<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 24, 1995
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________
Commission file number 1-6383
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia 54-0850433
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
333 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(804) 649-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
---
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report.)
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
----------- -----------
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock as of October 31, 1995.
Class A Common shares: 25,899 856
Class B Common shares: 556,574
<PAGE> 2
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(000's except shares)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 24, December 25,
1995 1994
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<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 17,832 $ 11,663
Accounts receivable - net 68,770 68,901
Inventories 20,033 11,360
Other 26,226 22,738
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Total current assets 132,861 114,662
----------- -----------
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates 93,880 83,249
Other assets 33,473 28,105
Property, plant and equipment - net 494,356 517,044
Excess of cost of businesses acquired over
equity in net assets - net 43,490 44,105
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$ 798,060 $ 787,165
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE> 3
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(000's except shares)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 24, December 25,
1995 1994
----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 32,191 $ 26,981
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 72,906 61,973
Income taxes payable 1,313 1,875
Current portion of long-term debt --- 9,000
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 106,410 99,829
----------- -----------
Long-term debt 128,750 163,500
Deferred income taxes 99,337 97,012
Other liabilities and deferred credits 105,499 93,461
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock ($5 cumulative convertible),
par value $5 per share:
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none outstanding
Common stock, par value $5 per share:
Class A, authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued
25,899,674 and 25,739,732 shares 129,498 128,699
Class B, authorized 600,000 shares;
issued 556,574 shares 2,783 2,783
Additional paid-in capital 9,939 6,787
Unearned compensation (2,943) (1,676)
Retained earnings 218,787 196,770
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Total stockholders' equity 358,064 333,363
----------- -----------
$ 798,060 $ 787,165
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE> 4
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(000's except for per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 24, Sept. 25,
1995 1994 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 168,458 $ 155,192 $ 507,091 $ 459,190
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating costs:
Production costs 97,815 82,870 283,479 244,708
Selling, distribution and administrative 44,604 42,520 131,569 125,836
Depreciation and amortization 14,564 14,170 44,356 42,123
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating costs 156,983 139,560 459,404 412,667
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income 11,475 15,632 47,687 46,523
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (3,030) (4,016) (10,213) (13,217)
Investment income (loss) --
unconsolidated affiliates:
Southeast Paper Manufacturing Co. 3,868 141 6,163 (1,500)
Denver Newspapers, Inc.:
Equity in net income 120 --- 1,203 ---
Preferred stock income 1,088 1,103 3,265 1,442
Gain on sale of Garden State Newspapers
investment --- --- --- 91,520
Other, net (note 4) 448 (705) 5,100 (570)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total other income (expense) 2,494 (3,477) 5,518 77,675
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes 13,969 12,155 53,205 124,198
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income taxes 5,121 4,133 18,493 19,338
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 8,848 $ 8,022 $ 34,712 $ 104,860
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings per common share and equivalent $ 0.33 $ 0.30 $ 1.31 $ 3.99
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Dividends paid per common share $ 0.12 $ 0.11 $ 0.36 $ 0.33
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Weighted average common shares
and equivalents 26,529 26,307 26,478 26,265
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE> 5
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(000's)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 24, September 25,
1995 1994
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 34,712 $ 104,860
Adjustments to reconcile net income:
Depreciation and amortization 44,356 42,123
Deferred income taxes 3,038 3,768
Investment (income) loss --
unconsolidated affiliates (10,631) 58
Gain on sale of Garden State Newspapers
investment --- (91,520)
Change in assets and liabilities 2,677 17,166
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 74,152 76,455
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net proceeds from sale of Garden State
Newspapers investment --- 57,520
Capital expenditures (21,064) (49,529)
Other, net 5,196 7,918
----------- -----------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (15,868) 15,909
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net decrease in long-term debt (43,750) (84,750)
Dividends paid (9,520) (8,661)
Other, net 1,155 770
----------- -----------
Net cash used by financing activities (52,115) (92,641)
----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 6,169 (277)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 11,663 2,942
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 17,832 $ 2,665
=========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amount capitalized) $ 10,958 $ 14,736
Income taxes (net of refunds) 15,478 11,953
</TABLE>
Information about Noncash Investing Activities:
In addition to the receipt of $63 million in cash ($57.5 million, net of
related transaction costs) from the sale of its investment in Garden State
Newspapers, Inc. (GSN), the Company also received 1,200 shares of 9% cumulative
preferred stock of Denver Newspapers, Inc., with a fair value of $34 million.
See Note 7 for a further discussion of the GSN sale.
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE> 6
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
for interim financial reporting, and with applicable quarterly reporting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all
of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
25, 1994.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of interim
financial information have been included. Certain items in 1994 have been
reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation. The
reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported. The
results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.
2. Inventories are principally raw materials.
3. At September 24, 1995, 1,057,132 shares of Class A common stock were
reserved for issuance upon exercise of unqualified stock options granted.
4. Other, net for the nine months ended September 24, 1995, includes a
$3.6 million gain ($2.5 million after-tax; $0.09 per share) from the sale of the
Company's interest in a Mexican newsprint operation.
5. Pursuant to the provisions of the Cable Television Consumer and
Competition Act of 1992 (1992 Cable Act), the rates charged to subscribers by
the Company's Fairfax Cable subsidiary are subject to regulation and review by
local franchising authorities and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FCC is currently reviewing certain of the rates charged to subscribers. The
Company believes that it has complied with all provisions of the 1992 Cable Act,
including its rate setting provisions. However, since the Company's rates for
regulated services are subject to review, the Company may be subject to a refund
liability if its rates are successfully challenged.
6. In October 1995, the Company replaced its five-year revolving credit
facility, which committed six banks to lend the Company up to $180 million at
competitive interest rates based typically on the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR), with a five-year, $320 million revolving credit facility with eight
banks, also at competitive interest rates based typically on LIBOR. Borrowings
under this facility were used to finance the majority of the $230 million
acquisition of certain assets of several Virginia newspapers from Worrell
Enterprises, Inc., and its affiliates on October 26, 1995.
At the time of funding the acquisition, the Company entered into three
interest rate swap agreements totaling $200 million with maturities of three to
five years effectively converting floating rate debt to fixed rate debt with a
weighted average interest rate of 6.25%.
7. As more fully explained in Note 3 to its 1994 consolidated financial
statements (incorporated by reference in the Company's 1994 Annual Report on
Form 10-K), in May 1994, the Company sold its interest in Garden State
Newspapers, Inc. (GSN) for $63 million in cash and the 9% Cumulative Preferred
<PAGE> 7
Stock of Denver Newspapers, Inc. (DNI), valued at $34 million. The sale
resulted in a gain of $91.5 million ($83.3 million after-tax; $3.17 per share).
Also, on September 28, 1994, the Company exercised an option to purchase 40% of
the common stock of DNI and, effective with the fourth quarter of 1994, began
recognizing in the Company's earnings 40% of DNI's net income applicable to
common stockholders under the equity method of accounting.
<PAGE> 8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
OVERVIEW
Media General, Inc., is a diversified communications company situated primarily
in the Southeast, with wholly owned subsidiaries operating within four principal
business segments: newspaper publishing, broadcast television, cable television
and newsprint manufacturing. Effective with the second quarter of 1995, the
Company began reporting its broadcast and cable operations as separate segments
to provide a clearer understanding of the importance of each to the Company's
overall operations. Previously, these operations were combined into the
television segment. In addition to the four principal business segments, the
Company has auxiliary operations in the financial and business publishing, and
commercial printing fields. The Company also has investments in newspaper
publishing and newsprint manufacturing operations, the operating results of
which are recognized under the equity method of accounting.
As more fully described in the "Acquisition" section of this Discussion and in
Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements, on
October 26, 1995, the Company acquired for approximately $230 million cash a
number of Virginia-based daily and Sunday newspapers as well as weekly, monthly,
semimonthly and other Virginia publications from Worrell Enterprises, Inc.
The Company's businesses are somewhat seasonal; the second and fourth quarters
are typically stronger than the first and third quarters.
The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December.
<PAGE> 9
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN OPERATING COMPONENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 24, 1995, Sept. 24, 1995,
Compared to Compared to
Equivalent Equivalent
Period Last Year Period Last Year
------------------- --------------------
Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease)
(000's) Amount Percent Amount Percent
--------- --------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues $ 13,266 8.5% $ 47,901 10.4%
Production costs 14,945 18.0 38,771 15.8
Selling, distribution
and administrative 2,084 4.9 5,733 4.6
Depreciation and amortization 394 2.8 2,233 5.3
Operating income (4,157) (26.6) 1,164 2.5
Other income (expense) 5,971 --- (72,157) (92.9)
Income before income taxes 1,814 14.9 (70,993) (57.2)
Income taxes 988 23.9 (845) (4.4)
Net income 826 10.3 (70,148) (66.9)
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 10
REVENUES
Consolidated revenues increased $13.3 million (8.5%) and $47.9 million (10.4%)
in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995, respectively, compared to
the same periods of 1994.
Newspaper segment revenues for the quarter and nine-month periods ended
September 24, 1995, rose 1.7% and 4.5%, respectively, from the comparable 1994
periods. Within the three daily newspapers which comprise the Company's
metropolitan daily newspaper group, advertising revenues declined slightly (.4%)
in the third quarter of 1995 compared to the year-ago period, reflecting a 5.5%
decline in advertising inches which more than offset a 5.4% rise in average
rate. In the year to date, advertising revenues increased 3.7%, reflecting an
average rate increase of 7.7% which more than offset a 3.8% decline in
advertising inches. The third quarter advertising revenue decline was
principally attributable to reduced retail (largely, food and food products) and
general (airline and travel) advertising, which more than offset classified
advertising gains, primarily in the employment category. Increased ad revenues
in the first nine months reflect strong classified revenue increases (primarily
in employment) which, together
with a small rise in retail advertising, more than offset a decline in general
revenues on weak grocery, airline and travel advertising. Circulation revenues
rose 3.5% in both the third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the
comparable periods of 1994, principally the result of circulation rate increases
approximating 8.2% and 4.8% in the third quarter and year to date, which more
than offset combined circulation volume declines of 4.3% and 1.3% from the
comparable year-ago periods. Other revenues in the quarter and first nine
months ended September 24, 1995, rose 26% in each period, principally the result
of increased waste newsprint sales, up due to prices, and to commercial printing
revenue gains.
Broadcast television segment revenues increased $1.1 million (7.8%) and $6.2
million (14.1%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995, from the
comparable periods of 1994. The increases were principally the result of local
and national advertising growth, led by strong automotive ad spending, at the
Company's Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida, TV stations. In December 1994, three
of the Tampa market's four major broadcast TV stations changed their network
affiliations. In that market, only the Company's flagship station, WFLA-TV,
retained its historical television network affiliation. In part, this
undisrupted network affiliation has enabled WFLA-TV to achieve a number one
station ranking in that market (sign-on to sign-off), contributing to strong
demand for advertising time and increased advertising rates. Revenues of the
Company's Charleston, S.C., station declined 13.7% and 5.9% in the quarter and
nine months, reflecting declines in national ad revenues and, particularly in
the third quarter, a significant ($.3 million) reduction in political
advertising revenues resulting from the absence of last year's local and
national political races. The Charleston market continued to experience a soft
local economy as a result of the lingering effects of the Navy Base and Shipyard
closings.
Cable television segment revenues rose $1.8 million (5.8%) and $4.5 million
(4.8%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the comparable
1994 periods. The increases were principally attributable to the Company's
Fairfax County, Virginia, cable system (Fairfax Cable), where revenues grew
nearly $2.1 million (7.3%) and $4.3 million (5%) in the quarterly and year-to-
date periods ended September 24, 1995, from the prior comparable periods. The
revenue growth resulted primarily from a January 1, 1995, subscriber rate
increase (2.1% on basic cable service and 4.5% on expanded cable service), from
a 31.2% rise in third quarter pay-per-view volume due to strong special event
<PAGE> 11
programming in the quarter (although down 6.8% in the year to date), and from a
4.1% increase in the number of Fairfax Cable subscribers from the year-ago
period (to 218,843 at September 24, 1995). Revenues of the Company's
Fredericksburg, Virginia, cable system (Fredericksburg Cable) rose 6.4% and 4%
in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the same periods of
1994. The increased revenues were principally the result of a 4.1% growth in
subscribers since September 1994 (to 15,207 at September 24, 1995) and a 2.1%
average rate increase implemented on April 1, 1995, the effects of which more
than offset reduced revenues from leased access fees.
Newsprint segment revenues increased $8.7 million (31%) and $27 million (36.3%)
in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the year-ago periods.
The increases were attributable to the Company's Garden State Paper newsprint
mill, located in Garfield, New Jersey, where newsprint tonnage sold during the
third quarter declined 4.1% as a result of production downtime, but rose 1.2% in
the year-to-date period ended September 24, 1995, from the comparable year-ago
periods and, more significantly, where average realized newsprint selling prices
rose 45.2% and 35.7% above those of the comparable year-ago periods (to an
average of $606 per ton in the third quarter of 1995 from an average of $417 per
ton in the same period of 1994). The rise in the average realized selling
price, which accounted for substantially all of the revenue increase in both the
quarter and year-to-date periods, was attributable to the cumulative effects of
four selling price discount reductions or list price increases implemented since
the beginning of 1995, the most recent being a 10% list price increase announced
September 1, 1995, which was not fully implemented until October 1, 1995.
OPERATING COSTS
Production costs increased $14.9 million (18%) and $38.8 million (15.8%) in the
third quarter and first nine months of 1995 compared to the equivalent 1994
periods. The third quarter reflects an $8 million (204%) increase from the
comparable year-ago quarter in the cost of recovered newspapers (ONP) consumed
in the production of recycled newsprint by Garden State Paper's Garfield, N.J.,
newsprint mill, the result of significant ONP price increases since the year-ago
quarter; a $4.3 million (32.3%) rise in the cost of newsprint consumed by the
Company's newspaper and printing operations (the result of a 45% increase in
price, offset somewhat by the effect of a 9% decrease in tons consumed, largely
the result of aggressive newsprint conservation measures); a $.7 million (2.2%)
increase in employee compensation and benefit costs; and a $.5 million (7%)
increase in programming costs, principally a result of the addition of new
afternoon programs at the Company's WFLA-TV station in Tampa. The first nine
months reflects a $15.9 million (152%) rise in the cost of ONP consumed in
newsprint production, a $10.9 million (29%) increase in the cost of newsprint
consumed by the Company's newspaper and printing operations (a 36% price
increase offset by a 6% decline in tons consumed), a $3.3 million (3.5%)
increase in employee compensation and benefit expenses, a $2.2 million (10.3%)
increase in programming costs (principally Cable TV), and a $1.1 million (9.2%)
rise in maintenance and repair costs (primarily at the Company's newsprint and
cable operations). As a result of significant price increases during the past
year, the cost of newsprint consumed by the Company's metropolitan newspapers
grew to 36.9% of their combined production costs in the first nine months of
1995 compared to 32% in the comparable period of 1994.
Selling, distribution and administrative costs increased $2.1 million (4.9%) and
$5.7 million (4.6%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the
same periods of 1994. Third quarter increases in employee compensation and
benefits expense, together with increases in bad debt expense (on increased
sales volume), advertising and promotion (principally on expanded newspaper
circulation incentives) and other administrative expenses, more than offset a
<PAGE> 12
decline in delivery expenses. In the year to date, employee compensation and
benefit cost increases of $2.5 million (3.6%), combined with increases in
advertising and promotion and in bad debt expense, more than offset declines in
delivery expense.
Depreciation and amortization expense rose $.4 million (2.8%) and $2.2 million
(5.3%) in the quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 24, 1995, from
the comparable year-ago periods. The rise was principally attributable to
increased depreciation expense at the Company's cable operations, which more
than offset depreciation declines at the Company's other operations, the result
of certain equipment becoming fully depreciated and a reduced level of new
assets placed in service.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense declined $1 million and $3 million in the quarter and year-to-
date periods ended September 24, 1995, from the comparable prior year periods.
The decreases were principally the result of the significant decline in average
debt outstanding (down $55.8 million from the first nine months of 1994) which
more than offset the effect in the first nine months of 1995 of a slight rise in
the Company's average borrowing rate (to approximately 8.8%) from the year-ago
period.
The Company's share of the operating results of its Southeast Paper (SEPCO)
newsprint affiliate increased to profits of $3.9 million and $6.2 million in the
quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 24, 1995, from a profit of $.1
million and a loss of $1.5 million in the comparable year-ago periods. The
increases were attributable to improved newsprint selling prices, which rose to
an average of $609 per ton during the third quarter of 1995 from $412 per ton in
the same period of 1994, and to an average of $551 per ton in the first nine
months of 1995 from $392 per ton in the comparable period of 1994. The increase
in SEPCO's realized selling price more than offset the effect of significant
increases in the cost of its principal raw material, recovered newspapers (ONP),
which rose 94% and 129% from the comparable prior periods.
Income earned from the Company's Denver Newspapers, Inc. (DNI), affiliate
totaled $1.2 million and $4.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months
of 1995; of the foregoing, $1.1 million and $3.3 million was derived from the
Company's DNI preferred stock investment; the balance came from the Company's
share of DNI's net income applicable to common stockholders. The Company held
no ownership position in DNI until the acquisition of DNI's preferred stock in
May 1994 (see below), and the acquisition of 40% of DNI's common stock in the
fourth quarter of 1994, at which time the Company began recognizing 40% of DNI's
net income applicable to common stockholders. The share of DNI's net income
recognized by the Company in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995
reflects a decline in DNI's operating margins, principally the result of the
significant and continuing increases in the price of newsprint, which more than
exceeded DNI's strong revenue growth (paced by retail and classified
advertising).
In May 1994, the Company sold its investment in Garden State Newspapers, Inc.
(GSN), for cash ($63 million) and preferred stock of Denver Newspapers, Inc.
(which had a fair value at that date of $34 million). The sale resulted in a
gain of $91.5 million ($83.3 million after-tax; $3.17 per share). See Note 7 to
the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements for a further
discussion of the GSN sale.
Other income, net, rose to $.4 million in the third quarter from a loss of $.7
million in the comparable year-ago period, principally as a result of increased
<PAGE> 13
interest earned on short-term cash equivalent securities and a reduction in the
current period of miscellaneous losses. In the year to date, other income, net,
rose to $5.5 million from a loss of $.6 million in the comparable period of
1994, principally the result of a $3.6 million pretax gain from the sale of the
Company's interest in a Mexican newsprint affiliate (Note 4) together with
increased interest income.
NET INCOME
Net income for the quarter and nine months ended September 24, 1995, was $8.8
million and $34.7 million, respectively, compared to net income of $8 million
and $104.9 million in the comparable periods of 1994. Excluding the impact of
the $0.09 per share gain from this year's first quarter sale of the previously
mentioned interest in the Mexican newsprint operation and the $3.17 per share
gain from the second quarter 1994 sale of the Company's investment in GSN, net
income was $8.8 million and $32.2 million in the third quarter and first nine
months of 1995, compared to $8 million and $21.6 million for the same periods of
1994, an increase of 10.3% and 49.1%, respectively.
The following discussion focuses on the pretax operating income of each of the
Company's principal business segments, and on income taxes.
Newspaper segment operating income declined $4 million (68.5%) and $4.6 million
(22.6%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 1995, respectively, from
the comparable 1994 periods. The decline was primarily attributable to
increased newsprint costs incurred by the Company's newspapers which in the
third quarter and nine months of 1995 rose $3.8 million and $10.3 million from
the comparable year-ago periods. The rise in newsprint costs, together with
other operating cost increases, more than offset combined newspaper revenue
growth of 1.7% and 4.5% in the quarter and year-to-date periods ended September
24, 1995. Year-over-year broadcast television segment operating income rose $.6
million (15.5%) and $5.2 million (39.2%) in the current quarter and nine months
from the comparable year-ago periods. The increases resulted from strong local
and national advertising revenue growth at the Company's Tampa and Jacksonville,
Florida, TV stations. This revenue growth, paced by automotive advertising,
more than offset the effect of combined operating cost increases of 4.6% and
3.4% in the current quarter and year-to-date periods. Cable television segment
profits declined $.4 million (11.5%) and $4.9 million (39.6%) in the third
quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the comparable year-earlier periods.
The declines were principally attributable to higher depreciation expense in
both periods and to higher programming costs (principally in the year to date)
which, along with other operating cost increases, could not be fully recouped
through allowable rate increases. Newsprint segment operating income as
reported declined $.3 million in the third quarter but increased $5.8 million in
the first nine months of 1995 from the comparable year-ago periods. Excluding
option fee income of $1.8 million and $2.7 million from a former Mexican
newsprint affiliate recognized in 1994's third quarter and first nine months,
newsprint segment operating income rose $1.5 million and $8.6 million in the
third quarter and first nine months of 1995 from the comparable year-ago
periods. The rise was chiefly the result of increases in 1995 average third
quarter and first nine months realized newsprint prices, up 45.2% and 35.7%,
respectively, from the comparable year-earlier periods, which more than offset
the effect of significantly increased ONP costs.
Income taxes rose $1 million in the third quarter of 1995 but declined $.8
million in the year-to-date from the comparable prior year periods. Excluding
gains and related income taxes applicable to the Company's 1995 sale of its
interest in a Mexican newsprint operation and the 1994 sale of its investment in
GSN, income tax expense in the first nine months of 1995 rose $6.3 million (57%)
<PAGE> 14
from the 1994 year-to-date period, on a pretax earnings increase of
approximately 52%. The Company's effective tax rate, excluding the previously
mentioned gain items, rose to 36.7% in the third quarter of 1995 from 34% in the
equivalent 1994 period, and to 35.1% in the first nine months of 1995 from 33.9%
in the prior comparable period.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Funds generated by operating activities during the first nine months of 1995
totaled $74.2 million, down $2.3 million from the comparable period of 1994.
The decline was due principally to increases in inventories (on increased prices
for recovered newspapers [ONP] at the Company's newsprint operations and
newsprint at the Company's newspapers) and to the increase in funds used to
reduce current liabilities. Together, these more than offset increased funds
generated by improved profitability. Funds generated by investing activities
during the first nine months of 1995 and 1994 include $3.6 million from the sale
of the Company's interest in a Mexican newsprint operation and $57.5 million of
net cash proceeds from the sale of GSN, respectively.
During the first nine months of 1995, the primary use of cash was $43.75 million
for the scheduled curtailment of 9.27% long-term notes outstanding, $21.1 for
capital expenditures and $9.5 million for the payment of dividends to
stockholders. Substantially all of the funds generated in excess of current
operating and debt curtailment needs during the first nine months of 1995 were
invested in short-term cash equivalent securities, which totaled $15 million at
September 24, 1995.
Total long-term debt at September 24, 1995, was $128.75 million, down $43.75
million from December 25, 1994, and $48.25 million from the year-ago level of
$177 million at September 25, 1994. As a result of the decline in borrowings
since that date, the Company's ratio of debt to total capital decreased to 26.4%
at September 24, 1995, from 35.6% a year ago. At September 24, 1995, the
Company had available unused credit lines of $180 million under a five-year
revolving credit facility with six banks. On October 26, 1995, that credit
facility was replaced with a new five-year, $320 million revolving credit
facility with eight banks (see "Acquisition" following). Additionally, to
ensure continued flexibility should unexpected needs arise, including growth
opportunities through internal expansion or by acquisition, in early 1995 the
Company entered into a three-year agreement with an insurance company which
makes available to the Company, on an uncommitted basis, the opportunity to
borrow up to $150 million under senior notes at prevailing interest rates.
Barring unexpected funds requirements, the Company anticipates that internally
generated funds provided by operations during the remainder of 1995 (subsequent
to the October acquisition discussed following) will be more than adequate to
finance projected capital expenditures, dividends to stockholders, and working
capital needs.
ACQUISITION
As more fully described in Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated condensed
financial statements, on October 26, 1995, the Company acquired, for
approximately $230 million cash, several Virginia newspapers from Worrell
Enterprises, Inc., and its affiliates. The newspaper properties acquired
included daily and Sunday newspapers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Culpeper and
Suffolk, Virginia, with a combined circulation of more than 81,000 daily and
85,000 Sunday. In addition, the acquisition included a number of weekly,
monthly, semimonthly and other publications in Charlottesville, Culpeper,
Suffolk and Richlands, and in Orange, Madison and Greene counties. The
acquisition purchase price was funded using $23 million of proceeds from
<PAGE> 15
short-term investments, $17 million of variable rate borrowings under a bank
demand line, and $190 million of borrowings under the new $320 million revolving
credit facility. At the time of funding the acquisition, the Company entered
into three interest rate swap agreements totaling $200 million with maturities
of three to five years effectively converting floating rate debt to fixed rate
debt with a weighted average interest rate of 6.25%.
OUTLOOK
Prospects for the balance of 1995 remain quite positive for Media General.
Improved profitability at the Company's wholly owned newsprint operations should
continue. The Company's broadcast television operations are expected to record
a year-over-year profit improvement, although results in the last quarter may
soften on the absence of the strong political ad revenues recognized in late
1994. These, together with increased earnings from its affiliated newsprint
operation, should more than offset the effect of rising newsprint prices on the
Company's newspaper operations.
<PAGE> 16
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On November 7, 1995, the Company filed a Form 8-K to report the October 26,
1995, acquisition by Virginia Newspapers, Inc., a newly formed, wholly owned
subsidiary of Media General, Inc., of several Virginia newspapers from Worrell
Enterprises, Inc., and its affiliates. See Note 6 to the accompanying
consolidated condensed financial statements and also Management's Discussion and
Analysis for a further discussion of the acquisition.
<PAGE> 17
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.
MEDIA GENERAL, INC.
DATE: November 7, 1995 /s/ J. Stewart Bryan III
-----------------------------------
J. Stewart Bryan III, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer
DATE: November 7, 1995 /s/ Marshall N. Morton
-----------------------------------
Marshall N. Morton,
Senior Vice-President and Chief
Financial Officer
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THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MEDIA
GENERAL, INC.'S CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
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