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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
ý      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
 
OR 
o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to           
 
Commission File Number 333-110025
 
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
State of Texas
 
74-2719343
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
 
1990 Wittington Place
 
 
Farmers Branch, Texas
 
75234
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 243-7443 

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ý  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No ý

As of November 12, 2015 Monitronics International, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascent Capital Group, Inc.




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 


1


Item 1.  Financial Statements.
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Amounts in thousands, except share amounts
(unaudited)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
28,588

 
$
1,953

Restricted cash
60

 
18

Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,440 in 2015 and $2,120 in 2014
14,236

 
13,796

Deferred income tax assets, net
6,567

 
6,567

Prepaid and other current assets
10,671

 
7,559

Total current assets
60,122

 
29,893

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $31,752 in 2015 and $24,254 in 2014
26,834

 
23,280

Subscriber accounts, net of accumulated amortization of $915,396 in 2015 and $736,824 in 2014
1,423,573

 
1,373,630

Dealer network and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $69,044 in 2015 and $54,077 in 2014
31,189

 
44,855

Goodwill
563,549

 
527,502

Other assets, net
22,838

 
25,487

Total assets
$
2,128,105

 
$
2,024,647

Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
9,156

 
$
6,710

Accrued payroll and related liabilities
4,131

 
3,604

Other accrued liabilities
41,824

 
31,094

Deferred revenue
15,497

 
14,945

Holdback liability
18,569

 
19,046

Current portion of long-term debt
5,500

 
9,166

Total current liabilities
94,677

 
84,565

Non-current liabilities:
 

 
 

Long-term debt
1,754,310

 
1,640,542

Long-term holdback liability
3,003

 
5,156

Derivative financial instruments
17,166

 
5,780

Deferred income tax liability, net
18,870

 
15,771

Other liabilities
16,659

 
15,267

Total liabilities
1,904,685

 
1,767,081

Commitments and contingencies


 


Stockholder's equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, $.01 par value. 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding both at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

Additional paid-in capital
360,536

 
336,540

Accumulated deficit
(119,904
)
 
(74,169
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(17,212
)
 
(4,805
)
Total stockholder's equity
223,420

 
257,566

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity
$
2,128,105

 
$
2,024,647

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenue
$
141,846

 
136,027

 
$
421,805

 
403,587

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Cost of services
28,245

 
24,475

 
81,015

 
69,106

Selling, general, and administrative, including stock-based compensation
27,937

 
20,565

 
77,058

 
66,664

Radio conversion costs
3,570

 
360

 
4,543

 
801

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
66,958

 
64,341

 
193,625

 
189,382

Depreciation
2,717

 
2,246

 
7,498

 
6,827

Restructuring charges

 
51

 

 
969

  Gain on disposal of operating assets
(1
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(69
)
 
129,426

 
112,038

 
363,735

 
333,680

Operating income
12,420

 
23,989

 
58,070

 
69,907

Other expense:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Interest expense
31,853

 
30,422

 
93,384

 
89,404

Refinancing expense

 

 
4,468

 

 
31,853

 
30,422

 
97,852

 
89,404

Loss before income taxes
(19,433
)
 
(6,433
)
 
(39,782
)
 
(19,497
)
Income tax expense
1,981

 
1,899

 
5,953

 
5,211

Net loss
(21,414
)
 
(8,332
)
 
(45,735
)
 
(24,708
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
(8,946
)
 
4,355

 
(12,407
)
 
(1,784
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(8,946
)
 
4,355

 
(12,407
)
 
(1,784
)
Comprehensive loss
$
(30,360
)
 
(3,977
)
 
$
(58,142
)
 
(26,492
)
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


3


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Amounts in thousands
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net loss
$
(45,735
)
 
(24,708
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
193,625

 
189,382

Depreciation
7,498

 
6,827

Stock-based compensation
1,430

 
1,407

Deferred income tax expense
3,076

 
2,652

Long-term debt amortization
1,017

 
803

Gain on disposal of operating assets
(4
)
 
(69
)
Refinancing expense
4,468

 

Other non-cash activity, net
14,435

 
8,726

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade receivables
(7,203
)
 
(6,657
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(4,735
)
 
(317
)
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract costs
(1,181
)
 

Payables and other liabilities
6,546

 
7,672

Net cash provided by operating activities
173,237

 
185,718

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(10,034
)
 
(5,035
)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired
(205,050
)
 
(202,429
)
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired
(56,778
)
 

Increase in restricted cash
(42
)
 
(51
)
Proceeds from the disposal of operating assets
4

 
241

Other investing activities

 
(436
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(271,900
)
 
(207,710
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from long-term debt
749,550

 
139,500

Payments on long-term debt
(640,465
)
 
(88,774
)
Payments of financing costs
(6,477
)
 

Contribution from Ascent Capital
22,690

 

Dividend to Ascent Capital

 
(1,000
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
125,298

 
49,726

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
26,635

 
27,734

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,953

 
4,355

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
28,588

 
32,089

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 

 
 

State taxes paid
$
3,491

 
2,660

Interest paid
76,848

 
72,188

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
Amounts in thousands, except share amounts
(unaudited)
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Loss
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Total
Stockholder’s Equity
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
1,000

 
$

 
336,540

 
(4,805
)
 
(74,169
)
 
$
257,566

Net loss

 

 

 

 
(45,735
)
 
(45,735
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 
(12,407
)
 

 
(12,407
)
Stock-based compensation

 

 
1,575

 

 

 
1,575

Value of shares withheld for minimum tax liability

 

 
(269
)
 

 

 
(269
)
Contribution from Ascent Capital

 

 
22,690

 

 

 
22,690

Balance at September 30, 2015
1,000

 
$

 
360,536

 
(17,212
)
 
(119,904
)
 
$
223,420

 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(1)    Basis of Presentation
 
Monitronics International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Monitronics”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (“Ascent Capital”).  On February 23, 2015, the Company acquired LiveWatch Security, LLC ("LiveWatch"), a Do-It-Yourself home security firm, offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "LiveWatch Acquisition"). On August 16, 2013, the Company acquired all of the equity interest of Security Networks LLC ("Security Networks") and certain affiliated entities (the "Security Networks Acquisition"). The Company provides security alarm monitoring and related services to residential and business subscribers throughout the United States and parts of Canada.  The Company monitors signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events through security systems at subscribers’ premises, as well as provides customer service and technical support.
 
The unaudited interim financial information of the Company has been prepared in accordance with Article 10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) Regulation S-X. Accordingly, it does not include all of the information required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete financial statements.  The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, include Monitronics and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.  The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Monitronics Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2015 (the “2014 Form 10-K”).
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for each reporting period.  The significant estimates made in preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements primarily relate to valuation of goodwill, other intangible assets, long-lived assets, deferred tax assets, derivative financial instruments, and the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts. These estimates are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors and adjusts them when facts and circumstances change. As the effects of future events cannot be determined with any certainty, actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.

The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts related to Radio conversion costs to conform to the current period's presentation. These costs were previously reported in Cost of services on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Radio conversion costs represent the costs incurred to upgrade subscribers' alarm monitoring systems in relation to the Company's Radio Conversion Program, which was implemented in 2014 in response to one of the nation's largest carriers announcing that it does not intend to support its 2G cellular network services beyond 2016.
 
(2)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). Under the update, an acquirer in a business combination is no longer required to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively, and, instead, will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the impact of adopting this ASU to be material to the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Under the update, revenue will be recognized based on a five-step model. The core principle of the model is that revenue will be recognized when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers is made in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In the third quarter of 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the standard to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption will be permitted for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

6


(3)    LiveWatch Acquisition
 
On February 23, 2015 (the "Closing Date"), the Company acquired LiveWatch for a purchase price of approximately $61,550,000 (the "LiveWatch Purchase Price").  The LiveWatch Purchase Price includes approximately $3,988,000 of cash transferred directly to LiveWatch to fund transaction bonuses payable to LiveWatch employees as of the Closing Date. This cash is not included in the fair value of consideration transferred for the LiveWatch Acquisition. The LiveWatch Purchase Price also includes post-closing adjustments of $435,000 which were paid in the third quarter of 2015. The LiveWatch Acquisition was funded by borrowings from the Company's revolving credit facility, as well as cash contributions from Ascent Capital.

In connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition, the Company entered into employment agreements with certain key members of the LiveWatch management team which provide for retention bonuses of $6,000,000 (the "LiveWatch Retention Bonuses") to be paid on the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and performance based bonus arrangements payable on the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, assuming certain performance metrics are met by LiveWatch during the first four years following the Closing Date (the "LiveWatch Performance Bonuses"). The LiveWatch Performance Bonuses are estimated to yield an aggregate payout of approximately $8,500,000. The LiveWatch Retention Bonuses and LiveWatch Performance Bonuses (together, the "LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses") are contingent upon the continued employment of the key members of the LiveWatch management team. As such, the LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses are expensed ratably over the service period based on the estimated value of the payouts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized $1,291,000 and $3,086,000, respectively, related to the LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses, which are included in Selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
 
The LiveWatch Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination utilizing the acquisition method in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 805, Business Combinations.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration transferred has been allocated to LiveWatch's tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their preliminary estimates of fair value as follows (amounts in thousands):
Cash
$
784

Trade receivables
273

Other current assets
706

Property and equipment
362

Subscriber accounts
24,900

Other intangible asset
1,300

Goodwill
36,047

Current liabilities
(6,810
)
Fair value of consideration transferred
$
57,562


The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015 (File No. 333-110025), filed with the SEC on August 12, 2015 (the "June 2015 10-Q"), included a preliminary allocation of the purchase price. Subsequent to filing the Company's June 2015 10-Q, an adjustment was made to increase goodwill by $81,000. The increase to goodwill is primarily related to adjustments related to the current liabilities acquired and other working capital adjustments.

The preliminary estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on available information as of the date of this report and may be revised as additional information becomes available, which primarily includes the finalization of the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired.

Goodwill in the amount of $36,047,000 was recognized in connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition and was calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the value to the Company for LiveWatch's recurring revenue and cash flow streams and its diversified business model and marketing channel. All of the goodwill acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition is estimated to be deductible for tax purposes.

The subscriber accounts acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition are amortized using the 14-year 235% declining balance method. The other intangible asset acquired, which represents LiveWatch's trademark asset, is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 10 years.


7


The Company incurred $946,000 of legal and professional services expense and other costs related to the LiveWatch Acquisition, which are included in Selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company's results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 include the operations of LiveWatch from the Closing Date. The effect of the LiveWatch Acquisition was not material to the Company's consolidated results for the periods presented and, accordingly, proforma financial disclosures have not been presented.
 
(4)    Goodwill

The following table provides the activity and balances of goodwill (amounts in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
527,502

LiveWatch Acquisition
36,047

Balance at September 30, 2015
$
563,549

 
The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“FASB ASC Topic 350”). In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment annually or if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate the fair value of the entity may be below its carrying amount (a "triggering event"). Our annual impairment testing of goodwill is performed in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred due to a sustained decrease in Ascent Capital's market capitalization. In response to the triggering event, the Company performed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350 and determined that there was no impairment.

(5)    Other Accrued Liabilities
 
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (amounts in thousands): 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Interest payable
$
29,100

 
$
18,251

Income taxes payable
2,910

 
3,494

Legal accrual
166

 
222

Other
9,648

 
9,127

Total Other accrued liabilities
$
41,824

 
$
31,094


(6)    Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
9.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020
$
585,000

 
$
585,000

9.868% Promissory Note to Ascent Capital due October 1, 2020
100,000

 
100,000

Term loans, mature April 9, 2022, LIBOR plus 3.5%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00% (4.50%)
544,650

 

Term loans, mature March 23, 2018, LIBOR plus 3.25%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00% (4.25%)
400,560

 
894,208

$315 million revolving credit facility, matures December 22, 2017, LIBOR plus 3.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00% (4.75%)
129,600

 
70,500

 
1,759,810

 
1,649,708

Less current portion of long-term debt
(5,500
)
 
(9,166
)
Long-term debt
$
1,754,310

 
$
1,640,542

 

8


Senior Notes
 
The senior notes total $585,000,000 in principal, mature on April 1, 2020 and bear interest at 9.125% per annum (the "Senior Notes").  Interest payments are due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by all of the Company's existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of the Company's obligations under the Senior Notes.
 
Ascent Intercompany Loan
 
On August 16, 2013, in connection with the Security Networks Acquisition, the Company executed and delivered a Promissory Note to Ascent Capital in a principal amount of $100,000,000 (the “Ascent Intercompany Loan”).  The entire principal amount under the Ascent Intercompany Loan is due on October 1, 2020.  The Company may prepay any portion of the balance of the Ascent Intercompany Loan at any time from time to time without fee, premium or penalty (subject to certain financial covenants associated with the Company’s other indebtedness).  Any unpaid balance of the Ascent Intercompany Loan bears interest at a rate equal to 9.868% per annum, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on January 12 and July 12 of each year, commencing on January 12, 2014.  Borrowings under the Ascent Intercompany Loan constitute unsecured obligations of the Company and are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries.
 
Credit Facility
 
On February 17, 2015, the Company entered into an amendment (“Amendment No. 4”) with the lenders of its existing senior secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, and as amended and restated on August 16, 2013, March 25, 2013 and November 7, 2012 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”).  Amendment No. 4 provided for, among other things, an increase in the commitments under the revolving credit facility in a principal amount of $90,000,000.

On April 9, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 (“Amendment No. 5”) to its Existing Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 5, the Company completed the issuance of an incremental $550,000,000 senior secured Term Loan B offering at a 0.5% discount with a maturity date of April 9, 2022 (the "2022 Term Loans"). The Company used the net proceeds to retire approximately $492,000,000 of its existing term loans due March 2018 (the "2018 Term Loans") and repaid $49,900,000 of its revolving credit facility. Amendment No. 5 (the Existing Credit Agreement together with Amendment No. 4 and Amendment No. 5, the "Credit Facility") also incorporates certain covenant changes, including the removal of the third quarter 2015 step downs of the senior secured and total leverage ratios, both as defined in the Credit Facility.
 
The 2018 Term Loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, and mature on March 23, 2018. Interest payments on the 2018 Term Loans are due quarterly with the principal due at maturity. The 2022 Term Loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.50%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%. Principal payments of approximately $1,375,000 and interest on the term loans are due quarterly on the 2022 Term Loans.  The Credit Facility revolver bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, and matures on December 22, 2017.  There is an annual commitment fee of 0.50% on unused portions of the Credit Facility revolver.  As of September 30, 2015, $185,400,000 is available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.

At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Credit Facility.  In addition, failure to comply with restrictions contained in the Senior Notes could lead to an event of default under the Credit Facility.

On September 30, 2015, the Company borrowed $27,000,000 on the Credit Facility revolver to fund its October 1, 2015 interest payment due under the Senior Notes of $26,691,000.

The Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of all of the outstanding stock of the Company and all of its existing subsidiaries and is guaranteed by all of the Company’s existing domestic subsidiaries.  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility.
 
As of September 30, 2015, the Company has deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization, of $19,151,000 related to the Senior Notes and the Credit Facility. These costs are included in Other assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and will be amortized over the remaining term of the respective debt instruments using the effective-interest method.


9


As a result of Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Facility, the Company incurred Refinancing expense of $4,468,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, which were primarily related to bank arrangement fees and other professional fees incurred to complete the amendment.

In order to reduce the financial risk related to changes in interest rates associated with the floating rate term loans under the Credit Facility term loans, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements with terms similar to the Credit Facility term loans (all outstanding interest rate swap agreements are collectively referred to as the “Swaps”). The Swaps have been designated as effective hedges of the Company’s variable rate debt and qualify for hedge accounting.  As a result of these interest rate swaps, the Company's current effective weighted average interest rate on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loans is 5.15%. See note 7, Derivatives, for further disclosures related to these derivative instruments. 
  
The terms of the Senior Notes and Credit Facility provide for certain financial and nonfinancial covenants.  As of September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all required covenants.

As of September 30, 2015, principal payments scheduled to be made on the Company’s debt obligations are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Remainder of 2015
$
1,375

2016
5,500

2017
135,100

2018
409,284

2019
5,500

2020
690,500

Thereafter
518,375

Total principal payments
1,765,634

Less:
 

Unamortized discount on the Credit Facility term loans
5,824

Total debt on condensed consolidated balance sheet
$
1,759,810


(7)    Derivatives
 
The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements to reduce the interest rate risk inherent in the Company’s variable rate Credit Facility term loans.  The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatility. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  See note 8, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information about the credit valuation adjustments.


10


As of September 30, 2015 the Swaps’ outstanding notional balances, effective dates, maturity dates and interest rates paid and received are noted below:
Notional
 
Effective Date
 
Maturity Date
 
Fixed
Rate Paid
 
Variable Rate Received
$
530,750,000

 
March 28, 2013
 
March 23, 2018
 
1.884%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
140,650,000

 
March 28, 2013
 
March 23, 2018
 
1.384%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor (a)
109,956,030

 
September 30, 2013
 
March 23, 2018
 
1.959%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
109,956,030

 
September 30, 2013
 
March 23, 2018
 
1.850%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
191,475,002

 
March 23, 2018
 
April 9, 2022
 
2.924%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
250,000,000

 
March 23, 2018
 
April 9, 2022
 
2.810%
 
3 mo. USD-LIBOR-BBA, subject to a 1.00% floor
 
(a) 
On March 25, 2013, the Company negotiated amendments to the terms of these interest rate swap agreements, which were entered into in March 2012 (the "Existing Swap Agreements," as amended, the “Amended Swaps”).  The Amended Swaps are held with the same counterparties as the Existing Swap Agreements.  Upon entering into the Amended Swaps, Monitronics simultaneously dedesignated the Existing Swap Agreements and redesignated the Amended Swaps as cash flow hedges for the underlying change in the swap terms.  The amounts previously recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to the dedesignation are recognized in Interest expense over the remaining life of the Amended Swaps.
 
All of the Swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments, with the effective portion of the Swaps' change in fair value recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Any ineffective portions of the Swaps' change in fair value are recognized in current earnings in Interest expense.  Changes in the fair value of the Swaps recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss are reclassified to Interest expense when the hedged interest payments on the underlying debt are recognized.  Amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in Interest expense in the coming 12 months total approximately $7,282,000.
 
The impact of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on the condensed consolidated financial statements is depicted below (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Effective portion of gain (loss) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(10,784
)
 
1,988

 
$
(17,872
)
 
(7,617
)
Effective portion of loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Net loss (a)
$
(1,838
)
 
(2,367
)
 
$
(5,465
)
 
(5,833
)
Ineffective portion of amount of gain (loss) recognized into Net loss on interest rate swaps (a)
$
(142
)
 
59

 
$
(143
)
 
56

 
(a) 
Amounts are included in Interest expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
 

11


(8)    Fair Value Measurements
 
According to the FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in the following three categories:

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. 
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active or inactive markets and valuations derived from models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in any market.

The following summarizes the fair value level of assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands): 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
September 30, 2015
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative financial instruments — assets (a)
$

 

 

 
$

Derivative financial instruments - liabilities

 
(17,166
)
 

 
(17,166
)
Total
$

 
(17,166
)
 

 
$
(17,166
)
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivative financial instruments - assets (a)
$

 
1,123

 

 
$
1,123

Derivative financial instruments - liabilities

 
(5,780
)
 

 
(5,780
)
Total
$

 
(4,657
)
 

 
$
(4,657
)
 
(a)
Included in Other assets, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 
The Company has determined that the significant inputs used to value the Swaps fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Long term debt, including current portion:
 

 
 

Carrying value
$
1,759,810

 
$
1,649,708

Fair value (a)
1,701,190

 
1,605,255

 
(a)
T he fair value is based on market quotations from third party financial institutions and is classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.
 
The Company’s other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of their short-term maturity.
 
(9)    Restructuring Charges
 
In connection with the Security Networks Acquisition, management approved a restructuring plan to transition Security Networks’ operations in West Palm Beach and Kissimmee, Florida to Dallas, Texas (the “2013 Restructuring Plan”).  The 2013 Restructuring Plan provided certain Security Networks' employees with a severance package that entitled them to receive benefits upon completion of the transition in 2014.  Severance costs related to the 2013 Restructuring Plan were recognized ratably over the future service period.  No restructuring charges were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized $51,000 and $969,000, respectively, of restructuring charges related to employee termination benefits under the 2013 Restructuring Plan. The transition of Security Networks' operations to Dallas was completed in the second quarter of 2014.


12


The following tables provide the activity and balances of the 2013 Restructuring Plan (amounts in thousands):
 
December 31, 2014
 
Additions
 
Payments
 
September 30, 2015
2013 Restructuring Plan
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Severance and retention
$
134

 

 
(134
)
 
$


 
December 31, 2013
 
Additions
 
Payments
 
September 30, 2014
2013 Restructuring Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Severance and retention
$
1,570

 
969

 
(2,271
)
 
$
268


(10)    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following table provides a summary of the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the period presented (amounts in thousands):
 
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
As of December 31, 2014
$
(4,805
)
Unrealized loss on derivatives recognized through Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(17,872
)
Reclassifications of unrealized loss on derivatives into net income (a)
5,465

As of September 30, 2015
$
(17,212
)
 
(a)
 Amounts reclassified into net income are included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.  See note 7, Derivatives, for further information.
 
(11)    Commitments, Contingencies and Other Liabilities
 
The Company is involved in litigation and similar claims incidental to the conduct of its business. Matters that are probable of unfavorable outcome to the Company and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals are based on information known about the matters, management’s estimate of the outcomes of such matters and experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters.  In management’s opinion, none of the pending actions is likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

(12)    Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information

The Senior Notes were issued by Monitronics (the “Parent Issuer”) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by all of the Company’s existing domestic subsidiaries (“Subsidiary Guarantors”).  Ascent Capital has not guaranteed any of the Company’s obligations under the Senior Notes. Consolidating guarantor financial information has not been presented for the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014, for the condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as substantially all of the Company’s operations were conducted by the Parent Issuer entity. The Company believes that disclosing such information would not provide investors with any additional information that would be material in evaluating the sufficiency of the guarantees. The unaudited condensed consolidating financial information for the Parent Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the non-guarantors are as follows:

13


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
(unaudited)
 
 
As of September 30, 2015
 
Parent Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(amounts in thousands)
Assets
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
27,372

 
1,216

 

 

 
$
28,588

Restricted cash
60

 

 

 

 
60

Trade receivables, net
13,865

 
371

 

 

 
14,236

Deferred income tax assets, net
6,567

 

 

 

 
6,567

Prepaid and other current assets
26,056

 
1,466

 

 
(16,851
)
 
10,671

Total current assets
73,920

 
3,053

 

 
(16,851
)
 
60,122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in subsidiaries
50,270

 

 

 
(50,270
)
 

Property and equipment, net
26,192

 
642

 

 

 
26,834

Subscriber accounts, net
1,390,954

 
32,619

 

 

 
1,423,573

Dealer network and other intangible assets, net
29,965

 
1,224

 

 

 
31,189

Goodwill
527,191

 
36,358

 

 

 
563,549

Other assets, net
22,832

 
6

 

 

 
22,838

Total assets
$
2,121,324

 
73,902

 

 
(67,121
)
 
$
2,128,105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
8,127

 
1,029

 

 

 
$
9,156

Accrued payroll and related liabilities
3,666

 
465

 

 

 
4,131

Other accrued liabilities
41,541

 
17,134

 

 
(16,851
)
 
41,824

Deferred revenue
14,524

 
973

 

 

 
15,497

Holdback liability
18,232

 
337

 

 

 
18,569

Current portion of long-term debt
5,500

 

 

 

 
5,500

Total current liabilities
91,590

 
19,938

 

 
(16,851
)
 
94,677

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-term debt
1,754,310

 

 

 

 
1,754,310

Long-term holdback liability
3,003

 

 

 

 
3,003

Derivative financial instruments
17,166

 

 

 

 
17,166

Deferred income tax liability, net
18,262

 
608

 

 

 
18,870

Other liabilities
13,573

 
3,086

 

 

 
16,659

Total liabilities
1,897,904

 
23,632

 

 
(16,851
)
 
1,904,685

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total stockholder's equity
223,420

 
50,270

 

 
(50,270
)
 
223,420

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity
$
2,121,324

 
73,902

 

 
(67,121
)
 
$
2,128,105



14


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Parent Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(amounts in thousands)
Net revenue
$
136,872

 
4,974

 

 

 
$
141,846

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
0

Cost of services
25,144

 
3,101

 

 

 
28,245

Selling, general, and administrative, including stock-based compensation
22,079

 
5,858

 

 

 
27,937

Radio conversion costs
3,570

 

 

 

 
3,570

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
65,548

 
1,410

 

 

 
66,958

Depreciation
2,684

 
33

 

 

 
2,717

Gain on disposal of operating assets
(1
)
 

 
0

 

 
(1
)
 
119,024

 
10,402

 

 

 
129,426

Operating income (loss)
17,848

 
(5,428
)
 

 

 
12,420

Other expense:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity in loss of subsidiaries
5,638

 

 

 
(5,638
)
 

Interest expense
31,849

 
4

 

 

 
31,853

Refinancing expense

 

 

 

 

 
37,487

 
4

 

 
(5,638
)
 
31,853

Loss before income taxes
(19,639
)
 
(5,432
)
 

 
5,638

 
(19,433
)
Income tax expense
1,775

 
206

 

 

 
1,981

Net loss
(21,414
)
 
(5,638
)
 

 
5,638

 
(21,414
)
Other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized gain on derivative contracts
(8,946
)
 

 

 

 
(8,946
)
Total other comprehensive income
(8,946
)
 

 

 

 
(8,946
)
Comprehensive loss
$
(30,360
)
 
(5,638
)
 

 
5,638

 
$
(30,360
)

15


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Parent Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(amounts in thousands)
Net revenue
$
410,523

 
11,282

 

 

 
$
421,805

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
0

Cost of services
74,268

 
6,747

 

 

 
81,015

Selling, general, and administrative, including stock-based compensation
64,209

 
12,849

 

 

 
77,058

Radio conversion costs
4,543

 

 

 

 
4,543

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
190,289

 
3,336

 

 

 
193,625

Depreciation
7,438

 
60

 

 

 
7,498

Gain on disposal of operating assets
(4
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
340,743

 
22,992

 

 

 
363,735

Operating income (loss)
69,780

 
(11,710
)
 

 

 
58,070

Other expense:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity in loss of subsidiaries
12,341

 

 

 
(12,341
)
 

Interest expense
93,367

 
17

 

 

 
93,384

Refinancing expense
4,468

 

 

 

 
4,468

 
110,176

 
17

 

 
(12,341
)
 
97,852

Loss before income taxes
(40,396
)
 
(11,727
)
 

 
12,341

 
(39,782
)
Income tax expense
5,339

 
614

 

 

 
5,953

Net loss
(45,735
)
 
(12,341
)
 

 
12,341

 
(45,735
)
Other comprehensive loss:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Unrealized loss on derivative contracts
(12,407
)
 

 

 

 
(12,407
)
Total other comprehensive loss
(12,407
)
 

 

 

 
(12,407
)
Comprehensive loss
$
(58,142
)
 
(12,341
)
 

 
12,341

 
$
(58,142
)



16


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
Parent Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(amounts in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
171,688

 
1,549

 

 

 
$
173,237

Investing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(9,695
)
 
(339
)
 

 

 
(10,034
)
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired
(200,044
)
 
(5,006
)
 

 

 
(205,050
)
Cash acquired (paid) on acquisition
(61,550
)
 
4,772

 


 


 
(56,778
)
Increase in restricted cash
(42
)
 

 

 

 
(42
)
Proceeds from disposal of operating assets
4

 

 

 

 
4

Net cash used in investing activities
(271,327
)
 
(573
)
 

 

 
(271,900
)
Financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from long-term debt
749,550

 

 

 

 
749,550

Payments on long-term debt
(640,465
)
 

 

 

 
(640,465
)
Payments of financing costs
(6,477
)
 

 

 

 
(6,477
)
Contribution from Ascent Capital
22,690

 

 

 

 
22,690

Net cash provided by financing activities
125,298

 

 

 

 
125,298

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
25,659

 
976

 

 

 
26,635

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,713

 
240

 

 

 
1,953

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
27,372

 
1,216

 

 

 
$
28,588





17


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, marketing and operating strategies, integration of acquired assets and businesses, new service offerings, financial prospects, and anticipated sources and uses of capital. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
 
general business conditions and industry trends;
macroeconomic conditions and their effect on the general economy and on the U.S. housing market, in particular single family homes which represent the Company’s largest demographic;
uncertainties in the development of the Company’s business strategies, including market acceptance of new products and services;
the competitive environment in which the Company operates, in particular increasing competition in the alarm monitoring industry from larger existing competitors and new market entrants, including telecommunications and cable companies;
the development of new services or service innovations by competitors;
the Company’s ability to acquire and integrate additional accounts, including competition for dealers with other alarm monitoring companies which could cause an increase in expected subscriber acquisition costs;
integration of acquired assets and businesses;
the regulatory environment in which the Company operates, including the multiplicity of jurisdictions and licensing requirements to which it is subject and the risk of new regulations, such as the increasing adoption of “false alarm” ordinances;
technological changes which could result in the obsolescence of currently utilized technology and the need for significant upgrade expenditures, including the phase-out of 2G networks by cellular carriers;
the trend away from the use of public switched telephone network lines and resultant increase in servicing costs associated with alternative methods of communication;
the operating performance of the Company’s network, including the potential for service disruptions at both the main monitoring facility and back-up monitoring facility due to acts of nature or technology deficiencies;
the outcome of any pending, threatened, or future litigation, including potential liability for failure to respond adequately to alarm activations;
the ability to continue to obtain insurance coverage sufficient to hedge our risk exposures, including as a result of acts of third parties and/or alleged regulatory violations;
changes in the nature of strategic relationships with original equipment manufacturers, dealers and other business partners;
the reliability and creditworthiness of the Company’s independent alarm systems dealers and subscribers;
changes in the Company’s expected rate of subscriber attrition;
the availability and terms of capital, including the ability to obtain additional funds to grow its business;
the Company’s high degree of leverage and the restrictive covenants governing its indebtedness; and
availability of qualified personnel.
 
For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the 2014 Form 10-K.  These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
 
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere herein and the 2014 Form 10-K.


18


Overview
 
The Company provides security alarm monitoring and related services to residential and business subscribers throughout the United States and parts of Canada.  On February 23, 2015 (the "Closing Date"), the Company acquired LiveWatch Security, LLC ("LiveWatch"), a Do-It-Yourself home security firm, offering professionally monitored security services through a direct-to-consumer sales channel (the "LiveWatch Acquisition"). On August 16, 2013, the Company acquired all of the equity interest of Security Networks LLC (“Security Networks”) and certain affiliated entities (the “Security Networks Acquisition”).  The Company monitors signals arising from burglaries, fires, medical alerts and other events through security systems at subscribers’ premises, as well as provides customer service and technical support.  Nearly all of the Company’s revenues are derived from monthly recurring revenues under security alarm monitoring contracts purchased from independent dealers in its exclusive nationwide network.

The Company's attrition analysis and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 include the operations of the LiveWatch business from the Closing Date.
 
Attrition
 
Account cancellation, otherwise referred to as subscriber attrition, has a direct impact on the number of subscribers that the Company services and on its financial results, including revenues, operating income and cash flow.  A portion of the subscriber base can be expected to cancel its service every year. Subscribers may choose not to renew or terminate their contract for a variety of reasons, including relocation, cost and switching to a competitor’s service.  The largest category of canceled accounts relate to subscriber relocation or the inability to contact the subscriber.  The Company defines its attrition rate as the number of canceled accounts in a given period divided by the weighted average of number of subscribers for that period.  The Company considers an account canceled if payment from the subscriber is deemed uncollectible or if the subscriber cancels for various reasons.  If a subscriber relocates but continues its service, this is not a cancellation.  If the subscriber relocates, discontinues its service and a new subscriber takes over the original subscriber’s service continuing the revenue stream, this is also not a cancellation.  The Company adjusts the number of canceled accounts by excluding those that are contractually guaranteed by its dealers.  The typical dealer contract provides that if a subscriber cancels in the first year of its contract, the dealer must either replace the canceled account with a new one or refund to the Company the cost paid to acquire the contract. To help ensure the dealer’s obligation to the Company, the Company typically maintains a dealer funded holdback reserve ranging from 5-10% of subscriber accounts in the guarantee period.  In some cases, the amount of the holdback liability may be less than actual attrition experience.
 
The table below presents subscriber data for the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Beginning balance of accounts
 
1,056,734

 
1,041,740

 
Accounts acquired
 
189,590

 
155,568

 
Accounts canceled
 
(145,181
)
 
(132,158
)
 
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and acquisition adjustments (a)
 
(9,516
)
 
(8,416
)
(b)
Ending balance of accounts
 
1,091,627

 
1,056,734

 
Monthly weighted average accounts
 
1,078,367

 
1,049,267

 
Attrition rate - Unit
 
(13.5
)%
 
(12.6
)%
 
Attrition rate - RMR (c)
 
(13.6
)%
 
(12.4
)%
 
 
(a)
Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback.
(b)
Includes a net increase of 983 subscriber accounts related to the Security Networks Acquisition. The increase was driven by a favorable adjustment of 1,101 accounts associated with multi-site subscribers that were considered single accounts prior to the completion of the Security Networks integration in April 2014. The impact of this adjustment was offset by 118 subscriber accounts that were proactively canceled following the acquisition of Security Networks in August 2013 because they were active with both Monitronics and Security Networks.
(c)
The recurring monthly revenue ("RMR") of canceled accounts follows the same definition as subscriber unit attrition as noted above. RMR attrition is defined as the RMR of canceled accounts in a given period, adjusted for the impact of price increases or decreases in that period, divided by the weighted average of RMR for that period.


19


We analyze our attrition by classifying accounts into annual pools based on the year of acquisition.  We then track the number of accounts that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of accounts acquired for each pool for each year subsequent to its acquisition.  Based on the average cancellation rate across the pools, in recent years we have averaged less than 1% attrition within the initial 12-month period after considering the accounts which were replaced or refunded by the dealers at no additional cost to us.  Over the next few years of the subscriber account life, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool gradually increases and historically has peaked following the end of the initial contract term, which is typically three to five years.  The peak following the end of the initial contract term is primarily a result of the buildup of subscribers that moved or no longer had need for the service but did not cancel their service until the end of their initial contract term.  Subsequent to the peak following the end of the initial contract term, the number of subscribers that cancel as a percentage of the initial number of subscribers in that pool declines.

Accounts Acquired
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company acquired 44,776 and 43,602 subscriber accounts, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company acquired 151,592 and 118,227 subscriber accounts, respectively. Accounts acquired for the three months ended September 30, 2015 reflect bulk buys of approximately 600 accounts. Accounts acquired for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes 31,919 accounts from the LiveWatch Acquisition in February 2015 and reflect bulk buys of approximately 1,800 accounts. Accounts acquired for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 reflect bulk buys of approximately 2,500 and 5,400 accounts, respectively.

RMR acquired during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $2,094,000 and $2,007,000, respectively. RMR acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $6,468,000 and $5,406,000, respectively. RMR acquired for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes approximately $909,000 of RMR from the LiveWatch Acquisition in February 2015.
 
Adjusted EBITDA
  
We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and “Adjusted EBITDA.”  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or nonrecurring charges.   The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its business, including the business’ ability to fund its ongoing acquisition of subscriber accounts, to fund its capital expenditures and to service its debt.  In addition, this measure is used by management to evaluate operating results and perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve performance.   Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure that is customarily used by financial analysts to evaluate the financial performance of companies in the security alarm monitoring industry and is one of the financial measures, subject to certain adjustments, by which the Company's covenants are calculated under the agreements governing its debt obligations.  Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss and is indicative neither of our results of operations nor of cash flows available to fund all of our cash needs.  It is, however, a measurement that the Company believes is useful to investors in analyzing its operating performance.  Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  As companies often define non-GAAP financial measures differently, Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by Monitronics should not be compared to any similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
 

20


Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth selected data from the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated (dollar amounts in thousands).
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenue
$
141,846

 
136,027

 
$
421,805

 
403,587

Cost of services
28,245

 
24,475

 
81,015

 
69,106

Selling, general, and administrative
27,937

 
20,565

 
77,058

 
66,664

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
66,958

 
64,341

 
193,625

 
189,382

Interest expense
31,853

 
30,422

 
93,384

 
89,404

Income tax expense
1,981

 
1,899

 
5,953

 
5,211

Net loss
(21,414
)
 
(8,332
)
 
(45,735
)
 
(24,708
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA (a)
$
88,277

 
91,498

 
$
269,918

 
271,475

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net revenue
62.2
%

67.3
%
 
64.0
%
 
67.3
%
 
(a) 
See reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss below.
 
Net revenue.  Net revenue increased $5,819,000, or 4.3%, and $18,218,000, or 4.5%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.  The increase in net revenue is attributable to the growth in the number of subscriber accounts and the increase in average RMR per subscriber.  The growth in subscriber accounts reflects the acquisition of over 157,000 accounts through the Monitronics and LiveWatch subscriber acquisition channels subsequent to September 30, 2014, as well as 31,919 accounts acquired in the LiveWatch Acquisition in February 2015.  Average monthly revenue per subscriber increased from $41.38 as of September 30, 2014 to $41.63 as of September 30, 2015. Excluding accounts acquired through the LiveWatch Acquisition, which had an average monthly revenue per subscriber of $28.46, average monthly revenue per subscriber was $42.03 as of September 30, 2015.
 
Cost of services.  Cost of services increased $3,770,000, or 15.4%, and $11,909,000, or 17.2%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increase is attributable to the inclusion of LiveWatch, which expensed equipment costs associated with the creation of new subscribers of $2,210,000 and $4,666,000 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase is also attributable to the growth in the number of accounts being monitored across the cellular network, including home automation accounts, and service costs to upgrade existing subscribers' equipment. Cost of services as a percent of net revenue increased from 18.0% and 17.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 to 19.9% and 19.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
 
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative costs (“SG&A”) increased $7,372,000, or 35.8%, and $10,394,000, or 15.6%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.  The increase is attributable to SG&A incurred at LiveWatch, including marketing and sales costs of $3,269,000 and $7,089,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, related to the creation of new subscribers. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, LiveWatch SG&A also includes $1,291,000 and $3,086,000, respectively, in LiveWatch Acquisition Contingent Bonuses payable to LiveWatch's key members of management in accordance with the employment agreements entered into in connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition. Other increases in SG&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are one-time costs incurred by Monitronics of $946,000 related to professional services rendered in connection with the LiveWatch Acquisition and $720,000 of costs incurred to relocate the Company's headquarters in July 2015. These increases were partially offset by decreases in Monitronics' staffing and operating costs incurred at its headquarters as a result of the Security Networks' integration being completed in April 2014. SG&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 also includes $2,182,000 of incremental costs incurred in connection to the Security Networks' integration. SG&A as a percent of net revenue increased from 15.1% and 16.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 to 19.7% and 18.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
 

21


Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets.  Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets increased $2,617,000 and $4,243,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.  The increase is attributable to amortization of subscriber accounts acquired subsequent to September 30, 2014.
 
Interest expense.  Interest expense increased $1,431,000 and $3,980,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to increases in the Company’s consolidated debt balance related to the revolver borrowings incurred to fund the LiveWatch Acquisition and subsequent amendment to the Credit Facility term loans in April 2015. 
 
Income tax expense.  The Company had pre-tax loss of $19,433,000 and $39,782,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and income tax expense of $1,981,000 and $5,953,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.  The Company had pre-tax loss of $6,433,000 and $19,497,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and income tax expense of $1,899,000 and $5,211,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.  Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is attributable to Texas state margin tax incurred on the Company's operations and the deferred tax impact from amortization of deductible goodwill related to the Company's recent acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA. The following table provides a reconciliation of total Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
88,277

 
91,498

 
$
269,918

 
271,475

Amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets
(66,958
)
 
(64,341
)
 
(193,625
)
 
(189,382
)
Depreciation
(2,717
)
 
(2,246
)
 
(7,498
)
 
(6,827
)
Stock-based compensation
(601
)
 
(511
)
 
(1,430
)
 
(1,407
)
Restructuring charges

 
(51
)
 

 
(969
)
Radio conversion costs
(3,570
)
 
(360
)
 
(4,543
)
 
(801
)
LiveWatch acquisition related costs

 

 
(946
)
 

LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges
(1,291
)
 

 
(3,086
)
 

Headquarters relocation costs
(720
)
 

 
(720
)
 

Security Networks integration related costs

 

 

 
(2,182
)
Interest expense
(31,853
)
 
(30,422
)
 
(93,384
)
 
(89,404
)
Refinancing expense

 

 
(4,468
)
 

Income tax expense
(1,981
)
 
(1,899
)
 
(5,953
)
 
(5,211
)
Net loss
$
(21,414
)
 
(8,332
)
 
$
(45,735
)
 
(24,708
)
 
Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3,221,000, or 3.5%, and $1,557,000, or 0.6%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.  Adjusted EBITDA is negatively impacted for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 due to LiveWatch's direct-to-consumer business, which requires it to recognize certain revenue and expenses associated with the creation of subscriber accounts. This is in contrast to Monitronics' dealer business, which capitalizes payments to dealers to acquire accounts and amortizes those payments to amortization expense over the life of the accounts.  LiveWatch's expensed creation costs, net of creation revenue, included in adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, are $4,307,000 and $8,916,000, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At September 30, 2015, we had $28,588,000 of cash and cash equivalents and $60,000 of current restricted cash.  Our primary sources of funds are our cash flows from operating activities which are generated from alarm monitoring and related service revenues.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, our cash flow from operating activities was $173,237,000 and $185,718,000, respectively.  The primary driver of our cash flow from operating activities is Adjusted EBITDA.  Fluctuations in our Adjusted EBITDA and the components of that measure are discussed in “Results of Operations” above.  In addition, our cash flow from operating activities may be significantly impacted by changes in working capital.
 

22


During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company used cash of $205,050,000 and $202,429,000, respectively, to fund subscriber account acquisitions, net of holdback and guarantee obligations.  In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company used cash of $10,034,000 and $5,035,000, respectively, to fund its capital expenditures.

In 2015, the Company paid cash of $56,778,000 for the acquisition of LiveWatch, net of the transfer of $3,988,000 to LiveWatch upon the Closing Date to fund LiveWatch employees' transaction bonuses and LiveWatch cash on hand of $784,000. The LiveWatch Acquisition was funded by borrowings from the Company's expanded Credit Facility revolver as well as cash contributions from Ascent Capital.

On April 9, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 (“Amendment No. 5”) to its existing senior secured credit agreement dated March 23, 2012, and as amended and restated on February 17, 2015, August 16, 2013, March 25, 2013 and November 7, 2012 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to Amendment No. 5, the Company completed the issuance of an incremental $550,000,000 senior secured Term Loan B offering at a 0.5% discount with a maturity date of April 9, 2022. The Company used the net proceeds to retire approximately $492,000,000 of its existing term loans due March 2018 and repaid $49,900,000 of its revolving credit facility. Amendment No. 5 (the Existing Credit Agreement together with Amendment No. 5, the "Credit Facility") also incorporates certain covenant changes, including the removal of the third quarter 2015 step downs of the senior secured and total leverage ratios, both as defined in the Credit Facility.

On September 30, 2015, the Company borrowed $27,000,000 on the Credit Facility revolver to fund its October 1, 2015 interest payment due under the Senior Notes of $26,691,000.

The existing long-term debt at September 30, 2015 includes the principal balance of $1,765,634,000 under our Senior Notes, the Ascent Intercompany Loan, our Credit Facility, and our Credit Facility revolver.  The Senior Notes have an outstanding principal balance of $585,000,000 as of September 30, 2015 and mature on April 1, 2020.  The Ascent Intercompany Loan has an outstanding principal balance of $100,000,000 and matures on October 1, 2020.  The Credit Facility term loans have an outstanding principal balance of $951,034,000 as of September 30, 2015 and require principal payments of approximately $1,375,000 per quarter with $403,784,000 becoming due on March 23, 2018 and the remaining amount becoming due on April 9, 2022.  The Credit Facility revolver has an outstanding balance of $129,600,000 as of September 30, 2015 and becomes due on December 22, 2017.
 
In considering our liquidity requirements for 2015 and 2016, we evaluated our known future commitments and obligations.  We will require the availability of funds to finance our strategy to grow through the acquisition of subscriber accounts. In 2014, the Company implemented a Radio Conversion Program in response to one of the nation's largest carriers announcing that it does not intend to support its 2G cellular network services beyond 2016. In connection with the Radio Conversion Program, the Company could incur incremental costs of $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 for the remainder of 2015 and $20,000,000 to $24,000,000 in 2016. In addition, we considered the borrowing capacity of our Credit Facility revolver, under which we could borrow an additional $185,400,000 as of September 30, 2015.  Based on this analysis, we expect that cash on hand, cash flow generated from operations and available borrowings under our Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity, given our anticipated current and future requirements.

We may seek capital contributions from Ascent Capital or debt financing in the event of any new investment opportunities, additional capital expenditures or our operations requiring additional funds, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain capital contributions from Ascent Capital or debt financing on terms that would be acceptable to us or at all.  Our ability to seek additional sources of funding depends on our future financial position and results of operations, which are subject to general conditions in or affecting our industry and our customers and to general economic, political, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors beyond our control.

Goodwill

The Company accounts for its goodwill pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“FASB ASC Topic 350”). In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment annually or if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate the fair value of the entity may be below its carrying amount (a "triggering event"). Our annual impairment testing of goodwill is performed in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred due to a sustained decrease in Ascent Capital's market capitalization. In response to the triggering event, the Company performed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, and determined that there was no impairment. If there is a further sustained

23


decrease in Ascent Capital's market capitalization in future periods, the Company may be required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.



24


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Due to the terms of our debt obligations, we have exposure to changes in interest rates related to these debt obligations.  The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure related to the movement in interest rates.  The derivatives are designated as hedges and were entered into with the intention of reducing the risk associated with variable interest rates on the debt obligations.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
 
Tabular Presentation of Interest Rate Risk
 
The table below provides information about our outstanding debt obligations and derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.  Interest rate swaps are presented at their fair value amount and by maturity date as of September 30, 2015.  Debt amounts represent principal payments by maturity date as of September 30, 2015.
 
Year of Maturity
 
Fixed Rate
Derivative
Instruments, net (a)
 
Variable Rate
Debt
 
Fixed Rate
Debt
 
Total
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Remainder of 2015
 
$

 
$
1,375

 
$

 
$
1,375

2016
 

 
5,500

 

 
5,500

2017
 

 
135,100

 

 
135,100

2018
 
11,519

 
409,284

 

 
420,803

2019
 

 
5,500

 

 
5,500

2020
 

 
5,500

 
685,000

 
690,500

Thereafter
 
5,647

 
518,375

 

 
524,022

Total
 
$
17,166

 
$
1,080,634

 
$
685,000


$
1,782,800

 
(a) 
The derivative financial instruments reflected in this column include four interest rate swaps with a maturity date of March 23, 2018 and two interest rate swaps with a maturity date of April 9, 2022.  As a result of these interest rate swaps, the Company's current effective weighted average interest rate on the borrowings under the Credit Facility term loans is 5.15%.  See notes 6, 7 and 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report for further information.
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer (the “Executives”), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting.


25


MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6Exhibits
 
Listed below are the exhibits which are included as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification. *
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification. *
32
 
Section 1350 Certification. **
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document. *
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *
 
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.




26


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
MONITRONICS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date: November 12, 2015
By:
/s/ Jeffery R. Gardner
 
 
Jeffery R. Gardner
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 12, 2015
By:
/s/ Michael R. Meyers
 
 
Michael R. Meyers
 
 
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


27


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Listed below are the exhibits which are included as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification. *
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification. *
32
 
Section 1350 Certification. **
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document. *
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *
 
*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished herewith.




28