UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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þ | | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006
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o | | Transition Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-22439
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| | |
WASHINGTON | | 91-0222175 |
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
100 Fourth Ave. N., Suite 510
Seattle, Washington 98109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(206) 404-7000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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. Yesþ Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated file, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated file. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filero Accelerated filerþ Non-accelerated filero
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common Stock, $1.25 par value, outstanding as of November 1, 2006: 8,720,091
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) are presented for the Registrant, Fisher Communications, Inc., and its subsidiaries.
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ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | Three months ended |
| | September 30 | | September 30 |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
(in thousands, except per-share amounts) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 109,983 | | | $ | 100,813 | | | $ | 38,712 | | | $ | 35,635 | |
| | |
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services sold (exclusive of depreciation reported separately below, amounting to $6,222, $8,599, $2,073 and $2,208, respectively) | | | 55,411 | | | | 55,792 | | | | 20,677 | | | | 19,877 | |
Selling expenses | | | 18,811 | | | | 17,579 | | | | 6,544 | | | | 6,319 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 21,328 | | | | 22,519 | | | | 7,145 | | | | 6,493 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 7,515 | | | | 10,261 | | | | 2,488 | | | | 2,642 | |
| | |
| | | 103,065 | | | | 106,151 | | | | 36,854 | | | | 35,331 | |
| | |
Income (loss) from operations | | | 6,918 | | | | (5,338 | ) | | | 1,858 | | | | 304 | |
Other income, net | | | 2,814 | | | | 2,658 | | | | 1,047 | | | | 904 | |
Interest expense | | | (10,396 | ) | | | (10,241 | ) | | | (3,574 | ) | | | (3,466 | ) |
| | |
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (664 | ) | | | (12,921 | ) | | | (669 | ) | | | (2,258 | ) |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | 115 | | | | (5,235 | ) | | | 115 | | | | (1,140 | ) |
| | |
Loss from continuing operations | | | (779 | ) | | | (7,686 | ) | | | (784 | ) | | | (1,118 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | 675 | | | | 738 | | | | 113 | | | | 328 | |
| | |
Net loss | | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | (6,948 | ) | | $ | (671 | ) | | $ | (790 | ) |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
From continuing operations | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | (0.89 | ) | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | (0.13 | ) |
From discontinued operations | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.04 | |
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Basic and diluted net loss per share | | $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | (0.80 | ) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.09 | ) |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares used in computation of basic and diluted net loss per share | | | 8,711 | | | | 8,671 | | | | 8,716 | | | | 8,695 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | |
| | September 30 | | December 31 |
| | 2006 | | 2005 |
(in thousands, except share and per-share amounts) | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,851 | | | $ | 19,622 | |
Receivables, net | | | 29,988 | | | | 28,166 | |
Income taxes receivable | | | 986 | | | | 986 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 923 | | | | 665 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 2,316 | | | | 4,295 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | 8,848 | | | | 6,519 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 286 | | | | | |
|
Total current assets | | | 45,198 | | | | 60,253 | |
Marketable securities, at market value | | | 177,397 | | | | 170,053 | |
Cash value of life insurance and retirement deposits | | | 15,780 | | | | 15,303 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | 1,052 | | | | 2,075 | |
Goodwill, net | | | 32,688 | | | | 38,354 | |
Intangible assets | | | 32,784 | | | | 1,244 | |
Investment in equity investee | | | 2,769 | | | | 2,759 | |
Prepaid financing fees and other assets | | | 6,994 | | | | 6,040 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 12,211 | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 147,862 | | | | 144,312 | |
|
Total Assets | | $ | 474,735 | | | $ | 440,393 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Senior credit facility | | $ | 13,000 | | | $ | | |
Trade accounts payable | | | 3,097 | | | | 3,483 | |
Accrued payroll and related benefits | | | 6,889 | | | | 7,355 | |
Interest payable | | | 563 | | | | 3,809 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights payable | | | 7,761 | | | | 5,524 | |
Obligation under asset purchase agreement | | | 9,800 | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | | 5,170 | | | | 4,520 | |
Liabilities of businesses held for sale | | | 610 | | | | | |
|
Total current liabilities | | | 46,890 | | | | 24,691 | |
Long-term debt | | | 150,000 | | | | 150,000 | |
Accrued retirement benefits | | | 19,734 | | | | 19,644 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 34,670 | | | | 31,381 | |
Other liabilities | | | 8,184 | | | | 5,056 | |
Liabilities of businesses held for sale | | | 48 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and Contingencies | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, shares authorized 12,000,000, $1.25 par value; issued and outstanding 8,720,091 as of September 30, 2006 and 8,705,041 as of December 31, 2005 | | | 10,900 | | | | 10,881 | |
Capital in excess of par | | | 9,331 | | | | 8,590 | |
Deferred compensation | | | | | | | (159 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes: | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on marketable securities | | | 114,373 | | | | 109,600 | |
Minimum pension liability | | | (2,172 | ) | | | (2,172 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 82,777 | | | | 82,881 | |
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Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 215,209 | | | | 209,621 | |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 474,735 | | | $ | 440,393 | |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended |
| | September 30 |
| | 2006 | | 2005 |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | (6,948 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 7,623 | | | | 10,445 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 462 | | | | (6,033 | ) |
Equity in operations of equity investees | | | (10 | ) | | | (20 | ) |
Amortization of deferred loan costs | | | 474 | | | | 488 | |
Amortization of television and radio broadcast rights | | | 16,418 | | | | 17,745 | |
Payments for television and radio broadcast rights | | | (15,493 | ) | | | (16,840 | ) |
Other | | | 392 | | | | 389 | |
Change in operating assets and liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | | (1,821 | ) | | | (1,047 | ) |
Prepaid expenses | | | 693 | | | | 616 | |
Cash value of life insurance and retirement deposits | | | (477 | ) | | | (88 | ) |
Other assets | | | (329 | ) | | | (14 | ) |
Trade accounts payable, accrued payroll and related benefits, interest payable, and other current liabilities | | | (2,838 | ) | | | (5,486 | ) |
Income taxes receivable and payable | | | | | | | 1,036 | |
Accrued retirement benefits | | | 89 | | | | 848 | |
Other liabilities | | | 3,184 | | | | 94 | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 8,263 | | | | (4,815 | ) |
|
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from collection of notes receivable | | | | | | | 1,585 | |
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | | | | | | | 247 | |
Payments for options to purchase television stations | | | (1,100 | ) | | | | |
Purchase of Seattle television station | | | (16,142 | ) | | | | |
Payments toward purchase of Oregon television stations | | | (9,728 | ) | | | | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | | | (12,633 | ) | | | (6,576 | ) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (39,603 | ) | | | (4,744 | ) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Payments under notes payable | | | | | | | (53 | ) |
Borrowings under borrowing agreements | | | 15,000 | | | | | |
Payments on borrowing agreements | | | (2,000 | ) | | | | |
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | | 23 | | | | | |
Payment of deferred loan costs | | | | | | | (87 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | | 546 | | | | 3,068 | |
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Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 13,569 | | | | 2,928 | |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (17,771 | ) | | | (6,631 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 19,622 | | | | 16,025 | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 1,851 | | | $ | 9,394 | |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | Three months ended |
| | September 30 | | September 30 |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | (6,948 | ) | | $ | (671 | ) | | $ | (790 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | | | 7,343 | | | | 3,382 | | | | 7,766 | | | | (2,912 | ) |
Effect of income taxes | | | (2,570 | ) | | | (1,184 | ) | | | (2,718 | ) | | | 1,020 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net loss | | | | | | | (106 | ) | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | 4,773 | | | | 2,092 | | | | 5,048 | | | | (1,892 | ) |
| | |
Comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | 4,669 | | | $ | (4,856 | ) | | $ | 4,377 | | | $ | (2,682 | ) |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of Presentation
The unaudited financial information furnished herein, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments which are necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Fisher Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of and for the periods indicated. Any adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Fisher Communications, Inc.’s principal wholly owned subsidiaries include Fisher Broadcasting Company and Fisher Media Services Company. The Company presumes that users of the interim financial information herein have read or have access to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and that the adequacy of additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, except in regard to material contingencies or recent subsequent events, may be determined in that context. Accordingly, footnote and other disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed by the Company have been omitted. The financial information herein is not necessarily representative of a full year’s operations.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Additional significant accounting policies for 2006 are disclosed below.
Stock-based Compensation
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation for all stock-based awards made to employees, including stock options and restricted stock rights, based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123(R) supersedes previous accounting under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” (“APB 25”) for periods beginning in 2006.
The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of January 1, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the first quarter of 2006 have not been restated to reflect this change. Stock-based compensation recognized under the new standard is based on the value of the portion of the stock-based award that vests during the period, adjusted for expected forfeitures. Stock-based compensation recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the first three quarters of 2006 includes compensation cost for stock-based awards granted prior to, but not fully vested as of, December 31, 2005, and stock-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005.
The compensation cost for awards granted prior to December 31, 2005 is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS 123, while awards granted after December 31, 2005 follow the provisions of SFAS 123(R). Compensation cost for awards granted prior to December 31, 2005 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately remaining vesting portion of the award, while compensation cost for awards granted after December 31, 2005 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
Upon adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company continued to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method of valuation for stock option awards. The Company’s determination of the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using an option pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions
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regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected life of the award, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the award, forfeitures, and actual and projected exercise behaviors. Although the fair value of stock option awards is determined in accordance with SFAS 123(R), the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company, generally in connection with pending acquisitions subject to FCC consent and other contingencies, may enter into Joint Sales Agreements (“JSAs”) or Local Marketing Agreements (“LMAs”) with non-owned stations. As a result of these agreements, the Company may determine that the station is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company makes specific periodic payments to the station’s owner-operator in exchange for the right to provide programming and/or sell advertising on a portion of the station’s broadcast time. Nevertheless, the owner-operator retains control and responsibility for the operation of the station, including responsibility over all programming broadcast on the station. Generally, the Company continues to operate the station under the agreement until the termination of such agreement, which typically occurs on consummation of the acquisition of the station. The Company also may determine that a station is a VIE in connection with other types of local service agreements entered into with stations in markets in which the Company owns and operates a station.
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 does not expand or require any new fair value measures; however, the application of this statement may change current practice. The requirements of SFAS 157 are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance and therefore has not yet determined the impact that SFAS 157 will have on its financial statements upon adoption.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158,Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132R(“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires employers to recognize the underfunded or overfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. Additionally, SFAS 158 requires employers to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position, which is consistent with the Company’s present measurement date. SFAS 158 does not change the amount of actuarially determined expense that is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. The new reporting requirements and related new footnote disclosure rules of SFAS 158 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The Company does not anticipate that adoption of this Standard will materially impact its financial statements.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108 provides guidance on the consideration of effects of the prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purpose of a materiality assessment. The SEC staff believes registrants must quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB 108 is effective for the first annual period ending after November 15, 2006 with early application encouraged. The Company plans to adopt SAB 108 in its fiscal fourth quarter. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SAB 108 on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (“FIN 48” or the “Interpretation”)relating to income taxes. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes.The Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Interpretation also provides
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guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company expects to adopt the new requirements in the first quarter of 2007 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments,”which is an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. The statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The Company does not anticipate that this standard will impact its financial statements.
4. Discontinued Operations
On May 30, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its 24 small-market radio stations located in Montana and Eastern Washington. This agreement was amended in the third quarter of 2006 to reduce to 19 the number of stations being sold pursuant to the agreement, at a total sales price of $29.1 million (see Note 13). The remaining five stations continue to be held for sale. In accordance with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company has reported the results of operations of these 24 stations as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. These stations were included in the Company’s radio segment.
Operational data for these stations to be sold is summarized as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | | Three months ended | |
| | September 30 | | | September 30 | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
| | (Unaudited) | |
Revenue | | $ | 7,830 | | | $ | 9,070 | | | $ | 1,781 | | | $ | 3,169 | |
Income from discontinued operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Discontinued operating activities | | $ | 1,046 | | | $ | 1,135 | | | $ | 178 | | | $ | 504 | |
Income tax effect | | | (371 | ) | | | (397 | ) | | | (65 | ) | | | (176 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 675 | | | $ | 738 | | | $ | 113 | | | $ | 328 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table summarizes the classes of assets held for sale as of September 30, 2006 (in thousands):
| | | | |
Assets held for sale: | | | | |
Goodwill, net | | $ | 8,683 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 2,284 | |
Intangible assets | | | 1,244 | |
Other assets | | | 286 | |
| | | |
| | $ | 12,497 | |
| | | |
5. Acquisitions
On June 26, 2006, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with African-American Broadcasting of Bellevue, Inc. (“AABB”), and its owner Christopher J. Racine. Under this agreement, the Company acquired an immediate 25 percent equity interest in AABB for $4.0 million and the right and obligation to acquire the remaining equity interest in AABB pending FCC approval of the transaction and the fulfillment of certain other closing conditions by AABB. On September 26, 2006, the Company acquired the remaining 75 percent equity interest in
9
AABB for $12.0 million, and consolidated the entity as of that date.
On September 22, 2006, the Company entered into a second amendment to an asset purchase agreement dated December 7, 2005 with Equity Broadcasting Corporation and entities owned or controlled by EBC (“EBC”). The amendment provided, among other things, that the Company paid an additional $6.0 million non-refundable fee in consideration for deferring the consummation of the acquisition of two television stations in Oregon (the “Oregon closing”) to November 1, 2006, to be applied toward the purchase price of $19.3 million (see Note 13). As a result of the amended terms of the agreement and JSA, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the two Oregon stations and as a result has consolidated the assets at their fair values as of September 22, 2006.
The primary assets acquired in these acquisitions are FCC licenses and property, plant and equipment. The Company’s purchase price allocations as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are preliminary and have not been finalized. The Company does not anticipate any significant differences between current values recorded and the fair values upon finalizing the purchase price allocations.
6. Local Marketing Agreement
On July 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Local Marketing Agreement with WatchTV, Inc. to manage four of their television stations located in Eastern Washington. The stations currently provide Spanish-language programming to the Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick television market through an affiliation with Univision. Contemporaneously with the Local Marketing Agreement, Fisher entered into an Option Agreement with WatchTV, whereby Fisher has the right to acquire the stations until June 30, 2007.
7. Senior Credit Facility
On September 20, 2004, the Company entered into a six-year senior credit facility (the “Revolver”). The Revolver provides for borrowings up to $20.0 million and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets (excluding certain real property and the Company’s investment in shares of Safeco Corporation common stock) and by all of the voting stock of its subsidiaries. Amounts borrowed under the Revolver bear interest at variable rates based at the Company’s option, on either (1) the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 250 basis points, or (2) the higher of the prime rate plus 175 basis points or the overnight federal funds rate plus 225 basis points. At September 30, 2006, $13.0 million was outstanding under the Revolver, at an interest rate of 7.83%. No amounts were outstanding under the Revolver at December 31, 2005.
8. Television and Radio Broadcast Rights and Other Broadcast Commitments
The Company acquires television and radio broadcast rights, and may make commitments for program rights where the cost exceeds the projected direct revenue from the program. The impact of such contracts on the Company’s overall financial results is dependent on a number of factors, including popularity of the program, increased competition from other programming, and strength of the advertising market. Estimates of future revenue can change significantly and, accordingly, are reviewed periodically to determine whether impairment is expected over the life of the contract.
At September 30, 2006, the Company had commitments under license agreements amounting to $41.1 million for future rights to broadcast television and radio programs through 2011, and $4.7 million in related fees. As these programs will not be available for broadcast until after September 30, 2006, they have been excluded from the financial statements in accordance with provisions of SFAS No. 63, “Financial Reporting by Broadcasters.” In addition, the broadcasting subsidiary has exclusive rights to sell available advertising time for a radio station in Seattle (the “Joint Sales Agreement”). Under the Joint Sales Agreement, the broadcasting subsidiary has commitments for monthly payments totaling $9.1 million through 2011.
9. Retirement Benefits
The Company has a noncontributory supplemental retirement program for key management. No new participants have been admitted to this program since 2001. The program provides for vesting of benefits under certain circumstances. Funding is not required, but generally the Company has acquired annuity contracts and life insurance on the lives of the individual participants to assist in payment of retirement benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of such policies; accordingly, the cash values of the policies as well as the accrued liability are reported in the financial statements. The program requires continued employment through the date of expected retirement. The cost of the program is accrued over the participants’ remaining years of service at the Company.
In June 2005, the program was amended to freeze the accrual of all benefits to active participants provided under the program. As a result, the Company recorded a charge of $451,000 in the second quarter of 2005 as a curtailment loss associated with an unrecognized transition obligation that was required to be recognized at the effective date of
10
the program amendment. The Company will continue to recognize periodic pension cost related to the program, but the amount is expected to be lower as a result of the curtailment as there is no future service cost component. The curtailment loss was calculated based on a current discount rate of 5.02% and no future compensation increases. The program amendment in June 2005 resulted in a decrease of the Company’s projected benefit obligation of $597,000. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” this gain was netted against unrecognized actuarial losses resulting in no impact in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The net periodic pension cost for the Company’s supplemental retirement program is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | | Three months ended | |
| | September 30 | | | September 30 | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Service cost | | $ | | | | $ | 80 | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Interest cost | | | 779 | | | | 781 | | | | 259 | | | | 247 | |
Amortization of loss | | | 116 | | | | 247 | | | | 39 | | | | 72 | |
Recognition of remaining transition obligation, curtailment loss | | | | | | | 451 | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net periodic pension cost | | $ | 895 | | | $ | 1,559 | | | $ | 298 | | | $ | 319 | |
| | |
Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension costs are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Discount rate | | | 5.48 | % | | | 5.02% - 5.74 | % |
Rate of compensation increase | | | — | | | | 0.00% - 3.00 | % |
10. Income (loss) Per Share
Net income (loss) per share represents net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Net income (loss) per share assuming dilution represents net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including the potentially dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock rights issued under the Company’s incentive plans. Common stock options and restricted stock rights are converted using the treasury stock method.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 was 8,710,682 and 8,716,077, respectively. The dilutive effect of 7,900 restricted stock rights and options to purchase 219,425 shares are excluded for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006, because such rights and options were anti-dilutive due to the net loss for the periods; therefore, there is no difference in the calculation between basic and diluted per-share amounts.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2005 was 8,670,567 and 8,694,992, respectively. The dilutive effect of 1,000 restricted stock rights and options to purchase 336,615 shares are excluded for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2005, because such rights and options were anti-dilutive due to the net loss for the periods; therefore, there is no difference in the calculation between basic and diluted per-share amounts.
11
11. Stock-Based Compensation
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R), which establishes accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee services, using the modified prospective application transition method. Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognized over the requisite service period. Previously, the Company applied APB 25 and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS 123.
The Company maintains two incentive plans (the “Plans”), the Amended and Restated Fisher Communications Incentive Plan of 1995 (the “1995 Plan”) and the Fisher Communications Incentive Plan of 2001 (the “2001 Plan”). The 1995 Plan provided that up to 560,000 shares of the Company’s common stock could be issued to eligible key management employees pursuant to options and rights through 2002. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon option exercise or rights vesting. As of September 30, 2006, options and rights for 191,000 shares, net of forfeitures, had been issued. No further options and rights will be issued pursuant to the 1995 Plan. The 2001 Plan provides that up to 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued to eligible key management employees pursuant to options and rights through 2008. As of September 30, 2006, options and rights for 227,000 shares had been issued, net of forfeitures.
Stock optionsThe Plans provide that eligible key management employees may be granted options to purchase the Company’s common stock at the fair market value on the date the options are granted. The options generally vest over five years and generally expire ten years from the date of grant. Non-cash compensation expense of $290,000 ($188,000 after-tax) and $54,000 ($35,000 after-tax) related to the options was recorded for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006, respectively. During the first quarter of 2005, the vesting on certain previously granted options was accelerated as part of a separation agreement with the Company’s former chief executive officer; as a result, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $303,000 ($197,000 after-tax). No compensation expense related to stock options was recorded in the second or third quarter of 2005.
Restricted stock rightsThe Plans also provide that eligible key management employees may be granted restricted stock rights which entitle such employees to receive a stated number of shares of the Company’s common stock. The rights generally vest over five years and expire upon termination of employment. Non-cash compensation expense of $59,000 ($39,000 after-tax) and $8,000 ($5,000 after-tax) related to the rights was recorded for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Compensation expense related to restricted stock rights of $6,000 was recorded during the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2005.
Determining Fair Value Under SFAS 123(R)
Valuation and Amortization Method.The Company estimates the fair value of stock option awards granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company amortizes the fair value of all awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods.
Expected Life. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected life based primarily on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules, expected exercises and post-vesting forfeitures. Stock options granted by the Company generally vest 20% per year over five years and have contractual terms of ten years.
Expected Volatility. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its common stock. The volatility factor the Company uses in the Black-Scholes option valuation model is based on its historical stock prices over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected life of the award.
12
Risk-Free Interest Rate.The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
Expected Dividend Yield.The Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model, consistent with the Company’s recent experience.
Expected Forfeitures.The Company primarily uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures. The Company records stock-based compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. A summary of the weighted average assumptions and results for options granted during the periods presented is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | Three months ended |
| | September 30 | | September 30 |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
Assumptions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | | | 4.8 | % | | | 4.1 | % | | | 5.0 | % | | | | |
Expected dividend yield | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | | |
Expected volatility | | | 33 | % | | | 31 | % | | | 32 | % | | | | |
Expected life of options | | 6 years | | 6 years | | 6 years | | | | |
|
Weighted average fair value at date of grant | | $ | 17.43 | | | $ | 19.74 | | | $ | 16.77 | | | | | |
There were no stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2005.
Stock-based Compensation Under SFAS 123(R)
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock-based awards under SFAS 123(R) for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 totalled $349,000 and $62,000, respectively, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As of September 30, 2006, the Company had approximately $975,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards granted under all equity compensation plans. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for any future changes in estimated forfeitures. The Company expects to recognize this cost over a period of approximately five years (or a weighted average period of 1.8 years). A greater percentage of the stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the first few years due to the prior method under APB 25 for which compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award, while compensation cost for awards granted after December 31, 2005 is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
13
The following table presents the impact of the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123(R) on selected line items from our condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | Three months ended |
| | September 30 | | September 30 |
Condensed consolidated statement of operations: | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in income from operations | | $ | (290 | ) | | $ | (54 | ) |
Increase in loss before income taxes | | | (290 | ) | | | (54 | ) |
Increase in net loss | | | (188 | ) | | | (35 | ) |
Increase in basic and diluted net loss per share | | | (0.02 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | |
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows: | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in net cash provided by operating activities | | | (23 | ) | | | (13 | ) |
Increase in net cash provided by financing activities | | | 23 | | | | 13 | |
Stock Award Activity
A summary of stock options and restricted stock rights is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stock Options | | | Restricted Stock Rights | |
| | | | | | Weighted | | | Weighted | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | Average | | | | | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | | Exercise | | | Remaining | | | Aggregate | | | | | | | Average | |
| | Number | | | Price Per | | | Contractual | | | Intrinsic | | | Number | | | Grant-Date | |
| | of Shares | | | Share | | | Life | | | Value | | | of Shares | | | Fair Value | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 | | | 275,430 | | | $ | 52.88 | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,000 | | | $ | 46.89 | |
Options and stock rights granted | | | 47,100 | | | | 42.40 | | | | | | | | | | | | 6,400 | | | | 42.70 | |
Options exercised/stock rights vested | | | (14,800 | ) | | | 36.86 | | | | | | | | | | | | (250 | ) | | | 49.75 | |
Options expired | | | (4,000 | ) | | | 37.25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options and stock rights forfeited | | | (84,305 | ) | | | 49.94 | | | | | | | | | | | | (2,250 | ) | | | 45.05 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2006 | | | 219,425 | | | $ | 53.20 | | | 5.4 years | | $ | 54,285 | | | | 7,900 | | | $ | 43.93 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at September 30, 2006 | | | 150,600 | | | $ | 56.85 | | | 3.8 years | | $ | 39,400 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at September 30, 2006 is calculated as the difference between the market price of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the options for the 18,500 options that had exercise prices that were lower than the $41.55 closing market price of the Company’s common stock at September 30, 2006.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2006 was $69,000 and $40,000 respectively, determined as of the date of exercise. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $848,000, determined as of the date of exercise. No options were exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2006. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, 250 restricted stock rights vested, with a total fair value of $11,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, 60 restricted stock rights vested, with a total fair value of $3,000. No restricted stock rights vested during the three months ended September 30, 2006 or 2005.
14
Pro Forma Information Under SFAS 123 and APB 25
Prior to fiscal 2006, stock-based compensation plans were accounted for using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB 25 and related interpretations. Had compensation cost for the plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of SFAS 123, the Company’s net loss and basic and diluted net loss per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except for per share data):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months ended | | | Three months ended | |
| | September 30, 2005 | | | September 30, 2005 | |
Net loss, as reported | | $ | (6,948 | ) | | $ | (790 | ) |
Add: stock-based compensation included in net loss, net of tax | | | 197 | | | | — | |
Deduct: total stock-based compensation determined under fair value method for all awards, net of tax | | | (266 | ) | | | (85 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Pro forma net loss | | $ | (7,017 | ) | | $ | (875 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share: | | | | | | | | |
As reported | | $ | (0.80 | ) | | $ | (0.09 | ) |
Pro forma | | $ | (0.81 | ) | | $ | (0.10 | ) |
12. Segment Information
The Company reports financial data for three reportable segments: television, radio, and Fisher Plaza. The television reportable segment includes the operations of the Company’s 14 network-affiliated television stations, and a 50% interest in a company that owns a 15th television station. The radio reportable segment includes the operations of the Company’s three Seattle radio stations, while operations of the Company’s 24 small-market radio stations are reported as discontinued operations. Corporate expenses of the broadcasting business unit are allocated to the television and radio reportable segments based on a ratio that approximates historic revenue and operating expenses of the segments. The Fisher Plaza reportable segment includes the operations of a communications center located near downtown Seattle that serves as home of the Company’s Seattle television and radio operations, the Company’s corporate offices, and third-party tenants.
Revenue for each reportable segment is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months | | | Three months | |
| | ended September 30 | | | ended September 30 | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Television | | $ | 73,322 | | | $ | 65,883 | | | $ | 24,472 | | | $ | 21,687 | |
Radio | | | 29,986 | | | | 29,049 | | | | 11,814 | | | | 11,958 | |
Fisher Plaza | | | 6,662 | | | | 5,998 | | | | 2,370 | | | | 2,002 | |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 13 | | | | (117 | ) | | | 56 | | | | (12 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 109,983 | | | $ | 100,813 | | | $ | 38,712 | | | $ | 35,635 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
15
Income (loss) before interest and income taxes for each reportable segment is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months | | | Three months | |
| | ended September 30 | | | ended September 30 | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Television | | $ | 12,303 | | | $ | 3,708 | | | $ | 3,619 | | | $ | 2,273 | |
Radio | | | (539 | ) | | | (1,163 | ) | | | (332 | ) | | | (95 | ) |
Fisher Plaza | | | 1,602 | | | | 172 | | | | 513 | | | | 70 | |
Corporate and eliminations | | | (3,634 | ) | | | (5,397 | ) | | | (895 | ) | | | (1,040 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 9,732 | | | $ | (2,680 | ) | | $ | 2,905 | | | $ | 1,208 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table reconciles total segment income (loss) from continuing operations before interest and income taxes shown above to consolidated loss from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months | | | Three months | |
| | ended September 30 | | | ended September 30 | |
| | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Total segment income (loss) before interest and income taxes | | $ | 9,732 | | | $ | (2,680 | ) | | $ | 2,905 | | | $ | 1,208 | |
Interest expense, net | | | (10,396 | ) | | | (10,241 | ) | | | (3,574 | ) | | | (3,466 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (664 | ) | | $ | (12,921 | ) | | $ | (669 | ) | | $ | (2,258 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Identifiable assets for each reportable segment are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | September 30 | | | December 31 | |
Total assets | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Television | | $ | 121,936 | | | $ | 92,543 | |
Radio | | | 27,643 | | | | 41,487 | |
Fisher Plaza | | | 119,768 | | | | 118,611 | |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 192,891 | | | | 187,752 | |
| | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | $ | 462,238 | | | $ | 440,393 | |
| | | | | | |
Identifiable assets by reportable segment are those assets used in the operations of each segment. Corporate assets are principally marketable securities.
16
13. Subsequent Events
On October 31, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 18 of 24 small-market radio stations located in Montana and Eastern Washington for $26.1 million. The closing on the sale of one additional Montana station to the same buyer is currently pending FCC approval. The remaining five stations were excluded from this agreement in order to secure FCC approval, but continue to be held for sale.
On November 1, 2006, the Company finalized the Oregon closing with EBC for $19.3 million (see Note 5).
14. Financial Information for Guarantors
On September 20, 2004, the Company completed an offering of $150.0 million of 8.625% senior notes due 2014. The notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, senior basis by the 100% owned subsidiaries of the Company.
Presented below are condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. Also presented are the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. The condensed consolidated information is presented for the Company (issuer) with its investments accounted for under the equity method, the 100% owned guarantor subsidiaries, eliminations, and the Company on a consolidated basis. The Company (issuer) information consists primarily of corporate oversight and administrative personnel and related activities, as well as certain investments in marketable securities.
17
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2006
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | | | | $ | 110,139 | | | $ | (156 | ) | | $ | 109,983 | |
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services sold | | | | | | | 54,171 | | | | 1,240 | | | | 55,411 | |
Selling expenses | | | | | | | 18,811 | | | | | | | | 18,811 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 6,144 | | | | 16,580 | | | | (1,396 | ) | | | 21,328 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 184 | | | | 7,331 | | | | | | | | 7,515 | |
|
| | | 6,328 | | | | 96,893 | | | | (156 | ) | | | 103,065 | |
|
Income (loss) from operations | | | (6,328 | ) | | | 13,246 | | | | — | | | | 6,918 | |
Other income, net | | | 2,551 | | | | 263 | | | | | | | | 2,814 | |
Equity in income of subsidiaries | | | 9,207 | | | | | | | | (9,207 | ) | | | — | |
Interest expense | | | (10,391 | ) | | | (5 | ) | | | | | | | (10,396 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (4,961 | ) | | | 13,504 | | | | (9,207 | ) | | | (664 | ) |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | (4,857 | ) | | | 4,972 | | | | | | | | 115 | |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (104 | ) | | | 8,532 | | | | (9,207 | ) | | | (779 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | | | | | 675 | | | | | | | | 675 | |
|
Net income (loss) | | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | 9,207 | | | $ | (9,207 | ) | | $ | (104 | ) |
|
18
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | | | | $ | 100,944 | | | $ | (131 | ) | | $ | 100,813 | |
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services sold | | | | | | | 54,624 | | | | 1,168 | | | | 55,792 | |
Selling expenses | | | | | | | 17,579 | | | | | | | | 17,579 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 7,569 | | | | 16,249 | | | | (1,299 | ) | | | 22,519 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 183 | | | | 10,078 | | | | | | | | 10,261 | |
|
| | | 7,752 | | | | 98,530 | | | | (131 | ) | | | 106,151 | |
|
Income (loss) from operations | | | (7,752 | ) | | | 2,414 | | | | — | | | | (5,338 | ) |
Other income, net | | | 2,164 | | | | 494 | | | | | | | | 2,658 | |
Equity in income of subsidiaries | | | 2,610 | | | | | | | | (2,610 | ) | | | — | |
Interest expense | | | (10,241 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (10,241 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (13,219 | ) | | | 2,908 | | | | (2,610 | ) | | | (12,921 | ) |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | (6,271 | ) | | | 1,036 | | | | | | | | (5,235 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (6,948 | ) | | | 1,872 | | | | (2,610 | ) | | | (7,686 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | | | | | 738 | | | | | | | | 738 | |
|
Net income (loss) | | $ | (6,948 | ) | | $ | 2,610 | | | $ | (2,610 | ) | | $ | (6,948 | ) |
|
19
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the three months ended September 30, 2006
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | | | | $ | 38,764 | | | $ | (52 | ) | | $ | 38,712 | |
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services sold | | | | | | | 20,248 | | | | 429 | | | | 20,677 | |
Selling expenses | | | | | | | 6,544 | | | | | | | | 6,544 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,921 | | | | 5,705 | | | | (481 | ) | | | 7,145 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 60 | | | | 2,428 | | | | | | | | 2,488 | |
|
| | | 1,981 | | | | 34,925 | | | | (52 | ) | | | 36,854 | |
|
Income (loss) from operations | | | (1,981 | ) | | | 3,839 | | | | — | | | | 1,858 | |
Other income, net | | | 975 | | | | 72 | | | | | | | | 1,047 | |
Equity in income of subsidiaries | | | 2,543 | | | | | | | | (2,543 | ) | | | — | |
Interest expense | | | (3,574 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (3,574 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (2,037 | ) | | | 3,911 | | | | (2,543 | ) | | | (669 | ) |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | (1,366 | ) | | | 1,481 | | | | | | | | 115 | |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (671 | ) | | | 2,430 | | | | (2,543 | ) | | | (784 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | | | | | 113 | | | | | | | | 113 | |
|
Net income (loss) | | $ | (671 | ) | | $ | 2,543 | | | $ | (2,543 | ) | | $ | (671 | ) |
|
20
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the three months ended September 30, 2005
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | | | | $ | 35,652 | | | $ | (17 | ) | | $ | 35,635 | |
Costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of services sold | | | | | | | 19,487 | | | | 390 | | | | 19,877 | |
Selling expenses | | | | | | | 6,319 | | | | | | | | 6,319 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,883 | | | | 5,017 | | | | (407 | ) | | | 6,493 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 49 | | | | 2,593 | | | | | | | | 2,642 | |
|
| | | 1,932 | | | | 33,416 | | | | (17 | ) | | | 35,331 | |
|
Income (loss) from operations | | | (1,932 | ) | | | 2,236 | | | | — | | | | 304 | |
Other income, net | | | 759 | | | | 145 | | | | | | | | 904 | |
Equity in income of subsidiaries | | | 1,833 | | | | | | | | (1,833 | ) | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (3,466 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (3,466 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (2,806 | ) | | | 2,381 | | | | (1,833 | ) | | | (2,258 | ) |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | (2,016 | ) | | | 876 | | | | | | | | (1,140 | ) |
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (790 | ) | | | 1,505 | | | | (1,833 | ) | | | (1,118 | ) |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | | | | | 328 | | | | | | | | 328 | |
|
Net income (loss) | | $ | (790 | ) | | $ | 1,833 | | | $ | (1,833 | ) | | $ | (790 | ) |
|
21
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of September 30, 2006
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,481 | | | $ | 370 | | | $ | | | | $ | 1,851 | |
Receivables, net | | | 534 | | | | 29,454 | | | | | | | | 29,988 | |
Due from affiliate | | | 8,294 | | | | | | | | (8,294 | ) | | | — | |
Income taxes receivable | | | 1,538 | | | | | | | | (552 | ) | | | 986 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 73 | | | | 850 | | | | | | | | 923 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 255 | | | | 2,061 | | | | | | | | 2,316 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | | | | | 8,848 | | | | | | | | 8,848 | |
Assets held for sale | | | | | | | 286 | | | | | | | | 286 | |
|
Total current assets | | | 12,175 | | | | 41,869 | | | | (8,846 | ) | | | 45,198 | |
Marketable securities, at market value | | | 176,960 | | | | 437 | | | | | | | | 177,397 | |
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries | | | 234,263 | | | | | | | | (234,263 | ) | | | — | |
Cash value of life insurance and retirement deposits | | | 5,378 | | | | 10,402 | | | | | | | | 15,780 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | | | | | 1,052 | | | | | | | | 1,052 | |
Goodwill, net | | | | | | | 32,688 | | | | | | | | 32,688 | |
Intangible assets | | | | | | | 32,784 | | | | | | | | 32,784 | |
Investments in equity investee | | | | | | | 2,769 | | | | | | | | 2,769 | |
Prepaid financing fees and other assets | | | 4,696 | | | | 2,298 | | | | | | | | 6,994 | |
Assets held for sale | | | | | | | 12,211 | | | | | | | | 12,211 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 888 | | | | 146,974 | | | | | | | | 147,862 | |
|
Total Assets | | $ | 434,360 | | | $ | 283,484 | | | $ | (243,109 | ) | | $ | 474,735 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior credit facility | | $ | 13,000 | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | 13,000 | |
Trade accounts payable | | | 795 | | | | 2,302 | | | | | | | | 3,097 | |
Payable to affiliate | | | | | | | 8,294 | | | | (8,294 | ) | | | — | |
Accrued payroll and related benefits | | | 1,034 | | | | 5,855 | | | | | | | | 6,889 | |
Interest payable | | | 563 | | | | | | | | | | | | 563 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights payable | | | | | | | 7,761 | | | | | | | | 7,761 | |
Income taxes payable | | | | | | | 552 | | | | (552 | ) | | | — | |
Obligation under asset purchase agreement | | | | | | | 9,800 | | | | | | | | 9,800 | |
Other current liabilities | | | 1,463 | | | | 3,707 | | | | | | | | 5,170 | |
Liabilities of businesses held for sale | | | | | | | 610 | | | | | | | | 610 | |
|
Total current liabilities | | | 16,855 | | | | 38,881 | | | | (8,846 | ) | | | 46,890 | |
Long-term debt | | | 150,000 | | | | | | | | | | | | 150,000 | |
Accrued retirement benefits | | | 19,649 | | | | 85 | | | | | | | | 19,734 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 32,582 | | | | 2,088 | | | | | | | | 34,670 | |
Other liabilities | | | 65 | | | | 8,119 | | | | | | | | 8,184 | |
Liabilities of businesses held for sale | | | | | | | 48 | | | | | | | | 48 | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 10,900 | | | | 1,131 | | | | (1,131 | ) | | | 10,900 | |
Capital in excess of par | | | 9,331 | | | | 164,234 | | | | (164,234 | ) | | | 9,331 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on marketable securities | | | 114,373 | | | | | | | | | | | | 114,373 | |
Minimum pension liability | | | (2,172 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (2,172 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 82,777 | | | | 68,898 | | | | (68,898 | ) | | | 82,777 | |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 215,209 | | | | 234,263 | | | | (234,263 | ) | | | 215,209 | |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 434,360 | | | $ | 283,484 | | | $ | (243,109 | ) | | $ | 474,735 | |
|
22
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 2005
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 3,660 | | | $ | 15,962 | | | $ | | | | $ | 19,622 | |
Receivables, net | | | 105 | | | | 28,061 | | | | | | | | 28,166 | |
Due from affiliate | | | 6,184 | | | | | | | | (6,184 | ) | | | — | |
Income taxes receivable | | | 1,538 | | | | | | | | (552 | ) | | | 986 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 7 | | | | 658 | | | | | | | | 665 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 414 | | | | 3,881 | | | | | | | | 4,295 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | | | | | 6,519 | | | | | | | | 6,519 | |
|
Total current assets | | | 11,908 | | | | 55,081 | | | | (6,736 | ) | | | 60,253 | |
Marketable securities, at market value | | | 169,634 | | | | 419 | | | | | | | | 170,053 | |
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries | | | 225,057 | | | | | | | | (225,057 | ) | | | — | |
Cash value of life insurance and retirement deposits | | | 5,115 | | | | 10,188 | | | | | | | | 15,303 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights | | | | | | | 2,075 | | | | | | | | 2,075 | |
Goodwill, net | | | | | | | 38,354 | | | | | | | | 38,354 | |
Intangible assets | | | | | | | 1,244 | | | | | | | | 1,244 | |
Investments in equity investee | | | | | | | 2,759 | | | | | | | | 2,759 | |
Prepaid financing fees and and other assets | | | 5,169 | | | | 871 | | | | | | | | 6,040 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 904 | | | | 143,408 | | | | | | | | 144,312 | |
|
Total Assets | | $ | 417,787 | | | $ | 254,399 | | | $ | (231,793 | ) | | $ | 440,393 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trade accounts payable | | $ | 693 | | | $ | 2,790 | | | $ | | | | $ | 3,483 | |
Payable to affiliate | | | | | | | 6,184 | | | | (6,184 | ) | | | — | |
Accrued payroll and related benefits | | | 1,113 | | | | 6,242 | | | | | | | | 7,355 | |
Interest payable | | | 3,809 | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,809 | |
Television and radio broadcast rights payable | | | | | | | 5,524 | | | | | | | | 5,524 | |
Income taxes payable | | | | | | | 552 | | | | (552 | ) | | | — | |
Other current liabilities | | | 2,058 | | | | 2,462 | | | | | | | | 4,520 | |
|
Total current liabilities | | | 7,673 | | | | 23,754 | | | | (6,736 | ) | | | 24,691 | |
Long-term debt | | | 150,000 | | | | | | | | | | | | 150,000 | |
Accrued retirement benefits | | | 19,560 | | | | 84 | | | | | | | | 19,644 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 30,868 | | | | 513 | | | | | | | | 31,381 | |
Other liabilities | | | 65 | | | | 4,991 | | | | | | | | 5,056 | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock | | | 10,881 | | | | 1,131 | | | | (1,131 | ) | | | 10,881 | |
Capital in excess of par | | | 8,590 | | | | 164,234 | | | | (164,234 | ) | | | 8,590 | |
Deferred compensation | | | (159 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (159 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on marketable securities | | | 109,600 | | | | | | | | | | | | 109,600 | |
Minimum pension liability | | | (2,172 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (2,172 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 82,881 | | | | 59,692 | | | | (59,692 | ) | | | 82,881 | |
|
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 209,621 | | | | 225,057 | | | | (225,057 | ) | | | 209,621 | |
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 417,787 | | | $ | 254,399 | | | $ | (231,793 | ) | | $ | 440,393 | |
|
23
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the nine months ended September 30, 2006
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | (15,577 | ) | | $ | 23,840 | | | $ | | | | $ | 8,263 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payment of options for purchase of television stations | | | | | | | (1,100 | ) | | | | | | | (1,100 | ) |
Purchase of Seattle television station | | | | | | | (16,142 | ) | | | | | | | (16,142 | ) |
Payments towards purchase of Oregon television stations | | | | | | | (9,728 | ) | | | | | | | (9,728 | ) |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | | | (169 | ) | | | (12,464 | ) | | | | | | | (12,633 | ) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (169 | ) | | | (39,434 | ) | | | — | | | | (39,603 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Borrowings under borrowing agreements | | | 15,000 | | | | | | | | | | | | 15,000 | |
Payments on borrowing agreements | | | (2,000 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (2,000 | ) |
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | | 546 | | | | | | | | | | | | 546 | |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 13,569 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,569 | |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (2,177 | ) | | | (15,594 | ) | | | — | | | | (17,771 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 3,660 | | | | 15,962 | | | | | | | | 19,622 | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 1,483 | | | $ | 368 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,851 | |
|
24
Financial Information for Guarantors
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | 100% | | | | | | Fisher |
| | Fisher | | Owned | | | | | | Communications, |
| | Communications, | | Guarantor | | | | | | Inc. and |
| | Inc. | | Subsidiaries | | Eliminations | | Subsidiaries |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | $ | (2,520 | ) | | $ | (2,295 | ) | | $ | | | | $ | (4,815 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from collection of notes receivable | | | | | | | 1,585 | | | | | | | | 1,585 | |
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | | | 73 | | | | 174 | | | | | | | | 247 | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | | | (233 | ) | | | (6,343 | ) | | | | | | | (6,576 | ) |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (160 | ) | | | (4,584 | ) | | | — | | | | (4,744 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payments under notes payable | | | (44 | ) | | | (9 | ) | | | | | | | (53 | ) |
Payment of deferred loan costs | | | (87 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (87 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | | 3,068 | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,068 | |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 2,937 | | | | (9 | ) | | | — | | | | 2,928 | |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 257 | | | | (6,888 | ) | | | — | | | | (6,631 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 1,007 | | | | 15,018 | | | | | | | | 16,025 | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 1,264 | | | $ | 8,130 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9,394 | |
|
25
ITEM 2 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this quarterly report onForm 10-Q. Some of the statements in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all passages containing verbs such as `aims, anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, hopes, intends, plans, predicts, projects or targets’ or nouns corresponding to such verbs. Forward-looking statements also include any other passages that are primarily relevant to expected future events or that can only be fully evaluated by events that will occur in the future. There are many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in our forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2006 and any changes thereto disclosed on our Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2006. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations. As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, when we say “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”, we are referring to Fisher Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
This discussion is intended to provide an analysis of significant trends, if any, and material changes in our financial position and operating results of our business units during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, compared with the corresponding periods in 2005.
We are an integrated media company. We own and operate 14 network-affiliated television stations and nine radio stations. This station count includes the two Oregon television stations purchased in November 2006, and excludes the 18 small-market radio stations sold in October 2006, as further discussed below. We also own a 50% interest in a company that owns a 15th television station. Our television and radio stations are located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. We also own and operate Fisher Plaza, a communications facility located near downtown Seattle that serves as the home for our corporate offices and our Seattle television and radio stations. We also own approximately 3.0 million shares of common stock of Safeco Corporation, a publicly traded insurance company.
Our broadcasting operations receive revenue from the sale of local, regional, and national advertising and, to a much lesser extent, from network compensation, satellite and fiber transmission services, satellite retransmission, tower rental, and commercial production activities. Our operating results are therefore sensitive to broad economic trends that affect the broadcasting industry in general, as well as local and regional trends, such as those in the Northwest economy. Excluding revenue derived from seasonal sports rights, the advertising revenue of our stations is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring, and retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. In addition, advertising revenue is generally higher during national election years due to spending by political candidates and advocacy groups. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.
Our television revenue is significantly affected by network affiliation and the success of programming offered by those networks. Our two largest television stations, representing approximately three-fourths of our television revenue, are affiliated with ABC. We have three Univision-affiliated television stations and two Telefutura-affiliated television stations, and the remaining eight television stations (including 50%-owned KPIC TV) are affiliated with CBS. Our broadcasting operations are subject to competitive pressures from traditional broadcasting sources, as well as from alternative methods of delivering information and entertainment, and these pressures may cause fluctuations in operating results.
On November 1, 2006, the Company finalized the purchase of two Oregon television stations for $19.3 million. This transaction was initially announced in December 2005 and included the purchase of two Idaho TV stations,
26
which was finalized in May 2006. A second amendment to this purchase agreement in September 2006 included a one-year option to purchase one to three additional television stations in the Northwest.
On October 31, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 18 of 24 small-market radio stations located in Montana and Eastern Washington for $26.1 million. The closing on the sale of one additional Montana station to the same buyer is currently pending FCC approval. The remaining five stations were excluded from this agreement in order to secure FCC approval, but continue to be held for sale. The 24 station group is treated as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial data.
In September 2006, the Company completed a stock purchase of African-American Broadcasting of Bellevue, Inc. (“AABB”), with its owner Christopher J. Racine. Under this agreement, the Company acquired 100 percent equity interest in AABB for $16.0 million, which was consolidated as of September 26, 2006.
In July 2006, the Company entered into a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) with WatchTV, Inc. to manage four of their television stations located in Eastern Washington. The stations currently provide Spanish-language programming to the Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick television market through an affiliation with Univision. Contemporaneously with the LMA, the Company entered into an option agreement with WatchTV, whereby the Company has the right to acquire the stations until June 30, 2007.
In May 2002, we entered into a radio rights agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) to broadcast Seattle Mariners baseball games on KOMO AM for the 2003 through 2008 baseball seasons. The impact of the Rights Agreement is greater during periods that include the broadcast of Mariners baseball games; therefore, the impact on the first and fourth quarters of each year is less than what is expected for the second and third quarters of the calendar year. We also changed to an all-news format for KOMO AM in September 2002. These changes have led to improved ratings for KOMO AM in the Seattle market over the past few years. Nevertheless, the success of this programming is dependent, in part, on factors beyond our control, such as the competitiveness of the Seattle Mariners and the successful marketing of the team.
In addition to our broadcasting operations, we own and operate Fisher Plaza, and we lease space to other companies that are attracted by the property location and the infrastructure provided at this facility. Fisher Plaza was first opened for occupancy in May 2000, and the second phase of the project was opened for occupancy in the summer of 2003. As of September 30, 2006, approximately 93% of Fisher Plaza was occupied or committed for occupancy (42% was occupied by Fisher entities), compared to 91% occupied or committed for occupancy at December 31, 2005 and 90% at September 30, 2005. Revenue and operating income from Fisher Plaza are dependent upon the general economic climate, the Seattle economic climate, the outlook of the telecommunications and technology sectors and real estate conditions, including the availability of space in other competing properties.
On September 20, 2004 we completed an offering of $150.0 million of 8.625% senior notes due 2014 and used the net cash proceeds to retire our previous debt facilities and terminate the forward sales contract covering shares of our investment in Safeco Corporation. The notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, senior basis by the current and future material domestic subsidiaries of the Company. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
Management focuses on key metrics from operational data within our broadcasting and Fisher Plaza operations. Information on significant trends is provided in the section entitled “Consolidated Results of Operations.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies and estimates include the estimates used in determining the recoverability of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the value of television and radio broadcast rights, the cost of
27
pension programs, the amount of tax accruals and the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts. For a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. There have been no material changes in the application of our critical accounting policies and estimates subsequent to that report. We have discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our board of directors.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We report financial data for three reportable segments: television, radio and Fisher Plaza. The television reportable segment includes the operations of the Company’s 14 network-affiliated television stations, and a 50% interest in a company that owns a 15th television station. The radio reportable segment includes the operations of the Company’s three Seattle radio stations, while operations of the Company’s 24 small-market radio stations are reported as discontinued operations. Corporate expenses of the broadcasting business unit are allocated to the television and radio reportable segments based on a ratio that approximates historic revenue and operating expenses of the segments. The Fisher Plaza reportable segment consists of the operations of Fisher Plaza. Fisher-owned entities that reside at Fisher Plaza do not pay rent; however, these entities do pay common-area maintenance expenses. The segmental data includes additional allocation of depreciation and certain operating expenses from Fisher Plaza to the Seattle-based television and radio operations.
Percentage comparisons have been omitted within the following table where they are not considered meaningful.
28
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine months | | | | | | | | | | | Three months | | | | |
(dollars in thousands) | | ended September 30, | | | Variance | | | ended September 30, | | | Variance | |
(Unaudited) | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | $ | | | % | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | $ | 73,322 | | | $ | 65,883 | | | $ | 7,439 | | | | 11.3 | % | | $ | 24,472 | | | $ | 21,687 | | | $ | 2,785 | | | | 12.8 | % |
Radio | | | 29,986 | | | | 29,049 | | | | 937 | | | | 3.2 | % | | | 11,814 | | | | 11,958 | | | | (144 | ) | | | -1.2 | % |
Fisher Plaza | | | 6,662 | | | | 5,998 | | | | 664 | | | | 11.1 | % | | | 2,370 | | | | 2,002 | | | | 368 | | | | 18.4 | % |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 13 | | | | (117 | ) | | | 130 | | | | | | | | 56 | | | | (12 | ) | | | 68 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 109,983 | | | | 100,813 | | | | 9,170 | | | | 9.1 | % | | | 38,712 | | | | 35,635 | | | | 3,077 | | | | 8.6 | % |
Cost of services sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | | 33,993 | | | | 34,483 | | | | (490 | ) | | | -1.4 | % | | | 11,741 | | | | 11,076 | | | | 665 | | | | 6.0 | % |
Radio | | | 17,829 | | | | 18,136 | | | | (307 | ) | | | -1.7 | % | | | 7,587 | | | | 7,696 | | | | (109 | ) | | | -1.4 | % |
Fisher Plaza | | | 2,349 | | | | 2,003 | | | | 346 | | | | 17.3 | % | | | 920 | | | | 715 | | | | 205 | | | | 28.7 | % |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 1,240 | | | | 1,170 | | | | 70 | | | | | | | | 429 | | | | 390 | | | | 39 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 55,411 | | | | 55,792 | | | | (381 | ) | | | -0.7 | % | | | 20,677 | | | | 19,877 | | | | 800 | | | | 4.0 | % |
Selling expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | | 9,861 | | | | 9,024 | | | | 837 | | | | 9.3 | % | | | 3,276 | | | | 3,091 | | | | 185 | | | | 6.0 | % |
Radio | | | 8,800 | | | | 8,235 | | | | 565 | | | | 6.9 | % | | | 3,219 | | | | 3,121 | | | | 98 | | | | 3.1 | % |
Fisher Plaza | | | 150 | | | | 320 | | | | (170 | ) | | | -53.1 | % | | | 49 | | | | 107 | | | | (58 | ) | | | -54.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 18,811 | | | | 17,579 | | | | 1,232 | | | | 7.0 | % | | | 6,544 | | | | 6,319 | | | | 225 | | | | 3.6 | % |
General and administrative expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | | 12,977 | | | | 12,445 | | | | 532 | | | | 4.3 | % | | | 4,453 | | | | 3,808 | | | | 645 | | | | 16.9 | % |
Radio | | | 3,318 | | | | 3,047 | | | | 271 | | | | 8.9 | % | | | 1,141 | | | | 968 | | | | 173 | | | | 17.9 | % |
Fisher Plaza | | | 241 | | | | 687 | | | | (446 | ) | | | -64.9 | % | | | 95 | | | | 292 | | | | (197 | ) | | | -67.5 | % |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 4,792 | | | | 6,340 | | | | (1,548 | ) | | | -24.4 | % | | | 1,456 | | | | 1,425 | | | | 31 | | | | 2.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 21,328 | | | | 22,519 | | | | (1,191 | ) | | | -5.3 | % | | | 7,145 | | | | 6,493 | | | | 652 | | | | 10.0 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | | 4,361 | | | | 6,397 | | | | (2,036 | ) | | | -31.8 | % | | | 1,426 | | | | 1,489 | | | | (63 | ) | | | -4.2 | % |
Radio | | | 649 | | | | 879 | | | | (230 | ) | | | -26.2 | % | | | 207 | | | | 284 | | | | (77 | ) | | | -27.1 | % |
Fisher Plaza | | | 2,321 | | | | 2,800 | | | | (479 | ) | | | -17.1 | % | | | 795 | | | | 819 | | | | (24 | ) | | | -2.9 | % |
Corporate and eliminations | | | 184 | | | | 185 | | | | (1 | ) | | | -0.5 | % | | | 60 | | | | 50 | | | | 10 | | | | 20.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 7,515 | | | | 10,261 | | | | (2,746 | ) | | | -26.8 | % | | | 2,488 | | | | 2,642 | | | | (154 | ) | | | -5.8 | % |
Income (loss) from operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Television | | | 12,130 | | | | 3,534 | | | | 8,596 | | | | | | | | 3,577 | | | | 2,223 | | | | 1,354 | | | | | |
Radio | | | (610 | ) | | | (1,248 | ) | | | 638 | | | | | | | | (340 | ) | | | (111 | ) | | | (229 | ) | | | | |
Fisher Plaza | | | 1,601 | | | | 188 | | | | 1,413 | | | | | | | | 511 | | | | 69 | | | | 442 | | | | | |
Corporate and eliminations | | | (6,203 | ) | | | (7,812 | ) | | | 1,609 | | | | | | | | (1,890 | ) | | | (1,877 | ) | | | (13 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated | | | 6,918 | | | | (5,338 | ) | | | 12,256 | | | | | | | | 1,858 | | | | 304 | | | | 1,554 | | | | | |
|
Other income, net | | | 2,814 | | | | 2,658 | | | | 156 | | | | | | | | 1,047 | | | | 904 | | | | 143 | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (10,396 | ) | | | (10,241 | ) | | | (155 | ) | | | | | | | (3,574 | ) | | | (3,466 | ) | | | (108 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | | | (664 | ) | | | (12,921 | ) | | | 12,257 | | | | | | | | (669 | ) | | | (2,258 | ) | | | 1,589 | | | | | |
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes | | | 115 | | | | (5,235 | ) | | | 5,350 | | | | | | | | 115 | | | | (1,140 | ) | | | 1,255 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from continuing operations | | | (779 | ) | | | (7,686 | ) | | | 6,907 | | | | | | | | (784 | ) | | | (1,118 | ) | | | 334 | | | | | |
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | 675 | | | | 738 | | | | (63 | ) | | | | | | | 113 | | | | 328 | | | | (215 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | (6,948 | ) | | $ | 6,844 | | | | | | | $ | (671 | ) | | $ | (790 | ) | | $ | 119 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
29
Comparison of Fiscal Nine and Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2006, and September 30, 2005
Revenue
Television revenue increased in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same periods in 2005, primarily due to improved national and local advertising in most of our markets as well as increased political advertising in certain markets. The increase was led by improvements at our two ABC-affiliated stations. Total revenue for our Seattle and Portland television stations increased 13.6% and 12.9%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005. Revenue from the remaining television stations increased slightly in the first nine months of 2006 as compared to the like period in 2005. In May 2005, we signed agreements with ABC to renew that network’s affiliation at KOMO TV in Seattle and KATU TV in Portland through August 2009. In January 2006, we also renewed affiliation agreements with CBS through February 2016. The terms of the renewal include decreasing network compensation, and we are recognizing network compensation revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreements. Television network compensation revenue decreased to $722,000 in the first nine months of 2006, compared to $1.5 million in the same period of 2005.
Radio revenue increased in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of increased local revenue at our Seattle stations. Excluding revenue specifically attributable to Seattle Radio’s agreement with the Seattle Mariners to broadcast baseball games, total radio revenue increased 4.7% in the first nine months of 2006, compared to the first nine months of 2005. We attribute the increase to improved ratings and a more aggressive sales strategy. Radio revenue decreased slightly in the three-month period ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005, primarily as a result of decreased revenue during broadcasts of the Mariner’s baseball games. Revenue from our small-market radio operations has been included in the discontinued operations category due to the pending sale of those stations announced in May 2006. The sale of 18 of the 24 small-market radio stations was completed on October 31, 2006, with the sale of one additional station to the same buyer currently pending FCC approval. The remaining five stations continue to be held for sale.
Fisher Plaza first opened in May of 2000, and the second phase of the project was open for occupancy in the summer of 2003. The increase in revenue in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods of 2005, was due primarily to increased rents and service fees.
Cost of services sold
The cost of services sold consists primarily of costs to acquire, produce, and promote broadcast programming for the television and radio segments, and costs to operate Fisher Plaza. Many of these costs are relatively fixed in nature and do not necessarily vary on a proportional basis with revenue. The decrease in the television segment cost of services sold in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005, is primarily the result of lower syndicated programming costs. In particular, the nine months of 2005 included syndicated programming costs for a television program that was cancelled later in 2005; 2006 replacement programming was at a lower cost. The increase in the television segment cost of services sold in the three-month period ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same quarter of 2005, is primarily the result of investments in our news product at certain stations and start up costs related to our Spanish-language operations.
Cost of services sold at our radio segment in the three and nine-months of 2006 is similar to the comparable periods in 2005. Expenses fluctuate seasonally consistent with the effect of the Seattle Mariners programming.
The increase in cost of services sold at Fisher Plaza in the three and nine-months of 2006 over the same 2005 periods was primarily attributable to the increased costs to provide services at a higher third-party tenant occupancy level, for which expense reimbursements are classified as revenue.
The corporate and eliminations category consists primarily of the reclassification and elimination of certain operating expenses between operating segments. For example, KOMO TV and Seattle Radio recognize facilities-
30
related expenses as general and administrative, while Fisher Plaza records the reimbursement of these intercompany expenses as a reduction of cost of services sold.
Selling expenses
The increase in selling expenses in the television segment in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods in 2005, was due primarily to increased commission-based expense at our television stations. The increase in selling expenses in the radio segment in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods in 2005, was also due primarily to increased commission expense as a result of increased local revenue.
Decreased selling expense at Fisher Plaza for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods in 2005, was due primarily to reduced marketing efforts in 2006 as the property was becoming substantially occupied.
General and administrative expenses
The television segment had increased general and administrative costs during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the corresponding 2005 periods primarily due to station-related severance costs incurred during the third quarter of 2006. The radio segment had increased general and administrative costs during the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the corresponding 2005 periods primarily due to higher employment-related costs.
Decreased general and administrative expense at Fisher Plaza for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the corresponding 2005 periods, was due primarily to lower required administration and headcount levels due to management’s centralization of such functions to the corporate group in mid 2005.
The corporate group incurred lower general and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2006, as compared to the same period of 2005, due primarily to reduced pension-related expense, decreased Sarbanes-Oxley related audit fees, and decreased severance-related expenses. In the first quarter of 2005, severance-related expense totaling approximately $1.0 million was recognized for the Company’s former chief executive officer. During the second quarter of 2006, approximately $300,000 of severance-related expense was recognized for an executive officer. As 2006 is the third year of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, related expenses have been significantly reduced from prior year levels. Lower pension-related costs have been recognized during 2006 due to the curtailment of a supplemental employee retirement plan in the second quarter of 2005.
Depreciation
Depreciation for the television, radio, and Plaza segments declined in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same periods in 2005, as a result of certain assets having become fully depreciated.
Other income, net
Other income, net, includes primarily dividends received on marketable securities and, to a lesser extent, interest and miscellaneous income. The increase in other income, net in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 over the same 2005 periods was primarily attributable to increased dividends received from our investment in Safeco Corporation common stock.
Interest expense
Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our $150 million senior notes, amortization of loan fees, and interest on borrowings under our $20.0 million senior credit facility.
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Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes
The provision or benefit for federal and state income taxes varies with pre-tax income or loss. Consequently, the changes in federal and state income taxes were primarily due to fluctuating income or losses from continuing operations before income taxes. The effective tax rate varies from the statutory rate primarily due to a deduction for dividends received from our investment in Safeco corporate common stock, changes in cash surrender value of life insurance policies held by the Company (for which proceeds are received tax-free if held to maturity), and the impact of other permanent tax differences. As required by accounting rules for interim financial reporting, we record our income tax provision or benefit based upon our estimated annual effective tax rate of 23% for 2006. In addition, during the three-months ended September 30, 2006 we recognized additional federal income tax expense as a result of a tax audit of approximately $388,000. The estimated effective tax rate in the 2006 period was lower than in the same period in 2005 due primarily to the relationship between the amount of estimated annual permanent differences and our estimated annual pretax income or loss.
Liquidity and capital resources
In September 2004, we completed a $150.0 million offering of 8.625% senior notes due 2014 and used $143.9 million of the initial $144.5 million net proceeds to retire existing debt and to settle the outstanding obligations. The notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, senior basis by our current and future material domestic subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. In September 2004, we also entered into a new six-year senior credit facility with a financial institution for borrowings of up to $20.0 million. The credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets (excluding certain real property and our investment in shares of Safeco Corporation common stock).
Our current assets as of September 30, 2006 included cash and cash equivalents totaling $1.9 million, and we had a working capital deficit of $1.7 million due to the acquisition of a television station in Seattle and additional deposits toward the purchase of two Oregon television stations funded by operating cash and borrowing under our $20.0 million credit facility. As of December 31, 2005, our current assets included cash and cash equivalents totaling $19.6 million, and we had working capital of $35.6 million. We intend to finance working capital, debt service and capital expenditures primarily through operating activities and use of the senior credit facility. As of September 30, 2006, $7.0 million was available under the credit facility.
In November 2006, the Company finalized the purchase of two Oregon television stations for $19.3 million. This transaction was initially announced in December 2005 and included the purchase of two Idaho TV stations which was finalized in May 2006. A second amendment to this purchase agreement in September 2006 included a one year option to purchase one to three additional television stations in the Northwest.
In October 2006, the Company completed the sale of 18 of 24 small-market radio stations located in Montana and Eastern Washington for $26.1 million. The closing on the sale of one additional Montana station to the same buyer is currently pending FCC approval. The remaining five stations were excluded from this agreement in order to secure FCC approval, but continue to be held for sale. The 24 station group is treated as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial data. A portion of the proceeds from this sale were used to partially fund the purchase of the two Oregon television stations noted above, in addition to being utilized to pay down the outstanding balance on our senior credit facility.
In September 2006, the Company completed a stock purchase of AABB, with its owner Christopher J. Racine. Under this agreement, the Company acquired 100 percent equity interest in AABB for $16.0 million.
In July 2006, the Company entered into an LMA with WatchTV, Inc. to manage four of their television stations located in Eastern Washington. The stations currently provide Spanish-language programming to the Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick television market through an affiliation with Univision. Contemporaneously with the LMA, the Company entered into an option agreement with WatchTV, whereby the Company has the right to acquire the stations until June 30, 2007.
32
Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $8.3 million, compared to net cash used in operations of $4.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities consists of our net income loss, adjusted by non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, further adjusted by changes in deferred income tax and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Net cash used in investing activities during the period ended September 30, 2006 included $16.1 million paid as an investment in AABB, $1.1 million paid for options to purchase additional television stations, $9.7 million paid towards the purchase of the Oregon television stations from EBC, and $12.6 million used to purchase property, plant and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 included $6.6 million used to purchase property, plant and equipment, which was partially offset by the collection of two notes receivable totalling $1.6 million related to prior year asset sales. Broadcasting is a capital-intensive business; however, we have no significant commitments for the purchase of capital items. During 2006, we constructed full power digital broadcasting facilities or obtained waivers for extended construction for certain of our smaller market television stations to be in compliance with FCC rules.
Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $13.6 million, consisting primarily of net borrowing against our revolving credit facility. Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $2.9 million, comprised primarily of $3.1 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by payments of notes payable and deferred loan costs.
We are subject to various debt covenants and other restrictions – including the requirement for early payments upon the occurrence of certain events, including the sale of assets – the violation of which could require repayment of outstanding borrowings and affect our credit rating and access to other financing. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements at September 30, 2006.
33
ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
The market risk in our financial instruments represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in financial rates. We are exposed to market risk in the areas of interest rates and securities prices. These exposures are directly related to our normal funding and investing activities.
Interest Rate Exposure
As a result of our September 20, 2004 placement of $150.0 million of 8.625% senior notes due 2014, substantially all of our debt as of September 30, 2006, is at a fixed rate. As of September 30, 2006, our fixed-rate debt totaled $150.0 million. The fair value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at September 30, 2006 was approximately $157.5 million, which was approximately $7.5 million more than its carrying value. Market risk is estimated as the potential change in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates and, as of September 30, 2006, amounted to approximately $7.1 million. Fair market values are determined based on estimates made by investment bankers. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes do not impact book value, operations or cash flows.
Marketable Securities Exposure
The fair value of our investments in marketable securities as of September 30, 2006 was $177.4 million, compared to $170.1 million as of December 31, 2005. Marketable securities consist primarily of 3.0 million shares of Safeco Corporation common stock, valued based on the closing per-share sale price on the specific-identification basis as reported on the Nasdaq stock market. As of September 30, 2006, these shares represented 2.6% of the outstanding common stock of Safeco Corporation. We have classified the investments as available-for-sale under applicable accounting standards. A hypothetical 10% change in market prices underlying these securities would result in a $17.7 million change in the fair value of the marketable securities portfolio. Although changes in securities prices would affect the fair value of the marketable securities and cause unrealized gains or losses, such gains or losses would not be realized unless the investments are sold.
ITEM 4 — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) and, based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006, these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information that the Company is required to disclose in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that, as of the end of the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006, the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be reported is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Vice President Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We made no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the third fiscal quarter of 2006 that materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. We intend to continue to refine our internal control on an ongoing basis as we deem appropriate with a view towards continuous improvement.
34
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various claims, legal actions and complaints in the ordinary course of their businesses. In the Company’s opinion, all such matters are adequately covered by insurance, are without merit or are of such kind, or involve such amounts, that unfavorable disposition would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Except as described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2006, there have not been any material changes during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 to the risk factors set forth in Part 1, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2006.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
| 10.1 | | Joint Sales Agreement dated July 1, 2006 between La Grande Broadcasting, Inc., Fisher Broadcasting – Portland TV, L.L.C. and Equity Broadcasting Company. |
|
| 10.2 | | Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 24, 2006 by and among Cherry Creek Radio LLC, Fisher Communications, Inc. and Fisher Radio Regional Group Inc. |
|
| 10.3 | | Second Amendment and Agreement Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 22, 2006 by and among Fisher Radio Regional Group Inc., Equity Broadcasting Corporation, La Grande Broadcasting, Inc., EBC Boise, Inc. and EBC Pocatello, Inc. |
|
| 31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
|
| 31.2 | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer. |
|
| 32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
| 32.2 | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
35
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.
| | | | |
| FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Registrant) | |
Dated: November 8, 2006 | /s/ Jodi A. Colligan | |
| Jodi A. Colligan | |
| Vice President Finance Acting Chief Financial Officer | |
36
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
10.1 | | Joint Sales Agreement dated July 1, 2006 between La Grande Broadcasting, Inc., Fisher Broadcasting — Portland TV, L.L.C. and Equity Broadcasting Company. |
| | |
10.2 | | Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 24, 2006 by and among Cherry Creek Radio LLC, Fisher Communications, Inc. and Fisher Radio Regional Group Inc. |
| | |
10.3 | | Second Amendment and Agreement Regarding Asset Purchase Agreement dated September 22, 2006 by and among Fisher Radio Regional Group Inc., Equity Broadcasting Corporation, La Grande Broadcasting, Inc., EBC Boise, Inc. and EBC Pocatello, Inc. |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer. |
| | |
32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.2 | | Certification of Acting Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
37