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Investments in Associated Companies
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]  
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

TNI Partners
 
In Tucson, Arizona, TNI, acting as agent for our subsidiary, Star Publishing Company (“Star Publishing”) and Citizen Publishing Company (“Citizen”), a subsidiary of Gannett Co. Inc., is responsible for printing, delivery, advertising and subscription activities of the Arizona Daily Star, as well as the related digital platforms and specialty publications. TNI collects all receipts and income and pays substantially all operating expenses incident to the partnership's operations and publication of the newspaper and other media.
 
Income or loss of TNI (before income taxes) is allocated equally to Star Publishing and Citizen.
 
Summarized financial information of TNI is as follows:
(Thousands of Dollars)
September 29
2013

 
September 30
2012

 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
6,187

 
8,029

Investments and other assets
13

 
13

Total assets
6,200

 
8,042

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
5,073

 
5,601

Members' equity
1,127

 
2,441

Total liabilities and members' equity
6,200

 
8,042


 
Summarized results of TNI are as follows:
(Thousands of Dollars)
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
61,990

 
59,043

 
62,452

Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization
50,396

 
49,568

 
52,882

Workforce adjustments
—

 
(31
)
 
1,190

Operating income
11,594

 
9,506

 
8,380

 
 
 
 
 
 
Company's 50% share
5,797

 
4,753

 
4,190

Less amortization of intangible assets
621

 
723

 
1,092

Equity in earnings of TNI
5,176

 
4,030

 
3,098


 
Star Publishing's 50% share of TNI depreciation and certain general and administrative expenses associated with its share of the operation and administration of TNI are reported as operating expenses (benefit) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). These amounts totaled $(488,000), $(522,000),and $76,000, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Fees for editorial services provided to TNI by Star Publishing totaled $6,041,000, $5,994,000, and $7,043,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Our impairment analysis resulted in pretax reductions in the carrying value of TNI totaling $11,900,000 in 2011. See Note 4.
 
At September 29, 2013, the carrying value of the Company's 50% investment in TNI is $18,478,000. The difference between our carrying value and our 50% share of the members' equity of TNI relates principally to goodwill of $12,366,000 and other identified intangible assets of $5,809,000, certain of which are being amortized over their estimated useful lives through 2020. See Note 4.
 
Annual amortization of intangible assets is estimated to be $418,000 in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Madison Newspapers, Inc.
 
We have a 50% ownership interest in MNI, which publishes daily and Sunday newspapers, and other publications in Madison, Wisconsin, and other Wisconsin locations, and operates their related digital sites. Net income or loss of MNI (after income taxes) is allocated equally to us and The Capital Times Company (“TCT”). MNI conducts its business under the trade name Capital Newspapers.
 
Summarized financial information of MNI is as follows:
(Thousands of Dollars)
September 29
2013

 
September 30
2012

 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
21,431

 
24,613

Investments and other assets
29,487

 
29,986

Property and equipment, net
7,231

 
7,707

Total assets
58,149

 
62,306

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
8,498

 
10,015

Other liabilities
7,630

 
6,720

Stockholders' equity
42,021

 
45,571

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
58,149

 
62,306


 
Summarized results of MNI are as follows:
(Thousands of Dollars)
2013

 
2012

 
2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
65,468

 
70,158

 
73,011

Operating expenses, excluding workforce adjustments, depreciation and amortization
53,199

 
57,981

 
60,982

Workforce adjustments
308

 
546

 
530

Depreciation and amortization
1,530

 
1,689

 
2,227

Operating income
10,431

 
9,942

 
9,272

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
6,951

 
6,469

 
6,106

 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity in earnings of MNI
3,509

 
3,201

 
3,053


 
Fees for editorial services provided to MNI by us are included in other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and totaled $7,346,000, $8,098,000 and $8,201,000, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.