-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LHPJEU2eAGsZv9k5Ngnblua8pWl0ERV2voX6Pq9LsfF5mxclTIuGVIOC/LdARWWi XcF3LL9P4eOdchgoBvIX0g== 0001275287-05-000275.txt : 20050127 0001275287-05-000275.hdr.sgml : 20050127 20050127131347 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001275287-05-000275 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050127 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050127 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050127 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MEDIA GENERAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000216539 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711] IRS NUMBER: 540850433 STATE OF INCORPORATION: VA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-06383 FILM NUMBER: 05553009 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 333 E FRANKLIN ST CITY: RICHMOND STATE: VA ZIP: 23219 BUSINESS PHONE: 8046496000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 333 E FRANKLIN ST CITY: RICHMOND STATE: VA ZIP: 23219 8-K 1 mg1898.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)     January 27, 2005

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

Commonwealth of Virginia

 

1-6383

 

54-0850433


 


 


(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

333 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA

 

23219


 


(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code    (804) 649-6000

 

 

 

 

 

N/A


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

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

o

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

 

 

o

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

 

 

o

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

 

 

o

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




Item 2.02      Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On January 27, 2005, the Company issued two press releases announcing results for the fourth quarter of 2004 and revenues for the December 2004 period.  A copy of these releases is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2.

Item 9.01      Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)          Exhibits

99.1               Press Release issued by MEDIA GENERAL, INC., January 27, 2005.
99.2               Press Release issued by MEDIA GENERAL, INC., January 27, 2005.



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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

MEDIA GENERAL, INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date January 27, 2005

 

 

 

 

/s/ MARSHALL N. MORTON

 


 

Marshall N. Morton

 

Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

 

Description


 


99.1

 

Press Release issued by MEDIA GENERAL, INC., January 27, 2005.

99.2

 

Press Release issued by MEDIA GENERAL, INC., January 27, 2005.



EX-99.1 2 mg1898ex991.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Media General Reports December Revenues

          RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Media General, Inc. (NYSE: MEG) today reported December 2004 revenues of $72.2 million, a 7.7 percent increase from December 2003.  On a divisional basis, Publishing revenues increased 5.4 percent, Broadcast revenues rose 10.7 percent, and Interactive Media Division revenues were up 63.3 percent.

          For the month, newspaper advertising revenues increased $2.3 million, or 6.2 percent, over last year.  The Tampa Tribune reported a very strong month, with advertising revenues up 10.6 percent. The community newspaper group had advertising revenue growth of 8.9 percent.  When online revenues from Media General’s newspaper Web sites are included, total publishing revenues increased 6.1 percent for the month, and newspaper advertising revenues rose 7.1 percent.

          The strength for the month was mainly in Classified advertising revenues, which increased $1.1 million, or 10.1 percent, over 2003.  Including online advertising, the overall increase was 11.8 percent.  There were impressive gains in almost every market, driven mostly by help-wanted linage, with The Tampa Tribune posting an increase in Classified revenues of 13.4 percent.  Employment linage for the company’s three metropolitan newspapers, which typically slows seasonally in December, rose 16.2 percent, including increases of 29 percent at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6.8 percent at The Tampa Tribune, and 5.5 percent at the Winston-Salem Journal.  Richmond’s strong improvement was the result of lower unemployment rates that helped drive healthcare and state and governmental advertising as well as new advertising promotions in this category.  Results in automotive linage were mixed as The Tampa Tribune exceeded last year, while the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Winston-Salem Journal reported declines.  Real estate classifieds experienced solid gains in many markets, particularly the three metro newspapers.

          Retail ROP revenues continued to be soft and were about even for the month.  The Tampa Tribune reported a 14 percent increase, reflecting strength in the department store and medical categories, as well as Wal-Mart advertising.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch was down nearly 3 percent as advertising from the new malls in December 2003 was strong.  Media General newspapers in Northern Virginia and Charlottesville also posted gains for the month.  Retail, including preprints, exceeded last year by approximately 1 percent. 

          Preprint revenues, which were up $520,000, or 6.4 percent, contributed to the strength of December’s overall results.  About half of the increase came from The Tampa Tribune, and most other newspapers showed gains as well. 

          National ROP revenues declined $55,000, or 1.7 percent.  The shortfall was in Tampa, driven by lower telecommunications advertising, while other markets showed gains in the category.  National, including preprints, exceeded last year by 7.8 percent, or $280,000. 

          Circulation revenues were down slightly, mostly the result of volume declines.  

          In the Broadcast Division, gross time sales increased $1 million, or 4.5 percent.  Local time sales increased $1.4 million, or 9.8 percent, and reflected gains in the specialty stores, department stores, fast food and services categories that more than offset a decrease in the automotive category.  National time sales rose $384,000, or 5.4 percent, due to increases in automotive, corporate and fast food advertising that more than offset declines in the department store and appliance categories.

          As expected for December of 2004, Political revenues were absent whereas early presidential primary spending in the prior-year quarter generated revenues of $770,000.  

          Interactive Media Division revenues increased 63.3 percent to $1.2 million, driven by a 62 percent increase in Classified advertising, reflecting both rate increases and strong volume growth.  Local advertising revenues increased 70 percent. 



          About Media General
          Media General is a diversified communications company, operating leading newspapers, television stations and online enterprises primarily in the Southeastern United States.  The company’s publishing assets include three metropolitan newspapers, The Tampa Tribune, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the Winston-Salem Journal; 22 daily community newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina; and more than 100 weekly newspapers and other publications.  The company’s broadcasting assets include 26 network-affiliated television stations that reach more than 30 percent of the television households in the Southeast and nearly 8 percent of those in the United States.  The company’s interactive media assets include more than 50 online enterprises that are associated with its newspapers and television stations.  Media General also owns a 20 percent interest in The Denver Post and a 33 percent interest in SP Newsprint Company.

MEDIA GENERAL INC.

Revenues and Page Views

 

 

December

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Revenues (000)

 

$

72,167

 

$

67,023

 

 

7.7

%

Publishing

 

 

46,327

 

 

43,941

 

 

5.4

%

Broadcast

 

 

25,015

 

 

22,607

 

 

10.7

%

Interactive Media

 

 

1,158

 

 

709

 

 

63.3

%

Eliminations

 

 

(333

)

 

(234

)

 

(42.3

)%

Selected Publishing Revenues (000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

38,439

 

$

36,179

 

 

6.2

%

Classified

 

 

12,373

 

 

11,242

 

 

10.1

%

Retail

 

 

11,563

 

 

11,575

 

 

(0.1

)%

National

 

 

3,114

 

 

3,168

 

 

(1.7

)%

Preprints

 

 

8,669

 

 

8,146

 

 

6.4

%

Other

 

 

2,720

 

 

2,048

 

 

32.8

%

Circulation

 

 

6,848

 

 

6,883

 

 

(0.5

)%

By Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richmond

 

 

10,950

 

 

10,923

 

 

0.2

%

Tampa

 

 

14,874

 

 

13,541

 

 

9.8

%

Winston-Salem

 

 

4,494

 

 

4,441

 

 

1.2

%

Community Newspapers

 

 

15,798

 

 

14,784

 

 

6.9

%

Advertising Revenues (Dailies) (000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richmond

 

$

8,391

 

$

8,331

 

 

0.7

%

Tampa

 

 

13,463

 

 

12,177

 

 

10.6

%

Winston-Salem

 

 

3,669

 

 

3,682

 

 

(0.4

)%

Community Newspapers

 

 

11,218

 

 

10,302

 

 

8.9

%

Broadcast Time Sales (gross) (000)

 

$

22,987

 

$

21,989

 

 

4.5

%

Local

 

 

15,545

 

 

14,156

 

 

9.8

%

National

 

 

7,449

 

 

7,065

 

 

5.4

%

Political

 

 

(7

)

 

768

 

 

—  

 

Selected Online Total Page Views

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBO.com

 

 

15,102,136

 

 

12,025,915

 

 

25.6

%

(Tampa, Fla.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

timesdispatch.com

 

 

6,902,525

 

 

4,942,553

 

 

39.7

%

(Richmond, Va.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JournalNow.com

 

 

2,880,611

 

 

2,471,579

 

 

16.5

%

(Winston-Salem, N.C.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




MEDIA GENERAL INC.

Revenues and Page Views

 

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

Revenues (000)

 

$

900,420

 

$

837,423

 

 

7.5

%

Publishing

 

 

566,487

 

 

544,059

 

 

4.1

%

Broadcast

 

 

323,653

 

 

286,233

 

 

13.1

%

Interactive Media

 

 

13,920

 

 

9,663

 

 

44.1

%

Eliminations

 

 

(3,640

)

 

(2,532

)

 

(43.8

)%

Selected Publishing Revenues (000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

465,239

 

$

445,107

 

 

4.5

%

Classified

 

 

185,193

 

 

170,679

 

 

8.5

%

Retail

 

 

132,813

 

 

133,777

 

 

(0.7

)%

National

 

 

33,649

 

 

34,412

 

 

(2.2

)%

Preprints

 

 

86,759

 

 

84,039

 

 

3.2

%

Other

 

 

26,825

 

 

22,200

 

 

20.8

%

Circulation

 

 

89,025

 

 

87,355

 

 

1.9

%

By Property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richmond

 

 

137,851

 

 

134,644

 

 

2.4

%

Tampa

 

 

178,681

 

 

169,950

 

 

5.1

%

Winston-Salem

 

 

53,771

 

 

53,644

 

 

0.2

%

Community Newspapers

 

 

193,959

 

 

183,852

 

 

5.5

%

Advertising Revenues (Dailies) (000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richmond

 

$

104,862

 

 

102,179

 

 

2.6

%

Tampa

 

 

160,735

 

 

153,222

 

 

4.9

%

Winston-Salem

 

 

43,725

 

 

43,544

 

 

0.4

%

Community Newspapers

 

 

134,327

 

 

125,744

 

 

6.8

%

Broadcast Time Sales (gross) (000)

 

$

323,608

 

$

282,647

 

 

14.5

%

Local

 

 

183,529

 

 

173,919

 

 

5.5

%

National

 

 

102,423

 

 

101,511

 

 

0.9

%

Political

 

 

37,656

 

 

7,217

 

 

—  

 

Selected Online Total Page Views

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBO.com

 

 

231,493,016

 

 

160,550,724

 

 

44.2

%

(Tampa, Fla.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

timesdispatch.com

 

 

81,767,495

 

 

75,529,011

 

 

8.3

%

(Richmond, Va.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JournalNow.com

 

 

35,147,735

 

 

30,342,005

 

 

15.8

%

(Winston-Salem, N.C.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Notes: All data are subject to later adjustment, excludes discontinued operations.



MEDIA GENERAL INC.

Daily Newspapers Advertising Linage*

 

 

December

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

35,418

 

 

38,307

 

 

(7.5

)%

National

 

 

11,132

 

 

11,703

 

 

(4.9

)%

Classified

 

 

56,288

 

 

60,075

 

 

(6.3

)%

Total

 

 

102,838

 

 

110,085

 

 

(6.6

)%

TAMPA TRIBUNE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

51,184

 

 

45,988

 

 

11.3

%

National

 

 

16,349

 

 

17,821

 

 

(8.3

)%

Classified

 

 

116,240

 

 

111,465

 

 

4.3

%

Total

 

 

183,773

 

 

175,274

 

 

4.8

%

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

39,521

 

 

48,876

 

 

(19.1

)%

National

 

 

9,618

 

 

9,001

 

 

6.9

%

Classified

 

 

47,231

 

 

48,975

 

 

(3.6

)%

Total

 

 

96,370

 

 

106,852

 

 

(9.8

)%

COMMUNITY DAILIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

348,987

 

 

375,202

 

 

(7.0

)%

National

 

 

30,477

 

 

28,124

 

 

8.4

%

Classified

 

 

386,627

 

 

406,555

 

 

(4.9

)%

Total

 

 

766,091

 

 

809,881

 

 

(5.4

)%

MEDIA GENERAL DAILIES TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

475,110

 

 

508,373

 

 

(6.5

)%

National

 

 

67,576

 

 

66,649

 

 

1.4

%

Classified

 

 

606,386

 

 

627,070

 

 

(3.3

)%

Total

 

 

1,149,072

 

 

1,202,092

 

 

(4.4

)%




MEDIA GENERAL INC.

Daily Newspapers Advertising Linage*

 

 

Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

% Change

 

 

 


 


 


 

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

409,466

 

 

437,052

 

 

(6.3

)%

National

 

 

128,879

 

 

142,023

 

 

(9.3

)%

Classified

 

 

915,432

 

 

891,936

 

 

2.6

%

Total

 

 

1,453,777

 

 

1,471,011

 

 

(1.2

)%

TAMPA TRIBUNE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

543,824

 

 

520,203

 

 

4.5

%

National

 

 

184,871

 

 

200,863

 

 

(8.0

)%

Classified

 

 

1,645,569

 

 

1,649,129

 

 

(0.2

)%

Total

 

 

2,374,264

 

 

2,370,195

 

 

0.2

%

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

463,189

 

 

458,800

 

 

1.0

%

National

 

 

103,136

 

 

99,847

 

 

3.3

%

Classified

 

 

726,998

 

 

741,061

 

 

(1.9

)%

Total

 

 

1,293,323

 

 

1,299,708

 

 

(0.5

)%

COMMUNITY DAILIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

4,080,481

 

 

4,166,911

 

 

(2.1

)%

National

 

 

365,577

 

 

343,295

 

 

6.5

%

Classified

 

 

5,551,227

 

 

5,199,270

 

 

6.8

%

Total

 

 

9,997,285

 

 

9,709,476

 

 

3.0

%

MEDIA GENERAL DAILIES TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

5,496,960

 

 

5,582,966

 

 

(1.5

)%

National

 

 

782,463

 

 

786,028

 

 

(0.5

)%

Classified

 

 

8,839,226

 

 

8,481,396

 

 

4.2

%

Total

 

 

15,118,649

 

 

14,850,390

 

 

1.8

%



*  Advertising is in column inches -- full run only

SOURCE  Media General, Inc.
          -0-                                                            01/27/2005
          /CONTACT:  Investors: Lou Anne J. Nabhan, +1-804-649-6103, or Media: Ray Kozakewicz, +1-804-649-6748, both of Media General, Inc./
          /First Call Analyst: /
          /FCMN Contact: etucker@mediageneral.com /
          /Web site:  http://www.mediageneral.com/


EX-99.2 3 mg1898ex992.htm

Exhibit 99.2

Media General Reports Fourth-Quarter Results

          RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Media General (NYSE: MEG) today reported fourth-quarter income from continuing operations of $36.8 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared with $23.7 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2003.  Media General’s 2004 fourth-quarter results included an after tax gain of $3.9 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, resulting from the favorable settlement of a newsprint swap dispute.  Last year, including a gain on the sale of Media General Financial Services, Media General’s fourth-quarter net income was $30.5 million, or $1.29 per diluted share.

          “Media General was very pleased to report a 24 percent increase in segment operating profit for the fourth quarter, aided by a 10.7 percent rise in total revenues and excellent expense management across the company,” said J. Stewart Bryan III, chairman and chief executive.  “Broadcast Division profit rose 50 percent, driven by unprecedented political advertising revenues.  The Publishing Division reported a 7.6 percent profit increase, generated principally by strong Classified advertising.

          “In addition, our fourth-quarter results reflected improvement in equity income from our investment in SP Newsprint, and corporate expense was down nearly 20 percent from the prior year due to several factors, chiefly lower legal and occupancy expenses.”

          Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2004 were $249.7 million compared with $225.5 million in the same period last year.  Segment profit of $74.3 million compared with $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.  Segment cash flow of $84.8 million was up 20.3 percent.

          Publishing Division profits of $42.5 million in the fourth quarter were $3 million, or 7.6 percent, above the same period last year.  Publishing revenues of $152.6 million in the quarter increased 4.2 percent and advertising revenues of $127 million were up 4.8 percent.  The Tampa Tribune led the increase in total revenue and reported 6.9 percent growth for the quarter. Including online revenues from newspaper Web sites, total publishing revenues were up 4.8 percent over last year, and newspaper advertising revenues increased 5.5 percent.

          Classified revenues rose $4.1 million, or 9.8 percent.  Including online advertising, Classified revenues rose nearly 11 percent.  The Tampa Tribune reported a year-over-year 10.8 percent increase, rebounding from slower results earlier in the year caused by the hurricanes.  At the community newspapers, increases of over 10 percent were seen in many markets, including a 27.4 percent increase in Charlottesville.  Employment linage at the three metropolitan newspapers was up 9.1 percent, including 16.3 percent at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9.5 percent at the Winston-Salem Journal and a slight increase at The Tampa Tribune.  Automotive linage was down 2.4 percent at the three metros, despite a 9 percent increase at The Tampa Tribune.  Real estate linage was mixed.

          Retail ROP revenues were about even with the 2003 fourth quarter.  The Tampa Tribune reported a 7.3 percent increase in retail revenues, due largely to strong department store advertising.  The Northern Virginia and Alabama community newspapers also reported solid increases.  The Richmond Times-Dispatch posted a decline, hampered by comparisons with two new mall openings in last year’s fourth quarter.  Combined Retail ROP and Retail Preprint revenues for the division overall were slightly higher than the 2003 quarter.

          National advertising revenues declined $180,000, or 1.7 percent, from the prior year’s quarter, reflecting lower sales at The Tampa Tribune and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, especially in the travel and telecommunications categories.  The Winston-Salem Journal reported a 31.5 percent increase in National revenues for the fourth quarter, attributable to higher spending from pharmaceutical and national automotive customers.  Combined National ROP and National Preprint revenues were $290,000, or 2.4 percent higher than last year.



          Preprint revenues were up $640,000, or 2.5 percent, and most newspapers reported volume increases.

          Circulation revenues were down slightly for the fourth quarter, following three quarters of gains that had been driven by rate increases and higher volumes at The Tampa Tribune.  As of October, the Publishing Division had cycled through its prior-year rate increases. 

          Publishing expenses rose 3.1 percent over the 2003 fourth quarter.  The most significant increases were newsprint costs and circulation expenses.  Newsprint expense for the quarter increased 10.7 percent and reflected higher newsprint prices and consumption.  The average price per ton increased $42 for the quarter.

          Broadcast profits of $33.5 million were up 50.2 percent for the quarter, and revenues increased 22 percent to $94.2 million.  Total time sales of $93.5 million were up $17.2 million, or 22.5 percent.  This strong performance reflected robust presidential and political issue advertising, which totaled $20.5 million for the quarter. 

          Local time sales increased by $1.4 million, or 3 percent, led by gains in services, fast food, specialty stores and department stores, partially offset by declines in automotive and furniture.  National advertising decreased 4.9 percent, reflecting reductions in the department stores and the telecommunications categories, partially offset by increases in fast food and automotive.  In addition, the division’s equipment subsidiary experienced strong sales, and reported a solid increase from last year’s quarter.

          Broadcast expenses increased 10.6 percent from the prior year’s period, due to higher salary and sales commissions as well as increased cost of goods sold related to increased sales at the equipment subsidiary.

          Interactive Media Division revenues were up 48.2 percent over the prior year and totaled $3.9 million.  The increase is primarily attributable to a significant rise in Classified advertising, which was up 50 percent from 2003.  The division’s fourth-quarter loss improved 8.2 percent from 2003.

          Interest expense was down slightly from the fourth quarter of 2003 due to lower debt levels, which more than offset slightly higher average rates.

          Equity income from the company’s share of SP Newsprint was $1 million in the quarter and improved significantly from last year’s same quarter loss of $483,000 due to higher newsprint prices.

          Acquisition intangibles amortization was $1.5 million higher than last year’s fourth quarter due to increased network affiliation amortization.

          EBITDA (income from continuing operations before accounting change, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in the fourth quarter of 2004 was $83.1 million, compared with $61.9 million in the 2003 period.  Free cash flow for the quarter (after-tax cash flow minus capital expenditures) was $45.3 million, compared with $30.2 million in the prior-year period.

          Media General provides the non-GAAP financial metrics EBITDA, After-Tax Cash Flow, and Free Cash Flow.  The company believes these metrics are useful for evaluating financial performance and are common alternative measures used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies.  These groups use EBITDA, along with other measures, to evaluate a company’s ability to meet its debt service requirements and to estimate the value of the company.  A reconciliation of these metrics to amounts on the GAAP statements has been included in this news release.

          Outlook
          For the first quarter of 2005, which is traditionally the weakest, the Publishing Division expects revenues to continue to show growth similar to that of the fourth quarter of 2004.  Classified revenues are expected to maintain their growth trend with solid gains in employment advertising, and the division expects year-over-over improvement in the Retail and National advertising categories.  The Broadcast Division, as expected, will face certain challenges.  While the strong Super Bowl advertising of last January and the 2004 first-quarter early presidential primary advertising will not recur, new revenue development initiatives are expected to drive revenue growth of approximately 2 percent.  Events such as the NCAA March Madness basketball games will also drive advertising during the quarter.  Expenses associated with revenue growth initiatives, along with filling open positions, however, are likely to more than offset the revenue increase.  Media General will provide more definitive guidance on earnings expectations as the first quarter unfolds.



          The company plans to release first quarter earnings on April 15, 2005.  Media General will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 28, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Richmond Newspapers Production Facility, 8460 Times-Dispatch Boulevard, Mechanicsville, Va.

          Conference Call and Webcast
          The company will hold an earnings conference call with financial analysts today at 2 p.m., ET.  The conference call will be available to the media and general public through a limited number of listen-only dial-in conference lines and via simultaneous Webcast.  To dial in, listeners may call 1-800-967-7140 about 10 minutes prior to the 2 p.m. start.  Listeners may also access the live Webcast by logging on to http://www.mediageneral.com and clicking on the “Live Earnings Conference” link at the top of the homepage about 10 minutes in advance.  A replay of the Webcast will be available online at http://www.mediageneral.com beginning at 6 p.m. today.  A telephone replay is also available, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending on February 3 at 12 a.m., by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820, and using the passcode 239656.

          Forward-Looking Statements
          This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties and should be understood in the context of the company’s publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Media General’s future performance could differ materially from its current expectations.

          About Media General
          Media General is a diversified communications company operating leading newspapers, television stations and online enterprises, primarily in the Southeastern United States.  The company’s publishing assets include three metropolitan newspapers, The Tampa Tribune, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the Winston-Salem Journal; 22 daily community newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina; and more than 100 weekly newspapers and other publications.  The company’s broadcasting assets include 26 network-affiliated television stations that reach more than 30 percent of the television households in the Southeast and nearly 8 percent of those in the United States.  The company’s interactive media assets include more than 50 online enterprises that are associated with its newspapers and television stations.  Media General also owns a 20 percent interest in The Denver Post and a 33 percent interest in SP Newsprint Company.



Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Thirteen Weeks
Ending

 

Fifty-Two Weeks
Ending

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

December 26,
2004

 

December 28,
2003

 

December 26,
2004

 

December 28,
2003

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Revenues

 

$

249,730

 

$

225,533

 

$

900,420

 

$

837,423

 

Operating costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

 

 

95,715

 

 

89,687

 

 

375,752

 

 

356,694

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

78,543

 

 

74,965

 

 

309,300

 

 

292,986

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

16,756

 

 

15,491

 

 

66,036

 

 

65,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total operating costs

 

 

191,014

 

 

180,143

 

 

751,088

 

 

715,147

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

 

58,716

 

 

45,390

 

 

149,332

 

 

122,276

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(7,911

)

 

(8,162

)

 

(31,082

)

 

(34,424

)

Investment income (loss)-- unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

1,221

 

 

(120

)

 

1,551

 

 

(4,672

)

Other, net

 

 

6,449

 

 

1,136

 

 

7,477

 

 

10,666

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total other expense

 

 

(241

)

 

(7,146

)

 

(22,054

)

 

(28,430

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

58,475

 

 

38,244

 

 

127,278

 

 

93,846

 

Income taxes

 

 

21,636

 

 

14,503

 

 

47,093

 

 

34,800

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

36,839

 

 

23,741

 

 

80,185

 

 

59,046

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)

 

 

—  

 

 

7

 

 

—  

 

 

964

 

Gain on sale of operations (net of tax)

 

 

—  

 

 

6,754

 

 

—  

 

 

6,754

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (net of tax)

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(8,079

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

36,839

 

$

30,502

 

$

80,185

 

$

58,685

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

1.57

 

$

1.03

 

$

3.43

 

$

2.56

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

0.29

 

 

—  

 

 

0.33

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(0.35

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

1.57

 

$

1.32

 

$

3.43

 

$

2.54

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income per common share -- assuming dilution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

1.55

 

$

1.00

 

$

3.38

 

$

2.52

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

0.29

 

 

—  

 

 

0.33

 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(0.35

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

1.55

 

$

1.29

 

$

3.38

 

$

2.50

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

23,409

 

 

23,184

 

 

23,356

 

 

23,085

 

Diluted

 

 

23,735

 

 

23,594

 

 

23,729

 

 

23,408

 

 

 



 



 



 



 




Media General, Inc.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Interactive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing

 

Broadcast

 

Media

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Quarter Ended December 26, 2004
Consolidated revenues

 

$

152,594

 

$

94,219

 

$

3,910

 

$

(993

)

$

249,730

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Segment operating cash flow

 

$

47,704

 

$

38,188

 

$

(1,063

)

 

 

 

$

84,829

 

Allocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

388

 

 

 

 

 

(195

)

 

 

 

 

193

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(5,599

)

 

(4,697

)

 

(395

)

 

 

 

 

(10,691

)

 

 



 



 



 

 



 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

42,493

 

$

33,491

 

$

(1,653

)

 

 

 

 

74,331

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unallocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,911

)

Investment income-SP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newsprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,028

 

Acquisition intangibles amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,735

)

Corporate expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,738

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Consolidated income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

58,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Quarter Ended December 28, 2003
Consolidated revenues

 

$

146,461

 

$

77,234

 

$

2,638

 

$

(800

)

$

225,533

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Segment operating cash flow

 

$

45,335

 

$

26,827

 

$

(1,633

)

$

70,529

 

 

 

 

Allocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate

 

 

363

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

363

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(6,198

)

 

(4,524

)

 

(168

)

 

 

 

 

(10,890

)

 

 



 



 



 

 



 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

39,500

 

$

22,303

 

$

(1,801

)

 

 

 

 

60,002

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unallocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8,162

)

Investment loss-SP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newsprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(483

)

Acquisition intangibles amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,229

)

Corporate expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,597

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(287

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Twelve Months Ended December 26, 2004 Consolidated revenues

 

$

566,487

 

$

323,653

 

$

13,920

 

$

(3,640

)

$

900,420

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Segment operating cash flow

 

$

152,727

 

$

111,363

 

$

(4,688

)

 

 

 

$

259,402

 

Allocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

743

 

 

 

 

 

(195

)

 

 

 

 

548

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(23,370

)

 

(18,880

)

 

(1,448

)

 

 

 

 

(43,698

)

 

 



 



 



 

 



 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

130,100

 

$

92,483

 

$

(6,331

)

 

 

 

 

216,252

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unallocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31,082

)

Investment income-SP Newsprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,003

 

Acquisition intangibles amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,062

)

Corporate expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(38,732

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,101

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Consolidated income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

127,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Twelve Months Ended December 28, 2003 Consolidated revenues

 

$

544,059

 

$

286,233

 

$

9,663

 

$

(2,532

)

$

837,423

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Segment operating cash flow

 

$

148,104

 

$

87,760

 

$

(5,644

)

 

 

 

$

230,220

 

Allocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate

 

 

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

709

 

Gain on sale of Hoover’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,746

 

 

 

 

 

5,746

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(25,896

)

 

(20,988

)

 

(1,360

)

 

 

 

 

(48,244

)

 

 



 



 



 

 



 

Segment profit (loss)

 

$

122,917

 

$

66,772

 

$

(1,258

)

 

 

 

 

188,431

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unallocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34,424

)

Investment loss-SP Newsprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,381

)

Acquisition intangibles amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,272

)

Corporate expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37,271

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,237

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

93,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 




Media General, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

December 26,
2004

 

December 28,
2003

 

 

 



 



 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,823

 

$

10,575

 

Accounts receivable -- net

 

 

117,177

 

 

113,226

 

Inventories

 

 

8,021

 

 

6,171

 

Other

 

 

35,826

 

 

32,649

 

 

 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

170,847

 

 

162,621

 

 

 



 



 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

93,277

 

 

89,994

 

Other assets

 

 

59,676

 

 

60,277

 

Property, plant and equipment -- net

 

 

422,299

 

 

434,088

 

Excess of cost over fair value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses -- net

 

 

832,004

 

 

832,004

 

FCC licenses and other intangibles -- net

 

 

790,709

 

 

807,771

 

 

 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

2,368,812

 

$

2,386,755

 

 

 



 



 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

27,000

 

$

22,210

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

92,163

 

 

83,424

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

7,708

 

 

8,769

 

 

 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

126,871

 

 

114,403

 

 

 



 



 

Long-term debt

 

 

437,960

 

 

531,969

 

Borrowings of consolidated variable interest entities

 

 

95,320

 

 

95,320

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

390,132

 

 

362,769

 

Other liabilities and deferred credits

 

 

134,760

 

 

174,833

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

1,183,769

 

 

1,107,461

 

 

 



 



 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

2,368,812

 

$

2,386,755

 

 

 



 



 




Media General, Inc.
EBITDA, AFTER-TAX CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW
(Unaudited, in thousands)

 

 

Thirteen Weeks
Ending

 

Fifty-Two Weeks
Ending

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

December 26,
2004

 

December 28,
2003

 

December  26,
2004

 

December 28,
2003

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

36,839

 

$

23,741

 

$

80,185

 

$

59,046

 

Interest

 

 

7,911

 

 

8,162

 

 

31,082

 

 

34,424

 

Taxes

 

 

21,636

 

 

14,503

 

 

47,093

 

 

34,800

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

16,756

 

 

15,491

 

 

66,036

 

 

65,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

EBITDA from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

83,142

 

$

61,897

 

$

224,396

 

$

193,737

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

$

36,839

 

$

23,741

 

$

80,185

 

$

59,046

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

16,756

 

 

15,491

 

 

66,036

 

 

65,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

After-tax cash flow

 

$

53,595

 

$

39,232

 

$

146,221

 

$

124,513

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

After-tax cash flow

 

$

53,595

 

$

39,232

 

$

146,221

 

$

124,513

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

8,330

 

 

9,013

 

 

37,835

 

 

31,774

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Free cash flow

 

$

45,265

 

$

30,219

 

$

108,386

 

$

92,739

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

SOURCE  Media General, Inc.
          -0-                                        01/27/2005
          /CONTACT:  Investors: Lou Anne Nabhan, +1-804-649-6103, or Media: Ray Kozakewicz, +1-804-649-6748, both of Media General/
          /First Call Analyst: /
          /FCMN Contact: etucker@mediageneral.com /
          /Web site:  http://www.mediageneral.com /


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