Investments in Associated Companies

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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		40 Weeks Ended	39 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	June 30 2013	June 24 2012	June 30 2013	June 24 2012
Operating revenue	14,644	14,155	48,110	45,878
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	12,300	11,986	39,051	37,926
Workforce adjustments	—	33	—	(31	)
Operating income	2,344	2,136	9,059	7,983
Company's 50% share of operating income	1,172	1,068	4,530	3,992
Less amortization of intangible assets	155	181	517	542
Equity in earnings of TNI	1,017	887	4,013	3,450

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 (income) 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 $(173,000) and $(128,000) in the 13 weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012, respectively, $(449,000) in the 40 weeks ended June 30, 2013 and $(440,000) in the 39 weeks ended June 24, 2012.

Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $418,000 in each of the 52 week periods ending June 2014, June 2015, June 2016, June 2017 and June 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			39 Weeks Ended
(Thousands of Dollars)	June 30 2013	June 24 2012		June 30 2013	June 24 2012
Operating revenue	16,046	17,215		50,084	52,845
Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization	12,773	13,993		40,450	43,440
Workforce adjustments	74	(6	)	63	22
Depreciation and amortization	383	424		1,147	1,271
Operating income	2,816	2,804		8,424	8,112
Net income	1,754	1,748		5,249	5,106
Equity in earnings of MNI	876	874		2,658	2,553