EX-99.1 2 v27450exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
(FISHER LOGO)
     
CONTACT:
  Colleen B. Brown, President & CEO, Fisher Communications, Inc.
 
  (206) 404-6783 
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2006 IMPROVEMENT
SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)—February 14, 2007—Fisher Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSCI) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and annual periods ended December 31, 2006. During 2006, the Company became profitable for the first time in five years from continuing operations.
The Company reported that revenue increased $8.4 million, or 23 percent, for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, compared to the same quarter in 2005. Political advertising contributed to the revenue increase as well as improved local advertising initiatives for both the English and Spanish language stations. For the full year ended December 31, 2006, revenue increased $17.6 million, or 13 percent, in comparison to 2005.
Fourth quarter income from operations increased to $12.1 million from a loss of $228,000 in the same quarter of 2005. YTD income from operations increased to $19.0 million from a loss of $5.6 million in 2005. Fourth quarter 2005 selling, general and administrative expenses include a $4.3 million non-cash charge to third-party agency commissions. The non-cash contract termination charge was a result of Fisher’s decision in December 2005 to change its national advertising sales agency for television operations. The termination amount will be amortized over the five-year term of the agreements with the successor agency as a decrease to agency expense.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company closed on the sale of 18 out of 24 small-market radio stations located in Montana and Eastern Washington for $26.1 million. The remaining six stations were excluded from the original sale in order to secure FCC approval, but continue to be held for sale. The operating results for this group of stations are reported as discontinued operations.
Also announced in fourth quarter 2006, the Company finalized its purchase of two Oregon television stations for $19.3 million, affected through a like kind exchange of the sold radio properties mentioned above. This transaction was initially announced in December 2005 and included the purchase of two Idaho television stations that was finalized in May 2006.
The Company reported consolidated net income of $16.9 million for fourth quarter 2006. This included both continuing and discontinued operations. Fourth quarter 2006 income from continuing operations was $7.0 million, compared to income from continuing operations for fourth quarter 2005 of $1.6 million. Income from discontinued operations in fourth quarter 2006 of $9.9 million, reflects the after-tax sale gain of $10.0 million, compared to income from discontinued operations of $321,000 in fourth quarter 2005. During the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company dissolved certain wholly owned inactive subsidiaries and recognized a corresponding tax benefit of $3.4 million.
2006 consolidated net income was $16.8 million in comparison to a 2005 consolidated net loss of $5.1 million. Income from continuing operations for the full year ended December 31, 2006 was $6.3 million, compared to a loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $6.1 million. Income from 2006 discontinued operations was $10.6 million, which includes an after-tax gain of $10.0 million, compared to income from 2005 discontinued operations of $1.1 million.
“We are pleased with the outcome of a year filled with aggressive initiatives. The 2006 results and asset alignment have set the foundation for Fisher to build on an attractive business structure going forward,” stated Colleen Brown, President and CEO of Fisher Communications.
###
Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based communications company that owns or manages twelve full power and seven low power television stations and nine radio stations in the Pacific Northwest. The Company owns and operates Fisher Pathways, a satellite and fiber transmission provider, and Fisher Plaza, a media, telecommunications, and data center facility located near downtown Seattle.

 


 

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per-share amounts) Unaudited
                                 
    Year ended     Three months ended  
    December 31     December 31  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Revenue
  $ 154,699     $ 137,086     $ 44,716     $ 36,273  
Costs and expenses Direct operating costs
    52,793       51,145       13,800       13,098  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    53,975       58,713       13,836       18,615  
Amortization of program rights
    18,646       19,959       2,228       2,214  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,277       12,835       2,762       2,574  
 
 
    135,691       142,652       32,626       36,501  
 
Income (loss) from operations
    19,008       (5,566 )     12,090       (228 )
Other income, net
    3,881       3,629       1,067       971  
Interest expense
    (13,956 )     (13,726 )     (3,560 )     (3,485 )
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    8,933       (15,663 )     9,597       (2,742 )
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes
    2,677       (9,532 )     2,562       (4,297 )
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    6,256       (6,131 )     7,035       1,555  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    10,580       1,059       9,905       321  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 16,836     $ (5,072 )   $ 16,940     $ 1,876  
 
 
                               
Income (loss) per share:
                               
From continuing operations
  $ 0.72     $ (0.70 )   $ 0.81     $ 0.18  
From discontinued operations
    1.21       0.12       1.13       0.04  
 
Net income (loss) per share
  $ 1.93     $ (0.58 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.22  
 
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
    8,713       8,678       8,720       8,700  
 
                               
Income (loss) per share assuming dilution:
                               
From continuing operations
  $ 0.72     $ (0.70 )   $ 0.81     $ 0.18  
From discontinued operations
    1.21       0.12       1.13       0.04  
 
Net income (loss) per share
  $ 1.93     $ (0.58 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.22  
 
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution
    8,716       8,678       8,723       8,708  
                 
FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES             
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS    December 31     December 31  
(in thousands) Unaudited    2006     2005  
 
Assets Current assets
  $ 57,058     $ 60,253  
Marketable securities, at market value
    188,307       170,053  
Other assets
    104,005       65,775  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    148,207       144,312  
 
Total assets
  $ 497,577     $ 440,393  
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities
  $ 26,044     $ 24,691  
Long-term debt
    150,000       150,000  
Deferred income taxes
    54,414       31,381  
Other liabilities
    27,554       24,700  
 
Total liabilities
    258,012       230,772  
 
Stockholders’ equity, other than accumulated other comprehensive income
    120,071       102,193  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes
    119,494       107,428  
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    239,565       209,621  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 497,577     $ 440,393