SEC Filing - Saga Communications, Inc.

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SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q


(Mark One)
þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

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 1-11588

Saga Communications, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		38-3042953
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

73 Kercheval Avenue Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan		48236
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(313) 886-7070

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o

The number of shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, and Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of July 31, 2004 was 18,435,204 and 2,360,370, respectively.

INDEX


		Page

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Condensed consolidated balance sheets — June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003		2
	Condensed consolidated statements of income — Three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003		3
	Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows — Six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003		4
	Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements		5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		29
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2.	Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities		30
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		30
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K		30
Signatures			32
EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.
EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.
EX-32 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS OF CEO & CFO

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	*Financial Statements*

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


		June 30,			December 31,
		2004			2003

		(Unaudited)

		(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,772		$	11,766
	Accounts receivable, net		23,726			22,733
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,281			4,363

Total current assets			32,779			38,862
Property and equipment			129,966			126,558
	Less accumulated depreciation		(66,248	)		(64,189	)

Net property and equipment			63,718			62,369
Other assets:
	Broadcast licenses, net		128,074			123,657
	Goodwill, net		36,220			30,839
	Other intangibles, deferred costs and investments, net		10,127			6,616

Total other assets			174,421			161,112

		$	270,918		$	262,343


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	1,106		$	1,817
	Other current liabilities		13,112			11,647
	Current portion of long-term debt		—			45

Total current liabilities			14,218			13,509
Deferred income taxes			19,776			18,414
Long-term debt			121,161			121,160
Other			2,241			2,016
Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock		210			210
	Additional paid-in capital		48,296			47,207
	Retained earnings		69,669			62,277
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		40			29
	Treasury stock		(4,693	)		(2,479	)

Total stockholders’ equity			113,522			107,244

		$	270,918		$	262,343


Note:	The balance sheet at December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME



		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,

		2004		2003			2004		2003


		(In thousands except per share data)
		Unaudited
Net operating revenue		$	35,127	$	31,790		$	64,300	$	57,931
Operating expenses:
	Programming and technical		7,820		7,029			15,538		14,203
	Selling		8,747		8,349			15,902		14,801
	Station general and administrative		5,440		5,119			11,085		10,306
	Corporate general and administrative		2,229		1,896			3,912		3,141
	Depreciation		1,709		1,671			3,383		3,390
	Amortization		67		120			109		210

Operating profit			9,115		7,606			14,371		11,880
Other (income) expense:
	Interest expense		1,085		1,157			2,180		2,692
	Other		65		(357	)		73		(365	)

Income before income tax			7,965		6,806			12,118		9,553
Income tax provision			3,104		2,577			4,726		3,675

Net income		$	4,861	$	4,229		$	7,392	$	5,878

Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	.23	$	.20		$	.36	$	.28

	Diluted	$	.23	$	.20		$	.35	$	.28

Weighted average common shares			20,816		20,815			20,813		20,810

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares			21,285		21,354			21,283		21,309

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



		Six Months Ended
		June 30,

		2004			2003


		(Dollars in thousands)
		Unaudited
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Cash provided by operating activities	$	12,100		$	9,966
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Acquisition of property and equipment		(4,263	)		(4,203	)
	Proceeds from sale of assets		70			306
	Increase in intangibles and other assets		(3,918	)		(777	)
	Acquisition of stations and radio networks		(10,317	)		(9,139	)

Net cash used in investing activities			(18,428	)		(13,813	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from long-term debt		—			8,500
	Payments on long-term debt		(44	)		(4,859	)
	Purchase of shares held in treasury		(2,428	)		—
	Net proceeds from exercise of stock options		806			75

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(1,666	)		3,716
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(7,994	)		(131	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			11,766			5,874

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	3,772		$	5,743

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unaudited


1.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


	*Basis of Presentation*

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for annual financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Saga Communications, Inc. Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2003.


	*Reclassification*

Certain amounts previously reported in the 2003 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.


	*Income Taxes*

Our effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory rate as a result of certain non-deductible depreciation and amortization expenses and the inclusion of state taxes in the income tax amount.


	*Time Brokerage Agreements*

We have entered into Time Brokerage Agreements (“TBAs”) in certain markets. In a typical TBA, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licensee of a station makes available, for a fee, blocks of air time on its station to another party that supplies programming to be broadcast during that air time and sells their own commercial advertising announcements during the time periods specified. We account for TBA’s under SFAS 13, “Accounting for Leases” and related interpretations. Revenue and expenses related to TBAs are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.


	*Stock-Based Compensation*

We follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations, in accounting for our employee and non-employee director stock options. Under APB 25, when the exercise price of our employee stock options equals or exceeds the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

For purposes of the required pro forma disclosures required for stock-based compensation, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. Proforma net income and pro forma earnings per share as if the stock-based awards had been accounted for using the provisions of

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” is as follows:



		Three Months						Six Months
		Ended						Ended
		June 30,						June 30,

		2004			2003			2004			2003


		(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income, as reported		$	4,861		$	4,229		$	7,392		$	5,878
Add back: stock based compensation cost, net of tax			13			12			26			25
Less: pro forma stock based compensation cost determined under fair value method, net of tax			(503	)		(606	)		(1,017	)		(978	)

Pro forma net income		$	4,371		$	3,635		$	6,401		$	4,925

Pro forma earnings per share:
	Basic	$	.21		$	.17		$	.31		$	.24

	Diluted	$	.21		$	.17		$	.30		$	.23

The fair value of our stock options were estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003: risk-free interest rate of 3.7% and 3.4%; a dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 31.1% and 32.2%; and a weighted average expected life of the options of 7 years, respectively.


2.	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On March 31, 2004 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an exposure draft of a proposed standard that if adopted, will significantly change the accounting for stock based compensation including employee stock options. Comments are expected on the exposure draft, which if adopted in its current form, will require us to expense stock options using a suggested method different than the method that we currently use to determine the fair value of options. We anticipate that if the new standard is adopted, the standard will impact our financial position and results of operations (see Note 1 for a discussion of our current treatment of stock-based compensation.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46 entitled “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” Until this interpretation was issued, a company generally included another entity in its consolidated financial statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46 requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the expected losses from the variable interest entity’s activities or is entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual return. FIN 46 applied immediately to all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003 and is effective no later than the first interim period ending after December 31, 2003 for variable interest entities created prior to February 1, 2003.

Effective January 1, 2004 we adopted FIN 46 resulting in the consolidation of Surtsey Media, LLC which was previously accounted for under FASB Interpretation No. 45 “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.” The adoption of FIN 46 did not materially impact our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. See note 6.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


3.	Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Under SFAS No. 142 (“SFAS 142”) “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized and are subject to annual (or more frequent if impairment indicators arise) impairment tests.

We consider FCC broadcast licenses to have indefinite lives. Factors that we considered in evaluating that the radio and television FCC licenses are indefinite-lived intangible assets under SFAS 142 include the following:


	•	The radio and television broadcasting licenses may be renewed indefinitely at little cost.

	•	The radio and television broadcasting licenses are essential to our business, and we intend to renew our licenses indefinitely.

	•	We have never been denied the renewal of a FCC broadcast license.

	•	We do not believe that there will be any compelling challenge to the renewal of our broadcast licenses.

	•	We do not believe that the technology used in broadcasting will be replaced by another technology in the foreseeable future.

Based on the above, we believe cash flows from our radio and television licenses are expected to continue indefinitely.

Separable intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their useful lives using the straight-line method. Favorable lease agreements are amortized over the lives of the leases. Other intangibles are amortized over five to forty years.

In accordance with SFAS 142 we tested our goodwill and broadcast licenses (which we have deemed as indefinite lived since the licenses are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely) for impairment as of October 1, 2003 by comparing their estimated fair value to the related carrying value as of that date. The results of these tests indicated that there was no impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or broadcast licenses.


4.	Common Stock and Treasury Stock

The following summarizes information relating to the number of shares of our common stock involved in stock transactions through June 30, 2004:



		Common Stock
		Issued

		Class A		Class B


		(Shares in
		thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2003			18,499		2,360
	Exercised options		93		—

Balance, December 31, 2003			18,592		2,360
	Exercised options		97		—

Balance, June 30, 2004			18,689		2,360

We have a Stock Buy-Back Program (the “Buy-Back Program”) to allow us to purchase up to $15,000,000 of our Class A Common Stock. From its inception in 1998 through June 30, 2004 we have repurchased 694,864 shares of our Class A Common Stock for approximately $10,111,138.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


5.	Total Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income



		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,

		2004		2003		2004		2003


		(In thousands)
Total Comprehensive Income Consists of:
Net income		$	4,861	$	4,229	$	7,392	$	5,878
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
	Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax		—		158		—		293
	Change in market value of securities, net of tax		4		—		11		—

Total comprehensive income		$	4,865	$	4,387	$	7,403	$	6,171


	Marketable
	Securities		Derivatives


	(In thousands)
Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) consists of:
Balance at January 1, 2003	$	—	$	(464	)
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of $250 taxes		—		464
Change in market value of securities, net of $15 taxes		29		—

Balance at December 31, 2003		29		—
Change in market value of securities, net of $7 taxes		11		—

Balance at June 30, 2004	$	40	$	—


6.	Acquisitions and Dispositions

We actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties. This activity is part of our strategy to be the leading broadcaster in the markets where we own properties.


	*Pending Acquisitions and Dispositions*

On January 21, 2004, we entered into an agreement to acquire an FM radio station (WOXL-FM) and one AM radio station (WISE-AM), both serving the Asheville, North Carolina market, for approximately $10,000,000. We are currently providing programming to WISE-AM under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”) and to WOXL-FM under a Sub-Time Brokerage Agreement. These transactions are subject to the approval of the FCC and have been contested, however, we expect to get approval and close on the acquisitions during the fourth quarter 2004.

On May 3, 2004 we entered into an agreement to sell an AM radio station (WJQY-AM) serving the Springfield, Tennessee market for approximately $150,000. This transaction, subject to the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to close during the third quarter 2004.

On May 20, 2004, we entered into an agreement to acquire two FM and two AM radio stations (WQNY-FM, WYXL-FM, WTKO-AM and WHCU-AM) serving the Ithaca, New York market for approximately $13,250,000. This transaction, subject to the approval of the FCC, is expected to close during the fourth quarter 2004.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

On July 1, 2004, we acquired an FM radio station (WXLS-FM) serving the Champaign, Illinois market, for approximately $3,250,000.


	2004 Acquisitions

On March 1, 2004, we acquired the Minnesota News Network and the Minnesota Farm Network for approximately $3,442,000.

On April 1, 2004 we acquired three FM radio stations (WRSI-FM, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, WPVQ-FM, Greenfield, Massachusetts and WRSY-FM, Marlboro, Vermont) serving the Springfield, Massachusetts, Greenfield, Massachusetts and Brattleboro, Vermont markets, respectively, for approximately $7,220,000.


	2003 Acquisitions, Time Brokerage Agreements, Shared Services Agreements and Dispositions

In March, 2003 we entered into an agreement of understanding with Surtsey Media, LLC (an affiliate of Surtsey Productions, Inc. “Surtsey”), whereby we have guaranteed up to $1,250,000 of the debt that Surtsey Media, LLC has incurred in closing on the acquisition of a construction permit for KFJX-TV station in Pittsburg, Kansas. At June 30, 2004, there was $1,061,000 outstanding under this agreement. The station, a new full power Fox affiliate, went on the air for the first time on October 18, 2003. Under the FCC’s ownership rules, we are prohibited from owning this station. In consideration for our guarantee, Surtsey Media, LLC has entered into various agreements with us relating to the station, including a Shared Services Agreement, Technical Services Agreement, Agreement for the Sale of Commercial Time and Broker Agreement. Surtsey is a multi-media company that is 100% owned by the daughter of Edward K. Christian, our principal stockholder, President and CEO.

On March 11, 2003, we acquired an AM radio station (WOXL-AM) serving the Asheville, North Carolina market for approximately $350,000.

On March 28, 2003, we acquired an FM radio station (WODB-FM) Delaware, Ohio, serving the Columbus, Ohio market for approximately $10,432,000. We began operating this station under the terms of a TBA on January 1, 2003. In conjunction with this transaction, we sold our AM radio station (WVKO-AM) serving the Columbus, Ohio market for approximately $941,000. The buyer began brokering time on WVKO under the terms of a TBA on January 1, 2003. We recognized a gain on the disposal of this station of approximately $425,000.

On April 1, 2003, we acquired an FM radio station (WINQ-FM) in the Winchendon, Massachusetts market for approximately $290,000 plus an additional $500,000 if within five years of closing we obtain approval from the FCC for a city of license change. The radio station was owned by a company in which a member of our Board of Directors has a 26% beneficial ownership interest, which was disclosed to our Board prior to its approval of the transaction. The interested director did not participate in voting on this transaction when it came before the Board. The purchase price was determined on an arm’s length basis. We began operating this station under the terms of a TBA on February 1, 2003, simulcasting WKBK-AM in Keene, New Hampshire.

On April 1, 2003 we sold an AM radio station (WLLM-AM) serving the Lincoln, Illinois market for approximately $275,000. We recognized a gain on the sale of the station of approximately $29,000.

On October 1, 2003, we acquired two FM radio stations (WJZA-FM Lancaster, Ohio and WJZK-FM Richwood, Ohio) serving the Columbus, Ohio market for approximately $13,242,000 including approximately $1,063,000 of our Class A common stock, plus up to an additional $2,000,000 if we obtain approval from the FCC for a city license change.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

On November 17, 2003, we acquired an AM radio station (WIDE-AM) serving the Portland, Maine market for approximately $386,000. We began operating this station under the terms of a TBA on August 1, 2003.

On December 1, 2003, we acquired an FM and AM radio station (WQEL-FM and WBCO-AM) serving the Bucyrus, Ohio market for approximately $2,375,000. We began operating these stations under the terms of a TBA on October 1, 2003.


	*Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet of 2004 and 2003 Acquisitions:*



		Acquisitions in

		2004			2003


		(In thousands)
Assets Acquired:
Current assets		$	652		$	590
Property and equipment			573			1,357
Other assets:
	Broadcast licenses-Radio segment		4,417			19,958
	Broadcast licenses-TV segment		—			1,000
	Goodwill-Radio segment		5,381			3,494
	Goodwill-TV segment		(345	)		27
	Other intangibles, deferred costs and investments		—			648

Total other assets			9,453			25,127

Total assets acquired			10,678			27,074

Liabilities Assumed:
Current liabilities			361			298
Long-term syndicated programming			—			229
Long-term debt			—			1,060

Total liabilities assumed			361			1,587

Net assets acquired		$	10,317		$	25,487

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following unaudited pro forma results of our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 assume the 2004 and 2003 acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2003. The pro forma results give effect to certain adjustments, including depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, increased interest expense on acquisition debt and related income tax effects. The pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to indicate the results of operations which would actually have occurred had the combinations been in effect on the dates indicated or which may occur in the future.


	*Pro Forma Results of Operations for Acquisitions:*



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	June 30,					June 30,

	2004		2003			2004		2003


	(In thousands except per share data)
Consolidated Results of Operations
Net operating revenue	$	35,127	$	33,974		$	65,007	$	61,711
Station operating expense		22,007		21,932			42,988		42,266

Station operating income		13,120		12,042			22,019		19,445
Corporate general and administrative		2,229		1,896			3,912		3,141
Depreciation		1,709		1,722			3,399		3,488
Amortization		67		136			110		244

Operating income		9,115		8,288			14,598		12,572
Interest expense		1,085		1,229			2,180		2,836
Other		65		(357	)		73		(365	)
Income tax provision		3,104		2,831			4,819		3,899

Net income	$	4,861	$	4,585		$	7,526	$	6,202

Basic earnings per share	$	.23	$	.22		$	.36	$	.30

Diluted earnings per share	$	.23	$	.21		$	.35	$	.29



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,

	2004		2003		2004		2003


	(In thousands)
Radio Broadcasting Segment
Net operating revenue	$	31,362	$	30,859	$	58,088	$	55,980
Station operating expense		19,169		19,512		37,529		37,562

Station operating income		12,193		11,347		20,559		18,418
Corporate general and administrative		—		—		—		—
Depreciation		1,236		1,285		2,466		2,613
Amortization		64		133		103		237

Operating income	$	10,893	$	9,929	$	17,990	$	15,568

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


	*Pro Forma Results of Operations for Acquisitions:*



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,

	2004		2003		2004		2003


	(In thousands)
Television Broadcasting Segment
Net operating revenue	$	3,765	$	3,115	$	6,919	$	5,731
Station operating expense		2,838		2,420		5,459		4,704

Station operating income		927		695		1,460		1,027
Corporate general and administrative		—		—		—		—
Depreciation		423		388		834		776
Amortization		3		3		7		7

Operating income	$	501	$	304	$	619	$	244


	*Reconciliation of pro forma segment operating income to pro forma consolidated operating income:*


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	31,362	$	3,765		—		$	35,127
Station operating expense		19,169		2,838		—			22,007
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	2,229			2,229
Depreciation		1,236		423		50			1,709
Amortization		64		3		—			67

Operating income (loss)	$	10,893	$	501	$	(2,279	)	$	9,115


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	30,859	$	3,115		—		$	33,974
Station operating expense		19,512		2,420		—			21,932
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	1,896			1,896
Depreciation		1,285		388		49			1,722
Amortization		133		3		—			136

Operating income (loss)	$	9,929	$	304	$	(1,945	)	$	8,288

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


	*Reconciliation of pro forma segment operating income to pro forma consolidated operating income:*


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	58,088	$	6,919		—		$	65,007
Station operating expense		37,529		5,459		—			42,988
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,912			3,912
Depreciation		2,466		834		99			3,399
Amortization		103		7		—			110

Operating income (loss)	$	17,990	$	619	$	(4,011	)	$	14,598


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	55,980	$	5,731		—		$	61,711
Station operating expense		37,562		4,704		—			42,266
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,141			3,141
Depreciation		2,613		776		99			3,488
Amortization		237		7		—			244

Operating income (loss)	$	15,568	$	244	$	(3,240	)	$	12,572

7. Segment Information

We evaluate the operating performance of our markets individually. For purposes of business segment reporting, we have aligned operations with similar characteristics into two business segments: Radio and Television.

The Radio segment includes twenty one markets, which includes all seventy-nine of our radio stations and five radio information networks. The Television segment includes three markets and consists of five television stations and three low power television (“LPTV”) stations. The Radio and Television segments derive their revenue from the sale of commercial broadcast inventory. The category “Corporate and Other” represents the income and expense not allocated to reportable segments.


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	31,362	$	3,765		—		$	35,127
Station operating expense		19,169		2,838		—			22,007
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	2,229			2,229
Depreciation		1,236		423		50			1,709
Amortization		64		3		—			67

Operating income (loss)	$	10,893	$	501	$	(2,279	)	$	9,115

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	28,675	$	3,115		—		$	31,790
Station operating expense		18,077		2,420		—			20,497
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	1,896			1,896
Depreciation		1,234		388		49			1,671
Amortization		117		3		—			120

Operating income (loss)	$	9,247	$	304	$	(1,945	)	$	7,606


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	57,381	$	6,919		—		$	64,300
Station operating expense		37,066		5,459		—			42,525
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,912			3,912
Depreciation		2,450		834		99			3,383
Amortization		102		7		—			109

Operating income (loss)	$	17,763	$	619	$	(4,011	)	$	14,371

Total assets	$	227,005	$	30,058	$	13,855		$	270,918


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	52,200	$	5,731		—		$	57,931
Station operating expense		34,606		4,704		—			39,310
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,141			3,141
Depreciation		2,515		776		99			3,390
Amortization		203		7		—			210

Operating income (loss)	$	14,876	$	244	$	(3,240	)	$	11,880

Total assets	$	199,103	$	27,693	$	11,018		$	237,814


8.	Subsequent Events

On July 1, 2004, we acquired an FM radio station (WXLS-FM) serving the Champaign, Illinois market, for approximately $3,250,000.


9.	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The description in Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements of our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” describing market risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates and derivative financial instruments relating to operations in the United Kingdom and Holland were included in error. We do not have operations in the United Kingdom or Holland or any related derivative activity in the United Kingdom or Holland.

SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Periodically we enter into derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swap agreements to reduce our risk of rising interest rates. Our swap agreements, which expired in March 2003 and September 2003, were used to convert the variable Eurodollar interest rate of a portion of our bank borrowings to a fixed interest rate. At June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 we had no interest rate swap agreements in place.

We account for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, which requires companies to recognize all of their derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the statement of financial position. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. All of the Company’s derivative instruments are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

We had the following interest rate swap agreements in place during 2003:


	•	Two interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $26,250,000. We paid 4.11% calculated on the notional amount; we received LIBOR calculated on the notional amount of $26,250,000. These agreements expired in March, 2003.

	•	Two interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $13,750,000. We paid 3.67% calculated on the notional amount; we received LIBOR calculated on the notional amount of $13,750,000. In March 2003 the total notional amount of these swap agreements increased to $40,000,000 with all other terms remaining the same. These agreements expired in September, 2003.

Net receipts or payments under the agreements were recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. All of the above interest rate swap agreements were assessed as effective. Therefore, changes in their fair value were recognized in other comprehensive income.


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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Saga Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries contained elsewhere herein and the audited financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The following discussion is presented on both a consolidated and segment basis. Corporate G&A expenses, interest expense, other (income) expense, and income tax expense are managed on a consolidated basis and are, therefore reflected only in our discussion of consolidated results.

Our discussion of the results of operations of our operating segments focuses on their operating income because we manage our operating segments primarily on their operating income. We evaluate the operating performance of our markets individually. For purposes of business segment reporting, we have aligned operations with similar characteristics into two business segments: Radio and Television. The Radio segment includes twenty one markets, which includes all seventy-nine of our radio stations and five radio information networks. The Television segment includes three markets and consists of five television stations and three low power television (“LPTV”) stations.

General

We are a broadcast company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating radio and television stations. We actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties. We review acquisition opportunities on an ongoing basis.

For additional information with respect to acquisitions, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Radio Segment

In our radio segment our primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. Depending on the format of a particular radio station there are a predetermined number of advertisements broadcast each hour.

Most advertising contracts are short-term, and generally run only for a few weeks. Most of our revenue is generated from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each radio markets’ sales staff. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, approximately 81% and 79%, respectively, of our gross radio segments revenue was from local advertising. To generate national advertising sales, we engage independent advertising sales representatives that specialize in national sales for each of our broadcast markets.

Our revenue varies throughout the year. Advertising expenditures, our primary source of revenue, generally have been lowest during the winter months, which includes the first quarter of each year. Our net operating revenue, and the resulting station operating expenses, and operating income varies from market to market based upon the related markets rank or size which is based upon population and the available radio advertising revenue in that particular market.

Our financial results are dependent on a number of factors, the most significant of which is our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The rates a station is able to charge are, in large part, based on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by its advertisers. In a number of our markets this is measured by periodic reports generated by an independent national rating service. In the remainder of our markets it is measured by the results advertisers obtain through the actual running of an advertising schedule. Advertisers measure these results based on increased demand for their goods or services and/or actual revenues generated from such demand. Various factors affect the rate a station can charge, including the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, ability to provide popular programming, local market competition, target marketing capability of radio compared to other advertising media, and signal strength. Because reaching a large and demographically attractive audience is crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong listener loyalty. When we acquire and/or begin to operate a station or group of stations we generally increase programming and advertising and promotion expenses to increase our share of the listening audience. Our

strategy sometimes requires levels of spending commensurate with the revenue levels we plan on achieving in two to five years. During periods of economic downturns, or when the level of advertising spending is flat or down across the industry, this strategy may result in the appearance that our cost of operations is increasing at a faster rate than our growth in revenues, until such time as we achieve our targeted levels of revenue for the acquired station or group of stations.

The number of advertisements that can be broadcast without jeopardizing listening levels (and the resulting ratings) is limited in part by the format of a particular radio station. Our stations strive to maximize revenue by constantly managing the number of commercials available for sale and adjusting prices based upon local market conditions and ratings. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of inventory sell out ratios and pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.

Our radio stations employ a variety of programming formats. We periodically perform market research, including music evaluations, focus groups and strategic vulnerability studies. Our stations also employ audience promotions to further develop and secure a loyal following. We believe that the diversification of formats on our radio stations helps to insulate us from the effects of changes in musical tastes of the public on any particular format.

The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating radio stations are employee salaries including sales commissions, depreciation, programming expenses, advertising expenses, and promotion expenses.

Historically, our radio stations in the Columbus, Ohio, Manchester, New Hampshire, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Norfolk, Virginia markets have each represented 15% or more of our consolidated operating income. During the six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, these markets when combined, represented approximately 77%, 90%, 81% and 81%, respectively, of our consolidated operating income. While radio revenues in each of the Columbus, Manchester, Milwaukee and Norfolk markets have remained relatively stable historically, an adverse change in any of these radio markets or our relative market position in those markets could have a significant impact on our operating results as a whole. Total available radio advertising dollars available in the Columbus Ohio market has resulted in a decline in our revenue and related operating income in our radio stations there. We anticipate that this decline is temporary in nature. None of our television markets represented more than 15% or more of our consolidated operating income. The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated operating income represented by each of these markets:



	Percentage of						Percentage of
	Consolidated						Consolidated
	Operating						Operating
	Income For the						Income For the
	Six Months						Years Ended
	Ended June 30,						December 31,

	2004			2003			2003			2002

Market:
Columbus, Ohio		13	%		20	%		17	%		19	%
Manchester, New Hampshire		15	%		18	%		15	%		16	%
Milwaukee, Wisconsin		33	%		34	%		32	%		30	%
Norfolk, Virginia		16	%		18	%		17	%		16	%

We utilize certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess our financial performance. For example, we evaluate the performance of our markets based on “station operating income” (operating income plus corporate general and administrative, depreciation and amortization). Station operating income is generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as a measure of performance, is used by analysts who report on the performance of the

broadcasting industry and it serves as an indicator of the market value of a group of stations. In addition, we use it to evaluate individual stations, market-level performance, overall operations and as a primary measure for incentive based compensation of executives and other members of management. Station operating income is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available to us for debt service requirements, other commitments, reinvestment or other discretionary uses. Station operating income is not a measure of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis.

During the six month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, the radio stations in our four largest markets when combined, represented approximately 53% 61%, 58% and 59%, respectively, of our consolidated station operating income (operating income plus corporate general and administrative, depreciation and amortization). None of our television markets represented more than 15% or more of our consolidated station operating income. The following tables describe the percentage of our consolidated station operating income represented by each of these markets:

Percentage of

Consolidated

Percentage of

Station

Consolidated

Operating

Station

Income For

Operating

the Six (*)

Income For

Months

the Years (*)

Ended

June 30,

December 31,

2004

2003

2002

Market:

Columbus, Ohio

14%

12%

14%

Manchester, New Hampshire

10%

12%

11%

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

23%

22%

Norfolk, Virginia

11%

12%


*	Operating income plus corporate general and administrative, depreciation and amortization

Television Segment

In our television segment our primary source of revenue is from the sale of advertising for broadcast on our stations. The number of advertisements available for broadcast on our television stations is limited by certain network affiliation and syndicated programming agreements and, with respect to children’s programs, federal regulation. Our television broadcasting segment local market managers only determine the number of advertisements to be broadcast hourly in locally produced programs which are comprised mainly of news programming and the occasional locally produced sports or information show.

Our net operating revenue, and the resulting station operating expenses, and operating income varies from market to market based upon the related markets rank or size which is based upon population and the available television advertising revenue in that particular market, and the popularity of programming being broadcast.

Our financial results are dependent on a number of factors, the most significant of which is our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The rates a station is able to charge are, in large part, based on a station’s ability to attract audiences in the demographic groups targeted by its advertisers, as measured principally by periodic reports by independent national rating services. Various factors affect the rate a station can charge, including the general strength of the local and national economies, population growth, ability to provide popular programming through locally produced news, sports and weather and as a result of syndication and network affiliation agreements, local market competition, the ability of television broadcasting to reach a mass appeal market compared to other advertising media, and signal strength including and cable/satellite coverage. Because audience ratings are crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong listener/viewer loyalty. When we acquire and/or begin operating a

station or group of stations we generally increase spending on programming expenses including local news, sports and weather programming and syndicated programming, and advertising and promotion expenses to increase our viewership. Our strategy sometimes requires levels of spending commensurate with the revenue levels we plan on achieving in two to five years. During periods of economic downturns, or when the level of advertising spending is flat or down across the industry, this strategy may result in the appearance that our cost of operations is increasing at a faster rate than our growth in revenues, until such time as we achieve our targeted levels of revenue for the acquired/operated station or group of stations.

Our stations strive to maximize revenue by constantly adjusting prices for our commercial spots based upon local market conditions, demand for advertising and ratings. While there may be shifts from time to time in the number of advertisements broadcast during a particular time of the day, the total number of advertisements broadcast on a particular station generally does not vary significantly from year to year. Any change in our revenue, with the exception of those instances where stations are acquired or sold, is generally the result of pricing adjustments, which are made to ensure that the station efficiently utilizes available inventory.

Because audience ratings in the local market are crucial to a station’s financial success, we endeavor to develop strong viewer loyalty by providing locally produced news, weather and sports programming. We believe that this emphasis on the local market provides us with the viewer loyalty we are trying to achieve.

Most of our revenue is generated from local advertising, which is sold primarily by each television markets’ sales staff. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, approximately 74% and 76%, respectively, of our gross television revenue was from local advertising. To generate national advertising sales, we engage independent advertising sales representatives that specialize in national sales for each of our television markets.

Our revenue varies throughout the year. Advertising expenditures, our primary source of revenue, generally have been lowest during the winter months, which includes the first quarter of each year.

The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating television stations are employee salaries including commissions, depreciation, programming expenses including news production and the cost of acquiring certain syndicated programming, solicitation of advertising, and promotion expenses.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2003


	*Results of Operations*

The following tables summarize our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The as-reported percentages reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations

for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The same station percentages reflect the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period.

Consolidated Results of Operations



	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
						$ Increase			% Increase
	2004		2003			(Decrease)			(Decrease)


	(In thousands)
Net operating revenue	$	35,127	$	31,790		$	3,337			10.50	%
Station operating expense*		22,007		20,497			1,510			7.37	%
Corporate G&A		2,229		1,896			333			17.56	%
Depreciation		1,709		1,671			38			2.27	%
Amortization		67		120			(53	)		(44.17	%)

Operating income		9,115		7,606			1,509			19.84	%
Interest expense		1,085		1,157			(72	)		(6.22	%)
Other (income) expense		65		(357	)		422			N/M
Income taxes		3,104		2,577			527			20.45	%

Net income	$	4,861	$	4,229		$	632			14.94	%

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)	$	.23	$	.20		$	.03			14.94	%

Radio Broadcasting Segment



	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
					$ Increase			% Increase
	2004		2003		(Decrease)			(Decrease)


	(In thousands)
Net operating revenue	$	31,362	$	28,675	$	2,687			9.37	%
Station operating expense*		19,169		18,077		1,092			6.04	%
Depreciation		1,236		1,234		2			.16	%
Amortization		64		117		(53	)		(45.30	%)

Operating income	$	10,893	$	9,247	$	1,646			17.80	%

Television Broadcasting Segment



	Three Months
	Ended June 30,
					$ Increase		% Increase
	2004		2003		(Decrease)		(Decrease)


	(In thousands)
Net operating revenue	$	3,765	$	3,115	$	650		20.87	%
Station operating expense*		2,838		2,420		418		17.27	%
Depreciation		423		388		35		9.02	%
Amortization		3		3		0		0.00	%

Operating income (loss)	$	501	$	304	$	197		64.80	%


*	Programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses.

N/A Not applicable

N/M Not meaningful


	*Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated operating income:*


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	31,362	$	3,765		—		$	35,127
Station operating expense		19,169		2,838		—			22,007
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	2,229			2,229
Depreciation		1,236		423		50			1,709
Amortization		64		3		—			67

Operating income (loss)	$	10,893	$	501	$	(2,279	)	$	9,115


	*Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated operating income:*


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	28,675	$	3,115		—		$	31,790
Station operating expense		18,077		2,420		—			20,497
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	1,896			1,896
Depreciation		1,234		388		49			1,671
Amortization		117		3		—			120

Operating income (loss)	$	9,247	$	304	$	(1,945	)	$	7,606


	*Consolidated*

For the three months ended June 30, 2004, consolidated net operating revenue was $35,127,000 compared with $31,790,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $3,337,000 or 11%. Approximately $1,752,000 ($1,467,000 in our radio segment and $285,000 in our television segment) or 53% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by stations that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period (“same station revenue”) increased by approximately 5% or approximately $1,585,000 ($1,220,000 or 4.3% in our radio segment and $365,000 or 11.7% in our television segment). This increase was primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our stations. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to same station local revenue increases of approximately 7%, while our same station national revenue decrease was approximately 2%.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) increased by $1,510,000 or 7% to $22,007,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $20,497,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Of the total increase, approximately $1,419,000 or 94% was the result of the impact of the operation of stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Station operating expense increased by approximately $91,000 or 0.4% on a same station basis.

Operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $9,115,000 compared to $7,606,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $1,509,000 or 20%. The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue and a $15,000 or 0.8% decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, offset by the increase in station operating expense and a $333,000 or 18% increase in corporate general and administrative charges. The increase in corporate general and administrative charges was primarily attributable to approximately $194,000 or 58% charges incurred in Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 related professional consulting fees; and an overall increase in corporate general and administrative of 7%, primarily attributable to the growth of the Company as a whole.

We generated net income of approximately $4,861,000 ($.23 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $4,229,000 ($.20 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $632,000 or 15%. The increase was the result of the increase in operating income discussed above and a $72,000 decrease in interest expense, offset by a $422,000 increase in other expense and a $527,000 increase in income tax expense. The decrease in interest expense was the result of lower interest rates over the prior year, and the expiration of our swap agreements in September 2003. The increase in other expense was the principally the result of gains recognized on the sale of two of our AM radio stations in our Columbus, Ohio and Springfield, Illinois markets during the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in income tax expense was directly attributable to the improvement in operating performance.


	*Radio Segment*

For the three months ended June 30, 2004, net operating revenue of the radio segment was $31,362,000 compared with $28,675,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $2,687,000 or 9%. Approximately $1,467,000 or 55% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by radio stations and radio networks that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by radio stations and radio networks that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period increased by approximately 4.3% or approximately $1,220,000. This increase was primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our stations. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to same station local revenue increases of approximately 6%, while our same station national revenue decrease was approximately 4.6%.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) in the radio segment increased by $1,092,000 or 6% to $19,169,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $18,077,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. The total increase in station operating expense was the result of the impact of the operation of stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Station operating expense decreased by approximately $84,000 or 0.4% on a same station basis, which was attributable to overall cost containment efforts.

Operating income in the radio segment for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $10,893,000 compared to $9,247,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $1,646,000 or 18%. The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue and $51,000 or 3.8% decrease in depreciation and amortization expense (approximately a $161,000 or a 12% decrease on a same station basis), offset by the increase in station operating expense.


	*Television Segment*

For the three months ended June 30, 2004, net operating revenue of our television segment was $3,765,000 compared with $3,115,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $650,000 or 21%. Approximately $285,000 or 44% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by television stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by television stations that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period increased by approximately 12% or approximately $365,000. Approximately $85,000 or 23% of the increase was attributable to an increase in political advertising. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to same station national revenue increases of approximately 15% while our same station local revenue increase was approximately 12%. These increases were primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our stations.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) in the television segment increased by $418,000 or 17% to $2,838,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $2,420,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Of the total increase, approximately $243,000 or approximately 58% was the result of the impact of the operation of stations that we

did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. On a same station basis, station operating expense increased approximately $175,000 or 7%, which was attributable to increases in selling and commission expenses as a result of the increase in revenue, and increased utility expenses and technical repairs in all of our television markets.

Operating income in the television segment for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was $501,000 compared to $304,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $197,000 or 65%. The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue and a $35,000 or 9% increase in depreciation and amortization expense, offset by the increase in station operating. Operating income on a same station basis increased by approximately $190,000 or approximately 61%, which was the result of the increase in net operating revenue, offset by the increase in station operating expense.


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

The following tables summarize our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The as-reported percentages reflect our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The same station percentages reflect the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period.

Consolidated Results of Operations



		Six Months Ended
		June 30,
							$ Increase			% Increase
		2004		2003			(Decrease)			(Decrease)


		(In thousands)
Net operating revenue		$	64,300	$	57,931		$	6,369			10.99	%
Station operating expense*			42,525		39,310			3,215			8.18	%
Corporate G&A			3,912		3,141			771			24.55	%
Depreciation			3,383		3,390			(7	)		(0.21	%)
Amortization			109		210			(101	)		(48.10	%)

Operating income			14,371		11,880			2,491			20.97	%
Interest expense			2,180		2,692			(512	)		(19.02	%)
Other (income) expense			73		(365	)		438			N/M
Income taxes			4,726		3,675			1,051			28.60	%

Net income		$	7,392	$	5,878		$	1,514			25.76	%

Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	.36	$	.28		$	.08			25.74	%

	Diluted	$	.35	$	.28		$	.07			25.91	%

Radio Broadcasting Segment



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
					$ Increase			% Increase
	2004		2003		(Decrease)			(Decrease)


	(In thousands)
Net operating revenue	$	57,381	$	52,200	$	5,181			9.93	%
Station operating expense*		37,066		34,606		2,460			7.11	%
Depreciation		2,450		2,515		(65	)		(2.58	)%
Amortization		102		203		(101	)		(49.75	)%

Operating income	$	17,763	$	14,876	$	2,887			19.41	%

Television Broadcasting Segment


					$ Increase		% Increase
	2004		2003		(Decrease)		(Decrease)


	(In thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
Net operating revenue	$	6,919	$	5,731	$	1,188		20.73	%
Station operating expense*		5,459		4,704		755		16.05	%
Depreciation		834		776		58		7.47	%
Amortization		7		7		0		0.00	%

Operating income (loss)	$	619	$	244	$	375		N/M


*	Programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses.

N/ A Not applicable

N/ M Not meaningful

Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated operating income:


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:
Net operating revenue	$	57,381	$	6,919		—		$	64,300
Station operating expense		37,066		5,459		—			42,525
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,912			3,912
Depreciation		2,450		834		99			3,383
Amortization		102		7		—			109

Operating income (loss)	$	17,763	$	619	$	(4,011	)	$	14,371


	*Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated operating income:*


					Corporate
	Radio		Television		and Other			Consolidated

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003:
Net operating revenue	$	52,200	$	5,731		—		$	57,931
Station operating expense		34,606		4,704		—			39,310
Corporate general and administrative		—		—	$	3,141			3,141
Depreciation		2,515		776		99			3,390
Amortization		203		7		—			210

Operating income (loss)	$	14,876	$	244	$	(3,240	)	$	11,880


	*Consolidated*

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, consolidated net operating revenue was $64,300,000 compared with $57,931,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $6,369,000 or 11%. Approximately $2,754,000 ($2,291,000 in our radio segment and $463,000 in our television segment) or 43% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by stations that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period increased by approximately 6% or approximately $3,615,000 ($2,890,000 or 80% in our radio segment and $725,000 or 20% in our television segment). This increase was primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our stations. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to

same station local revenue increases of approximately 7%, while our same station national revenue decrease was approximately 1%.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) increased by $3,215,000 or 8% to $42,525,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $39,310,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Of the total increase, approximately $2,225,000 or 69% was the result of the impact of the operation of stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Station operating expense increased by approximately $990,000 or 3% on a same station basis, as a result of an increase in selling and commission expenses which was directly attributable to the increase in revenue, and increases in programming expenses and advertising and promotions expense as a result of competitive pressures in several of our radio markets.

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $14,371,000 compared to $11,880,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $2,491,000 or 21%. The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue and a $108,000 or 3% decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, offset by the increase in station operating expense and a $771,000 or 25% increase in corporate general and administrative charges. The increase in corporate general and administrative charges was primarily attributable to approximately $264,000 or 34% of the increase due to charges incurred in Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 related professional consulting fees; approximately $200,000 or 26% of the increase due to charges incurred in registering our stock on the New York Stock Exchange; and an overall increase in corporate general and administrative of 10% primarily attributable to the growth of the Company as a whole.

We generated net income of approximately $7,392,000 ($.35 per share on a fully diluted basis) during the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $5,878,000 ($.28 per share on a fully diluted basis) for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $1,514,000 or 26%. The increase was the result of the increase in operating income discussed above, a decrease in interest expense of approximately $512,000 and a $1,051,000 increase in income tax expense. The decrease in interest expense was the result of lower interest rates over the prior year and the expiration of our swap agreements in September 2003. The increase in other expense was the principally the result of gains recognized on the sale of two of our AM radio stations in our Columbus, Ohio and Springfield, Illinois markets during the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in income tax expense was directly attributable to the improvement in operating performance.


	*Radio Segment*

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net operating revenue in the radio segment was $57,381,000 compared with $52,200,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $5,181,000 or 10%. Approximately $2,291,000 or 44% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by radio stations and radio networks that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by radio stations and radio networks that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period increased by approximately 6% or approximately $2,890,000. This increase was primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our radio stations. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to same station local revenue increases of approximately 7%, while our same station national revenue decrease was approximately 4%.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) in our radio segment increased by $2,460,000 or 7% to $37,066,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $34,606,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Of the total increase, approximately $1,802,000 or 73% was the result of the impact of the operation of stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Station operating expense increased by approximately $658,000 or 2% on a same station basis, which was directly attributable to the increase in revenue.

Operating income in the radio segment for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $17,763,000 compared to $14,876,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $2,887,000 or 19% and a $166,000 or 6% decrease in depreciation and amortization expense (approximately $341,000 or

12.5% decrease on a same station basis). The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue, offset by the increase in station operating expense.


	*Television Segment*

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net operating revenue in the radio segment was $6,919,000 compared with $5,731,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $1,188,000 or 21%. Approximately $463,000 or 39% of the increase was attributable to revenue generated by television stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Net operating revenue generated by stations that we owned and operated for the entire comparable period increased by approximately 13% or approximately $725,000. Approximately $112,000 or 15% of the increase was the result of an increase in political advertising. The remaining increase in revenue was primarily the result of improvements in the economy, which contributed to an increase in demand for advertising and an increase in advertising rates at the majority of our television stations. The majority of the improvement in same station revenue was attributable to same station national revenue increases of approximately 20%, while our same station local revenue increased approximately 12%.

Station operating expense (i.e., programming, technical, selling and station general and administrative expenses) in our television segment increased by $755,000 or 16% to $5,459,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared with $4,704,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Of the total increase, approximately $423,000 or 56% was the result of the impact of the operation of television stations that we did not own or operate for the comparable period in 2003. Station operating expense increased by approximately $332,000 or 7% on a same station basis, which was attributable to increases in selling and commission expenses as a result of the increase in revenue.

Operating income in the television segment for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $619,000 compared to $244,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of approximately $375,000 or 154%. The increase was the result of the increase in net operating revenue and a $58,000 or 7% increase in depreciation and amortization expense, offset by the increase in station operating expense.

Outlook

The following statements are forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

Based on the economic and market conditions as of July 28, 2004, for the quarter ending September 30, 2004, we anticipate net operating revenue of approximately $34,000,000 to $34,500,000, and station operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) of approximately $21,200,000 to $21,500,000.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans”, “expects,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are made as of the date of this report or as otherwise indicated, based on current expectations. We undertake no obligation to update this information. A number of important factors could cause our actual results for 2004 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and that may cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may affect our performance include our financial leverage and debt service requirements, dependence on key personnel, dependence on key stations, U.S. and local economic conditions, our ability to successfully integrate acquired stations, regulatory requirements, new technologies, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. We cannot be sure that we will be able to anticipate or respond timely to changes in any of these factors, which could adversely affect the operating results in one or more fiscal quarters. Results of

operations in any past period should not be considered, in and of itself, indicative of the results to be expected for future periods. Fluctuations in operating results may also result in fluctuations in the price of our stock.

For a more complete description of the prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward Looking Statements; Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Debt Arrangements and Debt Service Requirements

As of June 30, 2004, we had $121,161,000 of long-term debt (including the current portion thereof) outstanding and approximately $79,900,000 of unused borrowing capacity under our Credit Agreement.

Our current financing facility (the “Facility”) is a $200,000,000 reducing revolving line of credit (the “Reducing Revolver”). The Facility matures July 29, 2010. Our indebtedness under the Facility is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our assets and of our subsidiaries, by a pledge of our subsidiaries’ stock an by a guarantee of our subsidiaries.

The Reducing Revolver may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, permitted acquisition and related transaction expenses and permitted stock buybacks. On March 31, 2006, the Revolving Commitments (as defined in the Credit Agreement) will be permanently reduced quarterly in amounts ranging from 3.125% to 12.5% of the total Revolving Commitments in effect on March 31, 2006. Any outstanding balance under the Reducing Revolver will be due on the maturity date of July 29, 2010. In addition, the Revolving Commitments shall be further reduced by specified percentages of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in Credit Agreement) based on leverage ratios.

Interest rates under the Facility are payable, at our option, at alternatives equal to LIBOR plus 1.375% to 2.0% or the Agent bank’s base rate plus 0.125% to 0.75%. The spread over LIBOR and the base rate vary from time to tome, depending upon our financial leverage. We also pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.375% to 0.625% per annum on the unused portion of the Facility.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of financial covenants (all of which we were in compliance with at June 30, 2004) which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness, dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances.

Sources and Uses of Cash

During the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, we had net cash flows from operating activities of $12,100,000 and $9,966,000, respectively. We believe that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet quarterly debt service requirements for interest and scheduled payments of principal under the Credit Agreement. However, if such cash flow is not sufficient we may be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations or dispose of one or more of our properties in order to make such scheduled payments. There can be no assurance that we would be able to effect any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all.

On March 1, 2004 we acquired the Minnesota News Network and the Minnesota Farm Network for approximately $3,442,000 in cash. We financed this acquisition through funds generated from operations.

On April 1, 2004 we acquired three FM radio stations (WRSI-FM, WPVQ-FM and WRSY-FM), serving the Springfield, Massachusetts, Greenfield, Massachusetts and Brattleboro, Vermont markets, respectively, for approximately $7,220,000 in cash. We financed this acquisition through funds generated from operations.

The following transactions were either pending at June 30, 2004 or were entered into subsequent to that date, which we expect to finance through funds generated from operations and additional borrowings under our Credit Agreement:


	•	On January 21, 2004, we entered into agreements to acquire one FM radio station (WOXL-FM) and one AM radio station (WISE-AM), both serving the Asheville, North Carolina market, for a combined purchase price of approximately $10,000,000 in cash. We are currently providing programming to WISE-AM under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”) and to WOXL-FM under a Sub-Time Brokerage Agreement. These transactions are subject to the approval of the FCC and have been contested, however, we expect to get approval and close on the acquisitions during the fourth quarter 2004.

	•	On July 1, 2004, we acquired an FM radio station (WXLS-FM) serving the Champaign, Illinois market, for approximately $3,250,000 in cash. We financed this acquisition through funds generated from operations.

	•	On May 3, 2004, we entered into an agreement to sell an AM radio station (WJQY-AM) serving the Springfield, Tennessee market for approximately $150,000 in cash. This transaction, subject to the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, is expected to close during the third quarter 2004.

	•	On May 20, 2004, we entered into an agreement to acquire two FM and two AM radio stations (WQNY-FM, WYXL-FM, WTKO-AM and WHCU-AM) serving the Ithaca, New York market for approximately $13,250,000. This transaction, subject to the approval of the FCC, is expected to close during the fourth quarter 2004.

We continue to actively seek and explore opportunities for expansion through the acquisition of additional broadcast properties.

In December 2003, we increased our Stock Buy-Back Program so that we may purchase up to $15,000,000 of our Class A Common Stock. From the inception of the Stock Buy-Back program in 1998 through June 30, 2004, we have repurchased 694,864 shares of our Class A Common Stock for $10,111,138. During the three months ended June 30, 2004 we repurchased 107,100 shares for approximately $2,009,557. For more information on our stock repurchases during the quarter of 2004, see Part II Item 2 below.

We anticipate that any future acquisitions of radio and television stations and purchases of Class A Common Stock under the Stock Buy-Back Program will be financed through funds generated from operations, borrowings under the Credit Agreement, additional debt or equity financing, or a combination thereof. However, there can be no assurances that any such financing will be available.

Our capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were approximately $4,263,000 ($4,203,000 in 2003). We anticipate capital expenditures exclusive of acquisitions in 2004 to be approximately $8,500,000 to $9,000,000, which we expect to finance through funds generated from operations or additional borrowings under the Credit Agreement.


	*Summary Disclosures About Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments*

We have future cash obligations under various types of contracts under the terms of our Credit Agreement, operating leases, programming contracts, employment agreements, and other operating contracts. For additional information concerning our future cash obligations see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation — Summary Disclosures About Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

With the exception of the commitments to acquire radio stations of $16,500,000 disclosed in Note 6, there have been no material changes to such contracts/commitments during the six months ended June 30, 2004. We anticipate that the above contractual cash obligations will be financed through funds generated from operations or additional borrowings under the Credit Agreement, or a combination thereof.


	*Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates*

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which require us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures and contingencies. We evaluate estimates used in preparation of our financial statements on a continual basis. Our critical accounting policies are described in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.


	*Inflation*

The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. There can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation in the future would not have an adverse effect on our operations.


Item 3.	*Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk*

Refer to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for a complete discussion of our market risk. There have been no material changes to the market risk information included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Item 4.	*Controls and Procedures*

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a — 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to cause the material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2004, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION


Item 2.	*Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities*

The following table summarizes our repurchases of our Class A Common Stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2004. All shares repurchased during the quarter were repurchased in open market transactions on the New York Stock Exchange.


						Total
						Number of		Approximate
						Shares		Dollar Value
						Purchased as		of Shares that
		Total				Part of		May Yet be
		Number of		Average		Publicly		Purchased
		Shares		Price Paid		Announced		Under the
Period		Purchased		per Share		Program		Program(a)

April 1 — April 30, 2004			2,100	$	18.546		2,100	$	6,859,473
May 1 — May 31, 2004			0		0		0	$	6,859,473
June 1 — June 30, 2004			105,000	$	18.768		105,000	$	4,888,862

	Total		107,100	$	18.763


(a)		On August 7, 1998 our Board of Directors approved a Stock Buy-Back Program of up to $2,000,000 of our Class A Common Stock. Since August 1998, the Board of Directors has authorized several increases to the Stock Buy-Back Program, the most recent occurring on December 12, 2003, which increased the total amount authorized to be repurchased to $15,000,000.


Item 4.	*Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders*

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 10, 2004.

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders voted on the following matters:


	(1) The six nominees for election as directors for the ensuing year, and until their successors are elected and qualified, received the following votes:


Name	For		Withheld

Brian W. Brady*		14,377,569		1,436,235
Jonathan Firestone*		14,251,250		1,562,553
Edward K. Christian		35,640,237		3,777,267
Donald Alt		37,953,235		1,464,269
Gary Stevens		33,245,394		6,172,110
Robert Maccini		32,546,376		6,871,128


*	Elected by the holders of Class A Common Stock.


Item 6.	*Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K*

(a) Exhibits


31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Rule 13-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	SAGA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

	/s/ SAMUEL D. BUSH

	Samuel D. Bush
	Senior Vice President,
	Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: August 6, 2004


	/s/ CATHERINE A. BOBINSKI

	Catherine A. Bobinski
	Vice President, Corporate Controller
	and Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: August 6, 2004

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number			Description

	31	.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	31	.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	32		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Rule 13-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A- 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Edward K. Christian, Chief Executive Officer of Saga Communications, Inc., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Saga Communications, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter ( the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: August 6, 2004 /s/ Edward K. Christian ----------------------- Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A- 14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Samuel D. Bush, Chief Financial Officer of Saga Communications, Inc., certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Saga Communications, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: August 6, 2004 /s/Samuel D. Bush ----------------- Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 32 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AND RULE 13-14(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly Report of Saga Communications, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we, Edward K. Christian, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Samuel D. Bush, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Issuer and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or its staff, upon request. Dated: August 6, 2004 /S/ Edward K. Christian ----------------------- Edward K. Christian Chief Executive Officer Dated: August 6, 2004 /S/ Samuel D. Bush ------------------------------ Samuel D. Bush Chief Financial Officer

Financial

Items Reported

Statements Filed

Item 9 — Regulation FD Disclosure, Item 12 — Results of Operations and Financial Condition