Investments in Associated Companies

9 Months Ended

Jun. 24, 2012

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block]

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

TNI Partners

In Tucson, Arizona, TNI, acting as agent for our subsidiary, Star Publishing Company (“Star Publishing”), and Citizen Publishing Company (“Citizen”), a subsidiary of Gannett Co. Inc., is responsible for printing, delivery, advertising, and circulation of the Arizona Daily Star as well as the related digital platforms and specialty publications. TNI collects all receipts and income and pays substantially all operating expenses incident to the partnership's operations and publication of the newspapers and other media.

Income or loss of TNI (before income taxes) is allocated equally to Star Publishing and Citizen.

Summarized results of TNI are as follows:

	13 Weeks Ended		39 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	June 24 2012	June 26 2011	June 24 2012		June 26 2011
Operating revenue	14,155	15,035	45,878		48,051
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	11,986	13,307	37,926		40,467
Workforce adjustments	33	—	(31	)	232
Operating income	2,136	1,728	7,983		7,352
Company's 50% share of operating income	1,068	864	3,992		3,676
Less amortization of intangible assets	181	303	542		911
Equity in earnings of TNI	887	561	3,450		2,765

Star Publishing's 50% share of TNI depreciation and certain general and administrative expenses associated with its share of the operation and administration of TNI are reported as operating expenses (benefit) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. These amounts totaled $(128,000) and $(34,000) in the 13 weeks ended June 24, 2012 and June 26, 2011, respectively and $(440,000) and $177,000 in the 39 weeks ended June 24, 2012 and June 26, 2011, respectively.

Our impairment analysis resulted in pretax reductions in the carrying value of TNI totaling $11,900,000 in 2011. See Note 3.

Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $696,000 in the 53 week period ending June 2013 and $418,000 in each of the 52 week periods ending June 2014, June 2015, June 2016 and June 2017.

Madison Newspapers, Inc.

We have a 50% ownership interest in MNI, which publishes daily and Sunday newspapers, and other publications in Madison, Wisconsin, and other Wisconsin locations, and operates their related digital platforms. Net income or loss of MNI (after income taxes) is allocated equally to us and The Capital Times Company (“TCT”). MNI conducts its business under the trade name Capital Newspapers.

Summarized results of MNI are as follows:

	13 Weeks Ended			39 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	June 24 2012		June 26 2011	June 24 2012	June 26 2011
Operating revenue	17,289		18,183	53,063	55,727
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	13,993		15,007	43,440	46,135
Workforce adjustments	(6	)	541	22	674
Depreciation and amortization	424		514	1,271	1,542
Operating income	2,878		2,121	8,330	7,376
Net income	1,748		1,328	5,106	4,626
Equity in earnings of MNI	874		664	2,553	2,313