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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
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 NO. 1-13079
(GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT LOGO)
GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 73-0664379
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer identification number)
incorporation or organization)
ONE GAYLORD DRIVE, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37214
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (615) 316-6000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK -- $.01 PAR VALUE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
(Title of Class) (Name of exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
(Title of Class)
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. [X] Yes [ ] No
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 registrant's 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. [ ]
As of March 18, 1998, 32,802,584 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
The aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange on March 18, 1998 was approximately $699,835,000. Shares of
Common Stock held by non-affiliates exclude only those shares beneficially owned
by officers and directors.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held May 8, 1998 are incorporated by reference into Part III
of this Form 10-K.
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GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
1997 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
PART I
Item 1 Business.................................................... 1
Item 2 Properties.................................................. 12
Item 3 Legal Proceedings........................................... 13
Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 14
PART II
Item 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters....................................... 14
Item 6 Selected Financial Data..................................... 15
Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 17
Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 26
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................. 49
PART III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 49
Item 11 Executive Compensation...................................... 49
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ 49
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 49
PART IV
Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form
8-K....................................................... 49
SIGNATURES........................................................... 50
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY
Gaylord Entertainment Company (the "Company" or "New Gaylord") is a
diversified entertainment company emphasizing family values and its country
music roots, operating principally in three industry segments: (i) hospitality
and attractions; (ii) broadcasting and music; and (iii) cable networks.
The Company traces its origins to a newspaper publishing business founded
in 1903 in the Oklahoma Territory by a group including the Gaylord and Dickinson
families. In 1928, the Company entered the radio broadcasting business and, in
1949, expanded its broadcasting interests to include television stations. The
Company currently owns a television station that is affiliated with the CBS
television network and three radio stations. See "-- Broadcasting and Music."
In 1983, the Company acquired Opryland USA, an interrelated group of
businesses tracing their origins to the Grand Ole Opry music radio show created
in 1925, which has become the cornerstone of the company's hospitality and
attractions businesses. Opryland USA has developed an entertainment and
convention/resort complex in Nashville, Tennessee, that is anchored by the Opry
House (the current home of the Grand Ole Opry), the Opryland Hotel, which is one
of the nation's largest convention/resort hotels, and, until the end of 1997,
the Opryland theme park. Beginning in 2000, the former Opryland theme park site
will be home to Opry Mills, a $200 million entertainment/retail complex to be
built in partnership with The Mills Corporation. See "-- Hospitality and
Attractions."
Also in 1983, Opryland USA entered the cable networks business by launching
The Nashville Network ("TNN"), a cable network with a national audience
featuring country lifestyles, entertainment, and sports, and, in 1991, the
Company acquired a 67% interest in Country Music Television ("CMT"), a cable
network with a 24-hour country music video format. From the date of TNN's
formation and CMT's acquisition until the CBS Merger (described below), TNN and
CMT were marketed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, now known as CBS
Corporation ("CBS"), through certain of CBS's divisions and subsidiaries, and an
affiliate of CBS owned the remaining 33% interest in CMT. The Company
subsequently expanded CMT outside the U.S. and the first of the CMT
International cable networks was launched in Europe in 1992. CMT International,
which programs primarily country music videos, was later expanded into Asia and
the Pacific Rim, as well as Latin America. In 1994, the Company acquired an
option to purchase 95% of the outstanding common stock of Z Music, a cable
network currently featuring contemporary Christian music videos. The Company
currently manages the operations of Z Music. In January 1997, New Gaylord's
predecessor acquired the assets of Word Entertainment ("Word"), one of the
largest contemporary Christian music companies in the world. See "-- Cable
Networks" and "-- Broadcasting and Music."
Prior to September 30, 1997, New Gaylord was a wholly owned subsidiary of
its former parent, which was then known as Gaylord Entertainment Company ("Old
Gaylord"). On October 1, 1997, Old Gaylord consummated a transaction with CBS
and G Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS ("Sub"), pursuant to
which Sub was merged (the "CBS Merger") with and into Old Gaylord, with Old
Gaylord continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
CBS. Prior to the CBS Merger, Old Gaylord was restructured (the "Restructuring")
by transferring its assets and liabilities, other than TNN and CMT (U.S. and
Canadian operations), and certain other related assets and liabilities (the
"Cable Networks Business"), to New Gaylord and its subsidiaries. Following the
Restructuring, on September 30, 1997, Old Gaylord distributed (the
"Distribution") pro rata to its stockholders all of the outstanding capital
stock of New Gaylord. In connection with these transactions, New Gaylord and Old
Gaylord entered into various agreements relating to the future relationship
between New Gaylord and Old Gaylord (as a subsidiary of CBS) after the CBS
Merger (the "CBS Transitional Agreements"), the net cost of which, if any, is
expected to be immaterial to New Gaylord. Immediately following the CBS Merger,
New Gaylord changed its name to Gaylord Entertainment Company.
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Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K to the "Company" for periods prior to the Distribution are to Old
Gaylord.
HOSPITALITY AND ATTRACTIONS
The Company's hospitality and attractions operations consist primarily of
an interrelated group of businesses including the Grand Ole Opry, the Opryland
Hotel, the Wildhorse Saloon, the Ryman Auditorium, the General Jackson (an
entertainment showboat), and other related businesses. See Note 14 to the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the amounts of revenues,
operating income, and identifiable assets attributable to the Company's
hospitality and attractions operations.
Convention/Resort Hotel Operations
The Opryland Hotel. The Opryland Hotel, situated on approximately 120 acres
in the Opryland complex, is the seventh largest hotel in the United States in
terms of number of guest rooms and has more exhibit space per room than any
other convention hotel in the world. The Opryland Hotel attracts convention
business, which accounted for approximately 80% of the hotel's revenues in each
of 1997, 1996, and 1995, from major trade associations and corporations. It also
serves as a destination resort for vacationers seeking accommodations in close
proximity to the Grand Ole Opry and the Springhouse Golf Club, as well as to
other attractions in the Nashville area. The Company believes that the ambience
created at the Opryland Hotel by combining a state of the art convention
facility, live musical entertainment, and old-fashioned Southern hospitality and
charm are factors that differentiate it from other convention/resort hotels.
The following table sets forth information concerning the Opryland Hotel
for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Average number of guest rooms........... 2,866 2,613 1,907 1,878 1,891
Occupancy rate.......................... 85.4% 84.7% 87.5% 87.9% 85.5%
Average room rate....................... $ 135.03 $ 131.21 $ 132.99 $ 130.15 $ 126.27
Food and beverage revenues (in
thousands)............................ $ 76,408 $ 59,904 $ 50,418 $ 48,694 $ 46,870
Total revenues (in thousands)........... $231,354 $196,226 $153,062 $147,049 $140,573
To serve conventions, the Opryland Hotel has 2,883 guest rooms, four
ballrooms with approximately 123,900 square feet, 85 banquet/meeting rooms, and
total dedicated exhibition space of approximately 289,000 square feet. In
addition to extensive convention facilities, the Opryland Hotel features the
Delta, a 4.5 acre atrium containing a New Orleans street scene with shops; a 1.5
acre garden conservatory; a 1.5 acre water-oriented interior space called the
Cascades; fifteen food and beverage outlets including a food court featuring a
variety of cuisines; three swimming pools; and twenty-nine retail shops. In the
Delta, hotel guests and visitors can take boat rides on the Delta's indoor
river. Live entertainment is featured in the Cascades and in the hotel's
restaurants and lounges, and special productions for conventions are often
staged in the hotel or on the General Jackson showboat. Springhouse Golf Club,
the Company's 18-hole championship golf course, attracts conventions requiring
the availability of golf and makes the hotel more attractive to vacationers. The
Springhouse Golf Club also hosts an annual Senior PGA Tour event, the BellSouth
Senior Classic at Opryland, which is televised on NBC.
The Opryland Hotel directs its convention marketing efforts primarily to
major trade, industry, and professional associations and corporations. The
Company believes that the primary factors in successfully marketing the Opryland
Hotel to meeting planners have been the reputation of the Opryland Hotel's
services and facilities; the Opryland Hotel's ability to offer comprehensive
convention services at a single facility; the quality and variety of
entertainment and activities available at the hotel and in the Opryland complex
generally; and the central location of Nashville within the United States. The
Opryland Hotel typically enters into contracts for conventions several years in
advance. To date, Opryland Hotel has experienced a minimal number of
cancellations. Conventions that cancel are contractually required to pay certain
penalties and face
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the possible loss of future convention space at the hotel. As of February 28,
1998, convention bookings for the balance of 1998 and for 1999 were for
approximately 653,000 and 632,900 guest room nights, respectively, representing
approximately 74% and 60%, respectively, of the available guest room nights for
such periods, and the hotel had advance convention bookings extending into the
year 2018.
The Company also markets the Opryland Hotel as a destination resort through
national and local advertising and a variety of promotional activities. As part
of its marketing activities, the Company advertises promotional "packages" on
TNN and CMT and through other media. Pursuant to the CBS Transitional
Agreements, the Company continues to have access to promotional spots on TNN and
CMT, consistent with past practices, allowing the Company to promote the
Opryland Hotel and other properties on these cable networks for a period of five
years. Such promotions include a "Country Winter Celebration," "Spring into
Summer," the International Country Music Fan Fair Celebration in June of each
year, and "A Country Christmas," which runs each year from early November
through Christmas Day. The Country Christmas program has contributed to the
hotel's high occupancy rate during the month of December, traditionally a slow
period for the hotel industry.
In February 1998, the Company announced the formation of a new hotel
management company (the "Opryland Lodging Group") to expand the Opryland Hotel
concept to other areas of the country. The Company's strategy is for the
Opryland Lodging Group to develop properties to serve meetings and conventions,
as does the Opryland Hotel at resort and convention centers across the U.S., as
well as explore opportunities to acquire and manage existing properties, provide
consulting services and pursue joint ventures with other businesses.
The General Jackson. The General Jackson, a 300-foot, four-deck paddle
wheel showboat, operates on the Cumberland River, which flows past the Opryland
complex. Its Victorian Theatre can seat 620 people for banquets and 1,000 people
for theater-style presentations. The showboat stages Broadway-style shows and
other theatrical productions. It is one of many sources of entertainment that
the Company makes available to conventions held at the Opryland Hotel and
contributes to the Company's revenues from convention participants. During the
day it serves primarily tourists visiting the Opryland complex and the Nashville
area.
Opry Mills
From 1972 until the end of 1997, the Company operated the Opryland theme
park, a musical show park that emphasized live productions of country, rock 'n'
roll, gospel, bluegrass, and Broadway show tunes. In November 1997, the Company
announced plans to close the Opryland theme park, and to develop Opry Mills, a
$200 million entertainment/retail complex, in partnership with The Mills
Corporation. The new 1.1 million square foot Opry Mills retail complex is
expected to enhance the Opryland properties, which will consist of the Company's
five existing entertainment areas -- the Opryland Hotel, the Grand Ole Opry and
Opry Plaza, the redeveloped Opryland theme park area, the General Jackson, and
the broadcast area of the Opryland complex, which will continue to house CBS's
TNN and CMT cable networks. Unlike the Opryland theme park which operated
full-time only in the summer, part-time during the Christmas season, and on
weekends in the spring and autumn, Opry Mills will provide shopping,
entertainment, and dining experiences to visitors of the Company's existing
properties on a year-round basis. The Company currently expects that Opry Mills
will open in the spring of 2000.
Country Music Entertainment
The Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry, the most widely known platform for
country music in the world, is a live country music show with performances every
Friday and Saturday night and frequent summer matinees. The Opry House, home of
the Grand Ole Opry, is located in the Opryland complex. The show is radio
broadcast by WSM-AM every Friday and Saturday night from the Opry House, and TNN
telecasts a 30-minute live segment every Saturday night. Pursuant to the CBS
Transitional Agreements, this live segment of the Grand Ole Opry will continue
to be shown on TNN for at least five years. The show has been radio broadcast
since 1925 on WSM-AM, making it the longest running live radio program in the
world.
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The Grand Ole Opry currently has 70 performing members who are stars or
other notables in the country music field. Members perform at the Grand Ole Opry
and there are no financial inducements attached to membership in the Grand Ole
Opry other than the prestige associated with membership. In addition, the Grand
Ole Opry presents performances by many other country music artists. Members
include traditional favorites such as Loretta Lynn and George Jones along with
contemporary artists like Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, and Reba McEntire. The
following is a list of the current members of the Grand Ole Opry (including year
of membership).
MEMBERS OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY
Bill Anderson-1961 Emmylou Harris-1992 Ray Pillow-1966
Ernie Ashworth-1964 Jan Howard-1971 Charley Pride-1993
Clint Black-1991 Alan Jackson-1991 Jeanne Pruett-1973
Garth Brooks-1990 Stonewall Jackson-1969 Del Reeves-1966
Jim Ed Brown-1963 Jim & Jesse-1964 Riders In The Sky-1982
Bill Carlisle-1953 George Jones*-1969 Johnny Russell-1985
Roy Clark-1987 Hal Ketchum-1994 Jeannie Seely-1967
Jerry Clower-1973 Alison Krauss-1993 Ricky Van Shelton-1988
John Conlee-1981 Hank Locklin-1960 Jean Shepard-1955
Wilma Lee Cooper-1957 Charlie Louvin-1955 Ricky Skaggs-1982
Skeeter Davis-1959 Patty Loveless-1988 Connie Smith-1971
Little Jimmy Dickens*-1948 Loretta Lynn*-1962 Mike Snider-1990
Joe Diffie-1993 Barbara Mandrell-1972 Hank Snow*-1950
Roy Drusky-1958 Martina McBride-1995 Marty Stuart-1992
Holly Dunn-1989 Mel McDaniel-1986 Randy Travis-1986
The 4 Guys-1967 Reba McEntire-1986 Travis Tritt-1992
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Ronnie Milsap-1976 Porter Wagoner-1957
Brothers Band-1976 Lorrie Morgan-1984 Billy Walker-1960
Don Gibson-1958 Jimmy C. Newman-1956 Charlie Walker-1967
Vince Gill-1991 The Osborne Brothers-1964 Steve Wariner-1996
Billy Grammer-1959 Bashful Brother Oswald-1995 The Whites-1984
Jack Greene-1967 Dolly Parton-1969 Teddy Wilburn-1953
Tom T. Hall-1980 Johnny PayCheck-1997 Boxcar Willie-1981
George Hamilton IV-1960 Stu Phillips-1967
- ---------------
* Members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Opry House, which was built in 1974 to replace the Ryman Auditorium as
the home of the Grand Ole Opry, contains a 45,000 square foot auditorium with
4,400 seats, a television production center that includes a 300-seat studio as
well as lighting, audio, and video control rooms, and set design and scenery
shops. The Opry House is used by the Company for the production of television
and other programming and for third parties such as national television networks
and the Public Broadcasting System. The Opry House is also rented for concerts,
theatrical productions, and special events and is used by the Opryland Hotel for
convention entertainment and events. Pursuant to the CBS Transitional
Agreements, TNN and CMT will have access to and use of the Opry House and
certain other properties owned by the Company for the next five years.
The Wildhorse Saloon. Since 1994, the Company has owned and operated the
Wildhorse Saloon, a country music dance club on historic Second Avenue in
downtown Nashville. The three-story, 56,000 square-foot facility includes a
3,000 square foot dance floor, a 190-seat restaurant and banquet facility, and a
15 x 22 foot television screen featuring, among other things, country music
videos. The club also has a broadcast-ready stage and facilities to house mobile
production units from which broadcasts of live concerts may be distributed
nationwide. The Company also owns 51% of a joint venture with Levy Restaurants
Group ("Levy"), which was established to expand the Wildhorse Saloon concept
beyond Nashville to major, high-profile tourism
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cities around the country. Levy provides restaurant management expertise and
oversees day-to-day operations, site selections, and lease negotiations for the
restaurants. In August 1997, the Company and Levy announced the first such
Wildhorse Saloon expansion at the Walt Disney Resort at Downtown Disney Pleasure
Island near Orlando, Florida. The planned two-level 27,000 square foot
entertainment venue and restaurant is expected to open during 1998. Pursuant to
the CBS Transitional Agreements, the Wildhorse Saloon will continue to receive
exposure and promotion on TNN for a period of five years, including the airing
of four shows annually on TNN to originate from the Wildhorse Saloon.
Ryman Auditorium. In 1994, the Company re-opened the renovated Ryman
Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, for concerts and musical
productions, including musicals produced by the Company such as "Always . . .
Patsy Cline" and "Lost Highway," a tribute to the life and music of Hank
Williams. In 1998, the Ryman Auditorium will open a new production called "Bye
Bye Love," based on the lives and music of the Everly Brothers. The Ryman
Auditorium, built in 1892, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and seats approximately 2,100. Recent performers at the Ryman Auditorium include
James Brown, Shawn Colvin, Bob Dylan, Amy Grant, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, and
Bruce Springsteen.
BROADCASTING AND MUSIC
The Company's broadcasting and music operations during 1997 consisted
primarily of two television stations, three radio stations, Word and the
Opryland Music Group ("OMG"). In March 1997 the Company acquired Blanton Harrell
Entertainment and in June 1997 the Company sold its Seattle-area television
station. See Note 14 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the
amounts of revenues, operating income, and identifiable assets attributable to
the Company's broadcasting and music operations.
KTVT
The Company has been engaged in television broadcasting since 1949, at one
time owning as many as seven television stations. As of December 31, 1997, the
Company owned and operated one television station: KTVT, in Dallas-Fort Worth,
Texas, which has been affiliated with the CBS television network since 1995. In
June 1997, the Company consummated the sale of KSTW in Seattle-Tacoma,
Washington, also affiliated with the CBS television network, for $160 million in
cash.
As of November 1997, based on the Nielsen Station Index produced by the
A.C. Nielsen Company ("Nielsen"), KTVT, broadcasting on channel 11, was the
fourth ranked station, out of 13 commercial stations, in the Dallas-Fort Worth
Designated Market Area ("DMA"), which is an exclusive geographic area consisting
of all counties in which the local stations receive a preponderance of total
viewing hours. The Dallas-Fort Worth DMA, consisting of 1.9 million television
households, is the eighth largest DMA in the United States. KTVT's broadcast
license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") expires in
August 1998, but is expected to be renewed. See "-- Regulation and Legislation."
KTVT has historically generated revenues from local, regional, and national
spot advertising. The majority of local, regional, and national spot advertising
contracts are short-term, generally running for only a few weeks. Advertising
rates charged by a television station are based primarily upon the demographics
and number of television households in the area served by the station, as well
as the station's ability to attract audiences as reflected in surveys made by
Nielsen. DMA data, which is published by Nielsen, is a significant factor in
determining television advertising rates. Rates are highest during the most
desirable viewing hours (generally between 5:00 p.m. and midnight). The rates
for local and national advertising are determined by KTVT. Local advertising
spots are sold by KTVT's sales personnel and national advertising spots are sold
by HRP, Inc., the national advertising sales agent for KTVT. Pursuant to an
affiliation agreement with CBS, KTVT receives cash compensation and network
programming from CBS (which represents the majority of the programming for
KTVT). In turn, the affiliation agreement entitles CBS to a portion of the
advertising spots on KTVT.
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Radio Stations
WSM-AM and WSM-FM. The Company's radio stations WSM-AM and WSM-FM
commenced broadcasting in 1925 and 1967, respectively. The Company's involvement
with country music dates back to the creation of the Grand Ole Opry, which has
been broadcast live on WSM-AM since 1925.
WSM-AM and WSM-FM are each broadcast from the Opryland complex and have
country music formats. WSM-AM went on the air in 1925 and is one of the nation's
25 "clear channel" stations, meaning that no other station in a 750-mile radius
uses the same frequency for nighttime broadcasts. As a result, the station's
signal, transmitted by a 50,000 watt transmitter, can be heard at night in much
of the United States and parts of Canada. The Company has radio broadcast
studios in the Opryland Hotel and at the Wildhorse Saloon.
WWTN-FM. In 1995, New Gaylord acquired the assets of radio station
WWTN-FM, operated out of Nashville, Tennessee, which has a news/talk/sports
format.
Music
Word Entertainment. Word is one of the largest contemporary Christian
music companies in the world, with six recording labels featuring artists such
as Amy Grant, Shirley Caesar, Sandi Patty, Point of Grace, and Jaci Velasquez.
Other significant Word operations include print music and hymnal sales,
children's video sales, sales of music and video products owned by third parties
under various exclusive distribution agreements, and music publishing, including
a 40,000 song catalog. Word produces a wide variety of contemporary Christian
and inspirational music, including adult contemporary, pop, country, rock,
gospel, praise and worship, rap, metal, and rhythm and blues, with an emphasis
on positive, inspirational, and family values themes. Word's products are
distributed through both the Christian bookstore market by its own dedicated
sales force and other mainstream retail stores through its distribution
agreement with Epic Records. In addition, Word produces acoustical and
instrumental entertainment recordings for distribution through the mass market
and sells its product line directly to churches and related educational
institutions.
In March 1997, the Company acquired Blanton Harrell Entertainment, an
international management company which, together with Word and Z Music, anchor
New Gaylord's family values entertainment offerings. Blanton Harrell
Entertainment manages primarily Christian music artists, including Word artist
Amy Grant, the top-selling contemporary Christian music artist of all time,
Michael W. Smith, and Gary Chapman.
Opryland Music Group. OMG is primarily engaged in the music publishing
business and owns one of the world's largest catalogs of copyrighted country
music songs. The OMG catalog also includes popular music, with songs of
legendary writers such as Hank Williams, Pee Wee King, Roy Orbison, and Don and
Phil Everly. Songs in the OMG catalog have accumulated more country "Song of the
Year" awards from the major performing rights organizations than the songs of
any other publisher, and the OMG catalog contains at least 70 songs that have
been publicly performed over a million times. Standards such as "Oh, Pretty
Woman," "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain," and "When Will I Be Loved" are included
in the roster of OMG songs. In addition to commercially recorded music, OMG
issues licenses for the use of its songs in films, plays, print, commercials,
videos, cable, and television. In addition to its U.S.-based business, through
various subsidiaries and sub-publishers OMG collects a significant percentage of
royalties on licenses granted in a number of foreign countries.
CABLE NETWORKS
Following the CBS Merger, the Company's cable networks operations consist
primarily of CMT International and the management of Z Music. See Note 14 to the
Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the amounts of revenues,
operating income, and identifiable assets attributable to the Company's cable
networks operations.
CMT International. In October 1992, the Company launched CMT International
in Europe. CMT International expanded its reach to include portions of Asia and
the Pacific Rim, including Australia and New
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Zealand, with the launch of a second cable network in 1994. In 1995, CMT
International launched its third cable network in Latin America. The programming
for CMT International currently consists primarily of country music videos. At
December 31, 1997, CMT International had 7.4 million subscribers. In February
1998, the Company announced its plans to expand the operations of CMT
International in Asia and the Pacific Rim and Latin America and to cease 24-hour
operations in Europe. The Company currently expects to halt its CMT Europe
satellite feed on March 31, 1998. At December 31, 1997, CMT Europe accounted for
approximately 5.9 million subscribers. The Company is currently exploring
programming opportunities in selected European markets, including the potential
for block programming through existing cable channels.
Z Music. In 1994, the Company entered into an agreement to manage Z Music
in exchange for an option to purchase 95% of Z Music's outstanding capital
stock. Z Music is a cable network featuring contemporary Christian music videos.
Z Music's video programming covers a spectrum of musical styles, ranging from
inspirational, country and rock videos to spiritual music videos with more overt
Christian messages. The Z Music network also programs music news and artists'
interviews, featuring artists with strong convictions and a passion for their
message. Z Music has recently expanded its programming to include positive,
uplifting music by artists that are not necessarily categorized as Christian.
The Company anticipates that it will exercise its option to purchase Z Music in
1998.
ADDITIONAL INTERESTS
Bass Pro Shops. In 1993, the Company purchased a minority interest in a
partnership that owns and operates Bass Pro Shops, a leading retailer of premium
outdoor sporting goods and fishing tackle. Bass Pro Shops serves its customers
through an extensive mail order catalog operation, a 185,000-square-foot retail
center in Springfield, Missouri, and additional retail stores in Atlanta,
Georgia, Gurnee, Illinois (near Chicago) and Islamorada, Florida. Bass Pro Shops
has announced plans to build three additional stores, including one to be
located in the new Opry Mills complex. The partnership also owns a two-thirds
interest in Tracker Marine, a manufacturer of fiberglass and aluminum fishing
boats, which are sold through the Bass Pro Shops catalogs and by means of
wholesale distribution to authorized dealers. The Company's properties are
featured in the approximately 40 million Bass Pro Shops catalogs published
annually. The Company also provides hotel consulting services to Bass Pro Shops'
Big Cedar Lodge, a 1,250 acre resort development on Table Rock Lake located in
the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club. The Company currently owns a 10% interest in
B/R Rangers Associates, Ltd., a limited partnership that owns the Texas Rangers
major league baseball club. In January 1998, B/R Rangers Associates, Ltd. agreed
to sell the Texas Rangers and certain other assets to Hicks, Inc. for
consideration valued at approximately $250 million. The sale is subject to the
approval of Major League Baseball.
COMPETITION
Hospitality and Attractions
The Company's hospitality and attractions operations compete with all other
forms of entertainment, lodging, and recreational activities. In addition to the
competitive factors outlined below for each of the Company's businesses within
the hospitality and attractions segment, the success of the hospitality and
attractions segment is dependent upon certain factors beyond the Company's
control including economic conditions, amount of available leisure time,
transportation costs, public taste, and weather conditions.
The Opryland Hotel competes with other hotels throughout the United States
and abroad, including many hotels operated by companies with greater financial,
marketing, and human resources than the Company. Principal factors affecting
competition within the convention/resort hotel industry include the hotel's
reputation, quality of facilities, location and convenience of access, price,
and entertainment. The hotel business is management and marketing intensive, and
the Opryland Hotel competes with other hotels throughout the United States for
high quality management and marketing personnel. Although the Opryland Hotel has
historically enjoyed a relatively low rate of turnover among its managerial and
marketing personnel, there can be no assurance that it will continue to be able
to attract and retain high quality employees with
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managerial and marketing skills. The hotel also competes with other employers
for non-managerial employees in the Middle Tennessee labor market, which
recently has had a low level of unemployment. The low unemployment rate makes it
difficult to attract qualified non-managerial employees and has been a
substantial factor in the high turnover rate among those employees.
Broadcasting and Music
KTVT competes for advertising revenues primarily with television stations
serving the Dallas-Fort Worth DMA, including both independent stations and
network-affiliated stations. Advertising rates of KTVT are based principally on
the size, market share, and demographic profile of its viewing audience. WSM-AM,
WSM-FM, and WWTN-FM similarly compete for advertising revenues with other radio
stations in the Nashville market on the basis of formats, ratings, market share,
and the demographic make-up of their audiences. The Company's television and
radio stations also compete with cable networks and local cable channels for
both audience share and advertising revenues and with the Internet, radio,
newspapers, billboards, and magazines for advertising revenues. Other sources of
present and potential competition are prerecorded video cassettes, direct
broadcast satellite services, and multi-channel, multi-point distribution
services. Management competence and experience, station frequency signal
coverage, network affiliation, format effectiveness of programming, sales
effort, and level of customer service are all important factors in determining
competitive position.
Word competes with numerous other companies that publish and distribute
Christian inspirational music, many of which have longer operating histories and
certain of which are tax-exempt organizations. Word and Blanton Harrell
Entertainment compete with other record and music publishing companies, both
Christian and secular, to sign top artists and songwriters, and new talent. The
Company's ability to sign and re-sign popular recording artists and successful
songwriters depends on a number of factors, including distribution and marketing
capabilities, Word's management team, and the royalty and advance arrangements
offered.
Cable Networks
CMT International and Z Music compete for viewer acceptance with all forms
of video entertainment, including other basic cable services, premium cable
services, commercial television networks, independent television stations, and
products distributed for the home video markets, in addition to the motion
picture industry and other communications, media, and entertainment services.
CMT International and Z Music compete with other nationally and internationally
distributed cable networks and local broadcast television stations for available
channel space on cable television systems, with other cable networks for
subscriber fees from cable systems operators, and with all forms of
advertiser-supported media for advertising revenues. The Company also competes
to obtain creative talents, properties, and market share, which are essential to
the success of its cable networks business.
The principal competitive factors in obtaining viewer acceptance, on which
cable subscriber fees and advertiser support ultimately depend, are the appeal
of the networks' programming focus and the quality of their programming. Music
videos constitute substantially all of CMT International's and Z Music's
programming. These videos are currently provided to the Company for promotional
purposes by record companies and may also be distributed to other programming
services as well as to other media.
For a period of five years following the CBS Merger, pursuant to the CBS
Transitional Agreements, the Company is prohibited from owning or operating a
cable network featuring country music videos or a significant amount of musical,
sports, variety, or other entertainment features or series, the theme of which
is perceived by the viewing public as "country entertainment." The Company is
also prohibited, during such five-year period, from providing, or making
available for viewing, "country entertainment" programming on a cable network or
an over-the-air broadcast television station. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company can own and operate CMT International in any area outside of the United
States and Canada, provided that CMT International's programming, other than
country music videos, will not primarily consist of programming featuring or
related to "country entertainment."
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REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
Hospitality and Attractions
The Opryland Hotel is subject to certain federal, state, and local
governmental regulations including, without limitation, health, safety, and
environmental regulations applicable to hotel and restaurant operations. The
Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with such regulations. In
addition, the sale of alcoholic beverages by the Opryland Hotel requires a
license and is subject to regulation by the applicable state and local
authorities. The agencies involved have full power to limit, condition, suspend,
or revoke any such license, and any disciplinary action or revocation could have
an adverse effect upon the results of the operations of the Company's
hospitality and attractions segment.
Broadcasting and Music
Radio and television broadcasting is subject to regulation under the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). Under the
Communications Act, the FCC, among other things, assigns frequency bands for
broadcasting; determines the frequencies, location, and signal strength of
stations; issues, renews, revokes, and modifies station licenses; regulates
equipment used by stations; and adopts and implements regulations and policies
that directly or indirectly affect the ownership, operation, and employment
practices of broadcasting stations.
The FCC has adopted rules to implement a provision of the 1996
Communications Act Amendments (the "1996 Amendments") pursuant to which licenses
issued for radio renewal applications filed on or after June 1, 1995 and for
television renewal applications filed on or after June 3, 1996, will have terms
of eight years. (The maximum periods were formerly five years and seven years,
respectively.) Television and radio broadcast licenses are renewable upon
application to the FCC and in the past usually have been renewed except in rare
cases. In a departure from past practice, the 1996 Amendments provide that
competing applications will not be accepted at the time of license renewal, and
will not be entertained at all unless the FCC first concludes that renewal of
the license would not serve the public interest. A station will be entitled to
renewal in the absence of serious violations of the Communications Act or the
FCC regulations or other violations which constitute a pattern of abuse. The
Company is aware of no reason why its radio and television station licenses
should not be renewed.
FCC regulations also prohibit concentrations of media ownership on both the
local and national levels. FCC regulations prohibit the common ownership or
control of most communications media serving the same market areas (i.e., (i)
television and radio ownership; (ii) television and daily newspapers; (iii)
radio and daily newspapers; and (iv) television and cable television). Pursuant
to the 1996 Amendments, however, the FCC's liberal waiver policy for joint
television and radio ownership in the top 25 markets has been expanded to
include the top 50 markets. The 1996 Amendments also increase the number of
radio stations a single entity may own in the same market area (depending on the
number of stations operating in the local radio market), and the FCC is
conducting a rulemaking proceeding to consider whether owning more than one
television station in the same market area may be permitted. The FCC has also
issued a notice of inquiry for the purpose of reevaluating the restriction on
radio/newspaper cross ownership. Pursuant to the 1996 Amendments, FCC
regulations no longer will limit the total number of television broadcast
stations held by any single entity so long as all of the stations under common
control do not attain an aggregate national audience reach exceeding 35%, up
from the prior cap of 25%, and no more than 12 stations. The 1996 Amendments
also eliminated previous limits on the total number of radio stations commonly
owned on a national basis. The FCC has amended and is in the process of amending
certain of its regulations to implement the 1996 Amendments.
The Communications Act also places certain limitations on alien ownership
or control of entities holding broadcast licenses. The Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company (the "Restated Certificate") contains a provision
permitting the Company to redeem common stock from certain holders if the Board
of Directors deems such redemption necessary to prevent the loss or secure the
reinstatement of any of its licenses or franchises. The 1996 Amendments have
deleted prior restrictions on communications companies having non-citizen
officers and directors.
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The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain provisions of the
Communications Act and FCC regulations. The Communications Act and FCC
regulations may be amended from time to time, and the Company cannot predict
whether any such legislation will be enacted or whether new or amended FCC
regulations will be adopted, or the effect on the Company of any such changes,
including those made by the 1996 Amendments.
Cable Networks
CMT International's programming and uplink services are handled in the
United States. Although the operations of the Company's cable networks are not
directly subject to regulation, the Cable Television Consumer Protection and
Competition Act of 1992 and the regulations thereunder have required cable
networks to, in certain instances, lower charges for their programming for
certain distributors. Although the recently enacted 1996 Amendments did not have
such an effect, any future legislation or regulatory actions that increase rate
regulation or effect structural changes on the Company's cable networks could
have such an effect. For example, increased rate regulation could, among other
things, affect the ability or willingness of cable system operators to establish
or retain Z Music as a basic tier cable service.
EMPLOYEES
As of January 3, 1998, the Company had approximately 5,000 full-time and
1,350 part-time and seasonal employees. The Company believes that its
relationship with its employees is good.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding executive
officers of the Company as of date hereof. All officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors.
NAME AGE POSITION
- ---- --- --------
Edward L. Gaylord............................ 78 Chairman of the Board
E. K. Gaylord II............................. 40 Vice-Chairman of the Board
Terry E. London.............................. 48 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Joseph B. Crace.............................. 43 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jerry O. Bradley............................. 58 President -- Opryland Music Group
Jack L. Gaines............................... 56 President -- Opryland Hospitality and Attractions
Group
Dan E. Harrell............................... 49 President -- Idea Entertainment Group
Carl W. Kornmeyer............................ 45 President -- Communications Group
Jack J. Vaughn............................... 60 Chairman -- Opryland Lodging Group
Robert F. Whittaker.......................... 56 President -- Grand Ole Opry
Rod F. Connor, Jr............................ 45 Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer
The following is additional information with respect to the above-named
executive officers and directors.
Mr. Edward L. Gaylord served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from 1974 until October 1991, and has served as Chairman of the
Board of the Company since October 1991. Mr. Gaylord has been a director of the
Company since 1946. Mr. Gaylord is currently the chairman and a director of The
Oklahoma Publishing Company ("OPUBCO"). Mr. Gaylord is active in numerous civic
and charitable organizations, and is (among others) chairman of the Oklahoma
Industries Authority, director and past president (ten years) of the State Fair
of Oklahoma, chairman and director of The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
and chairman and director of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage
Center. Mr. Gaylord is the father of Mr. E. K. Gaylord II and Mrs. Christine
Gaylord Everest, both of whom are directors of the Company.
Mr. E. K. Gaylord II has served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of the
Company since May 1996 and as a director since 1977. Mr. Gaylord has been the
president of OPUBCO since June 1994 and is a director of OPUBCO. He served as
executive vice president and assistant secretary of OPUBCO from June 1993 until
June 1994. He also owns and operates the Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Mr.
Gaylord is a director of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage
Center and is a director of BASSGEC Management Company. Mr. Gaylord is the son
of Mr. Edward L. Gaylord and the brother of Mrs. Christine Gaylord Everest, both
of whom are directors of the Company.
Mr. London has been the President and Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since May 1997. Mr. London was also the acting Chief
Financial Officer of the Company until February 1998. Prior to May 1997, Mr.
London had served, since March 1997, as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer and, from September 1993 until March 1997, as Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of the Company. He
served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from October
1991 until September 1993, and has been employed by the Company in various
capacities since 1978. Mr. London is a certified public accountant.
Mr. Crace has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since February 1998. From June 1997 to February 1998, Mr.
Crace was the chief executive officer of Blue Sky Group, Inc., a venture capital
firm and a marketing and business development resource for entertainment, sports
and health care companies. Prior to founding Blue Sky Group, Inc., Mr. Crace
served in various capacities beginning in 1992 at Bob Evans Farms, Inc., a
restaurant and consumer products company, including group vice president in
charge of speciality products and business development and president and
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chief executive officer of its Hickory Specialties, Inc. subsidiary, a
manufacturer of barbeque grills and accessories, charcoal briquettes, and liquid
smoke.
Mr. Bradley has served as President of Opryland Music Group since September
1993 and, prior to that time, as General Manager of Opryland Music Group since
July 1986. Prior to joining Opryland Music Group, Mr. Bradley operated Bradley
Productions, an independent production company for three years and worked for
RCA Records for 16 years. Mr. Bradley is a director of Logan's Roadhouse, Inc.
Mr. Gaines has served as the President of the Opryland Hospitality and
Attractions Group since February 1998. From 1994 until February 1998, Mr. Gaines
operated JLG Consulting, a hotel consulting business. From 1993 until 1994, Mr.
Gaines was the general manager of La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas. From
1990 until 1993, Mr. Gaines was senior vice president and director of operations
for Omni Hotels.
Mr. Harrell has been President of Idea Entertainment, the Company's family
entertainment subsidiary, since the Company's March 1997 acquisition of Blanton
Harrell Entertainment, an artist management company that manages the careers of
several prominent contemporary Christian music artists. For over 17 years prior
to such acquisition, Mr. Harrell was co-owner of Blanton Harrell Entertainment.
Mr. Kornmeyer has been President of the Communications Group since October
1997. He served as Senior Vice President of Broadcast and Business Affairs of
the Company's broadcasting and cable networks operations from March 1996 until
October 1997. He served as Vice President of Business Affairs of the Company's
broadcasting and cable networks operations from March 1994 until February 1996,
and, from August 1989 through February 1994, he was Executive Director of
Business and Financial Affairs of the Company's broadcasting and cable networks
operations.
Mr. Vaughn has been the Chairman of the newly formed Opryland Lodging Group
since February 1998. From November 1993 until February 1998, Mr. Vaughn was
President of the Opryland Hospitality and Attractions Group. He has served as
Vice President of the Company since October 1991 and was the General Manager of
the Opryland Hotel from 1975 to November 1993. He has been a member and served
on committees of the American Hotel and Motel Association since 1972.
Mr. Whittaker has been the President and General Manager of the Grand Ole
Opry since November 1996. From September 1993 until November 1996, Mr. Whittaker
served as Vice President of the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland Productions, and
from August 1990 until September 1993, he was the General Manager of the
Opryland theme park. Mr. Whittaker has been employed by the Opryland USA
businesses since 1971.
Mr. Connor has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer of the Company since December 1997. From February 1995 to December 1997,
Mr. Connor was the Vice President and Corporate Controller of the Company. For
over three years prior to February 1995, Mr. Connor was the Corporate Controller
of the Company. Mr. Connor has been employed by the Opryland USA businesses
since 1972.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns its executive offices and headquarters located at One
Gaylord Drive, Nashville, Tennessee, which consists of a four-story office
building comprising approximately 80,000 square feet. The Company believes that
its present facilities for each of its business segments as described below are
generally well maintained and currently sufficient to serve each segment's
particular needs.
HOSPITALITY AND ATTRACTIONS
The Company owns approximately 800 acres of land in Nashville, Tennessee
and the improvements thereon that comprise the Opryland complex. The Opryland
complex is comprised of the Opryland Hotel, the former site of the Opryland
theme park, the General Jackson showboat's docking facility, the TNN/CMT
production and administration facilities, the Opry House, and WSM Radio's
offices and studios. The Company also owns the Springhouse Golf Club, an 18-hole
golf course situated on approximately 240 acres,
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and a 26-acre KOA campground, both of which are located near the Opryland
complex. In addition, the Company owns the Ryman Auditorium in downtown
Nashville; the Wildhorse Saloon, a dance hall/production facility, on Company
property in downtown Nashville; and a 100,000 square foot warehouse in Old
Hickory, Tennessee.
BROADCASTING AND MUSIC
The Company owns all of KTVT's business facilities which are comprised of
an office and two studios containing an aggregate of approximately 48,000 square
feet in Fort Worth, Texas and an additional building of approximately 19,000
square feet in Dallas, Texas containing sales and news operations. KTVT owns its
transmitter facilities and tower. In addition, the Company owns the Opryland
Music Group building located on Nashville's "Music Row" and adjacent real
estate. The Company leases approximately 34,000 square feet on various floors in
a Nashville office building, which space is primarily used for Word's executive
and administrative offices. These leases expire on various dates ranging from
October 1998 to June 2001. Word also leases sales office and warehouse space in
Waco, Texas; Richmond, Canada; and Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.
CABLE NETWORKS
The Company owns the offices and three television studios of TNN and CMT,
all of which are located within the Opryland complex and contain approximately
87,000 square feet of space. Pursuant to the CBS Transitional Agreements, these
facilities are being leased to CBS. Master control and satellite uplink
operations for CMT Europe and Z Music are also located in the facilities being
leased to CBS. The services for the satellite uplink operations are being
provided by CBS to the Company pursuant to the CBS Transitional Agreements. CMT
International has offices in the executive office building and currently leases
its transponders.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company maintains various insurance policies, including general
liability and property damage insurance, as well as product liability, workers'
compensation, business interruption, and other policies, which it believes
provide adequate coverage for its operations. Various subsidiaries of the
Company are involved in lawsuits incidental to the ordinary course of their
businesses, such as personal injury actions by guests and employees and
complaints alleging employee discrimination. The Company believes that it is
adequately insured against these claims by its existing insurance policies and
that the outcome of any pending claims or proceedings will not have a material
adverse effect upon its financial position or results of operations.
The Company may have potential liability under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
("CERCLA" or "Superfund"), for response costs at two Superfund sites. The
liability relates to properties formerly owned by Old Gaylord. In 1991, Old
Gaylord and OPUBCO, a former subsidiary of Old Gaylord, entered into a
distribution agreement (the "OPUBCO Distribution Agreement"), pursuant to which
OPUBCO assumed such liabilities and agreed to indemnify Old Gaylord for any
losses, damages, or other liabilities incurred by Old Gaylord in connection with
such matters. Under the OPUBCO Distribution Agreement, OPUBCO is required to
maintain adequate reserves to cover potential Superfund liabilities. In
connection with the Restructuring, Old Gaylord assigned its rights under the
OPUBCO Distribution Agreement to New Gaylord, and Old Gaylord has a right of
subrogation to the Company's right to indemnification from OPUBCO. To date, no
litigation has been commenced against the Company, Old Gaylord or OPUBCO with
respect to these two Superfund sites.
Although statutorily liable private parties cannot contractually transfer
liability so as to render themselves no longer liable, CERCLA permits private
parties to indemnify one another against CERCLA liability pursuant to a
contract, and to enforce such a contract in an appropriate court. The Company
believes that OPUBCO's indemnification will fully cover the Company's Superfund
liabilities, if any, and that, based on the Company's current estimates of these
liabilities, OPUBCO has sufficient financial resources to fulfill its
indemnification obligations under the OPUBCO Distribution Agreement.
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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Inapplicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
(a) Market Information
Prior to October 1, 1997, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of Old
Gaylord. On October 1, 1997, the Company's Common Stock began trading on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GET." The table below lists the high and
low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
for each full quarterly period since the Common Stock began trading on October
1, 1997.
HIGH LOW
------ ------
Fourth Quarter 1997......................................... $33.25 $28.38
First Quarter 1998 (through March 26)....................... 36.81 29.88
(b) Holders
At March 18, 1998, the approximate number of record holders of the Common
Stock was 3,214.
(c) Cash Dividends
In the fourth quarter of 1997 and the first quarter of 1998, the Company
paid a dividend of $.15 per share with respect to its Common Stock. Although the
Credit Agreement among the Company and a syndicate of banks with NationsBank of
Texas, N.A., acting as agent (the "1997 Credit Facility") does not specifically
limit the Company's ability to pay dividends, the 1997 Credit Facility does
require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and minimum
stockholders' equity levels, and the Company would be prohibited from paying
dividends if it were in default under such 1997 Credit Facility.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following selected historical financial data for the five years ended
December 31, 1997 is derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements. The unaudited selected consolidated pro forma income statement data
for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 are presented as if the
Distribution and the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996. The unaudited
selected consolidated pro forma information does not purport to represent what
the Company's results of operations would have been had such transactions, in
fact, occurred on such date or to project the Company's financial position or
results of operations for any future period. The information in the following
table should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial
statements and related notes included herein.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA(1) ACTUAL
----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1997(2)(3) 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues:
Hospitality and attractions... $346,931 $313,023 $346,931 $313,023 $276,638 $274,494 $243,460
Broadcasting and music........ 202,680 102,368 202,680 102,368 148,175 169,538 170,255
Cable networks................ 11,921 11,155 276,384 331,767 282,647 243,899 208,869
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.............. 561,532 426,546 825,995 747,158 707,460 687,931 622,584
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating expenses:
Operating costs............... 363,369(4)(5) 261,175 511,162(4)(5) 443,236 442,208(4) 427,903 392,151
Selling, general and
administrative.............. 132,511 95,586 161,280 125,459 115,361 108,624 92,849
Merger costs.................. 22,645(6) -- 22,645(6) -- -- -- --
Restructuring charge.......... 13,654(6) -- 13,654(6) -- -- -- --
Theme park closing charge..... 42,006(7) -- 42,006(7) -- -- -- --
Depreciation and amortization:
Hospitality and
attractions............... 31,998 28,861 31,998 28,861 21,782 19,041 16,959
Broadcasting and music...... 6,945 4,421 6,945 4,421 3,954 3,854 3,936
Cable networks.............. 1,763 1,991 10,924 12,406 9,522 7,758 6,608
Corporate................... 3,530 3,168 3,530 3,168 2,828 2,293 1,420
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total depreciation and
amortization............ 44,236 38,441 53,397 48,856 38,086 32,946 28,923
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating
expenses................ 618,421 395,202 804,144 617,551 595,655 569,473 513,923
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss):
Hospitality and attractions... 52,024 45,938 52,024 45,938 40,178 38,254 41,195
Broadcasting and music........ 18,056(4) 23,846 18,056(4) 23,846 19,578(4) 37,837 34,107
Cable networks................ (21,875)(5) (13,379) 56,865(5) 84,884 74,459 63,343 50,869
Corporate..................... (26,789) (25,061) (26,789) (25,061) (22,410) (20,976) (17,510)
Merger costs.................. (22,645)(6) -- (22,645)(6) -- -- -- --
Restructuring charge.......... (13,654)(6) -- (13,654)(6) -- -- -- --
Theme park closing charge..... (42,006)(7) -- (42,006)(7) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating income
(loss).................... (56,889) 31,344 21,851 129,607 111,805 118,458 108,661
Interest expense............... (26,994) (18,976) (27,177) (19,538) (4,200) (1,292) (1,076)
Interest income................ 23,726 22,904 24,022 22,904 7,011 950 225
Other gains (losses)........... 146,193(8) 74,281(11) 143,532(8) 71,741(11) (8,264)(12) (15,579)(12)(14) 1,116
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income from continuing
operations before provision
(benefit) for income
taxes....................... 86,036 109,553 162,228 204,714 106,352 102,537 108,926
Provision (benefit) for income
taxes......................... (19,788)(9) 35,770 10,792(9) 73,549 40,945 39,477 45,967
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income from continuing
operations.................. 105,824 73,783 151,436 131,165 65,407 63,060 62,959
Discontinued operations, net of
taxes(13)..................... -- -- -- -- 42,998 -- (26,905)
Cumulative effect of accounting
change, net of taxes.......... (7,537)(10) -- (7,537)(10) -- -- -- (8,406)(15)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income.................. $ 98,287 $ 73,783 $143,899 $131,165 $108,405 $ 63,060 $ 27,648
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
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YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA ACTUAL
----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996(1) 1997(2)(3) 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Income per share:
Income from continuing
operations.................... $ 3.27 $ 2.29 $ 4.68 $ 4.07 $ 2.04 $ 1.98 $ 2.04
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income..................... $ 3.04 $ 2.29 $ 4.45 $ 4.07 $ 3.38 $ 1.98 $ 0.90
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Income per share, assuming
dilution:
Income from continuing
operations.................... $ 3.24 $ 2.26 $ 4.64 $ 4.02 $ 2.01 $ 1.96 $ 2.02
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income..................... $ 3.01 $ 2.26 $ 4.41 $ 4.02 $ 3.33 $ 1.96 $ 0.89
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Dividends per share............ N/A N/A $ 1.05 $ 1.08 $ 0.89 $ 0.71 $ 0.57
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets................................................ $1,117,562 $1,182,248 $1,095,812 $1,015,806 $ 915,803
Net assets of discontinued operations (13).................. -- -- -- 214,649 222,830
Total long-term debt, including current portion............. 388,397 363,409 340,044 361,894 388,866
Total stockholders' equity.................................. 516,224 512,963 419,106 338,606 221,999
- ---------------
(1) Reflects the unaudited pro forma results of operations as if the CBS Merger
had occurred on January 1, 1996.
(2) Includes the results of operations of the Cable Networks Business for the
first nine months of 1997. On October 1, 1997, the Cable Networks Business
was acquired by CBS in the CBS Merger.
(3) In January 1997, the Company purchased the net assets of Word for
approximately $120,000. The results of operations of Word have been
included from the date of acquisition.
(4) Includes pretax charges of $11,740 and $13,302 for 1997 and 1995,
respectively, for the write-down to net realizable value of certain
television program rights.
(5) Includes a pretax charge of $5,000 related to plans to cease the European
operations of CMT International effective March 31, 1998.
(6) Pretax merger costs and the pretax restructuring charge are related to the
CBS Merger.
(7) Pretax charge related to the closing of the Opryland theme park at the end
of the 1997 operating season.
(8) Includes a pretax gain of $144,259 on sale of Tacoma-Seattle television
station KSTW.
(9) Includes a deferred tax benefit of $55,000 related to the revaluation of
certain reserves as a result of the Restructuring and the CBS Merger.
(10) Reflects the cumulative effect of the change in accounting method for
deferred preopening expenses to expense these costs as incurred, effective
January 1, 1997, of $12,335, net of a related tax benefit of $4,798.
(11) Includes a pretax gain of $73,850 on sale of Houston television station
KHTV.
(12) Includes pretax losses of $5,529 and $26,000 for 1995 and 1994,
respectively, to reflect the loss upon the disposal of the Company's 14%
limited partnership interest in the Fiesta Texas theme park.
(13) In November 1993, the Company formalized plans to sell its cable television
systems segment (the "Systems") and began accounting for the Systems as
discontinued operations. The Systems were sold in September 1995 which
resulted in a gain of $42,998, net of income taxes of $30,824.
(14) Includes a pretax gain of $10,689 on sale of Milwaukee television station
WVTV.
(15) Reflects the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
106, "Employers' Accounting of Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pensions," which resulted in a charge of $12,736, net of a related tax
benefit of $4,330.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
REORGANIZATION AND CBS MERGER
On October 1, 1997, Old Gaylord consummated a transaction with CBS and Sub,
a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS, pursuant to which Sub was merged with and into
Old Gaylord, with Old Gaylord continuing as the surviving corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of CBS. Prior to the CBS Merger, Old Gaylord completed
the Restructuring so that certain assets and liabilities that were part of Old
Gaylord's hospitality, attractions, music, television, and radio businesses,
including all of its long term debt, as well as CMT International and the
management of and option to acquire 95% of Z Music, Inc., were transferred to or
retained by the Company. As a result of the Restructuring and the CBS Merger,
substantially all of the assets of the Cable Networks Business and its
liabilities to the extent that they arose out of or related to the Cable
Networks Business, were acquired by CBS. The operating results of the Cable
Networks Business are included in the consolidated statements of income through
September 30, 1997.
On September 30, 1997, Old Gaylord completed the Distribution, on a pro
rata basis, of all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company to its
stockholders. As a result of the Distribution, each holder of record of the
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value, and Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(collectively, the "Old Gaylord Common Stock"), of Old Gaylord on the record
date for the Distribution received a number of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par
value, of the Company equal to one-third the number of shares of Old Gaylord
Common Stock held by such holder. Cash was distributed in lieu of any fractional
shares of the Company's common stock. All income per share and dividend per
share amounts have been restated to reflect the retroactive application of the
Distribution.
ACQUISITION OF WORD ENTERTAINMENT
In January 1997, the net assets of Word were purchased by the Company for
approximately $120.0 million in cash. The purchase price included approximately
$40.0 million of working capital. The acquisition was financed through
borrowings under a revolving credit agreement and has been accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting. The operating results of Word have been
included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
The excess of purchase price over the fair values of the net assets acquired was
$64.1 million and has been recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 40 years.
OPRYLAND THEME PARK CLOSING
During 1997, the Company signed a letter of agreement with The Mills
Corporation to create a partnership to develop a $200 million
entertainment/retail complex located on land previously used for the Opryland
theme park. The Company will hold a one-third interest in the partnership.
During 1997, the Company recorded a pretax charge of $42.0 million related to
the closing of the Opryland theme park at the end of the 1997 operating season.
Included in this charge are asset write-downs of $32.0 million related primarily
to property, equipment and inventory, estimated costs for employee severance and
termination benefits of $5.1 million, and other costs related to the closing of
the park of $4.9 million.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table contains selected income statement data for each of the
three years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (in thousands). The unaudited
pro forma data for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 is presented as if
the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996. The table also shows the
percentage relationships to total revenues and, in the case of segment operating
income, its relationship to segment revenues.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA ACTUAL
----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
1997 % 1996 % 1997 % 1996 % 1995 %
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Revenues:
Hospitality and attractions..... $346,931 61.8% $313,023 73.4% $346,931 42.0% $313,023 41.9% $276,638 39.1%
Broadcasting and music.......... 202,680 36.1 102,368 24.0 202,680 24.5 102,368 13.7 148,175 20.9
Cable networks.................. 11,921 2.1 11,155 2.6 276,384 33.5 331,767 44.4 282,647 40.0
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total revenues................ 561,532 100.0 426,546 100.0 825,995 100.0 747,158 100.0 707,460 100.0
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Operating expenses:
Operating costs................. 363,369 64.7 261,175 61.2 511,162 61.9 443,236 59.3 442,208 62.5
Selling, general and
administrative................ 132,511 23.6 95,586 22.4 161,280 19.5 125,459 16.8 115,361 16.3
Merger costs.................... 22,645 4.0 -- -- 22,645 2.7 -- -- -- --
Restructuring charge............ 13,654 2.4 -- -- 13,654 1.7 -- -- -- --
Theme park closing charge....... 42,006 7.5 -- -- 42,006 5.1 -- -- -- --
Depreciation and amortization:
Hospitality and attractions... 31,998 28,861 31,998 28,861 21,782
Broadcasting and music........ 6,945 4,421 6,945 4,421 3,954
Cable networks................ 1,763 1,991 10,924 12,406 9,522
Corporate..................... 3,530 3,168 3,530 3,168 2,828
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total depreciation and
amortization.............. 44,236 7.9 38,441 9.0 53,397 6.5 48,856 6.5 38,086 5.4
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total operating expenses.... 618,421 110.1 395,202 92.7 804,144 97.4 617,551 82.7 595,655 84.2
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Operating income (loss):
Hospitality and attractions..... 52,024 15.0 45,938 14.7 52,024 15.0 45,938 14.7 40,178 14.5
Broadcasting and music.......... 18,056 8.9 23,846 23.3 18,056 8.9 23,846 23.3 19,578 13.2
Cable networks.................. (21,875) -- (13,379) -- 56,865 20.6 84,884 25.6 74,459 26.3
Corporate....................... (26,789) -- (25,061) -- (26,789) -- (25,061) -- (22,410) --
Merger costs.................... (22,645) -- -- -- (22,645) -- -- -- -- --
Restructuring charge............ (13,654) -- -- -- (13,654) -- -- -- -- --
Theme park closing charge....... (42,006) -- -- -- (42,006) -- -- -- -- --
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total operating income
(loss)...................... $(56,889) (10.1)% $ 31,344 7.3% $ 21,851 2.6% $129,607 17.3% $111,805 15.8%
======== ===== ======== ===== ======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
Revenues
Total Revenues -- Total revenues increased $78.8 million, or 10.6%, to
$826.0 million in 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to the
acquisition of Word. Excluding the revenues of Word subsequent to the date of
the Word acquisition, total revenues decreased $33.4 million, or 4.5%, to $713.7
million in 1997, primarily as a result of the CBS Merger. Revenues of the Cable
Networks Business were $264.5 million in 1997 prior to the CBS Merger and $320.6
million in 1996. Excluding the revenues of Word and the Cable Networks Business
from 1997 and 1996, total revenues increased $22.7 million, or 5.3%, to $449.3
million in 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to increased revenues
in the hospitality and attractions segment, principally the Opryland Hotel,
offset in part by decreased revenues in the broadcasting and music segment
resulting from the 1997 sale of television station KSTW. On a pro forma basis,
assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, total revenues in 1997
would have increased $135.0 million, or 31.6%, to $561.5 million.
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Hospitality and Attractions -- Revenues in the hospitality and attractions
segment increased $33.9 million, or 10.8%, to $346.9 million in 1997. Opryland
Hotel revenues increased $35.1 million, or 17.9%, to $231.4 million in 1997,
principally due to the hotel expansion. The hotel's occupancy rate increased to
85.4% in 1997 compared to 84.7% in 1996. The hotel sold 862,300 rooms in 1997
compared to 780,300 rooms in 1996, reflecting a 10.5% increase. The hotel's
average guest room rate increased to $135.03 in 1997 from $131.21 in 1996. At
December 31, 1997, the hotel's advanced bookings were in excess of $1 billion of
future revenues at current rates with a significant portion of these advanced
bookings relating to the next three years. Opryland theme park revenues
decreased $1.5 million in 1997 due primarily to a 6.8% decrease in theme park
attendance as compared with 1996. As mentioned above, the Company closed the
Opryland theme park at the end of the 1997 operating season.
Broadcasting and Music -- Revenues increased $100.3 million, or 98.0%, to
$202.7 million in 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to the
acquisition of Word in 1997. Excluding the revenues of Word subsequent to the
date of the Word acquisition, total revenues decreased $12.0 million, or 11.7%,
to $90.4 million. The decrease results primarily from the June 1997 sale of
television station KSTW. Revenues of KSTW were $12.2 million and $25.7 million
in 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Cable Networks -- Revenues decreased $55.4 million, or 16.7%, to $276.4
million in 1997. This decrease resulted from the CBS Merger on October 1, 1997.
On a pro forma basis, excluding the revenues of the Cable Networks Business from
1997 and 1996, revenues increased $0.8 million, or 6.9%, to $11.9 million. CMT
International revenues increased $1.8 million, or 17.8%, to $11.9 million in
1997.
Operating Expenses
Total Operating Expenses -- Total operating expenses increased $186.7
million, or 30.2%, to $804.1 million in 1997, a substantial portion of which was
attributable to the acquisition of Word and the nonrecurring charges discussed
below. Operating costs, as a percentage of revenues, increased to 61.9% during
1997 as compared to 59.3% during 1996. Selling, general and administrative
expenses, as a percentage of revenues, increased to 19.5% in 1997 from 16.8% in
1996. A portion of the increase is also due to corporate operating expenses,
consisting primarily of senior management salaries and benefits, legal, human
resources, accounting, data processing and other administrative costs, which
increased $1.7 million to $26.8 million in 1997. On a pro forma basis, assuming
the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, total operating expenses in 1997
would have increased $223.2 million, or 56.5%, to $618.4 million.
Operating Costs -- Operating costs increased $67.9 million, or 15.3%, to
$511.2 million in 1997. A significant portion of the increase resulted from the
operating costs of Word in 1997. Excluding the operating costs of Word
subsequent to the date of the Word acquisition, operating costs decreased $0.3
million to $443.0 million in 1997. Excluding the operating costs of the Cable
Networks Business from 1997 and 1996 and the operating costs of Word subsequent
to the date of the Word acquisition, operating costs increased $34.0 million, or
13.0%, to $295.2 million. During 1997, the Company recorded a nonrecurring
charge to operations of $11.7 million for the write-down to net realizable value
of certain program rights at television station KTVT. This write-down related
primarily to movie packages and certain syndicated programming whose value has
been impaired as a result of the operating decision to purchase more first-run
programming. In addition, the Company recorded a $5.0 million charge to
operations related to its plans to cease the European operations of CMT
International effective March 31, 1998. Operating costs increased $20.0 million
during 1997 at the Opryland Hotel, primarily as a result of the hotel expansion,
and increased $3.6 million during 1997 at CMT International. These increases
were offset by a decrease of $9.9 million related to the 1997 sale of television
station KSTW. On a pro forma basis, assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on
January 1, 1996, operating costs in 1997 would have increased $102.2 million, or
39.1%, to $363.4 million.
Selling, General and Administrative -- Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $35.8 million, or 28.6%, to $161.3 million in 1997. Excluding
the selling, general and administrative expenses of Word subsequent to the date
of the Word acquisition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased
$2.9 million, or 2.3%, to $128.4 million in 1997. Excluding the selling, general
and administrative expenses of the Cable Networks Business from 1997 and 1996
and the selling, general and administrative expenses of
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Word subsequent to the date of the Word acquisition, selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $3.7 million, or 3.9%, to $99.6 million. The
increase for the year was primarily attributable to administrative cost
increases of $3.2 million and selling and promotional cost increases of $2.0
million at the Opryland Hotel. This increase was offset by a decrease related to
the 1997 sale of television station KSTW of $2.5 million. On a pro forma basis,
assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, selling, general and
administrative expenses in 1997 would have increased $36.9 million, or 38.6%, to
$132.5 million.
Merger Costs and Restructuring Charge -- In connection with the CBS Merger,
Restructuring and Distribution, the Company recognized nonrecurring merger costs
and a restructuring charge in 1997 of $22.6 million and $13.7 million,
respectively. Merger costs included professional and registration fees, debt
refinancing costs, and incentive compensation associated with the CBS Merger.
The restructuring charge included estimated costs for employee severance and
termination benefits of $6.5 million, asset write-downs of $3.7 million, and
other costs associated with the restructuring of $3.5 million. As of December
31, 1997, the Company had recorded charges of $7.6 million against the
restructuring accrual of which $3.0 million represents actual cash expenditures
and $4.6 million represents non-cash asset write-downs and other restructuring
costs. At December 31, 1997, the restructuring accrual had a remaining balance
of $6.1 million, which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects the restructuring to be
completed in the next six months and to be funded from the Company's cash flows
from operating activities.
Theme Park Closing Charge -- During 1997, the Company recorded a pretax
charge of $42.0 million related to the closing of the Opryland theme park at the
end of the 1997 operating season. Included in this charge were asset write-downs
of $32.0 million related primarily to property, equipment and inventory,
estimated costs for employee severance and termination benefits of $5.1 million,
and other costs related to the closing of the park of $4.9 million.
Depreciation and Amortization -- Depreciation and amortization increased
$4.5 million, or 9.3%, to $53.4 million in 1997. The increase was primarily
attributable to the acquisition of Word. Excluding the depreciation and
amortization of Word subsequent to the date of the Word acquisition,
depreciation and amortization increased $1.5 million, or 3.0%, to $50.3 million
in 1997. Excluding the depreciation and amortization of the Cable Networks
Business from 1997 and 1996 and the depreciation and amortization of Word
subsequent to the date of the Word acquisition, depreciation and amortization
increased $2.7 million, or 7.1%, to $41.2 million. The increase in 1997 is
primarily attributable to increased depreciation and amortization expense of
$2.9 million related to the expansion of the Opryland Hotel. On a pro forma
basis, assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, depreciation and
amortization expense in 1997 would have increased $5.8 million, or 15.1%, to
$44.2 million.
Operating Income
Total operating income decreased $107.8 million to $21.9 million during
1997. Excluding the non-recurring charges related to the write-down of
television program rights at television station KTVT, the charge to operations
related to CMT International's plan to cease operations in Europe, merger costs
and restructuring charge, and the Opryland theme park closing charge, total
operating income decreased $12.7 million to $116.9 million. This decrease was
primarily attributable to the CBS Merger. The operating income of the Cable
Networks Business was $78.7 million and $98.6 million in 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Excluding the non-recurring items discussed above, the operating
income of the Cable Networks Business in 1997 and 1996 and the operating income
of Word subsequent to the date of the Word acquisition, total operating income
decreased $1.0 million, or 3.1%, to $30.0 million in 1997. This decrease was
primarily attributable to increased operating losses of CMT International
offset, in part, by increased operating income of the Opryland Hotel. On a pro
forma basis, assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, total
operating income in 1997 would have decreased $88.2 million to an operating loss
of $56.9 million.
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23
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $7.6 million to $27.2 million in 1997. The
increase was attributable to higher average debt levels, due primarily to the
financing of the Word acquisition. The Company utilized the net proceeds from
the sale of television station KSTW in June 1997 to reduce outstanding
indebtedness. The Company's weighted average interest rate on its bank debt and
senior notes combined was 6.6% in 1997 compared to 6.9% in 1996. On a pro forma
basis, assuming the CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, interest expense
in 1997 would have increased $8.0 million to $27.0 million.
Interest Income
Interest income increased $1.1 million to $24.0 million in 1997. Interest
income primarily resulted from noncash interest income earned on a long-term
note receivable from the sale of the Systems. On a pro forma basis, assuming the
CBS Merger had occurred on January 1, 1996, interest income in 1997 would have
increased $0.8 million to $23.7 million.
Other Gains (Losses)
In June 1997, the Company sold KSTW, its Tacoma-Seattle, Washington
television station, for $160.0 million in cash. The sale resulted in a pretax
gain of $144.3 million, which is included in other gains (losses) in 1997.
In January 1996, the Company sold KHTV, its Houston, Texas television
station, for $97.8 million, including certain working capital and other
adjustments of approximately $4.3 million. The sale resulted in a pretax gain of
$73.9 million which is included in other gains (losses) in 1996.
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes on income from continuing
operations was $10.8 million in 1997 compared to $73.5 million in 1996. During
1997, the Company recorded a deferred tax benefit of $55.0 million related to
the revaluation of certain reserves as a result of the Restructuring and CBS
Merger. The Company's effective tax rate on its income from continuing
operations before provision for income taxes was 6.7% for 1997 compared to 35.9%
for 1996.
Accounting Change
Effective January 1, 1997, the Company changed its method of accounting for
deferred preopening expenses to expense these costs as incurred. Prior to 1997,
preopening expenses were deferred and amortized over five years on a
straight-line basis. The Company recorded a $7.5 million charge, net of taxes of
$4.8 million, to record the cumulative effect of this accounting change. This
change did not have a significant impact on results of operations before the
cumulative effect of this accounting change for 1997. On a pro forma basis, this
change would have decreased net income by $3.0 million, or $0.09 per share, for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and decreased net income by $2.7 million, or
$0.08 per share, for the year ended December 31, 1995.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
Revenues
Total Revenues -- Total revenues increased $39.7 million, or 5.6%, to
$747.2 million in 1996. The increases were primarily attributable to continued
growth in the cable networks segment and increased revenues in the hospitality
and attractions segment resulting from the expansion of the Opryland Hotel. The
average number of guest rooms at the hotel increased from 1,907 in 1995 to 2,613
in 1996. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in revenues from
the broadcasting and music segment due to the sale of a television station in
January 1996 and a decline in revenues at the Company's two other television
stations.
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24
Hospitality and Attractions -- Revenues in the hospitality and attractions
segment increased $36.4 million, or 13.2%, to $313.0 million in 1996. Opryland
Hotel revenues increased $43.2 million, or 28.2%, to $196.2 million in 1996,
principally because of the hotel expansion. The hotel's occupancy rate decreased
to 84.7% in 1996 compared to 87.5% in 1995 because of the additional rooms which
became available in 1996. The hotel sold 780,300 rooms in 1996 compared to
587,200 rooms sold in 1995 reflecting a 32.9% increase. The hotel's average
guest room rate declined to $131.21 in 1996 from $132.99 in 1995. Opryland theme
park revenues decreased $5.4 million in 1996 due primarily to a 5.7% decrease in
theme park attendance and a 3.4% decrease in per guest spending as compared with
1995.
Broadcasting and Music -- Revenues decreased $45.8 million, or 30.9%, to
$102.4 million in 1996. Broadcasting and music revenues were impacted by the
Company's sale of KHTV, a Houston, Texas television station in January 1996.
Excluding the operations of KHTV from the 1995 results, broadcasting and music
revenues decreased 10.8% in 1996. The decline in broadcasting and music revenues
reflected a decrease in advertising inventory available for sale at the
Company's Dallas and Seattle-area television stations resulting from their
affiliation with the CBS television network. The affiliation with CBS was
effective on March 13, 1995 at KSTW and on July 2, 1995 at KTVT. Advertising
revenues at KSTW also decreased in 1996 due to a decline in ratings.
Cable Networks -- Revenues increased $49.1 million, or 17.4%, to $331.8
million in 1996. Advertising revenues increased 19.6% during 1996 at TNN.
Subscriber revenues at TNN increased 12.2% in 1996 due to an increase in the
number of U.S. subscribers to 68.3 million in December 1996 from 64.4 million in
December 1995 and increased revenues from satellite customers. Revenues related
to the United States distribution of CMT increased 19.3% in 1996 due to growth
in both advertising and subscriber revenues. CMT subscribers increased to 37.3
million in December 1996 from 31.7 million in December 1995. CMT International
revenues increased to $10.1 million in 1996 from $8.9 million in 1995.
Operating Expenses
Total Operating Expenses -- Total operating expenses increased $21.9
million, or 3.7%, to $617.6 million in 1996. Operating costs, as a percentage of
revenues, decreased to 59.3% during 1996 as compared to 62.5% during 1995.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues,
increased to 16.8% in 1996 from 16.3% in 1995. Total operating expenses for 1995
include operating expenses of KHTV of $30.1 million.
Operating Costs -- Operating costs increased $1.0 million, or 0.2%, to
$443.2 million in 1996. During 1995, the Company recorded a nonrecurring pretax
charge of $13.3 million for the write-down of certain program rights at the
Company's Dallas and Seattle-area television stations. This write-down was
primarily related to excess program rights resulting from the affiliations of
these stations with CBS. Excluding the effect of the 1995 write-down of program
rights and the operating costs of KHTV, operating costs increased $37.8 million,
or 9.3%, in 1996. The increase was attributable to operating costs increases of
$23.6 million during 1996 at the Opryland Hotel, primarily as a result of the
hotel expansion. In addition, increased operating costs were attributable to the
continued growth in the cable networks segment, including an $11.6 million
increase in CBS commissions at TNN; a $9.3 million increase in programming costs
at TNN; a $4.5 million increase in operating costs related to the expansion of
CMT International; and a $1.1 million operating cost increase relating to the
opening of a chain of racing themed retail stores. These increases were
partially offset by a $10.4 million decrease in operating costs during 1996 at
KTVT and KSTW due to lower programming costs resulting from their affiliation
with CBS; a $3.5 million decrease in operating costs at the Opryland theme park;
and a $2.4 million decrease in operating costs of the Nashville On Stage concert
series.
Selling, General and Administrative -- Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased $10.1 million, or 8.8%, to $125.5 million in 1996. Excluding
the selling, general and administrative expenses of KHTV from the 1995 results,
selling, general and administrative expenses increased $16.0 million, or 14.7%,
in 1996. The increases for the year were primarily attributable to
administrative cost increases of $4.8 million at the Opryland Hotel, $3.7
million at TNN and $1.2 million at the Opryland theme park. Selling and
promotion costs at CMT and CMT International increased $1.5 million and $1.8
million, respectively. KTVT
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and KSTW also had increased selling and promotion costs, which were $1.1 million
greater than the corresponding 1995 amounts. In addition, the Company had
nonrecurring expenses of $1.1 million during 1996 related to its obligations
under an employment agreement with its departing chief operating officer which
is included in the increases discussed above.
Depreciation and Amortization -- Depreciation and amortization increased
$10.8 million, or 28.3%, to $48.9 million in 1996. The increase was primarily
attributable to the expansion of the Opryland Hotel and continued growth in the
cable networks segment.
Operating Income
Total operating income increased $17.8 million, or 15.9%, to $129.6 million
during 1996. This increase reflected higher operating income in all segments.
The hospitality and attractions segment increase was primarily related to
greater operating income generated by the Opryland Hotel expansion. The
broadcasting and music segment increase resulted from the 1995 write-down of
television program rights. Excluding the impact of this write-down, broadcasting
and music segment operating income decreased primarily due to the sale of KHTV
and the decline in revenues at KSTW as discussed above. The cable networks
increase was a result of the continued growth of TNN and CMT offset, in part, by
increased operating losses associated with CMT International's expansion.
Operating losses of CMT International increased to $13.0 million in 1996 from
$7.1 million in 1995.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $15.3 million to $19.5 million in 1996. A
significant portion of the Company's interest expense for 1995 was attributable
to the Systems prior to their sale in September 1995. In accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, such interest was allocated to the
Systems and was therefore not included in income from continuing operations. The
Company's weighted average interest rate on its bank debt and senior notes
combined was 6.9% in 1996 compared to 7.3% in 1995.
Interest Income
Interest income increased $15.9 million to $22.9 million in 1996. This
increase primarily resulted from an additional $15.5 million of noncash interest
income in 1996 recorded on the long-term note receivable from the sale of the
Systems.
Other Gains (Losses)
In January 1996, the Company sold KHTV, its Houston, Texas television
station, for $97.8 million, including certain working capital and other
adjustments of approximately $4.3 million. The sale resulted in a pretax gain of
$73.9 million which is included in other gains (losses) in 1996.
In 1995, the Company recorded a pretax loss of $5.5 million to reflect the
loss upon the disposal of its 14% limited partnership interest in the Fiesta
Texas theme park. The loss was based on the permanent impairment in the value of
the investment and the Company's guarantee on certain indebtedness related to
the original construction of Fiesta Texas. The Company paid $13.0 million to
transfer its partnership interest and related obligations to a subsidiary of
USAA, the majority investor, in January 1996. In connection with the Company's
termination of its interest in Fiesta Texas, the Company was released from the
loan guarantee.
Income Taxes
The Company's provision for income taxes on income from continuing
operations was $73.5 million for 1996 compared to $40.9 million for 1995. The
Company's effective tax rate on its income from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes was 35.9% for 1996 compared to 38.5% for 1995.
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26
Discontinued Operations
On September 29, 1995, the Company sold the Systems to CCT Holdings Corp.
("CCTH"), an entity jointly owned by investment partnerships affiliated with
Kelso & Company, Inc. and by Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter"), an owner
and manager of cable systems. Proceeds from the sale, after a working capital
adjustment, consisted of $198.8 million in cash and a 10-year, $165.7 million
note (the "Note") with an interest rate of 12% per year which increases to 15%
in September 2000 and increases 2% per year thereafter, with principal and
interest payable at maturity in 2005. The Note was recorded at $150.7 million,
net of a $15.0 million discount. In addition, the Company received the
contractual right to 15% of the net distributable proceeds, as defined, from
certain future sales by Charter Communications Entertainment, L.P., a newly
formed joint venture created to operate cable television systems, to which CCTH
contributed certain of the Systems' assets which were purchased from the
Company. Immediately prior to the closing of the sale, the Company paid Charter
$10.6 million to acquire the remaining 2.9% interest in the Systems.
The Company recorded a gain of $43.0 million, net of tax of $30.8 million,
on the sale of the Systems during 1995. The Systems have been accounted for as
discontinued operations and, accordingly, the Systems' losses including interest
expense (based upon debt that can be specifically attributed to the Systems)
subsequent to the November 1993 measurement date were deferred and reflected as
a reduction in the gain on the sale of the Systems. The 1995 net loss from
discontinued operations prior to the sale of the Systems was $19.5 million,
including interest expense of $17.1 million, which was deferred and reflected as
a reduction in the gain on the sale of the Systems.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Pursuant to the Restructuring, the Company assumed all of Old Gaylord's
long-term indebtedness, including Old Gaylord's obligations under a revolving
credit facility entered into by Old Gaylord in August 1997 (the "1997 Credit
Facility"). The lenders under the 1997 Credit Facility are a syndicate of banks
with NationsBank of Texas, N.A. acting as agent (the "Agent"). The maximum
amount that can be borrowed under the 1997 Credit Facility is $600 million. The
final maturity of the 1997 Credit Facility is July 2002. The 1997 Credit
Facility is unsecured and is guaranteed by certain of the Company's
subsidiaries.
Amounts outstanding under the 1997 Credit Facility bear interest at a rate,
at the Company's option, equal to either (i) the higher of the Agent's prime
rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (ii) LIBOR plus a margin ranging
from 0.4% to 1% depending on the Company's debt ratings or ratio of debt to
capitalization. In addition, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee
ranging between 0.125% and 0.25% per year, also depending on the Company's debt
ratings or ratio of debt to capitalization, on the average unused portion of the
1997 Credit Facility, as well as an annual administrative fee.
The 1997 Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain financial
ratios and minimum stockholders' equity levels and subjects the Company to
limitations on, among other things, mergers and sales of assets, additional
indebtedness, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, liens, and
transactions with affiliates.
Old Gaylord prepaid the remaining $90 million of its outstanding fixed-rate
senior notes as well as its $21 million term loan during 1997 by utilizing
borrowings under the 1997 Credit Facility.
The purchase of Word for approximately $120 million in 1997 was financed
through borrowings under the Company's prior revolving line of credit. The
proceeds from the sale of KSTW in 1997 were used to reduce indebtedness. At
February 28, 1998, the Company had approximately $192 million in available
borrowing capacity under the 1997 Credit Facility.
The Company currently projects capital expenditures of approximately $45
million for 1998. The Company's management believes that the net cash flows from
operations, together with the amount expected to be available for borrowing
under the 1997 Credit Facility, will be sufficient to satisfy anticipated future
cash requirements of the Company on both a short-term and long-term basis.
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YEAR 2000
Without programming modifications, certain computer programs will not
operate properly when using the two-digits used in date calculations for the
year 2000. These computer programs interpret the "00" used in date calculations
to represent the year 1900. The Company has assessed its computer systems to
determine which computer programs will not operate properly using the year 2000
dates. A plan to correct these programs has been developed and is scheduled to
be implemented by the end of 1998. The Company does not expect the year 2000
concerns to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations,
financial position or liquidity.
SEASONALITY
Certain of the Company's operations are subject to seasonal fluctuation.
Many of the operations in the hospitality and attractions segment operate on a
limited basis during the first quarter of the year and conduct most of their
business during the summer tourism season. The first calendar quarter is also
the weakest quarter for most television and radio broadcasters, including the
Company, as advertising revenues are lower in the post-Christmas period.
Revenues in the music business are typically weakest in the first calendar
quarter following the Christmas buying season.
NEWLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income," effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No.
130 requires that changes in the amounts of certain items, including gains and
losses on certain securities, be shown in the financial statements. The Company
will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 130 effective January 1, 1998 and does not
anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 130 will have a material effect on the
Company's financial statements.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes
standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about
operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those
enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim
financial reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for
related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major
customers. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 131 effective
January 1, 1998 and does not anticipate that the adoption of SFAS No. 131 will
have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS/RISK FACTORS
This Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements regarding, among
other things, the anticipated financial and operating results of the Company.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly release any modifications or revisions to these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company cautions investors that future
financial and operating results may differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company's
future operating results depend on a number of factors that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements. These factors, many of which are beyond the
Company's control, include the continued growth in the popularity of country
music; continued growth in the popularity of Christian music; the ability to
integrate the operations of Word into the Company's business; the Company's
ability to implement its growth strategy relating to the development or
management of hotel properties; the acceptability of the Company's product
offerings to international audiences; the advertising market in the United
States in general and in the Company's local television and radio markets in
particular; the perceived attractiveness of Nashville, Tennessee as a convention
and tourist destination; consumer tastes and preferences for the Company's
entertainment offerings; competition; and consolidation in the broadcasting and
cable distribution industries.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
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Report of Independent Public Accountants.................... 27
Consolidated Statements of Income For the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995......................... 28
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and
1996...................................................... 29
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995......................... 30
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity For the
Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995............. 31
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. 32
SCHEDULES
The schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Gaylord Entertainment Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gaylord
Entertainment Company (a Delaware corporation) and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Gaylord Entertainment Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash f