WASHINGTON POST CO
10-Q, 1996-11-13
NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
Previous: WASHINGTON NATIONAL CORP, 10-Q, 1996-11-13
Next: WEST PENN POWER CO, 10-Q, 1996-11-13



<PAGE>   1



                                   FORM 10-Q
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, DC  20549

                Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



For the Quarterly
Period Ended       September 29, 1996   Commission File Number 1-6714 
            -----------------------------------------------------------

                             THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY                
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
                     Delaware                                            53-0182885                 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction of                                 (I.R.S. Employer
         incorporation or organization)                                  Identification No.)


   1150 15th Street, N.W.                 Washington, D.C.                      20071    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)
</TABLE>


                                   (202) 334-6000                             
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X    .   No       .
                                              --------      -------

         Shares outstanding at November 1, 1996:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                               <C>
                 Class A Common Stock              1,804,250 Shares
                 Class B Common Stock              9,126,092 Shares
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
                                                                              2.


                          THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Page

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
<S>                                                                                                         <C>
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                  (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine
                  Weeks Ended September 29, 1996 and
                  October 1, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
         
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
                  at September 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
         
         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                  (Unaudited) for the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                  September 29, 1996 and October 1, 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
         
         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
                  (Unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
                  Operations and Financial Condition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
                                                                                                           
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION                                                                                 
                                                                                                           
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
                                                                                                           
Signatures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
</TABLE>   

Exhibit 10

Exhibit 11

Exhibit 27 (Electronic Filing Only)
<PAGE>   3
                                                                              3.



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

The Washington Post Company
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Thirteen Weeks Ended              Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
                                                            ---------------------------       ----------------------------
                                                              Sep. 29,          Oct. 1,         Sep. 29,           Oct. 1,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                        1996             1995             1996              1995  
                                                            ----------       ----------       ----------        ----------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>
Operating revenues
  Advertising                                                $ 274,719        $ 250,011       $  837,986       $  787,175
  Circulation and subscriber                                   124,916          113,355          363,475          335,900
  Other                                                         60,691           54,553          148,336          133,389
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------

                                                               460,326          417,919        1,349,797        1,256,464
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------
Operating costs and expenses
  Operating                                                    245,763          240,912          741,885          688,949
  Selling, general and administrative                          103,937           96,606          305,290          300,672
  Depreciation and amortization of
    property, plant and equipment                               15,979           16,379           48,143           49,123
  Amortization of goodwill and other
    intangibles                                                  7,427            8,315           21,575           24,944
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------
                                                               373,106          362,212        1,116,893        1,063,688
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------
Income from operations                                          87,220           55,707          232,904          192,776

Other income (expense)
  Equity in earnings of affiliates                               2,537            6,268           17,697           15,898
  Interest income                                                1,358            1,860            3,757            6,226
  Interest expense                                                (168)          (1,388)          (1,390)          (4,187)
  Other                                                            (53)             716            2,126           14,242
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------

Income before income taxes                                      90,894           63,163          255,094          224,955
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------

Provision for income taxes
  Current                                                       35,128           32,134           96,714           96,477
  Deferred                                                         375          (10,764)           2,829           (8,727)
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        --------- 
                                                                35,503           21,370           99,543           87,750
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------

Net income                                                      55,391           41,793          155,551          137,205

Redeemable preferred stock dividends                              (478)               -             (680)               -
                                                              --------         --------        ---------        ---------

Net income available for common shares                       $  54,913        $  41,793       $  154,871       $  137,205
                                                              ========         ========        =========        =========

Earnings per common share                                    $    5.00        $    3.79       $    14.09       $    12.35
                                                              ========         ========        =========        =========

Dividends declared per common share                          $    2.30        $    2.20       $     4.60       $     4.40
                                                              ========         ========        =========        =========

Average number of common shares outstanding                     10,975           11,019           10,990           11,108
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   4
                                                                              4.



The Washington Post Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               September 29,        December 31,
(In thousands)                                                                     1996                 1995    
                                                                               --------------       --------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                  <C>
Assets

Current assets
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $  101,010           $  146,901
   Marketable securities                                                                --                12,756
   Accounts receivable, less estimated returns,
      doubtful accounts and allowances                                              221,385              200,698
   Inventories                                                                       23,207               26,766
   Other current assets                                                              42,343               19,449
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                    387,945              406,570

Investments in affiliates                                                           199,550              189,053

Property, plant and equipment
   Buildings                                                                        197,891              190,543
   Machinery, equipment and fixtures                                                713,144              664,403
   Leasehold improvements                                                            34,377               33,805
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                    945,412              888,751
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                                  (581,698)            (535,691)
                                                                                  ---------            --------- 
                                                                                    363,714              353,060
   Land                                                                              34,350               32,513
   Construction in progress                                                         101,534               71,786
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                    499,598              457,359
Goodwill and other intangibles,
   less accumulated amortization                                                    542,173              472,291

Deferred charges and other assets                                                   226,064              207,620
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                 $1,855,330           $1,732,893
                                                                                  =========            =========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                      $  218,377           $  172,004
   Federal and state income taxes                                                     6,004                3,494
   Deferred subscription revenue                                                     77,476               82,457
   Current portion of long-term debt                                                    --                50,222
   Dividends declared                                                                12,847                   --
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                    314,704              308,177

Other liabilities                                                                   219,233              205,869

Deferred income taxes                                                                37,232               34,643
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                    571,169              548,689

Redeemable preferred stock                                                           11,947                   --

Common shareholders' equity
   Common stock                                                                      20,000               20,000
   Capital in excess of par value                                                    25,530               24,941
   Retained earnings                                                              1,937,082            1,832,706
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale
      securities                                                                      2,880                3,224
   Cumulative foreign currency translation
      adjustment                                                                      5,366                5,537
   Cost of Class B common stock held in Treasury                                   (718,644)            (702,204)
                                                                                  ---------            --------- 
                                                                                  1,272,214            1,184,204
                                                                                  ---------            ---------
                                                                                 $1,855,330           $1,732,893
                                                                                  =========            =========
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   5
                                                                              5.



The Washington Post Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Thirty-nine Weeks Ended      
                                                                                -------------------------------- 
                                                                                  September 29,       October 1,
(In thousands)                                                                         1996              1995   
                                                                                ----------------      ----------
<S>                                                                                   <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                         $ 155,551     $  137,205
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization of property, plant
      and equipment                                                                      48,143         49,123
   Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles                                        21,575         24,944
   Gain from disposition of businesses, net                                              (3,112)        (1,341) 
   Increase in income taxes payable                                                       2,510          1,207
   Provision for deferred income taxes                                                    2,829         (8,727) 
   Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of distributions                               (10,667)       (11,710)
   Change in assets and liabilities:
   (Increase) in accounts receivable                                                    (20,687)       (11,848)
   Decrease (increase) in inventories                                                     3,559        (11,314)
   Increase in accounts payable and accrued
      liabilities                                                                        50,521         17,628
   Other                                                                                (33,253)       (11,121)
                                                                                        -------         ------- 

      Net cash provided by operating activities                                         216,969        174,046
                                                                                        -------        -------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Net proceeds from sale of business                                                     3,517         32,743
   Purchases of property, plant and equipment                                           (43,312)      (106,311)
   Purchases of marketable securities                                                        --        (51,116)
   Proceeds from sales of marketable securities                                          12,821         67,453
   Investments in certain businesses                                                   (143,083)        (1,568) 
   Other                                                                                    482            116 
                                                                                        -------        --------

      Net cash (used) by investing activities                                          (169,575)       (58,683)
                                                                                        -------        ------- 

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Principal payments on debt                                                           (50,209)           --
   Issuance of redeemable preferred stock                                                11,947            --
   Dividends paid                                                                       (38,328)       (36,783)
   Common shares repurchased                                                            (16,695)       (89,584)
                                                                                        -------        ------- 

      Net cash (used) by financing activities                                           (93,285)      (126,367) 
                                                                                        -------        -------  

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                             (45,891)       (11,004)

Beginning cash and cash equivalents                                                     146,901        117,269
                                                                                        -------        -------

Ending cash and cash equivalents                                                      $ 101,010     $  106,265
                                                                                        =======        =======
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   6
                                                                              6.



The Washington Post Company
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


Note 1:  Results of operations, when examined on a quarterly basis, reflect the
seasonality of advertising that affects the newspaper, magazine and
broadcasting operations. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters
are typically higher than first and third quarter revenues.  All adjustments
reflected in the interim financial statements are of a normal recurring nature.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year
presentation.

Note 2:  Summarized combined (unaudited) results of operations for the third
quarter and year-to-date of 1996 and 1995 for the company's affiliates are as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Third Quarter                  Year-to-Date         
                                                       -------------------------        --------------------------
                                                         1996           1995              1996              1995  
                                                       ---------      ----------        ---------        ---------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Operating revenues                                     $226,310         $229,936         $698,214         $660,596
Operating income                                         20,106           30,427           85,163           77,268
Net income                                               11,947           18,813           59,171           46,492
</TABLE>

Note 3:  In the first quarter of 1996 the company purchased two businesses for
approximately $60 million, a cable system in Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas, serving
about 24,000 subscribers and a commercial printing operation located in the
Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.  In the first quarter of 1996 the company
also acquired a cable system in Columbus, Mississippi, serving about 15,700
subscribers for approximately $23 million consisting of cash and
non-convertible, redeemable preferred stock of the company.

    The redeemable preferred stock issued in conjunction with the Columbus
cable acquisition has a par value of $1.00 per share, and a redemption price
and liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  Dividends are payable four
times each year at the rate of $20 per share.  Shares of the redeemable
preferred stock are redeemable by the company at any time on or after October
1, 2015.  In addition, holders of such stock have a right to require the
company to purchase their shares at the redemption price during an annual
60-day election period, with the first such period beginning on February 23,
2001.

    In the third quarter of 1996 the company acquired two businesses for
approximately $51 million, a cable system in Prescott, Arizona, serving about
25,000 subscribers and the publisher of Washington Technology newspaper,
located in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.

Note 4:  Effective January 1, 1996, the company adopted Statements of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 121 (FAS 121) "Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," and No. 123 (FAS 123),
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."  In accordance with FAS 121 the
company periodically





<PAGE>   7
                                                                              7.



evaluates the realizability of long-lived assets, including goodwill, based
upon projected undiscounted cash flows and operating income for each
subsidiary.

    In accordance with the provisions of FAS 123, the company has elected to
continue to measure compensation expense for its stock-based employee
compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,"
and will provide pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share as
if the fair value-based method prescribed by FAS 123 had been applied in
measuring compensation expense.  The adoption of these  standards did not have
a material effect on the company's financial position or results of operations.

Note 5:  During the first nine months of 1996 the company repurchased 57,215
shares of its Class B common stock at a cost of approximately $16.7 million.





<PAGE>   8
                                                                              8.



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

         This analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto.

         Revenues and expenses in the first and third quarters are customarily
lower than those in the second and fourth quarters because of significant
seasonal fluctuations in advertising volume.  For that reason, the results of
operations for each quarter are compared with those of the corresponding
quarter in the preceding year.

         THIRD QUARTER COMPARISONS

         Net income for the third quarter of 1996 was $55.4 million ($5.00 per
share), an increase of 33 percent from net income of $41.8 million ($3.79 per
share) in the third quarter last year.  The 1995 third quarter results included
a one-time after-tax charge of $5.6 million ($0.51 per share) relating to a
write-off of the company's investment in Mammoth Micro Productions.  Excluding
this one-time item, net income increased 17 percent and earnings per share rose
16 percent in the third quarter this year.

         Revenues for the third quarter of 1996 rose 10 percent to $460.3
million, from $417.9 million in the same period last year.  Both advertising
revenues and circulation and subscriber revenues increased 10 percent.  Other
revenues increased 11 percent.  All divisions posted higher revenues in the
third quarter this year.

         Costs and expenses for the third quarter of 1996 increased 3 percent
to $373.1 million, from $362.2 million in the third quarter of 1995.  Operating
expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2 percent
and 8 percent, respectively, compared with the third quarter last year.
Depreciation expense decreased 2 percent from the third quarter of 1995.
Amortization expense for the third quarter of 1996 decreased 11 percent as 1995
amortization included expense related to the operations of Mammoth Micro
Productions which was written off in September 1995.

         Third quarter 1996 operating income was $87.2 million, a 57 percent
increase from $55.7 million in 1995.  Excluding the one-time charge described
above, operating income rose 27 percent in the quarter with all divisions
contributing to the increase.

NEWSPAPER DIVISION.  At the newspaper division revenues rose 7 percent in the
third quarter of 1996.  Although advertising volume at The Washington Post fell
3 percent, advertising revenues for the division rose 5 percent for the quarter
due mainly to rate increases for classified advertising at The Post. 
Classified volume declined 1 percent compared to third quarter 1995 although
recruitment advertising 





<PAGE>   9
                                                                              9.



remained strong.  Retail inches fell 6 percent and general advertisement volume
improved 1 percent compared with the same period last year.  Preprint volume
increased 4 percent for the quarter. Circulation revenues for the division rose
2 percent compared to the third quarter of 1995.

BROADCAST DIVISION.  Revenues at the broadcast division increased 14 percent
over the third quarter of 1995.  Local advertising revenues increased 19
percent and national advertising revenues rose 12 percent in the third quarter
of 1996.  About two-thirds of the total increase reflect Olympics related
advertising.  Network compensation increased 8 percent over the comparable
period last year.

MAGAZINE DIVISION.  Newsweek revenues in the third quarter of 1996 increased 12
percent. Advertising revenues rose 17 percent and circulation revenues were up
6 percent, primarily due to one additional published weekly edition in the
third quarter of 1996.

CABLE DIVISION.  At the cable division third quarter 1996 revenues were up 19
percent over 1995.  Higher subscriber levels, resulting mainly from recent
acquisitions, as well as higher rates accounted for the increase.

OTHER BUSINESSES.  In the third quarter of 1996, revenues from other
businesses, principally Kaplan Educational Centers (Kaplan), PASS Sports,
Legi-Slate, Digital Ink and MLJ (Moffet, Larson, & Johnson) increased 4
percent.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS AND LOSSES OF AFFILIATES.  The company's equity in earnings
of affiliates in the third quarter of 1996 was income of $2.5 million, compared
with income of $6.3 million in the third quarter of 1995.  In the third quarter
of 1996, declining newsprint prices had a negative impact on the results of the
company's affiliate newsprint mills.

NON-OPERATING ITEMS.  Interest income, net of interest expense, was $1.2
million, compared with $0.5 million in the same period last year.

INCOME TAXES.  The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 1996
increased to 39 percent from 34 percent in the third quarter of 1995.  The 1995
effective tax rate included the recognition of certain tax benefits associated
with the company's write-off of its investment in Mammoth Micro Productions.

         NINE MONTH COMPARISONS

         Net income for the first nine months of 1996 was $155.6 million
($14.09 per share), up from net income of $137.2 million ($12.35 per share) in
the same period last year.  The company's net income for the first nine months
of 1995 included $8.4 million ($0.75 per share) from





<PAGE>   10
                                                                             10.



the sale of substantially all of the company's investment in American PCS,
L.P., as well as the after-tax charge of $5.6 million ($0.51 per share)
relating to the write-off of the company's investment in Mammoth Micro
Productions.  Excluding the effect of these one-time items, net income and
earnings per share each rose 16 percent in the first nine months of 1996.

         Revenues for the first nine months of 1996 increased 7 percent to
$1,349.8 million, from $1,256.5 million in the comparable period last year.
Advertising revenues increased 7 percent, circulation and  subscriber revenues
rose 8 percent, and other revenues increased 11 percent.

         Total costs and expenses increased 5 percent during the first nine
months of 1996 to $1,116.9 million, from $1,063.7 million in the corresponding
period of 1995.  Operating expenses increased 8 percent, and selling, general
and administrative expenses increased 2 percent.  Depreciation expense
decreased 2 percent.  Amortization expense for the first nine months of 1996
decreased 14 percent as the 1995 amortization included expenses related to the
operations of Mammoth Micro Productions which was written off in September
1995.  A 13 percent increase in newsprint expense accounted for about one-third
of the increase in total costs and expenses.  The remainder of the net increase
relates primarily to additional expenses associated with newly acquired
businesses as well as normal growth in the cost of operations.

         In the first three quarters of 1996 operating income rose to $232.9
million, a 21 percent increase over $192.8 million in the same period last
year.

NEWSPAPER DIVISION.  Newspaper division revenues were up 4 percent in the first
three quarters of 1996 over the comparable period of 1995.  Although
advertising volume at The Washington Post fell 6 percent from 2,380,600 inches
to 2,237,300 inches in the first nine months of 1996, advertising revenues for
the division rose 2 percent in the period due mainly to the growth in volume
and rates realized in recruitment advertising.  Circulation revenues for the
division increased 2 percent compared with the first three quarters of 1995.
Both daily and Sunday circulation at the Post declined 1 percent from the prior
year.

BROADCAST DIVISION.  Revenues at the broadcast division increased 8 percent
over the first nine months of 1995. In the first three quarters of 1996 local
advertising revenues rose 12 percent, national advertising revenues increased 6
percent, and network compensation improved 13 percent.

MAGAZINE DIVISION.  At Newsweek revenues increased 9 percent in the first three
quarters of 1996.  A major contributor to the improvement was a 16 percent
increase in advertising revenues, which resulted primarily from higher
advertising page volume and net advertising





<PAGE>   11
                                                                             11.



revenues realized per page at the domestic edition. In the first nine months of
1996, circulation revenues increased 2 percent.  In the first three quarters of
1996 thirty-nine weekly issues were published versus thirty-eight weekly issues
and one newsstand-only special issue in 1995.

CABLE DIVISION.  Cable division revenues were up 18 percent in the first three
quarters of 1996.  Subscriber revenues increased 19 percent in the first nine
months of 1996, principally due to an increase in the number of basic
subscribers resulting from recent acquisitions, as well as higher rates.  At 
the end of September 1996, cable operations had 587,000 basic subscribers
compared to 511,000 basic subscribers at the same time last year.

OTHER BUSINESSES.  At the company's other businesses, revenues rose 8  percent
in the first three quarters of 1996.  At MLJ, increased demand for engineering
services to the expanding PCS industry generated a 30 percent increase in
revenues.

EQUITY IN EARNINGS AND LOSSES OF AFFILIATES.  The company's equity in earnings
of affiliates during the first nine months of 1996 was income of $17.7 million,
compared with income of $15.9 million in the first nine months of 1995.

NON-OPERATING ITEMS.  Interest income, net of interest expense, was $2.4
million for the first three quarters of 1996 compared to $2.0 million in the
same period of last year.

         Other income in the first three quarters of 1996 was $2.1 million,
compared with $14.2 million in the comparable period of 1995.  Other income in
1995 included the gain from the sale of substantially all of the company's
interest in American PCS, L.P. in January 1995.

INCOME TAXES.  The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 1996
remained consistent at 39 percent with the same period last year.

FINANCIAL CONDITION:  CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

         In early 1996 the company purchased two businesses for approximately
$60 million, a cable system in Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas, serving about 24,000
subscribers and a commercial printing operation located in the Maryland suburbs
of Washington, D.C.  The company also acquired a cable system in Columbus,
Mississippi, serving about 15,700 subscribers for approximately $23 million
consisting of cash and shares of non-convertible, redeemable preferred stock of
the company.  During the third quarter of 1996, the company purchased two
businesses for approximately $51 million, a cable system in Prescott, Arizona,
serving about 25,000 subscribers and the publisher of Washington Technology
newspaper, located in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.  The





<PAGE>   12
                                                                             12.



company has also reached agreements in principle to purchase cable systems
serving 26,000 subscribers in two states for approximately $37 million, and to
exchange the assets of certain cable systems with Tele-Communications, Inc.
(TCI).  According to the terms of the TCI agreements, the exchanges will result
in an aggregate increase of about 28,000 subscribers for the company.  These
transactions are expected to be completed during 1996 and early 1997.

         In January 1996 the company established a five-year, $300 million
revolving credit facility with a group of banks to provide for general
corporate purposes and support the issuance of short-term promissory notes.
The company has yet to draw on this facility in 1996.  In March 1996, the
company retired its European Currency Notes for $50.2 million.

         As of the end of 1995, the company had repurchased approximately
235,000 shares of the one million Class B shares authorized for repurchase by
the Board of Directors in January 1995.  In the first nine months of 1996, the
company repurchased 57,215 shares of its Class B common stock for approximately
$16.7 million.  Approximately 708,000  Class B common shares remain to be
repurchased under the January 1995 authorization.

         The company has experienced no other significant changes in its
financial condition since the end of 1995.





<PAGE>   13
                                                                             13.



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.


         (a)     The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report:


      EXHIBIT
      NUMBER                               DESCRIPTION

         10               The Washington Post Company Deferred
                          Compensation Plan as effective
                          November 15, 1996

         11               Calculation of Earnings Per Share of
                          Common Stock

         27               Financial Data Schedule (Electronic Filing Only)


         (b)     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the period covered by
                 this report.





<PAGE>   14
                                                                             14.





                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                 THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY
                                      (Registrant)
                               
                               
                               
Date:  November 13, 1996                        /s/ Donald E. Graham          
       -----------------            ------------------------------------------
                                           Donald E. Graham, Chairman &
                                           Chief Executive Officer
                                          (Principal Executive Officer)
                               
                               
                               
                               
Date:  November 13, 1996                /s/ John B. Morse, Jr.           
       -----------------       ------------------------------------------
                               John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance
                                  (Principal Financial Officer)






<PAGE>   1
                                                                      Exhibit 10





                          THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

                           DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN





                          EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 1996
<PAGE>   2
                          THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

                           DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN





         Section 1.  Purpose.  The Washington Post Company Deferred
Compensation Plan (the "Plan") is an unfunded plan established for the purpose
of offering a select group of management and other highly compensated key
employees the opportunity to defer the receipt of compensation payments that
would otherwise become payable to them currently for the periods provided in
the Plan.

         This Plan is strictly a voluntary undertaking on the part of the
Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment or part
of a contract between the Company and any employee or any employee of an
Affiliate, nor shall it be deemed to give any employee the right to be retained
in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, or to
interfere with the right of the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, to
discharge any employee at any time, or to establish the terms and conditions of
employment of any employee.

         Benefits from this Plan shall be payable solely from the general
assets of the Company and participants herein shall not be entitled to look to
any source for payment of such benefits other than the general assets of the
Company.

         Section 2.  Definitions.  As used in this Plan, the following words
shall have the following meanings:

         (a)     "Affiliate" means any corporation (other than the Company)
more than 50% of the outstanding stock of which is directly or indirectly owned
by the Company and any unincorporated trade or business which is under common
control with the Company as determined in accordance with Section 414(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
<PAGE>   3
         (b)     "Annual Incentive Compensation" means any bonus awarded to a
Participant and payable in cash under the Company's Executive Incentive
Compensation Plan or any other annual bonus program maintained by the Company
or an Affiliate.

         (c)     "Beneficiary" means the person, persons or entity designated
in writing by the Participant to receive his or her Participant Account  in the
event of his or her death.  If no  effective designation of beneficiary is on
file with the Committee, then such amounts that would otherwise be payable to a
Beneficiary will be paid to the surviving spouse of the Participant, or, if
there is no surviving spouse, then to the Participant's estate.

         (d)     "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors.

         (e)     "Company" means The Washington Post Company, a Delaware
corporation, and any successors in interest thereto.

         (f)     "Deferred Compensation" means any amounts deferred under this
Plan in accordance with Section 3.

         (g)     "Designated Deferral Period" means one of the following
periods as selected by the Participant with respect to his or her Deferred
Compensation for the particular Plan Year or Short Year:  (i) until a specified
date in the future, or (ii) until a date which is the end of the calendar month
following the Participant's termination of employment with the Company.  For
purposes of this section, it shall not be considered a termination of
employment when a Participant is granted a military or personal leave of
absence by the Company or when a Participant is transferred from the Company to
any Affiliate.

         (h)     "Effective Date" means November 15, 1996.





                                     Page 2
<PAGE>   4
         (i)     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

         (j)     "Investment Election" means a written election filed by the
Participant selecting the investment credit factor(s) that will be applicable
to the Participant's Account.

         (k)     "Long-Term Incentive Compensation" means any bonus awarded to
a Participant and payable in cash under the Company's Performance Unit Plan or
another special long-term incentive compensation plan maintained by the Company
or an Affiliate that provides the opportunity for a cash bonus payment at the
end of a specified period (minimum 2 years) based on the attainment of specific
performance goals.

         (l)     "Participant" means an employee of the Company or an Affiliate
recommended by the Company's senior management and designated a participant in
this Plan by the Committee, who is within the category of a select group of
management or highly compensated employees as referred to in Sections
201(a)(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA for any Plan Year and who is a
participant in the Company's Annual Incentive Compensation Plan or any other
formal annual incentive program maintained by the Company or an Affiliate.

         (m)     "Participant Account" means a separate account representing
the value of a Participant's Deferred Compensation with respect to any Plan
Year or Short Year.  A Participant may have more than one Participant Account,
reflecting separate year deferral elections.

         (n)     "Payout Period" means either (i) a lump sum or (ii) a series
of annual installments, which may not be less than 2 nor more than 10, over
which the Participant's Account shall be paid.





                                     Page 3
<PAGE>   5
         (o)     "Plan Year" means a calendar year.

         (p)     "Short Year" means (i) the remainder of the calendar year
following  the Effective Date of this Plan and (ii) the remainder of the
calendar year following the date an employee first becomes a Participant in
this Plan if other than the beginning of a calendar year.

         (q)     "Specified Amount" means the portion of the Participant's
Annual Incentive Compensation and/or Long-Term Incentive Compensation for a
particular Plan Year or Short Year which the Participant elects in writing to
defer hereunder, provided that such amount shall not be less than $10,000.

         Section 3.  Deferral Elections.

         (a)     Subject to the limitations described below,  each Participant
may elect to have the payment of a Specified Amount of his or her Annual
Incentive Compensation and/or Long-Term Incentive Compensation deferred
pursuant to this Plan for the Designated Deferral Period.  A deferral election
will be applicable to the Plan Year or Short Year for which it is designated
and will apply only to Annual Incentive Compensation or Long-Term Incentive
Compensation otherwise first payable by the Company after the date the election
is filed with the Committee.

         (b)     A deferral election must be an irrevocable written election on
a form prescribed by the Committee, made within a period specified by the
Committee before any Plan Year but in no event later than the last day of the
calendar year preceding the Plan Year to which the deferral election is
applicable.  In the event of a Short Year, the specified period will be no
later than 30 days following initial notification of the employee that he or
she has become a Participant for the Short Year.





                                     Page 4
<PAGE>   6
         (c)     Each deferral election shall set forth the Specified Amount of
the Participant's Annual Incentive Compensation or Long-Term Incentive
Compensation for the calendar year covered by the election that the Participant
desires to have deferred, the Designated Deferral Period and the Payout Period.
A Participant may file a change in the Designated Deferral Period with respect
to his deferral election provided that such a change is filed with the
Committee prior to the last day of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year in
which payment of the Participant's Account otherwise would have been made or
commenced.

         (d)     The Committee may, from time to time, set limitations  on the
amount of a Participant's Annual Incentive Compensation and/or Long-Term
Incentive Compensation which may be subject to deferral under this Plan,
including but not limited to establishing annual limitations relating to
particular employment positions or levels of Participants and/or compensation
levels.  Any applicable limitations will be set forth on the deferral election
form relating to the Plan Year for which such limitations are applicable.

         (e)     A Participant will be 100% vested in his or her Participant
Account at all times.

         Section 4.  Treatment of Deferred Amounts.

         (a)     The Company shall maintain on its books a separate Participant
Account for each Participant who has deferred compensation under this Plan with
respect to any Plan Year or Short Year.  The amount of such Deferred
Compensation shall be credited to such Participant's Account on the date or
dates during the calendar year or Short Year on which the Deferred Compensation
would have been payable to the Participant but for the deferral under this
Plan.





                                     Page 5
<PAGE>   7
         (b)     Each Participant's Account shall be deemed to earn investment
credits reflecting gains or losses with respect to each Plan Year or Short Year
in accordance with the Participant's individual Investment Election.  The
Committee shall determine the investment credit factors that will be offered in
any Plan Year.  Beginning with the Effective Date, the investment credit
factors will be the equivalent rates of return generated by the six investment
options offered under the 401(k) plan maintained by the Company.

         (c)     Each Participant must file an Investment Election at the time
he or she first files a deferral election.  The Investment Election will
determine the investment credit factors that will be applicable to the Deferred
Compensation in a Participant's Account.  A Participant may file a new
Investment Election at any time.  The new Investment Election will take effect
on the first day of the Plan Year following its execution and filing.  In the
event a Participant fails to complete a valid Investment Election, his or her
Deferred Compensation will be credited with the investment credit amounts
equivalent to the rates of return generated by the money market option under
the Company's 401(k) plan.

         (d)     The Company will add to (or subtract from) each Participant's
Account the appropriate amounts, in accordance with the Participant's
Investment Election, calculated as of the last day of each calendar quarter.

         (e)     No assets shall be segregated or earmarked in respect of any
Participant Account and no Participant shall have any right to assign,
transfer, or pledge his or her interest, or any portion thereof, in his or her
Participant Account.  The Plan and the crediting of accounts hereunder shall
not constitute a trust and shall merely be for the purpose of recording an
unsecured contractual obligation.  All amounts payable pursuant





                                     Page 6
<PAGE>   8
to the terms of this Plan shall be paid from the general assets of the Company.

         (f)     Until the entire balance in a Participant's Account has been
paid in full, the Company will furnish to each Participant a report, at least
annually, setting forth the credits and debits to each Participant Account and
the status of his or her Account.

Section 5.  Payment of Deferred Accounts.

         (a)     The amount to be paid to a Participant following the
expiration of the Designated Deferral Period with respect to any Participant
Account shall be computed with respect to the current balance of the Account
(Deferred Compensation amount plus and minus cumulative investment Credits) as
of the payment date.

         (b)     All payments of amounts under this Plan shall be made in cash.

         (c)     Notwithstanding the Designated Deferral Period or the Payout
Period selected by the Participant, if the employment of a Participant is
terminated as a result of the Participant's death or permanent disability, the
entire Participant Account shall be payable in a lump sum to such Participant
(or, in the case of death, to his or her Beneficiary) at the end of the
calendar quarter following the Participant's death or permanent disability.  A
Participant's employment shall be deemed to have been terminated as a result of
permanent disability in the event the Participant suffers a physical illness,
injury or other impairment in respect to which the Participant is entitled to
receive benefits under the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company,
provided the Participant is expected to remain on permanent disability for an
indefinite period of time.





                                     Page 7
<PAGE>   9
         (d)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the
contrary, the Committee, in its sole discretion, is empowered to accelerate the
payment of a Participant's Account, without a prepayment penalty, to a
Participant for any reason the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
Neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to make any
such acceleration for any reason whatsoever.

         (e)     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the
contrary, the Committee shall have the authority to require deferral beyond the
expiration of the designated Deferral Period to the extent necessary to avoid a
limitation on the deductibility by the Company of the deferred amount.

Section 6.  Administration.

         (a)     This Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  All
decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be conclusive  and binding
on the Company and the Participants.  The Plan may be amended or terminated by
the Board of Directors of the Company at any time and any Participant may have
his designation as such terminated by the Committee at any time; provided,
however, that no such amendment or termination or change in designation shall
deprive any Participant of any benefits or accruals to the date of such
amendment or termination, nor shall such actions, without the Participant's
consent, adversely affect any Participant's Account up to the date of such
action.

         (b)     Nothwithstanding any other section of this Plan, if a
Participant is discharged by the Company or an Affiliate because of conduct
that the Participant knew or should have known was detrimental to legitimate
interests of the Company or its Affiliates, dishonesty, fraud, misappropriation
of funds or confidential, secret or proprietary information belonging to the
Company or an Affiliate or commission of a crime, such





                                     Page 8
<PAGE>   10
Participant's rights to any benefits under this Plan shall be forfeited; except
that such Participant shall be entitled to receive the aggregate amounts of any
Deferred Compensation in his Participant Account, with investment credits at
the Vanguard money market fund rate of return for the deferral period.

         (c)     The Company's sole obligation under this Plan is to pay the
benefits provided for herein and neither the Participant nor any other person
shall have any legal or equitable right against the Company, an Affiliate, the
Boards of Directors thereof, the Committee or any officer or employee of the
Company or an Affiliate other than the right against the Company to receive
such payments from the Company provided herein.

         (d)     The Company shall bear all expenses incurred by it in
administering this Plan.

         (e)     The Company shall have the right to deduct from any other
payments to be made by the Company to the Participant, any Federal, state or
local taxes required by law to be withheld.  To the extent that the Company is
required to withhold any taxes or other amounts from the employee's deferred
wages pursuant to any Federal, state or local law, such amounts shall be taken
out of the portion of the Participant's compensation which is paid currently.





                                     Page 9

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      Exhibit 11


                            CALCULATION OF EARNINGS
                           PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                            (In thousands of shares)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Thirteen Weeks Ended                     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended         
                                                   -------------------------             ---------------------------------     
                                                    Sep. 29,        Oct. 1,               Sep. 29,               Oct. 1,      
                                                      1996           1995                   1996                  1995        
                                                   ---------      ----------             ----------            ---------     
<S>                                               <C>              <C>                   <C>                   <C>      
Number of shares of                                                                                                            
Class A and Class B                                                                                                            
stock outstanding                                                                                                              
at beginning of                                                                                                                
period                                             10,963            11,041                 11,005                11,346       
                                                                                                                               
Issuance of shares of                                                                                                          
Class B common stock                                                                                                           
(weighted), net of                                                                                                             
forfeiture of restricted stock awards                   1                 1                      2                    19       
                                                                                                                               
Repurchase of Class B                                                                                                          
common stock (weighted)                                (7)              (36)                   (32)                 (266)      
                                                                                                                               
Unexercised stock option                                                                                                       
equivalent shares computed under the "treasury                                                                                
stock method"                                          18                13                     15                     9       
                                                   -------          -------               --------              --------       
                                                                                                                               
Shares used in the                                                                                                             
computation of primary                                                                                                         
earnings per share                                 10,975            11,019                 10,990                11,108       
                                                                                                                               
Adjustment to reflect fully                                                                                                    
dilution computation (1)                              --                --                     --                    --          
                                                                                                                               
                                                   10,975            11,019                 10,990                11,108       
                                                  -------           -------               --------              --------       
                                                                                                                               
Net income available for                                                                                                       
common shares                                    $ 54,913          $ 41,793              $ 154,871             $ 137,205       
                                                  -------           -------               --------              --------       
                                                                                                                               
Primary earnings per                                                                                                           
share                                            $   5.00          $   3.79              $   14.09             $   12.35       
                                                  -------           -------               --------              --------       
                                                                                                                               
Fully diluted earnings                                                                                                         
per share (1)                                    $   5.00          $   3.79              $   14.09             $   12.35       
                                                  -------           -------               --------              --------       
</TABLE>


(1) This computation is submitted although it is not required by Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 15 since it results in dilution of less than 3
percent.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statement of Income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29,
1996 and the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 29, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                         101,010
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  267,317
<ALLOWANCES>                                    45,932
<INVENTORY>                                     23,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               387,945
<PP&E>                                       1,081,296
<DEPRECIATION>                                 581,698
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,855,330
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          314,704
<BONDS>                                              0
                           11,947
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        20,000
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,252,214
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,855,330
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,349,797
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  741,885
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                36,208
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,390
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                255,094
<INCOME-TAX>                                    99,543
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            155,551
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   155,551
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    14.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    14.09
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission