10-Q 1 cmw2820.htm QUARTERLY REPORT

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: April 1, 2007

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:             1-31805            

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

WISCONSIN
20-0020198
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
or organization)

333 W. State Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

53203
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

414-224-2000
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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer [    ]    Accelerated Filer [ X ]    Non-accelerated Filer [    ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [    ]   No [ X ]

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of April 27, 2007 (excluding 8,676,705 shares of class B common stock held by our subsidiary, The Journal Company):

Class Outstanding at April 27, 2007
Class A Common Stock 47,210,278
Class B Common Stock 16,523,956
Class C Common Stock   3,264,000

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

INDEX

Page No.
       
Part I. Financial Information  

 
Item 1. Financial Statements

 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of
    April 1, 2007 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2006   2

 
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings
    for the First Quarter Ended April 1, 2007 and March 26, 2006   3

 
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statement of
    Shareholders’ Equity for the First Quarter Ended April 1, 2007   4

 
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statements of
    Cash Flows for the First Quarter Ended April 1, 2007
    and March 26, 2006   5

 
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed
    Financial Statements as of April 1, 2007   6

 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
    and Results of Operations 15

 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk 23

 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 23

Part II.
Other Information

 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 23

 
Item 1A. Risk Factors 23

 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 24

 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 24

 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 24

 
Item 5. Other Information 24

 
Item 6. Exhibits 24


1


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

April 1, 2007
December 31, 2006
(unaudited)
ASSETS            
Current assets:  
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 5,849   $ 7,923  
     Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts  
         of $3,879 and $4,075    85,002    92,248  
     Inventories, net    7,092    7,890  
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets    9,645    11,757  
     Deferred income taxes    7,602    11,017  
     Assets of discontinued operations    413    91,932  


     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS    115,603    222,767  

Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation
  
     of $225,380 and $218,875    224,262    223,844  
Goodwill    245,467    245,552  
Broadcast licenses    223,529    196,659  
Other intangible assets, net    26,579    27,068  
Other assets    22,759    39,090  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations    271    278  


     TOTAL ASSETS   $ 858,470   $ 955,258  



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  
Current liabilities:  
     Accounts payable   $ 24,332   $ 31,025  
     Accrued compensation    13,145    18,730  
     Accrued employee benefits    11,180    10,456  
     Deferred revenue    17,319    18,687  
     Accrued income taxes    50,148    4,048  
     Other current liabilities    8,351    18,478  
     Current liabilities of discontinued operations    182    20,647  
     Current portion of long-term liabilities    3,924    4,770  


     TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES    128,581    126,841  

Accrued employee benefits
    33,842    33,749  
Long-term notes payable to banks    105,280    235,000  
Deferred income taxes    54,593    62,089  
Other long-term liabilities    15,387    16,687  

Shareholders’ equity:
  
     Preferred stock, $0.01 par - authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares  
       outstanding at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006    --    --  
     Common stock, $0.01 par:  
      Class C - authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:  
         3,264,000 shares at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006    33    33  
      Class B - authorized 120,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:  
         16,750,627 shares at April 1, 2007 and 18,231,716  
         shares at December 31, 2006    253    268  
      Class A - authorized 170,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:  
         47,518,707 shares at April 1, 2007 and 48,140,935  
         shares at December 31, 2006    475    481  
     Additional paid-in capital    320,668    334,948  
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (17,435 )  (17,114 )
     Retained earnings    325,508    270,991  
     Treasury stock, at cost (8,676,705 class B shares)    (108,715 )  (108,715 )


     TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    520,787    480,892  


     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 858,470   $ 955,258  


Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

2


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

First Quarter Ended
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Continuing Operations:            
Revenue:  
     Publishing   $ 76,095   $ 79,285  
     Broadcasting    51,696    51,638  
     Printing services    16,874    16,310  
     Other    8,166    9,143  


Total revenue    152,831    156,376  

Operating costs and expenses:
  
     Publishing    42,828    42,848  
     Broadcasting    22,395    21,819  
     Printing services    14,165    13,788  
     Other    6,924    7,695  


Total operating costs and expenses    86,312    86,150  
Selling and administrative expenses    49,346    51,103  


Total operating costs and expenses and selling  
     and administrative expenses    135,658    137,253  



Operating earnings
    17,173    19,123  
Other income and expense:  
     Interest income    2    18  
     Interest expense    (2,997 )  (3,650 )


Total other income and (expense)    (2,995 )  (3,632 )



Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
    14,178    15,491  

Provision for income taxes
    5,606    6,126  



Earnings from continuing operations
    8,572    9,365  

Gain from discontinued operations, net of applicable income tax
  
     expense of $41,573 and $1,988, respectively    64,759    2,908  



Net earnings
   $ 73,331   $ 12,273  



Earnings available to class A and B common shareholders
   $ 72,867   $ 11,809  



Earnings per share:
  
     Basic:  
       Continuing operations   $ 0.13   $ 0.13  
       Discontinued operations    0.99    0.04  


       Net earnings   $ 1.12   $ 0.17  



     Diluted:
  
       Continuing operations   $ 0.12   $ 0.13  
       Discontinued operations    0.93    0.04  


       Net earnings   $ 1.05   $ 0.17  


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

3


Journal Communications, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
For the First Quarter Ended April 1, 2007
(dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)

Preferred Common Stock
Additional Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Retained Treasury
Stock,
Comprehensive
Stock
Class C
Class B
Class A
Paid-in-Capital
Income
Earnings
at cost
Total
Income

Balance at December 31, 2006
    $ --   $ 33   $ 268   $ 481   $ 334,948   $ (17,114 ) $ 270,991   $ (108,715 ) $ 480,892      

Net earnings
                            73,331        73,331   $ 73,331  
Amortization of prior service cost,   
        net (gain) loss and transition   
        obligation of pension and   
        post-retirement liabilities   
        (net of tax of $233)                        (321 )          (321 )  (321 )

                                       $ 73,010  

Dividends declared:  
    Class C ($0.142 per share)                            (464 )      (464 )    
    Class B ($0.075 per share)                            (1,289 )      (1,289 )    
    Class A ($0.075 per share)                            (3,615 )      (3,615 )    
Issuance of shares:  
    Conversion of class B to class A            (15 )  15                    --      
    Stock grants                    24                24      
Shares purchased and retired                (21 )  (14,596 )      (13,494 )      (28,111 )    
Adoption of FIN 48                            45        45      
Stock-based compensation                    292        3        295      









Balance at April 1, 2007   $--   $33   $253   $475   $320,668   $(17,435 ) $325,508   $(108,715 ) $520,787      









See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

4


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)

First Quarter Ended
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Cash flow from operating activities:            
     Net earnings   $ 73,331   $ 12,273  
     Less gain from discontinued operations    64,759    2,908  


     Earnings from continuing operations    8,572    9,365  

     Adjustments for non-cash items:
  
         Depreciation    7,225    6,576  
         Amortization    489    488  
         Provision for doubtful accounts    71    (143 )
         Deferred income taxes    (3,847 )  1,107  
         Non-cash compensation    249    225  
         Net gain from disposal of assets    (39 )  --  
         Net operating activities of discontinued operations    2,773    8,310  
         Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effect  
            of sales of businesses:  
               Receivables    7,175    (2,341 )
               Inventories    798    626  
               Accounts payable    (6,693 )  (7,701 )
               Other assets and liabilities    (12,187 )  9,158  


                  NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES    4,585    25,670  

Cash flow from investing activities:
  
     Capital expenditures for property and equipment    (7,855 )  (5,388 )
     Proceeds from sales of assets    63    --  
     Proceeds from sales of businesses    176,395    --  
     Acquisition of businesses    (11,425 )  --  
     Net investing activities of discontinued operations    (641 )  (1,385 )


                  NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR)  
                            INVESTING ACTIVITIES    156,537    (6,773 )

Cash flow from financing activities:
  
     Proceeds from long-term notes payable to banks    99,345    48,837  
     Payments on long-term notes payable to banks    (229,065 )  (53,622 )
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock    --    567  
     Redemption of common stock    (28,111 )  (10,917 )
     Cash dividends    (5,365 )  (4,890 )


                  NET CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVTIES    (163,196 )  (20,025 )



NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (2,704 )  (1,128 )

Cash and cash equivalents:
  
     Beginning of year    7,923    6,864  



     At April 1, 2007 and March 26, 2006
   $ 5,849   $ 5,736  


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

5


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

1 BASIS OF PRESENTATION

  The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Journal Communications, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and reflect normal and recurring adjustments, which we believe to be necessary for a fair presentation. As permitted by these regulations, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. However, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The operating results for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 30, 2007. You should read these unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

2 ACCOUNTING PERIODS

  Our fiscal year is a 52-53 week year ending on the last Sunday of December in each year. In addition, we have four quarterly reporting periods, each consisting of 13 weeks and ending on a Sunday, provided that once every six years, the fourth quarterly reporting period will be 14 weeks.

3 NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

  On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that were not previously allowed.

  Statement No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to apply the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” We will adopt Statement No. 159 in the first quarter of 2008. We do not believe the effect of adopting Statement No. 159 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

4 EARNINGS PER SHARE

  Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to class A and B common shareholders by the weighted average number of class A and B shares outstanding during the period and excludes non-vested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon the assumption that the class C shares outstanding were converted into class A and B shares, common shares are issued upon exercise of certain of our non-statutory stock options, and common shares will be outstanding upon expiration of the vesting periods for our non-vested restricted stock.




6


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

4 EARNINGS PER SHARE continued

  Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed as follows:

First Quarter Ended
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Basic earnings:            
  Earnings from continuing operations   $ 8,572   $ 9,365  
  Discontinued operations    64,759    2,908  


  Net earnings    73,331    12,273  
  Less dividends on class C common stock    (464 )  (464 )


Earnings available to class A and B common shareholders   $ 72,867   $ 11,809  



Weighted average class A and B shares outstanding
    65,257    68,364  

Basic earnings per share:
  
  Continuing operations   $ 0.13   $ 0.13  
  Discontinued operations    0.99    0.04  


  Net earnings   $ 1.12   $ 0.17  



Diluted earnings:
  
  Earnings available to class A and B common shareholders   $ 72,867   $ 11,809  
  Plus dividends on class C common stock    464    464  


  Net earnings   $ 73,331   $ 12,273  



Weighted average class A and B shares outstanding
    65,257    68,364  
Impact of non-vested restricted stock    70    43  
Conversion of class C shares    4,452    4,452  


Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding    69,779    72,859  



Diluted earnings per share:
  
  Continuing operations   $ 0.12   $ 0.13  
  Discontinued operations    0.93    0.04  


  Net earnings   $ 1.05   $ 0.17  



  Each of the 3,264,000 class C shares outstanding is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into either (i) 1.363970 class A shares (or a total of 4,451,998 class A shares) or (ii) 0.248243 class A shares (or a total of 810,265 class A shares) and 1.115727 class B shares (or a total of 3,641,733 class B shares).

5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

  Our 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (Plan) rewards key employees for achieving designated corporate and individual performance goals and allows for issuances to outside directors as part of their board compensation package. In February 2007, our board of directors approved and adopted an amendment to our Plan to provide for the inclusion of stock-settled stock appreciation rights as a permitted form of award under the Plan. Awards to outside directors may be granted in any one or a combination of stock appreciation rights, stock grants, non-statutory stock options, performance unit grants and stock unit grants. Incentive stock options may be granted to employees. Subject to certain adjustments, 6,000,000 shares of our class B common stock are authorized to be issued under the Plan. Not more than 3,000,000 shares of our class B common stock may be issued under the Plan in the form of stock grants, performance unit grants or stock unit grants.

  During the first quarter of 2007, we recognized $348 in stock-based compensation expense, including $96 recorded in gain from discontinued operations. Total income tax benefit recognized related to stock-based compensation for the first quarter of 2007 was approximately $138. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period based upon the fair value of the award on the grant date. There was no impact on cash flows from operating or financing activities associated with stock-based compensation during the first quarter of 2007. As of April 1, 2007, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation awards was approximately $2,653, net of estimated forfeitures, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling and administrative expenses in our consolidated condensed statements of earnings.

7


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION continued

  Non-statutory stock options

  The compensation committee of our board of directors may grant non-statutory stock options to employees and directors at a purchase price equal to at least the fair market value of our class B common stock on the grant date for an exercise term determined by the committee, not to exceed 10 years from the grant date. It is our policy to issue new class B common stock upon the exercise of non-statutory stock options. As of April 1, 2007, there are 5,023,149 shares available for issuance in the form of non-statutory stock options under the Plan.

  In 2003 and 2004, our directors and certain of our employees were granted options to purchase class B common stock. These options become exercisable three years from the grant date and will remain exercisable for a period of up to seven years. There have been no options granted since 2004.

  A summary of stock option activity during the first quarter of 2007 is:

Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Weighted
Average
Contractual Term
(years)


Outstanding at December 31, 2006
     54,250   $ 18.25      
Expired    (2,750 )  19.95  

Outstanding at April 1, 2007    51,500    18.16    3.9  

Exercisable at April 1, 2007    50,000    18.23    3.8  


  The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable at the end of the first quarter is zero because the fair market value of our class B common stock on April 1, 2007 was lower than the weighted average exercise price of the options.

  Stock appreciation right

  A stock appreciation right (SAR) represents the right to receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of our class B common stock on the exercise date over the base value of the SAR, which shall not be less than the fair market value of a share of our class B common stock on the grant date. Each SAR will be settled only in shares of our class B common stock. The term during which any SAR may be exercised will be 10 years from the grant date, or such shorter period as determined by the compensation committee of our board of directors.

  On February 16, 2007, the compensation committee of our board of directors granted a combination of fixed price and escalating price SARs to certain of our named executive officers. Each SAR has a term of 10 years from the date of grant and is subject to annual pro-rata vesting over a three year period. It is our policy to recognize compensation cost for awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award.

  The fixed price SARs have a fixed base value equal to the closing price of our class A common stock on the date of grant. The escalating price SARs have an escalating base value that starts with the closing price of our class A common stock on the date of grant and increases by six percent per year for each year that the SARs remain outstanding, starting on the first anniversary of the grant date.

  Fair value for SARs granted in the first quarter of 2007 was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Dividend yield      2.60 %
Expected volatility    21.00 %
Risk-free rate of return    4.44 %
Expected life of SARs (in years)    6  
Weighted average fair value of fixed price SARs granted   $2.85  
Weighted average fair value of escalating SARs granted   $1.36  

  The expected life was based on the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term.  The risk free rate of return was based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant for the respective life of the SAR. The dividend yield was based on the most recent quarterly dividend payment divided by the average trailing twelve-month daily stock price and annualizing the rate.  The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of our common stock and was benchmarked to our peers’ historical volatility over the same time period.

8


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION continued

  A summary of SAR activity during the first quarter of 2007 is:

SARs
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Weighted
Average
Contractual Term
(years)

Outstanding at December 31, 2006      --   $--    
Granted    608,000    13.73  

Outstanding at April 1, 2007    608,000    13.73    9.9  

Exercisable at April 1, 2007    --    --    --  


  Stock grants

  Each stock grant may be accompanied by restrictions, or may be made without any restrictions, as the compensation committee of our board of directors determines. Such restrictions may include requirements that the participant remain in our continuous employment for a specified period of time, or that we or the participant meet designated performance goals. We value nonvested restricted stock grants at the closing market prices of our class A common stock on the grant date. As of April 1, 2007, there are 2,695,399 shares available for issuance in the form of stock grants under the plan.

  A summary of stock grant activity during the first quarter of 2007 is:

Shares
Weighted
Average
Fair Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2006      126,605   $ 14.15      
Granted    54,928    13.31      
Vested    (15,718 )  14.31      
Forfeited    (2,845 )  13.93      

Outstanding at April 1, 2007    162,970    13.85      

Fully vested at April 1, 2007    121,357    13.86      


  Our nonvested restricted stock grants vest either three or five years from the grant date. We expect our nonvested restricted stock grants to fully vest over the weighted average remaining service period of 2.0 years. The total fair value of shares vesting during the first quarter of 2007 was $225. During the first quarter of 2006, 80,212 vested and nonvested restricted stock grants were issued to our directors and employees at a weighted-average fair value of $12.68, of which 9,217 shares have since vested with a total fair value of $117.

  Employee stock purchase plan

  The 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase our class B common stock at 90% of the fair market value measured as the closing market price of our class A common stock on the day of purchase. We recognize compensation expense equal to the 10% discount of the fair market value. Subject to certain adjustments, 3,000,000 shares of our class B common stock are authorized for sale under this plan. There were no class B common shares sold to employees under this plan in the first quarter of 2007. As of April 1, 2007, there are 2,761,630 shares available for sale under the plan.

9


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

6 INCOME TAXES

  We file tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction, as well as approximately 35 state and local jurisdictions. The statute of limitations for assessing additional taxes is three years for federal purposes and typically between three and four years for state and local purposes. Accordingly, our 2003 through 2006 tax returns are open for federal purposes, and our 2002 through 2006 tax returns still remain open for state tax purposes. Currently, we are under audit in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Kansas.

  On January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48).” As a result of our adoption of FIN 48, we reduced our liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $45 and increased the January 1, 2007 retained earnings balance. As of the date of adoption and after the impact of reducing our liability, we had total unrecognized tax benefits of $3,088, which if recognized, would have an impact on our effective tax rate. It is possible for $772 of unrecognized tax benefits to be recognized within the next 12 months due to the expiration of statute of limitations.

  We recognize penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. We had approximately $1,929 accrued for interest and penalties at January 1, 2007 and we recognized $30 in interest related to unrecognized tax benefits during the first quarter of 2007. It is possible for approximately $103 of interest expense to decrease within the next 12 months due to the expiration of statute of limitations.

  As of April 1, 2007, there have been no material changes to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

7 INVENTORIES

  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out method) or market. Inventories at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following:

April 1, 2007
December 31, 2006
Paper and supplies     $ 6,189   $ 6,577  
Work in process    626    722  
Finished goods    429    784  
Less obsolescence reserve    (152 )  (193 )


Inventories, net   $ 7,092   $ 7,890  


8 NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS

  We have a $475 million unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on June 2, 2011. The interest rate on borrowings is either LIBOR plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 87.5 basis points, depending on our leverage, or the base rate, which equals the higher of the prime rate set by U.S. Bank, N.A. or the Federal Funds Rate plus 100 basis points. As of April 1, 2007, we had borrowings of $105,280 under the facility at a weighted average rate of 5.89%. Fees in connection with the facility of $1,717 are being amortized over the term of the facility using the straight-line method which approximates the effective-interest method.

10


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

9 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

  The components of our net periodic benefit costs for our defined benefit and non-qualified pension plans and our postretirement health benefit plan are as follows:

Pension Benefits
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Service cost     $ 1,150   $ 1,274  
Interest cost    2,173    2,150  
Expected return on plan assets    (2,672 )  (2,552 )
Amortization of:  
  Unrecognized prior service cost    (76 )  (119 )
  Unrecognized net loss    442    574  


Net periodic benefit cost included in total operating costs and  
  expenses and selling and administrative expenses   $ 1,017   $ 1,327  



Other Postretirement Benefits
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Service cost     $ 34   $ 161  
Interest cost    295    444  
Amortization of:  
  Unrecognized prior service cost    (55 )  (27 )
  Unrecognized net transition obligation    137    137  
  Unrecognized net loss    39    193  


Net periodic benefit cost included in total operating costs and  
  expenses and selling and administrative expenses   $ 450   $ 908  



  A pension plan curtailment gain of $390 was recorded as the result of the sale of Norlight Telecommunications, Inc. (Norlight) to Q-Comm Corporation (Q-Comm) on February 26, 2007 and reflects a reduction in future pension benefit accruals for all non-union employees of Norlight. The curtailment gain was recorded in the gain from discontinued operations. Due to this pension plan curtailment, the measurement of the net periodic benefit cost for the remainder of 2007 will be based upon a 5.75% discount rate.

10 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

  Definite-lived Intangible Assets

  Our definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of network affiliation agreements, customer lists and non-compete agreements. We amortize the network affiliation agreements over a period of 25 years based on our good relationships with the networks, our long history of renewing these agreements and because 25 years is deemed to be the length of time before a material modification of the underlying contract would occur. We amortize the customer lists over a period of five to 40 years and the non-compete agreements over the terms of the contracts.

  Amortization expense was $489 for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 and $488 for the first quarter ended March 26, 2006. Estimated amortization expense for our next five fiscal years is $1,948 for 2007, $1,867 for 2008, $1,615 for 2009, $1,562 for 2010 and $1,204 for 2011.

11


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

10 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS continued

  The gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net carrying amount of the major classes of definite-lived intangible assets as of April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are as follows:

Gross
Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Net
Carrying
Amount

As of April 1, 2007                
Network affiliation agreements   $ 26,930   $ (3,062 ) $ 23,868  
Customer lists    19,651    (17,446 )  2,205  
Non-compete agreements    19,450    (19,450 )  --  
Other    3,449    (2,943 )  506  



Total   $ 69,480   $ (42,901 ) $ 26,579  




As of December 31, 2006
  
Network affiliation agreements   $ 26,930   $ (2,796 ) $ 24,134  
Customer lists    19,651    (17,256 )  2,395  
Non-compete agreements    19,450    (19,447 )  3  
Other    3,449    (2,913 )  536  



Total   $ 69,480   $ (42,412 ) $ 27,068  




  Indefinite-lived Intangibles

  Broadcast licenses are deemed to have indefinite useful lives because we have renewed these agreements without issue in the past and we intend to renew them indefinitely in the future. Accordingly, we expect the cash flows from our broadcast licenses to continue indefinitely. Adjustments of $27,258 and ($388) were made to the carrying value of the broadcast licenses for the acquisition of the KMTV-TV FCC license and the divestiture of the KOMJ-AM FCC license, respectively, which occurred contemporaneously on March 27, 2007.

  Goodwill

  The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 is as follows:

Reporting unit Goodwill at
December 31, 2006

Adjustment
Goodwill at
April 1, 2007

Daily newspaper     $ 2,084   $ --   $ 2,084  
Community newspapers & shoppers    26,095    --    26,095  
Broadcasting    216,963    (85 )  216,878  
Direct marketing services    410    --    410  



Total   $ 245,552   $ (85 ) $ 245,467  




  The change to the carrying amount of goodwill in the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 represents the divestiture of KOMJ-AM, Omaha, Nebraska, to Cochise Broadcasting LLC on March 27, 2007.

11 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

  Norlight Telecommunications, Inc.

  On February 26, 2007, Q-Comm acquired 100% of the stock of Norlight, our former telecommunications subsidiary, for $185 million in cash, subject to certain working capital and long-term liability adjustments. Proceeds, net of transaction expenses, were $175.9 million and resulted in a gain on discontinued operations before income taxes of $101.8 million.

  The following table summarizes Norlight’s results of operations which are included in the gain from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of earnings for the first quarters ended April 1, 2007 and March 26, 2006:

April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006

Revenue
    $ 18,452   $ 32,831  
Earnings before income taxes   $ 4,525   $ 4,896  

12


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

11 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS continued

  Norlight’s current assets and current liabilities reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following:

April 1, 2007
December 31, 2006

Receivables
    $ 413   $ 2,614  
Inventories, net    --    934  
Prepaid expenses    --    2,248  
Property and equipment, net    --    83,616  
Goodwill    --    188  
Other intangible assets, net    --    1,099  
Other assets    --    1,228  


Total current assets   $ 413   $ 91,927  



Accounts payable
   $ 109   $ 3,292  
Accrued compensation    --    2,651  
Current portion of long-term liabilities    --    241  
Accrued employee benefits    --    168  
Other liabilities    --    14,212  


Total current liabilities   $ 109   $ 20,564  



  Norlight’s long-term assets and long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2006 were classified as current because the sale was expected to occur within one year. Accordingly, Norlight’s property and equipment and other intangible assets were classified as held-for-sale and were not depreciated or amortized since November 13, 2006, the date the decision was made to sell Norlight.

  NorthStar Print Group, Inc.

  On January 25, 2005, we entered into a definitive asset sale agreement with Multi-Color Corporation pursuant to which Multi-Color Corporation acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of NorthStar Print Group, Inc. (NorthStar), our label printing business. We retained certain real estate and liabilities for environmental clean-up.

  NorthStar’s current and non-current assets and current liabilities reported as discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consisted of the following:

April 1, 2007
December 31, 2006

Receivables
    $ --   $ 5  


Total current assets   $ --   $ 5  



Property and equipment, net
   $ 271   $ 278  


Total non-current assets   $ 271   $ 278  



Accounts payable
   $ 73   $ 83  


Total current liabilities   $ 73   $ 83  



12 SEGMENT INFORMATION

  Our business segments are based on the organizational structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. Our reportable business segments are: (i) publishing; (ii) broadcasting; (iii) printing services; and (iv) other. Our publishing segment consists of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which serves as the only major daily newspaper for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, and 75 community newspapers and shoppers in eight states. Our broadcasting segment consists of 35 radio stations and 10 television stations in 12 states and the operation of one television station under a local marketing agreement. Our interactive media assets include more than 75 online enterprises that are associated with our publishing and broadcasting segments. We also provide a wide range of commercial printing services, including printing of publications, professional journals and documentation material, through our printing services segment. Our other segment consists of a direct marketing services business and corporate expenses and eliminations.

13


JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

12 SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

  The following tables summarize revenue, operating earnings, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures from continuing operations for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007 and March 26, 2006 and identifiable total assets at April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

First Quarter Ended
April 1, 2007
March 26, 2006
Revenue            
Publishing   $ 76,095   $ 79,285  
Broadcasting    51,696    51,638  
Printing services    16,874    16,310  
Other    8,166    9,143  


    $ 152,831   $ 156,376  



Operating earnings
  
Publishing   $ 5,589   $ 7,665  
Broadcasting    9,995    11,586  
Printing services    999    492  
Other    590    (620 )


    $ 17,173   $ 19,123  



Depreciation and amortization
  
Publishing   $ 3,816   $ 3,381  
Broadcasting    3,148    2,999  
Printing services    489    471  
Other    261    213  


    $ 7,714   $ 7,064  



Capital expenditures
  
Publishing   $ 5,388   $ 2,118  
Broadcasting    1,734    2,578  
Printing services    390    575  
Other    343    117  


    $ 7,855   $ 5,388  



April 1, 2007
December 31, 2006
Audited

Identifiable total assets
           
Publishing   $ 206,783   $ 207,849  
Broadcasting    608,422    607,089  
Printing services    20,316    21,998  
Other including corporate and discontinued operations    22,949    118,322  


    $ 858,470   $ 955,258  


14


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

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements for the first quarter ended April 1, 2007, including the notes thereto.

More information regarding us is available at our website at www.journalcommunications.com. We are not including the information contained in our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public at no charge, other than a reader’s own internet access charges, through a link appearing on our website. We provide access to such material through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-Looking Statements

We make certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the information that we incorporate by reference herein) that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in that Act, and we are including this statement for purposes of those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements generally include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected revenues and expenses, expected regulatory actions and plans and objectives of management for future operations. We often use words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “should” and similar expressions in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Among such risks, uncertainties and other factors that may impact us are the following:

changes in advertising demand or the buying strategies of advertisers;
changes in newsprint prices and other costs of materials;
changes in federal or state laws and regulations or their interpretations (including changes in regulations governing the number and types of broadcast and cable system properties, newspapers and licenses that a person may control in a given market or in total);
changes in legislation or customs relating to the collection, management and aggregation and use of consumer information through telemarketing and electronic communication efforts;
the availability of quality broadcast programming at competitive prices;
changes in network affiliation agreements;
quality and rating of network over-the-air broadcast programs, including programs changing networks and changing competitive dynamics regarding how and when programs are made available to our viewers;
effects of the loss of commercial inventory resulting from uninterrupted television news coverage and potential advertising cancellations due to war or terrorist acts;
effects of the rapidly changing nature of the publishing, broadcasting and printing industries, including general business issues, competitive issues and the introduction of new technologies;
changes in interest rates;
the outcome of pending or future litigation;
energy costs;
the availability and effect of acquisitions, investments, and dispositions on our results of operations or financial condition; and
changes in general economic conditions.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which we have made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

Our business segments are based on the organizational structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. Our reportable business segments are: (i) publishing; (ii) broadcasting; (iii) printing services; and (iv) other. Our publishing segment consists of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which serves as the only major daily newspaper for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, and 75 community newspapers and shoppers in eight states. Our broadcasting segment consists of 35 radio stations and 10 television stations in 12 states and the operation of one television station under a local marketing agreement. Our interactive media assets include more than 75 online enterprises that are associated with our publishing and broadcasting segments. We also provide a wide range of commercial printing services, including printing of publications, professional journals and documentation material, through our printing services segment. Our other segment consists of a direct marketing services business and corporate expenses and eliminations.

15


In the first quarter of 2007, we were pleased with the performance of our broadcasting business because we were able to replace $3.3 million of revenue generated from the 2006 Winter Olympics and reflected in the first quarter of 2006 comparable, and we also overcame a decrease in automotive advertising. We also exceeded last year’s quarterly political advertising of $0.5 million through increased political and issue advertising in Wisconsin. We continue to face challenges at our publishing businesses. First quarter advertising revenue at our daily newspaper was disappointing, with weakness in a number of categories including automotive, business and financial services, department stores – due largely to consolidation – and real estate. Even after two years of steep declines, automobile advertising was down 15.7% in the quarter compared to last year. Interactive revenue growth to $3.0 million at the daily newspaper continues to be strong with a 47.4% increase in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006. At our community newspapers and shoppers business, revenue decreased 8.3% and the division posted an operating loss of $0.2 million compared to operating earnings of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. This reflects in large part the product changes that we have made to Community Newspapers (our Milwaukee area publications group) as well as the shift of significant commercial printing to our daily newspaper’s print plant following the closure of our Hartland, Wisconsin facility. Revenue and operating earnings increased at our printing services business, reflecting the successful return to its core printing business.

On February 26, 2007, Q-Comm Corporation (Q-Comm) acquired 100% of the stock of Norlight Telecommunications, Inc. (Norlight), our former telecommunications subsidiary. Proceeds, net of transaction expenses, were $175.9 million. We recorded a gain from discontinued operations of $64.7 million in the first quarter of 2007.

On March 27, 2007, Journal Broadcast Group, our broadcasting subsidiary, completed the sale of KOMJ-AM in Omaha, Nebraska to Cochise Broadcasting LLC and recorded a $0.1 million loss on the sale. The divestiture of KOMJ-AM is part of Journal Broadcast Group’s compliance with the FCC’s cross-ownership rules as a result of our December 2005 agreement to acquire KMTV-TV, Omaha, Nebraska from Emmis Communications Corporation (Emmis). Concurrently with the sale of KOMJ-AM, we completed the purchase of the KMTV-TV FCC license and remitted to Emmis a final purchase payment of $10.0 million.

Results of Operations

  First Quarter Ended April 1, 2007 compared to First Quarter Ended March 26, 2006

  Consolidated Continuing Operations

Our consolidated revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $152.8 million, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 2.3%, compared to $156.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. Our consolidated operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2007 were $86.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.2%, compared to $86.2 million in the first quarter of 2006. Our consolidated selling and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2007 were $49.3 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 3.4%, compared to $51.1 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table presents our total revenue by segment, total operating costs and expenses, selling and administrative expenses and total operating earnings as a percent of total revenue for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
Percent of
Total
Revenue

2006
Percent of
Total
Revenue

(dollars in millions)
Continuing Operations:                    
Revenue:  
Publishing   $ 76.1    49.8 % $ 79.3    50.7 %
Broadcasting    51.7    33.8    51.6    33.0  
Printing services    16.9    11.0    16.3    10.4  
Other    8.1    5.4    9.2    5.9  




     Total revenue    152.8    100.0    156.4    100.0  

Total operating costs and expenses
    86.3    56.5    86.2    55.1  
Selling and administrative expenses    49.3    32.3    51.1    32.7  




Total operating costs and expenses and selling  
   and administrative expenses    135.6    88.8    137.3    87.8  




Total operating earnings   $ 17.2    11.2 % $ 19.1    12.2 %




The decrease in total revenue was due to the a decrease in Olympic advertising revenue at our NBC affiliates, the decrease in retail and classified ROP (run-of-press) advertising at our publishing business, which was driven by a decrease in automotive advertising, and a decrease in postage amounts billed to customers and a decrease in mailing services at our direct marketing services business. These revenue decreases were partially offset by an increase in local advertising revenue at our television stations, an increase in interactive advertising revenue and commercial printing and delivery revenue at our daily newspaper, local advertising revenue at our radio stations and an increase in revenue from the printing of publications and manuals at our printing services business.

16


The increase in total operating costs and expenses was due to costs associated with reducing the web-width of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 50 inches to 48 inches, an increase in news and syndicated programming expenses and depreciation expense at our television stations and an increase in costs associated with the increase in revenue at our printing services business. These cost increases were partially offset by a decrease in postage and freight expense at our direct marketing services business and a decrease in production costs at our community newspapers and shoppers due to the discontinuation of 10 shoppers in late 2006.

The decrease in selling and administrative expenses is primarily due to a decrease in corporate expenses, a decrease in legal, moving and relocation and recruitment expenses at the daily newspaper and a favorable adjustment from the termination of a sublease agreement at our printing services business. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales expenses at our radio and television stations, an increase in promotion expenses at our radio stations and a loss on the sale of KOMJ-AM in Omaha, Nebraska.

Our consolidated operating earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were $17.2 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 10.2%, compared to $19.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. The following table presents our operating earnings by segment for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
Percent of
Total
Operating
Earnings

2006
Percent of
Total
Operating
Earnings

(dollars in millions)

Publishing
    $ 5.6    32.6 % $ 7.6    40.1 %
Broadcasting    10.0    58.2    11.6    60.6  
Printing services    1.0    5.8    0.5    2.5  
Other    0.6    3.4    (0.6 )  (3.2 )




Total operating earnings   $ 17.2    100.0 % $ 19.1    100.0 %




The decrease in total operating earnings was primarily due to the operating earnings impact from the decrease in television advertising revenue and the increase in programming expenses associated with additional newscasts at our television stations and a decrease in retail and classified ROP advertising revenue at our publishing businesses. Partially offsetting these operating earnings decreases was the decrease in corporate expenses and the revenue increase at our printing services business.

Our consolidated EBITDA in the first quarter of 2007 was $24.9 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 5.0%, compared to $26.2 million in the first quarter of 2006. We define EBITDA as net earnings excluding gain from discontinued operations, net, provision for income taxes, total other expense (which is entirely comprised of interest income and expense), depreciation and amortization. Our management uses EBITDA, among other things, to evaluate our operating performance and to value prospective acquisitions. EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net earnings as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures reported by other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of our consolidated net earnings to consolidated EBITDA for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
(dollars in millions)

Net earnings
    $ 73.3   $ 12.3  
Gain from discontinued operations, net    (64.7 )  (2.9 )
Provision for income taxes    5.6    6.1  
Total other expense, net    3.0    3.6  
Depreciation    7.2    6.6  
Amortization    0.5    0.5  


EBITDA   $ 24.9   $ 26.2  


The decrease in EBITDA is consistent with decreases in operating earnings in our publishing and broadcasting segments, partially offset by an increase in operating earnings at our other and printing services segments for the reasons described above.

17


  Publishing

Revenue from publishing in the first quarter of 2007 was $76.1 million, a decrease of $3.2 million, or 4.0%, compared to $79.3 million in the first quarter of 2006. Operating earnings from publishing were $5.6 million, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 27.1%, compared to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table presents our publishing revenue by category and operating earnings for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
Daily
Newspaper

Community
Newspapers
& Shoppers

Total
Daily
Newspaper

Community
Newspapers
& Shoppers

Total
Percent
Change

(dollars in millions)
Advertising revenue:                                
   Retail   $ 20.8   $ 11.1   $ 31.9   $ 21.3   $ 12.3   $ 33.6    (5.1 )
   Classified    15.5    2.1    17.6    16.4    2.4    18.8    (6.5 )
   National    2.4    --    2.4    2.5    --    2.5    (2.3 )
   Direct Marketing    1.1    --    1.1    1.4    --    1.4    (21.8 )
   Other    --    0.3    0.3    --    0.4    0.4    (20.7 )






Total advertising revenue..    39.8    13.5    53.3    41.6    15.1    56.7    (6.0 )
Circulation revenue    12.7    0.5    13.2    13.0    0.7    13.7    (3.8 )
Other revenue    3.9    5.7    9.6    3.2    5.7    8.9    8.1  






Total revenue   $ 56.4   $ 19.7   $ 76.1   $ 57.8   $ 21.5   $ 79.3    (4.0 )







Operating earnings
   $ 5.8   $ (0.2 ) $ 5.6   $ 6.6   $ 1.0   $ 7.6    (27.1 )






Advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2007 accounted for 70.0% of total publishing revenue compared to 71.5% in the first quarter of 2006.

Retail advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $31.9 million, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 5.1%, compared to $33.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. The $1.2 million decrease at our community newspapers and shoppers was due to a mid-week shared mail product previously reported by that division and now reported under the daily newspaper following a business combination of the two divisions’ shared mail products and a decrease in automotive advertising. The $0.5 million decrease at our daily newspaper was primarily due to a decrease in ROP advertising, primarily in the business services, finance/insurance, department stores and automotive categories, partially offset by increases in Interactive and preprint advertising.

Classified advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $17.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 6.5%, compared to $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. Decreases in ROP classified advertising at our daily newspaper were partially offset by an increase in Interactive classified advertising. The $0.9 million decrease in classified advertising revenue at our daily newspaper was primarily due to decreases in automotive advertising of $0.5 million, real estate advertising of $0.4 million and employment advertising of $0.1 million, partially offset by an increase in other advertising of $0.1 million. Employment advertising accounted for 46.8% of classified advertising revenue at the daily newspaper in the first quarter of 2007. The $0.3 million decrease in classified advertising revenue at our community newspapers and shoppers is primarily due to a mid-week shared mail product previously reported by that division and now reported under the daily newspaper following a business combination of the two divisions’ shared mail products.

The total decrease in retail and classified automotive advertising at our daily newspaper in the first quarter of 2007 was $0.6 million, or 15.7%, compared to the first quarter of 2006.

Total retail and classified Interactive revenue at our daily newspaper was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of $0.9 million, or 47.4%, compared to $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2006.

National advertising revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $2.4 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 2.3%, compared to $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2006.

18


The following table presents our daily newspaper’s core newspaper advertising linage by category and core newspaper and shared mail preprint pieces for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
Percent
Change


Advertising linage (inches):
               
   Full run  
     Retail    140,412    153,874    (8.7 )
     Classified    136,562    162,022    (15.7 )
     National    10,571    14,005    (24.5 )


Total full run    287,545    329,901    (12.8 )
Part run    7,740    25,350    (69.5 )


Total advertising linage    295,285    355,251    (16.9 )


Preprint pieces (in thousands)    210,307    208,250    1.0  


Total advertising linage in the first quarter of 2007 decreased 16.9% compared to the first quarter of 2006. Full run advertising linage in 2006 decreased 12.8% compared to the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to a reduction in classified and retail advertising linage. The decrease in classified advertising linage is primarily due to a decrease in the automotive category and the decrease in retail advertising linage is primarily due to decreases in the department stores, finance/insurance, business services and automotive categories. National advertising linage decreased primarily due to decreases in the communications and movies categories. Part run advertising linage decreased 69.5% in the first quarter of 2007 due to the elimination of daily zoned editions. Preprint advertising pieces increased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2007 primarily due to a mid-week shared mail product previously reported by the community newspapers and shoppers division and is now reported under the daily newspaper following a business combination of the two divisions’ shared mail products.

The following table presents the full pages of advertising and revenue per page for our community newspapers and shoppers and specialty products for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
Percent
Change


Full pages of advertising:
               
     Community newspapers    15,163    20,770    (27.0 )
     Shoppers and specialty products    22,737    24,283    (6.4 )


Total full pages of advertising    37,900    45,053    (15.9 )


Revenue per page   $ 318.74 $ 297.68  7.1  


Total full pages of advertising for our community newspapers and shoppers business in the first quarter of 2007 decreased 15.9% compared to the first quarter of 2006. The decrease was due to a mid-week shared mail product previously reported as a community shopper and now reported under the daily newspaper following a business combination of the two divisions’ shared mail products and revamping 18 weekly community newspapers and reducing the number of publications to eight. Revenue per page increased 7.1% primarily due to the decrease in total full pages of advertising.

Direct marketing revenue, consisting of revenue from direct mail efforts for our daily newspaper, was $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 21.8%, compared to $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease was due to The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.‘s consolidation of all Boston Store mail programs and a decrease in postage revenue billed to our solo mail customers.

Other advertising revenue, consisting of revenue from company-sponsored event advertising at our community newspapers and shoppers, was $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 20.7%, compared to $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Circulation revenue in the first quarter of 2007 accounted for 17.4% of total publishing revenue compared to 17.3% in the first quarter of 2006. Circulation revenue of $13.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 decreased $0.5 million, or 3.8%, compared to $13.7 million in the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to decreases in daily and Sunday average net paid circulation and a decrease in the Sunday average rate per copy at our daily newspaper and a change in the distribution model of the community newspapers in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.

Other revenue, which consists of revenue from commercial printing at the printing plants for our community newspapers and shoppers and promotional, distribution and commercial printing revenue at our daily newspaper, accounted for 12.6% of total publishing revenue in the first quarter of 2007 compared to 11.2% in the first quarter of 2006. Other revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $9.6 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 8.1%, compared to $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in commercial printing due to an agreement signed by our daily newspaper in late 2006 to print the USA Today and an increase in commercial delivery revenue at the daily newspaper.

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Publishing operating earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were $5.6 million, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 27.1%, compared to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. Operating earnings decreased $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 at our community newspapers and shoppers primarily due to the decrease in revenue and costs associated with a lease termination, an increase in legal expenses and workmen’s compensation claims. In addition, in the first quarter 2006, we recorded recoveries of bad debts related to Hurricane Katrina and a litigation reserve reversal. Operating earnings decreased $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2007 at the daily newspaper primarily due to the operating earnings impact from the decrease in revenue, a vacation accrual adjustment and costs associated with reducing the web-width of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 50 inches to 48 inches, partially offset by decreases in legal, moving and relocation and recruitment expenses. Total newsprint and paper costs for our publishing businesses in the first quarter of 2007 were $9.0 million, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 12.3%, compared to $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2006 primarily due to a 12.5% decrease in newsprint consumption and a 3.3% decrease in average newsprint pricing per metric ton. Consumption of metric tonnes of newsprint in the first quarter of 2007 decreased primarily due to decreases in ROP advertising, editorial content, web-width and average net paid circulation at our daily newspaper.

  Broadcasting

Revenue from broadcasting in the first quarter of 2007 was $51.7 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.1%, compared to $51.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. Operating earnings from broadcasting in the first quarter of 2007 were $10.0 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 13.7%, compared to $11.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table presents our broadcasting revenue and operating earnings for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
Percent
Radio
Television
Total
Radio
Television
Total
Change
(dollars in millions)

Revenue
    $ 18.2   $ 33.5   $ 51.7   $ 17.5   $ 34.1   $ 51.6    0.1  






Operating earnings   $ 3.8   $ 6.2   $ 10.0   $ 3.8   $ 7.8   $ 11.6    (13.7 )






Revenue from our radio stations in the first quarter of 2007 was $18.2 million, an increase of $0.7 million, or 3.4%, compared to $17.5 million in the first quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in local advertising revenue primarily from developmental revenue, which refers to non-transactional revenue that targets non-traditional advertisers, and interactive revenue.

Operating earnings from our radio stations were $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006. The increase in operating earnings due to the increase in revenue was offset by an increase in sales expenses due to higher commissions and bonuses associated with the higher revenue, an increase in promotion expenses and a $0.1 million loss on the sale of KOMJ-AM in Omaha, Nebraska.

Revenue from our television stations in the first quarter of 2007 was $33.5 million, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 1.6%, compared to $34.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease was primarily due to a $3.3 million decrease in Olympic advertising revenue at our NBC affiliates, partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in local advertising revenue primarily from developmental and interactive revenue, a $0.2 million increase in national advertising revenue, a $0.1 million increase in political and issue advertising revenue and a $0.1 million increase in other revenue.

Operating earnings from our television stations in the first quarter of 2007 were $6.2 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 21.1%, compared to $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease in operating earnings was primarily due to the decrease in revenue, an increase in programming expenses associated with additional newscasts and an increase in syndicated programming costs, an increase in sales expenses and an increase in depreciation expense.

  Printing Services

Revenue from printing services in the first quarter of 2007 was $16.9 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 3.5%, compared to $16.3 million in the first quarter of 2006. Operating earnings from printing services in the first quarter of 2007 were $1.0 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 103.0%, compared to $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The increase in printing services revenue was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in revenue from the printing of publications and manuals, reflecting $1.8 million in new printing business gained. This increase was partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in revenue from Dell Computer Corporation and other computer-related customers.

The increase in printing services operating earnings was primarily due to the increase in revenue as well as efficiencies gained from new printing equipment and a favorable adjustment from the termination of a sublease agreement.

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  Other

Other revenue in the first quarter of 2007 was $8.1 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 10.7%, compared to $9.2 million in the first quarter of 2006. Other operating earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were $0.6 million, an increase of $1.2 million compared to a loss of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.

The following table presents our other revenue and operating earnings for the first quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007
2006
Direct
Marketing
Services

Corporate
and
Eliminations

Total
Direct
Marketing
Services

Corporate
and
Eliminations

Total
Percent
Change

(dollars in millions)

Revenue
    $ 8.6   $ (0.5 ) $ 8.1   $ 9.8   $ (0.6 ) $ 9.2    (10.7 )






Operating earnings (loss)   $ (0.2 ) $ 0.8   $ 0.6   $ (0.1 ) $ (0.5 ) $ (0.6 )  NA  






The decrease in other revenue in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006 was primarily due to a decrease in postage amounts billed to customers and mailing services at our direct marketing services business. Included in revenue and operating costs and expenses from our direct marketing services business is $4.3 million and $4.9 million of postage amounts billed to customers in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The increase in other operating earnings was primarily due to a decrease in corporate expenses.

  Other Income and Expense and Taxes

Interest income was insignificant in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006. Interest expense was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $3.7 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in debt outstanding, which was reduced with the proceeds from the sale of Norlight. Amortization of deferred financing costs was $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006.

The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 39.5% in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006.

  Discontinued Operations

Gain from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $64.7 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2006. Income tax expense was $41.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2006.

On February 26, 2007, Q-Comm acquired 100% of the stock of Norlight, our former telecommunications subsidiary. The operations of Norlight have been reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated condensed financial statements for all periods presented.

Revenue from Norlight in the first quarter of 2007 was $18.5 million compared to $32.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. We recorded a $62.0 million net gain on the sale of Norlight as well as a $2.7 million net gain from its operations in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $2.9 million net gain from its operations in the first quarter of 2006.

  Net Earnings

Our net earnings in the first quarter of 2007 were $73.3 million, an increase of $61.0 million, compared to $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily due to the gain from discontinued operations of Norlight and the decrease in interest expense in the first quarter of 2007 for the reasons described above partially offset by the decrease in operating earnings from continuing operations.

  Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.13 and $0.12, respectively, for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.13 for both in the first quarter of 2006. Basic and diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations were $0.99 and $0.93, respectively, in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.04 for both in the first quarter of 2006. Basic and diluted net earnings per share were $1.12 and $1.05, respectively, for the first quarter of 2007 compared to $0.17 for both in the first quarter of 2007.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have a $475 million unsecured revolving credit facility that expires on June 2, 2011. The interest rate on borrowings is either LIBOR plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 87.5 basis points, depending on our leverage, or the base rate, which equals the higher of the prime rate set by U.S. Bank, N.A. or the Federal Funds Rate plus 100 basis points. As of April 1, 2007, we had borrowings of $105.3 million under the facility at a weighted average rate of 5.89%. Fees in connection with the facility of $1.7 million are being amortized over the term of the facility using the straight-line method which approximates the effective-interest method. The material covenants of this agreement include the following:

A consolidated funded debt ratio as determined for the four fiscal quarter period preceding the date of determination.
An interest coverage ratio as determined for the four fiscal quarter period preceding the date of determination.

As of April 1, 2007, we are in compliance with both of these material covenants.

Cash balances were $5.8 million at April 1, 2007. We believe our expected cash flows from operations and borrowings available under our credit facility will adequately meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

On February 26, Q-Comm acquired 100% of the stock of Norlight, our former telecommunications subsidiary. Proceeds, net of transaction expenses, were $175.9 million. The sale of Norlight improves our financial flexibility and allows us to focus on our diversified media businesses. To date, we have used the proceeds to reduce our obligations under our unsecured revolving credit facility. We expect to pay quarterly estimated income taxes on the gain related to the sale throughout 2007.

On March 27, 2007, Journal Broadcast Group, our broadcasting subsidiary, completed the sale of KOMJ-AM in Omaha, Nebraska to Cochise Broadcasting LLC (Cochise) and recorded a $0.1 million loss on the sale. The divestiture of KOMJ-AM is part of Journal Broadcast Group’s compliance with the FCC’s cross-ownership rules as a result of our December 2005 agreement to acquire KMTV-TV, Omaha, Nebraska from Emmis Communications Corporation (Emmis). Concurrently with the sale of KOMJ-AM, we completed the purchase of the KMTV-TV FCC license and remitted to Emmis a final purchase payment of $10.0 million.

On February 13, 2007, our board of directors increased the quarterly dividend on our class A and class B shares from $0.065 to $0.075 per share.

In April 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to five million shares of our class A common stock over the following 18 months. Under the program, share purchases may be made at our discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in private transactions. Our share purchases will depend on market conditions, share price, trading volume and other factors. In the first quarter of 2007, we repurchased 2.2 million of our class A shares pursuant to the April 2006 authorization.

Cash Flow

Cash provided by operating activities was $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $25.7 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease was primarily due to a prepaid income tax payment related to a state income tax audit made in the first quarter of 2007 and a decrease in cash provided by Norlight in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the first quarter of 2006.

Cash provided by investing activities was $156.5 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to cash used by investing activities of $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2006. Proceeds from the sale of Norlight and KOMJ-AM were $176.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. We remitted the final purchase payment of $10.0 million to Emmis to acquire the FCC license of KMTV-TV and our daily newspaper acquired two magazines for $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2007. Capital expenditures were $7.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2006. Our capital expenditures at our daily newspaper are primarily targeted towards equipment and building improvements, including the web-width reduction project and consolidating certain distribution centers and our capital expenditures in our broadcasting segment are targeted towards technology upgrades, including investments in digital radio and tapeless news for our television stations, and a new building for our television station in Las Vegas, Nevada. We believe these expenditures will optimize our results and position us well for the future. The cash used for investing activities of discontinued operations in the first quarter of 2007 includes capital expenditures of $0.6 million for Norlight compared to $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Cash used for financing activities was $163.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 compared to $20.0 million in the first quarter of 2006. Borrowings under our credit facility in the first quarter of 2007 were $99.3 million and we made payments of $229.1 million, reflecting the immediate use of proceeds received from the sale of Norlight, compared to borrowings of $48.8 million and payments of $53.6 million in the first quarter of 2006. In the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, we paid $28.1 million and $10.9 million, respectively, to purchase our class A common stock. We paid cash dividends of $5.4 million and $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

There was no material impact on our contractual obligations as a result of adopting FIN 48.

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New Accounting Standard

On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This standard permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that were previously not allowed.

Statement No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of the previous fiscal year provided that the entity makes that choice in the first 120 days of that fiscal year and also elects to apply the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” We will adopt Statement No. 159 in the first quarter of 2008. We do not believe the effect of adopting Statement No. 159 will have a material impact on our financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

There are no material changes to the disclosures regarding critical accounting policies made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE OF MARKET RISK

There are no material changes to the disclosures regarding interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to them to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Russ Darrow Group, Inc. Litigation. On December 27, 2006, a lawsuit was filed against Journal Sentinel, Inc., a subsidiary of Journal Communications, Inc., in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.  The plaintiff chose to opt-out of the class action settlement in Shorewest v. Journal Sentinel, Inc. (Shorewest) and filed this separate lawsuit against Journal Sentinel Inc. repeating in large part the allegations related to overstated circulation in the Shorewest class action case.  The claims include: violation of the Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Act; breach of contract and implied duty of good faith and fair dealing; strict misrepresentation; intentional misrepresentation; negligent misrepresentation; negligence; unjust enrichment; equitable recession; and punitive damages.  On February 26, 2007, Journal Sentinel, Inc. filed its answer and a Motion to Dismiss all of plaintiff’s tort claims. A hearing on the Motion to Dismiss is scheduled for May 7, 2007. We believe the lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend the action vigorously. Our insurance carrier has accepted this claim under a reservation of rights and the amount that will be paid by the carrier, if any, is uncertain at this point in time.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the disclosures regarding risk factors made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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

The following table provides information about our repurchases of our class A common stock in the first quarter ended April 1, 2007:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased

Average Price
Paid Per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
Or Programs (1)

Maximum Number
Of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

January 1 to January 28, 2007    625,300 $    12.83 1,885,400 3,114,600
January 29 to February 25, 2007    410,500 $    13.47 2,295,900 2,704,100
February 26 to April 1, 2007 1,119,600 $    13.01 3,415,500 1,584,500

  (1) All shares of class A common stock purchased by us were purchased pursuant to a repurchase program publicly announced on April 25, 2006 and commenced on June 15, 2006, pursuant to which our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5,000,000 class A shares. These shares will remain authorized but unissued. The repurchase program will expire in October 2007.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

  Exhibit No. Description

  (31.1) Certification by Steven J. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Journal Communications, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  (31.2) Certification by Paul M. Bonaiuto, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Journal Communications, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  (32) Certification of Steven J. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Paul M. Bonaiuto, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Journal Communications, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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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.

JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Registrant


Date: May 4, 2007
/s/ Steven J. Smith
Steven J. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


Date: May 4, 2007
/s/ Paul M. Bonaiuto
Paul M. Bonaiuto, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer










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