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10-Q

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 September 28, 2003

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 October 28, 2003:

Class A Common Stock		1,722,250 Shares
Class B Common Stock		7,810,156 Shares

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 and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2003 and September 29, 2002	3

	b.	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2003 and September 29, 2002	5

	c.	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 28, 2003 (Unaudited) and December 29, 2002	6

	d.	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2003 and September 29, 2002	7

	e.	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition		17

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		26

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Signatures			28

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	September 28, 2003			September 29, 2002			September 28, 2003			September 29, 2002
Operating revenues
Advertising	$	287,984		$	292,523		$	886,707		$	882,183
Circulation and subscriber		175,595			171,535			524,128			501,382
Education		224,663			160,454			598,001			457,148
Other		17,837			15,781			44,623			47,605

		706,079			640,293			2,053,459			1,888,318

Operating costs and expenses
Operating		378,864			342,411			1,096,472			1,011,093
Selling, general and administrative		244,299			162,642			600,962			499,895
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		42,420			45,808			129,027			128,267
Amortization of intangible assets		398			172			910			483

		665,981			551,033			1,827,371			1,639,738

Income from operations		40,098			89,260			226,088			248,580
Other income (expense)
Equity in losses of affiliates		(1,116	)		(1,254	)		(9,282	)		(16,943	)
Interest income		189			69			762			261
Interest expense		(7,037	)		(8,717	)		(20,932	)		(26,381	)
Other, net		1,565			1,115			51,973			1,606

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		33,699			80,473			248,609			207,123
Provision for income taxes		13,800			32,700			95,000			84,500

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		19,899			47,773			153,609			122,623
Cumulative effect of change in method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets, net of taxes		—			—			—			(12,100	)

Net income		19,899			47,773			153,609			110,523
Redeemable preferred stock dividends		(252	)		(249	)		(1,027	)		(1,033	)

Net income available for common shares	$	19,647		$	47,524		$	152,582		$	109,490

Basic earnings per share:
Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	$	2.06		$	5.00		$	16.01		$	12.79
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		—			—			—			(1.27	)

Net income available for common stock	$	2.06		$	5.00		$	16.01		$	11.52

Diluted earnings per share:
Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	$	2.06	$	4.99	$	15.97	$	12.77
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		—		—		—		(1.27	)

Net income available for common stock	$	2.06	$	4.99	$	15.97	$	11.50

Dividends declared per common share	$	1.45	$	1.40	$	5.80	$	5.60

Basic average number of common shares outstanding		9,532		9,506		9,528		9,502
Diluted average number of common shares outstanding		9,556		9,523		9,554		9,518

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(In thousands)	September 28, 2003			September 29, 2002			September 28, 2003			September 29, 2002
Net income	$	19,899		$	47,773		$	153,609		$	110,523

Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		572			(1,906	)		8,765			2,511
Reclassification adjustment on sale of affiliate investment		—			—			(1,633	)		—
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities		6,044			20,427			7,696			4,997
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net income		—			—			214			(11,209	)

		6,616			18,521			15,042			(3,701	)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive income		(2,357	)		(7,961	)		(3,085	)		2,383

		4,259			10,560			11,957			(1,318	)

Comprehensive income	$	24,158		$	58,333		$	165,566		$	109,205

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)	September 28, 2003 (unaudited)			December 29, 2002
Assets

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	47,097		$	28,771
Investments in marketable equity securities		2,061			1,753
Accounts receivable, net		318,410			285,374
Inventories		32,582			27,629
Income taxes receivable		17,746			—
Other current assets		40,854			39,428

		458,750			382,955
Property, plant and equipment
Buildings		285,844			283,233
Machinery, equipment and fixtures		1,641,283			1,551,931
Leasehold improvements		96,904			85,720

		2,024,031			1,920,884
Less accumulated depreciation		(1,059,085	)		(926,385	)

		964,946			994,499
Land		34,550			34,530
Construction in progress		56,717			65,371

		1,056,213			1,094,400
Investments in marketable equity securities		222,168			214,780
Investments in affiliates		60,378			70,703
Goodwill, net		917,747			770,861
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net		484,556			482,419
Amortized intangible assets, net		4,302			2,153
Prepaid pension cost		532,277			493,786
Deferred charges and other assets		78,150			71,837

	$	3,814,541		$	3,583,894

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	429,996		$	336,582
Deferred revenue		177,322			135,419
Dividends declared		14,100			—
Federal and state income taxes payable		—			4,853
Short-term borrowings		168,966			259,258

		790,384			736,112

Postretirement benefits other than pensions		140,018			136,393
Other liabilities		209,788			194,480
Deferred income taxes		279,409			261,153
Long-term debt		421,769			405,547

		1,841,368			1,733,685

Redeemable preferred stock		12,540			12,916

Preferred stock		—			—

Common shareholders’ equity
Common stock		20,000			20,000
Capital in excess of par value		160,121			149,090
Retained earnings		3,276,900			3,179,607
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment		(379	)		(7,511	)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities		22,734			17,913
Cost of Class B common stock held in treasury		(1,518,743	)		(1,521,806	)

		1,960,633			1,837,293

	$	3,814,541		$	3,583,894

The Washington Post Company

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(In thousands)	September 28, 2003			September 29, 2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	153,609		$	110,523
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle		—			12,100
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		129,027			128,267
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles		910			483
Net pension benefit		(40,995	)		(48,280	)
Early retirement program expense		2,165			19,001
Gain from sale of affiliate		(49,762	)		—
Gain on sale of marketable securities		—			(13,209	)
Cost method and other investment write-downs		1,112			18,194
Equity in losses of affiliates, net of distributions		9,282			16,943
Provision for deferred income taxes		15,263			18,514
Change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable, net		(11,745	)		(8,242	)
Increase in inventories		(4,044	)		(17,166	)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		82,151			68,508
(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable		(17,746	)		10,253
(Decrease) increase in income taxes payable		(4,853	)		5,126
Decrease in other assets and other liabilities, net		41,693			24,642
Other		(210	)		(1,931	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		305,857			343,726

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(86,696	)		(116,882	)
Investments in certain businesses		(108,683	)		(26,673	)
Proceeds from the sale of business		65,000			—
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		—			19,701
Other investments		(5,977	)		(7,610	)
Other		599			706

Net cash used in investing activities		(135,757	)		(130,758	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net repayment of commercial paper		(109,424	)		(172,693	)
Dividends paid		(42,217	)		(40,686	)
Common shares repurchased		—			(786	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,789			4,997
Other		(2,600	)		—

Net cash used in financing activities		(151,452	)		(209,168	)

Effect of currency exchange rate change		(322	)		—

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		18,326			3,800

Beginning cash and cash equivalents		28,771			31,480

Ending cash and cash equivalents	$	47,097		$	35,280

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, Exchanges and Dispositions.

In the third quarter of 2003, Kaplan acquired five additional businesses in its higher education and professional divisions for a total of $38.2 million, financed through cash and debt, with $4 million remaining to be paid. In addition, the cable division acquired two additional systems for $1.2 million. Most of the purchase price for these acquisitions has been preliminarily allocated to goodwill.

In the second quarter of 2003, Kaplan acquired two additional businesses in its higher education and professional divisions for a total of $17.5 million, financed through cash and debt, with $3 million remaining to be paid. In addition, the cable division acquired a system in North Dakota for $1.5 million. Most of the purchase price for these acquisitions has been preliminarily allocated to goodwill.

In March 2003, Kaplan completed its acquisition of the stock of Financial Training Corporation (FTC), for £55.3 million ($87.4 million). Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with 18 training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia. The acquisition was financed through cash and debt with $26.5 million remaining to be paid, primarily to employees of the business. Most of the purchase price has been allocated to goodwill on a preliminary basis.

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.

In the first nine months of 2002, Kaplan acquired several businesses in their higher education and test preparation divisions, totaling $37.9 million, with most of the aggregate purchase price allocated to goodwill.

Note 2: Investments.

Investments in marketable equity securities at September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002 consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 28, 2003		December 29, 2002
Total cost	$	186,955	$	187,169
Gross unrealized gains		37,274		29,364

Total fair value	$	224,229	$	216,533

There were no sales of marketable securities in the first nine months of 2003. During the first quarter of 2002, the Company sold its shares of Ticketmaster, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $13.2 million. There were no sales of marketable equity securities in the second or third quarters of 2002.

At September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002, the carrying value of the Company’s cost method investments was $9.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively. There were no significant investments in companies constituting cost method investments during the first nine months of 2003 or 2002.

The Company recorded charges of $0 million and $1.1 million during the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, to write-down certain of its investments to estimated fair value; for the same periods of 2002, the Company recorded charges of $1.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively. The Company’s 2002 write-downs relate to several investments. Three of the investments were written down by an aggregate $12.6 million, primarily as a result of significant recurring losses in each of the underlying businesses, with the write-downs recorded based on the Company’s best estimate of the fair value of each of these investments. Another of the Company’s investments was written down by $2.8 million, due to the investee’s announced merger and the Company’s best estimate of anticipated proceeds.

Note 3: Borrowings.

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

	September 28, 2003			December 30, 2002
Commercial paper borrowings	$	149.8		$	259.3
5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009		398.6			398.4
4.0 percent notes due 2004-2006 (£16.7 million)		27.9			—
Other indebtedness		14.4			7.1

Total		590.7			664.8
Less current portion		(169.0	)		(259.3	)

Total long-term debt	$	421.7		$	405.5

The Company’s commercial paper borrowings at September 28, 2003 were at an average interest rate of 1.1 percent and mature through January 2004; the Company’s commercial paper borrowings at December 30, 2002 were at an average interest rate of 1.6 percent and matured through April 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, may elect to receive 25 percent of their outstanding balance in January 2004. In August 2004, 50 percent of the original outstanding balance (less any amounts 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 September 28, 2003 and December 30, 2002 is at interest rates of 6 percent to 7 percent and matures from 2004 to 2007.

During the third quarter of 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 third quarter of 2003 and 2002, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $595.5 million and $773.4 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.3 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively. During the third quarter of 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $6.8 million and $8.6 million, respectively.

During the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, the Company had average borrowings outstanding of approximately $610.1 million and $830.8 million, respectively, at average annual interest rates of approximately 4.2 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. During the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, the Company incurred net interest expense on borrowings of $20.2 million and $26.1 million, respectively.

Note 4: Business Segments.

The following table summarizes financial information related to each of the Company’s business segments. The 2003 and 2002 asset information is as of September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002, respectively.

10.

Third Quarter Period

(in thousands)

2003	Newspaper Publishing		Television Broadcasting		Magazine Publishing		Cable Television			Education			Corporate Office			Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	211,434	$	74,629	$	80,007	$	115,346		$	224,663		$	—		$	706,079
Income (loss) from operations	$	24,281	$	31,916	$	10,334	$	22,460		$	(43,084	)	$	(5,809	)	$	40,098
Equity in losses of affiliates																	(1,116	)
Interest expense, net																	(6,848	)
Other, net																	1,565

Income before income taxes																$	33,699

Depreciation expense	$	10,175	$	2,856	$	925	$	22,463		$	6,001		$	—		$	42,420
Amortization expense	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	38		$	357		$	—		$	398
Net pension credit (expense)	$	3,321	$	1,017	$	10,249	$	(183	)	$	(260	)	$	—		$	14,144
Identifiable assets	$	686,627	$	407,641	$	505,597	$	1,129,588		$	745,841		$	54,640		$	3,529,934
Investments in marketable equity securities																	224,229
Investments in affiliates																	60,378

Total assets																$	3,814,541


2002	Newspaper Publishing		Television Broadcasting		Magazine Publishing		Cable Television			Education			Corporate Office			Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	202,445	$	82,074	$	87,487	$	107,647		$	160,640		$	—		$	640,293
Income (loss) from operations	$	18,197	$	38,464	$	12,450	$	16,597		$	11,500		$	(7,948	)	$	89,260
Equity in losses of affiliates																	(1,254	)
Interest expense, net																	(8,648	)
Other, net																	1,115

Income before income taxes																$	80,473

Depreciation expense	$	10,672	$	2,873	$	1,010	$	24,866		$	6,387		$	—		$	45,808
Amortization expense	$	3	$	—	$	—	$	39		$	130		$	—		$	172
Net pension credit (expense)	$	5,492	$	1,220	$	7,221	$	(226	)	$	(298	)	$	—		$	13,409
Identifiable assets	$	690,197	$	413,663	$	488,562	$	1,142,995		$	542,251		$	18,990		$	3,296,658
Investments in marketable equity securities																	216,533
Investments in affiliates																	70,703

Total assets																$	3,583,894

11.

Nine Month Period

(in thousands)

2003	Newspaper Publishing		Television Broadcasting		Magazine Publishing		Cable Television			Education			Corporate Office			Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	638,616	$	227,206	$	249,370	$	340,266		$	598,001		$	—		$	2,053,459
Income (loss) from operations	$	82,669	$	97,249	$	23,575	$	64,470		$	(23,630	)	$	(18,245	)	$	226,088
Equity in losses of affiliates																	(9,282	)
Interest expense, net																	(20,170	)
Other, net																	51,973

Income before income taxes																$	248,609

Depreciation expense	$	31,923	$	8,376	$	2,806	$	68,140		$	17,782		$	—		$	129,027
Amortization expense	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	113		$	786		$	—		$	910
Net pension credit (expense)	$	9,071	$	3,147	$	28,244	$	(669	)	$	(963	)	$	—		$	38,830

2002	Newspaper Publishing		Television Broadcasting		Magazine Publishing		Cable Television			Education			Corporate Office			Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	618,284	$	243,584	$	251,391	$	317,643		$	457,416		$	—		$	1,888,318
Income (loss) from operations	$	73,551	$	115,474	$	14,144	$	54,405		$	11,574		$	(20,568	)	$	248,580
Equity in losses of affiliates																	(16,943	)
Interest expense, net																	(26,120	)
Other, net																	1,606

Income before income taxes																$	207,123

Depreciation expense	$	32,295	$	8,422	$	3,082	$	66,083		$	18,385		$	—		$	128,267
Amortization expense	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	117		$	355		$	—		$	483
Net pension credit (expense)	$	13,522	$	3,622	$	13,682	$	(654	)	$	(893	)	$	—		$	29,279

12.

Newspaper publishing includes the publication of newspapers in the Washington, D.C. area (The Washington Post, the Gazette community newspapers, and Southern Maryland newspapers) and Everett, Washington (The Everett Herald). This business division also includes newsprint warehousing, recycling operations and the Company’s electronic media publishing business (primarily washingtonpost.com).

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).

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.

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.

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 test preparation 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 offers 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.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142(SFAS 142), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Company has reviewed its goodwill and other intangible assets and classified them in three categories (goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and amortized intangible assets). The Company’s intangible assets with an indefinite life are from franchise agreements at its cable division. Amortized intangible assets are primarily non-compete agreements, with amortization periods up to five years.

13.

The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002 were as follows (in thousands):

	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Net
2003
Goodwill	$	1,216,149	$	298,402	$	917,747
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		648,362		163,806		484,556
Amortized intangible assets		6,584		2,282		4,302

	$	1,871,095	$	464,490	$	1,406,605

2002
Goodwill	$	1,069,263	$	298,402	$	770,861
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		646,225		163,806		482,419
Amortized intangible assets		3,525		1,372		2,153

	$	1,719,013	$	463,580	$	1,255,433

Activity related to the Company’s goodwill and amortized intangible assets during the nine months ended September 28, 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												143,204			143,204
Disposition		(1,461	)		—		—		—			—			(1,461	)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes		—			—		—		—			5,143			5,143

Balance at September 28, 2003	$	71,277		$	203,165	$	69,556	$	85,666		$	488,083		$	917,747


	Newspaper Publishing			Television Broadcasting		Magazine Publishing		Cable Television			Education			Total
Amortized intangible assets, net
Beginning of year	$	45			—		—	$	1,232		$	876		$	2,153
Acquisitions												3,059			3,059
Amortization		(11	)						(113	)		(786	)		(910	)

Balance at September 28, 2003	$	34			—		—	$	1,119		$	3,149		$	4,302

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets increased $3.1 million during the first nine months of 2003 due to three acquisitions by the cable division.

As required under SFAS 142, the Company completed its transitional impairment review of indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill in 2002. The expected future cash flows for PostNewsweek Tech Media (part of the magazine publishing segment), on a discounted basis, did not support the net carrying value of the related goodwill. Accordingly, an after-tax goodwill impairment loss of $12.1 million, or $1.27 per share was recorded. The loss is included in the Company’s 2002 year-to-date results as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.

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

14.

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 third quarter and first nine-months of 2003 and 2002 (in thousands, except per share amounts).

	Quarter ended				Nine-months ended
	September 28, 2003		September 29, 2002		September 28, 2003		September 29, 2002
Company stock-based compensation expense included in net income (pre-tax)	$	143	$	—	$	427	$	—

Net income available for common shares, as reported	$	19,647	$	47,524	$	152,582	$	109,490
Stock-based compensation expense not included in net income (after-tax)		789		904		2,369		2,713

Pro forma net income available for common shares	$	18,858	$	46,620	$	150,213	$	106,777

Basic earnings per share, as reported	$	2.06	$	5.00	$	16.01	$	11.52
Pro forma basic earnings per share	$	1.98	$	4.90	$	15.77	$	11.24
Diluted earnings per share, as reported	$	2.06	$	4.99	$	15.97	$	11.50
Pro forma diluted earnings per share	$	1.97	$	4.90	$	15.72	$	11.22

Note 7: Antidilutive Securities

The third quarter 2003 diluted earnings per share amount excludes the effects of 12,000 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would be antidilutive (there were no antidilutive stock options outstanding during the third quarter of 2002).

The year-to-date 2003 diluted earnings per share amounts exclude the effects of 11,500 stock options outstanding as their inclusion would be antidilutive (there was no antidilutive stock options outstanding for the nine months ended September 29, 2002).

Note 8: Pension Plan Amendment

Effective June 1, 2003, the retirement pension program for certain employees at the Post was amended and provides for increased annuity payments for vested employees retiring after this date. The plan amendment is estimated to reduce the newspaper division’s pension credit by approximately $2.6 million in 2003.

Note 9: Corporate Restructuring

The Company completed an internal corporate restructuring in September 2003. The principal purpose of the restructuring was to separate the Company’s Washington Post newspaper publishing business into a wholly-owned subsidiary. The restructuring had no impact from an accounting standpoint.

As a result of the restructuring, the shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, and Series A Preferred Stock were automatically converted into identical, newly-issued shares of the new holding company, which has assumed the

15.

corporate name of The Washington Post Company. Each class carries the same voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, restrictions, and limitations as the class from which it was converted. The share conversion required no physical exchange of stock certificates, and the stock certificates formerly representing each class of the Company’s stock now represent the equivalent class of stock of the new holding company. The Class B Common Stock of the holding company continues to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WPO, in the same manner as the Class B Common Stock of the Company was listed prior to the restructuring. The Washington Post newspaper will continue to do business as “The Washington Post.”

In accordance with Delaware merger law, the restructuring did not require the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

Note 10: 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 Kaplan stock option plan was adopted in 1998 and at September 28, 2003, 150,000 shares, or 10.6 percent of Kaplan’s common stock, were subject to options outstanding.

In September 2003, the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Company’s offer totaling $138 million for approximately 55 percent of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The Company’s offer to Kaplan stock option holders was contingent on at least 90 percent of the stock options being tendered by October 28, 2003, and the offer included a 10 percent premium over the current valuation price of Kaplan common stock of $1,625 per share. As of October 28, 2003, 100 percent of the eligible stock options were tendered. The Company estimates a payout of approximately $117 million in the fourth quarter of 2003, with the remainder of the payouts to be made from 2004 through 2006. A small number of key Kaplan executives will continue to hold the remaining 45 percent of outstanding Kaplan stock options, with roughly half of the remaining options expiring in 2007 and half expiring in 2011. The Company expects no further dilution in the future.

Results for the third quarter of 2003 included $74.6 million in stock compensation expense, compared to $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2002. Results for the first nine months of 2003 included $104.6 million in stock compensation expense, compared to $33.3 million for the first nine months of 2002. At September 28, 2003, Kaplan’s stock-based compensation accrual balance totaled $178.1 million, and the Company estimates additional stock compensation expense of approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2003, largely including the amount associated with the 10 percent premium discussed above.

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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 third quarter of 2003 was $19.9 million ($2.06 per share), down from net income of $47.8 million ($4.99 per share) for the third quarter of last year.

Results for the third quarter of 2003 include $74.6 million in stock compensation expense at the Kaplan education division, which was significantly higher than the $6.7 million in Kaplan stock compensation expense for the third quarter of 2002. In September 2003, the Company announced an offer totaling $138 million for approximately 55 percent of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan. The Company’s offer to Kaplan stock option holders was contingent on at least 90 percent of the stock options being tendered by October 28, 2003, and the offer included a 10 percent premium over the current valuation price. As of October 28, 2003, 100 percent of the eligible stock options were tendered. The Company estimates a payout of approximately $117 million in the fourth quarter of 2003, with the remainder of the payouts to be made from 2004 through 2006. The Company estimates additional stock compensation expense of approximately $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. A small number of key Kaplan executives will continue to hold the remaining 45 percent of outstanding Kaplan stock options, with roughly half of the remaining options expiring in 2007 and half expiring in 2011. The Company expects no further dilution in the future.

Results for the third quarter of 2002 included early retirement program charges and losses on the write-down of certain investments (after-tax impact of $4.4 million, or $0.47 per share).

Revenue for the third quarter of 2003 was $706.1 million, up 10 percent from $640.3 million in 2002. This increase is due mostly to significant revenue growth at the education division. Revenues at the Company’s cable television and newspaper publishing divisions also increased for the third quarter of 2003, while revenues were down at the television broadcasting and magazine publishing divisions.

Operating income was down 55 percent for the third quarter of 2003 to $40.1 million, from $89.3 million in 2002, due largely to the $67.9 million increase in Kaplan stock compensation expense as discussed above. The Company’s results were also adversely impacted by declines in the television broadcasting and magazine publishing divisions, partially offset by improved operating results at the cable television and newspaper publishing divisions and $6.0 million in pre-tax charges from early retirement programs in 2002.

For the first nine months of 2003, net income totaled $153.6 million ($15.97 per share), compared with net income of $110.5 million ($11.50 per share) for the same period of 2002. Results for the first nine months of 2003 include pre-tax stock compensation charges at the education division of $104.6 million, versus $33.3 million for the first nine months of 2002.

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Results for the first nine months of 2003 also include an after-tax non-operating gain from the sale of the Company’s 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune (after-tax impact of $32.3 million, or $3.38 per share) and an early retirement program charge at The Washington Post newspaper (after-tax impact of $1.3 million, or $0.14 per share). Results for the first nine months of 2002 included a transitional goodwill impairment loss (after-tax impact of $12.1 million, or $1.27 per share), charges from early retirement programs (after-tax impact of $11.3 million, or $1.18 per share), and a net non-operating loss from the write-down of certain of the company’s investments (after-tax impact of $0.3 million, or $0.04 per share).

Revenue for the first nine months of 2003 was $2,053.5 million, up 9 percent over revenue of $1,888.3 million for the first nine months of 2002. The increase in revenue is due mostly to significant revenue growth at the education division, along with increases at the Company’s cable television and newspaper publishing divisions; revenues were down at the television broadcasting and magazine publishing divisions. Operating income decreased 9 percent to $226.1 million, from $248.6 million in 2002. Consistent with the Company’s third quarter results, the Company’s year-to-date results were adversely affected by the $71.3 million increase in Kaplan stock compensation expense as discussed above. The Company’s results were also adversely affected by a reduction in operating income at the television broadcasting division and a reduced net pension credit. Improved results at the Company’s cable television, magazine publishing, and newspaper publishing divisions helped to offset these declines. The improvement at the magazine publishing division was largely due to $16.1 million in pre-tax charges from early retirement programs in 2002.

Excluding charges related to early retirement programs, the Company’s operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 includes $14.1 million and $41.0 million of net pension credits, respectively, compared to $16.1 million and $48.3 million for the same periods of 2002. At December 29, 2002, the Company reduced its assumption on discount rate from 7.0 percent to 6.75 percent. Due to the reduction in the discount rate and lower than expected investment returns in 2002, the net pension credit for the full year of 2003 is expected to be down by about $10 million compared to 2002, excluding charges related to early retirement programs.

Newspaper Publishing Division. Newspaper publishing division revenue totaled $211.4 million for the third quarter of 2003, an increase of 4 percent from revenue of $202.4 million in the third quarter of 2002; division revenue increased 3 percent to $638.6 million for the first nine months of 2003, from $618.3 million for the first nine months of 2002. Division operating income for the third quarter increased 33 percent to $24.3 million, from operating income of $18.2 million in the third quarter of 2002; operating income increased 12 percent to $82.7 million for the first nine months of 2003, compared to operating income of $73.6 million for the first nine months of 2002. The increase in division operating income for the third quarter was due to increased advertising revenue and the impact of a $2.9 million pre-tax early retirement program charge recorded at The Washington Post newspaper in the third quarter of 2002; this increase was offset by a 7 percent increase in newsprint expense, a reduced net pension credit, and a small loss associated with the Company’s new commuter newspaper, EXPRESS, which was launched in August 2003. The increase in operating income for the first nine months of 2003 is due to increased advertising revenue, cost control initiatives employed throughout the division, and the early retirement program charge in 2002 discussed above, offset by a $2.2 million pre-tax early retirement program charge at The Washington Post newspaper in the second quarter of 2003, incremental costs associated with the war in Iraq, and a reduced net pension credit.

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Print advertising revenue at The Washington Post newspaper in the third quarter of 2003 increased 4 percent to $135.7 million, from $130.4 million in 2002, and increased 3 percent to $416.4 million for the first nine months of 2003, from $405.7 million for the first nine months of 2002. The rise in print advertising revenues for the third quarter of 2003 was due to increases in general and preprint advertising revenues, which more than offset a decline in classified and retail advertising revenue from volume declines. Classified recruitment advertising revenue decreased $1.8 million during the third quarter, due to a 15 percent volume decline. The increase in print advertising revenues for the first nine months of 2003 is primarily due to increases in general and preprint advertising categories, offset by a $6.9 million decrease in classified recruitment advertising revenue resulting from a 17 percent volume decline.

For the first nine months of 2003, Post daily and Sunday circulation declined 2.1 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively, compared to the same period of the prior year. For the nine months ended September 28, 2003, average daily circulation at The Post totaled 734,000 and average Sunday circulation totaled 1,038,000.

Revenue generated by the Company’s online publishing activities, primarily washingtonpost.com, increased 32 percent to $12.0 million for the third quarter of 2003, versus $9.1 million for the third quarter of 2002; online revenues increased 29 percent to $32.6 million for the first nine months of 2003, versus $25.3 million for 2002. Local and national online advertising revenues grew 68 percent and 62 percent for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively. Revenues at the Jobs section of washingtonpost.com increased 32 percent in the third quarter of 2003 and increased 24 percent for the first nine months of 2003.

As previously discussed, the Company launched a new commuter newspaper, EXPRESS, in August 2003. The new publication appears each weekday morning, Monday through Friday, in tabloid form and is distributed free-of-charge in the Washington, DC area.

Television Broadcasting Division. Revenue for the television broadcasting division decreased 9 percent in the third quarter of 2003 to $74.6 million, from $82.1 million in 2002, due to approximately $9.0 million of political advertising in the third quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of 2003, revenue decreased 7 percent to $227.2 million, from $243.6 million in 2002, due to strong political advertising in 2002, heavy Olympics-related advertising at the Company’s NBC affiliates in the first quarter of 2002, and several days of commercial-free coverage in connection with the Iraq war in March 2003.

Operating income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 decreased 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively, to $31.9 million and $97.2 million, respectively, from operating income of $38.5 million and $115.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2002, respectively. The operating income declines are primarily related to the revenue reductions discussed above.

In July 2002, WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida began operations as an independent station when its network affiliation with CBS ended.

Magazine Publishing Division. Revenue for the magazine publishing division totaled $80.0 million for the third quarter of 2003, a 9 percent decrease from $87.5 million for the third quarter of 2002; division revenue totaled $249.4 million for the first nine months of 2003, a 1 percent decline from $251.4 million for the first nine months of 2002. The revenue decrease for the third quarter was primarily due to fewer advertising pages at Newsweek as there was one less domestic and international edition this year. The decline in revenues for the first nine months of 2003 is

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due to lower advertising revenue at the international edition of Newsweek, particularly travel-related advertising at the Pacific edition, which more than offset increases in revenues at Newsweek’s domestic edition, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine, and the Company’s trade magazines.

Operating income totaled $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2003, a 17 percent decline from operating income of $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2002. The decline in operating income is primarily due to lower advertising revenues at Newsweek domestic and international, offset by a $3.1 million pre-tax charge in connection with an early retirement program at Newsweek in 2002. Operating income totaled $23.6 million for the first nine months of 2003, up from operating income of $14.1 million for the first nine months of 2002. The year-to-date improvement in operating results is primarily attributable to $16.1 million in charges in connection with early retirement programs at Newsweek in 2002, offset by a decline in Newsweek revenues and a reduced pension credit.

Cable Television Division. Cable division revenue of $115.3 million for the third quarter of 2003 represents a 7 percent increase over 2002 third quarter revenue of $107.6 million; for the first nine months of 2003, revenue increased 7 percent to $340.3 million, from $317.6 million in 2002. The 2003 revenue increase is principally due to rapid growth in the division’s cable modem and digital service revenues, offset by lower pay and basic revenues due to fewer basic and pay subscribers and the lack of rate increases due to a decision to freeze most rates for Cable One subscribers in 2003 (the Company’s price increases normally take effect in the second quarter each year).

Cable division operating income for the third quarter of 2003 increased 35 percent to $22.5 million, from operating income of $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2002. The increase in operating income is due mostly to the division’s increased revenues and a $3.5 million charge for obsolete assets in the third quarter of 2002. This was offset by higher programming expenses, along with an increase in technical, internet, marketing, and employee benefits costs. Cable division operating income for the first nine months of 2003 increased 19 percent to $64.5 million, from operating income of $54.4 million for the first nine months of 2002. The increase is due mostly to the division’s significant revenue growth, offset by higher programming expenses, along with an increase in technical, internet, marketing, and employee benefits costs.

Excluding the prior year $3.5 million charge for obsolete assets, depreciation expense increased modestly due to significant capital spending in recent years that has enabled the cable division to offer digital and broadband cable services to its subscribers. The cable division began its rollout plan for these services in the third quarter of 2000. At September 30, 2003, the cable division had approximately 212,700 paying digital cable subscribers, representing a 30 percent penetration of the subscriber base. Both digital and cable modem services are now offered in virtually all of the cable division’s markets.

At September 30, 2003, the cable division had 716,700 basic subscribers, lower than 721,000 basic subscribers at the end of September 2002, but higher than 714,500 basic subscribers at the end of the prior quarter in June 2003. At September 30, 2003, the cable division had 121,700 CableONE.net service subscribers, compared to 69,300 at the end of September 2002, due to a large increase in the Company’s cable modem deployment and take-up rates.

At September 30, 2003, Revenue Generating Units (RGUs), representing the sum of basic, digital, and high-speed data customers, as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories, totaled 1,051,100, compared to 933,300 as of September 30, 2002. The increase is due to increased paying digital cable and high-speed data customers.

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Below are details of Cable division capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, as defined by the NCTA Standard Reporting Categories (in millions):

	2003		2002
Customer Premise Equipment	$	10.7	$	24.4
Commercial		0.1		0.1
Scaleable Infrastructure		3.5		5.4
Line Extensions		7.0		6.7
Upgrade/Rebuild		17.9		24.6
Support Capital		8.8		7.9

Total	$	48.0	$	69.1

Education Division. Education division revenue totaled $224.7 million for the third quarter of 2003, a 40 percent increase over revenue of $160.6 million for the same period of 2002. Kaplan reported an operating loss for the third quarter of 2003 of $43.1 million, compared to operating income of $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2002; the decline is due to a $67.9 million increase in Kaplan stock compensation expense as discussed previously. Approximately 41 percent 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. For the first nine months of 2003, education division revenue totaled $598.0 million, a 31 percent increase over revenue of $457.4 million for the same period of 2002. Kaplan reported an operating loss of $23.6 million for the first nine months of 2003, compared to operating income of $11.6 million for the first nine months of 2002; the decline is due to a $71.3 million increase in Kaplan stock compensation expense as discussed previously. Approximately 37 percent 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. A summary of operating results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2003 compared to 2002 is as follows:

	Third Quarter								YTD
(In thousands)	2003			2002			% Change		2003			2002			% Change
Revenue
Supplemental education	$	128,981		$	97,414		32		$	342,871		$	280,787		22
Higher education		95,682			63,226		51			255,130			176,629		44

	$	224,663		$	160,640		40		$	598,001		$	457,416		31

Operating income (loss)
Supplemental education	$	26,434		$	19,505		36		$	66,629		$	43,696		52
Higher education		13,448			4,150		224			37,469			18,101		107
Kaplan corporate overhead		(8,025	)		(5,356	)	(50	)		(22,358	)		(16,574	)	(35	)
Other*		(74,941	)		(6,799	)	—			(105,370	)		(33,649	)	(213	)

	$	(43,084	)	$	11,500		—		$	(23,630	)	$	11,574		—

*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 Financial Training Corporation (FTC) for £55.3 million ($87.4 million), financed

21.

through cash and debt. Headquartered in London, FTC provides test preparation services for accountants and financial services professionals, with training centers in the United Kingdom and Asia. The improvement in supplemental education results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2003 is due to increased enrollment at Kaplan’s traditional test preparation business, significant increases in the professional real estate courses, and the FTC acquisition. Score! also contributed to the improved results, with increased enrollments at existing centers and the addition of six new centers compared to last year.

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, high student retention rates, and several acquisitions.

Corporate overhead represents unallocated expenses of Kaplan’s corporate office, including expenses associated with the design and development of educational software that, if successfully completed, will benefit all of Kaplan’s business units.

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. In September 2003, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved an offer to purchase 55 percent of the outstanding Kaplan stock options, as discussed above, setting a new fair value price of Kaplan common stock at $1,625 per share, which is determined after deducting intercompany debt from Kaplan’s enterprise value. Over the past several years, the value of education companies has fluctuated significantly and there has been significant volatility in the amounts the Company has recorded as expense each quarter. The Company recorded expense of $74.6 million and $6.7 million for the third quarter of 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $104.6 million and $33.3 million for the first nine months of 2003 and 2002, respectively, related to this plan. The increase in the third quarter of 2003 reflects a significant increase in the value of Kaplan due to its rapid earnings growth and the general rise in valuations of education companies. See additional discussion above regarding the Company’s announcement in September 2003 of its offer to purchase 55 percent of the outstanding Kaplan stock options.

Equity in Losses of Affiliates. The Company’s equity in losses of affiliates for the third quarter of 2003 was $1.1 million, compared to losses of $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2002. For the first nine months of 2003, the Company’s equity in losses of affiliates totaled $9.3 million, compared to losses of $16.9 million for the same period of 2002. The Company’s affiliate investments consist of a 49 percent interest in BrassRing LLC and a 49 percent interest in Bowater Mersey Paper Company Limited. BrassRing results improved this year, despite a 2003 second quarter charge arising from the shutdown of one of the BrassRing businesses, which increased the Company’s equity in losses of BrassRing by $2.2 million. The Company’s equity in losses of BrassRing totaled $0.9 million and $7.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003, respectively, compared to $2.0 million and $12.7 million for the same periods of 2002.

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Non-Operating Items. The Company recorded other non-operating income, net, of $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2003, compared to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2002.

The Company recorded non-operating income, net, of $52.0 million for the first nine months of 2003, compared to $1.6 million for the same period of the prior year. The 2003 non-operating income, net, is comprised mostly of a $49.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of the Company’s 50 percent interest in the International Herald Tribune. The 2002 non-operating income, net, includes a gain on the sale of marketable securities, offset by write-downs recorded on certain investments.

A summary of non-operating income (expense) for the nine months ended September 28 2003, and September 29, 2002, follow (in millions):

	2003			2002
Gain on sale of interest in IHT	$	49.8		$	—
Impairment write-downs on cost method and other investments		(1.1	)		(18.2	)
Gain on sale of marketable securities		—			13.2
Foreign currency gains, net		1.2			—
Other gains		2.1			6.6

Total	$	52.0		$	1.6

Net Interest Expense. The Company incurred net interest expense of $6.8 million for the third quarter of 2003, compared to $8.6 million for the third quarter of 2002; net interest expense totaled $20.2 million for the first nine months of 2003, versus $26.1 million in 2002. The reduction is due to lower average borrowings in the first nine months of 2003 versus the same period of the prior year. At September 28, 2003, the Company had $590.7 million in borrowings outstanding at an average interest rate of 4.3 percent.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2003 was 41.0 percent, compared to 40.6 percent for the same period of 2002, and 38.2 percent versus 40.8 percent for the 2003 and 2002 nine month periods, respectively. The 2003 year-to-date effective tax rate benefited from the 35.1 percent effective tax rate applicable to the one-time gain arising from the sale of the Company’s interest in the International Herald Tribune.

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle. In 2002, the Company completed its transitional goodwill impairment test required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142), resulting in an after-tax impairment loss of $12.1 million, or $1.27 per share, related to PostNewsweek Tech Media (part of magazine publishing segment). This loss is included in the Company’s 2002 results as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.

Earnings Per Share. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 was based on 9,556,000 and 9,554,000 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, compared to 9,523,000 and 9,518,000 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2002. The Company made no repurchases of its stock during the first nine months of 2003.

23.

Stock Options – Change in Accounting Method. 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 Company recorded $427,000 in Company stock option expense for the first nine months of 2003; there was no Company stock option expense for the first nine months of 2002.

Financial Condition: Capital Resources and Liquidity

Acquisitions. In the third quarter of 2003, Kaplan acquired five additional businesses in its higher education and professional divisions for a total of $38.2 million, financed through cash and debt, with $4 million remaining to be paid. In addition, the cable division acquired two additional systems for $1.2 million. Most of the purchase price for these acquisitions has been preliminarily allocated to goodwill.

Capital expenditures. During the first nine months of 2003, the Company’s capital expenditures totaled $86.7 million. The Company anticipates it will spend approximately $130 to $140 million throughout 2003 for property and equipment.

Kaplan stock compensation plan. As discussed above, in connection with the Company’s September 2003 offer totaling $138 million for approximately 55 percent of the stock options outstanding at Kaplan, the Company estimates a payout of approximately $117 million in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Liquidity. Throughout the first nine months of 2003, the Company’s borrowings, net of repayments, decreased by $74.1 million, with the decrease primarily due to cash flows from operations. While the Company paid down $112.0 million in commercial paper borrowings and other long-term debt during the first nine months of 2003, the Company also financed part of certain acquisitions during this period, principally $26.5 million in debt from the FTC acquisition.

24.

At September 28, 2003, the Company had $590.7 million in total debt outstanding, which comprised $149.8 million of commercial paper borrowings, $398.6 million of 5.5 percent unsecured notes due February 15, 2009, and $42.3 million in other debt.

During the third quarter of 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. The Company’s five-year $350 million revolving credit facility, which expires in August 2007, remains in effect.

At September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002, the Company has a working capital deficit of $331.6 million and $353.2 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 September 28, 2003 and December 29, 2002 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 and estimated Kaplan stock option payouts through internally generated funds and commercial paper borrowings. In management’s opinion, the Company will have ample liquidity to meet its various cash needs throughout 2003.

As noted above, the Company’s 364-day line of credit has been reduced from $350 million to $250 million during the third quarter of 2003. Also during the third quarter of 2003, the Company’s borrowings have declined by $32.2 million, to $590.7 million, as compared to borrowings of $622.9 million at June 29, 2003. As of September 28, 2003, Kaplan has an $18.2 million guarantee outstanding, which covers payments on a building operating lease through 2018. There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations or other commercial commitments from those disclosed in the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 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 29, 2002.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, at the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the Company’s principal executive officer) and Vice President-Finance (the Company’s principal financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the quarter. 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 all material information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act have been made known to them in a timely fashion.

25.

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		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Washington Post Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) effective as of September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 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 Washington Post Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) 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 (formerly known as The Washington Post Company), the Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) 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).

26.


10.1		The Washington Post Company Stock Option Plan as amended and restated effective May 31, 2003.

11		Calculation of Earnings per Share of Common Stock.

31.1		Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)

The following reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed:

Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2003 – The Washington Post Company Earnings Press Release

Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2003 – The Washington Post Company internal corporate restructuring

27.

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: October 31, 2003		/s/ Donald E. Graham
		Donald E. Graham,
		Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: October 31, 2003		/s/ John B. Morse, Jr.
		John B. Morse, Jr.,
		Vice President-Finance
		(Principal Financial Officer)

28.

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		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Washington Post Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) effective as of September 22, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 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 Washington Post Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) 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 (formerly known as The Washington Post Company), the Company (formerly known as TWPC, Inc.) 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).


10.1		The Washington Post Company Stock Option Plan as amended and restated effective May 31, 2003.

11		Calculation of Earnings per Share of Common Stock.

31.1		Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)

The following reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed:

Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2003 – The Washington Post Company Earnings Press Release

Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2003 – The Washington Post Company internal corporate restructuring

Exhibit 10.1

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

STOCK OPTION PLAN

As Amended and Restated

Effective May 31, 2003

1. Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of this Stock Option Plan (hereinafter called the Plan) of The Washington Post Company, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the Company), is to secure for the Company and its stockholders the benefits of incentive inherent in the ownership of Class B Common Stock of the Company by employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who will be responsible for its future growth and continued success. It is generally recognized that stock option plans aid in retaining and encouraging key employees of ability and in attracting other able employees.

2. Stock Subject to the Plan

There are hereby authorized and reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted from time to time under the Plan an aggregate of 1,900,000 shares^* of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, which shares may be in whole or in part, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine, issued shares which shall have been reacquired by the Company or authorized but unissued shares, whether now or hereafter authorized. If any option granted under the Plan shall expire, terminate or be canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the corresponding number of unpurchased shares which were reserved for issuance upon exercise thereof shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan. To the extent that options provide that the exercise of one shall reduce the number of shares purchasable under the other, then, for purposes of the Plan, the Company shall be deemed to have awarded options only for the aggregate number of shares which in fact may be purchased under such options (and not for the number of shares covered by both such options).

^*	Adjusted to give effect to stock splits in 1971, 1976 and 1978.

3. Administration of the Plan

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee referred to in paragraph 4 (hereinafter called the Committee). Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary authority, in its discretion, to determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, options shall be granted and the number of shares to be subject to each option. In making such determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered or expected to be rendered by the respective employees, their present and potential contributions to the Company’s success, the anticipated number of years of effective service remaining and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall also have plenary authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, to determine the terms and provisions of the respective options (which terms and provisions need not be the same in each case), and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable in administering the Plan. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this paragraph 3 shall be conclusive.

4. The Committee

The Committee shall consist of not less than three members of the Board of Directors, each of whom shall be a “disinterested” person within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor rule or regulation). No member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an option under the Plan. The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, which may from time to time appoint members to the Committee in substitution for or in addition to members previously appointed and may fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee; the Board of Directors shall also designate one of the members of the Committee as its Chairman. The Committee shall hold its meetings at such times and places as it may determine. A majority of its members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all the members shall be fully as effective as if it had been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee may appoint a secretary (who need not be a member of the Committee) and may make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable. No member of the Committee shall be liable, in the absence of bad faith, for any act or omission with respect to his service on the Committee. Service on the Committee shall constitute service as a Director of the Company so that the members of the Committee shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement as Directors of the Company pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation.

5. Time of Granting of Options

Nothing contained in the Plan or in any resolution adopted or to be adopted by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders of the Company shall constitute the granting of any option hereunder. The action of the Committee with respect to the granting of an option shall take place on such date as a majority of the members of the Committee at a meeting shall make a determination with respect to the granting of an option or, in the absence of a meeting, on such date as a written Designation covering such option shall have been executed by all the members of the Committee. The effective date of the grant of an option (hereinafter called the Granting Date) shall be the date specified by the Committee in its determination or Designation relating to the award of such option.

6. Eligibility

Options may be granted only to key employees (which term shall be deemed to include officers) who on the Granting Date are in the employ of the Company or one of its present or future subsidiary corporations, as defined in Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same shall be amended from time to time (hereinafter called Subsidiaries). A Director of the Company or of a Subsidiary who is not also such an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries shall not be eligible to receive an option. During the life of the Plan options may be granted to eligible employees whether or not they hold or have held options under the Plan or other options previously granted by the Company.

7. Option Prices

The purchase price of the Class B Common Stock under each option shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Class B Common Stock on the Granting Date of such option, as determined by the Committee. The purchase price of shares purchased upon the exercise of an option is to be paid in full upon the issuance of such shares, either in cash or by the surrender of whole shares of Class B Common Stock having a fair market value, as determined by the Committee, equal to such purchase price, or by a combination of cash and whole shares. If paid in cash, the purchase price paid for stock upon the exercise of options shall be added to the general funds of the Company and used for corporate purposes. If paid in whole or in part in shares, the shares surrendered shall be held as Treasury shares.

In the alternative, the Committee may, in its discretion at any time, determine whether to permit an optionee the right to elect to make a “cashless exercise” of all or some portion of an option by tendering to the Company some or all of the vested otherwise exercisable portion of the option in return for a cash payment from the Company equal to the positive difference, if any, between the fair market value of the number of shares of Class B Common Stock covered by such tendered portion of the option and the aggregate option price attributable to such shares. The Company shall cause appropriate tax withholding to be made with respect to any such cash payment upon a “cashless exercise” of an option by withholding the appropriate amount from the aggregate proceeds made available through the “cashless exercise.” Finally, an optionee may direct, in connection with a “cashless exercise,” that some or all of the cash otherwise payable to the optionee from the Company be instead applied to the payment of the option price of shares of Class B Common Stock with respect to which the optionee has a vested currently exercisable option and which are not the subject of the current “cashless exercise.” As such, the optionee would be using the value inherent in some existing options to create a source for funding the exercise of other options. The Company shall effectuate appropriate income tax withholding with respect to any “cashless exercise” used to fund the purchase of shares of Class B Common Stock by withholding the appropriate amount from the aggregate proceeds made available through the “cashless exercise” (including the amount of tax withholding required with respect to the purchase of such additional shares of Class B Common Stock) and applying the remaining amount of consideration to the purchase of additional shares of Class B Common Stock.

8. Option Types, Terms and Conditions

Options granted under the Plan shall be in the form of non-qualified stock options. The term of each option shall be for such period as the Committee shall determine but not more than ten years from the Granting Date, subject to earlier termination as the Committee may determine and as provided in paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof.

The Committee shall, in its discretion, prescribe the terms and conditions upon which options may be exercised, which terms and provisions need not be the same in each case. Except as provided in paragraphs 10 and 11 below, no option may be exercised at any time unless the holder thereof is then an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary. An employee shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any of the shares subject to option until such shares shall be issued to him upon the exercise of his option.

The Committee may grant to holders of outstanding options, in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of such options, new options having purchase prices lower than the purchase prices provided in the options so surrendered and canceled and containing such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe in accordance with the provisions of the Plan; provided that such new options shall provide for the purchase of not more than 90% of the number of shares covered by the options so surrendered and canceled and that the purchase price under such new options shall be determined in accordance with paragraph 7 hereof.

The maximum number of shares subject to options which may be granted under this Plan to any individual employee during the life of this Plan shall not exceed 75,000 in the aggregate.

9. Non-Transferability of Options

No option granted under the Plan shall be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and an option may be exercised, during the lifetime of the holder thereof, only by him.

10. Termination of Employment

In the event that the employment of an employee to whom an option has been granted under the Plan shall be terminated (otherwise than by reason of death), such option may, subject to the provisions of paragraphs 8 and 12, be exercised (only to the extent that the employee was entitled to do so at the termination of his employment) at any time within three months after such termination, but in no event after the expiration of the term of the option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may permit any option granted to an employee whose employment is being terminated (otherwise than by reason of death) to remain exercisable for such period as the Committee shall determine, but in no event beyond the expiration of the term of the option. In the event the Committee so extends the exercise period of an option held by a terminating employee and such option is exercisable as to additional shares in installments, such installments shall continue to accrue after the termination of employment unless the Committee determines that the exercise period shall be extended only with respect to the number of shares purchasable at the date of the termination of employment. Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of employment so long as the holder continues to be an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary. Retirement pursuant to any retirement plan of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a termination of employment for the purposes of this paragraph. The Committee may specify

in the original terms of an option, or if not so specified shall determine, whether any authorized leave of absence or absence on military or governmental service or for any other reason shall constitute a termination of employment for purposes of this paragraph. Nothing in the Plan or in any option granted pursuant to the Plan (in the absence of an express provision to the contrary) shall confer on any individual any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate his employment at any time.

11. Death of Holder of Option

Upon the death of the holder of an option granted under the Plan, such option may be exercised (unless the option otherwise provides) for the following specified number of shares by a legatee or legatees of such option under the holder’s last will, or by the holder’s personal representatives or distributees, at any time within one year after the holder’s death, but in no event after the expiration of the term of the option: (i) if death occurs while the holder is employed by the Company or a subsidiary, to the extent of (a) the shares purchasable by such holder at the date of his death plus (b) the additional shares covered by the next installment, if any, of such option, or (ii) if death occurs within three months after the termination of the holder’s employment or during any extension of the post-termination exercise period permitted by the Committee pursuant to paragraph 10 hereof, to the extent of the shares purchasable by such holder at the date of his death.

12. Employee’s Agreement to Serve

The recipient of any option exercisable by the optionee within twelve months of the Granting Date shall agree to serve in the employ of the Company or, at the election of the Company from time to time, one of its Subsidiaries, for such period as the Committee shall determine, which shall not be less than twelve months following the Granting Date. The Committee shall be authorized in its discretion to grant options not exercisable by the optionee within twelve months of the Granting Date, in which case the recipient of such option need not (unless otherwise determined by the Committee) agree to serve in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

13. Adjustments in Class B Common Stock

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, each option may contain such provisions as the Committee shall determine to be appropriate for the adjustment of the number and class of shares subject to such option, the option

price and the number of shares as to which the option shall be exercisable at any time in the event of changes in the outstanding Class B Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, split-up, recapitalization, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, separation, reorganization, liquidation and the like. In the event of any such change in the outstanding Class B Common Stock, the class and aggregate number of shares available under the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive.

14. Amendment and Termination

Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been terminated as hereinafter provided, the Plan shall terminate on, and no non-qualified option shall be granted thereunder, after December 31, 2013, provided that the Board of Directors may at any time prior to that date terminate the Plan. The Board of Directors shall have complete power and authority to amend the Plan, provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, (i) increase the maximum number of shares for which options may be granted under the Plan, (ii) change the formula as to minimum option prices, (iii) extend the period during which options may be granted or exercised or (iv) change the class of employees to whom options may be granted. No termination or amendment of the Plan may, without the consent of the individual to whom any option shall theretofore have been granted, adversely affect the rights of such individual under such option.

15. Government and Other Regulations

The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares under options granted under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies as may be required, including, but not by way of limitation, the effectiveness of a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as deemed necessary or appropriate by counsel for the Company.

16. Other Actions

Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including, but not by way of limitation, the right of the Company (i) to grant options for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the Plan to any

employee or other person, firm, corporation or association or (ii) to grant options to, or assume the option of, any person in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business and assets (in whole or in part) of any person, firm, corporation or association.

Exhibit 11

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

CALCULATION OF EARNINGS

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

(In thousands of shares)

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2003		September 29, 2002		September 28, 2003		September 29, 2002
Number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at beginning of Period		9,527		9,503		9,511		9,495
Issuance of shares of Class B common stock (weighted), net of forfeiture of restricted stock awards		5		3		17		7

Shares used in the computation of basic earnings per common share		9,532		9,506		9,528		9,502
Adjustment to reflect dilution from common stock Equivalents		24		17		26		16

Shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per common share		9,556		9,523		9,554		9,518

Net income available for common shares	$	19,647	$	47,524	$	152,582	$	109,490

Basic earnings per common Share	$	2.06	$	5.00	$	16.01	$	11.52

Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.06	$	4.99	$	15.97	$	11.50

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

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(s) 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; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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

October 31, 2003

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

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(s) 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)

(b)

(c)

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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

October 31, 2003

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 28, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (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

October 31, 2003

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 28, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (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

October 31, 2003