Fisher Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSCI), a leader in local media
innovation, today announced it has entered into a definitive
agreement to sell Fisher Plaza, its approximately 300,000 square
foot mixed-use facility located near downtown Seattle, to Hines
Global REIT, Inc. for $160 million in cash.
"Over the past several years, we have strategically repositioned
Fisher for the opportunities we see as a leading local media
company. Fisher Plaza has been an asset that is not a central
component of our business model and executing this transaction
provides added flexibility in our effort to create additional value
for our shareholders," said Colleen B. Brown, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Fisher Communications.
"This is an extremely well-constructed and located asset with a
unique mix of uses in downtown Seattle. We are happy to have the
opportunity to invest in the highest quality multi-tenanted data
center in the region, with outstanding access to telecommunication
providers," said Hines Vice President Ty Bennion. "We are
especially pleased to be starting a long-term relationship with the
leading broadcast media company in the Pacific Northwest."
"The acquisition of Fisher Plaza is consistent with the strategy
of the Hines Global REIT to acquire well located, market leading
assets in top performing cities," said Charles Hazen, President and
CEO of Hines Global REIT. "We look forward to continuing our growth
in attractive Pacific Northwest markets like Seattle."
Fisher will remain the Plaza's largest tenant, with a 12-year
lease for its corporate headquarters and Seattle television, radio,
and internet operations.
The transaction was unanimously approved by Fisher's Board of
Directors. As previously disclosed, Fisher intends to use a portion
of the sale proceeds to redeem its outstanding 8 5/8% Senior Notes.
Moelis & Company served as Fisher's financial advisor on the
transaction and continues to work with the company's Board to
analyze uses for the remaining proceeds that will maximize
shareholder value.
The transaction will conclude a process that began in early
2008, when Fisher initiated a review of alternatives to maximize
the value of Fisher Plaza. The process was suspended in November
2008 due to the then rapidly deteriorating financial market
conditions. Fisher resumed its efforts in March 2011, which
resulted in the agreement with Hines Global REIT. The transaction,
which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be
completed by the end of 2011.
About Fisher Communications, Inc.
Fisher Communications (FSCI) is an innovative local media
company with television, radio, internet and mobile operations
throughout the western United States. Fisher operates 18 television
stations, which include network affiliations with ABC, CBS, FOX,
Univision and CW that reach 3.5% of U.S. television households, and
three radio stations targeting a full range of audience
demographics. Fisher Interactive produces more than 120 local and
hyper-local websites and delivers comprehensive multiplatform
advertising solutions to local businesses. The Company is
headquartered at Fisher Plaza, a 300,000 square foot media,
telecommunications and data center facility in Seattle, WA. More
information about Fisher Communications, Inc. is available at
www.fsci.com.
About Hines REIT
Hines Global REIT, Inc. is a Houston-based, public, non-listed
real estate investment trust sponsored by Hines. Hines Global REIT
commenced its $3.5 billion initial public offering in August 2009
and has raised over $825 million, which it invests in commercial
real estate properties located in the United States and
internationally. To date, Hines Global REIT owns interests in ten
commercial properties. For additional information about Hines
Global REIT, visit www.HinesREI.com.
Hines is a fully integrated real estate investment and
management firm that has been investing in real estate and
providing acquisition, development, financing, property management,
leasing and disposition services for more than 50 years. With
offices in 108 cities in 18 countries, and controlled assets valued
at approximately $23.7 billion, Hines is one of the largest real
estate organizations in the world. Access www.hines.com for more
information on Hines.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements. We have
based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations
and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements
include information preceded by, followed by, or that includes the
words "guidance," "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates,"
"could," or similar expressions. For these statements, the Company
claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in this news
release, concerning, among other things, changes in revenue, cash
flow and operating expenses, involve risks and uncertainties, and
are subject to change based on various important factors, including
the impact of changes in national and regional economies, our
ability to service and refinance our outstanding debt, successful
integration of acquired television stations (including achievement
of synergies and cost reductions), pricing fluctuations in local
and national advertising, future regulatory actions and conditions
in the television stations' operating areas, competition from
others in the broadcast television markets served by the Company,
volatility in programming costs, the effects of governmental
regulation of broadcasting, industry consolidation, technological
developments and major world news events. Unless required by law,
we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this news
release might not occur. You should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
of this release. For more details on factors that could affect
these expectations, please see the risk factors in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which we
have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts: Fisher Communications: Sard Verbinnen
& Co Ron Low/David Isaacs (415) 618-8750 Hines REIT:
George Lancaster SVP Hines 713/966-7676 Email Contact
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