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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

x

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002

OR

o

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

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission File Number 0-16914

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Ohio

 

31-1223339


 


(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 

 

312 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio

 

45202


 


(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (513) 977-3000

 

Not Applicable


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

  

Yes

x

No

o

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  As of October 31, 2002 there were 61,384,683 of the Registrant’s Class A Common Shares outstanding and 18,616,913 of the Registrant’s Common Voting Shares outstanding.




Table of Contents

INDEX TO THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

 

REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

 

Item No.

 

Page


 


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

1

Financial Statements

3

 

 

 

2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

3

 

 

 

3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

3

 

 

 

4

Controls and Procedures

3

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

1

Legal Proceedings

3

 

 

 

2

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

3

 

 

 

3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

4

 

 

 

4

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

4

 

 

 

5

Other Information

4

 

 

 

6

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

4

 

 

 

 

Signatures

4

 

 

 

 

Certifications

5

2


Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q.  See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

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

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q.  See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q.  See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 4.      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q.  See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

PART II

ITEM 1.      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and various governmental and administrative proceedings relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

ITEM 2.      CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

There were no changes in the rights of security holders during the quarter for which this report is filed. 

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the quarter for which this report is filed.

3



Table of Contents

ITEM 3.      DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the quarter for which this report is filed.

ITEM 4.      SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter for which this report is filed. 

ITEM 5.      OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.      EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

Exhibits

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q.  See Index to Exhibits at page E-1 of this Form 10-Q. 

Reports on Form 8-K

A Current Report on Form 8-K reporting the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer had signed sworn statements pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Order No. 4-460 was filed on August 12, 2002. 

A Current Report on Form 8-K reporting the Company’s agreement to acquire controlling interest in the Shop At Home television retailing network was filed on August 16, 2002.

SIGNATURES

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

 

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

 

 

Dated:

November 6, 2002

 

BY:

/s/ JOSEPH G. NECASTRO

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joseph G. NeCastro
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

4

 


Table of Contents

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Kenneth W. Lowe, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The E.W. Scripps Company;

 

 

2.

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

 

 

3.

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

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a)

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

 

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

 

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date:

November 6, 2002

 

BY:

/s/ KENNETH W. LOWE

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Kenneth W. Lowe
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

5


Table of Contents

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Joseph G. NeCastro, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The E.W. Scripps Company;

 

 

2.

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

 

 

3.

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

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

a)

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

 

b)

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

c)

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

a)

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

b)

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

 

 

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 

Date: 

November 6, 2002

 

BY:

/s/ JOSEPH G. NECASTRO

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joseph G. NeCastro
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

6


Table of Contents

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

Index to Financial Information

Item

 

Page


 


Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Stockholders’ Equity

 

F-6

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

F-16

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

F-18

 

Results of Operations

 

F-18

 

Newspapers

 

F-21

 

Scripps Networks

 

F-22

 

Broadcast Television

 

F-24

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

F-25

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

F-26

Controls and Procedures

 

F-27

F-1



Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

 

 

September 30,
2002

 

As of
December 31,
2001

 

September 30,
2001

 

(in thousands)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 


 


 


 


 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

34,361

 

$

17,419

 

$

15,332

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable (less allowances -$18,323, $13,964, $14,304)

 

 

218,241

 

 

236,311

 

 

228,734

 

 

Program rights and production costs

 

 

155,311

 

 

120,715

 

 

145,432

 

 

Inventories

 

 

7,393

 

 

7,345

 

 

7,521

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

36,204

 

 

30,850

 

 

30,747

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

38,272

 

 

38,018

 

 

36,217

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Total current assets

 

 

489,782

 

 

450,658

 

 

463,983

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Investments

 

 

245,694

 

 

331,542

 

 

355,261

 

 

 



 



 



 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

406,312

 

 

394,677

 

 

387,438

 

 

 



 



 



 

Goodwill

 

 

1,143,560

 

 

1,138,232

 

 

1,142,292

 

 

 



 



 



 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program rights and production costs (less current portion)

 

 

121,191

 

 

122,620

 

 

91,770

 

 

Network distribution incentives

 

 

178,725

 

 

124,639

 

 

79,326

 

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

62,391

 

 

64,959

 

 

66,167

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

14,539

 

 

16,433

 

 

16,711

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Total other assets

 

 

376,846

 

 

328,651

 

 

253,974

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,662,194

 

$

2,643,760

 

$

2,602,948

 

 

 



 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-2



Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

 

 

September 30,
2002

 

As of
December 31,
2001

 

September 30,
2001

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 


 


 


 


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

132,471

 

$

613,878

 

$

460,630

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

90,729

 

 

81,690

 

 

84,762

 

 

Customer deposits and unearned revenue

 

 

29,584

 

 

29,381

 

 

32,686

 

 

Accrued liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

 

50,228

 

 

44,792

 

 

44,762

 

 

Network distribution incentives

 

 

40,916

 

 

64,624

 

 

67,407

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

57,292

 

 

71,146

 

 

85,056

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

401,220

 

 

905,511

 

 

775,303

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

142,471

 

 

146,989

 

 

155,941

 

 

 



 



 



 

Long-Term Debt (less current portion)

 

 

512,967

 

 

109,966

 

 

209,814

 

 

 



 



 



 

Other Long-Term Obligations and Minority Interests (less current portion)

 

 

137,255

 

 

129,394

 

 

127,953

 

 

 



 



 



 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par - authorized:  25,000,000 shares; none outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A - authorized:  120,000,000 shares;  issued and outstanding: 61,367,470; 60,103,746; and 60,020,711 shares

 

 

614

 

 

601

 

 

600

 

 

Voting - authorized:  30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:  18,616,913; 19,096,913; and 19,096,913 shares

 

 

186

 

 

191

 

 

191

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Total

 

 

800

 

 

792

 

 

791

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

216,434

 

 

174,485

 

 

170,844

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

1,260,239

 

 

1,183,595

 

 

1,185,918

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

 

 

(2,793

)

 

5,067

 

 

(12,546

)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

20

 

 

(554

)

 

(203

)

 

Unvested restricted stock awards

 

 

(6,419

)

 

(11,485

)

 

(10,867

)

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,468,281

 

 

1,351,900

 

 

1,333,937

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

2,662,194

 

$

2,643,760

 

$

2,602,948

 

 

 



 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3



Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

  

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

273,160

 

$

247,617

 

$

833,342

 

$

804,841

 

 

Circulation

 

 

33,566

 

 

34,850

 

 

103,385

 

 

105,090

 

 

Network affiliate fees, net

 

 

20,902

 

 

14,509

 

 

59,410

 

 

43,257

 

 

Licensing

 

 

16,082

 

 

14,269

 

 

50,348

 

 

49,520

 

 

Share of joint operating agency profits

 

 

17,238

 

 

14,280

 

 

51,833

 

 

31,064

 

 

Other

 

 

10,557

 

 

10,527

 

 

32,902

 

 

32,768

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

371,505

 

 

336,052

 

 

1,131,220

 

 

1,066,540

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

 

123,766

 

 

114,588

 

 

368,749

 

 

351,430

 

 

Newsprint and ink

 

 

15,838

 

 

20,035

 

 

49,957

 

 

68,659

 

 

Amortization of program rights and production costs

 

 

38,004

 

 

33,971

 

 

113,836

 

 

99,760

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

84,452

 

 

82,721

 

 

267,569

 

 

274,892

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

14,053

 

 

13,189

 

 

41,370

 

 

41,141

 

 

Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

973

 

 

10,793

 

 

2,967

 

 

32,323

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

277,086

 

 

275,297

 

 

844,448

 

 

868,205

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating Income

 

 

94,419

 

 

60,755

 

 

286,772

 

 

198,335

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Other Credits (Charges):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(7,843

)

 

(8,417

)

 

(21,064

)

 

(31,737

)

 

Investment results, net of expenses

 

 

(10,052

)

 

(10,917

)

 

(83,991

)

 

50,825

 

 

Miscellaneous, net

 

 

675

 

 

240

 

 

57

 

 

1,073

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Net other credits (charges)

 

 

(17,220

)

 

(19,094

)

 

(104,998

)

 

20,161

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income Before Taxes and Minority Interests

 

 

77,199

 

 

41,661

 

 

181,774

 

 

218,496

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

30,622

 

 

18,023

 

 

66,575

 

 

87,249

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income Before Minority Interests

 

 

46,577

 

 

23,638

 

 

115,199

 

 

131,247

 

Minority Interests

 

 

901

 

 

1,005

 

 

2,687

 

 

2,826

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net Income

 

$

45,676

 

$

22,633

 

$

112,512

 

$

128,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net Income per Share of Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

.57

 

$

.29

 

$

1.42

 

$

1.63

 

 

Diluted

 

 

.57

 

 

.28

 

 

1.40

 

 

1.61

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4



Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

  

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 


 


 


 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

112,512

 

$

128,421

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

44,337

 

 

72,990

 

 

Net investment results and other nonrecurring items

 

 

44,938

 

 

(37,099

)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

22,852

 

 

18,823

 

 

Tax benefits of stock compensation plans

 

 

13,453

 

 

8,903

 

 

Dividends received greater than share of profits of JOAs and equity method investments

 

 

7,896

 

 

19,572

 

 

Stock and deferred compensation plans

 

 

6,755

 

 

1,641

 

 

Minority interests in income of subsidiary companies

 

 

2,687

 

 

2,826

 

 

Affiliate fees billed greater than amounts recognized as revenue

 

 

9,686

 

 

16,578

 

 

Network launch incentive payments

 

 

(89,017

)

 

(13,668

)

 

Payments for programming less (greater) than program cost amortization

 

 

(13,257

)

 

(23,516

)

 

Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net

 

 

9,987

 

 

15,445

 

 

Miscellaneous, net

 

 

3,337

 

 

4,593

 

 

 



 



 

Net operating activities

 

 

176,166

 

 

215,509

 

 

 



 



 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(53,300

)

 

(46,054

)

Purchase of subsidiary companies and long-term investments

 

 

(19,581

)

 

(33,595

)

Investments in Denver JOA

 

 

 

 

 

(62,117

)

Sale of investments

 

 

280

 

 

14,694

 

Miscellaneous, net

 

 

3,974

 

 

1,508

 

 

 



 



 

Net investing activities

 

 

(68,627

)

 

(125,564

)

 

 



 



 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in long-term debt

 

 

202,446

 

 

8,059

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

 

(280,909

)

 

(52,249

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(35,868

)

 

(35,641

)

Dividends paid to minority interests

 

 

(1,175

)

 

(1,176

)

Repurchase Class A Common shares

 

 

 

 

 

(20,671

)

Miscellaneous, net (primarily employee stock options)

 

 

24,909

 

 

12,953

 

 

 



 



 

Net financing activities

 

 

(90,597

)

 

(88,725

)

 

 



 



 

Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

16,942

 

 

1,220

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

 

17,419

 

 

14,112

 

 

 



 



 

End of period

 

$

34,361

 

$

15,332

 

 

 



 



 

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized

 

$

16,778

 

$

27,946

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

 

80,012

 

 

26,964

 

 

Denver newspaper assets contributed to JOA

 

 

 

 

 

160,064

 

 

 



 



 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5



Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

  

(in thousands, except share data)

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Unvested
Restricted
Stock
Awards

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

 

Comprehensive
Income for the
Three Months
Ended Sept. 30

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2000

 

$

787

 

$

157,394

 

$

1,093,138

 

$

32,238

 

$

(5,747

)

$

1,277,810

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,421

 

$

22,633

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $3,065 and ($16,590)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,116

 

 

 

 

 

6,116

 

 

(30,407

)

 

Adjustment for losses (gains) in income, net of tax of ($27,213) and ($48)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(50,539

)

 

 

 

 

(50,539

)

 

(89

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Increase (decrease) in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(44,423

)

 

 

 

 

(44,423

)

 

(30,496

)

 

Currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(564

)

 

 

 

 

(564

)

 

(145

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,421

 

 

(44,987

)

 

 

 

 

83,434

 

$

(8,008

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Dividends:  declared and paid - $.45 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,641

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,641

)

 

 

 

Repurchase 352,200 Class A Common Shares

 

 

(4

)

 

(20,667

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,671

)

 

 

 

Compensation plans, net: 843,008 shares issued; 109,425 shares repurchased; 2,500 shares forfeited

 

 

8

 

 

25,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,120

)

 

20,102

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits of compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

8,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,903

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2001

 

$

791

 

$

170,844

 

$

1,185,918

 

$

(12,749

)

$

(10,867

)

$

1,333,937

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2001

 

$

792

 

$

174,485

 

$

1,183,595

 

$

4,513

 

$

(11,485

)

$

1,351,900

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,512

 

$

45,676

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of ($4,170) and ($2,381)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,768

)

 

 

 

 

(7,768

)

 

(4,480

)

 

Adjustment for losses (gains) in income, net of tax of ($50) and ($15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(92

)

 

 

 

 

(92

)

 

(28

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Increase (decrease) in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,860

)

 

 

 

 

(7,860

)

 

(4,508

)

 

Currency translation, net of tax of $112 and $67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

574

 

 

 

 

 

574

 

 

15

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,512

 

 

(7,286

)

 

 

 

 

105,226

 

$

41,183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Dividends:  declared and paid - $.45 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,868

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,868

)

 

 

 

Convert 480,000 Voting Shares to Class A Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation plans, net:  821,631 shares issued; 37,307 shares repurchased; 600 shares forfeited

 

 

8

 

 

28,496

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,066

 

 

33,570

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits of compensation plans

 

 

 

 

 

13,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,453

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2002

 

$

800

 

$

216,434

 

$

1,260,239

 

$

(2,773

)

$

(6,419

)

$

1,468,281

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6



Table of Contents

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

  

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation - The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  The information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, has not changed materially unless otherwise disclosed herein.  Financial information as of December 31, 2001, included in these financial statements has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in that report.  In management’s opinion all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the full year.

Use of Estimates - Preparation of the financial statements requires the use of estimates.  The Company’s financial statements include estimates for such items as self-insured risks and income taxes payable.  The Company self-insures for employees’ medical and disability income benefits, workers’ compensation and general liability.  The recorded liability for self-insured risks is calculated using actuarial methods and is not discounted.  The recorded liability for self-insured risks totaled $20.6 million at September 30, 2002.  Management does not believe it is likely that its estimates for self-insured risks will change materially in the near term. 

The Company reached agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to settle the audit of its 1992 through 1995 consolidated federal income tax returns in the second quarter of 2002.  As a result, the Company reduced its estimated liability for prior year income taxes by $8.0 million.  The Company’s 1996 through 2001 consolidated federal income tax returns are currently under examination by the IRS.  Management believes that adequate provision has been made for all open years.

Joint Operating Agencies - - The joint operating agency (“JOA”) between the Company’s Denver Rocky Mountain News (“RMN”) and MediaNews Group Inc.’s Denver Post was approved by the U.S. Attorney General in January 2001.  The 50-year agreement created a new entity called the Denver Newspaper Agency L.L.P., which is 50% owned by each partner.  Both partners contributed certain assets used in the operations of their newspapers to the new entity.  In addition, the Company paid $60 million to MediaNews Group Inc.  The JOA commenced operations on January 22, 2001. 

Net Income Per Share - The following table presents additional information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

79,661

 

 

78,977

 

 

79,408

 

 

78,847

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested restricted stock held by employees

 

 

160

 

 

180

 

 

161

 

 

162

 

 

Stock options held by employees and directors

 

 

847

 

 

1,010

 

 

985

 

 

1,002

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

80,668

 

 

80,167

 

 

80,554

 

 

80,011

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

F-7



Table of Contents

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 142 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets effective January 1, 2002.  Recorded goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually.  Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with FAS No. 144.  The Company has determined that there was no impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets on the date of adoption of FAS No. 142. 

If the non-amortization provisions of FAS No. 142 had been effective in 2001, reported results of operations would have been as follows:

 

 

Three months ended
September 30, 2001

 

Nine months ended
September 30, 2001

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Net
Income

 

Basic
EPS

 

Diluted
EPS

 

Net
Income

 

Basic
EPS

 

Diluted
EPS

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

As reported

 

$

22,633

 

$

0.29

 

$

0.28

 

$

128,421

 

$

1.63

 

$

1.61

 

Add back amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

6,882

 

 

.09

 

 

.09

 

 

20,481

 

 

.26

 

 

.26

 

 

FCC licenses

 

 

117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network affiliation and other

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

As adjusted

 

$

29,690

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.37

 

$

149,428

 

$

1.90

 

$

1.87

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Reclassifications - For comparative purposes, certain 2001 amounts have been reclassified to conform to 2002 classifications.

F-8



Table of Contents

2.     ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions

2002

-

In the first quarter the Company acquired an additional 1% interest in The Television Food Network (“Food Network”) for $5.2 million in cash, increasing the Company’s residual interest in Food Network to 69%.

 

 

 

 

 

In the third quarter the Company reached an agreement to acquire a 70% controlling interest in the Shop At Home television-retailing network for $49.5 million.  The transaction was completed on October 31, 2002.

 

 

 

2001

-

In the first quarter the Company acquired an additional 3% interest in Food Network for $14.4 million.  In the fourth quarter the Company acquired an additional 1% interest in Food Network for $5.0 million.

The acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases.

3.     UNUSUAL CREDITS AND CHARGES

2002

-

Net investment results decreased net income $6.5 million ($.08 per share) in the quarter and $54.6 million ($.68 per share) year-to-date. Included in net investment results for the quarter were $9.6 million in write-downs of investments.  Year-to-date investment results include $3.6 million of costs associated with winding down the Scripps Ventures I and II investment funds and $78.6 million of investment write-downs.  Investment write-downs include $35.1 million due to the decline in value of the Company’s investment in AOL Time Warner (“AOL”) and $22.2 million due to the decline in value of the Scripps Ventures investment portfolios.

 

 

 

 

 

The reduction in the estimated liability for prior year income taxes increased net income by $8.0 million ($.10 per share) in the year-to-date period.

 

 

 

 

 

The combined effect of the above items was to decrease third quarter 2002 net income by $6.5 million ($.08 per share) and to decrease year-to-date 2002 net income by $46.6 million ($.58 per share).

 

 

 

2001

-

Net investment results decreased net income $6.9 million ($.09 per share) in the quarter and increased net income $33.5 million ($.42 per share) year-to-date.  Third quarter net investment results include $12.4 million in write-downs for several investments, and a $3.1 million decrease in accrued incentive compensation. Year-to-date realized gains totaled $77.8 million, including $65.9 million on the exchange of the Company’s investment in Time Warner for America Online, which acquired Time Warner, in January 2001 and an $11.7 million gain on the sale of a portion of the Company’s investment in Centra Software.  Write-downs totaled $35.0 million in the year-to-date period, while accrued incentive compensation decreased $11.5 million, to zero.

 

 

 

 

 

Costs associated with workforce reductions, including the Company’s share of such costs at the Denver JOA, reduced operating income $1.5 million in the third quarter and $12.7 million year-to-date.  Net income was reduced $0.9 million ($.01 per share) in the third quarter and $8.0 million ($.10 per share) year-to-date.

 

 

 

 

 

The combined effect of the above items was to reduce third quarter 2001 net income $7.9 million ($.10 per share) and to increase 2001 year-to-date net income $25.5 million ($.32 per share).

F-9



Table of Contents

4.     LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

September 30,
2002

 

As of
December 31,
2001

 

September 30,
2001

 


 



 



 



 

Variable rate credit facilities

 

$

232,391

 

$

513,855

 

$

460,590

 

$200 million, 5.750% notes, due in 2012

 

 

198,777

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$100 million, 6.375% notes, due in 2002

 

 

99,998

 

 

99,983

 

 

99,978

 

$100 million, 6.625% notes, due in 2007

 

 

99,926

 

 

99,916

 

 

99,912

 

Other notes

 

 

14,346

 

 

10,090

 

 

9,964

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total long-term debt

 

 

645,438

 

 

723,844

 

 

670,444

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

132,471

 

 

613,878

 

 

460,630

 

 

 



 



 



 

Long-term debt (less current portion)

 

$

512,967

 

$

109,966

 

$

209,814

 

 

 



 



 



 

The Company has Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facilities (the “Revolver”) and a commercial paper program that collectively permit aggregate borrowings up to $600 million (the “Variable Rate Credit Facilities”).  The Revolver consists of two facilities, one permitting $400 million in aggregate borrowings expiring in August 2003 and the second a $200 million facility expiring in August 2007.  Borrowings under the Revolver are available on a committed revolving credit basis at the Company’s choice of three short-term rates or through an auction procedure at the time of each borrowing.  The Revolver is primarily used as credit support for the commercial paper program in lieu of direct borrowings under the Revolver.  The weighted-average interest rates on the Variable Rate Credit Facilities were 1.8% at September 30, 2002, 2.0% at December 31, 2001, and 3.2 % at September 30, 2001.

In July 2002 the Company issued $200 million of 5.75% notes due in 2012.  The proceeds from the note issuance were used to reduce the Company’s commercial paper borrowings.  In October 2002 the Company repaid the $100 million, 6.375% notes due in 2002.

F-10



Table of Contents

5.     INVESTMENTS

Investments consisted of the following:

(in thousands, except share data)

 

September 30,
2002

 

As of
December 31,
2001

 

September 30,
2001

 


 



 



 



 

Securities available for sale (at market value):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOL Time Warner (2,017,000 common shares)

 

$

23,597

 

$

64,740

 

$

66,757

 

 

Centra Software (700,500 common shares)

 

 

869

 

 

5,604

 

 

5,996

 

 

Other

 

 

3,354

 

 

4,213

 

 

3,483

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total available-for-sale securities

 

 

27,820

 

 

74,557

 

 

76,236

 

Denver newspaper JOA

 

 

189,183

 

 

198,527

 

 

202,944

 

FOX SportSouth and other joint ventures

 

 

6,969

 

 

6,744

 

 

8,706

 

Other equity investments

 

 

21,722

 

 

51,714

 

 

67,375

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total investments

 

$

245,694

 

$

331,542

 

$

355,261

 

 

 



 



 



 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale

 

$

(4,188

)

$

7,793

 

$

(19,529

)

 

 



 



 



 

Investments available for sale represent securities in publicly traded companies.  Investments available for sale are recorded at fair value.  Fair value is based upon the closing price of the security on the reporting date.

Other equity investments include securities of start-up enterprises that do not trade in public markets, so they do not have readily determinable fair values.  Management estimates the fair value of these securities approximates their carrying value at September 30, 2002, however, many of the investees have not issued new equity in the past two years.  There can be no assurance that the Company would realize the carrying value of these securities upon their sale.

During the second quarter of 2002, the Company ceased active management of Scripps Ventures Funds I and II (“Scripps Ventures”).  Scripps Ventures invested approximately $100 million in new businesses focusing primarily on new media technology.  The carrying value of the portfolio was $4.5 million as of September 30, 2002.

F-11



Table of Contents

6.     SEGMENT INFORMATION

Financial information for the Company’s business segments is as follows:

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 






 






 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 


 



 



 



 



 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

180,239

 

$

177,975

 

$

554,044

 

$

549,425

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

97,069

 

 

77,056

 

 

296,737

 

 

252,911

 

Broadcast television

 

 

72,745

 

 

61,121

 

 

213,987

 

 

201,241

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

21,452

 

 

19,900

 

 

66,452

 

 

67,012

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

371,505

 

 

336,052

 

 

1,131,220

 

 

1,070,589

 

Unusual item

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,049

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

$

371,505

 

$

336,052

 

$

1,131,220

 

$

1,066,540

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

60,706

 

$

58,200

 

$

195,039

 

$

172,482

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

29,872

 

 

17,647

 

 

82,722

 

 

60,061

 

Broadcast television

 

 

20,621

 

 

12,478

 

 

61,398

 

 

53,820

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

4,493

 

 

2,513

 

 

13,237

 

 

11,154

 

Corporate

 

 

(6,247

)

 

(4,561

)

 

(21,287

)

 

(13,465

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

109,445

 

 

86,277

 

 

331,109

 

 

284,052

 

Unusual items

 

 

 

 

 

(1,540

)

 

 

 

 

(12,253

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

109,445

 

$

84,737

 

$

331,109

 

$

271,799

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

DEPRECIATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

6,337

 

$

6,316

 

$

19,056

 

$

19,546

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

2,239

 

 

1,582

 

 

6,527

 

 

5,425

 

Broadcast television

 

 

4,938

 

 

4,794

 

 

14,355

 

 

14,786

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

199

 

 

232

 

 

583

 

 

616

 

Corporate

 

 

340

 

 

265

 

 

849

 

 

705

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

14,053

 

 

13,189

 

 

41,370

 

 

41,078

 

Unusual items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

$

14,053

 

$

13,189

 

$

41,370

 

$

41,141

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

170

 

$

212

 

$

507

 

$

469

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

771

 

 

944

 

 

2,365

 

 

2,824

 

Broadcast television

 

 

32

 

 

48

 

 

95

 

 

75

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

973

 

 

1,204

 

 

2,967

 

 

3,368

 

Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

 

 

 

 

 

9,589

 

 

 

 

 

28,544

 

Unusual items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

411

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

$

973

 

$

10,793

 

$

2,967

 

$

32,323

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

OPERATING INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

54,199

 

$

51,672

 

$

175,476

 

$

152,467

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

26,862

 

 

15,121

 

 

73,830

 

 

51,812

 

Broadcast television

 

 

15,651

 

 

7,636

 

 

46,948

 

 

38,959

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

4,294

 

 

2,281

 

 

12,654

 

 

10,538

 

Corporate

 

 

(6,587

)

 

(4,826

)

 

(22,136

)

 

(14,170

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

94,419

 

 

71,884

 

 

286,772

 

 

239,606

 

Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

 

 

 

 

 

(9,589

)

 

 

 

 

(28,544

)

Unusual items

 

 

 

 

 

(1,540

)

 

 

 

 

(12,727

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

$

94,419

 

$

60,755

 

$

286,772

 

$

198,335

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

F-12



Table of Contents

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 






 






 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 


 



 



 



 



 

ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

7,044

 

$

8,334

 

$

27,304

 

$

24,097

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

3,917

 

 

5,523

 

 

9,835

 

 

10,812

 

Broadcast television

 

 

4,912

 

 

2,951

 

 

12,920

 

 

10,295

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

146

 

 

21

 

 

228

 

 

301

 

Corporate

 

 

518

 

 

130

 

 

3,013

 

 

549

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

$

16,537

 

$

16,959

 

$

53,300

 

$

46,054

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER ADDITIONS TO LONG-LIVED ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

$

390

 

$

80

 

$

454

 

$

63,796

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

20,334

 

 

18,070

 

 

70,566

 

 

45,920

 

Broadcast television

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

27

 

Venture capital and other investments

 

 

7,801

 

 

8,623

 

 

13,872

 

 

15,995

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

28,525

 

$

26,773

 

$

84,912

 

$

125,738

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,263,725

 

$

1,282,028

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

726,637

 

 

576,627

 

Broadcast television

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

502,800

 

 

499,407

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,787

 

 

29,595

 

Venture capital and other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,089

 

 

143,687

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

94,156

 

 

71,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Per consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,662,194

 

$

2,602,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

Other additions to long-lived assets include investments and launch incentives capitalized.  Corporate assets are primarily cash, cash equivalent and other short-term investments, and refundable and deferred income taxes.

F-13



Table of Contents

7.     STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plans (the “Plans”) provide for the award of incentive and nonqualified stock options with 10-year terms, stock appreciation rights, performance units and restricted and unresticted Class A Common Shares to key employees and directors.  The Plans expire in 2007, except for awards then outstanding. 

Stock options may be awarded to purchase Class A Common Shares at not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date the option is granted.  Stock options vest over an incentive period, conditioned upon the individual’s employment throughout that period.  The following table presents information about stock options:

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2002

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2001

 

 

 









 









 

 

 

Number
of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Range of
Exercise
Prices

 

Number
of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Range of
Exercise
Prices

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Options granted during the period

 

 

1,087,300

 

$

75.26

 

$

73 - 78

 

 

1,088,750

 

$

64.24

 

$

58 - 70

 

Options exercised during the period

 

 

760,562

 

 

29.96

 

 

15 - 67

 

 

649,276

 

 

27.32

 

 

11 - 56

 

Options forfeited during the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,898

 

 

48.72

 

 

35 - 64

 

Options outstanding at end of period

 

 

4,858,276

 

 

54.08

 

 

15 - 78

 

 

4,642,013

 

 

44.59

 

 

12 - 70

 

Options exercisable at end of period

 

 

2,867,119

 

 

43.64

 

 

15 - 68

 

 

2,728,468

 

 

35.64

 

 

12 - 70

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

 

 

 

 

$

22.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18.93

 

 

 

 

Assumptions used to determine fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

Expected volatility

 

 

 

 

 

22.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

%

 

 

 

 

Risk-free rate of return

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

%

 

 

 

 

Expected life of options

 

 

 

 

 

7 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 years

 

 

 

 

Awards of Class A Common Shares vest over an incentive period conditioned upon the individual’s employment throughout that period.  During the vesting period shares issued are nontransferable, but the shares are entitled to all the rights of an outstanding share.  Information related to awards of Class A Common Shares is presented below:

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2002

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2001

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Number
of
Shares

 

Price at Award Dates

 

Number
of
Shares

 

Price at Award Dates

 



Weighted
Average

 

Range of
Prices

Weighted
Average

 

Range of
Prices

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Shares awarded during the period

 

 

32,305

 

$

72.43

 

$

72 - 77

 

 

165,120

 

$

63.41

 

$

57 - 71

 

Shares vested during the period

 

 

114,515

 

 

62.03

 

 

42 - 84

 

 

120,497

 

 

49.26

 

 

45 - 56

 

Shares forfeited during the period

 

 

600

 

 

47.39

 

 

47 - 48

 

 

2,500

 

 

52.54

 

 

45 - 63

 

Unvested shares at end of period

 

 

340,071

 

 

55.65

 

 

43 - 77

 

 

436,054

 

 

50.24

 

 

26 - 71

 

F-14



Table of Contents

The Company has adopted the “disclosure-only” provisions of FAS No. 123.  Compensation expense is determined by the intrinsic value of the stock option or restricted stock award at the grant date, or on the vesting date for certain restricted stock awards which vest based upon the Company’s stock price.  Therefore, no compensation expense is recognized for stock options unless the terms of the options are modified subsequent to the grant date.

Compensation expense recognized in the Company’s financial statements and pro forma net income assuming compensation expense had been determined based upon the fair value provisions of FAS No. 123 (determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model) are as follows:

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 




 




 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 

COMPENSATION EXPENSE RECOGNIZED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock awards

 

$

848

 

$

1,299

 

$

6,116

 

$

3,700

 

Stock options

 

 

 

 

 

303

 

 

 

 

 

1,356

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

PRO FORMA RESULTS UNDER FAS NO. 123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income as reported

 

$

45,676

 

$

22,633

 

$

112,512

 

$

128,421

 

Additional stock option expense, net of income tax effects

 

 

(3,689

)

 

(3,047

)

 

(10,145

)

 

(8,740

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Pro forma net income

 

$

41,987

 

$

19,586

 

$

102,367

 

$

119,681

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Pro forma net income per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.29

 

$

1.42

 

$

1.63

 

 

Additional stock option expense, net of income tax effects

 

 

(0.05

)

 

(0.04

)

 

(0.13

)

 

(0.11

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Pro forma basic earnings per share

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.25

 

$

1.29

 

$

1.52

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.28

 

$

1.40

 

$

1.61

 

 

Additional stock option expense, net of income tax effects

 

 

(0.05

)

 

(0.04

)

 

(0.13

)

 

(0.11

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Pro forma diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.24

 

$

1.27

 

$

1.50

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

The sum of the net income per share amounts may not equal the pro forma amounts because each is computed independently.

F-15



Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company’s discussion of and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K describes the significant accounting policies adopted by the Company.  The most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to revenue recognition, receivable allowances, programming, investments, long-lived assets, employee benefits and income taxes.

Revenue Recognition - The Company’s primary sources of revenue are from the sales of:

advertising space, time and on the Company’s Internet sites

newspapers to distributors and individual subscribers; and

programming services to cable and satellite television systems (“network affiliate fees”).

Advertising.  Advertising revenue is recorded, net of agency commissions, when advertisements are published in newspapers, are broadcast on television stations or cable television networks, and over the terms of the contracts for advertising appearing on the Company’s Internet sites.  Advertising contracts, which generally have a term of one year or less, may provide discounts based upon the volume of advertising purchased during the terms of the contracts.  This requires management to make certain estimates regarding future advertising volumes.  Estimated rebates are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the period the advertisement is displayed and are revised as necessary based on actual volume realized.  Broadcast and cable television network advertising contracts may guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience, requiring management to make estimates of audience size.  If management determines the Company will not deliver the guaranteed audience, an accrual for “make-good” advertisements is recorded as a reduction of revenue.  The estimated make-good accrual is adjusted over the terms of the advertising contracts.

Newspaper Subscriptions.  Prepaid newspaper subscriptions are deferred and are included in circulation revenue on a pro-rata basis over the term of the subscriptions.  Circulation revenue includes sales to retail outlets and newsstands, which are subject to returns.  The Company records these retail sales upon delivery, net of estimated returns.  Estimated returns are based on historical return rates and are adjusted based on actual returns realized.

Network Affiliate Fees.  Cable and satellite television services generally pay a per subscriber fee for the right to distribute the Company’s networks on their systems.  The Company may make cash payments to cable and satellite television systems and may provide an initial period in which payment of affiliate fees by the systems are waived in exchange for such long-term distribution contracts.  Network affiliate fee revenues are reported net of incentives in the Consolidated Statements of Income and are recognized over the terms of the contracts.

Customer Billed Revenue - Amounts due to the Company for network affiliate fees are determined by cable and satellite television systems based upon subscribers receiving the Company’s programming.  Licensees determine royalties due to the Company based upon their sales of licensed products.  This requires management to make estimates of the number of subscribers receiving the Company’s networks and licensed merchandise sales.  Estimated network affiliate fee and licensing revenues are adjusted based upon actual amounts realized.

Receivable Allowances - The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  Allowances are based on historical experience and other assumptions, and are adjusted based on write-offs realized.  Actual write-offs of bad debts have historically been insignificant, less than 1.0% of revenues.

F-16



Table of Contents

Programming - Programming assets include licensed programs and programs produced by or for the Company.  These costs are expensed over the estimated useful life of the programming based upon expected future cash flows.  Estimated future cash flows can change based upon market acceptance, advertising rates, subscriber fees and program usage.  Accordingly, revenue estimates and planned usage are reviewed periodically and are revised if necessary.  If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than projected, programming cost write-downs may be required.  Programming asset write-downs are determined using a day-part methodology, whereby programs broadcast during a particular time of day are evaluated on an aggregate basis.

Investments - The Company holds investments in several companies, including publicly traded securities and others that have no active market.  Future adverse changes in market conditions, poor operating results, or the inability of certain development stage companies to find additional financing could result in losses that may not be reflected in an investment’s current carrying value, thereby requiring an impairment charge in the future. The Company’s investments are regularly reviewed to determine if there has been an other-than-temporary decline in market value.  In making that determination, management considers the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of the market decline and the investees’ earnings and cash forecasts, and current cash position, among other factors.

Long-lived Assets - Management also exercises judgment in determining the estimated useful life of long lived assets, specifically plant and property and certain intangible assets with a finite life.  Management bases its judgment on estimated lives of these assets based on actual experienced length of service of similar assets and expert opinions.

Certain events or changes in circumstances may indicate that the carrying value of the Company’s property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill may not be recoverable and require an impairment review.  In assessing impairment, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets.  Based on that review, if the carrying value of these assets exceeds fair value and is determined to not be recoverable, an impairment loss representing the amount of excess over its fair value would be recognized in income.

In accordance with FAS No. 142 the Company reviews for goodwill impairment based upon its reporting units.  Reporting units are operating segments or businesses one level below the operating segment.  Scripps Networks comprises one reporting unit.  The Company’s newspaper and broadcast television reporting units are based on size of newspaper market and broadcast television affiliation.

Employee Benefits - The Company is self-insured for employee-related health and disability benefits and workers compensation claims. A third-party administrator is used to process all claims.  Liabilities for unpaid claims are based on the Company’s historical claims experience rate and are developed from actuarial valuations.  However, actual amounts could vary significantly from such estimates, which would require the Company to record adjustments to expense in that period.

Management relies on actuarial valuations to determine pension costs.  Inherent in these valuations are assumptions of discount rates and expected return on plan assets.  Management considers current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in selecting these assumptions.  Changes in market conditions and changes in assumptions regarding plan participants may cause volatility in year-over-year pension expense.

Income Taxes - The Company’s accounting for income taxes is sensitive to interpretation of various laws and regulations.  The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company’s 1996 to 2001 consolidated federal income tax returns.  Management reviews its provision for open tax years on an ongoing basis. 

The company records a tax valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  The Company’s deferred tax assets subject to a valuation allowance primarily relate to state net operating loss carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards.  The Company considers ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.  In the event the Company determined the deferred tax asset it would realize was greater or less than the net amount recorded, an adjustment would be made to the tax provision in that period.

F-17



Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This discussion and the information contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations.  Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.  Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in most instances are beyond the Company’s control, include changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions; consumers’ taste; newsprint prices; program costs; labor relations; technological developments; competitive pressures; interest rates; regulatory rulings; and reliance on third-party vendors for various products and services.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements, which are as of the date of this filing, should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company operates in three reportable segments: newspapers, cable television networks (referred to as “Scripps Networks”), and broadcast television. 

Income from core operations represents net income as defined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) excluding certain unusual items.  These items are excluded because management believes the items are unlikely to recur or they otherwise impede analysis of the Company’s on-going operations.

Management uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), along with operating income and other GAAP measures to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operating segments.  Management uses EBITDA to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operating segments because:

 

EBITDA, combined with information on historical and planned capital spending, is a useful and reliable measure of year-over-year operating performance.

 

Banks and other lenders use EBITDA and other cash flow measures to evaluate the Company’s ability to meet its debt service requirements and its other obligations.

 

Financial analysts and investors use EBITDA, combined with capital spending requirements, to estimate the value of communications media companies.

Income from core operations and EBITDA should not be construed as alternative measures of, but as supplemental information to, the Company’s net income and cash flows from operating activities as defined under GAAP.

Acquisitions and divestitures can affect the comparability of year-over-year reported results.  The accompanying tables include the results of operations for acquired operations from the dates of acquisition.  Divested operating units are removed from segment operating results and reported separately because management believes they impede analysis of the Company’s on-going operations. 

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-9 regarding acquisitions and divestitures.

The application for a 50-year Joint Operating Agency (“JOA”) between the Company’s Denver Rocky Mountain News (“RMN”) and MediaNews Group Inc.’s (“MediaNews”) Denver Post was approved in January 2001 by the U.S. Department of Justice.  The JOA commenced operations on January 22, 2001.  The RMN received a 50% interest in the JOA in exchange for the contribution of most of its assets to the JOA and the payment of $60 million to MediaNews.

The RMN’s 50% share of the operating profit (loss) of the Denver JOA is reported as “Share of Joint Operating Agency Profits” revenue in the financial statements.  Editorial costs associated with the RMN are included in operating expenses.  The financial statements do not include advertising and other revenue of the JOA, nor the costs to produce, distribute and market the newspapers, nor related depreciation.  The RMN is reported separately in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

In August 2002 the Company reached an agreement to acquire a 70% controlling interest in the Shop At Home television-retailing network.  The acquisition was completed on October 31, 2002.

F-18



Table of Contents

Consolidated results of operations were as follows:

 

 

Quarterly Period

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 









 









 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers excluding RMN

 

$

174,102

 

 

(0.1

)%

$

174,315

 

$

534,426

 

 

0.0

%

$

534,189

 

 

Rocky Mountain News

 

 

6,137

 

 

 

 

 

3,660

 

 

19,618

 

 

 

 

 

15,236

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total newspapers

 

 

180,239

 

 

1.3

%

 

177,975

 

 

554,044

 

 

0.8

%

 

549,425

 

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

97,069

 

 

26.0

%

 

77,056

 

 

296,737

 

 

17.3

%

 

252,911

 

 

Broadcast television

 

 

72,745

 

 

19.0

%

 

61,121

 

 

213,987

 

 

6.3

%

 

201,241

 

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

21,452

 

 

7.8

%

 

19,900

 

 

66,452

 

 

(0.8

)%

 

67,012

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Revenues from core operations

 

$

371,505

 

 

10.5

%

$

336,052

 

$

1,131,220

 

 

5.7

%

$

1,070,589

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers excluding RMN

 

$

53,410

 

 

0.7

%

$

53,056

 

$

171,954

 

 

3.8

%

$

165,630

 

 

Rocky Mountain News

 

 

789

 

 

 

 

 

(1,384

)

 

3,522

 

 

 

 

 

(13,163

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total newspapers

 

 

54,199

 

 

4.9

%

 

51,672

 

 

175,476

 

 

15.1

%

 

152,467

 

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

26,862

 

 

77.6

%

 

15,121

 

 

73,830

 

 

42.5

%

 

51,812

 

 

Broadcast television

 

 

15,651

 

 

 

 

 

7,636

 

 

46,948

 

 

20.5

%

 

38,959

 

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

4,294

 

 

88.3

%

 

2,281

 

 

12,654

 

 

20.1

%

 

10,538

 

 

Corporate

 

 

(6,587

)

 

 

 

 

(4,826

)

 

(22,136

)

 

 

 

 

(14,170

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income from core operations

 

 

94,419

 

 

31.3

%

 

71,884

 

 

286,772

 

 

19.7

%

 

239,606

 

Interest expense

 

 

(7,843

)

 

 

 

 

(8,417

)

 

(21,064

)

 

 

 

 

(31,737

)

Miscellaneous, net

 

 

675

 

 

 

 

 

240

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

1,073

 

Income taxes

 

 

(34,146

)

 

 

 

 

(25,160

)

 

(104,007

)

 

 

 

 

(82,212

)

Minority interest

 

 

(901

)

 

 

 

 

(1,005

)

 

(2,687

)

 

 

 

 

(2,826

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Income from core operations

 

 

52,204

 

 

39.1

%

 

37,542

 

 

159,071

 

 

28.4

%

 

123,904

 

Unusual credits (charges):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee work force reduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,540

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,727

)

 

Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,589

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,544

)

 

Investment results, net of expenses

 

 

(10,052

)

 

 

 

 

(10,917

)

 

(83,991

)

 

 

 

 

50,825

 

 

Tax effect of unusual credits (charges)

 

 

3,524

 

 

 

 

 

7,137

 

 

29,432

 

 

 

 

 

(5,037

)

 

Prior year tax liability adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

45,676

 

 

 

 

$

22,633

 

$

112,512

 

 

(12.4

)%

$

128,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Per share of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from core operations

 

$

.65

 

 

38.3

%

$

.47

 

$

1.97

 

 

27.1

%

$

1.55

 

 

Unusual credits (charges):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee work force reduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.10

)

 

Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.09

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.26

)

 

Net investment results

 

 

(.08

)

 

 

 

 

(.09

)

 

(.68

)

 

 

 

 

.42

 

 

Prior year tax liability adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Net income

 

$

.57

 

 

 

 

$

.28

 

$

1.40

 

 

(13.0

)%

$

1.61

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

80,668

 

 

 

 

 

80,167

 

 

80,554

 

 

 

 

 

80,011

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 


   See Note 1 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets on page F-8 and Note 3 on page F-9 regarding items excluded from core operations.

The sum of per share from core operations and unusual credits (charges) may not equal the reported net income per share amount because each is computed independently.

All per share disclosures are on a diluted basis. 

F-19



Table of Contents

Other financial and statistical data, excluding unusual items, are as follows:

 

 

Quarterly Period

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 









 









 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 


 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total advertising revenues, excluding RMN

 

$

273,160

 

 

10.3

%

$

247,617

 

$

833,342

 

 

4.9

%

$

794,062

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Advertising revenues as a percentage of total revenues

 

 

74.8

%

 

 

 

 

74.5

%

 

75.0

%

 

 

 

 

75.2

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers excluding RMN

 

$

59,783

 

 

0.5

%

$

59,470

 

$

191,138

 

 

3.6

%

$

184,424

 

 

Rocky Mountain News

 

 

923

 

 

 

 

 

(1,270

)

 

3,901

 

 

 

 

 

(11,942

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Total newspapers

 

 

60,706

 

 

4.3

%

 

58,200

 

 

195,039

 

 

13.1

%

 

172,482

 

 

Scripps Networks

 

 

29,872

 

 

69.3

%

 

17,647

 

 

82,722

 

 

37.7

%

 

60,061

 

 

Broadcast television

 

 

20,621

 

 

65.3

%

 

12,478

 

 

61,398

 

 

14.1

%

 

53,820

 

 

Licensing and other media

 

 

4,493

 

 

78.8

%

 

2,513

 

 

13,237

 

 

18.7

%

 

11,154

 

 

Corporate

 

 

(6,247

)

 

 

 

 

(4,561

)

 

(21,287

)

 

 

 

 

(13,465

)

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA from core operations

 

$

109,445

 

 

26.9

%

$

86,277

 

$

331,109

 

 

16.6

%

$

284,052

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Effective income tax rate for core operations

 

 

39.1

%

 

 

 

 

39.5

%

 

39.1

%

 

 

 

 

39.3

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

75,398

 

 

 

 

$

92,102

 

$

176,166

 

 

 

 

$

215,509

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(16,537

)

 

 

 

 

(16,959

)

 

(53,300

)

 

 

 

 

(46,054

)

Business acquisitions and investments

 

 

(8,186

)

 

 

 

 

(9,269

)

 

(19,581

)

 

 

 

 

(95,712

)

Increase (decrease) in long-term debt

 

 

(23,499

)

 

 

 

 

(40,877

)

 

(78,463

)

 

 

 

 

(44,190

)

Dividends paid, including to minority interests

 

 

(12,378

)

 

 

 

 

(12,298

)

 

(37,043

)

 

 

 

 

(36,817

)

Purchase and retirement of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,683

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,671

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Certain restricted stock awards issued in 2001 are earned based upon the market price of the Company’s Class A Common Shares.  The Company records expense related to these awards when the shares are earned.  Corporate expense increased year-over-year in the first quarter when 20,000 shares were earned.  An additional 20,000 shares were earned in April 2002.  The remaining 20,000 shares under the award can be earned in 2003 if certain targets are met in 2003.  Corporate expenses in 2002 also include the accrual of performance bonuses, which were not earned in 2001.

Lower borrowing rates under short-term credit facilities led to lower period-over-period interest expense.  Average daily borrowings under short-term credit facilities in the third quarter were $233 million in 2002 and $457 million in 2001.  The weighted-average interest rate on such borrowings in the third quarter was 1.8% in 2002 and 3.6% in 2001.  For the year-to-date period the weighted-average interest rate was 1.8% in 2002 and 4.8% in 2001. The Company is currently rolling over short-term debt at an effective 90-day yield of 1.6%.

In July 2002 the Company issued $200 million of 5.75% notes due in 2012.  The proceeds from the note issuance were used to reduce the Company’s commercial paper borrowings.  The average balance of all interest bearing obligations year-to-date was $704 million in 2002 and $747 million in 2001.  In October 2002 the Company repaid its $100 million, 6.375% notes.

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 142 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets effective January 1, 2002.  See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily FCC licenses and broadcast television station network affiliation agreements, was $9.6 million, $7.1 million after-tax, $.09 per share in the third quarter and $28.5 million, $21.0 million after tax, $.26 per share.

Third quarter 2001 operating results were affected by a downturn in business immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks, which exacerbated an already weak market.  The Company’s nine network-affiliated television stations broadcast 36 hours of continuous, commercial free network and local news coverage following the attacks, and for the next several days there was little demand for television advertising. 

Operating results for each of the Company’s reportable segments, excluding divested operating units and unusual items, are presented on the following pages. 

F-20



Table of Contents

NEWSPAPERS - RMN operating results are presented separately as a single line item to enhance comparability of year-over-year Newspaper operating results.  Excluding unusual items, operating results were as follows:

 

 

Quarterly Period

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local

 

$

41,115

 

 

(3.0

)%

$

42,376

 

$

131,033

 

 

(1.2

)%

$

132,688

 

 

Classified

 

 

53,420

 

 

(0.7

)%

 

53,783

 

 

163,220

 

 

(2.5

)%

 

167,335

 

 

National

 

 

8,359

 

 

2.3

%

 

8,170

 

 

24,424

 

 

(0.6

)%

 

24,572

 

 

Preprint and other

 

 

23,950

 

 

9.0

%

 

21,964

 

 

71,452

 

 

9.5

%

 

65,271

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

 

Newspaper advertising

 

 

126,844

 

 

0.4

%

 

126,293

 

 

390,129

 

 

0.1

%

 

389,866

 

 

Circulation

 

 

33,566

 

 

(3.7

)%

 

34,850

 

 

103,385

 

 

(0.9

)%

 

104,310

 

 

Share of joint operating agency profits

 

 

11,141

 

 

4.9

%

 

10,620

 

 

32,334

 

 

2.5

%

 

31,547

 

 

Other

 

 

2,551

 

 

(0.0

)%

 

2,552

 

 

8,578

 

 

1.3

%

 

8,466

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total operating revenues

 

 

174,102

 

 

(0.1

)%

 

174,315

 

 

534,426

 

 

0.0

%

 

534,189

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editorial and newspaper content

 

 

21,746

 

 

(0.7

)%

 

21,910

 

 

65,748

 

 

0.1

%

 

65,682

 

 

Newsprint and ink

 

 

15,345

 

 

(21.0

)%

 

19,424

 

 

48,505

 

 

(23.5

)%

 

63,396

 

 

Other press and production

 

 

17,103

 

 

2.4

%

 

16,708

 

 

52,490

 

 

2.7

%

 

51,097

 

 

Circulation and distribution

 

 

15,978

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

16,257

 

 

48,751

 

 

1.5

%

 

48,041

 

 

Other advertising, internet and printing

 

 

7,895

 

 

8.9

%

 

7,251

 

 

23,360

 

 

6.9

%

 

21,849

 

 

Advertising sales and marketing

 

 

16,229

 

 

7.4

%

 

15,104

 

 

49,882

 

 

5.3

%

 

47,376

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

19,945

 

 

12.6

%

 

17,719

 

 

54,213

 

 

7.5

%

 

50,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

114,241

 

 

(0.1

)%

 

114,373

 

 

342,949

 

 

(1.4

)%

 

347,862

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA before equity-method investments

 

 

59,861

 

 

(0.1

)%

 

59,942

 

 

191,477

 

 

2.8

%

 

186,327

 

Share of pre-tax earnings (losses) of equity-method investments

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

 

(472

)

 

(339

)

 

 

 

 

(1,903

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA

 

 

59,783

 

 

0.5

%

 

59,470

 

 

191,138

 

 

3.6

%

 

184,424

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

6,373

 

 

(0.6

)%

 

6,414

 

 

19,184

 

 

2.1

%

 

18,794

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income before RMN

 

 

53,410

 

 

0.7

%

 

53,056

 

 

171,954

 

 

3.8

%

 

165,630

 

Rocky Mountain News

 

 

789

 

 

 

 

 

(1,384

)

 

3,522

 

 

 

 

 

(13,163

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

$

54,199

 

 

4.9

%

$

51,672

 

$

175,476

 

 

15.1

%

$

152,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Percent of operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

34.3

%

 

 

 

 

34.1

%

 

35.8

%

 

 

 

 

34.5

%

 

Operating income, excluding RMN

 

 

30.7

%

 

 

 

 

30.4

%

 

32.2

%

 

 

 

 

31.0

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Supplemental Statement of Cash Flows Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends received greater (less) than share of profits of JOAs and equity-method investments

 

$

3,325

 

 

 

 

$

(3,473

)

$

9,484

 

 

 

 

$

19,370

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

7,044

 

 

 

 

 

8,334

 

 

27,304

 

 

 

 

 

24,097

 

Business acquisitions and other additions to long-lived assets

 

 

390

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

454

 

 

 

 

 

63,796

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

The demand for advertising stabilized in many of the Company’s markets in the third quarter of 2002, although help wanted advertising volume remains below that of prior periods.   Newspaper advertising revenues are expected to increase modestly year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Newsprint and ink decreased in the quarter primarily due to a 24% decrease in year-over-year newsprint prices.

Third quarter and year-to-date results at the Denver newspaper were substantially improved over 2001 due to advertising and circulation rate increases and cost cutting measures implemented by the JOA, including the publication of combined weekend editions and a single classified advertising section distributed daily in both newspapers.

F-21



Table of Contents

SCRIPPS NETWORKS – Operating results, excluding unusual items, were as follows:

 

 

Quarterly Period

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

74,803

 

 

22.2

%

$

61,234

 

$

233,345

 

 

13.4

%

$

205,753

 

 

Network affiliate fees, net

 

 

20,902

 

 

44.1

%

 

14,509

 

 

59,410

 

 

37.3

%

 

43,257

 

 

Other

 

 

1,364

 

 

3.9

%

 

1,313

 

 

3,982

 

 

2.1

%

 

3,901

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total operating revenues

 

 

97,069

 

 

26.0

%

 

77,056

 

 

296,737

 

 

17.3

%

 

252,911

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programming and production

 

 

30,389

 

 

18.0

%

 

25,747

 

 

90,615

 

 

21.1

%

 

74,833

 

 

Operations and distribution

 

 

7,090

 

 

(10.0

)%

 

7,878

 

 

24,276

 

 

(9.4

)%

 

26,795

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

17,416

 

 

10.9

%

 

15,701

 

 

54,157

 

 

(2.1

)%

 

55,307

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

14,365

 

 

19.4

%

 

12,027

 

 

48,955

 

 

22.7

%

 

39,891

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

69,260

 

 

12.9

%

 

61,353

 

 

218,003

 

 

10.8

%

 

196,826

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA before equity-method investments

 

 

27,809

 

 

77.1

%

 

15,703

 

 

78,734

 

 

40.4

%

 

56,085

 

Share of pre-tax earnings of equity-method investments

 

 

2,063

 

 

 

 

 

1,944

 

 

3,988

 

 

 

 

 

3,976

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA

 

 

29,872

 

 

69.3

%

 

17,647

 

 

82,722

 

 

37.7

%

 

60,061

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

3,010

 

 

19.2

%

 

2,526

 

 

8,892

 

 

7.8

%

 

8,249

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

$

26,862

 

 

77.6

%

$

15,121

 

$

73,830

 

 

42.5

%

$

51,812

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Percent of operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

30.8

%

 

 

 

 

22.9

%

 

27.9

%

 

 

 

 

23.7

%

 

Operating income

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

 

 

19.6

%

 

24.9

%

 

 

 

 

20.5

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Supplemental Statement of Cash Flows Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billed network affiliate fees

 

$

23,880

 

 

 

 

$

19,290

 

$

69,096

 

 

 

 

$

59,835

 

Network launch incentive payments

 

 

19,176

 

 

 

 

 

5,816

 

 

89,017

 

 

 

 

 

13,668

 

Payments for programming less (greater) than program cost amortization

 

 

378

 

 

 

 

 

(7,315

)

 

(13,447

)

 

 

 

 

(25,703

)

Dividends received greater (less) than share of earnings of equity-method investments

 

 

(383

)

 

 

 

 

(745

)

 

(1,588

)

 

 

 

 

164

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

3,917

 

 

 

 

 

5,523

 

 

9,835

 

 

 

 

 

10,812

 

Business acquisitions and investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,240

 

 

 

 

 

14,429

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Supplemental balance sheet information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

232,227

 

 

 

 

$

198,120

 

Network distribution incentives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

178,725

 

 

 

 

 

79,326

 

Launch incentive payments due to cable and satellite television systems for launches through the end of the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,684

 

 

 

 

 

72,809

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

F-22



Table of Contents

According to the Nielsen Homevideo Index, HGTV was distributed to 79.8 million homes in September 2002, up 5.5 million from September 2001 and 1.2 million in the quarter.  Food Network was distributed to 76.6 million homes in September 2002, up 8.9 million from September 2001 and 1.3 million in the quarter.  Prime-time viewership was up 29% for Food and 35% for HGTV compared to the prior year. 

Wider distribution of the networks and the increase in viewership led to increased demand for advertising and higher advertising rates at the Company’s networks.  Advertising revenues in the prior year were reduced due to lost sales in the days immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks.  The networks were off the air for 24 hours and experienced weakened demand and canceled advertising.  Advertising revenues are expected to increase between 40% and 45% year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Network affiliate fee revenue increased 36% for HGTV and 20% for Food Network in the year-to-date period.  The Company changed its estimate of the lives of certain network distribution contracts in the second quarter of 2002, increasing network affiliate fee revenue by $1.7 million in the quarter and $3.4 million in the year-to-date period.  Network affiliate fee revenues are expected to increase approximately 35% year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Programming and production expenses have increased as the Company improves the quality and variety of programming and expands the hours of original programming presented on its networks.  Programming expense increased 17% for HGTV and 23% for Food Network in the year-to-date period. 

The Company launched DIY in the fourth quarter of 1999 and launched Fine Living, its fourth network, in March 2002.  DIY was distributed to 12 million homes in September 2002.  Fine Living signed a long-term distribution agreement with DIRECTV in September, increasing distribution of the network to 13 million homes on October 1, 2002. 

Start-up losses associated with DIY and Fine Living reduced EBITDA in the third quarter by $7.3 million in 2002 compared to $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2001.  For the year-to-date period, start-up losses reduced EBITDA by $29 million in 2002 and $16 million in 2001.  Full year start-up losses are currently projected to reduce EBITDA by approximately $38 million in 2002.

Excluding the start-up expenses of the new networks, EBITDA at Scripps Networks increased 59% in the quarter and 46% year-to-date.

The year-over-year increase in network launch incentive payments is due to expanded distribution of the Company’s networks.

F-23



Table of Contents

BROADCAST TELEVISION – Operating results, excluding unusual items, were as follows:

 

 

Quarterly Period

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands)

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 

2002

 

Change

 

2001

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local

 

$

41,138

 

 

16.2

%

$

35,389

 

$

126,238

 

 

7.0

%

$

117,927

 

 

National

 

 

22,789

 

 

7.7

%

 

21,151

 

 

70,491

 

 

0.4

%

 

70,220

 

 

Political

 

 

5,470

 

 

 

 

 

735

 

 

6,453

 

 

 

 

 

1,039

 

 

Network compensation

 

 

1,870

 

 

(20.4

)%

 

2,348

 

 

5,779

 

 

(25.0

)%

 

7,702

 

 

Other

 

 

1,478

 

 

(1.3

)%

 

1,498

 

 

5,026

 

 

15.5

%

 

4,353

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total operating revenues

 

 

72,745

 

 

19.0

%

 

61,121

 

 

213,987

 

 

6.3

%

 

201,241

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programming and station operations

 

 

35,142

 

 

0.4

%

 

35,002

 

 

104,798

 

 

1.0

%

 

103,733

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

8,998

 

 

16.3

%

 

7,740

 

 

27,205

 

 

5.6

%

 

25,767

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,984

 

 

35.3

%

 

5,901

 

 

20,586

 

 

14.9

%

 

17,921

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

52,124

 

 

7.2

%

 

48,643

 

 

152,589

 

 

3.5

%

 

147,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA

 

 

20,621

 

 

65.3

%

 

12,478

 

 

61,398

 

 

14.1

%

 

53,820

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

4,970

 

 

2.6

%

 

4,842

 

 

14,450

 

 

(2.8

)%

 

14,861

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

$

15,651

 

 

 

 

$

7,636

 

$

46,948

 

$

20.5

%

$

38,959

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Percent of operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

 

28.3

%

 

 

 

 

20.4

%

 

28.7

%

 

 

 

 

26.7

%

 

Operating income

 

 

21.5

%

 

 

 

 

12.5

%

 

21.9

%

 

 

 

 

19.4

%

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Supplemental Statement of Cash Flows Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for programming less (greater) than program cost amortization

 

$

4

 

 

 

 

$

823

 

$

190

 

 

 

 

$

2,187

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

4,912

 

 

 

 

 

2,951

 

 

12,920

 

 

 

 

 

10,295

 

Business acquisitions and other additions to long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Improved demand for advertising led to the increase in advertising revenues.  Local and national advertising revenue increased 13% year-over-year in the third quarter.  Broadcast television advertising revenues in the prior year quarter were reduced by approximately $4 million due to sales lost in the days immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks.  The Company’s nine network-affiliated television stations broadcast 36 hours of continuous, commercial free network and local news coverage following the attacks, and for the next several days there was little demand for television advertising.

Including political revenue, broadcast television advertising revenues are expected to increase between 10% and 15% year-over-year in the fourth quarter.  Political revenues are expected to be approximately $12 million in the fourth quarter compared to $1.4 million in the 2001 period.

In 2001 the Company renegotiated and extended its affiliation agreements with NBC, which were originally scheduled to expire in 2004.  Network compensation is sharply reduced under the new agreements, which expire in 2009.  The Company’s ABC affiliation agreements expire on various dates during the period 2004 through 2006.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operating activities.  Advertising provides 70% to 80% of the Company’s total revenues, so the Company’s cash flow from operating activities is adversely affected during recessionary periods.  The Company’s cash flow from operating activities in the first nine months of the year was $176 million in 2002 and $216 million in 2001.  Increased launch incentive payments to expand distribution of Scripps Networks was the primary cause of the decrease.  The Company expects to continue to increase the distribution of Scripps Networks. 

Cash flow from operating activities exceeded capital expenditures and cash dividends by $86 million in the first nine months and is expected to substantially exceed the total of its capital expenditure requirements and cash dividends in 2002, as it has each year since 1992. 

The excess cash flow from existing businesses and the Company’s substantial borrowing capacity have been used primarily to fund acquisitions, investments, and to develop new businesses.  There are essentially no legal or other restrictions on the transfer of funds among the Company’s business segments. 

In July the Company issued $200 million of 5.75% notes due in 2012.  The proceeds from the notes were used to reduce the Company’s commercial paper borrowings.  In October 2002 the Company repaid its $100 million, 6.375% notes and filed a shelf registration for up to $500 million in debt securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company would use the proceeds for the sale of debt securities for general corporate purposes including capital spending, debt reduction and acquisitions.

Net debt (borrowings less cash equivalents and other short-term investments) decreased $76 million in the first nine months of 2002, to $645 million at September 30, 2002.  Net debt includes commercial paper borrowings totaling $232 million, with average maturities of 90 days or less.  Commercial paper borrowings are supported by bank credit facilities permitting maximum borrowings of $600 million.  The Company’s access to commercial paper markets can be affected by macroeconomic factors outside of its control.  In addition to macroeconomic factors, the Company’s access to commercial paper markets and its borrowing costs are affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies. 

Net debt is expected to increase in the fourth quarter as the Company closes the acquisition of Shop At Home and continues to expand distribution of Scripps Networks.

Repurchase of a total of six million Class A Common shares was authorized by the Board of Directors in 1998.  The Company repurchased a total of 4.3 million Class A Common Shares between June 1997 and October 2001, at prices ranging from $39 to $60 per share.  The balance remaining on this authorization is 1.7 million shares.

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Table of Contents

MARKET RISK

The Company’s earnings and cash flow can be affected by, among other things, economic conditions, interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations (primarily in the exchange rate for the Japanese yen) and changes in the price of newsprint.  The Company is also exposed to changes in the market value of its investments.  The information disclosed in Market Risk in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, has not changed materially unless otherwise disclosed herein.

The Company held no foreign currency or newsprint derivative financial instruments at September 30, 2002 or at December 31, 2001. 

The following table presents additional information about the Company’s market-risk-sensitive financial instruments:

 

 

As of September 30, 2002

 

As of December 31, 2001

 

 

 


 


 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

Cost
Basis

 

Fair
Value

 

Cost
Basis

 

Fair
Value

 


 


 


 


 


 

Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate credit facilities, including commercial paper

 

$

232,391

 

$

232,391

 

$

513,855

 

$

513,855

 

 

$200 million, 5.75% notes, due in 2012

 

 

198,777

 

 

216,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$100 million, 6.375% notes, due in 2002

 

 

99,998

 

 

100,180

 

 

99,983

 

 

102,685

 

 

$100 million, 6.625% notes, due in 2007

 

 

99,926

 

 

114,327

 

 

99,916

 

 

104,376

 

 

Other notes

 

 

14,346

 

 

13,688

 

 

10,090

 

 

9,084

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total long-term debt including current portion

 

$

645,438

 

$

676,900

 

$

723,844

 

$

730,000

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Financial instruments subject to market value risk:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOL Time Warner (2,017,000 common shares)

 

$

29,667

 

$

23,597

 

$

64,740

 

$

64,740

 

 

Centra Software (700,500 common shares)

 

 

1,427

 

 

869

 

 

1,427

 

 

5,604

 

 

Other available-for-sale securities

 

 

914

 

 

3,354

 

 

597

 

 

4,213

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

 

Total investments in publicly-traded companies

 

 

32,008

 

 

27,820

 

 

66,764

 

 

74,557

 

 

Other equity investments

 

 

21,722

 

 

(a

)

 

51,714

 

 

(a

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

(a)

Included in other equity investments are securities that do not trade in public markets, so they do not have readily determinable fair values.  Management estimates the fair value of these securities approximates their carrying value.  However, many of the investees have not issued new equity in the past two years.  There can be no assurance that the Company would realize the carrying value of these securities upon their sale.

The Company manages interest rate risk primarily by maintaining a mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt.  The Company may use interest rate swaps, forwards or other derivative financial instruments to manage its interest rate risk.  The Company did not hold such instruments at September 30, 2002.  The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Variable Rate Credit Facilities was 1.8% at September 30, 2002, and 2.0% at December 31, 2001.  In October 2002, the Company repaid its $100 million, 6.375% notes.

F-26



Table of Contents

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management is responsible for the preparation, integrity and objectivity of the consolidated financial statements and other information presented in this report.  The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflect certain estimates and adjustments by management.  In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management must make a variety of decisions which affect the reported amounts and the related disclosures.  Such decisions include the selection of accounting principles that reflect the economic substance of the underlying transactions and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates.  In reaching such decisions, management applies judgment based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, including its historical experience, actuarial studies and other assumptions.  Management re-evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis.  While actual results could, in fact, differ from those estimated at the time of preparation of the financial statements, management is committed to preparing financial statements incorporating accounting principles, assumptions and estimates that promote the representational faithfulness, verifiability, neutrality and transparency of the accounting information included in the financial statements.

The Company’s management maintains a system of internal accounting controls and disclosure controls and procedures which management believes provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly recorded and the Company’s assets are protected from loss or unauthorized use.

The integrity of the accounting and disclosure systems are based on written policies and procedures, the careful selection and training of qualified financial personnel, a program of internal audits and direct management review.  The Company’s disclosure control systems and procedures are designed to ensure timely collection and evaluation of information subject to disclosure, to ensure the selection of appropriate accounting polices, and to ensure compliance with the Company’s accounting policies and procedures.  The Audit Committee is composed solely of independent directors and meets periodically with the independent auditors, management and the internal auditors to discuss accounting, financial reporting, auditing and internal auditing matters.  Both the internal and independent auditors have direct and private access to the Audit Committee.

In September and October 2002 an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.  No significant changes were made in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation and there were no corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses.

F-27


Table of Contents

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

Item

 

Page


 


 


12

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

E-2

99(a)

 

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

E-3

99(b)

 

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

E-4

E-1