Investments in Associated Companies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2012

Investments In Associated Companies [Abstract]

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:

	14 Weeks Ended	13 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	December 30 2012	December 25 2011
Operating revenue	17,544	16,522
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	13,637	13,062
Workforce adjustments	—	(64	)
Operating income	3,907	3,524
Company's 50% share of operating income	1,954	1,762
Less amortization of intangible assets	181	180
Equity in earnings of TNI	1,773	1,582

Certain assets utilized by TNI are owned by Star Publishing and Citizen. 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 Income (Loss). These amounts totaled $(168,000) and $(105,000) in the 14 weeks ended December 30, 2012 and 13 weeks ended December 25, 2011, respectively.

Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $544,000 in the 52 week period ending December 2013 and $418,000 in each of the 52 week periods ending December 2014, December 2015, December 2016 and December 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
(Thousands of Dollars)	December 30 2012	December 25 2011
Operating revenue	18,564	19,457
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	14,049	15,094
Workforce adjustments	—	26
Depreciation and amortization	383	424
Operating income	4,132	3,913
Net income	2,543	2,460
Equity in earnings of MNI	1,272	1,230