,000
Temporary equity, shares outstanding 434,266 434,266
Temporary equity, liquidation preference $ 544,335 $ 520,957
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 150,000,000 150,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding 118,477,091 116,172,568
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net
Non-controlling Interest
Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022   $ 328,680          
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022   456,000          
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]              
Series A preferred stock issued (in shares)   21,000          
Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued   $ 10,587          
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023   $ 339,267          
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023   477,000          
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 1,152   $ 720,442 $ (11,866) $ (610) $ 7,651 $ 716,769
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 115,167,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures $ 17   (17)        
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) 1,738,000            
Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued     (10,587)       (10,587)
Non-cash, share-based compensation     799       799
Purchase and retirement of common stock $ (2)   (1,034)       (1,036)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (in shares) (256,000)            
Other comprehensive income (loss)         (3,012)   (3,012)
Net income (loss)       (37,104)   143 (36,961)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023 $ 1,167   709,603 (48,970) (3,622) 7,794 665,972
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023 116,649,000            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022   $ 328,680          
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022   456,000          
Balance at Jun. 30, 2023   $ 349,971          
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023   477,000          
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 $ 1,152   720,442 (11,866) (610) 7,651 716,769
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 115,167,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Net income (loss)             (145,053)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2023 $ 1,167   701,287 (157,223) (3,919) 7,955 549,267
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023 116,610,000            
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023   $ 339,267          
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023   477,000          
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]              
Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued   $ 10,704          
Balance at Jun. 30, 2023   $ 349,971          
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023   477,000          
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023 $ 1,167   709,603 (48,970) (3,622) 7,794 665,972
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2023 116,649,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) (39,000)            
Dividends on Series A preferred stock accrued     (10,704)       (10,704)
Non-cash, share-based compensation     2,388       2,388
Other comprehensive income (loss)         (297)   (297)
Net income (loss)       (108,253)   161 (108,092)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2023 $ 1,167   701,287 (157,223) (3,919) 7,955 $ 549,267
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2023 116,610,000            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023   $ 372,590          
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023   434,000         434,266
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]              
Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends   $ 11,687          
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024   $ 384,277          
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024   434,000          
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 $ 1,162   681,757 (262,380) (21,872) 8,107 $ 406,774
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023 116,172,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures $ 23   (23)        
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) 2,368,000            
Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends     (11,687)       (11,687)
Non-cash, share-based compensation     1,681       1,681
Purchase and retirement of common stock $ (1)   (487)       (488)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (in shares) (111,000)            
Other comprehensive income (loss)         6,181   6,181
Net income (loss)       (35,496)   113 (35,383)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024 $ 1,184   671,241 (297,876) (15,691) 8,220 $ 367,078
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024 118,429,000            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023   $ 372,590          
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023   434,000         434,266
Balance at Jun. 30, 2024   $ 395,969          
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024   434,000         434,266
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 $ 1,162   681,757 (262,380) (21,872) 8,107 $ 406,774
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023 116,172,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Other comprehensive income (loss)             4,829
Net income (loss)             (90,211)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2024 $ 1,185   662,422 (352,849) (17,043) 8,365 $ 302,080
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024 118,477,000            
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024   $ 384,277          
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024   434,000          
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]              
Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends   $ 11,692          
Balance at Jun. 30, 2024   $ 395,969          
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024   434,000         434,266
Balance at Mar. 31, 2024 $ 1,184   671,241 (297,876) (15,691) 8,220 $ 367,078
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024 118,429,000            
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures $ 1   (1)        
Shares issued under employee plan, net of forfeitures (in shares) 84,000            
Accrued Series A preferred stock liquidation preference as paid-in-kind dividends     (11,692)       (11,692)
Non-cash, share-based compensation     3,030       3,030
Purchase and retirement of common stock     (156)       (156)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (in shares) (36,000)            
Other comprehensive income (loss)         (1,352)   (1,352)
Net income (loss)       (54,973)   145 (54,828)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2024 $ 1,185   $ 662,422 $ (352,849) $ (17,043) $ 8,365 $ 302,080
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2024 118,477,000            
v3.24.2.u1
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:    
Net loss $ (90,211) $ (145,053)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 160,442 157,237
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (22,371) (31,259)
Pension and post-retirement contributions in excess of expense (3,279) (5,537)
Stock-based compensation expense 4,711 3,187
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts 3,942 3,721
Loss on impairment of assets held for sale   77,755
Loss on disposal of assets   5,688
Other, net (113) (2,861)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
Accounts receivable, net (6,232) 10,874
Income tax receivable (590) (5,141)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (6,580) (3,930)
Accounts payable (22,215) 2,748
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (20,036) (110)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (2,532) 67,319
Cash flows from investing activities:    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net (183,577) (280,860)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments 714 91,623
Proceeds from sale of assets 232 6,801
Proceeds from business dispositions 67,458  
Net cash used in investing activities (115,173) (182,436)
Cash flows from financing activities:    
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 130,000  
Payment of finance lease obligations (10,154) (7,121)
Payment of financing costs (934)  
Share repurchases for minimum tax withholding (645) (1,036)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 118,267 (8,157)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 562 (123,274)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 4,765 325,852
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 5,327 $ 202,578
v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a service area in over 20 states.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning approximately 63,000 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as a comprehensive business product suite including: data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

Merger Agreement

On October 15, 2023, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Condor Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”) affiliated with certain funds managed by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight”), and Condor Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Searchlight. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (“BCI”) and certain affiliates of Searchlight have committed to provide equity financing to Parent to fund the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Searchlight is currently the beneficial owner of approximately 33% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock and is the holder of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Series A perpetual preferred stock. Refer to Note 4 for a more complete discussion of the strategic investment with Searchlight. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (other than shares of the Company’s common stock (i) held directly or indirectly by Parent, Merger Sub or any subsidiary of the Company, (ii) held by the Company as treasury shares or (iii) held by any person who properly exercises appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $4.70 per share, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, (i) Company restricted share awards (“Company RSAs”) held by non-employee directors or by certain affiliates of Searchlight will vest and be canceled in exchange for the Merger Consideration and (ii) all other Company RSAs will be converted into restricted cash awards based on the Merger Consideration and subject to the same terms and conditions, including time-

and performance-based vesting conditions, as the corresponding Company RSA (except that the relative total shareholder return modifier shall be deemed to be achieved at the target level).

The Merger Agreement has, unanimously by the directors present, been approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting of only independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”). On January 31, 2024, the Company held a virtual special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider three proposals with respect to the Merger Agreement. The first proposal, to adopt the Merger Agreement, was approved by (i) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and (ii) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and held by Unaffiliated Stockholders (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The second proposal, to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the named executive officers of the Company in connection with the consummation of the Merger, was approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. The third proposal, to approve any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were insufficient votes in favor of the Merger Agreement proposal, was also approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. Because the Merger Agreement proposal was approved by the requisite vote, no adjournment to solicit additional proxies was necessary.

The proposed transaction constitutes a “going-private transaction” under the rules of the SEC and is expected to close in late fourth quarter 2024 or early first quarter 2025. The closing of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); (ii) the receipt of certain required consents or approvals from (a) the Federal Communications Commission, (b) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (c) state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; (iii) the absence of any order, injunction or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (iv) the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, subject to customary materiality qualifications, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and the date of closing, and performance in all material respects of the covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired on May 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. This satisfied the closing condition related to the U.S. antitrust clearance of the transaction. We are awaiting the other required regulatory approvals in order to execute the Merger. Following the closing of the transaction, shares of our common stock will no longer be traded or listed on any public securities exchange.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities. We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business. Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

Balance at beginning of year

$

13,469

$

11,470

Provision charged to expense

 

4,129

4,140

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(3,903)

(3,190)

Balance at end of year

$

13,695

$

12,420

Accounts Receivable - Other

We may be awarded grants from federal and state governments to assist in the deployment of broadband in order to support access to high-speed broadband services in underserved or unserved areas. The awards may include a number of regulatory requirements including the completion of construction by certain dates. Funding from the grants may be received in advance, upon completion of the project or when certain milestones are achieved. The grants are accounted for as a contribution in aid of construction given the nature of the arrangement and are recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment as the projects are completed. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, AR included amounts due to the Company of $17.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively, related to grant funding or other special construction projects.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 improves reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The new guidance is effective on retrospective basis for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Amendments in ASU 2023-09 require additional income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our income tax disclosures.

v3.24.2.u1
REVENUE
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
REVENUE  
REVENUE

2.  REVENUE

Nature of Contracts with Customers

Our revenue contracts with customers may include a promise or promises to deliver goods such as equipment and/or services such as broadband, video or voice services.  Promised goods and services are considered distinct as the customer can benefit from the goods or services either on their own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and the Company’s promise to transfer a good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.  The Company accounts for goods and services as separate performance obligations.  Each service is considered a single performance obligation as it is providing a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer.

The transaction price is determined at contract inception and reflects the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring a good or service to the customer.  This amount is generally equal to the market price of the goods and/or services promised in the contract and may include promotional discounts.  The transaction price excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as sales taxes and regulatory fees. Conversely, nonrefundable upfront fees, such as service activation and set-up fees, are included in the transaction price.  In determining the transaction price, we consider our enforceable rights and obligations within the contract. We do not consider the possibility of a contract being cancelled, renewed or modified.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of the good or service, net of the related discount, as applicable.

Revenue is recognized when or as performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the good or service to the customer.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Operating Revenues

Consumer:

 

 

 

 

Broadband (Data and VoIP)

$

81,405

$

71,339

$

161,287

$

139,300

Voice services

 

27,965

 

31,352

 

56,301

 

63,615

Video services

3,312

9,362

9,938

18,956

112,682

112,053

227,526

221,871

Commercial:

 

 

 

 

Data services (includes VoIP)

54,571

53,230

109,252

106,364

Voice services

 

30,509

 

32,236

 

61,220

 

64,867

Other

8,295

10,378

17,259

20,134

93,375

95,844

187,731

191,365

Carrier:

Data and transport services

30,263

31,224

61,311

64,147

Voice services

3,610

4,263

7,404

8,630

Other

284

313

519

663

34,157

35,800

69,234

73,440

Subsidies

6,373

7,072

13,179

14,108

Network access

21,143

22,747

43,611

47,191

Other products and services

979

1,646

2,103

3,313

Total operating revenues

$

268,709

$

275,162

$

543,384

$

551,288

Contract Assets and Liabilities

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from our revenue contracts with customers:

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

Accounts receivable, net

$

127,359

$

100,827

Contract assets

 

46,152

 

30,071

Contract liabilities

 

61,543

 

56,963

Contract assets include costs that are incremental to the acquisition of a contract.  Incremental costs are those that result directly from obtaining a contract or costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained, which primarily relate to sales commissions and certain contract fulfillment costs. These costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer life. We determined that the expected customer life is the expected period of benefit as the commission on the renewal contract is not commensurate with the commission on the initial contract. During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized expense of $4.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively,

related to deferred contract acquisition costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized expense of $8.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, related to deferred contract acquisition costs.

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues related to advanced payments for services and nonrefundable, upfront service activation and set-up fees, which are generally deferred and amortized over the expected customer life as the option to renew without paying an upfront fee provides the customer with a material right.  During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized previously deferred revenues of $115.3 million and $100.8 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized previously deferred revenues of $228.9 million and $221.5 million, respectively.

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company provides goods or services when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.  Payment terms on invoiced amounts are generally 30 to 60 days.

Performance Obligations

ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), requires that the Company disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price that is allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of June 30, 2024.  The guidance provides certain practical expedients that limit this requirement.  The service revenue contracts of the Company meet the following practical expedients provided by ASC 606:

1.The performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
2.Revenue is recognized from the satisfaction of the performance obligations in the amount billable to the customer in accordance with ASC 606-10-55-18.

The Company has elected these practical expedients.  Performance obligations related to our service revenue contracts are generally satisfied over time. For services transferred over time, revenue is recognized based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer.  Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer over the life of the contract.  As such, revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.

v3.24.2.u1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE  
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

3.  EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) are computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation method that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities considering dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  Common stock related to certain of the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities because holders are entitled to receive non-forfeitable dividends, if declared, during the vesting term.  

The potentially dilutive impact of the Company’s restricted stock awards is determined using the treasury stock method.  Under the treasury stock method, if the average market price during the period exceeds the exercise price, these instruments are treated as if they had been exercised with the proceeds of exercise used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  Any incremental difference between the assumed number of shares issued and repurchased is included in the diluted share computation.

Diluted EPS includes securities that could potentially dilute basic EPS during a reporting period.  Dilutive securities are not included in the computation of loss per share when a company reports a net loss from continuing operations as the impact would be anti-dilutive.

The computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss

$

(54,828)

$

(108,092)

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock

11,692

10,704

23,379

21,291

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

145

 

161

 

258

 

304

Loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(66,665)

$

(118,957)

$

(113,848)

$

(166,648)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

114,255

113,050

114,195

112,995

Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

(0.58)

$

(1.05)

$

(1.00)

$

(1.47)

Diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 excludes 4.2 million and 3.6 million potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plan, respectively, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders excludes 3.4 million and 3.0 million potential common shares, respectively.

v3.24.2.u1
SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT  
SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT

4.  SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT

In connection with the Investment Agreement entered into on September 13, 2020, affiliates of Searchlight committed to invest up to an aggregate of $425.0 million in the Company. The investment commitment was structured in two stages.  In the first stage of the transaction, which was completed on October 2, 2020, Searchlight invested $350.0 million in the Company in exchange for 6,352,842 shares, or approximately 8%, of the Company’s common stock and was issued a CPR that was convertible, upon the receipt of certain regulatory and shareholder approvals, into an additional 17,870,012 shares, or 16.9%, of the Company’s common stock.  In addition, Searchlight received the right to an unsecured subordinated note with an aggregate principal amount of approximately $395.5 million (the “Note”), which was convertible into shares of a new series of perpetual preferred stock of the Company with an aggregate liquidation preference equal to the principal amount of the Note plus accrued interest as of the date of conversion.

On July 15, 2021, the Company received all required state public utility commission regulatory approvals necessary for the conversion of the CPR into 16.9% additional shares of the Company’s common stock. As a result, the CPR was converted into 17,870,012 shares of common stock, which were issued to Searchlight on July 16, 2021.

In the second stage of the transaction, which was completed on December 7, 2021 following the receipt of Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and certain regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions, Searchlight invested an additional $75.0 million and was issued the Note. On December 7, 2021, Searchlight elected to convert the Note into 434,266 shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). In addition, the CPR converted into an additional 15,115,899 shares, or an additional 10.1%, of the Company’s common stock.  As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total shares of common stock issued to Searchlight represent approximately 33% and 34% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, respectively.

On December 7, 2021, Searchlight exercised its option to convert the Note and the net carrying value of the Note of $285.9 million, net of unamortized discount and issuance costs of $139.7 million and $8.7 million, respectively, was converted into 434,266 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at an initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock accrue daily on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. The liquidation preference per share is adjusted to include any paid-in-kind dividends. See Note 11 for more information on the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.

With the strategic investment from Searchlight, we have enhanced our fiber infrastructure and accelerated the investment in our network, which will include the upgrade of approximately 1.6 million passings across select service areas to enable multi-Gig capable services to these homes and small businesses. Our fiber build plan includes the upgrade of approximately 150,000 homes and small businesses in 2024.

v3.24.2.u1
DIVESTITURES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
DIVESTITURES  
DIVESTITURES

5.  DIVESTITURES

Washington Operations

On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the issued and outstanding stock of our business located in Washington, Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company (“CCCC”), which directly owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Consolidated Communications of Washington Company (“CCWC” and together with CCCC”, the “Washington operations”), for gross cash proceeds of approximately $73.0 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments and other post-closing purchase price adjustments. The sale closed on May 1, 2024. The sale of the Washington operations aligns with our ongoing strategic asset review and focus on our fiber expansion plans in our core broadband regions.

The major classes of assets and liabilities sold consisted of the following:

(In thousands)

    

Current assets

$

1,177

Property, plant and equipment

31,062

Goodwill

114,946

Other long-term assets

1,640

Impairment to net realizable value

(77,755)

Total assets

$

71,070

Current liabilities

$

1,730

Other long-term liabilities

1,120

Total liabilities

$

2,850

During the three months ended June 30, 2023, the carrying value of the net assets to be sold were reduced to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on the estimated selling price less costs to sell and were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss of $77.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized an additional loss on the sale of $0.5 million, which is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations as a result of changes in estimated working capital adjustments and selling costs.    

Kansas City Operations

On March 2, 2022, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all the assets of our business located in the Kansas City market (the “Kansas City operations”). The Kansas City operations provide data, voice and video services to customers within the Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding counties. The sale closed on November 30, 2022 for gross cash proceeds of $82.1 million, subject to the finalization of certain working capital and other post-closing purchase price adjustments. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we recognized an additional loss on sale of $2.1 million as a result of expected purchase price adjustments and changes in working capital. The loss on the sale of the Kansas City Operations is included in loss on disposal of assets in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

   

v3.24.2.u1
INVESTMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
INVESTMENTS  
INVESTMENTS

6.  INVESTMENTS

Our investments are as follows:

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Long-term investments:

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

3,187

$

2,860

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

5,168

 

5,755

Other

 

273

 

272

$

8,628

$

8,887

Long-Term Investments

CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers. On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility.  The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.

v3.24.2.u1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

7.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and observable market data of similar instruments.  See Note 9 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.

Our interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were as follows:

As of June 30, 2024

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap assets

$

5,353

 

$

$

5,353

 

$

As of December 31, 2023

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,421)

 

$

$

(2,421)

 

$

We have not elected the fair value option for any of our other assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

As of June 30, 2024

As of December 31, 2023

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,273,727

$

2,055,134

$

2,142,858

$

1,903,831

Investments

Our investments as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 accounted for at cost consisted primarily of our investment in CoBank. It is impracticable to determine the fair value of this investment.

Long-term Debt

The fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of borrowings under our credit facility was determined using current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

v3.24.2.u1
LONG-TERM DEBT
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
LONG-TERM DEBT  
LONG-TERM DEBT

8. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $6,148 and $7,017 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

$

993,727

$

992,858

Revolving loans

130,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2028

750,000

750,000

5.00% Senior notes due 2028

400,000

400,000

Finance leases

42,155

39,240

 

2,315,882

 

2,182,098

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(20,601)

 

(18,425)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(26,618)

(28,757)

Total long-term debt

$

2,268,663

$

2,134,916

Credit Agreement

On October 2, 2020, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previous credit agreement in its entirety. The Credit Agreement consisted of term loans in an original aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and a revolving loan facility of $250.0 million. The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental loan facility which provides the ability to borrow, subject to certain terms and conditions, incremental loans in an aggregate amount of up to the greater of (a) $300.0 million plus (b) an amount which would not cause its senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 3.70:1.00 (the “Incremental Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.  

The Term Loans have a maturity date of October 2, 2027 and bear interest at a rate of 3.50% plus Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (subject to a 0.75% SOFR floor) plus a SOFR adjustment. As part of the replacement to SOFR-benchmark rates in 2023, borrowings will include an adjustment of 0.11%, 0.26% and 0.43% for borrowings of one, three and six month loans, respectively. On March 18, 2021, the Company repaid $397.0 million of the then outstanding Term Loans with the net proceeds received from the issuance of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “5.00% Senior Notes”), as described below. The repayment of the Term Loans was applied to the remaining principal payments in direct order of maturity, thereby eliminating the required quarterly principal payments through the remaining term of the loan.  

The revolving credit facility has a maturity date of October 2, 2027 (subject to springing maturity on April 2, 2027 if the Term Loans, as of April 1, 2027, are scheduled to mature earlier than March 31, 2028) and an applicable margin (at our election) of 4.00% for SOFR-based borrowings or 3.00% for alternate base rate borrowings, with a 0.25% reduction in each case if the consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 3.20 to 1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, borrowings of $130.0 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility. At December 31,

2023, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Stand-by letters of credit of $44.8 million were outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2024.  The stand-by letters of credit are renewable annually and reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2024, $75.2 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility, subject to certain covenants.

As allowed for under the credit agreement under permitted indebtedness, on March 29, 2024 and June 24, 2024, the Company entered into term sheets to facilitate loans of up to an aggregate amount of $140.0 million, contingent upon satisfaction of certain conditions including a successful fund raising by the lender.

The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 9.00% and 8.96% as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Interest is payable at least quarterly.

Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance

The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue certain capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  Among other things, it will be an event of default, with respect to the revolving credit facility only, if our consolidated first lien leverage ratio is greater than 7.75:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter, if on such date the testing threshold is met. The testing threshold is met if the aggregate amount of our borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility exceeds 35%.  As of June 30, 2024, the testing threshold was met and our consolidated first lien leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was below 7.75:1.00.  As of June 30, 2024, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.

On October 15, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) to, among other things, increase the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio (the “Step-Up”) permitted under the Credit Agreement to (i) 7.75 to 1.00, from October 15, 2023 to and including December 31, 2024, (ii) 7.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2025 to and including March 31, 2025, (iii) 7.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2025 to and including June 30, 2025, (iv) 7.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2025 to and including September 30, 2025, (v) 6.75 to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2025 to and including December 31, 2025, (vi) 6.50 to 1.00, from and including January 1, 2026 to and including March 31, 2026, (vii) 6.25 to 1.00, from and including April 1, 2026 to and including June 30, 2026, (viii) 6.00 to 1.00, from and including July 1, 2026 to and including September 30, 2026, and (ix) 5.85 to 1.00 from and including October 1, 2026 and thereafter (the “Step-Up Period”). While the Step-Up is in effect, the Company will be subject to additional restrictions on its ability to make certain investments and restricted payments (the “Restrictions”). The Step-Up Period and the Restrictions will end and the maximum Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio will revert to the levels set forth in the Credit Agreement on the earlier of (a) the Company’s election and (b) August 1, 2025, to the extent $300.0 million in cash proceeds have not been received by the Company from equity contributed to its capital by such date. If the proposed Merger is not completed by August 1, 2025, the increase in the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio as permitted in the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement to provide interim financial covenant relief will end and the maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio will revert to 5.85 to 1.00.

Searchlight Term Loan

On March 21, 2024, the Company, through certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Searchlight, as lender entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), which consists of delayed draw term loans in the aggregate amount of $80.0 million (the “Loan”). The Loan Agreement provides us with the ability to borrow on the Loan in the event either (a) the aggregate amount of available loans to be drawn under the revolving credit facility is less than $25.0 million or (b) drawing under the revolving credit facility would trigger the financial maintenance covenant thereunder and we would not be in compliance with such covenant on a pro forma basis, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain other customary conditions.

In the event the Loan is ever drawn, we intend to apply the proceeds from the Loan to directly or indirectly fund capital expenditures for our fiber broadband expansion plan. The Loan Agreement is unsecured and the Loan will mature on April 2, 2027. Drawn amounts on the Loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable rate ranging from 12.0% per annum, which applies prior to the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date (unless the Merger Agreement is

terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof), to the amount required for Searchlight to realize a multiple on invested capital of 1.75x on the Loan, which applies on and after the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to the Company’s breach thereof and (ii) the date that is 18 months after the initial borrowing date.

The Loan Agreement contains various affirmative, negative, and financial covenants consistent with the Company’s existing credit agreement. The Loan Agreement requires, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated and any amounts in respect of the Loan remain outstanding, for the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated first lien leverage ratio. The Loan Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, nonpayment, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, violations of covenants, nonpayment of other material debts, certain bankruptcy and liquidations, certain material judgments, and certain events related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Senior Notes

On October 2, 2020, we completed an offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% unsubordinated secured notes due 2028 (the “6.50% Senior Notes”).  The 6.50% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 6.50%, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 6.50% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028.    

On March 18, 2021, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount 5.00% Senior Notes, together with the 6.50% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”). The 5.00% Senior Notes were priced at par and bear interest at a rate of 5.00% per year, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021. The 5.00% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2028. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.00% Senior Notes were used to repay $397.0 million of the Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Senior Notes are unsubordinated secured obligations of the Company, secured by a first priority lien on the collateral that secures the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a first priority secured basis by the Company and the majority of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. The offerings of the Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any state securities laws.  

Senior Notes Covenant Compliance

Subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the indentures governing the Senior Notes contain customary covenants that, among other things, limits the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions. The indentures also contain customary events of default.  As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all terms, conditions and covenants under the indentures governing the Senior Notes.  

v3.24.2.u1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments. For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation. If a derivative instrument is de-designated,

the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.  Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of June 30, 2024:

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2024 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

Other long-term assets

$

5,353

Our fixed to 1-month floating SOFR interest rate swap agreements, which became effective July 31, 2023, have a fixed rate of 3.941% and mature on September 30, 2026.

The following interest rate swaps were outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2023 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

$

(2,421)

The counterparties to our various swaps are highly rated financial institutions. None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties. The swaps of any counterparty that is a lender, as defined in our credit facility, are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility. Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties.  

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI was $5.4 million and $(2.4) million, respectively.  From the balance in AOCI as of June 30, 2024, we expect to recognize a gain of approximately $4.7 million in earnings in the next twelve months.

Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Unrealized gain recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

535

$

4,180

$

11,290

$

4,133

Deferred gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

1,749

$

3,231

$

3,516

$

5,909

v3.24.2.u1
LEASES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
LEASES  
LEASES

10. LEASES

Lessor

We have various arrangements for use of our network assets for which we are the lessor, including tower space, certain colocation, conduit and dark fiber arrangements. These leases meet the criteria for operating lease classification.  Lease income associated with these types of leases is not material. Occasionally, we enter into arrangements where the term may be for a major part of the asset’s remaining economic life such as in indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) arrangements for dark fiber or conduit, which meet the criteria for sales-type lease classification. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we did not enter into any such arrangements.

v3.24.2.u1
MEZZANINE EQUITY
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
MEZZANINE EQUITY  
MEZZANINE EQUITY

11. MEZZANINE EQUITY

Series A Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. The designated Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Company’s common stock with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company and redemption rights. The following is a summary of certain provisions under the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designations”).

Dividends

Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock accrue daily on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9.0% per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year. Subsequent to a waiver issued by Searchlight in November 2022 as described below, dividends are payable until October 2, 2027 at our election, either in cash or in-kind through an accrual of unpaid dividends, which are automatically added to the liquidation preference; and after October 2, 2027, solely in cash.  The liquidation preference at the time of issuance is $1,000 per share, as adjusted to include any paid-in-kind dividends.  In the event that the Company’s Board of Directors fails to declare and pay dividends in cash after October 2, 2027, among other conditions, the dividend rate applicable to each subsequent dividend period will increase to 11.0%.

On November 22, 2022, in connection with entering into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement, Searchlight waived for two years, until October 2, 2027, the obligation under the Certificate of Designations to begin paying in cash after October 2, 2025 rather than being permitted to accrue dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. Any dividend not declared and fully paid in cash during the waiver period or otherwise, will continue to accrue in accordance with the Certificate of Designations and be reflected as additional per share liquidation preference.

Redemption

Upon a fundamental change such as a change of control, liquidation, dissolution or winding up event, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock for cash at a price equal the liquidation preference and accrued and unpaid dividends through and including the fundamental change date.

The Company may, at its option redeem all or any part of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share in cash equal to the sum of the liquidation preference and accrued and unpaid dividends.  A premium may also be payable in connection with any such redemption.

Voting Rights

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters specifically related to the Series A Preferred Stock.  The holders do not otherwise have any voting rights.  If preferred dividends have not been paid in cash in full for two dividend periods after October 2, 2027, whether or not consecutive, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect two additional directors to the board of directors.

In accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the Series A Preferred Stock is classified as mezzanine equity in the consolidated balance sheets due to a deemed liquidation feature, which gives holders the right to require the Company to redeem all or any part of the holders’ Series A Preferred Stock for cash in the event of a fundamental change or change in control.  We have not adjusted the carrying value of the Series A Preferred Stock to its liquidation value since the securities are not currently redeemable nor is it probable that they will become redeemable. Subsequent adjustments to increase the carrying value to the liquidation value will be made only if and when it becomes probable that such a deemed liquidation event will occur.

On December 7, 2021, upon the completion of the Searchlight investment as described in Note 4, we issued 434,266 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a carrying value of $285.9 million. As of December 31, 2023, the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock was $521.0 million, which included accrued and unpaid dividends of $22.4 million. On January 2, 2024, the Company paid dividends in-kind of $22.5 million. As of June 30, 2024, the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock was $544.3 million, which includes accrued and unpaid dividends of $23.3 million. Searchlight is the sole holder of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock. The Company intends to exercise the paid-in-kind dividend option on the Series A Preferred Stock through at least 2025.  

v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

12. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share-Based Compensation

Our Board of Directors (or its Compensation Committee) may grant share-based awards from our shareholder approved Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the issuance of awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock grants, and stock unit grants to eligible directors and employees at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. On February 26, 2023, our Board of Directors adopted, and on May 1, 2023, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase by 5,280,000 shares the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan.  With the amendment, approximately 15,330,000 shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance under the Plan, provided that in any calendar year an eligible employee may be granted no more than 300,000 stock options or 300,000 stock appreciation rights, and a non-employee director may be granted no more than 25,000 stock options or 25,000 stock appreciation rights.  In addition, stock awards and stock unit awards granted to an employee in any calendar year may not cover shares having a fair market value on the date of grant that exceeds $6,000,000 ($500,000 in the case of a non-employee director). Unless terminated sooner, the Plan will continue in effect until April 30, 2028.

The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Restricted stock

$

1,852

$

1,240

$

2,791

$

2,163

Performance shares

 

1,178

 

1,148

 

1,920

 

1,024

Total

$

3,030

$

2,388

$

4,711

$

3,187

Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of June 30, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $18.1 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024:

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2023

 

1,491,997

$

3.78

 

690,822

$

7.28

Shares granted

 

2,072,248

$

4.31

 

548,075

$

3.17

Shares vested

 

(75,943)

$

4.03

 

(384,208)

$

7.66

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(48,084)

$

3.83

(120,236)

$

5.86

Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2024

 

3,440,218

$

4.09

 

734,453

$

4.24

At June 30, 2024, we had 2.3 million PSAs outstanding for which performance condition achievement has not yet been determined, with a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.89. The PSAs are earned upon the achievement of predetermined goals over the performance periods, which range from one to three years. Depending on performance, a number of shares equal to 0% to 150% of the target PSAs outstanding as of June 30, 2024 may be issued as restricted stock once the performance periods are completed.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024:

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

$

(20,084)

$

(1,788)

$

(21,872)

Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications

8,335

8,335

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

(911)

(2,595)

(3,506)

Net current period other comprehensive income

 

(911)

 

5,740

 

4,829

Balance at June 30, 2024

$

(20,995)

$

3,952

$

(17,043)

The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Statement of Operations

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service credit

$

131

$

133

$

261

$

265

(a)

Actuarial gain

 

487

 

1,223

 

974

 

2,446

(a)  

 

618

 

1,356

 

1,235

 

2,711

Total before tax

(162)

 

(357)

 

(324)

 

(713)

Tax expense

$

456

$

999

$

911

$

1,998

Net of tax

Gain on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

1,748

$

3,231

$

3,515

$

5,909

Interest expense

 

(457)

 

(844)

 

(920)

 

(1,543)

Tax expense

$

1,291

$

2,387

$

2,595

$

4,366

Net of tax

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 13 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
v3.24.2.u1
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS  
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

13. PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Defined Benefit Plans

We sponsor qualified defined benefit pension plans that are non-contributory covering substantially all of our hourly employees under collective bargaining agreements who fulfill minimum age and service requirements and certain salaried employees.  The defined benefit pension plans are closed to all new entrants. All of our defined benefit pension plans are now frozen to all current employees, and no additional monthly pension benefits will accrue under those plans.

We also maintain non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (the “Supplemental Plans” and, together with the defined benefit pension plans, the “Pension Plans”).  The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction of the amount that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. The Supplemental Plans are closed to all new entrants. These plans are unfunded and have no assets.  The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) for our Pension Plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Interest cost

$

6,671

$

7,357

$

13,342

$

14,713

Expected return on plan assets

 

(6,660)

 

(7,850)

 

(13,320)

 

(15,700)

Net amortization loss

 

210

 

72

 

420

 

144

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

 

61

 

61

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

$

251

$

(391)

$

503

$

(782)

The components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations

We sponsor various healthcare and life insurance plans (“Post-retirement Plans”) that provide post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to certain groups of retired employees. Certain plans are frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed.  Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred.  Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured.  A majority of the healthcare plans are unfunded and have no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company. However, a certain healthcare plan is funded by assets that are separately designated within the Pension Plans for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits for this specific plan.  

The following table summarizes the components of the net periodic benefit for our Post-retirement Plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Service cost

$

21

$

19

$

42

$

38

Interest cost

 

693

 

750

 

1,386

 

1,500

Expected return on plan assets

 

(45)

 

(47)

 

(91)

 

(94)

Net amortization gain

 

(697)

 

(1,295)

 

(1,394)

 

(2,590)

Net prior service credit amortization

 

(161)

 

(163)

 

(322)

 

(326)

Net periodic post-retirement benefit

$

(189)

$

(736)

$

(379)

$

(1,472)

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other, net within other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Contributions

We elected to participate in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) beginning with the 2021 plan year.  ARPA, which was signed into law in March 2021, included changes to the employer funding requirements and is designed to reduce the amounts of required contributions to provide funding relief for employers. During 2021 and the six months ended June 30, 2022, we elected to fund our pension contributions at the pre-ARPA levels, which has created a pre-funded balance. We intend to use our current pre-funded balance to satisfy the minimum contribution requirements until the balance is exhausted, which is expected to occur in late 2024. We expect to contribute approximately $0.2 million to our Pension Plans and $5.7 million to our Post-retirement Plans in 2024. As of June 30, 2024, we have contributed $3.3 million of the annual contribution to the Post-retirement Plans.

v3.24.2.u1
INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
INCOME TAXES  
INCOME TAXES

14. INCOME TAXES

Our unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $4.9 million. The net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an impact to the effective tax rate is $4.7 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We do not expect any material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the remainder of 2024.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense.

The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2020 through 2022. The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2019 through 2022. In addition, prior tax years may be subject to examination by federal or state taxing authorities if the Company’s net operating loss carryovers from those prior years are utilized in the future. We are currently under examination by certain state taxing authorities. We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the examination to have a material effect on our results or cash flows.

Our effective tax rate was 16.2% and 14.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and 19.9% and 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On July 10, 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Washington operations and the transaction closed on May 1, 2024. As a result, we recorded an increase of $6.1 million and $14.3 million to our current tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the write-down of noncash goodwill that is not deductible for tax purposes. The Company does not consider this sales transaction and related goodwill adjustment unusual or infrequent and therefore the corresponding tax impact is recorded through continuing operations. Exclusive of this divestiture related adjustment, our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 would have been approximately 25.5% and 25.7%, respectively, and approximately 25.3% and 25.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates due to various permanent income tax differences.  

v3.24.2.u1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

15.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation, Regulatory Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Gross Receipts Tax

Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received Assessment Notices and/or Audit Assessment Notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for the Pennsylvania Gross Receipts Tax, and have had audits performed for the tax years 2008 through 2018 (CCPA and CCES) and 2019 through 2020 (CCPA). We filed Petitions for Reassessment with the DOR’s Board of Appeals contesting these audit assessments.  These cases remain pending and are in various stages of appeal. In May 2017, we entered into an agreement to guarantee any potential liabilities to the DOR up to $5.0 million.  

Tax liabilities calculated by the DOR for CCPA and CCES for tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2023 (CCPA and CCES) are approximately $5.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Based on the initial settlement offers for the tax years 2008 through 2013, which were subsequently settled in 2019 for $2.1 million, including interest,  and the Company’s best estimate of the potential additional tax liabilities for the remaining unsettled tax years 2010 (CCPA) and 2014 through 2023 (CCPA and CCES), we have reserved $1.0 million and $2.7 million, including interest, for our CCPA and CCES subsidiaries, respectively.  We expect the filings for the tax years 2014 through 2023 to be settled at a later date similar to the initial settlement. While we continue to believe a settlement of all remaining disputed claims is possible, we cannot anticipate at this time what the ultimate resolution of these cases will be, nor can we evaluate the likelihood of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or the potential losses (or gains) should such an outcome occur.  

From time to time we may be involved in litigation that we believe is of the type common to companies in our industry, including regulatory issues. While the outcome of these claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

v3.24.2.u1
Insider Trading Arrangements
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Business and Basis of Accounting

Business and Basis of Accounting

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communication solutions to consumer, commercial and carrier customers across a service area in over 20 states.

Leveraging our advanced fiber network spanning approximately 63,000 fiber route miles, we offer residential high-speed Internet, video, phone and home security services as well as a comprehensive business product suite including: data and Internet solutions, voice, data center services, security services, managed and IT services, and an expanded suite of cloud services.  

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods.  Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC.

Recent Developments

Recent Developments

Merger Agreement

On October 15, 2023, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Condor Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Parent”) affiliated with certain funds managed by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight”), and Condor Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”) with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of an affiliate of Searchlight. British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (“BCI”) and certain affiliates of Searchlight have committed to provide equity financing to Parent to fund the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Searchlight is currently the beneficial owner of approximately 33% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock and is the holder of 100% of the Company’s outstanding Series A perpetual preferred stock. Refer to Note 4 for a more complete discussion of the strategic investment with Searchlight. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (other than shares of the Company’s common stock (i) held directly or indirectly by Parent, Merger Sub or any subsidiary of the Company, (ii) held by the Company as treasury shares or (iii) held by any person who properly exercises appraisal rights under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $4.70 per share, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, (i) Company restricted share awards (“Company RSAs”) held by non-employee directors or by certain affiliates of Searchlight will vest and be canceled in exchange for the Merger Consideration and (ii) all other Company RSAs will be converted into restricted cash awards based on the Merger Consideration and subject to the same terms and conditions, including time-

and performance-based vesting conditions, as the corresponding Company RSA (except that the relative total shareholder return modifier shall be deemed to be achieved at the target level).

The Merger Agreement has, unanimously by the directors present, been approved by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), acting upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee consisting of only independent and disinterested directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”). On January 31, 2024, the Company held a virtual special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to consider three proposals with respect to the Merger Agreement. The first proposal, to adopt the Merger Agreement, was approved by (i) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and (ii) holders of a majority of the voting power represented by the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock that were entitled to vote thereon and held by Unaffiliated Stockholders (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The second proposal, to approve by advisory (non-binding) vote the compensation that may be paid or become payable to the named executive officers of the Company in connection with the consummation of the Merger, was approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. The third proposal, to approve any adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were insufficient votes in favor of the Merger Agreement proposal, was also approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders. Because the Merger Agreement proposal was approved by the requisite vote, no adjournment to solicit additional proxies was necessary.

The proposed transaction constitutes a “going-private transaction” under the rules of the SEC and is expected to close in late fourth quarter 2024 or early first quarter 2025. The closing of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”); (ii) the receipt of certain required consents or approvals from (a) the Federal Communications Commission, (b) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (c) state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; (iii) the absence of any order, injunction or decree restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (iv) the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, subject to customary materiality qualifications, as of the date of the Merger Agreement and the date of closing, and performance in all material respects of the covenants and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired on May 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. This satisfied the closing condition related to the U.S. antitrust clearance of the transaction. We are awaiting the other required regulatory approvals in order to execute the Merger. Following the closing of the transaction, shares of our common stock will no longer be traded or listed on any public securities exchange.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable (“AR”) consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from normal business activities. We maintain an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) based on our historical loss experience, current conditions and forecasted changes including but not limited to changes related to the economy, our industry and business. Uncollectible accounts are written-off (removed from AR and charged against the ACL) when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.  Subsequently, if payment is received from the customer, the recovery is credited to the ACL.

The following table summarizes the activity in ACL for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

Balance at beginning of year

$

13,469

$

11,470

Provision charged to expense

 

4,129

4,140

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(3,903)

(3,190)

Balance at end of year

$

13,695

$

12,420

Accounts Receivable - Other

We may be awarded grants from federal and state governments to assist in the deployment of broadband in order to support access to high-speed broadband services in underserved or unserved areas. The awards may include a number of regulatory requirements including the completion of construction by certain dates. Funding from the grants may be received in advance, upon completion of the project or when certain milestones are achieved. The grants are accounted for as a contribution in aid of construction given the nature of the arrangement and are recorded as a reduction to property, plant and equipment as the projects are completed. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, AR included amounts due to the Company of $17.4 million and $7.0 million, respectively, related to grant funding or other special construction projects.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07 (“ASU 2023-07”), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 improves reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The new guidance is effective on retrospective basis for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our related disclosures.

In December 2023, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. Amendments in ASU 2023-09 require additional income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 with early adoption permitted and can be applied on either a prospective or retrospective basis. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our income tax disclosures.

v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Summary of activity for ACL

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

Balance at beginning of year

$

13,469

$

11,470

Provision charged to expense

 

4,129

4,140

Write-offs, less recoveries

 

(3,903)

(3,190)

Balance at end of year

$

13,695

$

12,420

v3.24.2.u1
REVENUE (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
REVENUE  
Schedule of disaggregation of revenue

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Operating Revenues

Consumer:

 

 

 

 

Broadband (Data and VoIP)

$

81,405

$

71,339

$

161,287

$

139,300

Voice services

 

27,965

 

31,352

 

56,301

 

63,615

Video services

3,312

9,362

9,938

18,956

112,682

112,053

227,526

221,871

Commercial:

 

 

 

 

Data services (includes VoIP)

54,571

53,230

109,252

106,364

Voice services

 

30,509

 

32,236

 

61,220

 

64,867

Other

8,295

10,378

17,259

20,134

93,375

95,844

187,731

191,365

Carrier:

Data and transport services

30,263

31,224

61,311

64,147

Voice services

3,610

4,263

7,404

8,630

Other

284

313

519

663

34,157

35,800

69,234

73,440

Subsidies

6,373

7,072

13,179

14,108

Network access

21,143

22,747

43,611

47,191

Other products and services

979

1,646

2,103

3,313

Total operating revenues

$

268,709

$

275,162

$

543,384

$

551,288

Schedule of receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

Accounts receivable, net

$

127,359

$

100,827

Contract assets

 

46,152

 

30,071

Contract liabilities

 

61,543

 

56,963

v3.24.2.u1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE  
Schedule of basic and diluted EPS

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net loss

$

(54,828)

$

(108,092)

$

(90,211)

$

(145,053)

Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock

11,692

10,704

23,379

21,291

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

145

 

161

 

258

 

304

Loss attributable to common shareholders

$

(66,665)

$

(118,957)

$

(113,848)

$

(166,648)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

114,255

113,050

114,195

112,995

Net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted

$

(0.58)

$

(1.05)

$

(1.00)

$

(1.47)

v3.24.2.u1
DIVESTITURES (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company, Washington  
Divestitures  
Schedule of major classes of assets and liabilities sold

(In thousands)

    

Current assets

$

1,177

Property, plant and equipment

31,062

Goodwill

114,946

Other long-term assets

1,640

Impairment to net realizable value

(77,755)

Total assets

$

71,070

Current liabilities

$

1,730

Other long-term liabilities

1,120

Total liabilities

$

2,850

v3.24.2.u1
INVESTMENTS (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
INVESTMENTS  
Schedule of investments

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Long-term investments:

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$

3,187

$

2,860

CoBank, ACB Stock

 

5,168

 

5,755

Other

 

273

 

272

$

8,628

$

8,887

v3.24.2.u1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  
Schedule of interest rate swap agreements measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of June 30, 2024

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap assets

$

5,353

 

$

$

5,353

 

$

As of December 31, 2023

 

    

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

 

In Active

Other

Significant

 

Markets for

Observable

Unobservable

 

Identical Assets

Inputs

Inputs

 

(In thousands)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

 

Long-term interest rate swap liabilities

$

(2,421)

 

$

$

(2,421)

 

$

Schedule of other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure

As of June 30, 2024

As of December 31, 2023

 

(In thousands)

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying Value

    

Fair Value

  

Long-term debt, excluding finance leases

$

2,273,727

$

2,055,134

$

2,142,858

$

1,903,831

v3.24.2.u1
LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
LONG-TERM DEBT  
Schedule of components of long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts

June 30,

December 31,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

 

 

Senior secured credit facility:

Term loans, net of discounts of $6,148 and $7,017 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

$

993,727

$

992,858

Revolving loans

130,000

6.50% Senior notes due 2028

750,000

750,000

5.00% Senior notes due 2028

400,000

400,000

Finance leases

42,155

39,240

 

2,315,882

 

2,182,098

Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases

 

(20,601)

 

(18,425)

Less: deferred debt issuance costs

(26,618)

(28,757)

Total long-term debt

$

2,268,663

$

2,134,916

v3.24.2.u1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  
Schedule of outstanding interest rate swaps

    

Notional

    

    

 

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2024 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

Other long-term assets

$

5,353

    

Notional

    

    

 

(In thousands)

Amount

2023 Balance Sheet Location

Fair Value

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR

$

500,000

 

Other long-term liabilities

$

(2,421)

Schedule of gains on cash flow hedge transactions

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Unrealized gain recognized in AOCI, pretax

$

535

$

4,180

$

11,290

$

4,133

Deferred gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

$

1,749

$

3,231

$

3,516

$

5,909

v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Summary of total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Restricted stock

$

1,852

$

1,240

$

2,791

$

2,163

Performance shares

 

1,178

 

1,148

 

1,920

 

1,024

Total

$

3,030

$

2,388

$

4,711

$

3,187

Summary of RSA and PSA activity

RSAs

    

PSAs

 

    

    

Weighted

    

Weighted

 

Average Grant

Average Grant

 

Shares

Date Fair Value

Shares

Date Fair Value

 

Non-vested shares outstanding - December 31, 2023

 

1,491,997

$

3.78

 

690,822

$

7.28

Shares granted

 

2,072,248

$

4.31

 

548,075

$

3.17

Shares vested

 

(75,943)

$

4.03

 

(384,208)

$

7.66

Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired

(48,084)

$

3.83

(120,236)

$

5.86

Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2024

 

3,440,218

$

4.09

 

734,453

$

4.24

Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component

    

Pension and

    

    

 

Post-Retirement

Derivative

 

(In thousands)

Obligations

Instruments

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2023

$

(20,084)

$

(1,788)

$

(21,872)

Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications

8,335

8,335

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

(911)

(2,595)

(3,506)

Net current period other comprehensive income

 

(911)

 

5,740

 

4,829

Balance at June 30, 2024

$

(20,995)

$

3,952

$

(17,043)

Summary of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

Affected Line Item in the

 

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

Statement of Operations

 

Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:

Prior service credit

$

131

$

133

$

261

$

265

(a)

Actuarial gain

 

487

 

1,223

 

974

 

2,446

(a)  

 

618

 

1,356

 

1,235

 

2,711

Total before tax

(162)

 

(357)

 

(324)

 

(713)

Tax expense

$

456

$

999

$

911

$

1,998

Net of tax

Gain on cash flow hedges:

Interest rate derivatives

$

1,748

$

3,231

$

3,515

$

5,909

Interest expense

 

(457)

 

(844)

 

(920)

 

(1,543)

Tax expense

$

1,291

$

2,387

$

2,595

$

4,366

Net of tax

(a)These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans. See Note 13 for further discussion regarding our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
v3.24.2.u1
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Defined Benefit Plans  
Post-retirement benefit obligation  
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Interest cost

$

6,671

$

7,357

$

13,342

$

14,713

Expected return on plan assets

 

(6,660)

 

(7,850)

 

(13,320)

 

(15,700)

Net amortization loss

 

210

 

72

 

420

 

144

Net prior service cost amortization

 

30

 

30

 

61

 

61

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

$

251

$

(391)

$

503

$

(782)

Post-retirement Benefit Obligations  
Post-retirement benefit obligation  
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(In thousands)

    

2024

    

2023

    

2024

    

2023

 

Service cost

$

21

$

19

$

42

$

38

Interest cost

 

693

 

750

 

1,386

 

1,500

Expected return on plan assets

 

(45)

 

(47)

 

(91)

 

(94)

Net amortization gain

 

(697)

 

(1,295)

 

(1,394)

 

(2,590)

Net prior service credit amortization

 

(161)

 

(163)

 

(322)

 

(326)

Net periodic post-retirement benefit

$

(189)

$

(736)

$

(379)

$

(1,472)

v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Business (Details)
Jun. 30, 2024
state
mi
Number of fiber route miles | mi 63,000
Minimum  
Number of states | state 20
v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Recent Developments (Details) - $ / shares
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Oct. 15, 2023
Investment Holdings [Line Items]      
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01  
Merger Agreement | Searchlight      
Investment Holdings [Line Items]      
Ownership percentage held in the company 33.00%    
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)     $ 0.01
Cash consideration price per share     $ 4.70
Merger Agreement | Searchlight | Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc | Series A preferred stock      
Investment Holdings [Line Items]      
Preferred stock owned (as a percent) 100.00%    
v3.24.2.u1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Activity in the entity's accounts receivable allowance      
Balance at beginning of year $ 13,469 $ 11,470  
Provision charged to expense 4,129 4,140  
Write-offs, less recoveries (3,903) (3,190)  
Balance at end of year 13,695 $ 12,420  
Grant amount $ 17,400   $ 7,000
v3.24.2.u1
REVENUE (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues $ 268,709 $ 275,162 $ 543,384 $ 551,288
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities        
Accounts receivable, net 127,359 100,827 127,359 100,827
Contract assets 46,152 30,071 46,152 30,071
Contract liabilities 61,543 56,963 61,543 56,963
Recognized expenses related to deferred contract acquisition costs. 4,200 3,200 8,200 6,700
Revenue recognized from beginning of year and current period increase in contract liability 115,300 100,800 $ 228,900 221,500
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Remaining Performance Obligation     true  
Minimum        
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities        
Payment term     30 days  
Maximum        
Receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities        
Payment term     60 days  
Consumer        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 112,682 112,053 $ 227,526 221,871
Consumer - Broadband (Data and VoIP)        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 81,405 71,339 161,287 139,300
Consumer - Voice services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 27,965 31,352 56,301 63,615
Consumer - Video services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 3,312 9,362 9,938 18,956
Commercial        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 93,375 95,844 187,731 191,365
Commercial - Data services (including VoIP)        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 54,571 53,230 109,252 106,364
Commercial - Voice services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 30,509 32,236 61,220 64,867
Commercial - Other        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 8,295 10,378 17,259 20,134
Carrier        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 34,157 35,800 69,234 73,440
Carrier - Data and transport services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 30,263 31,224 61,311 64,147
Carrier - Voice services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 3,610 4,263 7,404 8,630
Carrier - Other        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 284 313 519 663
Subsidies        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 6,373 7,072 13,179 14,108
Network access        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues 21,143 22,747 43,611 47,191
Other products and services        
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]        
Total operating revenues $ 979 $ 1,646 $ 2,103 $ 3,313
v3.24.2.u1
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders            
Net loss $ (54,828) $ (35,383) $ (108,092) $ (36,961) $ (90,211) $ (145,053)
Less: dividends on Series A preferred stock 11,692   10,704   23,379 21,291
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 145   161   258 304
Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (66,665)   $ (118,957)   $ (113,848) $ (166,648)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic 114,255   113,050   114,195 112,995
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted 114,255   113,050   114,195 112,995
Net loss per basic common shares attributable to common shareholders $ (0.58)   $ (1.05)   $ (1.00) $ (1.47)
Net loss per diluted common shares attributable to common shareholders $ (0.58)   $ (1.05)   $ (1.00) $ (1.47)
Common shares excluded from computation of potentially dilutive shares because of anti-dilutive effect 4,200   3,600   3,400 3,000
v3.24.2.u1
SEARCHLIGHT INVESTMENT (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 07, 2021
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Jul. 16, 2021
shares
Oct. 02, 2020
USD ($)
shares
Sep. 13, 2020
USD ($)
item
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
item
$ / shares
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
$ / shares
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares         $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Deferred debt issuance costs         $ 26,618 $ 28,757
Series A preferred stock            
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Series A preferred stock issued (in shares) | shares 434,266          
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares         $ 0.01  
Preferred stock dividend rate         9.00%  
Liquidation preference per share | $ / shares         $ 1,000  
Investment Agreement            
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Number of passings across select service areas | item       1,600,000    
Investment Agreement | Searchlight            
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Capital commitment $ 75,000          
Number of stages | item       2    
Proceeds from issuance of shares     $ 350,000      
Shares exchanged in Investment Agreement | shares     6,352,842      
Percentage of share issued     8.00%      
Additional shares upon conversion of contingent payment right | shares 15,115,899 17,870,012 17,870,012      
Percentage of additional shares approved after conversion of CPR 10.10% 16.90% 16.90%      
Percentage of stock on an as-converted basis         33.00% 34.00%
Series A preferred stock issued (in shares) | shares 434,266          
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 0.01          
Aggregate principal amount     $ 395,500      
Number of homes and small businesses for plan to upgrade | item         150,000  
Investment Agreement | Searchlight | Subordinated Debt            
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Series A preferred stock issued (in shares) | shares 434,266          
Preferred stock dividend rate         9.00%  
Carrying value $ 285,900          
Unamortized discount 139,700          
Deferred debt issuance costs $ 8,700          
Liquidation preference per share | $ / shares $ 1,000          
Investment Agreement | Searchlight | Maximum | Subordinated Debt            
Investment Holdings [Line Items]            
Capital commitment       $ 425,000    
v3.24.2.u1
DIVESTITURES - Washington Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jul. 10, 2023
Divestitures          
Loss on impairment of assets held for sale   $ 77,755   $ 77,755  
Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 93,288 83,565 $ 177,243 164,849  
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company, Washington          
Divestitures          
Cash consideration         $ 73,000
Loss on impairment of assets held for sale   $ 77,800   $ 77,800  
Gain (loss) on disposal $ (500)   $ (500)    
v3.24.2.u1
DIVESTITURES - Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
May 01, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Major classes of assets and liabilities    
Current assets   $ 70,473
Current liabilities   $ 3,402
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company, Washington    
Major classes of assets and liabilities    
Current assets $ 1,177  
Property, plant and equipment 31,062  
Goodwill 114,946  
Other long-term assets 1,640  
Impairment to net realizable value (77,755)  
Total assets 71,070  
Current liabilities 1,730  
Other long-term liabilities 1,120  
Total liabilities $ 2,850  
v3.24.2.u1
DIVESTITURES - Kansas City Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2022
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Divestitures      
Proceeds from sale of assets   $ 232 $ 6,801
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Kansas City operations      
Divestitures      
Proceeds from sale of assets $ 82,100    
Gain (loss) on disposal     $ (2,100)
v3.24.2.u1
INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Investments    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies $ 3,187 $ 2,860
Total 8,628 8,887
CoBank, ACB Stock    
Investments    
Investments at cost 5,168 5,755
Other    
Investments    
Investments at cost $ 273 $ 272
v3.24.2.u1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments (Details) - Recurring - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term interest rate swap assets $ 5,353  
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities   $ (2,421)
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)    
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term interest rate swap assets $ 5,353  
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities   $ (2,421)
v3.24.2.u1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Carrying Value    
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term debt, excluding finance leases $ 2,273,727 $ 2,142,858
Fair Value    
Fair Value Measurements    
Long-term debt, excluding finance leases $ 2,055,134 $ 1,903,831
v3.24.2.u1
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 21, 2024
USD ($)
Mar. 18, 2021
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2024
USD ($)
Oct. 15, 2023
USD ($)
Oct. 02, 2020
USD ($)
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 2,315,882 $ 2,182,098      
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance leases     (20,601) (18,425)      
Less: deferred debt issuance costs     (26,618) (28,757)      
Total long-term debt     $ 2,268,663 $ 2,134,916      
Maximum              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio for an event of default     7.75        
Delayed draw term loan              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Interest rate (as a percent) 12.00%            
Aggregate principal amount $ 80,000            
Minimum interest rate, after the initial borrowing rate 18 months            
Multiple on invested amount of loan 1.75            
Senior Secured Credit Facility              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Covenant testing threshold     35.00%        
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Maximum              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio     7.75        
Senior Secured Credit Facility | Weighted average              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)     9.00% 8.96%      
Term Loans              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 993,727 $ 992,858      
Unamortized discount     $ 6,148 $ 7,017      
Aggregate principal amount             $ 1,250,000
Repayment of debt   $ 397,000          
Term Loans | SOFR              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Margin (as a percent)     3.50%        
Variable rate floor     0.75%        
Term Loans | One month SOFR              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Additional rate       0.11%      
Term Loans | Three month SOFR              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Additional rate       0.26%      
Term Loans | Six month SOFR              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Additional rate       0.43%      
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 130,000        
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility             $ 250,000
Reduction of spread on variable rate     0.25%        
Amounts outstanding     $ 130,000 $ 0      
Stand-by letter of credit outstanding     44,800        
Available borrowing capacity     $ 75,200        
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Maximum              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio to receive interest rate reduction     3.20        
Available borrowing capacity $ 25,000            
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | SOFR              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Margin (as a percent)     4.00%        
Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan | Alternate base rate              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Margin (as a percent)     3.00%        
Finance leases              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 42,155 39,240      
Incremental Term Loan Facility              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio             3.70
Incremental Term Loan Facility | Maximum              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Additional borrowing capacity             $ 300,000
Term sheet              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Aggregate principal amount         $ 140,000    
6.50% senior secured notes due 2028              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 750,000 $ 750,000      
Interest rate (as a percent)     6.50% 6.50%     6.50%
Aggregate principal amount             $ 750,000
5.00% senior secured notes due 2028              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Total long-term debt and finance leases     $ 400,000 $ 400,000      
Interest rate (as a percent)   5.00% 5.00% 5.00%      
Aggregate principal amount   $ 400,000          
Fifth Amendment              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Future equity contribution required           $ 300,000  
Fifth Amendment | Effective date from and including October 1, 2026 and thereafter              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           5.85  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (as defined in the Fifth Amendment) to and including December 31, 2024              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           7.75  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including January 1, 2025 to and including March 31, 2025              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           7.50  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including April 1, 2025 to and including June 30, 2025              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           7.25  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including July 1, 2025 to and including September 30, 2025              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           7.00  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including October 1, 2025 to and including December 31, 2025              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           6.75  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including January 1, 2026 to and including March 31, 2026              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           6.50  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including April 1, 2026 to and including June 30, 2026              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           6.25  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including July 1, 2026 to and including September 30, 2026              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           6.00  
Fifth Amendment | Maximum | Effective date from and including October 1, 2026 and thereafter              
LONG-TERM DEBT              
Leverage ratio           5.85  
v3.24.2.u1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Interest Rate Swaps (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
item
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Derivatives    
Number of swap agreements that provide for the entity or the counterparties to post collateral | item 0  
Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR    
Derivatives    
Fixed interest rate (as a percent) 3.941%  
Other long-term assets | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR    
Derivatives    
Derivative, Notional Amount $ 500,000  
Total fair value, derivative asset (liability) $ 5,353  
Other long-term liabilities | Cash flow hedges | Fixed to 1-month floating SOFR    
Derivatives    
Derivative, Notional Amount   $ 500,000
Total fair value, derivative asset (liability)   $ (2,421)
v3.24.2.u1
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Effect of Interest Rate Derivatives (Details) - Interest rate swaps - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Derivative Instruments          
Derivatives          
Deferred gain (loss) included in AOCI (pretax) $ 5,400   $ 5,400   $ (2,400)
Gain included in AOCI to be recognized in the next 12 months     4,700    
Cash flow hedges          
Derivatives          
Unrealized gain recognized in AOCI, pretax 535 $ 4,180 11,290 $ 4,133  
Deferred gain reclassified from AOCI to interest expense $ 1,749 $ 3,231 $ 3,516 $ 5,909  
v3.24.2.u1
MEZZANINE EQUITY (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Jan. 02, 2024
USD ($)
Nov. 22, 2022
Dec. 07, 2021
USD ($)
shares
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
item
Vote
director
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Temporary Equity [Line Items]          
Temporary equity, shares authorized | shares       10,000,000 10,000,000
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares       $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Cash payment waived duration   2 years      
Temporary equity, liquidation preference       $ 544,335 $ 520,957
Series A preferred stock          
Temporary Equity [Line Items]          
Temporary equity, shares authorized | shares       10,000,000  
Temporary equity, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares       $ 0.01  
Preferred stock dividend rate       9.00%  
Liquidation preference per share | $ / shares       $ 1,000  
Number of votes per preferred stock | Vote       1  
Number of dividend payment periods | item       2  
Entitlement of preferred stock holder to appoint director. | director       2  
Series A preferred stock issued (in shares) | shares     434,266    
Series A preferred stock issued     $ 285,900    
Temporary equity, liquidation preference       $ 544,300 521,000
Accrued and unpaid dividends       $ 23,300 $ 22,400
Dividend paid in kind (Value) $ 22,500        
Series A preferred stock | Board of directors fails to declare and pay dividends          
Temporary Equity [Line Items]          
Preferred stock dividend rate       11.00%  
v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($)
6 Months Ended
Feb. 26, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Stock-based compensation plans    
Additional shares of common stock authorized 5,280,000  
Shares of common stock authorized for issuance   15,330,000
Unrecognized share-based compensation    
Unrecognized compensation cost   $ 18,100,000
Weighted-average period of recognition   1 year 8 months 12 days
Employee Stock Option | Eligible Employees    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights   300,000
Employee Stock Option | Nonemployee    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights   25,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Eligible Employees    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights   300,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) | Nonemployee    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Shares that may be granted in the form of stock options or stock appreciation rights   25,000
Stock awards and stock unit awards | Eligible Employees    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Fair value of share-based awards and stock units awards that may be granted   $ 6,000,000
Stock awards and stock unit awards | Nonemployee    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Fair value of share-based awards and stock units awards that may be granted   $ 500,000
Restricted stock    
Shares    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period   1,491,997
Shares granted   2,072,248
Shares vested   (75,943)
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired   (48,084)
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period   3,440,218
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 3.78
Shares granted (in dollars per share)   4.31
Shares vested (in dollars per share)   4.03
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)   3.83
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 4.09
Performance shares    
Shares    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period   690,822
Shares granted   548,075
Shares vested   (384,208)
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired   (120,236)
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period   734,453
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 7.28
Shares granted (in dollars per share)   3.17
Shares vested (in dollars per share)   7.66
Shares forfeited, cancelled or retired (in dollars per share)   5.86
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 4.24
Performance shares | Performance Conditions Not Met    
Shares    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period   2,300,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value    
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)   $ 3.89
Performance shares | Performance Conditions Not Met | Minimum    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Vesting period   1 year
Payout opportunity as a percentage of the target   0.00%
Performance shares | Performance Conditions Not Met | Maximum    
Stock-based compensation plans    
Vesting period   3 years
Payout opportunity as a percentage of the target   150.00%
v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Compensation costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Stock-based compensation plans        
Stock-based compensation expense $ 3,030 $ 2,388 $ 4,711 $ 3,187
Restricted stock        
Stock-based compensation plans        
Stock-based compensation expense 1,852 1,240 2,791 2,163
Performance shares        
Stock-based compensation plans        
Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,178 $ 1,148 $ 1,920 $ 1,024
v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Changes in AOCI (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component          
Balance at the beginning of the period   $ (21,872)     $ (21,872)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications         8,335
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss         (3,506)
Net current period other comprehensive income $ (1,352) 6,181 $ (297) $ (3,012) 4,829
Balance at the end of the period (17,043)       (17,043)
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations          
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component          
Balance at the beginning of the period   (20,084)     (20,084)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss         (911)
Net current period other comprehensive income         (911)
Balance at the end of the period (20,995)       (20,995)
Derivative Instruments          
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component          
Balance at the beginning of the period   $ (1,788)     (1,788)
Other comprehensive gain (loss) before reclassifications         8,335
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss         (2,595)
Net current period other comprehensive income         5,740
Balance at the end of the period $ 3,952       $ 3,952
v3.24.2.u1
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Reclassification from AOCI (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Mar. 31, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Mar. 31, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
EQUITY            
Loss before income taxes $ (65,409)   $ (126,540)   $ (112,564) $ (175,741)
Interest expense (44,132)   (36,903)   (86,583) (70,763)
Tax expense 10,581   18,448   22,353 30,688
Net loss (54,828) $ (35,383) (108,092) $ (36,961) (90,211) (145,053)
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations            
EQUITY            
Prior service credit 131   133   261 265
Actuarial gain (loss) 487   1,223   974 2,446
Loss before income taxes 618   1,356   1,235 2,711
Tax expense (162)   (357)   (324) (713)
Net loss 456   999   911 1,998
Derivative Instruments            
EQUITY            
Interest expense 1,748   3,231   3,515 5,909
Tax expense (457)   (844)   (920) (1,543)
Net loss $ 1,291   $ 2,387   $ 2,595 $ 4,366
v3.24.2.u1
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Components of net periodic pension cost (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Defined Benefit Plans        
Components of net periodic pension costs        
Interest cost $ 6,671 $ 7,357 $ 13,342 $ 14,713
Expected return on plan assets (6,660) (7,850) (13,320) (15,700)
Net amortization (gain) loss 210 72 420 144
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization 30 30 61 61
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) 251 (391) 503 (782)
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations        
Components of net periodic pension costs        
Service cost 21 19 42 38
Interest cost 693 750 1,386 1,500
Expected return on plan assets (45) (47) (91) (94)
Net amortization (gain) loss (697) (1,295) (1,394) (2,590)
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization (161) (163) (322) (326)
Net periodic pension cost (benefit) $ (189) $ (736) $ (379) $ (1,472)
v3.24.2.u1
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS - Contributions (Details)
$ in Thousands
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
employee
Defined Benefit Plans  
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS  
New benefits accrued $ 0
Expected contributions in current year 200
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations  
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS  
Assets in unfunded plans $ 0
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant | employee 0
Expected contributions in current year $ 5,700
Employer contributions 3,300
Supplemental Plans  
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS  
Assets in unfunded plans $ 0
v3.24.2.u1
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Jun. 30, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Unrecognized tax benefits $ 4.9   $ 4.9   $ 4.9
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate $ 4.7   $ 4.7   $ 4.7
Effective tax rate (as a percent) 16.20% 14.60% 19.90% 17.50%  
Effective tax rate exclusive of taxable adjustment 25.50% 25.70% 25.30% 25.50%  
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Consolidated Communications of Comerco Company, Washington          
Tax expense related to non deductible noncash goodwill $ 6.1 $ 14.3 $ 6.1 $ 14.3  
v3.24.2.u1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Litigation (Details)
$ in Millions
6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
USD ($)
subsidiary
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
May 31, 2017
USD ($)
Litigation and Contingencies      
Number of subsidiaries that received assessment notice | subsidiary 2    
Payments to DOR   $ 2.1  
Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)      
Litigation and Contingencies      
Litigation amount accrued $ 1.0    
Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA) | Tax Year 2010, 2014 Through 2023      
Litigation and Contingencies      
Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors 5.3    
Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)      
Litigation and Contingencies      
Litigation amount accrued 2.7    
Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES) | Tax Year 2014 Through 2023      
Litigation and Contingencies      
Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors $ 2.6    
Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Maximum      
Litigation and Contingencies      
Potential liability amount guaranteed     $ 5.0

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