Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ![]() |
CONTACT: Rob Bateman, CFO of Fisher Communications, Inc. (206) 404-6776
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2005 RESULTS
SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 27, 2005—Fisher Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSCI) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
Fisher Communications reported a net loss of $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2005, compared to a net loss of $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2004. The Company reported revenue of $31.0 million in the first quarter of 2005, compared to $30.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. Overall broadcasting revenue declined by approximately $700,000 in the first quarter of 2005, as compared to the first quarter of 2004, due primarily to the absence of significant political and advocacy advertising in 2005. Total revenue includes the operations of Fisher Plaza, a communications center located near downtown Seattle that houses the Company’s Seattle radio and television broadcasting operations and its corporate headquarters. Fisher Plaza revenue increased approximately $800,000 to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2005, primarily as a result of increased occupancy.
Total operating expenses increased $1.7 million to $36.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2004, due primarily to approximately $1.0 million in severance-related expenses for the Company’s former chief executive officer, higher audit and accounting expenses relating to the Company’s successful completion of documentation and testing procedures pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and certain increased syndicated television expenses.
The Company had no remaining derivative instruments during the first quarter of 2005; however, a pre-tax loss on derivative instruments of $9.2 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2004. Therefore, the improvement in net results is primarily due to the elimination of these derivative instruments that related directly to prior corporate borrowing agreements that were refinanced in the second half of 2004.
The Company will hold its annual meeting of shareholders on Thursday, April 28, 2005, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time. The presentations at the annual meeting are expected to include information regarding the Company’s operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005; therefore, the Company does not intend to hold a separate quarterly conference call.
The combined annual meeting and first quarter 2005 presentations are being webcast and can be accessed at the investor information page of Fisher Communication’s Web site at www.fsci.com. A replay of the webcast will be available until Thursday, May 5, 2005, and will also be accessible at the Fisher Web site, as is other information about Fisher Communications.
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Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based integrated media company. Its nine network-affiliated television stations, and a tenth station 50% owned by Fisher Communications, are located in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and its 27 radio stations broadcast in Washington and Montana. It also owns and operates Fisher Plaza, a facility located near downtown Seattle.
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended March 31 | ||||||||
(in thousands, except per-share amounts) Unaudited | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 30,957 | $ | 30,892 | ||||
Costs and expenses | ||||||||
Cost of services sold | 16,623 | 15,059 | ||||||
Selling expenses | 5,878 | 6,363 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | 9,875 | 9,179 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,129 | 4,211 | ||||||
36,505 | 34,812 | |||||||
Loss from operations | (5,548 | ) | (3,920 | ) | ||||
Net loss on derivative instruments | — | (9,172 | ) | |||||
Other income, net | 850 | 803 | ||||||
Interest expense, net | (3,371 | ) | (3,124 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | (8,069 | ) | (15,413 | ) | ||||
Benefit for federal and state income taxes | (3,001 | ) | (5,700 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations | (5,068 | ) | (9,713 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | (132 | ) | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (5,068 | ) | $ | (9,845 | ) | ||
Loss per share: | ||||||||
From continuing operations | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (1.13 | ) | ||
From discontinued operations | (0.01 | ) | ||||||
Net loss per share | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (1.14 | ) | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 8,625 | 8,612 |
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands) Unaudited | March 31 2005 | December 31 2004 | ||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets | $ | 52,331 | $ | 60,601 | ||
Marketable securities, at market value | 146,506 | 157,102 | ||||
Other assets, net | 215,251 | 218,169 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 414,088 | $ | 435,872 | ||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt | $ | 44 | $ | 53 | ||
Other current liabilities | 20,403 | 27,367 | ||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | 150,000 | 150,000 | ||||
Deferred income taxes | 30,048 | 36,133 | ||||
Other liabilities | 20,212 | 19,866 | ||||
Total liabilities | 220,707 | 233,419 | ||||
Stockholders’ equity, other than accumulated other comprehensive income | 101,077 | 103,261 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes | 92,304 | 99,192 | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 193,381 | 202,453 | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 414,088 | $ | 435,872 | ||