UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
| (Mark One) | ||
þ
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE | |
| SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
or
o
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE | |
| SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 000-27927
Charter Communications, Inc.
| Delaware | 43-1857213 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
(314) 965-0555
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES þ NO o
Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2005: 304,763,192
Number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2005: 50,000
Charter Communications, Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Period ended March 31, 2005
Table of Contents
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three months ended March 31, 2005. 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 refer to Charter Communications, Inc., Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC and their subsidiaries.
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:
| | the availability of funds to meet interest payment obligations under our debt and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through cash flows from operating activities, further borrowings or other sources; | |||
| | our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from operating activities by offering video, high-speed data, telephony and other services and to maintain a stable customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition from other service providers; | |||
| | our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit facilities, any violation of which would result in a violation of the applicable facility or indenture and could trigger a default of other obligations under cross-default provisions; | |||
| | our ability to pay or refinance debt as it becomes due; | |||
| | reaching (and then implementing) a final approved settlement with respect to the putative class action, the unconsolidated state action, and derivative shareholders litigation against us on the terms of the stipulations of settlement; | |||
| | our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to pass programming 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 any 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.
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Charter Communications, Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying interim condensed consolidated balance sheet of Charter Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2005, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
May 2, 2005
4
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 32 | $ | 650 | ||||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$12 and $15, respectively |
139 | 190 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
85 | 82 | ||||||
Total current assets |
256 | 922 | ||||||
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES: |
||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $5,689 and $5,311, respectively |
6,120 | 6,289 | ||||||
Franchises |
9,846 | 9,878 | ||||||
Total investment in cable properties, net |
15,966 | 16,167 | ||||||
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS |
572 | 584 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 16,794 | $ | 17,673 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
$ | 1,256 | $ | 1,217 | ||||
Total current liabilities |
1,256 | 1,217 | ||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
18,929 | 19,464 | ||||||
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES RELATED PARTY |
14 | 14 | ||||||
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES |
635 | 681 | ||||||
MINORITY INTEREST |
656 | 648 | ||||||
PREFERRED STOCK REDEEMABLE; $.001 par value; 1 million
shares authorized; 545,259 shares issued and outstanding |
55 | 55 | ||||||
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT: |
||||||||
Class A Common stock; $.001 par value; 1.75 billion shares authorized;
304,763,192 and 305,203,770 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
| | ||||||
Class B Common stock; $.001 par value; 750 million
shares authorized; 50,000 shares issued and outstanding |
| | ||||||
Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 250 million shares
authorized; no non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding |
| | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
4,798 | 4,794 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(9,549 | ) | (9,196 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| (4 | ) | |||||
Total shareholders deficit |
(4,751 | ) | (4,406 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders deficit |
$ | 16,794 | $ | 17,673 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
REVENUES |
$ | 1,271 | $ | 1,214 | ||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) |
559 | 512 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
237 | 239 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
381 | 370 | ||||||
Asset impairment charges |
31 | | ||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets, net |
4 | (106 | ) | |||||
Option compensation expense, net |
4 | 14 | ||||||
Special charges, net |
4 | 10 | ||||||
| 1,220 | 1,039 | |||||||
Income from operations |
51 | 175 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES: |
||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(420 | ) | (393 | ) | ||||
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net |
27 | (7 | ) | |||||
Loss on debt to equity conversions |
| (8 | ) | |||||
Gain on extinguishment of debt |
7 | | ||||||
Other, net |
1 | (2 | ) | |||||
| (385 | ) | (410 | ) | |||||
Loss before minority interest and income taxes |
(334 | ) | (235 | ) | ||||
MINORITY INTEREST |
(3 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Loss before income taxes |
(337 | ) | (239 | ) | ||||
INCOME TAX EXPENSE |
(15 | ) | (54 | ) | ||||
Net loss |
(352 | ) | (293 | ) | ||||
Dividends on preferred stock redeemable |
(1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Net loss applicable to common stock |
$ | (353 | ) | $ | (294 | ) | ||
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE, basic and diluted |
$ | (1.16 | ) | $ | (1.00 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
303,308,880 | 295,106,077 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (352 | ) | $ | (293 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Minority interest |
3 | 4 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
381 | 370 | ||||||
Asset impairment charges |
31 | | ||||||
Option compensation expense, net |
4 | 10 | ||||||
Noncash interest expense |
49 | 93 | ||||||
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net |
(27 | ) | 7 | |||||
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net |
4 | (106 | ) | |||||
Loss on debt to equity conversions |
| 8 | ||||||
Gain on extinguishment of debt |
(11 | ) | | |||||
Deferred income taxes |
13 | 53 | ||||||
Other, net |
(1 | ) | 2 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from dispositions: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
45 | 22 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
(4 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other |
18 | (48 | ) | |||||
Net cash flows from operating activities |
153 | 115 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
(211 | ) | (190 | ) | ||||
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures |
14 | (6 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
6 | 725 | ||||||
Purchases of investments |
(2 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||
Net cash flows from investing activities |
(193 | ) | 526 | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||
Borrowings of long-term debt |
200 | 165 | ||||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(775 | ) | (779 | ) | ||||
Payments for debt issuance costs |
(3 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||
Net cash flows from financing activities |
(578 | ) | (615 | ) | ||||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
(618 | ) | 26 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period |
650 | 127 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period |
$ | 32 | $ | 153 | ||||
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST |
$ | 249 | $ | 229 | ||||
NONCASH TRANSACTIONS: |
||||||||
Issuance of debt by Charter Communications Operating, LLC |
$ | 271 | $ | | ||||
Retirement of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC debt |
$ | (284 | ) | $ | | |||
Debt exchanged for Charter Class A common stock |
$ | | $ | 10 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter) is a holding company whose principal assets at March 31, 2005 are the 47% controlling common equity interest in Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Charter Holdco) and mirror notes which are payable by Charter Holdco to Charter and have the same principal amount and terms as those of Charters convertible senior notes. Charter Holdco is the sole owner of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (Charter Holdings). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and all of their wholly owned subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside, collectively referred to herein as the Company. Charter consolidates Charter Holdco on the basis of voting control. Charter Holdcos limited liability company agreement provides that so long as Charters Class B common stock retains its special voting rights, Charter will maintain a 100% voting interest in Charter Holdco. Voting control gives Charter full authority and control over the operations of Charter Holdco. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated. The Company is a broadband communications company operating in the United States. 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 high definition television, video on demand and telephony. The Company sells its cable video programming, high-speed data and advanced broadband services on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local advertising on satellite-delivered networks.
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 Charters 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, franchises and goodwill, income taxes and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain 2004 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2005 presentation.
2. Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company incurred net loss applicable to common stock of $353 million and $294 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Companys net cash flows from operating activities were $153 million and $115 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
The Company has a significant level of debt. The Companys long-term financing as of March 31, 2005 consists of $5.1 billion of credit facility debt, $12.9 billion accreted value of high-yield notes and $957 million accreted value of convertible senior notes. For the remainder of 2005, $23 million of the Companys debt matures, and in 2006, an additional $152 million of the Companys debt matures. In 2007 and beyond, significant additional amounts will become due under the Companys remaining long-term debt obligations.
The Company has historically required significant cash to fund debt service costs, capital expenditures and ongoing operations. Historically, the Company has funded these requirements through cash flows from operating activities,
8
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)
borrowings under its credit facilities, sales of assets, issuances of debt and equity securities and from cash on hand. However, the mix of funding sources changes from period to period. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company generated $153 million of net cash flows from operating activities, after paying cash interest of $249 million. In addition, the Company used approximately $211 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment. Finally, the Company had net cash flows used in financing activities of $578 million, which included, among other things, approximately $628 million in repayment of borrowings under the Companys revolving credit facility through a series of transactions in February 2005. This repayment was the primary reason cash on hand decreased by $618 million to $32 million at March 31, 2005.
The Company expects that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and the amounts available under its credit facilities will be adequate to meet its cash needs in 2005. Cash flows from operating activities and amounts available under the Companys credit facilities may not be sufficient to fund the Companys operations and satisfy its principal repayment obligations that come due in 2006 and, the Company believes, will not be sufficient to fund its operations and satisfy such repayment obligations thereafter.
It is likely that the Company will require additional funding to repay debt maturing after 2006. The Company is working with its financial advisors to address such funding requirements. However, there can be no assurance that such funding will be available to the Company. Although Mr. Allen and his affiliates have purchased equity from the Company in the past, Mr. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to or loan funds to the Company in the future.
Credit Facilities and Covenants
The Companys ability to operate depends upon, among other things, its continued access to capital, including credit under the Charter Communications Operating, LLC (Charter Operating) credit facilities. These credit facilities, along with the Companys indentures, contain certain restrictive covenants, some of which require the Company to maintain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from the Companys independent auditors. As of March 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under its indentures and credit facilities and the Company expects to remain in compliance with those covenants for the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had borrowing availability under the credit facilities of $1.2 billion, none of which was restricted due to covenants. Continued access to the Companys credit facilities is subject to the Company remaining in compliance with the covenants of these credit facilities, including covenants tied to the Companys operating performance. If the Companys operating performance results in non-compliance with these covenants, or if any of certain other events of non-compliance under these credit facilities or indentures governing the Companys debt occurs, funding under the credit facilities may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all of the Companys debt obligations could occur. An event of default under the covenants governing any of the Companys debt instruments could result in the acceleration of its payment obligations under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under its other debt obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
The Charter Operating credit facilities required the Company to redeem the CC V Holdings, LLC notes as a result of the Charter Holdings leverage ratio becoming less than 8.75 to 1.0. In satisfaction of this requirement, in March 2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its outstanding notes, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The total cost of the redemption including accrued and unpaid interest was approximately $122 million. The Company funded the redemption with borrowings under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Specific Limitations
Charters ability to make interest payments on its convertible senior notes, and, in 2006 and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of its convertible senior notes of $122 million and $863 million, respectively, will depend on its ability to raise additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from Charter Holdco or its
9
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)
subsidiaries, including CCH II, LLC (CCH II), CCO Holdings, LLC (CCO Holdings) and Charter Operating. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, Charter Holdings distributed $60 million to Charter Holdco. As of March 31, 2005, Charter Holdco was owed $161 million in intercompany loans from its subsidiaries, which amount was available to pay interest and principal on Charters convertible senior notes. In addition, Charter has $145 million of governmental securities pledged as security for the first six interest payments on Charters 5.875% convertible senior notes.
Distributions by Charters subsidiaries to a parent company (including Charter and Charter Holdco) for payment of principal on Charters convertible senior notes, however, are restricted by the indentures governing the CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and Charter Operating notes, unless under their respective indentures there is no default and a specified leverage ratio test is met at the time of such event.
The indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings to make distributions to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on the convertible senior notes, only if, after giving effect to the distribution, Charter Holdings can incur additional debt under the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0, there is no default under Charter Holdings indentures and other specified tests are met. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, there was no default under Charter Holdings indentures and other specified tests were met. However, Charter Holdings did not meet the leverage ratio of 8.75 to 1.0 based on March 31, 2005 financial results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to Charter or Charter Holdco are currently restricted and will continue to be restricted until that test is met. During this restriction period, the indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings and its subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter, up to an amount determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under the indentures.
The Company was required to register for resale by April 21, 2005 its 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009, issued in November 2004. Since these convertible notes were not registered by that date, the Company is incurring liquidated damages, at a rate from 0.25% per annum of the accreted principal amount of the convertible notes. The rate will increase to 0.50% from and after July 20, 2005 if the notes have not been registered by that date. The liquidated damages will be payable by Charter in cash so long as the convertible notes remain unregistered, but not to exceed a maximum period of two years from the original issuance date. In addition, Charter was required to register by April 1, 2005 150 million shares of its Class A common stock that Charter expects to lend to Citigroup Global Markets Limited pursuant to a share lending agreement. Because this registration statement was not declared effective by such date, the Company is incurring liquidated damages from April 2, 2005 until the effective date of the registration statement. These liquidated damages can be paid in cash or additional principal on a monthly basis. These liquidated damages accrue as incurred at a rate of 0.25% per month of the accreted principal amount of the convertible notes for the first 60 days of the default and 0.50% per month of the accreted principal amount of the convertible notes thereafter (or 0.375% and 0.75% per month respectively, if in lieu of paying such liquidated damages in cash, the Company elects to pay such damages by adding to the outstanding principal amount of the notes). In April 2005, the first liquidated damage payment was made in cash. Such amounts will accrue so long as the convertible notes remain unregistered, but not to exceed a maximum period of two years from the original issuance date.
3. Sale of Assets
As of March 31, 2005, the Company has concluded that two pending cable asset sales, representing approximately 28,000 customers, are probable of closing within the next twelve months thus meeting the criteria for assets held for sale under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. As such the assets were written down to fair value less estimated costs to sell resulting in asset impairment charges in the first quarter of 2005 of approximately $31 million. At March 31, 2005 assets held for sale included in investment in cable properties are approximately $33 million.
In March 2004, the Company closed the sale of certain cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC. The Company closed the sale of an additional cable system in New York to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in April 2004. These transactions resulted in a $104 million pretax gain recorded as a gain on sale of assets in the Companys consolidated statements of operations. Subject to
10
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)
post-closing contractual adjustments, the total net proceeds from the sale of all of these systems were approximately $733 million. The proceeds were used to repay a portion of amounts outstanding under the Companys credit facilities.
4. Franchises and Goodwill
Franchise rights represent the value attributed to agreements with local authorities that allow access to homes in cable service areas acquired through the purchase of cable systems. Management estimates the fair value of franchise rights at the date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite life or an indefinite-life as defined by SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Franchises that qualify for indefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142 are tested for impairment annually based on valuations, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. Franchises are aggregated into essentially inseparable asset groups to conduct the valuations. The asset groups generally represent geographic clustering of the Companys cable systems into groups by which such systems are managed. Management believes such grouping represents the highest and best use of those assets.
The Companys valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after tax cash flows, result in a value of property, plant and equipment, franchises, customer relationships and its total entity value. The value of goodwill is the difference between the total entity value and amounts assigned to the other assets.
Franchises, for valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of the right to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing rights), and the right to deploy and market new services such as interactivity and telephony to the potential customers (service marketing rights). Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted future cash flows using assumptions consistent with internal forecasts. The franchise after-tax cash flow is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers obtained and the new services added to those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of the franchises after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing value of the after-tax cash flow beyond year 10 yields the fair value of the franchise.
The Company follows the guidance of EITF Issue 02-17, Recognition of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination, in valuing customer relationships. Customer relationships, for valuation purposes, represent the value of the business relationship with existing customers and are calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these customers including the right to deploy and market additional services such as interactivity and telephony to these customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yield the fair value of the customer relationships. Substantially all acquisitions occurred prior to January 1, 2002. The Company did not record any value associated with the customer relationship intangibles related to those acquisitions. For acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2002 the Company did assign a value to the customer relationship intangible, which is amortized over its estimated useful life.
11
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)
As of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets are presented in the following table:
| March 31, 2005 | December 31, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying | Accumulated | Carrying | Carrying | Accumulated | Carrying | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | Amortization | Amount | Amount | Amortization | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
Indefinite-lived
intangible assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franchises with
indefinite lives |
$ | 9,814 | $ | | $ | 9,814 | $ | 9,845 | $ | | $ | 9,845 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill |
52 | | 52 | 52 | | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 9,866 | $ | | $ | 9,866 | $ | 9,897 | $ | | $ | 9,897 | |||||||||||||
Finite-lived
intangible assets: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Franchises with
finite lives |
$ | 37 | $ | 5 | $ | 32 | $ | 37 | $ | 4 | $ | 33 | ||||||||||||
Franchises with indefinite lives decreased $31 million as a result of the asset impairment charges recorded related to two pending cable asset sales (see Note 3). Franchise amortization expense for each of the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was $1 million, which represents the amortization relating to franchises that did not qualify for indefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142, including costs associated with franchise renewals. The Company expects that amortization expense on franchise assets will be approximately $3 million annually for each of the next five years. Actual amortization expense 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.
5. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004:
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2005 | 2004 | |||||||
Accounts
payable - trade |
$ | 74 | $ | 148 | ||||
Accrued capital expenditures |
80 | 65 | <||||||