A. H. Belo Explores Sale of The Providence Journal; Announces Printing Contract
DALLAS—December 4, 2013—A. H. Belo Corp. today announces that the company has engaged Stephens Inc. to explore a potential sale of The Providence Journal. The Providence Journal is the leading newspaper in Rhode Island and is the oldest major daily newspaper of general circulation and continuous publication in the United States.
This decision is part of the revised financial and operating strategies discussed in the company's third quarter earnings release. A sale of The Providence Journal would generate additional cash proceeds to potentially invest in or buy advertising and marketing services companies to grow and diversify revenues and to finance further share repurchases in the future. These funds may also be used for other general corporate purposes. Additionally, a sale of The Providence Journal would allow the company to continue to focus resources and management time and attention on its core Dallas market. However, the company cannot guarantee that an appropriate buyer will be located or that a transaction could be closed on acceptable terms and conditions.
Jim Moroney, chairman, president and CEO, said, "The Providence Journal is an important financial contributor to our company, and the newspaper's commitment to the citizens of Providence and Rhode Island is unmatched. However, with A. H. Belo's focus on investing and growing in Dallas, it makes sense to explore this opportunity."
Updated Guidance
The company anticipates full-year 2013 EBITDA from continuing operations to be in the range of $26 million and $29 million. This updated guidance reflects changes to the company's results after considering revenue and expense trends for the first eleven months of 2013 and the impact of selling substantially all assets comprising the operations of The Press-Enterprise. The company will discuss 2014 EBITDA guidance in the first quarter of next year.
Printing Contract
In the fourth quarter, the company also entered into an agreement to print the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for an initial term of 10 years and a renewal option to extend the contract. This contract is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2014 and will add $6.0 to $6.5 million in printing and inserting revenues to The Dallas Morning News annually.
About A. H. Belo Corp.
A. H. Belo Corp., headquartered in Dallas, is a distinguished newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates three daily newspapers and related Websites. A. H. Belo publishes The Dallas Morning News, Texas' leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes; The Providence Journal, the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes; and the Denton Record-Chronicle. The company publishes various niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its investments include Classified Ventures, owner of Cars.com, and Wanderful Media, owner of Find&Save. A. H. Belo offers digital marketing solutions through 508 Digital and Speakeasy and also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses.