e10vk
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
Commission File Numbers: 333-72440
333-72440-01
Mediacom Broadband LLC
Mediacom Broadband Corporation*
(Exact names of Registrants as specified in their charters)
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Delaware
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06-1615412 |
Delaware
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06-1630167 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Numbers) |
100 Crystal Run Road
Middletown, New York 10941
(Address of principal executive offices)
(845) 695-2600
(Registrants telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405
of the Securities Act.
Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the Registrants are not required to file pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes o No þ
Note: As a voluntary filer, not subject to the filing requirements, the Registrants have filed all
reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Not Applicable.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated
filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer þ
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
State the aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrants:
Not Applicable
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the Registrants common stock: Not Applicable
* |
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Mediacom Broadband Corporation meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I (1)
(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure
format. |
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC
2010 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K is for the year ended December 31, 2010. Any statement contained in
a prior periodic report shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Annual
Report to the extent that a statement herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) allows us to incorporate by reference information that we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you directly to
those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Annual
Report.
Mediacom Broadband LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mediacom Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation. Mediacom Broadband Corporation is a
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Broadband LLC. Mediacom Broadband
Corporation was formed for the sole purpose of acting as co-issuer with Mediacom Broadband LLC of
debt securities and does not conduct operations of its own.
References in this Annual Report to we, us, or our are to Mediacom Broadband LLC and our
direct and indirect subsidiaries, unless the context specifies or requires otherwise. References in
this Annual Report to Mediacom or MCC are to Mediacom Communications Corporation.
2
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report and in other reports or
documents that we file from time to time with the SEC.
In this Annual Report, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future financial
performance. In some cases, you can identify those so-called forward-looking statements by words
such as anticipates, believes, continue, could, estimates, expects, intends, may,
plans, potential, predicts, should or will, or the negative of those and other comparable
words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
historical results or those we anticipate as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond
our control. Factors that may cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to:
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increased levels of competition from existing and new competitors; |
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lower demand for our video, high-speed data and phone services; |
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our ability to successfully introduce new products and services to meet customer demands and
preferences; |
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changes in laws, regulatory requirements or technology that may cause us to incur additional
costs and expenses; |
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greater than anticipated increases in programming costs and delivery expenses related to our
products and services; |
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changes in assumptions underlying our critical accounting policies; |
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the ability to secure hardware, software and operational support for the delivery of products
and services to our customers; |
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disruptions or failures of network and information systems upon which our business relies; |
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our reliance on certain intellectual properties; |
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our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations; |
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our ability to refinance future debt maturities or provide future funding for general
corporate purposes and potential strategic transactions, on similar terms as we currently
experience; and |
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other risks and uncertainties discussed in this Annual Report for the year ended December 31,
2010 and other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. |
Statements included in this Annual Report are based upon information known to us as of the date
that this Annual Report is filed with the SEC, and we assume no obligation to update or alter our
forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable federal securities laws.
3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Mediacom Communications Corporation
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation (Mediacom or MCC), who
is also our manager. Mediacom is the nations eighth largest cable company based on the number of
customers who purchase one or more video services, also known as basic subscribers. Mediacom is
among the leading cable operators focused on serving the smaller cities in the United States, with
a significant customer concentration in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions.
As of December 31, 2010, Mediacoms cable systems, which are owned and operated through our
operating subsidiaries and those of Mediacom LLC, passed an estimated 2.81 million homes in 22
states. Mediacom LLC is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom. As of the same date, Mediacom
served approximately 1.19 million basic subscribers, 731,000 digital video customers, 838,000
high-speed data (HSD) customers and 332,000 phone customers, aggregating 3.09 million revenue
generating units (RGUs).
As a result of the Going Private Transaction discussed below, Mediacom is wholly-owned by Rocco B.
Commisso, Mediacoms founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Mediacom Broadband LLC
As of
December 31, 2010, we served approximately 663,000 basic subscribers, 409,000 digital
video customers, 459,000 HSD customers and 175,000 phone customers, aggregating 1.71 million RGUs.
As of the same date, we offered our bundle of video, HSD and phone service to about 97% of our estimated 1.52 million homes passed in seven
states.
Through our interactive broadband network, we provide our customers with a wide variety of advanced
products and services, including video services such as digital video, video-on-demand (VOD),
high-definition television (HDTV) and digital video recorders (DVRs), HSD and phone service. We
offer our primary services of video, HSD and phone, which we refer to as our triple-play bundle,
to residential and commercial customers in our service areas. We also provide network and transport
services to medium and large sized businesses in our service areas, and sell advertising time we
receive under our programming license agreements to local, regional and national advertisers.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any
amendments to such reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available free of charge on Mediacoms website
(http://www.mediacomcc.com; follow the About Us link to the Investor Relations tab to SEC
Filings) as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or
furnished to the SEC. Our phone number is (845)
695-2600 and our principal executive offices are located at 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, New
York, 10941.
2010 Developments
New Financing
On April 23, 2010, we completed a financing transaction (the new financing) that provided for a
new term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million under our existing bank credit
facility (the credit facility). The net proceeds from the new term loan were used to repay an
existing term loan and the full balance of outstanding revolving credit loans under our credit
facility. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital Structure New Financing and Note 5 in
our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
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Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, Mediacom entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement), by and among Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso, who was
also the sole member and manager of JMC (the Going Private Transaction). Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, among other things, each share of Mediacom common stock (other than shares held by Mr.
Commisso, JMC, or any of their respective affiliates, shares held in treasury by Mediacom and
shares held by stockholders who have perfected their appraisal rights under Delaware law) would be
converted into the right to receive $8.75 in cash upon stockholder approval of the Merger
Agreement.
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, Mediacoms stockholders voted to adopt the
Merger Agreement and, on the same date, the Going Private Transaction was closed. As a result, JMC
was merged with and into Mediacom, with Mediacom continuing as the surviving corporation, a private
company that is wholly-owned by Mr. Commisso. The Going Private Transaction consideration was
approximately $367 million, and was funded, in part, by distributions to Mediacom by us, consisting
of $200 million of drawdowns under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand, with the balance
funded by Mediacom LLC.
Description of Our Cable Systems
Overview
The following table provides an overview of selected operating and cable network data for our cable
systems for the years ended December 31:
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2010 |
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2009 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Operating Data: |
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Core Video |
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Estimated homes passed(1) |
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1,520,000 |
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1,514,000 |
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1,484,000 |
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1,476,000 |
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1,474,000 |
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Basic subscribers(2) |
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663,000 |
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690,000 |
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717,000 |
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720,000 |
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751,000 |
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Basic penetration(3) |
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43.6 |
% |
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45.6 |
% |
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48.3 |
% |
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48.8 |
% |
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50.9 |
% |
Digital Cable |
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Digital customers(4) |
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409,000 |
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378,000 |
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355,000 |
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317,000 |
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304,000 |
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Digital penetration(5) |
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61.7 |
% |
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54.8 |
% |
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49.5 |
% |
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44.0 |
% |
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40.5 |
% |
High Speed Data |
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HSD customers(6) |
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459,000 |
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428,000 |
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400,000 |
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359,000 |
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320,000 |
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HSD penetration(7) |
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30.2 |
% |
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28.3 |
% |
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27.0 |
% |
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24.3 |
% |
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21.7 |
% |
Phone |
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Estimated marketable phone homes(8) |
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1,471,000 |
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1,465,000 |
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1,406,000 |
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1,400,000 |
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1,350,000 |
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Phone customers(9) |
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175,000 |
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152,000 |
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134,000 |
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106,000 |
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71,000 |
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Phone penetration(10) |
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11.9 |
% |
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10.4 |
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9.5 |
% |
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7.6 |
% |
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5.3 |
% |
Revenue Generating Units(11) |
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1,706,000 |
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1,648,000 |
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1,606,000 |
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1,502,000 |
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1,446,000 |
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(1) |
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Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by
our cable distribution network. Estimated homes passed are based on the best information currently
available. |
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(2) |
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Represents a dwelling with one or more television sets that receives a package of over-the-air
broadcast stations, local access channels or certain satellite-delivered cable services. Accounts that
are billed on a bulk basis, which typically receive discounted rates, are converted into full-price
equivalent basic subscribers by dividing total bulk billed basic revenues of a particular system by
average cable rate charged to basic subscribers in that system. This conversion method is generally
consistent with the methodology used in determining payments made to programmers. Basic subscribers
include connections to schools, libraries, local |
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government offices and employee households that may
not be charged for limited and expanded cable services, but may be charged for digital cable, HSD,
phone or other services. Our methodology of calculating the number of basic subscribers may not be
identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
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(3) |
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Represents basic subscribers as a percentage of estimated homes passed. |
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(4) |
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Represents customers receiving digital video services. |
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(5) |
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Represents digital customers as a percentage of basic subscribers. |
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(6) |
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Represents residential HSD customers and small to medium-sized commercial cable modem accounts billed
at higher rates than residential customers. Small to medium-sized commercial accounts are converted to
equivalent residential HSD customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable
residential rate. Customers who take our scalable, fiber-based enterprise network products and
services are not counted as HSD customers. Our methodology of calculating HSD customers may not be
identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
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(7) |
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Represents the number of total HSD customers as a percentage of estimated homes passed by our cable
distribution network. |
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(8) |
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Represents the estimated number of homes to which we offer phone service, and is based upon the best
information currently available. |
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(9) |
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Represents customers receiving phone service. Small to medium-sized commercial accounts are converted
to equivalent residential phone customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable
residential rate. Our methodology of calculating phone customers may not be identical to those used by
other companies offering similar services. |
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(10) |
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Represents the number of total phone customers as a percentage of our estimated marketable phone homes. |
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(11) |
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Represents the sum of basic subscribers and digital, HSD and phone customers. |
Our Service Areas
Approximately 72% of our basic subscribers are in the top 100 television markets in the United
States, commonly referred to as Nielsen Media Research designated market areas (DMAs), with about
70% in DMAs that rank between the 60th and 100th largest. Our service areas include: the cities of
Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, IA; the Quad Cities in Illinois and Iowa, comprising the cities of
Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, Moline and Rock Island; Springfield, Jefferson City and
Columbia MO; and Columbus, Albany and Valdosta GA. Each of these clusters is further extended
through use of regional fiber networks to connect additional cities and towns.
Residential Services
Our residential services, consisting of our triple play bundle and other advanced products and
services, are the principal source of our revenues, and are generally provided by fees paid by
residential customers that are billed on a monthly basis. Customers are offered the option of
signing a contract to hold rates constant through the term of the agreement, or paying on a
month-to-month basis, which is subject to rate increases. Customers with contracts who discontinue
service prior to the expiration of the agreement are charged a termination fee.
We market our products and services to residential consumers in bundled packages, offering
customers discounted pricing and the convenience of a single monthly bill. Customers who take our
VIP Pak triple play bundle, which includes digital video service, receive faster HSD speeds and other
benefits free of charge. As of December 31, 2010, approximately 57% of our customers subscribed to
two or more of our primary services, including about 20% of our customers who take all three.
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Video
We offer our video service to residential customers in a variety of packages, ranging from our
lower-cost broadcast basic service to premium video services, including digital and other advanced
video products and services as discussed below. Our residential video customers are charged
monthly subscription rates which vary according to the level of service and equipment taken. We
also derive video revenue from the sale of premium VOD content and pay-per-view events, as well as
equipment, installation and other auxiliary charges.
Broadcast Basic Service. Our broadcast basic service includes 12 to 20 channels, including local
over-the-air broadcast network and independent stations, limited satellite-delivered programming,
home-shopping channels, and local public, government and leased access channels.
Family Basic Service. Our expanded basic package of services, marketed as Family Cable,
includes, for an additional monthly fee, 40 to 55 additional satellite-delivered channels such as
CNN, Discovery, ESPN, Lifetime, MTV, TNT and the USA Network in addition to those provided with our
broadcast basic service.
Digital Service. Our digital video service offers customers up to 230 channels, depending on the
level of service selected, with an improved picture and sound quality compared to traditional
analog video service. A digital converter or cable card is required to receive our digital and
other advanced video services, and digital customers are charged an additional monthly fee, which varies according to the level of service taken and the number of digital converters
in the home. Digital customers are provided access to our interactive on-screen program guide, and
receive all of the channels provided in our Family Basic Service along with additional programming,
including digital music channels and full access to our VOD library. For additional charges, our
subscribers may purchase premium video services such as Cinemax, HBO, Showtime and Starz! on an
individual or tiered basis.
High-Definition Television. Our HDTV service offers video customers a high-resolution picture
quality, digital sound and a wide-screen, theater-like display when using a high-definition
(HD) television. Most major broadcast networks, leading national cable networks and regional
sports networks are offered in HD to our digital customers at no additional charge. Digital
customers who subscribe to premium video services also have access to the premium services HDTV
channels without additional fees.
We offer up to 68 HD channels in certain of our markets, and plan to expand up to 100 HD channels
in 2011. Based upon data provided by the Nielsen Company, we believe the HD programming we
currently offer represents about 80% of the most widely-watched programming available.
Digital Video Recorders. Our DVR service allows digital customers to record and store programming
to watch at their convenience, as well as the ability to pause and rewind live television. Our
DVR service requires the use of an advanced digital converter, and customers who take our DVR
service are charged an additional monthly fee. In 2010, we launched a multi-room DVR product that
enables customers who take our DVR service to record in one room and watch the recorded programming
in any other rooms, using up to three set-top boxes in their home.
As of December 31, 2010, 46.3% of our digital customers received DVR and/or HDTV services.
Video-On-Demand. Our VOD service provides on-demand access to almost 7,500 movies, special events
and general interest titles, and includes full two-way functionality, including the ability to
start programs at any time, as well as pause, rewind and fast forward. The majority of our VOD
content is available to our digital customers at no additional charge, with additional content such
as first-run movies and special event programs such as live concerts and sporting events available
on a pay-per-view basis. Digital customers who subscribe to premium video services also have
access to the premium services VOD content without additional fees. As of December 31, 2010, our
VOD service was available to substantially all of our digital customers.
Mediacom Online
Mediacom Online, our residential HSD service, is offered to customers at downstream speeds ranging
from 3 Mbps to 105 Mbps. Our HSD customers are charged monthly subscription rates which vary according
to the level of HSD service taken, and include the use of a cable modem. Our most popular service
delivers speeds of up to 12 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream, and customers who take our VIP Pak
are automatically upgraded to 15 Mbps downstream speeds at no additional cost.
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In late 2009, we launched Mediacom Online Ultra, which is our very high-speed, or wideband, HSD
service. Mediacom Online Ultra utilizes DOCSIS 3.0 technology that was developed to accommodate
much higher transmission speeds through the use of channel bonding, allowing us to offer downstream
and upstream speeds of up to 105 Mbps and 10 Mbps, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, Mediacom
Online Ultra was available to approximately half of our service territory, and we plan to continue
our expansion of this service in 2011. In our service areas that we do not offer Mediacom Online
Ultra, we offer maximum downstream speeds of 20 Mbps.
Mediacom Phone
Mediacom Phone, our residential phone service, offers unlimited local, regional and long-distance
calling within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Our phone customers are charged a monthly fee, which includes
popular calling features such as Caller ID with name and number, call waiting, three-way calling
and enhanced Emergency 911 dialing. Directory assistance and voice mail services are available for
an additional charge, and international calling is available at competitive rates. Substantially
all of our phone customers take multiple services from us; about 85% take the triple-play and
approximately 14% take either video or HSD service in addition to phone.
Business Services
Commercial Services
We offer our full array of products and services to small and medium sized businesses (SMB),
including a multiline business phone service, which we believe has expanded our potential to
attract new SMB customers. During 2011, we will introduce a trunk-based voice service that will
offer SMB customers significantly more capacity for additional lines and a portfolio of
cloud-based, managed communications solutions through partnerships with local technology companies.
These initiatives will enable us to offer SMB customers access to enterprise-class services
without the need for significant infrastructure investment.
Enterprise Networks
Our enterprise networks business provides medium and large businesses in our markets, including
companies in the educational, financial services, healthcare and wireless telecommunications
industries, with tailored network solutions built upon our proprietary all-fiber optic backbone.
Our fiber network provides scalable bandwidths from 5 Mbps to 10 Gbps, which enables us to offer our enterprise networks customers a service that is customized to meet their current bandwidth requirements, while allowing for additional bandwidth
in the future. Our enterprise networks customers are supported by a dedicated technical team and
24/7 monitoring by our Network Operations Center.
Advertising
We generate revenues from selling advertising time we receive under our programming license
agreements to local, regional and national advertisers. Our advertising sales infrastructure
includes in-house production facilities, production and administrative employees and a
locally-based sales workforce. In many of our markets, we have entered into agreements, commonly
referred to as interconnects, with other cable operators to jointly sell local advertising,
simplifying our clients purchase of local advertising and expanding their geographic reach.
Marketing and Sales
We employ a wide range of sales channels to reach current and potential customers, including direct
marketing such as mail and outbound telemarketing, door-to-door and field technician sales. We also
steer people to our inbound call centers or website through television advertising on our own cable
systems and local broadcast television stations, internet advertising on search engines and other
websites and through other mass media outlets, including newspaper, radio and outdoor advertising.
Our primary marketing focus to residential and SMB customers is on our bundled products and
services, which we offer to our customers at discounted pricing, with the convenience of a single
bill. Residential customers who take
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our VIP Pak triple play bundle receive benefits such as faster HSD speeds,
additional free VOD movies and retailer discounts, which we believe enhances the value of
our services and increases our brand recognition. We have a dedicated sales force to market our
business services and established relationships with third-party agents, which we believe will help attract new SMB and enterprise networks customers.
Customer Care
We believe that providing a superior customer experience improves customer retention and creates
opportunities for sale of our advanced services. Our efforts to enhance our customers satisfaction
include multiple options to resolve questions and access information about their
services, a focus on first time resolution of service calls without the need to go to the
customers residence, and continually improving the performance and reliability
of our products and services.
Contact Centers
Our customer care group has multiple contact centers, which are staffed with dedicated customer service, sales, and technical support representatives that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to customer inquiries on all of
our products and services. Our virtual contact center technology ensures that the customer care
group functions as a single, unified call center, and allows us to effectively manage and leverage
resources and reduce answer times through call-routing in a seamless manner.
A web-based service platform is also available to our customers, which allows them to order products
via the Internet, review their billing accounts, make payments, receive general and technical support, and utilize self-help tools to troubleshoot technical difficulties. We also have
established a presence on certain social networking websites, offering our current and potential
customers in our markets another method of contacting us.
Field Operations
Our field operations group is staffed to handle all of our customers installation and service
needs. Our field technicians utilize a workflow management system that facilitates on-time arrival for
customer appointments and first call resolution to avoid repeat service trips and customer
dissatisfaction. Field activity is scheduled, routed and accounted for seamlessly, including
automated appointment confirmations and real time remote technician dispatching. Our field technicians
are equipped with hand-held monitoring tools that determine the real-time quality of service at
each customers home, and allow us to effectively install new services and efficiently resolve
customer reported issues.
Technology
Our cable systems use a hybrid fiber-optic coaxial (HFC) design that provides a single platform
distribution system, and has proven to be highly flexible in meeting the increasing requirements of
our business. The HFC designed network is engineered to accommodate bandwidth management
initiatives that provide increased capacity for our advanced products and services without the need
for costly upgrades. Our signals are delivered via laser-fed fiber optical cable from control centers
known as headends and hubs to individual nodes, and coaxial cable is then connected from each node
to the individual homes we serve.
As of December 31, 2010, substantially all our cable distribution network had bandwidth capacity of
at least 750 megahertz, which we believe is sufficient to deliver our current array of products and
services. However, demand for new services, including additional HDTV channels and DOCSIS
3.0-enabled wideband HSD service will require us to become more efficient with our existing bandwidth
capacity. As part of our transition towards an all-digital platform, we have been moving video
channels from analog to digital transmission, allowing us to deliver the same programming using
less bandwidth, which enables us to offer our customers more HDTV channels, faster HSD speeds
and other advanced products and services using the reclaimed bandwidth. We have transitioned
certain of our cable systems to an all-digital format, removing all analog programming and only
offering digital video. We plan to transition additional systems to an
all-digital format in 2011 and beyond. To take full advantage of the efficiencies associated with digital
transmission, we expect most of our cable distribution network will ultimately move to an all-digital format, thereby eliminating all analog transmissions.
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We have constructed fiber networks which connect about 93% of our service territory, upon which we
have overlaid a video transport system which allows these areas to function a single virtual
system. Our fiber networks and video transport system give us greater reach from a central
location, making it more cost efficient and timely to introduce new and advanced services to
customers, helping us reduce equipment and personnel costs, connectivity charges and other
expenditures.
Community Relations
We are dedicated to fostering strong relations with the communities we serve, and believe that our
local involvement strengthens the awareness of our brand. We support local charities and community
causes with events and campaigns to raise funds and supplies for persons in need, and in-kind
donations that include production services and free airtime on cable networks. We participate in
industry initiatives such as the Cable in the Classroom program, under which we provide to about
1,550 schools with free video service and 220 schools with free HSD service. We also provide free
cable service to 1,500 government buildings, libraries and not-for-profit hospitals, of which over
135 locations receive free HSD service.
We develop and provide exclusive local programming for our communities, a service that cannot be
offered by our primary video competitor, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers. Several of
our cable systems have production facilities with the ability to create local programming, including local school sports events, fund-raising telethons by local chapters of national
charitable organizations, local concerts and other entertainment. We believe our local programming
helps build brand awareness and customer loyalty in the communities we serve.
Franchises
Cable systems are generally operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by local or state
governmental authorities. Historically, these franchises have imposed numerous conditions, such as:
time limitations on commencement and completion of construction; conditions of service, including
population density specifications for service; the bandwidth capacity of the system; the broad
categories of programming required; the provision of free service to schools and other public
institutions and the provision and funding of public, educational and governmental access channels
(PEG access channels); a provision for franchise fees; and the maintenance or posting of
insurance or indemnity bonds by the cable operator. Many of the provisions of local franchises are
subject to federal regulation under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Cable Act).
As of December 31, 2010, we served 491 communities under a cable franchise. These franchises
provide for the payment of fees to the issuing authority. In most of our cable systems, such
franchise fees are passed through directly to the customers. The Cable Act prohibits franchising
authorities from imposing franchise fees in excess of 5% of gross revenues from specified cable
services, and permits the cable operator to seek renegotiation and modification of franchise
requirements if warranted by changed circumstances.
All of the states in which we operate have enacted comprehensive state-issued franchising statutes
that cede control over franchises away from local communities and towards state agencies, such as
the various public service commissions that regulate other utilities. As of December 31, 2010,
about 72% of our customer base was under a state-issued franchise. Some of these states permit us
to exchange local franchises for state issued franchises before the expiration date of the local
franchise. These state statutes make the terms and conditions of our franchises more uniform, and
in some cases, eliminate locally imposed requirements such as PEG access channels.
We have never had a franchise revoked or failed to have a franchise renewed. Furthermore, no
franchise community has refused to consent to a franchise transfer to us. The Cable Act provides,
among other things, for an orderly franchise renewal process in which franchise renewals will not be
unreasonably withheld or, if renewal is denied and the franchising authority acquires ownership of
the cable system or effects a transfer of the cable system to another person, the cable operator
generally is entitled to the fair market value for the cable system covered by such franchise.
The Cable Act also established comprehensive renewal procedures, which require that an incumbent
franchisees renewal application be assessed on its own merits and not as part of a comparative
process with competing applications. We believe that we have satisfactory relationships with our
franchising communities.
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Sources of Supply
Programming
We have various fixed-term contracts to obtain programming for our cable systems from suppliers
whose compensation is typically based on a fixed monthly fee per customer, subject to contractual
escalations. Although most of our contracts are secured directly with the programmer, we also
negotiate programming contract renewals through a programming cooperative of which we are a member.
In general, we attempt to secure longer-term programming contracts, which may include marketing
support and other incentives from programming suppliers.
We also have various retransmission consent arrangements with local broadcast station owners,
allowing for carriage of their broadcast television signals on our cable systems. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules mandate that local broadcast station owners elect either
must carry or retransmission consent every three years. Historically, retransmission consent has
been contingent upon our carriage of satellite delivered cable programming offered by companies
affiliated with the stations owners, or other forms of non-cash compensation. In the most recently
completed cycle, greater cash payments and, to a lesser extent, our purchase of advertising time
from local broadcast station owners were required to secure their consent.
Programming expenses have historically comprised our largest single expense item, and in recent
years such costs have increased substantially more than the inflation rate or the change in the
consumer price index, particularly for sports and local broadcast programming. We believe that
these expenses will continue to grow, principally due to contractual unit rate increases and the
increasing demands of sports programmers and television broadcast station owners for greater
compensation. While such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by rate increases
to video customers, we expect that our gross video margins will continue to decline as
increases in programming costs outpace growth in video revenues.
Set-Top Boxes, Program Guides, Cable Modems and Network Equipment
We purchase set-top boxes, including DVRs, from a limited number of suppliers, principally Motorola
Inc. and Pace plc, and lease these devices to subscribers on a monthly basis. We purchase cable
modems, routers, switches and other network equipment from a variety of providers, the most
significant being Cisco Systems Inc. If we were unable to obtain such equipment from these
suppliers, our ability to serve our customers in a consistent manner could be affected, and we may
not be able to provide similar equipment in a timely manner.
HSD and Phone Connectivity
We deliver HSD and phone services through fiber networks that are either owned by us or leased from
third parties, and through backbone networks that are operated by third parties. We pay fees for
leased circuits based on the amount of capacity and for Internet connectivity based on the amount
of HSD and phone traffic received from, and sent over, the providers network.
Digital Phone
Under a multi-year agreement between us and Sprint Corporation, Sprint has assisted us in providing
phone service by routing voice traffic to and from destinations outside of our network via the
public switched telephone network, delivering E911 service and assisting in local number
portability and long-distance traffic carriage. In 2010, we initiated a project to transition these
services in-house, which we expect to complete in the first half of 2011. As a result of this
transition, we will realize lower phone service delivery costs and greater flexibility to develop
and provide advanced phone services to meet our customers preferences.
Competition
We operate in a competitive business environment, and are subject to significant developments in
the marketplace, including rapid technological advances and changes in the regulatory and
legislative environment. We have historically faced intense competition from communications and
entertainment providers, primarily DBS and certain local telephone companies, many of whom have
greater resources than we do. In the past several years, many of these competitors have expanded
their service areas and added services and features comparable to ours. We have also faced
increasing competition from wireless telephone providers, as many potential phone customers have
replaced their wireline phone service with a wireless product.
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Recent technological advances may result in greater competition for us in the future, particularly
from video services that are delivered over the Internet, also known as over-the-top video
(OTTV). While the majority of OTTV services do not offer a video product comparable to ours,
certain premium OTTV services are now available which offer a similar
product to our VOD service, for which customers are charged on a monthly subscription or an individual title basis. Our HSD product may face greater competition in the future if a
competitively priced wireless data product is made available that offers similar speeds to our HSD
product. We are unable to predict the effects, if any, of these advancements on our business.
Direct Broadcast Satellite Providers
DBS providers, principally DirecTV, Inc. and DISH Network Corp., are the cable industrys most
significant video competitors, serving more than 33 million customers nationwide, according to
publicly available information. DirecTV and DISH offers packages that include programming
substantially similar to ours, including local broadcast signals in most of our markets, over 150
channels of HD programming and exclusive arrangements to provide certain programming which is
unavailable to us, including special professional football packages.
DBS providers have operational cost advantages over us, including not being required to pay certain
taxes and fees which we incur, particularly franchise fees, and the establishment of a nation-wide
brand and marketing platform. While DBS customers have historically paid up-front costs that we do
not charge, in recent years such costs have decreased substantially due to aggressive marketing
offers to new customers, which may include discounted or free equipment and installation. For the
past several years, DBS competitors have deployed aggressive marketing campaigns, including deeply
discounted promotional packages, which have resulted in video customer losses in our markets.
Due to technological constraints, DBS service has limited two-way interactivity, which restricts
their providers ability to offer interactive video, HSD and phone services. In contrast, our
networks full two-way interactivity enables us to deliver true VOD, as well as HSD and phone
services over a single platform. In lieu of offering such advanced services, DBS providers have in
many cases entered into marketing agreements under which local telephone companies offer DBS
service bundled with their phone and HSD services. These synthetic bundles are generally billed as
a single package, and from a consumer standpoint appear similar to our bundled products and
services.
Local Telephone Companies and other Overbuilders
Our HSD and phone services compete primarily with local telephone companies such as Qwest Inc. and
AT&T Inc. Such companies compete with our HSD product by offering digital subscriber line (DSL)
services, and with our phone product by offering a substantially similar product to that which we
offer. In our markets, widely-available DSL service is typically limited to downstream speeds
ranging from 1.5Mbps to 3Mbps, compared to our downstream speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 105Mbps. We
believe the performance, cost savings and convenience of our bundled packages compare favorably
with the local telephone companies products and services. Historically, local phone companies have
been in a better position to offer data services to businesses, as their networks tend to be more
complete in commercial areas. However, as we continue to extend our distribution network across
business districts in the cities and towns we serve and market our products and services, we expect
to capitalize on the potential of small to medium sized commercial and large enterprise markets.
Certain local telephone companies, including AT&T and
Centurylink Inc., have built, and are continuing to build, fiber networks with fiber-to-the-node or
fiber-to-the-home architecture, enabling them to offer a triple play bundle similar to ours. Such
upgraded networks provide video, HSD and phone services that are comparable, and in some cases,
superior to ours, with entry prices similar to those we offer. Based on internal estimates, these
competitors were actively marketing to approximately 11% of our service territory as of December
31, 2010. Due to the lower home density of our service areas compared to the higher home density
of larger metropolitan markets, and the per home passed capital investment associated with
constructing fiber networks, we believe that further build-outs into our markets will be a
lower priority for the telephone companies.
Our video service also competes with cable systems operating under non-exclusive franchises granted
by local authorities. More than one cable system may legally be built in the same area by another
cable operator, a local utility or other provider. Some of these competitors, such as
municipally-owned entities, may be granted franchises on more favorable terms or conditions, or
enjoy other advantages such as exemptions from taxes or regulatory
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requirements, to which we are subject. However, most of these entities were operating prior to our
ownership of the affected cable systems, and we believe there has been no significant expansion of
such entities in our markets in the past several years.
As of December 31 2010, we believe that various entities are currently offering video service, through
wireline distribution networks, to about 30% of our estimated homes passed.
Wireless Communication Companies
In addition to competition from wireline phone service providers, we have faced, and continue to
face, increasing competition from wireless phone providers, such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. As
the usage of wireless phone service has increased, a trend known as wireless substitution has
developed where certain consumers have chosen a wireless phone provider in lieu of a traditional
phone service such as we offer. We expect this trend to continue in the future and, given the
recent economic downturn, may accelerate as consumers become more cost conscious.
Many wireless telephone providers also offer a mobile data service for cellular use. With the
increasing penetration of advanced mobile devices, including smartphones, the use of mobile data
services for certain applications is expanding, a trend we believe will continue in the near
future. Wireless telephone providers are currently unable to offer a mobile data service that compares with
our HSD service in terms of speed and reliability, and few, if any, potential HSD customers have
chosen a wireless data product in lieu of our HSD service. However, if technological advances were
to lead to a wireless data service comparable to our HSD service, we could experience lower growth
rates, or a decline in HSD customers.
Other Competition
Video
The usage of OTTV has increased dramatically in the last several years, as greater downstream
speeds offered by Internet providers, including our HSD product, and advances in streaming video
technology have enabled content providers a variety of over the top distribution outlets. In
general, such OTTV content is supported by advertising, and made available to consumers free of
charge, including certain programming which is the same, or substantially similar, to that which we
offer. Certain OTTV providers, including Netflix Inc., Hulu.com., Amazon.com and Apple Inc., now
offer a premium service similar to our VOD product, for which consumers are charged on a monthly
subscription or an individual title basis.
Recent advances have also allowed consumers to stream OTTV directly to their television through
various electronic devices such as video game consoles and Blu-ray players, resulting in a similar
experience to our VOD service. We may face greater video service competition in the future as the
usage of OTTV, particularly streamed to consumers televisions, continues to grow. While we
expect our HSD service to remain the primary provider of Internet service to our video customers,
if certain customers were to choose to downgrade, or fully replace our video service with an OTTV
product, we could experience meaningful declines in our video revenues.
HSD
The American Recovery Act of 2009 is providing specific funding for broadband development as part
of the economic stimulus package. Some of our existing and potential competitors have applied for
funds under this program. In a limited number of cases, some of our existing and potential
competitors have been approved to receive funds from this program which will allow them to build or
expand facilities faster and deploy existing and new services sooner, and to more areas, than they
otherwise would.
Phone
Our phone service also competes with national providers of IP-based phone services, such as Vonage,
Skype and magicJack, as well as companies that sell phone cards at a cost per minute for both
national and international service. Such providers of IP-based phone services do not have a
traditional facilities-based network, but provide their services through a consumers high-speed
Internet connection.
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Advertising
We compete for the sale of advertising against a wide variety of media outlets, including local
broadcast stations, national broadcast networks, national and regional programming networks, local
radio broadcast stations, local and regional newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.
During the past several years, many businesses have allocated a greater part of their advertising
spending to Internet based advertising. The recent economic distress has caused lower levels of
overall advertising spending, particularly during 2009. While we experienced a rebound in
advertising revenues in 2010, if companies continue to allocate more of their spending to Internet
based advertising, or overall advertising spending were to further decline, we may face greater
competition for advertising revenues.
Employees
As of December 31, 2010, we employed 2,300 full-time and 43 part-time employees. None of our
employees are organized under, or covered by, a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our
relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
Legislation and Regulation
General
Federal, state and local laws regulate the development and operation of cable systems and, to
varying degrees, the services we offer. Significant legal requirements imposed on us because of our
status as a cable operator, or by the virtue of the services we offer, are described below.
Cable System Operations and Cable Services
Federal Regulation
The Cable Act establishes the principal federal regulatory framework for our operation of cable
systems and for the provision of our video services. The Cable Act allocates primary responsibility
for enforcing the federal policies among the FCC and state and local governmental authorities.
Content Regulations
Must Carry and Retransmission Consent
The FCCs regulations require local commercial television broadcast stations to elect once every
three years whether to require a cable system to carry the primary signal of their stations,
subject to certain exceptions, commonly called must-carry or to negotiate the terms by which the
cable system may carry the station on its cable systems, commonly called retransmission consent.
The most recent elections took effect January 1, 2009.
The Cable Act and the FCCs regulations require a cable operator to devote up to one-third of its
activated channel capacity for the carriage of local commercial television stations. The Cable Act
and the FCCs rules also give certain local non-commercial educational television stations carriage
rights, but not the option to negotiate retransmission consent. Additionally, cable systems must
obtain retransmission consent for carriage of all distant commercial television stations, except
for certain commercial satellite-delivered independent superstations such as WGN, and commercial
radio stations.
Through December 31, 2014, Congress bars broadcasters from entering into exclusive retransmission
consent agreements. Congress also requires all parties to negotiate retransmission consent
agreements in good faith.
On March 3, 2011, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to explore what action
the FCC could take to allow market forces to set retransmission consent fees while still protecting
the interests of consumers, identify per se violations of the duty to bargain in good faith,
strengthen subscriber notice requirements when negotiations fail and eliminate the FCCs network
non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules, which currently restrict the ability of a cable
operator to carry certain signals containing duplicative programming, even if the station claiming
protection is not carried by the cable operator. We cannot predict when, or if, the FCC will
implement any
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new rules or change existing rules or the impact that any new rules may have on our business. If
the new rules relatively strengthen the negotiating position of broadcasters or impose greater
advance notice requirements of a possible termination of our right to carry a signal, that could
have an adverse effect on our business.
Must-carry obligations may decrease the attractiveness of the cable operators overall programming
offerings by including less popular programming on the channel line-up, while cable operators may
need to provide some form of consideration to broadcasters to obtain retransmission consent to
carry more popular programming. We carry both must-carry broadcast stations and broadcast stations
that have granted retransmission consent. A significant number of local broadcast stations carried
by our cable systems have elected to negotiate for retransmission consent, and we have entered into
retransmission consent agreements with substantially all of them with terms extending at least until the end of
the current retransmission consent election cycle, December 31, 2011.
Availability of Analog Broadcast Signals
Because television broadcasters now deliver signals in digital format only, the FCC mandated that
cable operators must ensure that cable subscribers with analog television sets can continue to view
that broadcast stations signal. This created a dual carriage requirement for must-carry
signals. Cable systems that are not all-digital are required until mid-2012 to provide must-carry
signals to their subscribers in the primary digital format in which the operator receives the
signal (i.e. high definition or standard definition), and downconvert the signal from digital to
analog so that it is viewable to subscribers with analog television sets. Cable systems that are
all digital are not required to downconvert must-carry signals into analog and may provide the
must-carry signals only in a digital format. Where we have not yet converted systems to all
digital, the dual carriage requirement has the potential of having a negative impact on us
because it reduces available channel capacity and thereby could require us to either discontinue
other channels of programming or restrict our ability to carry new channels of programming or other
services that may be more desirable to our customers.
For several years, the FCC has had under review a complaint with respect to another cable operator
to determine whether certain charges routinely assessed by many cable operators, including us, to
obtain access to digital services violate this anti-buy-through provision. Any decision that
requires us to restructure or eliminate such charges would have an adverse effect on our business.
Program Tiering
Federal law requires that certain types of programming, such as the carriage of local broadcast
channels and any public, educational or governmental access (PEG) channels, to be part of the
lowest level of video programming service the basic tier. In many of our systems, the basic tier
is generally comprised of programming in analog format although some programming may be offered in
digital format. Migration of PEG channels from analog to digital format frees up bandwidth over
which we can provide a greater variety of other programming or service options. During 2008, such
migration met opposition from some municipalities, members of Congress and FCC officials. Several
communities and one special interest group have petitioned the FCC to restrict the ability of cable
operators to migrate PEG channels from analog to digital tiers. The FCC opened a public comment
period on these petitions that ended on April 1, 2009, but has not issued any orders resulting from
the petitions. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, if any. Any legislative or
regulatory action to restrict our ability to migrate PEG channels could adversely affect our
ability to provide additional programming desired by viewers.
Tier Buy Through
The Cable Act and the FCCs regulations require our cable systems, other than those systems which
are subject to effective competition, permit subscribers to purchase video programming we offer on
a per channel or a per program basis without the necessity of subscribing to any tier of service
other than the basic service tier.
Use of Our Cable Systems by the Government and Unrelated Third Parties
The Cable Act allows local franchising authorities and unrelated third parties to obtain access to
a portion of our cable systems channel capacity for their own use. For example, the Cable Act
permits franchising authorities to require cable operators to set aside channels for public,
educational and governmental access programming and requires most systems to designate a
significant portion of its activated channel capacity for commercial leased access by third parties
to provide programming that may compete with services offered by the cable operator.
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The FCC regulates various aspects of third-party commercial use of channel capacity on our cable
systems, including: the maximum reasonable rate a cable operator may charge for third-party
commercial use of the designated channel capacity; the terms and conditions for commercial use of
such channels; and the procedures for the expedited resolution of disputes concerning rates or
commercial use of the designated channel capacity.
In 2008, the FCC promulgated regulations which could allow certain leased access users lower cost
access to channel capacity on cable systems. Those regulations limit fees to 10 cents per
subscriber per month for tiered channels and in some cases potentially no charge, and impose a
variety of leased access customer service, information and reporting standards. The United States
Office of Management and Budget denied approval of the new rules and a federal court of appeals
stayed implementation of the new rules. In July 2008, the federal appeals court agreed at the
request by the FCC to hold the case in abeyance until the FCC resolved its issues with the Office
of Management and Budget. If implemented as promulgated, these changes will likely increase our
costs and could cause additional leased access activity on our cable systems and thereby require us
to either discontinue other channels of programming or restrict our ability to carry new channels
of programming or other services that may be more desirable to our customers. We cannot, however,
predict whether the FCC will ultimately enact these rules as promulgated, whether it will seek to
implement revised rules, or whether it will attempt to implement any new commercial leased access
rules.
Access to Certain Programming
In January 2011, as part of its order approving Comcasts acquisition of a controlling interest in
NBC Universal (Comcast Order), the FCC specified certain terms and conditions by which Comcast
and NBC Universal will be required to provide programming to both traditional multichannel video
programming distributors (MVPDs), and online video distributors (OVD), as well as the
availability of commercial arbitration mechanisms. While the net effect of these provisions could
reduce the cost of such programming to us, it also may increase the availability and lower the cost
of such programming to our MVPD competitors. However, the provisions could also make it easier for
us to carry such programming via an Internet-based video service should we choose to offer one in
the future. We cannot, however, predict the net effect of these new program access provisions on
our business.
Ownership Limitations
The FCC previously adopted nationwide limits on the number of subscribers under the control of a
cable operator and on the number of channels that can be occupied on a cable system by video
programming in which the cable operator has an interest. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit reversed the FCCs decisions implementing these statutory provisions and
remanded the case to the FCC for further proceedings. In 2007, the FCC reinstituted a restriction
setting the maximum number of subscribers that a cable operator may serve at 30 percent nationwide.
The FCC also has commenced a rulemaking to review vertical ownership limits and cable and
broadcasting attribution rules. In August 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third
Circuit struck down the 30 percent horizontal cable ownership cap. The FCCs Chairman has stated
his intent for the FCC to take further action on the horizontal cap. We cannot predict what action
the FCC will take or how it may impact our business.
Cable Equipment
The Cable Act and FCC regulations seek to promote competition in the delivery of cable equipment by
giving consumers the right to purchase set-top converters from third parties as long as the
equipment does not harm the network, does not interfere with services purchased by other customers
and is not used to receive unauthorized services. Over a multi-year phase-in period, the rules also
required MVPDs, other than direct broadcast satellite operators, to separate security from
non-security functions in set-top converters to allow third-party vendors to provide set-tops with
basic converter functions. To promote compatibility of cable systems and consumer electronics
equipment, the FCC adopted rules implementing plug and play specifications for one-way digital
televisions. The rules require cable operators to provide CableCard security modules and support
for digital televisions equipped with built-in set-top functionality. In 2008, Sony Electronics and
members of the cable industry submitted to the FCC a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in
connection with the development of tru2waytm a national two-way plug and
play platform; other members of the consumer electronics industry have since joined the MOU.
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Since 2007, cable operators have been prohibited from issuing to their customers new set-top
terminals that integrate security and basic navigation functions. In 2009, the FCC relaxed this ban
by issuing an industry-wide waiver permitting cable operator use of a particular one-way set top
box that met its definition of a low-cost, limited capability device. The particular box did not
support interactive program guides, video-on-demand, or pay-per-view or include high definition or
dual digital tuners or video recording functionality. The FCC established an expedited process to
encourage other equipment manufacturers to obtain industry-wide waivers. In a separate action,
specific to another cable operator, the FCC determined that HD output would no longer be considered
an advanced capability. Such waivers by the FCC can help to lower the cost and facilitate
conversion of cable systems to digital format.
As required by the Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007, the FCC issued a report to Congress in 2009
regarding the existence and availability of advanced technologies that are compatible with various
communications devices or platforms to allow blocking of parent selected content. Congress intends
to use that information to spur development of the next generation of parental control technology.
Additional requirements to permit selective parental blocking could impose additional costs on us.
Additionally, the FCC commenced another proceeding to gather information about empowering parents
and protecting children in an evolving media landscape. The comment period ended in March 2010. We
cannot predict what, if any, FCC action will result from the information gathered.
In a separate 2009 proceeding, the FCC sought specific comment on how it can encourage innovation
in the market for navigation devices to support convergence of video, television and IP-based
technology. If the FCC were to mandate the use of specific technology for set-top boxes, it could
hinder innovation and could impose further costs and restrictions on us.
In April 2010, the FCC issued a NPRM to address perceived shortcomings in CableCARD technology.
The NPRM asks whether cable systems should be allowed to deploy certain limited functionality
one-way high-definition digital terminal adapters and whether that relief should be available only
to systems with limited activated channel capacity, whether operators should be permitted to use
switched digital tuning adapters to expand the tuning range of one-way retail devices and require
high-definition set-top boxes to deliver video in any industry standard format for use by a wide
variety of retail viewing devices. At the same time, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) as
part of its review pursuant to its National Broadband Plan that seeks to standardize gateway
devices to allow consumer access to all video programming regardless of the MVPD provider. That
NOI discusses an AllVid gateway device that would be used by all MVPDs by December 31, 2012. The
AllVid device would translate network delivery technologies into a standardize video output that
could be received by any AllVid retail device. Another adaptor would operate in a similar fashion
but deliver the output to a home router for delivery to networked devices. We cannot predict the
outcome of these proceedings or what effect they may have on our business. If any new requirements
require investment in new gateway devices, which could increase our costs and require capital
investment, and any change to technology that could make it easier for consumers to change MVPDs,
could have an adverse effect on our business.
Pole Attachment Regulation
The Cable Act requires certain public utilities, including all local telephone companies and
electric utilities, except those owned by municipalities and co-operatives, to provide cable
operators and telecommunications carriers with nondiscriminatory access to poles, ducts, conduit
and rights-of-way at just and reasonable rates. This right to access is beneficial to us. Federal
law also requires the FCC to regulate the rates, terms and conditions imposed by such public
utilities for cable systems use of utility pole and conduit space unless state authorities have
demonstrated to the FCC that they adequately regulate pole attachment rates, as is the case in
certain states in which we operate. In the absence of state regulation, the FCC will regulate pole
attachment rates, terms and conditions only in response to a formal complaint. The FCC adopted a
rate formula that became effective in 2001, which governs the maximum rate certain utilities may
charge for attachments to their poles and conduit by companies providing telecommunications
services, including cable operators.
This telecommunications services formula, which produces higher maximum permitted attachment rates,
applies only to cable systems that elect to offer telecommunications services. The FCC ruled that
the provision of Internet services would not, in and of itself, trigger use of this new formula.
The Supreme Court affirmed this decision and held that the FCCs authority to regulate rates for
attachments to utility poles extended to attachments by cable operators and telecommunications
carriers that are used to provide Internet service or for wireless
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telecommunications service. The Supreme Courts decision upholding the FCCs classification of
cable modem service as an information service should strengthen our ability to resist rate
increases based solely on the delivery of cable modem services over our cable systems. Moreover, as
discussed in State and Local Regulation Network Neutrality below, the FCC has proposed
reclassifying Internet access service as a Title II telecommunications service which could result
in pole owners seeking significantly higher attachment rates from us. In any event, as we continue
our deployment of phone and certain other advanced services, utilities may continue to seek to
invoke the higher rates.
As a result of the Supreme Court case upholding the FCCs classification of cable modem service as
an information service, the 11th Circuit has considered whether there are circumstances in which a
utility can ask for and receive rates from cable operators over and above the rates set by FCC
regulation. In the 11th Circuits decision upholding the FCC rate formula as providing pole owners
with just compensation, the 11th Circuit also determined that there were a limited set of
circumstances in which a utility could ask for and receive rates from cable operators over and
above the rates set by the formula, including if an individual pole was full and where it could
show lost opportunities to rent space presently occupied by another attacher at rates higher than
provided under the rate formula. After this determination, Gulf Power Company pursued just such a
claim based on these limited circumstances before the FCC. The Administrative Law Judge appointed
by the FCC to determine whether the circumstances were indeed met ultimately determined that Gulf
Power could not demonstrate that the poles at issue were full. Gulf Power has appealed this
decision to the full Commission and the appeal is pending. Failing to receive a favorable ruling
there, Gulf Power could pursue its claims in the federal court.
In May 2010, the FCC issued an order that, among other things, clarified the right to use certain
types of attachment techniques and held that just and reasonable access to poles pursuant to
Section 224 of the Communications Act includes the right of timely access. At the same time, the
FCC issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) in conjunction with implementation of
recommendations contained in the FCCs National Broadband Plan. The FNPRM seeks to lower the
attachment rates for telecommunications providers and establish more uniform rates for all
attachers; establish timelines for pole attachments and permit the use of contractors where
timelines are not met; regulate make-ready charges; create additional rules that could impact
attachment contract negotiations; and increase penalties for unauthorized attachments. In October
2010, the FCC sought comment on various petitions for reconsideration filed with respect to the May
2010 order. While we cannot predict the effect that the outcome of the FNPRM or any
reconsideration of the order, any change in the computation of pole attachment rates that would
increase our pole attachment rate structure could significantly increase our annual pole attachment
costs and any rule changes that would increase the difficulty in obtaining pole attachment
agreements could also increase our costs and adversely affect our business.
Multiple Dwelling Unit Building Wiring
The FCC has adopted cable inside wiring rules to provide a more specific procedure for the
disposition of residential home wiring and internal building wiring that belongs to an incumbent
cable operator that is forced by the building owner to terminate its cable services in a building
with multiple dwelling units. In 2007, the FCC issued rules voiding existing, and prohibiting
future, exclusive service contracts for services to multiple dwelling unit or other residential
developments. In 2008, the FCC enacted a ban on the contractual provisions that provide for the
exclusive provision of telecommunications services to residential apartment buildings and other
multiple tenant environments. In 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia upheld the FCCs 2007 order. In March 2010, the FCC affirmed the permissibility of bulk
rate agreements and exclusive marketing agreements. The loss of exclusive service rights in
existing contracts coupled with our inability to secure such express rights in the future may
adversely affect our business to subscribers residing in multiple dwelling unit buildings and
certain other residential developments.
Copyright
Our cable systems typically include in their channel line-ups local and distant television and
radio broadcast signals, which are protected by the copyright laws. We generally do not obtain a
license to use this programming directly from the owners of the copyrights associated with this
programming, but instead comply with an alternative federal compulsory copyright licensing process.
In exchange for filing certain reports and contributing a percentage of our revenues to a federal
copyright royalty pool, we obtain blanket permission to retransmit the copyrighted material
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carried on these broadcast signals. The nature and amount of future copyright payments for
broadcast signal carriage cannot be predicted at this time.
In 1999, Congress modified the satellite compulsory license in a manner that permits DBS providers
to become more competitive with cable operators. Congress adopted legislation in 2004 extending the
compulsory satellite license authority for an additional five years, and again in 2010 extending
that authority through 2014. In its 2008 Report to Congress, the Copyright Office recommended
abandonment of the current cable and satellite compulsory licenses. In March 2010, Congress passed
legislation that requires the Copyright Office, in consultation with the FCC, to issue a report to
Congress containing proposed mechanisms, methods, and recommendations on how to implement a
phase-out of both the cable and satellite compulsory licenses. On March 3, 2011, the Copyright
Office released a NOI seeking comment on: (1) marketplace mechanisms to replace the statutory
license, such as sublicensing, private licensing and collective licensing; (2) implementation of
market-based licensing practices; and (3) any legislative and/or regulatory actions that would be
necessary in order to implement the recommended changes. The NOI suggests a number of alternative
licensing mechanisms that would require procuring the licenses directly from broadcast station
owners, each content owner or some type of collective agent. Any of these mechanisms could make
procurement of copyright licenses more costly and/or more difficult to procure. The legislation
also requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study and issue a report to Congress that
considers the impact such a phase-out and related changes to carriage requirements would have on
consumer prices and access to programming. We cannot predict whether Congress will eliminate the
cable compulsory license. Elimination of the cable compulsory license could, however, increase our
costs of obtaining broadcast programming.
In 2010, Congress modified the cable compulsory license reporting and payment obligations with
respect to the carriage of multiple streams of programming from a single broadcast station and
clarified that cable operators need not pay for distant signals carried only in portions of the
cable system as if they were carried everywhere in the system (commonly referred to as phantom
signals). The legislation also provides copyright owners with the ability to independently audit
cable operators statement of accounts filed in 2010 and later. We cannot predict what impact it
may have, if any, on our business.
The Copyright Office has commenced inquiries soliciting comment on petitions it received seeking
clarification and revisions of certain cable compulsory copyright license reporting requirements.
To date, the Copyright Office has not taken any public action on these petitions. Issues raised in
the petitions that have not been resolved by subsequent legislation include, among other things,
clarification regarding: inclusion in gross revenues of digital converter fees, additional set fees
for digital service and revenue from required buy throughs to obtain digital service; and certain
reporting practices, including the definition of community. Moreover, the Copyright Office has
not yet acted on a filed petition and may solicit comment on the definition of a network station
for purposes of the compulsory license.
We cannot predict the outcome of any legislative or agency activity; however, it is possible that
certain changes in the rules or copyright compulsory license fee computations or compliance
procedures could have an adverse affect on our business by increasing our copyright compulsory
license fee costs or by causing us to reduce or discontinue carriage of certain broadcast signals
that we currently carry on a discretionary basis. Further, we are unable to predict the outcome of
any legislative or agency activity related to the right of direct broadcast satellite providers to
deliver local or distant broadcast signals.
Privacy and Data Security
The Cable Act imposes a number of restrictions on the manner in which cable operators can collect,
disclose and retain data about individual system customers and requires cable operators to take
such actions as necessary to prevent unauthorized access to such information. The statute also
requires that the system operator periodically provide all customers with written information about
its policies, including the types of information collected; the use of such information; the
nature, frequency and purpose of any disclosures; the period of retention; the times and places
where a customer may have access to such information; the limitations placed on the cable operator
by the Cable Act; and a customers enforcement rights. In the event that a cable operator is found
to have violated the customer privacy provisions of the Cable Act, it could be required to pay
damages, attorneys fees and other costs. Certain of these Cable Act requirements have been
modified by certain more recent federal laws. Other federal laws currently impact the circumstances
and the manner in which we disclose certain customer information and future federal legislation may
further impact our obligations. In addition, many states in which we operate have also enacted
customer privacy statutes, including obligations to notify customers where certain customer
information is
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accessed or believed to have been accessed without authorization. These state provisions are in
some cases more restrictive than those in federal law. In 2009, a federal appellate court upheld an
FCC regulation that requires phone customers to provide opt-in approval before certain subscriber
information can be shared with a business partner for marketing purposes. Moreover, we are subject
to a variety of federal requirements governing certain privacy practices and programs.
During 2008, several members of Congress commenced an inquiry into the use by certain cable
operators of a third-party system that tracked activities of subscribers to facilitate the delivery
of advertising more precisely targeted to each household, a practice known as behavioral
advertising. In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission issued revised self-regulatory principles for
online behavioral advertising.
In March 2010, the FCC released recommendations regarding broadband privacy in its National
Broadband Plan. These recommendations included requiring greater transparency regarding consumer
disclosures of personal data practices and consumer informed consent for such uses as well as
consumer control over uses. The FCC recommended collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission
and Congress to develop these requirements.
In December 2010, the FTC staff issued a preliminary report proposing, but not imposing, a
normative framework for the protection of consumer privacy that departs from the traditional
notice-and-choice model. Among the FTC reports recommendations includes adoption of privacy by
design to build-in data security measures into everyday business practices, allowing customers to
elect do not track status prohibiting information collection, greater transparency of data
collection practices through disclosures that would allow comparison of practices across sites,
access to data collected about them and education efforts by stakeholders about commercial data
practices and choices available to them. Moreover, privacy legislation is regularly introduced in
Congress to address these and similar concerns including at least one do not track bill in
February 2011. We cannot predict if there will be additional regulatory action or whether Congress
will enact legislation, whether legislation would impact our existing privacy-related obligations
under the Cable Act or any impact on any of the services that we provide. Future federal and/or
state laws may also cover such issues as privacy, access to some types of content by minors,
pricing, encryption standards, consumer protection, electronic commerce, taxation of e-commerce,
copyright infringement and other intellectual property matters. The adoption of such laws or
regulations in the future may decrease the growth of such services and the Internet, which could in
turn decrease the demand for our HSD service, increase our costs of providing such service, impair
the ability to access potential future advertising revenue streams or have other adverse effects on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Small Cable Operator Provisions
The federal regulatory framework includes limited provisions for certain lessened regulation or
special benefits for qualifying smaller cable operators. Historically, these provisions have been
limited to cable operators with 400,000 or fewer subscribers. In the Comcast Order, the FCC
enacted special bargaining and commercial arbitration provisions for cable operators with 1.5
million or fewer subscribers seeking to acquire Comcast or NBC Universal programming. This
represents the first time that the FCC has recognized the need for special provisions for a cable
operator our size and larger.
State and Local Regulation
Franchise Matters
Our cable systems use local streets and rights-of-way. Consequently, we must comply with state and
local regulation, which is typically imposed through the franchising process. We have non-exclusive
franchises granted by municipal, state or other local government entity for virtually every
community in which we operate that authorize us to construct, operate and maintain our cable
systems. Our franchises generally are granted for fixed terms and in many cases are terminable if
we fail to comply with material provisions. The terms and conditions of our franchises vary
materially from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each franchise granted by a municipal or local
governmental entity generally contains provisions governing:
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franchise term; |
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system construction and maintenance obligations; |
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system channel capacity; |
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design and technical performance; |
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customer service standards; |
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sale or transfer of the franchise; and |
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territory of the franchise. |
Although franchising matters have traditionally been regulated at the local level through a
franchise agreement and/or a local ordinance, many states now allow or require cable service
providers to bypass the local process and obtain franchise agreements or equivalent authorizations
directly from state government. All of the states in which we operate make state-issued franchises
available, which typically contain less restrictive provisions than those issued by municipal or
other local government entities. State-issued franchises in many states generally allow local
telephone companies or others to deliver services in competition with our cable service without
obtaining equivalent local franchises. In states where available, we are generally able to obtain
state-issued franchises upon expiration of our existing franchises. Our business may be adversely
affected to the extent that our competitors are able to operate under franchises that are more
favorable than our existing local franchises. While most franchising matters are dealt with at the
state and/or local level, the Cable Act provides oversight and guidelines to govern our
relationship with local franchising authorities whether they are at the state, county or municipal
level.
HSD Service
Federal Regulation
In 2002, the FCC announced that it was classifying Internet access service provided through cable
modems as an interstate information service and determined that gross revenues from such services
should not be included in the revenue base from which franchise fees are calculated. Although the
United States Supreme Court has held that cable modem service was properly classified by the FCC as
an information service, freeing it from regulation as a telecommunications service, it
recognized that the FCC has jurisdiction to impose regulatory obligations on facilities-based
Internet service providers. The FCC has an ongoing rulemaking process to determine whether to
impose regulatory obligations on such providers, including us. Because of the FCCs decision, we
are no longer collecting and remitting franchise fees on our high-speed Internet service revenues.
Moreover, as discussed in State and Local Regulation Network Neutrality below, the FCC has
proposed reclassifying Internet access service as a Title II telecommunications service. We are
unable to predict the ultimate resolution of these matters but do not expect that any additional
franchise fees we may be required to pay will be material to our business and operations.
Network Neutrality
In 2005, the FCC issued a non-binding policy statement providing four principles to guide its
policymaking regarding Internet services. According to the policy statement, consumers are entitled
to: access the lawful Internet content of their choice; run applications and services of their
choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement; connect their choice of legal devices that do not
harm the network; and enjoy competition among network providers, application and service providers,
and content providers. These principles are generally referred to as network neutrality. In 2008,
the FCC took action against another cable provider after determining that the network management
practices of that provider violated the FCCs Internet Policy Statement by, among other things,
allegedly managing user bandwidth consumption by identifying and restricting the applications being
run and the actual bandwidth consumed. This decision may establish de facto standards that limit
the network management practices that cable operators use to manage bandwidth consumption on their
networks. In April 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia held that
the FCC exceeded its authority, reversing that decision. In June 2010, the FCC commenced a NOI
regarding its authority to regulate broadband Internet access. The NOI suggested three ways to
assert such regulation, including classifying broadband Internet access as a Title II
telecommunications service and forbearing from enforcing many of the Title II regulations.
In December 2010, the FCC, citing authority under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, adopted comprehensive broadband Internet network neutrality rules, including requiring
transparency of disclosures to
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consumers of commercial terms, performance and network management practices; preventing blocking of
lawful content, applications and services; and preventing unreasonable discrimination in the
transmission of lawful Internet traffic. Although the prohibitions on blocking and interference
are subject to reasonable network management practices, the FCC did not provide definitive guidance
or safe harbors as to what actions constitute such practices. Rather, the FCC has opted to trade
clarity for flexibility by further developing what constitutes reasonable network management
practices on a complaint-driven case-by-case evaluation of actual practices. The rules will take
effect 60 days after approval by the Office of Management and Budget. On January 20, 2011, Verizon
Communications filed a challenge to the rules in the United States District Court of Appeals for
the District of Columbia claiming, among other things, that the action exceeded the FCCs authority
and that the enactment was arbitrary and capricious. Legislation has been introduced in Congress
to prevent the FCC from using any appropriated funds for the implementation or enforcement to these
new regulations. We cannot predict how the FCC will implement and enforce these new rules which
could have a negative impact on our business. We also cannot predict the outcome of any pending
proceedings or legislation or the impact that such outcomes could have on our business.
National Broadband Plan
In March 2010, the FCC delivered to Congress the National Broadband Plan (Plan) as required by
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Plan seeks to ensure that all people of the United
States have access to affordable broadband capability; connect 100 million households to affordable
100 Mbps service; provide access to 1 Gbps service to community anchor institutions; increase
mobile innovation by making 500 MHz of spectrum newly available; increase broadband adoption rates
from 65 percent to 90 percent; transition Universal Service Fund (USF) support from providing a
legacy high-cost telephone subsidy to instead supporting affordable broadband in rural communities;
enhancing public safety by ensuring first responder access to a nationwide, wireless interoperable
public safety network and ensure that all consumers can track and manage their real-time energy
consumption via broadband connectivity. The Plan includes more than 60 key actions, proceedings,
and initiatives the FCC intends to undertake. The FCC proposes a variety of incentives to spur
private investment in broadband deployment, including the repurposing of certain USF monies. The
Plan calls for closing the gap between the telecommunications and cable pole attachment rates (see
discussion under Cable System Operations and Cable Services: Pole Attachments), new rules
affecting set-top boxes (see discussion under Cable System Operations and Cable Services: Cable
Equipment), efforts to increase the transparency of privacy practices to consumers and gaining
informed consent from consumers for information collection (see discussion under Cable System
Operations and Cable Services: Privacy and Data Security) and standardization of technical
measures of broadband performance (speed) and disclosure requirements to consumers. The Plan also
recommends stronger cybersecurity protections and defenses by HSD providers as well as increased
reporting obligations. In July 2010, the FCC, in conjunction with its implementation of the
National Broadband Plan, issued a Public Notice to seek comment on whether to impose strict
network outage reporting requirements for certain outages of 30 minutes or more on broadband
Internet service providers. We cannot predict what, if any, requirements will be placed on our
provision of HSD services or our operation of HSD facilities or what impact the Plan and the
related FCC rulemakings and actions by other regulatory agencies or Congress will ultimately have
on our business or what advantages may be given to services that may compete with ours.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
We regularly receive notices of claimed infringements by our HSD service users. The owners of
copyrights and trademarks have been increasingly active in seeking to prevent use of the Internet
to violate their rights. In many cases, their claims of infringement are based on the acts of
customers of an Internet service provider for example, a customers use of an Internet service
or the resources it provides to post, download or disseminate copyrighted music, movies, software
or other content without the consent of the copyright owner or to seek to profit from the use of
the goodwill associated with another persons trademark. In some cases, copyright and trademark
owners have sought to recover damages from the Internet service provider, as well as or instead of
the customer. The law relating to the potential liability of Internet service providers in these
circumstances is unsettled. In 1996, Congress adopted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which
is intended to grant ISPs protection against certain claims of copyright infringement resulting
from the actions of customers, provided that the ISP complies with certain requirements. So far,
Congress has not adopted similar protections for trademark infringement claims.
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Privacy
Federal law may limit the personal information that we collect, use, disclose and retain about
persons who use our services. Please refer to the Privacy and Data Security discussion contained in
the Cable System Operations and Cable Services section, above for discussion of these
considerations.
International Law
Our HSD service enables individuals to access the Internet and to exchange information, generate
content, conduct business and engage in various online activities on an international basis. The
law relating to the liability of providers of these online services for activities of their users
is currently unsettled both within the United States and abroad. Potentially, third parties could
seek to hold us liable for the actions and omissions of our HSD customers, such as defamation,
negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, fraud or other theories based on the nature and
content of information that our customers use our service to post, download or distribute. We also
could be subject to similar claims based on the content of other websites to which we provide links
or third-party products, services or content that we may offer through our Internet service. Due to
the global nature of the Web, it is possible that the governments of other states and foreign
countries might attempt to regulate its transmissions or prosecute us for violations of their laws.
State and Local Regulation
Our HSD services provided over our cable systems are not generally subject to regulation by state
or local jurisdictions.
Voice-over-Internet Protocol Telephony Service
Federal Law
The 1996 amendments to the Cable Act created a more favorable regulatory environment for cable
operators to enter the phone business. Most major cable operators now offer voice-over-Internet
protocol (VoIP) telephony as a competitive alternative to traditional circuit-switched telephone
service. Various states, including states where we operate, considered or attempted differing
regulatory treatment, ranging from minimal or no regulation to full-blown common carrier status. As
part of the proceeding to determine any appropriate regulatory obligations for VoIP telephony, the
FCC decided that alternative voice technologies, like certain types of VoIP telephony, should be
regulated only at the federal level, rather than by individual states. Many implementation details
remain unresolved, and there are substantial regulatory changes being considered that could either
benefit or harm VoIP telephony as a business operation.
In 2009, the FCC issued a letter to another cable provider of VoIP service that could signal a
shift in the regulatory classification of VoIP service. In that letter, the FCC questioned whether
the segregation of VoIP for bandwidth management purposes would make it a facilities-based provider
of telecommunications services and thus subject to common carrier regulation. We cannot predict how
or if these issues will be resolved.
Federal regulatory obligations
Over the past several years, the FCC has begun to apply traditional landline telephone provider
regulations to VoIP services. In 2006, the FCC announced that it would require VoIP providers to
contribute to the Universal Service Fund based on their interstate service revenues. Beginning in
2007, facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP service providers were
required to comply with Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act requirements. Since 2007,
the FCC has required interconnected VoIP providers, such as us, to pay regulatory fees based on
revenues reported on the FCC Form 499A at the same rate as interstate telecommunications service
providers. The FCC also has extended other regulations and reporting requirements to VoIP
providers, including E-911, Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI), local number
portability, disability access, and Form 477 (subscriber information) reporting obligations. The
FCC has issued a FNPRM with respect to possible changes in the intercarrier compensation model in a
way that could financially disadvantage us and benefit some of our competitors. In April 2010, the
FCC issued a NOI and a NPRM that would transition high-cost program funds from analog telephony to
the provision of broadband services. In July 2010, the FCC, in conjunction with its
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implementation of the National Broadband Plan, issued a Public Notice to seek comment on whether to
impose strict network outage reporting requirements for certain outages of 30 minutes or more on
VoIP service providers. Simultaneously, the FCC issued a proposed $600,000 forfeiture against a
competitive local exchange provider for untimely filing of outage reports. It is unknown what
conclusions or actions the FCC may take or the effects on our business.
Privacy
In addition to any privacy laws that may apply to our provision of VoIP services (see general
discussion in Privacy and Data Security in the Cable System Operations and Cable Services
discussion, above), we must comply with additional privacy provisions contained in the FCCs CPNI
regulations related to certain telephone customer records. In addition to employee training
programs and other operating and disciplinary procedures, the CPNI rules require establishment of
customer authentication and password protections, limit the means that we may use for such
authentication, and provide customer approval prior to certain types of uses or disclosures of
CPNI.
State and Local Regulation
Although our entities that provide VoIP telephony services are certificated as competitive local
exchange carriers in most of the states in which they operate, they generally provide few if any
services in that capacity. Rather, we provide VoIP services that are not generally subject to
regulation by state or local jurisdictions. The FCC has preempted some state commission regulation
of VoIP services, but has stated that its preemption does not extend to state consumer protection
requirements. Some states continue to attempt to impose obligations on VoIP service providers,
including state universal service fund payment obligations.
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Risks Related to our Operations
Our products and services face increasing competition that could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in a highly competitive business environment and, in some instances, face competitors
with greater resources and operating capabilities, fewer regulatory burdens, easier access to
financing, more brand name recognition and long-standing relationships with regulatory authorities
and customers. Historically, our principal competitors have been DBS providers and local telephone
companies. Recently, we have also faced meaningful competition for our phone service from wireless
phone providers, and for our video service from advances in OTTV content and delivery options that
may lead to greater video competition going forward.
DBS providers, principally DirecTV and DISH, are our most significant video competitors. We have
lost a significant number of video customers to DBS providers in the past, and expect to continue
to face substantial levels of competition from them. DBS providers generally offer promotional
marketing campaigns in which they offer video service packages at a price point much lower than our
comparable offering. In some cases, DBS providers will enter marketing agreements under which local
telephone companies sell DBS service bundled with their HSD and phone services to replicate a
product similar to our triple play. Certain local telephone companies, including AT&T and Centurylink, have deployed fiber networks in approximately 11% of our service area, giving them the capability
to offer a substantially similar product to our triple play. We believe that further expansions
into most of our markets will be a lower priority for the telephone companies; however, we could
face increased competition for video customers if they were to continue to build into our service
areas. Also, if OTTV content providers were to deliver content that consumers accepted as an
adequate, if not preferable, replacement to our video service, we may face further competition for
video customers.
Our HSD service primarily faces competition from local telephone companies such as Qwest and AT&T,
who compete with our HSD service by offering DSL services. As widely-available DSL service is
typically limited to downstream speeds ranging from 1.5Mbps to 3Mbps, compared to our downstream
speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 105Mbps, our HSD service is generally superior in these markets.
However, certain local telephone companies have constructed fiber networks to the home or to the
neighborhood, similar to our own, that allow them to offer a product similar in terms of
performance to our HSD service. If further build-outs of such fiber networks were to occur in our
service areas, we could face increased competition for HSD customers. Many wireless phone
providers offer a wireless data service, and technological advances have increased, and we expect
will continue to increase, the speed and reliability of such service. While such wireless data
services are not currently comparable to our HSD service, if wireless phone providers were to offer
a competitively priced wireless data service that offered similar speeds to our HSD service, we
could face further competition for HSD customers.
Our phone service mainly faces competition for phone customers from local telephone companies and
wireless telephone service providers. In recent years, a trend known as wireless substitution
has developed where certain customers have chosen to utilize a wireless telephone service as their
sole phone provider. We expect this trend to continue in the future and, given the recent economic
downturn, may accelerate as consumers become more cost conscious.
We are unable to predict the effects that competition may have on our business. Competition has
caused us to experience lower revenues through the loss of customers or greater than usual levels
of discounted pricing, higher levels of advertising and marketing expenses and additional capital
expenditures as a result of customer churn. A continuation, or worsening, of such competitive
factors as discussed above could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Weak economic conditions may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Continuing weakness in employment, as well as lower levels of consumer confidence and demand, has
impacted our business. As a result, many of our customers have faced greater pressure to downgrade
their current level of service,
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or discontinue some, or all of their services taken. In addition, poor housing markets have
resulted in fewer customers moving and constrained new home construction, resulting in lower new
customer growth. As most of our revenues are provided by residential customers, if such conditions
were to worsen or fail to demonstrate any improvement, we may experience further customer losses or
downgrades in service, and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
The continuing increases in programming costs may have an adverse affect on our results of
operations.
Video programming expenses have historically been our largest single expense item, and in recent
years we have experienced substantial increases in the cost of our programming, particularly sports
and local broadcast programming, well in excess of the inflation rate or the change in the consumer
price index. We believe that these expenses will continue to grow due to the increasing demands of
sports and other large programmers for contract renewals and television broadcast station owners
for retransmission consent fees, including certain large programmers who also own major market
television broadcast stations. While such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by
rate increases, our video gross margins may continue to decline if they cannot be fully offset,
which may have an adverse affect on our results of operations.
Greater levels of OTTV usage may have an adverse affect on our results of operations.
OTTV usage rates have dramatically increased, and may continue to grow at a meaningful pace. If
our customers were to choose an OTTV service to partially or fully replace our video service, we
may experience lower video revenues as a result. We may also incur additional marketing costs to
compete for and retain consumers in our markets as a result of greater competition for video
customers. We may also recognize additional HSD service costs or capital expenditures, as greater
levels of OTTV streaming will cause additional bandwidth charges and network requirements. If the
usage of OTTV were to continue to grow at a significant rate, we may experience lower revenues and
greater expenses in the future, which may have an adverse affect on our results of operations.
We may be unable to keep pace with rapid technological change that could adversely affect our
business and our results of operations.
We operate in a rapidly changing technological environment and our success depends, in part, on our
ability to enhance existing or adopt new technologies to maintain or improve our competitive
positioning. If we are unsuccessful in keeping pace with future technological developments, or if
we fail to choose technologies that allow us to offer products and services that are sought by our
customers, and which are cost efficient for us, we may experience customer losses and our results
of operations may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to secure necessary hardware, software, telecommunications and operational support
that may impair our ability to provision and service our customers and adversely affect our
business.
Third-party firms provide some of the components used in delivering our products and services,
including digital set-top converter boxes, DVRs and VOD equipment; routers and other switching
equipment; provisioning and other software; network connections for our phone services; fiber optic
cable and construction services for expansion and upgrades of our networks and cable systems; and
our customer billing platform. Some of these companies may have leverage over us, considering that
they are the sole supplier of certain products and services, or there may be a long lead time
and/or significant expense required to transition to another provider. As a result, our operations
depend on a successful relationship with these companies. Any delays or disruptions in the
relationship as a result of contractual disagreements, operational or financial failures on the
part of the suppliers, or other adverse events, could negatively affect our ability to effectively
provision and service our customers. Demand for some of these items has increased with the general
growth in demand for Internet and telecommunications services. We typically do not carry
significant inventories, and therefore any delays in our ability to obtain equipment could impact
our operations. Moreover, if there are no suppliers that are able to provide set-top converter
boxes that comply with evolving Internet and telecommunications standards, or that are compatible
with other equipment and software that we use, could also negatively affect our ability to
effectively provision and service our customers. We currently have outsourcing arrangements with
certain telephony providers in connection with our provision of HSD and telephony services and are
in the process of transitioning our telephony services to an in-house platform. Unexpected delays
or disruptions in the transition process may adversely affect our customers and our business.
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We depend on network and information systems and other technologies to operate our businesses. A
disruption or failure in such systems and technologies, or in our ability to transition from one
system to another, could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Because of the importance of network and information systems and other technologies to our
business, any events affecting these systems and technologies could have a devastating impact on
our business. These events could include computer hacking, computer viruses, worms or other
disruptive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks and other malicious activities
or any combination of the foregoing; and natural disasters, power outages and man-made disasters.
Such occurrences may cause service disruptions, loss of customers and revenues and negative
publicity, which may result in significant expenditures to repair or replace the damaged
infrastructure, or protect from similar occurrences in the future. We may also be negatively
affected by the illegal acquisition and dissemination of data and information, including customer,
personnel, and vendor data, and this may require us to expend significant resources to remedy any
such security breach.
Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing on the
intellectual property rights of others.
We rely on our copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as licenses and other agreements
with our vendors and other parties, to use our technologies, conduct our operations and sell our
products and services. Third-party firms have in the past, and may in the future, assert claims or
initiate litigation related to exclusive patent, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual
property rights to technologies and related standards that are relevant to us. These assertions
have increased over time as a result of our growth and the general increase in the pace of patent
claims assertions, particularly in the United States. Because of the existence of a large number of
patents in the networking field, the secrecy of some pending patents and the rapid rate of issuance
of new patents, it is not economically practical or even possible to determine in advance whether a
product or any of its components infringes or will infringe on the patent rights of others.
Asserted claims and/or initiated litigation can include claims against us or our manufacturers,
suppliers, or customers, alleging infringement of their proprietary rights with respect to our
existing or future products and/or services or components of those products and/or services.
Regardless of the merit of these claims, they can be time-consuming; result in costly litigation
and diversion of technical and management personnel; and require us to develop a non-infringing
technology or enter into license agreements. There can be no assurance that licenses will be
available on acceptable terms and conditions, if at all, or that our indemnification by our
suppliers will be adequate to cover our costs if a claim were brought directly against us or our
customers. Furthermore, because of the potential for high court awards that are not necessarily
predictable, it is not unusual to find even arguably unmeritorious claims settled for significant
amounts. If any infringement or other intellectual property claim made against us by any
third-party is successful, if we are required to indemnify a customer with respect to a claim
against the customer, or if we fail to develop non-infringing technology or license the proprietary
rights on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, our business, results of operations, and
financial condition could be adversely affected.
The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our success is substantially dependent upon the retention of, and the continued performance by,
Mediacoms key personnel, including Rocco B. Commisso, Mediacoms Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. Our debt arrangements provide that a default may result if Mr. Commisso ceases to be
Mediacoms Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or if he and his designees do not constitute a
majority of our Executive Committee. We do not currently maintain key man life insurance on Mr. Commissso or other key personnel. If any of Mediacoms key personnel ceases to participate in
our business and operations, it could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
27
Risks Related to our Financial Condition
We are exposed to risks caused by disruptions in the capital and credit markets, which could have
an adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on the capital markets for senior note offerings, and the credit markets for bank credit
arrangements, to meet our financial commitments and liquidity needs. Recently, the U.S. economy
fell into a deep recession, with major downturns in financial markets. While the capital and credit
markets have recovered, future disruptions in such markets could limit our ability to access new
debt financings or refinancings, and cause our counterparty banks to be unable to fulfill their
commitments to us, potentially reducing amounts available to us under our revolving credit
commitments, or subjecting us to greater credit risk with respect to our interest rate exchange
agreements. We are unable to predict future movements in the capital and credit markets or the
underlying effects on our results of operations.
We have substantial debt, we are highly leveraged and we have significant interest payments and
debt repayments, which could limit our operational flexibility and have an adverse affect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2010, our total debt was approximately $1.865 billion. Giving pro forma effect
to the Going Private Transaction, as of the same date, our total debt would have been approximately
$2.065 billion. Because of our substantial indebtedness, we are highly leveraged and will continue
to be so. Our overall leverage could:
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limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital
expenditures or acquisitions; |
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| limit our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all; |
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| require us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to paying the
principal of and interest on our indebtedness; |
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| limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the
communications industry generally; |
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| place us at a competitive disadvantage compared with competitors that have a less significant
debt burden; and |
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| make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limit our ability to withstand competitive
pressures. |
Our debt service obligations require us to use a large portion of our revenues and cash flows to
pay principal and interest, reducing our ability to finance our operations, capital expenditures
and other activities. Outstanding debt under our bank credit facility has a variable rate of
interest determined by either the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the Prime rate,
chosen at our discretion, plus a margin, which varies depending on certain financial ratios as
defined in the credit agreement governing our bank credit facility (the credit agreement). If
such variable rates were to increase, or if we were to incur additional indebtedness, we may be
required to pay additional interest expense, which would have an adverse affect on our results of
operations.
We believe that cash generated by us or available to us will meet our anticipated capital and
liquidity needs for the foreseeable future, including scheduled term loan maturities during each of
the years ending December 31, 2011 through December 31, 2014 of $14.0 million. However, in the
longer term, specifically 2015 and beyond, we will not generate enough cash to satisfy our maturing
term loans and senior notes. Accordingly, we will have to refinance existing obligations to extend
maturities, or raise additional capital through debt or equity issuances or both. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to refinance our existing obligations or raise any required
additional capital or to do so on favorable terms. If we do not successfully accomplish these
tasks, then we may have to cancel or scale back future capital spending programs, or sell assets.
Failure to make capital investments in our business could materially and adversely affect our
ability to compete effectively.
28
We are a holding company, and if our operating subsidiaries are unable to make funds available to
us, we may not be able to fund our indebtedness and other obligations.
We are a holding company, and do not have any operations or hold any assets other than our
investments in, and our advances to, our operating subsidiaries. These operating subsidiaries
conduct all of our consolidated operations and own substantially all of our consolidated assets.
Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us.
The only source of cash that we have to fund our senior notes (including, without limitation, the
payment of interest on, and the repayment of, principal) is the cash that our operating
subsidiaries generate from operations and from borrowing under their bank credit facility. The
ability of our operating subsidiaries to make funds available to us in the form of dividends,
loans, advances or other payments, will depend upon the operating results of such subsidiaries,
applicable laws and contractual restrictions, including the covenants set forth in the credit
agreement governing our bank credit facility. If our operating subsidiaries were unable to make
funds available to us, then we may not be able to make payments of principal or interest due under
our senior notes. If such an event occurred, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives,
such as refinancing our senior notes or the outstanding debt of our operating subsidiaries at or
before maturity, or raise additional capital through debt or equity issuance, or both. If we were
not able to successfully accomplish those tasks, then we may have to cancel or scale back future
capital spending programs, or sell assets. There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing
actions would be successful. Any inability to meet our debt service obligations or refinance our
indebtedness would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of
operations and liquidity.
A default under our bank credit facility or senior notes could result in an acceleration of our
indebtedness and other material adverse effects.
The credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other things, impose certain
limitations on mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and sales of certain assets, liens, the
incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain restricted payments and certain transactions with
affiliates. As of December 31, 2010, the principal financial covenant of the credit agreement
required compliance with a senior leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 6.0 to 1.0 at any
time. The indenture governing our senior notes contains various covenants, though they are
generally less restrictive than those found in our credit facility. As of such date, the principal
financial covenant of these senior notes had a limitation on the incurrence of additional
indebtedness based upon a maximum total leverage ratio (as defined) of 8.5 to 1.0. See Note 5 in
our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The breach of any of these covenants could cause a default, which may result in the indebtedness
becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we would be unable to adequately
finance our operations. In addition, a default could result in a default or acceleration of our
other indebtedness subject to cross-default provisions. If this occurs, we may not be able to pay
our debts or borrow sufficient funds to refinance them. Even if new financing is available, it may
not be on terms that are acceptable to us. The membership interests of our operating subsidiaries
are pledged as collateral under our credit facility. A default under our credit facility could
result in a foreclosure by the lenders on the membership interests pledged under that facility.
Because we are dependent upon our operating subsidiaries for all of our cash flows, a foreclosure
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations,
and liquidity.
In the event of a liquidation or reorganization of any of our subsidiaries, the creditors of any of
such subsidiaries, including trade creditors, would be entitled to a claim on the assets of such
subsidiaries prior to any claims of the stockholders of any such subsidiaries, and those creditors
are likely to be paid in full before any distribution is made to such stockholders. To the extent
that we, or any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries, are a creditor of another of our
subsidiaries, the claims of such creditor could be subordinated to any security interest in the
assets of such subsidiary and/or any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by such
creditor.
A lowering of the ratings assigned to our debt securities by ratings agencies may increase our
future borrowing costs and reduce our access to capital.
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our
debt ratings. Our corporate credit ratings are B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with
a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Any future downgrade to our credit ratings could result
in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact
our ability to raise additional funds.
29
We have a history of net losses and we may continue to generate net losses in the future.
Although we reported net income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, we have
a history of net losses, and we may report net losses in the future. In general, our net losses
have principally resulted from depreciation and amortization expenses associated with our
acquisitions and capital expenditures related to expanding and upgrading of our cable systems,
interest expense and other financing charges related to our indebtedness, and net losses on
derivatives. If we were to report net losses in the future, these losses may limit our ability to
attract needed financing, and to do so on favorable terms, as such losses may prevent some
investors from investing in our securities.
Impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets could cause significant losses.
As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $1.4 billion of unamortized intangible assets,
including goodwill of $196.0 million and franchise rights of $1.2 billion on our consolidated
balance sheets. These intangible assets represented approximately 59% of our total assets.
Accounting Standards Codification No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350) requires
that goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, such as cable
franchise rights, cease to be amortized. ASC 350 also requires that goodwill and certain intangible
assets be tested at least annually for impairment. If we find that the carrying value of goodwill
or cable franchise rights exceeds its fair value, we will reduce the carrying value of the goodwill
or intangible asset to the fair value, and will recognize an impairment loss in our results of
operations.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We
assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology,
under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ
the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise
rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment,
including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other
future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems
in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth
rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as
a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market
valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income
before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the
DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable
franchise rights determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant
impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions
used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could
potentially be material.
Since a number of factors may influence determinations of fair value of intangible assets, we are
unable to predict whether impairments of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangibles will occur
in the future. However, significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result
if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such
impairment could be significant and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Any such impairment would result in our recognizing a
corresponding write-off, which could cause us to report a significant noncash operating loss. Our
annual impairment analysis was performed as of October 1, 2010 and resulted in no impairment. We
may be required to conduct an impairment analysis prior to our anniversary date to the extent
certain economic or business factors are present.
Risks Related to Legislative and Regulatory Matters
Changes in government regulation could adversely impact our business.
The cable industry is subject to extensive legislation and regulation at the federal and local
levels and, in some instances, at the state level. Additionally, our HSD and phone services are
also subject to regulation, and additional regulation is under consideration. Many aspects of such
regulation are currently the subject of judicial and administrative proceedings and legislative and
administrative proposals, and lobbying efforts by us and our competitors. We expect that court
actions and regulatory proceedings will continue to refine our rights and
30
obligations under applicable federal, state and local laws. The FCCs comprehensive implementation
of changes under its National Broadband Plan, in addition to increasing our costs, may provide
advantages to our competitors by subsidizing their costs, providing them with regulatory advantages
and/or lowering barriers to entry. The results of current or future judicial and administrative
proceedings and legislative activities cannot be predicted. Modifications to existing requirements
or imposition of new requirements or limitations could have an adverse impact on our business
including those described below. See Business Legislation and Regulation.
Restrictions on how we tier or package video programming selections could adversely impact our
business.
Congress may consider legislation regarding programming packaging, bundling or a la carte delivery
of programming. Any such requirements could fundamentally change the way in which we package and
price our services. We cannot predict the outcome of any current or future FCC proceedings or
legislation in this area, or the impact of such proceedings on our business at this time. See
Business Legislation and Regulation Content Regulations Program Tiering.
The new program access mandates of the FCCs Comcast Order may help our competitors more than it
may benefit us.
Although the program access provisions related to Comcast and NBC Universal programming may provide
benefits to us in the form of lower programming costs and access to online distribution rights
should we decide to provide distribution of video services over the Internet, those provisions may
provide our competitors greater advantages. Not only do the new provisions benefit traditional
competing MVPDs, but they may vastly expand the quantity of mainstream programming available to
OVDs. More robust OVD offerings may have greater appeal to our current or prospective video
subscribers. We cannot predict the impact such provisions may have on our business, but the
lowering of costs to our competitors and the increased availability of online delivery of content
could adversely affect our business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Content
Regulations Access to Certain Programming.
Denials of franchise renewals or continued absence of franchise parity can adversely impact our
business.
Where state-issued franchises are not available, local franchising authorities may demand
concessions, or other commitments, as a condition to renewal, and these concessions or other
commitments could be costly. Although the Cable Act affords certain protections, there is no
assurance that we will not be compelled to meet their demands in order to obtain renewals.
Our cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises. As of December 31, 2010, we believe
that various entities are currently offering video service, through wireline distribution networks,
to about 30% of our estimated homes passed. Because of the FCCs actions to speed issuance of
local competitive franchises and because many states in which we operate cable systems have
adopted, and other states may adopt, legislation to allow others, including local telephone
companies, to deliver services in competition with our cable service without obtaining equivalent
local franchises, we may face not only increasing competition but we may be at a competitive
disadvantage due to lack of regulatory parity. Any of these factors could adversely affect our
business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services
State and Local Regulation Franchise Matters.
Changes in carriage requirements could impose additional cost burdens on us.
Any change that increases the amount of content that we must carry on our cable systems can
adversely impact our business by increasing our costs and limiting our ability to carry other
programming more valued by our subscribers or limit our ability to provide other services. For
example, if we are required to carry more than the primary stream of digital broadcast signals or
if the FCC regulations are put into effect that require us to provide either very low cost or no
cost commercial leased access, our business would be adversely affected. See Business
Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services Federal Regulation
Content Regulations.
31
Pending FCC and court proceedings could adversely affect our HSD service.
The regulatory status of providing HSD service by cable companies remains uncertain. Should the FCC
reclassification of Internet access service as a regulated Title II telecommunications service
could impose significant new regulatory burdens and costs. Moreover, the FCCs actions to impose
network neutrality obligations on our HSD service could add regulatory burdens, further restrict
the methods we may employ to manage the operation of our network, increase our costs and may
require us to make additional capital expenditures, thus adversely affecting our business.
Moreover, if the FCCs jurisdiction to regulate broadband Internet access is upheld by the court,
the type of jurisdiction found to exist may permit even more expansive and invasive regulation of
our HSD service. See Business Legislation and Regulation HSD Service Federal Regulation.
Our phone service may become subject to additional regulation.
The regulatory treatment of phone services that we and other providers offer remains uncertain. The
FCC, Congress, the courts and the states continue to look at issues surrounding the provision of
VoIP, including whether this service is properly classified as either a telecommunications service
or an information service. Any changes to existing law as it applies to VoIP or any determination
that results in greater or different regulatory obligations than competing services would result in
increased costs, reduce anticipated revenues and impede our ability to effectively compete or
otherwise adversely affect our ability to successfully roll-out and conduct our telephony business.
See Business Legislation and Regulation Voice-over-Internet-Protocol Telephony Service
Federal Law.
Changes in pole attachment regulations or actions by pole owners could significantly increased
our pole attachment costs.
Our cable facilities are often attached to, or use, public utility poles, ducts or conduits.
Significant change to the FCCs long-standing pole attachment cable rate formula, increases in
pole attachment costs as a result of our provision of Internet, VoIP or other services could
increase our pole attachment costs. Any increase in the cable rate formula or changes that would
make it more difficult for us to obtain pole attachment agreements could increase our pole
attachment costs and slow our ability to expand or upgrade our systems. Moreover, should the FCC
reclassify our Internet access service as a Title II telecommunications service, pole owners may
seek to impose higher telecommunications rates on our attachments, thereby potentially
significantly increasing our costs. Our business, financial condition and results of operations
could suffer a material adverse impact from any significant increased costs, and such increased
pole attachment costs could discourage system upgrades and the introduction of new products and
services. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services
Federal Regulation Pole Attachment Regulation.
Changes in compulsory copyright regulations could significantly increase our license fees.
If Congress either eliminates the current cable compulsory license or enacts the proposed
revisions to the Copyright Act, the elimination could impose increased costs and transactional
burdens or the revisions could impose oversight and conditions that could adversely affect our
business. Additionally, the Copyright Offices implementation of any such legislative changes could
impose requirements on us or permit overly intrusive access to financial and operational records.
Any future decision by Congress to eliminate the cable compulsory license, which would require us
to obtain copyright licensing of all broadcast material at the source, would impose significant
administrative burdens and additional costs that could adversely affect our business. See Business
Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services Federal Regulation
Copyright.
Risks Related to Mediacoms Chairman and Chief Executive Officers Controlling Position
Mediacoms Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has the ability to control all major corporate
decisions, and a sale of his stock could result in a change of control that would have
unpredictable effects.
As a result of the Going Private Transaction, Mediacom is wholly-owned by Rocco B. Commisso,
Mediacoms founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Our debt arrangements provide that a
default may result if Mr. Commisso ceases to be Mediacoms Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or
if he and his designees do not constitute a majority of our Executive Committee. A change in
control could result in a default under our debt arrangements, could require us to offer to
repurchase our senior notes at 101% of their principal amount, could trigger a variety of federal,
state and local regulatory consent requirements and potentially limit Mediacoms further
32
utilization of net operating losses for income tax purposes. Any of the foregoing results could
adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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ITEM 1B. |
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UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
Our principal physical assets consist of fiber optic networks, including signal receiving, encoding
and decoding devices, headend facilities and distribution systems and equipment at, or near,
customers homes. The signal receiving apparatus typically includes a tower, antenna, ancillary
electronic equipment and earth stations for reception of satellite signals. Headend facilities are
located near the receiving devices. Our distribution system consists primarily of coaxial and fiber
optic cables and related electronic equipment. Customer premise equipment consists of set-top
devices, cable modems and related equipment. Our distribution systems and related equipment
generally are attached to utility poles under pole rental agreements with local public utilities,
although in some areas the distribution cable is buried in underground ducts or trenches. The
physical components of the cable systems require maintenance and periodic upgrading to improve
performance and capacity. In addition, we maintain a network operations center with equipment
necessary to monitor and manage the status of our network.
We own and lease the real property housing our regional call centers, business offices and
warehouses throughout our operating regions. Our headend facilities, signal reception sites and
microwave facilities are located on owned and leased parcels of land, and we generally own the
towers on which certain of our equipment is located. We own most of our service vehicles. We
believe that our properties, both owned and leased, are in good condition and are suitable and
adequate for our operations.
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ITEM 3. |
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
A purported class action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
entitled Jim Knight v. Mediacom Communications Corp., in which MCC is named as the defendant, was
filed on March 4, 2010. The complaint asserts that the potential class is comprised of all persons
who purchased premium cable services from MCC and rented a cable box distributed by MCC. The
plaintiff alleges that MCC improperly ties the rental of cable boxes to the provision of premium
cable services in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The plaintiff also alleges a
claim for unjust enrichment and seeks injunctive relief and unspecified damages. MCC was served
with the complaint on April 16, 2010. MCC believes they have substantial defenses to the claims
asserted in the complaint, and they intend to defend the action vigorously. If MCC is not
successful in this litigation, we may have to distribute cash to MCC in order for MCC to pay any
damages in regard to this litigation.
Between June 3, 2010 and June 10, 2010, three purported class actions lawsuits were filed against
Mediacom and its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, all in the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware (which we refer to as the Delaware Court), under the captions Colleen Witmer v.
Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al., J. Malcolm Gray v. Mediacom Communications
Corporation, et al. and Haverhill Retirement System v. Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al.
The lawsuits were subsequently consolidated for all purposes in the Delaware Court of Chancery
under the caption In Re Mediacom Communications Corporation Shareholders Litigation. On January 4,
2011, a Second Verified Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint was filed that alleges, among
other things, that the defendant directors breached their fiduciary duties to the stockholders of
Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom private, including among other
things their fiduciary duty of disclosure, and that Mediacom, Mr. Commisso and JMC Communications
LLC aided and abetted such breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, rescission of the
transaction or rescissory damages, and an accounting of all damages.
On November 18, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York,
Orange County, under the caption Wendy Kwait v. Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al. The
lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties
to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with
33
Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom private and that Mediacom and Mr. Commisso aided and abetted
such breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, rescission of the transaction or rescissory
damages.
On November 29, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, under the caption Thomas Turberg v. Mediacom Communications
Corporation, et al. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached
their fiduciary duties to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal
to take Mediacom private and that Mediacom and JMC Communications LLC aided and abetted such
breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and damages.
On December 10, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, under the caption Ella Mae Pease v. Rocco Commisso, et al. The
lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties
to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom
private; that Mediacom, Mr. Commisso and JMC Communications LLC aided and abetted such breaches;
and that the defendants violated Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated
thereunder. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief, rescission of the transaction or
rescissory damages, and an accounting of all damages, profits and special benefits.
The director defendants, Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC and Mr. Commisso, as defendants in the
foregoing actions, have reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs in all of the
foregoing actions providing for the settlement of the actions on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in a memorandum of understanding (the MOU), which terms include, but are not
limited to, a settlement payment made by Mediacom on behalf of and for the benefit of the parties
to the actions in the amount of $0.25 per share for each share of Mediacom common stock held by the
plaintiff class as of March 4, 2011. If the settlement becomes effective, the settlement payment to
the plaintiff class will be reduced by any attorneys fees and expenses awarded to plaintiffs
counsel. The settlement is subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive settlement
documentation and the approval of the Delaware Court. We may have to
distribute cash to MCC to partially fund the settlement. Upon effectiveness of the settlement, the
actions will be dismissed with prejudice and all claims under federal and state law that were or
could have been asserted in the actions or which arise out of or relate to the Going Private
Transaction will be released.
The defendants have denied and continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability with respect to all
claims, events and transactions complained of in the aforementioned actions or that they have
engaged in any wrongdoing. The defendants have entered into the MOU to eliminate the uncertainty,
burden, risk, expense and distraction of further litigation.
We are also involved in various other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In
the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these other matters will not have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or
business.
34
PART II
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ITEM 5. |
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MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES |
There is no public trading market for our equity, all of which is held by our manager.
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ITEM 6. |
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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
In the table below, we provide selected historical consolidated statement of operations data and
cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2006 through 2010 and balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2006 through 2010, which are derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements (except other data and operating data).
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2010 |
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2009 |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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2006(10) |
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(Amounts in thousands, expect per share data and operating data) |
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Statement of Operations Data: |
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Revenues |
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$ |
847,661 |
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$ |
833,843 |
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$ |
786,035 |
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$ |
727,462 |
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|
$ |
681,243 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service costs |
|
|
354,011 |
|
|
|
340,632 |
|
|
|
318,040 |
|
|
|
298,103 |
|
|
|
270,396 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
168,938 |
|
|
|
166,079 |
|
|
|
168,337 |
|
|
|
159,314 |
|
|
|
151,538 |
|
Management fee expense parent |
|
|
15,775 |
|
|
|
15,487 |
|
|
|
15,076 |
|
|
|
13,371 |
|
|
|
12,647 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
130,066 |
|
|
|
116,048 |
|
|
|
113,634 |
|
|
|
116,678 |
|
|
|
107,152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
178,871 |
|
|
|
195,597 |
|
|
|
170,948 |
|
|
|
139,996 |
|
|
|
139,510 |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(112,106 |
) |
|
|
(112,474 |
) |
|
|
(113,846 |
) |
|
|
(120,673 |
) |
|
|
(109,869 |
) |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(31,207 |
) |
Gain on sale of cable systems, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,249 |
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
|
|
(14,703 |
) |
|
|
16,717 |
|
|
|
(31,030 |
) |
|
|
(12,946 |
) |
|
|
(8,718 |
) |
Other expense, net |
|
|
(2,230 |
) |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,409 |
) |
|
|
(3,352 |
) |
|
|
(4,954 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
49,832 |
|
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
20,663 |
|
|
$ |
5,274 |
|
|
$ |
(15,238 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (end of period): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,329,690 |
|
|
$ |
2,343,835 |
|
|
$ |
2,444,113 |
|
|
$ |
2,368,687 |
|
|
$ |
2,324,799 |
|
Total debt |
|
$ |
1,865,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,855,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,796,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,709,533 |
|
|
$ |
1,596,243 |
|
Total stockholders equity |
|
$ |
120,047 |
|
|
$ |
147,928 |
|
|
$ |
296,463 |
|
|
$ |
320,190 |
|
|
$ |
415,355 |
|
Cash Flow Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows provided by (used in): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
$ |
250,477 |
|
|
$ |
212,238 |
|
|
$ |
131,619 |
|
|
$ |
71,063 |
|
|
$ |
64,411 |
|
Investing activities |
|
$ |
(141,946 |
) |
|
$ |
(125,620 |
) |
|
$ |
(138,839 |
) |
|
$ |
(112,743 |
) |
|
$ |
(103,217 |
) |
Financing activities |
|
$ |
(87,084 |
) |
|
$ |
(90,444 |
) |
|
$ |
13,646 |
|
|
$ |
38,737 |
|
|
$ |
43,683 |
|
Other Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA(1) |
|
$ |
310,268 |
|
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
285,396 |
|
|
$ |
257,631 |
|
|
$ |
247,914 |
|
Adjusted OIBDA margin(2) |
|
|
36.6 |
% |
|
|
37.5 |
% |
|
|
36.3 |
% |
|
|
35.4 |
% |
|
|
36.4 |
% |
Ratio of
earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends(3) |
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Data: (end of period) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated homes passed(4) |
|
|
1,520,000 |
|
|
|
1,514,000 |
|
|
|
1,484,000 |
|
|
|
1,476,000 |
|
|
|
1,474,000 |
|
Basic subscribers(5) |
|
|
663,000 |
|
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
717,000 |
|
|
|
720,000 |
|
|
|
751,000 |
|
Digital customers(6) |
|
|
409,000 |
|
|
|
378,000 |
|
|
|
355,000 |
|
|
|
317,000 |
|
|
|
304,000 |
|
HSD customers(7) |
|
|
459,000 |
|
|
|
428,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
359,000 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
Phone customers(8) |
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
152,000 |
|
|
|
134,000 |
|
|
|
106,000 |
|
|
|
71,000 |
|
RGUs(9) |
|
|
1,706,000 |
|
|
|
1,648,000 |
|
|
|
1,606,000 |
|
|
|
1,502,000 |
|
|
|
1,446,000 |
|
35
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Adjusted OIBDA is not a financial measure calculated in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United
States. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income before
depreciation and amortization and non-cash, share-based compensation
charges. |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA is one of the primary measures used by management to
evaluate our performance and to forecast future results. It is also a
significant performance measure in our annual incentive compensation
programs. We believe Adjusted OIBDA is useful for investors because it
enables them to access our performance in a manner similar to the
methods used by management, and provides a measure that can be used to
analyze, value and compare the companies in the cable industry, which
may have different depreciation and amortization policies, as well as
different non-cash, share-based compensation programs. Adjusted OIBDA
and similar measures are used in calculating compliance with the
covenants of our debt arrangements. A limitation of Adjusted OIBDA,
however, is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which
represents the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and
intangible assets used in generating revenues in our business.
Management utilizes a separate process to budget, measure and evaluate
capital expenditures. In addition, Adjusted OIBDA has the limitation
of not reflecting the effect of our non-cash, share-based compensation
charges. |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to either
operating income or net income (loss) as an indicator of operating
performance nor should it be considered in isolation or a substitute
for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe
that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial
measure to Adjusted OIBDA. |
|
|
|
The following represents a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to
operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure
(dollars in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
310,268 |
|
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
285,396 |
|
|
$ |
257,631 |
|
|
$ |
247,914 |
|
Non-cash, share-based compensation
charges(a) |
|
|
(1,331 |
) |
|
|
(1,197 |
) |
|
|
(814 |
) |
|
|
(957 |
) |
|
|
(1,252 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(130,066 |
) |
|
|
(116,048 |
) |
|
|
(113,634 |
) |
|
|
(116,678 |
) |
|
|
(107,152 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
$ |
178,871 |
|
|
$ |
195,597 |
|
|
$ |
170,948 |
|
|
$ |
139,996 |
|
|
$ |
139,510 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Includes approximately $26, $8, $9, $10 and $206 for the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to the
issuance of other share-based awards. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Represents Adjusted OIBDA as a percentage of revenues. See Note 1 above. |
|
(3) |
|
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends was 1.22,
1.56 and 1.01 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred dividends by $13.7
million and $34.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. Refer to Exhibit 12.1 to this Annual Report for additional
information. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and
condominium units passed by our cable distribution network. Estimated homes
passed are based on the best information currently available. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents a dwelling with one or more television sets that receives a
package of over-the-air broadcast stations, local access channels or certain
satellite-delivered cable services. Accounts that are billed on a bulk
basis, which typically receive discounted rates, are converted into
full-price equivalent basic subscribers by dividing total bulk billed basic
revenues of a particular system by the average cable rate charged to basic
subscribers in that system. This conversion method is generally consistent
with the methodology used in determining payments to programmers. Basic
subscribers include connections to schools, libraries, local government
offices and employee households that may not be charged for limited and
expanded cable services, but may be charged for digital cable, HSD, phone or
other services. Our methodology of calculating the number of basic
subscribers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering
similar services. |
|
(6) |
|
Represents customers receiving digital video services. |
|
(7) |
|
Represents residential HSD customers and small to medium-sized commercial
cable modem accounts billed at higher rates than residential customers.
Small to medium-sized commercial accounts are converted to equivalent
residential HSD customers by dividing their associated revenues by the
applicable residential rate. Customers who take our scalable, fiber-based
enterprise network products and services are not counted as HSD customers.
Our methodology of calculating HSD customers may not be identical to those
used by other companies offering similar services. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents customers receiving phone service. Small to medium-sized
commercial accounts are converted to equivalent residential phone customers
by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable residential rate.
Our methodology of calculating phone customers may not be identical to those
used by other companies offering similar services. |
|
(9) |
|
Represents the sum of basic subscribers and digital, HSD and phone customers. |
36
|
|
|
(10) |
|
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted ASC 718 Compensation Stock
Compensation (ASC 718) (formerly SFAS No. 123(R) Share-Based Payment).
See Note 10 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
37
|
|
|
ITEM 7. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Reference is made to the Risk Factors in Item 1A for a discussion of important factors that could
cause actual results to differ from expectations and any of our forward-looking statements
contained herein. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited
consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
Overview
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation (MCC). MCC is the
nations eighth largest cable company based on the number of customers who purchase one or more
video services, also known as basic subscribers. Through our interactive broadband network, we
provide our customers with a wide variety of advanced products and services, including video
services, such as video-on-demand, high-definition television (HDTV) and digital video recorders
(DVRs), high-speed data (HSD) and phone service. We offer our primary services of video, HSD
and phone, which we refer to as our triple-play bundle, over a single communications platform, a
significant advantage over most competitors in our service areas.
As of December 31, 2010, we offered our triple-play bundle to approximately 97% of our estimated
1.52 million homes passed in seven states. As of the same date, we served approximately 663,000
basic subscribers, 409,000 digital video customers, 459,000 HSD customers and 175,000 phone
customers, aggregating 1.71 million revenue generating units (RGUs).
Our basic and digital video services compete principally with direct broadcast satellite (DBS)
companies, and we continue to face significant levels of price competition from these providers,
who offer video programming substantially similar to ours. We compete with these providers by
offering our triple-play bundle and interactive video services that are generally unavailable to
DBS customers due to the limited two-way interactivity of DBS service. Our HSD service competes
primarily with digital subscriber line (DSL) services offered by local telephone companies; based
upon the speeds we offer, we believe our HSD product is superior to comparable DSL offerings in our
service areas. Our phone service mainly competes with substantially comparable phone services
offered by local telephone companies and with cellular phone services offered by national wireless
providers. We believe our customers prefer the cost savings of the bundled products and services we
offer, as well as the convenience of having a single provider contact for ordering, provisioning,
billing and customer care.
Our ability to continue to grow our customer base and revenues is dependent on a number of factors,
including the competition we face and general economic conditions. As a result of weak economic
conditions and significant price competition from DBS providers, we have seen lower demand for our
video, HSD and phone services, resulting in a reduction in basic subscribers and slower growth
rates of digital, HSD and phone customers. A continuation or broadening of such effects may
adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
2010 Developments
New Financing
On April 23, 2010, we completed a financing transaction (the new financing) that provided for a
new term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million under our existing bank credit
facility (the credit facility). The net proceeds from the new term loan were used to repay an
existing term loan and the full balance of outstanding revolving credit loans under our credit
facility. See Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital Structure New Financing below and
Note 5 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, Mediacom entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement), by and among Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso,
Mediacoms founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager
of JMC (the Going Private Transaction). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things,
each share of Mediacom common stock
(other than shares held by Mr. Commisso, JMC, or any of their respective affiliates, shares held in
treasury by
38
Mediacom and shares held by
stockholders who have perfected their appraisal rights
under Delaware law) would be converted into the right to receive $8.75 in cash upon stockholder
approval of the Merger Agreement.
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, Mediacoms stockholders voted to adopt the
Merger Agreement and, on the same date, the Going Private Transaction was closed. As a result, JMC
was merged with and into Mediacom, with Mediacom continuing as the surviving corporation, a private
company that is wholly-owned by Mr. Commisso. The Going Private Transaction consideration was
approximately $367 million, and was funded, in part, by distributions to Mediacom by us, consisting
of $200 million of drawdowns under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand, with the balance
funded by Mediacom LLC.
Revenues, Costs and Expenses
Video revenues primarily represent monthly subscription fees charged to customers for our core
cable products and services (including basic and digital cable programming services, wire
maintenance, equipment rental and services to commercial establishments), pay-per-view charges,
installation, reconnection and late payment fees, franchise fees and other ancillary revenues. HSD
revenues primarily represent monthly fees charged to customers (including small to medium sized
commercial establishments) for our HSD products and services and equipment rental fees, as well as
fees charged to large-sized businesses for our scalable, fiber-based enterprise network products
and services. Phone revenues primarily represent monthly fees charged to customers (including small
to medium sized commercial establishments) for our phone service. Advertising revenues represent
the sale of advertising placed on our video services.
If we continue to lose video customers as a result of competition and weak economic conditions, our
video revenues could continue to decline for the foreseeable future. However, we believe this will
be mostly offset through increased gains in penetration of our advanced video services as well as
rate increases. We expect further growth in HSD and phone revenues, as we believe we will continue
to expand our penetration of our HSD and phone services. However, future growth in HSD and phone
customers may be adversely affected by intensifying competition, weakened economic conditions and,
specific to phone, wireless substitution. We expect advertising revenues to continue to stabilize
during 2011, given potentially improving economic conditions.
Service costs consist primarily of video programming costs and other direct costs related to
providing and maintaining services to our customers. Significant service costs include: programming
expenses; wages and salaries of technical personnel who maintain our cable network, perform
customer installation activities and provide customer support; HSD costs, including costs of
bandwidth connectivity and customer provisioning and costs related to our enterprise networks
business and our network operations center; phone service costs, including delivery and other
expenses; and field operating costs, including outside contractors, vehicle, utilities and pole
rental expenses. These costs generally rise because of customer growth, contractual increases in
video programming rates and inflationary cost increases for personnel, outside vendors and other
expenses. Costs relating to personnel and their support may increase as the percentage of our
expenses that we can capitalize declines due to lower levels of new service installations. Service
delivery related costs may also fluctuate with the level of investment we make, and corresponding
operational efficiencies achieved by such investments. We anticipate that our service costs will
continue to grow, but should remain fairly consistent as a percentage of our revenues, with the
exception of programming costs, which we discuss below.
Video programming expenses, which are generally paid on a per subscriber basis, have historically
been our largest single expense item, and in recent years we have experienced substantial increases
in the cost of our programming, particularly sports and local broadcast programming, well in excess
of the inflation rate or the change in the consumer price index. We believe that these expenses
will continue to grow due to the increasing demands of sports and other large programmers for
contract renewals and television broadcast station owners for retransmission consent fees,
including certain large programmers who also own major market television broadcast stations. While
such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by rate increases, it is expected that
our video gross margins will continue to decline, as increases in programming costs outpace any
growth in video revenues.
Significant selling, general and administrative expenses include: wages and salaries for our call
centers, customer service and support and administrative personnel; franchise fees and taxes;
marketing; bad debt; billing; advertising; and office costs related to telecommunications and
office administration. These costs typically rise because of
39
customer growth and inflationary cost increases for employees and other expenses, but we expect
such costs should remain fairly consistent as a percentage of revenues.
Management
fee expenses reflect compensation paid to Mediacom for the performance
of services it provides our operating subsidiaries in accordance with management agreements
between Mediacom and our operating subsidiaries.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted OIBDA is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income
before depreciation and amortization and non-cash, share-based compensation charges. Adjusted OIBDA
has inherent limitations as discussed below.
Adjusted OIBDA is one of the primary measures used by management to evaluate our performance and to
forecast future results. We believe Adjusted OIBDA is useful for investors because it enables them
to assess our performance in a manner similar to the methods used by management, and provides a
measure that can be used to analyze, value and compare the companies in the cable industry. A
limitation of Adjusted OIBDA, however, is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which
represents the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in
generating revenues in our business. Management uses a separate process to budget, measure and
evaluate capital expenditures. In addition, Adjusted OIBDA also has the limitation of not
reflecting the effect of our non-cash, share-based compensation charges. We believe that excluding
share-based compensation allows investors to better understand our performance without the effects
of these obligations that are not expected to be settled in cash. Adjusted OIBDA may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, which may have different
depreciation and amortization policies, as well as different share-based compensation programs.
Adjusted OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income or net income (loss) as
indicators of operating performance, or to the statement of cash flows as measures of liquidity,
nor should it be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in
accordance with GAAP. We believe that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure to Adjusted OIBDA.
40
Actual Results of Operations
On February 11, 2009 (the transfer date), our operating subsidiaries executed an Asset Transfer
Agreement (the Transfer Agreement) with MCC and certain of the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom
LLC. As part of the Transfer Agreement, we exchanged cable systems with Mediacom LLC (the Asset
Transfer) whose results of operations were substantially similar for the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008. The net effects of the Transfer Agreement were the addition of 3,700 basic
subscribers and the reduction of 1,000 digital customers, 1,000 HSD customers and 600 phone
customers. Such effects on discussions of subscriber and customer gains and losses are referred to
as the effect of the Transfer Agreement.
In accordance with ASC 805, the cable systems we received from Mediacom LLC under the Transfer
Agreement were recorded as a business under common control, and therefore we recorded the results
of operations of such systems as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009. We recognized an
additional $5.3 million in revenues and $1.7 million of net income, for the period January 1, 2009
through the transfer date, because we recorded the results of operations for the cable systems we
received as part of the Asset Transfer, as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009. Instances
where the inclusion of such results of operations of these transferred cable systems may affect
comparisons to the prior years results are referred to as related to the Asset Transfer.
For more information, see Note 8 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
The tables below set forth our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December
31, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands and percentage changes that are not meaningful are marked
NM).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
847,661 |
|
|
$ |
833,843 |
|
|
$ |
13,818 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
354,011 |
|
|
|
340,632 |
|
|
|
13,379 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
168,938 |
|
|
|
166,079 |
|
|
|
2,859 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Management fee expense |
|
|
15,775 |
|
|
|
15,487 |
|
|
|
288 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
130,066 |
|
|
|
116,048 |
|
|
|
14,018 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
178,871 |
|
|
|
195,597 |
|
|
|
(16,726 |
) |
|
|
(8.6 |
)% |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(112,106 |
) |
|
|
(112,474 |
) |
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
)% |
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
|
|
(14,703 |
) |
|
|
16,717 |
|
|
|
(31,420 |
) |
|
NM |
|
Other expense, net |
|
|
(2,230 |
) |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
2,770 |
|
|
|
(55.4 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
49,832 |
|
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
(45,008 |
) |
|
|
(47.5 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
310,268 |
|
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
(2,574 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following represents a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income, which is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
310,268 |
|
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
(2,574 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
)% |
Non-cash, share-based compensation charges(1) |
|
|
(1,331 |
) |
|
|
(1,197 |
) |
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
11.2 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(130,066 |
) |
|
|
(116,048 |
) |
|
|
(14,018 |
) |
|
|
12.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
$ |
178,871 |
|
|
$ |
195,597 |
|
|
$ |
(16,726 |
) |
|
|
(8.6 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Included approximately $26 and $8 for the years ended
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to the
issuance of other share-based awards. |
41
Revenues
The tables below set forth revenue and selected subscriber, customer and average monthly revenue
statistics for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands, except per
subscriber data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video |
|
$ |
518,142 |
|
|
$ |
532,711 |
|
|
$ |
(14,569 |
) |
|
|
(2.7 |
)% |
HSD |
|
|
214,103 |
|
|
|
198,200 |
|
|
|
15,903 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
% |
Phone |
|
|
64,392 |
|
|
|
60,600 |
|
|
|
3,792 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
% |
Advertising |
|
|
51,024 |
|
|
|
42,332 |
|
|
|
8,692 |
|
|
|
20.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
847,661 |
|
|
$ |
833,843 |
|
|
$ |
13,818 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic subscribers |
|
|
663,000 |
|
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
(27,000 |
) |
|
|
(3.9 |
)% |
Digital customers |
|
|
409,000 |
|
|
|
378,000 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
% |
HSD customers |
|
|
459,000 |
|
|
|
428,000 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
% |
Phone customers |
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
152,000 |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RGUs (1) |
|
|
1,706,000 |
|
|
|
1,648,000 |
|
|
|
58,000 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber (2) |
|
$ |
104.42 |
|
|
$ |
98.77 |
|
|
$ |
5.65 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
RGUs represent the total of basic subscribers and digital, HSD and phone customers. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents total average monthly revenues for the year divided by total average
basic subscribers during such period. |
Revenues increased $13.8 million, or 1.7%, primarily due to higher HSD and, to a lesser extent,
advertising and phone revenues, offset in part by lower video revenues and an unfavorable
comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $5.3 million of revenues related to the
Asset Transfer. Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber rose $5.65, or 5.7%, to $104.42.
About $0.63 of the increase in average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber was related to
the Asset Transfer.
Video revenues fell $14.6 million, or 2.7%, largely as a result of a lower number of basic
subscribers and, to a lesser extent, an unfavorable comparison to the prior year, during which we
recognized $3.7 million of video revenues related to the Asset Transfer, offset in part by higher
revenues from our digital, DVR and HDTV services. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we lost
27,000 basic subscribers and gained 31,000 digital customers, as compared to a loss of 30,700 basic
subscribers and a gain of 24,000 digital customers in the prior year, excluding the effect of the
Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served 663,000 basic subscribers, representing a
penetration of 43.6% of our estimated homes passed, and 409,000 digital customers, representing a
penetration of 61.7% of our basic subscribers. As of December 31, 2010, 46.3% of our digital
customers received DVR and/or HDTV services, as compared to 39.9% as of the same date last year.
HSD revenues increased $15.9 million, or 8.0%, primarily due to a 7.2% increase in HSD customers
and, to a much lesser extent, greater revenues from our enterprise networks business. During the
year ended December 31, 2010, we gained 31,000 HSD customers, as compared to a gain of 29,000 in
the prior year, excluding the impact of the Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served
459,000 HSD customers, representing a penetration of 30.2% of our estimated homes passed.
Phone revenues grew $3.8 million, or 6.3%, mainly due to a 15.1% increase in phone customers,
offset in part by higher levels of discounted pricing. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we
gained 23,000 phone customers, as compared to a gain of 18,600 in the prior year, excluding the
effect of the Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served 175,000 phone customers,
representing a penetration of 11.9% of our estimated marketable phone homes.
42
Advertising revenues rose $8.7 million, or 20.5%, primarily due to increased local and national
sales, with significant contributions from the political and automotive categories.
Costs and Expenses
Service costs grew $13.4 million, or 3.9%, principally due to higher programming expenses and, to a
much lesser extent, field operating costs, offset in part by lower HSD delivery expenses and a
favorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $2.5 million of service costs
related to the Asset Transfer. The following analysis of service cost components excludes the
effects of the Asset Transfer. Programming expenses increased 5.6%, primarily due to higher
contractual rates charged by our programming vendors, offset in part by a lower number of basic
subscribers. Field operating costs rose 13.1%, largely as a result of a greater use of outside
contractors and higher fiber lease, vehicle fuel costs and utility costs. HSD delivery expenses
fell 32.3%, mainly due to the transition to an internally managed e-mail system for our customers.
Service costs as a percentage of revenues were 41.8% and 40.9% for the years ended December 31,
2010 and 2009, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.9 million, or 1.7%, largely as a result
of higher marketing and, to a lesser extent, advertising and bad debt expenses, offset in part by
lower employee costs and a favorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $0.7
million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the Asset Transfer. The
following analysis of selling, general and administrative expenses excluded the effects of the
Asset Transfer. Marketing costs increased 9.5%, primarily due to a greater use of print and
broadcast advertising, offset in part by a decline in third party direct sales. Advertising costs
were 7.6% higher, principally due to higher costs related to greater advertising sales activity.
Bad debt expense grew 6.9%, largely as a result of a higher average
balance of written-off accounts and, to a lesser extent, greater collection costs. Employee costs declined 4.7%,
primarily due to a favorable shift in employee benefit expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 19.9% for each of the years ended December
31, 2010 and 2009.
Management fee expense increased $0.3 million, or 1.9%, reflecting higher overhead charges at MCC.
Management fee expense as a percentage of revenues were 1.9% for each of the years ended December
31, 2010 and 2009.
Depreciation and amortization rose $14.0 million, or 12.1%, principally as a result of a greater
investments in shorter-lived customer premise equipment.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA declined $2.6 million, or 0.8%, largely as a result greater service costs and, to a
lesser extent, increased selling, general and administrative expenses and an unfavorable comparison
to the prior year, during which we recognized $2.0 million of Adjusted OIBDA related to the Asset
Transfer, mostly offset by higher revenues.
Operating Income
Operating income fell $16.7 million, or 8.6%, principally due to higher depreciation and
amortization, and to a much lesser extent, lower Adjusted OIBDA.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, decreased $0.4 million, or 0.3%, largely as a result of a lower average cost
of debt, which was mostly offset by greater amortization of deferred financing costs.
43
(Loss) Gain on Derivatives, Net
As of December 31, 2010, we had interest rate exchange agreements, or interest rate swaps, with an
aggregate notional amount of $1.5 billion, of which $700 million are forward-starting interest rate
swaps. These swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The changes in their
mark-to-market values are derived primarily from changes in market interest rates and the decrease
in their time to maturity. As a result of the quarterly mark-to-market valuation of these interest
rate swaps based upon information provided by our counterparties, we recorded a net loss on
derivatives of $14.7 million and a net gain on derivatives of $16.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our net loss on derivatives was due to lower expectations
of future market interest rates, leading to a decline in the valuation of our interest rate swaps,
mainly those that become effective at future dates.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net, was $2.2 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and
2009, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2010, other expense, net, consisted of $1.9
million of revolving credit facility commitment fees and $0.3 million of other fees. During the
year ended December 31, 2009, other expense, net, primarily consisted of $3.2 million of deferred
financing costs and $1.8 million of revolving credit facility commitment fees.
Net Income
As a result of the factors described above, we recognized net income of $49.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2010, as compared to net income of $94.8 million for the year ended December 31,
2009.
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
The tables
below set forth the unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands and percentage changes that are not
meaningful are marked NM):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
833,843 |
|
|
$ |
786,035 |
|
|
$ |
47,808 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
340,632 |
|
|
|
318,040 |
|
|
|
22,592 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
166,079 |
|
|
|
168,337 |
|
|
|
(2,258 |
) |
|
|
(1.3 |
)% |
Management fee expense |
|
|
15,487 |
|
|
|
15,076 |
|
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
116,048 |
|
|
|
113,634 |
|
|
|
2,414 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
195,597 |
|
|
|
170,948 |
|
|
|
24,649 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(112,474 |
) |
|
|
(113,846 |
) |
|
|
1,372 |
|
|
|
(1.2 |
)% |
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net |
|
|
16,717 |
|
|
|
(31,030 |
) |
|
|
47,747 |
|
|
NM |
|
Other expense, net |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,409 |
) |
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
(7.6 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
20,663 |
|
|
$ |
74,177 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
285,396 |
|
|
$ |
27,446 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
The following represents a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income, which is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
312,842 |
|
|
$ |
285,396 |
|
|
$ |
27,446 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
% |
Non-cash, share-based compensation charges(1) |
|
|
(1,197 |
) |
|
|
(814 |
) |
|
|
(383 |
) |
|
|
47.1 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(116,048 |
) |
|
|
(113,634 |
) |
|
|
(2,414 |
) |
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
$ |
195,597 |
|
|
$ |
170,948 |
|
|
$ |
24,649 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Included approximately $8 and $9 for the years ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to the
issuance of other share-based awards. |
Revenues
The
tables below set forth revenue and selected subscriber, customer and average monthly
revenue statistics for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands, except per
subscriber data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video |
|
$ |
532,711 |
|
|
$ |
512,563 |
|
|
$ |
20,148 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
HSD |
|
|
198,200 |
|
|
|
177,792 |
|
|
|
20,408 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
% |
Phone |
|
|
60,600 |
|
|
|
49,613 |
|
|
|
10,987 |
|
|
|
22.1 |
% |
Advertising |
|
|
42,332 |
|
|
|
46,067 |
|
|
|
(3,735 |
) |
|
|
(8.1 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
833,843 |
|
|
$ |
786,035 |
|
|
$ |
47,808 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic subscribers |
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
717,000 |
|
|
|
(27,000 |
) |
|
|
(3.8 |
)% |
Digital customers |
|
|
378,000 |
|
|
|
355,000 |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
% |
HSD customers |
|
|
428,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
% |
Phone customers |
|
|
152,000 |
|
|
|
134,000 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
13.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RGUs |
|
|
1,648,000 |
|
|
|
1,606,000 |
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber |
|
$ |
98.77 |
|
|
$ |
91.17 |
|
|
$ |
7.60 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
% |
Revenues rose $47.8 million, or 6.1%, of which $42.5 million was primarily due to growth in our
HSD, digital and phone, with the remaining $5.3 million increase related to the Asset Transfer.
Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber increased $7.61, or 8.3%, primarily as a result
of higher penetration levels of our advanced video, HSD and phone services, offset in part by a
lower number of basic subscribers. About $0.63 of the increase in average total monthly revenue per
basic subscriber was related to the Asset Transfer.
Video revenues grew $20.1 million, or 3.9%, of which $16.4 million was largely as a result of
continued growth in digital customers and customers taking our DVR and HDTV services, as well as
rate increases, offset in part by a lower number of basic subscribers, with the remaining $3.7
million increase related to the Asset Transfer. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we lost
30,700 basic subscribers and gained 24,000 digital customers, excluding the effect of the Transfer
Agreement, as compared to a loss of 2,200 basic subscribers and a gain of 38,800 digital customers
in the prior year. Our basic subscriber losses mainly represented video-only customers, which were
largely caused by aggressive video price discounts by direct broadcast satellite providers. As of
December 31, 2009, we served 690,000 basic subscribers, representing a penetration of 45.6% of our
estimated homes passed, and 378,000 digital customers, representing a penetration of 54.8% of our
basic subscribers. As of December 31, 2009, 39.9% of digital customers received DVR and/or HDTV
services, as compared to 34.3% as of the same date in the prior year.
HSD revenues rose $20.4 million, or 11.5%, of which $19.2 million was primarily due to a 7.0%
increase in HSD customers and, to a lesser extent, higher unit pricing, with the remaining $1.2
million related to the Asset Transfer.
45
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we gained 29,000 HSD customers, excluding the effect of
the Transfer Agreement, as compared to a gain of 41,900 in the prior year. As of December 31, 2009,
we served 428,000 HSD customers, representing a penetration of 28.3% of our estimated homes passed.
Phone revenues grew $11.0 million, or 22.1%, of which $10.6 million was mainly due to a 13.4%
increase in phone customers and, to a lesser extent, higher unit pricing, with the remaining $0.4
million related to the Asset Transfer. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we gained 18,600
phone customers, excluding the effect of the Transfer Agreement, as compared to a gain of 29,100 in
the prior year. As of December 31, 2009, we served 152,000 phone customers, representing a
penetration of 10.4% of our estimated marketable phone homes.
Advertising revenues fell $3.7 million, or 8.1%, primarily due to an unfavorable comparison to
the prior year in which we benefited from political advertising during the national election and
sharp decreases in local and, to a lesser extent, national automotive advertising due to weak
economic conditions.
Costs and Expenses
Service costs rose $22.6 million, or 7.1%, principally due to higher programming expenses and, to a
much lesser extent, $2.5 million of service costs related to the Asset Transfer, as well as
increased phone and HSD service costs, offset in part by lower field operating costs. The following
analysis of service cost components excludes the effects
of the Asset Transfer. Programming expenses increased 9.1%, largely as a result of higher
contractual rates charged by our programming vendors and, to a lesser extent, greater
retransmission consent fees and new sports programming, offset in part by a lower number of basic
subscribers. Phone and HSD service costs were 8.1% and 6.0% higher, respectively, mostly due to
unit growth. Field operating costs declined 4.9%, principally due to a decrease in vehicle fuel
costs, offset in part by lower capitalization of overhead costs relating to reduced customer
installation activity. Service costs as a percentage of revenues were 40.9% and 40.5% for the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.3 million, or 1.3%, primarily due to
reduced customer service employee and office costs, offset in part by $0.7 million of selling,
general and administrative expenses related to the Asset Transfer. Customer service employee costs
fell 4.1%, largely due to greater productivity in our call centers. Office expenses dropped 6.9%,
principally due to lower telecommunications costs as a result of more efficient call routing and
internal network use. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were
19.9% and 21.4% for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Management fee expense paid to MCC increased $0.4 million, or 2.7%, reflecting higher overhead
charges at MCC. Corporate expenses as a percentage of revenues were 1.9% for each of the years
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Depreciation and amortization increased $2.4 million, or 2.1%, largely as a result of greater
deployment of shorter-lived customer premise equipment and, to a lesser extent, $0.4 million
related to the Asset Transfer, offset in part by an increase in the useful lives of certain fixed
assets.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA increased $27.4 million, or 9.6%, mainly due to growth in HSD, video and, to a
lesser extent, phone revenues and $2.0 million of Adjusted OIBDA related to the Asset Transfer,
offset in part by higher service costs.
Operating Income
Operating income grew $24.6 million, or 14.4%, principally due to the increase in Adjusted
OIBDA.
46
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, decreased $1.4 million, or 1.2%, primarily due to lower market interest
rates on variable rate debt, offset in part by higher average indebtedness.
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Net
As a result of changes to the mark-to-market valuation of our interest rate exchange
agreements, we recorded a net gain on derivatives of $16.7 million and a net loss on derivatives of
$31.0 million, based in part upon information provided by our counterparties, for the years ended
December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net, was $5.0 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2009
and 2008, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, other expense, net, consisted of
$1.8 million of commitment fees and $3.2 million of deferred financing costs and other fees. During
the year ended December 31, 2008, other expense, net, consisted of $2.1 million of commitment fees
and $3.2 million of deferred financing costs and other fees.
Net Income
As a result of the factors described above, we recognized net income of $94.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to net income of $20.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our net cash flows provided by operating and financing activities are used primarily to fund
network investments to accommodate customer growth and the further deployment of our advanced
products and services, as well as scheduled repayments of our external financing and contributions
to MCC. We expect that cash generated by us or available to us will meet our anticipated capital
and liquidity needs for the foreseeable future, including scheduled term loan maturities in each of
the years ending December 31, 2011 through December 31, 2014 of $14.0 million. As of December 31,
2010, our sources of liquidity included $33.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, $6.2 million of
restricted cash and cash equivalents and $427.2 million of unused and available lines under our
revolving credit facility.
In the longer term, specifically 2015 and beyond, we will not generate sufficient net cash flows
from operations to fund our maturing term loans and senior notes. If we are unable to obtain
sufficient future financing or, if we not able to do so on similar terms as we currently
experience, we may need to take other actions to conserve or raise capital that we would not take
otherwise. However, we have accessed the debt markets for significant amounts of capital in the
past, and expect to continue to be able to access these markets in the future as necessary.
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $250.5 million for the year ended December 31,
2010, primarily due to Adjusted OIBDA of $310.3 million and, to a much lesser extent, the $50.6
million net change in operating assets and liabilities, offset in part by interest expense of
$112.1 million. The net change in operating assets and liabilities was principally due to a
decrease in accounts receivable from affiliates of $61.2 million, offset in part by an increase in
net accounts receivable of $4.4 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of
$4.4 million.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $212.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2009, primarily due to Adjusted OIBDA of $312.8 million and, to a much lesser extent, the $13.3
million net change in our operating assets and liabilities, offset in part by interest expense of
$112.5 million. The net change in our operating assets and liabilities was largely as a result of a
decrease in accounts receivable from affiliate of $9.9 million and, to a lesser extent, an increase
in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $3.4
47
million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.6 million and an increase in
deferred revenue of $1.2 million and a decrease in other non-current liabilities of $0.6 million.
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Capital expenditures continue to be our primary use of capital resources and the majority of our
net cash flows used in investing activities. Net cash flows used in investing activities were
$141.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to $125.6 million for the prior
year. The $16.3 million increase in net cash flows used in investing activities was due to $10.1
million greater capital spending and a $6.2 million investment in restricted cash and cash
equivalents. The increase in capital spending was principally due to greater investments in our
internal phone platform, offset in part by reduced outlays for network improvements.
Net Cash Flows (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $87.1 million for the year ended December 31,
2010, primarily due to capital distributions to parent of $63.0 million and, to a much lesser
extent, dividend payments on preferred members interest of $18.0 million, financing costs of $9.6
million and other financing activities, principally the reduction of book overdrafts, of $6.5
million, offset in part by net borrowings of $10.0 million under our bank credit facilities (see
New Financing below).
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $90.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2009, principally due to capital distributions to parent of $201.6 million and, to a much lesser
extent, dividend payments on preferred members interest of $18.0 million, offset in part by
capital contributions from parent of $70.0 million and net borrowings of $59.0 million. The $201.6
million of capital distributions include a $82.2 million capital contribution to MCC under the
Transfer Agreement. See Notes 7 and 8 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Capital Structure
As of December 31, 2010, our outstanding total indebtedness was $1.865 billion, of which
approximately 70% was at fixed interest rates or subject to interest rate protection. During the
year ended December 31, 2010, we paid cash interest of $118.2 million, net of capitalized interest.
Bank Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2010, we had a $1.795 billion bank credit facility (the credit facility), of
which $1.365 billion was outstanding. The credit agreement governing the credit facility contains
various covenants that, among other things, impose certain limitations on mergers and acquisitions,
consolidations and sales of certain assets, liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness,
certain restricted payments and certain transactions with affiliates. See Note 5 in our Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding material financial covenants.
As of December 31, 2010, we had no outstanding balance under our $430.3 million revolving credit
facility, with $427.2 million of unused lines after taking into account $3.1 million of letters of
credit issued under the credit facility. As of the same date, based on the terms and conditions of
our debt arrangements, all of our unused revolving credit lines were available to be borrowed and
used for general corporate purposes. Our revolving credit commitments are scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2012. See Going Private Transaction below for information regarding drawdowns under
our revolving credit facility to fund, in part, the Going Private Transaction.
New Financing
On April 23, 2010, we completed a new financing that provided for a new term loan under our
existing credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million. The new term loan
matures in October 2017, and, since September 30, 2010, has been subject to quarterly reductions of
0.25% with a final payment at maturity representing 92.75% of the original principal amount. The
net proceeds of the new term loan were largely used to repay an existing term loan and the full
balance of outstanding revolving credit loans under our credit facility. See Note 5 in our Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the new financing.
48
Going Private Transaction
The Going Private Transaction was funded, in part, by $100 million of drawdowns under our existing
revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2010, after giving effect to the Going Private
Transaction, our outstanding total indebtedness would have been
$2.065 billion. As of the same date, we would have
had $220.7 million of unused and available lines under our revolving credit facility, all available
to be borrowed and used for general corporate purpose, after taking into account $9.6 million of
letters of credit.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
We use interest rate exchange agreements, or interest rate swaps, in order to fix the rate of the
applicable Eurodollar portion of debt under the credit facility to reduce the potential volatility
in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. As of
December 31, 2010, we had interest rate swaps with various banks pursuant to which the interest
rate on $800 million of floating rate debt was fixed at a weighted average rate of 3.3%. We also
had $700 million of forward starting interest rate swaps with a weighted average fixed rate of
3.4%, of which $100 million and $600 million will commence
during the years ending December 31, 2011 and
2012, respectively. Including the effects of such interest rate swaps, the average interest rates
on outstanding debt under our bank credit facility as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were 4.9% and
5.1%, respectively.
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2010, we had $500.0 million of senior notes outstanding. The indenture governing
our senior notes also contain various covenants, though they are generally less restrictive than
those found in our credit facility. Such covenants restrict our ability, among other things, make
certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, sell certain assets, to make
restricted payments, create certain liens, merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our
assets and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. See Note 5 in our Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for information regarding material financial covenants.
Covenant Compliance and Debt Ratings
For all periods through December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under
the credit facility and senior note arrangements. There are no covenants, events of default,
borrowing conditions or other terms in the credit facility or senior note arrangements that are
based on changes in our credit rating assigned by any rating agency. We do not believe that we will
have any difficulty complying with any of the applicable covenants in the foreseeable future.
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our
debt ratings. Our corporate credit ratings are B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with
a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Any future downgrade to our credit ratings could result
in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact
our ability to raise additional funds.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, and the
effects they are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow, for the five years subsequent to
December 31, 2010 and thereafter (dollars in thousands)*:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating |
|
|
Interest |
|
|
Purchase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt |
|
|
Leases |
|
|
Expense(1) |
|
|
Obligations(2) |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,044 |
|
|
$ |
103,371 |
|
|
$ |
16,290 |
|
|
$ |
136,705 |
|
2012-2013 |
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
5,188 |
|
|
|
206,644 |
|
|
|
17,414 |
|
|
|
257,246 |
|
2014-2015 |
|
|
1,256,000 |
|
|
|
3,863 |
|
|
|
151,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,411,377 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
567,000 |
|
|
|
3,830 |
|
|
|
22,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
593,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash obligations |
|
$ |
1,865,000 |
|
|
$ |
15,925 |
|
|
$ |
483,759 |
|
|
$ |
33,704 |
|
|
$ |
2,398,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
* |
|
Refer to Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements
for a discussion of our long-term debt, and to Note 11 for
a discussion of our operating leases and other commitments
and contingencies. |
|
(1) |
|
Interest payments on floating rate debt and interest rate
swaps are estimated using amounts outstanding as of
December 31, 2010 and the average interest rates applicable
under such debt obligations. Interest expense amounts are
net of amounts capitalized. |
|
(2) |
|
We have contracts with programmers who provide video
programming services to our subscribers. Our contracts
typically provide that we have an obligation to purchase
video programming for our subscribers as long as we deliver
cable services to such subscribers. We have no obligation
to purchase these services if we are not providing cable
services, except when we do not have the right to cancel
the underlying contract or for contracts with a guaranteed
minimum commitment. We have included such amounts in our
Purchase Obligations above, as follows: $10.1 million for
2011, $6.9 million for 2012-2013 and $0 million for
2014-2015 and thereafter. |
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities. Periodically, we evaluate our estimates, including those
related to doubtful accounts, long-lived assets, capitalized costs and accruals. We base our
estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable.
Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We
believe that the application of the critical accounting policies discussed below requires
significant judgments and estimates on the part of management. For a summary of our accounting
policies, see Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We capitalize the costs of new construction and replacement of our cable transmission and
distribution facilities and new service installation in accordance with ASC No. 922
Entertainment Cable Television (formerly SFAS No. 51, Financial Reporting by Cable Television
Companies). Costs associated with subsequent installations of additional services not previously
installed at a customers dwelling are capitalized to the extent such costs are incremental and
directly attributable to the installation of such additional services. Capitalized costs included
all direct labor and materials as well as certain indirect costs. Capitalized costs are recorded as
additions to property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the average life of the related
assets. We use standard costing models, developed from actual historical costs and relevant
operational data, to determine our capitalized amounts. These models include labor rates, overhead
rates and standard time inputs to perform various installation and construction activities. The
development of these standards involves significant judgment by management, especially in the
development of standards for our newer, advanced products and services in which historical data is
limited. Changes to the estimates or assumptions used in establishing these standards could be
material. We perform periodic evaluations of the estimates used to determine the amount of costs
that are capitalized. Any changes to these estimates, which may be significant, are applied in the
period in which the evaluations were completed.
Valuation and Impairment Testing of Indefinite-lived Intangibles
As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately $1.4 billion of unamortized intangible assets,
including goodwill of $196.0 million and franchise rights of $1.2 billion on our consolidated
balance sheets. These intangible assets represented approximately 59% of our total assets.
Our cable systems operate under non-exclusive cable franchises, or franchise rights, granted by
state and local governmental authorities for varying lengths of time. We acquired these franchise
rights through acquisitions of cable systems over the past several years. These acquisitions were
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The value of a franchise is derived from the
economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new subscribers and to market new products
and services, such as advanced digital television, HSD and phone, in a specific market territory.
We concluded that our franchise rights have an indefinite useful life since, among other things,
there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limiting the
period over which these franchise rights contribute to our revenues and cash flows. Goodwill is the
excess of the acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net
assets acquired. In accordance with ASC No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350)
(formerly SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets) we do not amortize franchise rights
and goodwill. Instead, such assets are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if
impairment indicators arise.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We
assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology,
under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ
the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise
rights. Our DCF analysis uses significant (Level 3) unobservable
50
inputs. This assessment involves significant judgment, including certain assumptions and estimates
that determine future cash flow expectations and other future benefits, which are consistent with
the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems in determining fair value. These
assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth rates, terminal growth rates,
comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as a percentage of homes passed
and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market valuations, research analyst
estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income before depreciation and
amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the DCF methodology. We
also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable franchise rights
determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant impairment in value
resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value
determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could potentially be material.
Based on the guidance outlined in ASC 350 (formerly EITF No. 02-7, Unit of Accounting for Testing
Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,) we determined that the unit of accounting, or
reporting unit, for testing goodwill and franchise rights for impairment resides at a cable system
cluster level. Such level reflects the financial reporting level managed and reviewed by the
corporate office (i.e., chief operating decision maker) as well as how we allocated capital
resources and utilize the assets. Lastly, the reporting unit level reflects the level at which the
purchase method of accounting for our acquisitions was originally recorded. We have one reporting
unit for the purpose of applying ASC 350, Mediacom Broadband.
In accordance with ASC 350, we are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step
process. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with our carrying amount,
including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds our carrying amount, goodwill
of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step is unnecessary. If the
carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds our fair value, the second step is performed to measure
the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the
reporting units goodwill, calculated using the residual method, with the carrying amount of that
goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the excess is
recognized as an impairment loss.
The impairment test for our franchise rights and other intangible assets not subject to
amortization consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying
value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the excess is
recognized as an impairment loss.
Since our adoption of ASC 350 in 2002, we have not recorded any impairments as a result of our
impairment testing. We completed our most recent impairment test as of October 1, 2010, which
reflected no impairment of our franchise rights, goodwill or other intangible assets.
We could record impairments in the future if there are changes in the long-term fundamentals of our
business, in general market conditions or in the regulatory landscape that could prevent us from
recovering the carrying value of our long-lived intangible assets. In the near term, the economic
conditions currently affecting the U.S. economy and how that may impact the fundamentals of our
business may have a negative impact on the fair values of the assets in our reporting unit.
For illustrative purposes, if there were a hypothetical decline of 5%, 10% or 20% in the fair
values determined for cable franchise rights at our reporting unit, an impairment loss of $45.5
million, $105.0 million and $224.1 million, respectively, would result as of our impairment testing
date of October 1, 2010. In addition, a hypothetical decline of up to 20% in the fair values
determined for goodwill and other finite-lived intangible assets at our reporting unit, would not
result in any impairment loss as of October 1, 2010.
Share-based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
This fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of
the awards, which is generally the vesting period. This option-pricing model requires the input of
highly subjective assumptions, including the options expected life and the price volatility of the
underlying stock. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and
to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts
will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the periods the estimates are revised. Actual
results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from our current estimates.
51
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 168, The
FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm and the Hierarchy of Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162. Statement 168
establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm (Codification or
ASC) as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities for interim or annual periods
ending after September 30, 2009. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative
GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting
standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the
Codification will be considered non-authoritative.
Following the Codification, FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff
Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, FASB will issue Accounting Standards
Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the
guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.
GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of FASBs Codification project. However, it will
change the way in which accounting guidance is organized and presented. As a result, we will change
the way we reference GAAP in our financial statements. We have begun the process of implementing
the Codification by providing references to the Codification topics alongside references to the
previously existing accounting standards.
Other Pronouncements
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 820-10-65-4 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC
820) (formerly FSP No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity
for the Asset or the Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are
Not Orderly). ASC 820-10-65-4 provides additional guidance on (i) estimating fair value when the
volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to
normal market activity for the asset or liability, and (ii) circumstances that may indicate that a
transaction is not orderly. ASC 820-10-65-4 also requires additional disclosures about fair value
measurements in interim and annual reporting periods. ASC 820-10-65-4 is effective for interim and
annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. We have
completed our evaluation of ASC 820-10-65-4 and determined that the adoption did not have a
material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
The following
sets forth our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at
December 31, 2010. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level
fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair
value.
|
Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
|
|
Level 2 Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by
market data. |
|
|
Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. |
52
As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net, were valued at
$45.4 million using Level 2 inputs, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value as of December 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,298 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,298 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
47,661 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
47,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
45,363 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
45,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net, were valued at
$30.7 million using Level 2 inputs, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value as of December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,738 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,738 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32,397 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
30,659 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
30,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, Improving
Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)
No. 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) to add new requirements for
disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about
purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also
clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and
valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The ASU is effective for the first reporting
period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to
provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis,
which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods
within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU did not have a significant impact
on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles Goodwill and Other: When to
Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative
Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the EITF) (ASU No. 2010-28). ASU No. 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of
the goodwill impairment test for reporting units who have recognized goodwill and whose reporting
unit carrying amount is either zero or negative. For those reporting units, an entity is required
to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill
impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment
exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that
an impairment may exist. ASU No. 2010-28 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2011.
Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-28 is not expected to have a material
impact on our financial statements.
Inflation and Changing Prices
Our systems costs and expenses are subject to inflation and price fluctuations. Such changes in
costs and expenses can generally be passed through to subscribers. Programming costs have
historically increased at rates in excess of inflation and are expected to continue to do so. We
believe that under the FCCs existing cable rate regulations we may increase rates for cable
services to more than cover any increases in programming. However, competitive conditions and other
factors in the marketplace may limit our ability to increase our rates.
53
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the
normal course of business, we use interest rate exchange agreements,
or interest rate swaps, with counterparty banks
to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt. As of December 31, 2010,
we had current interest rate swaps with various banks pursuant to which the interest rate on $800
million of floating rate debt was fixed at a weighted average rate of 3.3%. We also had $700
million of forward starting interest rate swaps with a weighted average fixed rate of approximately
3.4%, of which $100 million and $600 million commence during the years ended December 31, 2011 and
2012, respectively. The fixed rates of the interest rate swaps are
offset against the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate to determine the
related interest expense. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, we are
exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties; however, we do not anticipate such nonperformance. As of December 31, 2010, based on the mark-to-market valuation, we would have
paid approximately $45.4 million, including accrued interest, if we terminated these interest rate
swaps. Our current interest rate swaps are scheduled to expire in the amounts of $200 million and
$600 million during the years ending December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. See Notes 2 and 5 in
our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our interest rate swaps and financial contracts do not contain credit rating triggers that could
affect our liquidity.
The table below provides the expected maturity and estimated fair value of our debt as of December
31, 2010 (all dollars in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Credit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Notes |
|
|
Facilities |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected Maturity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
742,000 |
|
|
|
1,242,000 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
567,000 |
|
|
|
567,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,365,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,865,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value |
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,338,015 |
|
|
$ |
1,843,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Interest Rate |
|
|
8.5 |
% |
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
5.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
ITEM 8. |
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
80 |
|
55
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Member of Mediacom Broadband LLC:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mediacom Broadband LLC and its
subsidiaries at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our
opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are
the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 17, 2011
56
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
$ |
33,123 |
|
|
$ |
11,676 |
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
6,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,614 and $1,253 |
|
|
53,362 |
|
|
|
48,931 |
|
Accounts receivable affiliates |
|
|
46,430 |
|
|
|
131,213 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
10,573 |
|
|
|
6,914 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
149,641 |
|
|
|
198,734 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $969,583 and $836,853 |
|
|
777,488 |
|
|
|
746,067 |
|
Franchise rights |
|
|
1,176,908 |
|
|
|
1,176,908 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
195,945 |
|
|
|
195,945 |
|
Subscriber lists, net of accumulated amortization of $37,266 and $35,201 |
|
|
2,481 |
|
|
|
4,545 |
|
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $15,033 and $11,041 |
|
|
27,227 |
|
|
|
21,636 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,329,690 |
|
|
$ |
2,343,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS EQUITY
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
131,186 |
|
|
$ |
147,015 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
31,840 |
|
|
|
31,668 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
35,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
177,026 |
|
|
|
214,183 |
|
Long-term debt, less current portion |
|
|
1,851,000 |
|
|
|
1,819,500 |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
|
31,617 |
|
|
|
12,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
2,059,643 |
|
|
|
2,045,907 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREFERRED MEMBERS INTEREST (Note 6) |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
MEMBERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contributions |
|
|
346,675 |
|
|
|
409,675 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(226,628 |
) |
|
|
(261,747 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total members equity |
|
|
120,047 |
|
|
|
147,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities, preferred members interest and members equity |
|
$ |
2,329,690 |
|
|
$ |
2,343,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
57
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
847,661 |
|
|
$ |
833,843 |
|
|
$ |
786,035 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
|
|
354,011 |
|
|
|
340,632 |
|
|
|
318,040 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
168,938 |
|
|
|
166,079 |
|
|
|
168,337 |
|
Management fee expense |
|
|
15,775 |
|
|
|
15,487 |
|
|
|
15,076 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
130,066 |
|
|
|
116,048 |
|
|
|
113,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
178,871 |
|
|
|
195,597 |
|
|
|
170,948 |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
(112,106 |
) |
|
|
(112,474 |
) |
|
|
(113,846 |
) |
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
|
|
(14,703 |
) |
|
|
16,717 |
|
|
|
(31,030 |
) |
Other expense, net |
|
|
(2,230 |
) |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
(5,409 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
49,832 |
|
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
20,663 |
|
Dividend to preferred member |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income applicable to member |
|
$ |
31,832 |
|
|
$ |
76,840 |
|
|
$ |
2,663 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
58
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
638,910 |
|
|
$ |
(318,720 |
) |
|
$ |
320,190 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,663 |
|
|
|
20,663 |
|
Dividend payments to related
party on Preferred members
interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
Dividend payments to MCC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,390 |
) |
|
|
(22,390 |
) |
Capital distributions to parent |
|
|
(64,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(64,000 |
) |
Capital contributions from parent |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
634,910 |
|
|
$ |
(338,447 |
) |
|
$ |
296,463 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,840 |
|
|
|
94,840 |
|
Dividend payments to related
party on Preferred members
interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
Capital distributions to parent |
|
|
(295,235 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(295,235 |
) |
Capital contributions from parent |
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(140 |
) |
|
|
(140 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
409,675 |
|
|
$ |
(261,747 |
) |
|
$ |
147,928 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,832 |
|
|
|
49,832 |
|
Dividend payments to related
party on Preferred members
interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
Capital distributions to parent |
|
|
(63,000 |
) |
|
|
3,151 |
|
|
|
(59,849 |
) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
346,675 |
|
|
$ |
(226,628 |
) |
|
$ |
120,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
59
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(Amounts in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
49,832 |
|
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
20,663 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
130,066 |
|
|
|
116,048 |
|
|
|
113,634 |
|
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net |
|
|
14,703 |
|
|
|
(16,717 |
) |
|
|
31,030 |
|
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
|
|
3,992 |
|
|
|
3,560 |
|
|
|
2,850 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
1,305 |
|
|
|
1,189 |
|
|
|
805 |
|
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
(4,431 |
) |
|
|
(2,260 |
) |
|
|
1,010 |
|
Accounts receivable affiliates |
|
|
61,154 |
|
|
|
9,948 |
|
|
|
(37,030 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
(4,359 |
) |
|
|
1,616 |
|
|
|
(534 |
) |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
(1,319 |
) |
|
|
3,374 |
|
|
|
(1,790 |
) |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
1,241 |
|
|
|
2,291 |
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
|
(638 |
) |
|
|
(601 |
) |
|
|
(1,310 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
250,477 |
|
|
$ |
212,238 |
|
|
$ |
131,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
(135,793 |
) |
|
$ |
(125,620 |
) |
|
$ |
(138,839 |
) |
Investment in restricted cash and cash equivalents (Note 2) |
|
|
(6,153 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
|
$ |
(141,946 |
) |
|
$ |
(125,620 |
) |
|
$ |
(138,839 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New borrowings of bank debt |
|
$ |
824,875 |
|
|
$ |
444,000 |
|
|
$ |
735,000 |
|
Repayment of bank debt |
|
|
(814,875 |
) |
|
|
(385,000 |
) |
|
|
(648,533 |
) |
Dividend payment on preferred members interest |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
|
|
(18,000 |
) |
Capital distributions to parent (Note 7) |
|
|
(63,000 |
) |
|
|
(201,572 |
) |
|
|
(64,000 |
) |
Capital contributions from parent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
Dividend payment to parent |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,390 |
) |
Financing costs |
|
|
(9,628 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,887 |
) |
Other financing activities book overdrafts |
|
|
(6,456 |
) |
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
(17,544 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
$ |
(87,084 |
) |
|
$ |
(90,444 |
) |
|
$ |
13,646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash |
|
|
21,447 |
|
|
|
(3,826 |
) |
|
|
6,426 |
|
CASH, beginning of period |
|
|
11,676 |
|
|
|
15,502 |
|
|
|
9,076 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH, end of period |
|
$ |
33,123 |
|
|
$ |
11,676 |
|
|
$ |
15,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized |
|
$ |
118,151 |
|
|
$ |
112,264 |
|
|
$ |
109,326 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS FINANCING: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange of cable systems with related party (Note 8) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
93,663 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
60
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband, and collectively with our subsidiaries, we or
us), a Delaware limited liability company wholly-owned by Mediacom Communications Corporation
(MCC or Mediacom), was organized for the purpose of acquiring cable systems from AT&T
Broadband, LLC in 2001. As a limited liability company, we are not
subject to income taxes.
We rely on our parent, MCC, for various services such as corporate and administrative support. Our
financial position, results of operations and cash flows could differ from those that would have
resulted had we operated autonomously or as an entity independent of MCC. See Notes 6, 7 and 8.
Mediacom Broadband Corporation, a Delaware corporation wholly-owned by us, co-issued public debt
securities, jointly and severally, with us. Mediacom Broadband Corporation has no assets (other
than a $100 receivable from affiliate), operations, revenues or cash flows. Therefore, separate
financial statements have not been presented for this entity.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of us and our subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The preparation of the
consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. The accounting estimates that require managements most difficult and subjective
judgments include: assessment and valuation of intangibles, accounts receivable allowance, useful
lives of property, plant and equipment, share-based compensation, and the recognition and
measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those and other
estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from video, HSD and phone services are recognized when the services are provided to our
customers. Credit risk is managed by disconnecting services to customers who are deemed to be
delinquent. Installation revenues are recognized as customer connections are completed because
installation revenues are less than direct installation costs. Advertising sales are recognized in
the period that the advertisements are exhibited. Under the terms of our franchise agreements, we
are required to pay local franchising authorities up to 5% of our gross revenues derived from
providing cable services. We normally pass these fees through to our customers. Franchise fees are
reported in their respective revenue categories and included in selling, general and administrative
expenses.
Franchise fees imposed by local governmental authorities are collected on a monthly basis from our
customers and are periodically remitted to the local governmental authorities. Because franchise
fees are our obligation, we present them on a gross basis with a corresponding operating expense.
Franchise fees reported on a gross basis amounted to approximately $25.5 million, $25.3 million and
$25.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
61
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be
cash equivalents.
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents represent funds pledged to insurance carriers as security
under a master pledge and security agreement. Pledged funds are invested in short-term, highly
liquid investments. We retain ownership of the pledged funds, and under the terms of the pledge and
security agreement, we can withdraw any of the funds, with the restrictions removed from such
funds, provided comparable substitute collateral is pledged to the insurance carriers.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of probable losses in the accounts
receivable balance. The allowance is based on the number of days outstanding, customer balances,
historical experience and other currently available information.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, we revised our estimate of probable losses in the accounts
receivable of our video, HSD and phone business to better reflect historical collection experience.
The change in estimate resulted in a loss of $0.3 million in our consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Our accounts receivable are comprised of amounts due from subscribers in varying regions throughout
the United States. Concentration of credit risk with respect to these receivables is limited due to
the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their geographic dispersion. We
invest our cash with high quality financial institutions.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Additions to property, plant and equipment
generally include material, labor and indirect costs. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line
basis over the following useful lives:
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
40 Years |
Leasehold improvements
|
|
Life of respective lease |
Cable systems and equipment and subscriber devices
|
|
5 to 20 years |
Vehicles
|
|
3 to 5 years |
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
|
|
5 years |
We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance as incurred.
At the time of retirements, write-offs, sales or other dispositions of property, the original cost
and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gains or
losses are included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of
operations.
We capitalize the costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution
facilities, new customer installations and indirect costs associated with our telephony product.
Costs include direct labor and material, as well as certain indirect costs including interest. We
perform periodic evaluations of certain estimates used to determine the amount and extent that such
costs that are capitalized. Any changes to these estimates, which may be significant, are applied
in the period in which the evaluations were completed. The costs of disconnecting service at a
customers dwelling or reconnecting to a previously installed dwelling are charged as expense in
the period incurred. Costs associated with subsequent installations of additional services not
previously installed at a customers dwelling are capitalized to the extent such costs are
incremental and directly attributable to the installation of such additional services. See also
Note 3.
62
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Capitalized Software Costs
We account for internal-use software development and related costs in accordance with ASC
350-40-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software (formerly AICPA Statement of Position
No. 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use).
Software development and other related costs consist of external and internal costs incurred in the
application development stage to purchase and implement the software that will be used in our
telephony business. Costs incurred in the development of application and infrastructure of the
software is capitalized and will be amortized over our respective estimated useful life of 5 years.
During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we capitalized approximately $4.7 million and
$0.5 million, respectively of software development costs. Capitalized software had a net book value
of $10.9 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Marketing and Promotional Costs
Marketing and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and were $20.7 million, $17.8 million and
$17.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Our cable systems operate under non-exclusive cable franchises, or franchise rights, granted by
state and local governmental authorities for varying lengths of time. We acquired these cable
franchises through acquisitions of cable systems and were accounted for using the purchase method
of accounting. As of December 31, 2010, we held 491 franchises in areas located throughout the
United States. The value of a franchise is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the
right to solicit new subscribers and to market new products and
services, such as digital video, HSD and phone, in a specific market territory. We concluded that our franchise rights
have an indefinite useful life since, among other things, there are no legal, regulatory,
contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limiting the period over which these franchise
rights contribute to our revenues and cash flows. Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of
an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with
ASC No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350) (formerly SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets), we do not amortize franchise rights and goodwill. Instead, such assets
are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We
assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology,
under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ
the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise
rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment,
including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other
future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems
in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth
rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as
a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market
valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income
before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the
DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable
franchise rights determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant
impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions
used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could
potentially be material.
Based on the guidance outlined in ASC 350 (formerly EITF No. 02-7, Unit of Accounting for Testing
Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,) we determined that the unit of accounting, or
reporting unit, for testing goodwill and franchise rights for impairment resides at a cable system
cluster level. Such level reflects the financial reporting level managed and reviewed by the
corporate office (i.e., chief operating decision maker) as well as how we allocated capital
resources and utilize the assets. Lastly, the reporting unit level reflects the level at which the
purchase method of accounting for our acquisitions was originally recorded. We have one reporting
unit for the purpose of applying ASC 350, Mediacom Broadband LLC.
63
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In accordance with ASC 350, we are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step
process. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with our carrying amount,
including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds our carrying amount, goodwill
of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step is unnecessary. If the
carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds our fair value, the second step is performed to measure
the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the
reporting units goodwill, calculated using the residual method, with the carrying amount of that
goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the excess is
recognized as an impairment loss.
The impairment test for our franchise rights and other intangible assets not subject to
amortization consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying
value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the excess is
recognized as an impairment loss.
Since our adoption of ASC 350 in 2002, we have not recorded any impairments as a result of our
impairment testing. We completed our most recent impairment test as of October 1, 2010, which
reflected no impairment of our franchise rights, goodwill or other intangible assets.
We could record impairments in the future if there are changes in the long-term fundamentals of our
business, in general market conditions or in the regulatory landscape that could prevent us from
recovering the carrying value of our long-lived intangible assets. In the near term, the economic
conditions currently affecting the U.S. economy and how that may impact the fundamentals of our
business may have a negative impact on the fair values of the assets in our reporting unit.
Other finite-lived intangible assets, which consist primarily of subscriber lists and covenants not
to compete, continue to be amortized over their useful lives of 5 to 10 years and 5 years,
respectively. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was
approximately $2.1 million, $2.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Our estimated aggregate
amortization expense for 2011 and thereafter are $2.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
The following table details changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the year ended December
31, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
December 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
204,005 |
|
Acquisitions |
|
|
|
|
Dispositions |
|
|
(8,060 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
195,945 |
|
Acquisitions |
|
|
|
|
Dispositions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance December 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
195,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we determined that goodwill and members equity were understated
by $13.0 million during each of the interim periods due to an error in the accounting for the Asset
Transfer (see Note 8), which occurred in the first quarter of 2009. We concluded that such amounts
were not material to our interim financial statements for 2009, based on our consideration of
quantitative and qualitative factors. We corrected this error in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Other Assets
Other assets, net, primarily include financing costs and original issue discount incurred to raise
debt. Financing costs and original issue discounts are deferred and amortized as interest expense
over the expected term of such financings.
Segment Reporting
ASC 280 Segment Reporting (ASC 280) (formerly SFAS No. 131, Disclosure about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information), requires the disclosure of factors used to identify an
enterprises reportable segments. Our operations are organized and managed on the basis of cable
system clusters that represent operating segments within our service area. Each operating segment
derives revenues from the delivery of similar products and services to a customer base that is also
similar. Each operating segment deploys similar technology to deliver our products and services,
operates within a similar regulatory environment and has similar economic
64
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
characteristics. Management evaluated the criteria for aggregation of the operating segments under
ASC 280 and believes that we meet each of the respective criteria set forth. Accordingly,
management has identified broadband services as our one reportable segment.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
We account for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging (ASC
815) (formerly SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, SFAS
No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities-an amendment
of FASB Statement No. 133, and SFAS No. 149 Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities). These pronouncements require that all derivative instruments be
recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. We enter into interest rate swaps to fix the
interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt to reduce the potential volatility in
our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our
derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included in other current assets, other
assets and other liabilities of our consolidated balance sheet. Our accounting policies for these
instruments are based on whether they meet our criteria for designation as hedging transactions,
which include the instruments effectiveness, risk reduction and, in most cases, a one-to-one
matching of the derivative instrument to our underlying transaction. Gains and losses from changes
in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are
recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We have no derivative financial instruments
designated as hedges. Therefore, changes in fair value for the respective periods were recognized
in the consolidated statement of operations.
Accounting for Asset Retirement
We adopted ASC 410 Asset Retirement Obligations (ASC 410) (formerly SFAS No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations), on January 1, 2003. ASC 410 addresses financial accounting and
reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the
associated asset retirement costs. We reviewed our asset retirement obligations to determine the
fair value of such liabilities and if a reasonable estimate of fair value could be made. This
entailed the review of leases covering tangible long-lived assets as well as our rights-of-way
under franchise agreements. Certain of our franchise agreements and leases contain provisions that
require restoration or removal of equipment if the franchises or leases are not renewed. Based on
historical experience, we expect to renew our franchise or lease agreements. In the unlikely event
that any franchise or lease agreement is not expected to be renewed, we would record an estimated
liability. However, in determining the fair value of our asset retirement obligation under our
franchise agreements, consideration will be given to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984,
which generally entitles the cable operator to the fair market value for the cable system covered
by a franchise, if renewal is denied and the franchising authority acquires ownership of the cable
system or effects a transfer of the cable system to another person. Changes in these assumptions
based on future information could result in adjustments to estimated liabilities.
Upon adoption of ASC 410, we determined that in certain instances, we are obligated by contractual
terms or regulatory requirements to remove facilities or perform other remediation activities upon
the retirement of our assets. We initially recorded a $1.8 million asset in property, plant and
equipment and a corresponding liability of $1.8 million. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the
corresponding asset, net of accumulated amortization, was $0.1 million and $0.3 million,
respectively.
Accounting for Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment (ASC 360) (formerly SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we periodically evaluate the
recoverability and estimated lives of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and
intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. The measurement for
such impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset, typically based upon the future cash
flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Unless presented separately, the
loss is included as a component of either depreciation expense or amortization expense, as
appropriate.
65
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Programming Costs
We have various fixed-term carriage contracts to obtain programming for our cable systems from
content suppliers whose compensation is generally based on a fixed monthly fee per customer. These
programming contracts are subject to negotiated renewal. Programming costs are recognized when we
distribute the related programming. These programming costs are usually payable each month based on
calculations performed by us and are subject to adjustments based on the results of periodic audits
by the content suppliers. Historically, such audit adjustments have been immaterial to our total
programming costs. Some content suppliers offer financial incentives to support the launch of a
channel and ongoing marketing support. When such financial incentives are received, we defer them
within non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and recognizes such amounts as a
reduction of programming costs (which are a component of service costs in the consolidated
statement of operations) over the carriage term of the programming contract.
Share-based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model
using ASC 718 Compensation Stock Compensation (ASC 718) (formerly SFAS No. 123(R)
Share-Based Payment). This fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite
service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. This option-pricing model
requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the options expected life and the
price volatility of the underlying stock. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest
requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current
estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the periods the estimates
are revised. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from our
current estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 168, The
FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm and the Hierarchy of Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162. Statement 168
establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codificationtm (Codification or
ASC) as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities for interim or annual periods
ending after September 30, 2009. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative
GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting
standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the
Codification will be considered non-authoritative.
Following the Codification, FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff
Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, FASB will issue Accounting Standards
Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the
guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.
GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of FASBs Codification project. However, it will
change the way in which accounting guidance is organized and presented. As a result, we will change
the way we reference GAAP in our financial statements. We have begun the process of implementing
the Codification by providing references to the Codification topics alongside references to the
previously existing accounting standards.
Other Pronouncements
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 820-10-65-4 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC
820) (formerly FSP No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity
for the Asset or the Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are
Not Orderly). ASC 820-10-65-4 provides additional guidance on (i) estimating fair value when the
volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to
normal market activity for the asset or liability, and (ii) circumstances that may indicate that a
transaction is not orderly. ASC 820-10-65-4 also requires additional disclosures about fair value
measurements in interim and annual reporting periods. ASC 820-10-65-4 is effective for
66
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied
prospectively. We have completed our evaluation of ASC 820-10-65-4 and determined that the adoption
did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
The following sets forth our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring
basis at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These assets and liabilities have been
categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, which
prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
|
Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
|
Level 2 Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by
market data. |
|
Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. |
As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net were valued at $45.4
million using Level 2 inputs, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value as of December 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,298 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,298 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
47,661 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
47,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
45,363 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
45,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net were valued at
$30.7 million using Level 2 inputs, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value as of December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,738 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,738 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32,397 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
30,659 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
30,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, Improving
Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)
No. 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) to add new requirements for
disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about
purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also
clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and
valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The ASU is effective for the first reporting
period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to
provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis,
which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods
within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU did not have a significant impact
on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.
67
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles Goodwill and Other: When to
Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative
Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the EITF) (ASU No. 2010-28). ASU No. 2010-28 modifies Step 1 of
the goodwill impairment test for reporting units who have recognized goodwill and whose reporting
unit carrying amount is either zero or negative. For those reporting units, an entity is required
to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill
impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment
exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that
an impairment may exist. ASU No. 2010-28 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2011.
Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-28 is not expected to have a material
impact on our financial statements.
3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, property, plant and equipment consisted of (dollars in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable systems, equipment and subscriber devices |
|
$ |
1,647,329 |
|
|
$ |
1,491,709 |
|
Vehicles |
|
|
37,275 |
|
|
|
38,636 |
|
Buildings and leasehold improvements |
|
|
27,762 |
|
|
|
27,090 |
|
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment |
|
|
29,689 |
|
|
|
20,474 |
|
Land and land improvements |
|
|
5,016 |
|
|
|
5,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,747,071 |
|
|
|
1,582,920 |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(969,583 |
) |
|
|
(836,853 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
$ |
777,488 |
|
|
$ |
746,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Estimate Useful lives
Effective July 1, 2008, we changed the estimated useful lives of certain plant and equipment within
our cable systems due to the initial deployment of all digital video technology both in the network
and at the customers home. These changes in asset lives were based on our plans, and our
experience thus far in executing such plans, to deploy all digital video technology across certain
of our cable systems. This technology affords us the opportunity to increase network capacity
without costly upgrades and, as such, extends the useful lives of cable plant by four years. We
have also begun to provide all digital set-top boxes to our customer base as part of this all
digital network deployment. In connection with the all digital set-top launch, we have reviewed the
asset lives of our customer premise equipment and determined that their useful lives should be
extended by two years. While the timing and extent of current deployment plans are subject to
modification, management believes that extending the useful lives is appropriate and will be
subject to ongoing analysis. The weighted average useful lives of such fixed assets changed as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Useful lives |
|
|
(in years) |
|
|
From |
|
To |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant and equipment |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Customer premise equipment |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
These changes were made on a prospective basis effective July 1, 2008 and resulted in a reduction
of depreciation expense and a corresponding increase in net income of approximately $6.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 2008.
These changes resulted in a reduction of depreciation expense and a corresponding increase in net
income of approximately $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $128.0
million, $113.9 million, and $111.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had
no property under capitalized leases. We incurred gross interest costs of $114.2 million and $114.3
million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively, of which $2.1 million and $1.8
million was capitalized for December 31, 2010 and December 2009 respectively. See Note 2.
68
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
(dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued programming costs |
|
$ |
22,783 |
|
|
$ |
18,860 |
|
Liabilities under interest rate exchange agreements |
|
|
17,970 |
|
|
|
22,737 |
|
Accrued taxes and fees |
|
|
16,638 |
|
|
|
17,044 |
|
Accrued payroll and benefits |
|
|
14,911 |
|
|
|
15,252 |
|
Accrued interest |
|
|
10,423 |
|
|
|
16,457 |
|
Advance subscriber payments |
|
|
9,331 |
|
|
|
9,688 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
7,355 |
|
|
|
6,998 |
|
Accrued service costs |
|
|
6,830 |
|
|
|
7,232 |
|
Accrued property, plant and equipment |
|
|
6,455 |
|
|
|
5,671 |
|
Book overdrafts (1) |
|
|
2,013 |
|
|
|
8,605 |
|
Accrued telecommunications costs |
|
|
1,440 |
|
|
|
2,489 |
|
Intercompany accounts payable and other accrued expenses |
|
|
15,037 |
|
|
|
15,982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
$ |
131,186 |
|
|
$ |
147,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Book overdrafts represented outstanding checks in excess of
funds on deposit at our disbursement accounts. We transfer
funds from our depository accounts to our disbursement
accounts upon daily notification of checks presented for
payment. Changes in book overdrafts are reported as part of
cash flows from financing activities in our Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows. |
5. DEBT
As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, debt consisted of (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank credit facility |
|
$ |
1,365,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,355,000 |
|
81/2% senior notes due 2015 |
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,865,000 |
|
|
|
1,855,000 |
|
Less: current portion |
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
35,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt |
|
$ |
1,851,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,819,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2010, we maintained a $1.795 billion credit facility (the credit facility),
comprised of $1.365 billion of outstanding term loans and $430.3 million of revolving credit
commitments which had no outstanding balance. As of December 31, 2010, the average interest rate
on such outstanding debt, including the effect of the interest rate exchange agreements discussed
below, was 4.9%, as compared to 5.1% as of the same date last year.
69
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Revolving Credit Commitments
In October 2005, we amended our existing revolving credit facilities to increase the revolving
credit commitments from $543.0 million to $650.5 million, of which $430.3 million is not subject to
scheduled reductions prior to the
termination date, and to extend the termination date of the
commitments not subject to reductions from March 31, 2010 to December 31, 2012.
Interest on the revolver is payable based upon the either the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) or the Prime rate, chosen at our discretion, plus a margin which is based on certain
financial ratios, pursuant to the credit agreement. Interest on outstanding revolver balances is
payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 2.50%, or the
Prime Rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.50%. Commitment fees on the unused portion of
the available revolving credit commitments are payable at a rate ranging from 0.38% to 0.63%, based
upon certain financial ratios pursuant to the credit agreement governing the credit facility (the
credit agreement).
As of December 31, 2010, we had, in aggregate, $427.2 million of unused lines after taking into
account $3.1 million of letters of credit issued under the credit facility to various parties as
collateral for our performance relating to franchise requirements. Based on the terms and
conditions of our debt arrangements, as of December 31, 2010, all of our unused lines under our
revolving credit commitments were available to be borrowed and used for general corporate purposes.
Term Loan D
In May 2006, we entered into an incremental facility agreement that provided for a new term loan
(the Term Loan D) in the original principal amount of $800.0 million. The Term Loan D matures on
January 31, 2015 and, since March 31, 2007, has been subject to quarterly reductions of 0.25% of
the original principal amount, with a final payment at maturity representing 92.00% of the original
principal amount. As of December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan D was
$768.0 million.
Interest on the Term Loan D is payable based upon LIBOR or the Prime Rate, at our discretion, plus
a margin which is based on certain financial ratios, pursuant to the credit agreement. Interest on
the Term Loan D is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50% or
1.75%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.50% or 0.75%.
Term Loan F
In April 2010, we entered into an incremental facility agreement that provided for a new term loan
(the Term Loan F) in the original principal amount of $600.0 million. Proceeds from the Term
Loan F were used to repay certain existing borrowings under the credit facility. The Term Loan F
matures on October 23, 2017 and, since September 30, 2010, has been subject to quarterly reductions
of 0.25% of the original principal amount, with a final payment at maturity representing 92.75% of
the original principal amount. As of December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance under the Term
Loan F was $597.0 million.
Interest on the Term Loan F is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin of
3.00%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin of 2.00%. Through April 2014, Term Loan F is subject to a
minimum LIBOR of 1.50%, and a minimum Prime Rate of 2.50%.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
We use interest rate exchange agreements, or interest rate swaps, in order to fix the rate of the
applicable Eurodollar portion of debt under our credit facilities to reduce the potential
volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest
rates. Our interest rate swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and have
been accounted for on a mark-to-market basis as of, and for, the years ended December 31, 2010,
2009 and 2008.
As of December 31, 2010, we had current interest rate swaps with various banks pursuant to which
the interest rate on $800 million was fixed at a weighted average rate of 3.3%. Our current
interest rate swaps are scheduled to
expire in the amounts of $200 million and $600 million during the years ending December 31, 2011
and 2012, respectively.
70
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
We have also entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps that will fix rates for: (i) a
three-year period at a rate of 3.5% on $100 million of floating rate debt, which will commence in
December 2011; (ii) a two-and-a-half-year period at a rate of 3.9% on $200 million of floating rate
debt, which will commence in June 2012; (iii) a two-year period at a rate of 3.4% on $300 million
of floating rate debt, which will commence in December 2012; and (iv) a three-year period at a rate
of 2.3% on $100 million of floating rate debt, which will commence in December 2012.
The fair value of our interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to
terminate such agreements, taking into account market interest rates and the remaining time to
maturities. As of December 31, 2010, based upon mark-to-market valuation, we recorded on our
consolidated balance sheet, a long-term asset of $2.3 million, an accumulated current liability of
$18.0 million and an accumulated long-term liability of $29.7 million. As of December 31, 2009,
based upon mark-to-market valuation, we recorded on our consolidated balance sheet a long term
asset of $1.7 million, an accumulated current liability of $22.7 million and an accumulated
long-term liability of $9.7 million. As a result of the mark-to-market valuations on these interest
rate swaps, we recorded net losses on derivatives of $14.7 million and $31.0 million for the years
ended December 31, 2010, and 2008, respectively. We recorded a net gain on derivatives of $16.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Covenant Compliance
The credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other things, impose certain
limitations on mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and sales of certain assets, liens, the
incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain restricted payments and certain transactions with
affiliates. As of December 31, 2010, the principal financial covenants of the credit facility
required compliance with a ratio of indebtedness to system cash flow (the senior leverage ratio)
of no more than 6.0 to 1.0 at any time. The terms indebtedness, system cash flow, operating
cash flow and interest expense are defined in the credit agreement. The credit facility is
collateralized by our ownership interests in our operating subsidiaries, and is guaranteed by us on
a limited recourse basis to the extent of such ownership interests.
As of December 31, 2010, the credit facilitys senior leverage ratio was 4.2 to 1.0. For all
periods through December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the credit
agreement.
Senior Notes
In August 2005, we issued $200 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/2% senior notes due October
2015 (the 8 1/2% Notes). In October 2006, we issued an additional $300 million aggregate principal
amount of 8 1/2% Notes, thus extending the total amount of 8 1/2% Notes outstanding to $500 million.
As of December 31, 2010, we had in aggregate $500 million of senior notes outstanding, all of which
consisted of the 8 1/2% Notes. Our 8 1/2% Notes are unsecured obligations and the indenture
governing these Notes stipulates, among other things, restrictions on the incurrence of
indebtedness, distributions, mergers and asset sales and has cross-default provisions related to
other debt of us and our subsidiaries.
Covenant Compliance
The indenture governing our senior notes also contains various covenants, though they are generally
less restrictive than those found in the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2010, the principal
financial covenant of these senior notes had a limitation on the incurrence of additional
indebtedness based upon a maximum ratio of total indebtedness to operating cash flow (the total
leverage ratio) of 8.5 to 1.0. These covenants also restrict our ability, among other things, to
make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, sell certain assets, create
certain liens, merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets and enter into certain
transactions with affiliates.
As of December 31, 2010, our total leverage ratio was 6.0 to 1.0. For all periods through December
31, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the indenture to our senior notes.
71
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Debt Ratings
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our
debt ratings. Our corporate credit ratings are B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with
a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Any future downgrade to our credit ratings could result
in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact
our ability to raise additional funds.
There are no covenants, events of default, borrowing conditions or other terms in our credit
agreement or senior note indenture that are based on changes in our credit rating assigned by any
rating agency.
Fair Value and Debt Maturities
As of December 31, 2010, the fair values of our Senior Notes and the credit facility are as follows
(dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
81/2 % senior notes due 2015 |
|
$ |
505,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Bank credit facilities |
|
$ |
1,338,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
The stated maturities of all debt outstanding as of December 31, 2010 are as follows (dollars in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
2012 |
|
|
14,000 |
|
2013 |
|
|
14,000 |
|
2014 |
|
|
14,000 |
|
2015 |
|
|
1,242,000 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
567,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,865,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
6. PREFERRED MEMBERS INTERESTS
In July 2001, we received a $150.0 million preferred equity investment from Mediacom LLC. The
preferred equity investment has a 12% annual dividend, payable quarterly in cash. During each of
the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we paid in aggregate $18.0 million in cash
dividends on the preferred equity.
7. MEMBERS EQUITY
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC, our business affairs, including our financing decisions, are
directed by MCC. For the year ended December 31, 2010, we made capital distributions to parent in
cash of $63.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2009 we made capital distributions to
parent of $295.2 million, comprising $201.6 million cash, and $93.6 million, net non-cash.
Substantially all of the non-cash distributions, net to parent represented the excess book value of
the assets exchanged in the Asset Transfer Agreement (see Note 8). For the same period, we received
capital distributions from parent amounting to $70.0 million all of which were paid in cash.
For the years ended December 31, 2008 we made capital distributions to parent in cash of
approximately $64.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we received capital
contributions from parent in cash of approximately $60.0 million.
Capital contributions from parent and capital distributions to parent are reported on a gross basis
in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members Deficit and the Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows. Non-cash transactions are reported on a net basis in the supplemental disclosures of
cash flow information in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
72
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
MCC manages us pursuant to a management agreement with each operating subsidiary. Under such
agreements, MCC has full and exclusive authority to manage our day to day operations and conduct
our business. We remain responsible for all expenses and liabilities relating to the construction,
development, operation, maintenance, repair, and ownership of our systems. Management fees for the
years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to approximately $15.8 million, $15.5 million
and $15.1 million, respectively.
As compensation for the performance of its services, subject to certain restrictions, MCC is
entitled under each management agreement to receive management fees in an amount not to exceed 4.5%
of the annual gross operating revenues of each of the operating subsidiaries. MCC is also entitled
to the reimbursement of all expenses necessarily incurred in its capacity as manager.
Mediacom LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC, is a preferred equity investor in us. See Note 6
for a discussion of the transactions between Mediacom LLC and ourselves.
Share Exchange Agreement between MCC and an affiliate of Morris Communications
On September 7, 2008, MCC entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the Exchange Agreement) with
Shivers Investments, LLC (Shivers) and Shivers Trading & Operating Company (STOC). Both STOC
and Shivers are affiliates of Morris Communications Company, LLC (Morris Communications). STOC,
Shivers and Morris Communications are controlled by William S. Morris III, who together with
another Morris Communications representative, Craig S. Mitchell, held two seats on MCCs Board of
Directors.
On February 13, 2009, MCC completed the Exchange Agreement pursuant to which it exchanged 100% of
the shares of stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary, which held approximately $110 million of cash and
non-strategic cable systems serving approximately 25,000 basic subscribers contributed by Mediacom
LLC, for 28,309,674 shares of MCC Class A common stock held by Shivers. Effective upon closing of
the transaction, Messrs. Morris and Mitchell resigned from MCCs Board of Directors.
Asset Transfer Agreement with MCC and Mediacom LLC
On February 11, 2009, our operating subsidiaries executed an Asset Transfer Agreement (the
Transfer Agreement) with MCC and certain of the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, pursuant
to which we will exchange certain of our cable systems located in Illinois, which serve
approximately 42,200 basic subscribers, and a cash payment of $8.2 million for certain of Mediacom
LLCs cable systems located in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, which
serve approximately 45,900 basic subscribers (the Asset Transfer). We believe the Asset Transfer
better aligned our customer base geographically, making our cable systems more clustered and
allowing for more effective management, administration, controls and reporting of our field
operations. The Asset Transfer was completed on February 13, 2009. No gain or loss is being
recorded on the Asset Transfer because we and Mediacom LLC are under common control.
As part of the Transfer Agreement, Mediacom LLC contributed to MCC cable systems located in Western
North Carolina, which serve approximately 25,000 basic subscribers. These cable systems were part
of the Exchange Agreement noted above. In connection therewith, Mediacom LLC received on February
12, 2009 a $74 million cash contribution from MCC, that had been contributed to MCC by us on the
same date. On February 12, 2009, our operating subsidiaries borrowed $74 million under the
revolving commitments of their bank credit facility to fund this contribution to MCC.
The net assets of the cable systems we received as part of the Asset Transfer were accounted for as
a transfer of businesses under common control in accordance with ASC 805. Under this method of
accounting: (i) the net assets we received have been recorded at Mediacom LLCs carrying amounts;
(ii) the net assets of the cable systems we transferred to Mediacom LLC and MCC were removed from
our consolidated balance sheet at net book value on the transfer date; (iii) for the cable systems
we received, we recorded their results of operations as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009;
and (iv) for the cable systems we transferred to Mediacom LLC and MCC, we ceased recording those
results of operations as of the transfer date.
73
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
We recognized an additional $5.3 million in revenues and $1.7 million of net income, for the period
January 1, 2009 through the transfer date, because we recorded the results of operations for the
cable systems we received as part of the Asset Transfer, as if the transfer date was January 1,
2009. This $1.7 million of cash flows was recorded under the caption capital distributions to
parent on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The financial statements for the periods prior to January 1, 2009 were not adjusted for the receipt
of net assets because the net assets did not meet the definition of a business under generally
accepted accounting principles in effect prior to the adoption of ASC 805.
Going Private transaction
On March 4, 2011, MCC completed a going private transaction with its founder, chairman and chief
executive officer, Rocco B. Commisso. See Note 12 for more information.
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Substantially all our employees are eligible to participate in MCCs defined contribution plan
pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k) (the Plan). Under such Plan, eligible
employees may contribute up to 15% of their current pretax compensation. MCCs Plan permits, but
does not require, matching contributions and non-matching (profit sharing) contributions to be made
by us up to a maximum dollar amount or maximum percentage of participant contributions, as
determined annually by us. We presently match 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions. Our
contributions under MCCs Plan totaled approximately $1.4 million for the each of the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
10. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Share-based Compensation
MCC grants stock options to certain employees which convey to recipients the right to
purchase shares of MCCs Class A common stock at a specified strike price, upon vesting of the
stock option award, but prior to the expiration date of that award. The awards are subject to
annual vesting periods generally not exceeding 4 years from the date of grant. We made estimates of
expected forfeitures based on historic voluntary termination behavior and trends of actual stock
option forfeitures and recognized compensation costs for equity awards expected to vest. We
regularly adjust our forfeiture rate to reflect compensation costs based actual forfeiture
experience. See also Note 12.
In April 2003, MCC adopted its 2003 Incentive Plan, or 2003 Plan, which amended and restated
MCCs 1999 Stock Option Plan and incorporated into the 2003 Plan options that were previously
granted outside the 1999 Stock Option Plan.
ASC 718 requires the cost of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee
stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values at the grant
date, or the date of later modification, over the requisite service period. In addition, ASC 718
requires unrecognized cost, footnote disclosure, related to options vesting after the date of
initial adoption to be recognized in the financial statements over the remaining requisite service
period.
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment
and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term employees will retain their
vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of our stock price over the
expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their
vesting requirements. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different
estimates of the fair value of share-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts
recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The provisions of ASC 718 apply to new
stock awards and stock awards outstanding, but not yet vested, on the effective date. In March
2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107, Share-Based Payment, relating to ASC 718. We have applied the
provisions of SAB No. 107.
74
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Total share-based compensation expense was as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share
data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense by type of award: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee stock options |
|
$ |
168 |
|
|
$ |
150 |
|
|
$ |
78 |
|
Employee stock purchase plan |
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
285 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
Restricted stock units |
|
|
864 |
|
|
|
754 |
|
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share-based compensation expense |
|
$ |
1,305 |
|
|
$ |
1,189 |
|
|
$ |
805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
required by ASC 718, we made an estimate of expected forfeitures and is recognizing compensation
costs only for those equity awards expected to vest. The total future compensation cost related to
unvested share-based awards that are expected to vest was $1.7 million as of December 31, 2010,
which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.7 years.
In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3, Transition Election
Related to Accounting for Tax Effects of Shared-Based Payment Awards. MCC has elected the
short-cut method to calculate the historical pool of windfall tax benefits.
Valuation Assumptions
As required by ASC 718, we estimated the fair value of stock options and shares purchased under
MCCs employee stock purchase plan, using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the straight-line
attribution approach, with the following weighted average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee Stock
Option Plans |
|
|
Employee Stock
Purchase Plans |
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend yield |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
Expected volatility |
|
|
60.0 |
% |
|
|
59.0 |
% |
|
|
48.0 |
% |
|
|
61.3 |
% |
|
|
59.0 |
% |
|
|
33.0 |
% |
Risk free interest rate |
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
2.4 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
3.0 |
% |
Expected option life (in years) |
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
MCC does not expect to declare dividends in the near future. Expected volatility is based on a
combination of implied and historical volatility of MCCs Class A common stock. For the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we elected the simplified method in accordance with SAB 107 and
SAB 110 to estimate the option life of share-based awards. The simplified method is used for
valuing stock option grants by eligible public companies that do not have sufficient historical
exercise patterns of stock options. We have concluded that sufficient historical exercise data is
not available. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the
date. The forfeiture rate is based on trends in actual option forfeitures. The awards are subject
to annual vesting periods generally not to exceed 6 years from the date of grant.
75
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes our activity under MCCs option plans for the years ended December
31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Aggregate Intrinsic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Term (In years) |
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 |
|
|
588,905 |
|
|
$ |
8.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
39,000 |
|
|
|
4.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(6,250 |
) |
|
|
3.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(22,350 |
) |
|
|
10.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 |
|
|
599,305 |
|
|
$ |
8.08 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2010 |
|
|
519,523 |
|
|
$ |
8.70 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
$ |
875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2010 |
|
|
349,180 |
|
|
$ |
10.92 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value,
based on MCCs stock price of $8.47, per share as of December 31, 2010, which would have been
received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date.
The weighted average exercise price at the date of grant of a Class A common stock option granted
under MCCs option plan during the year ended December 31, 2010, was $4.79. During the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 approximately 20,375, 50,000 and 7,625 stock options vested with a
weighted average exercise price of $5.20, $4.37 and $7.02, respectively. The proceeds we received,
the intrinsic value of options exercised, and the related tax benefits realized resulting from the
exercise of stock options during 2010, 2009 and 2008 were immaterial. The weighted average grant
date fair value for each of the options granted during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and
2008 was $2.81, $2.25 and $1.97, respectively.
The following table summarizes information concerning stock options outstanding as of December 31,
2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Intrinsic |
|
Range of |
|
Shares |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Value |
|
Exercise Prices |
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Life |
|
|
Price |
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Life |
|
|
Price |
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.00 $12.00 |
|
|
599,305 |
|
|
|
4.5 years |
|
|
$ |
8.08 |
|
|
$ |
1,230 |
|
|
|
349,180 |
|
|
|
1.9 years |
|
|
$ |
10.92 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
$ |
12.01 $18.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18.01 $22.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
599,305 |
|
|
|
4.5 years |
|
|
$ |
8.08 |
|
|
$ |
1,230 |
|
|
|
349,180 |
|
|
|
1.9 years |
|
|
$ |
10.92 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Restricted Stock Units
MCC grants restricted stock units (RSUs) to certain employees (the
participants) in MCCs Class A common stock. Awards of RSUs are valued by reference to shares of
common stock that entitle participants to receive, upon the settlement of the unit, one share of
common stock for each unit. The awards are subject to annual vesting periods generally not
exceeding 4 years from the date of grant. We made estimates of expected forfeitures based on
historic voluntary termination behavior and trends of actual RSU forfeitures and recognized
compensation costs for equity awards expected to vest. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding
RSUs was $4.1 million based on the closing stock price of $8.47 per share of MCCs Class A common
stock at December 31, 2010. The total value of RSUs vesting during the years ended December
31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $0.9 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million respectively. These values
were based upon the closing prices if $8.47, $4.47 and $4.30 respectively.
The following table summarizes the activity of our restricted stock unit awards for the year ended
December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
Number of Non-Vested |
|
|
Average Grant |
|
|
|
Share Unit Awards |
|
|
Date Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Awards at December 31, 2009 |
|
|
451,525 |
|
|
$ |
4.81 |
|
Granted |
|
|
154,200 |
|
|
|
4.33 |
|
Awards Vested |
|
|
(101,629 |
) |
|
|
5.61 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(21,821 |
) |
|
|
4.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Awards at December 31, 2010 |
|
|
482,275 |
|
|
$ |
4.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
MCC maintains an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). Under the ESPP, eligible employees are
allowed to participate in the purchase of shares of MCC Class A common stock at a minimum 15%
discount on the date of the allocation. Shares purchased by employees amounted to 149,372, 204,833
and 187,652 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The net proceeds
to us were approximately $0.7 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Under various lease and rental agreements for offices, warehouses and computer terminals, we had
rental expense of approximately $3.8 million, $3.4 million and $3.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Future minimum annual rental payments are as
follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
$ |
3,044 |
|
2012 |
|
|
2,761 |
|
2013 |
|
|
2,427 |
|
2014 |
|
|
2,092 |
|
2015 |
|
|
1,771 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
3,830 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
15,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, we rent utility poles in our operations generally under short-term arrangements, but
we expect these arrangements to recur. Total rental expense for utility poles was approximately
$5.4 million, $5.2 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
77
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2010, approximately $3.1 million of letters of credit were issued to various
parties to secure our performance relating to insurance and franchise requirements. The fair value
of such letters of credit was immaterial.
Legal Proceedings
A purported class action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
entitled Jim Knight v. Mediacom Communications Corp., in which
MCC is named as the defendant, was
filed on March 4, 2010. The complaint asserts that the potential class is comprised of all persons
who purchased premium cable services from MCC and rented a cable box
distributed by MCC. The
plaintiff alleges that MCC improperly ties the rental of cable boxes to the provision of premium
cable services in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The plaintiff also alleges a
claim for unjust enrichment and seeks injunctive relief and
unspecified damages. MCC was served
with the complaint on April 16, 2010. MCC believes they have substantial defenses
to the claims asserted in the complaint, and they intend to defend
the action vigorously. If MCC is not successful in this litigation, we may have to distribute cash to MCC in
order for MCC to pay any damages in regard to this litigation.
Between June 3, 2010 and June 10, 2010, three purported class actions lawsuits were filed against
Mediacom and its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, all in the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware (which we refer to as the Delaware
Court), under the captions Colleen Witmer v.
Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al., J. Malcolm Gray v. Mediacom Communications
Corporation, et al. and Haverhill Retirement System v. Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al.
The lawsuits were subsequently consolidated for all purposes in the Delaware Court of Chancery
under the caption In Re Mediacom Communications Corporation Shareholders Litigation. On January 4,
2011, a Second Verified Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint was filed that alleges, among
other things, that the defendant directors breached their fiduciary duties to the stockholders of
Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom private, including among other
things their fiduciary duty of disclosure, and that Mediacom, Mr. Commisso and JMC Communications
LLC aided and abetted such breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, rescission of the
transaction or rescissory damages, and an accounting of all damages.
On November 18, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York,
Orange County, under the caption Wendy Kwait v. Mediacom Communications Corporation, et al. The
lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties
to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom private
and that Mediacom and Mr. Commisso aided and abetted such breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive
relief, rescission of the transaction or rescissory damages.
On November 29, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, under the caption Thomas Turberg v. Mediacom Communications
Corporation, et al. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached
their fiduciary duties to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal
to take Mediacom private and that Mediacom and JMC Communications LLC aided and abetted such
breaches. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and damages.
On December 10, 2010, another purported class action lawsuit was filed against Mediacom and
its individual directors, including Mr. Commisso, in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York, under the caption Ella Mae Pease v. Rocco Commisso, et al. The
lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties
to the stockholders of Mediacom in connection with Mr. Commissos proposal to take Mediacom
private; that Mediacom, Mr. Commisso and JMC Communications LLC aided and abetted such breaches;
and that the defendants violated Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated
thereunder. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief, rescission of the transaction or
rescissory damages, and an accounting of all damages, profits and special benefits.
The director defendants, Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC and Mr. Commisso, as defendants in the
foregoing actions, have reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiffs in all of the
foregoing actions providing for the settlement of the actions on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in a memorandum of understanding (the
MOU), which terms include, but are not limited to, a settlement payment made by Mediacom on
behalf of and for
78
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
the benefit of the parties to the actions in the amount of $0.25 per share for
each share of Mediacom common stock held by the plaintiff class as of March 4, 2011. If the
settlement becomes effective, the settlement payment to the plaintiff class will be reduced by any
attorneys fees and expenses awarded to plaintiffs counsel. The settlement is subject to, among
other things, the execution of definitive settlement documentation and the approval of the Delaware
Court.
We may have to distribute cash to MCC to partially fund this
settlement.
Upon effectiveness of the settlement, the actions will be dismissed with prejudice and all
claims under federal and state law that were or could have been asserted in the actions or which
arise out of or relate to the Going Private Transaction will be released.
The defendants have denied and continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability with respect to all
claims, events and transactions complained of in the aforementioned actions or that they have
engaged in any wrongdoing. The defendants have entered into the MOU to eliminate the uncertainty,
burden, risk, expense and distraction of further litigation.
We are also involved in various other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In
the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these other matters will not have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or
business.
12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, Mediacom entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement), by and among Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso,
Mediacoms founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager
of JMC (the Going Private Transaction). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things,
each share of Mediacom common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso, JMC, or any of their
respective affiliates, shares held in treasury by Mediacom and shares held by stockholders who have
perfected their appraisal rights under Delaware law) would be converted into the right to receive
$8.75 in cash upon stockholder approval of the Merger Agreement.
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, Mediacoms stockholders voted to adopt the
Merger Agreement and, on the same date, the Going Private Transaction was closed. As a result, JMC
was merged with and into Mediacom, with Mediacom continuing as the surviving corporation, a private
company that is wholly-owned by Mr. Commisso. The Going Private Transaction consideration was
approximately $367 million, and was funded, in part, by distributions to Mediacom by us, consisting
of $200 million of drawdowns under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand, with the balance
funded by Mediacom LLC.
As a result of the Going Private Transaction, MCC terminated all of its share-based compensation
plans including its employee stock purchase plan and other plans which granted stock options and
RSUs. The settlement of these various plans was paid in cash based upon the terms of the Merger
Agreement.
79
Schedule II
MEDIACOM BROADBAND LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions |
|
|
Deductions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
Charged to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
beginning |
|
|
costs and |
|
|
other |
|
|
costs and |
|
|
other |
|
|
Balance at |
|
|
|
of period |
|
|
expenses |
|
|
accounts |
|
|
expenses |
|
|
accounts |
|
|
end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for
doubtful accounts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current receivables |
|
$ |
1,207 |
|
|
$ |
2,095 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,614 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,688 |
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for
doubtful accounts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current receivables |
|
$ |
1,688 |
|
|
$ |
2,350 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,785 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,253 |
|
December 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for
doubtful accounts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current receivables |
|
$ |
1,253 |
|
|
$ |
1,937 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,576 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,614 |
|
ITEM 9. |
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Mediacom Broadband LLC
Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Mediacom Broadband LLC,
including Mediacom Broadband LLCs Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mediacom
Broadband LLC evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the
period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, Mediacom Broadband LLCs Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Mediacom Broadband LLCs disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of December 31, 2010.
There has not been any change in Mediacom Broadband LLCs internal control over financial reporting
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended
December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
Mediacom Broadband LLCs internal control over financial reporting.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Mediacom Broadband LLC is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the
supervision of Mediacom Broadband LLCs principal executive and principal financial officers and
effected by Mediacom Broadband LLCs manager, management and other personnel to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
|
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Mediacom Broadband LLC; |
|
|
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of |
80
|
Mediacom Broadband LLC are being made only
in accordance with authorizations of the manager of Mediacom Broadband LLC; and |
|
|
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of Mediacom Broadband LLCs assets that could have a material
effect on the financial statements. |
Because of Mediacom Broadband LLCs inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Mediacom Broadband LLCs internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December
31, 2010, Mediacom Broadband LLCs internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Mediacom Broadband LLCs registered
public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial
reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by Mediacom Broadband LLCs registered public
accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit Mediacom
Broadband LLC to provide only managements report in this Annual Report.
Mediacom Broadband Corporation
Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Mediacom Broadband
Corporation (Mediacom Broadband), including Mediacom Broadbands Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, Mediacom Broadband evaluated the effectiveness of Mediacom Broadbands
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon
that evaluation, Mediacom Broadbands Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded
that Mediacom Broadbands disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31,
2010.
There has not been any change in Mediacom Broadbands internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December
31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Mediacom
Broadbands internal control over financial reporting.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Mediacom Broadband is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision
of Mediacom Broadbands principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by
Mediacom Broadbands board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
includes those policies and procedures that:
|
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect
the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Mediacom Broadband; |
|
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of
Mediacom Broadband are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of Mediacom Broadband; and |
81
|
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of Mediacom Broadbands assets that could have a material
effect on the financial statements. |
Because of Mediacom Broadbands inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future
periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Mediacom Broadbands internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December
31, 2010, Mediacom Broadbands internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Mediacom Broadbands registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not
subject to attestation by Mediacom Broadbands registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit Mediacom Broadband to provide only
managements report in this annual report.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MCC is our sole voting member and manager. MCC serves as manager of our operating subsidiaries. The
executive officers of Mediacom Broadband LLC and the directors and executive officers of MCC and
Mediacom Broadband as of March 17, 2011 are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocco B. Commisso
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MCC; Chief Executive Officer of
Mediacom Broadband LLC; and Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Mediacom Broadband Corporation |
Mark E. Stephan
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MCC;
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mediacom
Broadband LLC; and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Mediacom Broadband Corporation |
John G. Pascarelli
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, Operations of MCC |
Italia Commisso Weinand
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Programming and Human Resources of MCC |
Joseph E. Young
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MCC |
Charles J. Bartolotta
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations of MCC |
Calvin G. Craib
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance of MCC |
Brian M. Walsh
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of MCC |
The following individuals were members of
MCCs board of directors during the year ended December 31,
2010 and during the period from January 1, 2011 to March 4, 2011
at which time their service on the board of directors ceased in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement: Mark E. Stephan,
Thomas V. Reifenheiser, Natale S. Ricciardi, Robert L. Winikoff and Scott W. Seaton.
Rocco B. Commisso has 32 years of experience with the cable industry and has served as MCCs
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Executive Officer since founding our
predecessor company in July 1995. From 1986 to 1995, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a director of Cablevision
Industries Corporation. Prior to that time, Mr. Commisso served as Senior Vice President of Royal
Bank of Canadas affiliate in the United States from 1981, where he founded and directed a
specialized lending group to media and communications companies. Mr. Commisso began his association
with the cable industry in 1978 at The Chase Manhattan Bank, where he managed the banks lending
activities to communications firms including the cable industry. He serves on the board of
directors and executive committees of the National Cable Television
82
Association and Cable
Television Laboratories, Inc., and on the board of directors of C-SPAN and the National Italian
American Foundation. Mr. Commisso holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a
Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.
Mark E. Stephan has 24 years of experience with the cable industry and has served as MCCs, and our
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2005. Prior to that he was
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since
November 2003 and MCCs Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since the commencement of MCCs operations in
March 1996. Before joining MCC, Mr. Stephan served as Vice President, Finance for Cablevision
Industries from July 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Stephan served as Manager of the
telecommunications and media lending group of Royal Bank of Canada.
John G. Pascarelli has 30 years of experience in the cable industry and has served as MCCs
Executive Vice President, Operations since November 2003. Prior to that he was MCCs Senior Vice
President, Marketing and Consumer Services from June 2000 and MCCs Vice President of Marketing from
March 1998. Before joining MCC in March 1998, Mr. Pascarelli served as Vice President, Marketing
for Helicon Communications Corporation from January 1996 to February 1998 and as Corporate Director
of Marketing for Cablevision Industries from 1988 to 1995. Prior to that time, Mr. Pascarelli
served in various marketing and system management capacities for Continental Cablevision, Inc.,
Cablevision Systems and Storer Communications. Mr. Pascarelli is a member of the board of directors
of the Cable and Telecommunications Association for Marketing.
Italia Commisso Weinand has 34 years of experience in the cable industry. Before joining MCC in
April 1996, Ms. Weinand served as Regional Manager for Comcast Corporation from July 1985. Prior to
that time, Ms. Weinand held various management positions with Tele-Communications, Inc., Times
Mirror Cable and Time Warner, Inc. Ms. Weinand is the sister of Mr. Commisso.
Joseph E. Young has 26 years of experience with the cable industry. Before joining MCC in November
2001 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Mr. Young served as Executive Vice President, Legal
and Business Affairs, for LinkShare Corporation, an Internet-based provider of marketing services,
from September 1999 to October 2001. Prior to that time, he practiced corporate law with Baker &
Botts, LLP from January 1995 to September 1999. Previously, Mr. Young was a partner with the Law
Offices of Jerome H. Kern and a partner with Shea & Gould.
Charles J. Bartolotta has 28 years of experience in the cable industry. Before joining MCC in
October 2000, Mr. Bartolotta served as Division President for AT&T Broadband, LLC from July 1998,
where he was responsible for managing an operating division serving nearly three million customers.
Prior to that time, he served as Regional Vice President of Tele-Communications, Inc. from January
1997 and as Vice President and General Manager for TKR Cable Company from 1989. Prior to that time,
Mr. Bartolotta held various management positions with Cablevision Systems Corporation.
Calvin G. Craib has 29 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior
Vice President, Business Development since August 2001. He also assumed responsibility of Corporate
Finance in June 2008. Prior to that time, Mr. Craib was MCCs Vice President, Business Development
since April 1999. Before joining MCC in April 1999, he served as Vice President, Finance and
Administration for Interactive Marketing Group from June 1997 to December 1998 and as Senior Vice
President, Operations, and Chief Financial Officer for Douglas Communications from January 1990 to
May 1997. Prior to that time, Mr. Craib served in various financial management capacities at Warner
Amex Cable and Tribune Cable.
Brian M. Walsh has 23 years of experience in the cable industry and has served as MCCs Senior Vice
President and Corporate Controller since February 2005. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Senior
Vice President, Financial Operations from November 2003, our managers Vice President, Finance and
Assistant to the Chairman from November 2001, MCCs Vice President and Corporate Controller from
February 1998 and MCCs Director of Accounting from November 1996. Before joining MCC in April
1996, Mr. Walsh held various management positions with Cablevision Industries from 1988 to 1995.
Our
manager has adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our employees,
including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. This
code of ethics was filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2003.
83
|
|
|
ITEM 11. |
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The executive officers and directors of MCC are compensated exclusively by MCC and do not receive
any separate compensation from Mediacom Broadband LLC or Mediacom Broadband. MCC acts as
manager of our operating subsidiaries and in return receives management fees from each of such
subsidiaries.
|
|
|
ITEM 12. |
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS |
Mediacom Broadband Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Broadband LLC. MCC is the
sole voting member of Mediacom Broadband. The address of MCC is 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown,
New York 10941.
|
|
|
ITEM 13. |
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, Mediacom entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger
Agreement), by and among Mediacom, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso,
who was also the sole member and manager of JMC (the Going
Private Transaction). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things, each share of
Mediacom common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso, JMC, or any of their respective
affiliates, shares held in treasury by Mediacom and shares held by stockholders who have perfected
their appraisal rights under Delaware law) would be converted into the right to receive $8.75 in
cash upon stockholder approval of the Merger Agreement.
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, Mediacoms stockholders voted to adopt the
Merger Agreement and, on the same date, the Going Private Transaction was closed. As a result, JMC was
merged with and into Mediacom, with Mediacom continuing as the surviving corporation, a private
company that is wholly-owned by Mr. Commisso. The Going Private Transaction consideration was approximately $367 million, and was funded, in part, by distributions to
Mediacom by us, consisting of $200 million of drawdowns under our revolving credit facility and
cash on hand, with the balance funded by Mediacom LLC.
Management Agreements
Pursuant to management agreements between MCC and our operating subsidiaries, MCC is entitled to
receive annual management fees in amounts not to exceed 4.5% of gross operating revenues, and shall
be responsible for, among other things, the compensation (including benefits) of MCCs executive
management. For the year ended December 31, 2010, MCC received $15.8 million of such management
fees, approximately 1.9% of gross operating revenues.
Share Exchange Agreement and Asset Transfer Agreement
On September 7, 2008, MCC entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the Exchange Agreement) with
Shivers Investments, LLC (Shivers) and Shivers Trading & Operating Company (STOC). Both STOC
and Shivers are affiliates of Morris Communications Company, LLC (Morris Communications). STOC,
Shivers and Morris Communications are controlled by William S. Morris III, who together with
another Morris Communications representative, Craig S. Mitchell, held two seats on MCCs Board of
Directors.
On February 13, 2009, MCC completed the Exchange Agreement pursuant to which it exchanged 100% of
the shares of stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary, which held approximately $110 million of cash and
non-strategic cable systems serving approximately 25,000 basic subscribers contributed by Mediacom
LLC, for 28,309,674 shares of MCC Class A common stock held by Shivers. Effective upon closing of
the transaction, Messrs. Morris and Mitchell resigned from MCCs Board of Directors.
84
On February 11, 2009, our operating subsidiaries executed an Asset Transfer Agreement (the
Transfer Agreement) with MCC and certain of the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, pursuant
to which we will
exchange certain of our cable systems located in Illinois, which serve
approximately 42,200 basic subscribers, and a cash payment of $8.2 million for certain of Mediacom
LLCs cable systems located in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, which
serve approximately 45,900 basic subscribers (the Asset Transfer). We believe the Asset Transfer
better aligned our customer base geographically, making our cable systems more clustered and
allowing for more effective management, administration, controls and reporting of our field
operations. The Asset Transfer was completed on February 13, 2009.
As part of the Transfer Agreement, Mediacom LLC contributed to MCC cable systems located in Western
North Carolina, which serve approximately 25,000 basic subscribers. These cable systems were part
of the Exchange Agreement noted above. In connection therewith, Mediacom LLC received on February
12, 2009 a $74 million cash contribution from MCC, that had been contributed to MCC by us on the
same date. On February 12, 2009, our operating subsidiaries borrowed $74 million under the
revolving commitments of their bank credit facility to fund this contribution to MCC.
Other Relationships
In July 2001, we received a $150.0 million preferred equity investment from Mediacom LLC. The
preferred equity investment has a 12% annual dividend, payable quarterly in cash. For the year
ended December 31, 2010, we paid an aggregate of $18.0 million in cash dividends on the preferred
equity.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Our allocated portion of fees from MCC for professional services provided by our independent
auditor in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories are as follows
(dollars in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit fees |
|
$ |
460 |
|
|
$ |
544 |
|
Audit-related fees |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Tax fees |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
All other fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
522 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit (including Sarbanes-Oxley procedures), the
reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K. Audit-related fees
include fees associated with the audit of an employee benefit plan and transaction reviews.
Tax fees include fees related to tax planning and associated tax computations.
Our manager has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all
audit, audit-related, tax services, and other services performed by our independent auditor. The
policy provides for pre-approval by the audit committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit
services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year,
the audit committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to
perform it.
85
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Financial Statements
Our financial statements as set forth in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part
II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K are hereby incorporated by reference.
(b) Exhibits
The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are filed
herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference herein:
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Exhibit Description |
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Asset Transfer Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, by and among MCC, certain
operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC and the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom
Broadband LLC(1) |
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Formation of Mediacom Broadband LLC(2) |
3.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Mediacom
Broadband LLC(2) |
3.3
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of Mediacom Broadband Corporation(2) |
3.4
|
|
By-Laws of Mediacom Broadband Corporation(2) |
4.1
|
|
Indenture relating to 81/2% senior notes due 2015 of Mediacom Broadband LLC and
Mediacom Broadband Corporation(3) |
10.1(a)
|
|
Amendment and Restatement, dated as of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement dated
as of July 18, 2001, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the
lenders thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the
lenders(4) |
10.1(b)
|
|
Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 11, 2005, to the Amendment and Restatement,
dated as of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, among
the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders.(5) |
10.1(c)
|
|
Amendment No. 2, dated as a May 5, 2006, to the Amendment and Restatement, dated as
of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, among the
operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(6) |
10.1(d)
|
|
Amendment No. 3, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Amendment and Restatement, dated
as of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, among the
operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders party thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(7) |
10.1(e)
|
|
Amendment No. 4, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Amendment and Restatement, dated
as of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, among the
operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders party thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(7) |
10.1(f)
|
|
Amendment No. 5, dated as of April 23, 2010, to the Amendment and Restatement, dated
as of December 16, 2004, of Credit Agreement, dated as of July 18, 2001, among the
operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders party thereto and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the
lenders(8) |
10.2
|
|
Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2006, between the operating
subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent(6) |
10.3
|
|
Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2008, between the operating
subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent(9) |
10.4
|
|
Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2010, between the operating
subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent(8) |
12.1
|
|
Schedule of Computation of Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends |
14.1
|
|
Code of
Ethics(10) |
86
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Exhibit Description |
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC |
31.1
|
|
Rule 15d-14(a) Certifications of Mediacom Broadband LLC |
31.2
|
|
Rule 15d-14(a) Certifications of Mediacom Broadband Corporation |
32.1
|
|
Section 1350 Certifications of Mediacom Broadband LLC |
32.2
|
|
Section 1350 Certifications of Mediacom Broadband Corporation |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2008 of MCC and incorporated herein by
reference. |
|
(2) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-72440) of Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom Broadband
Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(3) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August
30, 2005, of Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corporation
and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(4) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004 of MCC and incorporated herein by
reference. |
|
(5) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2005 of MCC and incorporated herein by
reference. |
|
(6) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 of MCC and incorporated herein
by reference. |
|
(7) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 2007 of MCC and incorporated herein by
reference. |
|
(8) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated
April 23,
2010, of Mediacom Broadband LLC and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(9) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 29,
2008, of Mediacom Broadband LLC and incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(10) |
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2003 of Mediacom Broadband LLC and
incorporated herein by reference. |
(c) Financial Statement Schedule
The following financial statement schedule Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts is
part of this Form 10-K.
87
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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|
March 17, 2011 |
Mediacom Broadband LLC
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Mark E. Stephan
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
March 17, 2011 |
|
|
(principal
executive officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
|
|
March 17, 2011 |
|
|
Officer
(principal financial officer
|
|
|
|
|
and principal accounting officer) |
|
|
88
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 17, 2011 |
Mediacom Broadband Corporation
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Mark E. Stephan
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed
below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
March 17, 2011 |
|
|
(principal
executive officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief
|
|
March 17, 2011 |
|
|
Financial
Officer (principal financial officer
|
|
|
|
|
and principal accounting officer) |
|
|
89
Supplemental Information to be Furnished with Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by Registrants Which Have not Registered Securities Pursuant to
Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Registrants have not sent and will not send any proxy material to their security holders. A
copy of this annual report on Form 10-K will be sent to holders of the Registrants outstanding
debt securities.
90
exv12w1
Exhibit 12.1
Mediacom Broadband LLC
Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
$ |
49,832 |
|
|
$ |
94,840 |
|
|
$ |
20,663 |
|
|
$ |
5,274 |
|
|
$ |
(15,238 |
) |
Interest expense, net |
|
|
112,106 |
|
|
|
112,474 |
|
|
|
113,846 |
|
|
|
120,673 |
|
|
|
109,869 |
|
Amortization of capitalized interest |
|
|
1,429 |
|
|
|
1,986 |
|
|
|
1,148 |
|
|
|
1,114 |
|
|
|
962 |
|
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
|
|
3,992 |
|
|
|
3,560 |
|
|
|
1,856 |
|
|
|
1,989 |
|
|
|
2,622 |
|
Interest component of rent expense(1) |
|
|
3,065 |
|
|
|
2,878 |
|
|
|
2,859 |
|
|
|
2,904 |
|
|
|
2,803 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings available for fixed charges and preferred dividends |
|
$ |
170,424 |
|
|
$ |
215,738 |
|
|
$ |
140,372 |
|
|
$ |
131,954 |
|
|
$ |
101,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed charges and preferred dividends: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net |
|
$ |
112,106 |
|
|
$ |
112,474 |
|
|
$ |
113,846 |
|
|
$ |
120,673 |
|
|
$ |
109,869 |
|
Capitalized interest |
|
|
2,136 |
|
|
|
1,808 |
|
|
|
2,069 |
|
|
|
2,045 |
|
|
|
1,675 |
|
Amortization of debt issuance cost |
|
|
3,992 |
|
|
|
3,560 |
|
|
|
1,856 |
|
|
|
1,989 |
|
|
|
2,622 |
|
Interest component of rent expense(1) |
|
|
3,065 |
|
|
|
2,878 |
|
|
|
2,859 |
|
|
|
2,904 |
|
|
|
2,803 |
|
Preferred dividends |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed charges and preferred dividends |
|
$ |
139,299 |
|
|
$ |
138,720 |
|
|
$ |
138,630 |
|
|
$ |
145,611 |
|
|
$ |
134,969 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raito of earnings over fixed charges and preferred dividends |
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficiency of earnings over fixed charges and preferred dividends |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(13,657 |
) |
|
$ |
(33,951 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
A reasonable approximation (one-third) is deemed to be the interest factor included in rental expense. |
exv21w1
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State of Incorporation |
|
Names Under which |
Subsidiary |
|
or Organization |
|
Subsidiary does Business |
|
|
|
|
|
Mediacom Broadband Corporation
|
|
Delaware
|
|
Mediacom Broadband Corporation |
MCC Georgia LLC
|
|
Delaware
|
|
MCC Georgia LLC |
MCC Illinois LLC
|
|
Delaware
|
|
MCC Illinois LLC |
MCC Iowa LLC
|
|
Delaware
|
|
MCC Iowa LLC |
MCC Missouri LLC
|
|
Delaware
|
|
MCC Missouri LLC |
exv31w1
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband LLC;
(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 registrants other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control
over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants
fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial
reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
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
registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
March 17, 2011
Exhibit 31.1
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband LLC;
(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 registrants other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control
over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants
fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial
reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
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
registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
March 17, 2011
exv31w2
Exhibit 31.2
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband Corporation;
(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 registrants other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control
over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants
fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial
reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
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
registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
March 17, 2011
Exhibit 31.2
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Broadband Corporation;
(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 registrants other certifying officer 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control
over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants
fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial
reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit
committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
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
registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
March 17, 2011
exv32w1
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Mediacom Broadband LLC (the Company) on Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date
hereof (the Report), Rocco B. Commisso, Chief Executive Officer and Mark E. Stephan, Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to §
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
March 17, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
March 17, 2011
exv32w2
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Mediacom Broadband Corporation (the Company) on Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the
date hereof (the Report), Rocco B. Commisso, Chief Executive Officer and Mark E. Stephan, Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to §
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocco B. Commisso |
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
March 17, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Stephan |
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
March 17, 2011