0001193125-11-134245.txt : 20110510 0001193125-11-134245.hdr.sgml : 20110510 20110510162138 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-11-134245 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20110331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110510 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110510 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FISHER COMMUNICATIONS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001034669 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS [4833] IRS NUMBER: 910222175 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-22439 FILM NUMBER: 11828478 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 FOURTH AVENUE NORTH STREET 2: SUITE 510 CITY: SEATTLE STATE: WA ZIP: 98109-4932 BUSINESS PHONE: 2064047000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 FOURTH AVENUE NORTH STREET 2: SUITE 510 CITY: SEATTLE STATE: WA ZIP: 98109-4932 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: FISHER COMPANIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970226 10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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 March 31, 2011

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: 0-22439

 

 

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

WASHINGTON   91-0222175
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

140 Fourth Ave. N., Suite 500

Seattle, Washington 98109

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(206) 404-7000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨      Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, $1.25 par value, outstanding as of May 5, 2011: 8,823,830

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

   Financial Statements   

The following Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented for Fisher Communications, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

  
1.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited):
Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
     3   
2.    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited):
March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010
     4   
3.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited):
Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
     5   
4.    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited):
Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
     6   

5.

   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)      7   

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      18   
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      26   
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      26   
PART II   
OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      27   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      27   

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      27   

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities      27   

Item 4.

   (Removed and Reserved)      27   

Item 5.

   Other Information      27   

Item 6.

   Exhibits      28   
SIGNATURES      29   
EXHIBIT INDEX      30   

 

2


Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended March 31,  

(in thousands, except per-share amounts)

       2011             2010      

Revenue

   $ 37,912      $ 35,341   
                

Operating expenses

    

Direct operating costs

     17,757        17,017   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,026        13,546   

Amortization of broadcast rights

     2,970        2,970   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,669        3,650   

Plaza fire reimbursements, net

     (78     (91

Gain on asset exchange, net

     —          (940
                

Total operating expenses

     38,344        36,152   
                

Loss from operations

     (432     (811

Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net

     (110     —     

Other income, net

     80        57   

Interest expense

     (2,247     (2,672
                

Loss before income taxes

     (2,709     (3,426

Benefit for income taxes

     (982     (1,247
                

Net loss

   $ (1,727   $ (2,179
                

Net loss per share (basic and diluted)

   $ (0.20   $ (0.25
                

Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

     8,809        8,786   
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

(in thousands, except share and per-share amounts)

   March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 50,292      $ 52,945   

Receivables, net

     27,903        30,807   

Income taxes receivable

     1,624        1,353   

Deferred income taxes, net

     1,649        1,649   

Prepaid expenses and other

     3,546        2,863   

Cash surrender value of annuity contracts

     —          2,397   

Television broadcast rights

     5,040        7,855   
                

Total current assets

     90,054        99,869   

Cash surrender value of life insurance and annuity contracts

     16,682        16,499   

Goodwill, net

     13,293        13,293   

Intangible assets, net

     40,484        40,543   

Other assets

     7,229        7,376   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     141,411        143,312   
                

Total Assets

   $ 309,153      $ 320,892   
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 3,382      $ 4,044   

Accrued payroll and related benefits

     6,079        7,896   

Interest payable

     355        2,552   

Television broadcast rights payable

     4,815        7,849   

Current portion of accrued retirement benefits

     1,117        1,117   

Other current liabilities

     5,215        4,388   
                

Total current liabilities

     20,963        27,846   

Long-term debt

     98,830        101,440   

Accrued retirement benefits

     18,981        18,982   

Deferred income taxes, net

     428        417   

Other liabilities

     6,409        6,981   
                

Total liabilities

     145,611        155,666   
                

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Common stock, shares authorized 12,000,000, $1.25 par value; 8,823,830 and 8,790,399 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

     11,030        10,988   

Capital in excess of par

     13,254        13,273   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:

    

Accumulated loss

     (2,166     (2,176

Prior service cost

     (90     (100

Retained earnings

     141,514        143,241   
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     163,542        165,226   
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 309,153      $ 320,892   
                

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

    Three months ended March 31,  

(in thousands)

      2011             2010      

Operating activities

   

Net loss

  $ (1,727   $ (2,179

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities

   

Depreciation and amortization

    2,669        3,650   

Deferred income taxes

    10        5   

Amortization of deferred financing fees

    91        111   

Amortization of broadcast rights

    2,970        2,970   

Payments for broadcast rights

    (3,193     (3,050

Gain on exchange of assets, net

    —          (940

Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net

    110        —     

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

    34        161   

Amortization of non-cash contract termination fee

    (365     (365

Loss in operations of equity investees

    50        —     

Stock-based compensation

    300        232   

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net

   

Receivables

    2,904        2,191   

Prepaid expenses and other

    (682     1,886   

Cash surrender value of life insurance and annuity contracts

    2,214        (200

Other assets

    (1     90   

Accounts payable, accrued payroll and related benefits and other current liabilities

    (1,675     2,979   

Interest payable

    (2,197     (2,719

Income taxes receivable and payable

    (272     (1,190

Accrued retirement benefits

    18        16   

Other liabilities

    (158     (140
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,100        3,508   
               

Investing activities

   

Contribution to equity investee

    (4     —     

Net cash in consolidation of equity investee

    —          75   

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (743     (3,259
               

Net cash used in investing activities

    (747     (3,184
               

Financing activities

   

Repurchase of senior notes

    (2,685     —     

Shares settled upon vesting of stock rights

    (349     (104

Payments on capital lease obligations

    (44     (41

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    72        —     
               

Net cash used in financing activities

    (3,006     (145
               

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (2,653     179   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    52,945        43,982   
               

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 50,292      $ 44,161   
               

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

 

    Three months ended March 31,  

(in thousands)

      2011             2010      

Net loss

  $ (1,727   $ (2,179

Other comprehensive income (loss):

   

Accumulated income (loss)

    15        —     

Effect of income taxes

    (5     —     

Prior service cost

    15        15   

Effect of income taxes

    (5     (5
               

Other comprehensive income

    20        10   
               

Comprehensive loss

  $ (1,707   $ (2,169
               

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Fisher Communications, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement have been included in the periods presented. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011, or for any other period. The balance sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (“2010 Form 10-K”).

2. Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K, that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company.

As part of its ongoing review of property, plant and equipment asset lives, the Company determined that the asset lives of certain of its machinery and equipment categories should be increased, the increase in the lives ranged from one to ten years depending on the category. A change in depreciation method is considered a change in accounting estimate and the Company adjusted the remaining lives of existing assets effective January 1, 2011 and as a result the Company expects that future depreciation will be lower than in the prior periods. The impact of this change in estimate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased pre-tax loss from operations by approximately $800,000, decreased net loss by approximately $512,000 and decreased diluted net loss per share by $0.06.

3. Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of these financial assets was determined based on three levels of inputs, of which, the first two levels are considered observable and the last unobservable. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist solely of marketable securities. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the reported fair value of marketable securities, using Level 1 inputs, was $1.0 million. Marketable securities are included in other assets on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all of the Company’s debt was at a fixed rate and totaled $98.8 million and $101.4 million, respectively. The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, using Level 2 inputs, at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $101.5 million and $104.2 million, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt is based on estimates made by investment bankers based on the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate long-term debt. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes do not impact financial position, operations or cash flows.

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

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Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets (in thousands):

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Gross
carrying
amount
     Accumulated
amortization
    Net      Gross
carrying
amount
     Accumulated
amortization
    Net  

Goodwill (1)

   $ 13,293       $ —        $ 13,293       $ 13,293       $ —        $ 13,293   

Intangible assets:

               

Broadcast licenses (1)

   $ 37,430       $ —        $ 37,430       $ 37,430       $ —        $ 37,430   

Other intangible assets

     285         —          285         285         —          285   

Intangible assets subject to amortization (2)

               

Network affiliation agreement

     3,560         (791     2,769         3,560         (732     2,828   
                                                   

Total intangible assets

   $ 41,275       $ (791   $ 40,484       $ 41,275       $ (732   $ 40,543   
                                                   

 

(1) Goodwill and broadcast licenses are considered indefinite-lived assets for which no periodic amortization is recognized. The television and radio broadcast licenses are issued by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and provide the Company with the exclusive right to utilize certain frequency spectrum to air its stations’ programming. While FCC licenses are issued for only a fixed time, renewals of FCC licenses have occurred routinely and at nominal cost. Moreover, the Company has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of its FCC licenses.
(2) Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line basis. Total amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $59,000.

The Company tests goodwill and intangible assets for impairment at least annually, as of October 1st of each year, or whenever events indicate that impairment may exist. The Company has determined that the impairment test should be conducted at the reporting unit level, which, with respect to the broadcast operations, requires separate assessment of each of the Company’s television and radio station groups. The Company determines fair value based on valuation methodologies that include an analysis of market transactions for comparable businesses, discounted cash flows, and a review of the underlying assets of the reporting unit.

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization for the remainder of 2011 and each of the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

 

Year ending December 31,

      

2011

   $ 177   

2012

     236   

2013

     236   

2014

     236   

2015

     236   

2016

     236   

Thereafter

     1,412   
        
   $ 2,769   
        

5. Consulting and License Agreement

In March 2010, the Company entered into a three year consulting and license agreement with ACME Television, LLC (“ACME”) which was effective April 1, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement the Company provides consulting services to ACME’s The Daily Buzz television show and the Company also licenses certain assets of the program in order to produce unique content to be distributed on both traditional broadcast and newly created digital platforms. In conjunction with the agreement, the Company was granted an option to purchase the ownership rights to The Daily Buzz television show until September 30, 2012. Due to the terms of the agreement and uncertainties associated with the exercise of the option agreement, The Daily Buzz television show does not meet the criteria for consolidation. Revenue earned under this agreement is recorded in revenue and programming and other expenses are recorded in operation costs.

6. Local Marketing Agreement

In May 2009, the Company entered into a three year Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) with South Sound Broadcasting LLC (“South Sound”) to manage one of South Sound’s FM radio stations licensed to Oakville, Washington. The station broadcasts the

 

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Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Company’s KOMO NewsRadio programming to FM listeners in the Seattle – Tacoma radio market. In connection with the LMA, the Company entered into an option agreement with South Sound, whereby the Company has the right to acquire the station until May 8, 2012. If the Company does not exercise the option prior to its expiration date, the Company is obligated to pay South Sound up to approximately $1.4 million. Due to the terms of this LMA and the uncertainties associated with the exercise of the option agreement, South Sound does not meet the criteria for consolidation. Advertising revenues earned under this LMA are recorded as revenue and LMA fees and programming expenses are recorded as operating costs.

7. Joint Sales Agreement

In December 2010, the Company entered into a ten year Joint Sales Agreement (“JSA”) with NPG of Idaho, Inc., a subsidiary of News Press & Gazette Company (“NPG”), who owns and operates KIFI-TV an Idaho Falls, Idaho television station which was effective January 1, 2011. Under the agreement NPG provides certain services supporting the operation of the Company’s television station in Idaho Falls, KIDK-TV, and sells substantially all of the commercial advertising on the Company’s station. The Company pays NPG a fixed fee pursuant to the agreement, and a performance bonus based on station performance. Contemporaneously with the JSA, the Company has entered into an option agreement with NPG, whereby NPG has a conditional option to acquire KIDK-TV from the Company until January 1, 2021, effective on the expiration or termination of the indenture governing our senior notes. KIDK-TV is consolidated into the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements because the Company has determined that it is deemed to have a controlling financial interest in KIDK-TV for financial reporting purposes as the Company does maintain ultimate control over the policies and/or operations of the station that could most significantly impact the station. Advertising revenues earned under this JSA are recorded as revenue and JSA fees and programming expenses are recorded as operating costs.

8. Extinguishment of Senior Notes

In the first quarter of 2011, the Company purchased $2.6 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.625% senior notes due in 2014 (“Senior Notes”). The total consideration for the repurchase was $2.7 million in cash plus accrued interest of $78,000. A loss on extinguishment of debt of $110,000 was recorded, including a charge for related unamortized debt issuance costs of $35,000. The loss is presented as “Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not repurchase any of its Senior Notes during the first quarter of 2010.

9. Television and Radio Broadcast Rights and Other Broadcast Commitments

The Company acquires television and radio broadcast rights. The impact of such contracts on the Company’s overall financial results is dependent on a number of factors, including popularity of the program, increased competition from other programming, and strength of the advertising market. It is possible that the cost of commitments for program rights may ultimately exceed direct revenue from the program. Estimates of future revenue can change significantly and, accordingly, are reviewed periodically to determine whether impairment is expected over the life of the contract.

As of March 31, 2011, the Company had commitments under various agreements of $32.8 million for future rights to broadcast television programs, rights to sell available advertising time on third party radio stations and commitments under certain network affiliate agreements.

10. Retirement Benefits

The Company has a noncontributory supplemental retirement program for former executives of the Company. No new participants have been admitted to this program since 2001 and no current executive officers participate in the program. The program provides for vesting of benefits under certain circumstances. Funding is not required, but the Company has made investments in annuity contracts and maintains life insurance policies on the lives of the individual participants to assist in payment of retirement benefits. The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the annuity contracts and life insurance policies; accordingly, the cash value of the annuity contracts and the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies are reported on the consolidated balance sheet in the financial statements and the appreciation is included in the consolidated statement of operations. The supplemental retirement program requires continued employment or disability through the date of expected retirement. The cost of the program is accrued over the average expected future lifetime of the participants.

In June 2005, the program was amended to freeze accrual of all benefits to active participants provided under the program. The Company continues to recognize periodic pension cost related to the program, but the amount is lower as a result of the curtailment.

 

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Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The net periodic pension cost for the Company’s supplemental retirement program is as follows (in thousands):

 

    Three months ended March 31,  
        2011              2010      

Interest cost

  $ 250       $ 254   

Amortization of loss

    22         10   
                

Net periodic pension cost

  $ 272       $ 264   
                

The discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost was 5.22% and 5.57% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

11. Loss per share

Net income (loss) per share is based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Net income (loss) per share assuming dilution is based upon the weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding, including the potentially dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock rights/units issued under the Company’s incentive plans. Common stock options and restricted stock rights/units are converted using the treasury stock method.

Basic and diluted net loss per share has been computed as follows (in thousands, except per-share amounts):

 

    Three months ended March 31,  
        2011             2010      

Net loss

  $ (1,727   $ (2,179
               

Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

    8,809        8,786   
               

Net loss per share (basic and diluted)

  $ (0.20   $ (0.25
               

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the effect of 150,533 restricted stock rights/units and options to purchase 280,087 shares are excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding because such rights/units and options were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the effect of 143,480 restricted stock rights/units and options to purchase 284,721 shares are excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding because such rights/units and options were anti-dilutive.

12. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $300,000 and $232,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

13. Income Taxes

The Company records an income tax provision or benefit based upon its estimated annual effective tax rate, which is estimated at 36% for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

The Company recognizes tax expense related to uncertain tax provisions as part of its income tax provision and recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense. The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for the year 2006 and onward. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had not accrued any amounts for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The determination of the Company’s provision for income taxes and valuation allowance requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. In assessing whether and to what extent deferred tax assets can be realized, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

The Company assesses the likelihood of the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. Consistent with prior years, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against the Company’s state deferred tax assets, as it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit for the deferred tax assets will be recognized based upon all available evidence. As a result, the Company’s

 

10


Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

effective tax rate is not affected by changes in state rates. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on its federal deferred tax assets as management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company’s federal deferred tax assets are realizable. The amount of net deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the future if the Company’s projections of future taxable income are reduced or if the Company does not perform at the levels that it is projecting. This could result in an increase in the Company’s valuation allowance for federal deferred tax assets.

14. Segment Information

The Company reports financial data for three segments: television, radio and Fisher Plaza. The television segment includes the operations of the Company’s 20 owned and/or operated television stations (including a 50%-owned television station) and the Company’s internet business. The radio segment includes the operations of the Company’s eight radio stations and two managed radio stations. The Fisher Plaza segment includes the operations of a communications center located near downtown Seattle that serves as home of the Company’s Seattle television and radio operations, the Company’s corporate offices and third-party tenants. The segment data includes additional allocation of depreciation and certain operating expenses from Fisher Plaza to our television and radio segments, and certain corporate expenses are allocated to our television and radio segments on a pro-rata basis. Other includes corporate and administrative expenses that are not attributable to the operations of the television, radio or Fisher Plaza segments.

Revenue for each segment is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
         2011             2010      

Television

   $ 29,101      $ 26,585   

Radio

     5,218        5,255   

Fisher Plaza

     3,697        3,518   

Other

     (104     (17
                
   $ 37,912      $ 35,341   
                

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, intercompany sales amounted to $104,000 and $17,000, respectively, relating primarily to sales between the Company’s television and radio segments.

Income (loss) from operations for each segment is as follows (in thousands):

 

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Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended March 31,  
         2011             2010      

Television

   $ 2,327      $ 715   

Radio

     (152     (107

Fisher Plaza

     2,058        1,571   

Other

     (4,665     (2,990
                
   $ (432   $ (811
                

Total assets for each segment are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Television

     136,908       $ 141,707   

Radio

     13,872         15,020   

Fisher Plaza

     107,155         108,271   

Other

     51,218         55,894   
                 
   $ 309,153       $ 320,892   
                 

Television segment cash and cash equivalents were approximately $25.4 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Other assets are principally cash and cash equivalents and cash value of life insurance and annuity contracts, income taxes receivable and deferred income taxes.

15. Plaza Fire Reimbursements, Net

In July 2009, an electrical fire contained within a garage level equipment room of the east building of Fisher Plaza disrupted city-supplied electrical service to that building. A third-party investigation concluded that the fire appears to have been caused by a malfunction of bus duct equipment manufactured by a third-party.

The Company recorded the Plaza fire expenses as incurred and recorded insurance reimbursements within operating results in the period the reimbursements are considered probable and certain. During the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded net reimbursements of $78,000 and $91,000, respectively, which is included in Plaza fire reimbursements, net on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. In total, the Company incurred approximately $6.8 million in cash expenditures related to the Plaza fire, comprised of remediation expenses of $3.7 million and capital expenditures of $3.1 million. To date, the Company has received total insurance reimbursements of $5.9 million, which represents substantially all of the Company’s expected reimbursements.

16. Sprint Nextel Asset Exchange

In 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) approved a spectrum allocation exchange between Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Nextel”) and public safety entities to eliminate interference caused to public safety radio licenses by Nextel’s operations.

In order to utilize this spectrum, Nextel is required to relocate broadcasters to new spectrum by replacing all analog equipment currently used by broadcasters with comparable digital equipment. The Company has agreed to accept the substitute equipment that Nextel will provide in all of its markets, and in turn must relinquish its existing equipment back to Nextel. All replacement equipment purchases will be paid for directly by Nextel. All other reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Company in conjunction with the exchange, both internal and external, will be reimbursed by Nextel.

The Company recognized a $940,000 gain for the three months ended March 31, 2010, which is included in gain on asset exchange, net on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. The gain represents the amount of the substitute equipment put into use during the quarter, including installation costs and net of assets disposed. This gain on asset

 

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Table of Contents

Fisher Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

exchange was not reported as a capital expenditure on the statement of cash flows as it was not a cash outflow. The Company did not recognize a gain for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

At March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $84,000 of the substitute equipment that had been received but not yet installed. The $84,000 is recorded as deferred gain in other current liabilities on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. Once the equipment is fully installed and is in use, the deferred gain will be recorded as a gain on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

17. Financial Information for Guarantors

At March 31, 2011, the Company had $98.8 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, senior basis by the current and future material domestic subsidiaries of the Company.

Presented below are unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Also presented are the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The unaudited condensed consolidated information is presented for the Company with its investments in consolidated subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method, the 100%-owned guarantor subsidiaries, eliminations, and the Company on a consolidated basis. The Company (issuer) information consists primarily of corporate oversight and administrative personnel and related activities, as well as certain investments.

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

Revenue

   $ —        $ 37,912      $ —        $ 37,912   

Operating expenses

        

Direct operating costs

     143        17,404        210        17,757   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     5,059        10,177        (210     15,026   

Amortization of program rights

     —          2,970        —          2,970   

Depreciation and amortization

     267        2,402        —          2,669   

Plaza fire reimbursements, net

     —          (78     —          (78

Gain on asset exchange, net

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Total operating expenses

     5,469        32,875        —          38,344   
                                

Income (loss) from operations

     (5,469     5,037        —          (432

Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net

     (110     —          —          (110

Other income, net

     30        50        —          80   

Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     3,234        —          (3,234     —     

Interest expense

     (2,234     (13     —          (2,247
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (4,549     5,074        (3,234     (2,709

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (2,822     1,840        —          (982
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,727   $ 3,234      $ (3,234   $ (1,727
                                

 

13


Table of Contents

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2010

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

Revenue

   $ —        $ 35,341      $ —        $ 35,341   

Operating expenses

        

Direct operating costs

     104        16,859        54        17,017   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2,662        10,938        (54     13,546   

Amortization of program rights

     —          2,970        —          2,970   

Depreciation and amortization

     392        3,258        —          3,650   

Plaza fire reimbursements, net

     —          (91     —          (91

Gain on asset exchange, net

     —          (940     —          (940
                                

Total operating expenses

     3,158        32,994        —          36,152   
                                

Income (loss) from operations

     (3,158     2,347        —          (811

Other income, net

     155        (98     —          57   

Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries

     1,450        —          (1,450     —     

Interest expense

     (2,655     (17     —          (2,672
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (4,208     2,232        (1,450     (3,426

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (2,029     782        —          (1,247
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ (2,179   $ 1,450      $ (1,450   $ (2,179
                                

 

14


Table of Contents

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 24,815      $ 25,477      $ —        $ 50,292   

Receivables, net

     —          27,903        —          27,903   

Due from affiliates

     (62,986     62,986        —          —     

Income taxes receivable

     3,279        (1,655     —          1,624   

Deferred income taxes

     468        1,181        —          1,649   

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,417        2,129        —          3,546   

Television broadcast rights

     —          5,040        —          5,040   
                                

Total current assets

     (33,007     123,061        —          90,054   

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

     292,666        —          (292,666     —     

Cash surrender value of life insurance and annuity contracts

     16,682        —          —          16,682   

Goodwill, net

     —          13,293        —          13,293   

Intangible assets, net

     —          40,484        —          40,484   

Other assets

     2,748        4,481        —          7,229   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     2,407        139,004        —          141,411   
                                

Total Assets

   $ 281,496      $ 320,323      $ (292,666   $ 309,153   
                                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Current Liabilities

        

Accounts payable

   $ 103      $ 3,279      $ —        $ 3,382   

Accrued payroll and related benefits

     1,292        4,787        —          6,079   

Interest payable

     355        —          —          355   

Television broadcast rights payable

     —          4,815        —          4,815   

Current portion of accrued retirement benefits

     1,117        —          —          1,117   

Other current liabilities

     1,470        3,745        —          5,215   
                                

Total current liabilities

     4,337        16,626        —          20,963   

Long-term debt

     98,830        —          —          98,830   

Accrued retirement benefits

     18,981        —          —          18,981   

Deferred income taxes

     (4,115     4,543        —          428   

Other liabilities

     (79     6,488        —          6,409   
                                

Total liabilities

     117,954        27,657        —          145,611   
                                

Stockholders’ Equity

        

Common stock

     11,030        1,131        (1,131     11,030   

Capital in excess of par

     13,254        164,234        (164,234     13,254   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:

        

Accumulated loss

     (2,166     —          —          (2,166

Prior service cost

     (90     —          —          (90

Retained earnings

     141,514        127,301        (127,301     141,514   
                                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     163,542        292,666        (292,666     163,542   
                                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 281,496      $ 320,323      $ (292,666   $ 309,153   
                                

 

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Table of Contents

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2010

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100% Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

ASSETS

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 27,563      $ 25,382      $ —        $ 52,945   

Receivables, net

     —          30,807        —          30,807   

Due from affiliate

     (43,165     43,165        —          —     

Income taxes receivable

     16,938        (15,585     —          1,353   

Deferred income taxes

     467        1,182        —          1,649   

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,543        1,320        —          2,863   

Cash surrender value of annuity contracts

     2,397        —            2,397   

Television broadcast rights

     —          7,855        —          7,855   
                                

Total current assets

     5,743        94,126        —          99,869   

Investment in consolidated subsidiaries

     261,813        —          (261,813     —     

Cash surrender value of life insurance and annuity contracts

     16,499        —          —          16,499   

Goodwill, net

     —          13,293        —          13,293   

Intangible assets, net

     —          40,543        —          40,543   

Other assets

     2,874        4,502        —          7,376   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     2,265        141,047        —          143,312   
                                

Total Assets

   $ 289,194      $ 293,511      $ (261,813   $ 320,892   
                                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

        

Current Liabilities

        

Accounts payable

   $ 96      $ 3,948      $ —        $ 4,044   

Accrued payroll and related benefits

     3,182        4,714        —          7,896   

Interest payable

     2,552        —          —          2,552   

Television broadcast rights payable

     —          7,849        —          7,849   

Current portion of accrued retirement benefits

     1,117        —          —          1,117   

Other current liabilities

     889        3,499        —          4,388   
                                

Total current liabilities

     7,836        20,010        —          27,846   

Long-term debt

     101,440        —          —          101,440   

Accrued retirement benefits

     18,982        —          —          18,982   

Deferred income taxes, net

     (4,126     4,543        —          417   

Other liabilities

     (164     7,145        —          6,981   
                                

Total liabilities

     123,968        31,698        —          155,666   
                                

Stockholders’ Equity

        

Common stock

     10,988        1,131        (1,131     10,988   

Capital in excess of par

     13,273        164,233        (164,233     13,273   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:

        

Accumulated loss

     (2,176     —          —          (2,176

Prior service cost

     (100     —          —          (100

Retained earnings

     143,241        96,449        (96,449     143,241   
                                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     165,226        261,813        (261,813     165,226   
                                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 289,194      $ 293,511      $ (261,813   $ 320,892   
                                

 

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Table of Contents

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three months ended March 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100%
Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 616      $ 484      $ —         $ 1,100   

Investing activities

         

Contribution to equity investee

     —          (4     —           (4

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (402     (341     —           (743
                                 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (402     (345     —           (747
                                 

Financing activities

         

Shares settled upon vesting of stock rights

     (349     —          —           (349

Repurchase of senior notes

     (2,685     —          —           (2,685

Payments on capital lease obligations

     —          (44     —           (44

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     72        —          —           72   
                                 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (2,962     (44     —           (3,006
                                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,748     95        —           (2,653

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     27,563        25,382        —           52,945   
                                 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 24,815      $ 25,477      $ —         $ 50,292   
                                 

Financial Information for Guarantors

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three months ended March 31, 2010

 

(In thousands)

   Fisher
Communications,
Inc.
    100%
Owned
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations      Fisher
Communications,
Inc. and
Subsidiaries
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 355      $ 3,153      $ —         $ 3,508   

Investing activities

         

Net cash in consolidation of equity investee

     —          75        —           75   

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (159     (3,100     —           (3,259
                                 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (159     (3,025     —           (3,184
                                 

Financing activities

         

Shares settled upon vesting of stock rights

     (104          (104

Payments on capital lease obligations

     —          (41     —           (41
                                 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (104     (41     —           (145
                                 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     92        87        —           179   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     8,840        35,142        —           43,982   
                                 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 8,932      $ 35,229      $ —         $ 44,161   
                                 

18. Subsequent Event

In April and May 2011, the Company redeemed $15.0 million and $5.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, respectively, for approximately $20.7 million in cash plus accrued interest. An estimated net loss on extinguishment of debt of $820,000 will be recorded in the second quarter of 2011.

 

17


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Some of the statements in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all passages containing verbs such as “aims”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “hopes”, “intends”, “plans”, “predicts”, “projects” or “targets” or nouns corresponding to such verbs. Forward-looking statements also include any other passages that are primarily relevant to expected future events or that can only be fully evaluated by events that will occur in the future. There are many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in our forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2011. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations. As used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, when we say “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”, we are referring to Fisher Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This discussion is intended to provide an analysis of significant trends and material changes in our financial condition and operating results during the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with the corresponding period in 2010.

Overview

We are an integrated media company. We own and/or operate 13 full power (including a 50%-owned television station) and seven low power television stations and ten owned or managed radio stations. Our television stations are located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California, and our radio stations are located in Washington and Montana. We also own and operate Fisher Plaza, a mixed-use commercial facility located near downtown Seattle that serves as the home for our corporate offices and our Seattle television and radio stations. We lease a majority of the space at Fisher Plaza to a variety of unaffiliated companies.

Our broadcasting operations receive revenue from the sale of local, regional and national advertising and, to a much lesser extent, from retransmission consent fees, tower rental and commercial production activities. Our operating results are, therefore sensitive to broad economic trends that affect the broadcasting industry in general, as well as local and regional trends, particularly those affecting the Pacific Northwest economy. The advertising revenue of our stations is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer advertising in the spring, and retail advertising in the period leading up to and including the holiday season. In addition, advertising revenue is generally higher during national election years due to spending by political candidates and advocacy groups. This political spending typically is heaviest during the fourth quarter.

Our television revenue is significantly affected by network affiliation and the success of programming offered by those networks. Our two largest television stations, KOMO TV and KATU TV, accounted for approximately 60% percent of our television broadcasting revenue in 2011 and are affiliated with the ABC Television Network. We have twelve television stations which are affiliated with one of the four major networks; six of our television stations are affiliated with Univision (Spanish language); and the remainder of our television stations are independent or subscribe to various programming services. We have affiliation agreements with the ABC Television Network with current terms expiring in August 2014. Our affiliation agreements with the CBS Television Network generally expire in February 2016. Our only affiliation agreement with FOX Television Network for KBFX-CA in Bakersfield, California, expired in June 2010. We are currently operating under the terms of the expired agreement as we continue discussions with FOX on the terms of a new agreement. Our affiliation agreement with Univision expires in September 2011. The non-renewal of any of our major network affiliation agreements could adversely affect our business and results. Our broadcasting operations are subject to competitive pressures from traditional broadcasting sources, as well as from alternative methods of delivering information and entertainment, and these pressures may cause fluctuations in operating results.

In addition to our broadcasting operations, we own and operate Fisher Plaza, and we lease space to other companies that are attracted by the property location and infrastructure provided at this facility. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, approximately 96% of Fisher Plaza was occupied or committed for occupancy (41% occupied by Fisher entities). Revenue and operating income from Fisher Plaza are dependent upon the general economic climate, the Seattle economic climate, the outlook of the telecommunications and technology sectors and commercial real estate conditions, including the availability of space in other competing properties.

 

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Management focuses on key metrics from operational data within our broadcasting and Fisher Plaza operations. Information on significant trends is provided in the section entitled “Consolidated Results of Operations.”

Significant Developments

The following significant developments affect the comparability of our financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

Joint Sales Agreement. In December 2010, we entered into a ten year Joint Sales Agreement (“JSA”) with NPG of Idaho, Inc., a subsidiary of News Press & Gazette Company (“NPG”), who owns and operates KIFI-TV, an Idaho Falls, Idaho television station, which was effective January 1, 2011. Under the agreement, NPG provides certain services supporting the operation of our television station in Idaho Falls, KIDK-TV, and sells substantially all of the commercial advertising on our station. We pay NPG a fixed fee pursuant to the agreement, and a performance bonus based on station performance. Contemporaneously with the JSA, we entered into an option agreement with NPG, whereby they have a conditional option to acquire KIDK-TV from us until January 1, 2021, effective on the expiration or termination of the indenture governing our Senior Notes. KIDK-TV is consolidated into our unaudited condensed consolidated statements. We have determined that we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in KIDK-TV for financial reporting purposes as we do maintain ultimate control over the policies and/or operations of the station that could most significantly impact the station. Advertising revenues earned under this JSA are recorded as revenue and JSA fees and programming expenses are recorded as operating costs.

ACME Agreement. In March 2010, we entered into a three year consulting and license agreement with ACME Television, LLC (“ACME”) which was effective April 1, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement we provide consulting services to ACME’s The Daily Buzz television show and we also license certain assets of the program in order to produce unique content to be distributed on both traditional broadcast and newly created digital platforms. In conjunction with the agreement, we were granted an option to purchase the ownership rights to The Daily Buzz television show until September 30, 2012. Due to the terms of the agreement and uncertainties associated with the exercise of our option agreement, The Daily Buzz television show does not meet the criteria for consolidation. Revenue earned under this agreement is recorded in revenue and programming and other expenses are recorded in operating costs.

Repurchase of Senior Notes. In January 2011, we repurchased $2.6 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.625% senior notes due in 2014 for a total consideration of $2.7 million in cash plus accrued interest of $78,000. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt, including a $35,000 charge for related unamortized debt issuance costs, of approximately $110,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates including, but not limited to, those affecting revenue, goodwill, intangibles and television and broadcast rights impairment, the useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, accounts receivable and broadcast rights, stock-based compensation expense, income tax provisions and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form our basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, or if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Many of our estimates or judgments are based on anticipated future events or performance, and as such are forward-looking in nature, and are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Except as otherwise required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise this discussion to reflect any future events or circumstances.

For a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

There have been no material changes in the application of our critical accounting policies and estimates subsequent to that report except for those discussed below. We have discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

As part of our ongoing review of property, plant and equipment asset lives, we determined that the asset lives of certain machinery and equipment categories should be increased, the increase in the lives ranged from one to ten years depending on the category. A change in depreciation method is considered a change in accounting estimate and we adjusted the remaining lives of existing assets effective January 1, 2011 and as a result we expect that future depreciation will be lower than in the prior periods. The

 

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impact of this change in estimate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased our pre-tax loss from operations by approximately $800,000, decreased net loss by approximately $512,000 and decreased diluted net loss per share by $0.06.

Consolidated Results of Operations

We report financial data for three reportable segments: television, radio and Fisher Plaza. The television segment includes the operations of our 20 owned and/or operated television stations (including a 50%-owned television station) and our internet business. The radio segment includes the operations of our eight radio stations and two managed radio stations. The Fisher Plaza segment consists of the operations of Fisher Plaza, a retail, office and communications center located near downtown Seattle that serves as the home of our Seattle-based television and radio operations, our corporate offices and third-party tenants. Fisher-owned entities that reside at Fisher Plaza do not pay rent or common area maintenance expenses. The segment data includes an allocation of depreciation and certain operating expenses from Fisher Plaza to our television and radio segments, and certain corporate expenses are allocated to our television and radio segments on a pro-rata basis. The other segment includes corporate and administrative expenses that are not attributable to the operations of the television, radio or Fisher Plaza segments.

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, including the dollar and percentage variances between such periods. Percentage variances have been omitted where they are not considered meaningful.

 

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     Three months ended
March 31,
    2011-2010
Variance
 
(in thousands)    2011     2010     $     %  

Revenue

        

Television

   $ 29,101      $ 26,585      $ 2,516        9

Radio

     5,218        5,255        (37     -1

Fisher Plaza

     3,697        3,518        179        5

Other

     (104     (17     (87     -512
                                

Consolidated

     37,912        35,341        2,571        7

Direct operating costs

        

Television

     13,823        13,032        791        6

Radio

     2,620        2,417        203        8

Fisher Plaza

     837        1,017        (180     -18

Other

     477        551        (74     -13
                                

Consolidated

     17,757        17,017        740        4

Selling, general and administrative expenses

        

Television

     8,429        8,426        3        0

Radio

     2,615        2,751        (136     -5

Fisher Plaza

     116        241        (125     -52

Other

     3,866        2,128        1,738        82
                                

Consolidated

     15,026        13,546        1,480        11

Amortization of program rights

        

Television

     2,970        2,970        —          0

Radio

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Consolidated

     2,970        2,970        —          0

Depreciation and amortization

        

Television

     1,552        2,382        (830     -35

Radio

     135        194        (59     -30

Fisher Plaza

     764        780        (16     -2

Other

     218        294        (76     -26
                                

Consolidated

     2,669        3,650        (981     -27

Plaza fire reimbursements, net

        

Fisher Plaza

     (78     (91     13        14
                                

Consolidated

     (78     (91     13        14

Gain on asset exchange, net

        

Television

     —          (940     940        100
                                

Consolidated

     —          (940     940        100

Income (loss) from operations

        

Television

     2,327        715        1,612        225

Radio

     (152     (107     (45     -42

Fisher Plaza

     2,058        1,571        487        31

Other

     (4,665     (2,990     (1,675     -56
                                

Consolidated

     (432     (811     379        47

Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net

     (110     —          (110     —     

Other income, net

     80        57        23        40

Interest expense

     (2,247     (2,672     425        16
                                

Loss before income taxes

     (2,709     (3,426     717        21

Benefit for income taxes

     (982     (1,247     265        21
                                

Net loss

   $ (1,727   $ (2,179   $ 452        21
                                

Comparison of Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

Revenue

The following table sets forth our main types of revenue by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010;

 

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     Three months ended March 31,  
     2011     %
change
    % total
revenue
    2010     % total
revenue
 

Core advertising (local and national)

   $ 22,751        9     60   $ 20,952        59

Political

     88        -88     0     752        2

Internet

     1,178        89     3     623        2

Retransmission

     3,302        25     9     2,644        7

Trade, barter and other

     1,782        10     5     1,614        5
                                        

TV

     29,101        9     77     26,585        75

Core advertising (local and national)

     4,918        0     13     4,909        14

Political

     34        -31     0     49        0

Trade, barter and other

     266        -10     1     297        1
                                        

Radio

     5,218        -1     14     5,255        15

Plaza

     3,697        5     10     3,518        10

Other

     (104     512     0     (17     0
                                        

Total Revenue

   $ 37,912        7     100   $ 35,341        100
                                        

Television. Television revenue increased $2.5 million, or 9%, in 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily due to increases in core advertising, continued growth in internet advertising and retransmission revenue.

Automotive-related advertising, one of our largest advertising categories, increased 27% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010. Other categories including professional services (increased 7%) and telecommunications (increased 7%) have also shown improvement as compared to the same period 2010.

Revenue from our ABC-affiliated stations increased 7% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to increases in core advertising and retransmission revenue. Revenue from our CBS-affiliated stations remained flat for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 as a result of growth in local advertising and retransmission revenue, offset by a decline in national advertising revenue.

Radio. Radio revenue declined by 1% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, due to a decrease in political and trade revenue.

Fisher Plaza. Revenue increased 5% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to increased rental revenue and increased fees for our telecom facilities. As of March 31, 2011, approximately 96% of Fisher Plaza was occupied or committed for occupancy (41% was occupied by Fisher entities).

Direct operating costs

Direct operating costs consist primarily of costs to produce and promote broadcast programming for the television and radio segments, and costs to operate Fisher Plaza. Many of these costs are relatively fixed in nature and do not necessarily vary on a proportional basis with revenue.

Direct operating costs for the television segment increased $791,000, or 6%, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increase reflects an increase in costs related to the continued development and expansion of our internet business.

Direct operating costs increased for the radio segment $203,000, or 8%, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increase was primarily due to advertising fees incurred for promotional spots for our Seattle Radio stations.

Direct operating costs decreased at Fisher Plaza $180,000, or 18%, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to timing of planned maintenance activities and tenant reimbursements for utilities.

The other category consists primarily of the reclassification and elimination of certain operating expenses between operating segments. For example, KOMO TV and our Seattle-based radio stations recognize facilities-related expenses as selling, general and administrative expenses, while Fisher Plaza records the reimbursement of these intercompany expenses as a reduction of direct operating costs.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses in our television segment in the three months ended March 31, 2011 slightly increased compared to the same period in 2010 as a result of an increase in bad debt reserve and news rating service costs, offset by a credit related to accrued vacation.

The decrease of $136,000, or 5%, in selling, general and administrative expenses in our radio segment in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily due to a decrease in salaries related to our format change in late 2010 at KVI.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $125,000, or 52%, at Fisher Plaza in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 due to a loss on disposal of assets that was incurred in 2010.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to an increase of $774,000 related to costs incurred as a result of the ongoing proxy contest initiated by FrontFour Capital Group, the resumption of our matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for employees, severance costs and costs associated with our accrued retirement benefits plan.

Amortization of program rights

Amortization of program rights for our television segment was $3.0 million in both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization for our television segment decreased $830,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to the change in fixed asset lives and significantly lower capital expenditures in 2011. Refer to Note 2 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the change in fixed asset lives.

Depreciation and amortization for our radio segment decreased $59,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to the change in fixed asset lives.

Depreciation and amortization for our Fisher Plaza segment decreased $16,000 compared to the same period in 2010.

Other depreciation and amortization decreased $76,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to the change in fixed asset lives.

Plaza fire reimbursements, net

Plaza fire reimbursements, net of $78,000 and $91,000 represent net insurance reimbursements related to the July 2009 Fisher Plaza fire received in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Gain on asset exchange, net

Gain on asset exchange, net was $940,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. This amount represents the substitute equipment received from Sprint Nextel and the costs of installing the equipment. Upon installation and use of the equipment, the gain net of disposals was recorded.

Other income, net

Other income, net, typically consists of interest and other miscellaneous income received. The increase of $23,000, or 40%, in other income, net in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily due to an insurance reimbursement received in March 2011 related to a vehicle damaged in an accident.

Loss on extinguishment of senior notes, net

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we repurchased $2.6 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes for total consideration of $2.7 million in cash plus accrued interest of $78,000. A loss on extinguishment of debt of $110,000 was recorded including a charge for related unamortized debt issuance costs of $35,000. We did not repurchase any of our Senior Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 

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Interest expense

Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our Senior Notes and amortization of the related financing fees. Interest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $425,000 from the same period in 2010, primarily due to the decline of $23.2 million in the outstanding principal balance following our repurchase of Senior Notes during 2010 and 2011.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

Our effective tax rate was 36% for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Our effective tax rate is calculated on the statutory rate of 35%, adjusted for estimated permanent differences, including non-deductible expenses, and changes in discrete or other non-recurring items, including federal or state tax audit adjustments. We record our income tax provision or benefit based upon our estimated annual effective tax rate.

Consistent with prior years, we recorded a full valuation allowance against our state deferred tax assets, as it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit for the deferred tax assets will be recognized based upon all available evidence. As a result, the our effective tax rate is not affected by changes in state rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Our liquidity is primarily dependent upon cash and cash equivalents and net cash generated from operating activities. Our net cash generated from operating activities is sensitive to many factors, including changes in working capital and the timing and magnitude of capital expenditures. Working capital at any specific point in time is dependent upon many variables, including operating results, receivables and the timing of cash receipts and payments.

We expect cash flows from operations and our cash and cash equivalents to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our cash requirements for operations, projected working capital requirements and planned capital expenditures and commitments for at least the next 12 months. In the future, we may obtain a credit facility depending on market conditions and our current needs.

During the second quarter of 2011, we redeemed $20.0 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes for approximately $20.7 million in cash plus accrued interest.

Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were approximately $50.3 million as of March 31, 2011 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $52.9 million as of December 31, 2010. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2.6 million was primarily due to a repurchase of our senior notes of $2.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

As of March 31, 2011, we had outstanding $98.8 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes. See “Description of Indebtedness” below. The Senior Notes Indenture contains certain restrictive and financial covenants applicable to our business, and we analyze our compliance with those covenants on an ongoing basis. We were in compliance with the debt covenant requirements at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Net cash provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of $1.1 million consists of our net loss of $1.7 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $5.9 million, which consisted primarily of depreciation and amortization, amortization of broadcast rights and stock-based compensation, and a $151,000 increase in working capital, which includes $2.4 million received on an annuity contract of a retiree, offset by $3.2 million of payments for broadcast rights.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 of $3.5 million consists of our net loss of $2.2 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $5.8 million, which consisted primarily of depreciation and amortization, amortization of broadcast rights, stock-based compensation, loss on disposal of fixed assets and gain on exchange of assets, offset by $3.1 million of payments for broadcast rights and changes in working capital, most notably the decrease of receivables of $2.2 million, decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $1.9 million, increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $3.0 million, increase in income taxes receivable of $1.2 million and decrease of interest payable of $3.0 million.

Net cash used in investing activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, cash flows used in investing activities of $747,000 consisted primarily of $743,000 in purchases of property, plant and equipment.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, cash flows used in investing activities consisted primarily of $3.3 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment, offset by $75,000 from the consolidation of an equity investee.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $3.0 million primarily due to the retirement of $2.6 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes for total consideration of $2.7 million and net share settlement for employee stock compensation tax withholding obligations of $349,000.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $145,000, which was comprised of payments on capital lease agreements and net share settlement for employee stock compensation tax withholding obligations.

Description of Indebtedness

At March 31, 2011, we had $98.8 million aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes outstanding. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured, senior basis by our current and future material domestic subsidiaries. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The Senior Notes are due on September 15, 2014.

The indenture governing our Senior Notes contains provisions that limit our ability to distribute proceeds from asset sales. In the event that we do not use the proceeds from asset sales for qualifying purposes (as specified in the indenture) within 360 days from the date of sale, we will be required to offer to repurchase outstanding Senior Notes at par value to the extent of such unused proceeds. Under the indenture, qualifying purposes include: (i) repayment of secured indebtedness; (ii) purchase of assets used or useful in our business; (iii) certain acquisitions of other companies; (iv) expenditures used or useful in our business; and (v) certain investments in our company or our subsidiaries. We were in compliance with the debt covenant requirements at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

We are subject to various debt covenants and other restrictions under the indenture, including the requirement for early payments upon the occurrence of certain events, the violation of which could require repayment of the Senior Notes and affect our credit rating and access to other financing.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2010, the FASB issued an exposure draft on lease accounting that would require entities to recognize assets and liabilities arising from lease contracts on the balance sheet. The proposed exposure draft states that lessees and lessors should apply a “right-of-use model” in accounting for all leases. Under the proposed model, lessees would recognize an asset for the right to use the leased asset, and a liability for the obligation to make rental payments over the lease term. The lease term is defined as the longest possible term that is “more likely than not” to occur. The accounting by a lessor would reflect its retained exposure to the risks or benefits of the underlying leased asset. A lessor would recognize an asset representing its right to receive lease payments based on the expected term of the lease. Comments on this exposure draft were due by December 15, 2010 and the final standard is expected to be issued before the end of 2011. We have not yet evaluated the impact, if any, this proposed standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The market risk in our financial instruments represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in financial rates. We are exposed to market risk primarily in the area of interest rates. This exposure is directly related to our normal funding activities.

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all of our debt was at a fixed rate and totaled $98.8 million and $101.4 million, respectively. The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at March 31, 2011 was approximately $101.5 million, which was approximately $2.7 million more than its carrying value. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at December 31, 2010 was approximately $104.2 million, which was approximately $2.8 million more than its carrying value. Market risk is estimated as the potential change in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates and, as of March 31, 2011, amounted to $2.7 million. Fair market values are determined based on market quotes by brokers. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes do not impact financial position, operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of our fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We made no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We intend to continue to refine our internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis, as we deem appropriate with a view towards continuous improvement.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are parties to various claims, legal actions and complaints in the ordinary course of our businesses. In management’s opinion, all such matters are adequately covered by insurance, are without merit or are of such kind, or involve such amounts, that unfavorable disposition would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have not been any material changes to the risk factors set forth in Part 1, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2011.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

10.1+    Summary of Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Program (filed herewith).
10.2+    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice and Agreement for grants made to non-employee directors pursuant to the Fisher Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed herewith).
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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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.

 

  FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Date: May 10, 2011  

/S/    HASSAN N. NATHA        

 

Hassan N. Natha

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Signing on behalf of the registrant and as

Principal Financial Officer)

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

10.1+    Summary of Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Program (filed herewith).
10.2+    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice and Agreement for grants made to non-employee directors pursuant to the Fisher Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed herewith).
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

30

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm SUMMARY OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR EQUITY COMPENSATION PROGRAM SUMMARY OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR EQUITY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Exhibit 10.1

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR

EQUITY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

UNDER THE

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

The following provisions set forth the terms of the equity compensation program (the “Program”) for non-employee directors of Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The following terms are intended to supplement, not alter or change, the provisions of the Plan. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms contained herein and in the Plan, the Plan shall govern. All capitalized terms that are not defined herein shall be as defined in the Plan.

1. Eligibility

Each director of the Company elected or appointed to the Board who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Company or a Related Company (a “Director”) shall be eligible to receive the Awards set forth in the Program.

2. Restricted Stock Unit Grants

(a) Timing and Number of Restricted Stock Units

On the day after the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the day after each Annual Meeting of Shareholders thereafter, each Director shall automatically be granted restricted stock units with a value of $20,000, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date, with any fractional share rounded to the nearest whole share (0.5 to be rounded up) (each, an “Annual Restricted Stock Unit Grant”); provided, that any person who becomes a Director at any time of the year other than the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall receive a pro rata portion of the value of the most recent preceding Annual Restricted Stock Unit Grant, based on the time remaining in the one-year period following the date of the previous Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such grant to be effective on the date he or she becomes a Director.

(b) Vesting of Restricted Stock Units

All restricted stock unit awards granted under the Program shall be fully vested as of the earlier of: (i) the first anniversary of the Grant Date, and (ii) the day prior to the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Shareholders, assuming the Director’s continued service on the Board during such period. In the event of a Director’s termination of service prior to the vesting of restricted stock units, such units shall automatically be forfeited to the Company.

(c) Change in Control

Upon a Change in Control, the restrictions applicable to any restricted stock unit grants shall lapse, and such restricted stock unit grants shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable.

3. Amendment

 

Fisher Communications, Inc. Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Program    1


The Board may amend the provisions contained herein in such respects as it deems advisable. Any such amendment shall not, without the consent of the Director, impair or diminish any rights of a Director or any rights of the Company under an Award.

Provisions of the Plan (including any amendments) not discussed above, to the extent applicable to Directors, shall continue to govern the terms and conditions of Awards granted to Directors

 

Fisher Communications, Inc. Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Program    2
EX-10.2 3 dex102.htm FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD NOTICE AND AGREEMENT FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD NOTICE AND AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.2

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD NOTICE

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to Participant a Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Award”). The Award is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice (the “Award Notice”) and in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and the Fisher Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which are incorporated into the Award Notice in their entirety.

 

Participant:   

 

Grant Date:

                      , 20       

Vesting Commencement Date:

                      , 20       

Number of Restricted Stock Units:

  

 

Vesting Schedule:

  

 

Additional Terms/Acknowledgement: The undersigned Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, the Award Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and the Plan Summary for the Plan. Participant further acknowledges that as of the Grant Date, the Award Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on the subject.

 

FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

   PARTICIPANT
  

 

By:                                                                                                                            

   [Name]

Its:                                                                                                                             

   Taxpayer ID:                                                                                                    
   Address:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                

Attachments:

1. Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

2. Plan Summary


FISHER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Pursuant to your Restricted Stock Unit Award Notice (the “Award Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”), Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Award”) under its Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of Restricted Stock Units indicated in your Award Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of the Award are as follows:

 

1. Vesting

The Award will vest according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Notice (the “Vesting Schedule”). One share of the Company’s Common Stock will be issuable for each Restricted Stock Unit that vests. Restricted Stock Units that have vested and are no longer subject to forfeiture according to the Vesting Schedule are referred to herein as “Vested Units.” Restricted Stock Units that have not vested and remain subject to forfeiture under the Vesting Schedule are referred to herein as “Unvested Units.” The Unvested Units will vest (and to the extent so vested cease to be Unvested Units remaining subject to forfeiture) in accordance with the Vesting Schedule (the Unvested and Vested Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Units”). As soon as practicable, but in any event within 60 days, after Unvested Units become Vested Units, the Company will settle the Vested Units by issuing to you one share of the Company’s Common Stock for each Vested Unit. The Award will terminate and the Unvested Units will be subject to forfeiture upon your Termination of Service as set forth in Section 2.

 

2. Termination of Service; Change in Control

 

  2.1 Termination of Service

Except as provided in Section 2.2 below, upon your Termination of Service for any reason, any portion of the Award that has not vested as provided in Section 1 will immediately terminate and all Unvested Units shall immediately be forfeited without payment of any further consideration to you.

 

  2.2 Change in Control

In the event of a Change in Control after the date of this agreement, any and all Unvested Units shall vest in full immediately.

 

Form of NED RSU Agreement

 


3. Securities Law Compliance

3.1 You represent and warrant that you (a) have been furnished with a copy of the prospectus for the Plan and all information which you deem necessary to evaluate the merits and risks of receipt of the Award, (b) have had the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the information received about the Award and the Company, and (c) have been given the opportunity to obtain any additional information you deem necessary to verify the accuracy of any information obtained concerning the Award and the Company.

3.2 You hereby agree that you will in no event sell or distribute all or any part of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock that you receive pursuant to settlement of this Award (the “Shares”) unless (a) there is an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws covering any such transaction involving the Shares or (b) the Company receives an opinion of your legal counsel (concurred in by legal counsel for the Company) stating that such transaction is exempt from registration or the Company otherwise satisfies itself that such transaction is exempt from registration. You understand that the Company has no obligation to you to maintain any registration of the Shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has not represented to you that it will so maintain registration of the Shares.

3.3 You confirm that you have been advised, prior to your receipt of the Shares, that neither the offering of the Shares nor any offering materials have been reviewed by any administrator under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities act (the “Acts”) and that the Shares cannot be resold unless they are registered under the Acts or unless an exemption from such registration is available.

3.4 You hereby agree to indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and against any loss, claim or liability, including attorneys’ fees or legal expenses, incurred by the Company as a result of any breach by you of, or any inaccuracy in, any representation, warranty or statement made by you in this Agreement or the breach by you of any terms or conditions of this Agreement.

 

4. Transfer Restrictions

Units shall not be sold, transferred, assigned, encumbered, pledged or otherwise disposed of, whether voluntarily or by operation of law.

 

5. No Rights as Shareholder

You shall not have voting or other rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the Units.

 

6. Independent Tax Advice

You acknowledge that determining the actual tax consequences to you of receiving or disposing of the Units and Shares may be complicated. These tax consequences will depend, in part, on your specific situation and may also depend on the resolution of currently

 

Form of NED RSU Agreement

 

-3-


uncertain tax law and other variables not within the control of the Company. You are aware that you should consult a competent and independent tax advisor for a full understanding of the specific tax consequences to you of receiving the Units and receiving or disposing of the Shares. Prior to executing the Award Notice, you either have consulted with a competent tax advisor independent of the Company to obtain tax advice concerning the receipt of the Units and the receipt or disposition of the Shares in light of your specific situation or you have had the opportunity to consult with such a tax advisor but chose not to do so.

 

7. Book Entry Registration of the Shares

The Company will issue the Shares by registering the Shares in book entry form with the Company’s transfer agent in your name and the applicable restrictions will be noted in the records of the Company’s transfer agent and in the book entry system.

 

8. Withholding

8.1 You are ultimately responsible for all taxes owned in connection with this Award (e.g., at vesting and/or upon receipt of the Shares), including any domestic or foreign tax withholding obligation required by law, whether national, federal, state or local, including FICA or any other social tax obligation (the “Tax Withholding Obligation”), regardless of any action the Company or any related corporation takes with respect to any such Tax Withholding Obligation that arises in connection with this Award. The Company may refuse to issue any Shares to you until you satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation.

8.2 You may satisfy your Tax Withholding Obligation by (a) tendering a cash payment to the Company in an amount equal to the Tax Withholding Obligation or (b) electing to pay the taxes independently.

8.3 Notwithstanding the foregoing, by accepting this Agreement and in order to satisfy your obligations set forth in Section 8.1, you understand and agree that you may be required to enter into a trading plan (which complies with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act) with a brokerage firm acceptable to the Company for such purpose (the “Agent”), and to authorize the Agent, to:

 

  (a) sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on your behalf, on or as soon as practicable after the settlement date for any Vested Unit, the minimum number of Shares (rounded up to the next whole number) sufficient to generate proceeds to cover the withholding taxes that you are required to pay pursuant to Section 8.1 upon the settlement of a Vested Unit and all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent; and

 

  (b) remit any remaining funds to you.

8.4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company has the right to retain without notice from Shares issuable under the Award or from

 

Form of NED RSU Agreement

 

-4-


other amounts payable to you, Shares or cash having a value sufficient to satisfy the Tax Withholding Obligation.

 

9. General Provisions

9.1 Assignment. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement at any time, whether or not such rights are then exercisable, to any person or entity selected by the Company’s Board of Directors.

9.2 No Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement will be valid unless in writing and signed by the person against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced, nor will failure to enforce any right hereunder constitute a continuing waiver of the same or a waiver of any other right hereunder.

9.3 Undertaking. You hereby agree to take whatever additional action and execute whatever additional documents the Company may deem necessary or advisable in order to carry out or effect one or more of the obligations or restrictions imposed on either you or the Units pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement.

9.4 Agreement Is Entire Contract. This Agreement, the Award Notice and the Plan constitute the entire contract between the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement is made pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and will in all respects be construed in conformity with the express terms and provisions of the Plan.

9.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the Company and its successors and assigns and you and your legal representatives, heirs, legatees, distributees, assigns and transferees by operation of law, whether or not any such person will have become a party to this Agreement and agreed in writing to join herein and be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.

9.6 No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in this Agreement will affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a related corporation, to terminate your employment or services on behalf of the Company, for any reason, with or without Cause.

9.7 Section 409A Compliance. Payments made pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan are intended to qualify for an exception from or comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Plan Administrator reserves the right, but shall not be required to, unilaterally amend or modify the terms of this Agreement and/or the Plan as it determines necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion, to avoid the imposition of interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Company makes no representation that that the Award shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to the Award.

 

Form of NED RSU Agreement

 

-5-


9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but which, upon execution, will constitute one and the same instrument.

9.9 Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed and administered in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Washington without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

 

Form of NED RSU Agreement

 

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EX-31.1 4 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Colleen B. Brown, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fisher Communications, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2011

 

/s/ Colleen B. Brown

Colleen B. Brown

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 5 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Hassan Natha, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fisher Communications, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2011

 

/s/ Hassan N. Natha

Hassan N. Natha

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1 6 dex321.htm SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 10-Q”), I, Colleen B. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 10, 2011

 

/s/ Colleen B. Brown
Colleen B. Brown
President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-32.2 7 dex322.htm SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Fisher Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 10-Q”), I, Hassan Natha, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  (1) The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

  (2) The information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 10, 2011

 

/s/ Hassan N. Natha
Hassan N. Natha
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer