Investments in Associated Companies

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

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:

	13 Weeks Ended		27 Weeks Ended	26 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	March 31 2013	March 25 2012	March 31 2013	March 25 2012
Operating revenue	15,922	15,201	33,466	31,723
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	13,114	12,880	26,751	25,940
Workforce adjustments	—	—	—	(64	)
Operating income	2,808	2,321	6,715	5,847
Company's 50% share of operating income	1,404	1,161	3,358	2,924
Less amortization of intangible assets	181	181	361	361
Equity in earnings of TNI	1,223	980	2,997	2,563

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 $(108,000) and $(207,000) in the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012, respectively, $(276,000) in the 27 weeks ended March 31, 2013 and $(312,000) in the 26 weeks ended March 25, 2012.

Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $468,000 in the 52 week period ending March 2014 and $418,000 in each of the 52 week periods ending March 2015, March 2016, March 2017 and March 2018.

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			26 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	March 31 2013		March 25 2012	March 31 2013		March 25 2012
Operating revenue	15,474		16,173	34,038		35,630
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	13,628		14,353	27,677		29,447
Workforce adjustments	(11	)	2	(11	)	28
Depreciation and amortization	381		423	764		847
Operating income	1,476		1,395	5,608		5,308
Net income	952		899	3,495		3,359
Equity in earnings of MNI	510		450	1,781		1,678