EX-99.1 2 v24932exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
     
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  (FISHER LOGO)
     
CONTACT:
  Colleen B. Brown, President & CEO, Fisher Communications, Inc. (206) 404-6783
IMPROVING RESULTS AT FISHER COMMUNICATIONS AS THIRD QUARTER 2006 RESULTS ANNOUNCED
SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)— November 6, 2006—Fisher Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSCI) today announced financial results for the third quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2006.
The Company reported that revenue from continuing operations increased $3.1 million, or 9 percent, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, compared to the same quarter in 2005. Political advertising contributed to the revenue increase as mid-term election campaigns started to heat up. Total revenue from continuing operations increased $9.2 million, or 9 percent, in the nine months of 2006, in comparison to the first nine months of 2005.
Third quarter income from operations increased to $1.9 million from $304,000 in 2005. YTD income from operations increased to $6.9 million from a loss of $5.3 million in 2005. “Our consistent revenue growth and cost controls enabled us to significantly outperform prior year results,” stated Colleen Brown, President and CEO of Fisher Communications.
The Company reported a loss from continuing operations of $784,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared to a loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 of $1.1 million. The third quarter 2006 net loss includes a tax expense adjustment of $388,000 as a result of an audit of the 2003 federal tax return. Including income from discontinued operations amounting to $113,000, third quarter 2006 consolidated net loss was $671,000. Including income from discontinued operations of $328,000, third quarter 2005 consolidated net loss was $790,000.
The loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $779,000, compared to a loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September

 


 

30, 2005 of $7.7 million. Including income from discontinued operations amounting to $675,000, nine-month 2006 consolidated net loss was $104,000. Including income from discontinued operations of $738,000, nine-month 2005 consolidated net loss was $6.9 million.
As announced on November 1, the Company closed on the sale of eighteen out of twenty-four 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 November, the Company finalized its purchase of two Oregon television stations for $19.3 million, effected 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 TV stations that was finalized in May 2006.
In September 2006, the Company completed the purchase of African-American Broadcasting of Bellevue, Inc., licensee of television station KWOG, in Bellevue, Washington, for $16 million. Fisher purchased 25% of the stock on June 26, 2006 for $4.0 million, and the remaining 75% was purchased in September 2006.
These transactions were funded by a combination of cash flow from operations, proceeds from the sale of the small-market radio stations, and borrowing from a revolving line of credit.
Commenting on the transactions, Brown said, “The sale of our small-market radio stations and the purchase of these affiliated stations in the Seattle, Portland, and Boise markets enable Fisher to leverage the synergies of our emerging cluster of Northwest stations. Furthermore, the purchase of these stations creates an opportunity to enjoy duopoly economics in our key markets and expand our service to the Hispanic community, which is the fastest growing population in the Northwest”.
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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
                                 
    Nine months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands, except per-share amounts) Unaudited   2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Revenue
  $ 109,983     $ 100,813     $ 38,712     $ 35,635  
Costs and expenses
                               
Cost of services sold
    55,411       55,792       20,677       19,877  
Selling expenses
    18,811       17,579       6,544       6,319  
General and administrative expenses
    21,328       22,519       7,145       6,493  
Depreciation and amortization
    7,515       10,261       2,488       2,642  
 
 
    103,065       106,151       36,854       35,331  
 
Income (loss) from operations
    6,918       (5,338 )     1,858       304  
Other income, net
    2,814       2,658       1,047       904  
Interest expense
    (10,396 )     (10,241 )     (3,574 )     (3,466 )
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (664 )     (12,921 )     (669 )     (2,258 )
Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes
    115       (5,235 )     115       (1,140 )
 
Loss from continuing operations
    (779 )     (7,686 )     (784 )     (1,118 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    675       738       113       328  
 
Net loss
  $ (104 )   $ (6,948 )   $ (671 )   $ (790 )
 
 
                               
Income (loss) per share:
                               
From continuing operations
  $ (0.09 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.13 )
From discontinued operations
    0.08       0.09       0.01       0.04  
 
Net loss per share
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.80 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (0.09 )
 
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
    8,711       8,671       8,716       8,695  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    September 30   December 31
(in thousands) Unaudited   2006   2005
 
Assets
               
Current assets
  $ 45,198     $ 60,253  
Marketable securities, at market value
    177,397       170,053  
Other assets
    104,278       65,775  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    147,862       144,312  
 
Total assets
  $ 474,735     $ 440,393  
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities
  $ 46,890     $ 24,691  
Long-term debt
    150,000       150,000  
Deferred income taxes
    34,670       31,381  
Other liabilities
    27,966       24,700  
 
Total liabilities
    259,526       230,772  
 
Stockholders’ equity, other than accumulated other comprehensive income
    103,008       102,193  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes
    112,201       107,428  
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    215,209       209,621  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 474,735     $ 440,393