UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2004
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From ______ to ______.
Commission File Numbers:
333-56679
333-56679-02
333-56679-01
333-56679-03
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC*
RENAISSANCE MEDIA (LOUISIANA) LLC*
RENAISSANCE MEDIA (TENNESSEE) LLC*
RENAISSANCE MEDIA CAPITAL CORPORATION*
| Delaware | 14-1803051 | |
| Delaware | 14-1801165 | |
| Delaware | 14-1801164 | |
| Delaware | 14-1803049 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 12405 Powerscourt Drive | ||
| St. Louis, Missouri | 63131 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
| (314) 965-0555 | ||
| (Registrants telephone number, including area code) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants: (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are accelerated filers (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
All of the limited liability company membership interests of Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC and Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC are held by Renaissance Media Group LLC. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Renaissance Media Capital Corporation are held by Renaissance Media Group LLC. All of the limited liability company membership interests of Renaissance Media Group LLC are held by Charter Communications, LLC (and indirectly by Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a reporting company under the Exchange Act). There is no public trading market for any of the aforementioned limited liability company membership interests or shares of capital stock.
* Renaissance Media Group LLC, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC and Renaissance Media Capital Corporation meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC
RENAISSANCE MEDIA (LOUISIANA) LLC
RENAISSANCE MEDIA (TENNESSEE) LLC
RENAISSANCE MEDIA CAPITAL CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| Certification of Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Certification of Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Certification of Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Certification of Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
NOTE: Separate financial statements of Renaissance Media Capital Corporation, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC and Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC have not been presented pursuant to Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allows us to incorporate by reference information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this quarterly report. In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this quarterly report. In this quarterly report, we, us and our refers to Renaissance Media Group LLC and its wholly-owned finance subsidiaries, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC and Renaissance Media Capital Corporation, unless the context requires otherwise.
2
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial including, without limitation, the forward-looking statements set forth in the Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources sections under Part I, Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this quarterly report. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the factors described under Certain Trends and Uncertainties under Part I, Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this quarterly report. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as believe, expect, anticipate, should, planned, will, may, intend, estimated and potential, among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this quarterly report are set forth in this quarterly report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:
| | our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from operating activities by offering video, high-speed data and other services and to maintain a stable customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition from other service providers; |
| | the availability of funds to meet interest payment obligations under our and our parent companies debt and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through cash flows from operating activities, further borrowings or other sources; |
| | any adverse consequences arising out of our restatement of our 2000, 2001 and 2002 financial statements; |
| | the results of the pending grand jury investigation by the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the pending SEC Division of Enforcement investigation, the putative class action, the unconsolidated state action, and derivative shareholders litigation against Charter Communications, Inc., our indirect parent; |
| | our ability to comply with all covenants in our indenture, any violation of which would result in a violation of the indenture and could trigger a default of other obligations of our affiliates under cross-default provisions; |
| | our and our affiliates ability to pay or refinance debt as it becomes due; |
| | our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to pass cost increases on to our customers; |
| | general business conditions, economic uncertainty or slowdown; and |
| | the effects of governmental regulation, including but not limited to local franchise taxing authorities, on our business. |
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or a person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report.
3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 248 | $ | 257 | ||||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $155 and $172, respectively |
1,329 | 1,600 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
231 | 155 | ||||||
Total current assets |
1,808 | 2,012 | ||||||
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES: |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $95,376 and $87,480, respectively |
150,162 | 154,540 | ||||||
Franchises, net of accumulated amortization of
$74,882 and $74,851, respectively |
252,304 | 252,335 | ||||||
Total investment in cable properties, net |
402,466 | 406,875 | ||||||
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS |
34 | 2 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 404,308 | $ | 408,889 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS EQUITY |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 17,126 | $ | 16,284 | ||||
Payables to manager of cable systems related parties |
40,003 | 44,089 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
57,129 | 60,373 | ||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
116,118 | 116,223 | ||||||
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES |
2,789 | 3,229 | ||||||
MEMBERS EQUITY |
228,272 | 229,064 | ||||||
Total liabilities and members equity |
$ | 404,308 | $ | 408,889 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, |
||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
REVENUES |
$ | 27,685 | $ | 26,284 | ||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Operating (excluding depreciation
and amortization) |
11,806 | 10,575 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
5,180 | 4,639 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
8,305 | 8,168 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net |
(1 | ) | 29 | |||||
Option compensation expense, net |
239 | | ||||||
Special charges, net |
216 | 199 | ||||||
| 25,745 | 23,610 | |||||||
Income from operations |
1,940 | 2,674 | ||||||
OTHER EXPENSE: |
||||||||
Interest expense |
(2,756 | ) | (2,620 | ) | ||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (816 | ) | $ | 54 | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, |
||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (816 | ) | $ | 54 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
8,305 | 8,168 | ||||||
Option compensation expense, net |
184 | | ||||||
Noncash interest expense |
(105 | ) | 2,620 | |||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net |
(1 | ) | 29 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
271 | 1,324 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(75 | ) | (180 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
52 | (1,693 | ) | |||||
Payables to related party |
(4,699 | ) | (5,832 | ) | ||||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
3,116 | 4,490 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(3,477 | ) | (1,693 | ) | ||||
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures |
352 | (2,721 | ) | |||||
Other, net |
| (76 | ) | |||||
Net cash flows from investing activities |
(3,125 | ) | (4,490 | ) | ||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH |
(9 | ) | | |||||
CASH, beginning of period |
257 | | ||||||
CASH, end of period |
$ | 248 | $ | | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED)
(UNAUDITED)
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Renaissance Media Group LLC (the Company) include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned finance subsidiaries, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC (Renaissance Louisiana), Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC (Renaissance Tennessee) and Renaissance Media Capital Corporation (Capital Corporation). Renaissance Media LLC (Media) is owned 76% and 24% by Renaissance Louisiana and Renaissance Tennessee, respectively, and owns all of the operating assets of the consolidated group. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Communications Operating, LLC (Charter Operating), which provides funding to the Company as needed. As of March 31, 2004, the Company owns and operates cable systems serving approximately 147,900 (unaudited) analog video customers. The Company offers its customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital video) as well as high-speed data services and, in some areas, advanced broadband services such as video on demand. The Company sells its cable video programming, high-speed data and advanced broadband services on a subscription basis.
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Charter Holdco) and Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter), the Companys managers and indirect parents, provide management services for the cable systems owned or operated by the Company. The management services include such services as centralized customer billing services, data processing and related support, benefits administration and coordination of insurance coverage and self-insurance programs for medical, dental and workers compensation claims. Costs associated with providing these services are billed and charged directly to the Company and are included within operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and are subject to review by regulatory authorities. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs, depreciation and amortization costs, impairments of property, plant and equipment and franchises and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain 2003 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.
2. Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company recognized income from operations of $2 million and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Companys net cash flows from operating activities were $3 million and $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company has historically required significant cash to fund capital expenditures and debt service costs. Historically, the Company has funded these requirements through cash flows from operating activities and capital contributions from Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Charter Holdings) and Charter Operating. The Company expects to remain in compliance with the covenants under its indenture, and expects that cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to satisfy its liquidity needs until maturity of its public notes.
7
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED)
(UNAUDITED)
The Company expects that it will rely on capital contributions from its parent companies to repay the principal amount of its public notes at maturity. However, there can be no assurance that its parent companies will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy this payment when due. The Companys parent companies have a substantial amount of debt. Any financial or liquidity problems of the parent companies would likely cause serious disruption to the Companys business and have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations. Any such event would likely adversely impact the Companys credit rating, and its relations with customers and suppliers, which could in turn further impair its ability to obtain financing and operate its business. In addition, a default under the covenants governing any of the Companys indentures could result in the acceleration of the Companys payment obligations under its debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under its affiliates debt obligations, which could adversely affect its parent companies ability to provide the Company with funding.
If the Companys business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities, and sufficient future distributions are not available to the Company from other sources of financing, it may not be able to repay its debt, grow its business, respond to competitive challenges, or to fund its other liquidity and capital needs.
3. Franchises
On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, which eliminates the amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets. Accordingly, beginning January 1, 2002, all franchises that qualify for indefinite life treatment under SFAS No. 142 are no longer amortized against earnings but instead will be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. Based on the guidance prescribed in Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 02-7, Unit of Accounting for Testing of Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, franchises are aggregated into essentially inseparable asset groups to conduct the valuations. The asset groups generally represented geographic clusters of the Companys cable systems, which management believes represents the highest and best use of those assets. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted future cash flows using assumptions that are consistent with internal forecasts.
Franchise amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $31 and $4, respectively, which represents the amortization relating to franchise renewals. Franchise renewals are amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years. Amortization expense relating to these franchises is expected to be approximately $120. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors.
4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of the dates presented:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
Accounts payable - trade |
$ | 1,973 | $ | 2,349 | ||||
Accrued capital expenditures |
1,277 | 925 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
5,244 | 2,384 | ||||||
Programming costs |
1,746 | 1,720 | ||||||
Franchise related fees |
1,046 | 2,873 | ||||||
State sales tax |
3,428 | 3,630 | ||||||
Personal property tax |
447 | 1,172 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
1,965 | 1,231 | ||||||
| $ | 17,126 | $ | 16,284 | |||||
8
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED)
(UNAUDITED)
5. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following as of the dates presented:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
10% senior discount notes |
$ | 114,413 | $ | 114,413 | ||||
Unamortized net premium |
1,705 | 1,810 | ||||||
| $ | 116,118 | $ | 116,233 | |||||
In 1998, Renaissance Louisiana, Renaissance Tennessee and Capital Corporation issued $163 million principal amount at maturity of 10.000% senior discount notes due April 15, 2008 (the Notes) for proceeds of $100 million. Approximately $49 million of such notes were repurchased in May 1999. The Notes began accruing cash interest on April 15, 2003. From and after April 15, 2003, the Notes bear interest, payable semi-annually in cash, at a rate of 10% per annum on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2003. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Notes.
The fair market value of the Notes was $118 million as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The fair market value of the Notes is based on quoted market prices.
6. Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is equal to net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.
7. Income Taxes
The Company is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. The Company holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are also not subject to income tax. A certain indirect subsidiary is a corporation that is subject to income tax, but has no operations and has not generated any taxable income since its inception. Any taxable income that would be generated by the Company would be the responsibility of the Companys equity owner. As such, the Company has not provided for income taxes in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
8. Contingencies
Fourteen putative federal class action lawsuits (the ''Federal Class Actions) have been filed against Charter and certain of its former and present officers and directors in various jurisdictions allegedly on behalf of all purchasers of Charters securities during the period from either November 8 or November 9, 1999 through July 17 or July 18, 2002. Unspecified damages are sought by the plaintiffs. In general, the lawsuits allege that Charter utilized misleading accounting practices and failed to disclose these accounting practices and/or issued false and misleading financial statements and press releases concerning Charters operations and prospects. The Federal Class Actions were specifically and individually identified in public filings made by Charter prior to the date of this quarterly report.
In October 2002, Charter filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the ''Panel) to transfer the Federal Class Actions to the Eastern District of Missouri. On March 12, 2003, the Panel transferred the six Federal Class Actions not filed in the Eastern District of Missouri to that district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the eight Federal Class Actions already pending there. The Panels transfer order assigned the Federal Class Actions to Judge Charles A. Shaw. By virtue of a prior court order, StoneRidge Investment Partners LLC became lead plaintiff upon entry of the Panels transfer order. StoneRidge subsequently filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint. The Court subsequently consolidated the Federal Class Actions into a single consolidated action (the ''Consolidated Federal Class Action) for pretrial purposes. On June 19, 2003, following a pretrial conference with the parties, the Court issued a Case Management Order setting forth a schedule for the pretrial phase of the Consolidated Federal Class Action. Motions to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint
9
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED)
(UNAUDITED)
have been filed. On February 10, 2004, in response to a joint motion made by StoneRidge and defendants, Charter, Vogel and Allen, the court entered an order providing, among other things, that: (1) the parties who filed such motion, engage in a mediation within ninety (90) days; and (2) all proceedings in the Consolidated Federal Class Action were stayed until May 10, 2004. On May 11, 2004, the court extended the stay in the Consolidated Federal Class Action for an additional sixty (60) days.
On September 12, 2002, a shareholders derivative suit (the ''State Derivative Action) was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri (the Missouri State Court), against Charter and its then current directors, as well as its former auditors. A substantively identical derivative action was later filed and consolidated into the State Derivative Action. The plaintiffs allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charters behalf, are sought by the plaintiffs.
On March 12, 2004, an action substantively identical to the State Derivative Action was filed in the Missouri State Court, against Charter and certain of its current and former directors, as well as its former auditors. The plaintiffs allege that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. This case has not yet been consolidated with the State Derivative Action, but Charter expects that it will be in the future. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charters behalf, are sought by plaintiffs.
Separately, on February 12, 2003, a shareholders derivative suit (the ''Federal Derivative Action), was filed against Charter and its then current directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The plaintiff alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties and grossly mismanaged Charter by failing to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. Unspecified damages, allegedly on Charters behalf, are sought by the plaintiffs.
In addition to the Federal Class Actions, the State Derivative Action, the new Missouri State Court derivative action and the Federal Derivative Action, six putative class action lawsuits have been filed against Charter and certain of its then current directors and officers in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the ''Delaware Class Actions). The lawsuits were filed after the filing of a Schedule 13D amendment by Mr. Allen indicating that he was exploring a number of possible alternatives with respect to restructuring or expanding his ownership interest in Charter. Charter believes that the plaintiffs speculated that Mr. Allen might have been contemplating an unfair bid for shares of Charter or some other sort of going private transaction on unfair terms and generally alleged that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by participating in or acquiescing to such a transaction. The lawsuits were brought on behalf of Charters securities holders as of July 29, 2002, and seek unspecified damages and possible injunctive relief. The Delaware Class Actions are substantively identical. Charter has informed the Company that no such transaction by Mr. Allen has been presented. Orders of dismissal without prejudice have been entered in each of the Delaware Class Actions.
All of the lawsuits discussed above are each in preliminary stages. No reserves have been established for potential losses or related insurance recoveries on these matters because Charter is unable to predict the outcome. Charter has advised the Company that it intends to vigorously defend the lawsuits.
In August 2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of its accounting and reporting practices, focusing on how Charter reported customer numbers, and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorneys Office has publicly stated that Charter is not currently a target of the investigation. Charter has also been advised by the U. S. Attorneys office that no member of its board of directors, including its Chief Executive Officer, is a target of the investigation. On July 24, 2003, a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy and mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting practices focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated customer account numbers. On July 25, 2003, one of the former officers who was indicted entered a guilty plea. Charter has advised the Company that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
On November 4, 2002, Charter received an informal, non-public inquiry from the staff of the SEC. The SEC has subsequently issued a formal order of investigation dated January 23, 2003, and subsequent document and testimony
10
RENAISSANCE MEDIA GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED)
(UNAUDITED)
subpoenas. The investigation and subpoenas generally concern Charters prior reports with respect to its determination of the number of customers, and various of its accounting policies and practices including its capitalization of certain expenses and dealings with certain vendors, including programmers and digital set-top terminal suppliers. Charter has advised the Company that it is fully cooperating with the SEC staff.
Charter is generally required to indemnify each of the named individual defendants in connection with the matters described above pursuant to the terms of its bylaws and (where applicable) such individual defendants employment agreements. In accordance with these documents, in connection with the pending grand jury investigation, SEC investigation and the above described lawsuits, some of its current and former directors and Charters current and former officers have been advanced certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with their defense.
Charter has liability insurance coverage that it believes is available for the matters described above, where applicable, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the respective policies. There is no assurance that current coverage will be sufficient for all claims described above or any future claims that may arise.
In October 2001, two customers, Nikki Nicholls and Geraldine M. Barber, filed a class action suit against Charter Holdco in South Carolina Court of Common Pleas (''South Carolina Class Action), purportedly on behalf of a class of Charter Holdcos customers, alleging that Charter Holdco improperly charged them a wire maintenance fee without request or permission. They also claimed that Charter Holdco improperly required them to rent analog and/or digital set-top terminals even though their television sets were ''cable ready. Charter Holdco removed this case to the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in November 2001, and moved to dismiss the suit in December 2001. The federal judge remanded the case to the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas in August 2002 without ruling on the motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs subsequently moved for a default judgment, arguing that upon return to state court, Charter Holdco should have but did not file a new motion to dismiss. The state court judge granted the plaintiffs motion over Charter Holdcos objection in September 2002. Charter Holdco immediately appealed that decision to the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, but those courts have ruled that until a final judgment is entered against Charter Holdco, they lack jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
In January 2003, the Court of Common Pleas granted the plaintiffs motion for class certification. In October and November 2003, Charter Holdco filed motions (a) asking that court to set aside the default judgment, and (b) seeking dismissal of plaintiffs suit for failure to state a claim. In January 2004, the Court of Common Pleas granted in part and denied in part Charter Holdcos motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. It also took under advisement Charter Holdcos motion to set aside the default judgment. In April 2004, the parties participated in mediation with respect to this and related litigation. The mediator made a proposal to the parties. In May 2004, the parties to this and the related litigation accepted the mediators proposal and reached a tentative settlement. The tentative settlement remains subject to final documentation and court approval. As a result of the tentative settlement, the Company has recorded a special charge of $0.2 million in its condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 related to its portion of the litigation costs.
Charter is unable to predict the outcome of the lawsuits and the government investigations described above. An unfavorable outcome in any of these lawsuits or the government investigations could have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition, results of operations or its liquidity.
In addition to the matters set forth above, Charter is also party to other lawsuits and claims that arose in the ordinary course of conducting its business. In the opinion of management, after taking into account recorded liabilities, the outcome of these other lawsuits and claims are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition, results of operations or its liquidity.
11
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Reference is made to Certain Trends and Uncertainties of this section and Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, which describe important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In addition, this section should be read in conjunction with the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of Renaissance Media Group LLC and subsidiaries and Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Charter Holdings) for the year ended December 31, 2003.
We, us and our refer to Renaissance Media Group LLC and its wholly-owned finance subsidiaries, Renaissance Media (Louisiana) LLC, Renaissance Media (Tennessee) LLC and Renaissance Media Capital Corporation.
INTRODUCTION
During 2003, we and our indirect parents, Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter) and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Charter Holdco), undertook a number of transition activities including reorganizing our workforce, adjusting our cable video pricing and packages, completing call center consolidations and implementing billing conversions. Due to the focus on such activities and certain financial constraints, we reduced spending on marketing our products and services. We believe the reduced marketing activities and other necessary operational changes negatively impacted customer growth and acquisition, primarily during the first half of 2003. During the second half of 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, we increased our marketing efforts and implemented promotional campaigns to accelerate advanced service penetration, particularly in high-speed data.
The first cash interest payment on our public notes occurred in October 2003. We are now required to pay cash interest each April and October. In addition, our outstanding public notes will mature in 2008. We expect that we will rely on loans and capital contributions from our parent companies to repay our public notes at maturity. However, there can be no assurance that our parent companies will have sufficient liquidity to provide funds to us to satisfy this payment when due.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and the means by which we develop estimates therefore see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
The following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations constituted for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 27,685 | 100 | % | $ | 26,284 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) |
11,806 | 43 | % | 10,575 | 40 | % | ||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
5,180 | 19 | % | 4,639 | 18 | % | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
8,305 | 30 | % | 8,168 | 31 | % | ||||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net |
(1 | ) | | 29 | | |||||||||||
Option compensation expense, net |
239 | 1 | % | | | |||||||||||
Special charges, net |
216 | | 199 | 1 | % | |||||||||||
| 25,745 | 93 | % | 23,610 | 90 | % | |||||||||||
Income from operations |
1,940 | 7 | % | 2,674 | 10 | % | ||||||||||
Other expense: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(2,756 | ) | (2,620 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (816 | ) | $ | 54 | |||||||||||
Revenues. Revenues increased $1.4 million, or 5%, to $27.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 from $26.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. This increase is principally the result of increases in the number of analog video, digital video and high-speed data customers as well as price increases for video and data services. Our goal is to increase revenues by implementing price increases on certain services and packages and increasing revenues from incremental high-speed data services, digital video and advanced products and services, such as video on demand (VOD), that we provide to our existing customer base and commercial customers.
Revenues by service offering were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
2004 over 2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of | % of | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues |
Revenues |
Revenues |
Revenues |
Change |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
Video |
$ | 20,832 | 75 | % | $ | 20,540 | 78 | % | $ | 292 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
High-speed data |
3,196 | 12 | % | 2,145 | 8 | % | 1,051 | 49 | % | |||||||||||||||
Advertising sales |
1,092 | 4 | % | 1,043 | 4 | % | 49 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
Commercial |
656 | 2 | % | 552 | 2 | % | 104 | 19 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other |
1,909 | 7 | % | 2,004 | 8 | % | (95 | ) | (5 | )% | ||||||||||||||
| $ | 27,685 | 100 | % | $ | 26,284 | 100 | % | $ | 1,401 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services provided to our non-commercial customers. Video revenues increased by $0.3 million, or 1%, to $20.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to $20.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. The increase was primarily a result of price increases and an increase in analog and digital video customers.
Revenues from high-speed data services provided to our non-commercial customers increased $1.1 million, or 49%, from $2.1 million three months ended March 31, 2003 to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The increase was primarily the result of the addition of high-speed data customers within our existing service areas.
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Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales increased $49 thousand, or 5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003. For the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, we received $39 thousand and $71 thousand, respectively, in advertising revenue from vendors.
Commercial revenues consist primarily of revenues from cable video and high-speed data services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $0.1 million, or 19%, from $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 primarily as a result of an increase in commercial high-speed data revenues.
Other revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, equipment rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues decreased $0.1 million, or 5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003. The decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in installation revenue.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 12%, from $10.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Programming costs included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations were $7.7 million and $6.9 million, representing 30% and 29% of total operating costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Key expense components as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2004 |
2003 |
2004 over 2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of | % of | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses |
Revenues |
Expenses |
Revenues |
Change |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
Programming |
$ | 7,664 | 28 | % | $ | 6,908 | 26 | % | $ | 756 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
Advertising sales |
577 | 2 | % | 581 | 2 | % | (4 | ) | (1 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Service costs |
3,565 | 13 | % | 3,086 | 12 | % | 479 | 16 | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 11,806 | 43 | % | $ | 10,575 | 40 | % | $ | 1,231 | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for the provision of analog, premium and digital channels and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming costs of $0.8 million, or 11%, was primarily a result of price increases, particularly in sports programming, an increased number of channels carried on our systems and an increase in analog and digital video customers. Programming costs were offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers in support of launches of new channels of $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Our cable programming costs have increased in every year we have operated in excess of customary inflationary and cost-of-living type increases, and we expect them to continue to increase because of a variety of factors, including additional programming being provided to customers as a result of system rebuilds that increase channel capacity, increased costs to produce or purchase programming and inflationary or negotiated annual increases. Our increasing programming costs will result in declining video product margins to the extent we are unable to pass on cost increases to our customers. We expect to partially offset any resulting margin compression from our traditional video services with revenue from advanced video services, increased incremental high-speed data revenues, advertising revenues and commercial services revenues.
Advertising sales expenses consist of costs related to traditional advertising services provided to advertising customers, including salaries and benefits and commissions. Advertising sales expenses decreased $4 thousand, or 1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. Service costs consist primarily of service personnel salaries and benefits, franchise fees, system utilities, Internet service provider fees, maintenance and pole rent expense. The increase in service costs of $0.5 million, or 16%, resulted primarily from additional activity associated with on-going infrastructure maintenance.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million from $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Key components of expense as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars in thousands):
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
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| 2004 |
2003 |
2004 over 2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of | % of | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses |
Revenues |
Expenses |
Revenues |
Change |
Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
General and
administrative |
$ | 4,634 | 17 | % | $ | 4,465 | 17 | % | $ | 169 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||
Marketing |
546 | 2 | % | 174 | 1 | % |   | |||||||||||||||||