10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2003

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission file number:         1-6383

 

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Commonwealth of Virginia   54-0850433
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
333 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA   23219
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(804) 649-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(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 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  ¨     No  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes  x     No  ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of November 2, 2003.

 

Class A Common shares:     22,970,891

Class B Common shares:         555,992


Table of Contents

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-Q REPORT

September 28, 2003

 

     Page

Part I.    Financial Information

    

Item 1.  Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets—September 28, 2003, and December 29, 2002

   1

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations—Third quarter and nine months ended September 28, 2003, and September 29, 2002

   3

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows—Nine months ended September 28, 2003, and September 29, 2002

   4

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   18

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

   24

Part II.    Other Information

    

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   24

(a) Exhibits

    

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

    

Signatures

   25

 


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements

 

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(000’s except shares)

 

    

(Unaudited)

September 28,

2003


   December 29,
2002


ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,293    $ 11,279

Accounts receivable—net

     102,462      112,399

Inventories

     6,414      4,101

Other

     40,578      32,773
    

  

Total current assets

     157,747      160,552
    

  

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     89,711      93,370

Other assets

     61,146      68,140

Property, plant and equipment—net

     437,438      372,719

Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses—net

     832,004      832,004

FCC licenses and other intangibles—net

     811,000      820,226
    

  

     $ 2,389,046    $ 2,347,011
    

  

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(000’s except shares)

 

    

(Unaudited)

September 28,
2003


    December 29,
2002


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 19,692     $ 20,967  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     90,759       88,646  

Income taxes payable

     —         1,888  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     110,451       111,501  
    


 


Long-term debt

     581,473       642,937  

Borrowings of consolidated variable interest entities

     95,320       —    

Deferred income taxes

     360,424       345,178  

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     164,323       188,141  

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock ($5 cumulative convertible), par value $5 per share:

                

Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none outstanding

                

Common stock, par value $5 per share:

                

Class A, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued 22,880,491 and 22,652,466 shares

     114,402       113,262  

Class B, authorized 600,000 shares; issued 555,992 shares

     2,780       2,780  

Additional paid-in capital

     29,792       18,504  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (45,197 )     (46,779 )

Unearned compensation

     (12,075 )     (5,506 )

Retained earnings

     987,353       976,993  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,077,055       1,059,254  
    


 


     $ 2,389,046     $ 2,347,011  
    


 


 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

2


Table of Contents

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(000’s except for per share data)

 

     Third Quarter Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
     Sept. 28,
2003


    Sept. 29,
2002


    Sept. 28,
2003


    Sept. 29,
2002


 

Revenues

   $ 205,086     $ 199,942     $ 611,890     $ 603,410  
    


 


 


 


Operating costs:

                                

Production

     89,487       86,069       267,007       257,486  

Selling, general and administrative

     73,089       65,295       218,021       200,174  

Depreciation and amortization

     16,327       16,628       49,976       50,107  
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs

     178,903       167,992       535,004       507,767  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     26,183       31,950       76,886       95,643  
    


 


 


 


Other income (expense):

                                

Interest expense

     (8,409 )     (11,607 )     (26,262 )     (36,961 )

Investment loss – unconsolidated affiliates

     (1,044 )     (4,423 )     (4,552 )     (10,190 )

Other, net

     1,295       32       9,530       2,271  
    


 


 


 


Total other expense

     (8,158 )     (15,998 )     (21,284 )     (44,880 )
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     18,025       15,952       55,602       50,763  

Income taxes

     6,580       6,713       20,297       20,052  
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     11,445       9,239       35,305       30,711  

Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)

     301       272       957       1,087  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (net of income tax benefit of $3,420 in 2003 and $12,188 in 2002)

     (8,079 )     —         (8,079 )     (126,336 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 3,667     $ 9,511     $ 28,183     $ (94,538 )
    


 


 


 


Earnings (loss) per common share:

                                

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   $ 0.50     $ 0.40     $ 1.53     $ 1.34  

Discontinued operations

     0.01       0.01       0.04       0.05  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (0.35 )     —         (0.35 )     (5.51 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 0.16     $ 0.41     $ 1.22     $ (4.12 )
    


 


 


 


Earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution:

                                

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   $ 0.49     $ 0.40     $ 1.51     $ 1.32  

Discontinued operations

     0.01       0.01       0.04       0.05  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (0.34 )     —         (0.34 )     (5.44 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 0.16     $ 0.41     $ 1.21     $ (4.07 )
    


 


 


 


Dividends paid per common share

   $ 0.19     $ 0.18     $ 0.57     $ 0.54  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

3


Table of Contents

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(000’s)

 

     Nine Months Ended

 
     September 28,
2003


    September 29,
2002


 

Operating activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ 28,183     $ (94,538 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss):

                

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     8,079       126,336  

Depreciation and amortization

     50,034       50,180  

Deferred income taxes

     17,710       9,505  

Investment loss—unconsolidated affiliates

     4,552       10,190  

Distribution from unconsolidated newsprint affiliate

     —         4,100  

Write-down of investments

     —         1,160  

Gain on sale of investment

     (5,746 )     —    

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Retirement plan contribution

     (21,000 )     —    

Accounts receivable and inventories

     7,088       14,097  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

     (1,136 )     10,008  

Reduction in advance from unconsolidated newsprint affiliate

     (6,667 )     (3,000 )

Other

     (4,515 )     3,351  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     76,582       131,389  
    


 


Investing activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (19,783 )     (25,869 )

Purchase of businesses

     (375 )     (1,124 )

Proceeds from sale of investment

     16,840       —    

Contribution to unconsolidated newsprint affiliate

     (2,000 )     —    

Purchase of other investments

     (3,185 )     (1,509 )

Other, net

     401       5,432  
    


 


Net cash used by investing activities

     (8,102 )     (23,070 )
    


 


Financing activities:

                

Increase in debt

     216,000       184,000  

Payment of debt

     (277,464 )     (288,094 )

Dividends paid

     (13,328 )     (12,486 )

Other, net

     3,326       9,322  
    


 


Net cash used by financing activities

     (71,466 )     (107,258 )
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,986 )     1,061  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     11,279       9,137  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 8,293     $ 10,198  
    


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

   $ 24,178     $ 35,250  

Income taxes

   $ 8,460     $ 619  

 

See accompanying notes.

 

4


Table of Contents

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.    The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting, and with applicable quarterly reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002.

 

       In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of interim financial information, have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.

 

2.    Inventories are principally raw materials (primarily newsprint).

 

3.    In March 2003, the Company sold its shares of Hoover’s, Inc. (a provider of business information) for $16.8 million and reported a pretax gain of $5.7 million ($3.7 million net of income taxes) which is included in the line item Other, net. Proceeds from the sale were used to repay debt.

 

4.    In January 2003 the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. In general, the Interpretation requires that the assets, liabilities, and activities of a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) be consolidated into the financial statements of the enterprise that has the controlling financial interest. The Company adopted the Interpretation as of the beginning of the third quarter and began consolidating certain VIEs which own real property leased to the Company. Upon adoption, the Company added $86 million of assets (primarily buildings), $94 million of liabilities (primarily debt) and recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8.1 million, (net of $3.4 million in taxes). Additionally, beginning with the third quarter, the Company began recognizing non-cash expense for depreciation and amortization, and reporting as interest expense certain amounts which had previously been reported as rent expense. The Company’s cash flow was not affected by the adoption of this Interpretation but its pre-tax income was reduced by approximately $800,000 in the third quarter.

 

5


Table of Contents

5.    The following table sets forth the Company’s current and prior-year financial performance by segment for 2003:

 

(In thousands)    Publishing

    Broadcasting

    Interactive
Media


    Eliminations

    Total

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2003

                                        

Consolidated revenues

   $ 132,226     $ 70,865     $ 2,612     $ (617 )   $ 205,086  
    


 


 


 


 


Segment operating cash flow

   $ 34,453     $ 20,585     $ (1,396 )           $ 53,642  

Allocated amounts:

                                        

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate

     170                               170  

Depreciation and amortization

     (6,434 )     (5,245 )     (319 )             (11,998 )
    


 


 


 


 


Segment profit (loss)

   $ 28,189     $ 15,340     $ (1,715 )             41,814  
    


 


 


               

Unallocated amounts:

                                        

Interest expense

                                     (8,409 )

Investment loss – SP Newsprint

                                     (1,214 )

Acquisition intangibles amortization

                                     (3,012 )

Corporate expense

                                     (9,575 )

Other

                                     (1,579 )
                                    


Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                                   $ 18,025  
                                    


Three Months Ended September 29, 2002

                                        

Consolidated revenues

   $ 127,313     $ 71,433     $ 1,647     $ (451 )   $ 199,942  
    


 


 


 


 


Segment operating cash flow

   $ 34,150     $ 22,221     $ (1,513 )           $ 54,858  

Allocated amounts:

                                        

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate

     128                               128  

Write-down of investment

                     (1,160 )             (1,160 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (6,792 )     (5,516 )     (216 )             (12,524 )
    


 


 


 


 


Segment profit (loss)

   $ 27,486     $ 16,705     $ (2,889 )             41,302  
    


 


 


               

Unallocated amounts:

                                        

Interest expense

                                     (11,607 )

Investment loss – SP Newsprint

                                     (4,551 )

Acquisition intangibles amortization

                                     (3,035 )

Corporate expense

                                     (8,261 )

Other

                                     2,104  
                                    


Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes

                                   $ 15,952  
                                    


Nine Months Ended September 28, 2003

                                        

Consolidated revenues

   $ 397,598     $ 208,999     $ 7,025     $ (1,732 )   $ 611,890  
    


 


 


 


 


Segment operating cash flow

   $ 102,769     $ 60,933     $ (4,011 )           $ 159,691  

Allocated amounts:

                                        

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate

     346                               346  

Gain on sale of Hoover’s

                     5,746               5,746  

Depreciation and amortization

     (19,698 ))     (16,464 )     (1,192 )             (37,354 )
    


 


 


 


 


Segment profit

   $ 83,417     $ 44,469     $ 543               128,429  
    


 


 


               

Unallocated amounts:

                                        

Interest expense

                                     (26,262 )

Investment loss – SP Newsprint

                                     (4,898 )

Acquisition intangibles amortization

                                     (9,043 )

Corporate expense

                                     (27,674 )

Other

                                     (4,950 )
                                    


Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                                   $ 55,602  
                                    


 

6


Table of Contents
(In thousands)    Publishing

    Broadcasting

   

Interactive

Media


    Eliminations

    Total

 

Nine Months Ended September 29, 2002

                                        

Consolidated revenues

   $ 388,035     $ 212,443     $ 4,238     $ (1,306 )   $ 603,410  
    


 


 


 


 


Segment operating cash flow

   $ 109,284     $ 66,988     $ (4,300 )           $ 171,972  

Allocated amounts:

                                        

Equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliates

     (644 )             (413 )             (1,057 )

Write-down of investment

                     (1,160 )             (1,160 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (20,847 )     (16,348 )     (772 )             (37,967 )
    


 


 


 


 


Segment profit (loss)

   $ 87,793     $ 50,640     $ (6,645 )             131,788  
    


 


 


               

Unallocated amounts:

                                        

Interest expense

                                     (36,961 )

Investment loss – SP Newsprint

                                     (9,133 )

Acquisition intangibles amortization

                                     (8,892 )

Corporate expense

                                     (25,828 )

Other

                                     (211 )
                                    


Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

                                   $ 50,763  
                                    


 

6.    The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share prior to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and discontinued operations:

 

     Quarter Ended September 28, 2003

   Quarter Ended September 29, 2002

(In thousands, except per share amounts)   

Income

(Numerator)


   

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


  

Income

(Numerator)


   

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


Basic EPS

                                       

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders

   $ 11,445     23,074    $ 0.50    $ 9,239     22,990    $ 0.40
                 

               

Effect of dilutive securities

                                       

Stock options

           178                   113       

Restricted stock and other

     (12 )   171             (13 )   122       
    


 
         


 
      

Diluted EPS

                                       

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 11,433     23,423    $ 0.49    $ 9,226     23,225    $ 0.40
    


 
  

  


 
  

     Nine Months Ended September 28, 2003

   Nine Months Ended September 29, 2002

(In thousands, except per share amounts)   

Income

(Numerator)


   

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


  

Income

(Numerator)


   

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


Basic EPS

                                       

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders

   $ 35,305     23,052    $ 1.53    $ 30,711     22,927    $ 1.34
                 

               

Effect of dilutive securities

                                       

Stock options

           140                   173       

Restricted stock and other

     (42 )   154             (40 )   118       
    


 
         


 
      

Diluted EPS

                                       

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 35,263     23,346    $ 1.51    $ 30,671     23,218    $ 1.32
    


 
  

  


 
  

 

 

 

7


Table of Contents

7.    The Company’s comprehensive income consisted of the following:

 

     Quarter Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
(In thousands)   

Sept. 28,

2003


  

Sept. 29,

2002


   

Sept. 28,

2003


   

Sept. 29,

2002


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,667    $ 9,511     $ 28,183     $ (94,538 )

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts (net of deferred taxes)

     1,270      (431 )     3,489       3,372  

Minimum pension liability

                (570 )      

Unrealized holding gain on equity securities (net of deferred taxes)

     1,397      185       2,270       3,283  

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (net of deferred taxes)

                (3,607 )      
    

  


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 6,334    $ 9,265     $ 29,765     $ (87,883 )
    

  


 


 


 

8.    The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation utilizing the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2003 and 2002, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.7% and 4.9%; dividend yields of 1.4% and 1.3%; volatility factors of .40 and .48; and an expected life of 8 years.

 

     Quarter Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   

Sept. 28,

2003


   

Sept. 29,

2002


   

Sept. 28,

2003


   

Sept. 29,

2002


 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ 3,667     $ 9,511     $ 28,183     $ (94,538 )

Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (1,109 )     (890 )     (3,253 )     (3,569 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 2,558     $ 8,621     $ 24,930     $ (98,107 )
    


 


 


 


Earning (loss) per share:

                                

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.16     $ 0.41     $ 1.22     $ (4.12 )
    


 


 


 


Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.11     $ 0.38     $ 1.08     $ (4.28 )
    


 


 


 


Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.16     $ 0.41     $ 1.21     $ (4.07 )
    


 


 


 


Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.11     $ 0.37     $ 1.07     $ (4.23 )
    


 


 


 


 

8


Table of Contents

9.    Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company sold Media General Financial Services, Inc. (MGFS), a component of its Interactive Media Division, to CenterPoint Data, Inc. At the end of the third quarter, MGFS’s net assets were included in Other Assets on the Balance Sheet as an asset held for sale. The Company expects to record an after-tax gain approximating $6.5 million on the sale in the fourth quarter. The following results of MGFS have been presented as income from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

 

     Third Quarter
Ended


   Nine Months
Ended


    

Sept. 28,

2003


  

Sept. 29,

2002


  

Sept. 28,

2003


  

Sept. 29,

2002


Revenue

   $ 1,152    $ 1,211    $ 3,717    $ 4,034

Operating expenses

     679      783      2,213      2,325
    

  

  

  

Income before income taxes

     473      428      1,504      1,709

Income taxes

     172      156      547      622
    

  

  

  

Income from discontinued operations

   $ 301    $ 272    $ 957    $ 1,087
    

  

  

  

 

10.    In the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1.2 million (which was included in Other, net) related to its investment in a company which was developing additional uses for the digital broadcast spectrum. The investee had significantly depleted its initial capital and had initiated a search for additional financing. The investee had not yet produced a commercially viable product although it continued working toward it. The Company did not elect to provide additional funding and determined that its investment had been impaired.

 

11.    Concurrent with the September 2000 sale of Garden State Paper Company, the Company entered into a financial newsprint swap agreement with Enron North America Corporation (Enron). In late November 2001, the Company terminated the newsprint swap agreement for reasons including misrepresentations made by Enron at the time the contract was signed. Enron filed for bankruptcy shortly thereafter. The Company believes that no further payments are due by either party under the agreement. Enron disputes the Company’s position. The Company believes that its position is correct.

 

12.    In August 2001, the Company filed a universal shelf registration for combined public debt or equity securities totaling up to $1.2 billion. The Company’s subsidiaries are 100% owned except for certain VIEs described in Note 4; all subsidiaries except the VIEs currently guarantee the debt securities issued from the shelf. These guarantees are full and unconditional and on a joint and several basis. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows for the parent company, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, together with certain eliminations.

 

9


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

As of September 28, 2003

(In thousands)

 

     Media General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   

Media General

Consolidated


 

ASSETS

                                       

Current Assets:

                                       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,100     $ 3,193    $ —       $ —       $ 8,293  

Accounts receivable, net

     —         102,462      —         —         102,462  

Inventories

     3       6,411      —         —         6,414  

Other

     40,124       61,195      269       (61,010 )     40,578  
    


 

  


 


 


Total current assets

     45,227       173,261      269       (61,010 )     157,747  
    


 

  


 


 


Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     10,055       79,656      —         —         89,711  

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     1,708,593       873,481      5,721       (2,587,795 )     —    

Other assets

     34,044       25,662      1,440       —         61,146  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     21,367       335,026      83,445       (2,400 )     437,438  

Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses, net

     —         832,004      —         —         832,004  

FCC licenses and other intangibles, net

     —         811,000      —         —         811,000  
    


 

  


 


 


Total assets

   $ 1,819,286     $ 3,130,090    $ 90,875     $ (2,651,205 )   $ 2,389,046  
    


 

  


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                       

Current liabilities:

                                       

Accounts payable

   $ 8,125     $ 11,567    $ —       $ —       $ 19,692  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     61,172       90,333      269       (61,015 )     90,759  
    


 

  


 


 


Total current liabilities

     69,297       101,900      269       (61,015 )     110,451  
    


 

  


 


 


Long-term debt

     581,473       —        95,320       —         676,793  

Deferred income taxes

     (61,734 )     422,158      —         —         360,424  

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     155,002       7,534      —         1,787       164,323  

Stockholders’ equity

                                       

Common stock

     117,182       4,872      —         (4,872 )     117,182  

Additional paid-in capital

     29,792       2,027,438      4,187       (2,031,625 )     29,792  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (47,046 )     1,849      —         —         (45,197 )

Unearned compensation

     (12,075 )     —        —         —         (12,075 )

Retained earnings

     987,395       564,339      (8,901 )     (555,480 )     987,353  
    


 

  


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,075,248       2,598,498      (4,714 )     (2,591,977 )     1,077,055  
    


 

  


 


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,819,286     $ 3,130,090    $ 90,875     $ (2,651,205 )   $ 2,389,046  
    


 

  


 


 


 

10


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

As of December 29, 2002

(In thousands)

 

     Media
General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Eliminations

    Media General
Consolidated


 

ASSETS

                               

Current Assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,932     $ 4,347    $ —       $ 11,279  

Accounts receivable, net

     —         112,399      —         112,399  

Inventories

     3       4,098      —         4,101  

Other

     43,088       52,175      (62,490 )     32,773  
    


 

  


 


Total current assets

     50,023       173,019      (62,490 )     160,552  
    


 

  


 


Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

     10,229       83,141      —         93,370  

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     1,765,564       779,747      (2,545,311 )     —    

Other assets

     33,485       34,655      —         68,140  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     22,308       350,411      —         372,719  

Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses, net

     —         832,004      —         832,004  

FCC licenses and other intangibles, net

     —         820,226      —         820,226  
    


 

  


 


Total assets

   $ 1,881,609     $ 3,073,203    $ (2,607,801 )   $ 2,347,011  
    


 

  


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                               

Current liabilities:

                               

Accounts payable

   $ 8,743     $ 12,224    $ —       $ 20,967  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     63,705       87,437      (62,496 )     88,646  

Income taxes payable

     —         1,888      —         1,888  
    


 

  


 


Total current liabilities

     72,448       101,549      (62,496 )     111,501  
    


 

  


 


Long-term debt

     642,937       —        —         642,937  

Deferred income taxes

     (68,579 )     413,757      —         345,178  

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     179,089       9,052      —         188,141  

Stockholders’ equity

                               

Common stock

     116,042       4,872      (4,872 )     116,042  

Additional paid-in capital

     18,504       2,027,672      (2,027,672 )     18,504  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (50,319 )     3,540      —         (46,779 )

Unearned compensation

     (5,506 )     —        —         (5,506 )

Retained earnings

     976,993       512,761      (512,761 )     976,993  
    


 

  


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,055,714       2,548,845      (2,545,305 )     1,059,254  
    


 

  


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,881,609     $ 3,073,203    $ (2,607,801 )   $ 2,347,011  
    


 

  


 


 

11


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Three months Ended September 28, 2003

(In thousands)

 

     Media General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   

Media General

Consolidated


 

Revenues

   $ 40,577     $ 234,453     $ —       $ (69,944 )   $ 205,086  

Operating costs:

                                        

Production

     —         89,487       —         —         89,487  

Selling, general and administrative

     40,345       103,161       —         (70,417 )     73,089  

Depreciation and amortization

     600       15,010       717       —         16,327  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating costs

     40,945       207,658       717       (70,417 )     178,903  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     (368 )     26,795       (717 )     473       26,183  

Operating income (expense):

                                        

Interest expense

     (7,872 )     (1 )     (536 )     —         (8,409 )

Investment income (loss) – unconsolidated affiliates

     170       (1,214 )     —         —         (1,044 )

Investment income (loss) – consolidated affiliates

     7,748       —         —         (7,748 )     —    

Other, net

     1,292       3       473       (473 )     1,295  
    


 


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     1,338       (1,212 )     (63 )     (8,221 )     (8,158 )
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     970       25,583       (780 )     (7,748 )     18,025  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2,697 )     9,277       —         —         6,580  
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     3,667       16,306       (780 )     (7,748 )     11,445  

Income from discontinued operations

     —         301       —         —         301  

Cumulative effect of change in

                                        

accounting principle

     —         —         (8,079 )     —         (8,079 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

     3,667       16,607       (8,859 )     (7,748 )     3,667  

Other comprehensive income (net of tax)

     1,270       1,397       —         —         2,667  
    


 


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 4,937     $ 18,004     $ (8,859 )   $ (7,748 )   $ 6,334  
    


 


 


 


 


 

12


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Nine months Ended September 28, 2003

(In thousands)

 

     Media General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   

Media General

Consolidated


 

Revenues

   $ 120,409     $ 699,873     $ —       $ (208,392 )   $ 611,890  

Operating costs:

                                        

Production

     —         267,007       —         —         267,007  

Selling, general and administrative

     119,708       307,178       —         (208,865 )     218,021  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,863       46,396       717       —         49,976  
    


 


 


 


 


Total operating costs

     122,571       620,581       717       (208,865 )     535,004  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     (2,162 )     79,292       (717 )     473       76,886  

Operating income (expense):

                                        

Interest expense

     (25,721 )     (5 )     (536 )     —         (26,262 )

Investment income (loss) – unconsolidated affiliates

     346       (4,898 )     —         —         (4,552 )

Investment income (loss) – consolidated affiliates

     42,719       —         —         (42,719 )     —    

Other, net

     3,950       5,580       473       (473 )     9,530  
    


 


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     21,294       677       (63 )     (43,192 )     (21,284 )
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     19,132       79,969       (780 )     (42,719 )     55,602  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (9,051 )     29,348       —         —         20,297  
    


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     28,183       50,621       (780 )     (42,719 )     35,305  

Income from discontinued operations

     —         957       —         —         957  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     —         —         (8,079 )     —         (8,079 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

     28,183       51,578       (8,859 )     (42,719 )     28,183  

Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax)

     3,273       (1,691 )     —         —         1,582  
    


 


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 31,456     $ 49,887     $ (8,859 )   $ (42,719 )   $ 29,765  
    


 


 


 


 


 

13


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Three months Ended September 29, 2002

(In thousands)

 

    

Media
General

Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   

Media
General

Consolidated


 

Revenues

   $ 38,778     $ 228,499     $ (67,335 )   $ 199,942  

Operating costs:

                                

Production

     —         86,069       —         86,069  

Selling, general and administrative

     33,602       99,028       (67,335 )     65,295  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,068       15,560       —         16,628  
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs

     34,670       200,657       (67,335 )     167,992  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     4,108       27,842       —         31,950  

Operating income (expense):

                                

Interest expense

     (11,607 )     —         —         (11,607 )

Investment income (loss) – unconsolidated affiliates

     128       (4,551 )     —         (4,423 )

Investment income (loss) – consolidated affiliates

     13,492       —         (13,492 )     —    

Other, net

     1,267       (1,235 )     —         32  
    


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     3,280       (5,786 )     (13,492 )     (15,998 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     7,388       22,056       (13,492 )     15,952  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2,123 )     8,836       —         6,713  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations

     9,511       13,220       (13,492 )     9,239  

Income from discontinued operations

     —         272       —         272  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

     9,511       13,492       (13,492 )     9,511  

Other comprehensive loss (net of tax)

     (165 )     (81 )     —         (246 )
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 9,346     $ 13,411     $ (13,492 )   $ 9,265  
    


 


 


 


 

14


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Nine months Ended September 29, 2002

(In thousands)

 

    

Media General

Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Eliminations

   

Media General

Consolidated


 

Revenues

   $ 116,671     $ 686,467     $ (199,728 )   $ 603,410  

Operating costs:

                                

Production

     —         257,486       —         257,486  

Selling, general and administrative

     108,252       291,650       (199,728 )     200,174  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,247       46,860       —         50,107  
    


 


 


 


Total operating costs

     111,499       595,996       (199,728 )     507,767  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     5,172       90,471       —         95,643  

Operating income (expense):

                                

Interest expense

     (36,931 )     (30 )     —         (36,961 )

Investment loss – unconsolidated affiliates

     (644 )     (9,546 )     —         (10,190 )

Investment income (loss) – consolidated affiliates

     (75,938 )     —         75,938       —    

Other, net

     3,690       (1,419 )     —         2,271  
    


 


 


 


Total other income (expense)

     (109,823 )     (10,995 )     75,938       (44,880 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (104,651 )     79,476       75,938       50,763  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (10,113 )     30,165       —         20,052  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     (94,538 )     49,311       75,938       30,711  

Income from discontinued operations

     —         1,087       —         1,087  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     —         (126,336 )     —         (126,336 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

     (94,538 )     (75,938 )     75,938       (94,538 )

Other comprehensive income (net of tax)

     3,993       2,662       —         6,655  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (90,545 )   $ (73,276 )   $ 75,938     $ (87,883 )
    


 


 


 


 

15


Table of Contents

Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine months Ended September 28, 2003

(In thousands)

 

     Media General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Media General
Consolidated


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 70,253     $ 6,286     $ 43     $ 76,582  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                                

Capital expenditures

     (678 )     (19,105 )     —         (19,783 )

Purchase of business

     —         (375 )     —         (375 )

Proceeds from sale of investment

     —         16,840       —         16,840  

Contribution to unconsolidated affiliate

     —         (2,000 )     —         (2,000 )

Other investments

     —         (3,185 )     —         (3,185 )

Other, net

     16       385       —         401  
    


 


 


 


Net cash used by investing activities

     (662 )     (7,440 )     —         (8,102 )
    


 


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                                

Increase in debt

     216,000       —         —         216,000  

Repayment of debt

     (277,464 )     —         —         (277,464 )

Cash dividends paid

     (13,328 )     —         —         (13,328 )

Other, net

     3,369       —         (43 )     3,326  
    


 


 


 


Net cash used by financing activities

     (71,423 )     —         (43 )     (71,466 )
    


 


 


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,832 )     (1,154 )     —         (2,986 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     6,932       4,347       —         11,279  
    


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,100     $ 3,193     $ —       $ 8,293  
    


 


 


 


 

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Media General, Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine months Ended September 29, 2002

(In thousands)

 

     Media General
Corporate


    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Media General
Consolidated


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 105,041     $ 26,348     $ 131,389  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Capital expenditures

     (1,288 )     (24,581 )     (25,869 )

Purchase of business

     (1,124 )     —         (1,124 )

Other investments

     —         (1,509 )     (1,509 )

Other, net

     5,406       26       5,432  
    


 


 


Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

     2,994       (26,064 )     (23,070 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Increase in debt

     184,000       —         184,000  

Repayment of debt

     (287,989 )     (105 )     (288,094 )

Cash dividends paid

     (12,486 )     —         (12,486 )

Other, net

     9,322       —         9,322  
    


 


 


Net cash used by financing activities

     (107,153 )     (105 )     (107,258 )
    


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     882       179       1,061  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     4,382       4,755       9,137  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 5,264     $ 4,934     $ 10,198  
    


 


 


 

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Item  2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

OVERVIEW

 

Media General is an independent, publicly owned communications company situated primarily in the Southeast with interests in newspapers, television stations, interactive media and diversified information services.

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Third quarter and year-to-date comparative results were substantially impacted by the January 2002 adoption of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and by the July 2003 adoption of FIN 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The adoption of FIN 46 resulted in a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle charge of $8.1 million (net of $3.4 million in taxes). Also influencing the presentation of results this quarter was the Company’s agreement to sell Media General Financial Services, Inc. (MGFS) in the fourth quarter, leading to MGFS’s results being shown as income from discontinued operations for all periods presented. Year-to-date results were also impacted to a much lesser degree by an after-tax gain of $3.7 million ($0.16 per diluted share) attributable to the Company’s sale of its Hoover’s stock to Dun & Bradstreet in the first quarter of 2003. A table adjusting for the above-mentioned items is shown below:

 

     Quarter Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
(In thousands)    Sept. 28,
2003


    Sept. 29,
2002


    Sept. 28,
2003


    Sept. 29,
2002


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,667     $ 9,511     $ 28,183     $ (94,538 )

Adjustments:

                                

Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)

     (301 )     (272 )     (957 )     (1,087 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     8,079       —         8,079       126,336  

Gain on sale of Hoover’s stock (net of tax)

     —         —         (3,660 )     —    
    


 


 


 


Income as adjusted

   $ 11,445     $ 9,239     $ 31,645     $ 30,711  
    


 


 


 


 

The Company’s third-quarter results, as adjusted above, rose $2.2 million (24%) over last year’s equivalent quarter. While a 1.2% increase in divisional results contributed to the enhanced performance, the main source of improvement came from a 28% reduction in interest expense, primarily the result of a decrease in the effective interest rate, and from a reduced loss in the Company’s share of SP Newsprint’s (SPNC) results. Although the Company’s share of SPNC’s results in the quarter was a loss of $1.2 million, this represented a $3.3 million improvement from the prior year’s third-quarter loss. This improvement was realized due to a rise in average newsprint selling price and moderately higher sales volume. The combined effect of increased divisional results, lower interest expense and reduced losses from SPNC, more than offset the absence of last year’s $3 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the former WFLA television studio facility.

 

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The $.9 million increase in adjusted income in the first nine months of this year, as shown in the preceding chart, was the result of a combination of several largely offsetting factors. Improvement was largely spurred by a 29% reduction in interest expense, due to a decrease in the effective rate and to lower average debt outstanding, and by a $4.2 million improvement in the Company’s share of SPNC’s results due to higher realized selling price and increased sales volume. SPNC showed improved performance in the form of a lower year-over-year loss, a decline from $9.1 million in 2002 to $4.9 million in 2003. On the other hand, divisional results were down 7% (excluding the Hoover’s gain) as the Broadcast Division struggled to replace political ad revenues in this off-election year, leading to a 12% year-over-year decline in that Division’s segment operating profit. Other factors negatively impacting divisional results included higher newsprint expense in Publishing and increased employee compensation and benefit costs in all three divisions.

 

PUBLISHING

 

Operating income for the Publishing Division increased $.7 million in the third quarter, but decreased $4.4 million in the year to date from the comparable 2002 periods. The encouraging quarterly results were achieved through solid advertising revenue growth which marked the fourth consecutive quarter of improvement over the prior year in period-over-period comparisons. In the early part of 2003, several items adversely affected the nine-month year-to-date comparisons, including: geopolitical concerns with the escalation of the war in Iraq (which caused some advertisers to cancel or hold back on spending), uncharacteristically harsh winter weather conditions in Virginia and North Carolina, and higher operating expenses.

 

As illustrated by the following chart, all major advertising revenue categories were up in both the third quarter and first nine months of this year, with the exception of Retail. Classified flourished in both periods primarily on the strength of robust automotive and real estate advertising, while National demonstrated improvement on strong financial and healthcare advertising. Preprint advertising remained an outstanding performer on solid volume increases at newspapers across the board. Retail remained relatively flat in the quarter, an improvement over its performance early in the year. While the opening of two new malls in Richmond reinvigorated the retail environment in that immediate area, retail advertising was still sluggish on the whole due primarily to lethargy in the department store category as advertisers continued to remain cautious.

 

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LOGO

 

Publishing Segment operating expenses increased $4.2 million and $15 million in the third quarter and first nine months of this year over the equivalent 2002 periods due to a combination of factors. Newsprint expense was up $1.5 million in the quarter and $3.9 million in the year to date as prices continued their most recent cyclical ascent which began in August of 2002. In the quarter, a $43 per short ton rise in average price generated virtually all of the increase; in the year to date, a $24 per short ton rise in average cost led to a $2.4 million increase and the balance ($1.5 million) was attributable to additional consumption. Employee compensation and benefit costs were up 4.1% in both the quarter and the year to date due to annual salary increases and higher health care and retirement plan expenses. Additionally, operating costs at the Florida properties were up 7.4% and 15.1% in the quarter and nine months, primarily the result of growth plan initiatives in Tampa.

 

In the quarter, results from the Company’s share of The Denver Post Corporation (Denver) remained essentially level with those of the prior-year quarter. A slight improvement in revenues was virtually offset by a comparable rise in operating expenses. In the year to date, the Company’s share of Denver’s results improved $1 million, from a loss of $.6 million in the first nine months of last year to income of $.4 million in the current year. A slight increase in revenues, combined with the absence of certain prior-year expenses associated with the Joint Operating Agreement with the Denver Rocky Mountain News, generated the improved year-over-year comparative results.

 

BROADCAST

 

Broadcast operating income dropped $1.4 million and $6.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 compared to the prior-year periods. The Division faced several challenges in its effort to achieve revenue growth in 2003. First, 2003 is an odd-numbered year, which translates into the absence of Olympic-related advertising and a slow Political advertising year; the Division experienced a $6.1 million decline in Political ad revenues in the quarter and a $10 million drop in the year to date. Second, a turbulent geopolitical environment led to cancellations and delays in advertiser spending, particularly early in the year. Despite these obstacles, Local advertising showed good growth

 

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in both the quarter and year to date on strength in the automotive and furniture categories as the Division continued its concerted efforts to effectively manage and charge for available airtime. National advertising demonstrated solid growth in the quarter (driven by the financial and automotive categories) as advertiser apprehensions subsided and the economy began to stabilize. The following chart illustrates the period-over-period comparisons discussed above.

LOGO

 

The increase in the Broadcast Division’s operating expenses of $.8 million and $2.7 million in the third quarter and first nine months of this year as compared to the equivalent 2002 periods was driven by an 8.4% and 8.8% rise in production costs, primarily the result of higher sales-related expenses associated with revenue enhancement programs in an effort to replace political advertising. Additionally, employee benefit and compensation costs rose 1.5% and 3.1% in the third quarter and first nine months of this year due to higher expenses related to health care, retirement plan and salary increases. The cumulative increase in these expenses more than offset an 8.7% and 10.4% decrease in programming costs as a result of reduced license fees, lower renewal fees for certain programs and several schedule changes.

 

INTERACTIVE MEDIA

 

After the close of the third quarter, the Company completed the sale of MGFS, which led to reporting MGFS’s results as income from discontinued operations for all periods presented. Accordingly, MGFS has been excluded from the discussion of the Company’s Interactive Media Division. Also excluded in the comparisons that follow is the Company’s sale of its share of Hoover’s, Inc., for $16.8 million to Dun & Bradstreet, which produced a gain of $3.7 million (net of income taxes of $2.1 million) late in the first quarter of this year.

 

Absent these items, Interactive Media results improved $1.2 million and $1.4 million in the form of reduced losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2003. Virtually all of this improvement was accounted for by the absence of $1.2 million and $1.6 million of investment losses in the prior-year quarter and year-to-date period. Revenues increased $1 million and $2.8 million in the

 

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third quarter and year-to-date period driven by vigorous Classified advertising as up-sell arrangements continued to thrive across the Division. Under these up-sell arrangements, customers pay an additional fee to have their classified advertisement placed online simultaneously with its publication in the newspaper. Expenses rose commensurately by $1 million and $3 million.

 

The Interactive Media Division has continued to grow and expand its operations since the Division’s inception in January of 2001. This Division remains focused on developing new products, securing and retaining high-quality personnel, invigorating revenues through sales initiatives and enhancing content and design across all the Company’s online enterprises. In May 2003, the Company invested approximately $3 million in NTN Communications, Inc. (NTN). NTN is the only interactive television network in North America that broadcasts multi-player, multi-platform programming to hospitality venues, interactive cable networks, and the Internet.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 

Interest expense decreased $3.2 million and $10.7 million in the quarter and year to date from the equivalent year-ago periods. In the quarter, the decrease was due primarily to a 190 basis point decline in the effective interest rate; in the year to date, an $83 million decline in average debt outstanding combined with a 130 basis point reduction in the effective interest rate to produce the savings. This lower effective interest rate was attributable to a year-over-year drop in LIBOR (which influences interest rates on the Company’s revolving credit facility) and to a lower weighted average fixed interest rate on $200 million of swapped debt as discussed below.

 

The Company uses interest rate swaps (where it pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate) as part of an overall strategy to manage interest cost and risk associated with variable interest rates, primarily short-term changes in LIBOR, not to trade such instruments for profit or loss. During the first quarter of 2003, four of the Company’s swaps with notional amounts totaling $275 million matured; concurrently, four swaps with notional amounts totaling $200 million began. These interest rate swaps are cash flow hedges with maturities in 2004 and 2005 that effectively convert the covered portion of the Company’s variable rate debt to fixed rate debt with a weighted average interest rate approximating 4.3%.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations decreased from approximately 40% in the first nine months of 2002 to approximately 37% in this year to date. The effective rate in 2002 was higher due to the absence of benefits related to a fuels tax credit that will be utilized in the current year.

 

LIQUIDITY

 

In the first nine months of 2003 net cash generated from operating activities of $76.6 million, coupled with pretax proceeds of $16.8 million from the sale of the Hoover’s stock, enabled the Company to make capital expenditures of $19.8 million, to pay dividends to stockholders of $13.3 million, and to reduce debt by $61.5 million. The Company also made a $21 million contribution to a defined benefit retirement plan it sponsors for employees.

 

The Company has in place a $1 billion revolving credit facility and a universal shelf registration which allows for combined public debt or equity issuances totaling a further $1.2 billion (together, the “Facilities”). At the end of the third quarter, the Company had $200 million in senior

 

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notes outstanding under the universal shelf. Additionally, with the adoption of FIN 46 in July 2003, certain leased facilities in Tampa and Richmond which were not on the Company’s balance sheet at the end of the second quarter, are now consolidated. Upon adoption, the Company added $86 million of assets (primarily buildings), $94 million of liabilities (primarily debt) and recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $8.1 million. For additional details on the adoption of FIN 46 see Note 4.

 

The Facilities carry cross-default provisions between the revolving credit and the senior notes. The revolving credit has both interest coverage and leverage ratio covenants. These covenants, which involve debt levels, interest expense, and EBITDA (a measure of 12-month cash earnings as defined in the revolving credit agreement) and exclude the VIEs, can affect the Company’s maximum borrowing capacity under the Facilities. A significant drop in the Company’s EBITDA or a large increase in the Company’s debt level could make it challenging to meet the leverage ratio. However, the Company was in compliance with all covenants at quarter-end and expects to remain in compliance with them going forward. The Company believes that internally generated funds provided by operations, together with the unused portion of the Facilities, provide it with significant flexibility to manage working capital needs, pay dividends, finance capital expenditures, make pension contributions, and take advantage of new strategic opportunities. Additionally, the Company believes that the financial flexibility afforded by the Facilities will allow it to react quickly to opportunities that may arise once challenges to the June 2003 modifications to the FCC cross-ownership and duopoly regulations are resolved.

 

OUTLOOK

 

Broadcast revenue comparisons will continue to be affected throughout the remainder of the year by significantly reduced Political spending in this off-election year. However, apprehension regarding the prevailing economic uncertainty that influenced advertisers’ actions during the first half of 2003 seems to be subsiding. The Company is cautiously optimistic that advertising revenues have begun to turn around and that a recovery is on the horizon, as evidenced by a 4.6% increase in Publishing advertising revenues as well as a 10.5% and 4.8% rise in Local and National advertising in the Broadcast Division in the third quarter. While the slow ascent of newsprint prices since the third quarter of 2002 has impacted operating costs within the Publishing Division, it has been beneficial to SP Newsprint which is expected to show a marked operating performance improvement in the fourth quarter of 2003. By virtue of its investment in SPNC, the Company is a net beneficiary of newsprint price increases. Additionally, the Company anticipates significantly reduced interest expense due to both lower debt levels and effective interest rates. The Company remains focused on advancing its convergence strategy in the Southeast and continues to be guided by the principle of providing long-term value to shareholders.

 

* * * * * *

 

Certain statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements, as that term is defined by the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements related to the impact of new accounting standards and the Internet, the Company’s expectations regarding pending transactions, newsprint prices, advertising levels and the effect of FCC regulations. Forward-looking statements, including those which use words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends” and similar statements, are made as of the date of this report and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.

 

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Some significant factors that could affect actual results include: changes in advertising demand, the availability and pricing of newsprint, changes in interest rates, regulatory rulings and the effects of acquisitions, investments or dispositions on the Company’s results of operations and its financial condition.

 

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect internal controls subsequent to this evaluation.

 

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)     Exhibits

 

  31.1 Section 302 Chief Executive Officer Certification
  31.2 Section 302 Chief Financial Officer Certification
  32.1 Section 906 Chief Executive Officer Certification
  32.2 Section 906 Chief Financial Officer Certification

 

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K

 

On July 17, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K to report the Company’s July 15, 2003, press releases regarding second-quarter results and June revenues.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

   

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

DATE:    November 11, 2003

     

/s/    J. STEWART BRYAN III       

       

J. Stewart Bryan III, Chairman and

       

Chief Executive Officer

DATE:    November 11, 2003

 

/S/    MARSHALL N. MORTON


Marshall N. Morton

       

Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

 

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