EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

LOGO

 

 

CONTACT:    Rob Bateman, CFO of Fisher Communications, Inc. (206) 404-6776

 

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2004 PROFIT

 

SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)—February 14, 2005—Fisher Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSCI) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and annual periods ended December 31, 2004.

 

Fisher Communications reported net income of $4.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. The significant improvement from the prior period was primarily the result of strong candidate and advocacy advertising leading up to the November 2004 elections. Including income from 2003 asset sales classified within discontinued operations, the Company reported net income of $19.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.

 

Loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $11.8 million, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $14.8 million in 2003. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $12.0 million. Including income from 2003 asset sales classified within discontinued operations, the Company reported net income of $8.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

The Company’s operating results include gains and losses from derivative instruments related directly to prior corporate borrowing agreements that were refinanced in the second half of 2004 through a $150 million placement of senior notes. As a result of the refinancing, Fisher Communications’ debt structure was significantly simplified, debt that was nearing maturity was extended to 2014, and the Company no longer has any derivative instruments outstanding. The derivative instruments had a significant impact on the Company’s operating results. The Company recognized a gain of $0.6 million on derivative instruments in the fourth quarter of 2004, compared to a loss of $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company recognized a loss of $12.7 million on derivative instruments, compared to a loss on derivative instruments of $6.9 million in 2003.

 

Fisher Communication’s revenue in the fourth quarter of 2004 increased 22.6% to $42.3 million, compared to $34.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased 11.2% to $153.9 million, compared to $138.4 million in 2003. The increases in revenue in the 2004 periods were primarily due to strong political advertising and generally improved local advertising, offset by somewhat weaker national television advertising.


“Of course, we are pleased by our strong fourth quarter 2004 results and recognize the efforts of Fisher Communications personnel who create quality local programming and effectively sell results to our advertisers,” stated Ben Tucker, Acting President and CEO of Fisher Communications. “We are focused on delivering consistent and improved results at all of our Northwest-based television and radio operations.”

 

Revenues increased in the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the same periods in 2003; however, total operating expenses decreased in the 2004 periods. These overall decreases in operating expenses were due primarily to certain non-recurring general and administrative expenses incurred in 2003, including retention and pension termination expenses, as well as continued tight controls over expenditures in 2004. These overall declines in general and administrative expenses in the three and twelve-month 2004 periods, as compared to the same periods in 2003, were offset in part by increased expenditures for the Company’s compliance with the internal control documentation and testing provisions relating to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Total revenues include the operations of Fisher Plaza, a communications center located near downtown Seattle that houses the Company’s Seattle radio and television broadcasting operations and its corporate headquarters. Occupancy commitments at Fisher Plaza reached 89% as of December 31, 2004, compared to 70% at December 31, 2003.

 

For further information about Fisher Communications, visit the corporate website at www.fsci.com.

 

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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.


FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Twelve months ended
December 31


    Three months ended
December 31


 

(in thousands, except per-share amounts) Unaudited


   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenue

   $ 153,866     $ 138,387     $ 42,349     $ 34,529  

Costs and expenses

                                

Cost of services sold

     69,123       69,183       15,674       15,075  

Selling expenses

     27,626       25,259       6,769       6,177  

General and administrative expenses

     34,682       39,829       8,589       9,163  

Depreciation and amortization

     16,017       16,180       3,762       4,393  
    


 


 


 


       147,448       150,451       34,794       34,808  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from operations

     6,418       (12,064 )     7,555       (279 )

Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (12,656 )     (6,911 )     589       (7,371 )

Loss from extinguishment of long-term debt

     (5,034 )     (2,204 )     —         (2,204 )

Other income, net

     3,421       6,427       1,174       681  

Interest expense, net

     (11,776 )     (13,081 )     (3,455 )     (4,058 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (19,627 )     (27,833 )     5,863       (13,231 )

Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes

     (7,806 )     (13,029 )     1,315       (7,200 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (11,821 )     (14,804 )     4,548       (6,031 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

     (132 )     23,032       —         25,790  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (11,953 )   $ 8,228     $ 4,548     $ 19,759  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) per share:

                                

From continuing operations

   $ (1.37 )   $ (1.72 )   $ 0.53     $ (0.70 )

From discontinued operations

     (0.02 )     2.68       —         3.00  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share

   $ (1.39 )   $ 0.96     $ 0.53     $ 2.30  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding

     8,617       8,599       8,619       8,597  

Income (loss) per share assuming dilution:

                                

From continuing operations

   $ (1.37 )   $ (1.72 )   $ 0.53     $ (0.70 )

From discontinued operations

     (0.02 )     2.68       —         3.00  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share

   $ (1.39 )   $ 0.96     $ 0.53     $ 2.30  
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution

     8,617       8,599       8,634       8,597  

 

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in thousands) Unaudited


   December 31
2004


   December 31
2003


Assets

             

Current assets

   $ 60,601    $ 53,525

Marketable securities, at market value

     157,102      116,882

Other assets

     67,876      66,435

Property, plant and equipment, net

     150,293      159,843
    

  

Total assets

   $ 435,872    $ 396,685
    

  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

             

Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt

   $ 53    $ 1,526

Other current liabilities

     27,367      28,780

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

     150,000      127,331

Deferred income taxes

     36,133      25,980

Other liabilities

     19,866      25,264
    

  

Total liabilities

     233,419      208,881
    

  

Stockholders’ equity, other than accumulated other comprehensive income

     103,261      114,715

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes

     99,192      73,089
    

  

Total stockholders’ equity

     202,453      187,804
    

  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 435,872    $ 396,685