UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-Q
(Mark one) | ||
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003. |
OR
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to . |
Commission File Number 333-96619
Block Communications, Inc.
Ohio | 34-4374555 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) |
541 N. Superior Street, Toledo, Ohio 43660
(419) 724-6257
N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES [ ] NO [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date.
Voting Common Stock , (par value $.10) | Non-voting Common Stock, (par value $.10) | |
29,400 shares as of November 7, 2003 | 428,613 shares as of November 7, 2003 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30 | December 31 | ||||||||
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
(unaudited) | (note 1) | ||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets: |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 9,328,138 | $ | 9,781,645 | |||||
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
and discounts of $3,877,000 and $3,552,000,
respectively |
38,054,589 | 45,454,639 | |||||||
Recoverable income taxes |
8,265,836 | 9,029,371 | |||||||
Inventories |
8,594,603 | 7,032,626 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses |
3,104,422 | 4,498,401 | |||||||
Broadcast rights |
6,175,214 | 6,546,678 | |||||||
Deferred income taxes |
9,671,950 | 9,271,000 | |||||||
Total current assets |
83,194,752 | 91,614,360 | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment: |
|||||||||
Land and land improvements |
12,411,095 | 12,255,696 | |||||||
Buildings and leasehold improvements |
42,900,871 | 41,483,466 | |||||||
Machinery and equipment |
222,334,875 | 215,180,502 | |||||||
Cable television distribution systems and equipment |
205,015,647 | 195,399,291 | |||||||
Security alarm and video systems installation costs |
7,003,315 | 6,591,940 | |||||||
Construction in progress |
34,013,663 | 13,777,267 | |||||||
523,679,466 | 484,688,162 | ||||||||
Less allowances for depreciation and amortization |
276,351,443 | 235,410,950 | |||||||
247,328,023 | 249,277,212 | ||||||||
Other assets: |
|||||||||
Goodwill |
51,987,021 | 51,987,021 | |||||||
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization |
38,317,356 | 39,471,513 | |||||||
Cash value of life insurance |
26,847,207 | 25,594,543 | |||||||
Deferred income taxes |
20,021,228 | 16,659,000 | |||||||
Pension intangibles |
11,931,764 | 11,931,764 | |||||||
Prepaid pension costs |
3,371,125 | 2,437,798 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs |
10,624,716 | 12,099,099 | |||||||
Broadcast rights, less current portion |
4,783,573 | 6,676,317 | |||||||
Other |
1,221,060 | 3,976,050 | |||||||
169,105,050 | 170,833,105 | ||||||||
$ | 499,627,825 | $ | 511,724,677 | ||||||
1
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
September 30 | December 31 | |||||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||||
(unaudited) | (note 1) | |||||||||
Liabilities and stockholders equity |
||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 8,500,190 | $ | 13,831,059 | ||||||
Salaries, wages and payroll taxes |
15,965,476 | 19,046,005 | ||||||||
Workers compensation and medical reserves |
7,920,142 | 8,863,918 | ||||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
35,969,338 | 32,846,215 | ||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
1,223,514 | 4,649,871 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities |
69,578,660 | 79,237,068 | ||||||||
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
264,769,465 | 255,786,939 | ||||||||
Other long-term obligations |
139,425,138 | 144,113,551 | ||||||||
Minority interest |
11,838,035 | 11,941,238 | ||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||||
5% Non-cumulative, non-voting Class A Stock,
par value $100 a share (entitled in liquidation to
$100 per share in priority over Common Stock)-15,680 shares authorized; 12,620 shares issued
and outstanding |
1,262,000 | 1,262,000 | ||||||||
Common Stock, par value $.10 a share: |
||||||||||
Voting Common Stock-29,400 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding |
2,940 | 2,940 | ||||||||
Non-voting Common Stock-588,000 shares
authorized; 428,613 and 427,786 shares
issued and outstanding |
42,861 | 42,779 | ||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(22,585,286 | ) | (22,860,033 | ) | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
1,058,687 | 771,274 | ||||||||
Retained earnings |
34,235,325 | 41,426,921 | ||||||||
14,016,527 | 20,645,881 | |||||||||
$ | 499,627,825 | $ | 511,724,677 | |||||||
See accompanying notes.
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
$ | 60,028,762 | $ | 62,100,899 | $ | 183,666,594 | $ | 188,310,327 | ||||||||||
Cable |
27,441,732 | 25,204,115 | 81,705,836 | 75,541,372 | ||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
8,927,978 | 9,439,506 | 28,210,365 | 28,126,969 | ||||||||||||||
Other Communications |
5,483,234 | 6,499,480 | 17,443,592 | 19,217,490 | ||||||||||||||
101,881,706 | 103,244,000 | 311,026,387 | 311,196,158 | |||||||||||||||
Expense: |
||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
62,916,865 | 60,888,697 | 186,013,902 | 183,635,801 | ||||||||||||||
Cable |
25,350,966 | 22,425,860 | 74,582,392 | 67,631,965 | ||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
9,021,176 | 8,589,109 | 27,302,938 | 26,598,294 | ||||||||||||||
Other Communications |
5,359,794 | 5,872,134 | 16,074,191 | 17,721,018 | ||||||||||||||
Corporate general and administrative |
1,511,632 | 1,512,473 | 3,348,451 | 2,969,548 | ||||||||||||||
104,160,433 | 99,288,273 | 307,321,874 | 298,556,626 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,278,727 | ) | 3,955,727 | 3,704,513 | 12,639,532 | |||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(4,795,664 | ) | (6,037,895 | ) | (15,016,194 | ) | (16,680,122 | ) | ||||||||||
Gain on disposition of Monroe Cablevision |
| (459,360 | ) | | 21,140,829 | |||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
4,007,138 | (2,472,043 | ) | 1,776,801 | (2,193,986 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinquishment of debt |
| | | (8,989,786 | ) | |||||||||||||
Interest income |
86,785 | 115,573 | 186,545 | 146,520 | ||||||||||||||
(701,741 | ) | (8,853,725 | ) | (13,052,848 | ) | (6,576,545 | ) | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes and minority interest |
(2,980,468 | ) | (4,897,998 | ) | (9,348,335 | ) | 6,062,987 | |||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(1,447,189 | ) | (1,769,633 | ) | (2,998,224 | ) | 2,611,512 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
minority interest |
(1,533,279 | ) | (3,128,365 | ) | (6,350,111 | ) | 3,451,475 | |||||||||||
Minority interest |
78,646 | (134,934 | ) | 103,203 | (222,055 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(1,454,633 | ) | (3,263,299 | ) | (6,246,908 | ) | 3,229,420 | |||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations (including loss
on disposal of $235,591 in 2003) |
| (186,325 | ) | (445,658 | ) | (929,573 | ) | |||||||||||
Income tax benefit |
| (76,393 | ) | (151,524 | ) | (381,125 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss on discontinued operations |
| (109,932 | ) | (294,134 | ) | (548,448 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (1,454,633 | ) | $ | (3,373,231 | ) | $ | (6,541,042 | ) | $ | 2,680,972 | |||||||
See accompanying notes.
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity (unaudited)
Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Stock | Voting | Non-Voting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 1, 2003 |
12,620 | $ | 1,262,000 | 29,400 | $ | 2,940 | 427,786 | $ | 42,779 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value of interest rate swaps at
January 1, 2001 (net of deferred tax of $155,000) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A stock$2.50 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voting$1.35 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-voting$1.35 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive stock incentives issued at $407.97 per share |
1,808 | 180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption of non-voting common shares
at $458.50 per share |
(981 | ) | (98 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2003 |
12,620 | $ | 1,262,000 | 29,400 | $ | 2,940 | 428,613 | $ | 42,861 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 1, 2002 |
12,620 | $ | 1,262,000 | 29,400 | $ | 2,940 | 427,786 | $ | 42,779 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value of interest rate swaps at
January 1, 2001 (net of deferred tax of $190,875) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A stock$2.50 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voting$1.40 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-voting$1.40 per share |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2002 |
12,620 | $ | 1,262,000 | 29,400 | $ | 2,940 | 427,786 | $ | 42,779 | ||||||||||||||||||
[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | Additional | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive | Paid-in | Retained | |||||||||||||||||
Loss | Capital | Earnings | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 1, 2003 |
$ | (22,860,033 | ) | $ | 771,274 | $ | 41,426,921 | $ | 20,645,881 | ||||||||||
Net loss |
(6,541,042 | ) | (6,541,042 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value of interest rate swaps at
January 1, 2001 (net of deferred tax of $155,000) |
274,747 | 274,747 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss |
(6,266,295 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Class A stock$2.50 per share |
(31,550 | ) | (31,550 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Voting$1.35 per share |
(39,690 | ) | (39,690 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Non-voting$1.35 per share |
(579,314 | ) | (579,314 | ) | |||||||||||||||
(650,554 | ) | (650,554 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Executive stock incentives issued at $407.97 per share |
737,103 | 737,283 | |||||||||||||||||
Redemption of non-voting common shares
at $458.50 per share |
(449,690 | ) | (449,788 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2003 |
$ | (22,585,286 | ) | $ | 1,058,687 | $ | 34,235,325 | $ | 14,016,527 | ||||||||||
Balances at January 1, 2002 |
$ | (4,725,589 | ) | $ | 771,274 | $ | 40,229,696 | $ | 37,583,100 | ||||||||||
Net income |
2,680,972 | 2,680,972 | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of fair value of interest rate swaps at
January 1, 2001 (net of deferred tax of $190,875) |
339,103 | 339,103 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
3,020,075 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Class A stock$2.50 per share |
(31,550 | ) | (31,550 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||
Voting$1.40 per share |
(41,160 | ) | (41,160 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Non-voting$1.40 per share |
(598,901 | ) | (598,901 | ) | |||||||||||||||
(671,611 | ) | (671,611 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2002 |
$ | (4,386,486 | ) | $ | 771,274 | $ | 42,239,057 | $ | 39,931,564 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
4
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Nine months ended | ||||||||||
September 30 | ||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||||
Operating activities |
||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (6,541,042 | ) | $ | 2,680,972 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||
Depreciation |
37,169,956 | 33,737,180 | ||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
2,312,113 | 1,919,494 | ||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
5,224,538 | 4,977,936 | ||||||||
Payments for broadcast rights |
(5,167,589 | ) | (4,121,864 | ) | ||||||
Gain on sale of Monroe Cablevision |
| (21,140,829 | ) | |||||||
Loss on disposal of discontinued operation |
235,591 | | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes (credit) |
(3,918,177 | ) | 3,500,000 | |||||||
Provision for bad debts |
1,289,173 | 1,033,655 | ||||||||
Minority interest |
(103,203 | ) | 222,055 | |||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
(1,776,801 | ) | 2,193,986 | |||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment |
135,964 | (571,220 | ) | |||||||
Write-off of deferred charges related to extinquished debt |
| 2,697,784 | ||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||
Receivables |
6,110,877 | 4,116,003 | ||||||||
Inventories |
(1,576,913 | ) | (1,769,368 | ) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
1,393,979 | 1,542,510 | ||||||||
Accounts payable |
(5,330,872 | ) | (833,469 | ) | ||||||
Salaries, wages, payroll taxes and other accrued liabilities |
(3,459,799 | ) | 594,136 | |||||||
Other assets |
3,939,020 | (2,044,730 | ) | |||||||
Postretirement benefits and other long-term obligations |
(1,044,700 | ) | (2,454,918 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
28,892,115 | 26,279,313 | ||||||||
Investing activities |
||||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
(35,420,506 | ) | (20,059,706 | ) | ||||||
Change in cash value of life insurance |
(1,252,664 | ) | (14,385,206 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of Monroe Cablevision |
| 12,059,115 | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of investment |
2,000,000 | | ||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
72,162 | 890,386 | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(34,601,008 | ) | (21,495,411 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities |
||||||||||
Borrowings under new term loan agreement |
10,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||
Payments under new term loan agreement |
(4,133,500 | ) | | |||||||
Issuance of subordinated notes |
| 175,000,000 | ||||||||
Payments on long-term revolver |
| (92,500,000 | ) | |||||||
Payments on previous term loan |
| (75,187,500 | ) | |||||||
Payments on senior notes |
| (67,499,000 | ) | |||||||
Financing costs deferred |
| (10,768,413 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
737,283 | | ||||||||
Payments on redemption of shares |
(449,788 | ) | | |||||||
Cash dividends paid |
(650,554 | ) | (671,611 | ) | ||||||
Payments on notes payable and capital leases |
(248,055 | ) | (400,606 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
5,255,386 | 2,972,870 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(453,507 | ) | 7,756,772 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
9,781,645 | 5,882,732 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 9,328,138 | $ | 13,639,504 | ||||||
Non-cash borrowings for equipment under capital lease |
$ | 76,856 | $ | 903,798 | ||||||
See accompanying notes.
5
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTE 1BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Block Communications, Inc. (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the December 31, 2002 audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.
New Accounting Standards
In June 2001, SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The pronouncement requires legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets to be recognized at their fair value at the time that the obligations are incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost should be capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the estimated useful life of the asset. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2003 has had no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
In July 2002, SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, was issued and applies to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 requires certain costs associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation or plant closing to be recognized as incurred rather that at the date of commitment to an exit or disposal plan. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2003 has not materially impacted the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
In December 2002, SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based CompensationTransition and Disclosure, was issued and provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The Company has previously adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. Therefore, all years presented reflect this method and no pro-forma disclosures are required.
In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. This Interpretation significantly changes previous practice in the accounting for and disclosure of guarantees. Guarantees meeting the characteristics described in the Interpretation are required to be initially recorded at fair value, which is different from the general current practice of recording a liability only when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Interpretations initial recognition and initial measurement provisions are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Interpretation also requires a guarantor to make significant new disclosures for virtually all guarantees even if the likelihood of the guarantor having to make payments under the guarantee is remote. The Interpretations disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements beginning in 2002. The Company does not currently guarantee indebtedness of any party outside of the consolidated group. Please refer to Note 7 for disclosures relating to guarantees within the consolidated group.
6
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires consolidation of variable interest entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entitys expected losses, receives a majority of the entitys expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity. Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise that has a controlling financial interest through ownership or a majority voting interest in the entity. The adoption of FIN 46 is expected to have no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
In May 2003, SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, was issued and establishes standards for how an issuer classifies certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity by requiring that all financial instruments within the scope of the statement be classified as liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 has had no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
NOTE 2DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
As of May 31, 2003, the Company suspended operations of Community Communication Services, Inc. (CCS), an alternative advertising distribution company. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the results of operations of CCS are reported separately from results of continuing operations for all periods presented. The reported loss from discontinued operations includes revenues of $135,274 for the three months ended September 30, 2002, and revenues of $151,258 and $422,456 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 include a loss on disposal of the discontinued operations of $235,591. Previously, results of operations of CCS were included in the Other Communications segment.
NOTE 3ACQUISITION
Effective March 29, 2002, the Company consummated an asset exchange agreement with Comcast Corporation which resulted in an exchange of 100% of the assets of Monroe Cablevision for 100% of the assets of Comcasts Bedford, Michigan operations and $12.1 million cash. The Company recorded a $21.1 million gain on the disposition of Monroe Cablevision resulting from the difference in fair value versus the net book value of assets exchanged. For tax reporting, the transaction has been treated as a like kind exchange and the amount of the gain in excess of the cash received has been deferred. The operations of Monroe Cablevision are included in the Companys financial statements through March 28, 2002.
The net assets of the acquired Bedford system have been recorded at their fair value and relate primarily to the cable distribution system and intangibles. The operations of the Bedford system have been included in the Companys financial statements since March 29, 2002.
7
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 4LONG-TERM DEBT
During the first nine months of 2003, the Company made $4,133,500 in payments on the outstanding Term Loan B, as required under the May 2002 credit agreement. On June 30, 2003 the Company borrowed $10,000,000 on Term Loan A under the same credit agreement. Effective September 30, 2003 the credit agreement was amended to transfer the $10,000,000 outstanding under Term Loan A to Term Loan B and to reduce the variable interest rate under Term Loan B by 50 basis points.
Long-term debt consists of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||
Subordinated notes |
$ | 175,000,000 | $ | 175,000,000 | ||||
Fair value adjustment of subordinated notes |
7,519,583 | 7,658,715 | ||||||
Subordinated notes, as adjusted |
182,519,583 | 182,658,715 | ||||||
Senior term loan |
80,491,500 | 74,625,000 | ||||||
Capital leases |
2,981,896 | 3,153,095 | ||||||
265,992,979 | 260,436,810 | |||||||
Current maturities |
1,223,514 | 4,649,871 | ||||||
$ | 264,769,465 | $ | 255,786,939 | |||||
The Company is exposed to market risk arising from changes in interest rates and therefore participates in interest-rate swap contracts as it deems necessary to minimize interest expense while stabilizing cash flows. At September 30, 2003, the Company participates in seventeen interestrate swap contracts relating to its long-term debt. Two of these contracts are accounted for as fair value hedges; therefore, changes in the fair value of these derivatives have no impact on the Companys results of operations. These hedge contracts qualified for the short-cut method of evaluating effectiveness at the inception of the contract; therefore, continuing assessments of their effectiveness are not performed.
The remaining contracts either do not qualify for hedge accounting or the Company has not elected to implement hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company has recognized a derivative valuation gain of $4,007,138 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and a loss of $2,472,043 for the same period of the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company has recognized a derivative valuation gain of $1,776,801 and a loss of $2,193,986 for the same period of the prior year.
NOTE 5OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Other long-term obligations consist of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2003 | 2002 | |||||||
Other postretirement benefits |
$ | 85,510,639 | $ | 83,365,000 | ||||
Pension liabilities |
31,747,737 | 36,171,121 | ||||||
Deferred compensation obligations |
15,685,355 | 14,360,574 | ||||||
Broadcast rights payable |
4,020,339 | 7,330,489 | ||||||
Other |
2,461,068 | 2,886,367 | ||||||
$ | 139,425,138 | $ | 144,113,551 | |||||
8
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 6BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has three reportable segmentspublishing, cable and broadcasting. The publishing segment operates two daily newspapers located in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The cable segment includes two cablevision companies located in Ohio. The broadcasting segment has five television stations located in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Other category includes non-reportable segments and corporate items. The non-reportable segments provide services such as telephony, security systems and monitoring, and cable plant construction. The following table presents certain financial information for the three reportable segments and the other category.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||||
September 30 | September 30 | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
$ | 60,810,746 | $ | 63,232,636 | $ | 186,230,004 | $ | 191,075,509 | ||||||||||
Intersegment |
781,984 | 1,131,737 | 2,563,410 | 2,765,182 | ||||||||||||||
External Publishing |
60,028,762 | 62,100,899 | 183,666,594 | 188,310,327 | ||||||||||||||
Cable |
27,472,630 | 25,227,800 | 81,782,680 | 75,599,179 | ||||||||||||||
Intersegment |
30,898 | 23,685 | 76,844 | 57,807 | ||||||||||||||
External Cable |
27,441,732 | 25,204,115 | 81,705,836 | 75,541,372 | ||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
8,927,978 | 9,439,506 | 28,210,365 | 28,126,969 | ||||||||||||||
Other |
5,483,234 | 6,499,480 | 17,443,592 | 19,217,490 | ||||||||||||||
101,881,706 | 103,244,000 | 311,026,387 | 311,196,158 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
(2,172,013 | ) | 2,284,316 | 32,709 | 7,263,197 | |||||||||||||
Intersegment |
716,090 | 1,072,114 | 2,380,017 | 2,588,671 | ||||||||||||||
Net Publishing |
(2,888,103 | ) | 1,212,202 | (2,347,308 | ) | 4,674,526 | ||||||||||||
Cable |
1,366,066 | 1,665,492 | 4,665,657 | 5,202,338 | ||||||||||||||
Intersegment |
(724,700 | ) | (1,112,763 | ) | (2,457,787 | ) | (2,707,069 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Cable |
2,090,766 | 2,778,255 | 7,123,444 | 7,909,407 | ||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
(93,198 | ) | 850,397 | 907,427 | 1,528,675 | |||||||||||||
Corporate expenses |
(1,511,632 | ) | (1,512,473 | ) | (3,348,451 | ) | (2,969,548 | ) | ||||||||||
Other |
123,440 | 627,346 | 1,369,401 | 1,496,472 | ||||||||||||||
(2,278,727 | ) | 3,955,727 | 3,704,513 | 12,639,532 | ||||||||||||||
Nonoperating expense, net |
(701,741 | ) | (8,853,725 | ) | (13,052,848 | ) | (6,576,545 | ) | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income taxes and minority interest |
$ | (2,980,468 | ) | $ | (4,897,998 | ) | $ | (9,348,335 | ) | $ | 6,062,987 | |||||||
9
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION
The Companys credit facilities are guaranteed jointly and severally by all of the Companys wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Guarantors). Such guarantees are full and unconditional. WAND (TV) Partnership, a partially owned subsidiary of the Company, is not a guarantor of the credit facilities.
Supplemental consolidating financial information of the Company, specifically including such information for the Guarantors, is presented below. Financial information for the Parent Company includes both the Holding Company and its one division, The Toledo Blade Company. Investments in subsidiaries are presented using the cost method of accounting and eliminated. Separate financial statements of the Guarantors are not provided as the consolidating financial information contained herein provides a more meaningful disclosure to allow investors to determine the nature of assets held and the operations of the combined groups.
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
September 30, 2003
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
$ | 28,446,028 | $ | 51,775,097 | $ | 1,801,404 | $ | 1,172,223 | $ | 83,194,752 | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
24,869,451 | 216,845,907 | 5,634,390 | (21,725 | ) | 247,328,023 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intangibles, net |
4,172,171 | 57,864,759 | 28,068,958 | 198,489 | 90,304,377 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash value of life insurance |
26,617,959 | 229,248 | | | 26,847,207 | |||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid pension costs |
| 3,371,125 | | | 3,371,125 | |||||||||||||||||||
Pension intangibles |
1,442,550 | 10,489,214 | | | 11,931,764 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries |
165,149,916 | | | (165,149,916 | ) | | ||||||||||||||||||
Other |
19,814,132 | 16,836,445 | | | 36,650,577 | |||||||||||||||||||
$ | 270,512,207 | $ | 357,411,795 | $ | 35,504,752 | $ | (163,800,929 | ) | $ | 499,627,825 | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities and stockholders equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
$ | 17,999,296 | $ | 50,029,315 | $ | 373,236 | $ | 1,176,813 | $ | 69,578,660 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
264,769,465 | | | | 264,769,465 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term obligations |
1,690,138 | 230,060,299 | | (92,325,299 | ) | 139,425,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | 11,838,035 | 11,838,035 | |||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
(13,946,692 | ) | 77,322,181 | 35,131,516 | (84,490,478 | ) | 14,016,527 | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 270,512,207 | $ | 357,411,795 | $ | 35,504,752 | $ | (163,800,929 | ) | $ | 499,627,825 | ||||||||||||||
10
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (continued)
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2002
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
$ | 31,824,209 | $ | 57,565,103 | $ | 2,136,861 | $ | 88,187 | $ | 91,614,360 | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
26,920,217 | 215,990,124 | 5,994,444 | 372,427 | 249,277,212 | |||||||||||||||
Intangibles, net |
4,494,448 | 58,696,639 | 28,068,958 | 198,489 | 91,458,534 | |||||||||||||||
Cash value of life insurance, net |
25,369,465 | 225,078 | | | 25,594,543 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid pension costs |
| 2,437,798 | | | 2,437,798 | |||||||||||||||
Pension intangibles |
1,442,550 | 10,489,214 | | | 11,931,764 | |||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries |
178,302,804 | | | (178,302,804 | ) | | ||||||||||||||
Other |
18,618,079 | 20,792,387 | | | 39,410,466 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 286,971,772 | $ | 366,196,343 | $ | 36,200,263 | $ | (177,643,701 | ) | $ | 511,724,677 | ||||||||||
Liabilities and stockholders equity: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
$ | 23,530,460 | $ | 54,864,676 | $ | 756,010 | $ | 85,922 | $ | 79,237,068 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt |
255,786,939 | | | | 255,786,939 | |||||||||||||||
Other long-term obligations |
11,310,112 | 238,274,771 | | (105,471,332 | ) | 144,113,551 | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | 11,941,238 | 11,941,238 | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
(3,655,739 | ) | 73,056,896 | 35,444,253 | (84,199,529 | ) | 20,645,881 | |||||||||||||
$ | 286,971,772 | $ | 366,196,343 | $ | 36,200,263 | $ | (177,643,701 | ) | $ | 511,724,677 | ||||||||||
11
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (continued)
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 20,367,935 | $ | 83,848,823 | $ | 1,485,276 | $ | (3,820,328 | ) | $ | 101,881,706 | |||||||||
Expenses |
21,772,534 | 84,139,973 | 1,724,310 | (3,476,384 | ) | 104,160,433 | ||||||||||||||
Operating loss |
(1,404,599 | ) | (291,150 | ) | (239,034 | ) | (343,944 | ) | (2,278,727 | ) | ||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
(713,135 | ) | 10,683 | 711 | | (701,741 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
(2,117,734 | ) | (280,467 | ) | (238,323 | ) | (343,944 | ) | (2,980,468 | ) | ||||||||||
Credit for income taxes |
(1,131,708 | ) | (315,481 | ) | | | (1,447,189 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before minority interest |
(986,028 | ) | 35,014 | (238,323 | ) | (343,944 | ) | (1,533,279 | ) | |||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | 78,646 | 78,646 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(986,028 | ) | 35,014 | (238,323 | ) | (265,298 | ) | (1,454,633 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
| | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (986,028 | ) | $ | 35,014 | $ | (238,323 | ) | $ | (265,298 | ) | $ | (1,454,633 | ) | ||||||
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Three Months Ended September 30, 2002
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 20,810,725 | $ | 83,201,514 | $ | 2,006,458 | $ | (2,774,697 | ) | $ | 103,244,000 | |||||||||
Expenses |
21,591,068 | 78,630,410 | 1,602,578 | (2,535,783 | ) | 99,288,273 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(780,343 | ) | 4,571,104 | 403,880 | (238,914 | ) | 3,955,727 | |||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
(8,860,176 | ) | 1,439 | 5,012 | | (8,853,725 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
(9,640,519 | ) | 4,572,543 | 408,892 | (238,914 | ) | (4,897,998 | ) | ||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(3,600,091 | ) | 1,830,458 | | | (1,769,633 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before minority interest |
(6,040,428 | ) | 2,742,085 | 408,892 | (238,914 | ) | (3,128,365 | ) | ||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | (134,934 | ) | (134,934 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(6,040,428 | ) | 2,742,085 | 408,892 | (373,848 | ) | (3,263,299 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
| (109,932 | ) | | | (109,932 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (6,040,428 | ) | $ | 2,632,153 | $ | 408,892 | $ | (373,848 | ) | $ | (3,373,231 | ) | |||||||
12
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (continued)
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 62,062,165 | $ | 253,671,745 | $ | 4,679,312 | $ | (9,386,835 | ) | $ | 311,026,387 | |||||||||
Expenses |
64,163,933 | 247,159,609 | 4,991,015 | (8,992,683 | ) | 307,321,874 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,101,768 | ) | 6,512,136 | (311,703 | ) | (394,152 | ) | 3,704,513 | ||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
(13,061,145 | ) | 9,331 | (1,034 | ) | | (13,052,848 | ) | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
(15,162,913 | ) | 6,521,467 | (312,737 | ) | (394,152 | ) | (9,348,335 | ) | |||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(4,960,272 | ) | 1,962,048 | | | (2,998,224 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before minority interest |
(10,202,641 | ) | 4,559,419 | (312,737 | ) | (394,152 | ) | (6,350,111 | ) | |||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | 103,203 | 103,203 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(10,202,641 | ) | 4,559,419 | (312,737 | ) | (290,949 | ) | (6,246,908 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
| (294,134 | ) | | | (294,134 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (10,202,641 | ) | $ | 4,265,285 | $ | (312,737 | ) | $ | (290,949 | ) | $ | (6,541,042 | ) | ||||||
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 60,916,840 | $ | 252,131,021 | $ | 5,570,622 | $ | (7,422,325 | ) | $ | 311,196,158 | |||||||||
Expenses |
62,656,881 | 238,623,191 | 4,910,014 | (7,633,460 | ) | 298,556,626 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(1,740,041 | ) | 13,507,830 | 660,608 | 211,135 | 12,639,532 | ||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense) |
(6,594,767 | ) | 5,935 | 12,287 | | (6,576,545 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax and minority interest |
(8,334,808 | ) | 13,513,765 | 672,895 | 211,135 | 6,062,987 | ||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(3,064,749 | ) | 5,676,261 | | | 2,611,512 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations
before minority interest |
(5,270,059 | ) | 7,837,504 | 672,895 | 211,135 | 3,451,475 | ||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
| | | (222,055 | ) | (222,055 | ) | |||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(5,270,059 | ) | 7,837,504 | 672,895 | (10,920 | ) | 3,229,420 | |||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
| (548,448 | ) | | | (548,448 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (5,270,059 | ) | $ | 7,289,056 | $ | 672,895 | $ | (10,920 | ) | $ | 2,680,972 | ||||||||
13
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (continued)
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities |
$ | (13,963,970 | ) | $ | 42,688,003 | $ | 555,379 | $ | (387,297 | ) | $ | 28,892,115 | ||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
(965,153 | ) | (34,319,304 | ) | (530,201 | ) | 394,152 | (35,420,506 | ) | |||||||||||
Other investing activities |
758,656 | 60,842 | | | 819,498 | |||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities |
(206,497 | ) | (34,258,462 | ) | (530,201 | ) | 394,152 | (34,601,008 | ) | |||||||||||
Borrowings on term loan |
10,000,000 | | | | 10,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
Payments on term loan |
(4,133,500 | ) | | | | (4,133,500 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other financing activity |
7,715,277 | (8,319,536 | ) | | (6,855 | ) | (611,114 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities |
13,581,777 | (8,319,536 | ) | | (6,855 | ) | 5,255,386 | |||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents |
(588,690 | ) | 110,005 | 25,178 | | (453,507 | ) | |||||||||||||
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period |
8,854,800 | 455,633 | 471,212 | | 9,781,645 | |||||||||||||||
Cash and equivalents at end of period |
$ | 8,266,110 | $ | 565,638 | $ | 496,390 | $ | | $ | 9,328,138 | ||||||||||
14
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
NOTE 7SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION (continued)
CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Unconsolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Parent | Guarantor | Non-Guarantor | ||||||||||||||||||
Company | Subsidiaries | Subsidiary | Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities |
$ | (25,349,097 | ) | $ | 51,327,298 | $ | 52,317 | $ | 248,795 | $ | 26,279,313 | |||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
(505,039 | ) | (18,647,903 | ) | (695,629 | ) | (211,135 | ) | (20,059,706 | ) | ||||||||||
Other investing activities |
(2,288,273 | ) | 852,568 | | | (1,435,705 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing
activities |
(2,793,312 | ) | (17,795,335 | ) | (695,629 | ) | (211,135 | ) | (21,495,411 | ) | ||||||||||
Issuance of subordinated notes |
175,000,000 | | | | 175,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
Borrowings on term loan |
75,000,000 | | | | 75,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
Payments on long-term debt |
(235,186,500 | ) | | | | (235,186,500 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other financing activity |
22,597,748 | (34,400,718 | ) | | (37,660 | ) | (11,840,630 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities |
37,411,248 | (34,400,718 | ) | | (37,660 | ) | 2,972,870 | |||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents |
9,268,839 | (868,755 | ) | (643,312 | ) | | 7,756,772 | |||||||||||||
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period |
3,186,078 | (64,937 | ) | 2,761,591 | | 5,882,732 | ||||||||||||||
Cash and equivalents at end of period |
$ | 12,454,917 | $ | (933,692 | ) | $ | 2,118,279 | $ | | $ | 13,639,504 | |||||||||
15
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
The following analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Block Communications, Inc. (the Company) should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with the managements discussion and analysis, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
Overview
We are a privately held diversified media company with our primary operations in cable television, newspaper publishing and television broadcasting. We provide cable television service to the greater Toledo, Ohio metropolitan area (Buckeye CableSystem) and the Sandusky, Ohio area (Erie County CableSystem). At December 31, 2002, we had approximately 152,000 subscribers. We publish two daily metropolitan newspapers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, each of which is the leading publication in its market. The aggregate average daily and Sunday paid circulation of our two newspapers is approximately 385,100 and 601,400, respectively, as of December 31, 2002. We own and operate four television stations: two in Louisville, Kentucky, and one each in Boise, Idaho and Lima, Ohio; and we are a two-thirds owner of a television station in Decatur, Illinois. We also have other communication operations including a telecom business and a commercial and residential security business.
Since our diversified media operations include several advertising dependent companies, our financial performance is significantly impacted by advertising revenues. In general, advertising revenue is highest in the fourth quarter, due in part to increases in retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. In addition, broadcasting advertising revenues are generally higher in even-numbered election years due to political advertising.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on a continual basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates and judgments.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to change, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances could be required. We maintain various employment related liabilities, such as workers compensation and medical reserves, based on historical performance and current trends. Actual results could differ from estimates resulting in adjustments to the recorded liability. Actuarial assumptions have a significant impact on the determination of net periodic pension costs and credits and other post-employment benefits. If actual experience differs from these assumptions, future periodic pension and post-employment costs could be adversely affected.
General
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we had revenues, operating income and a net loss from continuing operations of $311.0 million, $3.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively. This represents a decrease in revenues of $170,000 and a decrease in operating income of $8.9 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002.
Set forth below are the operating results and a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
16
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations (unaudited)
Three months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
$ | 60,028,762 | 58.9 | % | $ | 62,100,899 | 60.1 | % | |||||||||
Cable |
27,441,732 | 26.9 | 25,204,115 | 24.4 | |||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
8,927,978 | 8.8 | 9,439,506 | 9.1 | |||||||||||||
Other Communications |
5,483,234 | 5.4 | 6,499,480 | 6.3 | |||||||||||||
101,881,706 | 100.0 | 103,244,000 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||
Expense: |
|||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
62,916,865 | 61.8 | 60,888,697 | 59.0 | |||||||||||||
Cable |
25,350,966 | 24.9 | 22,425,860 | 21.7 | |||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
9,021,176 | 8.9 | 8,589,109 | 8.3 | |||||||||||||
Other Communications |
5,359,794 | 5.3 | 5,872,134 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||
Corporate general and administrative |
1,511,632 | 1.5 | 1,512,473 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
104,160,433 | 102.2 | 99,288,273 | 96.2 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,278,727 | ) | -2.2 | % | 3,955,727 | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense): |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(4,795,664 | ) | (6,037,895 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss on disposition of Monroe Cablevision |
| (459,360 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
4,007,138 | (2,472,043 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest income |
86,785 | 115,573 | |||||||||||||||
(701,741 | ) | (8,853,725 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before
income taxes and minority interest |
(2,980,468 | ) | (4,897,998 | ) | |||||||||||||
Credit for income taxes |
(1,447,189 | ) | (1,769,633 | ) | |||||||||||||
Minority interest |
78,646 | (134,934 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Loss from continuing operations |
(1,454,633 | ) | (3,263,299 | ) | |||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
| (109,932 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net loss |
(1,454,633 | ) | (3,373,231 | ) | |||||||||||||
Add: |
|||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
4,795,664 | 6,037,895 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
(1,447,189 | ) | (1,846,026 | ) | |||||||||||||
Depreciation |
12,284,170 | 11,459,351 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
771,577 | 626,042 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
1,828,665 | 1,655,247 | |||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
93,278 | (974,034 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
(4,007,138 | ) | 2,472,043 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on disposition of Monroe Cablevision |
| 459,360 | |||||||||||||||
Less: |
|||||||||||||||||
Payments on broadcast rights |
(1,769,823 | ) | (1,590,320 | ) | |||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 11,094,571 | $ | 14,926,327 | |||||||||||||
17
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations (unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
$ | 183,666,594 | 59.1 | % | $ | 188,310,327 | 60.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Cable |
81,705,836 | 26.3 | 75,541,372 | 24.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
28,210,365 | 9.1 | 28,126,969 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other Communications |
17,443,592 | 5.6 | 19,217,490 | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
311,026,387 | 100.0 | 311,196,158 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expense: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
186,013,902 | 59.8 | 183,635,801 | 59.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cable |
74,582,392 | 24.0 | 67,631,965 | 21.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Broadcasting |
27,302,938 | 8.8 | 26,598,294 | 8.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other Communications |
16,074,191 | 5.2 | 17,721,018 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate general and administrative |
3,348,451 | 1.1 | 2,969,548 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
307,321,874 | 98.8 | 298,556,626 | 95.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
3,704,513 | 1.2 | % | 12,639,532 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Nonoperating income (expense): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(15,016,194 | ) | (16,680,122 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on disposition of Monroe Cablevision |
| 21,140,829 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
| (8,989,786 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
1,776,801 | (2,193,986 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
186,545 | 146,520 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(13,052,848 | ) | (6,576,545 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes and minority interest |
(9,348,335 | ) | 6,062,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(2,998,224 | ) | 2,611,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Minority interest |
103,203 | (222,055 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(6,246,908 | ) | 3,229,420 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net |
(294,134 | ) | (548,448 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
(6,541,042 | ) | 2,680,972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Add: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
15,016,194 | 16,680,122 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(3,149,748 | ) | 2,230,387 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
37,169,956 | 33,737,180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
2,312,113 | 1,919,494 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
5,224,538 | 4,977,936 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment |
135,964 | (571,220 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps |
(1,776,801 | ) | 2,193,986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations |
235,591 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
| 8,989,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on disposal of Monroe Cablevision |
| (21,140,829 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payments on broadcast rights |
(5,167,589 | ) | (4,121,864 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 43,459,176 | $ | 47,575,950 | |||||||||||||||||||||
18
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Set forth below is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA by operating segment for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
Block Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA by Segment
Publishing | Cable | Broadcasting | Other | Corporate | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (1,949,271 | ) | $ | 1,403,788 | $ | (93,661 | ) | $ | 203,255 | $ | (1,018,744 | ) | $ | (1,454,633 | ) | |||||||||
Adjustments to net income (loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
49,102 | | | | 4,746,562 | 4,795,664 | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(987,199 | ) | 687,966 | 87,766 | (79,815 | ) | (1,155,907 | ) | (1,447,189 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
2,485,218 | 8,049,246 | 720,625 | 1,029,081 | | 12,284,170 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
88,283 | 184,890 | 4,234 | | 494,170 | 771,577 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
| 72,770 | 1,755,895 | | | 1,828,665 | |||||||||||||||||||
Film payments |
| (68,219 | ) | (1,701,604 | ) | | | (1,769,823 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
(27,875 | ) | 21,248 | 66,247 | 33,658 | | 93,278 | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative |
| | | | (4,007,138 | ) | (4,007,138 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | (341,742 | ) | $ | 10,351,689 | $ | 839,502 | $ | 1,186,179 | $ | (941,057 | ) | $ | 11,094,571 | |||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2002 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 250,556 | $ | 1,830,047 | $ | 537,403 | $ | 456,072 | $ | (6,447,309 | ) | $ | (3,373,231 | ) | |||||||||||
Adjustments to net income (loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
42,720 | | | | 5,995,175 | 6,037,895 | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
919,145 | 949,647 | 183,072 | (15,051 | ) | (3,882,839 | ) | (1,846,026 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
2,754,000 | 7,083,867 | 617,972 | 1,003,512 | | 11,459,351 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
88,167 | 28,731 | 9,785 | | 499,359 | 626,042 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
| 85,512 | 1,569,735 | | | 1,655,247 | |||||||||||||||||||
Film payments |
| (43,107 | ) | (1,547,213 | ) | | | (1,590,320 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
531 | (986,303 | ) | | 11,738 | | (974,034 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative |
| | | | 2,472,043 | 2,472,043 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss on early extinquishment of debt |
| | | | 459,360 | 459,360 | |||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 4,055,119 | $ | 8,948,394 | $ | 1,370,754 | $ | 1,456,271 | $ | (904,211 | ) | $ | 14,926,327 | ||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (2,309,203 | ) | $ | 4,905,605 | $ | 549,870 | $ | 1,231,480 | $ | (10,918,794 | ) | $ | (6,541,042 | ) | ||||||||||
Adjustments to net income (loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
147,821 | | | | 14,868,373 | 15,016,194 | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
(184,994 | ) | 2,221,035 | 467,672 | (307,737 | ) | (5,345,724 | ) | (3,149,748 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
8,217,216 | 23,622,521 | 2,160,332 | 3,169,887 | | 37,169,956 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
264,617 | 554,672 | 12,704 | | 1,480,120 | 2,312,113 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
| 226,696 | 4,997,842 | | | 5,224,538 | |||||||||||||||||||
Film payments |
| (240,105 | ) | (4,927,484 | ) | | | (5,167,589 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
(37,375 | ) | 66,750 | 73,115 | 33,474 | | 135,964 | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative |
| | | | (1,776,801 | ) | (1,776,801 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of discontinued operation |
| | | 235,591 | | 235,591 | |||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 6,098,082 | $ | 31,357,174 | $ | 3,334,051 | $ | 4,362,695 | $ | (1,692,826 | ) | $ | 43,459,176 | ||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2002 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 1,620,249 | $ | 4,897,917 | $ | 963,827 | $ | 1,118,081 | $ | (5,919,102 | ) | $ | 2,680,972 | ||||||||||||
Adjustments to net income (loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
129,694 | | | | 16,550,428 | 16,680,122 | |||||||||||||||||||
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
2,924,843 | 3,016,022 | 356,483 | (551,182 | ) | (3,515,779 | ) | 2,230,387 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
8,410,000 | 20,366,572 | 1,910,608 | 3,050,000 | | 33,737,180 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges |
264,501 | 28,731 | 25,204 | 446,138 | 1,154,920 | 1,919,494 | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of broadcast rights |
| 233,951 | 4,743,985 | | | 4,977,936 | |||||||||||||||||||
Film payments |
| (150,387 | ) | (3,971,477 | ) | | | (4,121,864 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets |
(6,713 | ) | (583,914 | ) | | 19,407 | | (571,220 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative |
| | | | 2,193,986 | 2,193,986 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss on early extinquishment of debt |
8,989,786 | 8,989,786 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of Monroe Cablevision |
| | | | (21,140,829 | ) | (21,140,829 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 13,342,574 | $ | 27,808,892 | $ | 4,028,630 | $ | 4,082,444 | $ | (1,686,590 | ) | $ | 47,575,950 | ||||||||||||
19
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of broadcast rights), other non-cash charges, gains or losses on disposition of assets, other non-recurring items, and extraordinary items and after payments for broadcast rights. Other media companies may measure EBITDA in a different manner. We have included EBITDA data because such data is commonly used as a measure of performance for media companies and is also used by investors to measure a companys ability to service debt. EBITDA is also a significant component of the financial covenants contained in our senior debt agreements. EBITDA is not, and should not be used as, an indicator of or alternative to operating income (loss), net income (loss) or cash flow as reflected in our consolidated financial statements, is not intended to represent funds available for debt service, dividends or other discretionary uses, is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Refer to our financial statements, including our statement of cash flows, which appear elsewhere in this report. The foregoing calculations of EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled amounts of other companies.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2002
Revenues
Total revenue for the three month period ended September 30, 2003 was $101.9 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 1.3%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease was attributable to reductions in publishing, broadcasting and other communications revenue, partially offset by cable revenue growth as discussed below.
Cable Television. Cable revenue for the quarter was $27.4 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 8.9%, as compared to the same period of 2002. The increase in cable revenue was principally the result of an increase of $5.73, to $60.46, in the average monthly revenue per basic subscriber, based on the average number of subscribers throughout the quarter. An increase in the monthly basic cable service charge and continued rollout of new services drove the increase in average monthly revenue per subscriber. Average monthly high-speed data revenue per customer of $45.43 decreased $.53 as compared to the third quarter of 2002. This decrease is primarily due to digital packaging discounts offered as part of the aggressive digital tiers marketing campaign launched during the last half of the third quarter of 2002. For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, average monthly digital revenue per home was $14.12, a decrease of $.39 as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease is due to a change in the composition of the digital subscriber base. At the start of the digital launch, the subscriber base consisted primarily of early adopters who, on average, purchased higher tiers of digital service, whereas, later subscribers opted, on average, for lower tiers of service, thereby reducing per-subscriber revenue. This shift in the subscriber base is the result of the aggressive marketing campaign mentioned above.
Revenue generating units increased in the digital and high-speed data categories during the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Net digital additions totaled 2,708 during the quarter, resulting in 35,686 digital homes as of September 30, 2003. Net high-speed data additions totaled 1,930 during the quarter, resulting in 27,551 high-speed data customers as of September 30, 2003. Basic subscribers at the end of the period totaled 151,243, a decrease of 110 basic subscribers in the third quarter of 2003 due to a slight increase in the Toledo system resulting from a fall campaign promoting a bundled package, offset by seasonal decline in the Erie County system.
Newspaper Publishing. Publishing revenue for the quarter was $60.0 million, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 3.3%, as compared to the third quarter of 2002. The decrease consisted of a $1.8 million, or 3.7%, decrease in advertising revenue due primarily to decreases in retail and classified advertising of $1.4 million, or 5.7%, and $1.6 million, or 8.4%, respectively, resulting from continued economic softness, offset by an increase in national advertising of $87,000, or 1.4%. Other advertising, net of trade expense, increased $1.0 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. For the third quarter of 2003, circulation revenue decreased $211,000, or 1.7%, primarily due to a decrease in home-delivery revenue resulting from an increase in subscription stops attributable to economic conditions and a decrease in the average earned rate per copy. Other revenue, which consists of third party and total market delivery, was consistent with the same quarter of the previous year.
Television Broadcasting. Broadcasting revenue for the quarter was $8.9 million, a decrease of $512,000, or 5.4%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. The decrease in broadcasting revenue was due to decreases in national and political advertising of $395,000 and $369,000, respectively, partially offset by an increase in local advertising of $194,000.
20
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Other Communications. Other communications revenue for the quarter was $5.5 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 15.6%, as compared to same period of the prior year. This is partially due to a decrease in our security system sales revenue of $792,000, resulting from a planned reduction in the growth of our security business with the intent of improving operating margins and controlling capital investments. Telecom revenue for the quarter was $4.3 million, a decrease of $225,000, due to a planned decrease in long-distance revenue of $163,000 and a $62,000 decrease in switched services revenue. Effective June 14, 2003, an incumbent LEC invoked the FCC order on reciprocal compensation rate reduction. As a result, our telecom operation recognized a net reduction in reciprocal compensation revenue specifically attributable to the FCC order of approximately $65,000 per month from recent historical levels. This reduction in reciprocal compensation revenue was partially offset by revenue growth resulting from a 2.5% increase in the customer base during the third quarter of 2003, caused by the net addition of 16 new telecom customers.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the quarter were $104.2 million, an increase of $4.9 million, or 4.9%, as compared to the third quarter of 2002. The increase in operating expense was attributable to increased publishing, cable, and broadcasting expenses, offset by decreased expenses within the other communications segment.
Cable Television. Cable operating expenses were $25.4 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 13.0%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $1.4 million, or 66.8%, increase in general and administrative expenses and a $965,000, or 13.6%, increase in depreciation. General and administrative expenses increased due to increases in personal property tax, workers compensation expense, expense related to employee pension benefits, a gain recognized on the disposal of assets during the third quarter of 2002, and an overall increase in property and casualty insurance rates. The increase in depreciation is attributable to the capital expenditures associated with the rebuild of our Toledo cable system and continued rollout of cable modems and digital cable service, as well as, acceleration of depreciation expense for the Erie County system in anticipation of a first quarter 2004 rebuild completion date. Basic cable programming expenses increased $551,000, or 10.2%, to $6.0 million, due to price increases from programming suppliers. Programming expense for the digital tier increased $246,000, due to an increase in the number of digital subscribers as compared to the same quarter of the prior year.
Newspaper Publishing. Publishing operating expenses were $62.9 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 3.3%, from the three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase was partially due to a $424,000, or 5.9%, increase in the cost of newsprint and ink, resulting from a weighted-average price per ton increase of $50.63, or 12.0%, partially offset by a 5.6% decrease in consumption from the same period of the prior year. Departmental operating costs increased primarily due to contractual wage increases and general and administrative expenses increased due to additional expense related to employee pension benefits.
Television Broadcasting. Broadcasting operating expenses were $9.0 million, an increase of $432,000, or 5.0%, from the same period of the prior year. The increase results primarily from increases in general and administrative, broadcast film amortization, and depreciation expense of $147,000, $186,000, and $103,000, respectively.
Other Communications. Other communications operating expenses were $5.4 million, a decrease of $512,000, or 8.7%, from the same period of 2002. This variance is primarily due to a decrease of $532,000, or 26.1%, in operating expenses related to security alarm system sales and monitoring caused by a planned decrease in sales volumes, as well as by cost control initiatives. Telecom operating expenses increased $43,000, or 1.1%, due to inflationary increases in departmental expenses partially offset by a decrease of $155,000 in long-distance expense.
Operating Income
Operating income decreased $6.2 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. Cable operating income decreased $687,000 due to overall increases in general and administrative expenses, depreciation and cable programming expenses, partially offset by revenue growth generated from rate increases and rollout of new services. Publishing operating income decreased $4.1 million, primarily due to decreases in advertising revenue and increased operating expenses as discussed above. Broadcasting operating income decreased $944,000 due to decreases in advertising revenue, primarily national and political, and increased operating expenses. Other communications operating income decreased $504,000 due to decreased security system sales partially offset by decreased operating expenses. Corporate general and administrative expenses were consistent with the three months ended September 30, 2002.
21
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Net Income
For the three months ended September 30, 2003, the company reported a loss from continuing operations of $1.5 million, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $3.3 million reported for the same period of the prior year. This decrease in the loss from continuing operations is primarily due to a decrease in interest expense of $1.2 million and a favorable variance of $6.5 million on the change in fair value of interest-rate swaps. The change in fair value of interest-rate swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2003 includes a $2.6 million derivative valuation gain related to an interest-rate swap contract that was liquidated in the third quarter. These favorable variances from prior year were partially offset by the decrease in operating income of $6.2 million.
Effective May 31, 2003, the Company suspended operations of Community Communication Services, Inc. (CCS), an alternative advertising distribution company. Results of CCS are reported separately from results of continuing operations for all periods presented. Loss from discontinued operations net of tax decreased $110,000 from the prior year due to the discontinuation of operations in May. The Toledo Blade will fulfill the advertising needs of approximately 60% of CCS customers through the publishing groups direct mail or total market delivery products.
As a result of the foregoing, the company reported a net loss of $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to a net loss of $3.4 million for the same period of the prior year.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $970,000, or 8.0%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to asset additions resulting from the rebuild of our cable system in Toledo, accelerated depreciation expense on the Erie County system and other capital expenditures to maintain operations.
EBITDA
EBITDA decreased $3.8 million, or 25.7%, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is provided above. EBITDA as a percentage of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 decreased to 10.9% from 14.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The decrease in EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the increase in publishing and cable operating expenses and a decrease in publishing revenue, partially offset by the continued rollout of high margin advanced cable products. Net loss as a percentage of revenue was 1.4% as of September 30, 2003, as compared to net loss as a percentage of revenue at September 30, 2002 of 3.3%.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Revenues
Total revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 was $311.0 million, a decrease of $170,000, or 0.1%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease was attributable to decreases in publishing and other communications revenue, partially offset by increases in cable revenue and broadcasting advertising revenue discussed below.
Cable Television. Cable revenue was $81.7 million, an increase of $6.2 million, or 8.2%, as compared to the same period of 2002. The increase in cable revenue was principally the result of an increase of $5.44, to $59.82, in the average monthly revenue per basic subscriber, based on the average number of subscribers throughout the period. An increase in the monthly basic cable service charge and continued rollout of new services drove the increase in average monthly revenue per subscriber. Average monthly high-speed data revenue per customer was $45.47, a decrease of $.87, as compared to the first nine months of 2002. This decrease is primarily due to digital packaging discounts offered as part of the aggressive digital tiers marketing campaign launched during the last half of the third quarter of 2002. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, average monthly digital revenue per home was $14.60, a decrease of $.50 as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease is due to a change in the composition of the digital subscriber base. At the start of the digital launch, the subscriber base consisted primarily of early adopters who, on average, purchased higher tiers of digital service, whereas, later subscribers opted, on average, for lower tiers of service, thereby reducing per-subscriber revenue. This shift in the subscriber base is the result of the aggressive marketing campaign mentioned above.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Revenue generating units increased in the digital and high-speed data categories during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Net digital additions totaled 9,594 for the period, resulting in 35,686 digital homes as of September 30, 2003. Net high-speed data additions totaled 4,986 for the period, resulting in 27,551 high-speed data customers. Basic subscribers at the end of the period totaled 151,243, a decrease of 1,149 basic subscribers in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 due to weak economic conditions resulting in an increase in non-pay disconnects and fewer installations primarily in the Toledo system.
Newspaper Publishing. Publishing revenue was $183.7 million, a decrease of $4.6 million, or 2.5%, as compared to the same period of 2002. The decrease consisted of a $4.1 million, or 2.7%, decrease in advertising revenue due primarily to a decrease in retail and classified advertising of $3.3 million, or 4.3%, and $3.9 million, or 6.9%, respectively, resulting from continued economic softness. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in national advertising of $1.7 million, or 8.7%. For the first nine months of 2003, circulation revenue decreased $526,000, or 1.4%, due to a decrease in single copy sales resulting from the impact of severe weather during the first quarter and a decrease in home-delivery revenue attributable to the continued economic softness. Other revenue, which consists of third party and total market delivery, was consistent with the same period of the previous year.
Television Broadcasting. Broadcasting revenue was $28.2 million, an increase of $83,000, or 0.3%, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase in broadcasting revenue was due to an increase in local advertising revenue of $826,000, or 4.4%, partially offset by a decrease in national and political advertising of $236,000 and $539,000, respectively.
Other Communications. Other communications revenue was $17.4 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 9.2%, as compared to same period of the prior year. This is partially due to a decrease in our security system sales revenue of $1.8 million, resulting from a planned reduction in the growth of our security business with the intent of improving operating margins and controlling capital investments. Telecom revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $13.2 million, a decrease of $23,000 due to a planned decrease in long-distance revenue of $475,000, partially offset by an increase in telecom switched services revenue of $452,000. During the first nine months of 2003, the telecom switched services revenue increased due to the net addition of 79 new telecom customers, representing a 13.8% increase in the customer base. Effective June 14, 2003, an incumbent LEC invoked the FCC order on reciprocal compensation rate reduction. As a result, in the period subsequent to the rate reduction, our telecom operation recognized a net reduction in reciprocal compensation revenue specifically attributable to the FCC order of approximately $65,000 per month from recent historical levels.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the first nine months were $307.3 million, an increase of $8.8 million, or 2.9%, as compared to the first nine months of 2002. The increase in operating expense was attributable to increased publishing, cable, broadcast, and corporate general and administrative expenses, offset by decreased other communications expenses.
Cable Television. Cable operating expenses were $74.6 million, an increase of $7.0 million, or 10.3%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $3.3 million, or 16.0%, increase in depreciation, to $23.6 million. This increase in depreciation is attributable to the capital expenditures associated with the rebuild of our Toledo cable system and continued rollout of cable modems and digital cable service. In addition, depreciation expense for the Erie County system has been accelerated in anticipation of a first quarter 2004 rebuild completion date. Basic cable programming expenses increased $1.3 million, or 7.9%, to $18.0 million, due to price increases from programming suppliers. Programming expense for the digital tier increased $716,000, due to an increase in the number of digital subscribers as compared to the same quarter of the prior year. General and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million, or 15.1%, due to increases in personal property tax, workers compensation expense, employee pension expense, a gain recognized on the disposal of assets during the third quarter of 2002, and an overall increase in property and casualty insurance rates.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Newspaper Publishing. Publishing operating expenses were $186.0 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 1.3%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase was due to increases in circulation, advertising and production expenses of $476,000, $368,000 and $392,000, respectively, primarily due to contractual wage increases. Newsprint expense increased $71,000, or 0.3%, resulting from a weighted-average price per ton increase of $18.21, or 4.1%, partially offset by a 4.2% decrease in consumption from the same period of the prior year. General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, or 3.1%, as compared to the same period of the prior year partially due to contractual increases in wages and increased expense related to employee pension benefits. G&A expenses also increased from the nine months ended September 30, 2002, due to a favorable variance in bad debt expense recognized in the second quarter of 2002 resulting from cash collections on a significant retail account, which had been fully reserved.
Television Broadcasting. Broadcasting operating expenses were $27.3 million, an increase of $705,000, or 2.7%, from the same period of the prior year. The increase results primarily from increases in programming, film amortization, sales and depreciation expenses of $287,000, $254,000, $167,000 and $250,000 respectively, partially offset by decreases in general and administrative expenses of $146,000. Other savings resulted from overall cost control initiatives.
Other Communications. Other communications operating expenses were $16.1 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 9.3%, from the same period of 2002. This variance is primarily due to a decrease of $1.2 million, or 20.6%, in operating expenses related to security alarm system sales and monitoring caused by a planned decrease in sales volumes, as well as by cost control initiatives. Telecom operating expenses decreased $411,000, or 3.5%, due to a decrease of $473,000 in long-distance expense.
Operating Income
Operating income decreased $8.9 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Cable operating income decreased $786,000 due to overall increases in depreciation, general and administrative expenses, and cable programming expenses, partially offset by revenue growth generated from rate increases and rollout of new services. Publishing operating income decreased $7.0 million, primarily due to decreases in advertising revenue and contractual wage increases. Broadcasting operating income decreased $621,000 due primarily to inflationary increases in various departmental expenses. Other communications operating income decreased $127,000 due to decreased security system sales partially offset by decreased operating expenses. Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $379,000 from the prior year due to increases in salary expense, professional fees, and amortization of deferred financing costs.
Net Income
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the company reported a loss from continuing operations of $6.2 million, compared to income from continuing operations of $3.2 million reported for the same period of the prior year. The decrease in income from continuing operations is primarily due to a $21.1 million gain recognized in 2002 attributable to the like-kind exchange of Monroe Cablevision, partially offset by a $9.0 million loss recognized in the second quarter of 2002 related to the early extinguishment of debt and the tax effect of both transactions. The variance from prior year also reflects the decrease in operating income, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $1.7 million and a $4.0 million favorable variance on the change in fair value of interest-rate swaps. The change in fair value of interest-rate swaps for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 includes a $2.6 million derivative valuation gain related to an interest-rate swap contract that was liquidated in the third quarter.
Effective May 31, 2003, the Company suspended operations of Community Communication Services, Inc. (CCS), as discussed above. Results of CCS are reported separately from results of continuing operations for all periods presented. Loss from discontinued operations net of tax decreased $254,000 from the prior year due to cost control measures and the discontinuation of operations in May.
As a result of the foregoing, the company reported a net loss of $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to net income of $2.7 million for the same period of the prior year.
24
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $3.8 million, or 10.7%, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily due to asset additions resulting from the rebuild of our cable system in Toledo, accelerated depreciation expense on the Erie County system and other capital expenditures to maintain operations. Amortization expense increased due to the intangibles recorded as a result of the like-kind exchange of Monroe Cablevision.
EBITDA
EBITDA decreased $4.1 million, or 8.7%, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is provided above. EBITDA as a percentage of revenue decreased to 14.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003, from 15.3% in the same period of the prior year. The decrease in EBITDA as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the reduction in publishing advertising revenue resulting from the economic conditions during 2003, offset by the continued rollout of high margin advanced cable products and the increase in cable service charges. Net loss as a percentage of revenue was 2.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to net income as a percentage of revenue at September 30, 2002 of 0.9%. As discussed above, the first nine months of 2002 included a $13.5 million gain, net of tax, related to the like-kind exchange and a $5.8 million loss, net of tax, on early extinguishment of debt.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior credit facilities. The need for liquidity arises primarily from capital expenditures and interest payable on the senior subordinated notes and the senior credit facility.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $29.0 million and $26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. The net cash provided by operating activities is determined by adding back depreciation and amortization, and adjusting for other non-cash items. Cash used in investing activities was $34.6 million and $21.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. Cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2002 includes $12.7 million to payoff cash advances on life insurance policies, offset by $12.1 million of proceeds from the like-kind exchange of Monroe Cablevision. The remaining increase in 2003 investing activities is due to increase in capital expenditures discussed below.
Our capital expenditures have historically been financed with cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior credit facility. We made capital expenditures of $35.5 million and $21.0 million, including capital leases, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were used primarily to begin the rebuild of the Erie County Cable system, continue the rebuild of the Bedford, Michigan system acquired from Comcast in the like-kind exchange, begin the first stages of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette facility upgrade and maintain other operating assets. We expect to make capital expenditures of $30.9 million in the last quarter of 2003. These include the continued rollout of advanced cable services, continued rebuild of the Erie County system, continuation of the Post-Gazette production facility upgrade and various other improvements to the publishing and broadcasting operations.
In April 2002, we issued $175 million of 9¼% senior subordinated notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by substantially all of our subsidiaries. The proceeds were used to repay our existing senior term loan and senior notes and to prepay a portion of our existing senior revolving credit facility. In May 2002, we entered into new senior credit facilities totaling $200.0 million. The proceeds were used to refinance the remaining balance of the existing senior revolving credit facility and capital expenditures. The new senior credit facilities are guaranteed by substantially all of our present and future domestic subsidiaries and are collateralized by a pledge of substantially all of our and the guarantor subsidiaries material assets.
25
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
Financing activities provided $5.3 million of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to $3.0 million from the same period of the prior year. The financing activities in the first nine months of 2003 includes a $10.0 million borrowing on the Term Loan A and a $3.6 million mandatory pre-payment on the senior credit facilities due to $7.1 million of excess cash flow generated during the year ended December 31, 2002. The expiration dates under Term Loan A required draws of $20.0 million prior to June 30, 2003, therefore the unborrowed portion of $10.0 million was cancelled on that date. During the first nine months of 2002, financing activities reflect the complete refinancing discussed above. At September 30, 2003, the balances outstanding and available under our new senior credit facilities and subordinated notes were $255.5 million and $91.5 million, respectively, and the average interest rate on the balance outstanding was 6.5%. At September 30, 2003, our covenants on our senior credit facilities would allow borrowing of up to $66.5 million based on our twelve month trailing EBITDA of $61.5 million. At September 30, 2002, the balances outstanding and available under our senior credit facility and senior notes were $249.8 million and $112.4 million, respectively, and the average interest rate on the balance outstanding was 8.06%. The decrease in the effective interest rate partially offset by an increase in the amount outstanding generated an overall decrease in interest expense of $1.7 million, or 10.0%.
Effective September 30 2003, we amended our senior credit facilities dated May 15, 2002. The amendment reduced the applicable margin on the Term Loan B facility by 50 basis points. The amendment also converted the $10.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan A facility to loans under the Term Loan B facility. Therefore, as of September 30, 2003, the outstanding amounts under the amended Term Loan B and Term Loan A facilities are $80.5 million and zero, respectively. This conversion of Term Loan A to the amended Term Loan B effectively reduced the applicable margin on the $10.0 million by 25 basis points, based on our current leverage ratio, and changed the amortization schedule to mirror the terms of the Term Loan B facility. We estimate the amendment will reduce our interest expense over the next twelve months by approximately $377,000.
We believe that funds generated from operations and the borrowing availability under our senior credit facilities will be sufficient to finance our current operations, our cash obligations in connection with the planned capital expenditures, and our current and future financial obligations.
Labor Negotiations
Our labor agreements with the eight unions representing employees of The Blade expired in March 2003. We have reached tentative agreements with representatives of the eight unions on the terms of collective bargaining agreements that would run through March 21, 2006. Those tentative agreements are subject to ratification by union members. While we are hopeful the agreements will be ratified, we cannot give any assurance that they will be. If they are not, and we do not achieve ratified agreements, management will evaluate all alternatives available at that time.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Our senior credit facilities bear interest at floating rates. Accordingly, we are exposed to potential losses related to changes in interest rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes; however, in order to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, we have entered into interest-rate swaps. As of September 30, 2003, our interest rate swap agreements expire in varying amounts through April 2009.
The fair value of $80.5 million of our long-term debt approximates its carrying value as it bears interest at floating rates. As of September 30, 2003, the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap agreements was $397,000, which represents the amount required to enter into offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. This is reflected in our financial statements as other non-current assets. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized either in income or as an adjustment to the carrying value of the underlying debt depending on whether the derivative financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting. At September 30, 2003, we had $175.0 million outstanding on our 91/4% senior subordinated notes, with a carrying value of $182.5 million, as adjusted for the fair value hedge.
26
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
As of September 30, 2003, we had entered into interest-rate swaps that approximated $241.0 million, including the effect of any offsetting swaps, or 94.3%, of our borrowings under all of our credit facilities. The interest-rate swaps consist of $121.0 million relating to our revolving credit and term loan agreements, and $175.0 million principal amount of the senior subordinated notes. In addition, we had entered into an interest rate swap agreement that has the economic effect of substantially offsetting $55.0 million of the swap agreements totaling $121.0 million. In the event of an increase in market interest rates, the change in interest expense would be dependent upon the weighted average outstanding borrowings and derivative instruments in effect during the reporting period following the increase. Based on our outstanding borrowings and interest rate swap agreements as of September 30, 2003, our exposure to interest rate risk is not material. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield curve would increase our interest expense for the following twelve month period by approximately $205,000.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2001, SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The pronouncement requires legal obligations associated with the retirement of long- lived assets to be recognized at their fair value at the time that the obligations are incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost should be capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the estimated useful life of the asset. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2003 has had no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
In July 2002, SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, was issued and applies to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 requires certain costs associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation or plant closing to be recognized as incurred rather that at the date of commitment to an exit or disposal plan. The adoption of this standard on January 1, 2003 has not materially impacted the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
In December 2002, SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based CompensationTransition and Disclosure, was issued and provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. The Company has previously adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. Therefore, all years presented reflect this method and no pro-forma disclosures are required.
In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. This Interpretation significantly changes previous practice in the accounting for and disclosure of guarantees. Guarantees meeting the characteristics described in the Interpretation are required to be initially recorded at fair value, which is different from the general current practice of recording a liability only when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Interpretations initial recognition and initial measurement provisions are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Interpretation also requires a guarantor to make significant new disclosures for virtually all guarantees even if the likelihood of the guarantor having to make payments under the guarantee is remote. The Interpretations disclosure requirements were effective for financial statements beginning in 2002. The Company does not currently guarantee indebtedness of any party outside of the consolidated group. Please refer to Note 6 for disclosures relating to guarantees within the consolidated group.
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires consolidation of variable interest entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entitys expected losses, receives a majority of the entitys expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the entity. Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise that has a controlling financial interest through ownership or a majority voting interest in the entity. The adoption of FIN 46 is expected to have no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
27
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations
In May 2003, SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, was issued and establishes standards for how an issuer classifies certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity by requiring that all financial instruments within the scope of the statement be classified as liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 has had no impact on the Companys financial position or results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations contained in such statements.
Factors that may materially affect our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, include economic and market conditions and many other factors beyond our control. For an additional discussion of risk factors relating to our future financial condition and results of operations, reference is made to the discussion under the caption Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 27, 2003.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 4. Controls and procedures
The Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Report, that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There was no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 10.1 Amendment No. 2 dated September 30, 2003 to the Credit
Agreement dated May 15, 2002 by and among the Company and Bank
of America N.A., as Administrative Agent. |
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Exhibit 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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Exhibit 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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Exhibit 32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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Exhibit 32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed in the third quarter of 2003:
Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2003 The Company issued a
press release announcing earnings results for the quarter ended
June 30, 2003. |
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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.
BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. | ||||||
(Registrant) |
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Date: November 12, 2003 | By: | /s/ Allan Block Allan Block |
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Managing Director | ||||||
Date: November 12, 2003 | By: | /s/ Gary J. Blair
Gary J. Blair |
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Executive Vice President / | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
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