================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-8598 BELO CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 75-0135890 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer incorporation or organization) identification no.) P. O. BOX 655237 DALLAS, TEXAS 75265-5237 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (214) 977-6606 Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report. NONE 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 [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES [X] NO [ ] Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. CLASS OUTSTANDING AT OCTOBER 31, 2003 ----- ------------------------------- Common Stock, $1.67 par value 114,427,295* * Consisting of 97,857,719 shares of Series A Common Stock and 16,569,576 shares of Series B Common Stock. BELO CORP. FORM 10-Q TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements........................................................... 1 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............................... 6 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..................... 14 Item 4. Controls and Procedures........................................................ 14 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings.............................................................. 15 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds...................................... 15 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities................................................ 15 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............................ 15 Item 5. Other Information.............................................................. 15 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................................... 15 Signatures..................................................................... 20 i PART I. ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Belo Corp. and Subsidiaries Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited) 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET OPERATING REVENUES $ 356,268 $347,623 $1,048,163 $1,033,786 OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES Salaries, wages and employee benefits 128,842 127,352 383,240 375,410 Other production, distribution and operating costs 94,335 92,882 278,115 274,958 Newsprint, ink and other supplies 32,554 30,033 94,223 90,420 Depreciation 22,715 23,871 68,518 72,640 Amortization 2,119 2,087 6,325 6,213 ---------------------------------------------------- Total operating costs and expenses 280,565 276,225 830,421 819,641 ---------------------------------------------------- Earnings from operations 75,703 71,398 217,742 214,145 OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE Interest expense (23,225) (24,949) (70,608) (80,357) Other income (expense), net (2,074) (1,085) (7,004) 5,337 ---------------------------------------------------- Total other income and expense (25,299) (26,034) (77,612) (75,020) EARNINGS Earnings before income taxes 50,404 45,364 140,130 139,125 Income taxes 19,293 17,373 54,036 53,853 ---------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 31,111 $ 27,991 $ 86,094 $ 85,272 ==================================================== NET EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic $ .27 $ .25 $ .76 $ .76 Diluted $ .27 $ .25 $ .75 $ .75 AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic 113,678 112,225 113,226 111,632 Diluted 115,606 113,857 114,824 113,400 CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE $ .19 $ .15 $ .34 $ .30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. 1 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS Belo Corp. and Subsidiaries --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In thousands, except share and per share amounts September 30, December 31, (Current year unaudited) 2003 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and temporary cash investments $ 30,568 $ 34,699 Accounts receivable, net 224,308 235,235 Other current assets 61,410 49,875 ----------- ----------- Total current assets 316,286 319,809 Property, plant and equipment, net 538,056 565,114 Intangible assets, net 1,365,291 1,371,231 Goodwill, net 1,255,262 1,255,262 Other assets 105,012 102,639 ----------- ----------- Total assets $ 3,579,907 $ 3,614,055 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 52,110 $ 66,247 Accrued expenses 97,630 99,396 Other current liabilities 66,337 49,999 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities 216,077 215,642 Long-term debt 1,318,375 1,441,200 Deferred income taxes 438,895 407,734 Other liabilities 120,960 136,249 Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $1.00 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued. Common stock, $1.67 par value. Authorized 450,000,000 shares: Series A: Issued 97,405,218 shares at September 30, 2003 and 96,076,672 shares at December 31, 2002 162,667 160,448 Series B: Issued 16,584,801 shares at September 30, 2003 and 16,681,619 shares at December 31, 2002 27,696 27,858 Additional paid-in capital 899,794 877,007 Retained earnings 444,005 396,479 Accumulated other comprehensive income (48,562) (48,562) ----------- ----------- Total shareholders' equity 1,485,600 1,413,230 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 3,579,907 $ 3,614,055 =========== =========== -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. 2 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Belo Corp. and Subsidiaries Nine months ended September 30, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In thousands (unaudited) 2003 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATIONS Net earnings $ 86,094 $ 85,272 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operations: Depreciation and amortization 74,843 78,853 Deferred income taxes 22,256 15,006 Pension contribution (20,000) -- Non-cash expenses 18,315 10,303 Net gain on sale of investments -- (1,841) Equity loss from partnerships 8,279 2,494 Other, net (2,184) 3,159 Net change in current assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 10,442 19,351 Other current assets (7,624) (4,041) Accounts payable (14,137) (8,388) Accrued expenses (9,478) 17,980 Other current liabilities 13,753 24,003 ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by operations 180,559 242,151 INVESTMENTS Capital expenditures (41,249) (31,789) Acquisitions -- (18,000) Proceeds from sale of investments -- 27,000 Other investments (9,111) (11,616) Other, net 926 398 ---------- ---------- Net cash used for investments (49,434) (34,007) FINANCING Borrowings of debt 583,230 812,825 Repayments of debt (706,055) (1,020,525) Payment of dividends on stock (27,739) (25,090) Net proceeds from exercise of stock options 15,827 25,710 Other (519) 2,577 ---------- ---------- Net cash used for financing (135,256) (204,503) Net increase (decrease) in cash and temporary cash investments (4,131) 3,641 Cash and temporary cash investments at beginning of period 34,699 35,919 ---------- ---------- Cash and temporary cash investments at end of period $ 30,568 $ 39,560 ========== ========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 70,788 $ 69,584 Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 34,440 $ 18,548 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements. 3 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Belo Corp. and Subsidiaries (in thousands, except per share amounts) (1) The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements of Belo Corp. and subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Belo") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Certain amounts for the prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. (2) The following table sets forth the reconciliation between weighted average shares used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002: Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share 113,678 112,225 113,226 111,632 Effect of employee stock options 1,928 1,632 1,598 1,768 ---------------------------------------------- Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share 115,606 113,857 114,824 113,400 ============================================== (3) The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123" and continues to apply APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. Because it is Belo's policy to grant stock options at the market price on the date of grant, the intrinsic value is zero, and therefore no compensation expense is recorded. The Company plans to begin recording compensation expense for stock options once accounting standard-setting bodies have issued final accounting standards. 4 The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and net earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002: Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings, as reported $ 31,111 $ 27,991 $ 86,094 $ 85,272 Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value-based method, net of tax 2,955 3,432 9,059 10,253 -------- --------- --------- --------- Net earnings, pro forma $ 28,156 $ 24,559 $ 77,035 $ 75,019 ======== ========= ========= ========= Per share amounts: Basic net earnings per share, as reported $ .27 $ .25 $ .76 $ .76 ======== ========= ========= ========= Basic net earnings per share, pro forma $ .25 $ .22 $ .69 $ .68 ======== ========= ========= ========= Diluted net earnings per share, as reported $ .27 $ .25 $ .75 $ .75 ======== ========= ========= ========= Diluted net earnings per share, pro forma $ .25 $ .22 $ .68 $ .67 ======== ========= ========= ========= For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. The pro forma information presented above is not necessarily indicative of the effects on reported or pro forma net earnings for future years. (4) Net operating revenues, operating costs and expenses and earnings from operations by industry segment are shown below. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In thousands 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET OPERATING REVENUES Television Group $ 160,701 $ 158,717 $ 474,144 $ 470,420 Newspaper Group 184,121 179,496 542,442 536,750 Interactive Media 6,313 5,007 17,482 13,849 Other 5,133 4,403 14,095 12,767 --------------------------------------------------- Total net operating revenues $ 356,268 $ 347,623 $ 1,048,163 $ 1,033,786 =================================================== OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES Television Group $ 104,683 $ 105,196 $ 313,314 $ 311,353 Newspaper Group 149,792 144,501 441,898 431,114 Interactive Media 8,254 8,752 24,898 24,841 Other 5,565 4,961 16,202 15,433 Corporate 12,271 12,815 34,109 36,900 --------------------------------------------------- Total operating costs and expenses $ 280,565 $ 276,225 $ 830,421 $ 819,641 =================================================== EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS Television Group $ 56,018 $ 53,521 $ 160,830 $ 159,067 Newspaper Group 34,329 34,995 100,544 105,636 Interactive Media (1,941) (3,745) (7,416) (10,992) Other (432) (558) (2,107) (2,666) Corporate (12,271) (12,815) (34,109) (36,900) --------------------------------------------------- Total earnings from operations $ 75,703 $ 71,398 $ 217,742 $ 214,145 =================================================== 5 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) The Company is an owner and operator of 19 television stations and publisher of four daily newspapers. The following table sets forth the Company's major media assets by segment as of September 30, 2003: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Television Group ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Network Market Market Rank(a) Station Affiliation(b) Status Acquired ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dallas/Fort Worth 7 WFAA ABC Owned March 1950 Houston 11 KHOU CBS Owned February 1984 Seattle/Tacoma 12 KING NBC Owned February 1997 Seattle/Tacoma 12 KONG IND Owned March 2000 Phoenix 16 KTVK IND Owned November 1999 Phoenix 16 KASW WB Owned March 2000 St. Louis 22 KMOV CBS Owned June 1997 Portland 23 KGW NBC Owned February 1997 Charlotte 28 WCNC NBC Owned February 1997 San Antonio 37 KENS CBS Owned October 1997 San Antonio 37 KBEJ UPN LMA (c) Hampton/Norfolk 41 WVEC ABC Owned February 1984 New Orleans 42 WWL CBS Owned June 1994 Louisville 50 WHAS ABC Owned February 1997 Austin 54 KVUE ABC Owned June 1999 Tucson 74 KMSB FOX Owned February 1997 Tucson 74 KTTU UPN Owned March 2002(d) Spokane 79 KREM CBS Owned February 1997 Spokane 79 KSKN WB Owned October 2001 Boise(e) 124 KTVB NBC Owned February 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Newspaper Group ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daily Sunday Newspaper Location Acquired Circulation(g) Circulation(g) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (f) The Dallas Morning News ("DMN") Dallas, TX February 1997 526,191 785,876 The Providence Journal ("PJ") Providence, RI July 1997 167,609 236,096 The Press-Enterprise ("PE") Riverside, CA June 1999 183,794 187,817 Denton Record-Chronicle Denton, TX 13,737 17,310 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Interactive Media ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Belo Interactive, Inc. Includes the Web site operations of Belo's operating companies, interactive alliances and Internet-based products and services.(h) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Other ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Northwest Cable News ("NWCN") Cable news channel distributed to over 2.0 million homes in the Pacific Northwest. Texas Cable News ("TXCN") Cable news channel distributed to over 1.5 million homes in Texas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (a) Market rank is based on the relative size of the television market, or Designated Market Area ("DMA"), among the 210 generally recognized DMAs in the United States, based on May 2003 Nielsen estimates. (b) Substantially all the revenue of the Company's television stations is derived from advertising. Less than 4 percent of Television Group revenue is provided by compensation paid by networks to the television stations for broadcasting network programming. (c) Belo entered into an agreement to operate KBEJ under a local marketing agreement ("LMA") in May 1999; the station's on-air date was August 3, 2000. (d) Belo acquired KTTU, previously operated under an LMA, on March 12, 2002. (e) The Company also owns KTFT-LP (NBC), a low power television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. (f) The first issue of DMN was published by Belo on October 1, 1885. (g) Average paid circulation data is for the six months ended September 30, 2003, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation's FAS-FAX report, except for the Denton Record-Chronicle, for which circulation data is taken from the Certified Audit of Circulations Report for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2002. (h) The majority of Belo Interactive's Web sites are associated with the Company's television stations and newspapers and primarily provide news and information. 6 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Consolidated Results of Operations Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Total net operating revenues for the third quarter of 2003 were $356,268, an increase of $8,645, or 2.5 percent, as compared to the same period in 2002 due to increases of $4,625 in the Newspaper Group, $1,984 in the Television Group, $1,306 in Interactive Media and $730 in Other. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense increased $1,490, or 1.2 percent, for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the year earlier period due to increases of $2,658 in salary expense and $2,417 in benefits expense, offset by a decrease of $3,232 in third quarter 2003 performance-based bonus accruals as compared to the third quarter of 2002. Other production, distribution and operating costs increased $1,453, or 1.6 percent, in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the third quarter of 2002 primarily due to an increase in insurance expense. Newsprint, ink and other supplies increased $2,521, or 8.4 percent, in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the year earlier period. The average cost per metric ton of newsprint increased 8.3 percent in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the year earlier period. Newsprint consumption increased 1.2 percent between the third quarter periods. Depreciation expense decreased $1,156 in the third quarter of 2003, from $23,871 in the third quarter of 2002 to $22,715 in the third quarter of 2003. Amortization expense increased from $2,087 in third quarter of 2002 to $2,119 in the third quarter of 2003. Interest expense for the third quarter of 2003 was $23,225 or 6.9 percent lower than third quarter 2002 expense of $24,949, due primarily to lower average debt levels. Other income (expense), net increased from expense of $1,085 in the third quarter of 2002 to expense of $2,074 in the third quarter of 2003 due to an increase in the Company's equity losses in local cable news partnerships with Time Warner Cable ("Time Warner") (the Charlotte, Houston and San Antonio cable news channels commenced operations in June 2002, December 2002 and April 2003, respectively). The effective tax rate for both the third quarter of 2003 and the third quarter of 2002 was 38.3 percent. As a result of the factors discussed above, net earnings of $31,111 (27 cents per share) were reported for the three months ended September 30, 2003, as compared to $27,991 (25 cents per share) for the same period in 2002. 7 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Total net operating revenues increased $14,377, or 1.4 percent, from $1,033,786 for the first nine months of 2002 to $1,048,163 for the same period in 2003, due to increases of $5,692 in the Newspaper Group, $3,724 in the Television Group, $3,633 in Interactive Media and $1,328 in Other. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense increased $7,830, or 2.1 percent, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the year earlier period due to increases of $11,329 in benefits expense and $5,344 in salary expense, offset by a decrease of $9,390 in performance-based bonus accruals in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to 2002. Other production, distribution and operating costs increased $3,157, or 1.1 percent, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the same period of 2002 primarily due to increases in insurance expense ($1,556), professional and industry development ($925) and advertising and promotion ($635). Newsprint, ink and other supplies increased $3,803, or 4.2 percent, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the year earlier period. The average cost per metric ton of newsprint increased 3.7 percent in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to 2002. Newsprint consumption increased less than 1 percent compared to the prior year period. Depreciation expense decreased $4,122, from $72,640 in the first nine months of 2002 to $68,518 in the first nine months of 2003. Amortization expense increased from $6,213 in the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to $6,325 in the nine months ended September 30, 2003. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $70,608 or 12.1 percent lower than the year earlier period expense of $80,357, due to lower average debt levels and the refinancing of $250,000 in fixed rate notes with lower rate revolving debt in June of 2002. Other income (expense), net decreased from income of $5,337 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to expense of $7,004 in the first nine months of 2003 primarily due to an increase in equity losses from Belo's local cable news partnerships with Time Warner (the Charlotte, Houston and San Antonio cable news channels commenced operations in June 2002, December 2002 and April 2003, respectively). In addition, other income (expense), net in 2002 included a credit of $4,787 related to the favorable resolution of certain contingencies associated with the Company's sales in the fourth quarter of 2000 of KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro, Kentucky, The Gleaner in Henderson, Kentucky and The Eagle in Bryan/College Station, Texas and a gain of $2,375 on the sale of Belo's interest in the Dallas Mavericks and the American Airlines Center. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 38.6 percent compared with 38.7 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. As a result of the factors discussed above, net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $86,094 (75 cents per share) as compared to $85,272 (75 cents per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. 8 Segment Results of Operations Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Three months ended September 30, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and from and Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization EBITDA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Television Group $ 160,701 $ 104,683 $ 56,018 $ 10,608 $ 66,626 Newspaper Group 184,121 149,792 34,329 11,846 46,175 Interactive Media 6,313 8,254 (1,941) 808 (1,133) Other 5,133 5,565 (432) 652 220 Corporate -- 12,271 (12,271) 920 (11,351) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Segment total $ 356,268 $ 280,565 $ 75,703 $ 24,834 100,537 ========================================================== Other income (expense), net (2,074) ---------- Consolidated EBITDA (a) 98,463 Depreciation and amortization (24,834) Interest expense (23,225) Income taxes (19,293) ---------- Net earnings $ 31,111 ========== Three months ended September 30, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and from and Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization EBITDA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Television Group $ 158,717 $ 105,196 $ 53,521 $ 11,976 $ 65,497 Newspaper Group 179,496 144,501 34,995 11,939 46,934 Interactive Media 5,007 8,752 (3,745) 862 (2,883) Other 4,403 4,961 (558) 602 44 Corporate -- 12,815 (12,815) 579 (12,236) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Segment total $ 347,623 $ 276,225 $ 71,398 $ 25,958 97,356 ======================================================= Other income (expense), net (1,085) ---------- Consolidated EBITDA(a) 96,271 Depreciation and amortization (25,958) Interest expense (24,949) Income taxes (17,373) ---------- Net earnings $ 27,991 ========== -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) All references in this Form 10-Q to consolidated EBITDA and to its components, EBITDA on a segment basis and operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization, are references to non-GAAP financial measures. Consolidated EBITDA, which is reconciled to net earnings above, is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, operating income, cash flow provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management believes that EBITDA is useful as a supplemental measure of evaluating financial performance of the Company and its business segments because of its focus on the Company's results from operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a common alternative measure of performance used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies to evaluate financial performance. Because EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Television Group Television Group revenues for the third quarter of 2003 were $160,701, an increase of $1,984, or 1.3 percent, from revenues of $158,717 in the third quarter of 2002. Total spot revenues increased 1 percent for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the prior year period. The largest spot revenue increases were reported in the automotive, financial services, radio and television and insurance categories while decreases were reported in the movies, department stores and health and beauty categories. Local spot revenues increased 10 percent and national spot revenues increased 1.5 percent. Local spot revenue increases in the Seattle, Portland and Phoenix markets were 9 partially offset by a decrease in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. The largest national spot revenue increase was reported in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Political advertising revenues declined from $11,494 in the third quarter of 2002 to $3,636 in the third quarter of 2003. Total spot revenues excluding political advertising increased 6.8 percent for the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the prior year period. Television Group operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization were approximately 1 percent higher for the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002. Increases in salaries, medical insurance and other insurance expenses were offset by decreases in performance-based bonus accruals, repairs and maintenance and cash programming expenses. EBITDA for the Television Group increased 1.7 percent in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the third quarter of 2002. Total operating costs and expenses were flat in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same quarter of 2002 and earnings from operations increased 4.7 percent. Newspaper Group For the Newspaper Group, total revenues increased 2.6 percent and total advertising revenues increased 2.2 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002. General advertising revenues increased 21.1 percent for the third quarter as compared to the year earlier period, while retail and classified advertising revenues declined 3.6 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. All other advertising revenues increased 10.3 percent in the third quarter when compared to the same period of 2002, primarily due to an increase in revenues from preprints and Total Market Coverage ("TMC"). DMN reported an increase in total revenues of 1.4 percent for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the prior year period. General advertising revenues increased 19 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002 with significant increases in the telecom, automotive and technology categories. Classified advertising revenues declined 5.6 percent in the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the year earlier period, due primarily to a decrease in classified employment volume. Retail advertising revenues decreased 4.6 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the prior year period primarily due to decreased volumes in the department store and automotive categories. Other advertising revenues increased 5 percent for the third quarter of 2003 as compared to the prior year period due to an increase in preprints and TMC revenues. At PJ, total revenues increased 2.4 percent for the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the year earlier period. Increases in revenues from preprints and TMC and retail advertising revenues were partially offset by a decrease in circulation revenues. Total revenues at PE increased 7.2 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the prior year period. The increase in total revenues for the third quarter of 2003 versus 2002 was primarily due to increases in general advertising, other advertising and preprints and TMC revenue, partially offset by a decrease in retail advertising revenue. Newspaper Group total operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization increased 4.1 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002, due primarily to increases in newsprint expense and salaries, wages and employee benefits expense. EBITDA for the Newspaper Group decreased 1.6 percent for the third quarter of 2003 compared to the prior year period. Total operating costs and expenses increased 3.7 percent while earnings from operations decreased 1.9 percent in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the prior year period. Interactive Media and Other Segments The Company continues to invest in its Interactive Media and regional cable news operations. Interactive Media revenues, which are primarily derived from advertising, increased 26.1 percent, from $5,007 in the third quarter of 2002 to $6,313 in the third quarter of 2003. Interactive Media total costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization decreased 5.6 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the prior year period, due primarily to decreases in salaries, wages and employee benefits, advertising and promotion and outside services. As a result, the Interactive Media EBITDA deficit improved from $2,883 in the third quarter of 2002 to $1,133 in the third quarter of 2003. The Interactive Media loss from operations improved from $3,745 in the third quarter of 2002 to $1,941 in the third quarter 2003. 10 Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from Belo's regional cable news operations, NWCN and TXCN and, beginning in 2003, revenues from Belo's consumer expositions business. Revenues from Belo's cable news operations are derived from a combination of advertising and subscriber-based fees. Other revenues increased 16.6 percent, from $4,403 in the third quarter of 2002 to $5,133 in the third quarter of 2003, reflecting a revenue increase in cable news and the inclusion of revenue from Belo's expositions business. Total operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization increased 12.7 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002. As a result, EBITDA increased from $44 in the three-month period ended September 30, 2002 to $220 in the same period of 2003. Total operating costs and expenses increased 12.2 percent in the third quarter of 2003 when compared to the third quarter of 2002. Loss from operations for the Other segment improved 22.6 percent for the third quarter periods, from $558 in 2002 to $432 in 2003. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 Nine months ended September 30, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and from and Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization EBITDA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Television Group $ 474,144 $ 313,314 $ 160,830 $ 32,015 $ 192,845 Newspaper Group 542,442 441,898 100,544 35,617 136,161 Interactive Media 17,482 24,898 (7,416) 2,545 (4,871) Other 14,095 16,202 (2,107) 1,905 (202) Corporate -- 34,109 (34,109) 2,761 (31,348) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Segment total $ 1,048,163 $ 830,421 $ 217,742 $ 74,843 292,585 ========================================================== Other income (expense), net (7,004) ---------- Consolidated EBITDA(a) 285,581 Depreciation and amortization (74,843) Interest expense (70,608) Income taxes (54,036) ---------- Net earnings $ 86,094 ========== Nine months ended September 30, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and from and Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization EBITDA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Television Group $ 470,420 $ 311,353 $ 159,067 $ 35,857 $ 194,924 Newspaper Group 536,750 431,114 105,636 36,299 141,935 Interactive Media 13,849 24,841 (10,992) 2,583 (8,409) Other 12,767 15,433 (2,666) 1,779 (887) Corporate -- 36,900 (36,900) 2,335 (34,565) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Segment total $ 1,033,786 $ 819,641 $ 214,145 $ 78,853 $ 292,998 ========================================================== Other income (expense), net 5,337 ---------- Consolidated EBITDA(a) 298,335 Depreciation and amortization (78,853) Interest expense (80,357) Income taxes (53,853) ---------- Net earnings $ 85,272 ========== --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) All references in this Form 10-Q to consolidated EBITDA and to its components, EBITDA on a segment basis and operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization, are references to non-GAAP financial measures. Consolidated EBITDA, which is reconciled to net earnings above, is defined as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings, operating income, cash flow provided by operating activities or other income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Management believes that EBITDA is useful as a supplemental measure of evaluating financial performance of the Company and its business segments because of its focus on the Company's results from operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a common alternative measure of performance used by investors, financial analysts and rating agencies to evaluate financial performance. Because EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and is thus susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. 11 Television Group Television Group revenues for the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2003 were $474,144, an increase of less than 1 percent when compared to revenues for the same period of 2002. Total spot revenues increased 0.6 percent for the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the prior year period. The largest spot revenue increases for the nine-month period were reported in the automotive, radio and television and healthcare categories while the most significant decreases were reported in the department stores, movies and restaurant categories. For the first nine months of 2003 versus 2002, local spot revenues increased 6.2 percent. The largest local spot revenue increases were in the Portland, Seattle, Phoenix and St. Louis markets while the largest decrease was in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. National spot revenues increased 1 percent for the nine-month period comparisons with the most significant increases reported in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix markets and the largest decreases reported in the Portland and Seattle markets. Political advertising revenues were $5,514 in the first nine months of 2003 compared with $20,766 in the same period of 2002. Total spot revenues excluding political advertising increased 4.3 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the prior year period. The first nine months of 2002 also included approximately $9,000 of advertising revenues generated by the Company's NBC affiliates from the broadcast of the Winter Olympics. Television Group operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization increased 2.1 percent in first nine months of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002, primarily due to higher pension, medical insurance and salaries expense, partially offset by lower accruals for performance-based bonuses. EBITDA for the Television Group decreased 1.1 percent for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the prior year period. Total operating costs and expenses increased less than 1 percent and earnings from operations increased 1.1 percent for the first nine months of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002. Newspaper Group Newspaper Group total revenues increased 1.1 percent while total advertising revenues increased 1 percent in the first nine months of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002. General advertising revenues increased 7.8 percent for the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the same period of 2002. Classified and retail advertising revenues declined 4.2 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively, for the first nine months of 2003 when compared to the year earlier period. All other advertising revenues increased 10.3 percent in the year-to-date period when compared to the same period of 2002, primarily due to increases in preprints and TMC. Total revenues at DMN were flat for the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the prior year period. Classified advertising revenues declined 6.1 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002, primarily due to decreases in classified employment volumes. Retail advertising revenues decreased 3.5 percent in the year-to-date period primarily due to decreased volumes in the department store category. General advertising revenues increased 4.2 percent in the nine-month period when compared to the same period of 2002 due primarily to increased automotive volumes. Other advertising revenues increased 6.3 percent for the nine-month period in 2003 as compared to the prior year period due to increases in preprints and TMC revenues. PJ total revenues increased 1.7 percent for the first nine months of 2003 when compared to the year earlier period. Revenue increases from preprints and TMC and retail advertising were partially offset by decreases in circulation revenues and classified advertising. At PE, total revenues increased 5.7 percent for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the prior year period due to increases in general advertising and preprints and TMC revenues partially offset by a decrease in retail advertising revenue. Newspaper Group total operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization increased 2.9 percent in the first nine months of 2003 when compared to the same period of 2002, due primarily to higher salaries, pension and medical insurance expenses and an increase in newsprint expense in the first nine months of 2003. EBITDA for the Newspaper Group decreased 4.1 percent for the year-to-date period. Total operating costs and expenses increased 2.5 percent and earnings from operations decreased 4.8 percent in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the prior year period. 12 Interactive Media and Other Segments Interactive Media revenues, which are primarily derived from advertising, increased 26.2 percent, from $13,849 in the first nine months of 2002 to $17,482 in the same period of 2003. Interactive Media total costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization were flat for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 as compared to the prior year period. Decreases in salaries and advertising and promotion expenses were offset by increases in computer and medical insurance expenses. As a result, the Interactive Media EBITDA deficit improved from $8,409 in the first nine months of 2002 to $4,871 in the first nine months of 2003. The Interactive Media loss from operations improved from $10,992 in the nine-month period of 2002 to $7,416 in the same period of 2003. Other revenues consist primarily of revenues from Belo's regional cable news operations, NWCN and TXCN and, beginning in 2003, revenues from Belo's consumer expositions business. Revenues from Belo's cable news operations are derived from a combination of advertising and subscriber-based fees. Other revenues increased 10.4 percent, from $12,767 in the first nine months 2002 to $14,095 in the first nine months of 2003, reflecting a revenue increase in cable news and the inclusion of revenue from Belo's expositions business. Total operating costs and expenses before depreciation and amortization increased 4.7 percent in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2003 when compared to the year earlier period. The EBITDA deficit for the Other segment improved from $887 in the year-to-date period ended September 30, 2002 to $202 in the same period of 2003. Total operating costs and expenses increased 5 percent for the nine-month period comparison and loss from operations improved from a loss of $2,666 in the first nine months of 2002 to a loss of $2,107 in the comparable 2003 period. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Net cash provided by operations, bank borrowings and term debt are the Company's primary sources of liquidity. During the first nine months of 2003, net cash provided by operations was $180,559, compared with $242,151 for the same period in 2002. Net cash provided by operations was lower in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to the year earlier period primarily due to cash requirements for income taxes, 2002 bonuses paid in the first quarter of 2003 and contributions to the Company's defined benefit pension plan. The Company also used net cash provided by operations to fund capital expenditures and dividend payments and to pay down debt. Total debt decreased $122,825 from December 31, 2002 to September 30, 2003. At September 30, 2003, the Company had $1,100,000 in fixed-rate debt securities as follows: $300,000 of 7-1/8 percent Senior Notes due 2007; $350,000 of 8 percent Senior Notes due 2008; $200,000 of 7-3/4 percent Senior Debentures due 2027; and $250,000 of 7-1/4 percent Senior Debentures due 2027. The weighted average effective interest rate for the fixed-rate debt instruments is 7.5 percent. The Company also has $150,000 of additional debt securities available for future issuance under a shelf registration statement filed in April 1997. At September 30, 2003, the Company had a $720,000 variable-rate revolving credit facility under which borrowings were $200,000. Borrowings under the credit facility mature upon expiration of the agreement on November 29, 2006. In addition, the Company had $11,975 of short-term unsecured notes outstanding at September 30, 2003. These borrowings may be converted at the Company's option to revolving debt. Accordingly, such borrowings are classified as long-term in the Company's financial statements. The Company is required to maintain certain ratios as of the end of each quarter, as defined in its revolving credit agreement. As of September 30, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements. On July 25, 2003, Belo announced that its Board of directors approved an increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend rate from 7.5 cents per share to 9.5 cents per share. In the first nine months of 2003, the Company paid dividends of $27,739, or 24.5 cents per share, on Series A and Series B common stock outstanding, compared with $25,090, or 22.5 cents per share, in the first nine months of 2002. Capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2003 of $41,249 were primarily for Television Group and Newspaper Group equipment purchases. During 2000 and 2001, Belo announced the formation of a series of cable news partnerships with Time Warner. The Time Warner agreements call for the creation of 24-hour cable news channels in Houston and San Antonio, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. As of September 30, 2003, investments totaling $32,058 ($5,108 of which 13 was invested in the first nine months of 2003) had been made related to the Time Warner partnerships to fund capital expenditures and operating costs. The on-air dates of the news channels in Charlotte, Houston, and San Antonio, were June 14, 2002, December 12, 2002, and April 7, 2003, respectively. In the first nine months of 2003, the Company made contributions to its defined benefit pension plan totaling $20,000. These contributions exceed the Company's required minimum contribution for ERISA funding purposes, which was to be made by September 2004. The Company made an additional contribution of $7,000 in October 2003, which amount is classified as a current liability in the Company's September 30, 2003 financial statements. Other Matters On October 1, 2003, the Company completed the sale of KENS-AM, Belo's radio station in San Antonio, Texas for $3,201. The Company expects to record a gain of approximately $1,800 ($1,100 net of taxes) in the fourth quarter of 2003. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this report concerning the Company's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, investments, future financings or other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand, interest rates and newsprint prices; technological changes; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by competitors and suppliers; regulatory changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions and dispositions; general economic conditions; and significant armed conflict, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's periodic press releases. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Other than as disclosed, there have been no material changes in the Company's exposure to market risk from the disclosure included in Belo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES The Company carried out an evaluation, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC filings. During the period covered by this report, there have been no changes to the Company's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Belo's internal control over financial reporting. 14 PART II. ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS A number of legal proceedings are pending against the Company, including several actions for alleged libel. In the opinion of management, liabilities, if any, arising from these actions would not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, liquidity or financial position of the Company. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS None. ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None. ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION None. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are incorporated by reference to documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as indicated. Exhibits marked with a tilde (~) are management contracts or compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. All other documents are filed with this report. 3.1 * Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2000 (the "1999 Form 10-K")) 3.2 * Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 13, 1987 (Exhibit 3.2 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.3 * Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated April 16, 1987 (Exhibit 3.3 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.4 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.4 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.5 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 3, 1995 (Exhibit 3.5 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.6 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 13, 1998 (Exhibit 3.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 (the "2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q")) 15 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION 3.7 * Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated December 20, 2000, but effective as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 99.2 to Belo's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 29, 2000) 3.8 * Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.7 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.9 * Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.8 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.10 * Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 3.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 13, 2001 (the "2000 Form 10-K")) 3.11 * Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective February 7, 2003 (Exhibit 3.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 12, 2003 (the "2002 Form 10-K")) 4.1 Certain rights of the holders of the Company's Common Stock are set forth in Exhibits 3.1-3.11 above 4.2 * Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series A Common Stock (Exhibit 4.2 to the 2000 Form 10-K) 4.3 * Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series B Common Stock (Exhibit 4.3 to the 2000 Form 10-K) 4.4 * Amended and Restated Form of Rights Agreement as of February 28, 1996 between the Company and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., a New York banking corporation (Exhibit 4.4 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 4.5 * Supplement No. 1 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston dated as of November 11, 1996 (Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996) 4.6 * Supplement No. 2 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston dated as of June 5, 1998 (Exhibit 4.6 to the 2000 Form 10-K) 4.7 Instruments defining rights of debt securities: (1) * Indenture dated as of June 1, 1997 between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.6(1) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997 (the "2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q")) (2) * (a) $200 million 7-1/8% Senior Note due 2007 (Exhibit 4.6(3)(a) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) * (b) $100 million 7-1/8% Senior Note due 2007 (Exhibit 4.6(3)(b) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (3) * $200 million 7-3/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(4) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (4) * Officers' Certificate dated June 13, 1997 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(5) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) 16 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION (5) * (a) $200 million 7-1/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(6)(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997 (the "3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q")) * (b) $50 million 7-1/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(6)(b) to the 3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (6) * Officers' Certificate dated September 26, 1997 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(7) to the 3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (7) * $350 million 8.00% Senior Note due 2008 (Exhibit 4.6(8) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001 (the "3rd Quarter 2001 Form 10-Q")) (8) * Officers' Certificate dated November 1, 2001 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(9) to the 3rd Quarter 2001 Form 10-Q) 10.1 Financing agreements: (1) * Five-year Credit Agreement dated as of November 29, 2001 among the Company, as Borrower; J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Competitive Advance Facility Agent; J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Co-Advisors, Co-Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners; Bank of America, N.A., Fleet National Bank and the Bank of New York, as Co-Syndication Agents; BNP Paribas, as Documentation Agent; and the Fuji Bank Limited and SunTrust Bank, as Senior Managing Agents (Exhibit 10.1(1) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2002) 10.2 Compensatory plans: ~(1) Belo Savings Plan: * (a) Belo Savings Plan Amended and Restated July 1, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(1) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000 (the "2nd Quarter 2000 Form 10-Q")) * (b) First Amendment to the Belo Savings Plan effective December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(b) to the 2000 Form 10-K) * (c) Second Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 2002 (Exhibit 4.16(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-88030) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2002) * (d) Third Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of May 7, 2002 (Exhibit 4.16(d) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-88030) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2002) * (e) Fourth Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of August 23, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(e) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 (the "3rd Quarter 2002 Form 10-Q")) * (f) Fifth Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of September 27, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(f) to the 3rd Quarter 2002 Form 10-Q) * (g) Sixth Amendment to the Belo Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(g) to the 2002 Form 10-K) 17 EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ~(2) Belo 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan: * (a) Belo Corp. 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Effective May 3, 1989, as amended by Amendments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) (Exhibit 10.3(2) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 10, 1997 (the "1996 Form 10-K")) * (b) Amendment No. 6 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.3(2)(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 19, 1998 (the "1997 Form 10-K")) * (c) Amendment No. 7 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.2(2)(c) to the 1999 Form 10-K) * (d) Amendment No. 8 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.3(2)(d) to the 2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q) ~(3) * Belo 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, as restated to incorporate amendments through December 4, 1997 (Exhibit 10.3(3) to the 1997 Form 10-K) * (a) Amendment to 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, dated July 21, 1998 (Exhibit 10.3(3)(a) to the 2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q) * (b) Amendment to 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, dated December 16, 1999 (Exhibit 10.3(3)(b) to the 1999 Form 10-K) ~(4) * Management Security Plan (Exhibit 10.3(1) to the 1996 Form 10-K) * (a) Amendment to Management Security Plan of Belo Corp. and Affiliated Companies (as Restated Effective January 1, 1982) (Exhibit 10.2(4)(a) to the 1999 Form 10-K) ~(5) Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan * (a) Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(5)(a) to the 1999 Form 10-K) * (b) First Amendment to Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2000, dated July 27, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(5) to the 2nd Quarter 2000 Form 10-Q) ~(6) * Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan (Exhibit 4.15 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-43056) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2000) * (a) First Amendment to Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan effective as of December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(6)(a) to the 2002 Form 10-K) * (b) Second Amendment to Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan dated December 5, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(6)(b) to the 2002 Form 10-K) 12 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 18 (b) Reports on Form 8-K. On July 25, 2003, Belo filed a current report on Form 8-K reporting that the Company issued a press release announcing its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and also issued a press release announcing the Company's monthly statistical report for the month and six months ended June 30, 2003. 19 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. BELO CORP. November 10, 2003 By: /s/ Dunia A. Shive --------------------------------------- Dunia A. Shive Executive Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer (Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 20 INDEX TO EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION 3.1 * Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2000 (the "1999 Form 10-K")) 3.2 * Certificate of Correction to Certificate of Incorporation dated May 13, 1987 (Exhibit 3.2 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.3 * Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated April 16, 1987 (Exhibit 3.3 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.4 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.4 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.5 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 3, 1995 (Exhibit 3.5 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.6 * Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated May 13, 1998 (Exhibit 3.6 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 (the "2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q")) 3.7 * Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated December 20, 2000, but effective as of 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 99.2 to Belo's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2000) 3.8 * Amended Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.7 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.9 * Certificate of Designation of Series B Common Stock of the Company dated May 4, 1988 (Exhibit 3.8 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 3.10 * Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 3.10 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 13, 2001 (the "2000 Form 10-K")) 3.11 * Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective February 7, 2003 (Exhibit 3.11 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 12, 2003 (the "2002 Form 10-K")) 4.1 Certain rights of the holders of the Company's Common Stock are set forth in Exhibits 3.1-3.11 above 4.2 * Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series A Common Stock (Exhibit 4.2 to the 2000 Form 10-K) 4.3 * Specimen Form of Certificate representing shares of the Company's Series B Common Stock (Exhibit 4.3 to the 2000 Form 10-K) 4.4 * Amended and Restated Form of Rights Agreement as of February 28, 1996 between the Company and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., a New York banking corporation (Exhibit 4.4 to the 1999 Form 10-K) 4.5 * Supplement No. 1 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston dated as of November 11, 1996 (Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996) 4.6 * Supplement No. 2 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston dated as of June 5, 1998 (Exhibit 4.6 to the 2000 Form 10-K) EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION 4.7 Instruments defining rights of debt securities: (1) * Indenture dated as of June 1, 1997 between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.6(1) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997 (the "2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q")) (2) * (a) $200 million 7-1/8% Senior Note due 2007 (Exhibit 4.6(3)(a) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) * (b) $100 million 7-1/8% Senior Note due 2007 (Exhibit 4.6(3) (b) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (3) * $200 million 7-3/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(4) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (4) * Officers' Certificate dated June 13, 1997 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(5) to the 2nd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (5) * (a) $200 million 7-1/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(6)(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997 (the "3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q")) * (b) $50 million 7-1/4% Senior Debenture due 2027 (Exhibit 4.6(6)(b) to the 3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (6) * Officers' Certificate dated September 26, 1997 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(7) to the 3rd Quarter 1997 Form 10-Q) (7) * $350 million 8.00% Senior Note due 2008 (Exhibit 4.6(8) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001 (the "3rd Quarter 2001 Form 10-Q")) (8) * Officers' Certificate dated November 1, 2001 establishing terms of debt securities pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Indenture (Exhibit 4.6(9) to the 3rd Quarter 2001 Form 10-Q) 10.1 Financing agreements: (1) * Five-year Credit Agreement dated as of November 29, 2001 among the Company, as Borrower; J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Competitive Advance Facility Agent; J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Co-Advisors, Co-Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners; Bank of America, N.A., Fleet National Bank and the Bank of New York, as Co-Syndication Agents; BNP Paribas, as Documentation Agent; and the Fuji Bank Limited and SunTrust Bank, as Senior Managing Agents (Exhibit 10.1(1) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2002) 10.2 Compensatory plans: ~(1) Belo Savings Plan: * (a) Belo Savings Plan Amended and Restated July 1, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(1) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000 (the "2nd Quarter 2000 Form 10-Q")) EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION * (b) First Amendment to the Belo Savings Plan effective December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(b) to the 2000 Form 10-K) * (c) Second Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 2002 (Exhibit 4.16(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-88030) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2002) * (d) Third Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of May 7, 2002 (Exhibit 4.16(d) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-88030) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2002) * (e) Fourth Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of August 23, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(e) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 (the "3rd Quarter 2002 Form 10-Q")) * (f) Fifth Amendment to Belo Savings Plan effective as of September 27, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(f) to the 3rd Quarter 2002 Form 10-Q) * (g) Sixth Amendment to the Belo Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(1)(g) to the 2002 Form 10-K) ~(2) Belo 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan: * (a) Belo Corp. 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Effective May 3, 1989, as amended by Amendments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) (Exhibit 10.3(2) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 10, 1997 (the "1996 Form 10-K")) * (b) Amendment No. 6 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.3(2)(b) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 19, 1998 (the "1997 Form 10-K")) * (c) Amendment No. 7 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.2(2)(c) to the 1999 Form 10-K) * (d) Amendment No. 8 to 1986 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.3(2)(d) to the 2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q) ~(3) * Belo 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, as restated to incorporate amendments through December 4, 1997 (Exhibit 10.3(3) to the 1997 Form 10-K) * (a) Amendment to 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, dated July 21, 1998 (Exhibit 10.3(3)(a) to the 2nd Quarter 1998 Form 10-Q) * (b) Amendment to 1995 Executive Compensation Plan, dated December 16, 1999 (Exhibit 10.3(3)(b) to the 1999 Form 10-K) ~(4) * Management Security Plan (Exhibit 10.3(1) to the 1996 Form 10-K) * (a) Amendment to Management Security Plan of Belo Corp. and Affiliated Companies (as Restated Effective January 1, 1982) (Exhibit 10.2(4)(a) to the 1999 Form 10-K) ~(5) Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan * (a) Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(5)(a) to the 1999 Form 10-K) * (b) First Amendment to Belo Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2000, dated July 27, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(5) to the 2nd Quarter 2000 Form 10-Q) EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ~(6) * Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan (Exhibit 4.15 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-43056) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2000) * (a) First Amendment to Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan effective as of December 31, 2000 (Exhibit 10.2(6)(a) to the 2002 Form 10-K) * (b) Second Amendment to Belo 2000 Executive Compensation Plan dated December 5, 2002 (Exhibit 10.2(6)(b) to the 2002 Form 10-K) 12 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Exhibits marked with an asterisk (*) are incorporated by reference to documents previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as indicated. Exhibits marked with a tilde (~) are management contracts or compensatory plan contracts or arrangements filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. All other documents are filed with this report.