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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ý   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 29, 2013

or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                        to                       

Commission file number: 1-9824

GRAPHIC

The McClatchy Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  52-2080478

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

95816

(Zip Code)
  916-321-1844

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class    Name of each exchange on which registered 
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

o Yes ý No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

o Yes ý No

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.

ý Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

ý Yes o No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    o Yes ý No

Based on the closing price of the registrant's Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2013 the last business day of the registrant's second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $142.7 million. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, as required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates, the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of officers and directors of the Registrant and members of their families, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose.

Shares outstanding as of February 21, 2014:

 

Class A Common Stock

    61,836,672  
 

Class B Common Stock

    24,585,962  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 15, 2014, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

       

Item 1.

 

Business

 
1

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 
9

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 
16

Item 2.

 

Properties

 
16

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 
17

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 
17

PART II

 

 

 
 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 
18

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 
20

Item 7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 
21

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 
42

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
43

Item 9.

 

Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 
81

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 
81

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 
81

PART III

 

 

 
 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 
82

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 
82

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 
82

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 
82

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 
82

PART IV

 

 

 
 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 
83

SIGNATURES

 
84

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PART I

Note About Forward-Looking Statements:

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements relating to future financial performance and operations. These statements are based upon our current expectations and knowledge of factors impacting our business and are generally preceded by, followed by or are a part of sentences that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. For all of those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks, trends and uncertainties. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" (refer to Part I, Item 1A). We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

ITEM 1.               BUSINESS

Overview

The McClatchy Company (the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") is a leading local media company that provides both print and digital news and advertising services in the markets we serve. We have more than a century and a half of experience in mass and targeted media with our origins in the California Gold Rush era of 1857. Originally incorporated in California as McClatchy Newspapers, Inc., our three original California newspapers — The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee and The Modesto Bee — were the core of our business until 1979, when we began to diversify geographically outside of California. At that time, we purchased two newspapers in the Northwest, the Anchorage Daily News and the Tri-City Herald in southeastern Washington. In 1986, we purchased The (Tacoma) News Tribune and in 1987, we reincorporated in Delaware. We expanded into the Carolinas when we purchased newspapers in South Carolina in 1990 and The News and Observer Publishing Company in North Carolina in 1995. In 2006, we acquired Knight-Ridder, Inc., retaining 20 daily papers and significant digital assets.

As one of the largest newspaper companies in the United States, based upon daily circulation, our operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. Our newspapers range from large dailies serving metropolitan areas to non-daily newspapers serving small communities. For the year ended December 29, 2013 ("fiscal year 2013"), we had an average paid daily circulation of 1.9 million and Sunday circulation of 2.7 million. We also operate local websites in each of our markets that complement our newspapers and extend our audience reach. Our owned newspapers include, among others, the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

Our newspapers are located in 29 growth markets across the United States. The business is operated across six operating regions: California, Florida, Texas, Southeast, Midwest and Northwest. For the year ended December 29, 2013, no region represented more than 29% of total advertising revenue and no single newspaper represented more than 12.4% of total newspaper revenues. Overall, our markets are expected to achieve household growth faster than the national average from 2013-2018.

We also own a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation's largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com; 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com; 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 12.2% of Wanderful Media, owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising. See the

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Recent Developments discussion below in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

McClatchy is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

Strategy

We are committed to a three-pronged strategy to grow our digital business and total revenues as a leading local media company:

Business Initiatives

Our local media businesses have undergone a period of tremendous structural and cyclical change. In order to maintain our position as a leading local media company and implement our strategies, we are focused on the following five major business initiatives:

Increasing and Diversifying Total Revenues

Advertising revenues comprise a large majority of our revenues, making the quality of our sales force of utmost importance. Advertising revenues were approximately 67.5% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal year 2013 and 69.9% in the year ended December 30, 2012 ("fiscal year 2012"). We have a local sales force in each of our markets and believe that these sales forces are generally larger than those of other local media outlets and websites in those markets. Our sales forces are responsible for delivering to advertisers the broad array of our advertising products, including print, digital and direct marketing products. Our advertisers range from large national retail chains to local automobile dealerships to small businesses and classified advertisers. To reach national advertisers, our newspapers work with national advertising representation firms and our corporate advertising department to develop relationships and make it easier for those large advertisers to place orders.

Increasingly, our emphasis has been on growing the breadth of products offered to advertisers, particularly our digital products and our direct marketing products, while expanding our relationships with smaller advertisers. For example, over the last several years we have expanded our "Sunday Select" program, which delivers a package of preprinted advertisements on Sunday to non-newspaper subscribers upon their request. Also we continue to offer our popular "Print and Deliver" program, which helps small advertisers create preprinted advertising inserts to reach customers near their stores. Our digital products and business are discussed in more detail below.

For fiscal year 2013, total digital and direct marketing advertising revenues represented 39.6% of total advertising revenues on a combined basis compared to 36.3% and 33.4% in fiscal year 2012 and the year ended December 25, 2011 ("fiscal year 2011"), respectively.

Circulation revenues approximated 28.5% of consolidated net revenues in fiscal year 2013 and 26.1% in fiscal year 2012. Our introduction of the Plus Program (discussed below) to drive digital circulation revenues has also helped diversify our revenues. Digital and direct marketing advertising, coupled with circulation and other revenues generated outside of traditional print and preprinted insert advertising, represented 59.2% of total revenue in fiscal 2013 compared to 55.5% and 52.9% in fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Expanding McClatchy's Digital Business

We continue to be a newspaper industry leader in digital advertising revenues from newspaper websites as a percent of total advertising with 23.8% and 21.8% of advertising revenues coming from digital products in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. For fiscal year 2013, 59.3% of our digital advertising revenues came from advertisements placed only online; that is, they were not tied to a joint print buy, compared to 54.3% in fiscal year 2012. We believe this independent advertising revenue stream bodes well for the future of our digital business and is evidence of its importance as a delivery channel for advertisers.

In addition, our advertising revenues from digital advertising have increased every year for the past 12 years, excluding the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012 and despite weak economic conditions and structural changes in the delivery of advertising products to digital media. Our newspaper websites, e-mail projects, podcasts, mobile services and other electronic media enable us to engage our readers with real-time news and information that matters to them. During fiscal year 2013, our newspaper websites attracted an average of approximately 39.6 million unique visitors per month.

Our websites offer classified digital advertising products provided by companies in which we hold minority investment (as discussed above), including CareerBuilder.com for employment, Cars.com for autos and Apartments.com in the rental category.

We continue to pursue additional new digital products and offerings. Starting in mid 2012 and continuing through 2013, we launched impressLOCAL®, our proprietary comprehensive digital marketing solution for local small- and medium-size businesses, to all of our markets. By offering advertisers integrated packages including website customization, search engine marketing and optimization, social media presence and marketing services, and other multi-platform advertising opportunities, impressLOCAL® helps businesses improve the effectiveness of their marketing and advertising efforts.

We continue to offer dealsaver®, our proprietary daily deals service, across all of our markets. Unlike competitors, dealsaver® benefits from the promotional power of our local papers, their related websites and local sales forces. We have also partnered with several other leading media and publishing companies to form Wanderful Media, which provides Find n Save® with significant scale across all of our markets. Find n Save® is a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising.

In fiscal year 2013, our mobile traffic was up 70.4% and accounted for 35.4% of all digital traffic we received on a monthly basis. We work hard to appeal to our mobile audience. In fiscal year 2013, we redesigned, improved and relaunched all of our apps for smartphones and tablets and introduced new apps publishing to Android devices for the first time. We are planning more upgrades to our mobile apps and websites in fiscal year 2014.

Video is another area that is increasing significantly, particularly with local media. In fiscal year 2014, we plan to expand the use of video in all of our digital products to both enhance the content that we bring to readers and viewers and also to compete for a growing advertising stream.

Increasingly, readers want to read and interact with our news and information in a number of different ways, at a number of different locations, at different times of the day and on the mobile devices of their choosing. This is both a challenge and opportunity for us to deliver content that meets our readers' needs in each one of these different environments. The complexity of that distribution requires a subscription program that is as flexible as the reading options

In late 2012, our newspapers successfully introduced new subscription packages ("Plus Program") for digital content that ended free, unlimited access to the newspapers' websites and certain mobile content. The Plus Program offers both a combined digital and print subscription and a digital-only subscription. The Plus Program provided $31.4 million in additional circulation revenues during fiscal year 2013,

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compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2012. The Plus Program digital-only subscriptions totaled 32,400 as of the end of fiscal year 2013.

Maintaining Our Commitment to Public Service Journalism

We believe that high-quality news content is the foundation of the mass reach necessary for the press to play its role in a democratic society. It is also the underpinning of our success in the marketplace.

We are committed to developing best-in-class journalism and local content. Our newspapers have received many national and regional awards from their peers for outstanding journalism, including 52 Pulitzer Prizes and the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for coverage of human rights and social justice in each of the last five years and seven of the last nine years. In fiscal year 2013, our Washington D.C., bureau and our foreign correspondents were awarded a prestigious 2012 George Polk Award for our coverage of the conflict in Syria. Also, during fiscal year 2013, journalists at three of our newspapers, The Sacramento Bee, The Charlotte Observer and The (Raleigh) News & Observer, were finalists for 2013 Pulitzer Prizes. In February 2014, The Sacramento Bee was awarded the esteemed 2013 George Polk Award for its coverage of a Las Vegas psychiatric hospital's practice of shipping patients to cities across the country via one-way bus tickets.

Broadening Newspapers' Audiences in Their Local Markets

Each of our daily newspapers has the largest circulation of any newspaper serving its particular community, and coupled with a local website and other digital platforms, reaches a broad audience in each market. We believe that our broad reach in each market is of primary importance in attracting advertising, which is our principal source of revenues.

Daily newspaper paid circulation volumes were down 5.5% compared to fiscal year 2012 reflecting, in part, subscription price changes due to the Plus Program at all of our newspapers during fiscal year 2013, which negatively affected circulation volumes. Circulation volumes are also impacted by fragmentation of audiences faced by all media, including our own Plus Program digital-only subscriptions, as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change. However, our Sunday circulation was up 0.1% in fiscal year 2013 compared with fiscal year 2012.

Our digital audience continues to show growth, with average monthly unique visitors at our newspapers' websites in fiscal year 2013 up 2.2% from fiscal year 2012. In addition, all our websites offer mobile-friendly versions for smartphones, and our newspapers' content is available on e-readers, tablets and other mobile devices.

We also reach audiences through our direct marketing products. We distributed 679,800 Sunday Select packages, which are a package of preprinted advertisements generally delivered on Sunday to non-newspaper subscribers upon their request. We also distribute thousands of email alerts, including editorial and advertising content, dealsaver® alerts and other alerts to subscribers and non-subscribers in our markets which supplement the reach of our print and digital subscriptions.

To remain the leading local media company for the communities we serve and a must-buy for advertisers, we are focused on maintaining a broad reach of print and digital audiences in each of our markets. We will continue to refine and strengthen our print platform, but our growth increasingly comes from our digital products and the beneficial impact those products have on the total audience we deliver for our advertisers.

Focusing on Cost Efficiencies While Investing for the Future

While continuing to maintain our core business in news, advertising sales and digital business, we also need to focus on cost efficiencies. The ongoing structural and cyclical changes in our markets demands that we respond by reengineering and structuring our operations to achieve an efficient and sustainable cost structure. Over the past six years, we have substantially lowered our cost structure through workforce

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reductions, optimizing technology and maximizing printing, distribution and content efficiencies, all while maintaining profitability at each of our newspapers.

Compensation expense is the largest component of our cash operating expenses. Technology increasingly is giving us the opportunity to operate more efficiently and reduce staff and related compensation expense. We actively look for opportunities to realize efficiencies by outsourcing and centralizing certain functions such as production, circulation, finance, information systems, customer call centers and advertising operations.

For example, 14 of our newspapers are printed through outsourcing arrangements with nearby newspapers owned by us or other companies. In other cases, we are the "printing hub" in a given region and we in-source printing from nearby newspapers to maximize the use of our existing press capacity and generate additional revenues. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we announced that we had reached an agreement with The Dallas Morning News to begin printing the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram in February 2014. Separately, in January 2014 we bought the Dow Jones production facility and related equipment in Charlotte, N.C. where we will move the production of The Charlotte Observer newspaper while also printing Dow Jones publications.

We also believe using technology is an important component of our ability to continue to operate cost-effectively and to invest in our business for the future. Much of that technology is employed behind the scenes — with a digital publishing system that can distribute news content to any number of platforms and new systems to support circulation and advertising in the digital environment. We are in the second year of a several year process of rolling out these new systems at our newspapers and investing in new products such as impressLOCAL®, which provides online marketing to small and medium size businesses. As a result, expenses in fiscal year 2013 included approximately $9.2 million related to implementing new enterprise-wide systems and new digital products, even while we held other operating costs below the fiscal year 2012 operating costs (adjusted for the extra week in fiscal year 2012).

Our newspaper operations have emphasized other changes in our business that are generally preferred or acceptable to our audiences and advertisers, such as reducing the width of newspapers or reducing unprofitable circulation that reaches areas outside of a newspaper's core market. However, our efforts are focused on quality content production, effective sales efforts and growing our digital operations.

Other Operational Information

Each of our newspapers is largely autonomous in our local advertising and editorial operations in order to meet most effectively the needs of the particular community it serves.

We have two operating segments. Each segment consists primarily of a group of newspapers and related businesses reporting to segment managers that are aggregated into a single reportable segment. One operating segment consists primarily of our newspaper operations in California, the Northwest and Texas while the other operating segment consists primarily of newspaper operations in the Southeast, Florida and the Midwest. Publishers of each of the newspapers make the day-to-day decisions and report to vice presidents (segment managers). The segment managers are responsible for implementing the operating and financial plans at each of the newspapers within their respective operating segment. The corporate managers, including executive officers, set the basic business, accounting, financial and reporting policies.

Our newspapers also work together to consolidate functions and share resources regionally and across operational segments that lend themselves to such efficiencies, such as certain regional or national sales efforts, accounting functions, digital publishing systems and products, information technology functions and others. Our corporate advertising department is headed by a vice president of advertising who works with our largest advertisers in placing advertising across our operating segments' newspapers and online products. These efforts are often coordinated through the segment managers and corporate personnel.

Our newspaper business is somewhat seasonal, with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters of each year, reflecting the spring holidays and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, respectively. The first and third quarters, when holidays are not prevalent, are historically the slowest quarters for revenues and profits.

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The following table summarizes the circulation of each of our daily newspapers. These circulation figures are reported on our fiscal year basis and are not meant to reflect Alliance for Audited Media ("AAM") (formerly Audit Bureau of Circulations) reported figures. However, some of our fiscal year 2012 circulation volumes have been updated to reflect additional publications, which are now allowed under AAM reporting rules and which we now track for management purposes.

 
  2013   2012  
 Circulation by Newspaper   Daily   Sunday   Daily   Sunday  

The Sacramento Bee

    193,570     311,329     196,519     259,957  

(Fort Worth) Star-Telegram

    188,342     295,269     201,584     271,876  

The Kansas City (Missouri) Star

    177,073     265,320     192,304     286,200  

The Charlotte Observer

    133,651     184,224     142,871     200,241  

Miami Herald

    131,665     193,596     138,148     194,548  

The (Raleigh) News & Observer

    119,923     171,678     124,981     184,982  

The Fresno Bee

    100,945     154,530     107,815     165,137  

Lexington Herald-Leader

    75,833     97,458     84,715     108,430  

The (Tacoma) News Tribune

    67,517     117,318     74,968     98,155  

The Wichita Eagle

    61,029     84,183     66,072     91,621  

The (Columbia, SC) State

    59,500     121,690     65,883     120,687  

The Modesto Bee

    58,084     64,878     58,040     69,933  

Anchorage Daily News

    52,028     45,753     44,902     46,354  

El Nuevo Herald (Miami, FL)

    51,627     67,145     53,237     68,492  

Idaho Statesman (Boise)

    44,875     63,292     47,328     70,335  

Belleville (Illinois) News-Democrat

    38,168     65,231     43,901     55,769  

The (Macon, GA) Telegraph

    36,681     54,081     40,342     60,554  

The (Myrtle Beach, SC) Sun News

    32,402     43,774     34,219     46,860  

The (San Luis Obispo, CA) Tribune

    30,745     40,806     32,948     36,783  

(Biloxi, MS) Sun Herald

    28,942     37,795     31,939     36,860  

The Bradenton (Florida) Herald

    28,616     39,900     30,707     41,768  

(Columbus, GA) Ledger-Enquirer

    28,093     36,601     30,091     38,614  

Tri-City (Washington) Herald

    26,244     31,649     28,272     34,194  

The Island Packet (Hilton Head, SC)

    20,022     22,649     18,992     21,881  

The Olympian (Washington)

    19,921     34,903     22,271     27,201  

The (Rock Hill, SC) Herald

    18,117     21,853     19,420     23,477  

(State College, PA) Centre Daily Times

    17,372     23,198     18,043     24,467  

The Bellingham (Washington) Herald

    16,333     19,695     16,328     20,246  

Merced (California) Sun-Star

    14,132         12,401      

The Beaufort (South Carolina) Gazette

    8,475     8,750     9,224     9,477  

Our print newspapers are delivered by independent contractors and large distributors.

Other Operations

We also have ownership interests and investments in unconsolidated companies and joint ventures. This includes ownership in premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation's largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com; 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com; 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 12.2% owner of Wanderful Media, owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising. See the Recent Developments discussion below in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

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We capture significant value from our digital investments, including Classified Ventures and CareerBuilder, which along with other important investments provided us with $42.4 million of cash distributions in fiscal year 2013.

We and the Tribune Company have a joint venture in the McClatchy-Tribune Information Service ("MCT"), which offers stories, graphics, illustrations, photos and paginated pages for print publishers and web-ready content for online publishers. All our newspapers, Washington, D.C. staff and foreign bureaus produce MCT editorial material. Content is also supplied by Tribune Company newspapers and a number of other member newspapers.

We own 49.5% of the voting stock and 70.6% of the nonvoting stock of The Seattle Times Company. The Seattle Times Company owns The Seattle Times newspaper, weekly newspapers in the Puget Sound area and daily newspapers located in Walla Walla and Yakima, Washington, and all of their related websites and mobile applications.

In addition, we own a 27.0% interest in Ponderay Newsprint Company ("Ponderay"), a general partnership, which owns and operates a newsprint mill in the state of Washington.

Raw Materials

During fiscal year 2013, we consumed approximately 139,000 metric tons of newsprint compared to 159,000 metric tons in fiscal year 2012 for our operations. The decrease in tons consumed was primarily due to lower print advertising sales and print circulation volumes. We currently obtain a majority of our supply of newsprint from Ponderay and SP Fiber Technologies (successor to SP Newsprint Co.), as well as a number of other suppliers, primarily under long-term contracts. We have a purchase commitment for 2014 of 81,648 metric tons of newsprint from SP Fiber Technologies.

Our earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. Newsprint expense accounted for 7.8% of total operating expenses in fiscal year 2013 and 9.2% in fiscal year 2012. However, because we have an ownership interest in Ponderay, an increase in newsprint prices, while negatively affecting our operating expenses, would increase the earnings from our share of this investment, therefore partially offsetting the increase in our newsprint expense. A decline in newsprint prices would have the opposite effect. Ponderay is also impacted by fluctuations in the cost of energy and fiber used in the paper-making process.

We estimate that we will use approximately 124,000 metric tons of newsprint in fiscal year 2014, depending on the level of print advertising, circulation volumes and other business considerations. We purchased approximately 109,000 metric tons of newsprint from Ponderay and SP Fiber Technologies in fiscal year 2013. See the discussion below; Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"; and the financial statements and accompanying notes for further discussion of the impact of these investments on our business.

We fully support recycling efforts. In fiscal year 2013, 97.6% of the newsprint used by our newspapers was made up of some recycled fiber; the average content was 61.6% recycled fiber. This translates into an overall recycled newsprint average of 60.2%. During fiscal year 2013, all of our newspapers collected and recycled press waste, newspaper returns and printing plates.

Competition

Our newspapers, direct marketing programs, websites and mobile content compete for advertising revenues and readers' time with television, radio, other websites, direct mail companies, free shoppers, suburban neighborhood and national newspapers and other publications, and billboard companies, among others. In some of our markets, our newspapers also compete with other newspapers published in nearby cities and towns. Competition for advertising is generally based upon print readership levels and demographics, advertising rates, internet usage and advertiser results, while competition for circulation and readership is generally based upon the content, journalistic quality, service and the price of the newspaper.

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Our major daily newspapers are the primary general circulation newspaper in each of their respective markets. However, in recent years, newspapers have experienced difficulty maintaining or increasing print circulation levels because of a number of factors, including increased competition from other publications and other forms of media technologies available in various markets, including the internet and other new media formats that are often free for users and the proliferation of news outlets that fragments audiences. In addition, while our newspaper internet sites are generally the leading local sites in each of our major daily newspaper markets, based upon research conducted by us and various independent sources, we have noted changes in readership trends, including a shift of readers to the internet and mobile devices, and have experienced a continued shift of advertising to digital advertising. We face greater competition, particularly in the areas of employment, automotive and real estate advertising, from online competitors. To address the structural shift to digital media, our daily newspapers provide editorial content on a wide variety of platforms and formats — from our daily newspaper to leading local websites; on social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter; on smartphones and on e-readers; on websites and blogs; in niche online publications and in e-mail newsletters; through RSS (rich site summary) feeds and mobile applications. In fiscal year 2013, we redesigned, improved and relaunched all of our apps for smartphones and tablets and introduced new apps publishing to Android devices for the first time. More upgrades to our mobile apps and websites are planned in fiscal year 2014. In addition, our websites offer leading digital classified products such as CareerBuilder.com, Cars.com and Apartments.com and retail and national advertising on Find n Save® portals. We also operate dealsaver®, our proprietary daily deals service, in all of our markets.

Employees — Labor

As of December 29, 2013, we had approximately 7,080 full and part-time employees (equating to approximately 6,630 full-time equivalent employees), of whom approximately 6.3% were represented by unions. Most of our union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements with expiration dates through 2015. We have no unions at 22 of our 30 daily papers.

While our newspapers have not had a strike for decades, and we do not currently anticipate a strike occurring, we cannot preclude the possibility that a strike may occur at one or more of our newspapers when future negotiations occur. We believe that in the event of a newspaper strike we would be able to continue to publish and deliver to subscribers, a capability which is critical to retaining revenues from advertising and circulation, although there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to publish in the event of a strike.

Compliance with Environmental Laws

We use appropriate waste disposal techniques for items such as ink and other hazardous materials. As of December 29, 2013, we have $1.0 million in a letter of credit shared among various state environmental agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide collateral related to existing or previously removed storage tanks. However, we do not currently have any significant environmental issues, and in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 had no significant expenses or capital expenditures related to environmental control facilities.

Available Information

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file or furnish reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Other information includes, among other things, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters for each committee of the Board of Directors, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and Senior Officers Code of Ethics. Such reports and other information we file with the SEC are available free of charge on our website at www.mcclatchy.com/investor_relations/ and

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such reports are available on the SEC's website. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Paper copies of any such filings and corporate governance documents are available free of charge upon request to The McClatchy Company, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, Attn: Investor Relations. The contents of these websites are not incorporated into this filing. Further, our references to the URLs for these websites are intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

ITEM 1A.            RISK FACTORS

We have significant competition in the market for news and advertising, which may reduce our advertising and circulation revenues in the future.

Our primary source of revenues is advertising, followed by circulation. In recent years, the advertising industry generally has experienced a secular shift toward digital advertising and away from traditional print media. Circulation volumes have also declined, reflecting general trends in the newspaper industry, including consumer migration toward digital media for news and information. The increasing number of digital media options available on the internet, through social networking tools and through mobile and other devices distributing news and other content, is expanding advertiser and consumer choices significantly. Faced with a multitude of media choices and a dramatic increase in accessible information, consumers may place greater value on when, where, how and at what price they consume digital content than they do on the source or reliability of such content. News aggregation websites and customized news feeds (often free to users) may reduce our traffic levels by minimizing the need for the audience to visit our websites or use our digital applications directly. Online traffic is also driven by internet search results; therefore, such results are critical to our ability to compete successfully. Search engines frequently update and change the methods for directing search queries to web pages or change methodologies and metrics for valuing the quality and performance of internet traffic on delivering cost-per-click advertisements. The failure to successfully manage search engine optimization efforts across our businesses could result in significant decreases in traffic to our various websites, which could result in substantial decreases in conversion rates and repeat business, as well as increased costs if we were to replace free traffic with paid traffic, any or all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If traffic levels stagnate or decline, we may not be able to create sufficient advertiser interest in our digital businesses or to maintain or increase the advertising rates of the inventory on our digital platforms. This increased competition for our advertisers and consumers has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our business and financial results, including negatively impacting revenues and operating income.

Our advertising revenues may decline due to weak general economic and business conditions.

The U.S. economy continues to be in a period of uncertainty. Certain aspects of the economy, including employment and consumer confidence, remain challenging. These challenging economic conditions have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our advertising revenues. To the extent these economic conditions continue or worsen our business and advertising revenues will be further adversely affected, which could negatively impact our operations and cash flows and our ability to meet the covenants in our debt agreements. Our advertising revenues will be particularly adversely affected if advertisers respond to weak and uneven economic conditions by reducing their budgets or shifting spending patterns or priorities, or if they are forced to consolidate or cease operations. Consolidation across various industries, particularly large department stores and telecommunications companies, may also reduce our overall advertising revenues. In addition, seasonal variations in consumer spending cause our quarterly advertising revenues to fluctuate. Advertising revenues in the second and fourth quarters, which contain more holidays, are typically higher than in the first and third quarters, in which economic

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activity is generally slower. If general economic conditions and other factors cause a decline in revenues, particularly during the second or fourth quarters, we may not be able to increase or maintain our revenues for the year, which would have an adverse effect on our business and financial results.

To remain competitive, we must be able to respond to and exploit changes in technology, services and standards and changes in consumer behavior, and significant capital investments may be required.

Technology in the media industry continues to evolve rapidly. Advances in technology have led to an increasing number of methods for delivery of news and other content and have resulted in a wide variety of consumer demands and expectations, which are also rapidly evolving. For example, the number of people who access online services through devices other than personal computers, including smartphones, handheld tablets and mobile devices has increased dramatically in the past few years and is projected to continue to increase. If we are unable to exploit new and existing technologies to distinguish our products and services from those of our competitors or adapt to new distribution methods that provide optimal user experiences, our business and financial results may be adversely affected.

Technological developments also pose other challenges that could adversely affect our revenues and competitive position. New delivery platforms may lead to pricing restrictions, the loss of distribution control and the loss of a direct relationship with consumers. We may also be adversely affected if the use of technology developed to block the display of advertising on websites proliferates. We have noted changes in readership trends, including a shift of readers to mobile devices. A continued shift of readership to mobile devices without a corresponding increase in mobile advertising revenues could adversely affect our results in the future

Technological developments and any changes we make to our business model may require significant capital investments. We may be limited in our ability to invest funds and resources in digital products, services or opportunities and we may incur costs of research and development in building and maintaining the necessary and continually evolving technology infrastructure. Some of our existing competitors and new entrants may have greater operational, financial and other resources or may otherwise be better positioned to compete for opportunities and as a result, our digital businesses may be less successful, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

If we are not successful in growing and managing our digital businesses, our business, financial condition and prospects will be adversely affected.

Our future growth depends to a significant degree upon the development and management of our digital businesses. The growth of our digital businesses over the long term depends on various factors, including, among other things, the ability to:

In addition, we expect that our digital business will continue to increase as a percentage of our total revenues in future periods. For the years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, digital advertising revenues comprised 23.8% and 21.8%, respectively, of total advertising revenues. Digital-only advertising revenues increased 9.1% in fiscal year 2013, compared to fiscal year 2012. Total digital-only, which includes digital-only revenues from advertising and circulation, were up 11.6% in fiscal year 2013,

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compared to fiscal year 2012. As our digital business becomes a greater portion of our overall business, we will face a number of increased risks from managing our digital operations, including, but not limited, to the following:

If we are unable to execute cost-control measures successfully, our total operating costs may be greater than expected, which may adversely affect our profitability.

As a result of adverse general economic and business conditions and our operating results, we have taken steps to lower operating costs by reducing workforce and implementing general cost-control measures. If we do not achieve expected savings from these initiatives, or if our operating costs increase as a result of these initiatives, our total operating costs may be greater than anticipated. These cost-control measures may also affect our business and our ability to generate future revenue. Because portions of our expenses are fixed costs that neither increase nor decrease proportionately with revenues, we are limited in our ability to reduce costs in the short-term to offset any declines in revenues. If these cost-control efforts do not reduce costs sufficiently or otherwise adversely affect our business, income from continuing operations may decline.

Continued economic uncertainty and the impact on our business or changes to our business and operations may result in goodwill and masthead impairment charges.

Due to business conditions, including lower revenues and operating cash flow and the economic uncertainty, we recorded masthead impairment charges of $5.3 million in fiscal year 2013. We also recorded masthead impairment charges of $2.8 million in fiscal year 2011 and $59.6 million in fiscal year 2008, and $3.0 billion of goodwill and masthead impairment charges in fiscal year 2007. We currently have goodwill of $1.0 billion. Further erosion of general economic, market or business conditions could have a negative impact on our business and stock price, which may require that we record additional impairment charges in the future.

Our business, reputation and results of operations could be negatively impacted by data security breaches and other security threats and disruptions.

Certain network and information systems are critical to our business activities. Network and information systems may be affected by cyber security incidents that can result from deliberate attacks or system failures. Threats include, but are not limited to, computer hackings, computer viruses, worms or other destructive or disruptive software, or other malicious activities. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise. As a result of these breaches, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data or our users' data or our systems may be compromised. These events evolve quickly and often are not recognized until after an attack is launched, so we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Our network and information systems may also be compromised by power outages, fire, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war or other similar events. There can be no assurance that the actions, measures and controls we have implemented will be sufficient to prevent disruptions to mission critical systems, the unauthorized release of confidential information or corruption of data. Although we have experienced cyber security incidents, to date none had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Nonetheless, these types of events are likely to occur in the future and such events could disrupt our

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operations or other third party information technology systems in which we are involved. A significant breakdown, invasion, corruption, destruction or interruption of critical information technology systems, or infrastructure by employees, others with authorized access to our systems, or unauthorized persons could result in legal or financial liability or otherwise negatively impact our operations. They also could require significant management attention and resources, and could negatively impact our reputation among our customers, advertisers and the public, which could have a negative impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

We are subject to significant financial risk as a result of our $1.56 billion in total consolidated debt.

As of December 29, 2013, we had approximately $1.56 billion in total principal indebtedness outstanding, including current portion of long-term debt of $28.9 million in 4.625% notes due in November 2014. This level of debt increases our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions and we will likely need to refinance our debt prior to its scheduled maturity. Higher leverage ratios, our credit ratings, adverse financial markets or other factors outside of our control could adversely affect our future ability to refinance maturing debt on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, or the ultimate structure of such refinancing.

Covenants in the indenture governing the notes and our other existing debt agreements will restrict our business.

The indenture governing our 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 (the "9.00% Notes") and our secured credit agreement contain various covenants that limit, subject to certain exceptions, our ability and/or our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things:

The restrictions contained in the indenture governing the 9.00% Notes and the secured credit agreement could adversely affect our ability to:

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Our ability to comply with covenants contained in the indenture for the 9.00% Notes and our secured credit agreement may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. Even if we are able to comply with all of the applicable covenants, the restrictions on our ability to manage our business in our sole discretion could adversely affect our business by, among other things, limiting our ability to take advantage of financings, mergers, acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that we believe would be beneficial to us. In addition, our obligations under the 9.00% Notes and the secured credit agreement are secured, subject to permitted liens, on a first-priority basis, and such security interests could be enforced in the event of default by the collateral agent for the secured credit agreement. In the event of such an enforcement, we cannot assure you that the proceeds from an enforcement would be sufficient to pay our obligations under the 9.00% Notes or secured credit agreement or at all.

We have significant financial obligations and in the future, we will need cash to repay our existing indebtedness and meet our other obligations. Our inability to generate sufficient cash to pay our obligations would adversely affect our business.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash internally to repay all of our indebtedness at maturity or to meet our other obligations. As of December 29, 2013, we had approximately $1.56 billion of total indebtedness outstanding and approximately $41.1 million in face amount of letters of credit outstanding under the secured credit agreement. Of the $1.56 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding as of December 29, 2013; we have approximately $28.9 million of notes with an interest rate of 4.625% due in November 2014; approximately $261.3 million of notes with an interest rate of 5.750% due in 2017; $900 million of 9.00% Notes due in 2022; approximately $89.2 million of debentures with an interest rate of 7.150% due in 2027 and approximately $276.2 million of debentures with an interest rate of 6.875% due in 2029.

As of the end of fiscal year 2013, the projected benefit obligations of our qualified defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan") exceeded Pension Plan assets by $303.2 million. In January 2014, we contributed $25 million of cash to the Pension Plan. We expect this contribution will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2014. While amounts of future contributions are subject to numerous assumptions, including, among others, changes in interest rates, returns on assets in the Pension Plan and future government regulations, we estimate that a total of approximately $23 million will be required to be contributed to the Pension Plan in fiscal year 2015. In addition, we have a limited number of supplemental retirement plans, which provide certain key employees with additional retirement benefits. These plans have no assets; however as of December 29, 2013, our projected benefit obligations of these plans was $113.4 million. These plans are on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the 9.00% Notes and our other series of outstanding notes, to make required contributions to the Pension Plan, to fund the supplemental retirement plans and to fund working capital needs and planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or if future borrowings are not available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the 9.00% Notes and our other series of outstanding notes or to fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, on or before the maturity thereof, reduce or delay capital investments or seek to raise additional capital, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. In addition, we may not be able to effect any of these actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

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Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations or our ability to refinance our existing debt. The terms of existing or future debt instruments, including the indenture governing the 9.00% Notes, may limit or prevent us from taking any of these actions. In addition, any failure to make scheduled payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Our inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service obligations, or to refinance or restructure our obligations on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would have an adverse effect, which could be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as on our ability to satisfy our obligations in respect of our outstanding debt.

We require newsprint for operations and, therefore, our operating results may be adversely affected if the price of newsprint increases or if we experience disruptions in our newsprint supply chain.

Newsprint is the major component of our cost of raw materials. Newsprint accounted for 7.8% of our operating expenses in the year ended December 29, 2013. Accordingly, our earnings are sensitive to changes in newsprint prices. The price of newsprint has historically been volatile and may increase as a result of various factors, including:

We have not attempted to hedge price fluctuations in the normal purchases of newsprint or enter into contracts with embedded derivatives for the purchase of newsprint other than the natural hedge created by our ownership interest in Ponderay. If the price of newsprint increases materially, operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, we rely on a limited number of suppliers for deliveries of newsprint. If newsprint suppliers experience labor unrest, transportation difficulties or other supply disruptions, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired and/or the cost of the newsprint could increase, both of which would negatively affect our operating results.

A portion of our employees are members of unions, and if we experience labor unrest, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired.

If we experience labor unrest, our ability to produce and deliver newspapers could be impaired in some locations. In addition, the results of future labor negotiations could harm our operating results. Our newspapers have not experienced a labor strike for decades. However, we cannot ensure that a strike will not occur at one or more of our newspapers in the future. As of December 29, 2013, approximately 6.3% of full-time and part-time employees were represented by unions. Most of our union-represented employees are currently working under labor agreements, with expiration dates through 2015. We face collective bargaining upon the expirations of these labor agreements. Even if our newspapers do not suffer a labor strike, our operating results could be harmed if the results of labor negotiations restrict our ability to maximize the efficiency of our newspaper operations. In addition, our ability to make short-term adjustments to control compensation and benefits costs, rebalance our portfolio of businesses or otherwise adapt to changing business needs may be limited by the terms and duration of our collective bargaining agreements.

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We may be required to make greater contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plans in the next several years than previously required, placing greater liquidity needs upon our operations.

The projected benefit obligations of the qualified defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan") exceeded Pension Plan assets by $303.2 million as of December 29, 2013, a decrease of $284.7 million from December 30, 2012, primarily due to a favorable change in the discount rate. The value of the Pension Plan assets fluctuates based on many factors, including changes in interest rates and market returns. In January 2014, we contributed $25 million to the Pension Plan, reducing the underfunded obligation to $278.2 million.

The excess of benefit obligations over pension assets is expected to give rise to required pension contributions over the next several years. Legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2012 mandated a change in the discount rates used to calculate the projected benefit obligations for purposes of funding pension plans. The new legislation and calculation uses historical averages of long-term highly-rated corporate bonds (within ranges as defined in the legislation) which have an impact of applying a higher discount rate to determine the projected benefit obligations for funding and current long-term interest rates. Also, the Pension Relief Act of 2010 ("PRA") provided relief in the funding requirements of the Pension Plan, and we elected an option that allows the funding related to our 2009 and 2011 plan years required contributions to be paid over 15 years. However, even with the relief provided by these legislative rules, we expect future contributions to be required. In addition, adverse conditions in the capital markets and/or lower long-term interest rates may result in greater annual contribution requirements, placing greater liquidity needs upon our operations.

We have invested in certain digital ventures, but such ventures may not be as successful as expected, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

We continue to evaluate our business and make strategic investments in digital ventures, either alone or with partners, to further our digital growth. We have, among others, investments with other partners in CareerBuilder LLC, which operates the nation's largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com; Classified Ventures, LLC, which operates Cars.com, Apartments.com and other classified websites; HomeFinder LLC, which operates the real estate website HomeFinder.com; and Wanderful Media, owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising. The success of these ventures may be dependent to an extent on the efforts of our partners. Further, our ability to monetize the investments and/or the value we may receive upon any disposition may depend on the actions of our partners. As a result, our ability to control the timing or process relating to a disposition may be limited, which could adversely affect the liquidity of these investments or the value we may ultimately attain upon disposition. If the value of the companies in which we invest declines, we may be required to record a charge to earnings. There can be no assurances that we will receive a return on these investments or that they will result in advertising growth or will produce equity income or capital gains in future years. See the Recent Developments discussion below in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

Circulation volume declines could adversely affect our circulation and advertising revenues and circulation price increases could exacerbate declines in circulation volumes.

Advertising and circulation revenues are affected by circulation volumes and readership levels of our newspapers. In recent years, newspapers have experienced difficulty maintaining or increasing print circulation levels because of a number of factors, including:

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These factors could also affect our newspapers' ability to institute circulation price increases for print products. Also, print price increases have historically had an initial negative impact on circulation volumes that may not be mitigated with additional marketing and promotion. A prolonged reduction in circulation would have a material adverse effect on advertising revenues. To maintain our circulation base, we may be required to incur additional costs that we may not be able to recover through circulation and advertising revenues.

We rely on third party vendors for various services and failure of any of those third parties to fulfill their obligations to us with quality and timeliness we expect, or if our relationship with such vendors is damaged, our business may be harmed.

We rely on third party vendors to provide various services such as printing and production, as well as information technology systems. We do not control the operation of these vendors. If any of these third party vendors terminates their relationship with us, or does not provide an adequate level of service, it would be disruptive to our business as we seek to replace the vendor or remedy the inadequate level of service. This disruption may adversely affect our operating results.

Developments in the laws and regulations to which we are subject, may result in increased costs and lower advertising revenues from our digital businesses.

We are generally subject to government regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, our websites are available worldwide and are subject to laws regulating the internet both within and outside the United States. We may incur increased costs necessary to comply with existing and newly adopted laws and regulations or penalties for any failure to comply. Advertising revenues from our digital businesses could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to the use of consumer data in digital media.

Adverse results from litigation or governmental investigations can impact our business practices and operating results.

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are parties to litigation and regulatory, environmental and other proceedings with governmental authorities and administrative agencies. Adverse outcomes in lawsuits or investigations could result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect our operating results or financial condition as well as our ability to conduct our business as it is presently being conducted.

ITEM 1B.            UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2.               PROPERTIES

Our corporate headquarters are located at 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, California. At December 29, 2013, we had newspaper production facilities in 17 markets in 13 states. Subsequent to December 29, 2013, we outsourced our printing production of one of our newspapers in one state, leaving us with 16 markets in 12 states. Our facilities vary in size and in total occupy about 6.7 million square feet. Approximately 2.1 million of the total square footage is leased from others, while we own the properties for the remaining square footage. We own substantially all of our production equipment, although certain office equipment is leased.

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We maintain our properties in good condition and believe that our current facilities are adequate to meet the present needs of our newspapers.

ITEM 3.               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings (including libel, employment, wage and hour, independent contractor and other legal actions) and government proceedings (including environmental matters) that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and outcomes are typically uncertain, and our past experience does not provide any additional visibility or predictability to estimate the range of loss that may occur because the costs, outcome and status of these types of claims and proceedings have varied significantly in the past. Accordingly, we are unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible losses. Historically, such claims and proceedings have not had a material adverse effect upon our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4.               MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None

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PART II

ITEM 5.               MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

The McClatchy Company's (the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "MNI". A small amount of Class A Common Stock is also traded on other exchanges. Our Class B Common Stock is not publicly traded. As of February 21, 2014, there were approximately 5,267 and 19 record holders of our Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively. We believe that the total number of holders of our Class A Common Stock is much higher since many shares are held in street names. The following table lists the high and low prices of our Class A Common Stock as reported by the NYSE for each fiscal quarter of 2013 and 2012:

Fiscal Year 2013 Quarters Ended:   High   Low  

March 31, 2013

  $3.46   $2.17  

June 30, 2013

  $2.90   $2.13  

September 29, 2013

  $3.38   $2.29  

December 29, 2013

  $3.43   $2.75  

 

Fiscal Year 2012 Quarters Ended:   High   Low  

March 25, 2012

  $3.04   $2.22  

June 24, 2012

  $2.96   $1.98  

September 23, 2012

  $2.42   $1.50  

December 30, 2012

  $3.45   $2.18  

Dividends:

During fiscal year 2009, we suspended our quarterly dividend and therefore we have not paid any cash dividends since the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. The payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon our future earnings, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by the Board of Directors. Also, the amount of future dividends is governed by reaching certain leverage levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization under our debt agreements.

Equity Securities:

During the year ended December 29, 2013, we did not sell any equity securities of the Company, which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. During the year ended December 29, 2013, we did not repurchase any equity securities.

Performance Graph:

The following graph compares the cumulative five-year total return attained by shareholders on The McClatchy Company's common stock versus the cumulative total returns of the S&P Midcap 400 index, a customized peer group composed of five companies ("New Peer Group") and a customized peer group composed of six companies used during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 ("Old Peer Group").

Our New Peer Group is customized to include five companies that are publicly traded with at least 40% of their revenues from newspaper publishing. This peer group includes: A.H. Belo Corp., E.W. Scripps Company, Gannett Co., Lee Enterprises Inc. and New York Times Company. In customizing the New Peer Group we removed Journal Communications Inc. that was included in Old Peer Group. This company was removed because it no longer has at least 40% of their revenues from newspaper publishing.

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COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among The McClatchy Company, the S&P Midcap 400 Index,
Old Peer Group, and New Peer Group

GRAPHIC

 
  Fiscal Years Ended:  
 
  12/28/08   12/27/09   12/26/10   12/25/11   12/30/12   12/29/13  

The McClatchy Company

  $ 100   $ 533   $ 721   $ 357   $ 450   $ 501  

S&P Midcap 400

  $ 100   $ 137   $ 174   $ 171   $ 202   $ 269  

Old Peer Group

  $ 100   $ 207   $ 203   $ 171   $ 218   $ 391  

New Peer Group

  $ 100   $ 209   $ 203   $ 170   $ 219   $ 391  

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ITEM 6.               SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with Item 7 — "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, and other financial data included elsewhere in this annual report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in future periods.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012 (1)
  December 25,
2011
  December 26,
2010
  December 27,
2009
 

REVENUES — NET:

                               

Advertising

  $ 838,419   $ 914,738   $ 956,305   $ 1,049,964   $ 1,143,129  

Circulation

    353,963     342,201     344,549     358,492     363,922  

Other

    49,855     52,700     51,000     52,492     50,199  
                       

    1,242,237     1,309,639     1,351,854     1,460,948     1,557,250  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                               

Other operating expenses

    977,748     998,228     1,026,211     1,088,661     1,215,849  

Depreciation and amortization

    122,408     125,275     121,528     133,404     142,889  

Asset impairments

    17,181         2,800          
                       

    1,117,337     1,123,503     1,150,539     1,222,065     1,358,738  

OPERATING INCOME

   
124,900
   
186,136
   
201,315
   
238,883
   
198,512
 

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSE) INCOME:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Interest expense

    (135,381 )   (151,334 )   (165,434 )   (177,641 )   (127,276 )

Interest income

    53     88     97     550     47  

Equity income in unconsolidated companies, net

    42,651     31,935     27,762     11,752     2,130  

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

    (13,643 )   (88,430 )   (1,203 )   (10,661 )   44,117  

Other — primarily Miami property gain and write-downs

    12,938             (24,447 )   (34,172 )

Other — net

    541     79     248     265     203  
                       

    (92,841 )   (207,662 )   (138,530 )   (200,182 )   (114,951 )

Income from continuing operations before income tax provision (benefit)

    32,059     (21,526 )   62,785     38,701     83,561  

Income tax provision (benefit)

    13,256     (21,382 )   8,396     5,601     26,800  
                       

NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    18,803     (144 )   54,389     33,100     56,761  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

                3,083     (6,174 )
                       

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ 18,803   $ (144 ) $ 54,389   $ 36,183   $ 50,587  
                       
                       

Basic earnings per common share:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.64   $ 0.39   $ 0.68  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

                0.04     (0.07 )
                       

Net income per basic common share

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.64   $ 0.43   $ 0.61  

Diluted earnings per common share:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.63   $ 0.39   $ 0.68  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

                0.04     (0.07 )
                       

Net income per diluted common share

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.63   $ 0.43   $ 0.61  

Dividends per common share:

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

0.09
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Total assets

  $ 2,617,635   $ 3,005,131   $ 3,040,059   $ 3,146,859   $ 3,299,899  

Long-term debt

    1,493,323     1,587,330     1,577,476     1,703,339     1,896,436  

Financing obligations

    40,264     279,325     272,795          

Stockholders' equity

    240,386     42,501     175,187     215,752     166,686  

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ITEM 7.               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Reference is made to Part I, Item 1 "Note About Forward-Looking Statements" and Item 1A "Risk Factors," which describes important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In addition, the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of The McClatchy Company (the "Company," "we," "us" or "our"). MD&A should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements ("Notes") as of and for each of the three years ended December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012 and December 25, 2011 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Overview

We are a leading news, advertising and information provider, offering a wide array of print and digital products in each of the markets we serve. As one of the largest newspaper companies in the country, based on daily circulation, our operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. Our largest newspapers include the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

We also own a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation's largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com, 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com, 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 12.2% of Wanderful Media, owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The year ended December 29, 2013 ("fiscal year 2013") and the year ended December 25, 2011 ("fiscal year 2011") both consisted of 52-week periods. The year ended on December 30, 2012 ("fiscal year 2012") consisted of a 53-week period.

The following table reflects our sources of revenues as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented:

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

Revenues:

             

Advertising

    67.5%     69.9%  

Circulation

    28.5%     26.1%  

Other

    4.0%     4.0%  
           

Total advertising

    100.0%     100.0%  

Our primary sources of revenues are print and digital advertising. All categories (retail, national and classified) of advertising discussed below include both print and digital advertising. Retail advertising revenues include advertising carried as a part of newspapers (run of press ("ROP") advertising), advertising inserts placed in newspapers ("preprint advertising") and/or advertising delivered digitally. Circulation revenues include both print and digital subscriptions or a combination of both. Our print newspapers are delivered by independent contractors and large distributors. Other revenues, includes among others, commercial printing and distribution revenues.

See "Results of Operations" section below for a discussion of our revenue performance and contribution by category for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.

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Recent Developments

Non-Cash Impairment Charges

The financial results for fiscal year 2013 include $17.2 million of non-cash impairment charges to earnings to reduce the carrying value of mastheads, real property, land, production equipment and certain equity investments. The non-cash impairment charges include $5.3 million for masthead impairments resulting from our annual impairment testing. In addition, as previously announced, we entered into an outsourcing agreement to print one of our newspapers beginning in mid-March 2014 and to sell certain other property. As a result, we incurred non-cash impairment charges related to our existing production facilities and equipment for $11.9 million.

Accelerated Depreciation on Production Equipment

During the year ended December 29, 2013, we incurred $11.4 million of accelerated depreciation, primarily related to a reduction in the remaining useful lives of production equipment associated with outsourcing or moving our printing process at three of our newspapers.

Completion of Sale of Real Property in Miami and Relocation

On May 27, 2011, we sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including the building which held the operations of one of our subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and adjacent parking lots, for a purchase price of $236.0 million ("Miami property"). We received cash proceeds of $230.0 million as a result of the sale. The additional $6.0 million was held in an escrow account for our expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of our Miami operations. In April 2012, we received these funds, which were released for payment of costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

In connection with the sale transaction, The Miami Herald Media Company entered into a lease agreement with the buyer pursuant to which we continued to operate our Miami newspaper operations rent free from the existing location, at the Miami property, through May 2013, while our new facilities were being constructed. As result of our continuing involvement in the Miami property and because we would not pay rent during this period, the sale was treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, we continued to depreciate the carrying value of the building until our operations were moved. In addition, we have recorded a $236.0 million liability (in financing obligations) equal to the sales proceeds received of $230.0 million plus the $6.0 million received from the escrow account for reimbursement of moving expenses. We were imputing rent based on comparable market rates, which was reflected as interest expense until the operations were moved.

As of the end of May 2013, we moved all of our Miami business operations to a leased facility and our production to our new production plant built next to the business operations in Doral, Florida, and we no longer have a continuing involvement with the Miami property. As a result, in fiscal year 2013, we recognized a gain of $12.9 million on the Miami transaction, which was recorded in non-operating (expense) income in our consolidated statements of operations. We also released our financing obligation and property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") from our consolidated balance sheet during the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as described in Note 8, Cash Flow Information.

Classified Ventures, LLC Entered into a Definitive Agreement to Sell Apartments.com

On February 28, 2014, Classified Ventures, LLC entered into a definitive agreement to sell its apartments.com business for approximately $585 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and accordingly we will record our share of the gain on the sale, which is expected to be between $140 million to $145 million, before taxes, during the same period. We also expect to receive a distribution of approximately $147 million from Classified Ventures, LLC, which is equal to our share of the net proceeds from the sale shortly after the transaction closes.

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Results of Operations

Fiscal Year 2013 Compared to Fiscal Year 2012

We had net income in fiscal year 2013 of $18.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2012. The net loss in fiscal year 2012 primarily resulted from the recognition of a non-operating loss on extinguishment of debt related to the refinancing of $762.4 million of our 11.50% Notes pursuant to our cash tender offer in December 2012. See Debt and Related Matters section in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below for additional information related to these tender offer repurchases. In addition, revenues and expenses were higher in 2012 as a result of the extra week in fiscal year 2012.


Revenues

The following table summarizes our revenues by category, which compares fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2012:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
(52 weeks)
  December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)
  $
Change
  %
Change
 

Advertising:

                         

Retail

  $ 422,462   $ 474,031   $ (51,569 )   (10.9 )

National

    63,724     70,477     (6,753 )   (9.6 )

Classified:

                         

Auto

    78,078     83,396     (5,318 )   (6.4 )

Real estate

    34,535     36,386     (1,851 )   (5.1 )

Employment

    40,584     46,954     (6,370 )   (13.6 )

Other

    66,400     71,544     (5,144 )   (7.2 )
                     

Total classified

    219,597     238,280     (18,683 )   (7.8 )

Direct marketing and other

    132,636     131,950     686     0.5  
                     

Total advertising

    838,419     914,738     (76,319 )   (8.3 )

Circulation

    353,963     342,201     11,762     3.4  

Other

    49,855     52,700     (2,845 )   (5.4 )
                     

Total revenues

  $ 1,242,237   $ 1,309,639   $ (67,402 )   (5.1 )
                     
                     

During fiscal year 2013, total revenues decreased 5.1% compared to fiscal year 2012 primarily due to the continued decline in demand for advertising, and to a lesser degree to the inclusion of an additional week in fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2013. Industry-wide declines in total advertising revenues persisted during fiscal year 2013. The continued weak economy and a secular shift in advertising demand from print to digital products, which are generally sold at lower prices than print products, are the principal causes of the decline in total advertising revenues. The decline in advertising revenues was partially offset by increases in our circulation revenues due primarily to the Plus Program. Also, the 5.1% decrease in total revenues in fiscal year 2013 as compared to fiscal year 2012, was affected by the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012. We estimate that the extra week in fiscal year 2012 provided for an additional $16.5 million in advertising revenues, $6.4 million in circulation revenues and $24.2 million in total revenues.


Advertising Revenues

Total advertising revenues decreased 8.3% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. While we experienced declines in all of our revenue categories, the decrease in advertising revenues related primarily to declines in retail advertising and employment classified advertising, and declines in all categories due to the extra week in 2012. These decreases in advertising revenues in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year

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2012 were partially offset by increases in our digital automotive classified advertising, digital real estate classified advertising and direct marketing revenues.

Newspaper advertising is typically display advertising, or in the case of classified, display and/or liner advertising, while digital advertising can be in the form of display, coupon or banner ads, video, search advertising and/or liner ads. Advertising printed directly in the newspaper is considered ROP advertising while preprint advertising consists of preprinted advertising inserts delivered with the newspaper.

The following table reflects the category of advertising revenues as a percentage of total advertising revenues for the periods presented:

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

Advertising:

             

Retail

    50.4%     51.8%  

National

    7.6%     7.7%  

Classified

    26.2%     26.1%  

Direct marketing and other

    15.8%     14.4%  
           

Total advertising

    100.0%     100.0%  

We categorize advertising revenues as follows:

Retail:

Retail advertising revenues decreased 10.9% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease reflects the extra week in fiscal year 2012, lower print ROP revenues in general merchandise and furniture and home furnishing, and lower preprint revenues, which were partially offset by an increase in digital-only retail advertising revenues, such as, banner and display. In fiscal year 2013, compared to fiscal year 2012, we reported decreases in print ROP advertising revenues of 17.0%, digital ROP advertising revenues of 2.0% and preprint advertising revenues of 8.8%.

National:

National advertising revenues decreased 9.6% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. For fiscal year 2013, compared to fiscal year 2012, print national advertising decreased 13.6% but was partially offset by an increase of 1.0% in digital national advertising revenues. The decreases in total national advertising revenues were affected by the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012 and they were also broad-based among the categories but were partially offset by increases in the airline segment.

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Classified:

Classified advertising revenues decreased 7.8% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease in classified advertising revenues in fiscal year 2013 was partially a result of the weak economy, the extra week in fiscal year 2012, as well as advertisers increasingly using digital advertising, which is widely available from many competitors, instead of print advertising in the classified category. For fiscal year 2013, compared to fiscal year 2012, print classified advertising decreased 14.1%, reflecting in part, the impact of the extra week in fiscal year 2012, which was partially offset by a 1.0% increase in digital classified advertising revenues. The increases in digital classified advertising primarily reflect stronger digital automotive advertising sales, as well as digital real estate advertising revenues, as discussed below. The following is a discussion of the major classified advertising categories for fiscal year 2013, as compared to fiscal year 2012:

Digital:

Digital advertising revenues, which are included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, constituted 23.8% and 21.8% of total advertising revenues in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total digital advertising includes digital advertising both bundled with print and sold on a stand-alone basis. Digital advertising revenues totaled $199.3 million in fiscal year 2013 and were flat when compared to fiscal year 2012, which included a 53rd week of revenues. Digital-only advertising revenues totaled $118.2 million in fiscal year 2013, representing an increase of 9.1% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. Digital advertising revenues sold in conjunction with print products declined 11.2% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 as a result of fewer print advertising sales.

Direct Marketing and Other:

Direct marketing and other advertising revenues increased 0.5% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012, which included a 53rd week of revenues. The increase largely came as a result of growth in our "Sunday Select" product, a package of preprinted advertisements delivered to non-subscribers upon request, which grew 10.3% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012.

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Circulation Revenues

Circulation revenues increased 3.4% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. In late 2012, our newspapers successfully introduced new subscription packages ("Plus Program") for digital content that ended free, unlimited access to the newspapers' websites and certain mobile content. The Plus Program offers both a combined digital and print subscription and a digital-only subscription. The Plus Program provided $31.4 million in additional circulation revenues during fiscal year 2013, compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2012. The increase in circulation revenues in fiscal year 2013, compared to fiscal year 2012 also reflected approximately $11.3 million in revenues related to newspapers that changed to fee-for-service circulation delivery contracts during fiscal year 2013. The overall circulation revenues increase was partially offset by lower circulation volumes, as well as the impact of the extra week in fiscal 2012. Daily circulation volumes declined 5.5% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. In fiscal year 2012, daily circulation volumes had declined 5.6%. As expected, circulation volumes continue to decline as a result of fragmentation of audiences faced by all media as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change. We continue to look for new opportunities to reduce our declines in circulation volumes and increase our circulation revenues.

Our digital traffic continues to grow with average monthly total unique visitors to our newspaper websites up 2.2% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012.


Operating Expenses

During fiscal year 2013, total operating expenses decreased 0.5% compared to fiscal year 2012. Our total operating expenses also reflect our continued effort to reduce costs through streamlining processes to gain efficiencies, as well as headcount reductions. As described more fully in Recent Developments above, during fiscal year 2013, we incurred non-cash impairment charges and accelerated depreciation of $17.2 million and $11.4 million, respectively. Operating expenses decreased in fiscal year 2013, in part, due to the extra week in fiscal year 2012. Operating expenses in all periods presented include employee severance related to permanent headcount reductions as we continue to optimize our operations as a more digitally focused company. Fiscal year 2013 also includes moving expenses primarily related to the relocation of our Miami newspaper operations and other production facility moves and outsourcing.

The following table summarizes our operating expenses, which compares fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2012:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
(52 weeks)
  December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)
  $
Change
  %
Change
 

Compensation expenses

  $ 432,255   $ 443,401   $ (11,146 )   (2.5 )

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

    123,133     140,932     (17,799 )   (12.6 )

Depreciation and amortization expenses

    122,408     125,275     (2,867 )   (2.3 )

Other operating expenses

    422,360     413,895     8,465     2.0  

Asset impairments

    17,181         17,181     100.0  
                     

  $ 1,117,337   $ 1,123,503   $ (6,166 )   (0.5 )
                     
                     

Miami relocation costs

  $ 11,399   $ 13,636   $ (2,237 )   (16.4 )

Severance costs

  $ 4,847   $ 4,651   $ 196     4.2  

Compensation expenses, which includes the severance costs discussed above, decreased 2.5% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. Payroll expenses in fiscal year 2013 decreased 5.2% compared to fiscal year 2012, reflecting a 4.7% decline in average full-time equivalent headcount. Fringe benefits costs in fiscal year 2013 increased 11.7% compared to fiscal year 2012, primarily as a result of retirement costs

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Table of Contents

related to our qualified defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan"). These were partially offset by lower medical costs and other fringe benefits.

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses decreased 12.6% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. Newsprint expense decreased by 16.2% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012, reflecting lower newsprint usage and to a lesser extent, lower newsprint prices. Supplement and printing expense decreased 2.8% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased 2.3% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense is partially a result of assets that became fully depreciated at the end of fiscal year 2012 or during fiscal year 2013 and as a result of an expected $1.0 million decrease in amortization expense in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. The decline in depreciation expense was partially offset by the impact of accelerated depreciation in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2013, we incurred $11.4 million in accelerated depreciation (i) resulting from equipment formerly used in our Miami operations prior to the relocation of these operations, (ii) related to the production equipment associated with outsourcing our printing process at one of our newspapers and (iii) moving the printing operations for another newspaper. During fiscal year 2012, we incurred $8.3 million in accelerated depreciation on retired or decommissioned Miami property assets.

Other operating costs increased 2.0% in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 primarily reflecting approximately $11.3 million in expenses related to newspapers that changed to fee-for-service circulation delivery contracts during fiscal year 2013 and offset by a decrease of approximately $2.2 million in moving costs related to the relocation of our Miami operations. While we did experience increases in other operating expenses in some categories such as cost related to service providers for digital and direct marketing products, expenses also declined in other categories due to company-wide efforts to reduce costs, including property taxes, insurance, marketing and professional services.


Non-Operating Items

Interest Expense:

Total interest expense decreased 10.5% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. Interest expense related to debt decreased 15.2% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012, largely reflecting lower overall interest rates as a result of the refinancing of our 11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017 ("11.50% Notes") (see Debt and Related Matters discussion below). This decline was partially offset by the impact of the reversal of $12.3 million in interest on taxes in fiscal year 2012, due to certain state tax settlements and benefits from the expiration of statutes of limitation.

Equity Income:

Total income from unconsolidated investments increased 33.6% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. The increase is primarily related to our investment in CareerBuilder and Classified Ventures, which reported greater income in fiscal year 2013. The increase was partially offset by a $3.0 million write-down of certain unconsolidated investments, as well as a reduction in income from the other unconsolidated investments during fiscal year 2013.

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Table of Contents

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt:

Loss on extinguishment of debt decreased by 84.6% during fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2013, we redeemed or repurchased $155.9 million aggregate principal amount of various series of our outstanding notes. We redeemed or repurchased these notes at a price higher than par value, wrote off historical discounts and unamortized issuance costs related to these notes, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $13.6 million in fiscal year 2013. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes in privately negotiated repurchases and $762.4 million in conjunction with the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes. We repurchased most of the $70.5 million notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes we repurchased, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt. This gain was offset by the write-off of fees related to the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Income Taxes:

We recorded an income tax expense of $13.3 million for fiscal year 2013 compared to an income tax benefit of $21.4 million for fiscal year 2012. The income tax expense in fiscal year 2013 was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax income of certain discrete tax items, such as (i) the loss on the repurchase of debt, (ii) certain asset disposals and impairments, and (iii) severance for fiscal year 2013. Excluding these items the effective tax rate expense was 38.2% in fiscal year 2013 and is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

The benefit during fiscal year 2012 was partially due to the reversal of tax reserves for favorable settlements of state tax issues and the expiration of statute of limitations. Further, the benefit was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax loss of discrete tax items, such as (i) reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, (ii) loss on the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes, (iii) certain asset disposals and impairments, and (iv) severance for fiscal year 2012. Excluding these items the effective tax rate expense was 42.2% in fiscal year 2012 and is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.


Fiscal Year 2012 Compared to Fiscal Year 2011

We had a net loss in fiscal year 2012 of $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54.4 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2011. The net loss primarily resulted from the recognition of a non-operating loss on extinguishment of debt related to the refinancing of $762.4 million of our 11.50% Notes pursuant to our cash tender offer in December 2012. See Debt and Related Matters section in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below for additional information related to these tender offer repurchases. In addition, revenues and expenses were higher in fiscal year 2012 as a result of the extra week in fiscal year 2012.

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Table of Contents


Revenues

The following table summarizes our revenues by category, which compares fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2011:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2012
  December 25,
2011
  $
Change
  %
Change
 

Advertising:

                         

Retail

  $ 474,031   $ 499,250   $ (25,219 )   (5.1 )

National

    70,477     76,296     (5,819 )   (7.6 )

Classified:

                         

Auto

    83,396     80,823     2,573     3.2  

Real estate

    36,386     44,703     (8,317 )   (18.6 )

Employment

    46,954     51,933     (4,979 )   (9.6 )

Other

    71,544     73,950     (2,406 )   (3.3 )
                     

Total classified

    238,280     251,409     (13,129 )   (5.2 )

Direct marketing and other

    131,950     129,350     2,600     2.0  
                     

Total advertising

    914,738     956,305     (41,567 )   (4.3 )

Circulation

    342,201     344,549     (2,348 )   (0.7 )

Other

    52,700     51,000     1,700     3.3  
                     

Total revenues

  $ 1,309,639   $ 1,351,854   $ (42,215 )   (3.1 )
                     
                     

During fiscal year 2012, total revenues decreased 3.1% compared to fiscal year 2011 as we continued to be impacted by the industry-wide declines in advertising revenues. The continued weak economy and a secular shift in advertising demand from print to digital products are the principal causes of the decline in total revenues. However, this was partially offset by our efforts to grow revenues from our digital products to offset the expected declines in revenues from our print products, as well as the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012. We estimate that the extra week provided for an additional $16.5 million in advertising revenues, $6.4 million in circulation revenues and $24.2 million in total revenues.


Advertising Revenues

Total advertising revenues decreased 4.3% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. While declines during such periods were widespread among our revenue categories, the primary decrease in advertising revenues related to retail advertising and real estate classified advertising. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our digital revenues, automotive classified advertising, direct marketing and other revenues and the extra week in 2012.

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Table of Contents

The following table reflects the category of advertising revenues as a percentage of total advertising revenues for the periods presented:

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Advertising:

             

Retail

    51.8 %   52.2 %

National

    7.7 %   8.0 %

Classified

    26.1 %   26.3 %

Direct marketing and other

    14.4 %   13.5 %
           

Total advertising

    100.0 %   100.0 %

Retail:

Retail advertising revenues decreased 5.1% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease reflects lower print ROP revenues in health, building and home centers, furniture and home furnishing, and lower preprint revenues, which were partially offset by an increase in digital retail advertising revenues reflecting increases in banner and display advertisements and increased revenues from our dealsaver® daily deal product. In fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, we reported a decrease in print ROP advertising revenues of 8.2% and a decrease in preprint advertising revenues of 6.1%. These print ROP and preprint advertising revenue decreases were partially offset by an increase in digital retail advertising revenues of 6.4% for fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011.

National:

National advertising revenues decreased 7.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. For fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, print national advertising decreased 11.1% but was partially offset by an increase of 3.0% in digital national advertising revenues. The decreases in total national advertising revenues were broad-based but were partially offset by increases in the banking and political categories.

Classified:

Classified advertising revenues decreased 5.2% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The real estate category represented our largest decline in classified advertising in fiscal year 2012. The decrease in classified advertising revenues in fiscal year 2012 was partially a result of the weak economy and advertisers are increasingly using digital advertising, which is widely available from many competitors, instead of print advertising. For fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, print classified advertising decreased 10.8%, but was partially offset by an increase in digital classified advertising revenues of 4.1%. The increases in digital classified advertising primarily reflect stronger automotive advertising sales, as well as other classified advertising revenues, as discussed below. The following is a discussion of the major classified advertising categories for fiscal year 2012, as compared to fiscal year 2011:

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Digital:

Digital advertising revenues, which are included in each of the advertising categories discussed above, constituted 21.8% of total advertising revenues in fiscal year 2012 compared to 19.9% in fiscal year 2011. Total digital advertising includes digital advertising both bundled with print and sold on a stand-alone basis. Digital advertising revenues totaled $199.7 million in fiscal year 2012, representing an increase of 4.9% compared to fiscal year 2011. Digital-only advertising revenues totaled $108.3 million in fiscal year 2012. This represented an increase of 15.7% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Digital advertising revenues sold in conjunction with print products declined 5.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011 as a result of fewer print advertising sales.

Direct Marketing and Other:

Direct marketing and other advertising revenues increased 2.0% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase largely came as a result of growth in our "Sunday Select" product, a package of preprinted advertisements delivered to non-subscribers upon request, which grew 34.9% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011.


Circulation Revenues

Circulation revenues decreased 0.7% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Overall, our circulation revenues were negatively affected by lower circulation volumes. Daily circulation declined 5.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. In fiscal year 2011, daily circulation volumes had declined 4.3%. However, the decrease in circulation revenues from lower volumes was partially offset by selective price increases, the digital revenues from the Plus Program and the revenues received in the extra week in fiscal year 2012. As expected, circulation volumes continue to remain lower as a result of fragmentation of audiences faced by all media as available media outlets proliferate and readership trends change. While we expect circulation volumes to continue to decline slightly in fiscal year 2013, we expect our Plus Program to increase circulation revenues in fiscal year 2013. We continue to look for new opportunities to reduce our declines in circulation volumes and increase our circulation revenues.

Our digital traffic continues to grow with daily average local unique visitors to our newspaper websites up 2.6% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011.


Operating Expenses

During fiscal year 2012, total operating expenses decreased 2.3% compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting our continued effort to reduce costs through streamlining processes to gain efficiencies, as well as headcount reductions. As discussed above, our operating expenses for fiscal year 2012 also include a 53rd week, which results in higher expenses during the period than the comparable period in fiscal year 2011. Operating expenses in all periods presented include employee severance as we continue to optimize our operations. Fiscal year 2012 also includes accelerated depreciation on equipment and moving expenses

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primarily related to the relocation of our Miami newspaper operations. During fiscal year 2011, we incurred charges related to real property in California and Texas that were sold for less than the carrying value as we continued to optimize our operations, which increased our operating expenses in that period.

The following table summarizes our operating expenses, which compares fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2011:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2012
  December 25,
2011
  $
Change
  %
Change
 

Compensation expenses

  $ 443,401   $ 457,707   $ (14,306 )   (3.1 )

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

    140,932     145,874     (4,942 )   (3.4 )

Depreciation and amortization expenses

    125,275     121,528     3,747     3.1  

Other operating expenses

    413,895     425,430     (11,535 )   (2.7 )
                     

  $ 1,123,503   $ 1,150,539   $ (27,036 )   (2.3 )
                     
                     

Miami relocation costs

  $ 13,636   $ 16,591   $ (2,955 )   (17.8 )

Severance costs

  $ 4,651   $ 13,853   $ (9,202 )   (66.4 )

Compensation expenses, which includes the severance costs discussed above, decreased 3.1% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Payroll expenses in fiscal year 2012 decreased 4.5% compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting a 6.0% decline in average full-time equivalent headcount. Fringe benefits costs in fiscal year 2012 increased 4.7% compared to fiscal year 2011, primarily reflecting increases in medical costs of 9.7%. These were partially offset by lower workers compensation costs.

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses decreased 3.4% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Newsprint expense decreased by 5.5% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011, reflecting lower newsprint usage and to a lesser extent, lower newsprint prices. Supplement and printing expense increased 3.0% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase in supplement and printing expense is also partially due to the printing of the extra paper in the 53rd week.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 3.1% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. Amounts affecting the depreciation and amortization in fiscal year 2012 include $8.8 million in accelerated depreciation on equipment primarily related to the relocation of the Miami operations and a reduction in capital expenditures in fiscal years 2012 and 2011 due to adequate production capacity at our facilities.

Other operating costs decreased 2.7% in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The decrease in other operating costs during fiscal year 2012, compared to fiscal year 2011, was due to company-wide efforts to reduce costs, including property taxes, insurance, marketing and professional services. However, the decrease was partially offset by increased costs in fiscal year 2012 related to the extra week. During fiscal year 2011, we also incurred charges of $10.6 million primarily resulting from real property in California and Texas that was sold.


Non-Operating Items

Interest Expense:

Total interest expense decreased 8.5% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. This decrease was due to lower outstanding principal amounts of debt and the reversal of $12.3 million in interest on taxes, because of certain state tax settlements and benefits from the expiration of certain statutes of limitation.

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Equity Income:

Total income from unconsolidated investments increased 15.0% during fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011. The increase is primarily related to our investment in Classified Ventures, which reported greater income in fiscal year 2012.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt:

During fiscal year 2012, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $88.4 million compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes in privately negotiated repurchases and $762.4 million in conjunction with the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes. We repurchased most of the $70.5 million notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes we purchased, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt. This gain was offset by the write-off of fees related to the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the refinancing of our 11.50% senior secured notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Income Taxes:

We recorded an income tax benefit of $21.4 million for fiscal year 2012 compared to income tax expense of $8.4 million in fiscal year 2011. The benefit during fiscal year 2012 was partially due to the reversal of tax reserves for favorable settlements of state tax issues and the expiration of statute of limitations. Further, the benefit was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax loss of discrete tax items, such as (1) reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, (2) loss on the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes, (3) certain asset disposals and impairments, and (4) severance for fiscal year 2012. Excluding these items the effective tax rate expense was 42.2% in fiscal year 2012 and is higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.

In fiscal year 2011, our tax provision of $8.4 million compared to $5.6 million in fiscal year 2010 included a benefit from a favorable settlement of certain state tax issues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 and expiration of statutes later in that year. Further, the effective tax rate percentage was affected by the inclusion in pre-tax income of discrete items such as reduction to interest expense from the closure of statutes of limitations and audit settlements, the extinguishment of debt, certain asset disposals, the masthead impairment, and severance for fiscal year 2011. Excluding the impact of these items, the net tax provision resulted in a tax rate of 44.0%, and exceeded the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to the inclusion of state income taxes.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Our cash and cash equivalents were $80.8 million as of December 29, 2013, compared to $113.1 million as of December 30, 2012. The cash balance at December 30, 2012 reflects cash proceeds of approximately $21 million from the issuance of the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 ("9.00% Notes"), which was subsequently used to complete the debt refinancing as discussed below.

We expect that most of our cash generated from operations in the foreseeable future will be used to repay debt, fund our capital expenditures, invest in new revenue initiatives and enterprise-wide operating systems, and make required contributions to our Pension Plan. In January 2014, we contributed $25 million to our Pension Plan, which we expect will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2014. We estimate that purchases of property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") in fiscal year 2014 will be approximately $29 million. As of December 29, 2013, we had $1.6 billion remaining in outstanding indebtedness, consisting of $900 million aggregate principal amount of the 9.00% Notes and $655.7 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured publicly-traded notes maturing in 2014, 2017, 2027, and 2029. We expect that we will need to refinance a significant portion of this debt prior to its scheduled maturity. In addition, we expect to use our cash from operations from time to time to opportunistically repurchase our

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outstanding debt prior to its scheduled maturity and/or reduce our debt through debt exchanges or similar transactions. We believe that our cash from operations is sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, while maintaining adequate cash and cash equivalents.

On February 28, 2014, Classified Ventures, LLC entered into a definitive agreement to sell its apartments.com business for approximately $585 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and accordingly we will record our share of the gain on the sale, which is expected to be between $140 million to $145 million, before taxes, during the same period. We also expect to receive a distribution of approximately $147 million from Classified Ventures, LLC, which is equal to our share of the net proceeds from the sale shortly after the transaction closes.

The following table summarizes our cash flows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Cash flows provided by (used in)

                   

Operating activities

  $ 156,040   $ 52,925   $ (30,773 )

Investing activities

    (20,047 )   (18,641 )   6,374  

Financing activities

    (168,270 )   (7,216 )   92,911  
               

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  $ (32,277 ) $ 27,068   $ 68,512  
               
               

Operating Activities:

We generated $156.0 million of cash provided by operating activities in fiscal year 2013, compared to providing $52.9 million in fiscal year 2012 and using $30.8 million in fiscal year 2011. The increase in cash generated from operating activities in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 is primarily due to the difference in contributions to our Pension Plan (as discussed below), equity investment distributions and the timing of accrued interest and net income tax payments and receipts. We received $42.4 million in distributions from our equity investments; $2.9 million exceeded the cumulative earnings from an investee and was considered a return of investment and therefore treated as an investing activity, while the remaining return on investment of $39.5 million is shown as an operating activity. During fiscal year 2013, we had net payments of $21.0 million in income taxes compared to payments of $37.1 million in fiscal year 2012. Finally, in fiscal year 2013, we had net payments of $127.3 million in accrued interest compared the payments of $173.7 million in fiscal year 2012.

The increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal year 2012 compared to fiscal year 2011 is primarily due to the difference in contributions to our Pension Plan, and a decrease of accrued interest of approximately $31.0 million related to the retirement of notes.

We made the following contributions to the Pension Plan during the last three fiscal years:

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In January 2014, we contributed $25 million of cash to the Pension Plan. We expect this contribution will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2014. See Note 7 for further discussion of our contributions.

As of the end of fiscal year 2013, the projected benefit obligations of our Pension Plan exceeded plan assets by $303.2 million compared to $587.9 million at the end of fiscal year 2012. Legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2012 mandated a change in the discount rates used to calculate the projected benefit obligations for purposes of funding pension plans under Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations. The new legislation and calculation use historical averages of long-term highly-rated corporate bonds (within ranges as defined in the legislation), which has resulted in the application of a higher discount rate to determine the projected benefit obligations for funding and current long-term interest rates.

In addition, the Pension Relief Act of 2010 ("PRA") provided relief with respect to the funding requirements of the Pension Plan. Under the PRA, we elected an option that allows the required contributions related to our 2009 and 2011 plan years to be paid over 15 years. As a result of these two legislative actions, we estimate that under IRS funding rules, the projected benefit obligations of our Pension Plan exceed plan assets by approximately $203 million at the end of calendar 2013. However, even with the relief provided by the two legislative rules discussed above, based on the current funding position of the Pension Plan, we expect future contributions will be required.

While amounts of future contributions are subject to numerous assumptions, including, among others, changes in interest rates, returns on assets in the Pension Plan and future government regulations, we estimate that a total of approximately $23 million will be required to be contributed to the Pension Plan in fiscal year 2015. The timing and amount of payments to the Pension Plan reflect actuarial estimates we believe to be reasonable but are subject to changes in estimates. We believe cash flows from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our contribution requirements.

Investing Activities:

We used $20.0 million of cash in investing activities in fiscal year 2013, which was primarily due to the purchase of PP&E for $33.5 million, partially offset by the return of an insurance-related deposit of $6.4 million and distributions from our equity investments, as discussed above.

We used $18.6 million of cash in investing activities in fiscal year 2012. We used $34.8 million for the purchase of PP&E, including $17.5 million on the new production facility in Miami. We also received $38.6 million in distributions from our equity investments; $19.1 million exceeded the cumulative earnings from an investee and was considered a return of investment and therefore treated as an investing activity, while the remaining return on investment of $19.5 million is shown as an operating activity.

We generated $6.4 million of cash from investing activities in fiscal year 2011, which primarily consisted of receipts of $14.3 million in distributions from our interest in equity investments and $9.2 million from the sales of PP&E. These inflows were partially offset by $17.0 million in purchases of PP&E.

Financing Activities:

We used $168.3 million in financing activities in fiscal year 2013. During the year we redeemed or repurchased $155.9 million of aggregate principal amount of notes for $165.5 million in cash, including the redemption of the remaining 11.50% Notes not redeemed in late 2012 and privately negotiated repurchases of other series of notes (see Debt and Related Matters below).

We used $7.2 million in financing activities in fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2012, we received $910 million for the issuance of the 9.00% Notes, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes for $59.2 million in cash in privately negotiated transactions and in conjunction with the

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tender offer of our 11.50% Notes, we repurchased $762.4 million aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Notes for $862.3 million in cash. In addition, we received the final payment of $6.0 million from the sale of the Miami land and building.

We generated $92.9 million from financing activities in fiscal year 2011. We received $230.0 million in proceeds from the sale of our building and land in Miami and incurred $2.6 million in costs related to the transaction. The amount is recorded as a financing obligation as discussed in Note 3. We repurchased $121.9 million of aggregate principal amount of notes for $116.9 million in cash in privately negotiated transactions in fiscal year 2011 and retired at maturity $18.1 million of 2011 notes on June 1, 2011.

Debt and Related Matters

As of December 29, 2013, we had approximately $1.6 billion in total principal indebtedness outstanding, including a current portion of long-term debt of $28.9 million in 4.625% notes due in 2014, resulting from the maturity date in November 2014. In addition, we had the following aggregate principal amounts of debt outstanding: $900.0 million of 9.00% Notes, $261.3 million of 5.750% notes due in 2017, $89.2 million of 7.150% debentures due in 2027 and $276.2 million of 6.875% debentures due in 2029.

During fiscal year 2013, we redeemed or repurchased a total of $155.9 million of notes through the completion of our debt refinance described below and through privately negotiated transactions, as follows:

(in thousands)
  Face Value  

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

  $ 83,595  

9.00% senior secured notes due in 2022

    10,000  

4.625% notes due in 2014

    37,473  

5.750% notes due in 2017

    24,840  
       

Total notes redeemed or repurchased

  $ 155,908  
       
       

We redeemed or repurchased these notes at a price higher than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to these notes, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $13.6 million in fiscal year 2013. During fiscal year 2012, we repurchased $70.5 million aggregate principal of outstanding notes in privately negotiated repurchases and $762.4 million in conjunction with the refinancing of our 11.50% Notes. We repurchased most of the $70.5 million notes at a price lower than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to the notes we repurchased, which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt. This gain was offset by the write-off of fees related to the refinancing of our revolving credit facility in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the refinancing of our 11.50% senior secured notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. During fiscal year 2012, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $88.4 million.

In connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Notes, discussed below, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement"), dated as of December 18, 2012. The Credit Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated June 22, 2012. The Credit Agreement provides for $75.0 million in revolving credit commitments, with a $50.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and a maturity date of December 18, 2017. As of December 29, 2013, there were $41.1 million face amount of letters of credit outstanding and no other amounts drawn under the Credit Agreement. As of December 29, 2013, $33.9 million, net of the letters of credit, was available under our revolving facility under the Credit Agreement.

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Under the Credit Agreement, we may borrow at either the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread ranging from 275 basis points to 425 basis points, or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 175 basis points to 325 basis points, in each case based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement provides for a commitment fee payable on the unused revolving credit ranging from 50 basis points to 62.5 basis points, based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio.

On December 18, 2012, we issued $910 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Notes. We received approximately $889 million net of financing costs in the offering and used the net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, to repurchase all of our outstanding $846 million in aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Notes, in two separate transactions. On December 18, 2012, we repurchased $762.4 million of the 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer done in connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Notes. In connection with the tender offer of the 11.50% Notes, we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $94.5 million. During fiscal year 2013, we redeemed the remaining $83.6 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Notes not tendered in the tender offer and we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of this debt of approximately $9.6 million.

Our 9.00% notes were issued in a private placement. In July 2013, the original 9.00% Notes (and associated guarantees) were exchanged for new 9.00% Notes (and associated guarantees) that have terms substantially identical to the original notes except that the 9.00% Notes issued in the exchange are not subject to transfer restrictions.

Substantially all of our subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the 9.00% Notes and the Credit Agreement. The guarantees provided by the guarantor subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and the assets of any of our subsidiaries, other than the subsidiary guarantors, are immaterial.

In addition, we have granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 9.00% Notes that include, but are not limited to, intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain minority investments as collateral for the debt. The security interest does not include any PP&E; leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E, which would be reflected on our consolidated balance sheet or shares of stock and indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

The financial covenants under the Credit Agreement require us to comply with a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, each measured quarterly. As of December 29, 2013, we are required to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 6.00 to 1.00 for the remainder of the term of the Credit Agreement. We are also required to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.00.

As of December 29, 2013, our consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 4.83 to 1.00, consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) was 2.52 to 1.00 and we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants. Due to the significance of our outstanding debt, remaining in compliance with debt covenants is critical to our operations. We will continue to optimize operations and/or reduce debt to maintain compliance with our covenants.

The Credit Agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend if a payment would not be permitted under the indenture for the 9.00% Notes (discussed below). Dividends under the indenture for the 9.00% Notes are allowed if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 5.25 to 1.00 and we have sufficient amounts under our restricted payments basket (as defined in the indenture). As of December 29, 2013, we estimated that we had approximately $442.9 million available under our restricted payments basket which could be used for a variety of payments, including dividends. However, the payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend

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upon our future earnings, financial condition, and other factors considered relevant by the Board of Directors.

The indenture for the 9.00% Notes includes a number of restrictive covenants that are applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 9.00% Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or certain of our outstanding notes or debentures prior to stated maturity; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and consolidate or merge with or into other companies or sell all or substantially all of the Company's and our subsidiaries' assets, taken as a whole.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

As of December 29, 2013, we did not have any significant off-balance-sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

Contractual Obligations:

As of the end of fiscal year 2013, our contractual obligations were as follows:

 
  Payments Due By Period  
(in thousands)
  Total   Less than
1 Year
  1-3
Years
  3-5
Years
  More than
5 Years
 

Long-term debt principal (a)

    1,555,681     28,965         261,298     1,265,418  

Interest on long-term debt

    1,174,073     122,732     242,785     227,760     580,796  

Pension obligations (b)

    416,626     33,418     73,786     50,603     258,819  

Post-retirement obligations (b)

    12,586     1,584     2,575     2,345     6,082  

Workers' compensation obligations (c)

    18,783     4,621     5,712     3,272     5,178  

Other long-term obligations (d)

    51,514     8,060     14,257     11,069     18,128  

Financing obligations (e)

    44,477     4,213     8,426     8,426     23,412  

Other obligations:

                               

Purchase obligations (f)

    113,361     23,864     29,537     28,243     31,717  

Operating leases (g)

    76,468     11,489     18,554     15,683     30,742  
                       

Total (h)

  $ 3,463,569   $ 238,946   $ 395,632   $ 608,699   $ 2,220,292  
                       
                       

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Critical Accounting Policies

The accompanying MD&A is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. The most significant areas involving estimates and assumptions are amortization and/or impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, pension and post-retirement expenses, insurance reserves, and our accounting for income taxes. We believe the following critical accounting policies, in particular, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired enterprises over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. We assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis at a reporting unit level and we have identified two reporting units. One reporting unit primarily consists of operations in our California, Northwest and Texas operating regions and the other reporting unit primarily consists of operations in our Southeast, Florida and Midwest operating regions. Goodwill is assessed between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, a change in strategic direction, legal factors, operating performance indicators, a change in the competitive environment, the sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, or future economic factors such as unfavorable changes in our stock price and market capitalization or unfavorable changes in the estimated future discounted cash flows of our reporting units. Our annual test is performed at our fiscal year end.

Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. We considered both a market approach and an income approach in order to develop an estimate of the fair value of each reporting unit for purposes of our annual impairment test. When available, and as appropriate, we use market multiples derived from a set of competitors or companies with comparable market characteristics to establish fair values for a particular reporting unit (market approach). We also estimate fair value using discounted projected cash flow analysis (income approach.) Potential impairment is indicated when the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its estimated fair value. This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of our weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. In addition, financial and credit market volatility directly impacts our fair value measurement through our weighted average cost of capital, used to determine our discount rate, and through our stock price, used to determine our market capitalization. We may be required to recognize impairment of goodwill based on future economic factors such as unfavorable changes in our stock price and market capitalization or unfavorable changes in the estimated future discounted cash flows of our reporting units.

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If we determine that the estimated fair value of any reporting unit is less than the reporting unit's carrying value, then we proceed to the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis to measure the potential impairment charge. An impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill over the implied fair value. If goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheet becomes impaired during a future period, the resulting impairment charge could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Due to the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding potential future economic impacts on our reporting units, there can be no assurances that estimates and assumptions made for purposes of our annual goodwill impairment test will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If assumptions regarding forecasted revenues or margins of certain of our reporting units are not achieved, we may be required to record goodwill impairment losses in future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would occur, and if it did occur, whether such charge would be material.

Based on our analysis, at December 29, 2013, the fair value of our reporting unit that primarily consists of operations in California, the Northwest and Texas, exceeded the carrying value by approximately 24.6%, and the fair value of the reporting unit that primarily consists of operations in the Southeast, Florida and the Midwest exceeded the carrying value by approximately 7.3%. Assumptions are highly subjective and sensitive to industry and our performance. A one percent increase or decrease in our assumptions used may cause us to perform a step two analysis.

Masthead Considerations:

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually (at year-end), or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief from royalty approach that utilizes a DCF to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. Our judgments and estimates of future operating results in determining the reporting unit fair values are consistently applied to each newspaper in determining the fair value of each newspaper masthead.

We performed our annual impairment tests on newspaper mastheads as of December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012, and December 25, 2011. As a result of our testing, we recorded a charge of $5.3 million and $2.8 million for masthead impairments in fiscal years 2013 and 2011, respectively, and no impairment charges were recorded in fiscal year 2012.

Other Intangible Assets Considerations:

Long-lived assets such as other intangible assets are subject to amortization (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) and are tested for recoverability whenever events or change in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. No impairment loss was recognized on intangible assets subject to amortization in fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits:

We have significant pension and post-retirement benefit costs and credits that are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions including discount rates and expected returns on plan assets. We are required to consider current market conditions, including changes in interest rates, in establishing these assumptions. Changes in the related pension and post-retirement benefit costs or credits may occur in the future because of changes resulting from fluctuations in our employee headcount and/or changes in the various assumptions.

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Current standards of accounting for defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans requires recognition of (1) the funded status of a pension plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation) and (2) the funded status of a post-retirement plan (difference between the plan assets at fair value and the accumulated benefit obligation), as an asset or liability on the balance sheet. At December 29, 2013, net retirement obligations in excess of the retirement plans' assets were $416.6 million. This amount included $113.4 million for non-qualified plans that do not have assets and $303.2 for our qualified plan. At December 30, 2012, net retirement obligations in excess of the retirement plans' assets were $714.3 million. This amount included $126.4 million for non-qualified plans that do not have assets and $587.9 for our qualified plan.

We used discount rates of 3.39% to 4.17% and an assumed long-term return on assets of 8.00% to calculate our retirement plan expenses in 2013.

For fiscal year 2013, a change in the weighted average rates would have had the following impact on our net benefit cost:

Income Taxes:

Our current and deferred income tax provisions are calculated based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. These estimates are reviewed and adjusted, if needed, throughout the year. Adjustments between our estimates and the actual results of filed returns are recorded when identified.

The amount of income taxes paid is subject to periodic audits by federal and state taxing authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. These audits may challenge certain aspects of our tax positions such as the timing and amount of deductions and allocation of taxable income to the various tax jurisdictions. Income tax contingencies require significant judgment in estimating final outcomes. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates and could significantly affect the effective tax rate and cash flows in future periods.

Insurance:

We are insured for workers' compensation using both self-insurance and large deductible programs. We rely on claims experience in determining an adequate provision for insurance claims.

We used a discount rate of 1.9% to calculate workers' compensation reserves as of December 29, 2013. A decrease of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have had an immaterial effect on total workers' compensation reserves. A 10% increase in the claims would have increased the total workers' compensation reserves, net of estimated recoveries, by approximately $1.9 million.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding the impact of certain recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies".

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ITEM 7A.               QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. The term "market risk" refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates and credit risk. The disclosure is not meant to be a precise indicator of expected future losses, but rather an indicator of reasonably possible losses. Our exposure to market risk primarily relates to discount rates used in our pension liabilities.

Substantially all of our outstanding debt is composed of fixed-rate bonds and, therefore, is not subject to interest rate fluctuations.

The discount rate used to measure our obligations under our qualified defined benefit pension plan is generally based upon long-term interest rates on highly-rated corporate bonds. Hence, changes in long-term interest rates may have a significant impact on the funding position of our qualified defined pension plan. We estimate that a 1.0% increase in our discount rate could decrease our pension obligations by approximately $214.0 million. Based on current interest rates, the amount of contributions due to the plan and the timing of the payments of these obligations are included in the table of contractual obligations above and reflect actuarial estimates we believe to be reasonable.

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ITEM 8.               FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  44

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
45

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
46

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 
47

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 
48

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

 
49

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
50

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The McClatchy Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The McClatchy Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2013. We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting." Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 29, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Sacramento, California
March 6, 2014

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 29,
2013
(52 weeks)
  December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)
  December 25,
2011
(52 weeks)
 

REVENUES — NET:

                   

Advertising

  $ 838,419   $ 914,738   $ 956,305  

Circulation

    353,963     342,201     344,549  

Other

    49,855     52,700     51,000  
               

    1,242,237     1,309,639     1,351,854  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                   

Compensation

    432,255     443,401     457,707  

Newsprint, supplements and printing expenses

    123,133     140,932     145,874  

Depreciation and amortization

    122,408     125,275     121,528  

Other operating expenses

    422,360     413,895     422,630  

Asset impairments (see Note 1)

    17,181         2,800  
               

    1,117,337     1,123,503     1,150,539  

OPERATING INCOME

   
124,900
   
186,136
   
201,315
 

NON-OPERATING (EXPENSE) INCOME:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Interest expense

    (135,381 )   (151,334 )   (165,434 )

Interest income

    53     88     97  

Equity income in unconsolidated companies, net

    42,651     31,935     27,762  

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net

    (13,643 )   (88,430 )   (1,203 )

Gain on sale of Miami property

    12,938          

Other — net

    541     79     248  
               

    (92,841 )   (207,662 )   (138,530 )
               

Income (loss) before income taxes

    32,059     (21,526 )   62,785  

Income tax provision (benefit)

    13,256     (21,382 )   8,396  
               

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ 18,803   $ (144 ) $ 54,389  
               
               

Net income (loss) per common share:

                   

Basic

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.64  

Diluted

  $ 0.22   $   $ 0.63  

Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Basic

    86,201     85,744     85,211  

Diluted

    87,136     85,744     86,044  

   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Amounts in thousands)

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 29,
2013
(52 weeks)
  December 30,
2012
(53 weeks)
  December 25,
2011
(52 weeks)
 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

  $ 18,803   $ (144 ) $ 54,389  

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Pension and post retirement plans:

                   

Unrealized net gain (loss) and other components of benefit plans, net of taxes of $(117,853), $88,622 and $66,725

    176,779     (132,871 )   (100,087 )

Investment in unconsolidated companies:

                   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes of $243, $528 and $336

    (364 )   (791 )   (506 )
               

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    176,415     (133,662 )   (100,593 )
               

Comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 195,218   $ (133,806 ) $ (46,204 )
               
               

   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)

 
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 80,811   $ 113,088  

Trade receivables (net of allowances of $6,040 in 2013 and $5,920 in 2012)

    167,490     177,225  

Other receivables

    10,757     9,555  

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

    26,539     30,145  

Deferred income taxes

    20,033     14,406  

Assets held for sale

    3,504      

Other current assets

    27,386     31,558  
           

    336,520     375,977  

Property, plant and equipment, net

   
458,705
   
733,729
 

Intangible assets:

             

Identifiable intangibles — net

    465,966     528,002  

Goodwill

    1,013,002     1,012,011  
           

    1,478,968     1,540,013  

Investments and other assets:

             

Investments in unconsolidated companies

    300,569     299,603  

Other assets

    42,873     55,809  
           

    343,442     355,412  
           

  $ 2,617,635   $ 3,005,131  
           
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

             

Current liabilities:

             

Current portion of long-term debt

  $ 28,548   $ 83,016  

Accounts payable

    49,565     48,588  

Accrued pension liabilities

    33,418     15,830  

Accrued compensation

    38,636     39,124  

Income taxes payable

    1,362     2,327  

Unearned revenue

    67,377     69,492  

Accrued interest

    15,044     18,675  

Other accrued liabilities

    14,386     14,273  
           

    248,336     291,325  

Non-current liabilities:

             

Long-term debt

    1,493,323     1,587,330  

Deferred income taxes

    153,339     39,719  

Pension and postretirement obligations

    394,209     712,584  

Financing obligations

    40,264     279,325  

Other long-term obligations

    47,778     52,347  
           

    2,128,913     2,671,305  

Commitments and contingencies

             

Stockholders' equity:

   
 
   
 
 

Common stock $.01 par value:

             

Class A (authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 61,544,524 in 2013 and 61,098,820 in 2012)

    615     611  

Class B (authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 24,800,962 in 2013 and 2012)

    248     248  

Additional paid-in capital

    2,221,834     2,219,163  

Accumulated deficit

    (1,677,373 )   (1,696,176 )

Treasury stock at cost, 11,207 shares in 2013 and 6,034 shares in 2012

    (37 )   (29 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (304,901 )   (481,316 )
           

    240,386     42,501  
           

  $ 2,617,635   $ 3,005,131  
           
           

   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

 
  Years Ended  
 
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 18,803   $ (144 ) $ 54,389  

Reconciliation to net cash from operations:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Depreciation and amortization

    122,408     125,275     121,528  

(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment (including impairments)

    (1,914 )   (988 )   9,397  

Contribution to qualified defined benefit pension plan            

    (7,600 )   (40,000 )   (163,000 )

Retirement benefit expense

    12,162     1,384     816  

Stock-based compensation expense

    3,523     3,523     5,174  

Deferred income taxes

    (9,774 )   (9,548 )   (18,964 )

Equity income in unconsolidated companies

    (42,651 )   (31,935 )   (27,762 )

Distributions of income from equity investments

    39,504     19,550     17,375  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

    13,643     88,430     1,203  

Gain on disposal of Miami property

    (12,938 )        

Asset impairments

    17,181         2,800  

Other

    (3,865 )   (133 )   2,917  

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

                   

Trade receivables

    9,687     1,821     4,695  

Inventories

    3,606     (1,303 )   4,480  

Other assets

    (895 )   (4,406 )   2,694  

Accounts payable

    977     (1,799 )   (4,256 )

Accrued compensation

    (213 )   4,564     (24,583 )

Income taxes

    3,745     (58,229 )   (16,443 )

Accrued interest

    (3,631 )   (31,011 )   (2,178 )

Other liabilities

    (5,718 )   (12,126 )   (1,055 )
               

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    156,040     52,925     (30,773 )

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (33,473 )   (34,788 )   (16,984 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other

    4,703     1,925     9,201  

Proceeds from sale of investments

            2,893  

Proceeds from redemption of certificates of deposit

    2,210          

Purchase of certificates of deposit

        (2,222 )    

Proceeds from return of insurance-related deposit

    6,400          

Distributions from equity investments

    2,932     19,050     14,250  

Equity investments and other-net

    (2,819 )   (2,606 )   (2,986 )
               

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (20,047 )   (18,641 )   6,374  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Proceeds from issuance of notes

        910,000      

Repurchase of public notes and related expenses

    (165,549 )   (900,481 )   (134,555 )

Purchase of privately held 15.75% notes due 2014

            (447 )

Payment of financing costs

        (20,990 )   (2,552 )

Proceeds from financing obligation related to Miami transaction

        6,000     230,000  

Other

    (2,721 )   (1,745 )   465  
               

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (168,270 )   (7,216 )   92,911  
               

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (32,277 )   27,068     68,512  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    113,088     86,020     17,508  
               

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

  $ 80,811   $ 113,088   $ 86,020  
               
               

   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
  Common Stock    
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
   
 
 
  Class A
$.01 par
value
  Class B
$.01 par
value
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Treasury
Stock
  Total  

Balance at December 26, 2010

  $ 603   $ 248   $ 2,212,915   $ (1,750,421 ) $ (247,061 ) $ (532 ) $ 215,752  

Net income

                54,389             54,389  

Other comprehensive loss

                    (100,593 )       (100,593 )

Issuance of 587,118 Class A shares under stock plans

    6         973                 979  

Stock compensation expense

            5,174                 5,174  

Purchase of 144,125 shares of treasury stock

                        (613 )   (613 )

Tax impact from stock plans

            99                 99  
                               

Balance at December 25, 2011

    609     248     2,219,161     (1,696,032 )   (347,654 )   (1,145 )   175,187  

Net loss

                (144 )           (144 )

Other comprehensive loss

                    (133,662 )       (133,662 )

Issuance of 942,250 Class A shares under stock plans

    9         38                 47  

Stock compensation expense

            3,523                 3,523  

Purchase of 454,860 shares of treasury stock

                        (1,171 )   (1,171 )

Retirement of 708,996 shares of treasury stock

    (7 )       (2,280 )           2,287      

Tax impact from stock plans

            (1,279 )               (1,279 )
                               

Balance at December 30, 2012

    611     248     2,219,163     (1,696,176 )   (481,316 )   (29 )   42,501  

Net loss

                18,803             18,803  

Other comprehensive income

                    176,415         176,415  

Issuance of 1,030,750 Class A shares under stock plans

    10         927                 937  

Stock compensation expense

            3,523                 3,523  

Purchase of 580,219 shares of treasury stock

                        (1,793 )   (1,793 )

Retirement of 575,046 shares of treasury stock

    (6 )       (1,779 )           1,785      
                               

Balance at December 29, 2013

  $ 615   $ 248   $ 2,221,834   $ (1,677,373 ) $ (304,901 ) $ (37 ) $ 240,386  
                               
                               

   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The McClatchy Company (the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") is a leading news, advertising and information provider, offering a wide array of print and digital products in each of the markets it serves. As one of the largest newspaper companies in the country, based on daily circulation, our operations include 30 daily newspapers, community newspapers, websites, mobile news and advertising, niche publications, direct marketing and direct mail services. Our largest newspapers include the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, and The (Raleigh) News & Observer. We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI.

We also own a portfolio of premium digital assets, including 15.0% of CareerBuilder, LLC, which operates the nation's largest online job website, CareerBuilder.com; 25.6% of Classified Ventures, LLC, a company that offers classified websites such as the auto website Cars.com and the rental website Apartments.com; 33.3% of HomeFinder, LLC, which operates the online real estate website HomeFinder.com; and 12.2% of Wanderful Media, owner of Find n Save®, a digital shopping portal that provides advertisers with a common platform to reach online audiences with digital circulars, coupons and display advertising. See Note 2 for additional discussion.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. The year ended December 29, 2013 ("fiscal year 2013") and the year ended December 25, 2011 ("fiscal year 2011") both consist of 52-week periods. The year ended on December 30, 2012 ("fiscal year 2012") consisted of a 53-week period.

Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and pursuant to the rules and regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The consolidated financial statements include the Company and our subsidiaries. Intercompany items and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows, related to asset impairments.

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenues from advertising placed in a newspaper, a website and/or a mobile service over the advertising contract period or as services are delivered, as appropriate, and recognize circulation revenues as newspapers are delivered over the applicable subscription term. Circulation revenues are recorded net of direct delivery costs for contracts that are not on a "fee for service" arrangement. Circulation revenues on our "fee for service" contracts are recorded on a gross basis and associated delivery costs are recorded as other operating expenses.

We enter into certain revenue transactions, primarily related to advertising contracts and circulation subscriptions that are considered multiple element arrangements (arrangements with more than one deliverable). As such we must: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine fair value of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value, third party evidence or best estimated selling price, as applicable and (3) allocate the total price among the various elements based on the relative selling price method.

Other revenues are recognized when the related product or service has been delivered. Revenues are recorded net of estimated incentives, including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

based incentives and net of sales tax collected from the customer. Revisions to these estimates are charged to revenues in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Concentrations of credit risks

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risks, are principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivables. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with major financial institutions, which at times exceed federal insurance limits. We routinely assess the financial strength of significant customers and this assessment, combined with the large number and geographic diversity of our customers, limits our concentration of risk with respect to trade accounts receivable.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We maintain an allowance account for estimated losses resulting from the risk that our customers will not make required payments. Generally, we use the aging of accounts receivable, reserving for all accounts due 90 days or longer, to establish allowances for losses on accounts receivable, however, if we become aware that the financial condition of specific customers has deteriorated, additional allowances are provided. At certain of our newspapers we establish our allowances based on collection experience, aging of our receivables and significant individual account credit risk.

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts as follows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Balance at beginning of year

  $ 5,920   $ 7,341   $ 7,836  

Charged to costs and expenses

    8,481     6,089     8,309  

Amounts written off

    (8,361 )   (7,510 )   (8,804 )
               

Balance at end of year

  $ 6,040   $ 5,920   $ 7,341  
               
               

Newsprint, ink and other inventories

Newsprint, ink and other inventories are stated at the lower of cost (based principally on the first-in, first-out method) or current market value.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") are recorded at cost. Additions and substantial improvements, as well as interest expense incurred during construction, are capitalized. Capitalized interest was not material in fiscal year 2013, 2012 or 2011. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When PP&E is sold or retired, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the associated gain or loss is recognized.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  Estimated
Useful Lives
 

Land

  $ 97,631   $ 311,959        

Building and improvements

    356,320     364,951     5-60 years  

Equipment

    741,648     775,397     2-25 years  (1)

Construction in process

    10,529     24,014        
                 

    1,206,128     1,476,321        

Less accumulated depreciation

    (747,423 )   (742,592 )      
                 

Property, plant and equipment, net

  $ 458,705   $ 733,729        
                 
                 

We record depreciation using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. The useful lives are estimated at the time the assets are acquired and are based on historical experience with similar assets and anticipated technological changes. Our depreciation expense was $65.2 million, $67.1 million and $63.2 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During fiscal year 2013, we incurred $11.4 million in accelerated depreciation (i) resulting from equipment formerly used in our Miami operations prior to the relocation of these operations, (ii) related to the production equipment associated with outsourcing our printing process at one of our newspapers and (iii) moving the printing operations for another newspaper. During fiscal year 2012, we incurred $8.3 million in accelerated depreciation on retired or decommissioned Miami property assets.

We review the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events that result in an impairment review include the decision to close a location or a significant decrease in the operating performance of the long-lived asset. Long-lived assets are considered impaired if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group are less than the carrying amount. For impaired assets, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the asset or asset group and its estimated fair value, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The estimated fair value of the asset or asset group is based on the undiscounted discounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group. The asset group is defined as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available.

During fiscal year 2013, as previously announced, we entered into an outsourcing agreement to print one of our newspapers beginning in mid-March 2014 and to sell certain other property. As a result, we incurred non-cash impairment charges related to our existing production facilities and equipment for $11.9 million.

Assets held for sale

In connection with our efforts to evaluate cost efficiencies, during fiscal year 2013, we identified and began to actively market for sale certain of our real estate assets. These assets consisted primarily of undeveloped land and an office building. During fiscal year 2013, we entered into agreements to sell the land and office building and expect the transactions to close during fiscal year 2014. In connection with the classification to assets held for sale, the carrying value of the land and office building was reduced to their estimated fair value less selling costs, as determined based on the current market conditions and the selling prices. As a

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

result, an impairment charge of $1.9 million was recorded in fiscal year 2013 and is included in asset impairments on the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in unconsolidated companies

We use the equity method of accounting for our investments in, and earnings or losses of, companies that we do not control but over which we do exert significant influence. We consider whether the fair values of any of our equity method investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If we consider any decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results and the overall health of the investee), then a write-down would be recorded to estimated fair value. See Note 2 for discussion of investments in unconsolidated companies.

Segment reporting

Our primary business is the publication of newspapers and related digital and direct marketing products. We have two operating segments that we aggregate into a single reportable segment because each has similar economic characteristics, products, customers and distribution methods. Each operating segment consists primarily of a group of newspapers reporting to segment managers. One operating segment consists primarily of our newspaper operations in California, the Northwest and Texas, while the other operating segment consists primarily of newspaper operations in the Southeast, Florida and the Midwest.

Goodwill and intangible impairment

We test for impairment of goodwill annually, at year-end, or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The required two-step approach uses accounting judgments and estimates of future operating results. Changes in estimates or the application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different results. Impairment testing is done at a reporting unit level. We perform this testing on operating segments, which are also considered reporting units. An impairment loss generally is recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit's net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The fair value of our reporting units is determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow model and market based approaches. The estimates and judgments that most significantly affect the fair value calculation are assumptions related to revenue growth, newsprint prices, compensation levels, discount rate and private and public market trading multiples for newspaper assets for the market based approach. We consider current market capitalization, based upon the recent stock market prices, plus an estimated control premium in determining the reasonableness of the aggregate fair value of the reporting units. We determined that no impairment charge was required in fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011. Also see Note 4.

Newspaper mastheads (newspaper titles and website domain names) are not subject to amortization and are tested for impairment annually, at year-end, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of each newspaper masthead with its carrying amount. We use a relief from royalty approach which utilizes a discounted cash flow model, as discussed above, to determine the fair value of each newspaper masthead. We determined that an impairment charge of approximately $5.3 million and $2.8 million in fiscal years 2013 and 2011, respectively, was required. We determined that no impairment charge was required in fiscal year 2012. Also see Note 4 for greater detail of our intangible assets.

Long-lived assets such as intangible assets (primarily advertiser and subscriber lists) are amortized and tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of each asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of such asset group. We had no impairment of long-lived assets subject to amortization during fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011. See Note 4 for additional discussion.

Stock-based compensation

All stock-based payments, including grants of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and common stock under equity incentive plans, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. At December 29, 2013, we had five stock-based compensation plans. See an expanded discussion of our stock plans in Note 10.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

Current accounting standards in the United States prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an enterprise's tax returns. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense. Accrued penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Fair value of financial instruments

We account for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. We categorize each of our fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:

    Level 1     Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

 

 

Level 2

 


 

Observable inputs to the valuation methodology are other than Level 1 inputs and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date and fair value can be determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

 

 

Level 3

 


 

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability, and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

Our policy is to recognize significant transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or circumstance that caused the transfer. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Our non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2013, were assets held for sale, goodwill, intangible assets not subject to amortization and equity method investments. All of these were measured using Level 3 inputs. We utilize valuation techniques that seek to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

We record changes in our net assets from non-owner sources in our consolidated statements of stockholders' equity. Such changes relate primarily to valuing our pension liabilities, net of tax effects.

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") and reclassifications from AOCL, net of tax, consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  Minimum
Pension and
Post-
Retirement
Liability
  Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Related to
Equity
Investments
  Total  

Beginning balance — December 30, 2012

  $ (473,448 ) $ (7,868 ) $ (481,316 )

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

        (364 )   (364 )

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

    176,779         176,779  
               

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    176,779     (364 )   176,415  
               

Ending balance — December 29, 2013

  $ (296,669 ) $ (8,232 ) $ (304,901 )
               
               

 

 
  Amount Reclassified from AOCL (in thousands)    
AOCL Component   Year Ended
December 29,
2013
  Affected Line in the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations

Minimum pension and post-retirement liability

  $ 294,632   Compensation

    (117,853 ) Provision for income taxes
         

  $ 176,779   Net of tax
         
         

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Earnings per share (EPS)

Basic EPS excludes dilution from common stock equivalents and reflects income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of outstanding shares of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents in the period. Common stock equivalents arise from dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock and are computed using the treasury stock method. The weighted average anti-dilutive stock options that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future, but were not included in the weighted average share calculation consisted of the following:

 
  Years Ended  
(shares in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Anti-dilutive stock options

    4,941     6,814     5,772  

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the first quarter of 2013, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") accounting standards update ("ASU") issued in February 2013. The ASU requires new disclosures about reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income. These disclosures may be presented on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, we have presented reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statements of operations in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

During the first quarter of 2013, we adopted the FASB ASU issued in July 2012. The ASU provides new guidance on annual impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets. The ASU allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. The adoption of this standard did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

2.    INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

Our ownership interest and investment in unconsolidated companies consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
Company
  % Ownership
Interest
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

CareerBuilder, LLC

    15.0   $ 214,579   $ 210,365  

Classified Ventures, LLC

    25.6     73,692     69,907  

HomeFinder, LLC

    33.3     1,064     2,573  

Wanderful Media

    12.2     1,384     2,551  

Seattle Times Company (C-Corporation)

    49.5          

Ponderay (general partnership)

    27.0     8,443     11,375  

Other

    Various     1,407     2,832  
                 

        $ 300,569   $ 299,603  
                 
                 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

2.    INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES (continued)

On February 28, 2014, Classified Ventures, LLC entered into a definitive agreement to sell its apartments.com business for approximately $585 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and accordingly we will record our share of the gain on the sale, which is expected to be between $140 million to $145 million, before taxes, during the same period. We also expect to receive a distribution of approximately $147 million from Classified Ventures, LLC, which is equal to our share of the net proceeds from the sale shortly after the transaction closes.

During fiscal year 2013, we wrote-down $3.0 million of certain unconsolidated investments.

We received dividends and other equity distributions from our investments in unconsolidated companies as follows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

CareerBuilder, LLC

  $ 13,500   $ 15,000  

Classified Ventures, LLC

    22,996     18,908  

Other

    5,940     4,692  
           

  $ 42,436   $ 38,600  
           
           

The distributions from our equity investments for $42.4 million included $2.9 million, which exceeded the cumulative earnings from an investee and was considered a return of investment and therefore treated as an investing activity, and the remaining $39.5 million, which represented a return on investment, was shown as an operating activity.

We purchased some of our newsprint supply from Ponderay Newsprint Company ("Ponderay") during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Our investment in The Seattle Times Company ("STC") is zero as a result of accumulative losses in previous years exceeding our carrying value. No future income or losses from STC will be recorded until our carrying value on our balance sheet is restored through future earnings by STC.

We also incurred expenses related to the purchase of products and services provided by these companies, for the uploading and hosting of online advertising on behalf of our newspapers' advertisers. The following table summarizes expenses incurred for products provided by unconsolidated companies, which are recorded in operating expenses as follows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

CareerBuilder, LLC

  $ 1,166   $ 1,197   $ 1,230  

Classified Ventures, LLC

    16,915     14,390     12,552  

Ponderay (general partnership)

    17,575     23,813     20,414  

As of both December 29, 2013, and December 30, 2012, we had approximately $1.5 million payable collectively to CareerBuilder, LLC and Ponderay.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

2.    INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES (continued)

The tables below present the summarized financial information, as provided to us by these investees, for our investments in unconsolidated companies on a combined basis:

(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

Current assets

  $ 479,684   $ 412,959  

Noncurrent assets

    608,267     584,773  

Current liabilities

    320,440     304,317  

Noncurrent liabilities

    277,518     246,543  

Equity

    489,993     446,872  

 

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Net revenues

  $ 1,512,534   $ 1,427,657   $ 1,332,394  

Gross profit

    1,262,104     1,179,819     1,086,667  

Operating income

    231,952     169,236     154,257  

Net income

    247,441     141,387     171,305  

3.    MIAMI LAND AND BUILDING

On January 31, 2011, our contract to sell certain land in Miami ("Miami Contract") terminated pursuant to its terms because the buyer ("developer") did not consummate the transaction by the closing deadline in the contract. Under the terms of the Miami Contract, we were entitled to receive a $7.0 million termination fee and we filed a claim against the developer to obtain the payment. We settled the claim for an undisclosed amount during the quarter ended September 29, 2013.

On May 27, 2011, we sold 14.0 acres of land in Miami, including a building, which held the operations of one of our subsidiaries, The Miami Herald Media Company, and adjacent parking lots, for a purchase price of $236.0 million ("Miami property"). Approximately 9.4 acres of this Miami property was previously subject to the terminated Miami Contract discussed above. We received cash proceeds of $230.0 million as a result of the sale. The additional $6.0 million was held in an escrow account for our expenses incurred in connection with the relocation of our Miami operations. In April 2012, we received these funds, which were released for payment of costs associated with the relocation of the Miami operations.

In connection with the sale transaction, The Miami Herald Media Company continued to operate from its existing location, at the Miami property, through May 2013 rent-free. As a result of our continuing involvement in the Miami property and because we did not pay rent during this period, the sale was treated as a financing transaction. Accordingly, we continued to depreciate the carrying value of the building until our operations were moved. In addition, we recorded a $236.0 million liability (in financing obligations) equal to the sales proceeds received of $230.0 million plus the $6.0 million received from the escrow account for reimbursement of moving expenses. We were imputing rent based on comparable market rates, which was reflected as interest expense until the operations were moved.

As of the end of May 2013, we moved all of our Miami business operations to a leased facility and our production to our new production plant built next to the business operations in Doral, Florida and we no longer have a continuing involvement with the Miami property. As a result, in fiscal year 2013, we recognized a gain of $12.9 million on the Miami transaction, which was recorded in non-operating

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

3.    MIAMI LAND AND BUILDING (continued)

(expense) income in our consolidated statements of operations. We also released our financing obligation and PP&E from our consolidated balance sheet during fiscal year 2013, as described in Note 8, Cash Flow Information.

4.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Changes in identifiable intangible assets and goodwill consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  December 30,
2012
  Acquired
Assets
  Impairment
Charges
  Amortization
Expense
  December 29,
2013
 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

  $ 834,961   $ 500   $   $   $ 835,461  

Accumulated amortization

    (510,546 )           (57,191 )   (567,737 )
                       

    324,415     500         (57,191 )   267,724  

Mastheads

    203,587         (5,345 )       198,242  

Goodwill

    1,012,011     991             1,013,002  
                       

Total

  $ 1,540,013   $ 1,491   $ (5,345 ) $ (57,191 ) $ 1,478,968  
                       
                       

 

(in thousands)
  December 25,
2011
  Acquired
Assets
  Impairment
Charges
  Amortization
Expense
  December 30,
2012
 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

  $ 834,961   $   $   $   $ 834,961  

Accumulated amortization

    (452,388 )           (58,158 )   (510,546 )
                       

    382,573             (58,158 )   324,415  

Mastheads

    203,587                 203,587  

Goodwill

    1,012,011                 1,012,011  
                       

Total

  $ 1,598,171   $   $   $ (58,158 ) $ 1,540,013  
                       
                       

During fiscal year 2013, we completed a small acquisition, which is reflected in goodwill and intangible assets subject to amortization.

Accumulated changes in indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill as of December 29, 2013, consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  Original Gross
Amount
  Accumulated
Impairment
  Carrying
Amount
 

Mastheads

  $ 683,000   $ (484,758 ) $ 198,242  

Goodwill

    3,587,998     (2,574,996 )   1,013,002  
               

Total

  $ 4,270,998   $ (3,059,754 ) $ 1,211,244  
               
               

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

4.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL (continued)

Amortization expense was $57.2 million, $58.2 million and $58.3 million in fiscal year 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

Year   Amortization
Expense
(in thousands)
 
2014   $ 52,757  
2015     48,086  
2016     47,721  
2017     48,552  
2018     46,977  

5.    LONG-TERM DEBT

All of our long-term debt is in fixed rate obligations. As of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, our outstanding long-term debt consisted of senior secured notes and unsecured notes. If applicable, they are stated net of unamortized discounts totaling $33.8 million and $41.2 million as of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectfully. The unamortized discounts resulted from recording assumed liabilities at fair value during a 2006 acquisition or from the issuance of the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 ("11.50% Notes") at an original issue discount.

The face values of the notes, as well as the carrying values are as follows:

 
   
  Carrying Value  
(in thousands)
  Face Value at
December 29,
2013
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

Notes:

                   

9.00% senior secured notes due in 2022

  $ 900,000   $ 900,000   $ 910,000  

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

            83,016  

4.625% notes due in 2014

    28,965     28,548     64,326  

5.750% notes due in 2017

    261,298     252,259     273,559  

7.150% debentures due in 2027

    89,188     83,684     83,291  

6.875% debentures due in 2029

    276,230     257,380     256,154  
               

Long-term debt

  $ 1,555,681   $ 1,521,871   $ 1,670,346  
                   
                   

Less current portion

          28,548     83,016  
                 

Total long-term debt, net of current

        $ 1,493,323   $ 1,587,330  
                 
                 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

5.    LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

During the year ended December 29, 2013, we redeemed or repurchased a total of $155.9 million of notes through the completion of our debt refinancing described below and through privately negotiated transactions, as follows:

(in thousands)
  Face Value  

11.50% senior secured notes due in 2017

  $ 83,595  

9.00% senior secured notes due in 2022

    10,000  

4.625% notes due in 2014

    37,473  

5.750% notes due in 2017

    24,840  
       

Total notes redeemed or repurchased

  $ 155,908  
       
       

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

During fiscal year 2013, we recorded a net loss on the extinguishment of debt of $13.6 million compared to $88.4 million in fiscal year 2012, when a majority of the 11.50% Notes were refinanced. During fiscal year 2013, we redeemed or repurchased all of these notes at a price greater than par value and wrote off historical discounts related to these notes.

Credit Agreement

In connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 ("9.00% Notes") discussed below, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement"), dated as of December 18, 2012. The Credit Agreement provides for $75.0 million in revolving credit commitments, with a $50.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and has a maturity date of December 18, 2017. Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a first-priority security interest in certain of our assets as described below. As of December 29, 2013, there were $41.1 million face amount of letters of credit outstanding and no other amounts drawn under the Credit Agreement.

Under the Credit Agreement, we may borrow at either the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread ranging from 275 basis points to 425 basis points, or at a base rate plus a spread ranging from 175 basis points to 325 basis points, in each case based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement provides for a commitment fee payable on the unused revolving credit ranging from 50 basis points to 62.5 basis points, based upon our consolidated total leverage ratio.

On June 22, 2012, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Previous Agreement") to amend and replace our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from January 26, 2010. The Previous Agreement terms, among other things, (i) reduced the size of the revolving loan facility from $125.0 million to $36.1 million to cover our issuances of standby letters of credit and (ii) extended the maturity of the Previous Agreement to January 31, 2015. The new committed amount was only available for the issuance of standby letters of credit.

Senior Secured Notes and Indenture

On December 18, 2012, we issued $910 million aggregate principal amount of 9.00% Notes. We received approximately $889 million net of financing costs in the offering and used the net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, to repurchase all of our outstanding $846 million in aggregate principal amount of the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due in 2017 ("11.50% Notes") in two separate transactions. On December 18, 2012, we repurchased $762.4 million of the 11.50% Notes pursuant to a cash tender offer done in connection with the issuance of the 9.00% Notes. In connection with this cash tender offer for our 11.50% Notes, we

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

5.    LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $94.5 million. In fiscal year 2013, we redeemed the remaining $83.6 million aggregate principal amount of 11.50% Notes not tendered in the tender offer and we recorded a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $9.6 million related to the redemption.

Our 9.00% Notes were issued in a private placement. In July 2013, the original 9.00% Notes (and associated guarantees) were exchanged for new 9.00% Notes (and associated guarantees) that have terms substantially identical to the original notes except that the 9.00% Notes issued in the exchange are not subject to transfer restrictions.

Substantially all of our subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the 9.00% Notes and the Credit Agreement. We own 100% of each of the guarantor subsidiaries and we have no significant independent assets or operations separate from the subsidiaries that guarantee our 9.00% Notes and the Credit Agreement. The guarantees provided by the guarantor subsidiaries are full and unconditional and joint and several, and the assets of any of our subsidiaries, other than the subsidiary guarantors, are minor.

In addition, we have granted a security interest to the banks that are a party to the Credit Agreement and the trustee under the indenture governing the 9.00% Notes that include, but are not limited to, intangible assets, inventory, receivables and certain minority investments as collateral for the debt. The security interest does not include any PP&E, leasehold interests and improvements with respect to such PP&E which would be reflected on our consolidated balance sheet or shares of stock and indebtedness of our subsidiaries.

Covenants under the Senior Debt Agreements

The financial covenants under the Credit Agreement require us to comply with a maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio, each measured quarterly. As of December 29, 2013, and for the remainder of the term of the Credit Agreement, we are required to maintain a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 6.00 to 1.00 and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of at least 1.50 to 1.00. As of December 29, 2013, we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants.

The Credit Agreement also prohibits the payment of a dividend if a payment would not be permitted under the indenture for the 9.00% Notes (discussed below). Dividends under the indenture for the 9.00% Notes are allowed if the consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) is less than 5.25 to 1.00 and we have sufficient amounts under our restricted payments basket (as defined in the indenture).

The indenture for the 9.00% Notes includes a number of restrictive covenants that are applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries. The covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the indenture for the 9.00% Notes. These covenants include, among other things, restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt; make investments and other restricted payments; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock or certain of our outstanding notes or debentures prior to stated maturity; sell assets or enter into sale/leaseback transactions; create specified liens; create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and consolidate or merge with or into other companies or sell all or substantially all of the Company's and our subsidiaries' assets, taken as a whole.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

5.    LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

Maturities

The following table presents the approximate annual maturities of outstanding long-term debt as of December 29, 2013, based upon our required payments, for the next five years and thereafter:

Year   Payments
(in thousands)
 
2014   $ 28,965  
2015      
2016      
2017     261,298  
2018      
Thereafter     1,265,418  
       
Debt principal   $ 1,555,681  
       
       

6.    INCOME TAXES

Income tax provision (benefit) consisted of:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Current:

                   

Federal

  $ 17,728   $ 4,701   $ 28,913  

State

    5,302     (16,535 )   (1,553 )

Deferred:

                   

Federal

    (7,612 )   (4,701 )   (3,316 )

State

    (2,162 )   (4,847 )   (15,648 )
               

Income tax provision (benefit)

  $ 13,256   $ (21,382 ) $ 8,396  
               
               

The effective tax rate expense (benefit) and the statutory federal income tax rate are reconciled as follows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Statutory rate

    35.0 %   (35.0 )%   35.0 %

State taxes, net of federal benefit

    11.4     7.7     0.3  

Changes in estimates

    (0.0 )   0.2     0.6  

Changes in unrecognized tax benefits

    (5.2 )   (56.3 )   (13.6 )

Settlements

    (1.3 )   (32.6 )   (10.4 )

Other

    2.7     4.0     1.5  

Stock compensation

    (1.2 )   12.7      
               

Effective tax rate

    41.4 %   (99.3 )%   13.4 %
               
               

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

6.    INCOME TAXES (continued)

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
 

Deferred tax assets:

             

Compensation benefits

  $ 187,516   $ 308,392  

State taxes

    3,625     4,984  

State loss carryovers

    5,007     5,815  

Other

    4,727     5,280  
           

Total deferred tax assets

    200,875     324,471  

Valuation allowance

    (3,741 )   (4,110 )
           

Net deferred tax assets

    197,134     320,361  

Deferred tax liabilities:

   
 
   
 
 

Depreciation and amortization

    213,159     233,214  

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries

    71,840     64,317  

Debt discount

    12,434     15,059  

Deferred gain on debt

    33,007     33,084  
           

Total deferred tax liabilities

    330,440     345,674  
           

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $ 133,306   $ 25,313  
           
           

The valuation allowance relates to state net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. It decreased by $0.4 million in fiscal year 2013 and decreased by $5.4 million during fiscal year 2012.

As of December 29, 2013, we have varying amounts of net operating loss totaling approximately $181.6 million and capital loss carryovers totaling approximately $13.5 million in several states. The net operating losses expire in various years between fiscal years 2020 and 2033 if not used. The capital loss carryovers will expire in fiscal years 2015 and 2018, if not used prior to that time. We have approximately $1.6 million of state tax credit carryovers which do not expire.

As of December 29, 2013, we had approximately $15.6 million of long-term liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions consisting of approximately $12.9 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits (primarily state tax positions before the offsetting effect of federal income tax) and $2.7 million in gross accrued interest and penalties. If recognized, substantially all of the net unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that a reduction of up to $1.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest may occur within the next 12 months as a result of the closure of certain audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations. Net accrued interest and penalties at December 29, 2013, December 30, 2012, and December 25, 2011, were approximately $2.0 million, $2.5 million and $15.5 million, respectively.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

6.    INCOME TAXES (continued)

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits consists of the following:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Balance at beginning of fiscal year

  $ 8,649   $ 30,463   $ 51,992  

Increases based on tax positions in prior year

    7,631         1,409  

Decreases based on tax positions in prior year

    (935 )   (9,933 )   (13,475 )

Increases based on tax positions in current year

    1,386     745     2,213  

Settlements

    (259 )   (643 )    

Lapse of statute of limitations

    (3,583 )   (11,983 )   (11,676 )
               

Balance at end of fiscal year

  $ 12,889   $ 8,649   $ 30,463  
               
               

As of December 29, 2013, the following tax years and related taxing jurisdictions were open:

Taxing Jurisdiction
  Open
Tax Year
  Years Under
Exam

Federal

  2010-2013    

Washington, D.C.

  2006, 2010-2013   2006

Illinois

  2008-2013   2008-2009

California

  2009-2013   2009-2010

Other States

  2006-2013    

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

We have a qualified defined benefit pension plan ("Pension Plan") covering substantially all of our employees who began their employment prior to March 31, 2009. Effective March 31, 2009, the Pension Plan was frozen such that no new participants may enter the Pension Plan and no further benefits will accrue. However, years of service continue to count toward early retirement calculations and vesting of benefits previously earned.

We also have a limited number of supplemental retirement plans to provide key employees hired prior to March 31, 2009, with additional retirement benefits. These plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the accrued pension obligation is largely included in other long-term obligations. We paid $8.3 million in fiscal year 2013, $8.2 million in fiscal year 2012 and $7.4 million in fiscal year 2011 for these plans. We also provide or subsidize certain life insurance benefits for employees.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

The following tables provide reconciliations of the pension and post-retirement benefit plans' benefit obligations, fair value of assets and funded status as of December 29, 2013, and December 30, 2012:

 
  Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Change in Benefit Obligation

                         

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

  $ 2,073,218   $ 1,763,859   $ 15,932   $ 27,474  

Service cost

    5,545     5,540          

Interest cost

    84,596     91,898     497     946  

Plan participants' contributions

            586     817  

Actuarial (gain)/loss

    (214,353 )   305,952     (754 )   (2,400 )

Gross benefits paid

    (94,253 )   (89,213 )   (3,289 )   (3,285 )

Plan amendment

            (386 )   (7,620 )

Administrative expenses

    (5,432 )   (4,818 )        
                   

Benefit obligation, end of year

  $ 1,849,321   $ 2,073,218   $ 12,586   $ 15,932  
                   
                   

 

 
  Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Change in Plan Assets

                         

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

  $ 1,358,877   $ 1,233,305   $   $  

Actual return on plan assets

    157,614     171,481          

Employer contribution

    15,889     48,122     2,703     2,468  

Plan participants' contributions

            586     817  

Gross benefits paid

    (94,253 )   (89,213 )   (3,289 )   (3,285 )

Administrative expenses

    (5,432 )   (4,818 )        
                   

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

  $ 1,432,695   $ 1,358,877   $   $  
                   
                   

 

 
  Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Funded Status

                         

Fair value of plan assets

  $ 1,432,695   $ 1,358,877   $   $  

Benefit obligations

    (1,849,321 )   (2,073,218 )   (12,586 )   (15,932 )
                   

Funded status and amount recognized, end of year

  $ (416,626 ) $ (714,341 ) $ (12,586 ) $ (15,932 )
                   
                   

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 29, 2013, and December 30, 2012, consists of:

 
  Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Current liability

  $ (33,418 ) $ (15,830 ) $ (1,585 ) $ (1,859 )

Noncurrent liability

    (383,208 )   (698,511 )   (11,001 )   (14,073 )
                   

  $ (416,626 ) $ (714,341 ) $ (12,586 ) $ (15,932 )
                   
                   

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 29, 2013, and December 30, 2012, consist of:

 
  Pension Benefits   Post-retirement Benefits  
(in thousands)
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Net actuarial loss/(gain)

  $ 518,914   $ 815,385   $ (11,041 ) $ (11,380 )

Prior service cost/(credit)

    12     26     (13,436 )   (14,952 )
                   

  $ 518,926   $ 815,411   $ (24,477 ) $ (26,332 )
                   
                   

The elements of retirement and post-retirement costs are as follows:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Pension plans:

                   

Service Cost

  $ 5,545   $ 5,540   $ 5,600  

Interest Cost

    84,596     91,898     92,961  

Expected return on plan assets

    (101,053 )   (107,760 )   (104,251 )

Prior service cost amortization

    14     14     14  

Actuarial loss

    25,557     12,687     6,726  
               

Net pension expense

    14,659     2,379     1,050  

Net post-retirement benefit credit

    (2,497 )   (995 )   (234 )

Deferred compensation plan credit

            (71 )
               

Net retirement expenses

  $ 12,162   $ 1,384   $ 745  
               
               

Our discount rate was determined by matching a portfolio of long-term, non-callable, high quality bonds to the plans' projected cash flows.

Weighted average assumptions used for valuing benefit obligations were:

 
  Pension Benefit
Obligations
  Post-retirement
Obligations
 
 
  2013   2012   2013   2012  

Discount rate

    5.01%     4.17%     4.36%     3.39%
 

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

Weighted average assumptions used in calculating expense:

 
  Pension Benefit Expense   Post-retirement Expense  
 
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Expected long-term return on plan assets

    8.00%     8.25%     8.25%     N/A   N/A     N/A  

Discount rate

    4.17%     5.31%     5.90%     3.39%   4.26%/3.31%  (1)     4.84%
 

For the post-retirement plans, the medical cost trend rates are expected to decline from 7.0% in 2013 to 5.0% by the year 2018. As of December 29, 2013, a 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the benefit obligation by $0.5 million and a 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would decrease the benefit obligation by $0.5 million. As of December 30, 2012, a 1% increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase the benefit obligation by $0.6 million and a 1% decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would decrease the benefit obligation by $0.6 million.

Contributions and Cash Flows

In January 2014, we contributed $25 million of cash to the Pension Plan, which we expect will satisfy all of our required contributions in fiscal year 2014. We do not expect to make any additional contributions to the Pension Plan during fiscal year 2014.

In fiscal year 2013, we contributed $7.6 million of cash to the Pension Plan. In fiscal year 2012, we contributed $40.0 million of cash to the Pension Plan.

In January 2011, we contributed owned real property from seven locations to our Pension Plan. The Pension Plan obtained independent appraisals of the property and, based on these appraisals, recorded the contribution at the fair value of $49.7 million. We entered into leases for the seven contributed properties for 10 years. The properties are managed on behalf of the Pension Plan by an independent fiduciary. In May 2011, we used proceeds from the sale of our property in Miami (see Note 3) to contribute $163.0 million to the Pension Plan.

The contribution and leaseback of the properties was treated as a financing transaction and, accordingly, we continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in our financial statements. No gain or loss has been recognized on the contribution. Our pension obligation was reduced by $49.7 million and a long-term and short-term financing obligation was recorded on the date of the contribution. The financing obligation is reduced by a portion of the lease payments made to the Pension Plan each month. The balance of this obligation at December 29, 2013, was $44.5 million.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

Expected benefit payments to retirees under our retirement and post-retirement plans over the next 10 years are summarized below:

(in thousands)
  Retirement
Plans (1)
  Post-retirement
Plans
 

2014

  $ 94,367   $ 1,584  

2015

    97,659     1,316  

2016

    100,459     1,259  

2017

    104,887     1,203  

2018

    107,832     1,143  
2019-2023     592,450     4,681  
           

Total

  $ 1,097,654   $ 11,186  
           
           

Pension Plan Assets

Our investment policies are designed to maximize Pension Plan returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk, with an investment horizon of greater than 10 years so that interim investment returns and fluctuations are viewed with appropriate perspective. The policy also aims to maintain sufficient liquid assets to provide for the payment of retirement benefits and plan expenses, hence, small portions of the equity and debt investments are held in marketable mutual funds.

Our policy seeks to provide an appropriate level of diversification of assets, as reflected in its target allocations, as well as limits placed on concentrations of equities in specific sectors or industries. It uses a mix of active managers and passive index funds and a mix of separate accounts, mutual funds, common collective trusts and other investment vehicles.

Our assumed long-term return on assets was developed using a weighted average return based upon the Pension Plan's portfolio of assets and expected returns for each asset class, taking into account projected inflation, interest rates and market returns. The assumed return was also reviewed in light of historical and recent returns in total and by asset class.

As of December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the target allocations for the Pension Plan assets were 60% equity securities, 28% debt securities, 7% real estate securities and 5% commodities.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

The table below summarizes the Pension Plan's financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above, as of the year ended December 29, 2013:

 
  2013
 
 
  Plan Assets  
(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 844   $   $   $ 844  

Mutual fund

    273,450             273,450  

Corporate debt instruments

        105         105  

U.S. Government securities

        112,530         112,530  

Common collective trusts

        980,317         980,317  

Real estate

            52,265     52,265  

Other

            7,167     7,167  
                   

Total

  $ 274,294   $ 1,092,952   $ 59,432     1,426,678  
                     
                     

Pending trades

                      6,017  
                         

                    $ 1,432,695  
                         
                         

The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the Pension Plan's Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 29, 2013:

(in thousands)
  Real Estate   Private Equity   Total  

Beginning Balance, December 30, 2012

  $ 51,579   $ 6,408   $ 57,987  

Purchases, issuances, sales, settlements

             

Realized gains

    4,817           4,817  

Transfer in or out of level 3

    (4,817 )   (167 )   (4,984 )

Unrealized gains

    686     926     1,612  
               

Ending Balance, December 29, 2013

  $ 52,265   $ 7,167   $ 59,432  
               
               

The table below summarizes the Pension Plan's financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value hierarchy levels discussed above, as of the year ended December 30, 2012:

 
  2012
Plan Assets
 
(in thousands)
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,161   $   $   $ 1,161  

Mutual fund

    257,398             257,398  

Corporate debt instruments

        98         98  

U.S. Government securities

        107,337         107,337  

Common collective trusts

        928,730         928,730  

Real estate

            51,579     51,579  

Other

            6,408     6,408  
                   

Total

  $ 258,559   $ 1,036,165   $ 57,987     1,352,711  
                     
                     

Pending trades

                      6,166  
                         

                    $ 1,358,877  
                         
                         

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

The table below summarizes changes in the fair value of the Pension Plan's Level 3 investment assets held for the year ended December 30, 2012:

(in thousands)
  Real Estate   Private Equity   Total  

Beginning Balance, December 25, 2011

  $ 50,530   $ 8,899   $ 59,429  

Purchases, issuances, sales, settlements

             

Realized gains

    3,747     27     3,774  

Transfer in or out of level 3

    (3,747 )   (3,820 )   (7,567 )

Unrealized gains

    1,049     1,302     2,351  
               

Ending Balance, December 30, 2012

  $ 51,579   $ 6,408   $ 57,987  
               
               

Cash and cash equivalents.    The carrying value of these items approximates fair value.

Mutual funds.    These investments are publicly traded investments, which are valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV of the mutual funds is a quoted price in an active market. The NAV is determined once a day after the closing of the exchange based upon the underlying assets in the fund, less the fund's liabilities, expressed on a per-share basis.

Corporate debt instruments.    The fair value of corporate debt instruments is based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. When quoted prices are not available for identical or similar debt instruments, the fair value is based upon an industry valuation model, which maximizes observable inputs.

U.S. Government securities.    U.S. government securities primarily consist of investments in U.S. Treasury Bonds, Indexed Linked Bonds and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities. The fair value of U.S. government securities is based on quoted market prices when available or is based on yields currently available on comparable securities or on an industry valuation model, which maximizes observable inputs.

Common collective trusts.    These investments are valued based on the NAV of the underlying investments and are provided by the fund issuers. NAV for these funds represent the quoted price in a non-market environment. There are no restrictions on participants' ability to withdraw funds from the common collective trusts.

Real estate.    On January 14, 2011, we contributed Company-owned real property from seven locations to our Pension Plan. The Pension Plan obtained independent appraisals of the property, and based on these appraisals, the Pension Plan recorded the contribution at fair value on January 14, 2011. The properties are leased by us for our newspaper operations. The properties are managed on behalf of the Pension Plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the leases between us and the Pension Plan were negotiated with the fiduciary. The property is valued by independent appraisals conducted under the direction of the independent fiduciary.

Other.    Other includes:

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

7.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued)

401(k) Plan

We have separate deferred compensation plans ("401(k) plan") for employees, which enable qualified employees to voluntarily defer compensation. On March 31, 2009, we temporarily suspended our matching contribution to the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan, as amended, includes a Company match (once reinstated) and a supplemental contribution that is tied to our performance (as defined in the plan).

8.    CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid during the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 for interest and income taxes were:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Interest paid (net of amount capitalized) (1)

  $ 127,257   $ 173,742   $ 152,543  

Income taxes paid (net of refunds)

    21,019     37,137     32,613  

In January 2011, we contributed real property valued at $49.7 million to our defined benefit pension plan and have recorded a financing obligation equal to the same amount for leases entered into with the defined benefit pension plan for our operations. In addition, in 2011 we sold property in Miami but retained use of the property rent-free through May 2013. As a result the transaction was treated as a financing transaction (see Note 3 for a description of this transaction and the related accounting treatment) and land was transferred to PP&E. These non-cash transactions are summarized below:

 
  Year Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 25,
2011
 

Financing obligation for contribution of real property to pension plan

  $ 49,710  

Reduction of pension obligation

    (49,710 )

Non-refundable deposits offset against carrying value of land

    (16,500 )

Increase in PP&E for land transferred from other assets

    116,000  

As of December 29, 2013, other non-cash financing activities included the release of $238.1 million for the financing obligation related to the Miami property transaction because we no longer have a continuing involvement with the Miami property (see Note 3). As of December 29, 2013, other non-cash investing activities included the release of $227.7 million from property, plant and equipment ("PP&E"), which also relates to the conclusion of the Miami property transaction.

We had $0.2 million, $5.7 million and $1.2 million of non-cash financing activities related to purchases of PP&E on credit as of the end of fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We had $1.0 million of non-cash financing activities related to financing costs for our 9.00% Notes issuance as of the end of fiscal year 2012.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

9.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have certain other obligations for various contractual agreements that secure future rights to goods and services to be used in the normal course of operations. These include purchase commitments for printing outsource agreements, planned capital expenditures, lease commitments and self-insurance obligations.

The following table summarizes our minimum annual contractual obligations as of December 29, 2013 and the estimated timing and effect the obligations have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 
  Payments Due By Period  
(in thousands)
  2014   2015   2016   2017   2018   Thereafter   Total  

Purchase obligations (1)

  $ 23,864   $ 15,500   $ 14,037   $ 14,122   $ 14,121   $ 31,717   $ 113,361  

Operating leases (2)

                                           

Lease obligation

    11,489     9,594     8,960     8,194     7,489     30,742     76,468  

Sublease income

    (2,406 )   (1,862 )   (1,330 )   (777 )   (764 )   (2,204 )   (9,343 )
                               

Net lease obligation

    9,083     7,732     7,630     7,417     6,725     28,538     67,125  

Workers' compensation obligations (3)

    4,621     3,269     2,443     1,840     1,432     5,178     18,783  
                               

Total (4)

  $ 37,568   $ 26,501   $ 24,110   $ 23,379   $ 22,278   $ 65,433   $ 199,269  
                               
                               

Legal Proceedings and other contingent claims

We are subject to a variety of legal proceedings (including libel, employment, wage and hour, independent contractor and other legal actions) and governmental proceedings (including environmental matters) that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. We are unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible losses. However, we currently believe, after reviewing such actions with

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

9.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

counsel, that the expected outcome of pending actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. No material amounts for any losses from litigation that may ultimately occur have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements as we believe that any such losses are not probable.

We have certain indemnification obligations related to the sale of assets including but not limited to insurance claims and multi-employer pension plans of disposed newspaper operations. We believe the remaining obligations related to disposed assets will not be material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

As of December 29, 2013, we had $41.1 million of standby letters of credit secured under the Credit Agreement (see Note 5 for further discussion).

10.    COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS

Common Stock

We have two classes of stock; Class A and Class B Common Stock. Both classes of stock participate equally in dividends. Holders of Class B are entitled to one vote per share and to elect as a class 75% of the Board of Directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number. Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one-tenth of a vote per share and to elect as a class 25% of the Board of Directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.

The holders of shares of Class B Common Stock are parties to an agreement, the intent of which is to preserve control of the Company by the McClatchy family. Under the terms of the agreement, the Class B shareholders have agreed to restrict the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock to one or more "Permitted Transferees," subject to certain exceptions. A "Permitted Transferee" is any of our current holders of shares of Class B Common Stock; any lineal descendant of Charles K. McClatchy (1858 to 1936); or a trust for the exclusive benefit of, or in which all of the remainder beneficial interests are owned by, one or more lineal descendants of Charles K. McClatchy.

Generally, Class B shares can be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and then transferred freely (unless, following conversion, the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock would constitute less than 25% of the total number of all our outstanding shares of common stock). In the event that a Class B shareholder attempts to transfer any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the agreement, or upon the happening of certain other events enumerated in the agreement as "Option Events," each of the remaining Class B shareholders has an option to purchase a percentage of the total number of shares of Class B Common Stock proposed to be transferred equal to such remaining Class B shareholder's ownership percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. If all the shares proposed to be transferred are not purchased by the remaining Class B shareholders, we have the option of purchasing the remaining shares. The agreement can be terminated by the vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock who are subject to the agreement. The agreement will terminate on September 17, 2047, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms.

Stock Plans

During fiscal year 2013, we had five stock-based compensation plans, which are described below.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

10.    COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS (continued)

We had two stock option plans which reserved Class A Common shares for issuance to key employees — the 1994 and 1997 plans ("Employee Plans"). Terms of each of the Employee Plans were substantially the same. Options were granted at the market price of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. The options vested in installments over four years, and once vested are exercisable up to 10 years from the date of grant. Although the plans permit us, at our sole discretion, to settle unexercised options by granting stock appreciation rights, we do not intend to avail ourselves of this alternative for option grants made under these plans. Both of these plans have expired and have been replaced by the 2004 stock incentive plan. During fiscal year 2013, all outstanding grants expired, leaving no grants outstanding under the Employee Plans as of December 29, 2013.

Our amended and restated stock option plan for outside directors (the "2001 Director Plan") provided for the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock. Generally, under this plan each non-employee director was granted, at the conclusion of each regular annual meeting of stockholders, an option to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock at fair market value on the date of the grant. Terms of the 2001 Director Plan were similar to the terms of the Employee Plans. This plan (which had 9,000 outstanding grants at December 29, 2013) expired and no further grants are being made.

We have a stock incentive plan (the "2004 Plan") that reserved 9,000,000 Class A Common shares for issuance to key employees and outside directors. Terms of the 2004 Plan are similar to the Employee Plans and 2001 Director Plan, except that the 2004 Plan permitted the following type of incentive awards in addition to common stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs"): restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock units and dividend equivalent rights. The 2004 Plan was frozen in May 2012.

In May 2012 the shareholders approved The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("2012 Plan") to replace the 2004 Plan, for all future awards. The 2012 Plan provided that the Class A Common Stock available for issuance equal to 5,000,000 shares plus the number of shares available for future awards under the 2004 Plan as of the date of May 16, 2012 (the shareholder meeting date) plus the number of shares subject to awards outstanding under the 2004 Plan as of May 16, 2012, which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of such shares. The 2012 Plan generally provides for granting of stock options or SARs only at an exercise price at least equal to fair market value on the grant date; a 10-year maximum term for stock options and SARs; no repricing of stock options or SARs without prior shareholder approval; and no reload or "evergreen" share replenishment features.

Prior to fiscal year 2012, we also had an Amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan"), which reserved 4,625,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance to employees. Eligible employees were able to purchase shares at 85% of "fair market value" (as defined by the Purchase Plan) through payroll deductions. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we issued shares from our Purchase Plan that exhausted substantially all of the shares reserved under the plan for issuance and we suspended the plan at that time.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

10.    COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS (continued)

Stock Plans Activity

In fiscal year 2013, we granted 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director, resulting in the issuance of 165,000 shares from the 2012 Plan. In fiscal year 2012, we granted 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to each non-employee director, resulting in the issuance of 150,000 shares from the 2012 Plan.

We granted restricted stock units ("RSUs") at fair market value on the date of grant to certain key employees from the 2012 Plan as summarized below. The RSUs generally vest two to three years after grant date but terms of each grant is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors.

The following table summarizes the RSUs stock activity:

 
  RSUs   Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 

Nonvested — December 26, 2010

    845,000   $ 3.42  

Granted

    740,000   $ 4.08  

Forfeited

    (140,000 ) $ 3.70  
             

Nonvested — December 25, 2011

    1,445,000   $ 3.73  

Granted

    1,082,000   $ 2.59  

Vested

    (765,000 ) $ 3.42  

Forfeited

    (660,000 ) $ 3.48  
             

Nonvested — December 30, 2012

    1,102,000   $ 2.98  

Granted

    483,150   $ 2.46  

Vested

    (320,000 ) $ 4.08  

Forfeited

    (33,500 ) $ 2.48  
             

Nonvested — December 29, 2013

    1,231,650   $ 2.50  
             
             

As of December 29, 2013, the total fair value of the RSUs that vested during the period was $0.8 million. As of December 29, 2013, there were $1.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs for nonvested RSUs, which are expected to be recognized over 1.8 years.

We granted SARs at fair market value on the date of grant to certain key employees from the 2012 Plan as summarized below. The SARs generally vest four years after grant date but terms of each grant is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors.

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

10.    COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS (continued)

Outstanding options and SARs are summarized as follows:

 
  Options/
SARs
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
 

Outstanding December 26, 2010

    6,632,200   $ 26.82   $ 6,060  

Granted

    1,078,500   $ 4.08        

Exercised

    (152,750 ) $ 1.73   $ 382  

Forfeited

    (132,250 ) $ 3.99        

Expired

    (702,450 ) $ 47.86        
                   

Outstanding December 25, 2011

    6,723,250   $ 22.01   $ 874  

Granted

    1,017,500   $ 2.76        

Exercised

    (27,250 ) $ 1.70   $ 33  

Forfeited

    (1,217,750 ) $ 54.52        

Expired

    (301,250 ) $ 48.33        
                   

Outstanding December 30, 2012

    6,194,500   $ 11.45   $ 1,846  

Granted

    775,000   $ 2.46        

Exercised

    (545,750 ) $ 1.72   $ 847  

Forfeited

    (58,500 ) $ 3.30        

Expired

    (254,750 ) $ 48.97        
                   

Outstanding December 29, 2013

    6,110,500   $ 9.69   $ 2,384  
                   
                   

Vested and Expected to Vest December 29, 2013

    5,955,143   $ 9.87   $ 2,281  
                   
                   

Options exercisable:

                   

December 25, 2011

    4,082,500         $ 397  

December 30, 2012

    3,826,250         $ 1,335  

December 29, 2013

    3,983,875         $ 1,306  

As of December 29, 2013, there were $2.0 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to options and SARs granted under our plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

The following tables summarize information about stock options and SARs outstanding in the stock plans at December 29, 2013:

 
Range of Exercise
Prices
  Options/SARs
Outstanding
  Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Options/SARs
Exercisable
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
    $1.50 – $9.07     4,407,250     6.79   $ 2.99     2,280,625   $ 3.00  
    $9.73 – $35.94     1,106,750     2.86   $ 13.19     1,106,750   $ 13.19  
  $40.95 – $73.36     596,500     1.84   $ 52.66     596,500   $ 52.66  
                               
 
 

Total

    6,110,500     5.59   $ 9.69     3,983,875   $ 13.27  
                               
 
 
                               

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

10.    COMMON STOCK AND STOCK PLANS (continued)

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options exercisable at December 29, 2013, was 4.26 years. The weighted average remaining contractual life of options vested and expected to vest at December 29, 2013, was 5.52 years. The fair value of the stock options and SARs granted was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected life of the options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding using the historical exercise behavior of employees. The expected dividend yield is based on historical dividends declared per year, giving consideration for any anticipated change and the estimated stock price over the expected life of the options based on historical experience. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option's expected life for shares granted. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

 
  2013   2012   2011  

Expected life in years

    4.51     6.52     6.16  

Dividend yield

    NIL     NIL     NIL  

Volatility

    1.08     0.90     0.87  

Risk-free interest rate

    0.76 %   1.22 %   2.53 %

Weighted average exercise price of options/SARs granted

  $ 2.46   $ 2.76   $ 4.08  

Weighted average fair value of options/SARs granted

  $ 1.85   $ 2.09   $ 3.03  

Through the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we also offered eligible employees the option to purchase Class A Common Stock under the Purchase Plan. The expense associated with the plan was computed using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with similar assumptions to those described for stock options, except that volatility is computed using a one-year look back given the short-term nature of this option. Expense associated with the Purchase Plan is included in the stock-related compensation. There was no such plan or expense during fiscal years 2013 or 2012.

Stock-Based Compensation

Total stock-based compensation expense consisted of the following:

 
  Years Ended  
(in thousands)
  December 29,
2013
  December 30,
2012
  December 25,
2011
 

Stock-based compensation expense

  $ 3,523   $ 3,523   $ 5,174  

11.    QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Our business is somewhat seasonal with peak revenues and profits generally occurring in the second and fourth quarters of each year as a result of increased advertising activity during the holiday seasons. The

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

11.    QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (continued)

first and third quarters are historically the slowest quarters for revenues and profits. Our quarterly results are summarized as follows:

 
  Quarters Ended  
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)

  March 31,
2013
  June 30,
2013
  September 29,
2013
  December 29,
2013
 

Net Revenues

  $ 295,109   $ 308,789   $ 293,610   $ 344,729  

Operating income

  $ 20,598   $ 31,461   $ 27,571   $ 45,270  

Net income (loss)

  $ (12,741 ) $ 11,752   $ 7,265   $ 12,527  

Net income (loss) per share

  $ (0.15 ) $ 0.14   $ 0.08   $ 0.15  

 

 
  Quarters Ended  
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)

  March 25,
2012
  June 24,
2012
  September 23,
2012
  December 30,
2012
 

Net Revenues

  $ 306,689   $ 320,126   $ 306,332   $ 376,492  

Operating income

  $ 27,975   $ 42,935   $ 32,479   $ 82,747  

Net income (loss)

  $ (2,087 ) $ 26,865   $ 5,093   $ (30,015 )

Net income (loss) per share

  $ (0.02 ) $ 0.31   $ 0.06   $ (0.35 )

The following are significant activities in fiscal year 2013:

The following are significant activities in fiscal year 2012:

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THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2013, DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 25, 2011

11.    QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (continued)

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ITEM 9.               CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A.            CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) or 15d - 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that time to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter of fiscal 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended Rules 13a-15(f). The Company's internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the Company's financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management of the Company assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2013. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework)(COSO). Based on management's assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 29, 2013.

The McClatchy Company's independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears in Item 8 – "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"

ITEM 9B.            OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable.

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PART III

ITEM 10.            DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 29, 2013.

ITEM 11.            EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 29, 2013.

ITEM 12.            SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 29, 2013.

ITEM 13.            CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 29, 2013.

ITEM 14.            PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Incorporated herein by reference from the proxy statement for the annual meeting of our stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after our fiscal year-end of December 29, 2013.

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PART IV

ITEM 15.            EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)&(c)   Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules filed as a part of this Report are listed in Item 8 – "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data".

(b)

 

Exhibits listed on the accompanying Index of Exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this report, following the signature pages.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 MCCLATCHY COMPANY
(Registrant)

    /s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

Patrick J. Talamantes,
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
March 6, 2014    

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
  Title
  Date
 
/s/ Patrick J. Talamantes

Patrick J. Talamantes
  President, Chief Executive Officer
And Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  March 6, 2014

/s/ R. Elaine Lintecum

R. Elaine Lintecum

 

Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Lawrence D. Edgar

Lawrence D. Edgar

 

Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Kevin S. McClatchy

Kevin S. McClatchy

 

Chairman of the Board

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Elizabeth Ballantine

Elizabeth Ballantine

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Leroy Barnes, Jr.

Leroy Barnes, Jr.

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Molly Maloney Evangelisti

Molly Maloney Evangelisti

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Kathleen Foley Feldstein

Kathleen Foley Feldstein

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Craig I. Forman

Craig I. Forman

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Brown McClatchy Maloney

Brown McClatchy Maloney

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ William B. McClatchy

William B. McClatchy

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Theodore R. Mitchell

Theodore R. Mitchell

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Clyde W. Ostler

Clyde W. Ostler

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

/s/ Frederick R. Ruiz

Frederick R. Ruiz

 

Director

 

March 6, 2014

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Table of Contents


INDEX OF EXHIBITS
(Item 15 (a) 3.)

 
   
   
  Incorporated by reference herein
Exhibit
Number
   
  Description   Form   Exhibit   File Date/Period End
Date
    3.1       The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 26, 2006   10-Q   3.1   June 25, 2006
    3.2       The Company's Bylaws as amended and restated effective March 20, 2012   8-K   3.1   March 22, 2012
  10.1       Amended and Restated Guaranty dated as of September 26, 2008, executed by certain subsidiaries of The McClatchy Company in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreement   8-K   10.3   September 30, 2008
  10.2       Security Agreement dated as of September 26, 2008, executed by The McClatchy Company and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent   8-K   10.2   September 30, 2008
  10.3       Commitment Reduction and Amendment and Restatement Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2012, among the Company and Bank of America, N.S., as Administrative Agent   8-K   10.1   June 25, 2012
  10.4       Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 2012, among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer   10-Q   10.2   June 25, 2012
  10.5       Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 18, 2012 among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer   8-K   10.1   December 20, 2012
  10.6       Purchase Agreement, dated February 4, 2010, by and among the Company, certain of the Company's subsidiaries and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Representative of the several Initial Purchasers relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due in 2017   8-K   10.1   February 9, 2010
  10.7       Purchase Agreement, dated December 3, 2012, by and among the Company, certain of the Company's subsidiaries and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as Representative of the several Initial Purchasers relating to the $910 million 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022   10-K   10.9   December 30, 2012

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  Incorporated by reference herein
Exhibit
Number
   
  Description   Form   Exhibit   File Date/Period End
Date
  10.8       Indenture, dated February 11, 2010 among The McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   8-K   4.1   February 17, 2010
  10.9       Second Supplemental Indenture dated December 11, 2012, among The McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. related to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due to 2017   8-K   4.1   December 20, 2012
  10.10       Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1997, between Knight-Ridder, Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as Trustee, [Knight-Ridder's Registration Statement on Form S-3]   S-3   4.1   October 10, 1997
10.11       First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 1, 2001, Knight-Ridder, Inc.; The Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, as original Trustee; and The Bank of New York, as series Trustee [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]   8-K   4   June 1, 2001
10.12       Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2004, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]   8-K   4.1   November 4, 2004
10.13       Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2005, among Knight-Ridder, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as series trustee for the Notes [Knight-Ridder, Inc. Report on Form 8-K]   8-K   4.1   August 22, 2005
10.14       Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 27, 2006, between the Company and Knight-Ridder Inc.   10-Q   10.4   June 25, 2006
10.15       Indenture dated December 18, 2012, among The McClatchy Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. relating to the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022   8-K   4.2   December 20, 2012

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Table of Contents

 
   
   
  Incorporated by reference herein
Exhibit
Number
   
  Description   Form   Exhibit   File Date/Period End
Date
10.16       Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 11, 2010, between The McClatchy Company and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc., relating to the 11.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   8-K   4.2   February 17, 2010
10.17       Registration Rights Agreement dated December 18, 2012, between The McClatchy Company and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, relating to the 9.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2022   8-K   4.3   December 20, 2012
10.18       Purchase and Sale Agreement Between the Company, a Delaware corporation, and Richwood, Inc., a Florida corporation and Bayfront 2011 Property, LLC dated May 26, 2011   10-Q   10.42   June 26, 2011
10.19   *   The McClatchy Company Management Objective Plan Description.   10-K   10.4   December 30, 2000
10.20   *   Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan   10-K   10.4   December 29, 2002
10.21   *   Amendment Number 1 to The McClatchy Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan   8-K   10.1   February 10, 2009
10.22   *   Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Benefit Restoration Plan   8-K   10.1   July 29, 2011
10.23   *   Amended and Restated McClatchy Company Bonus Recognition Plan   8-K   10.2   July 29, 2011
10.24   *   Amended and Restated 1994 Stock Option Plan   10-Q   10.15   July 1, 2001
10.25   *   Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan   10-K   10.7   December 29, 2002
10.26   *   Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 1997 Stock Option Plan dated January 23, 2007   10-K   10.16   December 31, 2006
10.27   *   The Company's Amended and Restated 2001 Director Stock Option Plan   10-K   10.13   December 26, 2004
10.28   *   Amendment 1 to The McClatchy Company 2001 Director Option Plan dated January 23, 2007   10-K   10.18   December 31, 2006
10.29   *   The Company's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated   10-Q   10.25   June 29, 2008
10.30   *   Form of 2004 Stock Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement   8-K   99.1   December 16, 2004
10.31   *   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement related to the Company's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan   8-K   99.1   January 28, 2005
10.32   *   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement related to the Company's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan   8-K   10.1   December 18, 2009
10.33   *   The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan   DEF
14A
  Appendix A   April 2, 2012

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Table of Contents

 
   
   
  Incorporated by reference herein
Exhibit
Number
   
  Description   Form   Exhibit   File Date/Period End
Date
10.34   *   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan   8-K   10.3   May 18, 2012
10.35   *   Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement under The McClatchy Company 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan   8-K   10.2   May 18, 2012
10.36   *   Employment Agreement between the Company and Patrick Talamantes dated May 16, 2012   8-K   10.1   May 18, 2012
10.37   *   2012 Senior Executive Retention Bonus Plan   8-K   10.4   May 18, 2012
10.38   *   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its officers and directors   8-K   99.1   May 23, 2005
     12       Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges            
     21       Subsidiaries of the Company            
     23       Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP            
  23.1       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP            
  23.2       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP            
  31.1       Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act            
  31.2       Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act            
  32.1   **   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350            
  32.2   **   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The McClatchy Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350            
  99.1       Consolidated balance sheets of Classified Ventures, LLC as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 and Independent Auditor's Report as it relates to 2013.            
99.2       Consolidated balance sheet of CareerBuilder, LLC as of December 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2013 and Report of Independent Auditors as it relates to 2013.            
101.INS       XBRL Instance Document            
101.SCH       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema            

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Table of Contents

 
   
   
  Incorporated by reference herein
Exhibit
Number
   
  Description   Form   Exhibit   File Date/Period End
Date
101.CAL       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase            
101.DEF       XBRL Extension Definition Linkbase            
101.LAB       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase            
101.PRE       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase            

*
Compensation plans or arrangements for the Company's executive officers and directors

**
Furnished, not filed

90