8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

January 6, 2005

Date of Report

(Date of earliest event reported)

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Washington	000-22439	91-0222175
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File No.)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

100 Fourth Avenue N., Suite 510, Seattle, Washington 98109

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(206) 404-7000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

On January 6, 2005, William W. Krippaehne, Jr. resigned from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”). Mr. Krippaehne also resigned as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. The resignation became effective on January 6, 2005. A press release announcing Mr. Krippaehne’s resignation is attached hereto as exhibit 99.1.

On January 6, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Benjamin W. Tucker, Jr. as the Company’s acting President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tucker, 57, has been President of Fisher Broadcasting Company since 2001. Mr. Tucker was Executive Vice President of Broadcasting Operations of Fisher Broadcasting Company during 2001. He also served as Senior Vice President of Fisher Television Regional Group—Fisher Broadcasting Company from 1999 to 2001 and was Vice President of Retlaw Enterprises, Inc., a broadcasting company, from 1991 to 1999.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press release, dated January 6, 2005.

SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

	FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Dated: January 6, 2005	By	/s/ Robert C. Bateman
		Robert C. Bateman
		Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer

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Exhibit Index

99.1     Press release, dated January 6, 2005.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

CONTACT: Ben Tucker, Fisher Communications, Inc. (206) 404-6042

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WILLIAM W. KRIPPAEHNE JR.

TO DEPART FROM COMPANY, SELECTION OF ACTING PRESIDENT AND CEO

SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)—January 6, 2005—Fisher Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSCI) announced today the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer William W. Krippaehne Jr. Mr. Krippaehne also resigned as a member of Fisher Communication’s Board of Directors. The resignation will become effective on January 6, 2005. Mr. Krippaehne’s resignation was requested by the Board of Directors.

Benjamin W. Tucker, Jr., currently President of Fisher Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of Fisher Communications, will serve as Fisher Communication’s acting President and Chief Executive Officer.

Upon announcing his resignation, Mr. Krippaehne stated, “With the corporate restructuring and refinancing work behind us, it is appropriate for the company to seek new leadership with more direct operating experience in the broadcasting business. After 23 years of service to the company, it is time for me to move on and I wish the employees, management and the Board continued success.”

Phelps K. Fisher, the Chairman of Fisher Communication’s Board of Directors, stated that “We appreciate the many contributions Bill Krippaehne has made to our company and his dedication over the past 23 years and we wish him well.”

Mr. Tucker, 57, has been President of Fisher Broadcasting Company since 2001. Mr. Tucker was Executive Vice President of Broadcasting Operations of Fisher Broadcasting Company during 2001. He also served as Senior Vice President of Fisher Television Regional Group—Fisher Broadcasting Company from 1999 to 2001 and was Vice President of Retlaw Enterprises, Inc., a broadcasting company, from 1991 to 1999. He served as National Association of Broadcasters’ TV Board Chairman in 2000-2001, as Chairman of the CBS Affiliate Advisory Board from 1987 to 1989 and as Chairman of the Network Affiliate Station Alliance from 1994 to 1995.

Mr. Fisher also stated “We are confident in the leadership ability of Ben Tucker to run the day-to-day operations of Fisher Communications and to work with the Board until a new Chief Executive Officer is selected.”

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Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based integrated media company. Its 9 network-affiliated television stations, and a tenth station 50% owned by Fisher Communications, are located in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, and its 27 radio stations broadcast in Washington and Montana. It also owns and operates Fisher Plaza, a facility located near downtown Seattle.