FORM 10Q
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 28, 2004

 

Commission File Number 1-6714

 


 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   53-0182885

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

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

 

(202) 334-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

Shares outstanding at April 27, 2004:

 

Class A Common Stock    1,722,250 Shares
Class B Common Stock    7,839,172 Shares

 



Table of Contents

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

Index to Form 10-Q

 

PART I.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

  Financial Statements     
    a.  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003

   3
    b.  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003

   4
    c.  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 28, 2004 (Unaudited) and December 28, 2003

   5
    d.  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Thirteen Weeks Ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003

   6
    e.  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   7

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition    14

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    18

PART II.

  OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 6.

  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    19
Signatures    21

 

2.


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   

March 28,

2004


   

March 30,

2003


 

Operating revenues

                

Advertising

   $ 302,167     $ 279,796  

Circulation and subscriber

     180,259       172,036  

Education

     258,271       177,778  

Other

     18,272       10,830  
    


 


       758,969       640,440  
    


 


Operating costs and expenses

                

Operating

     409,681       348,634  

Selling, general and administrative

     198,132       169,170  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     43,859       43,395  

Amortization of intangible assets

     2,380       149  
    


 


       654,052       561,348  
    


 


Income from operations

     104,917       79,092  

Other income (expense)

                

Equity in losses of affiliates

     (1,716 )     (2,642 )

Interest income

     344       114  

Interest expense

     (6,861 )     (7,237 )

Other, net

     742       48,135  
    


 


Income before income taxes

     97,426       117,462  

Provision for income taxes

     38,000       44,400  
    


 


Net Income

     59,426       73,062  

Redeemable preferred stock dividends

     (502 )     (517 )
    


 


Net income available for common shares

   $ 58,924     $ 72,545  
    


 


Basic earnings per common share

   $ 6.17     $ 7.62  
    


 


Diluted earnings per share

   $ 6.15     $ 7.59  
    


 


Dividends declared per common share

   $ 3.50     $ 2.90  
    


 


Basic average number of common shares outstanding

     9,550       9,526  

Diluted average number of common shares outstanding

     9,582       9,553  

 

3.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands)   

March 28,

2004


   

March 30,

2003


 

Net income

   $ 59,426     $ 73,062  
    


 


Other comprehensive income (loss)

                

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (395 )     3,105  

Less: reclassification adjustment on sale of affiliate investment

     —         (1,633 )

Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     25,910       (21,718 )

Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income

     —         214  
    


 


       25,515       (20,032 )

Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income

     (10,135 )     8,387  
    


 


       15,380       (11,645 )
    


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 74,806     $ 61,417  
    


 


 

4.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands)    March 28,
2004


   

December 28,

2003


 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 63,867     $ 87,437  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     2,276       2,623  

Accounts receivable, net

     319,290       328,816  

Inventories

     30,064       27,709  

Income taxes receivable

     —         5,318  

Other current assets

     44,701       43,933  
    


 


       460,198       495,836  

Property, plant and equipment

                

Buildings

     289,161       288,961  

Machinery, equipment and fixtures

     1,664,743       1,656,111  

Leasehold improvements

     108,731       102,753  
    


 


       2,062,635       2,047,825  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (1,127,879 )     (1,084,790 )
    


 


       934,756       963,035  

Land

     32,290       32,234  

Construction in progress

     85,632       56,104  
    


 


       1,052,678       1,051,373  

Investments in marketable equity securities

     271,654       245,335  

Investments in affiliates

     58,938       61,312  

Goodwill, net

     1,011,879       965,694  

Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net

     487,356       486,656  

Amortized intangible assets, net

     4,900       5,226  

Prepaid pension cost

     524,842       514,801  

Deferred charges and other assets

     79,380       75,325  
    


 


     $ 3,951,825     $ 3,901,558  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 328,982     $ 339,239  

Deferred revenue

     198,617       164,014  

Dividends declared

     16,750       —    

Federal and state income taxes payable

     22,561       —    

Short-term borrowings

     133,963       208,620  
    


 


       700,873       711,873  

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     142,477       140,740  

Other liabilities

     223,353       235,169  

Deferred income taxes

     318,938       303,824  

Long-term debt

     427,907       422,471  
    


 


       1,813,548       1,814,077  

Redeemable preferred stock

     12,540       12,540  
    


 


Preferred stock

     —         —    
    


 


Common shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock

     20,000       20,000  

Capital in excess of par value

     174,093       166,951  

Retained earnings

     3,390,127       3,364,407  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

                

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment

     3,877       4,272  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

     52,980       37,205  

Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury

     (1,515,340 )     (1,517,894 )
    


 


       2,125,737       2,074,941  
    


 


     $ 3,951,825     $ 3,901,558  
    


 


 

5.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

 
(In thousands)    March 28,
2004


    March 30,
2003


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 59,426     $ 73,062  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     43,859       43,395  

Amortization of intangible assets

     2,380       149  

Net pension credit

     (10,044 )     (13,425 )

Gain from sale of affiliate

     —         (49,762 )

Cost method and other investment write-downs

     677       1,112  

Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions

     1,716       2,642  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     4,895       3,827  

Change in assets and liabilities:

                

Decrease in accounts receivable, net

     16,985       16,991  

Increase in inventories

     (2,355 )     (2,342 )

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (11,970 )     (28,588 )

Increase in deferred revenue

     25,875       11,880  

Increase in income taxes payable

     27,868       27,916  

(Increase) decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net

     (11,993 )     3,356  

Other

     (1,924 )     (37 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     145,395       90,176  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (40,617 )     (28,086 )

Investments in certain businesses

     (41,386 )     (57,537 )

Proceeds from the sale of affiliate

           65,000  

Investment in affiliates

           (5,977 )

Other

     79       378  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (81,924 )     (26,222 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Net repayment of commercial paper

     (71,092 )     (41,882 )

Principal payments on debt

     (7,398 )     (953 )

Dividends paid

     (16,951 )     (13,959 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     8,045       380  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (87,396 )     (56,414 )
    


 


Effect of currency exchange rate change

     355       —    
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (23,570 )     7,540  

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     87,437       28,771  
    


 


Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 63,867     $ 36,311  
    


 


 

6.


Table of Contents

The Washington Post Company

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Results of operations, when examined on a quarterly basis, reflect the seasonality of advertising that affects the newspaper, magazine and broadcasting operations. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters are typically higher than first and third quarter revenues. All adjustments reflected in the interim financial statements are of a normal recurring nature.

 

The Company generally reports on a 13 week fiscal quarter ending on the Sunday nearest the calendar quarter-end. With the exception of the newspaper publishing operations, subsidiaries of the Company report on a calendar-quarter basis.

 

Note 1: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million, financed through cash and debt, with $8.4 million remaining to be paid. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill on a preliminary basis.

 

In March 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the stock of Financial Training Company (FTC), for £55.3 million ($87.4 million). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia.

 

On January 1, 2003, the Company sold its 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune for $65 million and the Company recorded an after-tax non-operating gain of $32.3 million in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Note 2: Investments.

 

Investments in marketable equity securities at March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    

March 28,

2004


  

December 28,

2003


Total cost

   $ 186,938    $ 186,954

Gross unrealized gains

     86,992      61,004
    

  

Total fair value

   $ 273,930    $ 247,958
    

  

 

There were no sales of marketable equity securities in the first quarter of 2004 or 2003.

 

At March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003, the carrying value of the Company’s cost method investments was $9.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively. The Company recorded charges of $0.7 million and $1.1 million during the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, respectively, to write-down certain of its investments to estimated fair value.

 

 

7.


Table of Contents

Note 3: Borrowings.

 

Long-term debt consists of the following (in millions):

 

    

March 28,

2004


   

December 28,

2003


 

Commercial paper borrowings

   $ 117.2     $ 188.3  

5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009

     398.7       398.7  

4.0 percent notes due 2004-2006 (£13.2 million and £16.7 million at March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively)

     24.2       29.7  

Other indebtedness

     21.8       14.4  
    


 


Total

     561.9       631.1  

Less current portion

     (134.0 )     (208.6 )
    


 


Total long-term debt

   $ 427.9     $ 422.5  
    


 


 

The Company’s commercial paper borrowings at March 28, 2004 were at an average interest rate of 1.0% and mature through April 2004; the Company’s commercial paper borrowings at December 28, 2003 were at an average interest rate of 1.1% and matured through February 2004. During 2003, the notes of £16.7 million were issued to current FTC employees who were former FTC shareholders in connection with the acquisition. The noteholders, at their discretion, had the option of electing to receive 25% of their outstanding balance in January 2004. As a result, payments of $6.2 million were made in January 2004. In August 2004, 50% of the original outstanding balance (less the amount paid in January 2004) is due for payment. The remaining balance outstanding is due for repayment in August 2006. The Company’s other indebtedness at March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003 is at interest rates of 6% to 7% and matures from 2004 to 2009.

 

In 2003, the Company replaced its $350 million 364-day revolving credit facility with a new $250 million revolving credit facility, which expires in August 2004.

 

During the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $550.8 million and $601.6 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.5% and 4.2%, respectively. During the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $6.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

 

Note 4: Business Segments.

 

The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments. The 2004 and 2003 asset information is as of March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003, respectively.

 

8.


Table of Contents

First Quarter Period

(in thousands)

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

2004

                                                     

Operating revenues

   $ 218,825    $ 76,317    $ 84,542    $ 121,014     $ 258,271     $ —       $ 758,969  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 31,989    $ 31,275    $ 6,821    $ 22,642     $ 20,637     $ (8,447 )   $ 104,917  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                                  (1,716 )

Interest expense, net

                                                  (6,517 )

Other, net

                                                  742  
                                                 


Income before income taxes

                                                $ 97,426  
                                                 


Depreciation expense

   $ 9,663    $ 2,743    $ 860    $ 24,254     $ 6,339     $ —       $ 43,859  

Amortization expense

   $ 4    $ —      $ —      $ 38     $ 2,338     $ —       $ 2,380  

Net pension credit (expense)

   $ 759    $ 814    $ 9,084    $ (250 )   $ (363 )   $ —       $ 10,044  

Identifiable assets

   $ 676,398    $ 400,138    $ 525,351    $ 1,117,744     $ 890,770     $ 8,556     $ 3,618,957  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                                  273,930  

Investments in affiliates

                                                  58,938  
                                                 


Total assets

                                                $ 3,951,825  
                                                 


 

     Newspaper
Publishing


   Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Corporate
Office


    Consolidated

 

2003

                                                     

Operating revenues

   $ 204,040    $ 70,752    $ 77,502    $ 110,368     $ 177,778     $ —       $ 640,440  

Income (loss) from operations

   $ 21,358    $ 26,347    $ 837    $ 20,762     $ 15,927     $ (6,139 )   $ 79,092  

Equity in losses of affiliates

                                                  (2,642 )

Interest expense, net

                                                  (7,123 )

Other, net

                                                  48,135  
                                                 


Income before income taxes

                                                $ 117,462  
                                                 


Depreciation expense

   $ 11,297    $ 2,746    $ 952    $ 22,713     $ 5,687     $ —       $ 43,395  

Amortization expense

   $ 4    $ —      $ —      $ 38     $ 107     $ —       $ 149  

Net pension credit (expense)

   $ 3,957    $ 1,065    $ 8,998    $ (243 )   $ (352 )   $ —       $ 13,425  

Identifiable assets

   $ 673,631    $ 410,580    $ 533,305    $ 1,119,826     $ 845,983     $ 8,963     $ 3,592,288  

Investments in marketable equity securities

                                                  247,958  

Investments in affiliates

                                                  61,312  
                                                 


Total assets

                                                $ 3,901,558  
                                                 


 

9.


Table of Contents

Newspaper publishing includes the publication of newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area and Everett, Washington; newsprint warehousing and recycling facilities; and the Company’s electronic media publishing business (primarily washingtonpost.com).

 

The magazine publishing division consists of the publication of a weekly news magazine, Newsweek, which has one domestic and three international editions, the publication of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and the publication of business periodicals for the computer services industry and the Washington-area technology community.

 

Television broadcasting operations are conducted through six VHF, television stations serving the Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Orlando and Jacksonville television markets. All stations are network-affiliated (except for WJXT in Jacksonville) with revenues derived primarily from sales of advertising time.

 

Cable television operations consist of cable systems offering basic cable, digital cable, pay television, cable modem and other services to subscribers in midwestern, western, and southern states. The principal source of revenue is monthly subscription fees charged for services.

 

Education products and services are provided through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kaplan, Inc. Kaplan’s businesses include supplemental education services, which is made up of Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, providing test preparation services for college and graduate school entrance exams; Kaplan Professional, providing education and career services to business people and other professionals; and Score!, offering multi-media learning and private tutoring to children and educational resources to parents. Kaplan’s businesses also include higher education services, which includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including the fixed facility colleges that were formerly part of Quest Education, which offer Bachelor’s degrees, Associate’s degrees and diploma programs primarily in the fields of healthcare, business and information technology; and online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses, including kaplancollege.com).

 

Corporate office includes the expenses of the Company’s corporate office.

 

Note 5: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

 

The Company’s intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from franchise agreements at its cable division, as the Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide the Company with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company’s cable division historically has obtained renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without any material modifications to the agreements. Amortized intangible assets are primarily non-compete agreements, with amortization periods up to five years.

 

10.


Table of Contents

The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Gross

   Accumulated
Amortization


   Net

2004

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,310,281    $ 298,402    $ 1,011,879

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     651,162      163,806      487,356

Amortized intangible assets

     10,088      5,188      4,900
    

  

  

     $ 1,971,531    $ 467,396    $ 1,504,135
    

  

  

2003

                    

Goodwill

   $ 1,264,096    $ 298,402    $ 965,694

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     650,462      163,806      486,656

Amortized intangible assets

     8,034      2,808      5,226
    

  

  

     $ 1,922,592    $ 465,016    $ 1,457,576
    

  

  

 

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets during the three months ended March 28, 2004 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Goodwill, net

                                              

Beginning of year

   $ 71,277     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666     $ 536,030     $ 965,694  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —        —         43,886       43,886  

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

     —         —        —        —         2,299       2,299  
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at March 28, 2004

   $ 71,277     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666     $ 582,215     $ 1,011,879  
    


 

  

  


 


 


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, net

                                              

Beginning of year

     —         —        —      $ 484,556     $ 2,100     $ 486,656  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —        700       —         700  
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at March 28, 2004

     —         —        —      $ 485,256     $ 2,100     $ 487,356  
    


 

  

  


 


 


     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


    Education

    Total

 

Amortized intangible assets, net

                                              

Beginning of year

   $ 30       —        —      $ 1,081     $ 4,115     $ 5,226  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —                2,054       2,054  

Amortization

     (4 )     —        —        (38 )     (2,338 )     (2,380 )
    


 

  

  


 


 


Balance at March 28, 2004

   $ 26       —        —      $ 1,043     $ 3,831     $ 4,900  
    


 

  

  


 


 


 

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill during the quarter ended March 30, 2003 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Newspaper
Publishing


    Television
Broadcasting


   Magazine
Publishing


   Cable
Television


   Education

   Total

 

Goodwill, net

                                            

Beginning of year

   $ 72,738     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 339,736    $ 770,861  

Acquisitions

     —         —        —        —        86,874      86,874  

Disposition

     (1,461 )     —        —        —        —        (1,461 )
    


 

  

  

  

  


Balance at March 30, 2003

   $ 71,277     $ 203,165    $ 69,556    $ 85,666    $ 426,610    $ 856,274  
    


 

  

  

  

  


 

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The Company’s amortized intangible assets decreased in the first quarter of 2003 as a result of $149,000 of amortization expense. There was no activity related to the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets during the first quarter of 2003.

 

Note 6: Change in Accounting Method – Stock Options

 

Effective the first day of the Company’s 2002 fiscal year, the Company adopted the fair-value-based method of accounting for Company stock options as outlined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). This change in accounting method was applied prospectively to all awards granted from the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2002 and thereafter. Stock options awarded prior to fiscal 2002 are accounted for under the intrinsic value method under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The following table presents what the Company’s results would have been had the fair values of options granted after 1995, but prior to 2002, been recognized as compensation expense in the first quarter of 2004 and 2003 (in thousands except per share amounts).

 

     2004

   2003

Company stock option compensation expense included in net income (pre-tax)

   $ 202    $ 142
    

  

Net income available for common shares, as reported

   $ 58,924    $ 72,545

Company stock option compensation expense not included in net income (after-tax)

     715      790
    

  

Pro forma net income available for common shares

   $ 58,209    $ 71,755
    

  

Basic earnings per share, as reported

   $ 6.17    $ 7.62
    

  

Pro forma basic earnings per share

   $ 6.10    $ 7.53
    

  

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

   $ 6.15    $ 7.59
    

  

Pro forma diluted earnings per share

   $ 6.07    $ 7.51
    

  

 

Note 7: Antidilutive Securities

 

There were no antidilutive stock options outstanding during the first quarter of 2004. The first quarter 2003 diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 11,500 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 

Note 8: Kaplan Stock Option Plan

 

The Company maintains a stock option plan at its Kaplan subsidiary that provides for the issuance of Kaplan stock options to certain members of Kaplan’s management. The fair value of Kaplan’s common stock is determined by the Company’s compensation committee of the Board of Directors. In September 2003, the committee set the fair value price of Kaplan common stock at $1,625 per share, which is determined after deducting intercompany debt from Kaplan’s enterprise value. Also in September 2003, the Company announced an offer totaling $138 million for approximately 55% of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The Company’s offer included a 10% premium over the current valuation price of Kaplan common stock of $1,625 per share; by the end of October 2003, 100% of the eligible stock options were tendered. The Company paid out $118.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 and the remainder of the payouts, related to 14,463 tendered stock options, will be made at the time of their scheduled vesting from 2004 to 2007 if the option holder is still employed at Kaplan. Additionally, stock compensation expense will be recorded on these remaining exercised options over the remaining vesting periods of 2004 to 2007. A small number of key Kaplan executives continue to hold the remaining 68,000 outstanding Kaplan stock options, with roughly half of these options expiring in 2007 and half expiring in 2011. The remaining 68,000 of outstanding Kaplan stock options represent 4.8% of Kaplan’s common stock at March 31, 2004. The Company does not expect to issue additional Kaplan stock options in the future.

 

For the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded expense of $9.8 million, and $10.0 million, respectively, related to this plan.

 

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Note 9: Pension and Postretirement Plans

 

The total (income) cost arising from the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement plans for the quarters ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003, consists of the following components (in thousands):

 

     Pension Plans

    Postretirement Plans

 
     March 28,
2004


    March 30,
2003


    March 28,
2004


    March 30,
2003


 

Service cost

   $ 5,650     $ 4,861     $ 1,231     $ 1,291  

Interest cost

     9,051       8,205       1,873       1,849  

Expected return on assets

     (23,765 )     (23,404 )     —         —    

Amortization of transition asset

     (252 )     (533 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     1,181       1,016       (146 )     (90 )

Recognized actuarial gain

     (1,909 )     (3,570 )     (413 )     (419 )
    


 


 


 


Total (benefit) cost for the quarter

   $ (10,044 )   $ (13,425 )   $ 2,545     $ 2,631  
    


 


 


 


 

The expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.5% in 2004.

 

In December of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (the Act) was enacted. The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health benefit plans that provide a benefit that meets certain criteria. The Company’s other postretirement plans covering retirees currently provide certain prescription benefits to eligible participants. In accordance with FASB Staff Position No. 106-1, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003,” the effects of the Act on the Company’s medical plans have not been included in the measurement of the Company’s accumulated postretirement benefit obligation or net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 2003 and 2004.

 

Note 10 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) released Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46). FIN 46 requires primary beneficiaries of Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) to consolidate those entities. In December 2003, the FASB published a revision of FIN 46 (FIN 46R) to clarify some of the provisions of FIN 46 and to defer the effective date of implementation for certain entities. Under the guidance of FIN 46R, entities that did not have interests in structures that are commonly referred to as SPEs are required to apply the provisions of the interpretation in financial statements for periods ending after March 14, 2004. Based on the provisions of FIN 46 and FIN 46R, the Company does not have any unconsolidated interests that are now required to be consolidated, and therefore, FIN 46 and FIN 46R did not have any impact on the Company in 2003 or 2004.

 

13.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

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

 

Revenues and expenses in the first and third quarters are customarily lower than those in the second and fourth quarters because of significant seasonal fluctuations in advertising volume.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net income for the first quarter of 2004 was $59.4 million ($6.15 per share), down from net income of $73.1 million ($7.59 per share) in the first quarter of last year.

 

Results for the first quarter of 2003 included an after-tax non-operating gain from the sale of the Company’s 50% interest in the International Herald Tribune (after-tax impact of $32.3 million, or $3.38 per share).

 

Revenue for the first quarter of 2004 was $759.0 million, up 19% from $640.4 million in 2003. The increase is the result of strong revenue growth at all of the Company’s divisions, particularly the education division. Also, advertising revenues suffered in the first quarter of 2003 due to the war in Iraq.

 

Operating income for the quarter increased 33% to $104.9 million, from $79.1 million in 2003. The Company benefited from improved results at each of its operating divisions, offset by a reduced net pension credit.

 

The Company’s operating income for the first quarter of 2004 includes $10.0 million of net pension credits, compared to $13.4 million in the first quarter of 2003. At December 28, 2003, the Company reduced its assumption on the discount rate from 6.75% to 6.25%. Overall, the pension credit for 2004 is expected to be down by approximately $14 million compared to 2003, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

 

Newspaper Publishing Division. Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $218.8 million for the first quarter of 2004, a 7% increase from revenue of $204.0 million for the first quarter of 2003. Division operating income was up 50% to $32.0 million, from $21.4 million in 2003. The increase in division operating income is primarily attributable to higher print and online advertising revenue and payroll savings from early retirement programs implemented at The Post in 2003, offset by a reduced pension credit and a 6% increase in newsprint expense at The Post.

 

Print advertising revenue at The Washington Post newspaper increased 7% to $142.1 million, from $132.5 million in 2003. This growth was driven by advertising revenue increases in most categories, particularly in preprint, general and classified recruitment. Classified recruitment advertising revenue was up 19% to $19.6 million, a $3.2 million increase compared to the first quarter of 2003. The first quarter of 2003 reflected the negative impact on advertising demand from the war in Iraq.

 

For the first quarter of 2004, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2003. For the three months ended March 28, 2004, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 732,700 and average Sunday circulation totaled 1,024,700.

 

Revenue generated by the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, increased 42% to $13.4 million for the first quarter of 2004, versus $9.5 million for 2003. Local and national online advertising revenues grew 63%, while revenue at the Jobs section of washingtonpost.com increased 54%.

 

Television Broadcasting Division. Revenue for the broadcast division rose 8% in the first quarter of 2004 to $76.3 million, from $70.8 million in 2003, due to increased

 

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political advertising in the first quarter of 2004, and several days of commercial-free coverage in the first quarter of 2003 in connection with the war in Iraq. Operating income for the first quarter of 2004 increased 19% to $31.3 million, from $26.3 million in 2003, as a result of higher advertising revenues and tight cost controls.

 

Magazine Publishing Division. Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $84.5 million for the first quarter of 2004, a 9% increase from $77.5 million for the first quarter of 2003. A large portion of the increase was from higher revenue at PostNewsweek Tech Media, whose primary trade show took place in the first quarter of 2004, versus the second quarter in 2003. Also, advertising revenue at Newsweek rose 10% as a result of increased ad pages at both the domestic and international editions in 2004, and reduced advertising demand late in the first quarter of 2003 due to the Iraq war.

 

Magazine division operating income totaled $6.8 million, compared to $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2003. The improvement in operating results is attributable to an increase in operating income at PostNewsweek Tech Media due to the timing of its primary trade show and increased advertising revenue and continued cost controls at Newsweek.

 

Cable Television Division. Cable division revenue of $121.0 million for the first quarter of 2004 represents a 10% increase over 2003 first quarter revenue of $110.4 million. The 2004 revenue increase is due to continued growth in the division’s cable modem and digital service revenues, and a $2 monthly rate increase for basic cable service effective March 1, 2004 at most of the cable division’s systems.

 

Cable division operating income increased 9% to $22.6 million in the first quarter of 2004, versus $20.8 million in the first quarter of 2003. The increase in operating income is due mostly to the division’s revenue growth, offset by higher depreciation and programming expenses and increases in internet and marketing costs.

 

The increase in depreciation expense is due to significant capital spending in recent years that has enabled the cable division to offer digital and broadband cable services to its subscribers. At March 31, 2004, the cable division had approximately 229,600 digital cable subscribers (compared to 205,300 at the end of March 2003), representing a 32% penetration of the subscriber base. At March 31, 2004, the cable division had 147,300 CableONE.net service subscribers, compared to 95,800 at the end of March 2003. Both digital and cable modem services are now offered in virtually all of the cable division’s markets.

 

At March 31, 2004, the cable division had 724,700 basic subscribers, compared to 719,300 at the end of March 2003 and 720,800 at the end of December 2003. The increase is due to continued marketing initiatives to retain and grow the subscriber base.

 

At March 31, 2004, Revenue Generating Units (RGUs), as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories, totaled 1,101,700, compared to 1,020,500 as of March 31, 2003. The increase is due to an increase in the number of digital cable and high speed data customers.

 

Below are details of Cable division capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories (in millions):

 

     2004

   2003

Customer Premise Equipment

   $ 10.5    $ 2.6

Commercial

     —        0.1

Scaleable Infrastructure

     2.9      1.2

Line Extensions

     3.8      3.1

Upgrade/Rebuild

     3.8      8.1

Support Capital

     4.1      1.8
    

  

Total

   $ 25.1    $ 16.9
    

  

 

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Education Division. Education division revenue totaled $258.3 million for the first quarter of 2004, a 45% increase over revenue of $177.8 million for the first quarter of 2003. Kaplan reported operating income for the 2004 first quarter of $20.6 million, an increase of 30% from $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2003. Approximately 53% of the increase in Kaplan revenue is from acquired businesses, primarily in the higher education division and the professional training schools that are part of supplemental education. Excluding revenue from acquired businesses, education division revenue increased 21% for the first quarter of 2004. A summary of first quarter operating results is as follows:

 

(in thousands)

   First Quarter

 
     2004

    2003

    % Change

 

Revenue

                      

Supplemental education

   $ 135,600     $ 98,182     38  

Higher education

     122,671       79,596     54  
    


 


 

     $ 258,271     $ 177,778     45  
    


 


 

Operating income (loss)

                      

Supplemental education

   $ 20,592     $ 18,552     11  

Higher education

     20,172       14,922     35  

Kaplan corporate overhead

     (7,977 )     (7,440 )   (7 )

Other*

     (12,150 )     (10,107 )   (20 )
    


 


 

     $ 20,637     $ 15,927     30  
    


 


 


* Other includes charges accrued for stock-based incentive compensation and amortization of certain intangibles.

 

Supplemental education includes Kaplan’s test preparation, professional training, and Score! businesses. On March 31, 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the Financial Training Company (FTC). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia. A large portion of the increase in supplemental education revenue for the first quarter of 2004 is due to the FTC acquisition; however, FTC’s business is seasonal and typically incurs an operating loss in the first quarter of the year. The improvement in supplemental education results for the first quarter of 2004 is due primarily to increased enrollment at Kaplan’s traditional test preparation business and significant increases from the professional real estate courses, which more than offset the FTC operating loss. Score! also contributed to the improved revenue and operating results due to higher rates and ten new centers compared to last year. Score! experienced a small decrease in enrollments during the first quarter of 2004.

 

Higher education includes all of Kaplan’s post-secondary education businesses, including fixed-facility colleges as well as online post-secondary and career programs (various distance-learning businesses). Higher education results are showing significant growth due to student enrollment increases and several acquisitions.

 

Corporate overhead represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan, Inc.’s corporate office.

 

Other expense is comprised of accrued charges for stock-based incentive compensation arising from a stock option plan established for certain members of Kaplan’s management and amortization of certain intangibles. Under the stock-based incentive plan, the amount of compensation expense varies directly with the estimated fair value of Kaplan’s common stock and the number of options outstanding. For the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded expense of $9.8 million and $10.0 million, respectively, related to this plan. The stock compensation expense for the first quarter of 2003 was based on stock options outstanding before the third quarter 2003 buyout offer for approximately 55% of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The stock compensation expense for the first quarter of 2004 was based on the remaining 45% of Kaplan stock options held by a small number of Kaplan executives after the 2003 buyout.

 

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Equity in Losses of Affiliates. The Company’s equity in losses of affiliates for the first quarter of 2004 was $1.7 million, compared to losses of $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2003. The Company’s affiliate investments consist of a 49% interest in BrassRing LLC and a 49% interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited. The reduction in first quarter 2004 affiliate losses is attributable to improved operating results at both BrassRing and Bowater.

 

Other Non-Operating Income. The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to $48.1 million for the first quarter of 2003. The 2003 non-operating income is comprised mostly of a $49.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Company’s 50% interest in the International Herald Tribune.

 

A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2004 and March 30, 2003, follows (in millions):

 

     2004

    2003

 

Gain on sale of interest in IHT

   $ —       $ 49.8  

Impairment write-downs on cost method and other investments

     (0.7 )     (1.1 )

Foreign currency gains (losses), net

     1.5       (0.5 )

Other losses

     (0.1 )     (0.1 )
    


 


Total

   $ 0.7     $ 48.1  
    


 


 

Net Interest Expense. The Company incurred net interest expense of $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2004, compared to $7.1 million for the same period of the prior year. The reduction is due to lower average borrowings in the first quarter of 2004 versus the same period of the prior year. At March 28, 2004, the Company had $561.9 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.5%.

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2004 was 39.0%, compared to 37.8% for the same period of 2003. The 2003 rate benefited from a lower effective tax rate applicable to the one-time gain arising from the sale of the Company’s interest in the International Herald Tribune. Excluding the effect of the International Herald Tribune gain, the Company’s effective tax rate approximated 39.8% for the first quarter of 2003.

 

Earnings Per Share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2004 was based on 9,582,000 weighted average shares outstanding, compared to 9,553,000 for the first quarter of 2003. The Company made no repurchases of its stock during the first quarter of 2004.

 

Financial Condition: Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Acquisitions. In the first quarter of 2004, Kaplan acquired three businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $49.8 million, financed through cash and debt, with $8.4 million remaining to be paid. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill on a preliminary basis.

 

In March 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the stock of Financial Training Company (FTC), for £55.3 million ($87.4 million). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia.

 

Capital expenditures. During the first quarter of 2004, the Company’s capital expenditures totaled $40.6 million. The Company estimates that its capital expenditures will be in the range of $200 million to $225 million in 2004.

 

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Liquidity. Throughout the first three months of 2004, the Company’s borrowings, net of repayments, decreased by $69.2 million, with the decrease primarily due to cash flows from operations, offset in part by borrowings for acquisitions.

 

At March 28, 2004, the Company had $561.9 million in total debt outstanding, which was comprised of $117.2 million of commercial paper borrowings, $398.7 million of 5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009, and $46.0 million in other debt.

 

During the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $550.8 million and $601.6 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.5% and 4.2%, respectively. During the first quarter of 2004 and 2003, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $6.5 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

 

At March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003, the Company had a working capital deficit of $240.7 million and $216.0 million, respectively. The Company maintains working capital levels consistent with its underlying business requirements and consistently generates cash from operations in excess of required interest or principal payments. The Company has classified all of its commercial paper borrowing obligations as a current liability at March 28, 2004 and December 28, 2003 as the Company intends to pay down commercial paper borrowings from operating cash flow. However, the Company continues to maintain the ability to refinance such obligations on a long-term basis through new debt issuance and/or its revolving credit facility agreements.

 

The Company expects to fund its estimated capital needs primarily through internally generated funds and, to a lesser extent, commercial paper borrowings. In management’s opinion, the Company will have ample liquidity to meet its various cash needs throughout 2004.

 

As noted above, the Company’s borrowings have declined by $69.2 million, to $561.9 million, as compared to borrowings of $631.1 million at December 28, 2003. There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or other commercial commitments from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For more information about these forward-looking statements and related risks, please refer to the section titled “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer) and the Company’s Vice President-Finance (the Company’s principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), as of March 28, 2004. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President-Finance have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

 

 

18.


Table of Contents

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

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

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated November 13, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003).
  3.2    Certificate of Designation for the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock dated September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
  3.3    By-Laws of the Company as amended and restated through September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
  4.1    Form of the Company’s 5.50% Notes due February 15, 2009, issued under the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).
  4.2    Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1999).
  4.3    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 2003, among WP Company LLC, the Company and Bank One, NA, as successor to The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of February 17, 1999, between The Washington Post Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
  4.4    364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2003, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, Bank One, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
  4.5    5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank, Bank One, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of New York and Riggs Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2002).
  4.6    Consent and Amendment No. 1 dated as of August 13, 2003, to the 5-Year Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2002, among the Company, Citibank, N.A. and the other lenders that are parties to such Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2003).
11        Calculation of earnings per share of common stock.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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Table of Contents
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

(b) The following report on Form 8-K was filed during the quarter for which this report is filed:

 

Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 30, 2004, reporting under Item 7 the Company’s fourth quarter earnings and including as an exhibit the Company’s press release dated January 29, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

       

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Registrant)

Date:    April 30, 2004                

      /s/    Donald E. Graham         
       
       

Donald E. Graham,

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:    April 30, 2004                

      /s/    John B. Morse, Jr.         
       
       

John B. Morse, Jr.,

Vice President-Finance

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

21.

EXHIBIT 11

Exhibit 11

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

CALCULATION OF EARNINGS

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

(In thousands of shares)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended

     March 28,
2004


   March 30,
2003


Number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at beginning of period

     9,542      9,511

Issuance of shares of Class B common stock (weighted), net of forfeiture of restricted stock awards

     8      15
    

  

Shares used in the computation of basic earnings per common share

     9,550      9,526

Adjustment to reflect dilution from common stock Equivalents

     32      27
    

  

Shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per common share

     9,582      9,553
    

  

Net income available for common shares

   $ 58,924    $ 72,545
    

  

Basic earnings per common Share

   $ 6.17    $ 7.62
    

  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 6.15    $ 7.59
    

  

EXHIBIT 31.1

Exhibit 31.1

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonable likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/    Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

 

April 30, 2004

EXHIBIT 31.2

Exhibit 31.2

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of The Washington Post Company (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Registrant;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/    John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

 

April 30, 2004

EXHIBIT 32.1

Exhibit 32.1

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 28, 2004 (the “Report”), I, Donald E. Graham, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/    Donald E. Graham


Donald E. Graham

Chief Executive Officer

 

April 30, 2004

EXHIBIT 32.2

Exhibit 32.2

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 28, 2004 (the “Report”), I, John B. Morse, Jr., Vice President-Finance (principal financial officer) of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/    John B. Morse, Jr.


John B. Morse, Jr.

Vice President-Finance

 

April 30, 2004