form 10-Q

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 AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

Commission File Number 0-16914

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio
 
31-1223339
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
     
312 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
45202
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (513) 977-3000
     
Not Applicable
(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 and 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 the latest practicable date. As of October 31, 2001 there were 60,026,678 of the Registrant's Class A Common Shares outstanding and 19,096,913 of the Registrant's Common Voting Shares outstanding.

 

INDEX TO THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
 
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001

     
Item No.  
Page
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
1 Financial Statements 3
     
2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
      Condition and Results of Operations
3
     
3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
      Market Risk
3
     
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
1 Legal Proceedings 3
     
2 Changes in Securities 3
     
3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities 3
     
4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 4
     
5 Other Information 4
     
6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 4

 

PART I

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

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

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Financial Information at page F-1 of this Form 10-Q.

PART II

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, such as defamation actions and various governmental and administrative proceedings relating to renewal of broadcast licenses, none of which is expected to result in material loss.

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES

There were no changes in the rights of security holders during the quarter for which this report is filed.

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the quarter for which this report is filed.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter for which this report is filed.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

Exhibits

The information required by this item is filed as part of this Form 10-Q. See Index to Exhibits at page E-1 of this Form 10-Q.

Reports on Form 8-K

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this report is filed.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
   
Dated:  November 13, 2001   BY:   D. J. Castellini
 
   
  D. J. Castellini
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

Index to Financial Information

                                                                                           Item Page
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-2
Consolidated Statements of Income F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Stockholders’ Equity F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  
    Forward Looking Statements F-15
    Results of Operations F-15
    Newspapers F-18
    Scripps Networks F-19
    Broadcast Television F-20
    Liquidity and Capital Resources F-21
    Market Risk F-22
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS              

( in thousands )  
September 30,
2001
As of
December 31,
2000
September 30,
2000
 
   
( Unaudited )
         
( Unaudited )
 

ASSETS
Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,332 $ 14,112 $ 18,599
   Accounts and notes receivable (less
      allowances -$14,304, $13,891, $14,608) 228,734 289,583 255,822
   Program rights and production costs 145,432 115,513 117,445
   Network distribution fees 23,219 21,105 19,671
   Inventories 7,521 17,802 18,905
   Deferred income taxes 30,747 30,421 28,404
   Miscellaneous 36,217 35,449 32,261

   Total current assets 487,202 523,985 491,107

                   
Investments 355,261 177,922 230,756

                   
Property, Plant and Equipment 387,438 502,041 484,149

                   
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 1,191,285 1,209,132 1,201,281

Other Assets:
   Program rights and production costs (less current portion) 91,770 96,881 86,437
   Network distribution fees (less current portion) 53,404 40,571 45,231
   Miscellaneous 19,414 22,334 24,860

   Total other assets 164,588 159,786 156,528

                   
TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,585,774 $ 2,572,866 $ 2,563,821

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

( in thousands, except share data )
 
 
September 30,
2001
(Unaudited)
As of
December 31,
2000

September 30,
2000
(Unaudited)

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
   Current portion of long-term debt
$
460,630
$
212,828
$
209,237
   Accounts payable
84,762 114,275 103,604
   Customer deposits and unearned revenue
32,686 37,214 32,988
   Accrued liabilities:
      Employee compensation and benefits
44,762 49,089 62,910
      Network distribution fees
67,407 48,257 47,808
      Miscellaneous
85,056 71,313 65,523

 
   Total current liabilities
775,303 532,976 522,070

 
Deferred Income Taxes
138,767 129,932 148,345

 
Long-Term Debt (less current portion)
209,814 501,781 501,788

 
Other Long-Term Obligations and Minority Interests (less current portion)
127,953 130,367 129,182

 
Stockholders' Equity:
   Preferred stock, $.01 par - authorized: 25,000,000 shares; none outstanding
   Common stock, $.01 par:
      Class A - authorized: 120,000,000 shares; issued and
         outstanding: 60,020,711; 59,641,828; and 59,399,794 shares
600 596 594
      Voting - authorized: 30,000,000 shares; issued and
            outstanding: 19,096,913; 19,096,913; and 19,216,913 shares
191 191 192

 
   Total
791 787 786
   Additional paid-in capital
170,844 157,394 156,140
   Retained earnings
1,185,918 1,093,138 1,055,849
   Unrealized gains on securities available for sale
(12,546 )   31,877 57,891
   Foreign currency translation adjustment
(203 )   361 602
   Unvested restricted stock awards
(10,867 )   (5,747 ) (8,832 )

 
   Total stockholders' equity
1,333,937 1,277,810 1,262,436

 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
2,585,774  
$
2,572,866  
$
2,563,821  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME ( UNAUDITED )
( in thousands, except per share data )   Three months ended   Nine months ended
      September 30,   September 30,
      2001   2000   2001   2000

                                                                       
Operating Revenues:                                
  Advertising   $ 247,617     $ 319,231     $ 804,841     $ 982,856  
  Circulation     34,850       35,162       105,090       110,059  
  Affiliate fees     20,556       14,464       60,248       43,629  
  Licensing     14,269       16,731       49,520       50,391  
  Joint operating agency distributions     14,280       11,924       31,064       35,073  
  Other     10,527       12,346       32,768       38,167  

  Total operating revenues     342,099       409,858       1,083,531       1,260,175  

                                   
Operating Expenses:                                
  Employee compensation and benefits     114,588       129,672       351,430       386,278  
  Newsprint and ink     20,035       38,228       68,659       114,066  
  Amortization of purchased programming     33,971       30,176       99,760       87,546  
  Other operating expenses     88,768       110,143       291,883       347,423  
  Depreciation     13,189       17,209       41,141       51,468  
  Amortization of intangible assets     10,793       10,079       32,323       29,884  

  Total operating expenses     281,344       335,507       885,196       1,016,665  

                                   
Operating Income     60,755       74,351       198,335       243,510  

                                   
Other Credits (Charges):                                
  Interest expense     (8,417 )     (13,393 )     (31,737 )     (39,510 )
  Investment results, net of expenses     (10,917 )     900       50,825       (9,611 )
  Net gains on divested operations             (73 )           6,196  
  Miscellaneous, net     240       1,002       1,073       1,993  

  Net other credits (charges)     (19,094 )     (11,564 )     20,161       (40,932 )

                                   
Income Before Taxes and Minority Interests     41,661       62,787       218,496       202,578  
Provision for Income Taxes     18,023       26,319       87,249       84,266  

                                   
Income Before Minority Interests     23,638       36,468       131,247       118,312  
Minority Interests     1,005       1,040       2,826       3,159  

                                   
Net Income   $ 22,633     $ 35,428     $ 128,421     $ 115,153  

                                   
Net Income per Share of Common Stock:                                
  Basic   $.29     $.45     $1.63     $1.47  
  Diluted     .28       .45       1.61       1.46  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ( UNAUDITED )
( in thousands )   Nine months ended
      September 30,
      2001   2000

                             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:                
Net income   $ 128,421     $ 115,153  
Adjustments to reconcile net income                
  to net cash flows from operating activities:                
  Depreciation and amortization     73,464       81,352  
  Net investment results and loss (gain) on divestitures     (54,270 )     4,315  
  Deferred income taxes     32,657       3,298  
  Dividends greater than share of earnings of equity method investments     21,382       515  
  Minority interests in income of subsidiary companies     2,826       3,159  
  Network distribution fee amortization greater (less) than payments     3,323       8,172  
  Program cost amortization greater (less) than payments     (23,516 )     (24,841 )
  Other changes in certain working capital accounts, net     15,445       (7,556 )
  Miscellaneous, net     15,777       8,371  

Net operating activities     215,509       191,938  

                   
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:                
Additions to property, plant and equipment     (46,054 )     (44,535 )
Purchase of subsidiary companies and long-term investments     (33,595 )     (112,156 )
Payment for interest in Denver JOA     (62,117 )        
Sale of subsidiary companies and long-term investments     14,694       50,963  
Miscellaneous, net     1,508       10,695  

Net investing activities     (125,564 )     (95,033 )

                   
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:                
Increase in long-term debt     8,059       737  
Payments on long-term debt     (52,249 )     (58,270 )
Repurchase Class A Common shares     (20,671 )        
Dividends paid     (35,641 )     (32,913 )
Dividends paid to minority interests     (1,176 )     (1,175 )
Miscellaneous, net (primarily employee stock compensation)     12,953       2,859  

Net financing activities     (88,725 )     (88,762 )

                   
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents     1,220       8,143  
                   
Cash and Cash Equivalents:                
Beginning of year     14,112       10,456  

                   
End of period   $ 15,332     $ 18,599  

                   

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:                
  Interest paid, excluding amounts capitalized   $ 27,946     $ 35,691  
  Income taxes paid     26,964       81,094  
  Denver newspaper assets contributed to JOA     160,064          
  Destin newspaper traded for Fort Pierce newspaper (see Note 2)             3,857  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ( UNAUDITED )


 
( in thousands, except share data )        
                        Accumulated   Unvested           Comprehensive
        Additional           Other   Restricted   Total   Income for the
Common   Paid-in   Retained   Comprehensive   Stock   Stockholders’   Three Months
Stock   Capital   Earnings   Income   Awards   Equity   Ended Sept. 30

 
                                                                                        
Balances at December 31, 1999   $ 781     $ 136,731     $ 973,609     $ 58,271      $ (4,940 )   $ 1,164,452          
Comprehensive income:                                                        
  Net income                     115,153                       115,153     $ 35,428  

 
  Unrealized gains, net of tax of $710 and ($816)                             1,406               1,406       (1,418 )
  Less: reclassification adjustment for gains in income, net of tax of ($438) and ($4)                             (813 )             (813 )     (8 )

 
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized gains on securities                             593               593       (1,426 )
  Foreign currency translation adjustments                             (371 )             (371 )     (98 )

 
  Total                     115,153       222               115,375     $ 33,904  
                                                     
Dividends: declared and paid - $.42 per share                     (32,913 )                     (32,913 )        
Compensation plans, net: 502,895 shares issued; 1,500 shares forfeited; 27,050 shares repurchased     5       17,549                       (3,892 )     13,662          
Tax benefits of compensation plans             1,860                               1,860          

       
                                                     
Balances at September 30, 2000   $ 786     $ 156,140     $ 1,055,849     $ 58,493     $ (8,832 )   $ 1,262,436          

       
                                                     
Balances at December 31, 2000   $ 787     $ 157,394     $ 1,093,138     $ 32,238     $ (5,747 )   $ 1,277,810          
Comprehensive income:                                                        
  Net income                     128,421                       128,421     $ 22,633  

 
  Unrealized gains, net of tax of $3,065 and ($16,590)                             6,116               6,116       (30,407 )
  Less: reclassification adjustment for gains in income, net of tax of ($27,213) and ($48)                             (50,539 )             (50,539 )     (89 )

 
  Increase (decrease) in unrealized gains on securities                             (44,423 )             (44,423 )     (30,496 )
  Foreign currency translation adjustments                             (564 )             (564 )     (145 )

 
  Total                     128,421       (44,987 )             83,434     $ (8,008 )
                                                     
Dividends: declared and paid - $.45 per share                     (35,641 )                     (35,641 )        
Repurchase 352,200 Class A Common Shares     (4 )     (20,667 )                             (20,671 )        
Compensation plans, net: 843,008 shares issued; 109,425 shares repurchased; 2,500 shares forfeited     8       25,214                       (5,120 )     20,102          
Tax benefits of compensation plans             8,903                               8,903          

       
                                                     
Balances at September 30, 2001   $ 791     $ 170,844     $ 1,185,918     $ (12,749 )   $ (10,867 )   $ 1,333,937          

       

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation - The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, has not changed materially unless otherwise disclosed herein. Financial information as of December 31, 2000, included in these financial statements has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in that report. In management’s opinion all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods have been made.

Results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future interim periods or for the full year.

Joint Operating Agencies - The application for a joint operating agency (“JOA”) between the Company’s Denver Rocky Mountain News (“RMN”) and MediaNews Group Inc.’s Denver Post was approved in January 2001 by the U.S. Department of Justice. The JOA commenced operations on January 22, 2001. The Denver Publishing Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, holds a 50% interest in the JOA.

Included in JOA distributions in the Consolidated Statements of Income is the Company’s share of the operating profit (loss) of the Denver JOA from January 22, 2001. The Company also includes in its operating expenses its editorial costs associated with the RMN. The Company’s financial statements no longer include the advertising and other revenue of the RMN, the costs to produce, distribute and market the newspaper, nor related depreciation. The Company’s residual interest in the net assets of the JOA is included in Investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 133 – Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities effective January 1, 2001. Adoption of the new standard had no effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Net Income Per Share - The following table presents additional information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:


( in thousands )   Three months ended   Nine months ended
September 30,   September 30,
2001   2000   2001   2000

                             
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding   78,977   78,186   78,847   78,114
Effect of dilutive securities:                
  Unvested restricted stock held by employees   180   185   162   145
  Stock options held by employees   1,010   802   1,002   760

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding   80,167   79,173   80,011   79,019

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - The Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Issue 00-25 - Vendor Income Statement Characterization of Consideration Paid to a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products in April 2001. The consensus, which must be adopted no later than January 1, 2002, requires consideration paid to customers to be deducted from revenue. The Company currently classifies amortization of distribution fees paid to cable television and satellite broadcast systems as an operating expense in its financial statements.

The Company plans to adopt this policy effective with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. Financial statements for prior periods will be restated. The change in classification will have no impact on the Company’s reported operating income or financial position. However, operating revenues will be reduced by the amounts of amortization of distribution fees, which in the nine months ended September 30 totaled $17,000,000 in 2001 and $13,900,000 in 2000.

F-7

 

In July 2001 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 141 - Business Combinations and FAS No. 142 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FAS No. 141 requires business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. FAS 141 also specifies the types of acquired intangible assets that are required to be recognized and reported separately from goodwill. Intangible assets acquired that are obtained through contractual or legal right, or are capable of being separately sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged are recognized as an asset apart from goodwill. Intangible assets that do not meet the requirements for recognition apart from goodwill are subsumed into goodwill.

The Company will adopt FAS 142 effective January 1, 2002. Upon adoption management will assess the estimated useful lives of intangible assets. Recorded goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives will no longer be amortized, but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001, will continue to be amortized until December 31, 2001. Other intangible assets will be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment in accordance with FAS 121 - Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.

Upon adoption of FAS 142, the Company will make a transitional evaluation of whether goodwill is impaired. To accomplish this, the Company must (i) identify its reporting units, (ii) determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets to those reporting units, and (iii) determine whether the carrying value of each reporting unit exceeds fair value. This first step of the transitional assessment must be completed by June 30, 2002. If the carrying value of any reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then detailed fair values for each of the assigned assets (excluding goodwill) and liabilities will be determined to calculate the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. This second step is required to be completed as soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 2002. Any transitional impairment loss resulting from the adoption will be recognized as the effect of a change in accounting principle.

Recorded goodwill and other intangible assets as of September 30, 2001 were as follows:  
   

 
( in thousands )
   

 
   
Goodwill $ 1,203,260
Customer base 180,694
Work force 17,020
Network affiliation contracts 58,520
FCC licenses 30,644
Customer lists 4,219
Other 8,821



Total 1,503,178
Accumulated amortization 311,893



Net goodwill and other intangible assets $ 1,191,285



The Company cannot at this time estimate the impact, if any, of the transitional impairment evaluation. The Company is currently assessing the estimated useful lives of its intangible assets and cannot estimate the impact of adoption of the new standards on amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets. However, it is expected that amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets will decrease substantially.

Reclassifications - For comparative purposes, certain 2000 amounts have been reclassified to conform to 2001 classifications.

F-8

2. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions

2001 -    In the first quarter the Company acquired an additional 3.5% interest in The Television Food Network.
   
2000 -   In the first quarter the Company acquired the daily newspaper in Fort Pierce, Florida, in exchange for its newspaper in Destin, Florida, and cash; and television station KMCI in Lawrence, Kansas. In the third quarter the Company acquired the weekly newspaper in Marco Island, Florida.

The following table presents additional information about the acquisitions:


( in thousands )
                               
  September 30,
  2001   2000

             
Goodwill and other intangible assets acquired   $ 14,435   $ 55,589  
Other assets acquired           7,532  

             
Total     14,435     63,121  
Fair value of Destin newspaper           (3,857 )
Liabilities assumed           (197 )

             
Cash paid   $ 14,435   $ 59,067  

In the fourth quarter of 2000 the Company acquired the daily newspaper in Henderson, Kentucky.

The acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases. The allocations of the purchase prices are based on preliminary appraised values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and are therefore subject to change. Operating results are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the dates of acquisitions, with the exception of KMCI whose results were included while the Company operated the station under a contract with the former owner. Pro forma results are not presented because the combined results of operations would not be significantly different than the reported amounts.

Divestitures

2000 -     In the first quarter the Company sold its independent telephone directories in Memphis, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; and North Palm Beach, Florida, and traded its Destin, Florida, newspaper and cash for the daily newspaper in Fort Pierce, Florida. In the third quarter the Company sold its remaining independent telephone directories in Louisiana. The sales and trade resulted in net gains of $6,196,000, $3,700,000 after-tax ($.05 per share).

Included in the consolidated financial statements are the following results of divested operations (excluding gains on sales):


( in thousands )   Three months   Nine months
  ended   ended
  September 30,   September 30,
  2000   2000

                               
Operating revenues   $ 2,436   $ 10,500  
Operating income (loss)     97     (275 )

F-9

3.     UNUSUAL CREDITS AND CHARGES
 
2001 - Included in net investment results are i) recognized net investment gains and ii) adjustments to accrued incentive compensation related to changes in the net gains (realized and estimated unrealized) on the Scripps Ventures I portfolio. Included in year-to-date recognized net investment gains are i) a gain of $65,900,000 on the exchange of the Company’s investment in Time Warner for America Online, which acquired Time Warner, and an $11,700,000 gain on the sale of a portion of the Company’s investment in Centra Software, ii) $35,000,000 in write-downs for several investments, and iii) an $11,500,000 reduction in accrued incentive compensation, to zero at September 30, 2001.
   
  Net investment results increased net income $33,500,000 ($.42 per share) year-to-date and decreased net income $6,900,000 ($.09 per share) for the quarter.
   
  Costs associated with workforce reductions, including the Company’s share of such costs at the Denver JOA, reduced operating income $1,500,000 in the third quarter and $12,700,000 year-to-date. Net income was reduced $900,000 ($.01 per share) in the third quarter and $8,000,000 ($.10 per share) year-to-date.
   
  The combined effect of the above items was to increase 2001 year-to-date net income $25,500,000 ($.32 per share) and to reduce 2001 third quarter net income $7,900,000 ($.10 per share).
   
2000 - Included in net investment results are i) realized gains of $12,400,000 on the sale of certain investments, ii) $15,400,000 in write-downs of certain investments, and iii) a $6,200,000 increase in accrued incentive compensation, to $13,200,000 at September 30, 2000.
   
  Net investment results reduced net income $6,100,000 ($.08 per share) year-to-date and increased net income $800,000 ($.01 per share) for the quarter.
   
  $3,200,000 of expenses associated with preparations for the joint newspaper operations in Denver, of which $2,400,000 was recognized in the third quarter, reduced net income $1,600,000 ($.02 per share) in the third quarter and $2,100,000 ($.03 per share) year-to-date.
   
  The combined effect of the above items and the gains on divestitures (see Note 2) was to reduce 2000 year-to-date net income $4,500,000 ($.05 per share) and to reduce third quarter net income $800,000 ($.01 per share).
   
F-10

4.   LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:


( in thousands )  
September 30,
2001
   
As of
December 31,
2000
   
September 30,
2000
 

Variable rate credit facilities, including commercial paper $ 460,590 $ 512,788 $ 509,196
$100 million, 6.625% note, due in 2007 99,912 99,901 99,898
$100 million, 6.375% note, due in 2002 99,978 99,964 99,959
Other notes 9,964 1,956 1,972

Total long-term debt 670,444 714,609 711,025
Current portion of long-term debt 460,630 212,828 209,237

Long-term debt (less current portion) $ 209,814 $ 501,781 $ 501,788

The Company has a Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, which permits aggregate borrowings up to $675,000,000 (the "Variable Rate Credit Facilities") maturing in 2002. Borrowings are available on a committed revolving credit basis at the Company's choice of three short-term rates or through an auction procedure at the time of each borrowing. The Variable Rate Credit Facilities are also used by the Company in whole or in part, in lieu of direct borrowings, as credit support for its commercial paper. The weighted-average interest rates on the Variable Rate Credit Facilities were 3.2% at September 30, 2001, 6.6% at December 31, 2000, and 6.7% at September 30, 2000.

F-11

 

5. INVESTMENTS
 
Investments consisted of the following:

( in thousands, except share data )
September 30,
2001

As of
December 31,
2000

September 30,
2000
 

Securities available for sale (at market value):
   AOL Time Warner common stock (2,017,000 shares)
$
66,757
   Time Warner common stock (1,344,000 shares)
$
70,239
$
105,318
   Centra Software (700,500; 1,792,500; 1,792,500 common shares)
5,996
6,946
11,653
   garden.com Inc. (2,414,000 common shares and 276,000 warrants)
2,112
   Other
3,483
3,969
4,442

Total available-for-sale securities
76,236
81,154
123,525
Denver newspaper JOA
202,944
FOX SportSouth and other joint ventures
8,706
9,502
8,948
Other equity investments
67,375
87,266
98,283

Total investments
$
355,261
$
177,922
$
230,756

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
$
(19,529
)
$
49,047
$
89,076

Investments available for sale represent securities in publicly traded companies. Investments available for sale are recorded at fair value. Fair value is based upon the closing price of the security on the reporting date.

The Company exchanged its investment in Time Warner for America Online, which acquired Time Warner, in the first quarter of 2001. The Company sold 1,092,000 shares of Centra Software in the second quarter of 2001. See Note 3.

Other equity investments include securities that do not trade in public markets, so they do not have readily determinable fair values. Many of the investees have had no rounds of equity financing in the past 18 months. There can be no assurance as to the amounts the Company would receive if these securities were sold.

The Company's Scripps Ventures Funds I and II invest in new businesses focusing primarily on new media technology. Scripps Ventures I invested $54,000,000. The managers' compensation includes a share of the portfolio's cumulative net gain through December 2002 if a specified minimum return is achieved. The incentive compensation accrual was zero at September 30, 2001, and will be subject to change as the net gain changes through December 2002. Scripps Ventures II is authorized to invest up to $100,000,000, of which $42,000,000 was invested as of September 30, 2001. The managers have a minority equity interest in the return on Scripps Ventures II's investments if a specified minimum return is achieved.

6. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company's reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services. The Company primarily evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), excluding divested operating units (see Note 2), unusual items (see Note 3) and all credits and charges classified as non-operating in the Consolidated Statements of Income. No single customer provides more than 10% of the Company's revenue. International revenues are primarily derived from licensing comic characters and HGTV and Food Network programming in international markets. Licensing of comic characters in Japan provides more than 50% of the Company's international revenues, which are less than $50,000,000 annually.

F-12

Financial information for the Company’s business segments is as follows:


( in thousands ) Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2001 2000 2001 2000

OPERATING REVENUES
Newspapers $ 177,975 $ 231,519 $ 549,425 $ 701,050
Scripps Networks 83,103 72,540 269,902 232,329
Broadcast Television 61,121 79,793 201,241 243,951
Licensing and other media 19,900 23,570 67,012 72,345

Total 342,099 407,422 1,087,580 1,249,675
Unusual item (4,049 )
Divested operating units 2,436 10,500

Per consolidated financial statements $
342,099
$
409,858
$
1,083,531
$
1,260,175

EBITDA
Newspapers $ 58,200 $ 63,272 $ 172,482 $ 191,368
Scripps Networks 17,647 13,806 60,061 54,323
Broadcast Television 12,478 28,191 53,820 84,655
Licensing and other media 2,513 3,947 11,154 12,577
Corporate (4,561 ) (5,518 ) (13,465 ) (15,079 )

Total 86,277 103,698 284,052 327,844
Unusual items (1,540
)
(2,407
)
(12,253
)
(3,243
)
Divested operating units 348   261

Per consolidated financial statements $
84,737
$
101,639
$
271,799
$
324,862

DEPRECIATION
Newspapers $ 6,316 $ 10,293 $ 19,546 $ 30,653
Scripps Networks 1,582 1,896 5,425 5,337
Broadcast Television 4,794 4,787 14,786 14,196
Licensing and other media 232 (218
)
616 166
Corporate 265 255 705 759

Total 13,189 17,013 41,078 51,111
Unusual items 63
Divested operating units 196 357

Per consolidated financial statements $
13,189
$
17,209
$
41,141
$
51,468

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Newspapers $ 6,516 $ 5,841 $ 19,248 $ 17,214
Scripps Networks 1,902 1,802 5,608 5,402
Broadcast Television 2,375 2,381 7,056 7,089

Total 10,793 10,024 31,912 29,705
Unusual items 411
Divested operating units 55 179

Per consolidated financial statements $
10,793
$
10,079
$
32,323
$
29,884

OPERATING INCOME
Newspapers $ 45,368 $ 47,138 $ 133,688 $ 143,501
Scripps Networks 14,163 10,108 49,028 43,584
Broadcast Television 5,309 21,023 31,978 63,370
Licensing and other media 2,281 4,165 10,538 12,411
Corporate (4,826
)
(5,773
)
(14,170
)
(15,838
)

Total 62,295 76,661 211,062 247,028
Unusual items (1,540
)
(2,407
)
(12,727
)
(3,243
)
Divested operating units 97   (275
)

Per consolidated financial statements $
60,755
$
74,351
$
198,335
$
243,510

F-13


( in thousands ) Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2001 2000 2001 2000

PAYMENTS (GREATER) LESS THAN PROGRAM AMORTIZATION
AND NETW ORK DISTRIBUTION COSTS
Scripps Networks $ (7,162 ) $ (7,029 ) $ (22,380 ) $ (17,118 )
Broadcast Television 823 595 2,187 449

Total $ (6,339 ) $ (6,434 ) $ (20,193 ) $ (16,669 )

ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Newspapers $ 8,334 $ 12,182 $ 24,097 $ 21,536
Scripps Networks 5,523 3,132 10,812 6,382
Broadcast Television 2,951 2,952 10,295 15,774
Licensing and other media 21 13 301 329
Corporate 130 111 549 404

Total 16,959 18,390 46,054 44,425
Divested operating units 110

Per consolidated financial statements $ 16,959 $
18,390
$
46,054
$
44,535

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND
OTHER ADDITIONS TO LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Newspapers $ 80 $ 17,334 $ 63,796 $ 50,140
Scripps Networks 19,570 3,833 47,420 12,825
Broadcast Television 50 27 14,710
Licensing and other media 10
Venture capital and other investments 8,623 4,874 15,995 50,926

Total $
28,273
$
26,091
$
127,238
$
128,611

ASSETS
Newspapers $ 1,279,953 $ 1,245,711
Scripps Networks 576,627 499,300
Broadcast Television 484,308 501,383
Licensing and other media 21,736 30,789
Venture capital and other investments 143,687 221,425
Corporate 71,604 56,980

Total 2,577,915 2,555,588
Divested operating units 7,859 8,233

Total $
2,585,774
$
2,563,821

Other additions to long-lived assets include investments and network distribution fees. Corporate assets are primarily cash, cash equivalent and other short-term investments, and refundable and deferred income taxes.

F-14

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company operates in three reportable segments: Newspapers, Scripps Networks, and Broadcast Television.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This discussion and the information contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contain certain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in most instances are beyond the Company’s control, include changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions; consumers’ taste; newsprint prices; program costs; labor relations; technological developments; competitive pressures; interest rates; regulatory rulings; and reliance on third-party vendors for various products and services. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, which are as of the date of this filing, should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Acquisitions and divestitures can affect the comparability of year-over-year reported results. Amounts included in the accompanying tables include the results of acquired operations from the dates of acquisition. The results of divested operating units are removed from the segment operating results and reported separately because management believes they impede analysis of the Company’s ongoing operations.

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-9 regarding acquisitions and divestitures.

The application for a JOA between the Company’s Denver Rocky Mountain News (“RMN”) and MediaNews Group Inc.’s Denver Post was approved in January 2001 by the U.S. Department of Justice. The JOA commenced operations on January 22, 2001. The Denver Publishing Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company holds a 50% interest in the JOA.

Included in RMN revenue is the Company’s share of the operating profit (loss) of the Denver JOA from January 22, 2001. The Company also includes in its operating expenses its editorial costs associated with the RMN. The Company’s financial statements no longer include the advertising and other revenue of the RMN, the costs to produce, distribute and market the newspaper, nor related depreciation. To enhance comparability of year-over-year operating results, the Company is reporting the RMN separately.

All per share disclosures included in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are on a diluted basis.

F-15

Consolidated results of operations were as follows:


( in thousands, except per share data )
Quarterly Period
Year-to-Date
 
2001
Change
2000
2001
Change
2000

Operating revenues:
 
      Newspapers
$
174,315 (0.3 )%  
$
174,838
$
534,189 (0.4 )%
$
536,175
      Scripps Networks
83,103 14.6 %  
72,540
269,902 16.2 %
232,329
      Broadcast Television
61,121 (23.4 )%  
79,793
201,241 (17.5 )%
243,951
      Licensing and other media
19,900 (15.6 )%  
23,570
67,012 (7.4 )%
72,345



















      Total
338,439 (3.5 )%  
350,741
1,072,344 (1.1 )%
1,084,800
      Rocky Mountain News
3,660  
56,681
15,236
164,875
      Unusual item
 
(4,049 )
      Divested operating units
 
2,436
10,500





















Total operating revenues
$
342,099    
$
409,858
$
1,083,531  
$
1,260,175



















Operating income:
 
      Newspapers
$
47,152 (8.7 )%  
$
51,650
$
147,918 (10.1 )%
$
164,471
      Scripps Networks
14,163 40.1 %  
10,108
49,028 12.5 %
43,584
      Broadcast Television
5,309 (74.7 )%  
21,023
31,978 (49.5 )%
63,370
      Licensing and other media
2,281 (45.2 )%  
4,165
10,538 (15.1 )%
12,411
      Corporate
(4,826 ) 16.4 %  
(5,773 )
(14,170 ) 10.5 %
(15,838 )



















      Total
64,079 (21.1 )%  
81,173
225,292 (15.9 )%
267,998
      Rocky Mountain News
(1,784 ) 60.5 %  
(4,512 )
(14,230 ) 32.1 %
(20,970 )
      Unusual items
(1,540 )    
(2,407 )
(12,727 )
(3,243 )
      Divested operating units
 
97
(275 )























Total operating income
60,755  
74,351
198,335
243,510
Interest expense
(8,417 )  
(13,393 )
(31,737 )
(39,510 )
Investment results, net of expenses
(10,917 )  
900
50,825
(9,611 )
Net gains (loss) on divested operations
 
(73 )
 
6,196
Miscellaneous, net
240  
1,002
1,073
1,993
Income taxes
(18,023 )  
(26,319 )
(87,249 )
(84,266 )
Minority interest
(1,005 )  
(1,040 )
(2,826 )
(3,159 )



















Net income
$
22,633    
$
35,428
$
128,421  
$
115,153



















 
Net income per share of common stock
$
  .28  
$
  .45
$
  1.61
$
  1.46
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
80,167  
79,173
80,011
79,019

 
 
 
Reconciliations to net income from core operations:
 
   Reported net income
$
22,633  
$
35,428
$
128,421
$
115,153
   Add back/(deduct):
 
   Net investment results
6,948  
(772
)
(33,506
)
6,072
   Workforce reductions
904  
7,982
   Net (gains) loss on divested operations
 
47
(3,716 )
   Denver JOA expenses
 
1,565
2,108





















   Net income from core operations
$
30,485 (15.9 )%  
$
36,268
$
102,897 (14.0 )%
$
119,617



















 
   Reported net income per share of common stock
$
.28  
$
.45
$
1.61
$
1.46
   Add back/(deduct):
 
   Net investment results
.09  
(.01
)
(.42
)
.08
   Workforce reductions
.01  
.10
   Net (gains) loss on divested operations
 
.00
(.05 )
   Denver JOA expenses
 
.02
.03























   Net income from core operations per
 
         share of common stock
$
.38 (17.4 )%  
$
.46
$
1.29 (14.6 )%
$
1.51

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-10 regarding items excluded from core operations.

F-16

Other financial and statistical data, excluding divested operations and unusual items, are as follows:


(in thousands)      
Quarterly Period
            Year-to-date  
 
   
2001
  Change  
2000
   
2001
  Change  
2000
 

Total advertising revenues
$
247,617
(6.5
)%
$
264,768
$
794,062
(3.4
)%
$
821,852

Advertising revenues as a
   percentage of total revenues 73.2 % 75.5 % 74.0 % 75.8 %

EBITDA:
   Newspapers
$
59,470 (7.2 )% $ 64,116
$
184,424 (8.4 )%
$
201,387
   Scripps Networks
17,647 27.8 % 13,806 60,061 10.6 % 54,323
   Broadcast Television
12,478 (55.7 )% 28,191 53,820 (36.4 )% 84,655
   Licensing and other media
2,513 (36.3 )% 3,947 11,154 (11.3 )% 12,577
   Corporate
(4,561 ) 17.3 % (5,518 ) (13,465 ) 10.7 % (15,079 )

   Total 87,547 (16.3 )% 104,542 295,994 (12.4 )% 337,863
   Denver Rocky Mountain News (1,270 ) (844 ) (11,942 )
(10,019
)

   Total EBITDA
$
86,277     $
103,698
 
$
284,052     $
327,844

 
   
Effective income tax rate for core
      operations
41.8 %    
42.0
% 41.4. %    
41.3
%

     
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
92,102     $
76,298
 
$
215,509     $
191,938
Capital expenditures (16,959 )    
(18,390
) (46,054 )    
(44,425
)
Business acquisitions and other  
   
   additions to long-lived assets (28,273 )    
(26,091
) (127,238 )    
(128,611
)
Increase (decrease) in long-term debt (40,877 )    
(50,098
) (44,190 )    
(57,533
)
Dividends paid, including minority
      interests
(12,298 )    
(11,382
) (36,817 )    
(34,088
)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (18,683 )     (20,671 )  

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is included in the discussion of results of operations because:

EBITDA should not, however, be construed as an alternative measure of the amount of the Company's income or cash flows from operating activities.

Average daily borrowings under short-term credit facilities in the third quarter were $457 million in 2001 and $512 million in 2000. The weighted-average interest rate on such borrowings was 3.6% in 2001 and 6.7% in 2000. For the year-to-date period the weighted-average interest rate on the short-term credit facilities was 4.8% in 2001 and 6.3% in 2000. The Company is currently rolling over short-term debt at an effective 90-day yield of 2.0%. The average balance of all interest bearing obligations for the first nine months of the year was $747 million in 2001 and $783 million in 2000.

Interest capitalized was $600,000 in 2001 and $50,000 in 2000.

Third quarter operating results were affected by a downturn in business immediately following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which exacerbated an already weak advertising market. The Company's nine network-affiliated television stations broadcast 36 hours of continuous, commercial free network and local news coverage following the attacks, and for the next several days there was little demand for television advertising.

Operating results for each of the Company's reportable segments, excluding divested operating units and unusual items, are presented on the following pages.

F-17

NEWSPAPERS - RMN operating results are presented separately as a single line item to enhance comparability of year-over-year Newspaper operating results. Excluding divested operations and unusual items, operating results were as follows:


(in thousands)      
Quarterly Period
               
Year-to-date
     
   
2001
 
Change
   
2000
     
2001
 
Change
 
2000
 

Operating revenues:        
   Local
$
45,697 (2.2 )%  
$
46,705  
$
148,474 (1.7 )% $
151,053
 
   Classified 50,720 (5.7 )%     53,763   152,345 (4.3 )%  
159,248
 
   National 7,965 8.1 %     7,367   24,026 12.1 %  
21,428
 
   Preprint and other 21,911 4.0 %     21,074   65,021 3.6 %  
62,751
 

   Newspaper advertising 126,293 (2.0 )%     128,909   389,866 (1.2 )%  
394,480
 
   Circulation 34,850 8.7 %     32,058   104,310 4.7 %  
99,662
 
   Joint operating agency distributions 10,620 (10.9 )%     11,924   31,547 (10.1 )%  
35,073
 
   Other 2,552 31.1 %     1,947   8,466 21.6 %  
6,960
 

Total operating revenues 174,315 (0.3 )%     174,838   534,189 (0.4 )%  
536,175
 

Expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization:      
      Editorial and newspaper content 21,910 4.0 %     21,073   65,682 2.7 % 63,962
      Newsprint and ink 19,424 2.2 %     18,998   63,396 9.6 % 57,823
      Other press and production 16,708 4.3 %     16,026   51,096 4.4 % 48,946
      Circulation and distribution 16,257 9.3 %     14,878   48,041 6.9 % 44,936
      Other advertising, internet and printing 7,253 14.6 %     6,329   21,849 14.6 % 19,062
      Advertising sales and marketing 15,104 0.1 %     15,088   47,376 2.9 % 46,045
      General and administrative 17,717 0.5 %     17,633   50,422 (2.3 )% 51,624

Total 114,373 4.0 %     110,025   347,862 4.7 % 332,398

EBITDA 59,942 (7.5 )%     64,813   186,327 (8.6 )% 203,777
Share of pre-tax earnings of equity-method
      investments
(472 )     (697 )   (1,903 ) (2,390 )

Total EBITDA 59,470 (7.2 )%     64,116   184,424 (8.4 )% 201,387
Depreciation and amortization 12,318 (1.2 )%     12,466   36,506 (1.1 )% 36,916

Operating income, excluding the RMN 47,152 (8.7 )%     51,650   147,918 (10.1 )% 164,471
RMN operating income (loss) (1,784 ) 60.5 %     (4,512 )   (14,230 ) 32.1 % (20,970 )

Total operating income
$
45,368 (3.8 )%  
$
47,138  
$
133,688 (6.8 )%
$
143,501

     
Other Financial and Statistical Data:      
     
Percent of operating revenues:      
   EBITDA 34.1 %     36.7 %   34.5 % 37.6 %
   Operating income 27.0 %     29.5 %   27.7 % 30.7 %

     
Capital expenditures $ 8,334    
$
12,182   $ 24,097
$
21,536
Business acquisitions and other      
      additions to long-lived assets 80     17,334   63,796 50,140

The demand for advertising was soft in most of the Company's markets for the first nine months of 2001, particularly local retail and help wanted classified advertising. On a pro forma basis, assuming all acquisitions had been completed as of January 1, 2000, local advertising decreased 3.8% in the quarter and 4.2% year-to-date. Classified advertising decreased 6.4% in the quarter and 5.7% year-to-date.

Expenses other than newsprint increased approximately 2.3% for the quarter and 1% year-to-date on the same pro forma basis. Newsprint and ink increased primarily due to a 7% increase in year-over-year newsprint prices.

The Company's operating results in Denver have improved due to advertising and circulation rate increases and cost cutting measures implemented by the JOA, including the publication of combined weekend editions and a single classified advertising section distributed daily in both newspapers. However, in addition to the soft demand for advertising in general, major metropolitan markets in the U.S., including Denver, have experienced sharp decreases in help wanted advertising. This has slowed the improvement in operating results expected at the outset of the JOA.

F-18

SCRIPPS NETWORKS - Operating results, excluding unusual items, were as follows:


(in thousands)      
Quarterly Period
                 
Year-to-date
       
   
2001
 
Change
   
2000
     
2001
   
Change
   
2000
 

Operating revenues:            
      Advertising $ 61,234 8.3 %  
$
56,559   $ 205,753   11.4 %   $ 184,736
      Affiliate fees 20,556 42.1 %     14,464   60,248   38.1 %   43,629
      Other 1,313 (13.4 )%     1,517   3,901   (1.6 )%   3,964

Total operating revenues 83,103 14.6 %     72,540   269,902   16.2 %   232,329

         
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization:          
      Programming and production 25,747 16.8 %     22,040   74,833   17.8 %   63,514
      Operations and distribution 7,877 4.1 %     7,568   26,791   11.9 %   23,936
      Amortization of distribution fees 6,047 24.2 %     4,869   16,991   22.3 %   13,893
      Sales and marketing 15,701 (4.9 )%     16,517   55,307   12.7 %   49,066
      General and administrative 12,028 27.3 %     9,452   39,895   28.8 %   30,979

Total 67,400 11.5 %     60,446   213,817   17.9 %   181,388

                             
EBITDA - consolidated networks 15,703 29.8 %     12,094   56,085   10.1 %   50,941
Share of pre-tax earnings of equity-method
      investments
1,944     1,712   3,976     3,382

Total EBITDA 17,647 27.8 %     13,806   60,061   10.6 %   54,323
Depreciation and amortization 3,484 (5.8 )%     3,698   11,033   2.7 %   10,739

Operating income
$
14,163 40.1 %  
$
10,108   $ 49,028   12.5 %  
$
43,584

         
Other Financial and Statistical Data:          
         
Percent of operating revenues:          
   EBITDA 21.2 %     19.0 %   22.3 %     23.4 %
   Operating income   17.0 %         13.9 %     18.2 %           18.8 %

Payments for programming and network                                        
      distribution fees less than (greater than)                                        
      amounts recognized as expense
$
(7,162 )      
$
(7,029 )  
$
(22,380
)        
$
(17,118 )
                                         
Capital expenditures   5,523           3,132       10,812             6,382  
                                         
Business acquisitions and other                                        
      additions to long-lived assets   19,570           3,833       47,420             12,825  

According to the Nielsen Homevideo Index, HGTV was distributed to 74.3 million homes in September 2001, up 8.4 million from September 2000 and 3.8 million in the third quarter. Food Network was distributed to 67.7 million homes in September 2001, up 15.4 million from September 2000 and 7.3 million in the third quarter.

During the third quarter Food Network renewed its distribution agreement with AT&T, expanding distribution of Food Network and providing for payment of affiliate fees to Food Network. In October the Company announced an agreement with AOL Time Warner, Inc. ("AOL") that will add Food Network to additional AOL cable television systems by the end of the year, and providing for the payment of affiliate fees to Food Network. Previously Food Network had been distributed without payment of affiliate fees by AT&T and AOL.

The Company launched DIY in the fourth quarter of 1999 and expects to launch Fine Living, its fourth network, in early 2002. Start-up losses associated with DIY and Fine Living reduced EBITDA in the third quarter by $5.7 million in 2001 compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2000. DIY and Fine Living reduced year-to-date EBITDA $16 million in 2001 and $7.6 million in 2000. Full year start-up losses are expected to reduce EBITDA by approximately $22 million.

The distribution agreement with AOL provides for expanded distribution of DIY on AOL cable television systems, adding approximately 5 million new households by 2003. In addition, the agreement provides for distribution of Fine Living to 5 million households.

Excluding the start-up expenses of the new networks, EBITDA increased 39% in the quarter and 23% year-to-date.

F-19

BROADCAST TELEVISION - Operating results, excluding unusual items, were as follows:


(in thousands)      
Quarterly Period
               
Year-to-date
       
   
2001
 
Change
   
2000
     
2001
 
Change
   
2000
 

Operating revenues:        
      Local
$
35,389 (10.3 )%  
$
39,451  
$
117,927 (8.3 )%  
$
128,602
      National 21,151 (20.4 )%     26,588   70,220 (22.0 )%   90,002
      Political 735     10,202   1,039   14,108
      Other 3,846 8.3 %     3,552   12,055 7.3 %   11,239




















Total operating revenues 61,121 (23.4 )%     79,793   201,241 (17.5 )%   243,951




















       
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and
      amortization:
       
      Programming and station operations 34,970 (3.5 )%     36,241   103,733 (6.0 )%   110,354
      Sales and marketing 7,772 (13.5 )%     8,989   25,767 (14.5 )%   30,138
      General and administrative 5,901 (7.4 )%     6,372   17,921 (4.7 )%   18,804




















Total 48,643 (5.7 )%     51,602   147,421 (7.5 )%   159,296




















EBITDA 12,478 (55.7 )%     28,191   53,820 (36.4 )%   84,655
Depreciation and amortization 7,169 0.0 %     7,168   21,842 2.6 %   21,285




















Operating income
$
5,309 (74.7 )%  
$
21,023  
$
31,978 (49.5 )%  
$
63,370




















       
Other Financial and Statistical Data:        
       
Percent of operating revenues:        
   EBITDA 20.4 %     35.3 %   26.7 %   34.7 %
   Operating income 8.7 %     26.3 %   15.9 %   26.0 %




















       
Capital expenditures
$
2,951    
$
2,952  
$
10,295  
$
15,774
Business acquisitions and other        
      additions to long-lived assets     50   27   14,710




















The Company's nine network-affiliated television stations broadcast 36 hours of continuous, commercial free network and local news coverage following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and for the next several days there was little demand for television advertising.

The Company continues to be adversely affected by its relatively high exposure to weakly rated ABC television network programming. Six of the Company's 10 television stations are ABC affiliates. Year-over-year automobile advertising declined sharply in the quarter.

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, are expected to decrease approximately 7% for the full year.

F-20

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s cash flow from operating activities is expected to substantially exceed the total of its capital expenditure requirements and cash dividends in 2001, as it has each year since 1992. The excess cash flow from existing businesses and the Company’s substantial borrowing capacity have been used primarily to fund acquisitions, investments, and to develop new businesses. There are essentially no legal or other restrictions on the transfer of funds among the Company’s business segments.

Repurchase of a total of six million Class A Common shares was authorized by the Board of Directors in 1998. The balance remaining on this authorization is 1.8 million shares.

The Company’s Scripps Ventures Funds invest in new businesses focusing primarily on new media technology. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. At September 30, 2001, an additional $58 million remains to be invested under the Board of Directors authorization.

Net debt (borrowings less cash equivalent and other short-term investments) decreased $44 million in the first nine months of 2001, to $670 million at September 30, 2001.

F-21

MARKET RISK

The Company’s earnings and cash flow can be affected by, among other things, interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations (primarily in the exchange rate for the Japanese yen) and changes in the price of newsprint. The information disclosed in Market Risk in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, has not changed materially unless otherwise disclosed herein.

The Company may use foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge its cash flow exposures denominated in Japanese yen and forward contracts to reduce the risk of changes in the price of newsprint on anticipated newsprint purchases. The Company held no foreign currency or newsprint forward contracts in 2001 or 2000.

The following table presents additional information about the Company’s market-risk-sensitive financial instruments:


( in thousands, except share data ) As of September 30, 2001 As of December 31, 2000
Cost Fair Cost Fair
Basis Value Basis Value

 
Financial instruments subject to interest rate risk:
      Variable rate credit facilities, including commercial paper $ 460,590 $ 460,590 $ 512,788 $ 512,788
      $100 million, 6.625% note, due in 2007 99,912 103,125 99,901 97,900
      $100 million, 6.375% note, due in 2002 99,978 101,885 99,964 99,800
      Other notes 9,964 8,900 1,956 812

      Total long-term debt $ 670,444 $ 674,500 $ 714,609 $ 711,300

 
Financial instruments subject to market value risk:
      AOL Time Warner common stock (2,017,000 shares) $ 93,722 $ 66,757
      Time Warner common stock (1,344,000 shares) $ 27,816 $ 70,239
      Centra Software (700,500 and 1,792,500 common shares) 1,427 5,996 3,652 6,946
      Other available-for-sale securities 616 3,483 639 3,969

      Total investments in publicly-traded companies 95,765 76,236 32,107 81,154
      Other equity investments 67,375 (a) 87,266 (a)

   
(a)   Included in other equity investments are securities that do not trade in public markets, so they do not have readily determinable fair values. Many of the investees have had no rounds of equity financing in the past 18 months. There can be no assurance as to the amounts the Company would receive if these securities were sold.

The Company manages interest rate risk primarily by maintaining a mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. The Company currently does not use interest rate swaps, forwards or other derivative financial instruments to manage its interest rate risk. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Variable Rate Credit Facilities was 3.2% at September 30, 2001, and 6.6% at December 31, 2000.

F-22

THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
    No.  Item
Page      
   
       12   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
E-2      

E-1

EXHIBIT 12

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES        
EXHIBIT 12
 

( in thousands )   Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2001     2000     2001     2000  

EARNINGS AS DEFINED:                        
Earnings from operations before income taxes after                        
      eliminating undistributed earnings of 20%- to                        
      50%-owned affiliates $ 39,817   $ 61,744   $ 241,151   $ 203,161  
Fixed charges excluding capitalized interest and                        
      preferred stock dividends of majority-owned                        
      subsidiary companies   9,900     14,935     35,935     44,438  
 
Earnings as defined $ 49,717   $ 76,679   $ 277,086   $ 247,599  
                         
FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED:                        
Interest expense, including amortization of                        
      debt issue costs $ 8,417   $ 13,393   $ 31,737   $ 39,510  
Interest capitalized   179     17     591     47  
Portion of rental expense representative                        
      of the interest factor   1,483     1,542     4,198     4,928  
Preferred stock dividends of majority-owned                        
      subsidiary companies   20     20     60     60  
                         
Fixed charges as defined $ 10,099   $ 14,972   $ 36,586   $ 44,545  
                         
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES   4.92     5.12     7.57     5.56  

E-2