SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
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OR |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to |
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Commission File Number 001-09553
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 04-2949533 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(212) 258-6000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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|---|---|---|
| Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | New York Stock Exchange | |
| Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value | New York Stock Exchange | |
| 7.75% Senior Notes due 2005 | American Stock Exchange | |
| 7.625% Senior Debentures due 2016 | American Stock Exchange | |
| 7.25% Senior Notes due 2051 | New York Stock Exchange |
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. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes ý No o
As of June 30, 2004, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the shares of Viacom Inc. Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value ("Class A Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $1,396,419,601 (based upon the closing price of $36.35 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date) and the aggregate market value of the shares of the Viacom Inc. Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value ("Class B Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $53,132,558,671 (based upon the closing price of $35.72 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date).
As of March 1, 2005, 131,502,564 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,496,205,266 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of Viacom Inc.'s Notice of 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Proxy Statement") (Part III).
Item 1. Business.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On March 16, 2005, Viacom announced that it has been exploring the possible division of its businesses into separate publicly-traded companies, one of which would highlight Viacom's high-growth businesses such as MTV Networks and would be operated by Tom Freston, and one of which would combine its leading CBS broadcast television businesses, growing outdoor business and high free cash flow operations such as radio, which would be operated by Leslie Moonves. Viacom expects to announce further details regarding the possible separation in the second quarter of 2005. No assurance can be given that any transaction will be consummated.
BACKGROUND
Viacom Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" or "Viacom") is a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in the following segments:
For the year ended December 31, 2004, contributions to the Company's consolidated revenues from its segments were as follows: Cable Networks 29%, Television 38%, Radio 9%, Outdoor 8% and Entertainment 18%. Intercompany revenue eliminations, as a percentage of total revenues, were 2% for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Company generated approximately 16% of its total revenues from international regions in 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, approximately 60% and 23% of total international revenues of $3.7 billion were generated in Europe and Canada, respectively.
During 2004, the Company announced that it would pursue the tax-free split-off of Viacom's approximately 81.5% interest in Blockbuster Inc. ("Blockbuster") (NYSE: BBI) through an exchange offer. In 2004, the Company completed the exchange offer under which Viacom accepted 27,961,165 shares of Viacom common stock in exchange for the 144 million shares of Blockbuster that Viacom owned. Each share of Viacom Class A and Class B Common Stock accepted for exchange by Viacom was exchanged for 5.15 shares of Blockbuster common stock, consisting of 2.575 shares of Blockbuster class A common stock and 2.575 shares of Blockbuster class B common stock. Blockbuster is presented as a discontinued operation for all periods presented herein.
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During 2004, the Company acquired 97.8% of VIVA Media AG, a youth entertainment media company based in Germany, for a total purchase price of $393.6 million. In December 2004, the Company acquired a 10% interest in Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. ("SBS") and warrants for approximately another 5% interest in SBS, in exchange for the Company's 93.3 FM radio station serving the San Francisco market. Also, in December 2004, the Company announced its agreement to purchase CBS Sacramento, California affiliate, KOVR-TV 13, for $285 million, subject to regulatory approval.
For additional information about significant acquisitions see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As new technologies for delivering content and services evolve, the Company is pursuing opportunities to distribute content to consumers through various media including the Internet, mobile devices, video-on-demand, interactive television and video games. In December 2004, the Company acquired the remaining outstanding interest that it did not already own in SportsLine.com, Inc., a leading online sports media company, and, in January 2005, announced its strategic partnership with Microsoft to extend the reach of MTV Music Television, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television and Comedy Central across a number of digital entertainment products and platforms.
The Company competes with many different entities and media in various markets worldwide. In addition to competition in each business, the Company competes for opportunities in the entertainment business with other diversified international entertainment companies such as Time Warner, News Corporation, Sony Corporation, Clear Channel Communications, The Walt Disney Company and NBC Universal.
As of March 1, 2005, National Amusements, Inc. ("NAI"), a closely held corporation that owns and operates approximately 1,425 movie screens in the United States ("U.S."), the United Kingdom ("U.K."), South America and Russia and manages 21 movie screens in the U.S. and the U.K., beneficially owned Class A Common Stock of the Company representing approximately 71% of the voting power of all classes of the Company's Common Stock, and approximately 12% of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. Owners of the Company's Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. The Company's Class B Common Stock does not have voting rights. NAI is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling shareholder of NAI, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
The Company was organized in Delaware in 1986 for the purpose of acquiring the stock of a predecessor. The Company's principal offices are located at 1515 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 (telephone 212/258-6000).
VIACOM BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Cable Networks (29%, 27% and 25% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively)
The Company owns and operates advertiser-supported basic cable television program services through MTV Networks ("MTVN") and Black Entertainment Television ("BET") and premium subscription television program services through Showtime Networks Inc. ("SNI") in the U.S. and internationally.
Generally, the Company's cable networks, which target various demographics, are offered for a fee to cable television operators, distributors of direct-to-home satellite services ("DTH") and other multichannel distributors. Cable television and DTH are currently the predominant means of distribution of the Company's program services in the U.S. Internationally, distribution technology varies region by region.
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MTV Networks. In the U.S., MTVN's owned and operated program services include MTV Music Television ("MTV"), MTV2, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, Spike TV ("Spike"), CMT: Country Music Television ("CMT"), Comedy Central and MTV U, among others. Subscriber numbers for MTVN are based on Nielsen Media Research® reports.
MTVN derives revenues principally from two sources: the sale of time on its own networks to advertisers and the receipt of subscription fees from cable television operators, DTH and other distributors. The sale of MTVN advertising time is affected by viewer demographics, viewer ratings and market conditions for advertising time. Adverse changes to any of these factors could have an adverse effect on revenues (see "Viacom Business Segments-Cable Networks Competition"). MTVN programming is comprised of programs that are acquired or originally produced by the Company.
MTV's programming consists of youth-oriented programs including music videos, music-based programming, music and general lifestyle information, reality-based programming, comedy and dramatic series, animated programs, news specials, interviews and documentaries. Recent programming highlights include The MTV Video Music Awards, Real World and Punk'd. At December 31, 2004, MTV reached approximately 87.5 million domestic subscriber households. MTV2, a spin-off of MTV, features music videos from a broad range of musical genres. At December 31, 2004, MTV2 reached approximately 53.8 million domestic subscriber households. MTVN also operates "The Suite from MTV Networks" ("The Suite"), a package containing MTV2 and several digital television program services, including VH1 Classic and other music-related services including two Spanish-language music services. The Suite is available through DTH distributors and cable operators offering digital technology. VH1 presents music programming including music videos, long form programming, live music events, reality series, documentaries and other pop culture and lifestyle programming. At December 31, 2004, VH1 reached approximately 86.9 million domestic subscriber households. CMT presents country music-related original programming, live concerts and events, as well as country music videos. At December 31, 2004, CMT reached approximately 76.5 million domestic subscriber households. MTV U offers to students on U.S. college campuses a blend of music, news, sports and college-specific programming.
Nickelodeon programming consists primarily of originally produced programs appealing to audiences ages 2 to 11, which includes Nick Jr®, a program block designed for 2 to 5 year olds, and popular shows such as Dora the Explorer, The Fairly OddParents and SpongeBob SquarePants. Nick at Nite is telecast in the evening and night-time hours, appeals primarily to audiences ages 18 to 49 and offers mostly situation comedies from various eras and original programming. At December 31, 2004, each of Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite reached approximately 88.5 million domestic subscriber households. Nickelodeon licenses its brands and characters for and in connection with merchandise, home video and publishing worldwide.
Comedy Central features comedy programming including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Chappelle's Show. At December 31, 2004, Comedy Central reached approximately 86.3 million domestic subscriber households. TV Land is comprised of a broad range of well-known television programs including comedies, dramas, westerns, variety, other formats from the 50s through today and original programming. At December 31, 2004, TV Land reached approximately 84.9 million domestic subscriber households. Spike is the first entertainment network for men, appealing primarily to male audiences with a focus on original series, sports entertainment and animated series. At December 31, 2004, Spike reached approximately 88.1 million domestic subscriber households. In 2005, the Company plans to launch LOGO, a gay and lesbian themed network, and MTV World, a domestic program service with channels comprised of programming that is originally produced and programming derived from MTV's international program services. MTV Films® and Nickelodeon Movies produce and acquire the rights to feature films, all of which were released by Paramount Pictures during 2004. Generally, Paramount Pictures incurs the production and marketing costs of films produced by MTV Films or Nickelodeon Movies and released by Paramount Pictures. MTV Films or Nickelodeon Movies receives a participation based on the performance of these films and producer fees.
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Internationally, MTVN owns and operates, participates in as a joint venturer, and licenses third parties to operate, approximately 80 MTVN program services including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Spike, Paramount Comedy, The Box, CMT, Game One, Viva, TMF and TV Land. These program services reach audiences in Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Most of the MTV international program services are regionally customized for the particular youth viewers through the inclusion of local music, programming and on-air personalities, and use of the local language. MTV Networks Europe is Europe's most widely distributed cable and satellite network comprising 49 individual music, kids and comedy channels. As of November 2004, the leading MTVN program services reached more than 151 million households and 144 million households in Europe and Asia, respectively, and approximately 121 million households in the rest of the world (including the U.S.) through a combination of DTH, cable, and terrestrial distribution. The Company actively pursues the development or acquisition of program services in international markets. During 2004, the Company acquired 97.8% of Viva Media AG, a German-based television company with six channels across Europe; launched VH1 in Latin America, and Nickelodeon in Italy; expanded MTV's and Nickelodeon's presence in China; and, in February 2005, launched MTV base, a pan-African music television channel.
MTVN, in exchange for cash and advertising time or for promotional consideration only, licenses from record companies music videos for exhibition on MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT and other MTVN programming services. MTVN has entered into global music video licensing agreements with certain major record companies. MTVN also has entered into global or regional license agreements with certain independent record companies. MTVN expects to renew or initiate additional global or regional license agreements with these and other record companies. However, there can be no assurance that such renewals or agreements can be concluded and, if so, on favorable terms.
MTVN operates Internet sites that appeal to the current audiences of its various television program services, as well as to other online audiences, including numerous music Web site destinations around the world. These Web sites provide entertainment and information and serve as an additional outlet for sales of Company-licensed and third-party merchandise. In January 2005, MTVN's Web sites attracted over 17.8 million U.S. monthly unique visitors according to Comscore Media Metrix, a leading online audience research measurement service. These Internet sites derive revenue from a combination of advertising and sponsorships, subscription services and e-commerce. MTVN currently obtains much of its Web site content from record labels, music publishers and artists. Certain of these providers have started charging fees for their content. If providers charge significant fees for their content, or otherwise alter or discontinue their relationship with MTVN's Web sites, then the respective Web site's content offering and business could be adversely affected. In 2005, the Company plans to launch a digital music service that may offer permanent digital downloads, interactive subscription radio, conditional downloads and on-demand streaming, among other features.
BET: Black Entertainment Television. BET's owned and operated cable program services include BET and BET Jazz, and its digital services include BET Gospel® and BET Hip Hop®.
BET targets the African-American viewing audience by providing a broad mix of music, entertainment, sports, religious, news and public affairs programming, consisting of both original and acquired programs including 106 & Park: BET Top Ten Live and Club Comic View. BET Jazz, the only U.S. cable network devoted solely to jazz music, includes programming that consists of a mixture of in-studio performances, festivals, concerts, celebrity interviews and documentaries such as Journey With Jazz At Lincoln Center.
BET derives its revenue from the sale of advertising time on the networks and from subscription fees generated by license of the network to cable television operators, DTH and other distributors. As of December 31, 2004, according to the Nielsen Media Research report, BET reached approximately 79.4 million domestic subscriber households. BET Jazz derives its revenue principally from subscription fees generated by license of its network to cable television operators, DTH and other distributors. As of December 31, 2004, BET Jazz, billed approximately 9.7 million domestic subscriber households. Certain of
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BET and BET Jazz distribution agreements expired at the end of 2004. BET expects all of these agreements to be renewed or extended through multi-year carriage deals in 2005. If agreement renewals are not completed, BET and/or BET Jazz could lose subscribers.
BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop are BET's digital services. BET Gospel features gospel music programming, gospel artist performances and interviews, religious ministries, family programming and programming fare designed to provide spiritual fulfillment. BET Hip Hop features hip-hop and rap music videos, artists and performances. BET Event Productions® produces special musical events and festivals featuring various music genres. Its services include event management, venue selection, talent recruitment and sound, light and stage production including supporting the production needs of BET Jazz. BET Books, BET's book publishing division, publishes romance, inspirational and mainstream fiction books targeted to the African-American market. Its revenues are generated by book sales through a subscriber book club, retail outlets, discount stores and online book merchants.
BET has an approximately 42% interest in BET Interactive, LLC, a company which, through its Web site, BET.com, offers users content and interactive features for news, entertainment, community and other areas tailored to the unique interests and issues of African Americans. BET.com also provides program schedules for BET and BET Jazz, the latest music news, artist information, music offerings and interactive entertainment for BET's programs. In 2004, BET.com attracted approximately 750,000 U.S. monthly unique visitors, according to Nielsen/NetRatings.
Showtime Networks Inc. SNI owns and operates three commercial-free, premium subscription television program services in the U.S.: Showtime, offering recently released theatrical feature films, original series, original motion pictures, documentaries, boxing, concerts and other special events; The Movie Channel offering recently released theatrical feature films and related programming; and Flix®, offering theatrical feature films primarily from the 70s, 80s and 90s, as well as selected other titles. At December 31, 2004, Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix, in the aggregate, had approximately 39.5 million subscriptions in the 50 states, certain U.S. territories and Bermuda. Sundance Channel®, a venture among SNI, which owns a 30% interest, an affiliate of Robert Redford and NBC Universal, is a commercial-free premium subscription television program service in the U.S., dedicated to independent film, featuring original programming, American independent films, documentaries, foreign and classic art films, shorts and animation, with an emphasis on recently released titles.
SNI also owns and operates several different channels of Showtime and The Movie Channel in the U.S. which offer more and varied programming choices. In addition, SNI transmits high definition television feeds of Showtime and The Movie Channel and also makes versions of Showtime and The Movie Channel available on demand, enabling subscribers to watch individual programs at their convenience. SNI also provides special events, such as high-profile boxing events, to licensees on a pay-per-view basis through Showtime PPV. SNI also operates Web site SHO.com which promotes Showtime, The Movie Channel, and Flix programming, and provides information and entertainment and other services.
SNI derives revenue principally from the license of its networks to cable television operators, DTH and other distributors. The costs of acquiring premium television rights to programming and producing original motion pictures and series are the principal expenses of SNI. SNI enters into commitments to acquire rights, with an emphasis on acquiring exclusive rights for Showtime and The Movie Channel, from major or independent motion picture producers and other distributors typically covering the U.S. and Bermuda for varying durations. For example, for Paramount Pictures' feature films theatrically released beginning January 1, 1998, SNI has had the exclusive U.S. premium subscription television rights for certain windows (see "Viacom Business Segments-Entertainment"). SNI also arranges for the development, production and acquisition of original programs, series, documentaries and motion pictures. SNI's original series include Huff, Fat Actress and The L Word, among others. SNI has entered into and may from time to time enter into co-financing, co-production and/or co-distribution arrangements with other parties to reduce the net cost to SNI for its original programming. In addition, SNI has established a distribution arm to maximize revenue from the rights it retains in certain of its original programming.
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Cable Networks Competition.
MTV Networks. MTVN competes for advertising revenue with other basic cable and broadcast television networks, radio, online and print media. For basic cable television networks such as the MTVN services, advertising revenues derived by each program service depend on the number of households subscribing to the service through local cable operators and other distributors, in addition to household and demographic viewership as determined by research companies such as Nielsen Media Research. MTVN's strategy is generally to differentiate its services to provide advertising buyers with an efficient way to reach viewers in particular demographic categories. For example, Nickelodeon generally provides advertisers with an efficient way to reach viewers 2 to 11 years old.
MTVN services compete with other cable services and broadcast television for the acquisition of popular programming. For example, programming blocks for children exhibited on broadcast television networks, including "Fox Kids," "Kids' WB," a Saturday morning block on ABC, and cable television program services specifically providing children-oriented programming, including the Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and ABC Family Channel, all compete with Nickelodeon for advertising revenue. In addition, Nickelodeon competes internationally with other television program services and blocks targeted at children for distribution over-the-air or by cable, DTH and other systems, and for distribution license fees and advertising revenue.
MTVN services compete for carriage by cable television operators, DTH and other distributors with other program services, as well as other uses of bandwidth, such as retransmission of free over-the-air broadcast networks, telephony and data transmission. A principal focus of competition is for distribution of MTVN's services that are not already distributed within a particular cable or DTH system. For such program services, distributors make decisions on the use of bandwidth based on various considerations, including amounts paid by programmers for launches, subscription fees payable by distributors, and appeal to the distributors' subscribers.
Certain major record companies that supply music content to various MTVN program services also operate music-based program services, including Viewsic, which is owned by Sony Music Japan. The Universal Music Group has announced its intention to launch three music channels in 2005 to be carried on the EchoStar direct broadcast satellite platform. These music-based program services, as well as general entertainment and other program services, compete with MTVN's program services for distribution by cable, DTH and other systems, and for distribution license fees and advertising revenues.
BET: Black Entertainment Television. BET properties generally face competition for advertising revenue from other African-American targeted media, including other cable networks that target BET's African-American audience such as TV One, African-American-oriented radio stations, magazines such as Ebony, Black Enterprise, Jet and Essence, and African-American-oriented broadcast television as well as with other media, generally. In addition, BET, BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop compete with other cable programming services for available channel space as well as other uses of bandwidth and for subscriber fees from cable, DTH and other distributors.
For 2004, according to information from the Nielsen Media Research report (December 28, 2003-December 26, 2004), the Company's basic cable networks had the following percentage shares in the total day ad supported cable networks category: approximately 42% (for viewers ages 2-24), 36% (for viewers ages 2-34), 30% (for viewers ages 12-34) and 21% (for viewers ages 18-49).
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Showtime Networks Inc. Competition among premium subscription television program services in the U.S. is primarily dependent on: (i) the acquisition and packaging of an adequate number of recently released theatrical motion pictures and the production, acquisition and packaging of original series, original motion pictures and other original programs; and (ii) the offering of prices, marketing and advertising support and other incentives to cable, DTH and other distributors for carriage so as to favorably position and package SNI's premium subscription television program services to subscribers. Home Box Office, Inc. is the dominant company in the U.S. premium subscription television category, offering two premium subscription television program services, HBO and Cinemax. SNI competes with Home Box Office, Inc. but has a significantly smaller share of the premium subscription television category. Starz Entertainment Group, L.L.C. owns Starz!, another premium subscription television program service, which features recently released theatrical motion pictures and competes with SNI's and Home Box Office, Inc.'s premium program services.
The terms and favorable renewal of agreements with distributors for the distribution of the Company's basic and premium cable networks are important to the Company. Consolidation among multichannel video programming distributors makes it more difficult to reach favorable terms and could have an adverse effect on revenues. In addition, consolidation among distributors has increased the intensity of competition among program suppliers for carriage at favorable rates, terms and conditions. Companies that are vertically integrated (and accordingly, own both cable programming networks and multichannel video program distributors, such as Time Warner, Comcast Corporation and News Corporation, among others) may put the Company in a competitively disadvantaged position with respect to distributing the Company's cable networks, particularly regarding subscriber fees, channel placement or availability, and marketing and promotional activities, which can have an adverse impact on revenues. These companies can use their distribution platforms to immediately establish market presence for their own programming.
Television (38%, 37% and 39% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively)
The Television segment consists of the CBS and UPN Television Networks, the Company's owned broadcast television stations, and its television production and syndication businesses.
Television Networks. The CBS Television Network through CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports distributes a comprehensive schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports and entertainment programming, and feature films to more than 200 domestic affiliates reaching throughout the U.S., including 20 of the Company's owned and operated television stations, and to certain overseas affiliated stations. The CBS Television Network primarily derives revenues from the sales of advertising time for its network broadcasts.
CBS Entertainment is responsible for acquiring or developing and scheduling the entertainment programming presented on the CBS Television Network, which includes primetime comedy and drama series, reality-based programming, made-for-television movies and miniseries, theatrical films, specials, children's programs, daytime dramas, game shows and late-night programs. CBS News operates a worldwide news organization, providing the CBS Television Network and the CBS Radio Network with regularly scheduled news and public affairs broadcasts, including 60 Minutes and The Early Show, as well as special reports. CBS News Productions, the off-network production company created by CBS News, produces original nonfiction programming for domestic and international outlets, including the CBS and UPN Television Networks, cable television, home video, CD-ROM, audio-book and in-flight markets, as well as schools and libraries. CBS News also provides CBS Newspath, a television news syndication service that offers daily news coverage, sports highlights and news features to CBS affiliates and other subscribers worldwide. CBS News also produces BET Nightly News for BET and news inserts for MTV U, MTV's college network. CBS Sports broadcasts include The NFL Today, certain NCAA championships, including the Final Four, golf, including the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, regular-season golf and college football and basketball line-ups on network television, in
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addition to the NFL's American Football Conference regular season schedule, the Post Season Divisional Playoff games and the AFC championship game. In November 2004, CBS Sports entered into a six-year rights extension with the NFL to broadcast the AFC beginning in 2006 and including two Super Bowls. Extending its franchises off the field and court, CBS Sports has activated its marketing rights for the 2003-2013 NCAA Championships, including coordination of licensing, merchandising, related multimedia and television, and other related business opportunities.
At December 31, 2004, the UPN Television Network provided to its affiliates 13 hours of programming a week. UPN's programming is provided to its affiliates in 182 U.S. television markets which comprise approximately 96.2% of all U.S. television households, including secondary affiliates. Eighteen of the Company's owned television stations are affiliates of UPN.
Through CBS.com and CBSNews.com, the Company operates Web sites that collectively received more than 1.5 billion pageviews in 2004 and, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, attracted an average audience of 7.7 million U.S. monthly unique visitors. CBS.com produces Web sites for CBS Entertainment programs and is responsible for the CBS Television Network's promotional Web sites, online subscription services, fantasy leagues and interactive voting technology. CBSNews.com is a multimedia provider of continuous, in-depth news and information and produces Web sites for all CBS News programs. Both sites provide links to CBS.SportsLine.com, a provider of online sports content, services and merchandise on a domestic and international basis, operated by SportsLine.com, Inc., which was acquired by the Company in December 2004. These Company Internet sites derive revenue from a combination of advertising and sponsorships, subscription services and e-commerce.
Television Stations. The Company owns 39 broadcast television stations, all of which operate under licenses granted by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). The licenses are renewable every eight years. The Company's television stations are located in the 7 largest, and 15 of the top 20, television markets in the U.S. The Company owns two television stations within the same designated market area in eight major markets. Such duopolies are in: Los Angeles (market #2), Philadelphia (market #4), Boston (market #5), San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (market #6), Dallas-Fort Worth (market #7), Detroit (market #10), Miami (market #17) and Pittsburgh (market #22). The stations produce news and broadcast public affairs, sports and other programming to serve their local markets and offer CBS or UPN Television Network and syndicated programming. Many of the Company's television stations currently operate Web sites, which promote the stations' programming, and provide news, information and entertainment, as well as other services. In December 2004, the Company announced that it agreed to purchase, subject to regulatory approval, CBS affiliate, KOVR-TV in Sacramento, California, which, along with its owned UPN affiliate in that market, KMAX-TV, would create its ninth duopoly. In February 2005, the Company announced the sale of its UPN affiliates, WNDY-TV, serving Indianapolis, Indiana, and WWHO-TV, serving Columbus, Ohio, subject to regulatory approval.
The Company's owned and operated television stations reach approximately 45% of all U.S. television households and approximately 39% of U.S. television households as measured by the FCC's television national audience reach limitation under which a VHF television station is deemed to reach 100% of the television households in its market and a UHF television station is deemed to reach 50% of the television households in its market. The FCC's ownership rules limit the Company's national audience reach to 39% of all U.S. television households. (See "Viacom Business Segments-Regulation-Broadcasting-Ownership Regulation").
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Television Stations
The table below sets forth the broadcast television stations owned by the Company as of March 1, 2005.
| Station and Metropolitan Area Served (1) |
Market Rank (2) |
Type/ Channel |
Network Affiliation |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCBS-TV New York, New York |
1 | VHF/2 | CBS | ||||
| KCAL-TV Los Angeles, CA |
2 | VHF/9 | Independent | ||||
| KCBS-TV Los Angeles, CA |
2 | VHF/2 | CBS | ||||
| WBBM-TV Chicago, IL |
3 | VHF/2 | CBS | ||||
| KYW-TV Philadelphia, PA |
4 | VHF/3 | CBS | ||||
| WPSG-TV Philadelphia, PA |
4 | UHF/57 | UPN | ||||
| WBZ-TV Boston, MA |
5 | VHF/4 | CBS | ||||
| WSBK-TV Boston, MA |
5 | UHF/38 | UPN | ||||
| KPIX-TV San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA |
6 | VHF/5 | CBS | ||||
| KBHK-TV San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA |
6 | UHF/44 | UPN | ||||
| KTVT-TV Dallas-Fort Worth, TX |
7 | VHF/11 | CBS | ||||
| KTXA-TV Dallas-Fort Worth, TX |
7 | UHF/21 | UPN | ||||
| WUPA-TV Atlanta, GA |
9 | UHF/69 | UPN | ||||
| WKBD-TV Detroit, MI |
10 | UHF/50 | UPN | ||||
| WWJ-TV Detroit, MI |
10 | UHF/62 | CBS | ||||
| KSTW-TV Seattle-Tacoma, WA |
12 | VHF/11 | UPN | ||||
| WTOG-TV Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota, FL |
13 | UHF/44 | UPN | ||||
| WCCO-TV Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN |
14 | VHF/4 | CBS | ||||
| Satellites: | |||||||
| KCCO-TV(3) Alexandria, MN |
CBS | ||||||
| KCCW-TV(4) Walker, MN |
CBS | ||||||
| WFOR-TV Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
17 | VHF/4 | CBS | ||||
| WBFS-TV Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
17 | UHF/33 | UPN | ||||
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| KCNC-TV Denver, CO |
18 | VHF/4 | CBS | ||||
| KMAX-TV Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA |
19 | UHF/31 | UPN | ||||
| KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, PA |
22 | VHF/2 | CBS | ||||
| WNPA-TV Pittsburgh, PA |
22 | UHF/19 | UPN | ||||
| WJZ-TV Baltimore, MD |
23 | VHF/13 | CBS | ||||
| WNDY-TV Indianapolis, IN |
25 | UHF/23 | UPN | ||||
| WWHO-TV Columbus, OH |
34 | UHF/53 | UPN/WB(5) | ||||
| KUTV-TV Salt Lake City, UT |
36 | VHF/2 | CBS | ||||
| Satellite: | |||||||
| KUSG-TV(6) St. George, UT |
CBS | ||||||
| WTVX-TV West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, FL |
39 | UHF/3 | UPN/WB(7) | ||||
| WGNT-TV Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, VA |
41 | UHF/27 | UPN | ||||
| WUPL-TV New Orleans, LA |
43 | UHF/54 | UPN | ||||
| KAUT-TV Oklahoma City, OK |
45 | UHF/43 | UPN | ||||
| WLWC-TV Providence, RI-New Bedford, MA |
49 | UHF/28 | UPN/WB(8) | ||||
| KEYE-TV Austin, TX |
54 | UHF/42 | CBS | ||||
| WFRV-TV Green Bay-Appleton, WI |
69 | VHF/5 | CBS | ||||
| Satellite: | |||||||
| WJMN-TV(9) Escanaba, MI |
180 | CBS | |||||
Television Production and Syndication. The Company, through CBS Enterprises (including King World Productions), CBS Paramount International Television, Paramount Television and Spelling Television®, produces, acquires and/or distributes programming worldwide, including series, specials and made-for-television movies. Such programming is produced primarily for broadcast on network television
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and exhibition on basic cable and premium subscription services. The Company also produces and/or distributes first-run and off-network syndicated programming. First-run syndicated programming is programming produced or co-produced for initial sale to individual television stations without prior exhibition on a network. Off-network syndicated programming is programming exhibited on television stations or cable networks which has already been exhibited on a network, basic cable or premium subscription service.
Programming that was produced or co-produced by the Company's production and syndication group and is broadcast on network television includes CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS), Medium (NBC) and 7th Heaven (WB). Generally, a network will license a specified number of episodes for exhibition on the network in the U.S. during a license period. Remaining distribution rights, including foreign and/or off-network syndication rights, are typically retained by the Company. The episodic network license fee is normally less than the costs of producing each series episode; however, the Company's objective is to recoup its costs and earn a profit through domestic syndication of episodes after their network runs and/or by obtaining international sales through its licensing operations. International sales are generally made within one year of U.S. network runs. Generally, a series must have a network run of at least three or four years to be successfully sold in domestic syndication. In off-network syndication, the Company distributes series such as Everybody Loves Raymond and CSI. The Company also distributes a library of older television programs. The Company produces and/or distributes programming for first-run syndication that it sells directly to television stations in the U.S. on a market-by-market basis. The Company's first-run syndicated programming includes shows such as Jeopardy!, Entertainment Tonight and The Oprah Winfrey Show. The Company also distributes syndicated programming internationally.
The recognition of revenues for license fees for completed television programming in syndication and cable is recorded as revenue in the period that programming is available for exhibition which, among other reasons, may cause substantial fluctuation in the Television segment's operating results. At December 31, 2004, the unrecognized revenues attributable to such television program license agreements were approximately $734.4 million, compared to approximately $634.9 million at December 31, 2003, including intercompany revenues of $176.3 million and $345.2 million, respectively.
Television Competition. The television broadcast environment is highly competitive. The principal methods of competition in broadcast television are the development and acquisition of popular programming and the development of audience interest through programming and promotion, in order to sell advertising at profitable rates. Broadcast networks like CBS and UPN compete for audience, advertising revenues and programming with other broadcast networks such as ABC, FOX, NBC and WB, independent television stations, basic cable program services as well as other media, including DTH television services, videocassettes, DVDs, print and the Internet. In addition, the CBS and UPN Television Networks compete with the other broadcast networks to secure affiliations with independently owned television stations in markets across the country, which are necessary to ensure the effective distribution of network programming to a nationwide audience. According to Nielsen Media Research, for the broadcast television primetime daypart for the period September 20, 2004 to March 6, 2005, the CBS Television Network secured the #1 position for total viewers and for key adult viewers ages 25-54 and 18-49 (with respect to 18-49, tied with Fox).
Television stations compete for programming, audiences and advertising revenues with other stations and cable networks in their respective coverage areas and, in some cases, with respect to programming, with other station groups, and, in the case of advertising revenues, with other local and national media. The owned and operated television stations' competitive position is largely influenced by (i) the strength of the CBS and UPN Television Networks and, in particular, with respect to those that are CBS affiliated television stations, the viewership of the CBS Television Network in the time period immediately prior to the late evening news; (ii) the quality of the syndicated programs and local news programs in time periods not programmed by the network; and (iii) in some cases, by the quality of the broadcast signal.
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Because conversion to digital television broadcasting has begun, current and future technological and regulatory developments may affect competition within the television marketplace (see "Viacom Business Segments-Regulation-Broadcasting").
As a producer and distributor of programming, the Company competes with studios, television production groups, and independent producers and syndicators such as Disney, Sony, NBC Universal and Warner Bros. to sell programming both domestically and overseas. The Company also competes to obtain creative talent and story properties which are essential to the success of all the Company's entertainment businesses.
Radio (9%, 10% and 11% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively)
The Company's radio broadcasting business operates through Infinity Radio, which owns and operates 183 radio stations serving 41 U.S. markets. It is one of the largest operators of radio stations in the U.S. Approximately 91% of the Company's radio stations are located in the 50 largest U.S. radio markets and approximately 58% in the 25 largest U.S. radio markets. The Company's growth strategy generally is to operate and acquire radio stations in the largest markets and take advantage of the Company's ability to sell across multiple markets and formats. The Company believes that it is favorably impacted by offering both radio and outdoor advertising properties in large markets. The Radio Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays table below includes information with regard to the Company's radio stations in the top 25 U.S. radio markets.
Radio seeks to maintain substantial diversity among its radio stations. The geographically wide-ranging stations serve diverse target demographics through a broad range of programming formats, such as rock, oldies, news/talk, adult contemporary, sports/talk and country, and Infinity Radio has established leading franchises in news, sports, and personality programming. This diversity provides advertisers with the convenience to select stations to reach a targeted demographic group or to select groups of stations to reach broad groups of consumers within and across markets. This diversity also reduces Radio's dependence on any single station, local economy, format or advertiser. Radio's general programming strategies include employing popular on-air talent, syndicating shows of some of these talent nationally and acquiring the rights to broadcast sports franchises and news content for its radio stations. These strategies, in addition to developing loyal audiences for its radio stations, create the opportunity to obtain additional revenues from syndicating such programming elements to other radio stations. Howard Stern, on-air talent responsible for programming approximately 20 hours per week on 27 Infinity Radio stations and, in non-Infinity Radio markets, programming on radio stations from which Infinity Radio shares in syndication revenues, has announced that he will provide programming to Sirius Satellite Radio beginning January 1, 2006. There can be no assurance that any replacement programming will generate the revenues or profitability associated with Mr. Stern's show.
The substantial majority of Radio's advertising revenues are generated from the sale of local, regional and national advertising. The major categories of radio advertisers include: automotive, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, fast food, beverage, movies, entertainment and services. Infinity Radio is able to use the reach, diversity and branding of its 183 radio stations to create unique corporate-wide marketing and promotional initiatives for major national advertisers for products and services. The success and reputation of Infinity Radio and its stations allow the Company to attract the participation of major artists in these national campaigns. Revenue fluctuations are common in the radio industry and are primarily the result of fluctuations in advertising expenditures by retailers.
The Company also owns the CBS Radio Network, which is managed by Westwood One, Inc. As of March 1, 2005, Infinity owns approximately 17% of the common stock of Westwood One, Inc., which it manages pursuant to a management agreement. Westwood One is a leading producer and distributor of syndicated and network radio programming in the U.S. and distributes syndicated and network radio programming, including traffic and weather information, to many of the Company's radio stations as well as to the Company's competitors. Westwood One does not own or operate radio stations. In December 2004, Infinity Radio acquired a 10% interest in Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. expanding the Company's commitment to Hispanic consumers.
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Radio Competition. The Company's radio stations compete for audience, advertising revenues and programming directly with other radio stations such as those licensed to and operated by ABC Radio, Clear Channel Communications, Cox Radio, Emmis Communications, Entercom and Radio One as well as with other media, such as broadcast television, newspapers, magazines, cable television and DTH, the Internet and direct mail, within their respective markets. The growth of Internet radio could result in increased competition.
The radio industry is also subject to competition from two satellite-delivered audio programming services, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio, each providing over 100 channels of pay digital audio services. While these services primarily rely on subscription revenues, XM and Sirius currently sell advertising time on some of their channels. XM and Sirius are also competing with the radio industry for programming.
Unlike broadcast television, the radio industry is just beginning the process of converting from analog to digital broadcasts. Currently, approximately 500 radio stations are broadcasting in the U.S. using digital technology. The Company recently joined 20 other broadcast radio groups to commit to accelerate the conversion of an additional 2,000 AM and FM stations to digital radio technology over the next several years, including the conversion of approximately 120 of the Company's radio stations. The Company believes that digital transmissions will provide listeners with improved sound quality and should facilitate the convergence of radio with other digital media. It is too early to predict the full effect that the conversion to digital will have on the Company's radio businesses or on competition generally.
Radio's aggregate spot advertising sales revenues for its radio stations for 2004 in each of the top five U.S. markets by metro area population were ranked either #1 or #2, according to the 2004 Market Total Spot Performance Summary of Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (for the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth markets).
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Radio Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays
The following table sets forth information with regard to the Company's radio stations and outdoor advertising displays as of March 1, 2005 in the top 25 U.S. radio markets:
| |
2004 Market Rank By Metro Area Population(1) |
Radio |
Outdoor |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market |
||||||||||
| Stations |
AM/FM |
Format |
Display Type |
|||||||
| New York, NY | 1 | WCBS-FM WCBS WFAN WINS WNEW WXRK |
FM AM AM AM FM FM |
Oldies News Sports News Adult Contemporary Alternative Rock |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Rail, Billboards, Walls, Trestles, "Spectacular Signage," Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters | |||||
Los Angeles, CA |
2 |
KCBS-FM KFWB KLSX KNX KROQ-FM KRTH-FM KTWV |
FM AM FM AM FM FM FM |
Classic Rock News Hot Talk News Alternative Rock Oldies Smooth Jazz |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Kiosks, Bulletins, Walls, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Chicago, IL |
3 |
WBBM-FM WBBM WCKG WJMK WSCR WUSN WXRT-FM |
FM AM FM FM AM FM FM |
Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio News Hot Talk Oldies Sports Country Adult Album Alternative |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Rail, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters, Walls |
|||||
San Francisco, CA |
4 |
KCBS KFRC-FM KFRC KITS KLLC KYCY |
AM FM AM FM FM AM |
News Oldies Oldies Alternative Rock Modern Adult Contemporary Talk |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Rail, Cable Cars, Bulletins, Walls, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX |
5 |
KLUV-FM KOAI KJKK KRLD KVIL KLLI |
FM FM FM AM FM FM |
Oldies Smooth Jazz Adult Hits News/Talk Adult Contemporary Hot Talk |
Walls, Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Philadelphia, PA |
6 |
KYW WIP WOGL WPHT WYSP |
AM AM FM AM FM |
News Sports Oldies Talk Active Rock |
Bus Shelters, Rail, Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Houston, TX |
7 |
KHJZ-FM KIKK KILT-FM KILT |
FM AM FM AM |
Smooth Jazz Hot Talk Country Sports |
Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Washington, D.C. |
8 |
WARW WLZL WJFK-FM WPGC-FM WPGC |
FM FM FM FM AM |
Classic Rock Spanish-Tropical Hot Talk Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio Gospel |
Bus, Rail, Mall Posters, Walls |
|||||
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Boston, MA |
9 |
WBCN WBMX WBZ WODS WZLX |
FM FM AM FM FM |
Alternative Rock Hot Adult Contemporary News Oldies Classic Rock |
Bus, Rail, Subway, Mall Posters |
|||||
Detroit, MI |
10 |
WKRK-FM WOMC WVMV WWJ WXYT WYCD |
FM FM FM AM AM FM |
Hot Talk Oldies Smooth Jazz News Sports Country |
Bus, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Atlanta, GA |
11 |
WAOK WVEE WZGC |
AM FM FM |
Black News/Talk Urban Contemporary Adult Album Alternative |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Rail, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
12 |
|
|
|
Bulletins, Bus, Rail, Mall Posters, Kiosks |
|||||
Puerto Rico |
13 |
|
|
|
Bulletins, Posters |
|||||
Seattle-Tacoma, WA |
14 |
KBKS-FM KMPS-FM KPTK KRQI-FM KZOK-FM |
FM FM AM FM FM |
Contemporary Hit Radio Country Progressive Talk Classic Alternative Classic Rock |
Bus, Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Phoenix, AZ |
15 |
KOOL-FM KZON KMLE |
FM FM FM |
Oldies Alternative Rock Country |
Bus Shelters, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters, Benches, Walls |
|||||
Minneapolis, MN |
16 |
WCCO WLTE WXPT |
AM FM FM |
News/Talk/Sports Adult Contemporary Hot Adult Contemporary |
Bus, Rail, Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
San Diego, CA |
17 |
KPLN KYXY |
FM FM |
Classic Rock Adult Contemporary |
Bus, Bus Shelters, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Nassau-Suffolk, NY(2) |
18 |
|
|
|
Bus, Bulletins |
|||||
St. Louis, MO |
19 |
KEZK-FM KMOX KYKY |
FM AM FM |
Adult Contemporary News/Talk Hot Adult Contemporary |
Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters |
|||||
Baltimore, MD |
20 |
WBGR WBMD WJFK WLIF WQSR WWMX WHFS |
AM AM AM FM FM FM FM |
Gospel Gospel Sports Soft Adult Contemporary Oldies Hot Adult Contemporary Hot Talk/Alternative Rock |
Mall Posters, Bus Shelters |
|||||
Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL |
21 |
WLLD WQYK-FM WBZZ WYUU WRBQ-FM WSJT |
FM FM AM FM FM FM |
Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio Country Hot Talk Country Oldies Smooth Jazz |
Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Denver, CO |
22 |
KDJM KIMN KXKL-FM |
FM FM FM |
Rhythmic Oldies Hot Adult Contemporary Oldies |
Bus Shelters, Benches, Bulletins, Posters, Mall Posters |
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Pittsburgh, PA |
23 |
KDKA WRKZ WDSY-FM WZPT |
AM FM FM FM |
News/Talk Rock Country Hot Adult Contemporary |
Bulletins, Mall Posters |
|||||
Portland, OR |
24 |
KVMX KINK KLTH KUFO-FM KUPL-FM KCDM |
FM FM FM FM FM AM |
80s Hits Adult Album Alternative Adult Contemporary Rock Country Comedy |
Bulletins, Mall Posters, Walls, Posters |
|||||
Cleveland, OH |
25 |
WNCX WDOK WQAL WXTM |
FM FM FM FM |
Classic Rock Soft Adult Contemporary Hot Adult Contemporary Alternative Rock |
Bus, Bulletins, Mall Posters, Rail |
Outdoor (8%, 8% and 9% of the Company's consolidated revenue in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively)
The Company sells, through Viacom Outdoor, advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters, buses, rail systems (in-car, station platform and terminal), mall kiosks and stadium signage. It has outdoor advertising operations in more than 90 markets in North America, including all 50 of the largest metropolitan markets in the U.S., 14 of the 15 largest metropolitan markets in Canada and all of the 45 largest metropolitan markets in Mexico. Additionally, Viacom Outdoor has the exclusive rights to manage advertising space within the London Underground and on more than 90% of the buses in London and the U.K., has the exclusive rights to public transit advertising in the Republic of Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland, and has a variety of outdoor advertising displays in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Finland and Puerto Rico. The Radio Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays table above includes information with regard to the Company's outdoor advertising properties in the top 25 U.S. radio markets.
The substantial majority of Viacom Outdoor's revenues are generated from the sale of local, regional and national advertising. Advertising rates are based on supply and demand for the particular locations, which are influenced by a particular display's exposure known as "impressions" delivered in relation to the demographics of the particular market and its location within that market. Nielsen Media Research and Arbitron Inc. are testing the market for measuring these impressions. The Company cannot predict the impact, if any, on the Outdoor business should measuring impressions become widespread. The major categories of out-of-home advertisers include: automotive, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, fast food, beverage, media, entertainment and services. Out-of-home media industry advertising expenditures by retailers and the entertainment industry fluctuate, which has an effect on Viacom Outdoor's revenues.
Viacom Outdoor generally operates in the billboard, transit and street furniture advertising markets. Viacom Outdoor primarily operates two types of billboard advertising displays, commonly referred to as "bulletins" and "posters." Bulletin space and poster space are generally sold for periods ranging from 30 days to 12 months. Billboards are generally mounted on structures owned or leased by Viacom Outdoor. Lease agreements are negotiated with both public and private landowners for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to year-to-year and can be for terms of 10 years or longer, and many provide for renewal options. There is no significant concentration of displays under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord.
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Transit advertising includes advertising on or in transit systems, including the interiors and exteriors of buses, trains, trams and at rail stations. Transit advertising contracts are negotiated with public transit authorities and private transit operators and generally provide for payment to the transit authority of a percentage of the revenues, a fixed payment, or the greater of a percentage of the revenues or a fixed payment. Where revenues are lower than anticipated, the minimum amount required to be paid to a transit authority may exceed, or be a high percentage of, the advertising revenues received by Outdoor under that advertising contract.
Street furniture displays, the most common of which are bus shelters, reach both vehicular and pedestrian audiences. Bus shelters are usually constructed, installed and maintained by Outdoor. Most of Outdoor's bus shelter contracts include revenue-sharing arrangements with a municipality or transit authority and often include minimum required payments. Street furniture contracts usually involve a competitive bidding process and contracts typically are for a term of between 10 to 20 years. Contracts are awarded on the basis of projected revenues to the municipality, including minimum payments, and Viacom Outdoor's willingness to construct public facilities, such as bus shelters, public toilets and information kiosks. In both its transit and street furniture negotiations, Outdoor seeks to reduce minimum payment obligations on new agreements and on renewal of existing agreements. This position may make it more difficult to enter into new agreements or to renew certain existing agreements.
Viacom Outdoor's business strategy involves expanding its presence in major selected markets, to grow its revenues and cash flow by being a leading provider of out of home advertising services in the markets it serves, controlling costs and developing and entering into new markets. In addition, the Company purchases outdoor advertising assets within its existing markets or in contiguous markets. During 2004, Viacom Outdoor acquired new properties and entered into new markets and ventures, including the acquisition of advertising rights and billboards at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex in California. The Company believes that there will be continuing opportunities for implementing its acquisition and development strategies given the outdoor advertising industry's fragmentation. This is particularly true in the international markets, where Viacom Outdoor's presence offers opportunities to increase profitability both from existing operations and from future acquisitions.
Outdoor Competition. The outdoor advertising industry is fragmented, consisting of several large companies involved in outdoor advertising such as Clear Channel Communications and Lamar Advertising as well as hundreds of smaller and local companies operating a limited number of structures in a single or a few local markets. The Company also competes with other media, including broadcast and cable television, radio, pr